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[ { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 4, "text": "As Tessa, retired Seattle cop now Widow's Island (WI) PD and Logan, as retired soldier and WI Park Ranger, join forces to solve Dante 's murder while battling with her Mother's advancing Alzheimer's. The hours together and a bit of prodding from Jane, Logan and Cate's grandmother, have them seeing each other in a more mature light. I do hope this blooms into HEA, despite Logan's claim of 'enjoying the single life'.<br /><br />The well developed characters and an intriguing, psychologically based plot on human traits hold the novella together'. Here \"vanity is definitely, [not only the Devil's], favorite sin\", but the reason for man's,/ woman's downfall in life, while its depiction of the solitary way of life of 'island living' in a positive communal manner (Al Pacino Devil's Advocate). The WI Knitting group is a force of matriarchal power to reckon with, as it tackles the growing societal problems of the 'sandwich generation of women', and the effects of Alzheimer's on many rural families. A MUST-READ!!<br /><br />11/03/18.", "timestamp": 1541265861638, "title": "\"Vanity is definitely my favorite sin.\" 4.25***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 4, "text": "Cate, injured FBI agent, home on medical leave gets drawn into a case with her childhood friend and Widow’s Island deputy, Tessa, when bones are found on Ruby’s Island. She and the new doctor, Henry, solve the long overdue disappearance of Becca. The two old friends are going to reopen Samantha’s case. I wish them well. Great new novella series portraying women in both protagonist and antagonist roles. Must read!", "timestamp": 1541368951098, "title": "Becca Comes Home! 4.25***** Spoiler Alert!" }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "Well written novel with main characters you would want to hang out with. Ryan Moody becomes poster child for this long argued debate as he continues where his father left off. While FBI Agent Mercy and Chief Cop Truman, solidified their love and take a huge relationship step.<br />A MUST-READ!!<br />01/30/2019", "timestamp": 1548910994220, "title": "Nature or Nurture? Mercy and Truman Investigates! 4.75***** SPOILER ALERT" }, { "asin": "B07C854RL5", "rating": 5, "text": "Old secrets and crimes come to light as Ollie located a skeleton with a bullet hole to the skull, and thus the story unravels. Tabitha the reporter, Trevor, Art the FBI Agent, Shane the egotistical mastermind, Bree/Leah, and Glenn/Nathan all collide in Bend as Mercy, Evan, and Truman work feverishly to solve the crime of the century.<br />Well written with an unimaginable twist at the end. Love how Ollie's character is developing, and I am left wondering how Ina and Lucas would fear from the fallout. A MUST-READ!!<br /><br />01/31/19.", "timestamp": 1548998887843, "title": "The Heist Thirty Years Later! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert¡" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The murders of Judge Lake and the Wicca, Olivia, had Mercy, Truman, and the FBI going back forty years for suspects. But they finally realized the secret Christian Lake carried was the cause for his brother, Gabriel's hatred, along with his loss of his father's money.<br />Amazing rising plot, well developed characters, with Truman and Mercy's bond blossoming exponentially. Can't wait to see Mercy's newly, upgraded TEOTWAWKI cabin, and see where Rose 's new love life trends!<br /><br />02/03/19.", "timestamp": 1549239126528, "title": "Spawn By Hatred and Jealousy Six United! 4.7*****SPOILER ALERT" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 5, "text": "After a rash of fires in Bend, the senseless killing of two police officers leave the FBI, Mercy, and Truman to investigate their murders and the growing power and isolation of Tom McDonald and his newbie militia. Cade, Rose, Joshua, and Jack all by products of Tom's egomaniacal reach.<br /><br />Great characters, amazing plot, with a surprising, familial, twist of an ending. The constant message of a friendless, over-reaching, overtaxing government, reveals the flip side of a society lead and governed by a egomaniac. The blossoming love story between Cade and Kaylie, runs parallel to Truman and Mercy's. Can't wait to read the next novel in this series! A MUST-READ.<br /><br />02/09/19.", "timestamp": 1549712099293, "title": "Dead Men Tell No Tales! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 5, "text": "From murdered and raped girls, to murdered old, prepper, Mercy's return to Bend and Eagle's Nest, has her awaking old secrets, and slowly reconnecting to her deserted family. She and Truman Daly, Eagle's Nest Chief of Police, the FBI, and Eddie investigate and connect the broken mirrors to the fifteen year old cold cases. Levi 's involvement to concealed those event, ultimately led to his demise by Craig. If only Truman did not save him, so many life paths would be altered. Was Craig attempting suicide by not resurfacing in order to escape his abusive home life??<br /><br />Great first novel in this series, with amazing characters and a gravity defying plot. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />02/12/19", "timestamp": 1550028845282, "title": "History Repeated, Secrets Revealed! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00Y0PIEZY", "rating": 5, "text": "Chris, a survivor of an abusive, childhood abduction, now grown up with a son, Brian, perchance, rescued two women, Gianna/forensic pathologist and Violet/ her teenage daughter from their burnt out mountain cabin. The complicated woven tale dating back to Gianna's parents' 'fatal car crash', and the involvement of Leo's South-African terrorist, gun-dealing investors into Bergsina Computer company, unfolded as Reid's murders dotted the state of Oregon, in his clumsy attempts to locate and retrieve 1 the incriminating flash drive for his brutal father..<br />Amazing plot, and writing, with complex, scarred characters that survive at all cost, only proving once again how resilient children are and how much the human psyche can withstand. I hope Leo was held accountable for these crimes as well as lose his company, as these 'crimes against humanity' were all instigated from his greed-driven decisions/acts. Can't wait to read 'Buried', or book #1 of this stand-alone book series! A MUST-READ for the romantic suspense reader.<br /><br />04/10/19.", "timestamp": 1554903873951, "title": "Chris and Gianna Burning Love Tryst! 4.5*****Spoiler Alert¡" }, { "asin": "B00XXYGNJC", "rating": 5, "text": "Cristan and Lucia fled Argentina, escaping the Vargas violence, only to be threatened by his '¿murdered?, not-so dead, impulsive wife, Eva. Twelve years later on the eve of the Vargas family's massacre, the revenge-seeking Aline plan came to fruition as she followed and trapped all four, remaining Vargas survivors. Sean and Mike arrived to imprison all the gun toting players, except wily Eva. Eva's parting gift to Cristan and his new found love interest, mother of two, recently divorced, domestically-abused, Sarah, was peace and Troy's ring, confirming his death was not a suicide. Eva looking at the scene twelve years ago, realized it was her sister, Maria, and,, not Cristan who betrayed the family, to Aline.<br /><br />Amazing, tortuous plot, with dimensional characters, multiple plots streaming through the novel, and a look into family dynamics. Maria's justification for the betrayal of all at the party, while cold was definitively unresolved PTSD, post her near rape event. Eva's change in personna, was a welcomed relief, that she maybe becoming level headed and reasonable. A must read!!<br /><br />04/28/19", "timestamp": 1556447398435, "title": "Betrayed Cristan and Sarah Make Five! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert!" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW56", "rating": 5, "text": "McClellan Barrett (Mac) returned to Scarlet Falls from Brazil, the drugs cartels producing coca, and the DEA for his father's funeral. Slowly he became caught up in Stella' s case of missing ex-drug users, until he, also a former addict, became crazy, sociopathic Dr. Josh' s \"true one\". The Dane/Barrett families have blended into a cohesive unit: Morgan and Lance, Brody and Hannah, Grant, Ellie, Carson, Julia, and walking Faith, Nan and Grandpa, and now Stella and Mac.<br /><br />Great plot, with well developed, but flawed loveable characters. Addiction is a daily struggle, but like life, you just need to get up, back on your feet once you fall, as humans we always fall. Secretly wishing Mac had ended Josh's life on the lake, but wondering if Grant, Mac, and Hannah are going to get Carson and Faith survival ready for life and \"a zombie apocalypse\" (Leigh 326). A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/05/19- 10/06/19.", "timestamp": 1570387260777, "title": "Stella, Mac, and the One For Josh! 4.6***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00LTBWMVO", "rating": 4, "text": "After Kate and Lee's senseless murder by Donnie on the behest of Coach Victor, Major Grant Barrett returned to Scarlet Falls and took control of Carson, Faith, Annabelle, and Ellie's heart. Mac and Hannah, Grant's siblings also pitched in to keep the kids safe, like Lee did for them, while the DonnieE. search went into overdrive. The climatic end and full reveal of infidelity on Kate's part, the sordid video, and Coach Victor' s statutory rape and murder cover-up definitely ended those mean girl, Regan and Autumn' s skating careers. But in the world of privilege who knows, they probably got away with a few hours of community service for Hamilton's death.<br /><br />Great plot, editing, character development, and storyline depicting the harsh, competitive underbelly of the ice skating world, once more reminding us of the recent Nasser/ USOlympic Skating Association debacle. Grant and Ellie melded together well, and some stability was brought into Carson and Faith's life. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/05/19-10/07/19.", "timestamp": 1570450775219, "title": "Mean Girls, Grant, and Ellie! 4***** Spoiler Alert." }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 4, "text": "Two decades later, Vic's car and Mary Fox's body turned up at the bottom of the lake. But only after the death of several key witnesses to PJ's bar fight, the pieces to this cold case puzzle fell into place. Sheriff King a psychopath with a badge and hunting skills, what a deadly combination.<br />Great characters and plot. A Must-Read.<br />10/09 /19-10/12/19", "timestamp": 1570873424995, "title": "Lance, Morgan, and the Search For Vic K! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00QQYZYPK", "rating": 4, "text": "Attempting to save 14y/o Jewel/Jenna from her sex trafficker, in Las Vegas, Hannah's car is rammed and she received a concussion while Jewel was recaptured and whisked away from her. Identifying the three involved, Sam, Mick and Jewel, Hannah returned to Scarlett Falls and the Arnette Brothers followed her hoping to silence another witness as the two psychopaths murder several women along the way. Detective Brody McM, and Hannah teamed up, killing the brothers, rescuing Chet, and provided evidence from the seized computers to help save Jewel and pregnant Penny. Of course, the sex trafficking ring led back to Hannah's legal firm, Black Associates. She taped Royce' s murdering scheme and confession of his avarice filled endeavors for his rich pedophile clients.<br /><br />Great plot, with well developed yet flawed characters. I think Morgan and Hannah should join legal teams and PI businesses. Hannah and Brody melded well as a couple. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/13/19-10/14/19.", "timestamp": 1571044942563, "title": "Hannah, Brody and the Arnette Brothers! 4***** Spoiler Alert" } ]

[ { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 4, "text": "As Tessa, retired Seattle cop now Widow's Island (WI) PD and Logan, as retired soldier and WI Park Ranger, join forces to solve Dante 's murder while battling with her Mother's advancing Alzheimer's. The hours together and a bit of prodding from Jane, Logan and Cate's grandmother, have them seeing each other in a more mature light. I do hope this blooms into HEA, despite Logan's claim of 'enjoying the single life'.<br /><br />The well developed characters and an intriguing, psychologically based plot on human traits hold the novella together'. Here \"vanity is definitely, [not only the Devil's], favorite sin\", but the reason for man's,/ woman's downfall in life, while its depiction of the solitary way of life of 'island living' in a positive communal manner (Al Pacino Devil's Advocate). The WI Knitting group is a force of matriarchal power to reckon with, as it tackles the growing societal problems of the 'sandwich generation of women', and the effects of Alzheimer's on many rural families. A MUST-READ!!<br /><br />11/03/18.", "timestamp": 1541265861638, "title": "\"Vanity is definitely my favorite sin.\" 4.25***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 4, "text": "Cate, injured FBI agent, home on medical leave gets drawn into a case with her childhood friend and Widow’s Island deputy, Tessa, when bones are found on Ruby’s Island. She and the new doctor, Henry, solve the long overdue disappearance of Becca. The two old friends are going to reopen Samantha’s case. I wish them well. Great new novella series portraying women in both protagonist and antagonist roles. Must read!", "timestamp": 1541368951098, "title": "Becca Comes Home! 4.25***** Spoiler Alert!" }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "Well written novel with main characters you would want to hang out with. Ryan Moody becomes poster child for this long argued debate as he continues where his father left off. While FBI Agent Mercy and Chief Cop Truman, solidified their love and take a huge relationship step.<br />A MUST-READ!!<br />01/30/2019", "timestamp": 1548910994220, "title": "Nature or Nurture? Mercy and Truman Investigates! 4.75***** SPOILER ALERT" }, { "asin": "B07C854RL5", "rating": 5, "text": "Old secrets and crimes come to light as Ollie located a skeleton with a bullet hole to the skull, and thus the story unravels. Tabitha the reporter, Trevor, Art the FBI Agent, Shane the egotistical mastermind, Bree/Leah, and Glenn/Nathan all collide in Bend as Mercy, Evan, and Truman work feverishly to solve the crime of the century.<br />Well written with an unimaginable twist at the end. Love how Ollie's character is developing, and I am left wondering how Ina and Lucas would fear from the fallout. A MUST-READ!!<br /><br />01/31/19.", "timestamp": 1548998887843, "title": "The Heist Thirty Years Later! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert¡" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The murders of Judge Lake and the Wicca, Olivia, had Mercy, Truman, and the FBI going back forty years for suspects. But they finally realized the secret Christian Lake carried was the cause for his brother, Gabriel's hatred, along with his loss of his father's money.<br />Amazing rising plot, well developed characters, with Truman and Mercy's bond blossoming exponentially. Can't wait to see Mercy's newly, upgraded TEOTWAWKI cabin, and see where Rose 's new love life trends!<br /><br />02/03/19.", "timestamp": 1549239126528, "title": "Spawn By Hatred and Jealousy Six United! 4.7*****SPOILER ALERT" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 5, "text": "After a rash of fires in Bend, the senseless killing of two police officers leave the FBI, Mercy, and Truman to investigate their murders and the growing power and isolation of Tom McDonald and his newbie militia. Cade, Rose, Joshua, and Jack all by products of Tom's egomaniacal reach.<br /><br />Great characters, amazing plot, with a surprising, familial, twist of an ending. The constant message of a friendless, over-reaching, overtaxing government, reveals the flip side of a society lead and governed by a egomaniac. The blossoming love story between Cade and Kaylie, runs parallel to Truman and Mercy's. Can't wait to read the next novel in this series! A MUST-READ.<br /><br />02/09/19.", "timestamp": 1549712099293, "title": "Dead Men Tell No Tales! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 5, "text": "From murdered and raped girls, to murdered old, prepper, Mercy's return to Bend and Eagle's Nest, has her awaking old secrets, and slowly reconnecting to her deserted family. She and Truman Daly, Eagle's Nest Chief of Police, the FBI, and Eddie investigate and connect the broken mirrors to the fifteen year old cold cases. Levi 's involvement to concealed those event, ultimately led to his demise by Craig. If only Truman did not save him, so many life paths would be altered. Was Craig attempting suicide by not resurfacing in order to escape his abusive home life??<br /><br />Great first novel in this series, with amazing characters and a gravity defying plot. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />02/12/19", "timestamp": 1550028845282, "title": "History Repeated, Secrets Revealed! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00Y0PIEZY", "rating": 5, "text": "Chris, a survivor of an abusive, childhood abduction, now grown up with a son, Brian, perchance, rescued two women, Gianna/forensic pathologist and Violet/ her teenage daughter from their burnt out mountain cabin. The complicated woven tale dating back to Gianna's parents' 'fatal car crash', and the involvement of Leo's South-African terrorist, gun-dealing investors into Bergsina Computer company, unfolded as Reid's murders dotted the state of Oregon, in his clumsy attempts to locate and retrieve 1 the incriminating flash drive for his brutal father..<br />Amazing plot, and writing, with complex, scarred characters that survive at all cost, only proving once again how resilient children are and how much the human psyche can withstand. I hope Leo was held accountable for these crimes as well as lose his company, as these 'crimes against humanity' were all instigated from his greed-driven decisions/acts. Can't wait to read 'Buried', or book #1 of this stand-alone book series! A MUST-READ for the romantic suspense reader.<br /><br />04/10/19.", "timestamp": 1554903873951, "title": "Chris and Gianna Burning Love Tryst! 4.5*****Spoiler Alert¡" }, { "asin": "B00XXYGNJC", "rating": 5, "text": "Cristan and Lucia fled Argentina, escaping the Vargas violence, only to be threatened by his '¿murdered?, not-so dead, impulsive wife, Eva. Twelve years later on the eve of the Vargas family's massacre, the revenge-seeking Aline plan came to fruition as she followed and trapped all four, remaining Vargas survivors. Sean and Mike arrived to imprison all the gun toting players, except wily Eva. Eva's parting gift to Cristan and his new found love interest, mother of two, recently divorced, domestically-abused, Sarah, was peace and Troy's ring, confirming his death was not a suicide. Eva looking at the scene twelve years ago, realized it was her sister, Maria, and,, not Cristan who betrayed the family, to Aline.<br /><br />Amazing, tortuous plot, with dimensional characters, multiple plots streaming through the novel, and a look into family dynamics. Maria's justification for the betrayal of all at the party, while cold was definitively unresolved PTSD, post her near rape event. Eva's change in personna, was a welcomed relief, that she maybe becoming level headed and reasonable. A must read!!<br /><br />04/28/19", "timestamp": 1556447398435, "title": "Betrayed Cristan and Sarah Make Five! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert!" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW56", "rating": 5, "text": "McClellan Barrett (Mac) returned to Scarlet Falls from Brazil, the drugs cartels producing coca, and the DEA for his father's funeral. Slowly he became caught up in Stella' s case of missing ex-drug users, until he, also a former addict, became crazy, sociopathic Dr. Josh' s \"true one\". The Dane/Barrett families have blended into a cohesive unit: Morgan and Lance, Brody and Hannah, Grant, Ellie, Carson, Julia, and walking Faith, Nan and Grandpa, and now Stella and Mac.<br /><br />Great plot, with well developed, but flawed loveable characters. Addiction is a daily struggle, but like life, you just need to get up, back on your feet once you fall, as humans we always fall. Secretly wishing Mac had ended Josh's life on the lake, but wondering if Grant, Mac, and Hannah are going to get Carson and Faith survival ready for life and \"a zombie apocalypse\" (Leigh 326). A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/05/19- 10/06/19.", "timestamp": 1570387260777, "title": "Stella, Mac, and the One For Josh! 4.6***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00LTBWMVO", "rating": 4, "text": "After Kate and Lee's senseless murder by Donnie on the behest of Coach Victor, Major Grant Barrett returned to Scarlet Falls and took control of Carson, Faith, Annabelle, and Ellie's heart. Mac and Hannah, Grant's siblings also pitched in to keep the kids safe, like Lee did for them, while the DonnieE. search went into overdrive. The climatic end and full reveal of infidelity on Kate's part, the sordid video, and Coach Victor' s statutory rape and murder cover-up definitely ended those mean girl, Regan and Autumn' s skating careers. But in the world of privilege who knows, they probably got away with a few hours of community service for Hamilton's death.<br /><br />Great plot, editing, character development, and storyline depicting the harsh, competitive underbelly of the ice skating world, once more reminding us of the recent Nasser/ USOlympic Skating Association debacle. Grant and Ellie melded together well, and some stability was brought into Carson and Faith's life. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/05/19-10/07/19.", "timestamp": 1570450775219, "title": "Mean Girls, Grant, and Ellie! 4***** Spoiler Alert." }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 4, "text": "Two decades later, Vic's car and Mary Fox's body turned up at the bottom of the lake. But only after the death of several key witnesses to PJ's bar fight, the pieces to this cold case puzzle fell into place. Sheriff King a psychopath with a badge and hunting skills, what a deadly combination.<br />Great characters and plot. A Must-Read.<br />10/09 /19-10/12/19", "timestamp": 1570873424995, "title": "Lance, Morgan, and the Search For Vic K! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00QQYZYPK", "rating": 4, "text": "Attempting to save 14y/o Jewel/Jenna from her sex trafficker, in Las Vegas, Hannah's car is rammed and she received a concussion while Jewel was recaptured and whisked away from her. Identifying the three involved, Sam, Mick and Jewel, Hannah returned to Scarlett Falls and the Arnette Brothers followed her hoping to silence another witness as the two psychopaths murder several women along the way. Detective Brody McM, and Hannah teamed up, killing the brothers, rescuing Chet, and provided evidence from the seized computers to help save Jewel and pregnant Penny. Of course, the sex trafficking ring led back to Hannah's legal firm, Black Associates. She taped Royce' s murdering scheme and confession of his avarice filled endeavors for his rich pedophile clients.<br /><br />Great plot, with well developed yet flawed characters. I think Morgan and Hannah should join legal teams and PI businesses. Hannah and Brody melded well as a couple. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/13/19-10/14/19.", "timestamp": 1571044942563, "title": "Hannah, Brody and the Arnette Brothers! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 4, "text": "Tessa' s savage murder had Nick, her boyfriend convicted on social media after his rapid, wrongful imprisonment. He was repeatedly attacked and shived in prison while Emerson and his son, Jacob roamed freely. Jamie, on the other hand, ran away from home to escape the sex predator her mother was about to marry. Lance and Morgan worked as a team clearing Nick, and revealing the true murderer, and Sharp found out that Kevin was not who he said he was, and had Federal agents arresting him for failing to register as a sex offender and molesting Jamie. What surprised me the most was Evelyn Palmer' s vindictive actions towards Morgan and Nick, especially since it was her neighbour/ family friend that was abusing and killed her granddaughter, Tessa.<br /><br />Great plot with solid characters, and the sexual child abuse aspect makes one quiver with unease for all the young defenseless children in our society. A Must Read!!<br /><br />10/16/19-10/21/19", "timestamp": 1571664552881, "title": "Lance and Morgan Rescue Jamie and Nick! 4***** Spoiler Alert" } ]

[ { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 4, "text": "As Tessa, retired Seattle cop now Widow's Island (WI) PD and Logan, as retired soldier and WI Park Ranger, join forces to solve Dante 's murder while battling with her Mother's advancing Alzheimer's. The hours together and a bit of prodding from Jane, Logan and Cate's grandmother, have them seeing each other in a more mature light. I do hope this blooms into HEA, despite Logan's claim of 'enjoying the single life'.<br /><br />The well developed characters and an intriguing, psychologically based plot on human traits hold the novella together'. Here \"vanity is definitely, [not only the Devil's], favorite sin\", but the reason for man's,/ woman's downfall in life, while its depiction of the solitary way of life of 'island living' in a positive communal manner (Al Pacino Devil's Advocate). The WI Knitting group is a force of matriarchal power to reckon with, as it tackles the growing societal problems of the 'sandwich generation of women', and the effects of Alzheimer's on many rural families. A MUST-READ!!<br /><br />11/03/18.", "timestamp": 1541265861638, "title": "\"Vanity is definitely my favorite sin.\" 4.25***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 4, "text": "Cate, injured FBI agent, home on medical leave gets drawn into a case with her childhood friend and Widow’s Island deputy, Tessa, when bones are found on Ruby’s Island. She and the new doctor, Henry, solve the long overdue disappearance of Becca. The two old friends are going to reopen Samantha’s case. I wish them well. Great new novella series portraying women in both protagonist and antagonist roles. Must read!", "timestamp": 1541368951098, "title": "Becca Comes Home! 4.25***** Spoiler Alert!" }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "Well written novel with main characters you would want to hang out with. Ryan Moody becomes poster child for this long argued debate as he continues where his father left off. While FBI Agent Mercy and Chief Cop Truman, solidified their love and take a huge relationship step.<br />A MUST-READ!!<br />01/30/2019", "timestamp": 1548910994220, "title": "Nature or Nurture? Mercy and Truman Investigates! 4.75***** SPOILER ALERT" }, { "asin": "B07C854RL5", "rating": 5, "text": "Old secrets and crimes come to light as Ollie located a skeleton with a bullet hole to the skull, and thus the story unravels. Tabitha the reporter, Trevor, Art the FBI Agent, Shane the egotistical mastermind, Bree/Leah, and Glenn/Nathan all collide in Bend as Mercy, Evan, and Truman work feverishly to solve the crime of the century.<br />Well written with an unimaginable twist at the end. Love how Ollie's character is developing, and I am left wondering how Ina and Lucas would fear from the fallout. A MUST-READ!!<br /><br />01/31/19.", "timestamp": 1548998887843, "title": "The Heist Thirty Years Later! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert¡" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The murders of Judge Lake and the Wicca, Olivia, had Mercy, Truman, and the FBI going back forty years for suspects. But they finally realized the secret Christian Lake carried was the cause for his brother, Gabriel's hatred, along with his loss of his father's money.<br />Amazing rising plot, well developed characters, with Truman and Mercy's bond blossoming exponentially. Can't wait to see Mercy's newly, upgraded TEOTWAWKI cabin, and see where Rose 's new love life trends!<br /><br />02/03/19.", "timestamp": 1549239126528, "title": "Spawn By Hatred and Jealousy Six United! 4.7*****SPOILER ALERT" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 5, "text": "After a rash of fires in Bend, the senseless killing of two police officers leave the FBI, Mercy, and Truman to investigate their murders and the growing power and isolation of Tom McDonald and his newbie militia. Cade, Rose, Joshua, and Jack all by products of Tom's egomaniacal reach.<br /><br />Great characters, amazing plot, with a surprising, familial, twist of an ending. The constant message of a friendless, over-reaching, overtaxing government, reveals the flip side of a society lead and governed by a egomaniac. The blossoming love story between Cade and Kaylie, runs parallel to Truman and Mercy's. Can't wait to read the next novel in this series! A MUST-READ.<br /><br />02/09/19.", "timestamp": 1549712099293, "title": "Dead Men Tell No Tales! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 5, "text": "From murdered and raped girls, to murdered old, prepper, Mercy's return to Bend and Eagle's Nest, has her awaking old secrets, and slowly reconnecting to her deserted family. She and Truman Daly, Eagle's Nest Chief of Police, the FBI, and Eddie investigate and connect the broken mirrors to the fifteen year old cold cases. Levi 's involvement to concealed those event, ultimately led to his demise by Craig. If only Truman did not save him, so many life paths would be altered. Was Craig attempting suicide by not resurfacing in order to escape his abusive home life??<br /><br />Great first novel in this series, with amazing characters and a gravity defying plot. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />02/12/19", "timestamp": 1550028845282, "title": "History Repeated, Secrets Revealed! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00Y0PIEZY", "rating": 5, "text": "Chris, a survivor of an abusive, childhood abduction, now grown up with a son, Brian, perchance, rescued two women, Gianna/forensic pathologist and Violet/ her teenage daughter from their burnt out mountain cabin. The complicated woven tale dating back to Gianna's parents' 'fatal car crash', and the involvement of Leo's South-African terrorist, gun-dealing investors into Bergsina Computer company, unfolded as Reid's murders dotted the state of Oregon, in his clumsy attempts to locate and retrieve 1 the incriminating flash drive for his brutal father..<br />Amazing plot, and writing, with complex, scarred characters that survive at all cost, only proving once again how resilient children are and how much the human psyche can withstand. I hope Leo was held accountable for these crimes as well as lose his company, as these 'crimes against humanity' were all instigated from his greed-driven decisions/acts. Can't wait to read 'Buried', or book #1 of this stand-alone book series! A MUST-READ for the romantic suspense reader.<br /><br />04/10/19.", "timestamp": 1554903873951, "title": "Chris and Gianna Burning Love Tryst! 4.5*****Spoiler Alert¡" }, { "asin": "B00XXYGNJC", "rating": 5, "text": "Cristan and Lucia fled Argentina, escaping the Vargas violence, only to be threatened by his '¿murdered?, not-so dead, impulsive wife, Eva. Twelve years later on the eve of the Vargas family's massacre, the revenge-seeking Aline plan came to fruition as she followed and trapped all four, remaining Vargas survivors. Sean and Mike arrived to imprison all the gun toting players, except wily Eva. Eva's parting gift to Cristan and his new found love interest, mother of two, recently divorced, domestically-abused, Sarah, was peace and Troy's ring, confirming his death was not a suicide. Eva looking at the scene twelve years ago, realized it was her sister, Maria, and,, not Cristan who betrayed the family, to Aline.<br /><br />Amazing, tortuous plot, with dimensional characters, multiple plots streaming through the novel, and a look into family dynamics. Maria's justification for the betrayal of all at the party, while cold was definitively unresolved PTSD, post her near rape event. Eva's change in personna, was a welcomed relief, that she maybe becoming level headed and reasonable. A must read!!<br /><br />04/28/19", "timestamp": 1556447398435, "title": "Betrayed Cristan and Sarah Make Five! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert!" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW56", "rating": 5, "text": "McClellan Barrett (Mac) returned to Scarlet Falls from Brazil, the drugs cartels producing coca, and the DEA for his father's funeral. Slowly he became caught up in Stella' s case of missing ex-drug users, until he, also a former addict, became crazy, sociopathic Dr. Josh' s \"true one\". The Dane/Barrett families have blended into a cohesive unit: Morgan and Lance, Brody and Hannah, Grant, Ellie, Carson, Julia, and walking Faith, Nan and Grandpa, and now Stella and Mac.<br /><br />Great plot, with well developed, but flawed loveable characters. Addiction is a daily struggle, but like life, you just need to get up, back on your feet once you fall, as humans we always fall. Secretly wishing Mac had ended Josh's life on the lake, but wondering if Grant, Mac, and Hannah are going to get Carson and Faith survival ready for life and \"a zombie apocalypse\" (Leigh 326). A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/05/19- 10/06/19.", "timestamp": 1570387260777, "title": "Stella, Mac, and the One For Josh! 4.6***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00LTBWMVO", "rating": 4, "text": "After Kate and Lee's senseless murder by Donnie on the behest of Coach Victor, Major Grant Barrett returned to Scarlet Falls and took control of Carson, Faith, Annabelle, and Ellie's heart. Mac and Hannah, Grant's siblings also pitched in to keep the kids safe, like Lee did for them, while the DonnieE. search went into overdrive. The climatic end and full reveal of infidelity on Kate's part, the sordid video, and Coach Victor' s statutory rape and murder cover-up definitely ended those mean girl, Regan and Autumn' s skating careers. But in the world of privilege who knows, they probably got away with a few hours of community service for Hamilton's death.<br /><br />Great plot, editing, character development, and storyline depicting the harsh, competitive underbelly of the ice skating world, once more reminding us of the recent Nasser/ USOlympic Skating Association debacle. Grant and Ellie melded together well, and some stability was brought into Carson and Faith's life. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/05/19-10/07/19.", "timestamp": 1570450775219, "title": "Mean Girls, Grant, and Ellie! 4***** Spoiler Alert." }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 4, "text": "Two decades later, Vic's car and Mary Fox's body turned up at the bottom of the lake. But only after the death of several key witnesses to PJ's bar fight, the pieces to this cold case puzzle fell into place. Sheriff King a psychopath with a badge and hunting skills, what a deadly combination.<br />Great characters and plot. A Must-Read.<br />10/09 /19-10/12/19", "timestamp": 1570873424995, "title": "Lance, Morgan, and the Search For Vic K! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00QQYZYPK", "rating": 4, "text": "Attempting to save 14y/o Jewel/Jenna from her sex trafficker, in Las Vegas, Hannah's car is rammed and she received a concussion while Jewel was recaptured and whisked away from her. Identifying the three involved, Sam, Mick and Jewel, Hannah returned to Scarlett Falls and the Arnette Brothers followed her hoping to silence another witness as the two psychopaths murder several women along the way. Detective Brody McM, and Hannah teamed up, killing the brothers, rescuing Chet, and provided evidence from the seized computers to help save Jewel and pregnant Penny. Of course, the sex trafficking ring led back to Hannah's legal firm, Black Associates. She taped Royce' s murdering scheme and confession of his avarice filled endeavors for his rich pedophile clients.<br /><br />Great plot, with well developed yet flawed characters. I think Morgan and Hannah should join legal teams and PI businesses. Hannah and Brody melded well as a couple. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/13/19-10/14/19.", "timestamp": 1571044942563, "title": "Hannah, Brody and the Arnette Brothers! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 4, "text": "Tessa' s savage murder had Nick, her boyfriend convicted on social media after his rapid, wrongful imprisonment. He was repeatedly attacked and shived in prison while Emerson and his son, Jacob roamed freely. Jamie, on the other hand, ran away from home to escape the sex predator her mother was about to marry. Lance and Morgan worked as a team clearing Nick, and revealing the true murderer, and Sharp found out that Kevin was not who he said he was, and had Federal agents arresting him for failing to register as a sex offender and molesting Jamie. What surprised me the most was Evelyn Palmer' s vindictive actions towards Morgan and Nick, especially since it was her neighbour/ family friend that was abusing and killed her granddaughter, Tessa.<br /><br />Great plot with solid characters, and the sexual child abuse aspect makes one quiver with unease for all the young defenseless children in our society. A Must Read!!<br /><br />10/16/19-10/21/19", "timestamp": 1571664552881, "title": "Lance and Morgan Rescue Jamie and Nick! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 4, "text": "The brutal murder of a bully, Jason McCoy, and WI sole carpenter, left no one crying, but with too many suspects, a reason had to be found. The fake land reports of high Arsenic levels on his, Roger Duvall' s rustic inn's land, and his blackmailing was justification for his death. The events and case solving happened rapidly, more than realistically expected. Logan's PTSD and Tessa' s mom worsening dementia were additional highlights of this novella.<br />Good plot and characters. Anxious to read about Missing Sam's cold case.<br /><br />10/23/19-10/24/19'", "timestamp": 1571938110381, "title": "A Brutal Murder Solved By Logan. 3.75***** Spoiler Alert" } ]

[ { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 4, "text": "As Tessa, retired Seattle cop now Widow's Island (WI) PD and Logan, as retired soldier and WI Park Ranger, join forces to solve Dante 's murder while battling with her Mother's advancing Alzheimer's. The hours together and a bit of prodding from Jane, Logan and Cate's grandmother, have them seeing each other in a more mature light. I do hope this blooms into HEA, despite Logan's claim of 'enjoying the single life'.<br /><br />The well developed characters and an intriguing, psychologically based plot on human traits hold the novella together'. Here \"vanity is definitely, [not only the Devil's], favorite sin\", but the reason for man's,/ woman's downfall in life, while its depiction of the solitary way of life of 'island living' in a positive communal manner (Al Pacino Devil's Advocate). The WI Knitting group is a force of matriarchal power to reckon with, as it tackles the growing societal problems of the 'sandwich generation of women', and the effects of Alzheimer's on many rural families. A MUST-READ!!<br /><br />11/03/18.", "timestamp": 1541265861638, "title": "\"Vanity is definitely my favorite sin.\" 4.25***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 4, "text": "Cate, injured FBI agent, home on medical leave gets drawn into a case with her childhood friend and Widow’s Island deputy, Tessa, when bones are found on Ruby’s Island. She and the new doctor, Henry, solve the long overdue disappearance of Becca. The two old friends are going to reopen Samantha’s case. I wish them well. Great new novella series portraying women in both protagonist and antagonist roles. Must read!", "timestamp": 1541368951098, "title": "Becca Comes Home! 4.25***** Spoiler Alert!" }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "Well written novel with main characters you would want to hang out with. Ryan Moody becomes poster child for this long argued debate as he continues where his father left off. While FBI Agent Mercy and Chief Cop Truman, solidified their love and take a huge relationship step.<br />A MUST-READ!!<br />01/30/2019", "timestamp": 1548910994220, "title": "Nature or Nurture? Mercy and Truman Investigates! 4.75***** SPOILER ALERT" }, { "asin": "B07C854RL5", "rating": 5, "text": "Old secrets and crimes come to light as Ollie located a skeleton with a bullet hole to the skull, and thus the story unravels. Tabitha the reporter, Trevor, Art the FBI Agent, Shane the egotistical mastermind, Bree/Leah, and Glenn/Nathan all collide in Bend as Mercy, Evan, and Truman work feverishly to solve the crime of the century.<br />Well written with an unimaginable twist at the end. Love how Ollie's character is developing, and I am left wondering how Ina and Lucas would fear from the fallout. A MUST-READ!!<br /><br />01/31/19.", "timestamp": 1548998887843, "title": "The Heist Thirty Years Later! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert¡" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The murders of Judge Lake and the Wicca, Olivia, had Mercy, Truman, and the FBI going back forty years for suspects. But they finally realized the secret Christian Lake carried was the cause for his brother, Gabriel's hatred, along with his loss of his father's money.<br />Amazing rising plot, well developed characters, with Truman and Mercy's bond blossoming exponentially. Can't wait to see Mercy's newly, upgraded TEOTWAWKI cabin, and see where Rose 's new love life trends!<br /><br />02/03/19.", "timestamp": 1549239126528, "title": "Spawn By Hatred and Jealousy Six United! 4.7*****SPOILER ALERT" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 5, "text": "After a rash of fires in Bend, the senseless killing of two police officers leave the FBI, Mercy, and Truman to investigate their murders and the growing power and isolation of Tom McDonald and his newbie militia. Cade, Rose, Joshua, and Jack all by products of Tom's egomaniacal reach.<br /><br />Great characters, amazing plot, with a surprising, familial, twist of an ending. The constant message of a friendless, over-reaching, overtaxing government, reveals the flip side of a society lead and governed by a egomaniac. The blossoming love story between Cade and Kaylie, runs parallel to Truman and Mercy's. Can't wait to read the next novel in this series! A MUST-READ.<br /><br />02/09/19.", "timestamp": 1549712099293, "title": "Dead Men Tell No Tales! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 5, "text": "From murdered and raped girls, to murdered old, prepper, Mercy's return to Bend and Eagle's Nest, has her awaking old secrets, and slowly reconnecting to her deserted family. She and Truman Daly, Eagle's Nest Chief of Police, the FBI, and Eddie investigate and connect the broken mirrors to the fifteen year old cold cases. Levi 's involvement to concealed those event, ultimately led to his demise by Craig. If only Truman did not save him, so many life paths would be altered. Was Craig attempting suicide by not resurfacing in order to escape his abusive home life??<br /><br />Great first novel in this series, with amazing characters and a gravity defying plot. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />02/12/19", "timestamp": 1550028845282, "title": "History Repeated, Secrets Revealed! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00Y0PIEZY", "rating": 5, "text": "Chris, a survivor of an abusive, childhood abduction, now grown up with a son, Brian, perchance, rescued two women, Gianna/forensic pathologist and Violet/ her teenage daughter from their burnt out mountain cabin. The complicated woven tale dating back to Gianna's parents' 'fatal car crash', and the involvement of Leo's South-African terrorist, gun-dealing investors into Bergsina Computer company, unfolded as Reid's murders dotted the state of Oregon, in his clumsy attempts to locate and retrieve 1 the incriminating flash drive for his brutal father..<br />Amazing plot, and writing, with complex, scarred characters that survive at all cost, only proving once again how resilient children are and how much the human psyche can withstand. I hope Leo was held accountable for these crimes as well as lose his company, as these 'crimes against humanity' were all instigated from his greed-driven decisions/acts. Can't wait to read 'Buried', or book #1 of this stand-alone book series! A MUST-READ for the romantic suspense reader.<br /><br />04/10/19.", "timestamp": 1554903873951, "title": "Chris and Gianna Burning Love Tryst! 4.5*****Spoiler Alert¡" }, { "asin": "B00XXYGNJC", "rating": 5, "text": "Cristan and Lucia fled Argentina, escaping the Vargas violence, only to be threatened by his '¿murdered?, not-so dead, impulsive wife, Eva. Twelve years later on the eve of the Vargas family's massacre, the revenge-seeking Aline plan came to fruition as she followed and trapped all four, remaining Vargas survivors. Sean and Mike arrived to imprison all the gun toting players, except wily Eva. Eva's parting gift to Cristan and his new found love interest, mother of two, recently divorced, domestically-abused, Sarah, was peace and Troy's ring, confirming his death was not a suicide. Eva looking at the scene twelve years ago, realized it was her sister, Maria, and,, not Cristan who betrayed the family, to Aline.<br /><br />Amazing, tortuous plot, with dimensional characters, multiple plots streaming through the novel, and a look into family dynamics. Maria's justification for the betrayal of all at the party, while cold was definitively unresolved PTSD, post her near rape event. Eva's change in personna, was a welcomed relief, that she maybe becoming level headed and reasonable. A must read!!<br /><br />04/28/19", "timestamp": 1556447398435, "title": "Betrayed Cristan and Sarah Make Five! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert!" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW56", "rating": 5, "text": "McClellan Barrett (Mac) returned to Scarlet Falls from Brazil, the drugs cartels producing coca, and the DEA for his father's funeral. Slowly he became caught up in Stella' s case of missing ex-drug users, until he, also a former addict, became crazy, sociopathic Dr. Josh' s \"true one\". The Dane/Barrett families have blended into a cohesive unit: Morgan and Lance, Brody and Hannah, Grant, Ellie, Carson, Julia, and walking Faith, Nan and Grandpa, and now Stella and Mac.<br /><br />Great plot, with well developed, but flawed loveable characters. Addiction is a daily struggle, but like life, you just need to get up, back on your feet once you fall, as humans we always fall. Secretly wishing Mac had ended Josh's life on the lake, but wondering if Grant, Mac, and Hannah are going to get Carson and Faith survival ready for life and \"a zombie apocalypse\" (Leigh 326). A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/05/19- 10/06/19.", "timestamp": 1570387260777, "title": "Stella, Mac, and the One For Josh! 4.6***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00LTBWMVO", "rating": 4, "text": "After Kate and Lee's senseless murder by Donnie on the behest of Coach Victor, Major Grant Barrett returned to Scarlet Falls and took control of Carson, Faith, Annabelle, and Ellie's heart. Mac and Hannah, Grant's siblings also pitched in to keep the kids safe, like Lee did for them, while the DonnieE. search went into overdrive. The climatic end and full reveal of infidelity on Kate's part, the sordid video, and Coach Victor' s statutory rape and murder cover-up definitely ended those mean girl, Regan and Autumn' s skating careers. But in the world of privilege who knows, they probably got away with a few hours of community service for Hamilton's death.<br /><br />Great plot, editing, character development, and storyline depicting the harsh, competitive underbelly of the ice skating world, once more reminding us of the recent Nasser/ USOlympic Skating Association debacle. Grant and Ellie melded together well, and some stability was brought into Carson and Faith's life. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/05/19-10/07/19.", "timestamp": 1570450775219, "title": "Mean Girls, Grant, and Ellie! 4***** Spoiler Alert." }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 4, "text": "Two decades later, Vic's car and Mary Fox's body turned up at the bottom of the lake. But only after the death of several key witnesses to PJ's bar fight, the pieces to this cold case puzzle fell into place. Sheriff King a psychopath with a badge and hunting skills, what a deadly combination.<br />Great characters and plot. A Must-Read.<br />10/09 /19-10/12/19", "timestamp": 1570873424995, "title": "Lance, Morgan, and the Search For Vic K! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00QQYZYPK", "rating": 4, "text": "Attempting to save 14y/o Jewel/Jenna from her sex trafficker, in Las Vegas, Hannah's car is rammed and she received a concussion while Jewel was recaptured and whisked away from her. Identifying the three involved, Sam, Mick and Jewel, Hannah returned to Scarlett Falls and the Arnette Brothers followed her hoping to silence another witness as the two psychopaths murder several women along the way. Detective Brody McM, and Hannah teamed up, killing the brothers, rescuing Chet, and provided evidence from the seized computers to help save Jewel and pregnant Penny. Of course, the sex trafficking ring led back to Hannah's legal firm, Black Associates. She taped Royce' s murdering scheme and confession of his avarice filled endeavors for his rich pedophile clients.<br /><br />Great plot, with well developed yet flawed characters. I think Morgan and Hannah should join legal teams and PI businesses. Hannah and Brody melded well as a couple. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/13/19-10/14/19.", "timestamp": 1571044942563, "title": "Hannah, Brody and the Arnette Brothers! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 4, "text": "Tessa' s savage murder had Nick, her boyfriend convicted on social media after his rapid, wrongful imprisonment. He was repeatedly attacked and shived in prison while Emerson and his son, Jacob roamed freely. Jamie, on the other hand, ran away from home to escape the sex predator her mother was about to marry. Lance and Morgan worked as a team clearing Nick, and revealing the true murderer, and Sharp found out that Kevin was not who he said he was, and had Federal agents arresting him for failing to register as a sex offender and molesting Jamie. What surprised me the most was Evelyn Palmer' s vindictive actions towards Morgan and Nick, especially since it was her neighbour/ family friend that was abusing and killed her granddaughter, Tessa.<br /><br />Great plot with solid characters, and the sexual child abuse aspect makes one quiver with unease for all the young defenseless children in our society. A Must Read!!<br /><br />10/16/19-10/21/19", "timestamp": 1571664552881, "title": "Lance and Morgan Rescue Jamie and Nick! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 4, "text": "The brutal murder of a bully, Jason McCoy, and WI sole carpenter, left no one crying, but with too many suspects, a reason had to be found. The fake land reports of high Arsenic levels on his, Roger Duvall' s rustic inn's land, and his blackmailing was justification for his death. The events and case solving happened rapidly, more than realistically expected. Logan's PTSD and Tessa' s mom worsening dementia were additional highlights of this novella.<br />Good plot and characters. Anxious to read about Missing Sam's cold case.<br /><br />10/23/19-10/24/19'", "timestamp": 1571938110381, "title": "A Brutal Murder Solved By Logan. 3.75***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B06ZZW7G42", "rating": 5, "text": "What an intriguing novel!! The murder of blonde, blue eyed women had SFPD perplexed. However Morgan and Lance through sheer diligence and leaving no stone unturned, and thanks to Jenny, they located the Paganos and well as the Burns Brothers involved in the murder and rape of their victims and Chelsea' s abduction.<br /><br />10/ 21/19-10/25/19.", "timestamp": 1572020041949, "title": "Burns and Paganos Brothers! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert¡" } ]

[ { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 4, "text": "As Tessa, retired Seattle cop now Widow's Island (WI) PD and Logan, as retired soldier and WI Park Ranger, join forces to solve Dante 's murder while battling with her Mother's advancing Alzheimer's. The hours together and a bit of prodding from Jane, Logan and Cate's grandmother, have them seeing each other in a more mature light. I do hope this blooms into HEA, despite Logan's claim of 'enjoying the single life'.<br /><br />The well developed characters and an intriguing, psychologically based plot on human traits hold the novella together'. Here \"vanity is definitely, [not only the Devil's], favorite sin\", but the reason for man's,/ woman's downfall in life, while its depiction of the solitary way of life of 'island living' in a positive communal manner (Al Pacino Devil's Advocate). The WI Knitting group is a force of matriarchal power to reckon with, as it tackles the growing societal problems of the 'sandwich generation of women', and the effects of Alzheimer's on many rural families. A MUST-READ!!<br /><br />11/03/18.", "timestamp": 1541265861638, "title": "\"Vanity is definitely my favorite sin.\" 4.25***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 4, "text": "Cate, injured FBI agent, home on medical leave gets drawn into a case with her childhood friend and Widow’s Island deputy, Tessa, when bones are found on Ruby’s Island. She and the new doctor, Henry, solve the long overdue disappearance of Becca. The two old friends are going to reopen Samantha’s case. I wish them well. Great new novella series portraying women in both protagonist and antagonist roles. Must read!", "timestamp": 1541368951098, "title": "Becca Comes Home! 4.25***** Spoiler Alert!" }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "Well written novel with main characters you would want to hang out with. Ryan Moody becomes poster child for this long argued debate as he continues where his father left off. While FBI Agent Mercy and Chief Cop Truman, solidified their love and take a huge relationship step.<br />A MUST-READ!!<br />01/30/2019", "timestamp": 1548910994220, "title": "Nature or Nurture? Mercy and Truman Investigates! 4.75***** SPOILER ALERT" }, { "asin": "B07C854RL5", "rating": 5, "text": "Old secrets and crimes come to light as Ollie located a skeleton with a bullet hole to the skull, and thus the story unravels. Tabitha the reporter, Trevor, Art the FBI Agent, Shane the egotistical mastermind, Bree/Leah, and Glenn/Nathan all collide in Bend as Mercy, Evan, and Truman work feverishly to solve the crime of the century.<br />Well written with an unimaginable twist at the end. Love how Ollie's character is developing, and I am left wondering how Ina and Lucas would fear from the fallout. A MUST-READ!!<br /><br />01/31/19.", "timestamp": 1548998887843, "title": "The Heist Thirty Years Later! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert¡" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The murders of Judge Lake and the Wicca, Olivia, had Mercy, Truman, and the FBI going back forty years for suspects. But they finally realized the secret Christian Lake carried was the cause for his brother, Gabriel's hatred, along with his loss of his father's money.<br />Amazing rising plot, well developed characters, with Truman and Mercy's bond blossoming exponentially. Can't wait to see Mercy's newly, upgraded TEOTWAWKI cabin, and see where Rose 's new love life trends!<br /><br />02/03/19.", "timestamp": 1549239126528, "title": "Spawn By Hatred and Jealousy Six United! 4.7*****SPOILER ALERT" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 5, "text": "After a rash of fires in Bend, the senseless killing of two police officers leave the FBI, Mercy, and Truman to investigate their murders and the growing power and isolation of Tom McDonald and his newbie militia. Cade, Rose, Joshua, and Jack all by products of Tom's egomaniacal reach.<br /><br />Great characters, amazing plot, with a surprising, familial, twist of an ending. The constant message of a friendless, over-reaching, overtaxing government, reveals the flip side of a society lead and governed by a egomaniac. The blossoming love story between Cade and Kaylie, runs parallel to Truman and Mercy's. Can't wait to read the next novel in this series! A MUST-READ.<br /><br />02/09/19.", "timestamp": 1549712099293, "title": "Dead Men Tell No Tales! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 5, "text": "From murdered and raped girls, to murdered old, prepper, Mercy's return to Bend and Eagle's Nest, has her awaking old secrets, and slowly reconnecting to her deserted family. She and Truman Daly, Eagle's Nest Chief of Police, the FBI, and Eddie investigate and connect the broken mirrors to the fifteen year old cold cases. Levi 's involvement to concealed those event, ultimately led to his demise by Craig. If only Truman did not save him, so many life paths would be altered. Was Craig attempting suicide by not resurfacing in order to escape his abusive home life??<br /><br />Great first novel in this series, with amazing characters and a gravity defying plot. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />02/12/19", "timestamp": 1550028845282, "title": "History Repeated, Secrets Revealed! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00Y0PIEZY", "rating": 5, "text": "Chris, a survivor of an abusive, childhood abduction, now grown up with a son, Brian, perchance, rescued two women, Gianna/forensic pathologist and Violet/ her teenage daughter from their burnt out mountain cabin. The complicated woven tale dating back to Gianna's parents' 'fatal car crash', and the involvement of Leo's South-African terrorist, gun-dealing investors into Bergsina Computer company, unfolded as Reid's murders dotted the state of Oregon, in his clumsy attempts to locate and retrieve 1 the incriminating flash drive for his brutal father..<br />Amazing plot, and writing, with complex, scarred characters that survive at all cost, only proving once again how resilient children are and how much the human psyche can withstand. I hope Leo was held accountable for these crimes as well as lose his company, as these 'crimes against humanity' were all instigated from his greed-driven decisions/acts. Can't wait to read 'Buried', or book #1 of this stand-alone book series! A MUST-READ for the romantic suspense reader.<br /><br />04/10/19.", "timestamp": 1554903873951, "title": "Chris and Gianna Burning Love Tryst! 4.5*****Spoiler Alert¡" }, { "asin": "B00XXYGNJC", "rating": 5, "text": "Cristan and Lucia fled Argentina, escaping the Vargas violence, only to be threatened by his '¿murdered?, not-so dead, impulsive wife, Eva. Twelve years later on the eve of the Vargas family's massacre, the revenge-seeking Aline plan came to fruition as she followed and trapped all four, remaining Vargas survivors. Sean and Mike arrived to imprison all the gun toting players, except wily Eva. Eva's parting gift to Cristan and his new found love interest, mother of two, recently divorced, domestically-abused, Sarah, was peace and Troy's ring, confirming his death was not a suicide. Eva looking at the scene twelve years ago, realized it was her sister, Maria, and,, not Cristan who betrayed the family, to Aline.<br /><br />Amazing, tortuous plot, with dimensional characters, multiple plots streaming through the novel, and a look into family dynamics. Maria's justification for the betrayal of all at the party, while cold was definitively unresolved PTSD, post her near rape event. Eva's change in personna, was a welcomed relief, that she maybe becoming level headed and reasonable. A must read!!<br /><br />04/28/19", "timestamp": 1556447398435, "title": "Betrayed Cristan and Sarah Make Five! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert!" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW56", "rating": 5, "text": "McClellan Barrett (Mac) returned to Scarlet Falls from Brazil, the drugs cartels producing coca, and the DEA for his father's funeral. Slowly he became caught up in Stella' s case of missing ex-drug users, until he, also a former addict, became crazy, sociopathic Dr. Josh' s \"true one\". The Dane/Barrett families have blended into a cohesive unit: Morgan and Lance, Brody and Hannah, Grant, Ellie, Carson, Julia, and walking Faith, Nan and Grandpa, and now Stella and Mac.<br /><br />Great plot, with well developed, but flawed loveable characters. Addiction is a daily struggle, but like life, you just need to get up, back on your feet once you fall, as humans we always fall. Secretly wishing Mac had ended Josh's life on the lake, but wondering if Grant, Mac, and Hannah are going to get Carson and Faith survival ready for life and \"a zombie apocalypse\" (Leigh 326). A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/05/19- 10/06/19.", "timestamp": 1570387260777, "title": "Stella, Mac, and the One For Josh! 4.6***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00LTBWMVO", "rating": 4, "text": "After Kate and Lee's senseless murder by Donnie on the behest of Coach Victor, Major Grant Barrett returned to Scarlet Falls and took control of Carson, Faith, Annabelle, and Ellie's heart. Mac and Hannah, Grant's siblings also pitched in to keep the kids safe, like Lee did for them, while the DonnieE. search went into overdrive. The climatic end and full reveal of infidelity on Kate's part, the sordid video, and Coach Victor' s statutory rape and murder cover-up definitely ended those mean girl, Regan and Autumn' s skating careers. But in the world of privilege who knows, they probably got away with a few hours of community service for Hamilton's death.<br /><br />Great plot, editing, character development, and storyline depicting the harsh, competitive underbelly of the ice skating world, once more reminding us of the recent Nasser/ USOlympic Skating Association debacle. Grant and Ellie melded together well, and some stability was brought into Carson and Faith's life. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/05/19-10/07/19.", "timestamp": 1570450775219, "title": "Mean Girls, Grant, and Ellie! 4***** Spoiler Alert." }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 4, "text": "Two decades later, Vic's car and Mary Fox's body turned up at the bottom of the lake. But only after the death of several key witnesses to PJ's bar fight, the pieces to this cold case puzzle fell into place. Sheriff King a psychopath with a badge and hunting skills, what a deadly combination.<br />Great characters and plot. A Must-Read.<br />10/09 /19-10/12/19", "timestamp": 1570873424995, "title": "Lance, Morgan, and the Search For Vic K! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00QQYZYPK", "rating": 4, "text": "Attempting to save 14y/o Jewel/Jenna from her sex trafficker, in Las Vegas, Hannah's car is rammed and she received a concussion while Jewel was recaptured and whisked away from her. Identifying the three involved, Sam, Mick and Jewel, Hannah returned to Scarlett Falls and the Arnette Brothers followed her hoping to silence another witness as the two psychopaths murder several women along the way. Detective Brody McM, and Hannah teamed up, killing the brothers, rescuing Chet, and provided evidence from the seized computers to help save Jewel and pregnant Penny. Of course, the sex trafficking ring led back to Hannah's legal firm, Black Associates. She taped Royce' s murdering scheme and confession of his avarice filled endeavors for his rich pedophile clients.<br /><br />Great plot, with well developed yet flawed characters. I think Morgan and Hannah should join legal teams and PI businesses. Hannah and Brody melded well as a couple. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/13/19-10/14/19.", "timestamp": 1571044942563, "title": "Hannah, Brody and the Arnette Brothers! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 4, "text": "Tessa' s savage murder had Nick, her boyfriend convicted on social media after his rapid, wrongful imprisonment. He was repeatedly attacked and shived in prison while Emerson and his son, Jacob roamed freely. Jamie, on the other hand, ran away from home to escape the sex predator her mother was about to marry. Lance and Morgan worked as a team clearing Nick, and revealing the true murderer, and Sharp found out that Kevin was not who he said he was, and had Federal agents arresting him for failing to register as a sex offender and molesting Jamie. What surprised me the most was Evelyn Palmer' s vindictive actions towards Morgan and Nick, especially since it was her neighbour/ family friend that was abusing and killed her granddaughter, Tessa.<br /><br />Great plot with solid characters, and the sexual child abuse aspect makes one quiver with unease for all the young defenseless children in our society. A Must Read!!<br /><br />10/16/19-10/21/19", "timestamp": 1571664552881, "title": "Lance and Morgan Rescue Jamie and Nick! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 4, "text": "The brutal murder of a bully, Jason McCoy, and WI sole carpenter, left no one crying, but with too many suspects, a reason had to be found. The fake land reports of high Arsenic levels on his, Roger Duvall' s rustic inn's land, and his blackmailing was justification for his death. The events and case solving happened rapidly, more than realistically expected. Logan's PTSD and Tessa' s mom worsening dementia were additional highlights of this novella.<br />Good plot and characters. Anxious to read about Missing Sam's cold case.<br /><br />10/23/19-10/24/19'", "timestamp": 1571938110381, "title": "A Brutal Murder Solved By Logan. 3.75***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B06ZZW7G42", "rating": 5, "text": "What an intriguing novel!! The murder of blonde, blue eyed women had SFPD perplexed. However Morgan and Lance through sheer diligence and leaving no stone unturned, and thanks to Jenny, they located the Paganos and well as the Burns Brothers involved in the murder and rape of their victims and Chelsea' s abduction.<br /><br />10/ 21/19-10/25/19.", "timestamp": 1572020041949, "title": "Burns and Paganos Brothers! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert¡" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 5, "text": "While investigating Mean Brad' s hit and run murder by Rosa, they found Sam's missing chain at the orchard. This lead to the search for Travis Underwood, her son, and the finding of Samantha, alive, chained, abused, broken, and malnourished but not dead, with her 8 yr old son Mickey. After 20 yrs, the trio are back, Travis killed by Cate. Cate and Doc considered remaining on the island as a couple, with Cate opening up the bookstore and taking over the bakery.<br /><br />Great characters and the perfect end to this novella. Thank you ladies!!<br />11/12/19-11/14/19", "timestamp": 1573751534626, "title": "The Mystery of Sam is Resolved! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert" } ]

[ { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 4, "text": "As Tessa, retired Seattle cop now Widow's Island (WI) PD and Logan, as retired soldier and WI Park Ranger, join forces to solve Dante 's murder while battling with her Mother's advancing Alzheimer's. The hours together and a bit of prodding from Jane, Logan and Cate's grandmother, have them seeing each other in a more mature light. I do hope this blooms into HEA, despite Logan's claim of 'enjoying the single life'.<br /><br />The well developed characters and an intriguing, psychologically based plot on human traits hold the novella together'. Here \"vanity is definitely, [not only the Devil's], favorite sin\", but the reason for man's,/ woman's downfall in life, while its depiction of the solitary way of life of 'island living' in a positive communal manner (Al Pacino Devil's Advocate). The WI Knitting group is a force of matriarchal power to reckon with, as it tackles the growing societal problems of the 'sandwich generation of women', and the effects of Alzheimer's on many rural families. A MUST-READ!!<br /><br />11/03/18.", "timestamp": 1541265861638, "title": "\"Vanity is definitely my favorite sin.\" 4.25***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 4, "text": "Cate, injured FBI agent, home on medical leave gets drawn into a case with her childhood friend and Widow’s Island deputy, Tessa, when bones are found on Ruby’s Island. She and the new doctor, Henry, solve the long overdue disappearance of Becca. The two old friends are going to reopen Samantha’s case. I wish them well. Great new novella series portraying women in both protagonist and antagonist roles. Must read!", "timestamp": 1541368951098, "title": "Becca Comes Home! 4.25***** Spoiler Alert!" }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "Well written novel with main characters you would want to hang out with. Ryan Moody becomes poster child for this long argued debate as he continues where his father left off. While FBI Agent Mercy and Chief Cop Truman, solidified their love and take a huge relationship step.<br />A MUST-READ!!<br />01/30/2019", "timestamp": 1548910994220, "title": "Nature or Nurture? Mercy and Truman Investigates! 4.75***** SPOILER ALERT" }, { "asin": "B07C854RL5", "rating": 5, "text": "Old secrets and crimes come to light as Ollie located a skeleton with a bullet hole to the skull, and thus the story unravels. Tabitha the reporter, Trevor, Art the FBI Agent, Shane the egotistical mastermind, Bree/Leah, and Glenn/Nathan all collide in Bend as Mercy, Evan, and Truman work feverishly to solve the crime of the century.<br />Well written with an unimaginable twist at the end. Love how Ollie's character is developing, and I am left wondering how Ina and Lucas would fear from the fallout. A MUST-READ!!<br /><br />01/31/19.", "timestamp": 1548998887843, "title": "The Heist Thirty Years Later! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert¡" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The murders of Judge Lake and the Wicca, Olivia, had Mercy, Truman, and the FBI going back forty years for suspects. But they finally realized the secret Christian Lake carried was the cause for his brother, Gabriel's hatred, along with his loss of his father's money.<br />Amazing rising plot, well developed characters, with Truman and Mercy's bond blossoming exponentially. Can't wait to see Mercy's newly, upgraded TEOTWAWKI cabin, and see where Rose 's new love life trends!<br /><br />02/03/19.", "timestamp": 1549239126528, "title": "Spawn By Hatred and Jealousy Six United! 4.7*****SPOILER ALERT" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 5, "text": "After a rash of fires in Bend, the senseless killing of two police officers leave the FBI, Mercy, and Truman to investigate their murders and the growing power and isolation of Tom McDonald and his newbie militia. Cade, Rose, Joshua, and Jack all by products of Tom's egomaniacal reach.<br /><br />Great characters, amazing plot, with a surprising, familial, twist of an ending. The constant message of a friendless, over-reaching, overtaxing government, reveals the flip side of a society lead and governed by a egomaniac. The blossoming love story between Cade and Kaylie, runs parallel to Truman and Mercy's. Can't wait to read the next novel in this series! A MUST-READ.<br /><br />02/09/19.", "timestamp": 1549712099293, "title": "Dead Men Tell No Tales! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 5, "text": "From murdered and raped girls, to murdered old, prepper, Mercy's return to Bend and Eagle's Nest, has her awaking old secrets, and slowly reconnecting to her deserted family. She and Truman Daly, Eagle's Nest Chief of Police, the FBI, and Eddie investigate and connect the broken mirrors to the fifteen year old cold cases. Levi 's involvement to concealed those event, ultimately led to his demise by Craig. If only Truman did not save him, so many life paths would be altered. Was Craig attempting suicide by not resurfacing in order to escape his abusive home life??<br /><br />Great first novel in this series, with amazing characters and a gravity defying plot. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />02/12/19", "timestamp": 1550028845282, "title": "History Repeated, Secrets Revealed! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00Y0PIEZY", "rating": 5, "text": "Chris, a survivor of an abusive, childhood abduction, now grown up with a son, Brian, perchance, rescued two women, Gianna/forensic pathologist and Violet/ her teenage daughter from their burnt out mountain cabin. The complicated woven tale dating back to Gianna's parents' 'fatal car crash', and the involvement of Leo's South-African terrorist, gun-dealing investors into Bergsina Computer company, unfolded as Reid's murders dotted the state of Oregon, in his clumsy attempts to locate and retrieve 1 the incriminating flash drive for his brutal father..<br />Amazing plot, and writing, with complex, scarred characters that survive at all cost, only proving once again how resilient children are and how much the human psyche can withstand. I hope Leo was held accountable for these crimes as well as lose his company, as these 'crimes against humanity' were all instigated from his greed-driven decisions/acts. Can't wait to read 'Buried', or book #1 of this stand-alone book series! A MUST-READ for the romantic suspense reader.<br /><br />04/10/19.", "timestamp": 1554903873951, "title": "Chris and Gianna Burning Love Tryst! 4.5*****Spoiler Alert¡" }, { "asin": "B00XXYGNJC", "rating": 5, "text": "Cristan and Lucia fled Argentina, escaping the Vargas violence, only to be threatened by his '¿murdered?, not-so dead, impulsive wife, Eva. Twelve years later on the eve of the Vargas family's massacre, the revenge-seeking Aline plan came to fruition as she followed and trapped all four, remaining Vargas survivors. Sean and Mike arrived to imprison all the gun toting players, except wily Eva. Eva's parting gift to Cristan and his new found love interest, mother of two, recently divorced, domestically-abused, Sarah, was peace and Troy's ring, confirming his death was not a suicide. Eva looking at the scene twelve years ago, realized it was her sister, Maria, and,, not Cristan who betrayed the family, to Aline.<br /><br />Amazing, tortuous plot, with dimensional characters, multiple plots streaming through the novel, and a look into family dynamics. Maria's justification for the betrayal of all at the party, while cold was definitively unresolved PTSD, post her near rape event. Eva's change in personna, was a welcomed relief, that she maybe becoming level headed and reasonable. A must read!!<br /><br />04/28/19", "timestamp": 1556447398435, "title": "Betrayed Cristan and Sarah Make Five! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert!" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW56", "rating": 5, "text": "McClellan Barrett (Mac) returned to Scarlet Falls from Brazil, the drugs cartels producing coca, and the DEA for his father's funeral. Slowly he became caught up in Stella' s case of missing ex-drug users, until he, also a former addict, became crazy, sociopathic Dr. Josh' s \"true one\". The Dane/Barrett families have blended into a cohesive unit: Morgan and Lance, Brody and Hannah, Grant, Ellie, Carson, Julia, and walking Faith, Nan and Grandpa, and now Stella and Mac.<br /><br />Great plot, with well developed, but flawed loveable characters. Addiction is a daily struggle, but like life, you just need to get up, back on your feet once you fall, as humans we always fall. Secretly wishing Mac had ended Josh's life on the lake, but wondering if Grant, Mac, and Hannah are going to get Carson and Faith survival ready for life and \"a zombie apocalypse\" (Leigh 326). A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/05/19- 10/06/19.", "timestamp": 1570387260777, "title": "Stella, Mac, and the One For Josh! 4.6***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00LTBWMVO", "rating": 4, "text": "After Kate and Lee's senseless murder by Donnie on the behest of Coach Victor, Major Grant Barrett returned to Scarlet Falls and took control of Carson, Faith, Annabelle, and Ellie's heart. Mac and Hannah, Grant's siblings also pitched in to keep the kids safe, like Lee did for them, while the DonnieE. search went into overdrive. The climatic end and full reveal of infidelity on Kate's part, the sordid video, and Coach Victor' s statutory rape and murder cover-up definitely ended those mean girl, Regan and Autumn' s skating careers. But in the world of privilege who knows, they probably got away with a few hours of community service for Hamilton's death.<br /><br />Great plot, editing, character development, and storyline depicting the harsh, competitive underbelly of the ice skating world, once more reminding us of the recent Nasser/ USOlympic Skating Association debacle. Grant and Ellie melded together well, and some stability was brought into Carson and Faith's life. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/05/19-10/07/19.", "timestamp": 1570450775219, "title": "Mean Girls, Grant, and Ellie! 4***** Spoiler Alert." }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 4, "text": "Two decades later, Vic's car and Mary Fox's body turned up at the bottom of the lake. But only after the death of several key witnesses to PJ's bar fight, the pieces to this cold case puzzle fell into place. Sheriff King a psychopath with a badge and hunting skills, what a deadly combination.<br />Great characters and plot. A Must-Read.<br />10/09 /19-10/12/19", "timestamp": 1570873424995, "title": "Lance, Morgan, and the Search For Vic K! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00QQYZYPK", "rating": 4, "text": "Attempting to save 14y/o Jewel/Jenna from her sex trafficker, in Las Vegas, Hannah's car is rammed and she received a concussion while Jewel was recaptured and whisked away from her. Identifying the three involved, Sam, Mick and Jewel, Hannah returned to Scarlett Falls and the Arnette Brothers followed her hoping to silence another witness as the two psychopaths murder several women along the way. Detective Brody McM, and Hannah teamed up, killing the brothers, rescuing Chet, and provided evidence from the seized computers to help save Jewel and pregnant Penny. Of course, the sex trafficking ring led back to Hannah's legal firm, Black Associates. She taped Royce' s murdering scheme and confession of his avarice filled endeavors for his rich pedophile clients.<br /><br />Great plot, with well developed yet flawed characters. I think Morgan and Hannah should join legal teams and PI businesses. Hannah and Brody melded well as a couple. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/13/19-10/14/19.", "timestamp": 1571044942563, "title": "Hannah, Brody and the Arnette Brothers! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 4, "text": "Tessa' s savage murder had Nick, her boyfriend convicted on social media after his rapid, wrongful imprisonment. He was repeatedly attacked and shived in prison while Emerson and his son, Jacob roamed freely. Jamie, on the other hand, ran away from home to escape the sex predator her mother was about to marry. Lance and Morgan worked as a team clearing Nick, and revealing the true murderer, and Sharp found out that Kevin was not who he said he was, and had Federal agents arresting him for failing to register as a sex offender and molesting Jamie. What surprised me the most was Evelyn Palmer' s vindictive actions towards Morgan and Nick, especially since it was her neighbour/ family friend that was abusing and killed her granddaughter, Tessa.<br /><br />Great plot with solid characters, and the sexual child abuse aspect makes one quiver with unease for all the young defenseless children in our society. A Must Read!!<br /><br />10/16/19-10/21/19", "timestamp": 1571664552881, "title": "Lance and Morgan Rescue Jamie and Nick! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 4, "text": "The brutal murder of a bully, Jason McCoy, and WI sole carpenter, left no one crying, but with too many suspects, a reason had to be found. The fake land reports of high Arsenic levels on his, Roger Duvall' s rustic inn's land, and his blackmailing was justification for his death. The events and case solving happened rapidly, more than realistically expected. Logan's PTSD and Tessa' s mom worsening dementia were additional highlights of this novella.<br />Good plot and characters. Anxious to read about Missing Sam's cold case.<br /><br />10/23/19-10/24/19'", "timestamp": 1571938110381, "title": "A Brutal Murder Solved By Logan. 3.75***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B06ZZW7G42", "rating": 5, "text": "What an intriguing novel!! The murder of blonde, blue eyed women had SFPD perplexed. However Morgan and Lance through sheer diligence and leaving no stone unturned, and thanks to Jenny, they located the Paganos and well as the Burns Brothers involved in the murder and rape of their victims and Chelsea' s abduction.<br /><br />10/ 21/19-10/25/19.", "timestamp": 1572020041949, "title": "Burns and Paganos Brothers! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert¡" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 5, "text": "While investigating Mean Brad' s hit and run murder by Rosa, they found Sam's missing chain at the orchard. This lead to the search for Travis Underwood, her son, and the finding of Samantha, alive, chained, abused, broken, and malnourished but not dead, with her 8 yr old son Mickey. After 20 yrs, the trio are back, Travis killed by Cate. Cate and Doc considered remaining on the island as a couple, with Cate opening up the bookstore and taking over the bakery.<br /><br />Great characters and the perfect end to this novella. Thank you ladies!!<br />11/12/19-11/14/19", "timestamp": 1573751534626, "title": "The Mystery of Sam is Resolved! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 5, "text": "Bree Taggert, Sheriff, responding to a closed camp ground distress call for shoots fired, she opened up a can of worms involving a bullied, disintegrating, sociopath with a revenge for pretty, teasing, mean, college boys. Joe C. played by, and used by the manipulative, burglar/con artist, Sara Harper, got his revenge by killing his tormentors and Sara. Bree hired Matt, as an investigator for her stretched PD, and together they located Joe and his new hideout before he committed his fourth and fifth murders. Alyssa's role, in the home invasions, was heard by Bree, as she too was conned by Sara.<br /><br />This gravity- defying novel was well edited, and had multidimensional characters one could root for. Bree's PD managerial skills with Marge's backing predict an upheaval of this corrupt PD, who's rough , non - procedural treatment of prisoners is reminescent of our present-day societal issues. Morgan's representing and freeing Alyssa with Bree and Matt's assistance is more aligned with proper policing or how it should be done giving alleged suspects a chance to re-enter society, and actual looking for the true criminals. Loved how Matt took Rufus' rescue into his own hands. If you can be anything in this world, be kind, is the underlying theme of this novel. A promising future for Matt and Bree, and the Taggert kids, plus Dana. A must-read!<br /><br />09/20/20 -09/21/20 COVID-19 CAShInPl C", "timestamp": 1600693258974, "title": "Bree and Matt Teamed Up For Christian! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert!" } ]

[ { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 4, "text": "As Tessa, retired Seattle cop now Widow's Island (WI) PD and Logan, as retired soldier and WI Park Ranger, join forces to solve Dante 's murder while battling with her Mother's advancing Alzheimer's. The hours together and a bit of prodding from Jane, Logan and Cate's grandmother, have them seeing each other in a more mature light. I do hope this blooms into HEA, despite Logan's claim of 'enjoying the single life'.<br /><br />The well developed characters and an intriguing, psychologically based plot on human traits hold the novella together'. Here \"vanity is definitely, [not only the Devil's], favorite sin\", but the reason for man's,/ woman's downfall in life, while its depiction of the solitary way of life of 'island living' in a positive communal manner (Al Pacino Devil's Advocate). The WI Knitting group is a force of matriarchal power to reckon with, as it tackles the growing societal problems of the 'sandwich generation of women', and the effects of Alzheimer's on many rural families. A MUST-READ!!<br /><br />11/03/18.", "timestamp": 1541265861638, "title": "\"Vanity is definitely my favorite sin.\" 4.25***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 4, "text": "Cate, injured FBI agent, home on medical leave gets drawn into a case with her childhood friend and Widow’s Island deputy, Tessa, when bones are found on Ruby’s Island. She and the new doctor, Henry, solve the long overdue disappearance of Becca. The two old friends are going to reopen Samantha’s case. I wish them well. Great new novella series portraying women in both protagonist and antagonist roles. Must read!", "timestamp": 1541368951098, "title": "Becca Comes Home! 4.25***** Spoiler Alert!" }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "Well written novel with main characters you would want to hang out with. Ryan Moody becomes poster child for this long argued debate as he continues where his father left off. While FBI Agent Mercy and Chief Cop Truman, solidified their love and take a huge relationship step.<br />A MUST-READ!!<br />01/30/2019", "timestamp": 1548910994220, "title": "Nature or Nurture? Mercy and Truman Investigates! 4.75***** SPOILER ALERT" }, { "asin": "B07C854RL5", "rating": 5, "text": "Old secrets and crimes come to light as Ollie located a skeleton with a bullet hole to the skull, and thus the story unravels. Tabitha the reporter, Trevor, Art the FBI Agent, Shane the egotistical mastermind, Bree/Leah, and Glenn/Nathan all collide in Bend as Mercy, Evan, and Truman work feverishly to solve the crime of the century.<br />Well written with an unimaginable twist at the end. Love how Ollie's character is developing, and I am left wondering how Ina and Lucas would fear from the fallout. A MUST-READ!!<br /><br />01/31/19.", "timestamp": 1548998887843, "title": "The Heist Thirty Years Later! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert¡" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The murders of Judge Lake and the Wicca, Olivia, had Mercy, Truman, and the FBI going back forty years for suspects. But they finally realized the secret Christian Lake carried was the cause for his brother, Gabriel's hatred, along with his loss of his father's money.<br />Amazing rising plot, well developed characters, with Truman and Mercy's bond blossoming exponentially. Can't wait to see Mercy's newly, upgraded TEOTWAWKI cabin, and see where Rose 's new love life trends!<br /><br />02/03/19.", "timestamp": 1549239126528, "title": "Spawn By Hatred and Jealousy Six United! 4.7*****SPOILER ALERT" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 5, "text": "After a rash of fires in Bend, the senseless killing of two police officers leave the FBI, Mercy, and Truman to investigate their murders and the growing power and isolation of Tom McDonald and his newbie militia. Cade, Rose, Joshua, and Jack all by products of Tom's egomaniacal reach.<br /><br />Great characters, amazing plot, with a surprising, familial, twist of an ending. The constant message of a friendless, over-reaching, overtaxing government, reveals the flip side of a society lead and governed by a egomaniac. The blossoming love story between Cade and Kaylie, runs parallel to Truman and Mercy's. Can't wait to read the next novel in this series! A MUST-READ.<br /><br />02/09/19.", "timestamp": 1549712099293, "title": "Dead Men Tell No Tales! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 5, "text": "From murdered and raped girls, to murdered old, prepper, Mercy's return to Bend and Eagle's Nest, has her awaking old secrets, and slowly reconnecting to her deserted family. She and Truman Daly, Eagle's Nest Chief of Police, the FBI, and Eddie investigate and connect the broken mirrors to the fifteen year old cold cases. Levi 's involvement to concealed those event, ultimately led to his demise by Craig. If only Truman did not save him, so many life paths would be altered. Was Craig attempting suicide by not resurfacing in order to escape his abusive home life??<br /><br />Great first novel in this series, with amazing characters and a gravity defying plot. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />02/12/19", "timestamp": 1550028845282, "title": "History Repeated, Secrets Revealed! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00Y0PIEZY", "rating": 5, "text": "Chris, a survivor of an abusive, childhood abduction, now grown up with a son, Brian, perchance, rescued two women, Gianna/forensic pathologist and Violet/ her teenage daughter from their burnt out mountain cabin. The complicated woven tale dating back to Gianna's parents' 'fatal car crash', and the involvement of Leo's South-African terrorist, gun-dealing investors into Bergsina Computer company, unfolded as Reid's murders dotted the state of Oregon, in his clumsy attempts to locate and retrieve 1 the incriminating flash drive for his brutal father..<br />Amazing plot, and writing, with complex, scarred characters that survive at all cost, only proving once again how resilient children are and how much the human psyche can withstand. I hope Leo was held accountable for these crimes as well as lose his company, as these 'crimes against humanity' were all instigated from his greed-driven decisions/acts. Can't wait to read 'Buried', or book #1 of this stand-alone book series! A MUST-READ for the romantic suspense reader.<br /><br />04/10/19.", "timestamp": 1554903873951, "title": "Chris and Gianna Burning Love Tryst! 4.5*****Spoiler Alert¡" }, { "asin": "B00XXYGNJC", "rating": 5, "text": "Cristan and Lucia fled Argentina, escaping the Vargas violence, only to be threatened by his '¿murdered?, not-so dead, impulsive wife, Eva. Twelve years later on the eve of the Vargas family's massacre, the revenge-seeking Aline plan came to fruition as she followed and trapped all four, remaining Vargas survivors. Sean and Mike arrived to imprison all the gun toting players, except wily Eva. Eva's parting gift to Cristan and his new found love interest, mother of two, recently divorced, domestically-abused, Sarah, was peace and Troy's ring, confirming his death was not a suicide. Eva looking at the scene twelve years ago, realized it was her sister, Maria, and,, not Cristan who betrayed the family, to Aline.<br /><br />Amazing, tortuous plot, with dimensional characters, multiple plots streaming through the novel, and a look into family dynamics. Maria's justification for the betrayal of all at the party, while cold was definitively unresolved PTSD, post her near rape event. Eva's change in personna, was a welcomed relief, that she maybe becoming level headed and reasonable. A must read!!<br /><br />04/28/19", "timestamp": 1556447398435, "title": "Betrayed Cristan and Sarah Make Five! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert!" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW56", "rating": 5, "text": "McClellan Barrett (Mac) returned to Scarlet Falls from Brazil, the drugs cartels producing coca, and the DEA for his father's funeral. Slowly he became caught up in Stella' s case of missing ex-drug users, until he, also a former addict, became crazy, sociopathic Dr. Josh' s \"true one\". The Dane/Barrett families have blended into a cohesive unit: Morgan and Lance, Brody and Hannah, Grant, Ellie, Carson, Julia, and walking Faith, Nan and Grandpa, and now Stella and Mac.<br /><br />Great plot, with well developed, but flawed loveable characters. Addiction is a daily struggle, but like life, you just need to get up, back on your feet once you fall, as humans we always fall. Secretly wishing Mac had ended Josh's life on the lake, but wondering if Grant, Mac, and Hannah are going to get Carson and Faith survival ready for life and \"a zombie apocalypse\" (Leigh 326). A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/05/19- 10/06/19.", "timestamp": 1570387260777, "title": "Stella, Mac, and the One For Josh! 4.6***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00LTBWMVO", "rating": 4, "text": "After Kate and Lee's senseless murder by Donnie on the behest of Coach Victor, Major Grant Barrett returned to Scarlet Falls and took control of Carson, Faith, Annabelle, and Ellie's heart. Mac and Hannah, Grant's siblings also pitched in to keep the kids safe, like Lee did for them, while the DonnieE. search went into overdrive. The climatic end and full reveal of infidelity on Kate's part, the sordid video, and Coach Victor' s statutory rape and murder cover-up definitely ended those mean girl, Regan and Autumn' s skating careers. But in the world of privilege who knows, they probably got away with a few hours of community service for Hamilton's death.<br /><br />Great plot, editing, character development, and storyline depicting the harsh, competitive underbelly of the ice skating world, once more reminding us of the recent Nasser/ USOlympic Skating Association debacle. Grant and Ellie melded together well, and some stability was brought into Carson and Faith's life. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/05/19-10/07/19.", "timestamp": 1570450775219, "title": "Mean Girls, Grant, and Ellie! 4***** Spoiler Alert." }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 4, "text": "Two decades later, Vic's car and Mary Fox's body turned up at the bottom of the lake. But only after the death of several key witnesses to PJ's bar fight, the pieces to this cold case puzzle fell into place. Sheriff King a psychopath with a badge and hunting skills, what a deadly combination.<br />Great characters and plot. A Must-Read.<br />10/09 /19-10/12/19", "timestamp": 1570873424995, "title": "Lance, Morgan, and the Search For Vic K! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00QQYZYPK", "rating": 4, "text": "Attempting to save 14y/o Jewel/Jenna from her sex trafficker, in Las Vegas, Hannah's car is rammed and she received a concussion while Jewel was recaptured and whisked away from her. Identifying the three involved, Sam, Mick and Jewel, Hannah returned to Scarlett Falls and the Arnette Brothers followed her hoping to silence another witness as the two psychopaths murder several women along the way. Detective Brody McM, and Hannah teamed up, killing the brothers, rescuing Chet, and provided evidence from the seized computers to help save Jewel and pregnant Penny. Of course, the sex trafficking ring led back to Hannah's legal firm, Black Associates. She taped Royce' s murdering scheme and confession of his avarice filled endeavors for his rich pedophile clients.<br /><br />Great plot, with well developed yet flawed characters. I think Morgan and Hannah should join legal teams and PI businesses. Hannah and Brody melded well as a couple. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/13/19-10/14/19.", "timestamp": 1571044942563, "title": "Hannah, Brody and the Arnette Brothers! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 4, "text": "Tessa' s savage murder had Nick, her boyfriend convicted on social media after his rapid, wrongful imprisonment. He was repeatedly attacked and shived in prison while Emerson and his son, Jacob roamed freely. Jamie, on the other hand, ran away from home to escape the sex predator her mother was about to marry. Lance and Morgan worked as a team clearing Nick, and revealing the true murderer, and Sharp found out that Kevin was not who he said he was, and had Federal agents arresting him for failing to register as a sex offender and molesting Jamie. What surprised me the most was Evelyn Palmer' s vindictive actions towards Morgan and Nick, especially since it was her neighbour/ family friend that was abusing and killed her granddaughter, Tessa.<br /><br />Great plot with solid characters, and the sexual child abuse aspect makes one quiver with unease for all the young defenseless children in our society. A Must Read!!<br /><br />10/16/19-10/21/19", "timestamp": 1571664552881, "title": "Lance and Morgan Rescue Jamie and Nick! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 4, "text": "The brutal murder of a bully, Jason McCoy, and WI sole carpenter, left no one crying, but with too many suspects, a reason had to be found. The fake land reports of high Arsenic levels on his, Roger Duvall' s rustic inn's land, and his blackmailing was justification for his death. The events and case solving happened rapidly, more than realistically expected. Logan's PTSD and Tessa' s mom worsening dementia were additional highlights of this novella.<br />Good plot and characters. Anxious to read about Missing Sam's cold case.<br /><br />10/23/19-10/24/19'", "timestamp": 1571938110381, "title": "A Brutal Murder Solved By Logan. 3.75***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B06ZZW7G42", "rating": 5, "text": "What an intriguing novel!! The murder of blonde, blue eyed women had SFPD perplexed. However Morgan and Lance through sheer diligence and leaving no stone unturned, and thanks to Jenny, they located the Paganos and well as the Burns Brothers involved in the murder and rape of their victims and Chelsea' s abduction.<br /><br />10/ 21/19-10/25/19.", "timestamp": 1572020041949, "title": "Burns and Paganos Brothers! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert¡" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 5, "text": "While investigating Mean Brad' s hit and run murder by Rosa, they found Sam's missing chain at the orchard. This lead to the search for Travis Underwood, her son, and the finding of Samantha, alive, chained, abused, broken, and malnourished but not dead, with her 8 yr old son Mickey. After 20 yrs, the trio are back, Travis killed by Cate. Cate and Doc considered remaining on the island as a couple, with Cate opening up the bookstore and taking over the bakery.<br /><br />Great characters and the perfect end to this novella. Thank you ladies!!<br />11/12/19-11/14/19", "timestamp": 1573751534626, "title": "The Mystery of Sam is Resolved! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 5, "text": "Bree Taggert, Sheriff, responding to a closed camp ground distress call for shoots fired, she opened up a can of worms involving a bullied, disintegrating, sociopath with a revenge for pretty, teasing, mean, college boys. Joe C. played by, and used by the manipulative, burglar/con artist, Sara Harper, got his revenge by killing his tormentors and Sara. Bree hired Matt, as an investigator for her stretched PD, and together they located Joe and his new hideout before he committed his fourth and fifth murders. Alyssa's role, in the home invasions, was heard by Bree, as she too was conned by Sara.<br /><br />This gravity- defying novel was well edited, and had multidimensional characters one could root for. Bree's PD managerial skills with Marge's backing predict an upheaval of this corrupt PD, who's rough , non - procedural treatment of prisoners is reminescent of our present-day societal issues. Morgan's representing and freeing Alyssa with Bree and Matt's assistance is more aligned with proper policing or how it should be done giving alleged suspects a chance to re-enter society, and actual looking for the true criminals. Loved how Matt took Rufus' rescue into his own hands. If you can be anything in this world, be kind, is the underlying theme of this novel. A promising future for Matt and Bree, and the Taggert kids, plus Dana. A must-read!<br /><br />09/20/20 -09/21/20 COVID-19 CAShInPl C", "timestamp": 1600693258974, "title": "Bree and Matt Teamed Up For Christian! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert!" }, { "asin": "B07TJFRFJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "The finding of a human femur led Tessa, now with WIPD, and Cate, on sabbatical from the FBI, right back to Lamb and his posed blonde, murdered mothers. The mothers were abducted on the fifth of the month, posed then brutally murdered on a 'sacrificial rock/ altar, and buried with a locket containing photos of their last tortured moments on this Earth. The question was who on the island was leaking info to Lamb and carrying out his MO murders. Tracing Lamb's telephone calls led to Chris the realtor and his childhood trauma. They saved Emma his secretary, and Sam initially, as they believed she was the intended target. Henry and Cate are finally engaged and she is out of the FBI for good.<br /><br />Great gravity defying novella, with old characters reappearing, and enough of a back story to make it a 'stand-alone' book. Mike's quick access to Lamb 'private ' communications alluded to governments methods of skirting laws and trampling its citizen's rights. The nature vs nuture dilemma cropped up to leave one wondering, along with Chris' move to the island to spy on Cate for Lamb. Hmmm, I wonder?!? A Must-Read!<br /><br />10/26/20 - 10/26/20 COVID-19 CAShInPl", "timestamp": 1603787328481, "title": "Care and Tessa End Chris' Reign! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert!" } ]

[ { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 4, "text": "As Tessa, retired Seattle cop now Widow's Island (WI) PD and Logan, as retired soldier and WI Park Ranger, join forces to solve Dante 's murder while battling with her Mother's advancing Alzheimer's. The hours together and a bit of prodding from Jane, Logan and Cate's grandmother, have them seeing each other in a more mature light. I do hope this blooms into HEA, despite Logan's claim of 'enjoying the single life'.<br /><br />The well developed characters and an intriguing, psychologically based plot on human traits hold the novella together'. Here \"vanity is definitely, [not only the Devil's], favorite sin\", but the reason for man's,/ woman's downfall in life, while its depiction of the solitary way of life of 'island living' in a positive communal manner (Al Pacino Devil's Advocate). The WI Knitting group is a force of matriarchal power to reckon with, as it tackles the growing societal problems of the 'sandwich generation of women', and the effects of Alzheimer's on many rural families. A MUST-READ!!<br /><br />11/03/18.", "timestamp": 1541265861638, "title": "\"Vanity is definitely my favorite sin.\" 4.25***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 4, "text": "Cate, injured FBI agent, home on medical leave gets drawn into a case with her childhood friend and Widow’s Island deputy, Tessa, when bones are found on Ruby’s Island. She and the new doctor, Henry, solve the long overdue disappearance of Becca. The two old friends are going to reopen Samantha’s case. I wish them well. Great new novella series portraying women in both protagonist and antagonist roles. Must read!", "timestamp": 1541368951098, "title": "Becca Comes Home! 4.25***** Spoiler Alert!" }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "Well written novel with main characters you would want to hang out with. Ryan Moody becomes poster child for this long argued debate as he continues where his father left off. While FBI Agent Mercy and Chief Cop Truman, solidified their love and take a huge relationship step.<br />A MUST-READ!!<br />01/30/2019", "timestamp": 1548910994220, "title": "Nature or Nurture? Mercy and Truman Investigates! 4.75***** SPOILER ALERT" }, { "asin": "B07C854RL5", "rating": 5, "text": "Old secrets and crimes come to light as Ollie located a skeleton with a bullet hole to the skull, and thus the story unravels. Tabitha the reporter, Trevor, Art the FBI Agent, Shane the egotistical mastermind, Bree/Leah, and Glenn/Nathan all collide in Bend as Mercy, Evan, and Truman work feverishly to solve the crime of the century.<br />Well written with an unimaginable twist at the end. Love how Ollie's character is developing, and I am left wondering how Ina and Lucas would fear from the fallout. A MUST-READ!!<br /><br />01/31/19.", "timestamp": 1548998887843, "title": "The Heist Thirty Years Later! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert¡" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "The murders of Judge Lake and the Wicca, Olivia, had Mercy, Truman, and the FBI going back forty years for suspects. But they finally realized the secret Christian Lake carried was the cause for his brother, Gabriel's hatred, along with his loss of his father's money.<br />Amazing rising plot, well developed characters, with Truman and Mercy's bond blossoming exponentially. Can't wait to see Mercy's newly, upgraded TEOTWAWKI cabin, and see where Rose 's new love life trends!<br /><br />02/03/19.", "timestamp": 1549239126528, "title": "Spawn By Hatred and Jealousy Six United! 4.7*****SPOILER ALERT" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 5, "text": "After a rash of fires in Bend, the senseless killing of two police officers leave the FBI, Mercy, and Truman to investigate their murders and the growing power and isolation of Tom McDonald and his newbie militia. Cade, Rose, Joshua, and Jack all by products of Tom's egomaniacal reach.<br /><br />Great characters, amazing plot, with a surprising, familial, twist of an ending. The constant message of a friendless, over-reaching, overtaxing government, reveals the flip side of a society lead and governed by a egomaniac. The blossoming love story between Cade and Kaylie, runs parallel to Truman and Mercy's. Can't wait to read the next novel in this series! A MUST-READ.<br /><br />02/09/19.", "timestamp": 1549712099293, "title": "Dead Men Tell No Tales! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 5, "text": "From murdered and raped girls, to murdered old, prepper, Mercy's return to Bend and Eagle's Nest, has her awaking old secrets, and slowly reconnecting to her deserted family. She and Truman Daly, Eagle's Nest Chief of Police, the FBI, and Eddie investigate and connect the broken mirrors to the fifteen year old cold cases. Levi 's involvement to concealed those event, ultimately led to his demise by Craig. If only Truman did not save him, so many life paths would be altered. Was Craig attempting suicide by not resurfacing in order to escape his abusive home life??<br /><br />Great first novel in this series, with amazing characters and a gravity defying plot. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />02/12/19", "timestamp": 1550028845282, "title": "History Repeated, Secrets Revealed! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00Y0PIEZY", "rating": 5, "text": "Chris, a survivor of an abusive, childhood abduction, now grown up with a son, Brian, perchance, rescued two women, Gianna/forensic pathologist and Violet/ her teenage daughter from their burnt out mountain cabin. The complicated woven tale dating back to Gianna's parents' 'fatal car crash', and the involvement of Leo's South-African terrorist, gun-dealing investors into Bergsina Computer company, unfolded as Reid's murders dotted the state of Oregon, in his clumsy attempts to locate and retrieve 1 the incriminating flash drive for his brutal father..<br />Amazing plot, and writing, with complex, scarred characters that survive at all cost, only proving once again how resilient children are and how much the human psyche can withstand. I hope Leo was held accountable for these crimes as well as lose his company, as these 'crimes against humanity' were all instigated from his greed-driven decisions/acts. Can't wait to read 'Buried', or book #1 of this stand-alone book series! A MUST-READ for the romantic suspense reader.<br /><br />04/10/19.", "timestamp": 1554903873951, "title": "Chris and Gianna Burning Love Tryst! 4.5*****Spoiler Alert¡" }, { "asin": "B00XXYGNJC", "rating": 5, "text": "Cristan and Lucia fled Argentina, escaping the Vargas violence, only to be threatened by his '¿murdered?, not-so dead, impulsive wife, Eva. Twelve years later on the eve of the Vargas family's massacre, the revenge-seeking Aline plan came to fruition as she followed and trapped all four, remaining Vargas survivors. Sean and Mike arrived to imprison all the gun toting players, except wily Eva. Eva's parting gift to Cristan and his new found love interest, mother of two, recently divorced, domestically-abused, Sarah, was peace and Troy's ring, confirming his death was not a suicide. Eva looking at the scene twelve years ago, realized it was her sister, Maria, and,, not Cristan who betrayed the family, to Aline.<br /><br />Amazing, tortuous plot, with dimensional characters, multiple plots streaming through the novel, and a look into family dynamics. Maria's justification for the betrayal of all at the party, while cold was definitively unresolved PTSD, post her near rape event. Eva's change in personna, was a welcomed relief, that she maybe becoming level headed and reasonable. A must read!!<br /><br />04/28/19", "timestamp": 1556447398435, "title": "Betrayed Cristan and Sarah Make Five! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert!" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW56", "rating": 5, "text": "McClellan Barrett (Mac) returned to Scarlet Falls from Brazil, the drugs cartels producing coca, and the DEA for his father's funeral. Slowly he became caught up in Stella' s case of missing ex-drug users, until he, also a former addict, became crazy, sociopathic Dr. Josh' s \"true one\". The Dane/Barrett families have blended into a cohesive unit: Morgan and Lance, Brody and Hannah, Grant, Ellie, Carson, Julia, and walking Faith, Nan and Grandpa, and now Stella and Mac.<br /><br />Great plot, with well developed, but flawed loveable characters. Addiction is a daily struggle, but like life, you just need to get up, back on your feet once you fall, as humans we always fall. Secretly wishing Mac had ended Josh's life on the lake, but wondering if Grant, Mac, and Hannah are going to get Carson and Faith survival ready for life and \"a zombie apocalypse\" (Leigh 326). A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/05/19- 10/06/19.", "timestamp": 1570387260777, "title": "Stella, Mac, and the One For Josh! 4.6***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00LTBWMVO", "rating": 4, "text": "After Kate and Lee's senseless murder by Donnie on the behest of Coach Victor, Major Grant Barrett returned to Scarlet Falls and took control of Carson, Faith, Annabelle, and Ellie's heart. Mac and Hannah, Grant's siblings also pitched in to keep the kids safe, like Lee did for them, while the DonnieE. search went into overdrive. The climatic end and full reveal of infidelity on Kate's part, the sordid video, and Coach Victor' s statutory rape and murder cover-up definitely ended those mean girl, Regan and Autumn' s skating careers. But in the world of privilege who knows, they probably got away with a few hours of community service for Hamilton's death.<br /><br />Great plot, editing, character development, and storyline depicting the harsh, competitive underbelly of the ice skating world, once more reminding us of the recent Nasser/ USOlympic Skating Association debacle. Grant and Ellie melded together well, and some stability was brought into Carson and Faith's life. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/05/19-10/07/19.", "timestamp": 1570450775219, "title": "Mean Girls, Grant, and Ellie! 4***** Spoiler Alert." }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 4, "text": "Two decades later, Vic's car and Mary Fox's body turned up at the bottom of the lake. But only after the death of several key witnesses to PJ's bar fight, the pieces to this cold case puzzle fell into place. Sheriff King a psychopath with a badge and hunting skills, what a deadly combination.<br />Great characters and plot. A Must-Read.<br />10/09 /19-10/12/19", "timestamp": 1570873424995, "title": "Lance, Morgan, and the Search For Vic K! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B00QQYZYPK", "rating": 4, "text": "Attempting to save 14y/o Jewel/Jenna from her sex trafficker, in Las Vegas, Hannah's car is rammed and she received a concussion while Jewel was recaptured and whisked away from her. Identifying the three involved, Sam, Mick and Jewel, Hannah returned to Scarlett Falls and the Arnette Brothers followed her hoping to silence another witness as the two psychopaths murder several women along the way. Detective Brody McM, and Hannah teamed up, killing the brothers, rescuing Chet, and provided evidence from the seized computers to help save Jewel and pregnant Penny. Of course, the sex trafficking ring led back to Hannah's legal firm, Black Associates. She taped Royce' s murdering scheme and confession of his avarice filled endeavors for his rich pedophile clients.<br /><br />Great plot, with well developed yet flawed characters. I think Morgan and Hannah should join legal teams and PI businesses. Hannah and Brody melded well as a couple. A MUST-READ!<br /><br />10/13/19-10/14/19.", "timestamp": 1571044942563, "title": "Hannah, Brody and the Arnette Brothers! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 4, "text": "Tessa' s savage murder had Nick, her boyfriend convicted on social media after his rapid, wrongful imprisonment. He was repeatedly attacked and shived in prison while Emerson and his son, Jacob roamed freely. Jamie, on the other hand, ran away from home to escape the sex predator her mother was about to marry. Lance and Morgan worked as a team clearing Nick, and revealing the true murderer, and Sharp found out that Kevin was not who he said he was, and had Federal agents arresting him for failing to register as a sex offender and molesting Jamie. What surprised me the most was Evelyn Palmer' s vindictive actions towards Morgan and Nick, especially since it was her neighbour/ family friend that was abusing and killed her granddaughter, Tessa.<br /><br />Great plot with solid characters, and the sexual child abuse aspect makes one quiver with unease for all the young defenseless children in our society. A Must Read!!<br /><br />10/16/19-10/21/19", "timestamp": 1571664552881, "title": "Lance and Morgan Rescue Jamie and Nick! 4***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 4, "text": "The brutal murder of a bully, Jason McCoy, and WI sole carpenter, left no one crying, but with too many suspects, a reason had to be found. The fake land reports of high Arsenic levels on his, Roger Duvall' s rustic inn's land, and his blackmailing was justification for his death. The events and case solving happened rapidly, more than realistically expected. Logan's PTSD and Tessa' s mom worsening dementia were additional highlights of this novella.<br />Good plot and characters. Anxious to read about Missing Sam's cold case.<br /><br />10/23/19-10/24/19'", "timestamp": 1571938110381, "title": "A Brutal Murder Solved By Logan. 3.75***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B06ZZW7G42", "rating": 5, "text": "What an intriguing novel!! The murder of blonde, blue eyed women had SFPD perplexed. However Morgan and Lance through sheer diligence and leaving no stone unturned, and thanks to Jenny, they located the Paganos and well as the Burns Brothers involved in the murder and rape of their victims and Chelsea' s abduction.<br /><br />10/ 21/19-10/25/19.", "timestamp": 1572020041949, "title": "Burns and Paganos Brothers! 4.5***** Spoiler Alert¡" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 5, "text": "While investigating Mean Brad' s hit and run murder by Rosa, they found Sam's missing chain at the orchard. This lead to the search for Travis Underwood, her son, and the finding of Samantha, alive, chained, abused, broken, and malnourished but not dead, with her 8 yr old son Mickey. After 20 yrs, the trio are back, Travis killed by Cate. Cate and Doc considered remaining on the island as a couple, with Cate opening up the bookstore and taking over the bakery.<br /><br />Great characters and the perfect end to this novella. Thank you ladies!!<br />11/12/19-11/14/19", "timestamp": 1573751534626, "title": "The Mystery of Sam is Resolved! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert" }, { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 5, "text": "Bree Taggert, Sheriff, responding to a closed camp ground distress call for shoots fired, she opened up a can of worms involving a bullied, disintegrating, sociopath with a revenge for pretty, teasing, mean, college boys. Joe C. played by, and used by the manipulative, burglar/con artist, Sara Harper, got his revenge by killing his tormentors and Sara. Bree hired Matt, as an investigator for her stretched PD, and together they located Joe and his new hideout before he committed his fourth and fifth murders. Alyssa's role, in the home invasions, was heard by Bree, as she too was conned by Sara.<br /><br />This gravity- defying novel was well edited, and had multidimensional characters one could root for. Bree's PD managerial skills with Marge's backing predict an upheaval of this corrupt PD, who's rough , non - procedural treatment of prisoners is reminescent of our present-day societal issues. Morgan's representing and freeing Alyssa with Bree and Matt's assistance is more aligned with proper policing or how it should be done giving alleged suspects a chance to re-enter society, and actual looking for the true criminals. Loved how Matt took Rufus' rescue into his own hands. If you can be anything in this world, be kind, is the underlying theme of this novel. A promising future for Matt and Bree, and the Taggert kids, plus Dana. A must-read!<br /><br />09/20/20 -09/21/20 COVID-19 CAShInPl C", "timestamp": 1600693258974, "title": "Bree and Matt Teamed Up For Christian! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert!" }, { "asin": "B07TJFRFJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "The finding of a human femur led Tessa, now with WIPD, and Cate, on sabbatical from the FBI, right back to Lamb and his posed blonde, murdered mothers. The mothers were abducted on the fifth of the month, posed then brutally murdered on a 'sacrificial rock/ altar, and buried with a locket containing photos of their last tortured moments on this Earth. The question was who on the island was leaking info to Lamb and carrying out his MO murders. Tracing Lamb's telephone calls led to Chris the realtor and his childhood trauma. They saved Emma his secretary, and Sam initially, as they believed she was the intended target. Henry and Cate are finally engaged and she is out of the FBI for good.<br /><br />Great gravity defying novella, with old characters reappearing, and enough of a back story to make it a 'stand-alone' book. Mike's quick access to Lamb 'private ' communications alluded to governments methods of skirting laws and trampling its citizen's rights. The nature vs nuture dilemma cropped up to leave one wondering, along with Chris' move to the island to spy on Cate for Lamb. Hmmm, I wonder?!? A Must-Read!<br /><br />10/26/20 - 10/26/20 COVID-19 CAShInPl", "timestamp": 1603787328481, "title": "Care and Tessa End Chris' Reign! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert!" }, { "asin": "B07TPS5JQZ", "rating": 5, "text": "With reports of an explosion and screaming, Tessa and Logan race to an abandoned house only to find Bruce's visiting mom, Patsy, through the collapsed floor in the basement, and of course a decomposing DB(dead body). As they search for the creator of the trip wires, Carl H., and the abused now deceased Gavin's murderer, the Knitting Club of WI help Tessa with her Mom as her work hours are lengthened during the first 48 hrs. By reading the other foster kids’ body cues, and the images from cra-cra Carl's phone, the young, educated, future sociopath, Ian, was caught, hopefully with no chance of parole. Both Carl and Ian was sent to the main land. While Tessa' s mom deteriorated mentally throughout this novella, the new meds seem to provide her with some calm, with a HEA for Tessa and Logan.<br /><br />Great, gravity-defying plot with fleshed out characters, this novella showed us the foster care system flaws and the accreditation of potential parents to alleviate the system strain by the religious biases of those agencies to allow same sex parents to adopt kids in this over burdened system. This as well as the Meth and mental health issues that plague our US society are more reasons depicting the fall of our society. So glad Logan proposed and is moving into Texas's home, as two adults to watch Mom and Patience is a win-win! I was left wondering if Ian staged his elderly parent's death?? A Must-Read!!<br /><br />11/03/20- 11/03/20 COVID-19CAShInPl.", "timestamp": 1604546757869, "title": "Tessa and Logan's HEA?? 5***** Spoiler Alert!" } ]

[ { "asin": "B00KXD2HL4", "rating": 5, "text": "A serial killer, attempting his own brand of justice for sins committed in his past, hunts down the people involved. At first, Law Enforcement sees no pattern to the killings until the pieces begin to fall into place. At the center of it all is Ava and Mason, together as a couple and as hunters of the killer.", "timestamp": 1536062259948, "title": "A great read!" }, { "asin": "B00QXROAA0", "rating": 4, "text": "Ava Is a woman of many sides. She’s a strong woman in her job and her twin sister is a wreck. She has fallen in love with Mason, in law-enforcement as well but finds herself as the obsession of a serial killer. All of these things come together and leave Ava questioning her life as it has unfolded. This book was good but a bit convoluted. Looking forward to the next book.", "timestamp": 1540725662295, "title": "Another great chapter in the saga" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW5Q", "rating": 4, "text": "This book in the series finds members of law-enforcement being killed in bizarre ways. One of them is Mason’s long-time comrade and friend. What do these men have in common and who is this sick murderer? Is Mason at risk too?", "timestamp": 1544051004374, "title": "The adventures of Mason and Ava" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 5, "text": "Cate, an FBI agent, returns home to investigate bones that were found on an island. The bones could have been of one of two young girls who disappeared many years ago. This was an enjoyable read with an interesting conclusion.", "timestamp": 1544673768127, "title": "An enjoyable fast read!" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 5, "text": "I enjoyed this as much as the first one. Tess and her friend Logan team up to solve the murder of a local artist. He turns out not to be who everybody thought he was. Tess’ Mom keeps wandering off and this brings her closer to Logan. Can’t wait for the next book!", "timestamp": 1544984386455, "title": "Nice continuation of the storyline!" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 5, "text": "I’m a big fan of any law enforcement series, especially with a strong leading character. Mercy is strong but has a few requisite secrets from her past. There’s a serial killer on the loose. To the reader, there are more than 3 possible candidates which I like (because I like to guess.) The book closes one chapter of Mercy’s life and I’m anxious to dig into Book 2.", "timestamp": 1545396441642, "title": "Mercy Kilpatrick is gold!" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 5, "text": "Mercy Kilpatrick returns home to a different life than in the first book. Her brother is dead and his daughter is living with Mercy. While there are fires being set and murders are happening, Mercy and Truman join forces to find out what’s going on. The ending is quite the surprise.", "timestamp": 1545965861799, "title": "Great second book in the series" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "Mercy’s path crosses a young girl whose Grandmother has been brutally attacked and tries to save her life to no avail. As the story unfolds, the life of the girl and her mother intertwines with Mercy’s own. The murderer is hunting and nothing will get in his way until the very end. Can he be stopped or will Mercy lose everything trying to bring him down?", "timestamp": 1546690488564, "title": "Good one!" }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "The more we get to follow Mercy, the better we like the books. Mercy & Truman each have their own cases that lead to big problems. Mercy tries to figure out who a serial killer is and Truman fights for his life. New characters are introduced in this book who I hope will be around for a while.", "timestamp": 1548902780655, "title": "Another wonderful Mercy book" }, { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. A horrible murder was committed, a young man arrested and things were way more complicated than we knew at first glance. Morgan Dane is a woman to be reckoned with and I can’t wait to read the next book because this one was so well written!", "timestamp": 1563499317694, "title": "New Melinda Leigh Fan here!" }, { "asin": "B06ZZW7G42", "rating": 5, "text": "Morgan is asked to investigate the disappearance of a Mother of two young children. The husband is the obvious person of interest but did he do it? Morgan and Lance think not and set out to prove his innocence. This story takes many surprising turns; bodies turn up, threats are made, lives are in danger and characters are in crisis. The ending is a good one and now I’m on to Book 3.", "timestamp": 1565525425240, "title": "Morgan & Lance hunt a serial killer" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 5, "text": "Lance’s father disappeared many years ago and in this book, his car is fished out of a lake with a skeleton in the trunk. Then, anybody who seems related to this case dies. There are a lot of suspects and when the murderer is revealed, things really get interesting.", "timestamp": 1566441875299, "title": "I didn’t see it coming" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 5, "text": "Tess & Logan continue in this book trying to solve the murder of a very unlikeable man. So many people detested him but who really did the deed? This is a fast story that is intriguing from the start to the end. If you follow the Rogue River books, this series brings new & old favorites to the continuing story.", "timestamp": 1583284006976, "title": "Our favorite characters continue" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 5, "text": "Tess and Cate have spent the last 20 years wondering what happened to their best friend Samantha. This book explains everything. I’m not giving it all away so you need to read it on your own. It will be time well spent!", "timestamp": 1584667072630, "title": "The mystery of Sam unravels" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CE", "rating": 4, "text": "Conor, Louisa and her father Ward are the major players in this book. The characters are the continuation of the rest of the books in this series however, the book took way too long for the conclusion. There are a few surprises, and a great conclusion. Well worth the time and enjoyable to the end.", "timestamp": 1590404158665, "title": "Pretty good but way too long" } ]

[ { "asin": "B00KXD2HL4", "rating": 5, "text": "A serial killer, attempting his own brand of justice for sins committed in his past, hunts down the people involved. At first, Law Enforcement sees no pattern to the killings until the pieces begin to fall into place. At the center of it all is Ava and Mason, together as a couple and as hunters of the killer.", "timestamp": 1536062259948, "title": "A great read!" }, { "asin": "B00QXROAA0", "rating": 4, "text": "Ava Is a woman of many sides. She’s a strong woman in her job and her twin sister is a wreck. She has fallen in love with Mason, in law-enforcement as well but finds herself as the obsession of a serial killer. All of these things come together and leave Ava questioning her life as it has unfolded. This book was good but a bit convoluted. Looking forward to the next book.", "timestamp": 1540725662295, "title": "Another great chapter in the saga" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW5Q", "rating": 4, "text": "This book in the series finds members of law-enforcement being killed in bizarre ways. One of them is Mason’s long-time comrade and friend. What do these men have in common and who is this sick murderer? Is Mason at risk too?", "timestamp": 1544051004374, "title": "The adventures of Mason and Ava" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 5, "text": "Cate, an FBI agent, returns home to investigate bones that were found on an island. The bones could have been of one of two young girls who disappeared many years ago. This was an enjoyable read with an interesting conclusion.", "timestamp": 1544673768127, "title": "An enjoyable fast read!" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 5, "text": "I enjoyed this as much as the first one. Tess and her friend Logan team up to solve the murder of a local artist. He turns out not to be who everybody thought he was. Tess’ Mom keeps wandering off and this brings her closer to Logan. Can’t wait for the next book!", "timestamp": 1544984386455, "title": "Nice continuation of the storyline!" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 5, "text": "I’m a big fan of any law enforcement series, especially with a strong leading character. Mercy is strong but has a few requisite secrets from her past. There’s a serial killer on the loose. To the reader, there are more than 3 possible candidates which I like (because I like to guess.) The book closes one chapter of Mercy’s life and I’m anxious to dig into Book 2.", "timestamp": 1545396441642, "title": "Mercy Kilpatrick is gold!" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 5, "text": "Mercy Kilpatrick returns home to a different life than in the first book. Her brother is dead and his daughter is living with Mercy. While there are fires being set and murders are happening, Mercy and Truman join forces to find out what’s going on. The ending is quite the surprise.", "timestamp": 1545965861799, "title": "Great second book in the series" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "Mercy’s path crosses a young girl whose Grandmother has been brutally attacked and tries to save her life to no avail. As the story unfolds, the life of the girl and her mother intertwines with Mercy’s own. The murderer is hunting and nothing will get in his way until the very end. Can he be stopped or will Mercy lose everything trying to bring him down?", "timestamp": 1546690488564, "title": "Good one!" }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "The more we get to follow Mercy, the better we like the books. Mercy & Truman each have their own cases that lead to big problems. Mercy tries to figure out who a serial killer is and Truman fights for his life. New characters are introduced in this book who I hope will be around for a while.", "timestamp": 1548902780655, "title": "Another wonderful Mercy book" }, { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. A horrible murder was committed, a young man arrested and things were way more complicated than we knew at first glance. Morgan Dane is a woman to be reckoned with and I can’t wait to read the next book because this one was so well written!", "timestamp": 1563499317694, "title": "New Melinda Leigh Fan here!" }, { "asin": "B06ZZW7G42", "rating": 5, "text": "Morgan is asked to investigate the disappearance of a Mother of two young children. The husband is the obvious person of interest but did he do it? Morgan and Lance think not and set out to prove his innocence. This story takes many surprising turns; bodies turn up, threats are made, lives are in danger and characters are in crisis. The ending is a good one and now I’m on to Book 3.", "timestamp": 1565525425240, "title": "Morgan & Lance hunt a serial killer" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 5, "text": "Lance’s father disappeared many years ago and in this book, his car is fished out of a lake with a skeleton in the trunk. Then, anybody who seems related to this case dies. There are a lot of suspects and when the murderer is revealed, things really get interesting.", "timestamp": 1566441875299, "title": "I didn’t see it coming" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 5, "text": "Tess & Logan continue in this book trying to solve the murder of a very unlikeable man. So many people detested him but who really did the deed? This is a fast story that is intriguing from the start to the end. If you follow the Rogue River books, this series brings new & old favorites to the continuing story.", "timestamp": 1583284006976, "title": "Our favorite characters continue" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 5, "text": "Tess and Cate have spent the last 20 years wondering what happened to their best friend Samantha. This book explains everything. I’m not giving it all away so you need to read it on your own. It will be time well spent!", "timestamp": 1584667072630, "title": "The mystery of Sam unravels" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CE", "rating": 4, "text": "Conor, Louisa and her father Ward are the major players in this book. The characters are the continuation of the rest of the books in this series however, the book took way too long for the conclusion. There are a few surprises, and a great conclusion. Well worth the time and enjoyable to the end.", "timestamp": 1590404158665, "title": "Pretty good but way too long" }, { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the second book in the series, so read the first one before you read this one. Bree, a former Philly cop, has come back to her childhood home to take care of her murdered sister’s family. She has a sad history stemming from childhood abuse but she chose to stay. Bree becomes the sheriff and her first case is a big one. A serial killer is on the lose and she makes solving the crime her main priority. Matt is her civilian investigator and they, with her police department hunt the predator down.<br />Fast paced, twists & turns and a great conclusion makes this book another excellent read.", "timestamp": 1602933677331, "title": "The next chapter of Bree Taggert" } ]

[ { "asin": "B00KXD2HL4", "rating": 5, "text": "A serial killer, attempting his own brand of justice for sins committed in his past, hunts down the people involved. At first, Law Enforcement sees no pattern to the killings until the pieces begin to fall into place. At the center of it all is Ava and Mason, together as a couple and as hunters of the killer.", "timestamp": 1536062259948, "title": "A great read!" }, { "asin": "B00QXROAA0", "rating": 4, "text": "Ava Is a woman of many sides. She’s a strong woman in her job and her twin sister is a wreck. She has fallen in love with Mason, in law-enforcement as well but finds herself as the obsession of a serial killer. All of these things come together and leave Ava questioning her life as it has unfolded. This book was good but a bit convoluted. Looking forward to the next book.", "timestamp": 1540725662295, "title": "Another great chapter in the saga" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW5Q", "rating": 4, "text": "This book in the series finds members of law-enforcement being killed in bizarre ways. One of them is Mason’s long-time comrade and friend. What do these men have in common and who is this sick murderer? Is Mason at risk too?", "timestamp": 1544051004374, "title": "The adventures of Mason and Ava" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 5, "text": "Cate, an FBI agent, returns home to investigate bones that were found on an island. The bones could have been of one of two young girls who disappeared many years ago. This was an enjoyable read with an interesting conclusion.", "timestamp": 1544673768127, "title": "An enjoyable fast read!" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 5, "text": "I enjoyed this as much as the first one. Tess and her friend Logan team up to solve the murder of a local artist. He turns out not to be who everybody thought he was. Tess’ Mom keeps wandering off and this brings her closer to Logan. Can’t wait for the next book!", "timestamp": 1544984386455, "title": "Nice continuation of the storyline!" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 5, "text": "I’m a big fan of any law enforcement series, especially with a strong leading character. Mercy is strong but has a few requisite secrets from her past. There’s a serial killer on the loose. To the reader, there are more than 3 possible candidates which I like (because I like to guess.) The book closes one chapter of Mercy’s life and I’m anxious to dig into Book 2.", "timestamp": 1545396441642, "title": "Mercy Kilpatrick is gold!" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 5, "text": "Mercy Kilpatrick returns home to a different life than in the first book. Her brother is dead and his daughter is living with Mercy. While there are fires being set and murders are happening, Mercy and Truman join forces to find out what’s going on. The ending is quite the surprise.", "timestamp": 1545965861799, "title": "Great second book in the series" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "Mercy’s path crosses a young girl whose Grandmother has been brutally attacked and tries to save her life to no avail. As the story unfolds, the life of the girl and her mother intertwines with Mercy’s own. The murderer is hunting and nothing will get in his way until the very end. Can he be stopped or will Mercy lose everything trying to bring him down?", "timestamp": 1546690488564, "title": "Good one!" }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "The more we get to follow Mercy, the better we like the books. Mercy & Truman each have their own cases that lead to big problems. Mercy tries to figure out who a serial killer is and Truman fights for his life. New characters are introduced in this book who I hope will be around for a while.", "timestamp": 1548902780655, "title": "Another wonderful Mercy book" }, { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. A horrible murder was committed, a young man arrested and things were way more complicated than we knew at first glance. Morgan Dane is a woman to be reckoned with and I can’t wait to read the next book because this one was so well written!", "timestamp": 1563499317694, "title": "New Melinda Leigh Fan here!" }, { "asin": "B06ZZW7G42", "rating": 5, "text": "Morgan is asked to investigate the disappearance of a Mother of two young children. The husband is the obvious person of interest but did he do it? Morgan and Lance think not and set out to prove his innocence. This story takes many surprising turns; bodies turn up, threats are made, lives are in danger and characters are in crisis. The ending is a good one and now I’m on to Book 3.", "timestamp": 1565525425240, "title": "Morgan & Lance hunt a serial killer" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 5, "text": "Lance’s father disappeared many years ago and in this book, his car is fished out of a lake with a skeleton in the trunk. Then, anybody who seems related to this case dies. There are a lot of suspects and when the murderer is revealed, things really get interesting.", "timestamp": 1566441875299, "title": "I didn’t see it coming" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 5, "text": "Tess & Logan continue in this book trying to solve the murder of a very unlikeable man. So many people detested him but who really did the deed? This is a fast story that is intriguing from the start to the end. If you follow the Rogue River books, this series brings new & old favorites to the continuing story.", "timestamp": 1583284006976, "title": "Our favorite characters continue" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 5, "text": "Tess and Cate have spent the last 20 years wondering what happened to their best friend Samantha. This book explains everything. I’m not giving it all away so you need to read it on your own. It will be time well spent!", "timestamp": 1584667072630, "title": "The mystery of Sam unravels" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CE", "rating": 4, "text": "Conor, Louisa and her father Ward are the major players in this book. The characters are the continuation of the rest of the books in this series however, the book took way too long for the conclusion. There are a few surprises, and a great conclusion. Well worth the time and enjoyable to the end.", "timestamp": 1590404158665, "title": "Pretty good but way too long" }, { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the second book in the series, so read the first one before you read this one. Bree, a former Philly cop, has come back to her childhood home to take care of her murdered sister’s family. She has a sad history stemming from childhood abuse but she chose to stay. Bree becomes the sheriff and her first case is a big one. A serial killer is on the lose and she makes solving the crime her main priority. Matt is her civilian investigator and they, with her police department hunt the predator down.<br />Fast paced, twists & turns and a great conclusion makes this book another excellent read.", "timestamp": 1602933677331, "title": "The next chapter of Bree Taggert" }, { "asin": "B07TJFRFJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "Cate is a former FBI agent who is trying to make a new life for herself. She moved back home and things were going well until 3 graves were discovered. Were the murders the work of an incarcerated killer from her past or a copycat?<br />Fast paced with a tight plot, this novella was a perfect quick read!", "timestamp": 1606101057430, "title": "Cate helps to find a serial killer" } ]

[ { "asin": "B00KXD2HL4", "rating": 5, "text": "A serial killer, attempting his own brand of justice for sins committed in his past, hunts down the people involved. At first, Law Enforcement sees no pattern to the killings until the pieces begin to fall into place. At the center of it all is Ava and Mason, together as a couple and as hunters of the killer.", "timestamp": 1536062259948, "title": "A great read!" }, { "asin": "B00QXROAA0", "rating": 4, "text": "Ava Is a woman of many sides. She’s a strong woman in her job and her twin sister is a wreck. She has fallen in love with Mason, in law-enforcement as well but finds herself as the obsession of a serial killer. All of these things come together and leave Ava questioning her life as it has unfolded. This book was good but a bit convoluted. Looking forward to the next book.", "timestamp": 1540725662295, "title": "Another great chapter in the saga" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW5Q", "rating": 4, "text": "This book in the series finds members of law-enforcement being killed in bizarre ways. One of them is Mason’s long-time comrade and friend. What do these men have in common and who is this sick murderer? Is Mason at risk too?", "timestamp": 1544051004374, "title": "The adventures of Mason and Ava" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 5, "text": "Cate, an FBI agent, returns home to investigate bones that were found on an island. The bones could have been of one of two young girls who disappeared many years ago. This was an enjoyable read with an interesting conclusion.", "timestamp": 1544673768127, "title": "An enjoyable fast read!" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 5, "text": "I enjoyed this as much as the first one. Tess and her friend Logan team up to solve the murder of a local artist. He turns out not to be who everybody thought he was. Tess’ Mom keeps wandering off and this brings her closer to Logan. Can’t wait for the next book!", "timestamp": 1544984386455, "title": "Nice continuation of the storyline!" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 5, "text": "I’m a big fan of any law enforcement series, especially with a strong leading character. Mercy is strong but has a few requisite secrets from her past. There’s a serial killer on the loose. To the reader, there are more than 3 possible candidates which I like (because I like to guess.) The book closes one chapter of Mercy’s life and I’m anxious to dig into Book 2.", "timestamp": 1545396441642, "title": "Mercy Kilpatrick is gold!" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 5, "text": "Mercy Kilpatrick returns home to a different life than in the first book. Her brother is dead and his daughter is living with Mercy. While there are fires being set and murders are happening, Mercy and Truman join forces to find out what’s going on. The ending is quite the surprise.", "timestamp": 1545965861799, "title": "Great second book in the series" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "Mercy’s path crosses a young girl whose Grandmother has been brutally attacked and tries to save her life to no avail. As the story unfolds, the life of the girl and her mother intertwines with Mercy’s own. The murderer is hunting and nothing will get in his way until the very end. Can he be stopped or will Mercy lose everything trying to bring him down?", "timestamp": 1546690488564, "title": "Good one!" }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "The more we get to follow Mercy, the better we like the books. Mercy & Truman each have their own cases that lead to big problems. Mercy tries to figure out who a serial killer is and Truman fights for his life. New characters are introduced in this book who I hope will be around for a while.", "timestamp": 1548902780655, "title": "Another wonderful Mercy book" }, { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. A horrible murder was committed, a young man arrested and things were way more complicated than we knew at first glance. Morgan Dane is a woman to be reckoned with and I can’t wait to read the next book because this one was so well written!", "timestamp": 1563499317694, "title": "New Melinda Leigh Fan here!" }, { "asin": "B06ZZW7G42", "rating": 5, "text": "Morgan is asked to investigate the disappearance of a Mother of two young children. The husband is the obvious person of interest but did he do it? Morgan and Lance think not and set out to prove his innocence. This story takes many surprising turns; bodies turn up, threats are made, lives are in danger and characters are in crisis. The ending is a good one and now I’m on to Book 3.", "timestamp": 1565525425240, "title": "Morgan & Lance hunt a serial killer" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 5, "text": "Lance’s father disappeared many years ago and in this book, his car is fished out of a lake with a skeleton in the trunk. Then, anybody who seems related to this case dies. There are a lot of suspects and when the murderer is revealed, things really get interesting.", "timestamp": 1566441875299, "title": "I didn’t see it coming" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 5, "text": "Tess & Logan continue in this book trying to solve the murder of a very unlikeable man. So many people detested him but who really did the deed? This is a fast story that is intriguing from the start to the end. If you follow the Rogue River books, this series brings new & old favorites to the continuing story.", "timestamp": 1583284006976, "title": "Our favorite characters continue" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 5, "text": "Tess and Cate have spent the last 20 years wondering what happened to their best friend Samantha. This book explains everything. I’m not giving it all away so you need to read it on your own. It will be time well spent!", "timestamp": 1584667072630, "title": "The mystery of Sam unravels" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CE", "rating": 4, "text": "Conor, Louisa and her father Ward are the major players in this book. The characters are the continuation of the rest of the books in this series however, the book took way too long for the conclusion. There are a few surprises, and a great conclusion. Well worth the time and enjoyable to the end.", "timestamp": 1590404158665, "title": "Pretty good but way too long" }, { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the second book in the series, so read the first one before you read this one. Bree, a former Philly cop, has come back to her childhood home to take care of her murdered sister’s family. She has a sad history stemming from childhood abuse but she chose to stay. Bree becomes the sheriff and her first case is a big one. A serial killer is on the lose and she makes solving the crime her main priority. Matt is her civilian investigator and they, with her police department hunt the predator down.<br />Fast paced, twists & turns and a great conclusion makes this book another excellent read.", "timestamp": 1602933677331, "title": "The next chapter of Bree Taggert" }, { "asin": "B07TJFRFJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "Cate is a former FBI agent who is trying to make a new life for herself. She moved back home and things were going well until 3 graves were discovered. Were the murders the work of an incarcerated killer from her past or a copycat?<br />Fast paced with a tight plot, this novella was a perfect quick read!", "timestamp": 1606101057430, "title": "Cate helps to find a serial killer" }, { "asin": "B07TPS5JQZ", "rating": 5, "text": "A body is found in an abandoned house and it turns out to be a young boy who went missing recently. Tessa and her deputy Logan who is her childhood friend and officially a park ranger tries to find who would have killed the boy. Another short story, packed with clues and a no-nonsense plot, this was a great read!", "timestamp": 1609040016150, "title": "Tessa and Logan track down a killer" } ]

[ { "asin": "B00KXD2HL4", "rating": 5, "text": "A serial killer, attempting his own brand of justice for sins committed in his past, hunts down the people involved. At first, Law Enforcement sees no pattern to the killings until the pieces begin to fall into place. At the center of it all is Ava and Mason, together as a couple and as hunters of the killer.", "timestamp": 1536062259948, "title": "A great read!" }, { "asin": "B00QXROAA0", "rating": 4, "text": "Ava Is a woman of many sides. She’s a strong woman in her job and her twin sister is a wreck. She has fallen in love with Mason, in law-enforcement as well but finds herself as the obsession of a serial killer. All of these things come together and leave Ava questioning her life as it has unfolded. This book was good but a bit convoluted. Looking forward to the next book.", "timestamp": 1540725662295, "title": "Another great chapter in the saga" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW5Q", "rating": 4, "text": "This book in the series finds members of law-enforcement being killed in bizarre ways. One of them is Mason’s long-time comrade and friend. What do these men have in common and who is this sick murderer? Is Mason at risk too?", "timestamp": 1544051004374, "title": "The adventures of Mason and Ava" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 5, "text": "Cate, an FBI agent, returns home to investigate bones that were found on an island. The bones could have been of one of two young girls who disappeared many years ago. This was an enjoyable read with an interesting conclusion.", "timestamp": 1544673768127, "title": "An enjoyable fast read!" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 5, "text": "I enjoyed this as much as the first one. Tess and her friend Logan team up to solve the murder of a local artist. He turns out not to be who everybody thought he was. Tess’ Mom keeps wandering off and this brings her closer to Logan. Can’t wait for the next book!", "timestamp": 1544984386455, "title": "Nice continuation of the storyline!" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 5, "text": "I’m a big fan of any law enforcement series, especially with a strong leading character. Mercy is strong but has a few requisite secrets from her past. There’s a serial killer on the loose. To the reader, there are more than 3 possible candidates which I like (because I like to guess.) The book closes one chapter of Mercy’s life and I’m anxious to dig into Book 2.", "timestamp": 1545396441642, "title": "Mercy Kilpatrick is gold!" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 5, "text": "Mercy Kilpatrick returns home to a different life than in the first book. Her brother is dead and his daughter is living with Mercy. While there are fires being set and murders are happening, Mercy and Truman join forces to find out what’s going on. The ending is quite the surprise.", "timestamp": 1545965861799, "title": "Great second book in the series" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "Mercy’s path crosses a young girl whose Grandmother has been brutally attacked and tries to save her life to no avail. As the story unfolds, the life of the girl and her mother intertwines with Mercy’s own. The murderer is hunting and nothing will get in his way until the very end. Can he be stopped or will Mercy lose everything trying to bring him down?", "timestamp": 1546690488564, "title": "Good one!" }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "The more we get to follow Mercy, the better we like the books. Mercy & Truman each have their own cases that lead to big problems. Mercy tries to figure out who a serial killer is and Truman fights for his life. New characters are introduced in this book who I hope will be around for a while.", "timestamp": 1548902780655, "title": "Another wonderful Mercy book" }, { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. A horrible murder was committed, a young man arrested and things were way more complicated than we knew at first glance. Morgan Dane is a woman to be reckoned with and I can’t wait to read the next book because this one was so well written!", "timestamp": 1563499317694, "title": "New Melinda Leigh Fan here!" }, { "asin": "B06ZZW7G42", "rating": 5, "text": "Morgan is asked to investigate the disappearance of a Mother of two young children. The husband is the obvious person of interest but did he do it? Morgan and Lance think not and set out to prove his innocence. This story takes many surprising turns; bodies turn up, threats are made, lives are in danger and characters are in crisis. The ending is a good one and now I’m on to Book 3.", "timestamp": 1565525425240, "title": "Morgan & Lance hunt a serial killer" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 5, "text": "Lance’s father disappeared many years ago and in this book, his car is fished out of a lake with a skeleton in the trunk. Then, anybody who seems related to this case dies. There are a lot of suspects and when the murderer is revealed, things really get interesting.", "timestamp": 1566441875299, "title": "I didn’t see it coming" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 5, "text": "Tess & Logan continue in this book trying to solve the murder of a very unlikeable man. So many people detested him but who really did the deed? This is a fast story that is intriguing from the start to the end. If you follow the Rogue River books, this series brings new & old favorites to the continuing story.", "timestamp": 1583284006976, "title": "Our favorite characters continue" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 5, "text": "Tess and Cate have spent the last 20 years wondering what happened to their best friend Samantha. This book explains everything. I’m not giving it all away so you need to read it on your own. It will be time well spent!", "timestamp": 1584667072630, "title": "The mystery of Sam unravels" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CE", "rating": 4, "text": "Conor, Louisa and her father Ward are the major players in this book. The characters are the continuation of the rest of the books in this series however, the book took way too long for the conclusion. There are a few surprises, and a great conclusion. Well worth the time and enjoyable to the end.", "timestamp": 1590404158665, "title": "Pretty good but way too long" }, { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the second book in the series, so read the first one before you read this one. Bree, a former Philly cop, has come back to her childhood home to take care of her murdered sister’s family. She has a sad history stemming from childhood abuse but she chose to stay. Bree becomes the sheriff and her first case is a big one. A serial killer is on the lose and she makes solving the crime her main priority. Matt is her civilian investigator and they, with her police department hunt the predator down.<br />Fast paced, twists & turns and a great conclusion makes this book another excellent read.", "timestamp": 1602933677331, "title": "The next chapter of Bree Taggert" }, { "asin": "B07TJFRFJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "Cate is a former FBI agent who is trying to make a new life for herself. She moved back home and things were going well until 3 graves were discovered. Were the murders the work of an incarcerated killer from her past or a copycat?<br />Fast paced with a tight plot, this novella was a perfect quick read!", "timestamp": 1606101057430, "title": "Cate helps to find a serial killer" }, { "asin": "B07TPS5JQZ", "rating": 5, "text": "A body is found in an abandoned house and it turns out to be a young boy who went missing recently. Tessa and her deputy Logan who is her childhood friend and officially a park ranger tries to find who would have killed the boy. Another short story, packed with clues and a no-nonsense plot, this was a great read!", "timestamp": 1609040016150, "title": "Tessa and Logan track down a killer" }, { "asin": "B00LTBWMVO", "rating": 5, "text": "Grant is sent home from deployment because his brother and sister-in-law have been murdered, leaving their 2 young children without their parents. The murder wasn’t random so why were they killed? The story moves along quickly, with suspense and a bit of romance along the way. An excellent story written by one of my favorite authors.", "timestamp": 1633084012387, "title": "Murder most foul" } ]

[ { "asin": "B00KXD2HL4", "rating": 5, "text": "A serial killer, attempting his own brand of justice for sins committed in his past, hunts down the people involved. At first, Law Enforcement sees no pattern to the killings until the pieces begin to fall into place. At the center of it all is Ava and Mason, together as a couple and as hunters of the killer.", "timestamp": 1536062259948, "title": "A great read!" }, { "asin": "B00QXROAA0", "rating": 4, "text": "Ava Is a woman of many sides. She’s a strong woman in her job and her twin sister is a wreck. She has fallen in love with Mason, in law-enforcement as well but finds herself as the obsession of a serial killer. All of these things come together and leave Ava questioning her life as it has unfolded. This book was good but a bit convoluted. Looking forward to the next book.", "timestamp": 1540725662295, "title": "Another great chapter in the saga" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW5Q", "rating": 4, "text": "This book in the series finds members of law-enforcement being killed in bizarre ways. One of them is Mason’s long-time comrade and friend. What do these men have in common and who is this sick murderer? Is Mason at risk too?", "timestamp": 1544051004374, "title": "The adventures of Mason and Ava" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 5, "text": "Cate, an FBI agent, returns home to investigate bones that were found on an island. The bones could have been of one of two young girls who disappeared many years ago. This was an enjoyable read with an interesting conclusion.", "timestamp": 1544673768127, "title": "An enjoyable fast read!" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 5, "text": "I enjoyed this as much as the first one. Tess and her friend Logan team up to solve the murder of a local artist. He turns out not to be who everybody thought he was. Tess’ Mom keeps wandering off and this brings her closer to Logan. Can’t wait for the next book!", "timestamp": 1544984386455, "title": "Nice continuation of the storyline!" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 5, "text": "I’m a big fan of any law enforcement series, especially with a strong leading character. Mercy is strong but has a few requisite secrets from her past. There’s a serial killer on the loose. To the reader, there are more than 3 possible candidates which I like (because I like to guess.) The book closes one chapter of Mercy’s life and I’m anxious to dig into Book 2.", "timestamp": 1545396441642, "title": "Mercy Kilpatrick is gold!" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 5, "text": "Mercy Kilpatrick returns home to a different life than in the first book. Her brother is dead and his daughter is living with Mercy. While there are fires being set and murders are happening, Mercy and Truman join forces to find out what’s going on. The ending is quite the surprise.", "timestamp": 1545965861799, "title": "Great second book in the series" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "Mercy’s path crosses a young girl whose Grandmother has been brutally attacked and tries to save her life to no avail. As the story unfolds, the life of the girl and her mother intertwines with Mercy’s own. The murderer is hunting and nothing will get in his way until the very end. Can he be stopped or will Mercy lose everything trying to bring him down?", "timestamp": 1546690488564, "title": "Good one!" }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "The more we get to follow Mercy, the better we like the books. Mercy & Truman each have their own cases that lead to big problems. Mercy tries to figure out who a serial killer is and Truman fights for his life. New characters are introduced in this book who I hope will be around for a while.", "timestamp": 1548902780655, "title": "Another wonderful Mercy book" }, { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. A horrible murder was committed, a young man arrested and things were way more complicated than we knew at first glance. Morgan Dane is a woman to be reckoned with and I can’t wait to read the next book because this one was so well written!", "timestamp": 1563499317694, "title": "New Melinda Leigh Fan here!" }, { "asin": "B06ZZW7G42", "rating": 5, "text": "Morgan is asked to investigate the disappearance of a Mother of two young children. The husband is the obvious person of interest but did he do it? Morgan and Lance think not and set out to prove his innocence. This story takes many surprising turns; bodies turn up, threats are made, lives are in danger and characters are in crisis. The ending is a good one and now I’m on to Book 3.", "timestamp": 1565525425240, "title": "Morgan & Lance hunt a serial killer" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 5, "text": "Lance’s father disappeared many years ago and in this book, his car is fished out of a lake with a skeleton in the trunk. Then, anybody who seems related to this case dies. There are a lot of suspects and when the murderer is revealed, things really get interesting.", "timestamp": 1566441875299, "title": "I didn’t see it coming" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 5, "text": "Tess & Logan continue in this book trying to solve the murder of a very unlikeable man. So many people detested him but who really did the deed? This is a fast story that is intriguing from the start to the end. If you follow the Rogue River books, this series brings new & old favorites to the continuing story.", "timestamp": 1583284006976, "title": "Our favorite characters continue" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 5, "text": "Tess and Cate have spent the last 20 years wondering what happened to their best friend Samantha. This book explains everything. I’m not giving it all away so you need to read it on your own. It will be time well spent!", "timestamp": 1584667072630, "title": "The mystery of Sam unravels" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CE", "rating": 4, "text": "Conor, Louisa and her father Ward are the major players in this book. The characters are the continuation of the rest of the books in this series however, the book took way too long for the conclusion. There are a few surprises, and a great conclusion. Well worth the time and enjoyable to the end.", "timestamp": 1590404158665, "title": "Pretty good but way too long" }, { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the second book in the series, so read the first one before you read this one. Bree, a former Philly cop, has come back to her childhood home to take care of her murdered sister’s family. She has a sad history stemming from childhood abuse but she chose to stay. Bree becomes the sheriff and her first case is a big one. A serial killer is on the lose and she makes solving the crime her main priority. Matt is her civilian investigator and they, with her police department hunt the predator down.<br />Fast paced, twists & turns and a great conclusion makes this book another excellent read.", "timestamp": 1602933677331, "title": "The next chapter of Bree Taggert" }, { "asin": "B07TJFRFJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "Cate is a former FBI agent who is trying to make a new life for herself. She moved back home and things were going well until 3 graves were discovered. Were the murders the work of an incarcerated killer from her past or a copycat?<br />Fast paced with a tight plot, this novella was a perfect quick read!", "timestamp": 1606101057430, "title": "Cate helps to find a serial killer" }, { "asin": "B07TPS5JQZ", "rating": 5, "text": "A body is found in an abandoned house and it turns out to be a young boy who went missing recently. Tessa and her deputy Logan who is her childhood friend and officially a park ranger tries to find who would have killed the boy. Another short story, packed with clues and a no-nonsense plot, this was a great read!", "timestamp": 1609040016150, "title": "Tessa and Logan track down a killer" }, { "asin": "B00LTBWMVO", "rating": 5, "text": "Grant is sent home from deployment because his brother and sister-in-law have been murdered, leaving their 2 young children without their parents. The murder wasn’t random so why were they killed? The story moves along quickly, with suspense and a bit of romance along the way. An excellent story written by one of my favorite authors.", "timestamp": 1633084012387, "title": "Murder most foul" }, { "asin": "B00QQYZYPK", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the second book in the Scarlet Falls Barrett family saga. Hannah is more than capable when it comes to the law and has her eyes on the prize of becoming a full partner in the firm. However, circumstances change in a strange way but that doesn’t stop her from helping those who need her and seeing that justice is done.", "timestamp": 1640052572965, "title": "Hannah gets her man" } ]

[ { "asin": "B00KXD2HL4", "rating": 5, "text": "A serial killer, attempting his own brand of justice for sins committed in his past, hunts down the people involved. At first, Law Enforcement sees no pattern to the killings until the pieces begin to fall into place. At the center of it all is Ava and Mason, together as a couple and as hunters of the killer.", "timestamp": 1536062259948, "title": "A great read!" }, { "asin": "B00QXROAA0", "rating": 4, "text": "Ava Is a woman of many sides. She’s a strong woman in her job and her twin sister is a wreck. She has fallen in love with Mason, in law-enforcement as well but finds herself as the obsession of a serial killer. All of these things come together and leave Ava questioning her life as it has unfolded. This book was good but a bit convoluted. Looking forward to the next book.", "timestamp": 1540725662295, "title": "Another great chapter in the saga" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW5Q", "rating": 4, "text": "This book in the series finds members of law-enforcement being killed in bizarre ways. One of them is Mason’s long-time comrade and friend. What do these men have in common and who is this sick murderer? Is Mason at risk too?", "timestamp": 1544051004374, "title": "The adventures of Mason and Ava" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 5, "text": "Cate, an FBI agent, returns home to investigate bones that were found on an island. The bones could have been of one of two young girls who disappeared many years ago. This was an enjoyable read with an interesting conclusion.", "timestamp": 1544673768127, "title": "An enjoyable fast read!" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 5, "text": "I enjoyed this as much as the first one. Tess and her friend Logan team up to solve the murder of a local artist. He turns out not to be who everybody thought he was. Tess’ Mom keeps wandering off and this brings her closer to Logan. Can’t wait for the next book!", "timestamp": 1544984386455, "title": "Nice continuation of the storyline!" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 5, "text": "I’m a big fan of any law enforcement series, especially with a strong leading character. Mercy is strong but has a few requisite secrets from her past. There’s a serial killer on the loose. To the reader, there are more than 3 possible candidates which I like (because I like to guess.) The book closes one chapter of Mercy’s life and I’m anxious to dig into Book 2.", "timestamp": 1545396441642, "title": "Mercy Kilpatrick is gold!" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 5, "text": "Mercy Kilpatrick returns home to a different life than in the first book. Her brother is dead and his daughter is living with Mercy. While there are fires being set and murders are happening, Mercy and Truman join forces to find out what’s going on. The ending is quite the surprise.", "timestamp": 1545965861799, "title": "Great second book in the series" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "Mercy’s path crosses a young girl whose Grandmother has been brutally attacked and tries to save her life to no avail. As the story unfolds, the life of the girl and her mother intertwines with Mercy’s own. The murderer is hunting and nothing will get in his way until the very end. Can he be stopped or will Mercy lose everything trying to bring him down?", "timestamp": 1546690488564, "title": "Good one!" }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "The more we get to follow Mercy, the better we like the books. Mercy & Truman each have their own cases that lead to big problems. Mercy tries to figure out who a serial killer is and Truman fights for his life. New characters are introduced in this book who I hope will be around for a while.", "timestamp": 1548902780655, "title": "Another wonderful Mercy book" }, { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. A horrible murder was committed, a young man arrested and things were way more complicated than we knew at first glance. Morgan Dane is a woman to be reckoned with and I can’t wait to read the next book because this one was so well written!", "timestamp": 1563499317694, "title": "New Melinda Leigh Fan here!" }, { "asin": "B06ZZW7G42", "rating": 5, "text": "Morgan is asked to investigate the disappearance of a Mother of two young children. The husband is the obvious person of interest but did he do it? Morgan and Lance think not and set out to prove his innocence. This story takes many surprising turns; bodies turn up, threats are made, lives are in danger and characters are in crisis. The ending is a good one and now I’m on to Book 3.", "timestamp": 1565525425240, "title": "Morgan & Lance hunt a serial killer" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 5, "text": "Lance’s father disappeared many years ago and in this book, his car is fished out of a lake with a skeleton in the trunk. Then, anybody who seems related to this case dies. There are a lot of suspects and when the murderer is revealed, things really get interesting.", "timestamp": 1566441875299, "title": "I didn’t see it coming" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 5, "text": "Tess & Logan continue in this book trying to solve the murder of a very unlikeable man. So many people detested him but who really did the deed? This is a fast story that is intriguing from the start to the end. If you follow the Rogue River books, this series brings new & old favorites to the continuing story.", "timestamp": 1583284006976, "title": "Our favorite characters continue" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 5, "text": "Tess and Cate have spent the last 20 years wondering what happened to their best friend Samantha. This book explains everything. I’m not giving it all away so you need to read it on your own. It will be time well spent!", "timestamp": 1584667072630, "title": "The mystery of Sam unravels" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CE", "rating": 4, "text": "Conor, Louisa and her father Ward are the major players in this book. The characters are the continuation of the rest of the books in this series however, the book took way too long for the conclusion. There are a few surprises, and a great conclusion. Well worth the time and enjoyable to the end.", "timestamp": 1590404158665, "title": "Pretty good but way too long" }, { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the second book in the series, so read the first one before you read this one. Bree, a former Philly cop, has come back to her childhood home to take care of her murdered sister’s family. She has a sad history stemming from childhood abuse but she chose to stay. Bree becomes the sheriff and her first case is a big one. A serial killer is on the lose and she makes solving the crime her main priority. Matt is her civilian investigator and they, with her police department hunt the predator down.<br />Fast paced, twists & turns and a great conclusion makes this book another excellent read.", "timestamp": 1602933677331, "title": "The next chapter of Bree Taggert" }, { "asin": "B07TJFRFJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "Cate is a former FBI agent who is trying to make a new life for herself. She moved back home and things were going well until 3 graves were discovered. Were the murders the work of an incarcerated killer from her past or a copycat?<br />Fast paced with a tight plot, this novella was a perfect quick read!", "timestamp": 1606101057430, "title": "Cate helps to find a serial killer" }, { "asin": "B07TPS5JQZ", "rating": 5, "text": "A body is found in an abandoned house and it turns out to be a young boy who went missing recently. Tessa and her deputy Logan who is her childhood friend and officially a park ranger tries to find who would have killed the boy. Another short story, packed with clues and a no-nonsense plot, this was a great read!", "timestamp": 1609040016150, "title": "Tessa and Logan track down a killer" }, { "asin": "B00LTBWMVO", "rating": 5, "text": "Grant is sent home from deployment because his brother and sister-in-law have been murdered, leaving their 2 young children without their parents. The murder wasn’t random so why were they killed? The story moves along quickly, with suspense and a bit of romance along the way. An excellent story written by one of my favorite authors.", "timestamp": 1633084012387, "title": "Murder most foul" }, { "asin": "B00QQYZYPK", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the second book in the Scarlet Falls Barrett family saga. Hannah is more than capable when it comes to the law and has her eyes on the prize of becoming a full partner in the firm. However, circumstances change in a strange way but that doesn’t stop her from helping those who need her and seeing that justice is done.", "timestamp": 1640052572965, "title": "Hannah gets her man" }, { "asin": "B09HHFV8P2", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite series is the adventures of Bree Taggert. Driven by her childhood trauma, Bree is an amazing woman who is strong despite her past. This story gives us some insight of her early life as a police officer.", "timestamp": 1640225594222, "title": "Bree Taggert before we knew her" } ]

[ { "asin": "B00KXD2HL4", "rating": 5, "text": "A serial killer, attempting his own brand of justice for sins committed in his past, hunts down the people involved. At first, Law Enforcement sees no pattern to the killings until the pieces begin to fall into place. At the center of it all is Ava and Mason, together as a couple and as hunters of the killer.", "timestamp": 1536062259948, "title": "A great read!" }, { "asin": "B00QXROAA0", "rating": 4, "text": "Ava Is a woman of many sides. She’s a strong woman in her job and her twin sister is a wreck. She has fallen in love with Mason, in law-enforcement as well but finds herself as the obsession of a serial killer. All of these things come together and leave Ava questioning her life as it has unfolded. This book was good but a bit convoluted. Looking forward to the next book.", "timestamp": 1540725662295, "title": "Another great chapter in the saga" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW5Q", "rating": 4, "text": "This book in the series finds members of law-enforcement being killed in bizarre ways. One of them is Mason’s long-time comrade and friend. What do these men have in common and who is this sick murderer? Is Mason at risk too?", "timestamp": 1544051004374, "title": "The adventures of Mason and Ava" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 5, "text": "Cate, an FBI agent, returns home to investigate bones that were found on an island. The bones could have been of one of two young girls who disappeared many years ago. This was an enjoyable read with an interesting conclusion.", "timestamp": 1544673768127, "title": "An enjoyable fast read!" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 5, "text": "I enjoyed this as much as the first one. Tess and her friend Logan team up to solve the murder of a local artist. He turns out not to be who everybody thought he was. Tess’ Mom keeps wandering off and this brings her closer to Logan. Can’t wait for the next book!", "timestamp": 1544984386455, "title": "Nice continuation of the storyline!" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 5, "text": "I’m a big fan of any law enforcement series, especially with a strong leading character. Mercy is strong but has a few requisite secrets from her past. There’s a serial killer on the loose. To the reader, there are more than 3 possible candidates which I like (because I like to guess.) The book closes one chapter of Mercy’s life and I’m anxious to dig into Book 2.", "timestamp": 1545396441642, "title": "Mercy Kilpatrick is gold!" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 5, "text": "Mercy Kilpatrick returns home to a different life than in the first book. Her brother is dead and his daughter is living with Mercy. While there are fires being set and murders are happening, Mercy and Truman join forces to find out what’s going on. The ending is quite the surprise.", "timestamp": 1545965861799, "title": "Great second book in the series" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "Mercy’s path crosses a young girl whose Grandmother has been brutally attacked and tries to save her life to no avail. As the story unfolds, the life of the girl and her mother intertwines with Mercy’s own. The murderer is hunting and nothing will get in his way until the very end. Can he be stopped or will Mercy lose everything trying to bring him down?", "timestamp": 1546690488564, "title": "Good one!" }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "The more we get to follow Mercy, the better we like the books. Mercy & Truman each have their own cases that lead to big problems. Mercy tries to figure out who a serial killer is and Truman fights for his life. New characters are introduced in this book who I hope will be around for a while.", "timestamp": 1548902780655, "title": "Another wonderful Mercy book" }, { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. A horrible murder was committed, a young man arrested and things were way more complicated than we knew at first glance. Morgan Dane is a woman to be reckoned with and I can’t wait to read the next book because this one was so well written!", "timestamp": 1563499317694, "title": "New Melinda Leigh Fan here!" }, { "asin": "B06ZZW7G42", "rating": 5, "text": "Morgan is asked to investigate the disappearance of a Mother of two young children. The husband is the obvious person of interest but did he do it? Morgan and Lance think not and set out to prove his innocence. This story takes many surprising turns; bodies turn up, threats are made, lives are in danger and characters are in crisis. The ending is a good one and now I’m on to Book 3.", "timestamp": 1565525425240, "title": "Morgan & Lance hunt a serial killer" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 5, "text": "Lance’s father disappeared many years ago and in this book, his car is fished out of a lake with a skeleton in the trunk. Then, anybody who seems related to this case dies. There are a lot of suspects and when the murderer is revealed, things really get interesting.", "timestamp": 1566441875299, "title": "I didn’t see it coming" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 5, "text": "Tess & Logan continue in this book trying to solve the murder of a very unlikeable man. So many people detested him but who really did the deed? This is a fast story that is intriguing from the start to the end. If you follow the Rogue River books, this series brings new & old favorites to the continuing story.", "timestamp": 1583284006976, "title": "Our favorite characters continue" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 5, "text": "Tess and Cate have spent the last 20 years wondering what happened to their best friend Samantha. This book explains everything. I’m not giving it all away so you need to read it on your own. It will be time well spent!", "timestamp": 1584667072630, "title": "The mystery of Sam unravels" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CE", "rating": 4, "text": "Conor, Louisa and her father Ward are the major players in this book. The characters are the continuation of the rest of the books in this series however, the book took way too long for the conclusion. There are a few surprises, and a great conclusion. Well worth the time and enjoyable to the end.", "timestamp": 1590404158665, "title": "Pretty good but way too long" }, { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the second book in the series, so read the first one before you read this one. Bree, a former Philly cop, has come back to her childhood home to take care of her murdered sister’s family. She has a sad history stemming from childhood abuse but she chose to stay. Bree becomes the sheriff and her first case is a big one. A serial killer is on the lose and she makes solving the crime her main priority. Matt is her civilian investigator and they, with her police department hunt the predator down.<br />Fast paced, twists & turns and a great conclusion makes this book another excellent read.", "timestamp": 1602933677331, "title": "The next chapter of Bree Taggert" }, { "asin": "B07TJFRFJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "Cate is a former FBI agent who is trying to make a new life for herself. She moved back home and things were going well until 3 graves were discovered. Were the murders the work of an incarcerated killer from her past or a copycat?<br />Fast paced with a tight plot, this novella was a perfect quick read!", "timestamp": 1606101057430, "title": "Cate helps to find a serial killer" }, { "asin": "B07TPS5JQZ", "rating": 5, "text": "A body is found in an abandoned house and it turns out to be a young boy who went missing recently. Tessa and her deputy Logan who is her childhood friend and officially a park ranger tries to find who would have killed the boy. Another short story, packed with clues and a no-nonsense plot, this was a great read!", "timestamp": 1609040016150, "title": "Tessa and Logan track down a killer" }, { "asin": "B00LTBWMVO", "rating": 5, "text": "Grant is sent home from deployment because his brother and sister-in-law have been murdered, leaving their 2 young children without their parents. The murder wasn’t random so why were they killed? The story moves along quickly, with suspense and a bit of romance along the way. An excellent story written by one of my favorite authors.", "timestamp": 1633084012387, "title": "Murder most foul" }, { "asin": "B00QQYZYPK", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the second book in the Scarlet Falls Barrett family saga. Hannah is more than capable when it comes to the law and has her eyes on the prize of becoming a full partner in the firm. However, circumstances change in a strange way but that doesn’t stop her from helping those who need her and seeing that justice is done.", "timestamp": 1640052572965, "title": "Hannah gets her man" }, { "asin": "B09HHFV8P2", "rating": 5, "text": "One of my favorite series is the adventures of Bree Taggert. Driven by her childhood trauma, Bree is an amazing woman who is strong despite her past. This story gives us some insight of her early life as a police officer.", "timestamp": 1640225594222, "title": "Bree Taggert before we knew her" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW56", "rating": 5, "text": "For a small town, Scarlet Falls has more bad guys than most. In this third installment of the Barrett family, Mac comes to the forefront. The youngest sibling who seemed to have run away from everything he knew has come home. He gets involved in the hunt for a serial killer with Det. Stella Dane.<br />This book finally brings the Barrett family together again and settles Mac’s life with the happiness he never knew that he wanted.", "timestamp": 1642647611539, "title": "An exciting book all the way" } ]

[ { "asin": "B07BDF7WKP", "rating": 3, "text": "This is a good murder mystery surrounding a budding romance. Mary Burton emphasizes the interpersonal conflicts and interactions of the two main protagonists as the primary focus to the storyline, which coincidentally is deeply entwined with a series of murders past and present.<br /><br />Even though Burton's writing skills are engaging as she tells a suspenseful and interesting story, her limited point of view structure keeps even the character development of the key people somewhat superficial. Perhaps her approach helps keep the storyline tightly focused and simple; however, I wished she had gotten more into the thinking, personalities, and emotional baggage of the characters to make them seem more real.<br /><br />Texas Ranger, medical examiner, and FBI agent characters helped drive the story as the criminal elements are revealed in incomplete stages, giving the story some meaningful structure. However, Burton's development of the criminals is limited and flat, resulting in a half told story.<br /><br />The author's overemphasis of the romantic elements at the expense is of understating the criminal and investigative elements suggests the book's objective is the basis for a Lifetime TV movie script.<br /><br />This novel will not disappoint you if you are looking for a fast diversion or escape read. However, once experienced there is little to remember and no reason to read again.<br /><br />The Audible support narration was effective, but I suggest increasing the reading speed because the faster pace adds tension and action to the well-crafted writing skills evident in the story.<br /><br />My only wish is that the story were a bit more complex and taught me something new and interesting. Perhaps the author might use her creative writing skills to make characters that I want to know and remember.", "timestamp": 1568827875785, "title": "Another Well-written Story!" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 3, "text": "FBI cold case that just got reopened among some small island communities on the Puget Sound. Great small town story.<br /><br />Great for a fast escape read when you have little time and don't want to get involved with a more complex and longer story. Likeable characters create solid foundation for the series. Plotline is simple, storyline is straightforward, dialogue is believable, but I needed more content. Better than a one-hour TV show, it was a fun easy read without distracting details. However, the lack of characters and their complete development made the book more like a long short story.<br /><br />Although the book was a complete story, because of the series focus on a larger story, I was left wanting. I might look at the next installment, but the approximate 70-80 pages was more like a reading \"snack.\"<br /><br />The Audible narration was nicely done and added value to the reading experience, but only low prices make this a worthwhile investment.<br /><br />This was my first experience with this author, so I was pleased with the story rudiments and writing but not with it almost abrupt ending. I'm sure many readers like short novellas, which might make this one perfect for you, so long as your expectations aren't too high.", "timestamp": 1570170923682, "title": "Focused, Short, Murder Novella" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 4, "text": "Tight storyline makes this fast read fun and satisfying. Characters were developed well as a murder investigation brought to life this small town story on an imaginary Puget Sound island.<br /><br />I liked the first book but was unsure there was enough for a series, and I admit now I was wrong. The short novella installments are perfect for an afternoon read, a short plane ride, or while waiting at an appointment. The story has enough substance to be interesting but enough depth to continue after a needed break.<br /><br />I like the believable characters and the series setting and plan now to continue the series.<br /><br />The Audible narration made the reading experience even more enjoyable. When combined the the Kindle text, both are a great value.", "timestamp": 1570457236419, "title": "Better Than Book 1" }, { "asin": "B07P32NGR6", "rating": 4, "text": "Couldn't stop reading once I started. Focused storyline, great writing, so many unexpected twists, makes this thrilling read exciting and satisfying. Wow!!<br /><br />I was never sure who killed whom until the very end with all main characters well-developed and believable. Lots of story tension made ever page powerful and essential to the plot. Even the steamy love scenes did not distract from the main storyline. This well-crafted novel will not disappoint you!<br /><br />Burton's really upped her game with this excellent new installment. Loved how the author made me feel I was experiencing the story along with Detective Vaughan and Agent Spencer. Both lead characters were interesting, well developed, and easy to like. Although this is part of a series, this book can easily be read alone and fully enjoyed.<br /><br />I found the Audible narration exceptionally well done as a reading supplement to my Kindle book.<br /><br />Looking forward already to the author's next book.", "timestamp": 1570592579980, "title": "Best of Mary Burton Books So Far!" }, { "asin": "B015FMV3LW", "rating": 3, "text": "Not sure I would have started the book had I'd known Book 1 ending would be incomplete. Ouch! Given this series is a trilogy, I'm wondering if I'll complete the three volumes. Disappointed that I must now read three books. If I choose to go forward, not sure if I'll fall for the same trick again from this author.<br /><br />The main character was almost impossible to like for the first third of the book, but she grew more likable. The writing is solid, but the plotline plods along so slowly, I almost gave up several times, but the reading addiction kept me pushing on page after page. Interesting story but not a pleasant experience to read.<br /><br />The plotline is generally believable and has you cheering on the victims to these awful crimes, but the realistic child-abduction storyline draws out the need to read futher as a way to rescue the suffering children. I support the need to tell these unthinkable stories and disturbing situations to raise awareness to these terrible tragedies, but I plan to read something lighter now before deciding if I can endure another two books of endless agony.<br /><br />Great Audible narration helped make enduring the painful story more possible.<br /><br />I wanted to like it more, but could not. Perhaps, this challenging reading experience is what the author intended, but the emotional toll is a heavy one to bear easily. Definitely not for younger readers.", "timestamp": 1570777173225, "title": "Strange Suspenseful Thriller" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 4, "text": "The saga continues as we learn more about Logan and Tessa. Loved the focus and fast-paced story with a surprising plot ending. This series of alternating subplots works well, as characters develop and the search for Tessa's and Cate's friend, Sam, also continues, amid another island murder that implicates too many suspects.<br /><br />The short, fast read will invigorate your day with a tightly written plotline, easy to finish in one sitting. Melinda Leigh's great storytelling creates a believable and exciting adventure in this novella, without the clutter and distractions of a longer, more complex book.<br /><br />The Audible narration was again well portrayed and a great supplement to my reading experience.<br /><br />Looking forward to the next installment.", "timestamp": 1571753957425, "title": "Another Engaging Novella!" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 4, "text": "The first half of the book was okay, but my disappointed left as the second half became more complex and mysterious. This is a great addition to the first 3 books, and the surprising twists and turns make it a fast read to the end.<br /><br />The author's development of the characters deepens even more, especially for Cate and Henry. The slow start lays a good foundation as the thrilling storyline and plot explode into an unpredictable ending.<br /><br />I find these novellas a great break from longer, more convoluted books because the fast read makes the reading experience enjoyable in one setting. I look forward to the next installment.", "timestamp": 1572363475493, "title": "Slow Start, Great Finish!" }, { "asin": "B07XJTDDC5", "rating": 4, "text": "Strong characters and vivid dialogue give energy to the storytelling. Serial killings in Nashville combines TBI Agent Melina Shepard's profiling skills with FBI Agent Ramsey investigative experience to find the killer or killers quickly before others die.<br /><br />Melina Shepard's strong-willed personality and incisive mind adds engaging dimensions to the story's complexity and depth. She's likeable and often unpredictable.<br /><br />Lots of tensions and surprises make this a fast, fun read. The plotline includes several strong characters, adding depth and interest to the murder investigations. The author's tight storyline accelerates the narrative, while avoiding too many details and distractions.<br /><br />The story alternates among several key players, adding questions and perspectives, making this complex tale even more confusing to everyone, especially as details about Shepard's past come to light. This is a satisfying, fast-paced read you'll not want to put down.<br /><br />Although third in the series, this novel works well as a standalone book. Some might question the author's penchant for adding a steaming love scene with more details than major storyline plot, something I found distractingly overwritten. Although this book by Burton has less profanity and vulgar language than some of her other works, many will likely be offended. Burton 's writing doesn't need these unnecessary additions.<br /><br />The Audible narration was a nice value-added supplement to my reading enjoyment with its effective character dramatizations. Nice touch!", "timestamp": 1596337589355, "title": "Burton at Her Best! Suspenseful, Engaging Read!" }, { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 4, "text": "Even better than Book 1, Melinda Leigh's storytelling creates a fully developed serial murder procedural, surrounded by well-developed characters with too many bodies and the likelihood of more! Wow!<br /><br />Newly appointed Sheriff, Bree Taggert, is back with her feisty approach as she struggles to restructure and improve her department, against the resentments and hidden anger of longterm and disgruntled deputies. Who can she trust? Who wants to ensure she fails?<br /><br />Fortunately, Bree has a few supportive friends and family that add depth and a human touch to the storyline, while a brutal serial killings stalks new victims and those getting in the way. I also enjoyed how the animal personalities played important roles in the story.<br /><br />Once started, it was hard to put down. Glad I had a personal day to finish this satisfying thriller quickly. The author masterfully builds the plotline around that wake of a killer's past brutal murders and the list of next victims, only adding to the growing tensions of murders in a small community.<br /><br />This suspenseful read is made more enjoyable and engaging as we learn to know the many well-defined personalities and their ongoing subplots. The contrast between \"normal\" life and the tragic killings that Bree must encounter every day adds a believable reality that makes the reading experience worthwhile.<br /><br />Although this second installment in the series could be read first, or as a standalone read, I'm glad I read it in order because of several overlapping characters and storyline elements.<br /><br />The Audible narration also was effective and added just enough dramatic flair to enliven the reading even more.<br /><br />I was not disappointed with this addition, and appreciate more Melinda Leigh's writing skills in her later well-crafted novels. I definitely will complete this series.<br /><br />Although this book has significantly fewer foul language issues than earlier works, I hope the author continues to reduce these unnecessary explicatives from future novels because of her stronger narratives and lively dialogues.", "timestamp": 1600223691865, "title": "Strong Woman Sheriff vs. Psychopathic Killer!" } ]

[ { "asin": "B07BDF7WKP", "rating": 3, "text": "This is a good murder mystery surrounding a budding romance. Mary Burton emphasizes the interpersonal conflicts and interactions of the two main protagonists as the primary focus to the storyline, which coincidentally is deeply entwined with a series of murders past and present.<br /><br />Even though Burton's writing skills are engaging as she tells a suspenseful and interesting story, her limited point of view structure keeps even the character development of the key people somewhat superficial. Perhaps her approach helps keep the storyline tightly focused and simple; however, I wished she had gotten more into the thinking, personalities, and emotional baggage of the characters to make them seem more real.<br /><br />Texas Ranger, medical examiner, and FBI agent characters helped drive the story as the criminal elements are revealed in incomplete stages, giving the story some meaningful structure. However, Burton's development of the criminals is limited and flat, resulting in a half told story.<br /><br />The author's overemphasis of the romantic elements at the expense is of understating the criminal and investigative elements suggests the book's objective is the basis for a Lifetime TV movie script.<br /><br />This novel will not disappoint you if you are looking for a fast diversion or escape read. However, once experienced there is little to remember and no reason to read again.<br /><br />The Audible support narration was effective, but I suggest increasing the reading speed because the faster pace adds tension and action to the well-crafted writing skills evident in the story.<br /><br />My only wish is that the story were a bit more complex and taught me something new and interesting. Perhaps the author might use her creative writing skills to make characters that I want to know and remember.", "timestamp": 1568827875785, "title": "Another Well-written Story!" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 3, "text": "FBI cold case that just got reopened among some small island communities on the Puget Sound. Great small town story.<br /><br />Great for a fast escape read when you have little time and don't want to get involved with a more complex and longer story. Likeable characters create solid foundation for the series. Plotline is simple, storyline is straightforward, dialogue is believable, but I needed more content. Better than a one-hour TV show, it was a fun easy read without distracting details. However, the lack of characters and their complete development made the book more like a long short story.<br /><br />Although the book was a complete story, because of the series focus on a larger story, I was left wanting. I might look at the next installment, but the approximate 70-80 pages was more like a reading \"snack.\"<br /><br />The Audible narration was nicely done and added value to the reading experience, but only low prices make this a worthwhile investment.<br /><br />This was my first experience with this author, so I was pleased with the story rudiments and writing but not with it almost abrupt ending. I'm sure many readers like short novellas, which might make this one perfect for you, so long as your expectations aren't too high.", "timestamp": 1570170923682, "title": "Focused, Short, Murder Novella" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 4, "text": "Tight storyline makes this fast read fun and satisfying. Characters were developed well as a murder investigation brought to life this small town story on an imaginary Puget Sound island.<br /><br />I liked the first book but was unsure there was enough for a series, and I admit now I was wrong. The short novella installments are perfect for an afternoon read, a short plane ride, or while waiting at an appointment. The story has enough substance to be interesting but enough depth to continue after a needed break.<br /><br />I like the believable characters and the series setting and plan now to continue the series.<br /><br />The Audible narration made the reading experience even more enjoyable. When combined the the Kindle text, both are a great value.", "timestamp": 1570457236419, "title": "Better Than Book 1" }, { "asin": "B07P32NGR6", "rating": 4, "text": "Couldn't stop reading once I started. Focused storyline, great writing, so many unexpected twists, makes this thrilling read exciting and satisfying. Wow!!<br /><br />I was never sure who killed whom until the very end with all main characters well-developed and believable. Lots of story tension made ever page powerful and essential to the plot. Even the steamy love scenes did not distract from the main storyline. This well-crafted novel will not disappoint you!<br /><br />Burton's really upped her game with this excellent new installment. Loved how the author made me feel I was experiencing the story along with Detective Vaughan and Agent Spencer. Both lead characters were interesting, well developed, and easy to like. Although this is part of a series, this book can easily be read alone and fully enjoyed.<br /><br />I found the Audible narration exceptionally well done as a reading supplement to my Kindle book.<br /><br />Looking forward already to the author's next book.", "timestamp": 1570592579980, "title": "Best of Mary Burton Books So Far!" }, { "asin": "B015FMV3LW", "rating": 3, "text": "Not sure I would have started the book had I'd known Book 1 ending would be incomplete. Ouch! Given this series is a trilogy, I'm wondering if I'll complete the three volumes. Disappointed that I must now read three books. If I choose to go forward, not sure if I'll fall for the same trick again from this author.<br /><br />The main character was almost impossible to like for the first third of the book, but she grew more likable. The writing is solid, but the plotline plods along so slowly, I almost gave up several times, but the reading addiction kept me pushing on page after page. Interesting story but not a pleasant experience to read.<br /><br />The plotline is generally believable and has you cheering on the victims to these awful crimes, but the realistic child-abduction storyline draws out the need to read futher as a way to rescue the suffering children. I support the need to tell these unthinkable stories and disturbing situations to raise awareness to these terrible tragedies, but I plan to read something lighter now before deciding if I can endure another two books of endless agony.<br /><br />Great Audible narration helped make enduring the painful story more possible.<br /><br />I wanted to like it more, but could not. Perhaps, this challenging reading experience is what the author intended, but the emotional toll is a heavy one to bear easily. Definitely not for younger readers.", "timestamp": 1570777173225, "title": "Strange Suspenseful Thriller" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 4, "text": "The saga continues as we learn more about Logan and Tessa. Loved the focus and fast-paced story with a surprising plot ending. This series of alternating subplots works well, as characters develop and the search for Tessa's and Cate's friend, Sam, also continues, amid another island murder that implicates too many suspects.<br /><br />The short, fast read will invigorate your day with a tightly written plotline, easy to finish in one sitting. Melinda Leigh's great storytelling creates a believable and exciting adventure in this novella, without the clutter and distractions of a longer, more complex book.<br /><br />The Audible narration was again well portrayed and a great supplement to my reading experience.<br /><br />Looking forward to the next installment.", "timestamp": 1571753957425, "title": "Another Engaging Novella!" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 4, "text": "The first half of the book was okay, but my disappointed left as the second half became more complex and mysterious. This is a great addition to the first 3 books, and the surprising twists and turns make it a fast read to the end.<br /><br />The author's development of the characters deepens even more, especially for Cate and Henry. The slow start lays a good foundation as the thrilling storyline and plot explode into an unpredictable ending.<br /><br />I find these novellas a great break from longer, more convoluted books because the fast read makes the reading experience enjoyable in one setting. I look forward to the next installment.", "timestamp": 1572363475493, "title": "Slow Start, Great Finish!" }, { "asin": "B07XJTDDC5", "rating": 4, "text": "Strong characters and vivid dialogue give energy to the storytelling. Serial killings in Nashville combines TBI Agent Melina Shepard's profiling skills with FBI Agent Ramsey investigative experience to find the killer or killers quickly before others die.<br /><br />Melina Shepard's strong-willed personality and incisive mind adds engaging dimensions to the story's complexity and depth. She's likeable and often unpredictable.<br /><br />Lots of tensions and surprises make this a fast, fun read. The plotline includes several strong characters, adding depth and interest to the murder investigations. The author's tight storyline accelerates the narrative, while avoiding too many details and distractions.<br /><br />The story alternates among several key players, adding questions and perspectives, making this complex tale even more confusing to everyone, especially as details about Shepard's past come to light. This is a satisfying, fast-paced read you'll not want to put down.<br /><br />Although third in the series, this novel works well as a standalone book. Some might question the author's penchant for adding a steaming love scene with more details than major storyline plot, something I found distractingly overwritten. Although this book by Burton has less profanity and vulgar language than some of her other works, many will likely be offended. Burton 's writing doesn't need these unnecessary additions.<br /><br />The Audible narration was a nice value-added supplement to my reading enjoyment with its effective character dramatizations. Nice touch!", "timestamp": 1596337589355, "title": "Burton at Her Best! Suspenseful, Engaging Read!" }, { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 4, "text": "Even better than Book 1, Melinda Leigh's storytelling creates a fully developed serial murder procedural, surrounded by well-developed characters with too many bodies and the likelihood of more! Wow!<br /><br />Newly appointed Sheriff, Bree Taggert, is back with her feisty approach as she struggles to restructure and improve her department, against the resentments and hidden anger of longterm and disgruntled deputies. Who can she trust? Who wants to ensure she fails?<br /><br />Fortunately, Bree has a few supportive friends and family that add depth and a human touch to the storyline, while a brutal serial killings stalks new victims and those getting in the way. I also enjoyed how the animal personalities played important roles in the story.<br /><br />Once started, it was hard to put down. Glad I had a personal day to finish this satisfying thriller quickly. The author masterfully builds the plotline around that wake of a killer's past brutal murders and the list of next victims, only adding to the growing tensions of murders in a small community.<br /><br />This suspenseful read is made more enjoyable and engaging as we learn to know the many well-defined personalities and their ongoing subplots. The contrast between \"normal\" life and the tragic killings that Bree must encounter every day adds a believable reality that makes the reading experience worthwhile.<br /><br />Although this second installment in the series could be read first, or as a standalone read, I'm glad I read it in order because of several overlapping characters and storyline elements.<br /><br />The Audible narration also was effective and added just enough dramatic flair to enliven the reading even more.<br /><br />I was not disappointed with this addition, and appreciate more Melinda Leigh's writing skills in her later well-crafted novels. I definitely will complete this series.<br /><br />Although this book has significantly fewer foul language issues than earlier works, I hope the author continues to reduce these unnecessary explicatives from future novels because of her stronger narratives and lively dialogues.", "timestamp": 1600223691865, "title": "Strong Woman Sheriff vs. Psychopathic Killer!" }, { "asin": "B07TPS5JQZ", "rating": 4, "text": "Best in the series so far! Melinda Leigh creates a fast paced storyline you won't want to put down. This tight murder novella is one you'll want to read in one setting, so plan for it. Definitely 4.5 Stars!<br /><br />This well-written crime procedural on Widow's Island starts fast and ends before you know it, as Deputy Teresa Black works nearly around the clock to find the cold-blooded murderer of a recent homicide and identify the unknown victim. Lots of surprises and twists in this constantly changing storyline, where the list of suspects grows quickly.<br /><br />As Teresa and Forest Ranger Logan follow the evidence trail, facts converge to a troubling case ending as the killer is finally confronted. Wow!<br /><br />The author's exceptional storytelling makes the reading experience both exciting and suspenseful, as strong characters and crisp dialogues propel the story forward.<br /><br />I bought the Audible companion narrative, which made the story tensions and character personalities come to life!<br /><br />I've enjoyed this series and look forward to the next installment. Well done!", "timestamp": 1604426406493, "title": "Another Thriller With Lots of Tension! Hold On!" } ]

[ { "asin": "B07BDF7WKP", "rating": 3, "text": "This is a good murder mystery surrounding a budding romance. Mary Burton emphasizes the interpersonal conflicts and interactions of the two main protagonists as the primary focus to the storyline, which coincidentally is deeply entwined with a series of murders past and present.<br /><br />Even though Burton's writing skills are engaging as she tells a suspenseful and interesting story, her limited point of view structure keeps even the character development of the key people somewhat superficial. Perhaps her approach helps keep the storyline tightly focused and simple; however, I wished she had gotten more into the thinking, personalities, and emotional baggage of the characters to make them seem more real.<br /><br />Texas Ranger, medical examiner, and FBI agent characters helped drive the story as the criminal elements are revealed in incomplete stages, giving the story some meaningful structure. However, Burton's development of the criminals is limited and flat, resulting in a half told story.<br /><br />The author's overemphasis of the romantic elements at the expense is of understating the criminal and investigative elements suggests the book's objective is the basis for a Lifetime TV movie script.<br /><br />This novel will not disappoint you if you are looking for a fast diversion or escape read. However, once experienced there is little to remember and no reason to read again.<br /><br />The Audible support narration was effective, but I suggest increasing the reading speed because the faster pace adds tension and action to the well-crafted writing skills evident in the story.<br /><br />My only wish is that the story were a bit more complex and taught me something new and interesting. Perhaps the author might use her creative writing skills to make characters that I want to know and remember.", "timestamp": 1568827875785, "title": "Another Well-written Story!" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 3, "text": "FBI cold case that just got reopened among some small island communities on the Puget Sound. Great small town story.<br /><br />Great for a fast escape read when you have little time and don't want to get involved with a more complex and longer story. Likeable characters create solid foundation for the series. Plotline is simple, storyline is straightforward, dialogue is believable, but I needed more content. Better than a one-hour TV show, it was a fun easy read without distracting details. However, the lack of characters and their complete development made the book more like a long short story.<br /><br />Although the book was a complete story, because of the series focus on a larger story, I was left wanting. I might look at the next installment, but the approximate 70-80 pages was more like a reading \"snack.\"<br /><br />The Audible narration was nicely done and added value to the reading experience, but only low prices make this a worthwhile investment.<br /><br />This was my first experience with this author, so I was pleased with the story rudiments and writing but not with it almost abrupt ending. I'm sure many readers like short novellas, which might make this one perfect for you, so long as your expectations aren't too high.", "timestamp": 1570170923682, "title": "Focused, Short, Murder Novella" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 4, "text": "Tight storyline makes this fast read fun and satisfying. Characters were developed well as a murder investigation brought to life this small town story on an imaginary Puget Sound island.<br /><br />I liked the first book but was unsure there was enough for a series, and I admit now I was wrong. The short novella installments are perfect for an afternoon read, a short plane ride, or while waiting at an appointment. The story has enough substance to be interesting but enough depth to continue after a needed break.<br /><br />I like the believable characters and the series setting and plan now to continue the series.<br /><br />The Audible narration made the reading experience even more enjoyable. When combined the the Kindle text, both are a great value.", "timestamp": 1570457236419, "title": "Better Than Book 1" }, { "asin": "B07P32NGR6", "rating": 4, "text": "Couldn't stop reading once I started. Focused storyline, great writing, so many unexpected twists, makes this thrilling read exciting and satisfying. Wow!!<br /><br />I was never sure who killed whom until the very end with all main characters well-developed and believable. Lots of story tension made ever page powerful and essential to the plot. Even the steamy love scenes did not distract from the main storyline. This well-crafted novel will not disappoint you!<br /><br />Burton's really upped her game with this excellent new installment. Loved how the author made me feel I was experiencing the story along with Detective Vaughan and Agent Spencer. Both lead characters were interesting, well developed, and easy to like. Although this is part of a series, this book can easily be read alone and fully enjoyed.<br /><br />I found the Audible narration exceptionally well done as a reading supplement to my Kindle book.<br /><br />Looking forward already to the author's next book.", "timestamp": 1570592579980, "title": "Best of Mary Burton Books So Far!" }, { "asin": "B015FMV3LW", "rating": 3, "text": "Not sure I would have started the book had I'd known Book 1 ending would be incomplete. Ouch! Given this series is a trilogy, I'm wondering if I'll complete the three volumes. Disappointed that I must now read three books. If I choose to go forward, not sure if I'll fall for the same trick again from this author.<br /><br />The main character was almost impossible to like for the first third of the book, but she grew more likable. The writing is solid, but the plotline plods along so slowly, I almost gave up several times, but the reading addiction kept me pushing on page after page. Interesting story but not a pleasant experience to read.<br /><br />The plotline is generally believable and has you cheering on the victims to these awful crimes, but the realistic child-abduction storyline draws out the need to read futher as a way to rescue the suffering children. I support the need to tell these unthinkable stories and disturbing situations to raise awareness to these terrible tragedies, but I plan to read something lighter now before deciding if I can endure another two books of endless agony.<br /><br />Great Audible narration helped make enduring the painful story more possible.<br /><br />I wanted to like it more, but could not. Perhaps, this challenging reading experience is what the author intended, but the emotional toll is a heavy one to bear easily. Definitely not for younger readers.", "timestamp": 1570777173225, "title": "Strange Suspenseful Thriller" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 4, "text": "The saga continues as we learn more about Logan and Tessa. Loved the focus and fast-paced story with a surprising plot ending. This series of alternating subplots works well, as characters develop and the search for Tessa's and Cate's friend, Sam, also continues, amid another island murder that implicates too many suspects.<br /><br />The short, fast read will invigorate your day with a tightly written plotline, easy to finish in one sitting. Melinda Leigh's great storytelling creates a believable and exciting adventure in this novella, without the clutter and distractions of a longer, more complex book.<br /><br />The Audible narration was again well portrayed and a great supplement to my reading experience.<br /><br />Looking forward to the next installment.", "timestamp": 1571753957425, "title": "Another Engaging Novella!" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 4, "text": "The first half of the book was okay, but my disappointed left as the second half became more complex and mysterious. This is a great addition to the first 3 books, and the surprising twists and turns make it a fast read to the end.<br /><br />The author's development of the characters deepens even more, especially for Cate and Henry. The slow start lays a good foundation as the thrilling storyline and plot explode into an unpredictable ending.<br /><br />I find these novellas a great break from longer, more convoluted books because the fast read makes the reading experience enjoyable in one setting. I look forward to the next installment.", "timestamp": 1572363475493, "title": "Slow Start, Great Finish!" }, { "asin": "B07XJTDDC5", "rating": 4, "text": "Strong characters and vivid dialogue give energy to the storytelling. Serial killings in Nashville combines TBI Agent Melina Shepard's profiling skills with FBI Agent Ramsey investigative experience to find the killer or killers quickly before others die.<br /><br />Melina Shepard's strong-willed personality and incisive mind adds engaging dimensions to the story's complexity and depth. She's likeable and often unpredictable.<br /><br />Lots of tensions and surprises make this a fast, fun read. The plotline includes several strong characters, adding depth and interest to the murder investigations. The author's tight storyline accelerates the narrative, while avoiding too many details and distractions.<br /><br />The story alternates among several key players, adding questions and perspectives, making this complex tale even more confusing to everyone, especially as details about Shepard's past come to light. This is a satisfying, fast-paced read you'll not want to put down.<br /><br />Although third in the series, this novel works well as a standalone book. Some might question the author's penchant for adding a steaming love scene with more details than major storyline plot, something I found distractingly overwritten. Although this book by Burton has less profanity and vulgar language than some of her other works, many will likely be offended. Burton 's writing doesn't need these unnecessary additions.<br /><br />The Audible narration was a nice value-added supplement to my reading enjoyment with its effective character dramatizations. Nice touch!", "timestamp": 1596337589355, "title": "Burton at Her Best! Suspenseful, Engaging Read!" }, { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 4, "text": "Even better than Book 1, Melinda Leigh's storytelling creates a fully developed serial murder procedural, surrounded by well-developed characters with too many bodies and the likelihood of more! Wow!<br /><br />Newly appointed Sheriff, Bree Taggert, is back with her feisty approach as she struggles to restructure and improve her department, against the resentments and hidden anger of longterm and disgruntled deputies. Who can she trust? Who wants to ensure she fails?<br /><br />Fortunately, Bree has a few supportive friends and family that add depth and a human touch to the storyline, while a brutal serial killings stalks new victims and those getting in the way. I also enjoyed how the animal personalities played important roles in the story.<br /><br />Once started, it was hard to put down. Glad I had a personal day to finish this satisfying thriller quickly. The author masterfully builds the plotline around that wake of a killer's past brutal murders and the list of next victims, only adding to the growing tensions of murders in a small community.<br /><br />This suspenseful read is made more enjoyable and engaging as we learn to know the many well-defined personalities and their ongoing subplots. The contrast between \"normal\" life and the tragic killings that Bree must encounter every day adds a believable reality that makes the reading experience worthwhile.<br /><br />Although this second installment in the series could be read first, or as a standalone read, I'm glad I read it in order because of several overlapping characters and storyline elements.<br /><br />The Audible narration also was effective and added just enough dramatic flair to enliven the reading even more.<br /><br />I was not disappointed with this addition, and appreciate more Melinda Leigh's writing skills in her later well-crafted novels. I definitely will complete this series.<br /><br />Although this book has significantly fewer foul language issues than earlier works, I hope the author continues to reduce these unnecessary explicatives from future novels because of her stronger narratives and lively dialogues.", "timestamp": 1600223691865, "title": "Strong Woman Sheriff vs. Psychopathic Killer!" }, { "asin": "B07TPS5JQZ", "rating": 4, "text": "Best in the series so far! Melinda Leigh creates a fast paced storyline you won't want to put down. This tight murder novella is one you'll want to read in one setting, so plan for it. Definitely 4.5 Stars!<br /><br />This well-written crime procedural on Widow's Island starts fast and ends before you know it, as Deputy Teresa Black works nearly around the clock to find the cold-blooded murderer of a recent homicide and identify the unknown victim. Lots of surprises and twists in this constantly changing storyline, where the list of suspects grows quickly.<br /><br />As Teresa and Forest Ranger Logan follow the evidence trail, facts converge to a troubling case ending as the killer is finally confronted. Wow!<br /><br />The author's exceptional storytelling makes the reading experience both exciting and suspenseful, as strong characters and crisp dialogues propel the story forward.<br /><br />I bought the Audible companion narrative, which made the story tensions and character personalities come to life!<br /><br />I've enjoyed this series and look forward to the next installment. Well done!", "timestamp": 1604426406493, "title": "Another Thriller With Lots of Tension! Hold On!" }, { "asin": "B084FVY89J", "rating": 4, "text": "This second installment of the Sawyer Brooks series was even better than the first. Although this fast and enthralling novel is an excellent standalone read, the first book has it's own special merit too.<br /><br />Sawyer is an investigative journalist in Sacramento covering crime stories with passion and determination. Facts are important to Sawyer, but the people and stories behind those facts are even more important.<br /><br />This novel focuses on the abduction of a young girl and Sawyer's efforts to help find her before it's too late. The author's storytelling emphasizes several viewpoints simultaneously, creating fast-moving short chapters, each adding tensions and drama as characters struggle amid their own motives as reporters, police officers, family, victims, and of course the criminal.<br /><br />Back again in this book is \"The Crew,\" a group of five women vigilantes out for revenge and their own justice against sexual abuser from their past. Both storylines run simultaneously and often intersect because one of the crew is also Sawyer's sister, unbeknownst to Sawyer, some that adds a whole series of surprises and plotline twists.<br /><br />This is a great reading escape either in one sitting or over several sessions, though you'll want to finish it quickly. Both narratives and dialogues bring the character personalities to life in an enjoyable read with not too much trauma.<br /><br />I also found Audible's narration supplement a nice addition to my reading experience, especially because I can control the narrative pacing to match my reading speed.<br /><br />I'm already looking forward to the next installment, wanting to read them all. Definitely 4.5 stars!", "timestamp": 1605900133221, "title": "Young Girl Abducted and Sawyer's Got to Find Her!" } ]

[ { "asin": "B07BDF7WKP", "rating": 3, "text": "This is a good murder mystery surrounding a budding romance. Mary Burton emphasizes the interpersonal conflicts and interactions of the two main protagonists as the primary focus to the storyline, which coincidentally is deeply entwined with a series of murders past and present.<br /><br />Even though Burton's writing skills are engaging as she tells a suspenseful and interesting story, her limited point of view structure keeps even the character development of the key people somewhat superficial. Perhaps her approach helps keep the storyline tightly focused and simple; however, I wished she had gotten more into the thinking, personalities, and emotional baggage of the characters to make them seem more real.<br /><br />Texas Ranger, medical examiner, and FBI agent characters helped drive the story as the criminal elements are revealed in incomplete stages, giving the story some meaningful structure. However, Burton's development of the criminals is limited and flat, resulting in a half told story.<br /><br />The author's overemphasis of the romantic elements at the expense is of understating the criminal and investigative elements suggests the book's objective is the basis for a Lifetime TV movie script.<br /><br />This novel will not disappoint you if you are looking for a fast diversion or escape read. However, once experienced there is little to remember and no reason to read again.<br /><br />The Audible support narration was effective, but I suggest increasing the reading speed because the faster pace adds tension and action to the well-crafted writing skills evident in the story.<br /><br />My only wish is that the story were a bit more complex and taught me something new and interesting. Perhaps the author might use her creative writing skills to make characters that I want to know and remember.", "timestamp": 1568827875785, "title": "Another Well-written Story!" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 3, "text": "FBI cold case that just got reopened among some small island communities on the Puget Sound. Great small town story.<br /><br />Great for a fast escape read when you have little time and don't want to get involved with a more complex and longer story. Likeable characters create solid foundation for the series. Plotline is simple, storyline is straightforward, dialogue is believable, but I needed more content. Better than a one-hour TV show, it was a fun easy read without distracting details. However, the lack of characters and their complete development made the book more like a long short story.<br /><br />Although the book was a complete story, because of the series focus on a larger story, I was left wanting. I might look at the next installment, but the approximate 70-80 pages was more like a reading \"snack.\"<br /><br />The Audible narration was nicely done and added value to the reading experience, but only low prices make this a worthwhile investment.<br /><br />This was my first experience with this author, so I was pleased with the story rudiments and writing but not with it almost abrupt ending. I'm sure many readers like short novellas, which might make this one perfect for you, so long as your expectations aren't too high.", "timestamp": 1570170923682, "title": "Focused, Short, Murder Novella" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 4, "text": "Tight storyline makes this fast read fun and satisfying. Characters were developed well as a murder investigation brought to life this small town story on an imaginary Puget Sound island.<br /><br />I liked the first book but was unsure there was enough for a series, and I admit now I was wrong. The short novella installments are perfect for an afternoon read, a short plane ride, or while waiting at an appointment. The story has enough substance to be interesting but enough depth to continue after a needed break.<br /><br />I like the believable characters and the series setting and plan now to continue the series.<br /><br />The Audible narration made the reading experience even more enjoyable. When combined the the Kindle text, both are a great value.", "timestamp": 1570457236419, "title": "Better Than Book 1" }, { "asin": "B07P32NGR6", "rating": 4, "text": "Couldn't stop reading once I started. Focused storyline, great writing, so many unexpected twists, makes this thrilling read exciting and satisfying. Wow!!<br /><br />I was never sure who killed whom until the very end with all main characters well-developed and believable. Lots of story tension made ever page powerful and essential to the plot. Even the steamy love scenes did not distract from the main storyline. This well-crafted novel will not disappoint you!<br /><br />Burton's really upped her game with this excellent new installment. Loved how the author made me feel I was experiencing the story along with Detective Vaughan and Agent Spencer. Both lead characters were interesting, well developed, and easy to like. Although this is part of a series, this book can easily be read alone and fully enjoyed.<br /><br />I found the Audible narration exceptionally well done as a reading supplement to my Kindle book.<br /><br />Looking forward already to the author's next book.", "timestamp": 1570592579980, "title": "Best of Mary Burton Books So Far!" }, { "asin": "B015FMV3LW", "rating": 3, "text": "Not sure I would have started the book had I'd known Book 1 ending would be incomplete. Ouch! Given this series is a trilogy, I'm wondering if I'll complete the three volumes. Disappointed that I must now read three books. If I choose to go forward, not sure if I'll fall for the same trick again from this author.<br /><br />The main character was almost impossible to like for the first third of the book, but she grew more likable. The writing is solid, but the plotline plods along so slowly, I almost gave up several times, but the reading addiction kept me pushing on page after page. Interesting story but not a pleasant experience to read.<br /><br />The plotline is generally believable and has you cheering on the victims to these awful crimes, but the realistic child-abduction storyline draws out the need to read futher as a way to rescue the suffering children. I support the need to tell these unthinkable stories and disturbing situations to raise awareness to these terrible tragedies, but I plan to read something lighter now before deciding if I can endure another two books of endless agony.<br /><br />Great Audible narration helped make enduring the painful story more possible.<br /><br />I wanted to like it more, but could not. Perhaps, this challenging reading experience is what the author intended, but the emotional toll is a heavy one to bear easily. Definitely not for younger readers.", "timestamp": 1570777173225, "title": "Strange Suspenseful Thriller" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 4, "text": "The saga continues as we learn more about Logan and Tessa. Loved the focus and fast-paced story with a surprising plot ending. This series of alternating subplots works well, as characters develop and the search for Tessa's and Cate's friend, Sam, also continues, amid another island murder that implicates too many suspects.<br /><br />The short, fast read will invigorate your day with a tightly written plotline, easy to finish in one sitting. Melinda Leigh's great storytelling creates a believable and exciting adventure in this novella, without the clutter and distractions of a longer, more complex book.<br /><br />The Audible narration was again well portrayed and a great supplement to my reading experience.<br /><br />Looking forward to the next installment.", "timestamp": 1571753957425, "title": "Another Engaging Novella!" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 4, "text": "The first half of the book was okay, but my disappointed left as the second half became more complex and mysterious. This is a great addition to the first 3 books, and the surprising twists and turns make it a fast read to the end.<br /><br />The author's development of the characters deepens even more, especially for Cate and Henry. The slow start lays a good foundation as the thrilling storyline and plot explode into an unpredictable ending.<br /><br />I find these novellas a great break from longer, more convoluted books because the fast read makes the reading experience enjoyable in one setting. I look forward to the next installment.", "timestamp": 1572363475493, "title": "Slow Start, Great Finish!" }, { "asin": "B07XJTDDC5", "rating": 4, "text": "Strong characters and vivid dialogue give energy to the storytelling. Serial killings in Nashville combines TBI Agent Melina Shepard's profiling skills with FBI Agent Ramsey investigative experience to find the killer or killers quickly before others die.<br /><br />Melina Shepard's strong-willed personality and incisive mind adds engaging dimensions to the story's complexity and depth. She's likeable and often unpredictable.<br /><br />Lots of tensions and surprises make this a fast, fun read. The plotline includes several strong characters, adding depth and interest to the murder investigations. The author's tight storyline accelerates the narrative, while avoiding too many details and distractions.<br /><br />The story alternates among several key players, adding questions and perspectives, making this complex tale even more confusing to everyone, especially as details about Shepard's past come to light. This is a satisfying, fast-paced read you'll not want to put down.<br /><br />Although third in the series, this novel works well as a standalone book. Some might question the author's penchant for adding a steaming love scene with more details than major storyline plot, something I found distractingly overwritten. Although this book by Burton has less profanity and vulgar language than some of her other works, many will likely be offended. Burton 's writing doesn't need these unnecessary additions.<br /><br />The Audible narration was a nice value-added supplement to my reading enjoyment with its effective character dramatizations. Nice touch!", "timestamp": 1596337589355, "title": "Burton at Her Best! Suspenseful, Engaging Read!" }, { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 4, "text": "Even better than Book 1, Melinda Leigh's storytelling creates a fully developed serial murder procedural, surrounded by well-developed characters with too many bodies and the likelihood of more! Wow!<br /><br />Newly appointed Sheriff, Bree Taggert, is back with her feisty approach as she struggles to restructure and improve her department, against the resentments and hidden anger of longterm and disgruntled deputies. Who can she trust? Who wants to ensure she fails?<br /><br />Fortunately, Bree has a few supportive friends and family that add depth and a human touch to the storyline, while a brutal serial killings stalks new victims and those getting in the way. I also enjoyed how the animal personalities played important roles in the story.<br /><br />Once started, it was hard to put down. Glad I had a personal day to finish this satisfying thriller quickly. The author masterfully builds the plotline around that wake of a killer's past brutal murders and the list of next victims, only adding to the growing tensions of murders in a small community.<br /><br />This suspenseful read is made more enjoyable and engaging as we learn to know the many well-defined personalities and their ongoing subplots. The contrast between \"normal\" life and the tragic killings that Bree must encounter every day adds a believable reality that makes the reading experience worthwhile.<br /><br />Although this second installment in the series could be read first, or as a standalone read, I'm glad I read it in order because of several overlapping characters and storyline elements.<br /><br />The Audible narration also was effective and added just enough dramatic flair to enliven the reading even more.<br /><br />I was not disappointed with this addition, and appreciate more Melinda Leigh's writing skills in her later well-crafted novels. I definitely will complete this series.<br /><br />Although this book has significantly fewer foul language issues than earlier works, I hope the author continues to reduce these unnecessary explicatives from future novels because of her stronger narratives and lively dialogues.", "timestamp": 1600223691865, "title": "Strong Woman Sheriff vs. Psychopathic Killer!" }, { "asin": "B07TPS5JQZ", "rating": 4, "text": "Best in the series so far! Melinda Leigh creates a fast paced storyline you won't want to put down. This tight murder novella is one you'll want to read in one setting, so plan for it. Definitely 4.5 Stars!<br /><br />This well-written crime procedural on Widow's Island starts fast and ends before you know it, as Deputy Teresa Black works nearly around the clock to find the cold-blooded murderer of a recent homicide and identify the unknown victim. Lots of surprises and twists in this constantly changing storyline, where the list of suspects grows quickly.<br /><br />As Teresa and Forest Ranger Logan follow the evidence trail, facts converge to a troubling case ending as the killer is finally confronted. Wow!<br /><br />The author's exceptional storytelling makes the reading experience both exciting and suspenseful, as strong characters and crisp dialogues propel the story forward.<br /><br />I bought the Audible companion narrative, which made the story tensions and character personalities come to life!<br /><br />I've enjoyed this series and look forward to the next installment. Well done!", "timestamp": 1604426406493, "title": "Another Thriller With Lots of Tension! Hold On!" }, { "asin": "B084FVY89J", "rating": 4, "text": "This second installment of the Sawyer Brooks series was even better than the first. Although this fast and enthralling novel is an excellent standalone read, the first book has it's own special merit too.<br /><br />Sawyer is an investigative journalist in Sacramento covering crime stories with passion and determination. Facts are important to Sawyer, but the people and stories behind those facts are even more important.<br /><br />This novel focuses on the abduction of a young girl and Sawyer's efforts to help find her before it's too late. The author's storytelling emphasizes several viewpoints simultaneously, creating fast-moving short chapters, each adding tensions and drama as characters struggle amid their own motives as reporters, police officers, family, victims, and of course the criminal.<br /><br />Back again in this book is \"The Crew,\" a group of five women vigilantes out for revenge and their own justice against sexual abuser from their past. Both storylines run simultaneously and often intersect because one of the crew is also Sawyer's sister, unbeknownst to Sawyer, some that adds a whole series of surprises and plotline twists.<br /><br />This is a great reading escape either in one sitting or over several sessions, though you'll want to finish it quickly. Both narratives and dialogues bring the character personalities to life in an enjoyable read with not too much trauma.<br /><br />I also found Audible's narration supplement a nice addition to my reading experience, especially because I can control the narrative pacing to match my reading speed.<br /><br />I'm already looking forward to the next installment, wanting to read them all. Definitely 4.5 stars!", "timestamp": 1605900133221, "title": "Young Girl Abducted and Sawyer's Got to Find Her!" }, { "asin": "B0819W2RZY", "rating": 4, "text": "We all face our struggles and demons in our lives, and Rachel Caine's intense storytelling reveals two nearly impossible challenges: first, one that Gwen Proctor (aka: Gina Royal) has been facing since Book 1, and second, one the author's own true story mountain that she must climb by herself. Both are troubling and yet also inspiring. Sometimes strength and determination overcomes the impossible, while other times it's only almost enough.<br /><br />This fifth of the Stillhouse Lake series is clearly the best, definitely 4.5 Stars! Perhaps, this installment is the most believable and yet devastating too. The sharp character focus and unpredictable twists add suspenseful tension that make you want to read every page to the end. Strong dialogues and descriptive dialogues bring both plotline and storyline to life.<br /><br />I found this final series book stronger because it reveals a deep and more meaningful part of Gwen's personality and soul, showing a more amazing woman than previous books. Perhaps much of Rachel Caine's true heart and person is shown here in the courage and full-measured effort told of the indomitable spirit of Gwen Proctor: mother, lover, and friend.<br /><br />Audible's narration was essential to my reading enjoyment by adding just the right voices and personalities that enlarged each character's uniqueness.<br /><br />Well done!<br /><br />Wishing only the best to our beloved friend and author, Rachel Caine. You've created an example we all admire.", "timestamp": 1615694133726, "title": "For Rachel Caine Fans, This Book Is A Must Read!" } ]

[ { "asin": "B07BDF7WKP", "rating": 3, "text": "This is a good murder mystery surrounding a budding romance. Mary Burton emphasizes the interpersonal conflicts and interactions of the two main protagonists as the primary focus to the storyline, which coincidentally is deeply entwined with a series of murders past and present.<br /><br />Even though Burton's writing skills are engaging as she tells a suspenseful and interesting story, her limited point of view structure keeps even the character development of the key people somewhat superficial. Perhaps her approach helps keep the storyline tightly focused and simple; however, I wished she had gotten more into the thinking, personalities, and emotional baggage of the characters to make them seem more real.<br /><br />Texas Ranger, medical examiner, and FBI agent characters helped drive the story as the criminal elements are revealed in incomplete stages, giving the story some meaningful structure. However, Burton's development of the criminals is limited and flat, resulting in a half told story.<br /><br />The author's overemphasis of the romantic elements at the expense is of understating the criminal and investigative elements suggests the book's objective is the basis for a Lifetime TV movie script.<br /><br />This novel will not disappoint you if you are looking for a fast diversion or escape read. However, once experienced there is little to remember and no reason to read again.<br /><br />The Audible support narration was effective, but I suggest increasing the reading speed because the faster pace adds tension and action to the well-crafted writing skills evident in the story.<br /><br />My only wish is that the story were a bit more complex and taught me something new and interesting. Perhaps the author might use her creative writing skills to make characters that I want to know and remember.", "timestamp": 1568827875785, "title": "Another Well-written Story!" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 3, "text": "FBI cold case that just got reopened among some small island communities on the Puget Sound. Great small town story.<br /><br />Great for a fast escape read when you have little time and don't want to get involved with a more complex and longer story. Likeable characters create solid foundation for the series. Plotline is simple, storyline is straightforward, dialogue is believable, but I needed more content. Better than a one-hour TV show, it was a fun easy read without distracting details. However, the lack of characters and their complete development made the book more like a long short story.<br /><br />Although the book was a complete story, because of the series focus on a larger story, I was left wanting. I might look at the next installment, but the approximate 70-80 pages was more like a reading \"snack.\"<br /><br />The Audible narration was nicely done and added value to the reading experience, but only low prices make this a worthwhile investment.<br /><br />This was my first experience with this author, so I was pleased with the story rudiments and writing but not with it almost abrupt ending. I'm sure many readers like short novellas, which might make this one perfect for you, so long as your expectations aren't too high.", "timestamp": 1570170923682, "title": "Focused, Short, Murder Novella" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 4, "text": "Tight storyline makes this fast read fun and satisfying. Characters were developed well as a murder investigation brought to life this small town story on an imaginary Puget Sound island.<br /><br />I liked the first book but was unsure there was enough for a series, and I admit now I was wrong. The short novella installments are perfect for an afternoon read, a short plane ride, or while waiting at an appointment. The story has enough substance to be interesting but enough depth to continue after a needed break.<br /><br />I like the believable characters and the series setting and plan now to continue the series.<br /><br />The Audible narration made the reading experience even more enjoyable. When combined the the Kindle text, both are a great value.", "timestamp": 1570457236419, "title": "Better Than Book 1" }, { "asin": "B07P32NGR6", "rating": 4, "text": "Couldn't stop reading once I started. Focused storyline, great writing, so many unexpected twists, makes this thrilling read exciting and satisfying. Wow!!<br /><br />I was never sure who killed whom until the very end with all main characters well-developed and believable. Lots of story tension made ever page powerful and essential to the plot. Even the steamy love scenes did not distract from the main storyline. This well-crafted novel will not disappoint you!<br /><br />Burton's really upped her game with this excellent new installment. Loved how the author made me feel I was experiencing the story along with Detective Vaughan and Agent Spencer. Both lead characters were interesting, well developed, and easy to like. Although this is part of a series, this book can easily be read alone and fully enjoyed.<br /><br />I found the Audible narration exceptionally well done as a reading supplement to my Kindle book.<br /><br />Looking forward already to the author's next book.", "timestamp": 1570592579980, "title": "Best of Mary Burton Books So Far!" }, { "asin": "B015FMV3LW", "rating": 3, "text": "Not sure I would have started the book had I'd known Book 1 ending would be incomplete. Ouch! Given this series is a trilogy, I'm wondering if I'll complete the three volumes. Disappointed that I must now read three books. If I choose to go forward, not sure if I'll fall for the same trick again from this author.<br /><br />The main character was almost impossible to like for the first third of the book, but she grew more likable. The writing is solid, but the plotline plods along so slowly, I almost gave up several times, but the reading addiction kept me pushing on page after page. Interesting story but not a pleasant experience to read.<br /><br />The plotline is generally believable and has you cheering on the victims to these awful crimes, but the realistic child-abduction storyline draws out the need to read futher as a way to rescue the suffering children. I support the need to tell these unthinkable stories and disturbing situations to raise awareness to these terrible tragedies, but I plan to read something lighter now before deciding if I can endure another two books of endless agony.<br /><br />Great Audible narration helped make enduring the painful story more possible.<br /><br />I wanted to like it more, but could not. Perhaps, this challenging reading experience is what the author intended, but the emotional toll is a heavy one to bear easily. Definitely not for younger readers.", "timestamp": 1570777173225, "title": "Strange Suspenseful Thriller" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 4, "text": "The saga continues as we learn more about Logan and Tessa. Loved the focus and fast-paced story with a surprising plot ending. This series of alternating subplots works well, as characters develop and the search for Tessa's and Cate's friend, Sam, also continues, amid another island murder that implicates too many suspects.<br /><br />The short, fast read will invigorate your day with a tightly written plotline, easy to finish in one sitting. Melinda Leigh's great storytelling creates a believable and exciting adventure in this novella, without the clutter and distractions of a longer, more complex book.<br /><br />The Audible narration was again well portrayed and a great supplement to my reading experience.<br /><br />Looking forward to the next installment.", "timestamp": 1571753957425, "title": "Another Engaging Novella!" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 4, "text": "The first half of the book was okay, but my disappointed left as the second half became more complex and mysterious. This is a great addition to the first 3 books, and the surprising twists and turns make it a fast read to the end.<br /><br />The author's development of the characters deepens even more, especially for Cate and Henry. The slow start lays a good foundation as the thrilling storyline and plot explode into an unpredictable ending.<br /><br />I find these novellas a great break from longer, more convoluted books because the fast read makes the reading experience enjoyable in one setting. I look forward to the next installment.", "timestamp": 1572363475493, "title": "Slow Start, Great Finish!" }, { "asin": "B07XJTDDC5", "rating": 4, "text": "Strong characters and vivid dialogue give energy to the storytelling. Serial killings in Nashville combines TBI Agent Melina Shepard's profiling skills with FBI Agent Ramsey investigative experience to find the killer or killers quickly before others die.<br /><br />Melina Shepard's strong-willed personality and incisive mind adds engaging dimensions to the story's complexity and depth. She's likeable and often unpredictable.<br /><br />Lots of tensions and surprises make this a fast, fun read. The plotline includes several strong characters, adding depth and interest to the murder investigations. The author's tight storyline accelerates the narrative, while avoiding too many details and distractions.<br /><br />The story alternates among several key players, adding questions and perspectives, making this complex tale even more confusing to everyone, especially as details about Shepard's past come to light. This is a satisfying, fast-paced read you'll not want to put down.<br /><br />Although third in the series, this novel works well as a standalone book. Some might question the author's penchant for adding a steaming love scene with more details than major storyline plot, something I found distractingly overwritten. Although this book by Burton has less profanity and vulgar language than some of her other works, many will likely be offended. Burton 's writing doesn't need these unnecessary additions.<br /><br />The Audible narration was a nice value-added supplement to my reading enjoyment with its effective character dramatizations. Nice touch!", "timestamp": 1596337589355, "title": "Burton at Her Best! Suspenseful, Engaging Read!" }, { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 4, "text": "Even better than Book 1, Melinda Leigh's storytelling creates a fully developed serial murder procedural, surrounded by well-developed characters with too many bodies and the likelihood of more! Wow!<br /><br />Newly appointed Sheriff, Bree Taggert, is back with her feisty approach as she struggles to restructure and improve her department, against the resentments and hidden anger of longterm and disgruntled deputies. Who can she trust? Who wants to ensure she fails?<br /><br />Fortunately, Bree has a few supportive friends and family that add depth and a human touch to the storyline, while a brutal serial killings stalks new victims and those getting in the way. I also enjoyed how the animal personalities played important roles in the story.<br /><br />Once started, it was hard to put down. Glad I had a personal day to finish this satisfying thriller quickly. The author masterfully builds the plotline around that wake of a killer's past brutal murders and the list of next victims, only adding to the growing tensions of murders in a small community.<br /><br />This suspenseful read is made more enjoyable and engaging as we learn to know the many well-defined personalities and their ongoing subplots. The contrast between \"normal\" life and the tragic killings that Bree must encounter every day adds a believable reality that makes the reading experience worthwhile.<br /><br />Although this second installment in the series could be read first, or as a standalone read, I'm glad I read it in order because of several overlapping characters and storyline elements.<br /><br />The Audible narration also was effective and added just enough dramatic flair to enliven the reading even more.<br /><br />I was not disappointed with this addition, and appreciate more Melinda Leigh's writing skills in her later well-crafted novels. I definitely will complete this series.<br /><br />Although this book has significantly fewer foul language issues than earlier works, I hope the author continues to reduce these unnecessary explicatives from future novels because of her stronger narratives and lively dialogues.", "timestamp": 1600223691865, "title": "Strong Woman Sheriff vs. Psychopathic Killer!" }, { "asin": "B07TPS5JQZ", "rating": 4, "text": "Best in the series so far! Melinda Leigh creates a fast paced storyline you won't want to put down. This tight murder novella is one you'll want to read in one setting, so plan for it. Definitely 4.5 Stars!<br /><br />This well-written crime procedural on Widow's Island starts fast and ends before you know it, as Deputy Teresa Black works nearly around the clock to find the cold-blooded murderer of a recent homicide and identify the unknown victim. Lots of surprises and twists in this constantly changing storyline, where the list of suspects grows quickly.<br /><br />As Teresa and Forest Ranger Logan follow the evidence trail, facts converge to a troubling case ending as the killer is finally confronted. Wow!<br /><br />The author's exceptional storytelling makes the reading experience both exciting and suspenseful, as strong characters and crisp dialogues propel the story forward.<br /><br />I bought the Audible companion narrative, which made the story tensions and character personalities come to life!<br /><br />I've enjoyed this series and look forward to the next installment. Well done!", "timestamp": 1604426406493, "title": "Another Thriller With Lots of Tension! Hold On!" }, { "asin": "B084FVY89J", "rating": 4, "text": "This second installment of the Sawyer Brooks series was even better than the first. Although this fast and enthralling novel is an excellent standalone read, the first book has it's own special merit too.<br /><br />Sawyer is an investigative journalist in Sacramento covering crime stories with passion and determination. Facts are important to Sawyer, but the people and stories behind those facts are even more important.<br /><br />This novel focuses on the abduction of a young girl and Sawyer's efforts to help find her before it's too late. The author's storytelling emphasizes several viewpoints simultaneously, creating fast-moving short chapters, each adding tensions and drama as characters struggle amid their own motives as reporters, police officers, family, victims, and of course the criminal.<br /><br />Back again in this book is \"The Crew,\" a group of five women vigilantes out for revenge and their own justice against sexual abuser from their past. Both storylines run simultaneously and often intersect because one of the crew is also Sawyer's sister, unbeknownst to Sawyer, some that adds a whole series of surprises and plotline twists.<br /><br />This is a great reading escape either in one sitting or over several sessions, though you'll want to finish it quickly. Both narratives and dialogues bring the character personalities to life in an enjoyable read with not too much trauma.<br /><br />I also found Audible's narration supplement a nice addition to my reading experience, especially because I can control the narrative pacing to match my reading speed.<br /><br />I'm already looking forward to the next installment, wanting to read them all. Definitely 4.5 stars!", "timestamp": 1605900133221, "title": "Young Girl Abducted and Sawyer's Got to Find Her!" }, { "asin": "B0819W2RZY", "rating": 4, "text": "We all face our struggles and demons in our lives, and Rachel Caine's intense storytelling reveals two nearly impossible challenges: first, one that Gwen Proctor (aka: Gina Royal) has been facing since Book 1, and second, one the author's own true story mountain that she must climb by herself. Both are troubling and yet also inspiring. Sometimes strength and determination overcomes the impossible, while other times it's only almost enough.<br /><br />This fifth of the Stillhouse Lake series is clearly the best, definitely 4.5 Stars! Perhaps, this installment is the most believable and yet devastating too. The sharp character focus and unpredictable twists add suspenseful tension that make you want to read every page to the end. Strong dialogues and descriptive dialogues bring both plotline and storyline to life.<br /><br />I found this final series book stronger because it reveals a deep and more meaningful part of Gwen's personality and soul, showing a more amazing woman than previous books. Perhaps much of Rachel Caine's true heart and person is shown here in the courage and full-measured effort told of the indomitable spirit of Gwen Proctor: mother, lover, and friend.<br /><br />Audible's narration was essential to my reading enjoyment by adding just the right voices and personalities that enlarged each character's uniqueness.<br /><br />Well done!<br /><br />Wishing only the best to our beloved friend and author, Rachel Caine. You've created an example we all admire.", "timestamp": 1615694133726, "title": "For Rachel Caine Fans, This Book Is A Must Read!" }, { "asin": "B08C7CF1ND", "rating": 4, "text": "Missoula Montana is ground zero again, as Mary Burton's masterful storytelling focuses on Ann Bailey, forensic psychologist and sister to Joan Mason, main character in \"Burn You Twice.\" Both books focus on Elijah Weston, now exonerated exconvict wrongly found guilty of arson a decade earlier.<br /><br />Although this book can be read as a standalone book, I strongly recommend reading \"Burn You Twice\" first for background story elements and character continuity. Both books are hard to put down once started.<br /><br />This story begins with a horrific murder committed by an unidentified killer, requiring Dr. Ann Bailey to be consulted for clues to who the killer might be. Bryce McCabe of Montana Highway Patrol leads the investigation that quickly become more complex as new evidence and similar parallels to other murders come to light.<br /><br />This engrossing crime procedural get complicated as facts begin implicating Elijah Weston, who had a brief fling with Ann Bailey in their college years. Suspenseful plot and storyline combine to create a tense read with several surprises and unexpected twists that enliven the reading drama.<br /><br />Strong characters and lively dialogues bring this murder investigation to life with memorable narration and vivid descriptions in this highly focused story that will have you guessing right up to the final chapters.<br /><br />Characters are likeable even though personality quirks create conflicts and uncertainty. Mary Burton's signature and obligatory love scenes again punctuate the novel, something likely to polarize readers pro or con.<br /><br />Audible's narration supplement added drama and pacing to my reading experience, raising story tensions and emotions effectively.<br /><br />The longer backstories to both books suggests addition installments, which if available, I plan to read.", "timestamp": 1618532418832, "title": "Great Follow-up to \"Burn You Twice\" Novel" } ]

[ { "asin": "B07BDF7WKP", "rating": 3, "text": "This is a good murder mystery surrounding a budding romance. Mary Burton emphasizes the interpersonal conflicts and interactions of the two main protagonists as the primary focus to the storyline, which coincidentally is deeply entwined with a series of murders past and present.<br /><br />Even though Burton's writing skills are engaging as she tells a suspenseful and interesting story, her limited point of view structure keeps even the character development of the key people somewhat superficial. Perhaps her approach helps keep the storyline tightly focused and simple; however, I wished she had gotten more into the thinking, personalities, and emotional baggage of the characters to make them seem more real.<br /><br />Texas Ranger, medical examiner, and FBI agent characters helped drive the story as the criminal elements are revealed in incomplete stages, giving the story some meaningful structure. However, Burton's development of the criminals is limited and flat, resulting in a half told story.<br /><br />The author's overemphasis of the romantic elements at the expense is of understating the criminal and investigative elements suggests the book's objective is the basis for a Lifetime TV movie script.<br /><br />This novel will not disappoint you if you are looking for a fast diversion or escape read. However, once experienced there is little to remember and no reason to read again.<br /><br />The Audible support narration was effective, but I suggest increasing the reading speed because the faster pace adds tension and action to the well-crafted writing skills evident in the story.<br /><br />My only wish is that the story were a bit more complex and taught me something new and interesting. Perhaps the author might use her creative writing skills to make characters that I want to know and remember.", "timestamp": 1568827875785, "title": "Another Well-written Story!" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 3, "text": "FBI cold case that just got reopened among some small island communities on the Puget Sound. Great small town story.<br /><br />Great for a fast escape read when you have little time and don't want to get involved with a more complex and longer story. Likeable characters create solid foundation for the series. Plotline is simple, storyline is straightforward, dialogue is believable, but I needed more content. Better than a one-hour TV show, it was a fun easy read without distracting details. However, the lack of characters and their complete development made the book more like a long short story.<br /><br />Although the book was a complete story, because of the series focus on a larger story, I was left wanting. I might look at the next installment, but the approximate 70-80 pages was more like a reading \"snack.\"<br /><br />The Audible narration was nicely done and added value to the reading experience, but only low prices make this a worthwhile investment.<br /><br />This was my first experience with this author, so I was pleased with the story rudiments and writing but not with it almost abrupt ending. I'm sure many readers like short novellas, which might make this one perfect for you, so long as your expectations aren't too high.", "timestamp": 1570170923682, "title": "Focused, Short, Murder Novella" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 4, "text": "Tight storyline makes this fast read fun and satisfying. Characters were developed well as a murder investigation brought to life this small town story on an imaginary Puget Sound island.<br /><br />I liked the first book but was unsure there was enough for a series, and I admit now I was wrong. The short novella installments are perfect for an afternoon read, a short plane ride, or while waiting at an appointment. The story has enough substance to be interesting but enough depth to continue after a needed break.<br /><br />I like the believable characters and the series setting and plan now to continue the series.<br /><br />The Audible narration made the reading experience even more enjoyable. When combined the the Kindle text, both are a great value.", "timestamp": 1570457236419, "title": "Better Than Book 1" }, { "asin": "B07P32NGR6", "rating": 4, "text": "Couldn't stop reading once I started. Focused storyline, great writing, so many unexpected twists, makes this thrilling read exciting and satisfying. Wow!!<br /><br />I was never sure who killed whom until the very end with all main characters well-developed and believable. Lots of story tension made ever page powerful and essential to the plot. Even the steamy love scenes did not distract from the main storyline. This well-crafted novel will not disappoint you!<br /><br />Burton's really upped her game with this excellent new installment. Loved how the author made me feel I was experiencing the story along with Detective Vaughan and Agent Spencer. Both lead characters were interesting, well developed, and easy to like. Although this is part of a series, this book can easily be read alone and fully enjoyed.<br /><br />I found the Audible narration exceptionally well done as a reading supplement to my Kindle book.<br /><br />Looking forward already to the author's next book.", "timestamp": 1570592579980, "title": "Best of Mary Burton Books So Far!" }, { "asin": "B015FMV3LW", "rating": 3, "text": "Not sure I would have started the book had I'd known Book 1 ending would be incomplete. Ouch! Given this series is a trilogy, I'm wondering if I'll complete the three volumes. Disappointed that I must now read three books. If I choose to go forward, not sure if I'll fall for the same trick again from this author.<br /><br />The main character was almost impossible to like for the first third of the book, but she grew more likable. The writing is solid, but the plotline plods along so slowly, I almost gave up several times, but the reading addiction kept me pushing on page after page. Interesting story but not a pleasant experience to read.<br /><br />The plotline is generally believable and has you cheering on the victims to these awful crimes, but the realistic child-abduction storyline draws out the need to read futher as a way to rescue the suffering children. I support the need to tell these unthinkable stories and disturbing situations to raise awareness to these terrible tragedies, but I plan to read something lighter now before deciding if I can endure another two books of endless agony.<br /><br />Great Audible narration helped make enduring the painful story more possible.<br /><br />I wanted to like it more, but could not. Perhaps, this challenging reading experience is what the author intended, but the emotional toll is a heavy one to bear easily. Definitely not for younger readers.", "timestamp": 1570777173225, "title": "Strange Suspenseful Thriller" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 4, "text": "The saga continues as we learn more about Logan and Tessa. Loved the focus and fast-paced story with a surprising plot ending. This series of alternating subplots works well, as characters develop and the search for Tessa's and Cate's friend, Sam, also continues, amid another island murder that implicates too many suspects.<br /><br />The short, fast read will invigorate your day with a tightly written plotline, easy to finish in one sitting. Melinda Leigh's great storytelling creates a believable and exciting adventure in this novella, without the clutter and distractions of a longer, more complex book.<br /><br />The Audible narration was again well portrayed and a great supplement to my reading experience.<br /><br />Looking forward to the next installment.", "timestamp": 1571753957425, "title": "Another Engaging Novella!" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 4, "text": "The first half of the book was okay, but my disappointed left as the second half became more complex and mysterious. This is a great addition to the first 3 books, and the surprising twists and turns make it a fast read to the end.<br /><br />The author's development of the characters deepens even more, especially for Cate and Henry. The slow start lays a good foundation as the thrilling storyline and plot explode into an unpredictable ending.<br /><br />I find these novellas a great break from longer, more convoluted books because the fast read makes the reading experience enjoyable in one setting. I look forward to the next installment.", "timestamp": 1572363475493, "title": "Slow Start, Great Finish!" }, { "asin": "B07XJTDDC5", "rating": 4, "text": "Strong characters and vivid dialogue give energy to the storytelling. Serial killings in Nashville combines TBI Agent Melina Shepard's profiling skills with FBI Agent Ramsey investigative experience to find the killer or killers quickly before others die.<br /><br />Melina Shepard's strong-willed personality and incisive mind adds engaging dimensions to the story's complexity and depth. She's likeable and often unpredictable.<br /><br />Lots of tensions and surprises make this a fast, fun read. The plotline includes several strong characters, adding depth and interest to the murder investigations. The author's tight storyline accelerates the narrative, while avoiding too many details and distractions.<br /><br />The story alternates among several key players, adding questions and perspectives, making this complex tale even more confusing to everyone, especially as details about Shepard's past come to light. This is a satisfying, fast-paced read you'll not want to put down.<br /><br />Although third in the series, this novel works well as a standalone book. Some might question the author's penchant for adding a steaming love scene with more details than major storyline plot, something I found distractingly overwritten. Although this book by Burton has less profanity and vulgar language than some of her other works, many will likely be offended. Burton 's writing doesn't need these unnecessary additions.<br /><br />The Audible narration was a nice value-added supplement to my reading enjoyment with its effective character dramatizations. Nice touch!", "timestamp": 1596337589355, "title": "Burton at Her Best! Suspenseful, Engaging Read!" }, { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 4, "text": "Even better than Book 1, Melinda Leigh's storytelling creates a fully developed serial murder procedural, surrounded by well-developed characters with too many bodies and the likelihood of more! Wow!<br /><br />Newly appointed Sheriff, Bree Taggert, is back with her feisty approach as she struggles to restructure and improve her department, against the resentments and hidden anger of longterm and disgruntled deputies. Who can she trust? Who wants to ensure she fails?<br /><br />Fortunately, Bree has a few supportive friends and family that add depth and a human touch to the storyline, while a brutal serial killings stalks new victims and those getting in the way. I also enjoyed how the animal personalities played important roles in the story.<br /><br />Once started, it was hard to put down. Glad I had a personal day to finish this satisfying thriller quickly. The author masterfully builds the plotline around that wake of a killer's past brutal murders and the list of next victims, only adding to the growing tensions of murders in a small community.<br /><br />This suspenseful read is made more enjoyable and engaging as we learn to know the many well-defined personalities and their ongoing subplots. The contrast between \"normal\" life and the tragic killings that Bree must encounter every day adds a believable reality that makes the reading experience worthwhile.<br /><br />Although this second installment in the series could be read first, or as a standalone read, I'm glad I read it in order because of several overlapping characters and storyline elements.<br /><br />The Audible narration also was effective and added just enough dramatic flair to enliven the reading even more.<br /><br />I was not disappointed with this addition, and appreciate more Melinda Leigh's writing skills in her later well-crafted novels. I definitely will complete this series.<br /><br />Although this book has significantly fewer foul language issues than earlier works, I hope the author continues to reduce these unnecessary explicatives from future novels because of her stronger narratives and lively dialogues.", "timestamp": 1600223691865, "title": "Strong Woman Sheriff vs. Psychopathic Killer!" }, { "asin": "B07TPS5JQZ", "rating": 4, "text": "Best in the series so far! Melinda Leigh creates a fast paced storyline you won't want to put down. This tight murder novella is one you'll want to read in one setting, so plan for it. Definitely 4.5 Stars!<br /><br />This well-written crime procedural on Widow's Island starts fast and ends before you know it, as Deputy Teresa Black works nearly around the clock to find the cold-blooded murderer of a recent homicide and identify the unknown victim. Lots of surprises and twists in this constantly changing storyline, where the list of suspects grows quickly.<br /><br />As Teresa and Forest Ranger Logan follow the evidence trail, facts converge to a troubling case ending as the killer is finally confronted. Wow!<br /><br />The author's exceptional storytelling makes the reading experience both exciting and suspenseful, as strong characters and crisp dialogues propel the story forward.<br /><br />I bought the Audible companion narrative, which made the story tensions and character personalities come to life!<br /><br />I've enjoyed this series and look forward to the next installment. Well done!", "timestamp": 1604426406493, "title": "Another Thriller With Lots of Tension! Hold On!" }, { "asin": "B084FVY89J", "rating": 4, "text": "This second installment of the Sawyer Brooks series was even better than the first. Although this fast and enthralling novel is an excellent standalone read, the first book has it's own special merit too.<br /><br />Sawyer is an investigative journalist in Sacramento covering crime stories with passion and determination. Facts are important to Sawyer, but the people and stories behind those facts are even more important.<br /><br />This novel focuses on the abduction of a young girl and Sawyer's efforts to help find her before it's too late. The author's storytelling emphasizes several viewpoints simultaneously, creating fast-moving short chapters, each adding tensions and drama as characters struggle amid their own motives as reporters, police officers, family, victims, and of course the criminal.<br /><br />Back again in this book is \"The Crew,\" a group of five women vigilantes out for revenge and their own justice against sexual abuser from their past. Both storylines run simultaneously and often intersect because one of the crew is also Sawyer's sister, unbeknownst to Sawyer, some that adds a whole series of surprises and plotline twists.<br /><br />This is a great reading escape either in one sitting or over several sessions, though you'll want to finish it quickly. Both narratives and dialogues bring the character personalities to life in an enjoyable read with not too much trauma.<br /><br />I also found Audible's narration supplement a nice addition to my reading experience, especially because I can control the narrative pacing to match my reading speed.<br /><br />I'm already looking forward to the next installment, wanting to read them all. Definitely 4.5 stars!", "timestamp": 1605900133221, "title": "Young Girl Abducted and Sawyer's Got to Find Her!" }, { "asin": "B0819W2RZY", "rating": 4, "text": "We all face our struggles and demons in our lives, and Rachel Caine's intense storytelling reveals two nearly impossible challenges: first, one that Gwen Proctor (aka: Gina Royal) has been facing since Book 1, and second, one the author's own true story mountain that she must climb by herself. Both are troubling and yet also inspiring. Sometimes strength and determination overcomes the impossible, while other times it's only almost enough.<br /><br />This fifth of the Stillhouse Lake series is clearly the best, definitely 4.5 Stars! Perhaps, this installment is the most believable and yet devastating too. The sharp character focus and unpredictable twists add suspenseful tension that make you want to read every page to the end. Strong dialogues and descriptive dialogues bring both plotline and storyline to life.<br /><br />I found this final series book stronger because it reveals a deep and more meaningful part of Gwen's personality and soul, showing a more amazing woman than previous books. Perhaps much of Rachel Caine's true heart and person is shown here in the courage and full-measured effort told of the indomitable spirit of Gwen Proctor: mother, lover, and friend.<br /><br />Audible's narration was essential to my reading enjoyment by adding just the right voices and personalities that enlarged each character's uniqueness.<br /><br />Well done!<br /><br />Wishing only the best to our beloved friend and author, Rachel Caine. You've created an example we all admire.", "timestamp": 1615694133726, "title": "For Rachel Caine Fans, This Book Is A Must Read!" }, { "asin": "B08C7CF1ND", "rating": 4, "text": "Missoula Montana is ground zero again, as Mary Burton's masterful storytelling focuses on Ann Bailey, forensic psychologist and sister to Joan Mason, main character in \"Burn You Twice.\" Both books focus on Elijah Weston, now exonerated exconvict wrongly found guilty of arson a decade earlier.<br /><br />Although this book can be read as a standalone book, I strongly recommend reading \"Burn You Twice\" first for background story elements and character continuity. Both books are hard to put down once started.<br /><br />This story begins with a horrific murder committed by an unidentified killer, requiring Dr. Ann Bailey to be consulted for clues to who the killer might be. Bryce McCabe of Montana Highway Patrol leads the investigation that quickly become more complex as new evidence and similar parallels to other murders come to light.<br /><br />This engrossing crime procedural get complicated as facts begin implicating Elijah Weston, who had a brief fling with Ann Bailey in their college years. Suspenseful plot and storyline combine to create a tense read with several surprises and unexpected twists that enliven the reading drama.<br /><br />Strong characters and lively dialogues bring this murder investigation to life with memorable narration and vivid descriptions in this highly focused story that will have you guessing right up to the final chapters.<br /><br />Characters are likeable even though personality quirks create conflicts and uncertainty. Mary Burton's signature and obligatory love scenes again punctuate the novel, something likely to polarize readers pro or con.<br /><br />Audible's narration supplement added drama and pacing to my reading experience, raising story tensions and emotions effectively.<br /><br />The longer backstories to both books suggests addition installments, which if available, I plan to read.", "timestamp": 1618532418832, "title": "Great Follow-up to \"Burn You Twice\" Novel" }, { "asin": "B088FG9RB3", "rating": 4, "text": "The three-book Sawyer Brooks, crime reporter series has been a fun read with a different twist on solving murders. Spunky Sawyer, a woman with a troubled past, worked hard to bring her sisters together, resolve her troubled upbringing, and become an insightful reporter with an eye for finding truth amid challenging and complex homicides.<br /><br />This installment brings Sawyer closer to solving the mystery of \"The Crew\" or the black wig murderers, while facing her own demons. Of the three books, this one had more subplots and than the other two, providing more questions, suspects, and murderss, making it a strong, suspenseful read.<br /><br />The strengths of this installment was the tighter storyline, the well-developed characters emerging from the first two series books, and the stronger person Sawyer has become: all elements that helped create a satisfying escape read. As such, this is not a standalone read.<br /><br />The unpredictable ending seems to work out well, but the overall backstory could spawn another series grouping should author T.R. Ragan develop that option.<br /><br />Overall, I have enjoyed this book and two previous installments purely as entertainment, even though the subject matter likely deserves a more substantial storytelling outcome and more serious development.<br /><br />The Audible narration seemed to work generally well, adding some drama and pacing but without overworking the narrative.", "timestamp": 1620194186669, "title": "Solid Final Book to Series. Suprising Ending" } ]

[ { "asin": "B07BDF7WKP", "rating": 3, "text": "This is a good murder mystery surrounding a budding romance. Mary Burton emphasizes the interpersonal conflicts and interactions of the two main protagonists as the primary focus to the storyline, which coincidentally is deeply entwined with a series of murders past and present.<br /><br />Even though Burton's writing skills are engaging as she tells a suspenseful and interesting story, her limited point of view structure keeps even the character development of the key people somewhat superficial. Perhaps her approach helps keep the storyline tightly focused and simple; however, I wished she had gotten more into the thinking, personalities, and emotional baggage of the characters to make them seem more real.<br /><br />Texas Ranger, medical examiner, and FBI agent characters helped drive the story as the criminal elements are revealed in incomplete stages, giving the story some meaningful structure. However, Burton's development of the criminals is limited and flat, resulting in a half told story.<br /><br />The author's overemphasis of the romantic elements at the expense is of understating the criminal and investigative elements suggests the book's objective is the basis for a Lifetime TV movie script.<br /><br />This novel will not disappoint you if you are looking for a fast diversion or escape read. However, once experienced there is little to remember and no reason to read again.<br /><br />The Audible support narration was effective, but I suggest increasing the reading speed because the faster pace adds tension and action to the well-crafted writing skills evident in the story.<br /><br />My only wish is that the story were a bit more complex and taught me something new and interesting. Perhaps the author might use her creative writing skills to make characters that I want to know and remember.", "timestamp": 1568827875785, "title": "Another Well-written Story!" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 3, "text": "FBI cold case that just got reopened among some small island communities on the Puget Sound. Great small town story.<br /><br />Great for a fast escape read when you have little time and don't want to get involved with a more complex and longer story. Likeable characters create solid foundation for the series. Plotline is simple, storyline is straightforward, dialogue is believable, but I needed more content. Better than a one-hour TV show, it was a fun easy read without distracting details. However, the lack of characters and their complete development made the book more like a long short story.<br /><br />Although the book was a complete story, because of the series focus on a larger story, I was left wanting. I might look at the next installment, but the approximate 70-80 pages was more like a reading \"snack.\"<br /><br />The Audible narration was nicely done and added value to the reading experience, but only low prices make this a worthwhile investment.<br /><br />This was my first experience with this author, so I was pleased with the story rudiments and writing but not with it almost abrupt ending. I'm sure many readers like short novellas, which might make this one perfect for you, so long as your expectations aren't too high.", "timestamp": 1570170923682, "title": "Focused, Short, Murder Novella" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 4, "text": "Tight storyline makes this fast read fun and satisfying. Characters were developed well as a murder investigation brought to life this small town story on an imaginary Puget Sound island.<br /><br />I liked the first book but was unsure there was enough for a series, and I admit now I was wrong. The short novella installments are perfect for an afternoon read, a short plane ride, or while waiting at an appointment. The story has enough substance to be interesting but enough depth to continue after a needed break.<br /><br />I like the believable characters and the series setting and plan now to continue the series.<br /><br />The Audible narration made the reading experience even more enjoyable. When combined the the Kindle text, both are a great value.", "timestamp": 1570457236419, "title": "Better Than Book 1" }, { "asin": "B07P32NGR6", "rating": 4, "text": "Couldn't stop reading once I started. Focused storyline, great writing, so many unexpected twists, makes this thrilling read exciting and satisfying. Wow!!<br /><br />I was never sure who killed whom until the very end with all main characters well-developed and believable. Lots of story tension made ever page powerful and essential to the plot. Even the steamy love scenes did not distract from the main storyline. This well-crafted novel will not disappoint you!<br /><br />Burton's really upped her game with this excellent new installment. Loved how the author made me feel I was experiencing the story along with Detective Vaughan and Agent Spencer. Both lead characters were interesting, well developed, and easy to like. Although this is part of a series, this book can easily be read alone and fully enjoyed.<br /><br />I found the Audible narration exceptionally well done as a reading supplement to my Kindle book.<br /><br />Looking forward already to the author's next book.", "timestamp": 1570592579980, "title": "Best of Mary Burton Books So Far!" }, { "asin": "B015FMV3LW", "rating": 3, "text": "Not sure I would have started the book had I'd known Book 1 ending would be incomplete. Ouch! Given this series is a trilogy, I'm wondering if I'll complete the three volumes. Disappointed that I must now read three books. If I choose to go forward, not sure if I'll fall for the same trick again from this author.<br /><br />The main character was almost impossible to like for the first third of the book, but she grew more likable. The writing is solid, but the plotline plods along so slowly, I almost gave up several times, but the reading addiction kept me pushing on page after page. Interesting story but not a pleasant experience to read.<br /><br />The plotline is generally believable and has you cheering on the victims to these awful crimes, but the realistic child-abduction storyline draws out the need to read futher as a way to rescue the suffering children. I support the need to tell these unthinkable stories and disturbing situations to raise awareness to these terrible tragedies, but I plan to read something lighter now before deciding if I can endure another two books of endless agony.<br /><br />Great Audible narration helped make enduring the painful story more possible.<br /><br />I wanted to like it more, but could not. Perhaps, this challenging reading experience is what the author intended, but the emotional toll is a heavy one to bear easily. Definitely not for younger readers.", "timestamp": 1570777173225, "title": "Strange Suspenseful Thriller" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 4, "text": "The saga continues as we learn more about Logan and Tessa. Loved the focus and fast-paced story with a surprising plot ending. This series of alternating subplots works well, as characters develop and the search for Tessa's and Cate's friend, Sam, also continues, amid another island murder that implicates too many suspects.<br /><br />The short, fast read will invigorate your day with a tightly written plotline, easy to finish in one sitting. Melinda Leigh's great storytelling creates a believable and exciting adventure in this novella, without the clutter and distractions of a longer, more complex book.<br /><br />The Audible narration was again well portrayed and a great supplement to my reading experience.<br /><br />Looking forward to the next installment.", "timestamp": 1571753957425, "title": "Another Engaging Novella!" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 4, "text": "The first half of the book was okay, but my disappointed left as the second half became more complex and mysterious. This is a great addition to the first 3 books, and the surprising twists and turns make it a fast read to the end.<br /><br />The author's development of the characters deepens even more, especially for Cate and Henry. The slow start lays a good foundation as the thrilling storyline and plot explode into an unpredictable ending.<br /><br />I find these novellas a great break from longer, more convoluted books because the fast read makes the reading experience enjoyable in one setting. I look forward to the next installment.", "timestamp": 1572363475493, "title": "Slow Start, Great Finish!" }, { "asin": "B07XJTDDC5", "rating": 4, "text": "Strong characters and vivid dialogue give energy to the storytelling. Serial killings in Nashville combines TBI Agent Melina Shepard's profiling skills with FBI Agent Ramsey investigative experience to find the killer or killers quickly before others die.<br /><br />Melina Shepard's strong-willed personality and incisive mind adds engaging dimensions to the story's complexity and depth. She's likeable and often unpredictable.<br /><br />Lots of tensions and surprises make this a fast, fun read. The plotline includes several strong characters, adding depth and interest to the murder investigations. The author's tight storyline accelerates the narrative, while avoiding too many details and distractions.<br /><br />The story alternates among several key players, adding questions and perspectives, making this complex tale even more confusing to everyone, especially as details about Shepard's past come to light. This is a satisfying, fast-paced read you'll not want to put down.<br /><br />Although third in the series, this novel works well as a standalone book. Some might question the author's penchant for adding a steaming love scene with more details than major storyline plot, something I found distractingly overwritten. Although this book by Burton has less profanity and vulgar language than some of her other works, many will likely be offended. Burton 's writing doesn't need these unnecessary additions.<br /><br />The Audible narration was a nice value-added supplement to my reading enjoyment with its effective character dramatizations. Nice touch!", "timestamp": 1596337589355, "title": "Burton at Her Best! Suspenseful, Engaging Read!" }, { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 4, "text": "Even better than Book 1, Melinda Leigh's storytelling creates a fully developed serial murder procedural, surrounded by well-developed characters with too many bodies and the likelihood of more! Wow!<br /><br />Newly appointed Sheriff, Bree Taggert, is back with her feisty approach as she struggles to restructure and improve her department, against the resentments and hidden anger of longterm and disgruntled deputies. Who can she trust? Who wants to ensure she fails?<br /><br />Fortunately, Bree has a few supportive friends and family that add depth and a human touch to the storyline, while a brutal serial killings stalks new victims and those getting in the way. I also enjoyed how the animal personalities played important roles in the story.<br /><br />Once started, it was hard to put down. Glad I had a personal day to finish this satisfying thriller quickly. The author masterfully builds the plotline around that wake of a killer's past brutal murders and the list of next victims, only adding to the growing tensions of murders in a small community.<br /><br />This suspenseful read is made more enjoyable and engaging as we learn to know the many well-defined personalities and their ongoing subplots. The contrast between \"normal\" life and the tragic killings that Bree must encounter every day adds a believable reality that makes the reading experience worthwhile.<br /><br />Although this second installment in the series could be read first, or as a standalone read, I'm glad I read it in order because of several overlapping characters and storyline elements.<br /><br />The Audible narration also was effective and added just enough dramatic flair to enliven the reading even more.<br /><br />I was not disappointed with this addition, and appreciate more Melinda Leigh's writing skills in her later well-crafted novels. I definitely will complete this series.<br /><br />Although this book has significantly fewer foul language issues than earlier works, I hope the author continues to reduce these unnecessary explicatives from future novels because of her stronger narratives and lively dialogues.", "timestamp": 1600223691865, "title": "Strong Woman Sheriff vs. Psychopathic Killer!" }, { "asin": "B07TPS5JQZ", "rating": 4, "text": "Best in the series so far! Melinda Leigh creates a fast paced storyline you won't want to put down. This tight murder novella is one you'll want to read in one setting, so plan for it. Definitely 4.5 Stars!<br /><br />This well-written crime procedural on Widow's Island starts fast and ends before you know it, as Deputy Teresa Black works nearly around the clock to find the cold-blooded murderer of a recent homicide and identify the unknown victim. Lots of surprises and twists in this constantly changing storyline, where the list of suspects grows quickly.<br /><br />As Teresa and Forest Ranger Logan follow the evidence trail, facts converge to a troubling case ending as the killer is finally confronted. Wow!<br /><br />The author's exceptional storytelling makes the reading experience both exciting and suspenseful, as strong characters and crisp dialogues propel the story forward.<br /><br />I bought the Audible companion narrative, which made the story tensions and character personalities come to life!<br /><br />I've enjoyed this series and look forward to the next installment. Well done!", "timestamp": 1604426406493, "title": "Another Thriller With Lots of Tension! Hold On!" }, { "asin": "B084FVY89J", "rating": 4, "text": "This second installment of the Sawyer Brooks series was even better than the first. Although this fast and enthralling novel is an excellent standalone read, the first book has it's own special merit too.<br /><br />Sawyer is an investigative journalist in Sacramento covering crime stories with passion and determination. Facts are important to Sawyer, but the people and stories behind those facts are even more important.<br /><br />This novel focuses on the abduction of a young girl and Sawyer's efforts to help find her before it's too late. The author's storytelling emphasizes several viewpoints simultaneously, creating fast-moving short chapters, each adding tensions and drama as characters struggle amid their own motives as reporters, police officers, family, victims, and of course the criminal.<br /><br />Back again in this book is \"The Crew,\" a group of five women vigilantes out for revenge and their own justice against sexual abuser from their past. Both storylines run simultaneously and often intersect because one of the crew is also Sawyer's sister, unbeknownst to Sawyer, some that adds a whole series of surprises and plotline twists.<br /><br />This is a great reading escape either in one sitting or over several sessions, though you'll want to finish it quickly. Both narratives and dialogues bring the character personalities to life in an enjoyable read with not too much trauma.<br /><br />I also found Audible's narration supplement a nice addition to my reading experience, especially because I can control the narrative pacing to match my reading speed.<br /><br />I'm already looking forward to the next installment, wanting to read them all. Definitely 4.5 stars!", "timestamp": 1605900133221, "title": "Young Girl Abducted and Sawyer's Got to Find Her!" }, { "asin": "B0819W2RZY", "rating": 4, "text": "We all face our struggles and demons in our lives, and Rachel Caine's intense storytelling reveals two nearly impossible challenges: first, one that Gwen Proctor (aka: Gina Royal) has been facing since Book 1, and second, one the author's own true story mountain that she must climb by herself. Both are troubling and yet also inspiring. Sometimes strength and determination overcomes the impossible, while other times it's only almost enough.<br /><br />This fifth of the Stillhouse Lake series is clearly the best, definitely 4.5 Stars! Perhaps, this installment is the most believable and yet devastating too. The sharp character focus and unpredictable twists add suspenseful tension that make you want to read every page to the end. Strong dialogues and descriptive dialogues bring both plotline and storyline to life.<br /><br />I found this final series book stronger because it reveals a deep and more meaningful part of Gwen's personality and soul, showing a more amazing woman than previous books. Perhaps much of Rachel Caine's true heart and person is shown here in the courage and full-measured effort told of the indomitable spirit of Gwen Proctor: mother, lover, and friend.<br /><br />Audible's narration was essential to my reading enjoyment by adding just the right voices and personalities that enlarged each character's uniqueness.<br /><br />Well done!<br /><br />Wishing only the best to our beloved friend and author, Rachel Caine. You've created an example we all admire.", "timestamp": 1615694133726, "title": "For Rachel Caine Fans, This Book Is A Must Read!" }, { "asin": "B08C7CF1ND", "rating": 4, "text": "Missoula Montana is ground zero again, as Mary Burton's masterful storytelling focuses on Ann Bailey, forensic psychologist and sister to Joan Mason, main character in \"Burn You Twice.\" Both books focus on Elijah Weston, now exonerated exconvict wrongly found guilty of arson a decade earlier.<br /><br />Although this book can be read as a standalone book, I strongly recommend reading \"Burn You Twice\" first for background story elements and character continuity. Both books are hard to put down once started.<br /><br />This story begins with a horrific murder committed by an unidentified killer, requiring Dr. Ann Bailey to be consulted for clues to who the killer might be. Bryce McCabe of Montana Highway Patrol leads the investigation that quickly become more complex as new evidence and similar parallels to other murders come to light.<br /><br />This engrossing crime procedural get complicated as facts begin implicating Elijah Weston, who had a brief fling with Ann Bailey in their college years. Suspenseful plot and storyline combine to create a tense read with several surprises and unexpected twists that enliven the reading drama.<br /><br />Strong characters and lively dialogues bring this murder investigation to life with memorable narration and vivid descriptions in this highly focused story that will have you guessing right up to the final chapters.<br /><br />Characters are likeable even though personality quirks create conflicts and uncertainty. Mary Burton's signature and obligatory love scenes again punctuate the novel, something likely to polarize readers pro or con.<br /><br />Audible's narration supplement added drama and pacing to my reading experience, raising story tensions and emotions effectively.<br /><br />The longer backstories to both books suggests addition installments, which if available, I plan to read.", "timestamp": 1618532418832, "title": "Great Follow-up to \"Burn You Twice\" Novel" }, { "asin": "B088FG9RB3", "rating": 4, "text": "The three-book Sawyer Brooks, crime reporter series has been a fun read with a different twist on solving murders. Spunky Sawyer, a woman with a troubled past, worked hard to bring her sisters together, resolve her troubled upbringing, and become an insightful reporter with an eye for finding truth amid challenging and complex homicides.<br /><br />This installment brings Sawyer closer to solving the mystery of \"The Crew\" or the black wig murderers, while facing her own demons. Of the three books, this one had more subplots and than the other two, providing more questions, suspects, and murderss, making it a strong, suspenseful read.<br /><br />The strengths of this installment was the tighter storyline, the well-developed characters emerging from the first two series books, and the stronger person Sawyer has become: all elements that helped create a satisfying escape read. As such, this is not a standalone read.<br /><br />The unpredictable ending seems to work out well, but the overall backstory could spawn another series grouping should author T.R. Ragan develop that option.<br /><br />Overall, I have enjoyed this book and two previous installments purely as entertainment, even though the subject matter likely deserves a more substantial storytelling outcome and more serious development.<br /><br />The Audible narration seemed to work generally well, adding some drama and pacing but without overworking the narrative.", "timestamp": 1620194186669, "title": "Solid Final Book to Series. Suprising Ending" }, { "asin": "B01GJA450A", "rating": 4, "text": "Good beginning for two more installments of the Stevie-Zane and Carly-Seth stalwarts of Solitude, Oregon! Kendra Elliot creates a strong start to another solid Rogue collection of the Elliot-Leigh collaboration team writers.<br /><br />This is one of the best Rogue collection stories. Strong characters, focused plot, tight storyline, and crisp dialogues combine for a fast, fun read. Rogue River characters are back in usual roles, allowing the storytelling to emphasize the murder, many suspects, and multiple twists and surprises. This short thriller flies by too fast, while creating a great foundation for Book 2 by Melinda Leigh. No cliffhanger ending with this first installment, but several questions remain.<br /><br />Solid Audible narration adds drama and depth to character personalities, building tensions and suspense for an entertaining read. Now on to Book 2!<br /><br />Not disappointed at all!", "timestamp": 1620775797451, "title": "Needed Extension of Previous Rogue Series!" } ]

[ { "asin": "B07BDF7WKP", "rating": 3, "text": "This is a good murder mystery surrounding a budding romance. Mary Burton emphasizes the interpersonal conflicts and interactions of the two main protagonists as the primary focus to the storyline, which coincidentally is deeply entwined with a series of murders past and present.<br /><br />Even though Burton's writing skills are engaging as she tells a suspenseful and interesting story, her limited point of view structure keeps even the character development of the key people somewhat superficial. Perhaps her approach helps keep the storyline tightly focused and simple; however, I wished she had gotten more into the thinking, personalities, and emotional baggage of the characters to make them seem more real.<br /><br />Texas Ranger, medical examiner, and FBI agent characters helped drive the story as the criminal elements are revealed in incomplete stages, giving the story some meaningful structure. However, Burton's development of the criminals is limited and flat, resulting in a half told story.<br /><br />The author's overemphasis of the romantic elements at the expense is of understating the criminal and investigative elements suggests the book's objective is the basis for a Lifetime TV movie script.<br /><br />This novel will not disappoint you if you are looking for a fast diversion or escape read. However, once experienced there is little to remember and no reason to read again.<br /><br />The Audible support narration was effective, but I suggest increasing the reading speed because the faster pace adds tension and action to the well-crafted writing skills evident in the story.<br /><br />My only wish is that the story were a bit more complex and taught me something new and interesting. Perhaps the author might use her creative writing skills to make characters that I want to know and remember.", "timestamp": 1568827875785, "title": "Another Well-written Story!" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 3, "text": "FBI cold case that just got reopened among some small island communities on the Puget Sound. Great small town story.<br /><br />Great for a fast escape read when you have little time and don't want to get involved with a more complex and longer story. Likeable characters create solid foundation for the series. Plotline is simple, storyline is straightforward, dialogue is believable, but I needed more content. Better than a one-hour TV show, it was a fun easy read without distracting details. However, the lack of characters and their complete development made the book more like a long short story.<br /><br />Although the book was a complete story, because of the series focus on a larger story, I was left wanting. I might look at the next installment, but the approximate 70-80 pages was more like a reading \"snack.\"<br /><br />The Audible narration was nicely done and added value to the reading experience, but only low prices make this a worthwhile investment.<br /><br />This was my first experience with this author, so I was pleased with the story rudiments and writing but not with it almost abrupt ending. I'm sure many readers like short novellas, which might make this one perfect for you, so long as your expectations aren't too high.", "timestamp": 1570170923682, "title": "Focused, Short, Murder Novella" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 4, "text": "Tight storyline makes this fast read fun and satisfying. Characters were developed well as a murder investigation brought to life this small town story on an imaginary Puget Sound island.<br /><br />I liked the first book but was unsure there was enough for a series, and I admit now I was wrong. The short novella installments are perfect for an afternoon read, a short plane ride, or while waiting at an appointment. The story has enough substance to be interesting but enough depth to continue after a needed break.<br /><br />I like the believable characters and the series setting and plan now to continue the series.<br /><br />The Audible narration made the reading experience even more enjoyable. When combined the the Kindle text, both are a great value.", "timestamp": 1570457236419, "title": "Better Than Book 1" }, { "asin": "B07P32NGR6", "rating": 4, "text": "Couldn't stop reading once I started. Focused storyline, great writing, so many unexpected twists, makes this thrilling read exciting and satisfying. Wow!!<br /><br />I was never sure who killed whom until the very end with all main characters well-developed and believable. Lots of story tension made ever page powerful and essential to the plot. Even the steamy love scenes did not distract from the main storyline. This well-crafted novel will not disappoint you!<br /><br />Burton's really upped her game with this excellent new installment. Loved how the author made me feel I was experiencing the story along with Detective Vaughan and Agent Spencer. Both lead characters were interesting, well developed, and easy to like. Although this is part of a series, this book can easily be read alone and fully enjoyed.<br /><br />I found the Audible narration exceptionally well done as a reading supplement to my Kindle book.<br /><br />Looking forward already to the author's next book.", "timestamp": 1570592579980, "title": "Best of Mary Burton Books So Far!" }, { "asin": "B015FMV3LW", "rating": 3, "text": "Not sure I would have started the book had I'd known Book 1 ending would be incomplete. Ouch! Given this series is a trilogy, I'm wondering if I'll complete the three volumes. Disappointed that I must now read three books. If I choose to go forward, not sure if I'll fall for the same trick again from this author.<br /><br />The main character was almost impossible to like for the first third of the book, but she grew more likable. The writing is solid, but the plotline plods along so slowly, I almost gave up several times, but the reading addiction kept me pushing on page after page. Interesting story but not a pleasant experience to read.<br /><br />The plotline is generally believable and has you cheering on the victims to these awful crimes, but the realistic child-abduction storyline draws out the need to read futher as a way to rescue the suffering children. I support the need to tell these unthinkable stories and disturbing situations to raise awareness to these terrible tragedies, but I plan to read something lighter now before deciding if I can endure another two books of endless agony.<br /><br />Great Audible narration helped make enduring the painful story more possible.<br /><br />I wanted to like it more, but could not. Perhaps, this challenging reading experience is what the author intended, but the emotional toll is a heavy one to bear easily. Definitely not for younger readers.", "timestamp": 1570777173225, "title": "Strange Suspenseful Thriller" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 4, "text": "The saga continues as we learn more about Logan and Tessa. Loved the focus and fast-paced story with a surprising plot ending. This series of alternating subplots works well, as characters develop and the search for Tessa's and Cate's friend, Sam, also continues, amid another island murder that implicates too many suspects.<br /><br />The short, fast read will invigorate your day with a tightly written plotline, easy to finish in one sitting. Melinda Leigh's great storytelling creates a believable and exciting adventure in this novella, without the clutter and distractions of a longer, more complex book.<br /><br />The Audible narration was again well portrayed and a great supplement to my reading experience.<br /><br />Looking forward to the next installment.", "timestamp": 1571753957425, "title": "Another Engaging Novella!" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 4, "text": "The first half of the book was okay, but my disappointed left as the second half became more complex and mysterious. This is a great addition to the first 3 books, and the surprising twists and turns make it a fast read to the end.<br /><br />The author's development of the characters deepens even more, especially for Cate and Henry. The slow start lays a good foundation as the thrilling storyline and plot explode into an unpredictable ending.<br /><br />I find these novellas a great break from longer, more convoluted books because the fast read makes the reading experience enjoyable in one setting. I look forward to the next installment.", "timestamp": 1572363475493, "title": "Slow Start, Great Finish!" }, { "asin": "B07XJTDDC5", "rating": 4, "text": "Strong characters and vivid dialogue give energy to the storytelling. Serial killings in Nashville combines TBI Agent Melina Shepard's profiling skills with FBI Agent Ramsey investigative experience to find the killer or killers quickly before others die.<br /><br />Melina Shepard's strong-willed personality and incisive mind adds engaging dimensions to the story's complexity and depth. She's likeable and often unpredictable.<br /><br />Lots of tensions and surprises make this a fast, fun read. The plotline includes several strong characters, adding depth and interest to the murder investigations. The author's tight storyline accelerates the narrative, while avoiding too many details and distractions.<br /><br />The story alternates among several key players, adding questions and perspectives, making this complex tale even more confusing to everyone, especially as details about Shepard's past come to light. This is a satisfying, fast-paced read you'll not want to put down.<br /><br />Although third in the series, this novel works well as a standalone book. Some might question the author's penchant for adding a steaming love scene with more details than major storyline plot, something I found distractingly overwritten. Although this book by Burton has less profanity and vulgar language than some of her other works, many will likely be offended. Burton 's writing doesn't need these unnecessary additions.<br /><br />The Audible narration was a nice value-added supplement to my reading enjoyment with its effective character dramatizations. Nice touch!", "timestamp": 1596337589355, "title": "Burton at Her Best! Suspenseful, Engaging Read!" }, { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 4, "text": "Even better than Book 1, Melinda Leigh's storytelling creates a fully developed serial murder procedural, surrounded by well-developed characters with too many bodies and the likelihood of more! Wow!<br /><br />Newly appointed Sheriff, Bree Taggert, is back with her feisty approach as she struggles to restructure and improve her department, against the resentments and hidden anger of longterm and disgruntled deputies. Who can she trust? Who wants to ensure she fails?<br /><br />Fortunately, Bree has a few supportive friends and family that add depth and a human touch to the storyline, while a brutal serial killings stalks new victims and those getting in the way. I also enjoyed how the animal personalities played important roles in the story.<br /><br />Once started, it was hard to put down. Glad I had a personal day to finish this satisfying thriller quickly. The author masterfully builds the plotline around that wake of a killer's past brutal murders and the list of next victims, only adding to the growing tensions of murders in a small community.<br /><br />This suspenseful read is made more enjoyable and engaging as we learn to know the many well-defined personalities and their ongoing subplots. The contrast between \"normal\" life and the tragic killings that Bree must encounter every day adds a believable reality that makes the reading experience worthwhile.<br /><br />Although this second installment in the series could be read first, or as a standalone read, I'm glad I read it in order because of several overlapping characters and storyline elements.<br /><br />The Audible narration also was effective and added just enough dramatic flair to enliven the reading even more.<br /><br />I was not disappointed with this addition, and appreciate more Melinda Leigh's writing skills in her later well-crafted novels. I definitely will complete this series.<br /><br />Although this book has significantly fewer foul language issues than earlier works, I hope the author continues to reduce these unnecessary explicatives from future novels because of her stronger narratives and lively dialogues.", "timestamp": 1600223691865, "title": "Strong Woman Sheriff vs. Psychopathic Killer!" }, { "asin": "B07TPS5JQZ", "rating": 4, "text": "Best in the series so far! Melinda Leigh creates a fast paced storyline you won't want to put down. This tight murder novella is one you'll want to read in one setting, so plan for it. Definitely 4.5 Stars!<br /><br />This well-written crime procedural on Widow's Island starts fast and ends before you know it, as Deputy Teresa Black works nearly around the clock to find the cold-blooded murderer of a recent homicide and identify the unknown victim. Lots of surprises and twists in this constantly changing storyline, where the list of suspects grows quickly.<br /><br />As Teresa and Forest Ranger Logan follow the evidence trail, facts converge to a troubling case ending as the killer is finally confronted. Wow!<br /><br />The author's exceptional storytelling makes the reading experience both exciting and suspenseful, as strong characters and crisp dialogues propel the story forward.<br /><br />I bought the Audible companion narrative, which made the story tensions and character personalities come to life!<br /><br />I've enjoyed this series and look forward to the next installment. Well done!", "timestamp": 1604426406493, "title": "Another Thriller With Lots of Tension! Hold On!" }, { "asin": "B084FVY89J", "rating": 4, "text": "This second installment of the Sawyer Brooks series was even better than the first. Although this fast and enthralling novel is an excellent standalone read, the first book has it's own special merit too.<br /><br />Sawyer is an investigative journalist in Sacramento covering crime stories with passion and determination. Facts are important to Sawyer, but the people and stories behind those facts are even more important.<br /><br />This novel focuses on the abduction of a young girl and Sawyer's efforts to help find her before it's too late. The author's storytelling emphasizes several viewpoints simultaneously, creating fast-moving short chapters, each adding tensions and drama as characters struggle amid their own motives as reporters, police officers, family, victims, and of course the criminal.<br /><br />Back again in this book is \"The Crew,\" a group of five women vigilantes out for revenge and their own justice against sexual abuser from their past. Both storylines run simultaneously and often intersect because one of the crew is also Sawyer's sister, unbeknownst to Sawyer, some that adds a whole series of surprises and plotline twists.<br /><br />This is a great reading escape either in one sitting or over several sessions, though you'll want to finish it quickly. Both narratives and dialogues bring the character personalities to life in an enjoyable read with not too much trauma.<br /><br />I also found Audible's narration supplement a nice addition to my reading experience, especially because I can control the narrative pacing to match my reading speed.<br /><br />I'm already looking forward to the next installment, wanting to read them all. Definitely 4.5 stars!", "timestamp": 1605900133221, "title": "Young Girl Abducted and Sawyer's Got to Find Her!" }, { "asin": "B0819W2RZY", "rating": 4, "text": "We all face our struggles and demons in our lives, and Rachel Caine's intense storytelling reveals two nearly impossible challenges: first, one that Gwen Proctor (aka: Gina Royal) has been facing since Book 1, and second, one the author's own true story mountain that she must climb by herself. Both are troubling and yet also inspiring. Sometimes strength and determination overcomes the impossible, while other times it's only almost enough.<br /><br />This fifth of the Stillhouse Lake series is clearly the best, definitely 4.5 Stars! Perhaps, this installment is the most believable and yet devastating too. The sharp character focus and unpredictable twists add suspenseful tension that make you want to read every page to the end. Strong dialogues and descriptive dialogues bring both plotline and storyline to life.<br /><br />I found this final series book stronger because it reveals a deep and more meaningful part of Gwen's personality and soul, showing a more amazing woman than previous books. Perhaps much of Rachel Caine's true heart and person is shown here in the courage and full-measured effort told of the indomitable spirit of Gwen Proctor: mother, lover, and friend.<br /><br />Audible's narration was essential to my reading enjoyment by adding just the right voices and personalities that enlarged each character's uniqueness.<br /><br />Well done!<br /><br />Wishing only the best to our beloved friend and author, Rachel Caine. You've created an example we all admire.", "timestamp": 1615694133726, "title": "For Rachel Caine Fans, This Book Is A Must Read!" }, { "asin": "B08C7CF1ND", "rating": 4, "text": "Missoula Montana is ground zero again, as Mary Burton's masterful storytelling focuses on Ann Bailey, forensic psychologist and sister to Joan Mason, main character in \"Burn You Twice.\" Both books focus on Elijah Weston, now exonerated exconvict wrongly found guilty of arson a decade earlier.<br /><br />Although this book can be read as a standalone book, I strongly recommend reading \"Burn You Twice\" first for background story elements and character continuity. Both books are hard to put down once started.<br /><br />This story begins with a horrific murder committed by an unidentified killer, requiring Dr. Ann Bailey to be consulted for clues to who the killer might be. Bryce McCabe of Montana Highway Patrol leads the investigation that quickly become more complex as new evidence and similar parallels to other murders come to light.<br /><br />This engrossing crime procedural get complicated as facts begin implicating Elijah Weston, who had a brief fling with Ann Bailey in their college years. Suspenseful plot and storyline combine to create a tense read with several surprises and unexpected twists that enliven the reading drama.<br /><br />Strong characters and lively dialogues bring this murder investigation to life with memorable narration and vivid descriptions in this highly focused story that will have you guessing right up to the final chapters.<br /><br />Characters are likeable even though personality quirks create conflicts and uncertainty. Mary Burton's signature and obligatory love scenes again punctuate the novel, something likely to polarize readers pro or con.<br /><br />Audible's narration supplement added drama and pacing to my reading experience, raising story tensions and emotions effectively.<br /><br />The longer backstories to both books suggests addition installments, which if available, I plan to read.", "timestamp": 1618532418832, "title": "Great Follow-up to \"Burn You Twice\" Novel" }, { "asin": "B088FG9RB3", "rating": 4, "text": "The three-book Sawyer Brooks, crime reporter series has been a fun read with a different twist on solving murders. Spunky Sawyer, a woman with a troubled past, worked hard to bring her sisters together, resolve her troubled upbringing, and become an insightful reporter with an eye for finding truth amid challenging and complex homicides.<br /><br />This installment brings Sawyer closer to solving the mystery of \"The Crew\" or the black wig murderers, while facing her own demons. Of the three books, this one had more subplots and than the other two, providing more questions, suspects, and murderss, making it a strong, suspenseful read.<br /><br />The strengths of this installment was the tighter storyline, the well-developed characters emerging from the first two series books, and the stronger person Sawyer has become: all elements that helped create a satisfying escape read. As such, this is not a standalone read.<br /><br />The unpredictable ending seems to work out well, but the overall backstory could spawn another series grouping should author T.R. Ragan develop that option.<br /><br />Overall, I have enjoyed this book and two previous installments purely as entertainment, even though the subject matter likely deserves a more substantial storytelling outcome and more serious development.<br /><br />The Audible narration seemed to work generally well, adding some drama and pacing but without overworking the narrative.", "timestamp": 1620194186669, "title": "Solid Final Book to Series. Suprising Ending" }, { "asin": "B01GJA450A", "rating": 4, "text": "Good beginning for two more installments of the Stevie-Zane and Carly-Seth stalwarts of Solitude, Oregon! Kendra Elliot creates a strong start to another solid Rogue collection of the Elliot-Leigh collaboration team writers.<br /><br />This is one of the best Rogue collection stories. Strong characters, focused plot, tight storyline, and crisp dialogues combine for a fast, fun read. Rogue River characters are back in usual roles, allowing the storytelling to emphasize the murder, many suspects, and multiple twists and surprises. This short thriller flies by too fast, while creating a great foundation for Book 2 by Melinda Leigh. No cliffhanger ending with this first installment, but several questions remain.<br /><br />Solid Audible narration adds drama and depth to character personalities, building tensions and suspense for an entertaining read. Now on to Book 2!<br /><br />Not disappointed at all!", "timestamp": 1620775797451, "title": "Needed Extension of Previous Rogue Series!" }, { "asin": "B073ZDRQQN", "rating": 4, "text": "This final installment in both the Rogue Justice series and the whole 10-book Rogue collection was a solid end to the Solitude, Oregon extended Taylor family storyline. Disappointing for loyal fans who still want more, it was good that the Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot collaboration finished on a high note with the strongest plots and storytelling of this collection.<br /><br />Perhaps the down-home, small-town personality and culture was one of the most appealing elements of all Rogue novellas, revealing the stark contrast between violent murders and the hokey family backstories that connects all the novellas together.<br /><br />This final volume was Kendra Elliot's best work of the 10 volumes for the strong tensions, plot twists, and unique characters surrounding the tragic murders and challenging investigation, something that made these last two novellas the most compelling and complete. Fast, fun reading and multiple surprises kept this series engaging and entertaining.<br /><br />The abducted boy plot elements added suspenseful intensity to the storyline, making these last two installments hard to put down.<br /><br />The Audible narration worked well too, especially as a value-added reading supplement.<br /><br />Not initially a fan of shorter fiction, the Leigh-Elliot team made this format both refreshing and enjoyable, winning me over.<br /><br />Well done!", "timestamp": 1621914448869, "title": "Great Final Book of Rogue Novellas. Exciting!" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764204963", "rating": 4, "text": "This book was a slow read. It was a good book and well written, but it took me four days to finish it, and I normally finish a book of this length in 4-6 hours. The story covers the \"flashbacks\" of three generations of women in a family - the grandmother, mother, and daughter - all acting courageously in the face of danger, trusting in God's direction and guidance.", "timestamp": 1258937382000, "title": "Generational inspiration" }, { "asin": "0764203630", "rating": 4, "text": "A joint effort by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley, The Silent Gift is a beautifully written historical fiction book. The story of a single mother and her deaf-mute son, The Silent Gift is a tale of their struggles through life and the faithfulness of God throughout it all.<br /><br />An easy and enjoyable read, The Silent Gift is a book that will have you captivated. I enjoyed the twists of the story, the tension of the characters, and the reminder at the end of how the story came to be. Read this book with an open mind, remembering that it is a work of fiction, and you will enjoy this story as much as I did.", "timestamp": 1259599109000, "title": "Captivating story and characters" }, { "asin": "0764205137", "rating": 4, "text": "From the back cover: When sixteen potential brides step off the train in Plum Grove, Nebraska, the town may never be the same again! Join Stephanie Grace Whitson for this spirited tale of courageous women who risk everything for the dream of owning land and finding love on the prairies of Nebraska.<br /><br />Sixteen Brides is a story of a group of war widows who have moved west to find new land and new husbands. Personally, I'm a huge fan of romantic historical fiction set in this time period. When you incorporate a Biblical worldview with historical romance, it's always a great read!", "timestamp": 1282495837000, "title": "Romance & Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0800733703", "rating": 5, "text": "Back in April, I was introduced to a new suspense/thriller author who I quickly added to my \"must read\" list. After reading her latest book, Don't Look Back, Lynette Eason is on my \"must read\" list to stay!<br /><br />I loved the romance, the suspense, and the real-life faith throughout the book. Just when you think you have the story figured out, Eason throws a new twist into play that entices you to read a little bit faster. Another great book in the Women of Justice series!", "timestamp": 1287422327000, "title": "Another Great Suspense from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0764206702", "rating": 4, "text": "Hearts Awakening is the story of a plain spinster and her less than likely encounter with love. Based from an island in the Susquehanna River, Hearts Awakening introduces the reader to a beautiful story in a beautiful setting.", "timestamp": 1292264384000, "title": "Beautiful setting and story" }, { "asin": "0764207326", "rating": 3, "text": "{From the Publisher}<br />Fall in love with Alice J. Wisler's charming characters in this delightful story set in the beach communities of North Carolina's Outer Banks.<br /><br />Jackie Donovan prays for two things: an honest, wonderful man to marry and to own a bed-and-breakfast on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. In the meantime, she works for Lighthouse Views, writing articles about local business owners, and intrepidly goes on the blind dates set up by her well-meaning but oh-so-clueless relatives.<br /><br />There's one specific property Jackie dreams of purchasing: The Bailey House, a fabulous old home located right next to the ocean, a place where Jackie spent many happy childhood afternoons. But the Bailey House has strange stories and secrets surrounding it - not to mention its outrageous price tag.<br /><br />When Jackie meets handsome Davis Erickson, who holds the key to the Baily property, she believes God has answered both her prayers. But as Jackie learns some disturbing details about Davis's past, she begins to wonder if her heart has lead her astray. Will she risk her long-held dreams to find out the truth?<br /><br />{My Thoughts}<br />I enjoyed the story line of Hatteras Girl, but the actual writing was a bit awkward. I would give this book 3 out of 5 stars.", "timestamp": 1294700177000, "title": "Good storyline, but awkward writing style" }, { "asin": "0764208500", "rating": 5, "text": "{From the Publisher}<br />Amy Gallagher, aspiring writer, has an unabashed obsession with words. She gave up a steady, albeit unexciting, job to pursue a life of writing. However, two years and one master's degree later, she finds herself almost exactly right back where she started. Discouraged by the growing pile of rejections from publishers and afraid that she has settled, Amy knows something has to change.<br /><br />Then she meets the mysterious, attractive, and unavailable Eli. Amy finds herself struggling to walk the fine line between friendship and something more with Eli, even as she tries to cope with the feeling that her friends and family are moving on without her. When the unexpected begins pouring in, Amy doubts the love and fulfillment she seeks will ever come her way. Forced to take a close look at who she has become, the state of her faith, and her aspirations for her life, she must make a choice: play it safe yet again or finally find the courage to follow her dreams.<br /><br />{My Thoughts}<br />I really enjoyed reading this book. Amy Inspired was well-written, and I found myself relating to the main character. The story moved along at a nice pace and kept me intrigued, wanting to turn the page. I'd definitely give this book 5 out of 5 stars!", "timestamp": 1294700222000, "title": "Honest story - didn't fluff it up" }, { "asin": "0800734564", "rating": 5, "text": "I cannot get enough of Irene Hannon's books! I just love her style, her story lines, and her characters. Fatal Judgment did not fail to live up to my expectations! I started it one evening after putting my kids to bed (around 8pm), and I finished it around 1am. It was that good!<br /><br />A fast moving plot with twists and turns that keep you guessing - there is nothing better (in my opinion) that a suspense novel filled with \"real life law\" scenarios and the story of love and of soul redemption. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!", "timestamp": 1295974733000, "title": "Irene Hannon does NOT disappoint!!" }, { "asin": "0800732596", "rating": 4, "text": "I have mixed feelings about this book. It was well written and I enjoyed following the characters through the story, but the subject matter seemed a bit too PG/PG-13 for a junior high/high school girl to be reading. At one point, a comparison is made in the book to a character on a popular TV show that I watch (rated TV-14), but that I would never have been allowed to (or wanted to) watch in high school, let alone in junior high. However, this is the type of book (market-wise) that I would have been reading in junior high.<br /><br />While I wasn't offend by the material, I'm not sure it is appropriate for teen-age girls to be reading. They get enough garbage thrown at them in secular novels - Christian novels should have a higher standard (in my opinion).<br /><br />Because of the inappropriate material for this age group, I give this book 2 out of 5 stars.<br /><br />{Edit: Since posting this review initially, comments left have encouraged me to change my view of what is appropriate for this audience. I have posted my response in the comments and given this book a revised rating.}", "timestamp": 1296058241000, "title": "Inappropriate for the marketed age group" }, { "asin": "0800733711", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Lynette Eason's books. She has definitely become one of my favorite Christian suspense authors, and A Killer Among Us did not disappoint.<br /><br />From the characters that I came to love, to the plot that twisted and turned, A Killer Among Us held my attention from page one and I didn't want it to end. A gripping tale of a serial killer on the loose, faith in question, and a budding romance, A Killer Among Us is a book that will be sure to capture your attention as well.", "timestamp": 1305668476000, "title": "Another great read from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 4, "text": "I was immediately drawn into the storyline in The Lady of Bolton Hill.<br /><br />Connecting over a love of music, a high-society girl and a working-class boy became the best of friends. As they grew up \"together,\" their friendship blossomed, only to be torn apart when Clara's father, the Reverend Endicott, sends her to England to separate the two friends.<br /><br />A poignant love story with a true conflict, I fell in love with the characters and felt drawn into their lives... until chapter five. In chapter five, a new villain is introduced, and the introduction seems odd. While he does end up playing a role in the ensuing story and conflict, his entire sub-plot in the book seemed a bit awkward and out of place.<br /><br />I give this book four out of five stars.", "timestamp": 1307971697000, "title": "Drawn into the story from page one..." }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 4, "text": "Brilliantly woven plots - well developed characters - deeply intriguing storyline.<br /><br />From page one of Blue Skies Tomorrow, I fell in love with the WWII setting and 1940s characters. I was transported back in time to \"the good old days,\" only to find things weren't as \"good\" back then as I may have imagined.<br /><br />War and conflict abounded everywhere you looked:<br />-on the world scene<br />-on the national scene<br />-on the family scene<br />-on the individual scene<br />No one was exempt from real life struggles in this historical fiction novel from Sarah Sundin.<br /><br />I give Blue Skies Tomorrow 4 out of 5 stars, and I look forward to getting my hands on Book 1 and Book 2 of this Wings of Glory series!", "timestamp": 1311688349000, "title": "Brilliantly written and engaging!" }, { "asin": "0800733460", "rating": 5, "text": "I have come to love Janice Thompson's fun and easy-to-read romantic humor novels, and Hello, Hollywood! did NOT disappoint! I made the mistake of starting this novel when I couldn't fall asleep one night... let's just say that I didn't fall asleep any time soon! The quick-paced story kept me turning the pages and wanting to read more.<br /><br />Though Hello, Hollywood! is the sequel to Stars Collide, it could easily be read as a stand-alone novel.", "timestamp": 1317229169000, "title": "Funny, romantic, and all around light-hearted..." }, { "asin": "0764205978", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed reading Falls Like Lightning by Shawn Grady. Full of life-and-death situations, romance, and a solid faith in God, Falls Like Lightning appeals to both men and women readers. The only thing I felt that was missing was the full development of the relationship between Silas and Elle - it seemed to be lacking a bit in depth.<br /><br />I recently passed along my copy of Through the Fire by Shawn Grady to my husband, and I will definitely be passing Falls Like Lightning along as well. It was a well-written, easy to read, page-turner that kept my attention from the start.", "timestamp": 1318188029000, "title": "Great read for guys and gals alike!" }, { "asin": "0764208055", "rating": 4, "text": "A River to Cross is set in the late 1800s in western Texas. This was a setting that was new to me - I can't recall another book I've read from this time period and general location. The story was your standard \"knight in shining armor\" love story - girl finds herself needing to be rescued, guy comes and rescues her, it's love at first sight, neither of them wants to love the other, they work through their issues and live happily ever after. Were it not for the intriguing setting - the days of the Texas Ranger, on the border of Texas {a US state} and Mexico - I might not have enjoyed the book as much. Learning about the culture and historical issues of that time and place was very interesting. Yvonne Harris did an excellent job of tying the culture into the story.", "timestamp": 1319903909000, "title": "My first Harris book... Enjoyable!" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 5, "text": "I really enjoyed reading Where Wildflowers Bloom. It was the first book by Ann Shorey that I've read, but I'll definitely be looking to read others by her in the future.<br /><br />Ann did a great job introducing each of the main characters, causing the reader to want to invest time in learning about the town of Noble Spring, MO, and its residents. I thoroughly enjoyed feeling \"a part\" of the story as I read about Faith's struggles and the decisions she needed to make.<br /><br />Where Wildflowers Bloom was a great stand-alone title, but I'm excited to read the rest of the \"Sisters at Heart\" series from Ann Shorey.", "timestamp": 1327261703000, "title": "Loved it!!" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a bit leery when I first opened Unhallowed Ground and found a five page glossary for terms I would come across in the book. The first few pages of chapter one didn't give me any comfort, either, as I found myself immersed in fourteenth-century English. However, I persevered through the first few pages and quickly found myself enchanted with the world of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon and bailiff of Bampton Manor. Once I overcame my initial reaction to the language of the book, I actually found myself enjoying the cadence of the story.<br /><br />Unhallowed Ground is the fourth in a series of books about Hugh de Singleton, though it is my first encounter of him. Written from the main character's point of view {it is written in the past tense, as the `author' is writing down his memories of the events described}, readers find themselves privy to the thoughts and ideas of Hugh de Singleton.<br /><br />Full of suspense and action, Unhallowed Ground is an enjoyable read.", "timestamp": 1327334654000, "title": "An enjoyable read..." }, { "asin": "0800734599", "rating": 5, "text": "Twenty-four hours after finishing this book, I'm still thinking about the story, finding myself lost in the world of Fort Laramie, WY, in the summer of 1885. This was the first book that I've read by Amanda Cabot, but it will definitely not be my last. Summer of Promise had me hooked early on, and I found myself more and more engrossed in the story the more I read.<br /><br />A mystery, a history, and a romance in one, Summer of Promise is the first in the \"Westward Winds\" series by Amanda Cabot, and in my opinion, it is a great read. I loved the way the author built up the story, taking her time to develop relationships between characters, allowing the characters to face several conflicts during the course of the story. It was only the ending that seemed a bit rushed and abrupt. I'm hoping that the Abigail and Ethan's story will be \"resolved\" in the next book in this series.", "timestamp": 1327869635000, "title": "LOVED the development of the story" }, { "asin": "0800720075", "rating": 4, "text": "I had high hopes for this book, having read other books by Lynette Eason, and I think I may have set the standard a bit high. Had I read this book with no expectations whatsoever, I probably would have given it five stars. However, I had an expectation in my mind, and I felt like the book didn't live up to that expectation.<br /><br />Was it a fun and fast read? Yes. Did it grab my attention on page one and keep me turning the pages until the last? Yes. Were the characters well-developed and intriguing? Yes.<br /><br />So what was missing? To be honest, I'm not sure. All the elements of a great story were there, and I honestly enjoyed the story very much. But I just felt a small void - one that I cannot explain - as I read.", "timestamp": 1329237224000, "title": "Another great book from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0800720458", "rating": 5, "text": "1. I loved this book - the story line, the characters, everything!<br />2. Reader beware - if this book was made into a movie, it'd probably be rated PG-13.<br />3. This time period/setting was completely new to me, and after reading Words Spoken True, I want to know more!<br />4. I'd never read a book by Ann H. Gabhart before, but this will definitely not be the last one of her novels I read!<br />5. Don't start reading Words Spoken True just before you go to bed - you'll end up staying up late to finish it, even if it's after midnight!!", "timestamp": 1329930134000, "title": "I want to read more!!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 5, "text": "Heart's Safe Passage was full of conflict and intrigue. The main characters, Rafe and Phoebe, had amazing chemistry and yet both knew that their attraction to one another would end in heartache if changes did not happen in both of their hearts.<br /><br />One of my favorite parts of reading historical fiction is learning about the time period. Laurie Alice Eakes did an incredible job of creating a setting that takes the reader right into the middle of the War of 1812. Reading Heart's Safe Passage enlightened me about some of the previously unknown {to me} details about this time period.", "timestamp": 1330354284000, "title": "Great conflict and chemistry!!" }, { "asin": "0764208225", "rating": 5, "text": "I really can't say it better than Booklist said it on the back cover, \"Wingate's attention to deal, her poignant depictions of her characters, and her lyrical writing style make this book a draw.\"<br /><br />Blue Moon Bay pulled me in from page one and kept me turning pages as fast as I could until the last. {You know a book is good when you're able to maintain focus on the storyline while sitting outside watching your kids play!}<br /><br />Lisa Wingate did an excellent job of developing characters, creating a setting, and building a story that captured her reader's interest. Even in the story building stage, I felt drawn in - unlike some books where you can't wait to \"get to the real story\" - as I began to connect with the characters and found myself intrigued with the storyline.", "timestamp": 1332166576000, "title": "Beautifully written and intriguing from page one!" }, { "asin": "0764209507", "rating": 4, "text": "Learn how to overcome self-doubt and self-sabotage as Janet Davis explores the lives of women in the Bible and helps readers to apply truths from the Word of God to their own lives.<br /><br />If you are looking for a book to read, study, and apply, My Own Worst Enemy is one to consider. My Own Worst Enemy would make an excellent choice for a ladies' small group or book club.", "timestamp": 1333409890000, "title": "Looking for Women's Small Group Book?" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 5, "text": "Kathleen Morgan developed a great storyline full of sub-conflicts and resolutions that were all tied together into one main conflict and resolution. It made A Love Forbidden a page turner!<br /><br />Not only did the story move at a great pace, but the characters, the conflicts, and the resolutions were all incredibly believable - something I've found missing in a number of books I've read lately. Even the faith of the characters seemed authentic and the mentions of it were not \"forced\" or awkward in the storyline.<br /><br />Beyond the story, the setting of A Love Forbidden was interesting and eye-opening.", "timestamp": 1337613883000, "title": "Great story with multiple conflicts/resolutions!!" }, { "asin": "0800734378", "rating": 5, "text": "This book was a fast read for me - I managed to consume it in one sitting {about 3-4 hours} - and it moved at a steady pace. I didn't have any trouble losing myself in the story, and I found myself identifying with the characters.<br /><br />Even though my life experiences are vastly different from those of the main character's, I found myself relating to many of her struggles, which made the book all the more interesting to me as I wanted to see how she managed to overcome her struggles.<br /><br />Waiting for Sunrise would make an excellent beach read this summer!", "timestamp": 1339254039000, "title": "Great Beach Read" }, { "asin": "0800734580", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a sucker for good romance suspense-thrillers that are centered around law enforcement, and Irene Hannon is one of my favorite authors. I have been hooked on the Guardians of Justice series since book one, and I could not wait for Lethal Legacy to arrive in the mail!<br /><br />True to my expectation, Lethal Legacy was a fast-moving story with just the right balance of romance and suspense.<br /><br /> Predictable? Yes - but the story still had me riveted, turning page after page!<br /><br />Lethal Legacy is a \"must read in one sitting\" novel, and I highly recommend it and all of Irene Hannon's books.", "timestamp": 1344271833000, "title": "Loved it!!" }, { "asin": "076420887X", "rating": 2, "text": "As a fan of both Tracie Peterson's and Judith Miller's books, I was looking forward to digging in and reading To Love and Cherish last weekend. As the second book in the Bridal Veil Island series, I had high hopes for To Love and Cherish.<br /><br />To be honest, I this book fell flat on its face. And after re-reading my review on the first book in this series, To Have and To Hold, it's really not all that surprising.<br /><br />The plot felt forced and the characters felt fake. I think I would have enjoyed the storyline if it had been supported with the other necessary pieces of a quality book.<br /><br />I was disappointed with To Love and Cherish, and I have a feeling I'll avoid further books in this series.<br />[...]", "timestamp": 1348085185000, "title": "Lacked a sense of reality" }, { "asin": "0800734173", "rating": 5, "text": "Book Three in the Winds of Change series from Julie Lessman, A Love Surrendered focuses on the last \"single\" member of the O'Connor family from Boston, MA, in the early 1930s. While continuing the ongoing stories of the entire O'Connor clan, A Love Surrendered centers in on the romance between Annie Kennedy and Steven O'Connor.<br /><br />I have enjoyed each of the books in the Winds of Change series by Julie Lessman, and A Love Surrendered did not disappoint.<br /><br />Annie Kennedy is a young girl {not quite eighteen} whose life has been turned upside down by the deaths of her parents and her subsequent move from rural Iowa to Boston, MA. Trying to fit in with her older sister's friends in Boston, Annie finds herself in situations beyond her experience and comfort level. Steven O'Connor comes alongside Annie as an older brother, helping her to find her footing in her new town.<br /><br />A Love Surrendered is well-written with plenty of plot twists and turns to keep you turning the pages, eager to reach the conclusion. I especially appreciated Julie's inclusion of subplots involving the other members of the O'Connor family, as I had read each of their books in the series.", "timestamp": 1349300106000, "title": "Love the O'Connor family!!" }, { "asin": "0764208349", "rating": 4, "text": "Set in the late 1800s in northern Michigan, Unending Devotion is a story of a young woman on a mission to free white slave - young girls forced into prostitution for the enjoyment of the men in logging camps and towns. Lily Young is set on freeing young girls and isn't afraid to speak her mind in the face of opposition. Will she push forward on her own or will she learn to trust God to work out the details?<br /><br />I liked Unending Devotion, but I don't think I can say that I loved it.<br /><br />I enjoyed the setting and the storyline, but I felt as if some of the details were a bit stretched in their reality. I also felt that the characters lacked depth at times throughout the story.<br /><br />The underlying theme of the evils of white slavery {i.e. forced prostitution} was strong throughout the entirety of the book and rang true to the historical details on which the book was based {the story of James Carr}.", "timestamp": 1352554992000, "title": "Liked it, but didn't LOVE it." }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "I sat down to read Christmas Roses and found myself instantly connecting to the characters and the story. A shorter novel, Christmas Roses took me less than two hours to read start to finish, as I found myself turning the pages as fast as I could in order to find out what happened next in the story.<br /><br />I won't spoil the ending, but I was grinning ear-to-ear by the end of the book, eagerly awaiting the revealing of how the story would end!<br /><br />Amanda Cabot did an excellent job capturing the scene of a boardinghouse in small Wyoming mining town as she shares the story of Celia and Mark. With twists and turns around every corner, Christmas Roses was a fun read - perfect for this holiday season!", "timestamp": 1353270718000, "title": "Perfect read during the holiday season!" }, { "asin": "0800719867", "rating": 4, "text": "I struggled to find myself lost in this book. I don't know if it was the story itself (which was really quite good) or just the circumstances I found myself in while trying to read the book (chaos in the background), but I found myself easily distracted as I sat and read it over several days.<br /><br />Even though I struggled to stay connected to the story, I felt that it was well-written and believable. The characters in Choices of the Heart were well-developed and easy to relate with. The plot had plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader turning the pages.", "timestamp": 1358549651000, "title": "Struggled to connect, but well-written..." }, { "asin": "0800720393", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely fell in love with the characters in The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow as I found myself whisked back to Chicago in the 1890s.<br /><br />Faced with the dilemma of revealing a potentially job-ending secret to her employer or losing the one thing she loves most in life, Charlotte Farrow finds herself at a loss.<br /><br />A well-written plot, a well-developed story line, and full of characters readers can relate to, The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow is a fast and fun read. I thoroughly enjoyed every page!", "timestamp": 1358793931000, "title": "LOVED this second book in the Avenue of Dreams series!!" }, { "asin": "0800721330", "rating": 5, "text": "Jenny (my 6yo daughter) LOVED book one (Life with Lily) in The Adventures of Lily Lapp series, so I knew she would be thrilled to get her hands on A New Home from Lily. And she was!<br /><br />After visiting Shipshewana (in Indiana) this past fall, Jenny is enthralled with all things Amish, and she has loved learning more about the Amish culture from The Adventures of Lily Lapp series by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher. Sharing their personal experiences and research, Mary Ann and Suzanne have woven a beautiful story that not only captures Jenny's attention but also teaches her about the Amish culture.<br /><br />We both love that each chapter is a \"mini-story\" and can be read on its own or as part of the bigger story. These \"bite-sized\" nuggets are perfect for readers like Jenny who might be overwhelmed by the thought of reading an entire chapter book, allowing them to focus on one piece of the story at a time.<br /><br />We can't wait for the release of books three and four in this series!!", "timestamp": 1359489283000, "title": "We LOVE Lily Lapp!!" }, { "asin": "0764210734", "rating": 5, "text": "I love how simple this book is in its layout and design. No fancy Bible study here - just a simple summary with highlighted key points for each week's reading assignments.<br /><br />Start your journey at any time - the reading assignments are numbered by week, but not dated. In only fifteen to twenty minutes a day, you can read the entire Bible in one year!<br /><br />This book is set up for individuals to work through on their own or as part of an accountability group. Questions at the end of each week's reading assignment are provided for reflection and/or group discussion.<br /><br />If you're looking to read through the Bible in a year, grab a copy of A Woman's Guide to Reading the Bible in a Year and get started!", "timestamp": 1361209188000, "title": "Simple and direct - a great guide to have on hand!" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764204963", "rating": 4, "text": "This book was a slow read. It was a good book and well written, but it took me four days to finish it, and I normally finish a book of this length in 4-6 hours. The story covers the \"flashbacks\" of three generations of women in a family - the grandmother, mother, and daughter - all acting courageously in the face of danger, trusting in God's direction and guidance.", "timestamp": 1258937382000, "title": "Generational inspiration" }, { "asin": "0764203630", "rating": 4, "text": "A joint effort by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley, The Silent Gift is a beautifully written historical fiction book. The story of a single mother and her deaf-mute son, The Silent Gift is a tale of their struggles through life and the faithfulness of God throughout it all.<br /><br />An easy and enjoyable read, The Silent Gift is a book that will have you captivated. I enjoyed the twists of the story, the tension of the characters, and the reminder at the end of how the story came to be. Read this book with an open mind, remembering that it is a work of fiction, and you will enjoy this story as much as I did.", "timestamp": 1259599109000, "title": "Captivating story and characters" }, { "asin": "0764205137", "rating": 4, "text": "From the back cover: When sixteen potential brides step off the train in Plum Grove, Nebraska, the town may never be the same again! Join Stephanie Grace Whitson for this spirited tale of courageous women who risk everything for the dream of owning land and finding love on the prairies of Nebraska.<br /><br />Sixteen Brides is a story of a group of war widows who have moved west to find new land and new husbands. Personally, I'm a huge fan of romantic historical fiction set in this time period. When you incorporate a Biblical worldview with historical romance, it's always a great read!", "timestamp": 1282495837000, "title": "Romance & Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0800733703", "rating": 5, "text": "Back in April, I was introduced to a new suspense/thriller author who I quickly added to my \"must read\" list. After reading her latest book, Don't Look Back, Lynette Eason is on my \"must read\" list to stay!<br /><br />I loved the romance, the suspense, and the real-life faith throughout the book. Just when you think you have the story figured out, Eason throws a new twist into play that entices you to read a little bit faster. Another great book in the Women of Justice series!", "timestamp": 1287422327000, "title": "Another Great Suspense from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0764206702", "rating": 4, "text": "Hearts Awakening is the story of a plain spinster and her less than likely encounter with love. Based from an island in the Susquehanna River, Hearts Awakening introduces the reader to a beautiful story in a beautiful setting.", "timestamp": 1292264384000, "title": "Beautiful setting and story" }, { "asin": "0764207326", "rating": 3, "text": "{From the Publisher}<br />Fall in love with Alice J. Wisler's charming characters in this delightful story set in the beach communities of North Carolina's Outer Banks.<br /><br />Jackie Donovan prays for two things: an honest, wonderful man to marry and to own a bed-and-breakfast on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. In the meantime, she works for Lighthouse Views, writing articles about local business owners, and intrepidly goes on the blind dates set up by her well-meaning but oh-so-clueless relatives.<br /><br />There's one specific property Jackie dreams of purchasing: The Bailey House, a fabulous old home located right next to the ocean, a place where Jackie spent many happy childhood afternoons. But the Bailey House has strange stories and secrets surrounding it - not to mention its outrageous price tag.<br /><br />When Jackie meets handsome Davis Erickson, who holds the key to the Baily property, she believes God has answered both her prayers. But as Jackie learns some disturbing details about Davis's past, she begins to wonder if her heart has lead her astray. Will she risk her long-held dreams to find out the truth?<br /><br />{My Thoughts}<br />I enjoyed the story line of Hatteras Girl, but the actual writing was a bit awkward. I would give this book 3 out of 5 stars.", "timestamp": 1294700177000, "title": "Good storyline, but awkward writing style" }, { "asin": "0764208500", "rating": 5, "text": "{From the Publisher}<br />Amy Gallagher, aspiring writer, has an unabashed obsession with words. She gave up a steady, albeit unexciting, job to pursue a life of writing. However, two years and one master's degree later, she finds herself almost exactly right back where she started. Discouraged by the growing pile of rejections from publishers and afraid that she has settled, Amy knows something has to change.<br /><br />Then she meets the mysterious, attractive, and unavailable Eli. Amy finds herself struggling to walk the fine line between friendship and something more with Eli, even as she tries to cope with the feeling that her friends and family are moving on without her. When the unexpected begins pouring in, Amy doubts the love and fulfillment she seeks will ever come her way. Forced to take a close look at who she has become, the state of her faith, and her aspirations for her life, she must make a choice: play it safe yet again or finally find the courage to follow her dreams.<br /><br />{My Thoughts}<br />I really enjoyed reading this book. Amy Inspired was well-written, and I found myself relating to the main character. The story moved along at a nice pace and kept me intrigued, wanting to turn the page. I'd definitely give this book 5 out of 5 stars!", "timestamp": 1294700222000, "title": "Honest story - didn't fluff it up" }, { "asin": "0800734564", "rating": 5, "text": "I cannot get enough of Irene Hannon's books! I just love her style, her story lines, and her characters. Fatal Judgment did not fail to live up to my expectations! I started it one evening after putting my kids to bed (around 8pm), and I finished it around 1am. It was that good!<br /><br />A fast moving plot with twists and turns that keep you guessing - there is nothing better (in my opinion) that a suspense novel filled with \"real life law\" scenarios and the story of love and of soul redemption. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!", "timestamp": 1295974733000, "title": "Irene Hannon does NOT disappoint!!" }, { "asin": "0800732596", "rating": 4, "text": "I have mixed feelings about this book. It was well written and I enjoyed following the characters through the story, but the subject matter seemed a bit too PG/PG-13 for a junior high/high school girl to be reading. At one point, a comparison is made in the book to a character on a popular TV show that I watch (rated TV-14), but that I would never have been allowed to (or wanted to) watch in high school, let alone in junior high. However, this is the type of book (market-wise) that I would have been reading in junior high.<br /><br />While I wasn't offend by the material, I'm not sure it is appropriate for teen-age girls to be reading. They get enough garbage thrown at them in secular novels - Christian novels should have a higher standard (in my opinion).<br /><br />Because of the inappropriate material for this age group, I give this book 2 out of 5 stars.<br /><br />{Edit: Since posting this review initially, comments left have encouraged me to change my view of what is appropriate for this audience. I have posted my response in the comments and given this book a revised rating.}", "timestamp": 1296058241000, "title": "Inappropriate for the marketed age group" }, { "asin": "0800733711", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Lynette Eason's books. She has definitely become one of my favorite Christian suspense authors, and A Killer Among Us did not disappoint.<br /><br />From the characters that I came to love, to the plot that twisted and turned, A Killer Among Us held my attention from page one and I didn't want it to end. A gripping tale of a serial killer on the loose, faith in question, and a budding romance, A Killer Among Us is a book that will be sure to capture your attention as well.", "timestamp": 1305668476000, "title": "Another great read from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 4, "text": "I was immediately drawn into the storyline in The Lady of Bolton Hill.<br /><br />Connecting over a love of music, a high-society girl and a working-class boy became the best of friends. As they grew up \"together,\" their friendship blossomed, only to be torn apart when Clara's father, the Reverend Endicott, sends her to England to separate the two friends.<br /><br />A poignant love story with a true conflict, I fell in love with the characters and felt drawn into their lives... until chapter five. In chapter five, a new villain is introduced, and the introduction seems odd. While he does end up playing a role in the ensuing story and conflict, his entire sub-plot in the book seemed a bit awkward and out of place.<br /><br />I give this book four out of five stars.", "timestamp": 1307971697000, "title": "Drawn into the story from page one..." }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 4, "text": "Brilliantly woven plots - well developed characters - deeply intriguing storyline.<br /><br />From page one of Blue Skies Tomorrow, I fell in love with the WWII setting and 1940s characters. I was transported back in time to \"the good old days,\" only to find things weren't as \"good\" back then as I may have imagined.<br /><br />War and conflict abounded everywhere you looked:<br />-on the world scene<br />-on the national scene<br />-on the family scene<br />-on the individual scene<br />No one was exempt from real life struggles in this historical fiction novel from Sarah Sundin.<br /><br />I give Blue Skies Tomorrow 4 out of 5 stars, and I look forward to getting my hands on Book 1 and Book 2 of this Wings of Glory series!", "timestamp": 1311688349000, "title": "Brilliantly written and engaging!" }, { "asin": "0800733460", "rating": 5, "text": "I have come to love Janice Thompson's fun and easy-to-read romantic humor novels, and Hello, Hollywood! did NOT disappoint! I made the mistake of starting this novel when I couldn't fall asleep one night... let's just say that I didn't fall asleep any time soon! The quick-paced story kept me turning the pages and wanting to read more.<br /><br />Though Hello, Hollywood! is the sequel to Stars Collide, it could easily be read as a stand-alone novel.", "timestamp": 1317229169000, "title": "Funny, romantic, and all around light-hearted..." }, { "asin": "0764205978", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed reading Falls Like Lightning by Shawn Grady. Full of life-and-death situations, romance, and a solid faith in God, Falls Like Lightning appeals to both men and women readers. The only thing I felt that was missing was the full development of the relationship between Silas and Elle - it seemed to be lacking a bit in depth.<br /><br />I recently passed along my copy of Through the Fire by Shawn Grady to my husband, and I will definitely be passing Falls Like Lightning along as well. It was a well-written, easy to read, page-turner that kept my attention from the start.", "timestamp": 1318188029000, "title": "Great read for guys and gals alike!" }, { "asin": "0764208055", "rating": 4, "text": "A River to Cross is set in the late 1800s in western Texas. This was a setting that was new to me - I can't recall another book I've read from this time period and general location. The story was your standard \"knight in shining armor\" love story - girl finds herself needing to be rescued, guy comes and rescues her, it's love at first sight, neither of them wants to love the other, they work through their issues and live happily ever after. Were it not for the intriguing setting - the days of the Texas Ranger, on the border of Texas {a US state} and Mexico - I might not have enjoyed the book as much. Learning about the culture and historical issues of that time and place was very interesting. Yvonne Harris did an excellent job of tying the culture into the story.", "timestamp": 1319903909000, "title": "My first Harris book... Enjoyable!" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 5, "text": "I really enjoyed reading Where Wildflowers Bloom. It was the first book by Ann Shorey that I've read, but I'll definitely be looking to read others by her in the future.<br /><br />Ann did a great job introducing each of the main characters, causing the reader to want to invest time in learning about the town of Noble Spring, MO, and its residents. I thoroughly enjoyed feeling \"a part\" of the story as I read about Faith's struggles and the decisions she needed to make.<br /><br />Where Wildflowers Bloom was a great stand-alone title, but I'm excited to read the rest of the \"Sisters at Heart\" series from Ann Shorey.", "timestamp": 1327261703000, "title": "Loved it!!" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a bit leery when I first opened Unhallowed Ground and found a five page glossary for terms I would come across in the book. The first few pages of chapter one didn't give me any comfort, either, as I found myself immersed in fourteenth-century English. However, I persevered through the first few pages and quickly found myself enchanted with the world of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon and bailiff of Bampton Manor. Once I overcame my initial reaction to the language of the book, I actually found myself enjoying the cadence of the story.<br /><br />Unhallowed Ground is the fourth in a series of books about Hugh de Singleton, though it is my first encounter of him. Written from the main character's point of view {it is written in the past tense, as the `author' is writing down his memories of the events described}, readers find themselves privy to the thoughts and ideas of Hugh de Singleton.<br /><br />Full of suspense and action, Unhallowed Ground is an enjoyable read.", "timestamp": 1327334654000, "title": "An enjoyable read..." }, { "asin": "0800734599", "rating": 5, "text": "Twenty-four hours after finishing this book, I'm still thinking about the story, finding myself lost in the world of Fort Laramie, WY, in the summer of 1885. This was the first book that I've read by Amanda Cabot, but it will definitely not be my last. Summer of Promise had me hooked early on, and I found myself more and more engrossed in the story the more I read.<br /><br />A mystery, a history, and a romance in one, Summer of Promise is the first in the \"Westward Winds\" series by Amanda Cabot, and in my opinion, it is a great read. I loved the way the author built up the story, taking her time to develop relationships between characters, allowing the characters to face several conflicts during the course of the story. It was only the ending that seemed a bit rushed and abrupt. I'm hoping that the Abigail and Ethan's story will be \"resolved\" in the next book in this series.", "timestamp": 1327869635000, "title": "LOVED the development of the story" }, { "asin": "0800720075", "rating": 4, "text": "I had high hopes for this book, having read other books by Lynette Eason, and I think I may have set the standard a bit high. Had I read this book with no expectations whatsoever, I probably would have given it five stars. However, I had an expectation in my mind, and I felt like the book didn't live up to that expectation.<br /><br />Was it a fun and fast read? Yes. Did it grab my attention on page one and keep me turning the pages until the last? Yes. Were the characters well-developed and intriguing? Yes.<br /><br />So what was missing? To be honest, I'm not sure. All the elements of a great story were there, and I honestly enjoyed the story very much. But I just felt a small void - one that I cannot explain - as I read.", "timestamp": 1329237224000, "title": "Another great book from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0800720458", "rating": 5, "text": "1. I loved this book - the story line, the characters, everything!<br />2. Reader beware - if this book was made into a movie, it'd probably be rated PG-13.<br />3. This time period/setting was completely new to me, and after reading Words Spoken True, I want to know more!<br />4. I'd never read a book by Ann H. Gabhart before, but this will definitely not be the last one of her novels I read!<br />5. Don't start reading Words Spoken True just before you go to bed - you'll end up staying up late to finish it, even if it's after midnight!!", "timestamp": 1329930134000, "title": "I want to read more!!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 5, "text": "Heart's Safe Passage was full of conflict and intrigue. The main characters, Rafe and Phoebe, had amazing chemistry and yet both knew that their attraction to one another would end in heartache if changes did not happen in both of their hearts.<br /><br />One of my favorite parts of reading historical fiction is learning about the time period. Laurie Alice Eakes did an incredible job of creating a setting that takes the reader right into the middle of the War of 1812. Reading Heart's Safe Passage enlightened me about some of the previously unknown {to me} details about this time period.", "timestamp": 1330354284000, "title": "Great conflict and chemistry!!" }, { "asin": "0764208225", "rating": 5, "text": "I really can't say it better than Booklist said it on the back cover, \"Wingate's attention to deal, her poignant depictions of her characters, and her lyrical writing style make this book a draw.\"<br /><br />Blue Moon Bay pulled me in from page one and kept me turning pages as fast as I could until the last. {You know a book is good when you're able to maintain focus on the storyline while sitting outside watching your kids play!}<br /><br />Lisa Wingate did an excellent job of developing characters, creating a setting, and building a story that captured her reader's interest. Even in the story building stage, I felt drawn in - unlike some books where you can't wait to \"get to the real story\" - as I began to connect with the characters and found myself intrigued with the storyline.", "timestamp": 1332166576000, "title": "Beautifully written and intriguing from page one!" }, { "asin": "0764209507", "rating": 4, "text": "Learn how to overcome self-doubt and self-sabotage as Janet Davis explores the lives of women in the Bible and helps readers to apply truths from the Word of God to their own lives.<br /><br />If you are looking for a book to read, study, and apply, My Own Worst Enemy is one to consider. My Own Worst Enemy would make an excellent choice for a ladies' small group or book club.", "timestamp": 1333409890000, "title": "Looking for Women's Small Group Book?" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 5, "text": "Kathleen Morgan developed a great storyline full of sub-conflicts and resolutions that were all tied together into one main conflict and resolution. It made A Love Forbidden a page turner!<br /><br />Not only did the story move at a great pace, but the characters, the conflicts, and the resolutions were all incredibly believable - something I've found missing in a number of books I've read lately. Even the faith of the characters seemed authentic and the mentions of it were not \"forced\" or awkward in the storyline.<br /><br />Beyond the story, the setting of A Love Forbidden was interesting and eye-opening.", "timestamp": 1337613883000, "title": "Great story with multiple conflicts/resolutions!!" }, { "asin": "0800734378", "rating": 5, "text": "This book was a fast read for me - I managed to consume it in one sitting {about 3-4 hours} - and it moved at a steady pace. I didn't have any trouble losing myself in the story, and I found myself identifying with the characters.<br /><br />Even though my life experiences are vastly different from those of the main character's, I found myself relating to many of her struggles, which made the book all the more interesting to me as I wanted to see how she managed to overcome her struggles.<br /><br />Waiting for Sunrise would make an excellent beach read this summer!", "timestamp": 1339254039000, "title": "Great Beach Read" }, { "asin": "0800734580", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a sucker for good romance suspense-thrillers that are centered around law enforcement, and Irene Hannon is one of my favorite authors. I have been hooked on the Guardians of Justice series since book one, and I could not wait for Lethal Legacy to arrive in the mail!<br /><br />True to my expectation, Lethal Legacy was a fast-moving story with just the right balance of romance and suspense.<br /><br /> Predictable? Yes - but the story still had me riveted, turning page after page!<br /><br />Lethal Legacy is a \"must read in one sitting\" novel, and I highly recommend it and all of Irene Hannon's books.", "timestamp": 1344271833000, "title": "Loved it!!" }, { "asin": "076420887X", "rating": 2, "text": "As a fan of both Tracie Peterson's and Judith Miller's books, I was looking forward to digging in and reading To Love and Cherish last weekend. As the second book in the Bridal Veil Island series, I had high hopes for To Love and Cherish.<br /><br />To be honest, I this book fell flat on its face. And after re-reading my review on the first book in this series, To Have and To Hold, it's really not all that surprising.<br /><br />The plot felt forced and the characters felt fake. I think I would have enjoyed the storyline if it had been supported with the other necessary pieces of a quality book.<br /><br />I was disappointed with To Love and Cherish, and I have a feeling I'll avoid further books in this series.<br />[...]", "timestamp": 1348085185000, "title": "Lacked a sense of reality" }, { "asin": "0800734173", "rating": 5, "text": "Book Three in the Winds of Change series from Julie Lessman, A Love Surrendered focuses on the last \"single\" member of the O'Connor family from Boston, MA, in the early 1930s. While continuing the ongoing stories of the entire O'Connor clan, A Love Surrendered centers in on the romance between Annie Kennedy and Steven O'Connor.<br /><br />I have enjoyed each of the books in the Winds of Change series by Julie Lessman, and A Love Surrendered did not disappoint.<br /><br />Annie Kennedy is a young girl {not quite eighteen} whose life has been turned upside down by the deaths of her parents and her subsequent move from rural Iowa to Boston, MA. Trying to fit in with her older sister's friends in Boston, Annie finds herself in situations beyond her experience and comfort level. Steven O'Connor comes alongside Annie as an older brother, helping her to find her footing in her new town.<br /><br />A Love Surrendered is well-written with plenty of plot twists and turns to keep you turning the pages, eager to reach the conclusion. I especially appreciated Julie's inclusion of subplots involving the other members of the O'Connor family, as I had read each of their books in the series.", "timestamp": 1349300106000, "title": "Love the O'Connor family!!" }, { "asin": "0764208349", "rating": 4, "text": "Set in the late 1800s in northern Michigan, Unending Devotion is a story of a young woman on a mission to free white slave - young girls forced into prostitution for the enjoyment of the men in logging camps and towns. Lily Young is set on freeing young girls and isn't afraid to speak her mind in the face of opposition. Will she push forward on her own or will she learn to trust God to work out the details?<br /><br />I liked Unending Devotion, but I don't think I can say that I loved it.<br /><br />I enjoyed the setting and the storyline, but I felt as if some of the details were a bit stretched in their reality. I also felt that the characters lacked depth at times throughout the story.<br /><br />The underlying theme of the evils of white slavery {i.e. forced prostitution} was strong throughout the entirety of the book and rang true to the historical details on which the book was based {the story of James Carr}.", "timestamp": 1352554992000, "title": "Liked it, but didn't LOVE it." }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "I sat down to read Christmas Roses and found myself instantly connecting to the characters and the story. A shorter novel, Christmas Roses took me less than two hours to read start to finish, as I found myself turning the pages as fast as I could in order to find out what happened next in the story.<br /><br />I won't spoil the ending, but I was grinning ear-to-ear by the end of the book, eagerly awaiting the revealing of how the story would end!<br /><br />Amanda Cabot did an excellent job capturing the scene of a boardinghouse in small Wyoming mining town as she shares the story of Celia and Mark. With twists and turns around every corner, Christmas Roses was a fun read - perfect for this holiday season!", "timestamp": 1353270718000, "title": "Perfect read during the holiday season!" }, { "asin": "0800719867", "rating": 4, "text": "I struggled to find myself lost in this book. I don't know if it was the story itself (which was really quite good) or just the circumstances I found myself in while trying to read the book (chaos in the background), but I found myself easily distracted as I sat and read it over several days.<br /><br />Even though I struggled to stay connected to the story, I felt that it was well-written and believable. The characters in Choices of the Heart were well-developed and easy to relate with. The plot had plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader turning the pages.", "timestamp": 1358549651000, "title": "Struggled to connect, but well-written..." }, { "asin": "0800720393", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely fell in love with the characters in The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow as I found myself whisked back to Chicago in the 1890s.<br /><br />Faced with the dilemma of revealing a potentially job-ending secret to her employer or losing the one thing she loves most in life, Charlotte Farrow finds herself at a loss.<br /><br />A well-written plot, a well-developed story line, and full of characters readers can relate to, The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow is a fast and fun read. I thoroughly enjoyed every page!", "timestamp": 1358793931000, "title": "LOVED this second book in the Avenue of Dreams series!!" }, { "asin": "0800721330", "rating": 5, "text": "Jenny (my 6yo daughter) LOVED book one (Life with Lily) in The Adventures of Lily Lapp series, so I knew she would be thrilled to get her hands on A New Home from Lily. And she was!<br /><br />After visiting Shipshewana (in Indiana) this past fall, Jenny is enthralled with all things Amish, and she has loved learning more about the Amish culture from The Adventures of Lily Lapp series by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher. Sharing their personal experiences and research, Mary Ann and Suzanne have woven a beautiful story that not only captures Jenny's attention but also teaches her about the Amish culture.<br /><br />We both love that each chapter is a \"mini-story\" and can be read on its own or as part of the bigger story. These \"bite-sized\" nuggets are perfect for readers like Jenny who might be overwhelmed by the thought of reading an entire chapter book, allowing them to focus on one piece of the story at a time.<br /><br />We can't wait for the release of books three and four in this series!!", "timestamp": 1359489283000, "title": "We LOVE Lily Lapp!!" }, { "asin": "0764210734", "rating": 5, "text": "I love how simple this book is in its layout and design. No fancy Bible study here - just a simple summary with highlighted key points for each week's reading assignments.<br /><br />Start your journey at any time - the reading assignments are numbered by week, but not dated. In only fifteen to twenty minutes a day, you can read the entire Bible in one year!<br /><br />This book is set up for individuals to work through on their own or as part of an accountability group. Questions at the end of each week's reading assignment are provided for reflection and/or group discussion.<br /><br />If you're looking to read through the Bible in a year, grab a copy of A Woman's Guide to Reading the Bible in a Year and get started!", "timestamp": 1361209188000, "title": "Simple and direct - a great guide to have on hand!" }, { "asin": "0764211129", "rating": 5, "text": "A short book, but well-written, Jennifer introduces readers to the O'Malley family - a prequel of sorts to the O'Malley series by Dee Henderson.<br /><br />It'd been over six years since I'd first been introduced to Dee Henderson's characters, the O'Malley family, and reading Jennifer made me want to grab the whole series and read it again.<br /><br />This book was a \"can't put down\" page-turner that I was hooked on from chapter one. The characters were well-developed, the story line was engaging, and the plot was captivating. My only disappointment with Jennifer by Dee Henderson is that it had to end.", "timestamp": 1371499152000, "title": "Made me want to read the whole series again!!" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764204963", "rating": 4, "text": "This book was a slow read. It was a good book and well written, but it took me four days to finish it, and I normally finish a book of this length in 4-6 hours. The story covers the \"flashbacks\" of three generations of women in a family - the grandmother, mother, and daughter - all acting courageously in the face of danger, trusting in God's direction and guidance.", "timestamp": 1258937382000, "title": "Generational inspiration" }, { "asin": "0764203630", "rating": 4, "text": "A joint effort by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley, The Silent Gift is a beautifully written historical fiction book. The story of a single mother and her deaf-mute son, The Silent Gift is a tale of their struggles through life and the faithfulness of God throughout it all.<br /><br />An easy and enjoyable read, The Silent Gift is a book that will have you captivated. I enjoyed the twists of the story, the tension of the characters, and the reminder at the end of how the story came to be. Read this book with an open mind, remembering that it is a work of fiction, and you will enjoy this story as much as I did.", "timestamp": 1259599109000, "title": "Captivating story and characters" }, { "asin": "0764205137", "rating": 4, "text": "From the back cover: When sixteen potential brides step off the train in Plum Grove, Nebraska, the town may never be the same again! Join Stephanie Grace Whitson for this spirited tale of courageous women who risk everything for the dream of owning land and finding love on the prairies of Nebraska.<br /><br />Sixteen Brides is a story of a group of war widows who have moved west to find new land and new husbands. Personally, I'm a huge fan of romantic historical fiction set in this time period. When you incorporate a Biblical worldview with historical romance, it's always a great read!", "timestamp": 1282495837000, "title": "Romance & Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0800733703", "rating": 5, "text": "Back in April, I was introduced to a new suspense/thriller author who I quickly added to my \"must read\" list. After reading her latest book, Don't Look Back, Lynette Eason is on my \"must read\" list to stay!<br /><br />I loved the romance, the suspense, and the real-life faith throughout the book. Just when you think you have the story figured out, Eason throws a new twist into play that entices you to read a little bit faster. Another great book in the Women of Justice series!", "timestamp": 1287422327000, "title": "Another Great Suspense from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0764206702", "rating": 4, "text": "Hearts Awakening is the story of a plain spinster and her less than likely encounter with love. Based from an island in the Susquehanna River, Hearts Awakening introduces the reader to a beautiful story in a beautiful setting.", "timestamp": 1292264384000, "title": "Beautiful setting and story" }, { "asin": "0764207326", "rating": 3, "text": "{From the Publisher}<br />Fall in love with Alice J. Wisler's charming characters in this delightful story set in the beach communities of North Carolina's Outer Banks.<br /><br />Jackie Donovan prays for two things: an honest, wonderful man to marry and to own a bed-and-breakfast on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. In the meantime, she works for Lighthouse Views, writing articles about local business owners, and intrepidly goes on the blind dates set up by her well-meaning but oh-so-clueless relatives.<br /><br />There's one specific property Jackie dreams of purchasing: The Bailey House, a fabulous old home located right next to the ocean, a place where Jackie spent many happy childhood afternoons. But the Bailey House has strange stories and secrets surrounding it - not to mention its outrageous price tag.<br /><br />When Jackie meets handsome Davis Erickson, who holds the key to the Baily property, she believes God has answered both her prayers. But as Jackie learns some disturbing details about Davis's past, she begins to wonder if her heart has lead her astray. Will she risk her long-held dreams to find out the truth?<br /><br />{My Thoughts}<br />I enjoyed the story line of Hatteras Girl, but the actual writing was a bit awkward. I would give this book 3 out of 5 stars.", "timestamp": 1294700177000, "title": "Good storyline, but awkward writing style" }, { "asin": "0764208500", "rating": 5, "text": "{From the Publisher}<br />Amy Gallagher, aspiring writer, has an unabashed obsession with words. She gave up a steady, albeit unexciting, job to pursue a life of writing. However, two years and one master's degree later, she finds herself almost exactly right back where she started. Discouraged by the growing pile of rejections from publishers and afraid that she has settled, Amy knows something has to change.<br /><br />Then she meets the mysterious, attractive, and unavailable Eli. Amy finds herself struggling to walk the fine line between friendship and something more with Eli, even as she tries to cope with the feeling that her friends and family are moving on without her. When the unexpected begins pouring in, Amy doubts the love and fulfillment she seeks will ever come her way. Forced to take a close look at who she has become, the state of her faith, and her aspirations for her life, she must make a choice: play it safe yet again or finally find the courage to follow her dreams.<br /><br />{My Thoughts}<br />I really enjoyed reading this book. Amy Inspired was well-written, and I found myself relating to the main character. The story moved along at a nice pace and kept me intrigued, wanting to turn the page. I'd definitely give this book 5 out of 5 stars!", "timestamp": 1294700222000, "title": "Honest story - didn't fluff it up" }, { "asin": "0800734564", "rating": 5, "text": "I cannot get enough of Irene Hannon's books! I just love her style, her story lines, and her characters. Fatal Judgment did not fail to live up to my expectations! I started it one evening after putting my kids to bed (around 8pm), and I finished it around 1am. It was that good!<br /><br />A fast moving plot with twists and turns that keep you guessing - there is nothing better (in my opinion) that a suspense novel filled with \"real life law\" scenarios and the story of love and of soul redemption. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!", "timestamp": 1295974733000, "title": "Irene Hannon does NOT disappoint!!" }, { "asin": "0800732596", "rating": 4, "text": "I have mixed feelings about this book. It was well written and I enjoyed following the characters through the story, but the subject matter seemed a bit too PG/PG-13 for a junior high/high school girl to be reading. At one point, a comparison is made in the book to a character on a popular TV show that I watch (rated TV-14), but that I would never have been allowed to (or wanted to) watch in high school, let alone in junior high. However, this is the type of book (market-wise) that I would have been reading in junior high.<br /><br />While I wasn't offend by the material, I'm not sure it is appropriate for teen-age girls to be reading. They get enough garbage thrown at them in secular novels - Christian novels should have a higher standard (in my opinion).<br /><br />Because of the inappropriate material for this age group, I give this book 2 out of 5 stars.<br /><br />{Edit: Since posting this review initially, comments left have encouraged me to change my view of what is appropriate for this audience. I have posted my response in the comments and given this book a revised rating.}", "timestamp": 1296058241000, "title": "Inappropriate for the marketed age group" }, { "asin": "0800733711", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Lynette Eason's books. She has definitely become one of my favorite Christian suspense authors, and A Killer Among Us did not disappoint.<br /><br />From the characters that I came to love, to the plot that twisted and turned, A Killer Among Us held my attention from page one and I didn't want it to end. A gripping tale of a serial killer on the loose, faith in question, and a budding romance, A Killer Among Us is a book that will be sure to capture your attention as well.", "timestamp": 1305668476000, "title": "Another great read from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 4, "text": "I was immediately drawn into the storyline in The Lady of Bolton Hill.<br /><br />Connecting over a love of music, a high-society girl and a working-class boy became the best of friends. As they grew up \"together,\" their friendship blossomed, only to be torn apart when Clara's father, the Reverend Endicott, sends her to England to separate the two friends.<br /><br />A poignant love story with a true conflict, I fell in love with the characters and felt drawn into their lives... until chapter five. In chapter five, a new villain is introduced, and the introduction seems odd. While he does end up playing a role in the ensuing story and conflict, his entire sub-plot in the book seemed a bit awkward and out of place.<br /><br />I give this book four out of five stars.", "timestamp": 1307971697000, "title": "Drawn into the story from page one..." }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 4, "text": "Brilliantly woven plots - well developed characters - deeply intriguing storyline.<br /><br />From page one of Blue Skies Tomorrow, I fell in love with the WWII setting and 1940s characters. I was transported back in time to \"the good old days,\" only to find things weren't as \"good\" back then as I may have imagined.<br /><br />War and conflict abounded everywhere you looked:<br />-on the world scene<br />-on the national scene<br />-on the family scene<br />-on the individual scene<br />No one was exempt from real life struggles in this historical fiction novel from Sarah Sundin.<br /><br />I give Blue Skies Tomorrow 4 out of 5 stars, and I look forward to getting my hands on Book 1 and Book 2 of this Wings of Glory series!", "timestamp": 1311688349000, "title": "Brilliantly written and engaging!" }, { "asin": "0800733460", "rating": 5, "text": "I have come to love Janice Thompson's fun and easy-to-read romantic humor novels, and Hello, Hollywood! did NOT disappoint! I made the mistake of starting this novel when I couldn't fall asleep one night... let's just say that I didn't fall asleep any time soon! The quick-paced story kept me turning the pages and wanting to read more.<br /><br />Though Hello, Hollywood! is the sequel to Stars Collide, it could easily be read as a stand-alone novel.", "timestamp": 1317229169000, "title": "Funny, romantic, and all around light-hearted..." }, { "asin": "0764205978", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed reading Falls Like Lightning by Shawn Grady. Full of life-and-death situations, romance, and a solid faith in God, Falls Like Lightning appeals to both men and women readers. The only thing I felt that was missing was the full development of the relationship between Silas and Elle - it seemed to be lacking a bit in depth.<br /><br />I recently passed along my copy of Through the Fire by Shawn Grady to my husband, and I will definitely be passing Falls Like Lightning along as well. It was a well-written, easy to read, page-turner that kept my attention from the start.", "timestamp": 1318188029000, "title": "Great read for guys and gals alike!" }, { "asin": "0764208055", "rating": 4, "text": "A River to Cross is set in the late 1800s in western Texas. This was a setting that was new to me - I can't recall another book I've read from this time period and general location. The story was your standard \"knight in shining armor\" love story - girl finds herself needing to be rescued, guy comes and rescues her, it's love at first sight, neither of them wants to love the other, they work through their issues and live happily ever after. Were it not for the intriguing setting - the days of the Texas Ranger, on the border of Texas {a US state} and Mexico - I might not have enjoyed the book as much. Learning about the culture and historical issues of that time and place was very interesting. Yvonne Harris did an excellent job of tying the culture into the story.", "timestamp": 1319903909000, "title": "My first Harris book... Enjoyable!" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 5, "text": "I really enjoyed reading Where Wildflowers Bloom. It was the first book by Ann Shorey that I've read, but I'll definitely be looking to read others by her in the future.<br /><br />Ann did a great job introducing each of the main characters, causing the reader to want to invest time in learning about the town of Noble Spring, MO, and its residents. I thoroughly enjoyed feeling \"a part\" of the story as I read about Faith's struggles and the decisions she needed to make.<br /><br />Where Wildflowers Bloom was a great stand-alone title, but I'm excited to read the rest of the \"Sisters at Heart\" series from Ann Shorey.", "timestamp": 1327261703000, "title": "Loved it!!" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a bit leery when I first opened Unhallowed Ground and found a five page glossary for terms I would come across in the book. The first few pages of chapter one didn't give me any comfort, either, as I found myself immersed in fourteenth-century English. However, I persevered through the first few pages and quickly found myself enchanted with the world of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon and bailiff of Bampton Manor. Once I overcame my initial reaction to the language of the book, I actually found myself enjoying the cadence of the story.<br /><br />Unhallowed Ground is the fourth in a series of books about Hugh de Singleton, though it is my first encounter of him. Written from the main character's point of view {it is written in the past tense, as the `author' is writing down his memories of the events described}, readers find themselves privy to the thoughts and ideas of Hugh de Singleton.<br /><br />Full of suspense and action, Unhallowed Ground is an enjoyable read.", "timestamp": 1327334654000, "title": "An enjoyable read..." }, { "asin": "0800734599", "rating": 5, "text": "Twenty-four hours after finishing this book, I'm still thinking about the story, finding myself lost in the world of Fort Laramie, WY, in the summer of 1885. This was the first book that I've read by Amanda Cabot, but it will definitely not be my last. Summer of Promise had me hooked early on, and I found myself more and more engrossed in the story the more I read.<br /><br />A mystery, a history, and a romance in one, Summer of Promise is the first in the \"Westward Winds\" series by Amanda Cabot, and in my opinion, it is a great read. I loved the way the author built up the story, taking her time to develop relationships between characters, allowing the characters to face several conflicts during the course of the story. It was only the ending that seemed a bit rushed and abrupt. I'm hoping that the Abigail and Ethan's story will be \"resolved\" in the next book in this series.", "timestamp": 1327869635000, "title": "LOVED the development of the story" }, { "asin": "0800720075", "rating": 4, "text": "I had high hopes for this book, having read other books by Lynette Eason, and I think I may have set the standard a bit high. Had I read this book with no expectations whatsoever, I probably would have given it five stars. However, I had an expectation in my mind, and I felt like the book didn't live up to that expectation.<br /><br />Was it a fun and fast read? Yes. Did it grab my attention on page one and keep me turning the pages until the last? Yes. Were the characters well-developed and intriguing? Yes.<br /><br />So what was missing? To be honest, I'm not sure. All the elements of a great story were there, and I honestly enjoyed the story very much. But I just felt a small void - one that I cannot explain - as I read.", "timestamp": 1329237224000, "title": "Another great book from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0800720458", "rating": 5, "text": "1. I loved this book - the story line, the characters, everything!<br />2. Reader beware - if this book was made into a movie, it'd probably be rated PG-13.<br />3. This time period/setting was completely new to me, and after reading Words Spoken True, I want to know more!<br />4. I'd never read a book by Ann H. Gabhart before, but this will definitely not be the last one of her novels I read!<br />5. Don't start reading Words Spoken True just before you go to bed - you'll end up staying up late to finish it, even if it's after midnight!!", "timestamp": 1329930134000, "title": "I want to read more!!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 5, "text": "Heart's Safe Passage was full of conflict and intrigue. The main characters, Rafe and Phoebe, had amazing chemistry and yet both knew that their attraction to one another would end in heartache if changes did not happen in both of their hearts.<br /><br />One of my favorite parts of reading historical fiction is learning about the time period. Laurie Alice Eakes did an incredible job of creating a setting that takes the reader right into the middle of the War of 1812. Reading Heart's Safe Passage enlightened me about some of the previously unknown {to me} details about this time period.", "timestamp": 1330354284000, "title": "Great conflict and chemistry!!" }, { "asin": "0764208225", "rating": 5, "text": "I really can't say it better than Booklist said it on the back cover, \"Wingate's attention to deal, her poignant depictions of her characters, and her lyrical writing style make this book a draw.\"<br /><br />Blue Moon Bay pulled me in from page one and kept me turning pages as fast as I could until the last. {You know a book is good when you're able to maintain focus on the storyline while sitting outside watching your kids play!}<br /><br />Lisa Wingate did an excellent job of developing characters, creating a setting, and building a story that captured her reader's interest. Even in the story building stage, I felt drawn in - unlike some books where you can't wait to \"get to the real story\" - as I began to connect with the characters and found myself intrigued with the storyline.", "timestamp": 1332166576000, "title": "Beautifully written and intriguing from page one!" }, { "asin": "0764209507", "rating": 4, "text": "Learn how to overcome self-doubt and self-sabotage as Janet Davis explores the lives of women in the Bible and helps readers to apply truths from the Word of God to their own lives.<br /><br />If you are looking for a book to read, study, and apply, My Own Worst Enemy is one to consider. My Own Worst Enemy would make an excellent choice for a ladies' small group or book club.", "timestamp": 1333409890000, "title": "Looking for Women's Small Group Book?" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 5, "text": "Kathleen Morgan developed a great storyline full of sub-conflicts and resolutions that were all tied together into one main conflict and resolution. It made A Love Forbidden a page turner!<br /><br />Not only did the story move at a great pace, but the characters, the conflicts, and the resolutions were all incredibly believable - something I've found missing in a number of books I've read lately. Even the faith of the characters seemed authentic and the mentions of it were not \"forced\" or awkward in the storyline.<br /><br />Beyond the story, the setting of A Love Forbidden was interesting and eye-opening.", "timestamp": 1337613883000, "title": "Great story with multiple conflicts/resolutions!!" }, { "asin": "0800734378", "rating": 5, "text": "This book was a fast read for me - I managed to consume it in one sitting {about 3-4 hours} - and it moved at a steady pace. I didn't have any trouble losing myself in the story, and I found myself identifying with the characters.<br /><br />Even though my life experiences are vastly different from those of the main character's, I found myself relating to many of her struggles, which made the book all the more interesting to me as I wanted to see how she managed to overcome her struggles.<br /><br />Waiting for Sunrise would make an excellent beach read this summer!", "timestamp": 1339254039000, "title": "Great Beach Read" }, { "asin": "0800734580", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a sucker for good romance suspense-thrillers that are centered around law enforcement, and Irene Hannon is one of my favorite authors. I have been hooked on the Guardians of Justice series since book one, and I could not wait for Lethal Legacy to arrive in the mail!<br /><br />True to my expectation, Lethal Legacy was a fast-moving story with just the right balance of romance and suspense.<br /><br /> Predictable? Yes - but the story still had me riveted, turning page after page!<br /><br />Lethal Legacy is a \"must read in one sitting\" novel, and I highly recommend it and all of Irene Hannon's books.", "timestamp": 1344271833000, "title": "Loved it!!" }, { "asin": "076420887X", "rating": 2, "text": "As a fan of both Tracie Peterson's and Judith Miller's books, I was looking forward to digging in and reading To Love and Cherish last weekend. As the second book in the Bridal Veil Island series, I had high hopes for To Love and Cherish.<br /><br />To be honest, I this book fell flat on its face. And after re-reading my review on the first book in this series, To Have and To Hold, it's really not all that surprising.<br /><br />The plot felt forced and the characters felt fake. I think I would have enjoyed the storyline if it had been supported with the other necessary pieces of a quality book.<br /><br />I was disappointed with To Love and Cherish, and I have a feeling I'll avoid further books in this series.<br />[...]", "timestamp": 1348085185000, "title": "Lacked a sense of reality" }, { "asin": "0800734173", "rating": 5, "text": "Book Three in the Winds of Change series from Julie Lessman, A Love Surrendered focuses on the last \"single\" member of the O'Connor family from Boston, MA, in the early 1930s. While continuing the ongoing stories of the entire O'Connor clan, A Love Surrendered centers in on the romance between Annie Kennedy and Steven O'Connor.<br /><br />I have enjoyed each of the books in the Winds of Change series by Julie Lessman, and A Love Surrendered did not disappoint.<br /><br />Annie Kennedy is a young girl {not quite eighteen} whose life has been turned upside down by the deaths of her parents and her subsequent move from rural Iowa to Boston, MA. Trying to fit in with her older sister's friends in Boston, Annie finds herself in situations beyond her experience and comfort level. Steven O'Connor comes alongside Annie as an older brother, helping her to find her footing in her new town.<br /><br />A Love Surrendered is well-written with plenty of plot twists and turns to keep you turning the pages, eager to reach the conclusion. I especially appreciated Julie's inclusion of subplots involving the other members of the O'Connor family, as I had read each of their books in the series.", "timestamp": 1349300106000, "title": "Love the O'Connor family!!" }, { "asin": "0764208349", "rating": 4, "text": "Set in the late 1800s in northern Michigan, Unending Devotion is a story of a young woman on a mission to free white slave - young girls forced into prostitution for the enjoyment of the men in logging camps and towns. Lily Young is set on freeing young girls and isn't afraid to speak her mind in the face of opposition. Will she push forward on her own or will she learn to trust God to work out the details?<br /><br />I liked Unending Devotion, but I don't think I can say that I loved it.<br /><br />I enjoyed the setting and the storyline, but I felt as if some of the details were a bit stretched in their reality. I also felt that the characters lacked depth at times throughout the story.<br /><br />The underlying theme of the evils of white slavery {i.e. forced prostitution} was strong throughout the entirety of the book and rang true to the historical details on which the book was based {the story of James Carr}.", "timestamp": 1352554992000, "title": "Liked it, but didn't LOVE it." }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "I sat down to read Christmas Roses and found myself instantly connecting to the characters and the story. A shorter novel, Christmas Roses took me less than two hours to read start to finish, as I found myself turning the pages as fast as I could in order to find out what happened next in the story.<br /><br />I won't spoil the ending, but I was grinning ear-to-ear by the end of the book, eagerly awaiting the revealing of how the story would end!<br /><br />Amanda Cabot did an excellent job capturing the scene of a boardinghouse in small Wyoming mining town as she shares the story of Celia and Mark. With twists and turns around every corner, Christmas Roses was a fun read - perfect for this holiday season!", "timestamp": 1353270718000, "title": "Perfect read during the holiday season!" }, { "asin": "0800719867", "rating": 4, "text": "I struggled to find myself lost in this book. I don't know if it was the story itself (which was really quite good) or just the circumstances I found myself in while trying to read the book (chaos in the background), but I found myself easily distracted as I sat and read it over several days.<br /><br />Even though I struggled to stay connected to the story, I felt that it was well-written and believable. The characters in Choices of the Heart were well-developed and easy to relate with. The plot had plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader turning the pages.", "timestamp": 1358549651000, "title": "Struggled to connect, but well-written..." }, { "asin": "0800720393", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely fell in love with the characters in The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow as I found myself whisked back to Chicago in the 1890s.<br /><br />Faced with the dilemma of revealing a potentially job-ending secret to her employer or losing the one thing she loves most in life, Charlotte Farrow finds herself at a loss.<br /><br />A well-written plot, a well-developed story line, and full of characters readers can relate to, The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow is a fast and fun read. I thoroughly enjoyed every page!", "timestamp": 1358793931000, "title": "LOVED this second book in the Avenue of Dreams series!!" }, { "asin": "0800721330", "rating": 5, "text": "Jenny (my 6yo daughter) LOVED book one (Life with Lily) in The Adventures of Lily Lapp series, so I knew she would be thrilled to get her hands on A New Home from Lily. And she was!<br /><br />After visiting Shipshewana (in Indiana) this past fall, Jenny is enthralled with all things Amish, and she has loved learning more about the Amish culture from The Adventures of Lily Lapp series by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher. Sharing their personal experiences and research, Mary Ann and Suzanne have woven a beautiful story that not only captures Jenny's attention but also teaches her about the Amish culture.<br /><br />We both love that each chapter is a \"mini-story\" and can be read on its own or as part of the bigger story. These \"bite-sized\" nuggets are perfect for readers like Jenny who might be overwhelmed by the thought of reading an entire chapter book, allowing them to focus on one piece of the story at a time.<br /><br />We can't wait for the release of books three and four in this series!!", "timestamp": 1359489283000, "title": "We LOVE Lily Lapp!!" }, { "asin": "0764210734", "rating": 5, "text": "I love how simple this book is in its layout and design. No fancy Bible study here - just a simple summary with highlighted key points for each week's reading assignments.<br /><br />Start your journey at any time - the reading assignments are numbered by week, but not dated. In only fifteen to twenty minutes a day, you can read the entire Bible in one year!<br /><br />This book is set up for individuals to work through on their own or as part of an accountability group. Questions at the end of each week's reading assignment are provided for reflection and/or group discussion.<br /><br />If you're looking to read through the Bible in a year, grab a copy of A Woman's Guide to Reading the Bible in a Year and get started!", "timestamp": 1361209188000, "title": "Simple and direct - a great guide to have on hand!" }, { "asin": "0764211129", "rating": 5, "text": "A short book, but well-written, Jennifer introduces readers to the O'Malley family - a prequel of sorts to the O'Malley series by Dee Henderson.<br /><br />It'd been over six years since I'd first been introduced to Dee Henderson's characters, the O'Malley family, and reading Jennifer made me want to grab the whole series and read it again.<br /><br />This book was a \"can't put down\" page-turner that I was hooked on from chapter one. The characters were well-developed, the story line was engaging, and the plot was captivating. My only disappointment with Jennifer by Dee Henderson is that it had to end.", "timestamp": 1371499152000, "title": "Made me want to read the whole series again!!" }, { "asin": "0800722094", "rating": 5, "text": "I made the mistake of taking this book to bed with me. It's a fast-paced, can't-put-down story that kept me captivated late into the night, even as my eyes grew heavy. I didn't want to fall asleep until I knew how it ended.<br /><br />Once again, Lynette Eason has surpassed my expectations and taken me on suspense-filled journey. While many of the elements of the suspense were able to be “guessed” as the story progressed, I was thrown for a loop by one of the major elements that is revealed. The ability to “surprise” me like that is one that very few authors have.<br /><br />A quick, but well-developed story, Nowhere to Turn was an enjoyable read that kept me engaged and had me wanting to engage with the characters to “warn” them of the danger coming and cheer for them when they were victorious in evading their stalker for the moment.", "timestamp": 1410485504000, "title": "The ability to “surprise” me like that is one that very few authors have" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764204963", "rating": 4, "text": "This book was a slow read. It was a good book and well written, but it took me four days to finish it, and I normally finish a book of this length in 4-6 hours. The story covers the \"flashbacks\" of three generations of women in a family - the grandmother, mother, and daughter - all acting courageously in the face of danger, trusting in God's direction and guidance.", "timestamp": 1258937382000, "title": "Generational inspiration" }, { "asin": "0764203630", "rating": 4, "text": "A joint effort by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley, The Silent Gift is a beautifully written historical fiction book. The story of a single mother and her deaf-mute son, The Silent Gift is a tale of their struggles through life and the faithfulness of God throughout it all.<br /><br />An easy and enjoyable read, The Silent Gift is a book that will have you captivated. I enjoyed the twists of the story, the tension of the characters, and the reminder at the end of how the story came to be. Read this book with an open mind, remembering that it is a work of fiction, and you will enjoy this story as much as I did.", "timestamp": 1259599109000, "title": "Captivating story and characters" }, { "asin": "0764205137", "rating": 4, "text": "From the back cover: When sixteen potential brides step off the train in Plum Grove, Nebraska, the town may never be the same again! Join Stephanie Grace Whitson for this spirited tale of courageous women who risk everything for the dream of owning land and finding love on the prairies of Nebraska.<br /><br />Sixteen Brides is a story of a group of war widows who have moved west to find new land and new husbands. Personally, I'm a huge fan of romantic historical fiction set in this time period. When you incorporate a Biblical worldview with historical romance, it's always a great read!", "timestamp": 1282495837000, "title": "Romance & Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0800733703", "rating": 5, "text": "Back in April, I was introduced to a new suspense/thriller author who I quickly added to my \"must read\" list. After reading her latest book, Don't Look Back, Lynette Eason is on my \"must read\" list to stay!<br /><br />I loved the romance, the suspense, and the real-life faith throughout the book. Just when you think you have the story figured out, Eason throws a new twist into play that entices you to read a little bit faster. Another great book in the Women of Justice series!", "timestamp": 1287422327000, "title": "Another Great Suspense from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0764206702", "rating": 4, "text": "Hearts Awakening is the story of a plain spinster and her less than likely encounter with love. Based from an island in the Susquehanna River, Hearts Awakening introduces the reader to a beautiful story in a beautiful setting.", "timestamp": 1292264384000, "title": "Beautiful setting and story" }, { "asin": "0764207326", "rating": 3, "text": "{From the Publisher}<br />Fall in love with Alice J. Wisler's charming characters in this delightful story set in the beach communities of North Carolina's Outer Banks.<br /><br />Jackie Donovan prays for two things: an honest, wonderful man to marry and to own a bed-and-breakfast on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. In the meantime, she works for Lighthouse Views, writing articles about local business owners, and intrepidly goes on the blind dates set up by her well-meaning but oh-so-clueless relatives.<br /><br />There's one specific property Jackie dreams of purchasing: The Bailey House, a fabulous old home located right next to the ocean, a place where Jackie spent many happy childhood afternoons. But the Bailey House has strange stories and secrets surrounding it - not to mention its outrageous price tag.<br /><br />When Jackie meets handsome Davis Erickson, who holds the key to the Baily property, she believes God has answered both her prayers. But as Jackie learns some disturbing details about Davis's past, she begins to wonder if her heart has lead her astray. Will she risk her long-held dreams to find out the truth?<br /><br />{My Thoughts}<br />I enjoyed the story line of Hatteras Girl, but the actual writing was a bit awkward. I would give this book 3 out of 5 stars.", "timestamp": 1294700177000, "title": "Good storyline, but awkward writing style" }, { "asin": "0764208500", "rating": 5, "text": "{From the Publisher}<br />Amy Gallagher, aspiring writer, has an unabashed obsession with words. She gave up a steady, albeit unexciting, job to pursue a life of writing. However, two years and one master's degree later, she finds herself almost exactly right back where she started. Discouraged by the growing pile of rejections from publishers and afraid that she has settled, Amy knows something has to change.<br /><br />Then she meets the mysterious, attractive, and unavailable Eli. Amy finds herself struggling to walk the fine line between friendship and something more with Eli, even as she tries to cope with the feeling that her friends and family are moving on without her. When the unexpected begins pouring in, Amy doubts the love and fulfillment she seeks will ever come her way. Forced to take a close look at who she has become, the state of her faith, and her aspirations for her life, she must make a choice: play it safe yet again or finally find the courage to follow her dreams.<br /><br />{My Thoughts}<br />I really enjoyed reading this book. Amy Inspired was well-written, and I found myself relating to the main character. The story moved along at a nice pace and kept me intrigued, wanting to turn the page. I'd definitely give this book 5 out of 5 stars!", "timestamp": 1294700222000, "title": "Honest story - didn't fluff it up" }, { "asin": "0800734564", "rating": 5, "text": "I cannot get enough of Irene Hannon's books! I just love her style, her story lines, and her characters. Fatal Judgment did not fail to live up to my expectations! I started it one evening after putting my kids to bed (around 8pm), and I finished it around 1am. It was that good!<br /><br />A fast moving plot with twists and turns that keep you guessing - there is nothing better (in my opinion) that a suspense novel filled with \"real life law\" scenarios and the story of love and of soul redemption. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!", "timestamp": 1295974733000, "title": "Irene Hannon does NOT disappoint!!" }, { "asin": "0800732596", "rating": 4, "text": "I have mixed feelings about this book. It was well written and I enjoyed following the characters through the story, but the subject matter seemed a bit too PG/PG-13 for a junior high/high school girl to be reading. At one point, a comparison is made in the book to a character on a popular TV show that I watch (rated TV-14), but that I would never have been allowed to (or wanted to) watch in high school, let alone in junior high. However, this is the type of book (market-wise) that I would have been reading in junior high.<br /><br />While I wasn't offend by the material, I'm not sure it is appropriate for teen-age girls to be reading. They get enough garbage thrown at them in secular novels - Christian novels should have a higher standard (in my opinion).<br /><br />Because of the inappropriate material for this age group, I give this book 2 out of 5 stars.<br /><br />{Edit: Since posting this review initially, comments left have encouraged me to change my view of what is appropriate for this audience. I have posted my response in the comments and given this book a revised rating.}", "timestamp": 1296058241000, "title": "Inappropriate for the marketed age group" }, { "asin": "0800733711", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Lynette Eason's books. She has definitely become one of my favorite Christian suspense authors, and A Killer Among Us did not disappoint.<br /><br />From the characters that I came to love, to the plot that twisted and turned, A Killer Among Us held my attention from page one and I didn't want it to end. A gripping tale of a serial killer on the loose, faith in question, and a budding romance, A Killer Among Us is a book that will be sure to capture your attention as well.", "timestamp": 1305668476000, "title": "Another great read from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 4, "text": "I was immediately drawn into the storyline in The Lady of Bolton Hill.<br /><br />Connecting over a love of music, a high-society girl and a working-class boy became the best of friends. As they grew up \"together,\" their friendship blossomed, only to be torn apart when Clara's father, the Reverend Endicott, sends her to England to separate the two friends.<br /><br />A poignant love story with a true conflict, I fell in love with the characters and felt drawn into their lives... until chapter five. In chapter five, a new villain is introduced, and the introduction seems odd. While he does end up playing a role in the ensuing story and conflict, his entire sub-plot in the book seemed a bit awkward and out of place.<br /><br />I give this book four out of five stars.", "timestamp": 1307971697000, "title": "Drawn into the story from page one..." }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 4, "text": "Brilliantly woven plots - well developed characters - deeply intriguing storyline.<br /><br />From page one of Blue Skies Tomorrow, I fell in love with the WWII setting and 1940s characters. I was transported back in time to \"the good old days,\" only to find things weren't as \"good\" back then as I may have imagined.<br /><br />War and conflict abounded everywhere you looked:<br />-on the world scene<br />-on the national scene<br />-on the family scene<br />-on the individual scene<br />No one was exempt from real life struggles in this historical fiction novel from Sarah Sundin.<br /><br />I give Blue Skies Tomorrow 4 out of 5 stars, and I look forward to getting my hands on Book 1 and Book 2 of this Wings of Glory series!", "timestamp": 1311688349000, "title": "Brilliantly written and engaging!" }, { "asin": "0800733460", "rating": 5, "text": "I have come to love Janice Thompson's fun and easy-to-read romantic humor novels, and Hello, Hollywood! did NOT disappoint! I made the mistake of starting this novel when I couldn't fall asleep one night... let's just say that I didn't fall asleep any time soon! The quick-paced story kept me turning the pages and wanting to read more.<br /><br />Though Hello, Hollywood! is the sequel to Stars Collide, it could easily be read as a stand-alone novel.", "timestamp": 1317229169000, "title": "Funny, romantic, and all around light-hearted..." }, { "asin": "0764205978", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed reading Falls Like Lightning by Shawn Grady. Full of life-and-death situations, romance, and a solid faith in God, Falls Like Lightning appeals to both men and women readers. The only thing I felt that was missing was the full development of the relationship between Silas and Elle - it seemed to be lacking a bit in depth.<br /><br />I recently passed along my copy of Through the Fire by Shawn Grady to my husband, and I will definitely be passing Falls Like Lightning along as well. It was a well-written, easy to read, page-turner that kept my attention from the start.", "timestamp": 1318188029000, "title": "Great read for guys and gals alike!" }, { "asin": "0764208055", "rating": 4, "text": "A River to Cross is set in the late 1800s in western Texas. This was a setting that was new to me - I can't recall another book I've read from this time period and general location. The story was your standard \"knight in shining armor\" love story - girl finds herself needing to be rescued, guy comes and rescues her, it's love at first sight, neither of them wants to love the other, they work through their issues and live happily ever after. Were it not for the intriguing setting - the days of the Texas Ranger, on the border of Texas {a US state} and Mexico - I might not have enjoyed the book as much. Learning about the culture and historical issues of that time and place was very interesting. Yvonne Harris did an excellent job of tying the culture into the story.", "timestamp": 1319903909000, "title": "My first Harris book... Enjoyable!" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 5, "text": "I really enjoyed reading Where Wildflowers Bloom. It was the first book by Ann Shorey that I've read, but I'll definitely be looking to read others by her in the future.<br /><br />Ann did a great job introducing each of the main characters, causing the reader to want to invest time in learning about the town of Noble Spring, MO, and its residents. I thoroughly enjoyed feeling \"a part\" of the story as I read about Faith's struggles and the decisions she needed to make.<br /><br />Where Wildflowers Bloom was a great stand-alone title, but I'm excited to read the rest of the \"Sisters at Heart\" series from Ann Shorey.", "timestamp": 1327261703000, "title": "Loved it!!" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a bit leery when I first opened Unhallowed Ground and found a five page glossary for terms I would come across in the book. The first few pages of chapter one didn't give me any comfort, either, as I found myself immersed in fourteenth-century English. However, I persevered through the first few pages and quickly found myself enchanted with the world of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon and bailiff of Bampton Manor. Once I overcame my initial reaction to the language of the book, I actually found myself enjoying the cadence of the story.<br /><br />Unhallowed Ground is the fourth in a series of books about Hugh de Singleton, though it is my first encounter of him. Written from the main character's point of view {it is written in the past tense, as the `author' is writing down his memories of the events described}, readers find themselves privy to the thoughts and ideas of Hugh de Singleton.<br /><br />Full of suspense and action, Unhallowed Ground is an enjoyable read.", "timestamp": 1327334654000, "title": "An enjoyable read..." }, { "asin": "0800734599", "rating": 5, "text": "Twenty-four hours after finishing this book, I'm still thinking about the story, finding myself lost in the world of Fort Laramie, WY, in the summer of 1885. This was the first book that I've read by Amanda Cabot, but it will definitely not be my last. Summer of Promise had me hooked early on, and I found myself more and more engrossed in the story the more I read.<br /><br />A mystery, a history, and a romance in one, Summer of Promise is the first in the \"Westward Winds\" series by Amanda Cabot, and in my opinion, it is a great read. I loved the way the author built up the story, taking her time to develop relationships between characters, allowing the characters to face several conflicts during the course of the story. It was only the ending that seemed a bit rushed and abrupt. I'm hoping that the Abigail and Ethan's story will be \"resolved\" in the next book in this series.", "timestamp": 1327869635000, "title": "LOVED the development of the story" }, { "asin": "0800720075", "rating": 4, "text": "I had high hopes for this book, having read other books by Lynette Eason, and I think I may have set the standard a bit high. Had I read this book with no expectations whatsoever, I probably would have given it five stars. However, I had an expectation in my mind, and I felt like the book didn't live up to that expectation.<br /><br />Was it a fun and fast read? Yes. Did it grab my attention on page one and keep me turning the pages until the last? Yes. Were the characters well-developed and intriguing? Yes.<br /><br />So what was missing? To be honest, I'm not sure. All the elements of a great story were there, and I honestly enjoyed the story very much. But I just felt a small void - one that I cannot explain - as I read.", "timestamp": 1329237224000, "title": "Another great book from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0800720458", "rating": 5, "text": "1. I loved this book - the story line, the characters, everything!<br />2. Reader beware - if this book was made into a movie, it'd probably be rated PG-13.<br />3. This time period/setting was completely new to me, and after reading Words Spoken True, I want to know more!<br />4. I'd never read a book by Ann H. Gabhart before, but this will definitely not be the last one of her novels I read!<br />5. Don't start reading Words Spoken True just before you go to bed - you'll end up staying up late to finish it, even if it's after midnight!!", "timestamp": 1329930134000, "title": "I want to read more!!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 5, "text": "Heart's Safe Passage was full of conflict and intrigue. The main characters, Rafe and Phoebe, had amazing chemistry and yet both knew that their attraction to one another would end in heartache if changes did not happen in both of their hearts.<br /><br />One of my favorite parts of reading historical fiction is learning about the time period. Laurie Alice Eakes did an incredible job of creating a setting that takes the reader right into the middle of the War of 1812. Reading Heart's Safe Passage enlightened me about some of the previously unknown {to me} details about this time period.", "timestamp": 1330354284000, "title": "Great conflict and chemistry!!" }, { "asin": "0764208225", "rating": 5, "text": "I really can't say it better than Booklist said it on the back cover, \"Wingate's attention to deal, her poignant depictions of her characters, and her lyrical writing style make this book a draw.\"<br /><br />Blue Moon Bay pulled me in from page one and kept me turning pages as fast as I could until the last. {You know a book is good when you're able to maintain focus on the storyline while sitting outside watching your kids play!}<br /><br />Lisa Wingate did an excellent job of developing characters, creating a setting, and building a story that captured her reader's interest. Even in the story building stage, I felt drawn in - unlike some books where you can't wait to \"get to the real story\" - as I began to connect with the characters and found myself intrigued with the storyline.", "timestamp": 1332166576000, "title": "Beautifully written and intriguing from page one!" }, { "asin": "0764209507", "rating": 4, "text": "Learn how to overcome self-doubt and self-sabotage as Janet Davis explores the lives of women in the Bible and helps readers to apply truths from the Word of God to their own lives.<br /><br />If you are looking for a book to read, study, and apply, My Own Worst Enemy is one to consider. My Own Worst Enemy would make an excellent choice for a ladies' small group or book club.", "timestamp": 1333409890000, "title": "Looking for Women's Small Group Book?" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 5, "text": "Kathleen Morgan developed a great storyline full of sub-conflicts and resolutions that were all tied together into one main conflict and resolution. It made A Love Forbidden a page turner!<br /><br />Not only did the story move at a great pace, but the characters, the conflicts, and the resolutions were all incredibly believable - something I've found missing in a number of books I've read lately. Even the faith of the characters seemed authentic and the mentions of it were not \"forced\" or awkward in the storyline.<br /><br />Beyond the story, the setting of A Love Forbidden was interesting and eye-opening.", "timestamp": 1337613883000, "title": "Great story with multiple conflicts/resolutions!!" }, { "asin": "0800734378", "rating": 5, "text": "This book was a fast read for me - I managed to consume it in one sitting {about 3-4 hours} - and it moved at a steady pace. I didn't have any trouble losing myself in the story, and I found myself identifying with the characters.<br /><br />Even though my life experiences are vastly different from those of the main character's, I found myself relating to many of her struggles, which made the book all the more interesting to me as I wanted to see how she managed to overcome her struggles.<br /><br />Waiting for Sunrise would make an excellent beach read this summer!", "timestamp": 1339254039000, "title": "Great Beach Read" }, { "asin": "0800734580", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a sucker for good romance suspense-thrillers that are centered around law enforcement, and Irene Hannon is one of my favorite authors. I have been hooked on the Guardians of Justice series since book one, and I could not wait for Lethal Legacy to arrive in the mail!<br /><br />True to my expectation, Lethal Legacy was a fast-moving story with just the right balance of romance and suspense.<br /><br /> Predictable? Yes - but the story still had me riveted, turning page after page!<br /><br />Lethal Legacy is a \"must read in one sitting\" novel, and I highly recommend it and all of Irene Hannon's books.", "timestamp": 1344271833000, "title": "Loved it!!" }, { "asin": "076420887X", "rating": 2, "text": "As a fan of both Tracie Peterson's and Judith Miller's books, I was looking forward to digging in and reading To Love and Cherish last weekend. As the second book in the Bridal Veil Island series, I had high hopes for To Love and Cherish.<br /><br />To be honest, I this book fell flat on its face. And after re-reading my review on the first book in this series, To Have and To Hold, it's really not all that surprising.<br /><br />The plot felt forced and the characters felt fake. I think I would have enjoyed the storyline if it had been supported with the other necessary pieces of a quality book.<br /><br />I was disappointed with To Love and Cherish, and I have a feeling I'll avoid further books in this series.<br />[...]", "timestamp": 1348085185000, "title": "Lacked a sense of reality" }, { "asin": "0800734173", "rating": 5, "text": "Book Three in the Winds of Change series from Julie Lessman, A Love Surrendered focuses on the last \"single\" member of the O'Connor family from Boston, MA, in the early 1930s. While continuing the ongoing stories of the entire O'Connor clan, A Love Surrendered centers in on the romance between Annie Kennedy and Steven O'Connor.<br /><br />I have enjoyed each of the books in the Winds of Change series by Julie Lessman, and A Love Surrendered did not disappoint.<br /><br />Annie Kennedy is a young girl {not quite eighteen} whose life has been turned upside down by the deaths of her parents and her subsequent move from rural Iowa to Boston, MA. Trying to fit in with her older sister's friends in Boston, Annie finds herself in situations beyond her experience and comfort level. Steven O'Connor comes alongside Annie as an older brother, helping her to find her footing in her new town.<br /><br />A Love Surrendered is well-written with plenty of plot twists and turns to keep you turning the pages, eager to reach the conclusion. I especially appreciated Julie's inclusion of subplots involving the other members of the O'Connor family, as I had read each of their books in the series.", "timestamp": 1349300106000, "title": "Love the O'Connor family!!" }, { "asin": "0764208349", "rating": 4, "text": "Set in the late 1800s in northern Michigan, Unending Devotion is a story of a young woman on a mission to free white slave - young girls forced into prostitution for the enjoyment of the men in logging camps and towns. Lily Young is set on freeing young girls and isn't afraid to speak her mind in the face of opposition. Will she push forward on her own or will she learn to trust God to work out the details?<br /><br />I liked Unending Devotion, but I don't think I can say that I loved it.<br /><br />I enjoyed the setting and the storyline, but I felt as if some of the details were a bit stretched in their reality. I also felt that the characters lacked depth at times throughout the story.<br /><br />The underlying theme of the evils of white slavery {i.e. forced prostitution} was strong throughout the entirety of the book and rang true to the historical details on which the book was based {the story of James Carr}.", "timestamp": 1352554992000, "title": "Liked it, but didn't LOVE it." }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "I sat down to read Christmas Roses and found myself instantly connecting to the characters and the story. A shorter novel, Christmas Roses took me less than two hours to read start to finish, as I found myself turning the pages as fast as I could in order to find out what happened next in the story.<br /><br />I won't spoil the ending, but I was grinning ear-to-ear by the end of the book, eagerly awaiting the revealing of how the story would end!<br /><br />Amanda Cabot did an excellent job capturing the scene of a boardinghouse in small Wyoming mining town as she shares the story of Celia and Mark. With twists and turns around every corner, Christmas Roses was a fun read - perfect for this holiday season!", "timestamp": 1353270718000, "title": "Perfect read during the holiday season!" }, { "asin": "0800719867", "rating": 4, "text": "I struggled to find myself lost in this book. I don't know if it was the story itself (which was really quite good) or just the circumstances I found myself in while trying to read the book (chaos in the background), but I found myself easily distracted as I sat and read it over several days.<br /><br />Even though I struggled to stay connected to the story, I felt that it was well-written and believable. The characters in Choices of the Heart were well-developed and easy to relate with. The plot had plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader turning the pages.", "timestamp": 1358549651000, "title": "Struggled to connect, but well-written..." }, { "asin": "0800720393", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely fell in love with the characters in The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow as I found myself whisked back to Chicago in the 1890s.<br /><br />Faced with the dilemma of revealing a potentially job-ending secret to her employer or losing the one thing she loves most in life, Charlotte Farrow finds herself at a loss.<br /><br />A well-written plot, a well-developed story line, and full of characters readers can relate to, The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow is a fast and fun read. I thoroughly enjoyed every page!", "timestamp": 1358793931000, "title": "LOVED this second book in the Avenue of Dreams series!!" }, { "asin": "0800721330", "rating": 5, "text": "Jenny (my 6yo daughter) LOVED book one (Life with Lily) in The Adventures of Lily Lapp series, so I knew she would be thrilled to get her hands on A New Home from Lily. And she was!<br /><br />After visiting Shipshewana (in Indiana) this past fall, Jenny is enthralled with all things Amish, and she has loved learning more about the Amish culture from The Adventures of Lily Lapp series by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher. Sharing their personal experiences and research, Mary Ann and Suzanne have woven a beautiful story that not only captures Jenny's attention but also teaches her about the Amish culture.<br /><br />We both love that each chapter is a \"mini-story\" and can be read on its own or as part of the bigger story. These \"bite-sized\" nuggets are perfect for readers like Jenny who might be overwhelmed by the thought of reading an entire chapter book, allowing them to focus on one piece of the story at a time.<br /><br />We can't wait for the release of books three and four in this series!!", "timestamp": 1359489283000, "title": "We LOVE Lily Lapp!!" }, { "asin": "0764210734", "rating": 5, "text": "I love how simple this book is in its layout and design. No fancy Bible study here - just a simple summary with highlighted key points for each week's reading assignments.<br /><br />Start your journey at any time - the reading assignments are numbered by week, but not dated. In only fifteen to twenty minutes a day, you can read the entire Bible in one year!<br /><br />This book is set up for individuals to work through on their own or as part of an accountability group. Questions at the end of each week's reading assignment are provided for reflection and/or group discussion.<br /><br />If you're looking to read through the Bible in a year, grab a copy of A Woman's Guide to Reading the Bible in a Year and get started!", "timestamp": 1361209188000, "title": "Simple and direct - a great guide to have on hand!" }, { "asin": "0764211129", "rating": 5, "text": "A short book, but well-written, Jennifer introduces readers to the O'Malley family - a prequel of sorts to the O'Malley series by Dee Henderson.<br /><br />It'd been over six years since I'd first been introduced to Dee Henderson's characters, the O'Malley family, and reading Jennifer made me want to grab the whole series and read it again.<br /><br />This book was a \"can't put down\" page-turner that I was hooked on from chapter one. The characters were well-developed, the story line was engaging, and the plot was captivating. My only disappointment with Jennifer by Dee Henderson is that it had to end.", "timestamp": 1371499152000, "title": "Made me want to read the whole series again!!" }, { "asin": "0800722094", "rating": 5, "text": "I made the mistake of taking this book to bed with me. It's a fast-paced, can't-put-down story that kept me captivated late into the night, even as my eyes grew heavy. I didn't want to fall asleep until I knew how it ended.<br /><br />Once again, Lynette Eason has surpassed my expectations and taken me on suspense-filled journey. While many of the elements of the suspense were able to be “guessed” as the story progressed, I was thrown for a loop by one of the major elements that is revealed. The ability to “surprise” me like that is one that very few authors have.<br /><br />A quick, but well-developed story, Nowhere to Turn was an enjoyable read that kept me engaged and had me wanting to engage with the characters to “warn” them of the danger coming and cheer for them when they were victorious in evading their stalker for the moment.", "timestamp": 1410485504000, "title": "The ability to “surprise” me like that is one that very few authors have" }, { "asin": "0800721837", "rating": 4, "text": "Her desire to work in the city’s gardens didn’t include plans to sow seeds of love, but as she works alongside Reese King, she finds love blooming in her heart. As Love Blooms is a sweet love story from Lorna Seilstad that will make your heart smile.<br /><br />I enjoyed reading As Love Blooms by Lorna Seilstad. The story was light-hearted and (mostly) realistic. I found myself cheering for the main characters as they dealt with life’s challenges and fought to win the hearts of the ones they loved.<br /><br />I loved the author’s metaphoric use of gardening terms and phrases throughout the book as she told the story of young love blooming among the gardens of St. Paul, MN. It wasn’t tacky but well-woven into the natural flow of the text as the story unfolded.<br /><br />Well-written and full of depth, As Love Blooms was an enjoyable read, and I’d definitely recommend adding it to your summer reading list!<br /><br />Disclosure: I received a free copy of As Love Blooms from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1432057493000, "title": "Enjoyable, light-hearted romance" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764204963", "rating": 4, "text": "This book was a slow read. It was a good book and well written, but it took me four days to finish it, and I normally finish a book of this length in 4-6 hours. The story covers the \"flashbacks\" of three generations of women in a family - the grandmother, mother, and daughter - all acting courageously in the face of danger, trusting in God's direction and guidance.", "timestamp": 1258937382000, "title": "Generational inspiration" }, { "asin": "0764203630", "rating": 4, "text": "A joint effort by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley, The Silent Gift is a beautifully written historical fiction book. The story of a single mother and her deaf-mute son, The Silent Gift is a tale of their struggles through life and the faithfulness of God throughout it all.<br /><br />An easy and enjoyable read, The Silent Gift is a book that will have you captivated. I enjoyed the twists of the story, the tension of the characters, and the reminder at the end of how the story came to be. Read this book with an open mind, remembering that it is a work of fiction, and you will enjoy this story as much as I did.", "timestamp": 1259599109000, "title": "Captivating story and characters" }, { "asin": "0764205137", "rating": 4, "text": "From the back cover: When sixteen potential brides step off the train in Plum Grove, Nebraska, the town may never be the same again! Join Stephanie Grace Whitson for this spirited tale of courageous women who risk everything for the dream of owning land and finding love on the prairies of Nebraska.<br /><br />Sixteen Brides is a story of a group of war widows who have moved west to find new land and new husbands. Personally, I'm a huge fan of romantic historical fiction set in this time period. When you incorporate a Biblical worldview with historical romance, it's always a great read!", "timestamp": 1282495837000, "title": "Romance & Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0800733703", "rating": 5, "text": "Back in April, I was introduced to a new suspense/thriller author who I quickly added to my \"must read\" list. After reading her latest book, Don't Look Back, Lynette Eason is on my \"must read\" list to stay!<br /><br />I loved the romance, the suspense, and the real-life faith throughout the book. Just when you think you have the story figured out, Eason throws a new twist into play that entices you to read a little bit faster. Another great book in the Women of Justice series!", "timestamp": 1287422327000, "title": "Another Great Suspense from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0764206702", "rating": 4, "text": "Hearts Awakening is the story of a plain spinster and her less than likely encounter with love. Based from an island in the Susquehanna River, Hearts Awakening introduces the reader to a beautiful story in a beautiful setting.", "timestamp": 1292264384000, "title": "Beautiful setting and story" }, { "asin": "0764207326", "rating": 3, "text": "{From the Publisher}<br />Fall in love with Alice J. Wisler's charming characters in this delightful story set in the beach communities of North Carolina's Outer Banks.<br /><br />Jackie Donovan prays for two things: an honest, wonderful man to marry and to own a bed-and-breakfast on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. In the meantime, she works for Lighthouse Views, writing articles about local business owners, and intrepidly goes on the blind dates set up by her well-meaning but oh-so-clueless relatives.<br /><br />There's one specific property Jackie dreams of purchasing: The Bailey House, a fabulous old home located right next to the ocean, a place where Jackie spent many happy childhood afternoons. But the Bailey House has strange stories and secrets surrounding it - not to mention its outrageous price tag.<br /><br />When Jackie meets handsome Davis Erickson, who holds the key to the Baily property, she believes God has answered both her prayers. But as Jackie learns some disturbing details about Davis's past, she begins to wonder if her heart has lead her astray. Will she risk her long-held dreams to find out the truth?<br /><br />{My Thoughts}<br />I enjoyed the story line of Hatteras Girl, but the actual writing was a bit awkward. I would give this book 3 out of 5 stars.", "timestamp": 1294700177000, "title": "Good storyline, but awkward writing style" }, { "asin": "0764208500", "rating": 5, "text": "{From the Publisher}<br />Amy Gallagher, aspiring writer, has an unabashed obsession with words. She gave up a steady, albeit unexciting, job to pursue a life of writing. However, two years and one master's degree later, she finds herself almost exactly right back where she started. Discouraged by the growing pile of rejections from publishers and afraid that she has settled, Amy knows something has to change.<br /><br />Then she meets the mysterious, attractive, and unavailable Eli. Amy finds herself struggling to walk the fine line between friendship and something more with Eli, even as she tries to cope with the feeling that her friends and family are moving on without her. When the unexpected begins pouring in, Amy doubts the love and fulfillment she seeks will ever come her way. Forced to take a close look at who she has become, the state of her faith, and her aspirations for her life, she must make a choice: play it safe yet again or finally find the courage to follow her dreams.<br /><br />{My Thoughts}<br />I really enjoyed reading this book. Amy Inspired was well-written, and I found myself relating to the main character. The story moved along at a nice pace and kept me intrigued, wanting to turn the page. I'd definitely give this book 5 out of 5 stars!", "timestamp": 1294700222000, "title": "Honest story - didn't fluff it up" }, { "asin": "0800734564", "rating": 5, "text": "I cannot get enough of Irene Hannon's books! I just love her style, her story lines, and her characters. Fatal Judgment did not fail to live up to my expectations! I started it one evening after putting my kids to bed (around 8pm), and I finished it around 1am. It was that good!<br /><br />A fast moving plot with twists and turns that keep you guessing - there is nothing better (in my opinion) that a suspense novel filled with \"real life law\" scenarios and the story of love and of soul redemption. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!", "timestamp": 1295974733000, "title": "Irene Hannon does NOT disappoint!!" }, { "asin": "0800732596", "rating": 4, "text": "I have mixed feelings about this book. It was well written and I enjoyed following the characters through the story, but the subject matter seemed a bit too PG/PG-13 for a junior high/high school girl to be reading. At one point, a comparison is made in the book to a character on a popular TV show that I watch (rated TV-14), but that I would never have been allowed to (or wanted to) watch in high school, let alone in junior high. However, this is the type of book (market-wise) that I would have been reading in junior high.<br /><br />While I wasn't offend by the material, I'm not sure it is appropriate for teen-age girls to be reading. They get enough garbage thrown at them in secular novels - Christian novels should have a higher standard (in my opinion).<br /><br />Because of the inappropriate material for this age group, I give this book 2 out of 5 stars.<br /><br />{Edit: Since posting this review initially, comments left have encouraged me to change my view of what is appropriate for this audience. I have posted my response in the comments and given this book a revised rating.}", "timestamp": 1296058241000, "title": "Inappropriate for the marketed age group" }, { "asin": "0800733711", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Lynette Eason's books. She has definitely become one of my favorite Christian suspense authors, and A Killer Among Us did not disappoint.<br /><br />From the characters that I came to love, to the plot that twisted and turned, A Killer Among Us held my attention from page one and I didn't want it to end. A gripping tale of a serial killer on the loose, faith in question, and a budding romance, A Killer Among Us is a book that will be sure to capture your attention as well.", "timestamp": 1305668476000, "title": "Another great read from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 4, "text": "I was immediately drawn into the storyline in The Lady of Bolton Hill.<br /><br />Connecting over a love of music, a high-society girl and a working-class boy became the best of friends. As they grew up \"together,\" their friendship blossomed, only to be torn apart when Clara's father, the Reverend Endicott, sends her to England to separate the two friends.<br /><br />A poignant love story with a true conflict, I fell in love with the characters and felt drawn into their lives... until chapter five. In chapter five, a new villain is introduced, and the introduction seems odd. While he does end up playing a role in the ensuing story and conflict, his entire sub-plot in the book seemed a bit awkward and out of place.<br /><br />I give this book four out of five stars.", "timestamp": 1307971697000, "title": "Drawn into the story from page one..." }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 4, "text": "Brilliantly woven plots - well developed characters - deeply intriguing storyline.<br /><br />From page one of Blue Skies Tomorrow, I fell in love with the WWII setting and 1940s characters. I was transported back in time to \"the good old days,\" only to find things weren't as \"good\" back then as I may have imagined.<br /><br />War and conflict abounded everywhere you looked:<br />-on the world scene<br />-on the national scene<br />-on the family scene<br />-on the individual scene<br />No one was exempt from real life struggles in this historical fiction novel from Sarah Sundin.<br /><br />I give Blue Skies Tomorrow 4 out of 5 stars, and I look forward to getting my hands on Book 1 and Book 2 of this Wings of Glory series!", "timestamp": 1311688349000, "title": "Brilliantly written and engaging!" }, { "asin": "0800733460", "rating": 5, "text": "I have come to love Janice Thompson's fun and easy-to-read romantic humor novels, and Hello, Hollywood! did NOT disappoint! I made the mistake of starting this novel when I couldn't fall asleep one night... let's just say that I didn't fall asleep any time soon! The quick-paced story kept me turning the pages and wanting to read more.<br /><br />Though Hello, Hollywood! is the sequel to Stars Collide, it could easily be read as a stand-alone novel.", "timestamp": 1317229169000, "title": "Funny, romantic, and all around light-hearted..." }, { "asin": "0764205978", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed reading Falls Like Lightning by Shawn Grady. Full of life-and-death situations, romance, and a solid faith in God, Falls Like Lightning appeals to both men and women readers. The only thing I felt that was missing was the full development of the relationship between Silas and Elle - it seemed to be lacking a bit in depth.<br /><br />I recently passed along my copy of Through the Fire by Shawn Grady to my husband, and I will definitely be passing Falls Like Lightning along as well. It was a well-written, easy to read, page-turner that kept my attention from the start.", "timestamp": 1318188029000, "title": "Great read for guys and gals alike!" }, { "asin": "0764208055", "rating": 4, "text": "A River to Cross is set in the late 1800s in western Texas. This was a setting that was new to me - I can't recall another book I've read from this time period and general location. The story was your standard \"knight in shining armor\" love story - girl finds herself needing to be rescued, guy comes and rescues her, it's love at first sight, neither of them wants to love the other, they work through their issues and live happily ever after. Were it not for the intriguing setting - the days of the Texas Ranger, on the border of Texas {a US state} and Mexico - I might not have enjoyed the book as much. Learning about the culture and historical issues of that time and place was very interesting. Yvonne Harris did an excellent job of tying the culture into the story.", "timestamp": 1319903909000, "title": "My first Harris book... Enjoyable!" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 5, "text": "I really enjoyed reading Where Wildflowers Bloom. It was the first book by Ann Shorey that I've read, but I'll definitely be looking to read others by her in the future.<br /><br />Ann did a great job introducing each of the main characters, causing the reader to want to invest time in learning about the town of Noble Spring, MO, and its residents. I thoroughly enjoyed feeling \"a part\" of the story as I read about Faith's struggles and the decisions she needed to make.<br /><br />Where Wildflowers Bloom was a great stand-alone title, but I'm excited to read the rest of the \"Sisters at Heart\" series from Ann Shorey.", "timestamp": 1327261703000, "title": "Loved it!!" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a bit leery when I first opened Unhallowed Ground and found a five page glossary for terms I would come across in the book. The first few pages of chapter one didn't give me any comfort, either, as I found myself immersed in fourteenth-century English. However, I persevered through the first few pages and quickly found myself enchanted with the world of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon and bailiff of Bampton Manor. Once I overcame my initial reaction to the language of the book, I actually found myself enjoying the cadence of the story.<br /><br />Unhallowed Ground is the fourth in a series of books about Hugh de Singleton, though it is my first encounter of him. Written from the main character's point of view {it is written in the past tense, as the `author' is writing down his memories of the events described}, readers find themselves privy to the thoughts and ideas of Hugh de Singleton.<br /><br />Full of suspense and action, Unhallowed Ground is an enjoyable read.", "timestamp": 1327334654000, "title": "An enjoyable read..." }, { "asin": "0800734599", "rating": 5, "text": "Twenty-four hours after finishing this book, I'm still thinking about the story, finding myself lost in the world of Fort Laramie, WY, in the summer of 1885. This was the first book that I've read by Amanda Cabot, but it will definitely not be my last. Summer of Promise had me hooked early on, and I found myself more and more engrossed in the story the more I read.<br /><br />A mystery, a history, and a romance in one, Summer of Promise is the first in the \"Westward Winds\" series by Amanda Cabot, and in my opinion, it is a great read. I loved the way the author built up the story, taking her time to develop relationships between characters, allowing the characters to face several conflicts during the course of the story. It was only the ending that seemed a bit rushed and abrupt. I'm hoping that the Abigail and Ethan's story will be \"resolved\" in the next book in this series.", "timestamp": 1327869635000, "title": "LOVED the development of the story" }, { "asin": "0800720075", "rating": 4, "text": "I had high hopes for this book, having read other books by Lynette Eason, and I think I may have set the standard a bit high. Had I read this book with no expectations whatsoever, I probably would have given it five stars. However, I had an expectation in my mind, and I felt like the book didn't live up to that expectation.<br /><br />Was it a fun and fast read? Yes. Did it grab my attention on page one and keep me turning the pages until the last? Yes. Were the characters well-developed and intriguing? Yes.<br /><br />So what was missing? To be honest, I'm not sure. All the elements of a great story were there, and I honestly enjoyed the story very much. But I just felt a small void - one that I cannot explain - as I read.", "timestamp": 1329237224000, "title": "Another great book from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0800720458", "rating": 5, "text": "1. I loved this book - the story line, the characters, everything!<br />2. Reader beware - if this book was made into a movie, it'd probably be rated PG-13.<br />3. This time period/setting was completely new to me, and after reading Words Spoken True, I want to know more!<br />4. I'd never read a book by Ann H. Gabhart before, but this will definitely not be the last one of her novels I read!<br />5. Don't start reading Words Spoken True just before you go to bed - you'll end up staying up late to finish it, even if it's after midnight!!", "timestamp": 1329930134000, "title": "I want to read more!!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 5, "text": "Heart's Safe Passage was full of conflict and intrigue. The main characters, Rafe and Phoebe, had amazing chemistry and yet both knew that their attraction to one another would end in heartache if changes did not happen in both of their hearts.<br /><br />One of my favorite parts of reading historical fiction is learning about the time period. Laurie Alice Eakes did an incredible job of creating a setting that takes the reader right into the middle of the War of 1812. Reading Heart's Safe Passage enlightened me about some of the previously unknown {to me} details about this time period.", "timestamp": 1330354284000, "title": "Great conflict and chemistry!!" }, { "asin": "0764208225", "rating": 5, "text": "I really can't say it better than Booklist said it on the back cover, \"Wingate's attention to deal, her poignant depictions of her characters, and her lyrical writing style make this book a draw.\"<br /><br />Blue Moon Bay pulled me in from page one and kept me turning pages as fast as I could until the last. {You know a book is good when you're able to maintain focus on the storyline while sitting outside watching your kids play!}<br /><br />Lisa Wingate did an excellent job of developing characters, creating a setting, and building a story that captured her reader's interest. Even in the story building stage, I felt drawn in - unlike some books where you can't wait to \"get to the real story\" - as I began to connect with the characters and found myself intrigued with the storyline.", "timestamp": 1332166576000, "title": "Beautifully written and intriguing from page one!" }, { "asin": "0764209507", "rating": 4, "text": "Learn how to overcome self-doubt and self-sabotage as Janet Davis explores the lives of women in the Bible and helps readers to apply truths from the Word of God to their own lives.<br /><br />If you are looking for a book to read, study, and apply, My Own Worst Enemy is one to consider. My Own Worst Enemy would make an excellent choice for a ladies' small group or book club.", "timestamp": 1333409890000, "title": "Looking for Women's Small Group Book?" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 5, "text": "Kathleen Morgan developed a great storyline full of sub-conflicts and resolutions that were all tied together into one main conflict and resolution. It made A Love Forbidden a page turner!<br /><br />Not only did the story move at a great pace, but the characters, the conflicts, and the resolutions were all incredibly believable - something I've found missing in a number of books I've read lately. Even the faith of the characters seemed authentic and the mentions of it were not \"forced\" or awkward in the storyline.<br /><br />Beyond the story, the setting of A Love Forbidden was interesting and eye-opening.", "timestamp": 1337613883000, "title": "Great story with multiple conflicts/resolutions!!" }, { "asin": "0800734378", "rating": 5, "text": "This book was a fast read for me - I managed to consume it in one sitting {about 3-4 hours} - and it moved at a steady pace. I didn't have any trouble losing myself in the story, and I found myself identifying with the characters.<br /><br />Even though my life experiences are vastly different from those of the main character's, I found myself relating to many of her struggles, which made the book all the more interesting to me as I wanted to see how she managed to overcome her struggles.<br /><br />Waiting for Sunrise would make an excellent beach read this summer!", "timestamp": 1339254039000, "title": "Great Beach Read" }, { "asin": "0800734580", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a sucker for good romance suspense-thrillers that are centered around law enforcement, and Irene Hannon is one of my favorite authors. I have been hooked on the Guardians of Justice series since book one, and I could not wait for Lethal Legacy to arrive in the mail!<br /><br />True to my expectation, Lethal Legacy was a fast-moving story with just the right balance of romance and suspense.<br /><br /> Predictable? Yes - but the story still had me riveted, turning page after page!<br /><br />Lethal Legacy is a \"must read in one sitting\" novel, and I highly recommend it and all of Irene Hannon's books.", "timestamp": 1344271833000, "title": "Loved it!!" }, { "asin": "076420887X", "rating": 2, "text": "As a fan of both Tracie Peterson's and Judith Miller's books, I was looking forward to digging in and reading To Love and Cherish last weekend. As the second book in the Bridal Veil Island series, I had high hopes for To Love and Cherish.<br /><br />To be honest, I this book fell flat on its face. And after re-reading my review on the first book in this series, To Have and To Hold, it's really not all that surprising.<br /><br />The plot felt forced and the characters felt fake. I think I would have enjoyed the storyline if it had been supported with the other necessary pieces of a quality book.<br /><br />I was disappointed with To Love and Cherish, and I have a feeling I'll avoid further books in this series.<br />[...]", "timestamp": 1348085185000, "title": "Lacked a sense of reality" }, { "asin": "0800734173", "rating": 5, "text": "Book Three in the Winds of Change series from Julie Lessman, A Love Surrendered focuses on the last \"single\" member of the O'Connor family from Boston, MA, in the early 1930s. While continuing the ongoing stories of the entire O'Connor clan, A Love Surrendered centers in on the romance between Annie Kennedy and Steven O'Connor.<br /><br />I have enjoyed each of the books in the Winds of Change series by Julie Lessman, and A Love Surrendered did not disappoint.<br /><br />Annie Kennedy is a young girl {not quite eighteen} whose life has been turned upside down by the deaths of her parents and her subsequent move from rural Iowa to Boston, MA. Trying to fit in with her older sister's friends in Boston, Annie finds herself in situations beyond her experience and comfort level. Steven O'Connor comes alongside Annie as an older brother, helping her to find her footing in her new town.<br /><br />A Love Surrendered is well-written with plenty of plot twists and turns to keep you turning the pages, eager to reach the conclusion. I especially appreciated Julie's inclusion of subplots involving the other members of the O'Connor family, as I had read each of their books in the series.", "timestamp": 1349300106000, "title": "Love the O'Connor family!!" }, { "asin": "0764208349", "rating": 4, "text": "Set in the late 1800s in northern Michigan, Unending Devotion is a story of a young woman on a mission to free white slave - young girls forced into prostitution for the enjoyment of the men in logging camps and towns. Lily Young is set on freeing young girls and isn't afraid to speak her mind in the face of opposition. Will she push forward on her own or will she learn to trust God to work out the details?<br /><br />I liked Unending Devotion, but I don't think I can say that I loved it.<br /><br />I enjoyed the setting and the storyline, but I felt as if some of the details were a bit stretched in their reality. I also felt that the characters lacked depth at times throughout the story.<br /><br />The underlying theme of the evils of white slavery {i.e. forced prostitution} was strong throughout the entirety of the book and rang true to the historical details on which the book was based {the story of James Carr}.", "timestamp": 1352554992000, "title": "Liked it, but didn't LOVE it." }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "I sat down to read Christmas Roses and found myself instantly connecting to the characters and the story. A shorter novel, Christmas Roses took me less than two hours to read start to finish, as I found myself turning the pages as fast as I could in order to find out what happened next in the story.<br /><br />I won't spoil the ending, but I was grinning ear-to-ear by the end of the book, eagerly awaiting the revealing of how the story would end!<br /><br />Amanda Cabot did an excellent job capturing the scene of a boardinghouse in small Wyoming mining town as she shares the story of Celia and Mark. With twists and turns around every corner, Christmas Roses was a fun read - perfect for this holiday season!", "timestamp": 1353270718000, "title": "Perfect read during the holiday season!" }, { "asin": "0800719867", "rating": 4, "text": "I struggled to find myself lost in this book. I don't know if it was the story itself (which was really quite good) or just the circumstances I found myself in while trying to read the book (chaos in the background), but I found myself easily distracted as I sat and read it over several days.<br /><br />Even though I struggled to stay connected to the story, I felt that it was well-written and believable. The characters in Choices of the Heart were well-developed and easy to relate with. The plot had plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader turning the pages.", "timestamp": 1358549651000, "title": "Struggled to connect, but well-written..." }, { "asin": "0800720393", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely fell in love with the characters in The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow as I found myself whisked back to Chicago in the 1890s.<br /><br />Faced with the dilemma of revealing a potentially job-ending secret to her employer or losing the one thing she loves most in life, Charlotte Farrow finds herself at a loss.<br /><br />A well-written plot, a well-developed story line, and full of characters readers can relate to, The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow is a fast and fun read. I thoroughly enjoyed every page!", "timestamp": 1358793931000, "title": "LOVED this second book in the Avenue of Dreams series!!" }, { "asin": "0800721330", "rating": 5, "text": "Jenny (my 6yo daughter) LOVED book one (Life with Lily) in The Adventures of Lily Lapp series, so I knew she would be thrilled to get her hands on A New Home from Lily. And she was!<br /><br />After visiting Shipshewana (in Indiana) this past fall, Jenny is enthralled with all things Amish, and she has loved learning more about the Amish culture from The Adventures of Lily Lapp series by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher. Sharing their personal experiences and research, Mary Ann and Suzanne have woven a beautiful story that not only captures Jenny's attention but also teaches her about the Amish culture.<br /><br />We both love that each chapter is a \"mini-story\" and can be read on its own or as part of the bigger story. These \"bite-sized\" nuggets are perfect for readers like Jenny who might be overwhelmed by the thought of reading an entire chapter book, allowing them to focus on one piece of the story at a time.<br /><br />We can't wait for the release of books three and four in this series!!", "timestamp": 1359489283000, "title": "We LOVE Lily Lapp!!" }, { "asin": "0764210734", "rating": 5, "text": "I love how simple this book is in its layout and design. No fancy Bible study here - just a simple summary with highlighted key points for each week's reading assignments.<br /><br />Start your journey at any time - the reading assignments are numbered by week, but not dated. In only fifteen to twenty minutes a day, you can read the entire Bible in one year!<br /><br />This book is set up for individuals to work through on their own or as part of an accountability group. Questions at the end of each week's reading assignment are provided for reflection and/or group discussion.<br /><br />If you're looking to read through the Bible in a year, grab a copy of A Woman's Guide to Reading the Bible in a Year and get started!", "timestamp": 1361209188000, "title": "Simple and direct - a great guide to have on hand!" }, { "asin": "0764211129", "rating": 5, "text": "A short book, but well-written, Jennifer introduces readers to the O'Malley family - a prequel of sorts to the O'Malley series by Dee Henderson.<br /><br />It'd been over six years since I'd first been introduced to Dee Henderson's characters, the O'Malley family, and reading Jennifer made me want to grab the whole series and read it again.<br /><br />This book was a \"can't put down\" page-turner that I was hooked on from chapter one. The characters were well-developed, the story line was engaging, and the plot was captivating. My only disappointment with Jennifer by Dee Henderson is that it had to end.", "timestamp": 1371499152000, "title": "Made me want to read the whole series again!!" }, { "asin": "0800722094", "rating": 5, "text": "I made the mistake of taking this book to bed with me. It's a fast-paced, can't-put-down story that kept me captivated late into the night, even as my eyes grew heavy. I didn't want to fall asleep until I knew how it ended.<br /><br />Once again, Lynette Eason has surpassed my expectations and taken me on suspense-filled journey. While many of the elements of the suspense were able to be “guessed” as the story progressed, I was thrown for a loop by one of the major elements that is revealed. The ability to “surprise” me like that is one that very few authors have.<br /><br />A quick, but well-developed story, Nowhere to Turn was an enjoyable read that kept me engaged and had me wanting to engage with the characters to “warn” them of the danger coming and cheer for them when they were victorious in evading their stalker for the moment.", "timestamp": 1410485504000, "title": "The ability to “surprise” me like that is one that very few authors have" }, { "asin": "0800721837", "rating": 4, "text": "Her desire to work in the city’s gardens didn’t include plans to sow seeds of love, but as she works alongside Reese King, she finds love blooming in her heart. As Love Blooms is a sweet love story from Lorna Seilstad that will make your heart smile.<br /><br />I enjoyed reading As Love Blooms by Lorna Seilstad. The story was light-hearted and (mostly) realistic. I found myself cheering for the main characters as they dealt with life’s challenges and fought to win the hearts of the ones they loved.<br /><br />I loved the author’s metaphoric use of gardening terms and phrases throughout the book as she told the story of young love blooming among the gardens of St. Paul, MN. It wasn’t tacky but well-woven into the natural flow of the text as the story unfolded.<br /><br />Well-written and full of depth, As Love Blooms was an enjoyable read, and I’d definitely recommend adding it to your summer reading list!<br /><br />Disclosure: I received a free copy of As Love Blooms from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1432057493000, "title": "Enjoyable, light-hearted romance" }, { "asin": "0800726405", "rating": 4, "text": "Is it the place that matters or the people who are there? That's what Shelby Kincaid is about to find out when her dream of owning her grandparents' farm finally comes true. But the purchase of the land isn't without its challenges - is it worth the fight to keep the property? Will she discover that her memories are enough or is this truly Where She Belongs?<br /><br />I'd never heard of Johnnie Alexander prior to picking up Where She Belongs, but I'm so glad I took a chance and tried this new-to-me author. This was a book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading - it was hard to put down! I found myself sucked into the story from page one, and although the ending wasn't a &#34;surprise,&#34; the twists and turns of the plot along the way kept me guessing as to how things would work out in the end.<br /><br />The characters were well-developed and relatable, making it easy for me to lose myself in their stories and lives. I found myself cheering along, groaning when 'mistakes' were made or life took unexpected turns, and pulling for things to work out for them in the end. I enjoyed 'getting to know' the characters and feeling as if they were truly friends of mine.<br /><br />I'm so glad this is the first in the Misty Willow series by Johnnie Alexander as I really enjoyed Where She Belongs and am looking forward to her future titles.<br /><br />Disclosure: I received access to a prerelease electronic copy of Where She Belongs thanks to Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.", "timestamp": 1454076546000, "title": "Loved this book and am looking forward to more in the Misty Willow series!" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764204963", "rating": 4, "text": "This book was a slow read. It was a good book and well written, but it took me four days to finish it, and I normally finish a book of this length in 4-6 hours. The story covers the \"flashbacks\" of three generations of women in a family - the grandmother, mother, and daughter - all acting courageously in the face of danger, trusting in God's direction and guidance.", "timestamp": 1258937382000, "title": "Generational inspiration" }, { "asin": "0764203630", "rating": 4, "text": "A joint effort by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley, The Silent Gift is a beautifully written historical fiction book. The story of a single mother and her deaf-mute son, The Silent Gift is a tale of their struggles through life and the faithfulness of God throughout it all.<br /><br />An easy and enjoyable read, The Silent Gift is a book that will have you captivated. I enjoyed the twists of the story, the tension of the characters, and the reminder at the end of how the story came to be. Read this book with an open mind, remembering that it is a work of fiction, and you will enjoy this story as much as I did.", "timestamp": 1259599109000, "title": "Captivating story and characters" }, { "asin": "0764205137", "rating": 4, "text": "From the back cover: When sixteen potential brides step off the train in Plum Grove, Nebraska, the town may never be the same again! Join Stephanie Grace Whitson for this spirited tale of courageous women who risk everything for the dream of owning land and finding love on the prairies of Nebraska.<br /><br />Sixteen Brides is a story of a group of war widows who have moved west to find new land and new husbands. Personally, I'm a huge fan of romantic historical fiction set in this time period. When you incorporate a Biblical worldview with historical romance, it's always a great read!", "timestamp": 1282495837000, "title": "Romance & Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0800733703", "rating": 5, "text": "Back in April, I was introduced to a new suspense/thriller author who I quickly added to my \"must read\" list. After reading her latest book, Don't Look Back, Lynette Eason is on my \"must read\" list to stay!<br /><br />I loved the romance, the suspense, and the real-life faith throughout the book. Just when you think you have the story figured out, Eason throws a new twist into play that entices you to read a little bit faster. Another great book in the Women of Justice series!", "timestamp": 1287422327000, "title": "Another Great Suspense from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0764206702", "rating": 4, "text": "Hearts Awakening is the story of a plain spinster and her less than likely encounter with love. Based from an island in the Susquehanna River, Hearts Awakening introduces the reader to a beautiful story in a beautiful setting.", "timestamp": 1292264384000, "title": "Beautiful setting and story" }, { "asin": "0764207326", "rating": 3, "text": "{From the Publisher}<br />Fall in love with Alice J. Wisler's charming characters in this delightful story set in the beach communities of North Carolina's Outer Banks.<br /><br />Jackie Donovan prays for two things: an honest, wonderful man to marry and to own a bed-and-breakfast on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. In the meantime, she works for Lighthouse Views, writing articles about local business owners, and intrepidly goes on the blind dates set up by her well-meaning but oh-so-clueless relatives.<br /><br />There's one specific property Jackie dreams of purchasing: The Bailey House, a fabulous old home located right next to the ocean, a place where Jackie spent many happy childhood afternoons. But the Bailey House has strange stories and secrets surrounding it - not to mention its outrageous price tag.<br /><br />When Jackie meets handsome Davis Erickson, who holds the key to the Baily property, she believes God has answered both her prayers. But as Jackie learns some disturbing details about Davis's past, she begins to wonder if her heart has lead her astray. Will she risk her long-held dreams to find out the truth?<br /><br />{My Thoughts}<br />I enjoyed the story line of Hatteras Girl, but the actual writing was a bit awkward. I would give this book 3 out of 5 stars.", "timestamp": 1294700177000, "title": "Good storyline, but awkward writing style" }, { "asin": "0764208500", "rating": 5, "text": "{From the Publisher}<br />Amy Gallagher, aspiring writer, has an unabashed obsession with words. She gave up a steady, albeit unexciting, job to pursue a life of writing. However, two years and one master's degree later, she finds herself almost exactly right back where she started. Discouraged by the growing pile of rejections from publishers and afraid that she has settled, Amy knows something has to change.<br /><br />Then she meets the mysterious, attractive, and unavailable Eli. Amy finds herself struggling to walk the fine line between friendship and something more with Eli, even as she tries to cope with the feeling that her friends and family are moving on without her. When the unexpected begins pouring in, Amy doubts the love and fulfillment she seeks will ever come her way. Forced to take a close look at who she has become, the state of her faith, and her aspirations for her life, she must make a choice: play it safe yet again or finally find the courage to follow her dreams.<br /><br />{My Thoughts}<br />I really enjoyed reading this book. Amy Inspired was well-written, and I found myself relating to the main character. The story moved along at a nice pace and kept me intrigued, wanting to turn the page. I'd definitely give this book 5 out of 5 stars!", "timestamp": 1294700222000, "title": "Honest story - didn't fluff it up" }, { "asin": "0800734564", "rating": 5, "text": "I cannot get enough of Irene Hannon's books! I just love her style, her story lines, and her characters. Fatal Judgment did not fail to live up to my expectations! I started it one evening after putting my kids to bed (around 8pm), and I finished it around 1am. It was that good!<br /><br />A fast moving plot with twists and turns that keep you guessing - there is nothing better (in my opinion) that a suspense novel filled with \"real life law\" scenarios and the story of love and of soul redemption. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!", "timestamp": 1295974733000, "title": "Irene Hannon does NOT disappoint!!" }, { "asin": "0800732596", "rating": 4, "text": "I have mixed feelings about this book. It was well written and I enjoyed following the characters through the story, but the subject matter seemed a bit too PG/PG-13 for a junior high/high school girl to be reading. At one point, a comparison is made in the book to a character on a popular TV show that I watch (rated TV-14), but that I would never have been allowed to (or wanted to) watch in high school, let alone in junior high. However, this is the type of book (market-wise) that I would have been reading in junior high.<br /><br />While I wasn't offend by the material, I'm not sure it is appropriate for teen-age girls to be reading. They get enough garbage thrown at them in secular novels - Christian novels should have a higher standard (in my opinion).<br /><br />Because of the inappropriate material for this age group, I give this book 2 out of 5 stars.<br /><br />{Edit: Since posting this review initially, comments left have encouraged me to change my view of what is appropriate for this audience. I have posted my response in the comments and given this book a revised rating.}", "timestamp": 1296058241000, "title": "Inappropriate for the marketed age group" }, { "asin": "0800733711", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Lynette Eason's books. She has definitely become one of my favorite Christian suspense authors, and A Killer Among Us did not disappoint.<br /><br />From the characters that I came to love, to the plot that twisted and turned, A Killer Among Us held my attention from page one and I didn't want it to end. A gripping tale of a serial killer on the loose, faith in question, and a budding romance, A Killer Among Us is a book that will be sure to capture your attention as well.", "timestamp": 1305668476000, "title": "Another great read from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 4, "text": "I was immediately drawn into the storyline in The Lady of Bolton Hill.<br /><br />Connecting over a love of music, a high-society girl and a working-class boy became the best of friends. As they grew up \"together,\" their friendship blossomed, only to be torn apart when Clara's father, the Reverend Endicott, sends her to England to separate the two friends.<br /><br />A poignant love story with a true conflict, I fell in love with the characters and felt drawn into their lives... until chapter five. In chapter five, a new villain is introduced, and the introduction seems odd. While he does end up playing a role in the ensuing story and conflict, his entire sub-plot in the book seemed a bit awkward and out of place.<br /><br />I give this book four out of five stars.", "timestamp": 1307971697000, "title": "Drawn into the story from page one..." }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 4, "text": "Brilliantly woven plots - well developed characters - deeply intriguing storyline.<br /><br />From page one of Blue Skies Tomorrow, I fell in love with the WWII setting and 1940s characters. I was transported back in time to \"the good old days,\" only to find things weren't as \"good\" back then as I may have imagined.<br /><br />War and conflict abounded everywhere you looked:<br />-on the world scene<br />-on the national scene<br />-on the family scene<br />-on the individual scene<br />No one was exempt from real life struggles in this historical fiction novel from Sarah Sundin.<br /><br />I give Blue Skies Tomorrow 4 out of 5 stars, and I look forward to getting my hands on Book 1 and Book 2 of this Wings of Glory series!", "timestamp": 1311688349000, "title": "Brilliantly written and engaging!" }, { "asin": "0800733460", "rating": 5, "text": "I have come to love Janice Thompson's fun and easy-to-read romantic humor novels, and Hello, Hollywood! did NOT disappoint! I made the mistake of starting this novel when I couldn't fall asleep one night... let's just say that I didn't fall asleep any time soon! The quick-paced story kept me turning the pages and wanting to read more.<br /><br />Though Hello, Hollywood! is the sequel to Stars Collide, it could easily be read as a stand-alone novel.", "timestamp": 1317229169000, "title": "Funny, romantic, and all around light-hearted..." }, { "asin": "0764205978", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed reading Falls Like Lightning by Shawn Grady. Full of life-and-death situations, romance, and a solid faith in God, Falls Like Lightning appeals to both men and women readers. The only thing I felt that was missing was the full development of the relationship between Silas and Elle - it seemed to be lacking a bit in depth.<br /><br />I recently passed along my copy of Through the Fire by Shawn Grady to my husband, and I will definitely be passing Falls Like Lightning along as well. It was a well-written, easy to read, page-turner that kept my attention from the start.", "timestamp": 1318188029000, "title": "Great read for guys and gals alike!" }, { "asin": "0764208055", "rating": 4, "text": "A River to Cross is set in the late 1800s in western Texas. This was a setting that was new to me - I can't recall another book I've read from this time period and general location. The story was your standard \"knight in shining armor\" love story - girl finds herself needing to be rescued, guy comes and rescues her, it's love at first sight, neither of them wants to love the other, they work through their issues and live happily ever after. Were it not for the intriguing setting - the days of the Texas Ranger, on the border of Texas {a US state} and Mexico - I might not have enjoyed the book as much. Learning about the culture and historical issues of that time and place was very interesting. Yvonne Harris did an excellent job of tying the culture into the story.", "timestamp": 1319903909000, "title": "My first Harris book... Enjoyable!" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 5, "text": "I really enjoyed reading Where Wildflowers Bloom. It was the first book by Ann Shorey that I've read, but I'll definitely be looking to read others by her in the future.<br /><br />Ann did a great job introducing each of the main characters, causing the reader to want to invest time in learning about the town of Noble Spring, MO, and its residents. I thoroughly enjoyed feeling \"a part\" of the story as I read about Faith's struggles and the decisions she needed to make.<br /><br />Where Wildflowers Bloom was a great stand-alone title, but I'm excited to read the rest of the \"Sisters at Heart\" series from Ann Shorey.", "timestamp": 1327261703000, "title": "Loved it!!" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a bit leery when I first opened Unhallowed Ground and found a five page glossary for terms I would come across in the book. The first few pages of chapter one didn't give me any comfort, either, as I found myself immersed in fourteenth-century English. However, I persevered through the first few pages and quickly found myself enchanted with the world of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon and bailiff of Bampton Manor. Once I overcame my initial reaction to the language of the book, I actually found myself enjoying the cadence of the story.<br /><br />Unhallowed Ground is the fourth in a series of books about Hugh de Singleton, though it is my first encounter of him. Written from the main character's point of view {it is written in the past tense, as the `author' is writing down his memories of the events described}, readers find themselves privy to the thoughts and ideas of Hugh de Singleton.<br /><br />Full of suspense and action, Unhallowed Ground is an enjoyable read.", "timestamp": 1327334654000, "title": "An enjoyable read..." }, { "asin": "0800734599", "rating": 5, "text": "Twenty-four hours after finishing this book, I'm still thinking about the story, finding myself lost in the world of Fort Laramie, WY, in the summer of 1885. This was the first book that I've read by Amanda Cabot, but it will definitely not be my last. Summer of Promise had me hooked early on, and I found myself more and more engrossed in the story the more I read.<br /><br />A mystery, a history, and a romance in one, Summer of Promise is the first in the \"Westward Winds\" series by Amanda Cabot, and in my opinion, it is a great read. I loved the way the author built up the story, taking her time to develop relationships between characters, allowing the characters to face several conflicts during the course of the story. It was only the ending that seemed a bit rushed and abrupt. I'm hoping that the Abigail and Ethan's story will be \"resolved\" in the next book in this series.", "timestamp": 1327869635000, "title": "LOVED the development of the story" }, { "asin": "0800720075", "rating": 4, "text": "I had high hopes for this book, having read other books by Lynette Eason, and I think I may have set the standard a bit high. Had I read this book with no expectations whatsoever, I probably would have given it five stars. However, I had an expectation in my mind, and I felt like the book didn't live up to that expectation.<br /><br />Was it a fun and fast read? Yes. Did it grab my attention on page one and keep me turning the pages until the last? Yes. Were the characters well-developed and intriguing? Yes.<br /><br />So what was missing? To be honest, I'm not sure. All the elements of a great story were there, and I honestly enjoyed the story very much. But I just felt a small void - one that I cannot explain - as I read.", "timestamp": 1329237224000, "title": "Another great book from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0800720458", "rating": 5, "text": "1. I loved this book - the story line, the characters, everything!<br />2. Reader beware - if this book was made into a movie, it'd probably be rated PG-13.<br />3. This time period/setting was completely new to me, and after reading Words Spoken True, I want to know more!<br />4. I'd never read a book by Ann H. Gabhart before, but this will definitely not be the last one of her novels I read!<br />5. Don't start reading Words Spoken True just before you go to bed - you'll end up staying up late to finish it, even if it's after midnight!!", "timestamp": 1329930134000, "title": "I want to read more!!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 5, "text": "Heart's Safe Passage was full of conflict and intrigue. The main characters, Rafe and Phoebe, had amazing chemistry and yet both knew that their attraction to one another would end in heartache if changes did not happen in both of their hearts.<br /><br />One of my favorite parts of reading historical fiction is learning about the time period. Laurie Alice Eakes did an incredible job of creating a setting that takes the reader right into the middle of the War of 1812. Reading Heart's Safe Passage enlightened me about some of the previously unknown {to me} details about this time period.", "timestamp": 1330354284000, "title": "Great conflict and chemistry!!" }, { "asin": "0764208225", "rating": 5, "text": "I really can't say it better than Booklist said it on the back cover, \"Wingate's attention to deal, her poignant depictions of her characters, and her lyrical writing style make this book a draw.\"<br /><br />Blue Moon Bay pulled me in from page one and kept me turning pages as fast as I could until the last. {You know a book is good when you're able to maintain focus on the storyline while sitting outside watching your kids play!}<br /><br />Lisa Wingate did an excellent job of developing characters, creating a setting, and building a story that captured her reader's interest. Even in the story building stage, I felt drawn in - unlike some books where you can't wait to \"get to the real story\" - as I began to connect with the characters and found myself intrigued with the storyline.", "timestamp": 1332166576000, "title": "Beautifully written and intriguing from page one!" }, { "asin": "0764209507", "rating": 4, "text": "Learn how to overcome self-doubt and self-sabotage as Janet Davis explores the lives of women in the Bible and helps readers to apply truths from the Word of God to their own lives.<br /><br />If you are looking for a book to read, study, and apply, My Own Worst Enemy is one to consider. My Own Worst Enemy would make an excellent choice for a ladies' small group or book club.", "timestamp": 1333409890000, "title": "Looking for Women's Small Group Book?" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 5, "text": "Kathleen Morgan developed a great storyline full of sub-conflicts and resolutions that were all tied together into one main conflict and resolution. It made A Love Forbidden a page turner!<br /><br />Not only did the story move at a great pace, but the characters, the conflicts, and the resolutions were all incredibly believable - something I've found missing in a number of books I've read lately. Even the faith of the characters seemed authentic and the mentions of it were not \"forced\" or awkward in the storyline.<br /><br />Beyond the story, the setting of A Love Forbidden was interesting and eye-opening.", "timestamp": 1337613883000, "title": "Great story with multiple conflicts/resolutions!!" }, { "asin": "0800734378", "rating": 5, "text": "This book was a fast read for me - I managed to consume it in one sitting {about 3-4 hours} - and it moved at a steady pace. I didn't have any trouble losing myself in the story, and I found myself identifying with the characters.<br /><br />Even though my life experiences are vastly different from those of the main character's, I found myself relating to many of her struggles, which made the book all the more interesting to me as I wanted to see how she managed to overcome her struggles.<br /><br />Waiting for Sunrise would make an excellent beach read this summer!", "timestamp": 1339254039000, "title": "Great Beach Read" }, { "asin": "0800734580", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a sucker for good romance suspense-thrillers that are centered around law enforcement, and Irene Hannon is one of my favorite authors. I have been hooked on the Guardians of Justice series since book one, and I could not wait for Lethal Legacy to arrive in the mail!<br /><br />True to my expectation, Lethal Legacy was a fast-moving story with just the right balance of romance and suspense.<br /><br /> Predictable? Yes - but the story still had me riveted, turning page after page!<br /><br />Lethal Legacy is a \"must read in one sitting\" novel, and I highly recommend it and all of Irene Hannon's books.", "timestamp": 1344271833000, "title": "Loved it!!" }, { "asin": "076420887X", "rating": 2, "text": "As a fan of both Tracie Peterson's and Judith Miller's books, I was looking forward to digging in and reading To Love and Cherish last weekend. As the second book in the Bridal Veil Island series, I had high hopes for To Love and Cherish.<br /><br />To be honest, I this book fell flat on its face. And after re-reading my review on the first book in this series, To Have and To Hold, it's really not all that surprising.<br /><br />The plot felt forced and the characters felt fake. I think I would have enjoyed the storyline if it had been supported with the other necessary pieces of a quality book.<br /><br />I was disappointed with To Love and Cherish, and I have a feeling I'll avoid further books in this series.<br />[...]", "timestamp": 1348085185000, "title": "Lacked a sense of reality" }, { "asin": "0800734173", "rating": 5, "text": "Book Three in the Winds of Change series from Julie Lessman, A Love Surrendered focuses on the last \"single\" member of the O'Connor family from Boston, MA, in the early 1930s. While continuing the ongoing stories of the entire O'Connor clan, A Love Surrendered centers in on the romance between Annie Kennedy and Steven O'Connor.<br /><br />I have enjoyed each of the books in the Winds of Change series by Julie Lessman, and A Love Surrendered did not disappoint.<br /><br />Annie Kennedy is a young girl {not quite eighteen} whose life has been turned upside down by the deaths of her parents and her subsequent move from rural Iowa to Boston, MA. Trying to fit in with her older sister's friends in Boston, Annie finds herself in situations beyond her experience and comfort level. Steven O'Connor comes alongside Annie as an older brother, helping her to find her footing in her new town.<br /><br />A Love Surrendered is well-written with plenty of plot twists and turns to keep you turning the pages, eager to reach the conclusion. I especially appreciated Julie's inclusion of subplots involving the other members of the O'Connor family, as I had read each of their books in the series.", "timestamp": 1349300106000, "title": "Love the O'Connor family!!" }, { "asin": "0764208349", "rating": 4, "text": "Set in the late 1800s in northern Michigan, Unending Devotion is a story of a young woman on a mission to free white slave - young girls forced into prostitution for the enjoyment of the men in logging camps and towns. Lily Young is set on freeing young girls and isn't afraid to speak her mind in the face of opposition. Will she push forward on her own or will she learn to trust God to work out the details?<br /><br />I liked Unending Devotion, but I don't think I can say that I loved it.<br /><br />I enjoyed the setting and the storyline, but I felt as if some of the details were a bit stretched in their reality. I also felt that the characters lacked depth at times throughout the story.<br /><br />The underlying theme of the evils of white slavery {i.e. forced prostitution} was strong throughout the entirety of the book and rang true to the historical details on which the book was based {the story of James Carr}.", "timestamp": 1352554992000, "title": "Liked it, but didn't LOVE it." }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "I sat down to read Christmas Roses and found myself instantly connecting to the characters and the story. A shorter novel, Christmas Roses took me less than two hours to read start to finish, as I found myself turning the pages as fast as I could in order to find out what happened next in the story.<br /><br />I won't spoil the ending, but I was grinning ear-to-ear by the end of the book, eagerly awaiting the revealing of how the story would end!<br /><br />Amanda Cabot did an excellent job capturing the scene of a boardinghouse in small Wyoming mining town as she shares the story of Celia and Mark. With twists and turns around every corner, Christmas Roses was a fun read - perfect for this holiday season!", "timestamp": 1353270718000, "title": "Perfect read during the holiday season!" }, { "asin": "0800719867", "rating": 4, "text": "I struggled to find myself lost in this book. I don't know if it was the story itself (which was really quite good) or just the circumstances I found myself in while trying to read the book (chaos in the background), but I found myself easily distracted as I sat and read it over several days.<br /><br />Even though I struggled to stay connected to the story, I felt that it was well-written and believable. The characters in Choices of the Heart were well-developed and easy to relate with. The plot had plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader turning the pages.", "timestamp": 1358549651000, "title": "Struggled to connect, but well-written..." }, { "asin": "0800720393", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely fell in love with the characters in The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow as I found myself whisked back to Chicago in the 1890s.<br /><br />Faced with the dilemma of revealing a potentially job-ending secret to her employer or losing the one thing she loves most in life, Charlotte Farrow finds herself at a loss.<br /><br />A well-written plot, a well-developed story line, and full of characters readers can relate to, The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow is a fast and fun read. I thoroughly enjoyed every page!", "timestamp": 1358793931000, "title": "LOVED this second book in the Avenue of Dreams series!!" }, { "asin": "0800721330", "rating": 5, "text": "Jenny (my 6yo daughter) LOVED book one (Life with Lily) in The Adventures of Lily Lapp series, so I knew she would be thrilled to get her hands on A New Home from Lily. And she was!<br /><br />After visiting Shipshewana (in Indiana) this past fall, Jenny is enthralled with all things Amish, and she has loved learning more about the Amish culture from The Adventures of Lily Lapp series by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher. Sharing their personal experiences and research, Mary Ann and Suzanne have woven a beautiful story that not only captures Jenny's attention but also teaches her about the Amish culture.<br /><br />We both love that each chapter is a \"mini-story\" and can be read on its own or as part of the bigger story. These \"bite-sized\" nuggets are perfect for readers like Jenny who might be overwhelmed by the thought of reading an entire chapter book, allowing them to focus on one piece of the story at a time.<br /><br />We can't wait for the release of books three and four in this series!!", "timestamp": 1359489283000, "title": "We LOVE Lily Lapp!!" }, { "asin": "0764210734", "rating": 5, "text": "I love how simple this book is in its layout and design. No fancy Bible study here - just a simple summary with highlighted key points for each week's reading assignments.<br /><br />Start your journey at any time - the reading assignments are numbered by week, but not dated. In only fifteen to twenty minutes a day, you can read the entire Bible in one year!<br /><br />This book is set up for individuals to work through on their own or as part of an accountability group. Questions at the end of each week's reading assignment are provided for reflection and/or group discussion.<br /><br />If you're looking to read through the Bible in a year, grab a copy of A Woman's Guide to Reading the Bible in a Year and get started!", "timestamp": 1361209188000, "title": "Simple and direct - a great guide to have on hand!" }, { "asin": "0764211129", "rating": 5, "text": "A short book, but well-written, Jennifer introduces readers to the O'Malley family - a prequel of sorts to the O'Malley series by Dee Henderson.<br /><br />It'd been over six years since I'd first been introduced to Dee Henderson's characters, the O'Malley family, and reading Jennifer made me want to grab the whole series and read it again.<br /><br />This book was a \"can't put down\" page-turner that I was hooked on from chapter one. The characters were well-developed, the story line was engaging, and the plot was captivating. My only disappointment with Jennifer by Dee Henderson is that it had to end.", "timestamp": 1371499152000, "title": "Made me want to read the whole series again!!" }, { "asin": "0800722094", "rating": 5, "text": "I made the mistake of taking this book to bed with me. It's a fast-paced, can't-put-down story that kept me captivated late into the night, even as my eyes grew heavy. I didn't want to fall asleep until I knew how it ended.<br /><br />Once again, Lynette Eason has surpassed my expectations and taken me on suspense-filled journey. While many of the elements of the suspense were able to be “guessed” as the story progressed, I was thrown for a loop by one of the major elements that is revealed. The ability to “surprise” me like that is one that very few authors have.<br /><br />A quick, but well-developed story, Nowhere to Turn was an enjoyable read that kept me engaged and had me wanting to engage with the characters to “warn” them of the danger coming and cheer for them when they were victorious in evading their stalker for the moment.", "timestamp": 1410485504000, "title": "The ability to “surprise” me like that is one that very few authors have" }, { "asin": "0800721837", "rating": 4, "text": "Her desire to work in the city’s gardens didn’t include plans to sow seeds of love, but as she works alongside Reese King, she finds love blooming in her heart. As Love Blooms is a sweet love story from Lorna Seilstad that will make your heart smile.<br /><br />I enjoyed reading As Love Blooms by Lorna Seilstad. The story was light-hearted and (mostly) realistic. I found myself cheering for the main characters as they dealt with life’s challenges and fought to win the hearts of the ones they loved.<br /><br />I loved the author’s metaphoric use of gardening terms and phrases throughout the book as she told the story of young love blooming among the gardens of St. Paul, MN. It wasn’t tacky but well-woven into the natural flow of the text as the story unfolded.<br /><br />Well-written and full of depth, As Love Blooms was an enjoyable read, and I’d definitely recommend adding it to your summer reading list!<br /><br />Disclosure: I received a free copy of As Love Blooms from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1432057493000, "title": "Enjoyable, light-hearted romance" }, { "asin": "0800726405", "rating": 4, "text": "Is it the place that matters or the people who are there? That's what Shelby Kincaid is about to find out when her dream of owning her grandparents' farm finally comes true. But the purchase of the land isn't without its challenges - is it worth the fight to keep the property? Will she discover that her memories are enough or is this truly Where She Belongs?<br /><br />I'd never heard of Johnnie Alexander prior to picking up Where She Belongs, but I'm so glad I took a chance and tried this new-to-me author. This was a book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading - it was hard to put down! I found myself sucked into the story from page one, and although the ending wasn't a &#34;surprise,&#34; the twists and turns of the plot along the way kept me guessing as to how things would work out in the end.<br /><br />The characters were well-developed and relatable, making it easy for me to lose myself in their stories and lives. I found myself cheering along, groaning when 'mistakes' were made or life took unexpected turns, and pulling for things to work out for them in the end. I enjoyed 'getting to know' the characters and feeling as if they were truly friends of mine.<br /><br />I'm so glad this is the first in the Misty Willow series by Johnnie Alexander as I really enjoyed Where She Belongs and am looking forward to her future titles.<br /><br />Disclosure: I received access to a prerelease electronic copy of Where She Belongs thanks to Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.", "timestamp": 1454076546000, "title": "Loved this book and am looking forward to more in the Misty Willow series!" }, { "asin": "0800723783", "rating": 3, "text": "Having read all the prior books in this series, I was curious how the story would end. I found myself having to think hard, though, about some of the prior details as this book only referenced them and didn’t expand on how certain characters were connected and/or how past history was relevant to the present time.<br /><br />Overall, I enjoyed finishing this series, though I felt a bit “jipped” by the speed at which the story was resolved. While I was glad the series didn’t drag on, I felt like a lot happened in this book which could have been stretched across two books and allowed for a smoother, less rushed final resolution.<br /><br />I received a free pre-release digital copy of this title from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for review purposes.", "timestamp": 1480454582000, "title": "OK finish to the series" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764204963", "rating": 4, "text": "This book was a slow read. It was a good book and well written, but it took me four days to finish it, and I normally finish a book of this length in 4-6 hours. The story covers the \"flashbacks\" of three generations of women in a family - the grandmother, mother, and daughter - all acting courageously in the face of danger, trusting in God's direction and guidance.", "timestamp": 1258937382000, "title": "Generational inspiration" }, { "asin": "0764203630", "rating": 4, "text": "A joint effort by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley, The Silent Gift is a beautifully written historical fiction book. The story of a single mother and her deaf-mute son, The Silent Gift is a tale of their struggles through life and the faithfulness of God throughout it all.<br /><br />An easy and enjoyable read, The Silent Gift is a book that will have you captivated. I enjoyed the twists of the story, the tension of the characters, and the reminder at the end of how the story came to be. Read this book with an open mind, remembering that it is a work of fiction, and you will enjoy this story as much as I did.", "timestamp": 1259599109000, "title": "Captivating story and characters" }, { "asin": "0764205137", "rating": 4, "text": "From the back cover: When sixteen potential brides step off the train in Plum Grove, Nebraska, the town may never be the same again! Join Stephanie Grace Whitson for this spirited tale of courageous women who risk everything for the dream of owning land and finding love on the prairies of Nebraska.<br /><br />Sixteen Brides is a story of a group of war widows who have moved west to find new land and new husbands. Personally, I'm a huge fan of romantic historical fiction set in this time period. When you incorporate a Biblical worldview with historical romance, it's always a great read!", "timestamp": 1282495837000, "title": "Romance & Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0800733703", "rating": 5, "text": "Back in April, I was introduced to a new suspense/thriller author who I quickly added to my \"must read\" list. After reading her latest book, Don't Look Back, Lynette Eason is on my \"must read\" list to stay!<br /><br />I loved the romance, the suspense, and the real-life faith throughout the book. Just when you think you have the story figured out, Eason throws a new twist into play that entices you to read a little bit faster. Another great book in the Women of Justice series!", "timestamp": 1287422327000, "title": "Another Great Suspense from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0764206702", "rating": 4, "text": "Hearts Awakening is the story of a plain spinster and her less than likely encounter with love. Based from an island in the Susquehanna River, Hearts Awakening introduces the reader to a beautiful story in a beautiful setting.", "timestamp": 1292264384000, "title": "Beautiful setting and story" }, { "asin": "0764207326", "rating": 3, "text": "{From the Publisher}<br />Fall in love with Alice J. Wisler's charming characters in this delightful story set in the beach communities of North Carolina's Outer Banks.<br /><br />Jackie Donovan prays for two things: an honest, wonderful man to marry and to own a bed-and-breakfast on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. In the meantime, she works for Lighthouse Views, writing articles about local business owners, and intrepidly goes on the blind dates set up by her well-meaning but oh-so-clueless relatives.<br /><br />There's one specific property Jackie dreams of purchasing: The Bailey House, a fabulous old home located right next to the ocean, a place where Jackie spent many happy childhood afternoons. But the Bailey House has strange stories and secrets surrounding it - not to mention its outrageous price tag.<br /><br />When Jackie meets handsome Davis Erickson, who holds the key to the Baily property, she believes God has answered both her prayers. But as Jackie learns some disturbing details about Davis's past, she begins to wonder if her heart has lead her astray. Will she risk her long-held dreams to find out the truth?<br /><br />{My Thoughts}<br />I enjoyed the story line of Hatteras Girl, but the actual writing was a bit awkward. I would give this book 3 out of 5 stars.", "timestamp": 1294700177000, "title": "Good storyline, but awkward writing style" }, { "asin": "0764208500", "rating": 5, "text": "{From the Publisher}<br />Amy Gallagher, aspiring writer, has an unabashed obsession with words. She gave up a steady, albeit unexciting, job to pursue a life of writing. However, two years and one master's degree later, she finds herself almost exactly right back where she started. Discouraged by the growing pile of rejections from publishers and afraid that she has settled, Amy knows something has to change.<br /><br />Then she meets the mysterious, attractive, and unavailable Eli. Amy finds herself struggling to walk the fine line between friendship and something more with Eli, even as she tries to cope with the feeling that her friends and family are moving on without her. When the unexpected begins pouring in, Amy doubts the love and fulfillment she seeks will ever come her way. Forced to take a close look at who she has become, the state of her faith, and her aspirations for her life, she must make a choice: play it safe yet again or finally find the courage to follow her dreams.<br /><br />{My Thoughts}<br />I really enjoyed reading this book. Amy Inspired was well-written, and I found myself relating to the main character. The story moved along at a nice pace and kept me intrigued, wanting to turn the page. I'd definitely give this book 5 out of 5 stars!", "timestamp": 1294700222000, "title": "Honest story - didn't fluff it up" }, { "asin": "0800734564", "rating": 5, "text": "I cannot get enough of Irene Hannon's books! I just love her style, her story lines, and her characters. Fatal Judgment did not fail to live up to my expectations! I started it one evening after putting my kids to bed (around 8pm), and I finished it around 1am. It was that good!<br /><br />A fast moving plot with twists and turns that keep you guessing - there is nothing better (in my opinion) that a suspense novel filled with \"real life law\" scenarios and the story of love and of soul redemption. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!", "timestamp": 1295974733000, "title": "Irene Hannon does NOT disappoint!!" }, { "asin": "0800732596", "rating": 4, "text": "I have mixed feelings about this book. It was well written and I enjoyed following the characters through the story, but the subject matter seemed a bit too PG/PG-13 for a junior high/high school girl to be reading. At one point, a comparison is made in the book to a character on a popular TV show that I watch (rated TV-14), but that I would never have been allowed to (or wanted to) watch in high school, let alone in junior high. However, this is the type of book (market-wise) that I would have been reading in junior high.<br /><br />While I wasn't offend by the material, I'm not sure it is appropriate for teen-age girls to be reading. They get enough garbage thrown at them in secular novels - Christian novels should have a higher standard (in my opinion).<br /><br />Because of the inappropriate material for this age group, I give this book 2 out of 5 stars.<br /><br />{Edit: Since posting this review initially, comments left have encouraged me to change my view of what is appropriate for this audience. I have posted my response in the comments and given this book a revised rating.}", "timestamp": 1296058241000, "title": "Inappropriate for the marketed age group" }, { "asin": "0800733711", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Lynette Eason's books. She has definitely become one of my favorite Christian suspense authors, and A Killer Among Us did not disappoint.<br /><br />From the characters that I came to love, to the plot that twisted and turned, A Killer Among Us held my attention from page one and I didn't want it to end. A gripping tale of a serial killer on the loose, faith in question, and a budding romance, A Killer Among Us is a book that will be sure to capture your attention as well.", "timestamp": 1305668476000, "title": "Another great read from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 4, "text": "I was immediately drawn into the storyline in The Lady of Bolton Hill.<br /><br />Connecting over a love of music, a high-society girl and a working-class boy became the best of friends. As they grew up \"together,\" their friendship blossomed, only to be torn apart when Clara's father, the Reverend Endicott, sends her to England to separate the two friends.<br /><br />A poignant love story with a true conflict, I fell in love with the characters and felt drawn into their lives... until chapter five. In chapter five, a new villain is introduced, and the introduction seems odd. While he does end up playing a role in the ensuing story and conflict, his entire sub-plot in the book seemed a bit awkward and out of place.<br /><br />I give this book four out of five stars.", "timestamp": 1307971697000, "title": "Drawn into the story from page one..." }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 4, "text": "Brilliantly woven plots - well developed characters - deeply intriguing storyline.<br /><br />From page one of Blue Skies Tomorrow, I fell in love with the WWII setting and 1940s characters. I was transported back in time to \"the good old days,\" only to find things weren't as \"good\" back then as I may have imagined.<br /><br />War and conflict abounded everywhere you looked:<br />-on the world scene<br />-on the national scene<br />-on the family scene<br />-on the individual scene<br />No one was exempt from real life struggles in this historical fiction novel from Sarah Sundin.<br /><br />I give Blue Skies Tomorrow 4 out of 5 stars, and I look forward to getting my hands on Book 1 and Book 2 of this Wings of Glory series!", "timestamp": 1311688349000, "title": "Brilliantly written and engaging!" }, { "asin": "0800733460", "rating": 5, "text": "I have come to love Janice Thompson's fun and easy-to-read romantic humor novels, and Hello, Hollywood! did NOT disappoint! I made the mistake of starting this novel when I couldn't fall asleep one night... let's just say that I didn't fall asleep any time soon! The quick-paced story kept me turning the pages and wanting to read more.<br /><br />Though Hello, Hollywood! is the sequel to Stars Collide, it could easily be read as a stand-alone novel.", "timestamp": 1317229169000, "title": "Funny, romantic, and all around light-hearted..." }, { "asin": "0764205978", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed reading Falls Like Lightning by Shawn Grady. Full of life-and-death situations, romance, and a solid faith in God, Falls Like Lightning appeals to both men and women readers. The only thing I felt that was missing was the full development of the relationship between Silas and Elle - it seemed to be lacking a bit in depth.<br /><br />I recently passed along my copy of Through the Fire by Shawn Grady to my husband, and I will definitely be passing Falls Like Lightning along as well. It was a well-written, easy to read, page-turner that kept my attention from the start.", "timestamp": 1318188029000, "title": "Great read for guys and gals alike!" }, { "asin": "0764208055", "rating": 4, "text": "A River to Cross is set in the late 1800s in western Texas. This was a setting that was new to me - I can't recall another book I've read from this time period and general location. The story was your standard \"knight in shining armor\" love story - girl finds herself needing to be rescued, guy comes and rescues her, it's love at first sight, neither of them wants to love the other, they work through their issues and live happily ever after. Were it not for the intriguing setting - the days of the Texas Ranger, on the border of Texas {a US state} and Mexico - I might not have enjoyed the book as much. Learning about the culture and historical issues of that time and place was very interesting. Yvonne Harris did an excellent job of tying the culture into the story.", "timestamp": 1319903909000, "title": "My first Harris book... Enjoyable!" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 5, "text": "I really enjoyed reading Where Wildflowers Bloom. It was the first book by Ann Shorey that I've read, but I'll definitely be looking to read others by her in the future.<br /><br />Ann did a great job introducing each of the main characters, causing the reader to want to invest time in learning about the town of Noble Spring, MO, and its residents. I thoroughly enjoyed feeling \"a part\" of the story as I read about Faith's struggles and the decisions she needed to make.<br /><br />Where Wildflowers Bloom was a great stand-alone title, but I'm excited to read the rest of the \"Sisters at Heart\" series from Ann Shorey.", "timestamp": 1327261703000, "title": "Loved it!!" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a bit leery when I first opened Unhallowed Ground and found a five page glossary for terms I would come across in the book. The first few pages of chapter one didn't give me any comfort, either, as I found myself immersed in fourteenth-century English. However, I persevered through the first few pages and quickly found myself enchanted with the world of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon and bailiff of Bampton Manor. Once I overcame my initial reaction to the language of the book, I actually found myself enjoying the cadence of the story.<br /><br />Unhallowed Ground is the fourth in a series of books about Hugh de Singleton, though it is my first encounter of him. Written from the main character's point of view {it is written in the past tense, as the `author' is writing down his memories of the events described}, readers find themselves privy to the thoughts and ideas of Hugh de Singleton.<br /><br />Full of suspense and action, Unhallowed Ground is an enjoyable read.", "timestamp": 1327334654000, "title": "An enjoyable read..." }, { "asin": "0800734599", "rating": 5, "text": "Twenty-four hours after finishing this book, I'm still thinking about the story, finding myself lost in the world of Fort Laramie, WY, in the summer of 1885. This was the first book that I've read by Amanda Cabot, but it will definitely not be my last. Summer of Promise had me hooked early on, and I found myself more and more engrossed in the story the more I read.<br /><br />A mystery, a history, and a romance in one, Summer of Promise is the first in the \"Westward Winds\" series by Amanda Cabot, and in my opinion, it is a great read. I loved the way the author built up the story, taking her time to develop relationships between characters, allowing the characters to face several conflicts during the course of the story. It was only the ending that seemed a bit rushed and abrupt. I'm hoping that the Abigail and Ethan's story will be \"resolved\" in the next book in this series.", "timestamp": 1327869635000, "title": "LOVED the development of the story" }, { "asin": "0800720075", "rating": 4, "text": "I had high hopes for this book, having read other books by Lynette Eason, and I think I may have set the standard a bit high. Had I read this book with no expectations whatsoever, I probably would have given it five stars. However, I had an expectation in my mind, and I felt like the book didn't live up to that expectation.<br /><br />Was it a fun and fast read? Yes. Did it grab my attention on page one and keep me turning the pages until the last? Yes. Were the characters well-developed and intriguing? Yes.<br /><br />So what was missing? To be honest, I'm not sure. All the elements of a great story were there, and I honestly enjoyed the story very much. But I just felt a small void - one that I cannot explain - as I read.", "timestamp": 1329237224000, "title": "Another great book from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0800720458", "rating": 5, "text": "1. I loved this book - the story line, the characters, everything!<br />2. Reader beware - if this book was made into a movie, it'd probably be rated PG-13.<br />3. This time period/setting was completely new to me, and after reading Words Spoken True, I want to know more!<br />4. I'd never read a book by Ann H. Gabhart before, but this will definitely not be the last one of her novels I read!<br />5. Don't start reading Words Spoken True just before you go to bed - you'll end up staying up late to finish it, even if it's after midnight!!", "timestamp": 1329930134000, "title": "I want to read more!!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 5, "text": "Heart's Safe Passage was full of conflict and intrigue. The main characters, Rafe and Phoebe, had amazing chemistry and yet both knew that their attraction to one another would end in heartache if changes did not happen in both of their hearts.<br /><br />One of my favorite parts of reading historical fiction is learning about the time period. Laurie Alice Eakes did an incredible job of creating a setting that takes the reader right into the middle of the War of 1812. Reading Heart's Safe Passage enlightened me about some of the previously unknown {to me} details about this time period.", "timestamp": 1330354284000, "title": "Great conflict and chemistry!!" }, { "asin": "0764208225", "rating": 5, "text": "I really can't say it better than Booklist said it on the back cover, \"Wingate's attention to deal, her poignant depictions of her characters, and her lyrical writing style make this book a draw.\"<br /><br />Blue Moon Bay pulled me in from page one and kept me turning pages as fast as I could until the last. {You know a book is good when you're able to maintain focus on the storyline while sitting outside watching your kids play!}<br /><br />Lisa Wingate did an excellent job of developing characters, creating a setting, and building a story that captured her reader's interest. Even in the story building stage, I felt drawn in - unlike some books where you can't wait to \"get to the real story\" - as I began to connect with the characters and found myself intrigued with the storyline.", "timestamp": 1332166576000, "title": "Beautifully written and intriguing from page one!" }, { "asin": "0764209507", "rating": 4, "text": "Learn how to overcome self-doubt and self-sabotage as Janet Davis explores the lives of women in the Bible and helps readers to apply truths from the Word of God to their own lives.<br /><br />If you are looking for a book to read, study, and apply, My Own Worst Enemy is one to consider. My Own Worst Enemy would make an excellent choice for a ladies' small group or book club.", "timestamp": 1333409890000, "title": "Looking for Women's Small Group Book?" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 5, "text": "Kathleen Morgan developed a great storyline full of sub-conflicts and resolutions that were all tied together into one main conflict and resolution. It made A Love Forbidden a page turner!<br /><br />Not only did the story move at a great pace, but the characters, the conflicts, and the resolutions were all incredibly believable - something I've found missing in a number of books I've read lately. Even the faith of the characters seemed authentic and the mentions of it were not \"forced\" or awkward in the storyline.<br /><br />Beyond the story, the setting of A Love Forbidden was interesting and eye-opening.", "timestamp": 1337613883000, "title": "Great story with multiple conflicts/resolutions!!" }, { "asin": "0800734378", "rating": 5, "text": "This book was a fast read for me - I managed to consume it in one sitting {about 3-4 hours} - and it moved at a steady pace. I didn't have any trouble losing myself in the story, and I found myself identifying with the characters.<br /><br />Even though my life experiences are vastly different from those of the main character's, I found myself relating to many of her struggles, which made the book all the more interesting to me as I wanted to see how she managed to overcome her struggles.<br /><br />Waiting for Sunrise would make an excellent beach read this summer!", "timestamp": 1339254039000, "title": "Great Beach Read" }, { "asin": "0800734580", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a sucker for good romance suspense-thrillers that are centered around law enforcement, and Irene Hannon is one of my favorite authors. I have been hooked on the Guardians of Justice series since book one, and I could not wait for Lethal Legacy to arrive in the mail!<br /><br />True to my expectation, Lethal Legacy was a fast-moving story with just the right balance of romance and suspense.<br /><br /> Predictable? Yes - but the story still had me riveted, turning page after page!<br /><br />Lethal Legacy is a \"must read in one sitting\" novel, and I highly recommend it and all of Irene Hannon's books.", "timestamp": 1344271833000, "title": "Loved it!!" }, { "asin": "076420887X", "rating": 2, "text": "As a fan of both Tracie Peterson's and Judith Miller's books, I was looking forward to digging in and reading To Love and Cherish last weekend. As the second book in the Bridal Veil Island series, I had high hopes for To Love and Cherish.<br /><br />To be honest, I this book fell flat on its face. And after re-reading my review on the first book in this series, To Have and To Hold, it's really not all that surprising.<br /><br />The plot felt forced and the characters felt fake. I think I would have enjoyed the storyline if it had been supported with the other necessary pieces of a quality book.<br /><br />I was disappointed with To Love and Cherish, and I have a feeling I'll avoid further books in this series.<br />[...]", "timestamp": 1348085185000, "title": "Lacked a sense of reality" }, { "asin": "0800734173", "rating": 5, "text": "Book Three in the Winds of Change series from Julie Lessman, A Love Surrendered focuses on the last \"single\" member of the O'Connor family from Boston, MA, in the early 1930s. While continuing the ongoing stories of the entire O'Connor clan, A Love Surrendered centers in on the romance between Annie Kennedy and Steven O'Connor.<br /><br />I have enjoyed each of the books in the Winds of Change series by Julie Lessman, and A Love Surrendered did not disappoint.<br /><br />Annie Kennedy is a young girl {not quite eighteen} whose life has been turned upside down by the deaths of her parents and her subsequent move from rural Iowa to Boston, MA. Trying to fit in with her older sister's friends in Boston, Annie finds herself in situations beyond her experience and comfort level. Steven O'Connor comes alongside Annie as an older brother, helping her to find her footing in her new town.<br /><br />A Love Surrendered is well-written with plenty of plot twists and turns to keep you turning the pages, eager to reach the conclusion. I especially appreciated Julie's inclusion of subplots involving the other members of the O'Connor family, as I had read each of their books in the series.", "timestamp": 1349300106000, "title": "Love the O'Connor family!!" }, { "asin": "0764208349", "rating": 4, "text": "Set in the late 1800s in northern Michigan, Unending Devotion is a story of a young woman on a mission to free white slave - young girls forced into prostitution for the enjoyment of the men in logging camps and towns. Lily Young is set on freeing young girls and isn't afraid to speak her mind in the face of opposition. Will she push forward on her own or will she learn to trust God to work out the details?<br /><br />I liked Unending Devotion, but I don't think I can say that I loved it.<br /><br />I enjoyed the setting and the storyline, but I felt as if some of the details were a bit stretched in their reality. I also felt that the characters lacked depth at times throughout the story.<br /><br />The underlying theme of the evils of white slavery {i.e. forced prostitution} was strong throughout the entirety of the book and rang true to the historical details on which the book was based {the story of James Carr}.", "timestamp": 1352554992000, "title": "Liked it, but didn't LOVE it." }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "I sat down to read Christmas Roses and found myself instantly connecting to the characters and the story. A shorter novel, Christmas Roses took me less than two hours to read start to finish, as I found myself turning the pages as fast as I could in order to find out what happened next in the story.<br /><br />I won't spoil the ending, but I was grinning ear-to-ear by the end of the book, eagerly awaiting the revealing of how the story would end!<br /><br />Amanda Cabot did an excellent job capturing the scene of a boardinghouse in small Wyoming mining town as she shares the story of Celia and Mark. With twists and turns around every corner, Christmas Roses was a fun read - perfect for this holiday season!", "timestamp": 1353270718000, "title": "Perfect read during the holiday season!" }, { "asin": "0800719867", "rating": 4, "text": "I struggled to find myself lost in this book. I don't know if it was the story itself (which was really quite good) or just the circumstances I found myself in while trying to read the book (chaos in the background), but I found myself easily distracted as I sat and read it over several days.<br /><br />Even though I struggled to stay connected to the story, I felt that it was well-written and believable. The characters in Choices of the Heart were well-developed and easy to relate with. The plot had plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader turning the pages.", "timestamp": 1358549651000, "title": "Struggled to connect, but well-written..." }, { "asin": "0800720393", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely fell in love with the characters in The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow as I found myself whisked back to Chicago in the 1890s.<br /><br />Faced with the dilemma of revealing a potentially job-ending secret to her employer or losing the one thing she loves most in life, Charlotte Farrow finds herself at a loss.<br /><br />A well-written plot, a well-developed story line, and full of characters readers can relate to, The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow is a fast and fun read. I thoroughly enjoyed every page!", "timestamp": 1358793931000, "title": "LOVED this second book in the Avenue of Dreams series!!" }, { "asin": "0800721330", "rating": 5, "text": "Jenny (my 6yo daughter) LOVED book one (Life with Lily) in The Adventures of Lily Lapp series, so I knew she would be thrilled to get her hands on A New Home from Lily. And she was!<br /><br />After visiting Shipshewana (in Indiana) this past fall, Jenny is enthralled with all things Amish, and she has loved learning more about the Amish culture from The Adventures of Lily Lapp series by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher. Sharing their personal experiences and research, Mary Ann and Suzanne have woven a beautiful story that not only captures Jenny's attention but also teaches her about the Amish culture.<br /><br />We both love that each chapter is a \"mini-story\" and can be read on its own or as part of the bigger story. These \"bite-sized\" nuggets are perfect for readers like Jenny who might be overwhelmed by the thought of reading an entire chapter book, allowing them to focus on one piece of the story at a time.<br /><br />We can't wait for the release of books three and four in this series!!", "timestamp": 1359489283000, "title": "We LOVE Lily Lapp!!" }, { "asin": "0764210734", "rating": 5, "text": "I love how simple this book is in its layout and design. No fancy Bible study here - just a simple summary with highlighted key points for each week's reading assignments.<br /><br />Start your journey at any time - the reading assignments are numbered by week, but not dated. In only fifteen to twenty minutes a day, you can read the entire Bible in one year!<br /><br />This book is set up for individuals to work through on their own or as part of an accountability group. Questions at the end of each week's reading assignment are provided for reflection and/or group discussion.<br /><br />If you're looking to read through the Bible in a year, grab a copy of A Woman's Guide to Reading the Bible in a Year and get started!", "timestamp": 1361209188000, "title": "Simple and direct - a great guide to have on hand!" }, { "asin": "0764211129", "rating": 5, "text": "A short book, but well-written, Jennifer introduces readers to the O'Malley family - a prequel of sorts to the O'Malley series by Dee Henderson.<br /><br />It'd been over six years since I'd first been introduced to Dee Henderson's characters, the O'Malley family, and reading Jennifer made me want to grab the whole series and read it again.<br /><br />This book was a \"can't put down\" page-turner that I was hooked on from chapter one. The characters were well-developed, the story line was engaging, and the plot was captivating. My only disappointment with Jennifer by Dee Henderson is that it had to end.", "timestamp": 1371499152000, "title": "Made me want to read the whole series again!!" }, { "asin": "0800722094", "rating": 5, "text": "I made the mistake of taking this book to bed with me. It's a fast-paced, can't-put-down story that kept me captivated late into the night, even as my eyes grew heavy. I didn't want to fall asleep until I knew how it ended.<br /><br />Once again, Lynette Eason has surpassed my expectations and taken me on suspense-filled journey. While many of the elements of the suspense were able to be “guessed” as the story progressed, I was thrown for a loop by one of the major elements that is revealed. The ability to “surprise” me like that is one that very few authors have.<br /><br />A quick, but well-developed story, Nowhere to Turn was an enjoyable read that kept me engaged and had me wanting to engage with the characters to “warn” them of the danger coming and cheer for them when they were victorious in evading their stalker for the moment.", "timestamp": 1410485504000, "title": "The ability to “surprise” me like that is one that very few authors have" }, { "asin": "0800721837", "rating": 4, "text": "Her desire to work in the city’s gardens didn’t include plans to sow seeds of love, but as she works alongside Reese King, she finds love blooming in her heart. As Love Blooms is a sweet love story from Lorna Seilstad that will make your heart smile.<br /><br />I enjoyed reading As Love Blooms by Lorna Seilstad. The story was light-hearted and (mostly) realistic. I found myself cheering for the main characters as they dealt with life’s challenges and fought to win the hearts of the ones they loved.<br /><br />I loved the author’s metaphoric use of gardening terms and phrases throughout the book as she told the story of young love blooming among the gardens of St. Paul, MN. It wasn’t tacky but well-woven into the natural flow of the text as the story unfolded.<br /><br />Well-written and full of depth, As Love Blooms was an enjoyable read, and I’d definitely recommend adding it to your summer reading list!<br /><br />Disclosure: I received a free copy of As Love Blooms from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1432057493000, "title": "Enjoyable, light-hearted romance" }, { "asin": "0800726405", "rating": 4, "text": "Is it the place that matters or the people who are there? That's what Shelby Kincaid is about to find out when her dream of owning her grandparents' farm finally comes true. But the purchase of the land isn't without its challenges - is it worth the fight to keep the property? Will she discover that her memories are enough or is this truly Where She Belongs?<br /><br />I'd never heard of Johnnie Alexander prior to picking up Where She Belongs, but I'm so glad I took a chance and tried this new-to-me author. This was a book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading - it was hard to put down! I found myself sucked into the story from page one, and although the ending wasn't a &#34;surprise,&#34; the twists and turns of the plot along the way kept me guessing as to how things would work out in the end.<br /><br />The characters were well-developed and relatable, making it easy for me to lose myself in their stories and lives. I found myself cheering along, groaning when 'mistakes' were made or life took unexpected turns, and pulling for things to work out for them in the end. I enjoyed 'getting to know' the characters and feeling as if they were truly friends of mine.<br /><br />I'm so glad this is the first in the Misty Willow series by Johnnie Alexander as I really enjoyed Where She Belongs and am looking forward to her future titles.<br /><br />Disclosure: I received access to a prerelease electronic copy of Where She Belongs thanks to Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.", "timestamp": 1454076546000, "title": "Loved this book and am looking forward to more in the Misty Willow series!" }, { "asin": "0800723783", "rating": 3, "text": "Having read all the prior books in this series, I was curious how the story would end. I found myself having to think hard, though, about some of the prior details as this book only referenced them and didn’t expand on how certain characters were connected and/or how past history was relevant to the present time.<br /><br />Overall, I enjoyed finishing this series, though I felt a bit “jipped” by the speed at which the story was resolved. While I was glad the series didn’t drag on, I felt like a lot happened in this book which could have been stretched across two books and allowed for a smoother, less rushed final resolution.<br /><br />I received a free pre-release digital copy of this title from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for review purposes.", "timestamp": 1480454582000, "title": "OK finish to the series" }, { "asin": "0800723309", "rating": 3, "text": "The premise of this book piqued my curiosity, so I requested a review copy. Leading up to the recent presidential election, this book was a timely read. I found it to be interesting in terms of the way it portrayed Washington politics – much of which came out in reality over the course of the last several months.<br /><br />As far as the story, it was interesting, but I felt it moved at a jumbled pace. Some chapters took place over the course of a few hours while others over the course of a few weeks. Because of this, I often felt pieces of the story were missing. Also, I felt the main characters lacked depth, which made it difficult to connect to the story.<br /><br />I received a free pre-release digital copy of this title from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for review purposes.", "timestamp": 1480454629000, "title": "Timely read during election season" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764204963", "rating": 4, "text": "This book was a slow read. It was a good book and well written, but it took me four days to finish it, and I normally finish a book of this length in 4-6 hours. The story covers the \"flashbacks\" of three generations of women in a family - the grandmother, mother, and daughter - all acting courageously in the face of danger, trusting in God's direction and guidance.", "timestamp": 1258937382000, "title": "Generational inspiration" }, { "asin": "0764203630", "rating": 4, "text": "A joint effort by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley, The Silent Gift is a beautifully written historical fiction book. The story of a single mother and her deaf-mute son, The Silent Gift is a tale of their struggles through life and the faithfulness of God throughout it all.<br /><br />An easy and enjoyable read, The Silent Gift is a book that will have you captivated. I enjoyed the twists of the story, the tension of the characters, and the reminder at the end of how the story came to be. Read this book with an open mind, remembering that it is a work of fiction, and you will enjoy this story as much as I did.", "timestamp": 1259599109000, "title": "Captivating story and characters" }, { "asin": "0764205137", "rating": 4, "text": "From the back cover: When sixteen potential brides step off the train in Plum Grove, Nebraska, the town may never be the same again! Join Stephanie Grace Whitson for this spirited tale of courageous women who risk everything for the dream of owning land and finding love on the prairies of Nebraska.<br /><br />Sixteen Brides is a story of a group of war widows who have moved west to find new land and new husbands. Personally, I'm a huge fan of romantic historical fiction set in this time period. When you incorporate a Biblical worldview with historical romance, it's always a great read!", "timestamp": 1282495837000, "title": "Romance & Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0800733703", "rating": 5, "text": "Back in April, I was introduced to a new suspense/thriller author who I quickly added to my \"must read\" list. After reading her latest book, Don't Look Back, Lynette Eason is on my \"must read\" list to stay!<br /><br />I loved the romance, the suspense, and the real-life faith throughout the book. Just when you think you have the story figured out, Eason throws a new twist into play that entices you to read a little bit faster. Another great book in the Women of Justice series!", "timestamp": 1287422327000, "title": "Another Great Suspense from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0764206702", "rating": 4, "text": "Hearts Awakening is the story of a plain spinster and her less than likely encounter with love. Based from an island in the Susquehanna River, Hearts Awakening introduces the reader to a beautiful story in a beautiful setting.", "timestamp": 1292264384000, "title": "Beautiful setting and story" }, { "asin": "0764207326", "rating": 3, "text": "{From the Publisher}<br />Fall in love with Alice J. Wisler's charming characters in this delightful story set in the beach communities of North Carolina's Outer Banks.<br /><br />Jackie Donovan prays for two things: an honest, wonderful man to marry and to own a bed-and-breakfast on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. In the meantime, she works for Lighthouse Views, writing articles about local business owners, and intrepidly goes on the blind dates set up by her well-meaning but oh-so-clueless relatives.<br /><br />There's one specific property Jackie dreams of purchasing: The Bailey House, a fabulous old home located right next to the ocean, a place where Jackie spent many happy childhood afternoons. But the Bailey House has strange stories and secrets surrounding it - not to mention its outrageous price tag.<br /><br />When Jackie meets handsome Davis Erickson, who holds the key to the Baily property, she believes God has answered both her prayers. But as Jackie learns some disturbing details about Davis's past, she begins to wonder if her heart has lead her astray. Will she risk her long-held dreams to find out the truth?<br /><br />{My Thoughts}<br />I enjoyed the story line of Hatteras Girl, but the actual writing was a bit awkward. I would give this book 3 out of 5 stars.", "timestamp": 1294700177000, "title": "Good storyline, but awkward writing style" }, { "asin": "0764208500", "rating": 5, "text": "{From the Publisher}<br />Amy Gallagher, aspiring writer, has an unabashed obsession with words. She gave up a steady, albeit unexciting, job to pursue a life of writing. However, two years and one master's degree later, she finds herself almost exactly right back where she started. Discouraged by the growing pile of rejections from publishers and afraid that she has settled, Amy knows something has to change.<br /><br />Then she meets the mysterious, attractive, and unavailable Eli. Amy finds herself struggling to walk the fine line between friendship and something more with Eli, even as she tries to cope with the feeling that her friends and family are moving on without her. When the unexpected begins pouring in, Amy doubts the love and fulfillment she seeks will ever come her way. Forced to take a close look at who she has become, the state of her faith, and her aspirations for her life, she must make a choice: play it safe yet again or finally find the courage to follow her dreams.<br /><br />{My Thoughts}<br />I really enjoyed reading this book. Amy Inspired was well-written, and I found myself relating to the main character. The story moved along at a nice pace and kept me intrigued, wanting to turn the page. I'd definitely give this book 5 out of 5 stars!", "timestamp": 1294700222000, "title": "Honest story - didn't fluff it up" }, { "asin": "0800734564", "rating": 5, "text": "I cannot get enough of Irene Hannon's books! I just love her style, her story lines, and her characters. Fatal Judgment did not fail to live up to my expectations! I started it one evening after putting my kids to bed (around 8pm), and I finished it around 1am. It was that good!<br /><br />A fast moving plot with twists and turns that keep you guessing - there is nothing better (in my opinion) that a suspense novel filled with \"real life law\" scenarios and the story of love and of soul redemption. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!", "timestamp": 1295974733000, "title": "Irene Hannon does NOT disappoint!!" }, { "asin": "0800732596", "rating": 4, "text": "I have mixed feelings about this book. It was well written and I enjoyed following the characters through the story, but the subject matter seemed a bit too PG/PG-13 for a junior high/high school girl to be reading. At one point, a comparison is made in the book to a character on a popular TV show that I watch (rated TV-14), but that I would never have been allowed to (or wanted to) watch in high school, let alone in junior high. However, this is the type of book (market-wise) that I would have been reading in junior high.<br /><br />While I wasn't offend by the material, I'm not sure it is appropriate for teen-age girls to be reading. They get enough garbage thrown at them in secular novels - Christian novels should have a higher standard (in my opinion).<br /><br />Because of the inappropriate material for this age group, I give this book 2 out of 5 stars.<br /><br />{Edit: Since posting this review initially, comments left have encouraged me to change my view of what is appropriate for this audience. I have posted my response in the comments and given this book a revised rating.}", "timestamp": 1296058241000, "title": "Inappropriate for the marketed age group" }, { "asin": "0800733711", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Lynette Eason's books. She has definitely become one of my favorite Christian suspense authors, and A Killer Among Us did not disappoint.<br /><br />From the characters that I came to love, to the plot that twisted and turned, A Killer Among Us held my attention from page one and I didn't want it to end. A gripping tale of a serial killer on the loose, faith in question, and a budding romance, A Killer Among Us is a book that will be sure to capture your attention as well.", "timestamp": 1305668476000, "title": "Another great read from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 4, "text": "I was immediately drawn into the storyline in The Lady of Bolton Hill.<br /><br />Connecting over a love of music, a high-society girl and a working-class boy became the best of friends. As they grew up \"together,\" their friendship blossomed, only to be torn apart when Clara's father, the Reverend Endicott, sends her to England to separate the two friends.<br /><br />A poignant love story with a true conflict, I fell in love with the characters and felt drawn into their lives... until chapter five. In chapter five, a new villain is introduced, and the introduction seems odd. While he does end up playing a role in the ensuing story and conflict, his entire sub-plot in the book seemed a bit awkward and out of place.<br /><br />I give this book four out of five stars.", "timestamp": 1307971697000, "title": "Drawn into the story from page one..." }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 4, "text": "Brilliantly woven plots - well developed characters - deeply intriguing storyline.<br /><br />From page one of Blue Skies Tomorrow, I fell in love with the WWII setting and 1940s characters. I was transported back in time to \"the good old days,\" only to find things weren't as \"good\" back then as I may have imagined.<br /><br />War and conflict abounded everywhere you looked:<br />-on the world scene<br />-on the national scene<br />-on the family scene<br />-on the individual scene<br />No one was exempt from real life struggles in this historical fiction novel from Sarah Sundin.<br /><br />I give Blue Skies Tomorrow 4 out of 5 stars, and I look forward to getting my hands on Book 1 and Book 2 of this Wings of Glory series!", "timestamp": 1311688349000, "title": "Brilliantly written and engaging!" }, { "asin": "0800733460", "rating": 5, "text": "I have come to love Janice Thompson's fun and easy-to-read romantic humor novels, and Hello, Hollywood! did NOT disappoint! I made the mistake of starting this novel when I couldn't fall asleep one night... let's just say that I didn't fall asleep any time soon! The quick-paced story kept me turning the pages and wanting to read more.<br /><br />Though Hello, Hollywood! is the sequel to Stars Collide, it could easily be read as a stand-alone novel.", "timestamp": 1317229169000, "title": "Funny, romantic, and all around light-hearted..." }, { "asin": "0764205978", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed reading Falls Like Lightning by Shawn Grady. Full of life-and-death situations, romance, and a solid faith in God, Falls Like Lightning appeals to both men and women readers. The only thing I felt that was missing was the full development of the relationship between Silas and Elle - it seemed to be lacking a bit in depth.<br /><br />I recently passed along my copy of Through the Fire by Shawn Grady to my husband, and I will definitely be passing Falls Like Lightning along as well. It was a well-written, easy to read, page-turner that kept my attention from the start.", "timestamp": 1318188029000, "title": "Great read for guys and gals alike!" }, { "asin": "0764208055", "rating": 4, "text": "A River to Cross is set in the late 1800s in western Texas. This was a setting that was new to me - I can't recall another book I've read from this time period and general location. The story was your standard \"knight in shining armor\" love story - girl finds herself needing to be rescued, guy comes and rescues her, it's love at first sight, neither of them wants to love the other, they work through their issues and live happily ever after. Were it not for the intriguing setting - the days of the Texas Ranger, on the border of Texas {a US state} and Mexico - I might not have enjoyed the book as much. Learning about the culture and historical issues of that time and place was very interesting. Yvonne Harris did an excellent job of tying the culture into the story.", "timestamp": 1319903909000, "title": "My first Harris book... Enjoyable!" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 5, "text": "I really enjoyed reading Where Wildflowers Bloom. It was the first book by Ann Shorey that I've read, but I'll definitely be looking to read others by her in the future.<br /><br />Ann did a great job introducing each of the main characters, causing the reader to want to invest time in learning about the town of Noble Spring, MO, and its residents. I thoroughly enjoyed feeling \"a part\" of the story as I read about Faith's struggles and the decisions she needed to make.<br /><br />Where Wildflowers Bloom was a great stand-alone title, but I'm excited to read the rest of the \"Sisters at Heart\" series from Ann Shorey.", "timestamp": 1327261703000, "title": "Loved it!!" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "I was a bit leery when I first opened Unhallowed Ground and found a five page glossary for terms I would come across in the book. The first few pages of chapter one didn't give me any comfort, either, as I found myself immersed in fourteenth-century English. However, I persevered through the first few pages and quickly found myself enchanted with the world of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon and bailiff of Bampton Manor. Once I overcame my initial reaction to the language of the book, I actually found myself enjoying the cadence of the story.<br /><br />Unhallowed Ground is the fourth in a series of books about Hugh de Singleton, though it is my first encounter of him. Written from the main character's point of view {it is written in the past tense, as the `author' is writing down his memories of the events described}, readers find themselves privy to the thoughts and ideas of Hugh de Singleton.<br /><br />Full of suspense and action, Unhallowed Ground is an enjoyable read.", "timestamp": 1327334654000, "title": "An enjoyable read..." }, { "asin": "0800734599", "rating": 5, "text": "Twenty-four hours after finishing this book, I'm still thinking about the story, finding myself lost in the world of Fort Laramie, WY, in the summer of 1885. This was the first book that I've read by Amanda Cabot, but it will definitely not be my last. Summer of Promise had me hooked early on, and I found myself more and more engrossed in the story the more I read.<br /><br />A mystery, a history, and a romance in one, Summer of Promise is the first in the \"Westward Winds\" series by Amanda Cabot, and in my opinion, it is a great read. I loved the way the author built up the story, taking her time to develop relationships between characters, allowing the characters to face several conflicts during the course of the story. It was only the ending that seemed a bit rushed and abrupt. I'm hoping that the Abigail and Ethan's story will be \"resolved\" in the next book in this series.", "timestamp": 1327869635000, "title": "LOVED the development of the story" }, { "asin": "0800720075", "rating": 4, "text": "I had high hopes for this book, having read other books by Lynette Eason, and I think I may have set the standard a bit high. Had I read this book with no expectations whatsoever, I probably would have given it five stars. However, I had an expectation in my mind, and I felt like the book didn't live up to that expectation.<br /><br />Was it a fun and fast read? Yes. Did it grab my attention on page one and keep me turning the pages until the last? Yes. Were the characters well-developed and intriguing? Yes.<br /><br />So what was missing? To be honest, I'm not sure. All the elements of a great story were there, and I honestly enjoyed the story very much. But I just felt a small void - one that I cannot explain - as I read.", "timestamp": 1329237224000, "title": "Another great book from Lynette Eason" }, { "asin": "0800720458", "rating": 5, "text": "1. I loved this book - the story line, the characters, everything!<br />2. Reader beware - if this book was made into a movie, it'd probably be rated PG-13.<br />3. This time period/setting was completely new to me, and after reading Words Spoken True, I want to know more!<br />4. I'd never read a book by Ann H. Gabhart before, but this will definitely not be the last one of her novels I read!<br />5. Don't start reading Words Spoken True just before you go to bed - you'll end up staying up late to finish it, even if it's after midnight!!", "timestamp": 1329930134000, "title": "I want to read more!!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 5, "text": "Heart's Safe Passage was full of conflict and intrigue. The main characters, Rafe and Phoebe, had amazing chemistry and yet both knew that their attraction to one another would end in heartache if changes did not happen in both of their hearts.<br /><br />One of my favorite parts of reading historical fiction is learning about the time period. Laurie Alice Eakes did an incredible job of creating a setting that takes the reader right into the middle of the War of 1812. Reading Heart's Safe Passage enlightened me about some of the previously unknown {to me} details about this time period.", "timestamp": 1330354284000, "title": "Great conflict and chemistry!!" }, { "asin": "0764208225", "rating": 5, "text": "I really can't say it better than Booklist said it on the back cover, \"Wingate's attention to deal, her poignant depictions of her characters, and her lyrical writing style make this book a draw.\"<br /><br />Blue Moon Bay pulled me in from page one and kept me turning pages as fast as I could until the last. {You know a book is good when you're able to maintain focus on the storyline while sitting outside watching your kids play!}<br /><br />Lisa Wingate did an excellent job of developing characters, creating a setting, and building a story that captured her reader's interest. Even in the story building stage, I felt drawn in - unlike some books where you can't wait to \"get to the real story\" - as I began to connect with the characters and found myself intrigued with the storyline.", "timestamp": 1332166576000, "title": "Beautifully written and intriguing from page one!" }, { "asin": "0764209507", "rating": 4, "text": "Learn how to overcome self-doubt and self-sabotage as Janet Davis explores the lives of women in the Bible and helps readers to apply truths from the Word of God to their own lives.<br /><br />If you are looking for a book to read, study, and apply, My Own Worst Enemy is one to consider. My Own Worst Enemy would make an excellent choice for a ladies' small group or book club.", "timestamp": 1333409890000, "title": "Looking for Women's Small Group Book?" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 5, "text": "Kathleen Morgan developed a great storyline full of sub-conflicts and resolutions that were all tied together into one main conflict and resolution. It made A Love Forbidden a page turner!<br /><br />Not only did the story move at a great pace, but the characters, the conflicts, and the resolutions were all incredibly believable - something I've found missing in a number of books I've read lately. Even the faith of the characters seemed authentic and the mentions of it were not \"forced\" or awkward in the storyline.<br /><br />Beyond the story, the setting of A Love Forbidden was interesting and eye-opening.", "timestamp": 1337613883000, "title": "Great story with multiple conflicts/resolutions!!" }, { "asin": "0800734378", "rating": 5, "text": "This book was a fast read for me - I managed to consume it in one sitting {about 3-4 hours} - and it moved at a steady pace. I didn't have any trouble losing myself in the story, and I found myself identifying with the characters.<br /><br />Even though my life experiences are vastly different from those of the main character's, I found myself relating to many of her struggles, which made the book all the more interesting to me as I wanted to see how she managed to overcome her struggles.<br /><br />Waiting for Sunrise would make an excellent beach read this summer!", "timestamp": 1339254039000, "title": "Great Beach Read" }, { "asin": "0800734580", "rating": 5, "text": "I am a sucker for good romance suspense-thrillers that are centered around law enforcement, and Irene Hannon is one of my favorite authors. I have been hooked on the Guardians of Justice series since book one, and I could not wait for Lethal Legacy to arrive in the mail!<br /><br />True to my expectation, Lethal Legacy was a fast-moving story with just the right balance of romance and suspense.<br /><br /> Predictable? Yes - but the story still had me riveted, turning page after page!<br /><br />Lethal Legacy is a \"must read in one sitting\" novel, and I highly recommend it and all of Irene Hannon's books.", "timestamp": 1344271833000, "title": "Loved it!!" }, { "asin": "076420887X", "rating": 2, "text": "As a fan of both Tracie Peterson's and Judith Miller's books, I was looking forward to digging in and reading To Love and Cherish last weekend. As the second book in the Bridal Veil Island series, I had high hopes for To Love and Cherish.<br /><br />To be honest, I this book fell flat on its face. And after re-reading my review on the first book in this series, To Have and To Hold, it's really not all that surprising.<br /><br />The plot felt forced and the characters felt fake. I think I would have enjoyed the storyline if it had been supported with the other necessary pieces of a quality book.<br /><br />I was disappointed with To Love and Cherish, and I have a feeling I'll avoid further books in this series.<br />[...]", "timestamp": 1348085185000, "title": "Lacked a sense of reality" }, { "asin": "0800734173", "rating": 5, "text": "Book Three in the Winds of Change series from Julie Lessman, A Love Surrendered focuses on the last \"single\" member of the O'Connor family from Boston, MA, in the early 1930s. While continuing the ongoing stories of the entire O'Connor clan, A Love Surrendered centers in on the romance between Annie Kennedy and Steven O'Connor.<br /><br />I have enjoyed each of the books in the Winds of Change series by Julie Lessman, and A Love Surrendered did not disappoint.<br /><br />Annie Kennedy is a young girl {not quite eighteen} whose life has been turned upside down by the deaths of her parents and her subsequent move from rural Iowa to Boston, MA. Trying to fit in with her older sister's friends in Boston, Annie finds herself in situations beyond her experience and comfort level. Steven O'Connor comes alongside Annie as an older brother, helping her to find her footing in her new town.<br /><br />A Love Surrendered is well-written with plenty of plot twists and turns to keep you turning the pages, eager to reach the conclusion. I especially appreciated Julie's inclusion of subplots involving the other members of the O'Connor family, as I had read each of their books in the series.", "timestamp": 1349300106000, "title": "Love the O'Connor family!!" }, { "asin": "0764208349", "rating": 4, "text": "Set in the late 1800s in northern Michigan, Unending Devotion is a story of a young woman on a mission to free white slave - young girls forced into prostitution for the enjoyment of the men in logging camps and towns. Lily Young is set on freeing young girls and isn't afraid to speak her mind in the face of opposition. Will she push forward on her own or will she learn to trust God to work out the details?<br /><br />I liked Unending Devotion, but I don't think I can say that I loved it.<br /><br />I enjoyed the setting and the storyline, but I felt as if some of the details were a bit stretched in their reality. I also felt that the characters lacked depth at times throughout the story.<br /><br />The underlying theme of the evils of white slavery {i.e. forced prostitution} was strong throughout the entirety of the book and rang true to the historical details on which the book was based {the story of James Carr}.", "timestamp": 1352554992000, "title": "Liked it, but didn't LOVE it." }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "I sat down to read Christmas Roses and found myself instantly connecting to the characters and the story. A shorter novel, Christmas Roses took me less than two hours to read start to finish, as I found myself turning the pages as fast as I could in order to find out what happened next in the story.<br /><br />I won't spoil the ending, but I was grinning ear-to-ear by the end of the book, eagerly awaiting the revealing of how the story would end!<br /><br />Amanda Cabot did an excellent job capturing the scene of a boardinghouse in small Wyoming mining town as she shares the story of Celia and Mark. With twists and turns around every corner, Christmas Roses was a fun read - perfect for this holiday season!", "timestamp": 1353270718000, "title": "Perfect read during the holiday season!" }, { "asin": "0800719867", "rating": 4, "text": "I struggled to find myself lost in this book. I don't know if it was the story itself (which was really quite good) or just the circumstances I found myself in while trying to read the book (chaos in the background), but I found myself easily distracted as I sat and read it over several days.<br /><br />Even though I struggled to stay connected to the story, I felt that it was well-written and believable. The characters in Choices of the Heart were well-developed and easy to relate with. The plot had plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader turning the pages.", "timestamp": 1358549651000, "title": "Struggled to connect, but well-written..." }, { "asin": "0800720393", "rating": 5, "text": "I absolutely fell in love with the characters in The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow as I found myself whisked back to Chicago in the 1890s.<br /><br />Faced with the dilemma of revealing a potentially job-ending secret to her employer or losing the one thing she loves most in life, Charlotte Farrow finds herself at a loss.<br /><br />A well-written plot, a well-developed story line, and full of characters readers can relate to, The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow is a fast and fun read. I thoroughly enjoyed every page!", "timestamp": 1358793931000, "title": "LOVED this second book in the Avenue of Dreams series!!" }, { "asin": "0800721330", "rating": 5, "text": "Jenny (my 6yo daughter) LOVED book one (Life with Lily) in The Adventures of Lily Lapp series, so I knew she would be thrilled to get her hands on A New Home from Lily. And she was!<br /><br />After visiting Shipshewana (in Indiana) this past fall, Jenny is enthralled with all things Amish, and she has loved learning more about the Amish culture from The Adventures of Lily Lapp series by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher. Sharing their personal experiences and research, Mary Ann and Suzanne have woven a beautiful story that not only captures Jenny's attention but also teaches her about the Amish culture.<br /><br />We both love that each chapter is a \"mini-story\" and can be read on its own or as part of the bigger story. These \"bite-sized\" nuggets are perfect for readers like Jenny who might be overwhelmed by the thought of reading an entire chapter book, allowing them to focus on one piece of the story at a time.<br /><br />We can't wait for the release of books three and four in this series!!", "timestamp": 1359489283000, "title": "We LOVE Lily Lapp!!" }, { "asin": "0764210734", "rating": 5, "text": "I love how simple this book is in its layout and design. No fancy Bible study here - just a simple summary with highlighted key points for each week's reading assignments.<br /><br />Start your journey at any time - the reading assignments are numbered by week, but not dated. In only fifteen to twenty minutes a day, you can read the entire Bible in one year!<br /><br />This book is set up for individuals to work through on their own or as part of an accountability group. Questions at the end of each week's reading assignment are provided for reflection and/or group discussion.<br /><br />If you're looking to read through the Bible in a year, grab a copy of A Woman's Guide to Reading the Bible in a Year and get started!", "timestamp": 1361209188000, "title": "Simple and direct - a great guide to have on hand!" }, { "asin": "0764211129", "rating": 5, "text": "A short book, but well-written, Jennifer introduces readers to the O'Malley family - a prequel of sorts to the O'Malley series by Dee Henderson.<br /><br />It'd been over six years since I'd first been introduced to Dee Henderson's characters, the O'Malley family, and reading Jennifer made me want to grab the whole series and read it again.<br /><br />This book was a \"can't put down\" page-turner that I was hooked on from chapter one. The characters were well-developed, the story line was engaging, and the plot was captivating. My only disappointment with Jennifer by Dee Henderson is that it had to end.", "timestamp": 1371499152000, "title": "Made me want to read the whole series again!!" }, { "asin": "0800722094", "rating": 5, "text": "I made the mistake of taking this book to bed with me. It's a fast-paced, can't-put-down story that kept me captivated late into the night, even as my eyes grew heavy. I didn't want to fall asleep until I knew how it ended.<br /><br />Once again, Lynette Eason has surpassed my expectations and taken me on suspense-filled journey. While many of the elements of the suspense were able to be “guessed” as the story progressed, I was thrown for a loop by one of the major elements that is revealed. The ability to “surprise” me like that is one that very few authors have.<br /><br />A quick, but well-developed story, Nowhere to Turn was an enjoyable read that kept me engaged and had me wanting to engage with the characters to “warn” them of the danger coming and cheer for them when they were victorious in evading their stalker for the moment.", "timestamp": 1410485504000, "title": "The ability to “surprise” me like that is one that very few authors have" }, { "asin": "0800721837", "rating": 4, "text": "Her desire to work in the city’s gardens didn’t include plans to sow seeds of love, but as she works alongside Reese King, she finds love blooming in her heart. As Love Blooms is a sweet love story from Lorna Seilstad that will make your heart smile.<br /><br />I enjoyed reading As Love Blooms by Lorna Seilstad. The story was light-hearted and (mostly) realistic. I found myself cheering for the main characters as they dealt with life’s challenges and fought to win the hearts of the ones they loved.<br /><br />I loved the author’s metaphoric use of gardening terms and phrases throughout the book as she told the story of young love blooming among the gardens of St. Paul, MN. It wasn’t tacky but well-woven into the natural flow of the text as the story unfolded.<br /><br />Well-written and full of depth, As Love Blooms was an enjoyable read, and I’d definitely recommend adding it to your summer reading list!<br /><br />Disclosure: I received a free copy of As Love Blooms from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1432057493000, "title": "Enjoyable, light-hearted romance" }, { "asin": "0800726405", "rating": 4, "text": "Is it the place that matters or the people who are there? That's what Shelby Kincaid is about to find out when her dream of owning her grandparents' farm finally comes true. But the purchase of the land isn't without its challenges - is it worth the fight to keep the property? Will she discover that her memories are enough or is this truly Where She Belongs?<br /><br />I'd never heard of Johnnie Alexander prior to picking up Where She Belongs, but I'm so glad I took a chance and tried this new-to-me author. This was a book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading - it was hard to put down! I found myself sucked into the story from page one, and although the ending wasn't a &#34;surprise,&#34; the twists and turns of the plot along the way kept me guessing as to how things would work out in the end.<br /><br />The characters were well-developed and relatable, making it easy for me to lose myself in their stories and lives. I found myself cheering along, groaning when 'mistakes' were made or life took unexpected turns, and pulling for things to work out for them in the end. I enjoyed 'getting to know' the characters and feeling as if they were truly friends of mine.<br /><br />I'm so glad this is the first in the Misty Willow series by Johnnie Alexander as I really enjoyed Where She Belongs and am looking forward to her future titles.<br /><br />Disclosure: I received access to a prerelease electronic copy of Where She Belongs thanks to Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.", "timestamp": 1454076546000, "title": "Loved this book and am looking forward to more in the Misty Willow series!" }, { "asin": "0800723783", "rating": 3, "text": "Having read all the prior books in this series, I was curious how the story would end. I found myself having to think hard, though, about some of the prior details as this book only referenced them and didn’t expand on how certain characters were connected and/or how past history was relevant to the present time.<br /><br />Overall, I enjoyed finishing this series, though I felt a bit “jipped” by the speed at which the story was resolved. While I was glad the series didn’t drag on, I felt like a lot happened in this book which could have been stretched across two books and allowed for a smoother, less rushed final resolution.<br /><br />I received a free pre-release digital copy of this title from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for review purposes.", "timestamp": 1480454582000, "title": "OK finish to the series" }, { "asin": "0800723309", "rating": 3, "text": "The premise of this book piqued my curiosity, so I requested a review copy. Leading up to the recent presidential election, this book was a timely read. I found it to be interesting in terms of the way it portrayed Washington politics – much of which came out in reality over the course of the last several months.<br /><br />As far as the story, it was interesting, but I felt it moved at a jumbled pace. Some chapters took place over the course of a few hours while others over the course of a few weeks. Because of this, I often felt pieces of the story were missing. Also, I felt the main characters lacked depth, which made it difficult to connect to the story.<br /><br />I received a free pre-release digital copy of this title from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for review purposes.", "timestamp": 1480454629000, "title": "Timely read during election season" }, { "asin": "0800723244", "rating": 4, "text": "Moving Target was a fast-paced thriller that held my attention from page one and had me not wanting to put the book done. Lynette Eason did a great job of writing twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end (which isn't often easy to do).<br /><br />I did feel that the characters were a bit unrelateable as they found themselves the target of a literal manhunt - not your everyday people - but I enjoyed &#34;getting to know&#34; them as their stories were played out. The plot would make for a great date-night action movie.<br /><br />Disclosure: I received a free digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1485991540000, "title": "Fast-paced and intriguing" } ]

[ { "asin": "160260696X", "rating": 5, "text": "Set in late nineteenth century Texas in the fictional town of Lookout, the characters dance off the page from the very first scene. When Luke Davis returns to the hometown he left several years, he is excited about being the new town marshal, but dreads facing Rachel, the woman who betrayed him and married his best friend years ago.<br /><br />Between the amusing and endearing antics of young Jacqueline, the ornery Corbett cousins and a whole Texas town of interesting characters, Luke and Rachel have no peace, especially when one of the potential brides brings a twist of intrigue and danger to thicken the plot.<br /><br />A satisfying tale of forgiveness, trust, and second chances, The Anonymous Bride will entertain, inspire and warm the most stoic heart.<br /><br />This book was supplied by Goodreads and Barbour Publishing with no obligation to write a positive review<br /><br />Now The Author: Vickie McDonough is an award-winning inspirational romance author. She has written 16 novels and novellas. Her Heartsong books, The Bounty Hunter and the Bride and Wild At Heart both placed third in the Top Ten Favorite Historical Romance category in Heartsong Present's annual readers' contests. Her stories frequently place in national contests, such as the ACFW Book of the Year contest and the Inspirational Readers Choice Contest. She has also written book reviews for over eight years. Vickie is a wife of thirty-three years, mother of four grown sons and grandma to a feisty three-year-old girl. When she's not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, gardening, watching movies, and traveling.", "timestamp": 1272388280000, "title": "The Anonymous Bride" }, { "asin": "0764205137", "rating": 5, "text": "In 1872, sixteen women are lured to Nebraska with the promise of free land, independence, and an opportunity to start over after the devastating loss of their husbands. What they find when they arrive in Plum Grove, Nebraska is a story of hope, new beginnings, forgiveness, and love. Add in a conniving man who tricked these women into coming west and you have a recipe for conflict. When six women decide to ditch his plans, the fun begins in earnest.<br /><br />Tales of heartbreak, romance and cowboys sweep you away as this story unfolds in the lives of the six women that started over in Four Corners, Nebraska with their new homes and lands. Ella is a strong woman that loves to farm with her mother Zita. Hettie slipped in without anyone knowing she was not one of the brides she had been a doctor's wife. Caroline is as southern as you can get. Ruth was a widow with a young son, and then there was Sally and they all stuck together. They meet Linney a young girl that worked in the store at Plum Grove. The tales just gets deeper and deeper as the story unfolds.<br /><br />I love Stephanie Grace Whitson's books, she always writes a story that keep you spellbound.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy for purpose of review from Bethany House Publishers.", "timestamp": 1273679261000, "title": "Sixteen Brides" }, { "asin": "1595546790", "rating": 5, "text": "Love on a Dime is set in Newport, Rhode Island, 1899, I love stories that take place in the 1800s. I like to read something that I don't have to deal with day by day and that is why I love historical. This is one of those books that you desperately want to know what happens next! This is a novel that I will pull off of the shelf and read over and over again to enjoy. The first novel for James, I expect to see much more from her in the future!<br /><br />I loved to join the Westbrook's for a leisurely summer season in beautiful Newport. Lillian Westbrook is a beauty, strong in her convictions, and modest in her accomplishments who is pursued by Jackson Grail, the handsome, hero. Jackson Grail has regrets. He loved Lilly to pieces and wanted to marry her, but refused to take her away from her life of privilege to live like a pauper. Carla draws you into the story, transporting you into the scenes with charming prose and great word imagery. With each word I could feel the powerful Atlantic Ocean cool my face in the afternoon sun, hear the gulls as I took a relaxing stroll, and see all the breathtaking elegance and luxury that can only be described as Newport!<br /><br />Lilly hides her authorship but people speak highly of the author Fannie Cole, Lilly's pen name. A wonderful, interesting read about secrets and romance and I love the title as it describes the books that used to be called \"Dime Novels\"<br /><br />I would like to thanks to Cara Lynn James and Booksneeze<br /> for sending me a copy to review.", "timestamp": 1275437490000, "title": "LOVE ON A DIME" }, { "asin": "159554870X", "rating": 5, "text": "Kelley Long is a new writer to me and I really enjoy the Amish books, even though there are so many coming out now with this theme. Kelley put a whole new twist on the Amish story. This book started out with a bang and ended with one.<br />When I started reading it I thought it would be the same as the others I have read and enjoyed but this one was so different.<br /><br />Sarah was the only daughter at home with older brothers and she loved to garden, that was her top priority, she didn't care for quilting or sewing as most of the Amish women tend to do. But she could make a mean garden and knew about all the plants.<br />When a new vet moved into the Amish community everything started to change. He was loved by all and did his work great but he was not Amish. This did not seem to brother the people as other books led us to believe in the past. They took him on as one of them.<br />Sarah was a loner as she didn't like to meet a lot of people, (I understand her because that is the way I am) but she was made to run the stand that the Amish make a lot of their money from in the summer, and she hated it. She didn't know what she was going to do when the \"Englishers\" came. She decided to start a quilt top for her sister's baby that would soon make his appearance, so this is the way she got by sitting all day at the stand.<br />As the story unfolds the Amish man that is in love with her \"but she not him\" keeps trying to get her to go out with him and he is a nice man but she grew up with him as a friend and that is all he will ever be.<br /><br />She does get by and with her new nephew she begin to see things more in the light of an Amish woman and even starts her own quilt and has a quilting party. This is a must read for all that enjoy Amish books, it is a good clean Christian book with a new twist.<br /><br />This book was sent to me for review by BookSneeze", "timestamp": 1277481538000, "title": "Sarah's Garden" }, { "asin": "1414323867", "rating": 5, "text": "Lilly Corbett Gray, loves pretty things, and animals. Always on the lookout to rescue a hurting animal or to spring some evil traps, Lilly is a little girl with a big heart. However that rescue mode is what leads Lilly into the biggest mess of her life. Excited about her month long visit to her Aunt Alice in the city, she is anxious to go. Waiting for Manda the hired girl to finish her chores, and walk her to the coach, that will take her to the train, Lilly hears a dog who is hurting. Unable to leave it be, she goes to investigate and finds her neighbor throwing a sack of puppies into a pond, and what she heard was the mama dog wanting her pups. While rescuing the pups, the neighbor catches her and locks her up in a shed. Finding Lilly gone, Manda figures she just walked to the coach alone. And Manda has her own troubles, the no good middling man from the band at the barn dance, has tried to take advantage of her in the barn and beat her up. Manda runs away to her sisters, not wanting anyone to see her in the state she was in. The train that Lilly was on going to her aunts, has a horrible crash, killing and injuring many people and sending Lilly's family and friends into a panic of worry. Will they find Lilly in time? Will they discover she isn't on the train and find her in the shed? What will happen to Lilly Corbett Gray? This story, set in the late 1890's is a great read.<br /><br />This book will be released by Tyndale in August 2010. 376 pages US $12.99 4 stars.<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale for review purposes only in my own words", "timestamp": 1280855347000, "title": "Still House Pond" }, { "asin": "1433669366", "rating": 5, "text": "Alaska 1897, aboard a steamship Ellen Pierce was on her way to the gold field to satisfy her sick brother Johan who has mental problems and she is afraid of him, as her mother on her death bed made her promise to take care of her brother. She had meet a man on board that had talked to her named Buck Lewis. They were racing with time as the river would soon freeze over. There was a large shaking of the ship and they all went up to see what had happened, and the ship was stuck in ice with no way to get it out until the thaw. Buck Lewis said he was not staying and more men wanted to go with him, along with them, Johan said he was going so that meant that Ellen had to go also.<br /><br />This was a very hard and cold trip which took all the energy they could endure and only the strongest would survive the journey by foot to reach Dawson City. Johan didn't make it so that left Ellen alone with no where to go, upon arriving in Dawson City, she realized it was going to be very hard as she didn't have much money and everything was so expensive. With a very few options, she must learn to trust God for her survival.<br /><br />This is the first book I have read by Carie but I loved the beautiful book and the story. It was well presented and is a book I will keep and read over. I ma looking forward reading more of her books in the near future.<br /><br />I received this free copy of this book from B&H books in exchange for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1284482010000, "title": "The Snowflake, a Novella" }, { "asin": "0764206710", "rating": 5, "text": "Ruth Livingstone's life changes the day her father puts a young child in her arms and sends her to a small village in New Jersey under an assumed name. There Ruth pretends to be a widow with a small child while her Preacher Father is tried for murder of the child's prostitute mother. They are sent to live with some of her Father's followers.<br /><br />Asher Tripp is the newspaperman who determines that this case is the event he can use to redeem himself as a journalist with his brother, who owns the local paper.<br /><br />Ruth finds that tending a small garden along the banks of the Toms River is a place where she can find a measure of peace in the midst of the sorrow that continues to build. It is here that Asher Tripp finds a temporary residence, all in an attempt to discover if the lovely creature known as Widow Malloy is truly Ruth Livingstone, the woman every newspaper has been looking for.<br /><br />When Asher and Ruth meet it is anything but love, but as they get to know each other will love begin to bloom and it it does will it be strong enough to withstand the secrets that separate them?<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House for review.", "timestamp": 1285454011000, "title": "Love's First Bloom" }, { "asin": "0825425905", "rating": 5, "text": "After returning from a photo shoot in Indonesia, Camden Bristow finds herself without a job, and in debt. Fount magazine has gone bankrupt due to the economy and everyone has disappeared along with her paycheck. With her savings gone and and no other job in the future, Camden decides to make a trip to visit her beloved grandma, Rosalie. Upon arriving in Ohio, Camden learns her grandmother has recently passed away and left her home, Crescent Hill, to her. Crescent Hill her grandmother's home has always been the only \"real\" home in Camden's life. While dealing with the loss of her grandmother, Crescent Hill suddenly becomes insecure and unsafe. Not knowing whom she can trust, Camden is thrown into the unknown, and soon discovers the many secrets of Crescent Hill and the Bristow family. Camden's life will change forever and she is forced to re-evaluate and learn how to better trust in God. \"Refuge on Crescent Hill\" is more than just a title for this book. It harbors the truth and lessons in this wonderful novel.<br />\"Refuge on Crescent Hill\" will make you not find a page you can stop on from the moment you begin reading, you will want to know more. It is mystery and suspense wrapped up in historical fiction. I loved the historical fiction that in in this story. The author does a wonderful job of bringing four different stories into one, interweaving them until they blend at the end. Each character is well developed and brings something different to the story.<br /><br />While the story is predictable at times, there are many moments that will surprise you and keep you wondering. The book was very hard to put down. I really enjoyed reading this novel and would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fiction, mystery, suspense, genealogy, or Christian fiction. Melanie did a great job of keeping my interest and not wanting it to end.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Kregel Publications for review.", "timestamp": 1287962753000, "title": "Refuge On Cresent Hill" }, { "asin": "1609360257", "rating": 5, "text": "Easter Lange loved her fiance' or though she did. She had a one time stand with him in the back of a car and from that union she had a little girl. Linus went to war and when he found out about the baby he had sent her to live with his very proper parents. She lived in the attic with her little girl but she also worked as a nurse at the hospital. Her family had shunned her when they found out about her pregnancy so she had no where else to go.<br /><br />Meanwhile in Germany Linus had been wounded really bad and gave the medic a letter to send to Easter, when she received it in another letter from the medic, she would not open it as she knew that Linus was dead. She also kept this from his parents. She kept writing back and forth to the medic whose name is Peter. He lived in Markesan Wisconsin and she lived a way from him but within a days ride by train, so her friend talked into going to meet him. When she got there she found out he was a POW from Germany. She ran away as she could not believe he was a Gemany soldier<br /><br />Different things begin to happen, she found Peter at the hospital where she worked as he had been beaten up and was very bad. She also was treating Charlie who had lost a leg in the war and then had jumped off the top of the hospital but some how survived but didn't know anyone.<br /><br />The POW camp was moved to their city and some of the Germans hated the Americans and plotted ways to get even. You must read this book, it is packed full of anything you may want to read. History, nurses, doctors, farmers and so on. Susan May Warren did a great job on this one.<br /><br />Thanks to Amy at Litfuse Publicity Group for review.", "timestamp": 1289234808000, "title": "Nightingale" }, { "asin": "0764207326", "rating": 5, "text": "As I live on the East coast I love any book that is written on it. This book by Alice J. Wisler is such a book, it takes place at the Outer Banks North Carolina. They lived in a tourist town of Hatteras and Jackie Donovan works for the newspaper there called \"The Lighthouse News\". She loves her town and everything in it, as her parents had moved her to Charlotte, NC when she was younger but she came back to the Outer Banks. She and her friend Minnie and Millie's young son lived in a duplex near the beach. Millie's husband had gotten killed in a boating accident the year before and she was still having trouble over losing him.<br /><br />Jackie and Millie used to visit the Bailey House, a bed and breakfast , when they were small and Jackie had always dreamed of owing the house and opening up her own. She was having trouble finding who owned it and she finely found out Davis Erickson (the Bailey's grandson) owned it and she started talking to him about getting the house. She even started dating him, but there was something wrong with that, she just didn't know what every one else in town knew about him. She was almost thirty and her family and friends were always setting her up with blind dates but they always went wrong. So she though she had found the perfect man. But had she? She just didn't know what he was like and then maybe there was someone that had always been there just waiting for her to notice him.<br /><br />I loved this book, but as I said I live in SC but not on the coast and I knew where the Outer Banks are and the language had its southern charm, just like I have always been used too. This is the first book I have read by Alice J. Wisler but I hope to read more, I really enjoyed it. I have got to mention that Jackie loved her \"Diet Pepsi\" so do I.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers for review.", "timestamp": 1289319747000, "title": "Hatteras Girl" }, { "asin": "0764208500", "rating": 4, "text": "Amy Gallagher is a want a be writer. She is at the age of 30 and she feel her clock is ticking away. But she just received her story back (AGAIN the 27th time) from another magazine, Will she ever find anyone that will buy her story? She quit her job and went back to school and got her master's degree, but has had to become a part time English professor to pay her bills. To beat it all her boy friend of was breaking up with her in the school cafeteria (cheap to eat there) and he just walked off, no regret.<br /><br />She had become friend with another writer Zoe' that could sell anything she wrote. Zoe' had moved in with her and that help both of them pay their bills. Amy hated to correct papers from her students, that was not something she wanted to do for the rest of her life. She had rather make to-do list that write a story, what was she going to do?<br /><br />The cast of characters in Amy's real world (a fundie mom, a socially-awkward office mate. Then there is the young man that lands on her sofa due to bedbugs in his old apartment. As Amy begins to see her-self better she can start to find out you she really is. I was sure that Amy would get a little stronger by the end but she was determination to succeed, fall in love and not lose her faith in the process.<br /><br />This is my first read of Bethany Pierce's and I found it enjoyable.<br /><br />Bethany House provided me with a review copy of this book.", "timestamp": 1289517047000, "title": "Amy Inspired" }, { "asin": "0307458997", "rating": 5, "text": "I received this book from Library Thing and I want to thank you for it. I read the entire book last night and it keep me turning page after page.<br />The story started while Cora was looking for that special Christmas gift. It was icy and her car slid off the road and messed up her tie rod, so while they were towing her car she went shopping, She had heard about a book store on the internet and she felt like this is where she would find that gift. She walked to an older part of town and found the store, the door was stuck and she had a time getting in as the man just sit behind the counter reading a book. She finally got the door to open and from then on everything was like the old fairy tales that she had heard when she was a child. The man knew what she wanted and when she got the book home a slip of paper fell out and it was an invitation to a Christmas ball, but no time or place.<br /><br />The same thing happened to her boss's boss when he went to the store. Sometime you could find the street that was only a few blocks from where they worked but if you were driving a car, you could not find it. He bought a book also and the same thing happened to him an invitation fell from the book.<br /><br />Oh this book is great and so right to read as the Christmas season approaches. You will laugh and you may even shed a tear or two but either way, it will take you back to a fairy land.", "timestamp": 1290298098000, "title": "Two tickets to the Christmas Ball" }, { "asin": "0307457176", "rating": 4, "text": "Showing newest posts with label Review. Show older posts<br />Showing newest posts with label Review. Show older posts<br />Dec 27, 2010<br />Photobucket<br /><br />TANDEM<br />by<br />Tracey Bateman<br /><br />My Review:<br />I have read a lot of books by Tracey Bateman but this is the first from any author I have read about vampires. The book was a good read but different, it was hard for me to get through the \"Hunting\" parts of the book, but other than that it was an interesting book. It has romance, mystery and about anything you could want from a book. The main character was Lauryn McBride who is dealing with her father that has Alzheimer's and trying to run the auction business that her dad had started in Abbey Hills, Mo. She was working on an old mansion that had belonged to Markus Chisom who had perished in a fire. She was having to go through everything and catalogue it for the estate sale that was to be held. She really needed the money but was having trouble as there were so many killings lately in the small town, people and animals.<br /><br />In comes Amede Dastillion from New Orleans that had received a package from Lauryn that held some letters that had belonged to one of her long ago relatives, or maybe not? She came to town and would not leave, then along with her was her assistance Juliette that meet a man there in town that said he was a reporter going from small town to town, but he wouldn't leave either.<br /><br />Then there was this reporter Miranda that had a blog and worked part time at the diner. I am telling you folks that this book will blow your mind, I am a Christian and this is a Christian based book that does refer to the Bible with Billy, a missionary and his father who is the pastor of the church. You really just need to read this for yourselves, it is a different book.<br /><br />My Thought:<br />As I said before I am a Christian and I only read Christian fiction books and I really didn't know this one was about vampires, but it was different. I got the impression at the last of the book that the author may have thrown in a part that you are born in a certain life style, but in the Bible it says we are may in the image of God, so we know the type of man HE is if we read out Bibles. I may be wrong in assuming that she meant this but as I said that is the impression that I got. I don't believe in vampires either, not ghost and so on.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Blogging for Books a division of WaterBrook Press free just for my review.", "timestamp": 1293467802000, "title": "Tandem" }, { "asin": "082542674X", "rating": 4, "text": "Sheila Franklin lived in New Orleans in 1940s when she was growing up and loved music. She loved Jazz but her mother wouldn't let her play it. She could play piano and the was learning the clarinet, which her father played. She loved to roam around the music filled streets in the Quarter of New Orleans and she could keep secrets and loved to slip around and find out things. But her world as she knew it disappeared the night her family home burned and she lost both her parents. She went to live with her grandmother that had her name changed form Sheba to Shelia.<br /><br />After she grows up and married a pastor her past starts to come back as the phone rung and the man on the other end asked for Sylvia Allen and as her son come on the scene she had to do some confession to her son whom she had abandoned against her will when he was few days old. She also had some secrets that she had to tell her Pastor husband Edward. In the 1960s what all she had been hiding. Will the truth hurt their marriage and what will Edward say about a son he never knew about?<br /><br />This book was a good read as it takes you back to New Orleans in the days when in the Quarters the music was beautiful and the color made no difference. I have never been to New Orleans but would like to go, and see all I have read about. Patti Lacy has written some good books relating to history as she has written \"What The Bayou Saw\" and \"An Irishwoman's Tales\"<br /><br />Thanks to Kregel Publications for sending me this free copy to review.", "timestamp": 1295205336000, "title": "The Rhythm of Secrets" }, { "asin": "1595545395", "rating": 5, "text": "Lucy runs and operated a home for homeless girls eighteen years old or so, once the foster care system has turned them out, they have no where to go, as she was homeless for a while when she was young she had a place in her heart for these girls. But when the highest contributor \"Sinclair Enterprises\" cut her out of their help she had no idea what she was going to do, in able to keep this home open for her girls.<br /><br />She was a very nervous person and had no self esteem she had a problem with asking for more help but she did it anyway. But the Spencer company would not give an inch so she was despair in what to do in order to keep the home open. She met an old school mate of hers that had been a professional football player, Alex Sinclair, but had hurt his knee and now he was running for congress. She got tied up with him and he offered her a way to save the home, but could she do it.<br /><br />She found out somethings about herself that she never knew, as her mother had gotten killed in a car wreck when she was younger, but had been able to send her to a boarding school and then she went to college with a scholarship or did she? She will find out things her mother never told her and Alex will try to put a closer to his twin brother's death while trying to fun for Congress. Can they work out their problems and both of them fine out what God has in store for them?<br /><br />This book was sent to me by BookSneeze in order for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1295538273000, "title": "Save The Date" }, { "asin": "1595547916", "rating": 5, "text": "Katie McKenna had left her home town of New Orleans to get away from a terrible embarrassment and she had moved to California. She had left her mother behind and all her friend except a college friend Eileen whom she roomed with, but she had known her in New Orleans and Eileen knew what her problem was.<br /><br />An old rich boyfriend showed up at her door and was determine to take her back to New Orleans on his private jet for his brother's wedding. Katie had worked while she went to college in a bar as a singer and dancer. She did not ever drink but she used her talents without it. She was determined not to go back to New Orleans and had not even went to see her mother since she had left eight years ago. Her dad had run a grocery store during her growing up years but was not dead. Her mom had remarried and she had never met her new step-father.<br /><br />She was not sort of engaged to a man names Dexter, who really was a bore and he didn't even mind when she left with Luc DeForges the multi-millionaire old boy friend. Will she be able to face the people in her home town and the family of DeForges? Will Dexter ever really be engaged to Katie? You need to buy this book and find out for yourself, I promise you will not be disappointed. A really great read.<br /><br />This is the first time I have read any of Kristin Billerbeck's work but I want to read more, even if I am not a your woman but a great-granny. I think anyone will enjoy her books.<br /><br />This book was sent to me for review by Audra Jennings of The B and B Media Group for my review.", "timestamp": 1296585444000, "title": "A Billion Reasons Why" }, { "asin": "143470212X", "rating": 4, "text": "As I was reading through this book I have never known how bad the women suffer in other parts of the world. Kim was a devoted wife and mother that went to church and did what she thought God wanted her to do. She had a high paying job with her way to the top and her second husband Milton felt that something was missing in their lives. As all the children were out of the house except two girls, they throught they had everything but they both were still unhappy. As they started to pray about this, it seem that an answer came that Kim didn't want to hear. She wanted to do what God asked but on her own terms.<br /><br />This book is really an eye opener and as we think we have it bad here in America, we just don't see what goes on in other parts of the world even though we see some of the things on TV it is not the same as being there. Kimberly and Milton Smith started a organization \"Make Way Partners\" in which they run and are trying to build the only private and ingeniously based anti-trafficking network in Africa and Eastern Europe. For more information on this project check out their site and read all about it.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by The B and B Media Group for my own thoughts and review.", "timestamp": 1297445478000, "title": "Passport Through Darkness" }, { "asin": "1854249746", "rating": 3, "text": "First let me say that this is not a book that I could get into, I did the best I could and tried to understand this period of time. It was set in 14th century Oxford and about the medieval.<br /><br />I think that Mel Starr knows what he is writing about and I believe he has studied this period of time and the way things were done. In this third novel, Hugh de Singleton a surgeon in the village of Bampton, near Oxford. Hugh liked Kate who proved a help in finding the missing books that were stolen from Master Wyclif's rooms and are up-for-grabs. . There are some very interesting people out to stop him, some are determined to stop him permanently if necessary, as they are have greed and really do not care for Mel at all.<br /><br />This book was sent to me buy Kregel Publications for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1298486328000, "title": "A Trail of Ink" }, { "asin": "1595548017", "rating": 5, "text": "Abigale Jones lives in Chicago and is a reporter for her mom's magazine \"Viewpoint\". She works way too much as has high blood pressure and a lot of headaches. Her sister is a doctor and she tells Abigale that she need to slow down, but her mom had to just make her take a leave from the magazine and to go to Moose Creek, Montana to check on her great aunt. Her dad had died because of high blood pressure and they were trying to take care that she did everything she was suppose to do in order for that not to happen to her.<br /><br />When she gets to her great aunt's house there is not place for her to sleep except on an old sofa, so when the opportunity comes alone for her to be a nanny for the summer to a little girl just up the road she takes that. As she and Maddy grows close, Abigale begins to really like the \"Big Sky Country\". Maddy had lost her mother before she and her cowboy dad moved from Texas to try to leave old memories. She needed a woman figure in her life as every summer she had a new nanny and that was very upsetting for her. Maddy's dad Wade Ryan owned a large ranch and was busy all the time so he couldn't spend the time with her as she needed.<br /><br />Everything was going alone great until Abigale's reporter nose found a story that she could not turn down as the future of \"Viewpoint\" was in trouble, so even though she was suppose to be resting she was still trying to save the magazine. Then everything begin to fall apart, with her and the new friends she had made in Montanna.<br /><br />I loved this book, it has everything in it that a reader like myself loves. Denise really did a great job with writing it.<br /><br />Thanks so much to The B and B Media group for sending me this book for review.", "timestamp": 1301500345000, "title": "A Coyboy's Touch" }, { "asin": "0781403790", "rating": 5, "text": "Mable and her friend Sarah Jane as they find themselves in one scrape after another! I find so many of the little stories in both books that are related to myself and my niece Gail as we were growing together. We were in my own Mama's attic since I was a very late baby and had a niece about the same age. When I was reading these books I just lay in my bed and laughed and said \"oh yeah\" we did that. I am now a great-grandmother but like to read these books to my little grandchildren and tell them \"you Mama T did that\" it is so very hard for them to believe that I was ever that young. The entire Grandma's Attic Series I believe would be a set of books that you will pass on down so they can be kept and read to all your ancestors. I have only read these two and to tell the truth had never head of them before. But not that I have I want to get the other books in the series, I relate to so much. I am so thankful to B and B Group for sending me these two books for my review.<br /><br />The entire Grandma's Attic Series I believe would be a set of books that you will pass on down so they can be kept and read to all your ancestors. I have only read these two and to tell the truth had never head of them before. But not that I have I want to get the other books in the series, I relate to so much.<br /><br />I am so thankful to B and B Group for sending me these two books for my review.", "timestamp": 1301678340000, "title": "Grandma's Attic" }, { "asin": "0310250676", "rating": 5, "text": "Life is a vicious cycle in the life of drug uses. When the mother stays high on drugs and has a baby or a child is raised in that home then it goes on with the new generation doing the same thing they grow up with. This is the case of Jordan a fifteen year old girl that uses drug so much and she just became a mother of a baby girl. Jordan's mother and brother both live with her and they would not stay sober long enough to take the girl to a hospital, so Jordan had to deliver her own baby.<br /><br />But this book is more about another family that tries to help Jordan. Barbara has a daughter \"Emily\" that was a drug user and is now in a place \"New Day\" where they keep them for a year so that the drugs can get out of their systems. She also has a fifteen year old son \"Lance\" and this is where they had met Jordan, as she was there for a while but decided to leave and went right back to the old life style she was in.<br /><br />Lance enjoys going to visit his sister as he like to tease and talk to the girls there but he also was one that had turned down drugs and liked to help people. Barbara had raised her children in a Christian home as she was a widow and she had a hard time trying to raise them. money wise.<br /><br />I would have loved to have been able to read the first books as I am sure they tell more about how the drug lords drag the young people into the life of abusing their bodies and minds with drugs. This is the first book that I have read that really made you feel as though you were living the life of these people and it make you see how easy it is for even your child can get into the habit of drugs.<br /><br />Terri does a wonderful job with this book as she does all that she writes.<br /><br /> I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting my review from Christian Review of Books.", "timestamp": 1301929460000, "title": "Victious Cycle" }, { "asin": "1433668688", "rating": 5, "text": "Marrianne Sommer was born on the day her two sisters were killed in a buggy/eighteen wheeler accident. The parents and children were on their way home when Abe the father kept dozing off and before he knew it the accident happened.<br /><br />Marrianne was name for the two sisters and her older brother Levi was only three at the time. Now Levi is grown and has left home for an English life style, Marrianne is (sort of) dating Amos Zook, even though he had never dated her, there was just and understanding. He was building them a house but she had never saw it. Abe had taken all he could at their home in Indiana and wanted to move to Montana where his brother lived. They packed up everything and moved to a new way of life. The Amish were few in this area and they mixed in with the English. Marrianne had told Amos that she was only staying six months and she would return home to him, but will she?<br /><br />Everything was different here in Montana the homes were far apart and there was no place to farm so what was Abe going to do? Marrianne went to work and was getting involved with an Englich man named Billy, he was a driver for the Amish but didn't know many of their ways. Will the family decide to stay in Montana or will they go back to their seventy acre farm in Indiana? This book was different than a lot of the Amish books I have read, as in this one they mingled with the Englich a lot more than most of the ones did, from the other Authors.<br /><br />This is the first Amish book Tricia Goyer has written but she has plenty other books under her belt. Good book.<br /><br />This book was sent to me free from Litefuse Publicity Group for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1302541119000, "title": "Beside Still Waters" }, { "asin": "1595547851", "rating": 5, "text": "When I started to read this book and all the way through until I read the \"Afterwards\" page did I know that this is about real people, but written in a fiction manner. I love books that are based on the 1800s and this one is just that. The author really did her research and came up with the real names of the saddle makers and used them in this story.<br /><br />It is about a man that lives in Ohio and makes saddles, he also is a traveling preacher. He is the father of three daughters and the oldest one is having to raise and take care of the two younger ones as the mother died in childbirth. Ann Miller is the oldest daughter and she is left alone with the little girls a lot when her father goes on his preaching jobs. She had no idea what he did or where he went on these journeys but when he was home he made some of the most beautiful saddles of anyone. He was always getting orders for them. And on one of these trips to make a saddle he carried his three daughters to Pittsburgh and they stayed with the doctor that lived next door to another saddle maker. That is when they found two of the most underfed and tattered young men they had ever seen. These were the saddle maker's apprentice but they were indentured slaves.<br /><br />This book goes through helping slaved to freedom, the loves of Ann Miller and helping Tom and Will the indentured slaves to get away from their mean owners that beat them. It is so written that I wanted to just get in there with the author and help these people myself. This is my first time reading anything written by Rosslyn Elliott and I hope to get to read the others in this series.<br /><br />Thanks to BookSneeze for sending me this book free to read and review in my own words and thoughts.", "timestamp": 1303744625000, "title": "Fairer than Morning" }, { "asin": "1595545352", "rating": 4, "text": "When FBI agent Raleigh Harmon decides to go on vacation alone with her mom, her aunt and her aunt's friend she never thought that it would end up with her having to work. They took a cruise to Alaska but when there was a murder/suicide the ship had to turn around and not go into port. The crew was trying to keep this a secret but on the ship the gossip flies. Raleigh found herself right in the middle of it as they tried to find out what happened.<br /><br />There was a movie crew on board trying to shot a movie with their drunken leading man and this was his wife that was missing. This case was so tough that she had them bring in a Special Agent to help with this case. She had found a very valuable ring at the scene but it kept coming up missing and then not missing, this was very hard for her to figure out. She knew a lot about rocks and valuable stones as she had studied it in college.<br /><br />The the Special Agent got there it was handsome Jack Stephanson, whom she did not care for, but she had to accept his help. They begin to work together and she found out that he was not as bad as she thought.<br /><br />This is the first book I have read of Sibella's but really enjoyed it. I have chatted with her on Facebook and I was so glad to win this book in a Thomas Nelson contest. Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson and also to Sibella Giorell for this book and the review is my own thoughts.", "timestamp": 1304611697000, "title": "The Mountains Bow Down" }, { "asin": "082543310X", "rating": 4, "text": "Just as World War 2 was beginning fifteen year old Julien Losier was very upset with his parents as they were moving them from Paris and all his friends to a small village Tanieux in central France where his father grew up and just up the road from his grandfather's farm. This was a small town and he just knew he would never fit in with these people.<br /><br />There is another girl Nina Krenkel alone with her brother had to leave their country on their father's command and go to Austria and he told them to burn their papers and not to tell anyone they were Jewish. They arrived in Tanieux ill and in despair. She didn't know what she was going to do. Then she and her brother met up with Julien Losier.<br /><br />They though as by going there they would run from the Nazis and be safe but nowhere was safe from Hitler. He and his sister both knew they would never be safe as they watched their father die and then tried to run to Austria alone with a Jewish boy they had meet and helped. None of them knew how close to death they would come too as they struggled to stay alive.<br />This book was written well and the authors seemed to know what they were writing about.<br /><br /> I usually don't like anything about World War 2 as I was born during this time and had a brother and 3 brothers-in-law in Germany fighting, three came back alive but one of my brothers-in-law was in a box. But this book was interesting and written in a way for younger people, so I was able to understand it better. I am a great-grandmother so it takes something that really explains things for me to understand. I really am a history buff so I rate this book as a 4.5<br /><br />Thanks so much to Kregel Publications for the free copy of this book in order for me to review.", "timestamp": 1305397282000, "title": "How Huge The Night" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 5, "text": "Susannah leaves her family home after her parents are killed and she can not make it on her own, She didn't have any suitors and had never dated so her Pastor sent her to the Dakota prairie to marry his brother whom she had never met. She was having problems with the banker of their town and he would not leave her alone so she though this was best to get away from it all.<br /><br />When Susannah met Jesse at the so called train depot she had no idea what type of house he lived in but they were married by proxy before she left. On their way to their land claim he redid their marriage vows himself.<br /><br />Is is very a very hard life as when she got to their house it was made of sod and so small they kept running into each other when they moved. Jesse had been in the War between the States and still had some bad dreams about this as Susannah was so afraid the banker would find her.<br /><br />When the grasshoppers came and destroyed everything they had planted, Jesse decided to go away and try to find a job leaving Susannah at home and alone except for their dog and a couple they lived on the next claim.<br /><br />As she waited for his return she found out she was expecting a baby and did everything she could to protect it as far as moving to town and teaching a very small school. But she is tougher than Jesse thought as she held everything together and kept herself up.<br /><br />I really loved this book and didn't want it to end. I think this was the first book that I have read by Catherine Richmond and sure want to read some more.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by BookSneeze for my honest review,", "timestamp": 1306698971000, "title": "Loved this book, Spring for Susannah" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 4, "text": "Set in the 1800s Clara Endicott was the daughter of wealthy parents but she was best friends with Daniel Tremain who worked in a steel mill alone with his father, he was taking his exam in order to get a scholarship for college when he was called away and his father was under a steam boiler that had exploded up. He was the only one that knew how to keep it from blowing more and to help so they could get his father from under the hot boiler. He got it fixed but his father did not survive. Daniel was very smart in the ways of inventing things so as he had to work and keep his mother and sisters up, he kept working on making things better. They both loved music and even composed some of their own. They loved the classics and played together every day.<br /><br />Clara was sent to an aunt in England as her parents wanted to get her away from Danial as she was sixteen. She was sent to an aunt but that did not stop her form pressuring her dream as a witter and it really got her in trouble as she exploded the coal mine owners that worked the children under the ground. She found herself in jail and thought that she would have to spend a long time there when her brother came from America and got her out, but she had to be on a ship back to America by sundown. She had not heard from Daniel since she had gone to England ten years ago, and he had not heard from her, even though both of them had written to each other.<br /><br />When she got back on America soil she soon found out had powerful Daniel had become and the companies that he owned. She still felt as though he was her best friend so when they met in an Opera House that he had built that friendship was still there.<br /><br />I love the books that are written from the 1800s and this one is no exception. It is well written even though I have not read any of Elizabeth Camden's work before.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1306856569000, "title": "The Lady of Bolton Hill" }, { "asin": "1414333064", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my first time reading one of Gina Holmes' books and I know it will not be my last. A very good story that just kept me turning page after page.<br /><br />As Eric and Kyra Yoshida has thought their marriage was over, Krya was in an accident that left some of her memory gone, as she didn't remember that they were separated. Their only son Benji had just left for the navy as this was what he had always wanted. He was more of a mama's boy than his dad's, so this had really turned Kyra's life around alone with the separation from her husband.<br /><br />Eric worked as a car salesman and as this was not the job he wanted it made the most money so he had taken a job and moved his family from their home by the sea to this fancy neighborhood. where none of them was happy.<br /><br />As the story continues it will tell things about a marriage that happens to almost everyone, but can they overcome this and do as they had promised God when they married that \"Death do they part?\"<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Tyndale Publications for my review.", "timestamp": 1314026247000, "title": "Dry as Rain" }, { "asin": "0764208055", "rating": 4, "text": "El Paso, Texas, August, 1886 as the story begins, Elizabeth Evans a widow and the daughter of a state senator and had come to help her brother with his newspaper. This part of Texas was so close to the border of Mexico that even then they were having trouble with this country. Some of the leaders in Mexico did not like what Lloyd wrote in his newspaper and killed him soon after the arrival of Elizabeth. Then she was taken with them and that is where the Texas Rangers came into the picture.<br /><br />This book is so full of romance, suspense and history that I could hardly lay it down, I finished it in two sittings. I have read the first one in this series also and it was just as good. Yvonne Harris has a way to tell these historical stories.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House for sending me this book at no cost to me and I chose to review it.", "timestamp": 1314804429000, "title": "A River to Cross" }, { "asin": "0805448152", "rating": 5, "text": "Lady Kendra Townsend was an only child as he mother died giving birth to her, as she and her father lived in England. Her father had a twin brother but he was not nice at all and he gambled everything he could get his hands on and always came to his brother Edward to bail him out. But this time it took everything Edward had to bail him out so he and Kendra had to live being very poor. Edward died and Andrew the twin took over the title and came to the castle and also was going to make Kendra marry an old man just so he could get the inheritance that was left to her from her grandmother once she married. She refused to marry the old man so her uncle shipped her off to America to her mother's sister that Kendra had never met.<br /><br />On the ship that she traveled on she was the only passenger as it was a cargo ship only but she was treated kind and was watched to be sure none of the sailors bothered her. The captain of the ship is Dorian Colburg and he really liked her but was determined never to marry again as he was married once before and his wife died.<br /><br />What will Kendra find when she gets to America and to her aunt and uncle's place?<br /><br />This is really a good book if you love romance, and adventure, Jamie Carie writes very good books as I have read a lot of her books.<br /><br />Thanks to B and H for sending me this advanced readers edition of this book to read and review.", "timestamp": 1316025327000, "title": "Pirate of My Heart" }, { "asin": "0310332311", "rating": 4, "text": "As you put the first cd into your player you are ready for a great story as only Terri Blackstock can tell it. Her work always keeps you wondering what is coming next.<br /><br />Carney Sullivan grew up in the world of a traveling carnival, she wanted a place to call home so she settled for Serenity Texas. She makes a home and has a child and a new faith. But she can spot a con artist as soon as she sees them as her father was one.<br /><br />Then she meet the swave Logan Brisco she knows right away the he also was a con artist even thought he was so very good looking and word some of the fanciest clother. He was out for no good and it seems that Carney was the only one in the town that knew this. He had everyone fooled but he was planning on getting anything he could from the good people encluding Carney's heart. Can she warn the people of the town who they are dealing with or will her heart stand in the way,<br /><br />This story is a suspence that you can't wait until you can hear more. Thanks so much to Zondervan Publisher for sending me this audio book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1321723124000, "title": "Shadow In Serenity" }, { "asin": "0310727618", "rating": 4, "text": "This book was inspired by the story \"The Beauty and the Beast\" and as Annabel Chapman was forced into the role of a servant for the beastly Lord Ranulf le Wyse when her family who was once welthy merchants was forced to go into debt.<br /><br />She is burdened with all the household duties and also had to help harvest the barley stalks and also cook for all the others. She was having a very hard life and she was forced into doing jobs she had never done before. Her family also wanted her to marry the Lord so that they could save their home and to keep her brother from having to do hard work. Seems to me they really used the women in the families to take care of the lazy men and boys.<br /><br />Lord Ranulf le Wyse was known to terrifying and beastly and the Lord's bailiff, a bad man in his own had made advances on her. She just wanted out of this house, but with no hope of leaving and she wishes there was someway she could kill the Lord Wyse but could she do this as she knew he needed to accept God and she needed to get closer to God and try to do what he wanted from her.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Zondervan publishing for sending me this book to review and I did so in my own words.", "timestamp": 1326905314000, "title": "The Merchant's Daughter" }, { "asin": "1595549013", "rating": 4, "text": "This is the second book in the series \"A Hickory Ridge Romance\" and it is good to read more about the young widow Carrie Daly. The story takes place in 1876 just after the Civil War was over and she had lost her husband so she didn't think she would ever be ready for another beau. But that was before she met Nate Chastain, he was wanting her to marry him but she was just not ready to settle down with another man yet.<br /><br />When Griff Rutledge 'came to town to help train a Throughbred, he decided to not to go back home to<br />Charleston, SC just yet and to stay in Hickory Ridge for a while. He had met the widow Carrie and took a liking to her but will she like him in return. She was already dating Nate and knew she was not ready to settle down with him, so why would she drop him and put her mind on the highfulating Griff Rutledge? Could their diffrences be settled enought for them to fall for each other.<br /><br />This is a very good book and will keep you turning page after page. I read fast anyway and when I really get into the story I may stay up all night reading. This was such a story.<br /><br />Thanks to BookSneeze for sending me a free copy and I decided to write a review.", "timestamp": 1329243201000, "title": "Beauty For Ashes" }, { "asin": "076420839X", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the second book in \"The Daughters of Caleb Bender\" series where an Amish man in 1920 moves his family to rural Mexico in hopes of escaping religious persecution in Ohio where the family encounters more difficulties and loss. Paradise Valley is nestled between the mountain range of Sierra Madre Oriental. Caleb's the second daughter Miriam, is struggling with her feelings for Domingo, a Nahua who has helped the family settle in to Paradise Valley, but in order to please her family she allows Micah to court her. Then she meets Domingo who calls her \"Cualnezqui\" which means \"beautiful\". Is she getting in over her head with by letting her heart take over. She dreams haunted dreams about being dressed in coarse cotton pants and a peasant shirt. Is this dream trying to tell her something?<br /><br />Rachel, Caleb's youngest daughter has been courting Jake for quite a while as more people move into the valley, the young courting couples are waiting for a minister to come to town so they can get married.<br /><br />This second year in Mexico has turned out worse than the first, and Caleb has to learn to live by faith and not by what he sees. El Pantera the bandit is still causing trouble for the family.<br /><br />Dale has really done well with this series, I read the first one and will be glad when the third one come out, not rushing you Dale but we need the next book.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this free book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1329495489000, "title": "The Captive Heart" }, { "asin": "0310722365", "rating": 5, "text": "This Bible is so pretty and colorful, it is pink what more can I say about a Bible for a girl. It is the New International version and I prefer the KJV but anything to get the message across to our young children. On the inside the pages are written in pink and purple with places to write what they think and it even has some questions for the child to answer and write in her own words.<br /><br />I have an eleven year old granddaughter that is getting my copy and I believe the way that it is layed out will make her want to pick it up every day and read a little. Even a verse or two always helps. All we need to do is plant the seed and God will see that it grows.<br /><br />I believe any little girl would love one of these and it you have a birthday coming up or even put it into their Easter basket. This word is so much nicer than candy. Pick up a copy for your special little girl and I am sure God will bless you.<br /><br />Thanks so much to The B and B Media group for sending this to me and I have posted my own review.", "timestamp": 1331652385000, "title": "NIV FaithGirlz Bible" }, { "asin": "1595548874", "rating": 4, "text": "\"Need You Now\" is Beth Wiseman's first book outside the Amish secter. I have read so many of her books and loved everyone of them. This one is not exception. BookSneeze provided me with this complimentary paperback book.<br /><br />As Darlene and her husband Brad struggle to raise three teenagers, they move from Houston to Round Top, Texas to a farm left to Darlene by her grandparents, but the house needed a lot of repair. The move did not go well with the children and expecially for their middle child Grace who is fifteen. She was trying to deal with her stress and depression, so she became a \"cutter'. (A cutter is someone that hards themself with anything sharp).<br /><br />The move and the problem with their daughter begin to take a toll on their marriage and expecially when Darlene desides to take a job outside the home. They wondered if their faith was going to see them through so they begin to doubt that also. She needed to get away and make some friends and then Darlene begin to receive too much attention from a father of the sutistic young girl she was assigned too in the school for special needs children. She really needed God now, as she and her husband Brad was having issues and the man's attention was very hard to ignore.<br /><br />Will their love for each other and of God get them through?", "timestamp": 1332770062000, "title": "Need You Now" }, { "asin": "0310330432", "rating": 5, "text": "In this story Vannetta brings an Amish woman and an English woman together in a way that I have not read before. Deborah Yoder really needs to sell her quilts to help out with financies in her family, while Callie Harper had inherited a qult shop from her aunt.<br /><br />In Shipshewana a murder and selling quilts brings the two women together. Deborah is Amish and is tall and harty and the mother of five. Callie is English and tiny, young single. Deborah reveals her plans to auction off her quilts on-line, on a computer of all things in a town where most of the residents don't have electricty.<br /><br />A murder takes place and both women set aside their differences to try and solve it and to catch who ever the killer is.<br />I love Amish stories and this one was just great as the two different women work together for the same reason. The idea of a \"friendship quilt\" really works well with these two women. Can't wait untill the next book comes out.<br /><br />Thanks to Zondervan Publishing for sending me this book to read and enjoy and I am doing my own review.'", "timestamp": 1334939894000, "title": "Falling To Pieces An Amish murder mystery" }, { "asin": "076420615X", "rating": 4, "text": "If you like to read stories taking place in the 1800s then you will love this one. The civil war is going on and the folks in Texas are seperated between wanting the North or the South to win. Hannah Dandridge was helping he father raise her two young siblings as her step-mother had died in childbirth. Her dad got the word that his grandfather had been killded in the war and he left his family in the hands of their housekeeper and her family to go aid his grandmother, whom was dying. But he never returned. The rance they lived on had been given to him because he supported the South and he and his lawyer partener were in business together, but he had no idea what his partener was trying to do.<br /><br />When the REAL owner of the ranch returned from the war William Barnett was suprised to find someone else was living in his house. He stayed on for the time being and helped Hannah and the others run the farm and to try and keep the Indians from attacking.<br /><br />What will Hannah do when she finds out for sure her father was dead and she was going to have to raise her 3 year old sister and 7 year old brother. Will she marry her dad's former partner Herbert Lockhart a much older man or will she find another way to survive.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1336060739000, "title": "Chasing the Sun" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "As the time draws near for Esther and Tobias to be married, Esther and her friend Deborah are out with Deborah's daughter to pick flowers they see someone lying dead in the nearby creek. This property belonged to Reuben the brother of Tobias.<br /><br />When the people came out to claim the body Reuben will not say anything and they are blaming him, but he just let's it past and keeps his thoughts to himself. Tobias can't understand his brother keeping everything bottled up inside and letting it fall on his shoulders.<br /><br />As Esther, Deborah and the owner of the quilt shop Callie decide to find out themselves what had happened to this person. At he same time old man Ira Bontrager comes to the women and ask them to help him find out what happened to his daughter that has been missing since 1965.<br /><br />In the first book of the series the women are good at solving mysteries, but can they solve these two?<br /><br />If you like to read about the Amish then you will love this series as it is also a mystery. Something different and new with this community as they usually just keep to themselves and don't try to solve mysteries nor to get involved. I really loved the books and I didn't want to lay them down.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Zondervan Publishers for sending me this free book in order for me to do a review.", "timestamp": 1337716924000, "title": "A Great Series" }, { "asin": "1416599959", "rating": 4, "text": "Deborah Raney is a great author and all the books I have read of hers I always enjoy. Thanks to Glass Roads for sending me this book free for my review.<br /><br /> The story begins the day David was buried after the fire in the Handover Falls homeless shelter had burned and these men had been killed. She did not bury him in Handover Falls where the others were buried but had him buried beside his parents in Springfield.<br /><br />After eighteen months had passed Susan Marlowe is just now beginning to heal somewhat after her husband David had died in a fire alone with four other firefighters. She then discovered that David had carried a secret to the grave with him.<br /><br />She and her sons begin their lived anew after the fire, but what is this secret? Surly there would have been something she had noticed about David. But when she found out, she knew she should have seen it a long time before David's death.<br /><br />Can she learn to find peace again and will she ever find another man to take her late husband's place in her life?", "timestamp": 1338216545000, "title": "A Handover Falls novel" } ]

[ { "asin": "160260696X", "rating": 5, "text": "Set in late nineteenth century Texas in the fictional town of Lookout, the characters dance off the page from the very first scene. When Luke Davis returns to the hometown he left several years, he is excited about being the new town marshal, but dreads facing Rachel, the woman who betrayed him and married his best friend years ago.<br /><br />Between the amusing and endearing antics of young Jacqueline, the ornery Corbett cousins and a whole Texas town of interesting characters, Luke and Rachel have no peace, especially when one of the potential brides brings a twist of intrigue and danger to thicken the plot.<br /><br />A satisfying tale of forgiveness, trust, and second chances, The Anonymous Bride will entertain, inspire and warm the most stoic heart.<br /><br />This book was supplied by Goodreads and Barbour Publishing with no obligation to write a positive review<br /><br />Now The Author: Vickie McDonough is an award-winning inspirational romance author. She has written 16 novels and novellas. Her Heartsong books, The Bounty Hunter and the Bride and Wild At Heart both placed third in the Top Ten Favorite Historical Romance category in Heartsong Present's annual readers' contests. Her stories frequently place in national contests, such as the ACFW Book of the Year contest and the Inspirational Readers Choice Contest. She has also written book reviews for over eight years. Vickie is a wife of thirty-three years, mother of four grown sons and grandma to a feisty three-year-old girl. When she's not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, gardening, watching movies, and traveling.", "timestamp": 1272388280000, "title": "The Anonymous Bride" }, { "asin": "0764205137", "rating": 5, "text": "In 1872, sixteen women are lured to Nebraska with the promise of free land, independence, and an opportunity to start over after the devastating loss of their husbands. What they find when they arrive in Plum Grove, Nebraska is a story of hope, new beginnings, forgiveness, and love. Add in a conniving man who tricked these women into coming west and you have a recipe for conflict. When six women decide to ditch his plans, the fun begins in earnest.<br /><br />Tales of heartbreak, romance and cowboys sweep you away as this story unfolds in the lives of the six women that started over in Four Corners, Nebraska with their new homes and lands. Ella is a strong woman that loves to farm with her mother Zita. Hettie slipped in without anyone knowing she was not one of the brides she had been a doctor's wife. Caroline is as southern as you can get. Ruth was a widow with a young son, and then there was Sally and they all stuck together. They meet Linney a young girl that worked in the store at Plum Grove. The tales just gets deeper and deeper as the story unfolds.<br /><br />I love Stephanie Grace Whitson's books, she always writes a story that keep you spellbound.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy for purpose of review from Bethany House Publishers.", "timestamp": 1273679261000, "title": "Sixteen Brides" }, { "asin": "1595546790", "rating": 5, "text": "Love on a Dime is set in Newport, Rhode Island, 1899, I love stories that take place in the 1800s. I like to read something that I don't have to deal with day by day and that is why I love historical. This is one of those books that you desperately want to know what happens next! This is a novel that I will pull off of the shelf and read over and over again to enjoy. The first novel for James, I expect to see much more from her in the future!<br /><br />I loved to join the Westbrook's for a leisurely summer season in beautiful Newport. Lillian Westbrook is a beauty, strong in her convictions, and modest in her accomplishments who is pursued by Jackson Grail, the handsome, hero. Jackson Grail has regrets. He loved Lilly to pieces and wanted to marry her, but refused to take her away from her life of privilege to live like a pauper. Carla draws you into the story, transporting you into the scenes with charming prose and great word imagery. With each word I could feel the powerful Atlantic Ocean cool my face in the afternoon sun, hear the gulls as I took a relaxing stroll, and see all the breathtaking elegance and luxury that can only be described as Newport!<br /><br />Lilly hides her authorship but people speak highly of the author Fannie Cole, Lilly's pen name. A wonderful, interesting read about secrets and romance and I love the title as it describes the books that used to be called \"Dime Novels\"<br /><br />I would like to thanks to Cara Lynn James and Booksneeze<br /> for sending me a copy to review.", "timestamp": 1275437490000, "title": "LOVE ON A DIME" }, { "asin": "159554870X", "rating": 5, "text": "Kelley Long is a new writer to me and I really enjoy the Amish books, even though there are so many coming out now with this theme. Kelley put a whole new twist on the Amish story. This book started out with a bang and ended with one.<br />When I started reading it I thought it would be the same as the others I have read and enjoyed but this one was so different.<br /><br />Sarah was the only daughter at home with older brothers and she loved to garden, that was her top priority, she didn't care for quilting or sewing as most of the Amish women tend to do. But she could make a mean garden and knew about all the plants.<br />When a new vet moved into the Amish community everything started to change. He was loved by all and did his work great but he was not Amish. This did not seem to brother the people as other books led us to believe in the past. They took him on as one of them.<br />Sarah was a loner as she didn't like to meet a lot of people, (I understand her because that is the way I am) but she was made to run the stand that the Amish make a lot of their money from in the summer, and she hated it. She didn't know what she was going to do when the \"Englishers\" came. She decided to start a quilt top for her sister's baby that would soon make his appearance, so this is the way she got by sitting all day at the stand.<br />As the story unfolds the Amish man that is in love with her \"but she not him\" keeps trying to get her to go out with him and he is a nice man but she grew up with him as a friend and that is all he will ever be.<br /><br />She does get by and with her new nephew she begin to see things more in the light of an Amish woman and even starts her own quilt and has a quilting party. This is a must read for all that enjoy Amish books, it is a good clean Christian book with a new twist.<br /><br />This book was sent to me for review by BookSneeze", "timestamp": 1277481538000, "title": "Sarah's Garden" }, { "asin": "1414323867", "rating": 5, "text": "Lilly Corbett Gray, loves pretty things, and animals. Always on the lookout to rescue a hurting animal or to spring some evil traps, Lilly is a little girl with a big heart. However that rescue mode is what leads Lilly into the biggest mess of her life. Excited about her month long visit to her Aunt Alice in the city, she is anxious to go. Waiting for Manda the hired girl to finish her chores, and walk her to the coach, that will take her to the train, Lilly hears a dog who is hurting. Unable to leave it be, she goes to investigate and finds her neighbor throwing a sack of puppies into a pond, and what she heard was the mama dog wanting her pups. While rescuing the pups, the neighbor catches her and locks her up in a shed. Finding Lilly gone, Manda figures she just walked to the coach alone. And Manda has her own troubles, the no good middling man from the band at the barn dance, has tried to take advantage of her in the barn and beat her up. Manda runs away to her sisters, not wanting anyone to see her in the state she was in. The train that Lilly was on going to her aunts, has a horrible crash, killing and injuring many people and sending Lilly's family and friends into a panic of worry. Will they find Lilly in time? Will they discover she isn't on the train and find her in the shed? What will happen to Lilly Corbett Gray? This story, set in the late 1890's is a great read.<br /><br />This book will be released by Tyndale in August 2010. 376 pages US $12.99 4 stars.<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale for review purposes only in my own words", "timestamp": 1280855347000, "title": "Still House Pond" }, { "asin": "1433669366", "rating": 5, "text": "Alaska 1897, aboard a steamship Ellen Pierce was on her way to the gold field to satisfy her sick brother Johan who has mental problems and she is afraid of him, as her mother on her death bed made her promise to take care of her brother. She had meet a man on board that had talked to her named Buck Lewis. They were racing with time as the river would soon freeze over. There was a large shaking of the ship and they all went up to see what had happened, and the ship was stuck in ice with no way to get it out until the thaw. Buck Lewis said he was not staying and more men wanted to go with him, along with them, Johan said he was going so that meant that Ellen had to go also.<br /><br />This was a very hard and cold trip which took all the energy they could endure and only the strongest would survive the journey by foot to reach Dawson City. Johan didn't make it so that left Ellen alone with no where to go, upon arriving in Dawson City, she realized it was going to be very hard as she didn't have much money and everything was so expensive. With a very few options, she must learn to trust God for her survival.<br /><br />This is the first book I have read by Carie but I loved the beautiful book and the story. It was well presented and is a book I will keep and read over. I ma looking forward reading more of her books in the near future.<br /><br />I received this free copy of this book from B&H books in exchange for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1284482010000, "title": "The Snowflake, a Novella" }, { "asin": "0764206710", "rating": 5, "text": "Ruth Livingstone's life changes the day her father puts a young child in her arms and sends her to a small village in New Jersey under an assumed name. There Ruth pretends to be a widow with a small child while her Preacher Father is tried for murder of the child's prostitute mother. They are sent to live with some of her Father's followers.<br /><br />Asher Tripp is the newspaperman who determines that this case is the event he can use to redeem himself as a journalist with his brother, who owns the local paper.<br /><br />Ruth finds that tending a small garden along the banks of the Toms River is a place where she can find a measure of peace in the midst of the sorrow that continues to build. It is here that Asher Tripp finds a temporary residence, all in an attempt to discover if the lovely creature known as Widow Malloy is truly Ruth Livingstone, the woman every newspaper has been looking for.<br /><br />When Asher and Ruth meet it is anything but love, but as they get to know each other will love begin to bloom and it it does will it be strong enough to withstand the secrets that separate them?<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House for review.", "timestamp": 1285454011000, "title": "Love's First Bloom" }, { "asin": "0825425905", "rating": 5, "text": "After returning from a photo shoot in Indonesia, Camden Bristow finds herself without a job, and in debt. Fount magazine has gone bankrupt due to the economy and everyone has disappeared along with her paycheck. With her savings gone and and no other job in the future, Camden decides to make a trip to visit her beloved grandma, Rosalie. Upon arriving in Ohio, Camden learns her grandmother has recently passed away and left her home, Crescent Hill, to her. Crescent Hill her grandmother's home has always been the only \"real\" home in Camden's life. While dealing with the loss of her grandmother, Crescent Hill suddenly becomes insecure and unsafe. Not knowing whom she can trust, Camden is thrown into the unknown, and soon discovers the many secrets of Crescent Hill and the Bristow family. Camden's life will change forever and she is forced to re-evaluate and learn how to better trust in God. \"Refuge on Crescent Hill\" is more than just a title for this book. It harbors the truth and lessons in this wonderful novel.<br />\"Refuge on Crescent Hill\" will make you not find a page you can stop on from the moment you begin reading, you will want to know more. It is mystery and suspense wrapped up in historical fiction. I loved the historical fiction that in in this story. The author does a wonderful job of bringing four different stories into one, interweaving them until they blend at the end. Each character is well developed and brings something different to the story.<br /><br />While the story is predictable at times, there are many moments that will surprise you and keep you wondering. The book was very hard to put down. I really enjoyed reading this novel and would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fiction, mystery, suspense, genealogy, or Christian fiction. Melanie did a great job of keeping my interest and not wanting it to end.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Kregel Publications for review.", "timestamp": 1287962753000, "title": "Refuge On Cresent Hill" }, { "asin": "1609360257", "rating": 5, "text": "Easter Lange loved her fiance' or though she did. She had a one time stand with him in the back of a car and from that union she had a little girl. Linus went to war and when he found out about the baby he had sent her to live with his very proper parents. She lived in the attic with her little girl but she also worked as a nurse at the hospital. Her family had shunned her when they found out about her pregnancy so she had no where else to go.<br /><br />Meanwhile in Germany Linus had been wounded really bad and gave the medic a letter to send to Easter, when she received it in another letter from the medic, she would not open it as she knew that Linus was dead. She also kept this from his parents. She kept writing back and forth to the medic whose name is Peter. He lived in Markesan Wisconsin and she lived a way from him but within a days ride by train, so her friend talked into going to meet him. When she got there she found out he was a POW from Germany. She ran away as she could not believe he was a Gemany soldier<br /><br />Different things begin to happen, she found Peter at the hospital where she worked as he had been beaten up and was very bad. She also was treating Charlie who had lost a leg in the war and then had jumped off the top of the hospital but some how survived but didn't know anyone.<br /><br />The POW camp was moved to their city and some of the Germans hated the Americans and plotted ways to get even. You must read this book, it is packed full of anything you may want to read. History, nurses, doctors, farmers and so on. Susan May Warren did a great job on this one.<br /><br />Thanks to Amy at Litfuse Publicity Group for review.", "timestamp": 1289234808000, "title": "Nightingale" }, { "asin": "0764207326", "rating": 5, "text": "As I live on the East coast I love any book that is written on it. This book by Alice J. Wisler is such a book, it takes place at the Outer Banks North Carolina. They lived in a tourist town of Hatteras and Jackie Donovan works for the newspaper there called \"The Lighthouse News\". She loves her town and everything in it, as her parents had moved her to Charlotte, NC when she was younger but she came back to the Outer Banks. She and her friend Minnie and Millie's young son lived in a duplex near the beach. Millie's husband had gotten killed in a boating accident the year before and she was still having trouble over losing him.<br /><br />Jackie and Millie used to visit the Bailey House, a bed and breakfast , when they were small and Jackie had always dreamed of owing the house and opening up her own. She was having trouble finding who owned it and she finely found out Davis Erickson (the Bailey's grandson) owned it and she started talking to him about getting the house. She even started dating him, but there was something wrong with that, she just didn't know what every one else in town knew about him. She was almost thirty and her family and friends were always setting her up with blind dates but they always went wrong. So she though she had found the perfect man. But had she? She just didn't know what he was like and then maybe there was someone that had always been there just waiting for her to notice him.<br /><br />I loved this book, but as I said I live in SC but not on the coast and I knew where the Outer Banks are and the language had its southern charm, just like I have always been used too. This is the first book I have read by Alice J. Wisler but I hope to read more, I really enjoyed it. I have got to mention that Jackie loved her \"Diet Pepsi\" so do I.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers for review.", "timestamp": 1289319747000, "title": "Hatteras Girl" }, { "asin": "0764208500", "rating": 4, "text": "Amy Gallagher is a want a be writer. She is at the age of 30 and she feel her clock is ticking away. But she just received her story back (AGAIN the 27th time) from another magazine, Will she ever find anyone that will buy her story? She quit her job and went back to school and got her master's degree, but has had to become a part time English professor to pay her bills. To beat it all her boy friend of was breaking up with her in the school cafeteria (cheap to eat there) and he just walked off, no regret.<br /><br />She had become friend with another writer Zoe' that could sell anything she wrote. Zoe' had moved in with her and that help both of them pay their bills. Amy hated to correct papers from her students, that was not something she wanted to do for the rest of her life. She had rather make to-do list that write a story, what was she going to do?<br /><br />The cast of characters in Amy's real world (a fundie mom, a socially-awkward office mate. Then there is the young man that lands on her sofa due to bedbugs in his old apartment. As Amy begins to see her-self better she can start to find out you she really is. I was sure that Amy would get a little stronger by the end but she was determination to succeed, fall in love and not lose her faith in the process.<br /><br />This is my first read of Bethany Pierce's and I found it enjoyable.<br /><br />Bethany House provided me with a review copy of this book.", "timestamp": 1289517047000, "title": "Amy Inspired" }, { "asin": "0307458997", "rating": 5, "text": "I received this book from Library Thing and I want to thank you for it. I read the entire book last night and it keep me turning page after page.<br />The story started while Cora was looking for that special Christmas gift. It was icy and her car slid off the road and messed up her tie rod, so while they were towing her car she went shopping, She had heard about a book store on the internet and she felt like this is where she would find that gift. She walked to an older part of town and found the store, the door was stuck and she had a time getting in as the man just sit behind the counter reading a book. She finally got the door to open and from then on everything was like the old fairy tales that she had heard when she was a child. The man knew what she wanted and when she got the book home a slip of paper fell out and it was an invitation to a Christmas ball, but no time or place.<br /><br />The same thing happened to her boss's boss when he went to the store. Sometime you could find the street that was only a few blocks from where they worked but if you were driving a car, you could not find it. He bought a book also and the same thing happened to him an invitation fell from the book.<br /><br />Oh this book is great and so right to read as the Christmas season approaches. You will laugh and you may even shed a tear or two but either way, it will take you back to a fairy land.", "timestamp": 1290298098000, "title": "Two tickets to the Christmas Ball" }, { "asin": "0307457176", "rating": 4, "text": "Showing newest posts with label Review. Show older posts<br />Showing newest posts with label Review. Show older posts<br />Dec 27, 2010<br />Photobucket<br /><br />TANDEM<br />by<br />Tracey Bateman<br /><br />My Review:<br />I have read a lot of books by Tracey Bateman but this is the first from any author I have read about vampires. The book was a good read but different, it was hard for me to get through the \"Hunting\" parts of the book, but other than that it was an interesting book. It has romance, mystery and about anything you could want from a book. The main character was Lauryn McBride who is dealing with her father that has Alzheimer's and trying to run the auction business that her dad had started in Abbey Hills, Mo. She was working on an old mansion that had belonged to Markus Chisom who had perished in a fire. She was having to go through everything and catalogue it for the estate sale that was to be held. She really needed the money but was having trouble as there were so many killings lately in the small town, people and animals.<br /><br />In comes Amede Dastillion from New Orleans that had received a package from Lauryn that held some letters that had belonged to one of her long ago relatives, or maybe not? She came to town and would not leave, then along with her was her assistance Juliette that meet a man there in town that said he was a reporter going from small town to town, but he wouldn't leave either.<br /><br />Then there was this reporter Miranda that had a blog and worked part time at the diner. I am telling you folks that this book will blow your mind, I am a Christian and this is a Christian based book that does refer to the Bible with Billy, a missionary and his father who is the pastor of the church. You really just need to read this for yourselves, it is a different book.<br /><br />My Thought:<br />As I said before I am a Christian and I only read Christian fiction books and I really didn't know this one was about vampires, but it was different. I got the impression at the last of the book that the author may have thrown in a part that you are born in a certain life style, but in the Bible it says we are may in the image of God, so we know the type of man HE is if we read out Bibles. I may be wrong in assuming that she meant this but as I said that is the impression that I got. I don't believe in vampires either, not ghost and so on.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Blogging for Books a division of WaterBrook Press free just for my review.", "timestamp": 1293467802000, "title": "Tandem" }, { "asin": "082542674X", "rating": 4, "text": "Sheila Franklin lived in New Orleans in 1940s when she was growing up and loved music. She loved Jazz but her mother wouldn't let her play it. She could play piano and the was learning the clarinet, which her father played. She loved to roam around the music filled streets in the Quarter of New Orleans and she could keep secrets and loved to slip around and find out things. But her world as she knew it disappeared the night her family home burned and she lost both her parents. She went to live with her grandmother that had her name changed form Sheba to Shelia.<br /><br />After she grows up and married a pastor her past starts to come back as the phone rung and the man on the other end asked for Sylvia Allen and as her son come on the scene she had to do some confession to her son whom she had abandoned against her will when he was few days old. She also had some secrets that she had to tell her Pastor husband Edward. In the 1960s what all she had been hiding. Will the truth hurt their marriage and what will Edward say about a son he never knew about?<br /><br />This book was a good read as it takes you back to New Orleans in the days when in the Quarters the music was beautiful and the color made no difference. I have never been to New Orleans but would like to go, and see all I have read about. Patti Lacy has written some good books relating to history as she has written \"What The Bayou Saw\" and \"An Irishwoman's Tales\"<br /><br />Thanks to Kregel Publications for sending me this free copy to review.", "timestamp": 1295205336000, "title": "The Rhythm of Secrets" }, { "asin": "1595545395", "rating": 5, "text": "Lucy runs and operated a home for homeless girls eighteen years old or so, once the foster care system has turned them out, they have no where to go, as she was homeless for a while when she was young she had a place in her heart for these girls. But when the highest contributor \"Sinclair Enterprises\" cut her out of their help she had no idea what she was going to do, in able to keep this home open for her girls.<br /><br />She was a very nervous person and had no self esteem she had a problem with asking for more help but she did it anyway. But the Spencer company would not give an inch so she was despair in what to do in order to keep the home open. She met an old school mate of hers that had been a professional football player, Alex Sinclair, but had hurt his knee and now he was running for congress. She got tied up with him and he offered her a way to save the home, but could she do it.<br /><br />She found out somethings about herself that she never knew, as her mother had gotten killed in a car wreck when she was younger, but had been able to send her to a boarding school and then she went to college with a scholarship or did she? She will find out things her mother never told her and Alex will try to put a closer to his twin brother's death while trying to fun for Congress. Can they work out their problems and both of them fine out what God has in store for them?<br /><br />This book was sent to me by BookSneeze in order for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1295538273000, "title": "Save The Date" }, { "asin": "1595547916", "rating": 5, "text": "Katie McKenna had left her home town of New Orleans to get away from a terrible embarrassment and she had moved to California. She had left her mother behind and all her friend except a college friend Eileen whom she roomed with, but she had known her in New Orleans and Eileen knew what her problem was.<br /><br />An old rich boyfriend showed up at her door and was determine to take her back to New Orleans on his private jet for his brother's wedding. Katie had worked while she went to college in a bar as a singer and dancer. She did not ever drink but she used her talents without it. She was determined not to go back to New Orleans and had not even went to see her mother since she had left eight years ago. Her dad had run a grocery store during her growing up years but was not dead. Her mom had remarried and she had never met her new step-father.<br /><br />She was not sort of engaged to a man names Dexter, who really was a bore and he didn't even mind when she left with Luc DeForges the multi-millionaire old boy friend. Will she be able to face the people in her home town and the family of DeForges? Will Dexter ever really be engaged to Katie? You need to buy this book and find out for yourself, I promise you will not be disappointed. A really great read.<br /><br />This is the first time I have read any of Kristin Billerbeck's work but I want to read more, even if I am not a your woman but a great-granny. I think anyone will enjoy her books.<br /><br />This book was sent to me for review by Audra Jennings of The B and B Media Group for my review.", "timestamp": 1296585444000, "title": "A Billion Reasons Why" }, { "asin": "143470212X", "rating": 4, "text": "As I was reading through this book I have never known how bad the women suffer in other parts of the world. Kim was a devoted wife and mother that went to church and did what she thought God wanted her to do. She had a high paying job with her way to the top and her second husband Milton felt that something was missing in their lives. As all the children were out of the house except two girls, they throught they had everything but they both were still unhappy. As they started to pray about this, it seem that an answer came that Kim didn't want to hear. She wanted to do what God asked but on her own terms.<br /><br />This book is really an eye opener and as we think we have it bad here in America, we just don't see what goes on in other parts of the world even though we see some of the things on TV it is not the same as being there. Kimberly and Milton Smith started a organization \"Make Way Partners\" in which they run and are trying to build the only private and ingeniously based anti-trafficking network in Africa and Eastern Europe. For more information on this project check out their site and read all about it.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by The B and B Media Group for my own thoughts and review.", "timestamp": 1297445478000, "title": "Passport Through Darkness" }, { "asin": "1854249746", "rating": 3, "text": "First let me say that this is not a book that I could get into, I did the best I could and tried to understand this period of time. It was set in 14th century Oxford and about the medieval.<br /><br />I think that Mel Starr knows what he is writing about and I believe he has studied this period of time and the way things were done. In this third novel, Hugh de Singleton a surgeon in the village of Bampton, near Oxford. Hugh liked Kate who proved a help in finding the missing books that were stolen from Master Wyclif's rooms and are up-for-grabs. . There are some very interesting people out to stop him, some are determined to stop him permanently if necessary, as they are have greed and really do not care for Mel at all.<br /><br />This book was sent to me buy Kregel Publications for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1298486328000, "title": "A Trail of Ink" }, { "asin": "1595548017", "rating": 5, "text": "Abigale Jones lives in Chicago and is a reporter for her mom's magazine \"Viewpoint\". She works way too much as has high blood pressure and a lot of headaches. Her sister is a doctor and she tells Abigale that she need to slow down, but her mom had to just make her take a leave from the magazine and to go to Moose Creek, Montana to check on her great aunt. Her dad had died because of high blood pressure and they were trying to take care that she did everything she was suppose to do in order for that not to happen to her.<br /><br />When she gets to her great aunt's house there is not place for her to sleep except on an old sofa, so when the opportunity comes alone for her to be a nanny for the summer to a little girl just up the road she takes that. As she and Maddy grows close, Abigale begins to really like the \"Big Sky Country\". Maddy had lost her mother before she and her cowboy dad moved from Texas to try to leave old memories. She needed a woman figure in her life as every summer she had a new nanny and that was very upsetting for her. Maddy's dad Wade Ryan owned a large ranch and was busy all the time so he couldn't spend the time with her as she needed.<br /><br />Everything was going alone great until Abigale's reporter nose found a story that she could not turn down as the future of \"Viewpoint\" was in trouble, so even though she was suppose to be resting she was still trying to save the magazine. Then everything begin to fall apart, with her and the new friends she had made in Montanna.<br /><br />I loved this book, it has everything in it that a reader like myself loves. Denise really did a great job with writing it.<br /><br />Thanks so much to The B and B Media group for sending me this book for review.", "timestamp": 1301500345000, "title": "A Coyboy's Touch" }, { "asin": "0781403790", "rating": 5, "text": "Mable and her friend Sarah Jane as they find themselves in one scrape after another! I find so many of the little stories in both books that are related to myself and my niece Gail as we were growing together. We were in my own Mama's attic since I was a very late baby and had a niece about the same age. When I was reading these books I just lay in my bed and laughed and said \"oh yeah\" we did that. I am now a great-grandmother but like to read these books to my little grandchildren and tell them \"you Mama T did that\" it is so very hard for them to believe that I was ever that young. The entire Grandma's Attic Series I believe would be a set of books that you will pass on down so they can be kept and read to all your ancestors. I have only read these two and to tell the truth had never head of them before. But not that I have I want to get the other books in the series, I relate to so much. I am so thankful to B and B Group for sending me these two books for my review.<br /><br />The entire Grandma's Attic Series I believe would be a set of books that you will pass on down so they can be kept and read to all your ancestors. I have only read these two and to tell the truth had never head of them before. But not that I have I want to get the other books in the series, I relate to so much.<br /><br />I am so thankful to B and B Group for sending me these two books for my review.", "timestamp": 1301678340000, "title": "Grandma's Attic" }, { "asin": "0310250676", "rating": 5, "text": "Life is a vicious cycle in the life of drug uses. When the mother stays high on drugs and has a baby or a child is raised in that home then it goes on with the new generation doing the same thing they grow up with. This is the case of Jordan a fifteen year old girl that uses drug so much and she just became a mother of a baby girl. Jordan's mother and brother both live with her and they would not stay sober long enough to take the girl to a hospital, so Jordan had to deliver her own baby.<br /><br />But this book is more about another family that tries to help Jordan. Barbara has a daughter \"Emily\" that was a drug user and is now in a place \"New Day\" where they keep them for a year so that the drugs can get out of their systems. She also has a fifteen year old son \"Lance\" and this is where they had met Jordan, as she was there for a while but decided to leave and went right back to the old life style she was in.<br /><br />Lance enjoys going to visit his sister as he like to tease and talk to the girls there but he also was one that had turned down drugs and liked to help people. Barbara had raised her children in a Christian home as she was a widow and she had a hard time trying to raise them. money wise.<br /><br />I would have loved to have been able to read the first books as I am sure they tell more about how the drug lords drag the young people into the life of abusing their bodies and minds with drugs. This is the first book that I have read that really made you feel as though you were living the life of these people and it make you see how easy it is for even your child can get into the habit of drugs.<br /><br />Terri does a wonderful job with this book as she does all that she writes.<br /><br /> I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting my review from Christian Review of Books.", "timestamp": 1301929460000, "title": "Victious Cycle" }, { "asin": "1433668688", "rating": 5, "text": "Marrianne Sommer was born on the day her two sisters were killed in a buggy/eighteen wheeler accident. The parents and children were on their way home when Abe the father kept dozing off and before he knew it the accident happened.<br /><br />Marrianne was name for the two sisters and her older brother Levi was only three at the time. Now Levi is grown and has left home for an English life style, Marrianne is (sort of) dating Amos Zook, even though he had never dated her, there was just and understanding. He was building them a house but she had never saw it. Abe had taken all he could at their home in Indiana and wanted to move to Montana where his brother lived. They packed up everything and moved to a new way of life. The Amish were few in this area and they mixed in with the English. Marrianne had told Amos that she was only staying six months and she would return home to him, but will she?<br /><br />Everything was different here in Montana the homes were far apart and there was no place to farm so what was Abe going to do? Marrianne went to work and was getting involved with an Englich man named Billy, he was a driver for the Amish but didn't know many of their ways. Will the family decide to stay in Montana or will they go back to their seventy acre farm in Indiana? This book was different than a lot of the Amish books I have read, as in this one they mingled with the Englich a lot more than most of the ones did, from the other Authors.<br /><br />This is the first Amish book Tricia Goyer has written but she has plenty other books under her belt. Good book.<br /><br />This book was sent to me free from Litefuse Publicity Group for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1302541119000, "title": "Beside Still Waters" }, { "asin": "1595547851", "rating": 5, "text": "When I started to read this book and all the way through until I read the \"Afterwards\" page did I know that this is about real people, but written in a fiction manner. I love books that are based on the 1800s and this one is just that. The author really did her research and came up with the real names of the saddle makers and used them in this story.<br /><br />It is about a man that lives in Ohio and makes saddles, he also is a traveling preacher. He is the father of three daughters and the oldest one is having to raise and take care of the two younger ones as the mother died in childbirth. Ann Miller is the oldest daughter and she is left alone with the little girls a lot when her father goes on his preaching jobs. She had no idea what he did or where he went on these journeys but when he was home he made some of the most beautiful saddles of anyone. He was always getting orders for them. And on one of these trips to make a saddle he carried his three daughters to Pittsburgh and they stayed with the doctor that lived next door to another saddle maker. That is when they found two of the most underfed and tattered young men they had ever seen. These were the saddle maker's apprentice but they were indentured slaves.<br /><br />This book goes through helping slaved to freedom, the loves of Ann Miller and helping Tom and Will the indentured slaves to get away from their mean owners that beat them. It is so written that I wanted to just get in there with the author and help these people myself. This is my first time reading anything written by Rosslyn Elliott and I hope to get to read the others in this series.<br /><br />Thanks to BookSneeze for sending me this book free to read and review in my own words and thoughts.", "timestamp": 1303744625000, "title": "Fairer than Morning" }, { "asin": "1595545352", "rating": 4, "text": "When FBI agent Raleigh Harmon decides to go on vacation alone with her mom, her aunt and her aunt's friend she never thought that it would end up with her having to work. They took a cruise to Alaska but when there was a murder/suicide the ship had to turn around and not go into port. The crew was trying to keep this a secret but on the ship the gossip flies. Raleigh found herself right in the middle of it as they tried to find out what happened.<br /><br />There was a movie crew on board trying to shot a movie with their drunken leading man and this was his wife that was missing. This case was so tough that she had them bring in a Special Agent to help with this case. She had found a very valuable ring at the scene but it kept coming up missing and then not missing, this was very hard for her to figure out. She knew a lot about rocks and valuable stones as she had studied it in college.<br /><br />The the Special Agent got there it was handsome Jack Stephanson, whom she did not care for, but she had to accept his help. They begin to work together and she found out that he was not as bad as she thought.<br /><br />This is the first book I have read of Sibella's but really enjoyed it. I have chatted with her on Facebook and I was so glad to win this book in a Thomas Nelson contest. Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson and also to Sibella Giorell for this book and the review is my own thoughts.", "timestamp": 1304611697000, "title": "The Mountains Bow Down" }, { "asin": "082543310X", "rating": 4, "text": "Just as World War 2 was beginning fifteen year old Julien Losier was very upset with his parents as they were moving them from Paris and all his friends to a small village Tanieux in central France where his father grew up and just up the road from his grandfather's farm. This was a small town and he just knew he would never fit in with these people.<br /><br />There is another girl Nina Krenkel alone with her brother had to leave their country on their father's command and go to Austria and he told them to burn their papers and not to tell anyone they were Jewish. They arrived in Tanieux ill and in despair. She didn't know what she was going to do. Then she and her brother met up with Julien Losier.<br /><br />They though as by going there they would run from the Nazis and be safe but nowhere was safe from Hitler. He and his sister both knew they would never be safe as they watched their father die and then tried to run to Austria alone with a Jewish boy they had meet and helped. None of them knew how close to death they would come too as they struggled to stay alive.<br />This book was written well and the authors seemed to know what they were writing about.<br /><br /> I usually don't like anything about World War 2 as I was born during this time and had a brother and 3 brothers-in-law in Germany fighting, three came back alive but one of my brothers-in-law was in a box. But this book was interesting and written in a way for younger people, so I was able to understand it better. I am a great-grandmother so it takes something that really explains things for me to understand. I really am a history buff so I rate this book as a 4.5<br /><br />Thanks so much to Kregel Publications for the free copy of this book in order for me to review.", "timestamp": 1305397282000, "title": "How Huge The Night" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 5, "text": "Susannah leaves her family home after her parents are killed and she can not make it on her own, She didn't have any suitors and had never dated so her Pastor sent her to the Dakota prairie to marry his brother whom she had never met. She was having problems with the banker of their town and he would not leave her alone so she though this was best to get away from it all.<br /><br />When Susannah met Jesse at the so called train depot she had no idea what type of house he lived in but they were married by proxy before she left. On their way to their land claim he redid their marriage vows himself.<br /><br />Is is very a very hard life as when she got to their house it was made of sod and so small they kept running into each other when they moved. Jesse had been in the War between the States and still had some bad dreams about this as Susannah was so afraid the banker would find her.<br /><br />When the grasshoppers came and destroyed everything they had planted, Jesse decided to go away and try to find a job leaving Susannah at home and alone except for their dog and a couple they lived on the next claim.<br /><br />As she waited for his return she found out she was expecting a baby and did everything she could to protect it as far as moving to town and teaching a very small school. But she is tougher than Jesse thought as she held everything together and kept herself up.<br /><br />I really loved this book and didn't want it to end. I think this was the first book that I have read by Catherine Richmond and sure want to read some more.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by BookSneeze for my honest review,", "timestamp": 1306698971000, "title": "Loved this book, Spring for Susannah" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 4, "text": "Set in the 1800s Clara Endicott was the daughter of wealthy parents but she was best friends with Daniel Tremain who worked in a steel mill alone with his father, he was taking his exam in order to get a scholarship for college when he was called away and his father was under a steam boiler that had exploded up. He was the only one that knew how to keep it from blowing more and to help so they could get his father from under the hot boiler. He got it fixed but his father did not survive. Daniel was very smart in the ways of inventing things so as he had to work and keep his mother and sisters up, he kept working on making things better. They both loved music and even composed some of their own. They loved the classics and played together every day.<br /><br />Clara was sent to an aunt in England as her parents wanted to get her away from Danial as she was sixteen. She was sent to an aunt but that did not stop her form pressuring her dream as a witter and it really got her in trouble as she exploded the coal mine owners that worked the children under the ground. She found herself in jail and thought that she would have to spend a long time there when her brother came from America and got her out, but she had to be on a ship back to America by sundown. She had not heard from Daniel since she had gone to England ten years ago, and he had not heard from her, even though both of them had written to each other.<br /><br />When she got back on America soil she soon found out had powerful Daniel had become and the companies that he owned. She still felt as though he was her best friend so when they met in an Opera House that he had built that friendship was still there.<br /><br />I love the books that are written from the 1800s and this one is no exception. It is well written even though I have not read any of Elizabeth Camden's work before.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1306856569000, "title": "The Lady of Bolton Hill" }, { "asin": "1414333064", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my first time reading one of Gina Holmes' books and I know it will not be my last. A very good story that just kept me turning page after page.<br /><br />As Eric and Kyra Yoshida has thought their marriage was over, Krya was in an accident that left some of her memory gone, as she didn't remember that they were separated. Their only son Benji had just left for the navy as this was what he had always wanted. He was more of a mama's boy than his dad's, so this had really turned Kyra's life around alone with the separation from her husband.<br /><br />Eric worked as a car salesman and as this was not the job he wanted it made the most money so he had taken a job and moved his family from their home by the sea to this fancy neighborhood. where none of them was happy.<br /><br />As the story continues it will tell things about a marriage that happens to almost everyone, but can they overcome this and do as they had promised God when they married that \"Death do they part?\"<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Tyndale Publications for my review.", "timestamp": 1314026247000, "title": "Dry as Rain" }, { "asin": "0764208055", "rating": 4, "text": "El Paso, Texas, August, 1886 as the story begins, Elizabeth Evans a widow and the daughter of a state senator and had come to help her brother with his newspaper. This part of Texas was so close to the border of Mexico that even then they were having trouble with this country. Some of the leaders in Mexico did not like what Lloyd wrote in his newspaper and killed him soon after the arrival of Elizabeth. Then she was taken with them and that is where the Texas Rangers came into the picture.<br /><br />This book is so full of romance, suspense and history that I could hardly lay it down, I finished it in two sittings. I have read the first one in this series also and it was just as good. Yvonne Harris has a way to tell these historical stories.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House for sending me this book at no cost to me and I chose to review it.", "timestamp": 1314804429000, "title": "A River to Cross" }, { "asin": "0805448152", "rating": 5, "text": "Lady Kendra Townsend was an only child as he mother died giving birth to her, as she and her father lived in England. Her father had a twin brother but he was not nice at all and he gambled everything he could get his hands on and always came to his brother Edward to bail him out. But this time it took everything Edward had to bail him out so he and Kendra had to live being very poor. Edward died and Andrew the twin took over the title and came to the castle and also was going to make Kendra marry an old man just so he could get the inheritance that was left to her from her grandmother once she married. She refused to marry the old man so her uncle shipped her off to America to her mother's sister that Kendra had never met.<br /><br />On the ship that she traveled on she was the only passenger as it was a cargo ship only but she was treated kind and was watched to be sure none of the sailors bothered her. The captain of the ship is Dorian Colburg and he really liked her but was determined never to marry again as he was married once before and his wife died.<br /><br />What will Kendra find when she gets to America and to her aunt and uncle's place?<br /><br />This is really a good book if you love romance, and adventure, Jamie Carie writes very good books as I have read a lot of her books.<br /><br />Thanks to B and H for sending me this advanced readers edition of this book to read and review.", "timestamp": 1316025327000, "title": "Pirate of My Heart" }, { "asin": "0310332311", "rating": 4, "text": "As you put the first cd into your player you are ready for a great story as only Terri Blackstock can tell it. Her work always keeps you wondering what is coming next.<br /><br />Carney Sullivan grew up in the world of a traveling carnival, she wanted a place to call home so she settled for Serenity Texas. She makes a home and has a child and a new faith. But she can spot a con artist as soon as she sees them as her father was one.<br /><br />Then she meet the swave Logan Brisco she knows right away the he also was a con artist even thought he was so very good looking and word some of the fanciest clother. He was out for no good and it seems that Carney was the only one in the town that knew this. He had everyone fooled but he was planning on getting anything he could from the good people encluding Carney's heart. Can she warn the people of the town who they are dealing with or will her heart stand in the way,<br /><br />This story is a suspence that you can't wait until you can hear more. Thanks so much to Zondervan Publisher for sending me this audio book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1321723124000, "title": "Shadow In Serenity" }, { "asin": "0310727618", "rating": 4, "text": "This book was inspired by the story \"The Beauty and the Beast\" and as Annabel Chapman was forced into the role of a servant for the beastly Lord Ranulf le Wyse when her family who was once welthy merchants was forced to go into debt.<br /><br />She is burdened with all the household duties and also had to help harvest the barley stalks and also cook for all the others. She was having a very hard life and she was forced into doing jobs she had never done before. Her family also wanted her to marry the Lord so that they could save their home and to keep her brother from having to do hard work. Seems to me they really used the women in the families to take care of the lazy men and boys.<br /><br />Lord Ranulf le Wyse was known to terrifying and beastly and the Lord's bailiff, a bad man in his own had made advances on her. She just wanted out of this house, but with no hope of leaving and she wishes there was someway she could kill the Lord Wyse but could she do this as she knew he needed to accept God and she needed to get closer to God and try to do what he wanted from her.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Zondervan publishing for sending me this book to review and I did so in my own words.", "timestamp": 1326905314000, "title": "The Merchant's Daughter" }, { "asin": "1595549013", "rating": 4, "text": "This is the second book in the series \"A Hickory Ridge Romance\" and it is good to read more about the young widow Carrie Daly. The story takes place in 1876 just after the Civil War was over and she had lost her husband so she didn't think she would ever be ready for another beau. But that was before she met Nate Chastain, he was wanting her to marry him but she was just not ready to settle down with another man yet.<br /><br />When Griff Rutledge 'came to town to help train a Throughbred, he decided to not to go back home to<br />Charleston, SC just yet and to stay in Hickory Ridge for a while. He had met the widow Carrie and took a liking to her but will she like him in return. She was already dating Nate and knew she was not ready to settle down with him, so why would she drop him and put her mind on the highfulating Griff Rutledge? Could their diffrences be settled enought for them to fall for each other.<br /><br />This is a very good book and will keep you turning page after page. I read fast anyway and when I really get into the story I may stay up all night reading. This was such a story.<br /><br />Thanks to BookSneeze for sending me a free copy and I decided to write a review.", "timestamp": 1329243201000, "title": "Beauty For Ashes" }, { "asin": "076420839X", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the second book in \"The Daughters of Caleb Bender\" series where an Amish man in 1920 moves his family to rural Mexico in hopes of escaping religious persecution in Ohio where the family encounters more difficulties and loss. Paradise Valley is nestled between the mountain range of Sierra Madre Oriental. Caleb's the second daughter Miriam, is struggling with her feelings for Domingo, a Nahua who has helped the family settle in to Paradise Valley, but in order to please her family she allows Micah to court her. Then she meets Domingo who calls her \"Cualnezqui\" which means \"beautiful\". Is she getting in over her head with by letting her heart take over. She dreams haunted dreams about being dressed in coarse cotton pants and a peasant shirt. Is this dream trying to tell her something?<br /><br />Rachel, Caleb's youngest daughter has been courting Jake for quite a while as more people move into the valley, the young courting couples are waiting for a minister to come to town so they can get married.<br /><br />This second year in Mexico has turned out worse than the first, and Caleb has to learn to live by faith and not by what he sees. El Pantera the bandit is still causing trouble for the family.<br /><br />Dale has really done well with this series, I read the first one and will be glad when the third one come out, not rushing you Dale but we need the next book.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this free book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1329495489000, "title": "The Captive Heart" }, { "asin": "0310722365", "rating": 5, "text": "This Bible is so pretty and colorful, it is pink what more can I say about a Bible for a girl. It is the New International version and I prefer the KJV but anything to get the message across to our young children. On the inside the pages are written in pink and purple with places to write what they think and it even has some questions for the child to answer and write in her own words.<br /><br />I have an eleven year old granddaughter that is getting my copy and I believe the way that it is layed out will make her want to pick it up every day and read a little. Even a verse or two always helps. All we need to do is plant the seed and God will see that it grows.<br /><br />I believe any little girl would love one of these and it you have a birthday coming up or even put it into their Easter basket. This word is so much nicer than candy. Pick up a copy for your special little girl and I am sure God will bless you.<br /><br />Thanks so much to The B and B Media group for sending this to me and I have posted my own review.", "timestamp": 1331652385000, "title": "NIV FaithGirlz Bible" }, { "asin": "1595548874", "rating": 4, "text": "\"Need You Now\" is Beth Wiseman's first book outside the Amish secter. I have read so many of her books and loved everyone of them. This one is not exception. BookSneeze provided me with this complimentary paperback book.<br /><br />As Darlene and her husband Brad struggle to raise three teenagers, they move from Houston to Round Top, Texas to a farm left to Darlene by her grandparents, but the house needed a lot of repair. The move did not go well with the children and expecially for their middle child Grace who is fifteen. She was trying to deal with her stress and depression, so she became a \"cutter'. (A cutter is someone that hards themself with anything sharp).<br /><br />The move and the problem with their daughter begin to take a toll on their marriage and expecially when Darlene desides to take a job outside the home. They wondered if their faith was going to see them through so they begin to doubt that also. She needed to get away and make some friends and then Darlene begin to receive too much attention from a father of the sutistic young girl she was assigned too in the school for special needs children. She really needed God now, as she and her husband Brad was having issues and the man's attention was very hard to ignore.<br /><br />Will their love for each other and of God get them through?", "timestamp": 1332770062000, "title": "Need You Now" }, { "asin": "0310330432", "rating": 5, "text": "In this story Vannetta brings an Amish woman and an English woman together in a way that I have not read before. Deborah Yoder really needs to sell her quilts to help out with financies in her family, while Callie Harper had inherited a qult shop from her aunt.<br /><br />In Shipshewana a murder and selling quilts brings the two women together. Deborah is Amish and is tall and harty and the mother of five. Callie is English and tiny, young single. Deborah reveals her plans to auction off her quilts on-line, on a computer of all things in a town where most of the residents don't have electricty.<br /><br />A murder takes place and both women set aside their differences to try and solve it and to catch who ever the killer is.<br />I love Amish stories and this one was just great as the two different women work together for the same reason. The idea of a \"friendship quilt\" really works well with these two women. Can't wait untill the next book comes out.<br /><br />Thanks to Zondervan Publishing for sending me this book to read and enjoy and I am doing my own review.'", "timestamp": 1334939894000, "title": "Falling To Pieces An Amish murder mystery" }, { "asin": "076420615X", "rating": 4, "text": "If you like to read stories taking place in the 1800s then you will love this one. The civil war is going on and the folks in Texas are seperated between wanting the North or the South to win. Hannah Dandridge was helping he father raise her two young siblings as her step-mother had died in childbirth. Her dad got the word that his grandfather had been killded in the war and he left his family in the hands of their housekeeper and her family to go aid his grandmother, whom was dying. But he never returned. The rance they lived on had been given to him because he supported the South and he and his lawyer partener were in business together, but he had no idea what his partener was trying to do.<br /><br />When the REAL owner of the ranch returned from the war William Barnett was suprised to find someone else was living in his house. He stayed on for the time being and helped Hannah and the others run the farm and to try and keep the Indians from attacking.<br /><br />What will Hannah do when she finds out for sure her father was dead and she was going to have to raise her 3 year old sister and 7 year old brother. Will she marry her dad's former partner Herbert Lockhart a much older man or will she find another way to survive.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1336060739000, "title": "Chasing the Sun" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "As the time draws near for Esther and Tobias to be married, Esther and her friend Deborah are out with Deborah's daughter to pick flowers they see someone lying dead in the nearby creek. This property belonged to Reuben the brother of Tobias.<br /><br />When the people came out to claim the body Reuben will not say anything and they are blaming him, but he just let's it past and keeps his thoughts to himself. Tobias can't understand his brother keeping everything bottled up inside and letting it fall on his shoulders.<br /><br />As Esther, Deborah and the owner of the quilt shop Callie decide to find out themselves what had happened to this person. At he same time old man Ira Bontrager comes to the women and ask them to help him find out what happened to his daughter that has been missing since 1965.<br /><br />In the first book of the series the women are good at solving mysteries, but can they solve these two?<br /><br />If you like to read about the Amish then you will love this series as it is also a mystery. Something different and new with this community as they usually just keep to themselves and don't try to solve mysteries nor to get involved. I really loved the books and I didn't want to lay them down.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Zondervan Publishers for sending me this free book in order for me to do a review.", "timestamp": 1337716924000, "title": "A Great Series" }, { "asin": "1416599959", "rating": 4, "text": "Deborah Raney is a great author and all the books I have read of hers I always enjoy. Thanks to Glass Roads for sending me this book free for my review.<br /><br /> The story begins the day David was buried after the fire in the Handover Falls homeless shelter had burned and these men had been killed. She did not bury him in Handover Falls where the others were buried but had him buried beside his parents in Springfield.<br /><br />After eighteen months had passed Susan Marlowe is just now beginning to heal somewhat after her husband David had died in a fire alone with four other firefighters. She then discovered that David had carried a secret to the grave with him.<br /><br />She and her sons begin their lived anew after the fire, but what is this secret? Surly there would have been something she had noticed about David. But when she found out, she knew she should have seen it a long time before David's death.<br /><br />Can she learn to find peace again and will she ever find another man to take her late husband's place in her life?", "timestamp": 1338216545000, "title": "A Handover Falls novel" }, { "asin": "1616387157", "rating": 5, "text": "Sixty-three years is a long time as we have been married fifty-one years ourselves. So I loved this book about an older couple, most are about young couples. Thanks Darrel for thinking of my generation. That being said I will get on with what I thought of the book its self.<br /><br />As the story begins it is 2006 and Adam and Elizabeth are at their anniversary party and they were dancing the waltz as they had done for the past sixty-three years.<br /><br />When Adam returned home to Reunion, Montana he was received with a hug from his mother but his father was still holding a grudge because he went to war and left them to manage the farm by themselves. The farm had fallen apart and soon he found out they were about to loose it. He went to the bank to his old friend Nathan Roberts to see what he could do, but Nathan would not work with him. Soon he found out the reason was Elizabeth.<br /><br />He went to a dance and saw Elizabeth Baxter dancing with his high school rival Nathan Roberts. When he got up the nerve to cut in, he knew this was the girl for him.<br /><br />As the story continues you will laugh at some of things and you will cry alone with them at others. I am so happy to have received this free book from Glass Roads to review and to join this tour. This may be Darrel Nelson's first novel but I sure hope there are more to come from him. I really enjoyed it.", "timestamp": 1338903242000, "title": "A must read!!" } ]

[ { "asin": "160260696X", "rating": 5, "text": "Set in late nineteenth century Texas in the fictional town of Lookout, the characters dance off the page from the very first scene. When Luke Davis returns to the hometown he left several years, he is excited about being the new town marshal, but dreads facing Rachel, the woman who betrayed him and married his best friend years ago.<br /><br />Between the amusing and endearing antics of young Jacqueline, the ornery Corbett cousins and a whole Texas town of interesting characters, Luke and Rachel have no peace, especially when one of the potential brides brings a twist of intrigue and danger to thicken the plot.<br /><br />A satisfying tale of forgiveness, trust, and second chances, The Anonymous Bride will entertain, inspire and warm the most stoic heart.<br /><br />This book was supplied by Goodreads and Barbour Publishing with no obligation to write a positive review<br /><br />Now The Author: Vickie McDonough is an award-winning inspirational romance author. She has written 16 novels and novellas. Her Heartsong books, The Bounty Hunter and the Bride and Wild At Heart both placed third in the Top Ten Favorite Historical Romance category in Heartsong Present's annual readers' contests. Her stories frequently place in national contests, such as the ACFW Book of the Year contest and the Inspirational Readers Choice Contest. She has also written book reviews for over eight years. Vickie is a wife of thirty-three years, mother of four grown sons and grandma to a feisty three-year-old girl. When she's not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, gardening, watching movies, and traveling.", "timestamp": 1272388280000, "title": "The Anonymous Bride" }, { "asin": "0764205137", "rating": 5, "text": "In 1872, sixteen women are lured to Nebraska with the promise of free land, independence, and an opportunity to start over after the devastating loss of their husbands. What they find when they arrive in Plum Grove, Nebraska is a story of hope, new beginnings, forgiveness, and love. Add in a conniving man who tricked these women into coming west and you have a recipe for conflict. When six women decide to ditch his plans, the fun begins in earnest.<br /><br />Tales of heartbreak, romance and cowboys sweep you away as this story unfolds in the lives of the six women that started over in Four Corners, Nebraska with their new homes and lands. Ella is a strong woman that loves to farm with her mother Zita. Hettie slipped in without anyone knowing she was not one of the brides she had been a doctor's wife. Caroline is as southern as you can get. Ruth was a widow with a young son, and then there was Sally and they all stuck together. They meet Linney a young girl that worked in the store at Plum Grove. The tales just gets deeper and deeper as the story unfolds.<br /><br />I love Stephanie Grace Whitson's books, she always writes a story that keep you spellbound.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy for purpose of review from Bethany House Publishers.", "timestamp": 1273679261000, "title": "Sixteen Brides" }, { "asin": "1595546790", "rating": 5, "text": "Love on a Dime is set in Newport, Rhode Island, 1899, I love stories that take place in the 1800s. I like to read something that I don't have to deal with day by day and that is why I love historical. This is one of those books that you desperately want to know what happens next! This is a novel that I will pull off of the shelf and read over and over again to enjoy. The first novel for James, I expect to see much more from her in the future!<br /><br />I loved to join the Westbrook's for a leisurely summer season in beautiful Newport. Lillian Westbrook is a beauty, strong in her convictions, and modest in her accomplishments who is pursued by Jackson Grail, the handsome, hero. Jackson Grail has regrets. He loved Lilly to pieces and wanted to marry her, but refused to take her away from her life of privilege to live like a pauper. Carla draws you into the story, transporting you into the scenes with charming prose and great word imagery. With each word I could feel the powerful Atlantic Ocean cool my face in the afternoon sun, hear the gulls as I took a relaxing stroll, and see all the breathtaking elegance and luxury that can only be described as Newport!<br /><br />Lilly hides her authorship but people speak highly of the author Fannie Cole, Lilly's pen name. A wonderful, interesting read about secrets and romance and I love the title as it describes the books that used to be called \"Dime Novels\"<br /><br />I would like to thanks to Cara Lynn James and Booksneeze<br /> for sending me a copy to review.", "timestamp": 1275437490000, "title": "LOVE ON A DIME" }, { "asin": "159554870X", "rating": 5, "text": "Kelley Long is a new writer to me and I really enjoy the Amish books, even though there are so many coming out now with this theme. Kelley put a whole new twist on the Amish story. This book started out with a bang and ended with one.<br />When I started reading it I thought it would be the same as the others I have read and enjoyed but this one was so different.<br /><br />Sarah was the only daughter at home with older brothers and she loved to garden, that was her top priority, she didn't care for quilting or sewing as most of the Amish women tend to do. But she could make a mean garden and knew about all the plants.<br />When a new vet moved into the Amish community everything started to change. He was loved by all and did his work great but he was not Amish. This did not seem to brother the people as other books led us to believe in the past. They took him on as one of them.<br />Sarah was a loner as she didn't like to meet a lot of people, (I understand her because that is the way I am) but she was made to run the stand that the Amish make a lot of their money from in the summer, and she hated it. She didn't know what she was going to do when the \"Englishers\" came. She decided to start a quilt top for her sister's baby that would soon make his appearance, so this is the way she got by sitting all day at the stand.<br />As the story unfolds the Amish man that is in love with her \"but she not him\" keeps trying to get her to go out with him and he is a nice man but she grew up with him as a friend and that is all he will ever be.<br /><br />She does get by and with her new nephew she begin to see things more in the light of an Amish woman and even starts her own quilt and has a quilting party. This is a must read for all that enjoy Amish books, it is a good clean Christian book with a new twist.<br /><br />This book was sent to me for review by BookSneeze", "timestamp": 1277481538000, "title": "Sarah's Garden" }, { "asin": "1414323867", "rating": 5, "text": "Lilly Corbett Gray, loves pretty things, and animals. Always on the lookout to rescue a hurting animal or to spring some evil traps, Lilly is a little girl with a big heart. However that rescue mode is what leads Lilly into the biggest mess of her life. Excited about her month long visit to her Aunt Alice in the city, she is anxious to go. Waiting for Manda the hired girl to finish her chores, and walk her to the coach, that will take her to the train, Lilly hears a dog who is hurting. Unable to leave it be, she goes to investigate and finds her neighbor throwing a sack of puppies into a pond, and what she heard was the mama dog wanting her pups. While rescuing the pups, the neighbor catches her and locks her up in a shed. Finding Lilly gone, Manda figures she just walked to the coach alone. And Manda has her own troubles, the no good middling man from the band at the barn dance, has tried to take advantage of her in the barn and beat her up. Manda runs away to her sisters, not wanting anyone to see her in the state she was in. The train that Lilly was on going to her aunts, has a horrible crash, killing and injuring many people and sending Lilly's family and friends into a panic of worry. Will they find Lilly in time? Will they discover she isn't on the train and find her in the shed? What will happen to Lilly Corbett Gray? This story, set in the late 1890's is a great read.<br /><br />This book will be released by Tyndale in August 2010. 376 pages US $12.99 4 stars.<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale for review purposes only in my own words", "timestamp": 1280855347000, "title": "Still House Pond" }, { "asin": "1433669366", "rating": 5, "text": "Alaska 1897, aboard a steamship Ellen Pierce was on her way to the gold field to satisfy her sick brother Johan who has mental problems and she is afraid of him, as her mother on her death bed made her promise to take care of her brother. She had meet a man on board that had talked to her named Buck Lewis. They were racing with time as the river would soon freeze over. There was a large shaking of the ship and they all went up to see what had happened, and the ship was stuck in ice with no way to get it out until the thaw. Buck Lewis said he was not staying and more men wanted to go with him, along with them, Johan said he was going so that meant that Ellen had to go also.<br /><br />This was a very hard and cold trip which took all the energy they could endure and only the strongest would survive the journey by foot to reach Dawson City. Johan didn't make it so that left Ellen alone with no where to go, upon arriving in Dawson City, she realized it was going to be very hard as she didn't have much money and everything was so expensive. With a very few options, she must learn to trust God for her survival.<br /><br />This is the first book I have read by Carie but I loved the beautiful book and the story. It was well presented and is a book I will keep and read over. I ma looking forward reading more of her books in the near future.<br /><br />I received this free copy of this book from B&H books in exchange for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1284482010000, "title": "The Snowflake, a Novella" }, { "asin": "0764206710", "rating": 5, "text": "Ruth Livingstone's life changes the day her father puts a young child in her arms and sends her to a small village in New Jersey under an assumed name. There Ruth pretends to be a widow with a small child while her Preacher Father is tried for murder of the child's prostitute mother. They are sent to live with some of her Father's followers.<br /><br />Asher Tripp is the newspaperman who determines that this case is the event he can use to redeem himself as a journalist with his brother, who owns the local paper.<br /><br />Ruth finds that tending a small garden along the banks of the Toms River is a place where she can find a measure of peace in the midst of the sorrow that continues to build. It is here that Asher Tripp finds a temporary residence, all in an attempt to discover if the lovely creature known as Widow Malloy is truly Ruth Livingstone, the woman every newspaper has been looking for.<br /><br />When Asher and Ruth meet it is anything but love, but as they get to know each other will love begin to bloom and it it does will it be strong enough to withstand the secrets that separate them?<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House for review.", "timestamp": 1285454011000, "title": "Love's First Bloom" }, { "asin": "0825425905", "rating": 5, "text": "After returning from a photo shoot in Indonesia, Camden Bristow finds herself without a job, and in debt. Fount magazine has gone bankrupt due to the economy and everyone has disappeared along with her paycheck. With her savings gone and and no other job in the future, Camden decides to make a trip to visit her beloved grandma, Rosalie. Upon arriving in Ohio, Camden learns her grandmother has recently passed away and left her home, Crescent Hill, to her. Crescent Hill her grandmother's home has always been the only \"real\" home in Camden's life. While dealing with the loss of her grandmother, Crescent Hill suddenly becomes insecure and unsafe. Not knowing whom she can trust, Camden is thrown into the unknown, and soon discovers the many secrets of Crescent Hill and the Bristow family. Camden's life will change forever and she is forced to re-evaluate and learn how to better trust in God. \"Refuge on Crescent Hill\" is more than just a title for this book. It harbors the truth and lessons in this wonderful novel.<br />\"Refuge on Crescent Hill\" will make you not find a page you can stop on from the moment you begin reading, you will want to know more. It is mystery and suspense wrapped up in historical fiction. I loved the historical fiction that in in this story. The author does a wonderful job of bringing four different stories into one, interweaving them until they blend at the end. Each character is well developed and brings something different to the story.<br /><br />While the story is predictable at times, there are many moments that will surprise you and keep you wondering. The book was very hard to put down. I really enjoyed reading this novel and would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fiction, mystery, suspense, genealogy, or Christian fiction. Melanie did a great job of keeping my interest and not wanting it to end.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Kregel Publications for review.", "timestamp": 1287962753000, "title": "Refuge On Cresent Hill" }, { "asin": "1609360257", "rating": 5, "text": "Easter Lange loved her fiance' or though she did. She had a one time stand with him in the back of a car and from that union she had a little girl. Linus went to war and when he found out about the baby he had sent her to live with his very proper parents. She lived in the attic with her little girl but she also worked as a nurse at the hospital. Her family had shunned her when they found out about her pregnancy so she had no where else to go.<br /><br />Meanwhile in Germany Linus had been wounded really bad and gave the medic a letter to send to Easter, when she received it in another letter from the medic, she would not open it as she knew that Linus was dead. She also kept this from his parents. She kept writing back and forth to the medic whose name is Peter. He lived in Markesan Wisconsin and she lived a way from him but within a days ride by train, so her friend talked into going to meet him. When she got there she found out he was a POW from Germany. She ran away as she could not believe he was a Gemany soldier<br /><br />Different things begin to happen, she found Peter at the hospital where she worked as he had been beaten up and was very bad. She also was treating Charlie who had lost a leg in the war and then had jumped off the top of the hospital but some how survived but didn't know anyone.<br /><br />The POW camp was moved to their city and some of the Germans hated the Americans and plotted ways to get even. You must read this book, it is packed full of anything you may want to read. History, nurses, doctors, farmers and so on. Susan May Warren did a great job on this one.<br /><br />Thanks to Amy at Litfuse Publicity Group for review.", "timestamp": 1289234808000, "title": "Nightingale" }, { "asin": "0764207326", "rating": 5, "text": "As I live on the East coast I love any book that is written on it. This book by Alice J. Wisler is such a book, it takes place at the Outer Banks North Carolina. They lived in a tourist town of Hatteras and Jackie Donovan works for the newspaper there called \"The Lighthouse News\". She loves her town and everything in it, as her parents had moved her to Charlotte, NC when she was younger but she came back to the Outer Banks. She and her friend Minnie and Millie's young son lived in a duplex near the beach. Millie's husband had gotten killed in a boating accident the year before and she was still having trouble over losing him.<br /><br />Jackie and Millie used to visit the Bailey House, a bed and breakfast , when they were small and Jackie had always dreamed of owing the house and opening up her own. She was having trouble finding who owned it and she finely found out Davis Erickson (the Bailey's grandson) owned it and she started talking to him about getting the house. She even started dating him, but there was something wrong with that, she just didn't know what every one else in town knew about him. She was almost thirty and her family and friends were always setting her up with blind dates but they always went wrong. So she though she had found the perfect man. But had she? She just didn't know what he was like and then maybe there was someone that had always been there just waiting for her to notice him.<br /><br />I loved this book, but as I said I live in SC but not on the coast and I knew where the Outer Banks are and the language had its southern charm, just like I have always been used too. This is the first book I have read by Alice J. Wisler but I hope to read more, I really enjoyed it. I have got to mention that Jackie loved her \"Diet Pepsi\" so do I.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers for review.", "timestamp": 1289319747000, "title": "Hatteras Girl" }, { "asin": "0764208500", "rating": 4, "text": "Amy Gallagher is a want a be writer. She is at the age of 30 and she feel her clock is ticking away. But she just received her story back (AGAIN the 27th time) from another magazine, Will she ever find anyone that will buy her story? She quit her job and went back to school and got her master's degree, but has had to become a part time English professor to pay her bills. To beat it all her boy friend of was breaking up with her in the school cafeteria (cheap to eat there) and he just walked off, no regret.<br /><br />She had become friend with another writer Zoe' that could sell anything she wrote. Zoe' had moved in with her and that help both of them pay their bills. Amy hated to correct papers from her students, that was not something she wanted to do for the rest of her life. She had rather make to-do list that write a story, what was she going to do?<br /><br />The cast of characters in Amy's real world (a fundie mom, a socially-awkward office mate. Then there is the young man that lands on her sofa due to bedbugs in his old apartment. As Amy begins to see her-self better she can start to find out you she really is. I was sure that Amy would get a little stronger by the end but she was determination to succeed, fall in love and not lose her faith in the process.<br /><br />This is my first read of Bethany Pierce's and I found it enjoyable.<br /><br />Bethany House provided me with a review copy of this book.", "timestamp": 1289517047000, "title": "Amy Inspired" }, { "asin": "0307458997", "rating": 5, "text": "I received this book from Library Thing and I want to thank you for it. I read the entire book last night and it keep me turning page after page.<br />The story started while Cora was looking for that special Christmas gift. It was icy and her car slid off the road and messed up her tie rod, so while they were towing her car she went shopping, She had heard about a book store on the internet and she felt like this is where she would find that gift. She walked to an older part of town and found the store, the door was stuck and she had a time getting in as the man just sit behind the counter reading a book. She finally got the door to open and from then on everything was like the old fairy tales that she had heard when she was a child. The man knew what she wanted and when she got the book home a slip of paper fell out and it was an invitation to a Christmas ball, but no time or place.<br /><br />The same thing happened to her boss's boss when he went to the store. Sometime you could find the street that was only a few blocks from where they worked but if you were driving a car, you could not find it. He bought a book also and the same thing happened to him an invitation fell from the book.<br /><br />Oh this book is great and so right to read as the Christmas season approaches. You will laugh and you may even shed a tear or two but either way, it will take you back to a fairy land.", "timestamp": 1290298098000, "title": "Two tickets to the Christmas Ball" }, { "asin": "0307457176", "rating": 4, "text": "Showing newest posts with label Review. Show older posts<br />Showing newest posts with label Review. Show older posts<br />Dec 27, 2010<br />Photobucket<br /><br />TANDEM<br />by<br />Tracey Bateman<br /><br />My Review:<br />I have read a lot of books by Tracey Bateman but this is the first from any author I have read about vampires. The book was a good read but different, it was hard for me to get through the \"Hunting\" parts of the book, but other than that it was an interesting book. It has romance, mystery and about anything you could want from a book. The main character was Lauryn McBride who is dealing with her father that has Alzheimer's and trying to run the auction business that her dad had started in Abbey Hills, Mo. She was working on an old mansion that had belonged to Markus Chisom who had perished in a fire. She was having to go through everything and catalogue it for the estate sale that was to be held. She really needed the money but was having trouble as there were so many killings lately in the small town, people and animals.<br /><br />In comes Amede Dastillion from New Orleans that had received a package from Lauryn that held some letters that had belonged to one of her long ago relatives, or maybe not? She came to town and would not leave, then along with her was her assistance Juliette that meet a man there in town that said he was a reporter going from small town to town, but he wouldn't leave either.<br /><br />Then there was this reporter Miranda that had a blog and worked part time at the diner. I am telling you folks that this book will blow your mind, I am a Christian and this is a Christian based book that does refer to the Bible with Billy, a missionary and his father who is the pastor of the church. You really just need to read this for yourselves, it is a different book.<br /><br />My Thought:<br />As I said before I am a Christian and I only read Christian fiction books and I really didn't know this one was about vampires, but it was different. I got the impression at the last of the book that the author may have thrown in a part that you are born in a certain life style, but in the Bible it says we are may in the image of God, so we know the type of man HE is if we read out Bibles. I may be wrong in assuming that she meant this but as I said that is the impression that I got. I don't believe in vampires either, not ghost and so on.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Blogging for Books a division of WaterBrook Press free just for my review.", "timestamp": 1293467802000, "title": "Tandem" }, { "asin": "082542674X", "rating": 4, "text": "Sheila Franklin lived in New Orleans in 1940s when she was growing up and loved music. She loved Jazz but her mother wouldn't let her play it. She could play piano and the was learning the clarinet, which her father played. She loved to roam around the music filled streets in the Quarter of New Orleans and she could keep secrets and loved to slip around and find out things. But her world as she knew it disappeared the night her family home burned and she lost both her parents. She went to live with her grandmother that had her name changed form Sheba to Shelia.<br /><br />After she grows up and married a pastor her past starts to come back as the phone rung and the man on the other end asked for Sylvia Allen and as her son come on the scene she had to do some confession to her son whom she had abandoned against her will when he was few days old. She also had some secrets that she had to tell her Pastor husband Edward. In the 1960s what all she had been hiding. Will the truth hurt their marriage and what will Edward say about a son he never knew about?<br /><br />This book was a good read as it takes you back to New Orleans in the days when in the Quarters the music was beautiful and the color made no difference. I have never been to New Orleans but would like to go, and see all I have read about. Patti Lacy has written some good books relating to history as she has written \"What The Bayou Saw\" and \"An Irishwoman's Tales\"<br /><br />Thanks to Kregel Publications for sending me this free copy to review.", "timestamp": 1295205336000, "title": "The Rhythm of Secrets" }, { "asin": "1595545395", "rating": 5, "text": "Lucy runs and operated a home for homeless girls eighteen years old or so, once the foster care system has turned them out, they have no where to go, as she was homeless for a while when she was young she had a place in her heart for these girls. But when the highest contributor \"Sinclair Enterprises\" cut her out of their help she had no idea what she was going to do, in able to keep this home open for her girls.<br /><br />She was a very nervous person and had no self esteem she had a problem with asking for more help but she did it anyway. But the Spencer company would not give an inch so she was despair in what to do in order to keep the home open. She met an old school mate of hers that had been a professional football player, Alex Sinclair, but had hurt his knee and now he was running for congress. She got tied up with him and he offered her a way to save the home, but could she do it.<br /><br />She found out somethings about herself that she never knew, as her mother had gotten killed in a car wreck when she was younger, but had been able to send her to a boarding school and then she went to college with a scholarship or did she? She will find out things her mother never told her and Alex will try to put a closer to his twin brother's death while trying to fun for Congress. Can they work out their problems and both of them fine out what God has in store for them?<br /><br />This book was sent to me by BookSneeze in order for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1295538273000, "title": "Save The Date" }, { "asin": "1595547916", "rating": 5, "text": "Katie McKenna had left her home town of New Orleans to get away from a terrible embarrassment and she had moved to California. She had left her mother behind and all her friend except a college friend Eileen whom she roomed with, but she had known her in New Orleans and Eileen knew what her problem was.<br /><br />An old rich boyfriend showed up at her door and was determine to take her back to New Orleans on his private jet for his brother's wedding. Katie had worked while she went to college in a bar as a singer and dancer. She did not ever drink but she used her talents without it. She was determined not to go back to New Orleans and had not even went to see her mother since she had left eight years ago. Her dad had run a grocery store during her growing up years but was not dead. Her mom had remarried and she had never met her new step-father.<br /><br />She was not sort of engaged to a man names Dexter, who really was a bore and he didn't even mind when she left with Luc DeForges the multi-millionaire old boy friend. Will she be able to face the people in her home town and the family of DeForges? Will Dexter ever really be engaged to Katie? You need to buy this book and find out for yourself, I promise you will not be disappointed. A really great read.<br /><br />This is the first time I have read any of Kristin Billerbeck's work but I want to read more, even if I am not a your woman but a great-granny. I think anyone will enjoy her books.<br /><br />This book was sent to me for review by Audra Jennings of The B and B Media Group for my review.", "timestamp": 1296585444000, "title": "A Billion Reasons Why" }, { "asin": "143470212X", "rating": 4, "text": "As I was reading through this book I have never known how bad the women suffer in other parts of the world. Kim was a devoted wife and mother that went to church and did what she thought God wanted her to do. She had a high paying job with her way to the top and her second husband Milton felt that something was missing in their lives. As all the children were out of the house except two girls, they throught they had everything but they both were still unhappy. As they started to pray about this, it seem that an answer came that Kim didn't want to hear. She wanted to do what God asked but on her own terms.<br /><br />This book is really an eye opener and as we think we have it bad here in America, we just don't see what goes on in other parts of the world even though we see some of the things on TV it is not the same as being there. Kimberly and Milton Smith started a organization \"Make Way Partners\" in which they run and are trying to build the only private and ingeniously based anti-trafficking network in Africa and Eastern Europe. For more information on this project check out their site and read all about it.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by The B and B Media Group for my own thoughts and review.", "timestamp": 1297445478000, "title": "Passport Through Darkness" }, { "asin": "1854249746", "rating": 3, "text": "First let me say that this is not a book that I could get into, I did the best I could and tried to understand this period of time. It was set in 14th century Oxford and about the medieval.<br /><br />I think that Mel Starr knows what he is writing about and I believe he has studied this period of time and the way things were done. In this third novel, Hugh de Singleton a surgeon in the village of Bampton, near Oxford. Hugh liked Kate who proved a help in finding the missing books that were stolen from Master Wyclif's rooms and are up-for-grabs. . There are some very interesting people out to stop him, some are determined to stop him permanently if necessary, as they are have greed and really do not care for Mel at all.<br /><br />This book was sent to me buy Kregel Publications for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1298486328000, "title": "A Trail of Ink" }, { "asin": "1595548017", "rating": 5, "text": "Abigale Jones lives in Chicago and is a reporter for her mom's magazine \"Viewpoint\". She works way too much as has high blood pressure and a lot of headaches. Her sister is a doctor and she tells Abigale that she need to slow down, but her mom had to just make her take a leave from the magazine and to go to Moose Creek, Montana to check on her great aunt. Her dad had died because of high blood pressure and they were trying to take care that she did everything she was suppose to do in order for that not to happen to her.<br /><br />When she gets to her great aunt's house there is not place for her to sleep except on an old sofa, so when the opportunity comes alone for her to be a nanny for the summer to a little girl just up the road she takes that. As she and Maddy grows close, Abigale begins to really like the \"Big Sky Country\". Maddy had lost her mother before she and her cowboy dad moved from Texas to try to leave old memories. She needed a woman figure in her life as every summer she had a new nanny and that was very upsetting for her. Maddy's dad Wade Ryan owned a large ranch and was busy all the time so he couldn't spend the time with her as she needed.<br /><br />Everything was going alone great until Abigale's reporter nose found a story that she could not turn down as the future of \"Viewpoint\" was in trouble, so even though she was suppose to be resting she was still trying to save the magazine. Then everything begin to fall apart, with her and the new friends she had made in Montanna.<br /><br />I loved this book, it has everything in it that a reader like myself loves. Denise really did a great job with writing it.<br /><br />Thanks so much to The B and B Media group for sending me this book for review.", "timestamp": 1301500345000, "title": "A Coyboy's Touch" }, { "asin": "0781403790", "rating": 5, "text": "Mable and her friend Sarah Jane as they find themselves in one scrape after another! I find so many of the little stories in both books that are related to myself and my niece Gail as we were growing together. We were in my own Mama's attic since I was a very late baby and had a niece about the same age. When I was reading these books I just lay in my bed and laughed and said \"oh yeah\" we did that. I am now a great-grandmother but like to read these books to my little grandchildren and tell them \"you Mama T did that\" it is so very hard for them to believe that I was ever that young. The entire Grandma's Attic Series I believe would be a set of books that you will pass on down so they can be kept and read to all your ancestors. I have only read these two and to tell the truth had never head of them before. But not that I have I want to get the other books in the series, I relate to so much. I am so thankful to B and B Group for sending me these two books for my review.<br /><br />The entire Grandma's Attic Series I believe would be a set of books that you will pass on down so they can be kept and read to all your ancestors. I have only read these two and to tell the truth had never head of them before. But not that I have I want to get the other books in the series, I relate to so much.<br /><br />I am so thankful to B and B Group for sending me these two books for my review.", "timestamp": 1301678340000, "title": "Grandma's Attic" }, { "asin": "0310250676", "rating": 5, "text": "Life is a vicious cycle in the life of drug uses. When the mother stays high on drugs and has a baby or a child is raised in that home then it goes on with the new generation doing the same thing they grow up with. This is the case of Jordan a fifteen year old girl that uses drug so much and she just became a mother of a baby girl. Jordan's mother and brother both live with her and they would not stay sober long enough to take the girl to a hospital, so Jordan had to deliver her own baby.<br /><br />But this book is more about another family that tries to help Jordan. Barbara has a daughter \"Emily\" that was a drug user and is now in a place \"New Day\" where they keep them for a year so that the drugs can get out of their systems. She also has a fifteen year old son \"Lance\" and this is where they had met Jordan, as she was there for a while but decided to leave and went right back to the old life style she was in.<br /><br />Lance enjoys going to visit his sister as he like to tease and talk to the girls there but he also was one that had turned down drugs and liked to help people. Barbara had raised her children in a Christian home as she was a widow and she had a hard time trying to raise them. money wise.<br /><br />I would have loved to have been able to read the first books as I am sure they tell more about how the drug lords drag the young people into the life of abusing their bodies and minds with drugs. This is the first book that I have read that really made you feel as though you were living the life of these people and it make you see how easy it is for even your child can get into the habit of drugs.<br /><br />Terri does a wonderful job with this book as she does all that she writes.<br /><br /> I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting my review from Christian Review of Books.", "timestamp": 1301929460000, "title": "Victious Cycle" }, { "asin": "1433668688", "rating": 5, "text": "Marrianne Sommer was born on the day her two sisters were killed in a buggy/eighteen wheeler accident. The parents and children were on their way home when Abe the father kept dozing off and before he knew it the accident happened.<br /><br />Marrianne was name for the two sisters and her older brother Levi was only three at the time. Now Levi is grown and has left home for an English life style, Marrianne is (sort of) dating Amos Zook, even though he had never dated her, there was just and understanding. He was building them a house but she had never saw it. Abe had taken all he could at their home in Indiana and wanted to move to Montana where his brother lived. They packed up everything and moved to a new way of life. The Amish were few in this area and they mixed in with the English. Marrianne had told Amos that she was only staying six months and she would return home to him, but will she?<br /><br />Everything was different here in Montana the homes were far apart and there was no place to farm so what was Abe going to do? Marrianne went to work and was getting involved with an Englich man named Billy, he was a driver for the Amish but didn't know many of their ways. Will the family decide to stay in Montana or will they go back to their seventy acre farm in Indiana? This book was different than a lot of the Amish books I have read, as in this one they mingled with the Englich a lot more than most of the ones did, from the other Authors.<br /><br />This is the first Amish book Tricia Goyer has written but she has plenty other books under her belt. Good book.<br /><br />This book was sent to me free from Litefuse Publicity Group for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1302541119000, "title": "Beside Still Waters" }, { "asin": "1595547851", "rating": 5, "text": "When I started to read this book and all the way through until I read the \"Afterwards\" page did I know that this is about real people, but written in a fiction manner. I love books that are based on the 1800s and this one is just that. The author really did her research and came up with the real names of the saddle makers and used them in this story.<br /><br />It is about a man that lives in Ohio and makes saddles, he also is a traveling preacher. He is the father of three daughters and the oldest one is having to raise and take care of the two younger ones as the mother died in childbirth. Ann Miller is the oldest daughter and she is left alone with the little girls a lot when her father goes on his preaching jobs. She had no idea what he did or where he went on these journeys but when he was home he made some of the most beautiful saddles of anyone. He was always getting orders for them. And on one of these trips to make a saddle he carried his three daughters to Pittsburgh and they stayed with the doctor that lived next door to another saddle maker. That is when they found two of the most underfed and tattered young men they had ever seen. These were the saddle maker's apprentice but they were indentured slaves.<br /><br />This book goes through helping slaved to freedom, the loves of Ann Miller and helping Tom and Will the indentured slaves to get away from their mean owners that beat them. It is so written that I wanted to just get in there with the author and help these people myself. This is my first time reading anything written by Rosslyn Elliott and I hope to get to read the others in this series.<br /><br />Thanks to BookSneeze for sending me this book free to read and review in my own words and thoughts.", "timestamp": 1303744625000, "title": "Fairer than Morning" }, { "asin": "1595545352", "rating": 4, "text": "When FBI agent Raleigh Harmon decides to go on vacation alone with her mom, her aunt and her aunt's friend she never thought that it would end up with her having to work. They took a cruise to Alaska but when there was a murder/suicide the ship had to turn around and not go into port. The crew was trying to keep this a secret but on the ship the gossip flies. Raleigh found herself right in the middle of it as they tried to find out what happened.<br /><br />There was a movie crew on board trying to shot a movie with their drunken leading man and this was his wife that was missing. This case was so tough that she had them bring in a Special Agent to help with this case. She had found a very valuable ring at the scene but it kept coming up missing and then not missing, this was very hard for her to figure out. She knew a lot about rocks and valuable stones as she had studied it in college.<br /><br />The the Special Agent got there it was handsome Jack Stephanson, whom she did not care for, but she had to accept his help. They begin to work together and she found out that he was not as bad as she thought.<br /><br />This is the first book I have read of Sibella's but really enjoyed it. I have chatted with her on Facebook and I was so glad to win this book in a Thomas Nelson contest. Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson and also to Sibella Giorell for this book and the review is my own thoughts.", "timestamp": 1304611697000, "title": "The Mountains Bow Down" }, { "asin": "082543310X", "rating": 4, "text": "Just as World War 2 was beginning fifteen year old Julien Losier was very upset with his parents as they were moving them from Paris and all his friends to a small village Tanieux in central France where his father grew up and just up the road from his grandfather's farm. This was a small town and he just knew he would never fit in with these people.<br /><br />There is another girl Nina Krenkel alone with her brother had to leave their country on their father's command and go to Austria and he told them to burn their papers and not to tell anyone they were Jewish. They arrived in Tanieux ill and in despair. She didn't know what she was going to do. Then she and her brother met up with Julien Losier.<br /><br />They though as by going there they would run from the Nazis and be safe but nowhere was safe from Hitler. He and his sister both knew they would never be safe as they watched their father die and then tried to run to Austria alone with a Jewish boy they had meet and helped. None of them knew how close to death they would come too as they struggled to stay alive.<br />This book was written well and the authors seemed to know what they were writing about.<br /><br /> I usually don't like anything about World War 2 as I was born during this time and had a brother and 3 brothers-in-law in Germany fighting, three came back alive but one of my brothers-in-law was in a box. But this book was interesting and written in a way for younger people, so I was able to understand it better. I am a great-grandmother so it takes something that really explains things for me to understand. I really am a history buff so I rate this book as a 4.5<br /><br />Thanks so much to Kregel Publications for the free copy of this book in order for me to review.", "timestamp": 1305397282000, "title": "How Huge The Night" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 5, "text": "Susannah leaves her family home after her parents are killed and she can not make it on her own, She didn't have any suitors and had never dated so her Pastor sent her to the Dakota prairie to marry his brother whom she had never met. She was having problems with the banker of their town and he would not leave her alone so she though this was best to get away from it all.<br /><br />When Susannah met Jesse at the so called train depot she had no idea what type of house he lived in but they were married by proxy before she left. On their way to their land claim he redid their marriage vows himself.<br /><br />Is is very a very hard life as when she got to their house it was made of sod and so small they kept running into each other when they moved. Jesse had been in the War between the States and still had some bad dreams about this as Susannah was so afraid the banker would find her.<br /><br />When the grasshoppers came and destroyed everything they had planted, Jesse decided to go away and try to find a job leaving Susannah at home and alone except for their dog and a couple they lived on the next claim.<br /><br />As she waited for his return she found out she was expecting a baby and did everything she could to protect it as far as moving to town and teaching a very small school. But she is tougher than Jesse thought as she held everything together and kept herself up.<br /><br />I really loved this book and didn't want it to end. I think this was the first book that I have read by Catherine Richmond and sure want to read some more.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by BookSneeze for my honest review,", "timestamp": 1306698971000, "title": "Loved this book, Spring for Susannah" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 4, "text": "Set in the 1800s Clara Endicott was the daughter of wealthy parents but she was best friends with Daniel Tremain who worked in a steel mill alone with his father, he was taking his exam in order to get a scholarship for college when he was called away and his father was under a steam boiler that had exploded up. He was the only one that knew how to keep it from blowing more and to help so they could get his father from under the hot boiler. He got it fixed but his father did not survive. Daniel was very smart in the ways of inventing things so as he had to work and keep his mother and sisters up, he kept working on making things better. They both loved music and even composed some of their own. They loved the classics and played together every day.<br /><br />Clara was sent to an aunt in England as her parents wanted to get her away from Danial as she was sixteen. She was sent to an aunt but that did not stop her form pressuring her dream as a witter and it really got her in trouble as she exploded the coal mine owners that worked the children under the ground. She found herself in jail and thought that she would have to spend a long time there when her brother came from America and got her out, but she had to be on a ship back to America by sundown. She had not heard from Daniel since she had gone to England ten years ago, and he had not heard from her, even though both of them had written to each other.<br /><br />When she got back on America soil she soon found out had powerful Daniel had become and the companies that he owned. She still felt as though he was her best friend so when they met in an Opera House that he had built that friendship was still there.<br /><br />I love the books that are written from the 1800s and this one is no exception. It is well written even though I have not read any of Elizabeth Camden's work before.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1306856569000, "title": "The Lady of Bolton Hill" }, { "asin": "1414333064", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my first time reading one of Gina Holmes' books and I know it will not be my last. A very good story that just kept me turning page after page.<br /><br />As Eric and Kyra Yoshida has thought their marriage was over, Krya was in an accident that left some of her memory gone, as she didn't remember that they were separated. Their only son Benji had just left for the navy as this was what he had always wanted. He was more of a mama's boy than his dad's, so this had really turned Kyra's life around alone with the separation from her husband.<br /><br />Eric worked as a car salesman and as this was not the job he wanted it made the most money so he had taken a job and moved his family from their home by the sea to this fancy neighborhood. where none of them was happy.<br /><br />As the story continues it will tell things about a marriage that happens to almost everyone, but can they overcome this and do as they had promised God when they married that \"Death do they part?\"<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Tyndale Publications for my review.", "timestamp": 1314026247000, "title": "Dry as Rain" }, { "asin": "0764208055", "rating": 4, "text": "El Paso, Texas, August, 1886 as the story begins, Elizabeth Evans a widow and the daughter of a state senator and had come to help her brother with his newspaper. This part of Texas was so close to the border of Mexico that even then they were having trouble with this country. Some of the leaders in Mexico did not like what Lloyd wrote in his newspaper and killed him soon after the arrival of Elizabeth. Then she was taken with them and that is where the Texas Rangers came into the picture.<br /><br />This book is so full of romance, suspense and history that I could hardly lay it down, I finished it in two sittings. I have read the first one in this series also and it was just as good. Yvonne Harris has a way to tell these historical stories.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House for sending me this book at no cost to me and I chose to review it.", "timestamp": 1314804429000, "title": "A River to Cross" }, { "asin": "0805448152", "rating": 5, "text": "Lady Kendra Townsend was an only child as he mother died giving birth to her, as she and her father lived in England. Her father had a twin brother but he was not nice at all and he gambled everything he could get his hands on and always came to his brother Edward to bail him out. But this time it took everything Edward had to bail him out so he and Kendra had to live being very poor. Edward died and Andrew the twin took over the title and came to the castle and also was going to make Kendra marry an old man just so he could get the inheritance that was left to her from her grandmother once she married. She refused to marry the old man so her uncle shipped her off to America to her mother's sister that Kendra had never met.<br /><br />On the ship that she traveled on she was the only passenger as it was a cargo ship only but she was treated kind and was watched to be sure none of the sailors bothered her. The captain of the ship is Dorian Colburg and he really liked her but was determined never to marry again as he was married once before and his wife died.<br /><br />What will Kendra find when she gets to America and to her aunt and uncle's place?<br /><br />This is really a good book if you love romance, and adventure, Jamie Carie writes very good books as I have read a lot of her books.<br /><br />Thanks to B and H for sending me this advanced readers edition of this book to read and review.", "timestamp": 1316025327000, "title": "Pirate of My Heart" }, { "asin": "0310332311", "rating": 4, "text": "As you put the first cd into your player you are ready for a great story as only Terri Blackstock can tell it. Her work always keeps you wondering what is coming next.<br /><br />Carney Sullivan grew up in the world of a traveling carnival, she wanted a place to call home so she settled for Serenity Texas. She makes a home and has a child and a new faith. But she can spot a con artist as soon as she sees them as her father was one.<br /><br />Then she meet the swave Logan Brisco she knows right away the he also was a con artist even thought he was so very good looking and word some of the fanciest clother. He was out for no good and it seems that Carney was the only one in the town that knew this. He had everyone fooled but he was planning on getting anything he could from the good people encluding Carney's heart. Can she warn the people of the town who they are dealing with or will her heart stand in the way,<br /><br />This story is a suspence that you can't wait until you can hear more. Thanks so much to Zondervan Publisher for sending me this audio book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1321723124000, "title": "Shadow In Serenity" }, { "asin": "0310727618", "rating": 4, "text": "This book was inspired by the story \"The Beauty and the Beast\" and as Annabel Chapman was forced into the role of a servant for the beastly Lord Ranulf le Wyse when her family who was once welthy merchants was forced to go into debt.<br /><br />She is burdened with all the household duties and also had to help harvest the barley stalks and also cook for all the others. She was having a very hard life and she was forced into doing jobs she had never done before. Her family also wanted her to marry the Lord so that they could save their home and to keep her brother from having to do hard work. Seems to me they really used the women in the families to take care of the lazy men and boys.<br /><br />Lord Ranulf le Wyse was known to terrifying and beastly and the Lord's bailiff, a bad man in his own had made advances on her. She just wanted out of this house, but with no hope of leaving and she wishes there was someway she could kill the Lord Wyse but could she do this as she knew he needed to accept God and she needed to get closer to God and try to do what he wanted from her.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Zondervan publishing for sending me this book to review and I did so in my own words.", "timestamp": 1326905314000, "title": "The Merchant's Daughter" }, { "asin": "1595549013", "rating": 4, "text": "This is the second book in the series \"A Hickory Ridge Romance\" and it is good to read more about the young widow Carrie Daly. The story takes place in 1876 just after the Civil War was over and she had lost her husband so she didn't think she would ever be ready for another beau. But that was before she met Nate Chastain, he was wanting her to marry him but she was just not ready to settle down with another man yet.<br /><br />When Griff Rutledge 'came to town to help train a Throughbred, he decided to not to go back home to<br />Charleston, SC just yet and to stay in Hickory Ridge for a while. He had met the widow Carrie and took a liking to her but will she like him in return. She was already dating Nate and knew she was not ready to settle down with him, so why would she drop him and put her mind on the highfulating Griff Rutledge? Could their diffrences be settled enought for them to fall for each other.<br /><br />This is a very good book and will keep you turning page after page. I read fast anyway and when I really get into the story I may stay up all night reading. This was such a story.<br /><br />Thanks to BookSneeze for sending me a free copy and I decided to write a review.", "timestamp": 1329243201000, "title": "Beauty For Ashes" }, { "asin": "076420839X", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the second book in \"The Daughters of Caleb Bender\" series where an Amish man in 1920 moves his family to rural Mexico in hopes of escaping religious persecution in Ohio where the family encounters more difficulties and loss. Paradise Valley is nestled between the mountain range of Sierra Madre Oriental. Caleb's the second daughter Miriam, is struggling with her feelings for Domingo, a Nahua who has helped the family settle in to Paradise Valley, but in order to please her family she allows Micah to court her. Then she meets Domingo who calls her \"Cualnezqui\" which means \"beautiful\". Is she getting in over her head with by letting her heart take over. She dreams haunted dreams about being dressed in coarse cotton pants and a peasant shirt. Is this dream trying to tell her something?<br /><br />Rachel, Caleb's youngest daughter has been courting Jake for quite a while as more people move into the valley, the young courting couples are waiting for a minister to come to town so they can get married.<br /><br />This second year in Mexico has turned out worse than the first, and Caleb has to learn to live by faith and not by what he sees. El Pantera the bandit is still causing trouble for the family.<br /><br />Dale has really done well with this series, I read the first one and will be glad when the third one come out, not rushing you Dale but we need the next book.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this free book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1329495489000, "title": "The Captive Heart" }, { "asin": "0310722365", "rating": 5, "text": "This Bible is so pretty and colorful, it is pink what more can I say about a Bible for a girl. It is the New International version and I prefer the KJV but anything to get the message across to our young children. On the inside the pages are written in pink and purple with places to write what they think and it even has some questions for the child to answer and write in her own words.<br /><br />I have an eleven year old granddaughter that is getting my copy and I believe the way that it is layed out will make her want to pick it up every day and read a little. Even a verse or two always helps. All we need to do is plant the seed and God will see that it grows.<br /><br />I believe any little girl would love one of these and it you have a birthday coming up or even put it into their Easter basket. This word is so much nicer than candy. Pick up a copy for your special little girl and I am sure God will bless you.<br /><br />Thanks so much to The B and B Media group for sending this to me and I have posted my own review.", "timestamp": 1331652385000, "title": "NIV FaithGirlz Bible" }, { "asin": "1595548874", "rating": 4, "text": "\"Need You Now\" is Beth Wiseman's first book outside the Amish secter. I have read so many of her books and loved everyone of them. This one is not exception. BookSneeze provided me with this complimentary paperback book.<br /><br />As Darlene and her husband Brad struggle to raise three teenagers, they move from Houston to Round Top, Texas to a farm left to Darlene by her grandparents, but the house needed a lot of repair. The move did not go well with the children and expecially for their middle child Grace who is fifteen. She was trying to deal with her stress and depression, so she became a \"cutter'. (A cutter is someone that hards themself with anything sharp).<br /><br />The move and the problem with their daughter begin to take a toll on their marriage and expecially when Darlene desides to take a job outside the home. They wondered if their faith was going to see them through so they begin to doubt that also. She needed to get away and make some friends and then Darlene begin to receive too much attention from a father of the sutistic young girl she was assigned too in the school for special needs children. She really needed God now, as she and her husband Brad was having issues and the man's attention was very hard to ignore.<br /><br />Will their love for each other and of God get them through?", "timestamp": 1332770062000, "title": "Need You Now" }, { "asin": "0310330432", "rating": 5, "text": "In this story Vannetta brings an Amish woman and an English woman together in a way that I have not read before. Deborah Yoder really needs to sell her quilts to help out with financies in her family, while Callie Harper had inherited a qult shop from her aunt.<br /><br />In Shipshewana a murder and selling quilts brings the two women together. Deborah is Amish and is tall and harty and the mother of five. Callie is English and tiny, young single. Deborah reveals her plans to auction off her quilts on-line, on a computer of all things in a town where most of the residents don't have electricty.<br /><br />A murder takes place and both women set aside their differences to try and solve it and to catch who ever the killer is.<br />I love Amish stories and this one was just great as the two different women work together for the same reason. The idea of a \"friendship quilt\" really works well with these two women. Can't wait untill the next book comes out.<br /><br />Thanks to Zondervan Publishing for sending me this book to read and enjoy and I am doing my own review.'", "timestamp": 1334939894000, "title": "Falling To Pieces An Amish murder mystery" }, { "asin": "076420615X", "rating": 4, "text": "If you like to read stories taking place in the 1800s then you will love this one. The civil war is going on and the folks in Texas are seperated between wanting the North or the South to win. Hannah Dandridge was helping he father raise her two young siblings as her step-mother had died in childbirth. Her dad got the word that his grandfather had been killded in the war and he left his family in the hands of their housekeeper and her family to go aid his grandmother, whom was dying. But he never returned. The rance they lived on had been given to him because he supported the South and he and his lawyer partener were in business together, but he had no idea what his partener was trying to do.<br /><br />When the REAL owner of the ranch returned from the war William Barnett was suprised to find someone else was living in his house. He stayed on for the time being and helped Hannah and the others run the farm and to try and keep the Indians from attacking.<br /><br />What will Hannah do when she finds out for sure her father was dead and she was going to have to raise her 3 year old sister and 7 year old brother. Will she marry her dad's former partner Herbert Lockhart a much older man or will she find another way to survive.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1336060739000, "title": "Chasing the Sun" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "As the time draws near for Esther and Tobias to be married, Esther and her friend Deborah are out with Deborah's daughter to pick flowers they see someone lying dead in the nearby creek. This property belonged to Reuben the brother of Tobias.<br /><br />When the people came out to claim the body Reuben will not say anything and they are blaming him, but he just let's it past and keeps his thoughts to himself. Tobias can't understand his brother keeping everything bottled up inside and letting it fall on his shoulders.<br /><br />As Esther, Deborah and the owner of the quilt shop Callie decide to find out themselves what had happened to this person. At he same time old man Ira Bontrager comes to the women and ask them to help him find out what happened to his daughter that has been missing since 1965.<br /><br />In the first book of the series the women are good at solving mysteries, but can they solve these two?<br /><br />If you like to read about the Amish then you will love this series as it is also a mystery. Something different and new with this community as they usually just keep to themselves and don't try to solve mysteries nor to get involved. I really loved the books and I didn't want to lay them down.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Zondervan Publishers for sending me this free book in order for me to do a review.", "timestamp": 1337716924000, "title": "A Great Series" }, { "asin": "1416599959", "rating": 4, "text": "Deborah Raney is a great author and all the books I have read of hers I always enjoy. Thanks to Glass Roads for sending me this book free for my review.<br /><br /> The story begins the day David was buried after the fire in the Handover Falls homeless shelter had burned and these men had been killed. She did not bury him in Handover Falls where the others were buried but had him buried beside his parents in Springfield.<br /><br />After eighteen months had passed Susan Marlowe is just now beginning to heal somewhat after her husband David had died in a fire alone with four other firefighters. She then discovered that David had carried a secret to the grave with him.<br /><br />She and her sons begin their lived anew after the fire, but what is this secret? Surly there would have been something she had noticed about David. But when she found out, she knew she should have seen it a long time before David's death.<br /><br />Can she learn to find peace again and will she ever find another man to take her late husband's place in her life?", "timestamp": 1338216545000, "title": "A Handover Falls novel" }, { "asin": "1616387157", "rating": 5, "text": "Sixty-three years is a long time as we have been married fifty-one years ourselves. So I loved this book about an older couple, most are about young couples. Thanks Darrel for thinking of my generation. That being said I will get on with what I thought of the book its self.<br /><br />As the story begins it is 2006 and Adam and Elizabeth are at their anniversary party and they were dancing the waltz as they had done for the past sixty-three years.<br /><br />When Adam returned home to Reunion, Montana he was received with a hug from his mother but his father was still holding a grudge because he went to war and left them to manage the farm by themselves. The farm had fallen apart and soon he found out they were about to loose it. He went to the bank to his old friend Nathan Roberts to see what he could do, but Nathan would not work with him. Soon he found out the reason was Elizabeth.<br /><br />He went to a dance and saw Elizabeth Baxter dancing with his high school rival Nathan Roberts. When he got up the nerve to cut in, he knew this was the girl for him.<br /><br />As the story continues you will laugh at some of things and you will cry alone with them at others. I am so happy to have received this free book from Glass Roads to review and to join this tour. This may be Darrel Nelson's first novel but I sure hope there are more to come from him. I really enjoyed it.", "timestamp": 1338903242000, "title": "A must read!!" }, { "asin": "0764206168", "rating": 4, "text": "I have had to oppunity to read a lot of Tracie Peterson's books and have loved all of them. This one is no acception. As the series \"Land of the Lone Star\" contunies Laura Marquardt felt herself becoming more drawn to Captain Brandon Reid. As she was wanting to educate blacks, everyone around her was against it, but Brandon was an officer over them and he was all for her doing this.<br /><br />After Laura's sister married her boyfriend that was in the Confederate army, Laura was so afraid for her sister and that she may be in for more than she bargarined for. It may even cost her, her own life and Laura was really worried about this.<br /><br />As we all know the \"War between the States\" was not a pretty site, as I live in the south and love the old plantation homes and the beautiful homes in Charleston, SC I am so proud to say that I came way after this war. I had a Great-grandfather that was lost near Charleston, he and my great-grandmother had just immigrated from Germany.<br /><br />I loved this series as I love the history of it all. I want to thank Bethany House for sending me this book free for me to post a review.", "timestamp": 1341416241000, "title": "Touching The Sky" } ]

[ { "asin": "160260696X", "rating": 5, "text": "Set in late nineteenth century Texas in the fictional town of Lookout, the characters dance off the page from the very first scene. When Luke Davis returns to the hometown he left several years, he is excited about being the new town marshal, but dreads facing Rachel, the woman who betrayed him and married his best friend years ago.<br /><br />Between the amusing and endearing antics of young Jacqueline, the ornery Corbett cousins and a whole Texas town of interesting characters, Luke and Rachel have no peace, especially when one of the potential brides brings a twist of intrigue and danger to thicken the plot.<br /><br />A satisfying tale of forgiveness, trust, and second chances, The Anonymous Bride will entertain, inspire and warm the most stoic heart.<br /><br />This book was supplied by Goodreads and Barbour Publishing with no obligation to write a positive review<br /><br />Now The Author: Vickie McDonough is an award-winning inspirational romance author. She has written 16 novels and novellas. Her Heartsong books, The Bounty Hunter and the Bride and Wild At Heart both placed third in the Top Ten Favorite Historical Romance category in Heartsong Present's annual readers' contests. Her stories frequently place in national contests, such as the ACFW Book of the Year contest and the Inspirational Readers Choice Contest. She has also written book reviews for over eight years. Vickie is a wife of thirty-three years, mother of four grown sons and grandma to a feisty three-year-old girl. When she's not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, gardening, watching movies, and traveling.", "timestamp": 1272388280000, "title": "The Anonymous Bride" }, { "asin": "0764205137", "rating": 5, "text": "In 1872, sixteen women are lured to Nebraska with the promise of free land, independence, and an opportunity to start over after the devastating loss of their husbands. What they find when they arrive in Plum Grove, Nebraska is a story of hope, new beginnings, forgiveness, and love. Add in a conniving man who tricked these women into coming west and you have a recipe for conflict. When six women decide to ditch his plans, the fun begins in earnest.<br /><br />Tales of heartbreak, romance and cowboys sweep you away as this story unfolds in the lives of the six women that started over in Four Corners, Nebraska with their new homes and lands. Ella is a strong woman that loves to farm with her mother Zita. Hettie slipped in without anyone knowing she was not one of the brides she had been a doctor's wife. Caroline is as southern as you can get. Ruth was a widow with a young son, and then there was Sally and they all stuck together. They meet Linney a young girl that worked in the store at Plum Grove. The tales just gets deeper and deeper as the story unfolds.<br /><br />I love Stephanie Grace Whitson's books, she always writes a story that keep you spellbound.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy for purpose of review from Bethany House Publishers.", "timestamp": 1273679261000, "title": "Sixteen Brides" }, { "asin": "1595546790", "rating": 5, "text": "Love on a Dime is set in Newport, Rhode Island, 1899, I love stories that take place in the 1800s. I like to read something that I don't have to deal with day by day and that is why I love historical. This is one of those books that you desperately want to know what happens next! This is a novel that I will pull off of the shelf and read over and over again to enjoy. The first novel for James, I expect to see much more from her in the future!<br /><br />I loved to join the Westbrook's for a leisurely summer season in beautiful Newport. Lillian Westbrook is a beauty, strong in her convictions, and modest in her accomplishments who is pursued by Jackson Grail, the handsome, hero. Jackson Grail has regrets. He loved Lilly to pieces and wanted to marry her, but refused to take her away from her life of privilege to live like a pauper. Carla draws you into the story, transporting you into the scenes with charming prose and great word imagery. With each word I could feel the powerful Atlantic Ocean cool my face in the afternoon sun, hear the gulls as I took a relaxing stroll, and see all the breathtaking elegance and luxury that can only be described as Newport!<br /><br />Lilly hides her authorship but people speak highly of the author Fannie Cole, Lilly's pen name. A wonderful, interesting read about secrets and romance and I love the title as it describes the books that used to be called \"Dime Novels\"<br /><br />I would like to thanks to Cara Lynn James and Booksneeze<br /> for sending me a copy to review.", "timestamp": 1275437490000, "title": "LOVE ON A DIME" }, { "asin": "159554870X", "rating": 5, "text": "Kelley Long is a new writer to me and I really enjoy the Amish books, even though there are so many coming out now with this theme. Kelley put a whole new twist on the Amish story. This book started out with a bang and ended with one.<br />When I started reading it I thought it would be the same as the others I have read and enjoyed but this one was so different.<br /><br />Sarah was the only daughter at home with older brothers and she loved to garden, that was her top priority, she didn't care for quilting or sewing as most of the Amish women tend to do. But she could make a mean garden and knew about all the plants.<br />When a new vet moved into the Amish community everything started to change. He was loved by all and did his work great but he was not Amish. This did not seem to brother the people as other books led us to believe in the past. They took him on as one of them.<br />Sarah was a loner as she didn't like to meet a lot of people, (I understand her because that is the way I am) but she was made to run the stand that the Amish make a lot of their money from in the summer, and she hated it. She didn't know what she was going to do when the \"Englishers\" came. She decided to start a quilt top for her sister's baby that would soon make his appearance, so this is the way she got by sitting all day at the stand.<br />As the story unfolds the Amish man that is in love with her \"but she not him\" keeps trying to get her to go out with him and he is a nice man but she grew up with him as a friend and that is all he will ever be.<br /><br />She does get by and with her new nephew she begin to see things more in the light of an Amish woman and even starts her own quilt and has a quilting party. This is a must read for all that enjoy Amish books, it is a good clean Christian book with a new twist.<br /><br />This book was sent to me for review by BookSneeze", "timestamp": 1277481538000, "title": "Sarah's Garden" }, { "asin": "1414323867", "rating": 5, "text": "Lilly Corbett Gray, loves pretty things, and animals. Always on the lookout to rescue a hurting animal or to spring some evil traps, Lilly is a little girl with a big heart. However that rescue mode is what leads Lilly into the biggest mess of her life. Excited about her month long visit to her Aunt Alice in the city, she is anxious to go. Waiting for Manda the hired girl to finish her chores, and walk her to the coach, that will take her to the train, Lilly hears a dog who is hurting. Unable to leave it be, she goes to investigate and finds her neighbor throwing a sack of puppies into a pond, and what she heard was the mama dog wanting her pups. While rescuing the pups, the neighbor catches her and locks her up in a shed. Finding Lilly gone, Manda figures she just walked to the coach alone. And Manda has her own troubles, the no good middling man from the band at the barn dance, has tried to take advantage of her in the barn and beat her up. Manda runs away to her sisters, not wanting anyone to see her in the state she was in. The train that Lilly was on going to her aunts, has a horrible crash, killing and injuring many people and sending Lilly's family and friends into a panic of worry. Will they find Lilly in time? Will they discover she isn't on the train and find her in the shed? What will happen to Lilly Corbett Gray? This story, set in the late 1890's is a great read.<br /><br />This book will be released by Tyndale in August 2010. 376 pages US $12.99 4 stars.<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale for review purposes only in my own words", "timestamp": 1280855347000, "title": "Still House Pond" }, { "asin": "1433669366", "rating": 5, "text": "Alaska 1897, aboard a steamship Ellen Pierce was on her way to the gold field to satisfy her sick brother Johan who has mental problems and she is afraid of him, as her mother on her death bed made her promise to take care of her brother. She had meet a man on board that had talked to her named Buck Lewis. They were racing with time as the river would soon freeze over. There was a large shaking of the ship and they all went up to see what had happened, and the ship was stuck in ice with no way to get it out until the thaw. Buck Lewis said he was not staying and more men wanted to go with him, along with them, Johan said he was going so that meant that Ellen had to go also.<br /><br />This was a very hard and cold trip which took all the energy they could endure and only the strongest would survive the journey by foot to reach Dawson City. Johan didn't make it so that left Ellen alone with no where to go, upon arriving in Dawson City, she realized it was going to be very hard as she didn't have much money and everything was so expensive. With a very few options, she must learn to trust God for her survival.<br /><br />This is the first book I have read by Carie but I loved the beautiful book and the story. It was well presented and is a book I will keep and read over. I ma looking forward reading more of her books in the near future.<br /><br />I received this free copy of this book from B&H books in exchange for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1284482010000, "title": "The Snowflake, a Novella" }, { "asin": "0764206710", "rating": 5, "text": "Ruth Livingstone's life changes the day her father puts a young child in her arms and sends her to a small village in New Jersey under an assumed name. There Ruth pretends to be a widow with a small child while her Preacher Father is tried for murder of the child's prostitute mother. They are sent to live with some of her Father's followers.<br /><br />Asher Tripp is the newspaperman who determines that this case is the event he can use to redeem himself as a journalist with his brother, who owns the local paper.<br /><br />Ruth finds that tending a small garden along the banks of the Toms River is a place where she can find a measure of peace in the midst of the sorrow that continues to build. It is here that Asher Tripp finds a temporary residence, all in an attempt to discover if the lovely creature known as Widow Malloy is truly Ruth Livingstone, the woman every newspaper has been looking for.<br /><br />When Asher and Ruth meet it is anything but love, but as they get to know each other will love begin to bloom and it it does will it be strong enough to withstand the secrets that separate them?<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House for review.", "timestamp": 1285454011000, "title": "Love's First Bloom" }, { "asin": "0825425905", "rating": 5, "text": "After returning from a photo shoot in Indonesia, Camden Bristow finds herself without a job, and in debt. Fount magazine has gone bankrupt due to the economy and everyone has disappeared along with her paycheck. With her savings gone and and no other job in the future, Camden decides to make a trip to visit her beloved grandma, Rosalie. Upon arriving in Ohio, Camden learns her grandmother has recently passed away and left her home, Crescent Hill, to her. Crescent Hill her grandmother's home has always been the only \"real\" home in Camden's life. While dealing with the loss of her grandmother, Crescent Hill suddenly becomes insecure and unsafe. Not knowing whom she can trust, Camden is thrown into the unknown, and soon discovers the many secrets of Crescent Hill and the Bristow family. Camden's life will change forever and she is forced to re-evaluate and learn how to better trust in God. \"Refuge on Crescent Hill\" is more than just a title for this book. It harbors the truth and lessons in this wonderful novel.<br />\"Refuge on Crescent Hill\" will make you not find a page you can stop on from the moment you begin reading, you will want to know more. It is mystery and suspense wrapped up in historical fiction. I loved the historical fiction that in in this story. The author does a wonderful job of bringing four different stories into one, interweaving them until they blend at the end. Each character is well developed and brings something different to the story.<br /><br />While the story is predictable at times, there are many moments that will surprise you and keep you wondering. The book was very hard to put down. I really enjoyed reading this novel and would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fiction, mystery, suspense, genealogy, or Christian fiction. Melanie did a great job of keeping my interest and not wanting it to end.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Kregel Publications for review.", "timestamp": 1287962753000, "title": "Refuge On Cresent Hill" }, { "asin": "1609360257", "rating": 5, "text": "Easter Lange loved her fiance' or though she did. She had a one time stand with him in the back of a car and from that union she had a little girl. Linus went to war and when he found out about the baby he had sent her to live with his very proper parents. She lived in the attic with her little girl but she also worked as a nurse at the hospital. Her family had shunned her when they found out about her pregnancy so she had no where else to go.<br /><br />Meanwhile in Germany Linus had been wounded really bad and gave the medic a letter to send to Easter, when she received it in another letter from the medic, she would not open it as she knew that Linus was dead. She also kept this from his parents. She kept writing back and forth to the medic whose name is Peter. He lived in Markesan Wisconsin and she lived a way from him but within a days ride by train, so her friend talked into going to meet him. When she got there she found out he was a POW from Germany. She ran away as she could not believe he was a Gemany soldier<br /><br />Different things begin to happen, she found Peter at the hospital where she worked as he had been beaten up and was very bad. She also was treating Charlie who had lost a leg in the war and then had jumped off the top of the hospital but some how survived but didn't know anyone.<br /><br />The POW camp was moved to their city and some of the Germans hated the Americans and plotted ways to get even. You must read this book, it is packed full of anything you may want to read. History, nurses, doctors, farmers and so on. Susan May Warren did a great job on this one.<br /><br />Thanks to Amy at Litfuse Publicity Group for review.", "timestamp": 1289234808000, "title": "Nightingale" }, { "asin": "0764207326", "rating": 5, "text": "As I live on the East coast I love any book that is written on it. This book by Alice J. Wisler is such a book, it takes place at the Outer Banks North Carolina. They lived in a tourist town of Hatteras and Jackie Donovan works for the newspaper there called \"The Lighthouse News\". She loves her town and everything in it, as her parents had moved her to Charlotte, NC when she was younger but she came back to the Outer Banks. She and her friend Minnie and Millie's young son lived in a duplex near the beach. Millie's husband had gotten killed in a boating accident the year before and she was still having trouble over losing him.<br /><br />Jackie and Millie used to visit the Bailey House, a bed and breakfast , when they were small and Jackie had always dreamed of owing the house and opening up her own. She was having trouble finding who owned it and she finely found out Davis Erickson (the Bailey's grandson) owned it and she started talking to him about getting the house. She even started dating him, but there was something wrong with that, she just didn't know what every one else in town knew about him. She was almost thirty and her family and friends were always setting her up with blind dates but they always went wrong. So she though she had found the perfect man. But had she? She just didn't know what he was like and then maybe there was someone that had always been there just waiting for her to notice him.<br /><br />I loved this book, but as I said I live in SC but not on the coast and I knew where the Outer Banks are and the language had its southern charm, just like I have always been used too. This is the first book I have read by Alice J. Wisler but I hope to read more, I really enjoyed it. I have got to mention that Jackie loved her \"Diet Pepsi\" so do I.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers for review.", "timestamp": 1289319747000, "title": "Hatteras Girl" }, { "asin": "0764208500", "rating": 4, "text": "Amy Gallagher is a want a be writer. She is at the age of 30 and she feel her clock is ticking away. But she just received her story back (AGAIN the 27th time) from another magazine, Will she ever find anyone that will buy her story? She quit her job and went back to school and got her master's degree, but has had to become a part time English professor to pay her bills. To beat it all her boy friend of was breaking up with her in the school cafeteria (cheap to eat there) and he just walked off, no regret.<br /><br />She had become friend with another writer Zoe' that could sell anything she wrote. Zoe' had moved in with her and that help both of them pay their bills. Amy hated to correct papers from her students, that was not something she wanted to do for the rest of her life. She had rather make to-do list that write a story, what was she going to do?<br /><br />The cast of characters in Amy's real world (a fundie mom, a socially-awkward office mate. Then there is the young man that lands on her sofa due to bedbugs in his old apartment. As Amy begins to see her-self better she can start to find out you she really is. I was sure that Amy would get a little stronger by the end but she was determination to succeed, fall in love and not lose her faith in the process.<br /><br />This is my first read of Bethany Pierce's and I found it enjoyable.<br /><br />Bethany House provided me with a review copy of this book.", "timestamp": 1289517047000, "title": "Amy Inspired" }, { "asin": "0307458997", "rating": 5, "text": "I received this book from Library Thing and I want to thank you for it. I read the entire book last night and it keep me turning page after page.<br />The story started while Cora was looking for that special Christmas gift. It was icy and her car slid off the road and messed up her tie rod, so while they were towing her car she went shopping, She had heard about a book store on the internet and she felt like this is where she would find that gift. She walked to an older part of town and found the store, the door was stuck and she had a time getting in as the man just sit behind the counter reading a book. She finally got the door to open and from then on everything was like the old fairy tales that she had heard when she was a child. The man knew what she wanted and when she got the book home a slip of paper fell out and it was an invitation to a Christmas ball, but no time or place.<br /><br />The same thing happened to her boss's boss when he went to the store. Sometime you could find the street that was only a few blocks from where they worked but if you were driving a car, you could not find it. He bought a book also and the same thing happened to him an invitation fell from the book.<br /><br />Oh this book is great and so right to read as the Christmas season approaches. You will laugh and you may even shed a tear or two but either way, it will take you back to a fairy land.", "timestamp": 1290298098000, "title": "Two tickets to the Christmas Ball" }, { "asin": "0307457176", "rating": 4, "text": "Showing newest posts with label Review. Show older posts<br />Showing newest posts with label Review. Show older posts<br />Dec 27, 2010<br />Photobucket<br /><br />TANDEM<br />by<br />Tracey Bateman<br /><br />My Review:<br />I have read a lot of books by Tracey Bateman but this is the first from any author I have read about vampires. The book was a good read but different, it was hard for me to get through the \"Hunting\" parts of the book, but other than that it was an interesting book. It has romance, mystery and about anything you could want from a book. The main character was Lauryn McBride who is dealing with her father that has Alzheimer's and trying to run the auction business that her dad had started in Abbey Hills, Mo. She was working on an old mansion that had belonged to Markus Chisom who had perished in a fire. She was having to go through everything and catalogue it for the estate sale that was to be held. She really needed the money but was having trouble as there were so many killings lately in the small town, people and animals.<br /><br />In comes Amede Dastillion from New Orleans that had received a package from Lauryn that held some letters that had belonged to one of her long ago relatives, or maybe not? She came to town and would not leave, then along with her was her assistance Juliette that meet a man there in town that said he was a reporter going from small town to town, but he wouldn't leave either.<br /><br />Then there was this reporter Miranda that had a blog and worked part time at the diner. I am telling you folks that this book will blow your mind, I am a Christian and this is a Christian based book that does refer to the Bible with Billy, a missionary and his father who is the pastor of the church. You really just need to read this for yourselves, it is a different book.<br /><br />My Thought:<br />As I said before I am a Christian and I only read Christian fiction books and I really didn't know this one was about vampires, but it was different. I got the impression at the last of the book that the author may have thrown in a part that you are born in a certain life style, but in the Bible it says we are may in the image of God, so we know the type of man HE is if we read out Bibles. I may be wrong in assuming that she meant this but as I said that is the impression that I got. I don't believe in vampires either, not ghost and so on.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Blogging for Books a division of WaterBrook Press free just for my review.", "timestamp": 1293467802000, "title": "Tandem" }, { "asin": "082542674X", "rating": 4, "text": "Sheila Franklin lived in New Orleans in 1940s when she was growing up and loved music. She loved Jazz but her mother wouldn't let her play it. She could play piano and the was learning the clarinet, which her father played. She loved to roam around the music filled streets in the Quarter of New Orleans and she could keep secrets and loved to slip around and find out things. But her world as she knew it disappeared the night her family home burned and she lost both her parents. She went to live with her grandmother that had her name changed form Sheba to Shelia.<br /><br />After she grows up and married a pastor her past starts to come back as the phone rung and the man on the other end asked for Sylvia Allen and as her son come on the scene she had to do some confession to her son whom she had abandoned against her will when he was few days old. She also had some secrets that she had to tell her Pastor husband Edward. In the 1960s what all she had been hiding. Will the truth hurt their marriage and what will Edward say about a son he never knew about?<br /><br />This book was a good read as it takes you back to New Orleans in the days when in the Quarters the music was beautiful and the color made no difference. I have never been to New Orleans but would like to go, and see all I have read about. Patti Lacy has written some good books relating to history as she has written \"What The Bayou Saw\" and \"An Irishwoman's Tales\"<br /><br />Thanks to Kregel Publications for sending me this free copy to review.", "timestamp": 1295205336000, "title": "The Rhythm of Secrets" }, { "asin": "1595545395", "rating": 5, "text": "Lucy runs and operated a home for homeless girls eighteen years old or so, once the foster care system has turned them out, they have no where to go, as she was homeless for a while when she was young she had a place in her heart for these girls. But when the highest contributor \"Sinclair Enterprises\" cut her out of their help she had no idea what she was going to do, in able to keep this home open for her girls.<br /><br />She was a very nervous person and had no self esteem she had a problem with asking for more help but she did it anyway. But the Spencer company would not give an inch so she was despair in what to do in order to keep the home open. She met an old school mate of hers that had been a professional football player, Alex Sinclair, but had hurt his knee and now he was running for congress. She got tied up with him and he offered her a way to save the home, but could she do it.<br /><br />She found out somethings about herself that she never knew, as her mother had gotten killed in a car wreck when she was younger, but had been able to send her to a boarding school and then she went to college with a scholarship or did she? She will find out things her mother never told her and Alex will try to put a closer to his twin brother's death while trying to fun for Congress. Can they work out their problems and both of them fine out what God has in store for them?<br /><br />This book was sent to me by BookSneeze in order for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1295538273000, "title": "Save The Date" }, { "asin": "1595547916", "rating": 5, "text": "Katie McKenna had left her home town of New Orleans to get away from a terrible embarrassment and she had moved to California. She had left her mother behind and all her friend except a college friend Eileen whom she roomed with, but she had known her in New Orleans and Eileen knew what her problem was.<br /><br />An old rich boyfriend showed up at her door and was determine to take her back to New Orleans on his private jet for his brother's wedding. Katie had worked while she went to college in a bar as a singer and dancer. She did not ever drink but she used her talents without it. She was determined not to go back to New Orleans and had not even went to see her mother since she had left eight years ago. Her dad had run a grocery store during her growing up years but was not dead. Her mom had remarried and she had never met her new step-father.<br /><br />She was not sort of engaged to a man names Dexter, who really was a bore and he didn't even mind when she left with Luc DeForges the multi-millionaire old boy friend. Will she be able to face the people in her home town and the family of DeForges? Will Dexter ever really be engaged to Katie? You need to buy this book and find out for yourself, I promise you will not be disappointed. A really great read.<br /><br />This is the first time I have read any of Kristin Billerbeck's work but I want to read more, even if I am not a your woman but a great-granny. I think anyone will enjoy her books.<br /><br />This book was sent to me for review by Audra Jennings of The B and B Media Group for my review.", "timestamp": 1296585444000, "title": "A Billion Reasons Why" }, { "asin": "143470212X", "rating": 4, "text": "As I was reading through this book I have never known how bad the women suffer in other parts of the world. Kim was a devoted wife and mother that went to church and did what she thought God wanted her to do. She had a high paying job with her way to the top and her second husband Milton felt that something was missing in their lives. As all the children were out of the house except two girls, they throught they had everything but they both were still unhappy. As they started to pray about this, it seem that an answer came that Kim didn't want to hear. She wanted to do what God asked but on her own terms.<br /><br />This book is really an eye opener and as we think we have it bad here in America, we just don't see what goes on in other parts of the world even though we see some of the things on TV it is not the same as being there. Kimberly and Milton Smith started a organization \"Make Way Partners\" in which they run and are trying to build the only private and ingeniously based anti-trafficking network in Africa and Eastern Europe. For more information on this project check out their site and read all about it.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by The B and B Media Group for my own thoughts and review.", "timestamp": 1297445478000, "title": "Passport Through Darkness" }, { "asin": "1854249746", "rating": 3, "text": "First let me say that this is not a book that I could get into, I did the best I could and tried to understand this period of time. It was set in 14th century Oxford and about the medieval.<br /><br />I think that Mel Starr knows what he is writing about and I believe he has studied this period of time and the way things were done. In this third novel, Hugh de Singleton a surgeon in the village of Bampton, near Oxford. Hugh liked Kate who proved a help in finding the missing books that were stolen from Master Wyclif's rooms and are up-for-grabs. . There are some very interesting people out to stop him, some are determined to stop him permanently if necessary, as they are have greed and really do not care for Mel at all.<br /><br />This book was sent to me buy Kregel Publications for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1298486328000, "title": "A Trail of Ink" }, { "asin": "1595548017", "rating": 5, "text": "Abigale Jones lives in Chicago and is a reporter for her mom's magazine \"Viewpoint\". She works way too much as has high blood pressure and a lot of headaches. Her sister is a doctor and she tells Abigale that she need to slow down, but her mom had to just make her take a leave from the magazine and to go to Moose Creek, Montana to check on her great aunt. Her dad had died because of high blood pressure and they were trying to take care that she did everything she was suppose to do in order for that not to happen to her.<br /><br />When she gets to her great aunt's house there is not place for her to sleep except on an old sofa, so when the opportunity comes alone for her to be a nanny for the summer to a little girl just up the road she takes that. As she and Maddy grows close, Abigale begins to really like the \"Big Sky Country\". Maddy had lost her mother before she and her cowboy dad moved from Texas to try to leave old memories. She needed a woman figure in her life as every summer she had a new nanny and that was very upsetting for her. Maddy's dad Wade Ryan owned a large ranch and was busy all the time so he couldn't spend the time with her as she needed.<br /><br />Everything was going alone great until Abigale's reporter nose found a story that she could not turn down as the future of \"Viewpoint\" was in trouble, so even though she was suppose to be resting she was still trying to save the magazine. Then everything begin to fall apart, with her and the new friends she had made in Montanna.<br /><br />I loved this book, it has everything in it that a reader like myself loves. Denise really did a great job with writing it.<br /><br />Thanks so much to The B and B Media group for sending me this book for review.", "timestamp": 1301500345000, "title": "A Coyboy's Touch" }, { "asin": "0781403790", "rating": 5, "text": "Mable and her friend Sarah Jane as they find themselves in one scrape after another! I find so many of the little stories in both books that are related to myself and my niece Gail as we were growing together. We were in my own Mama's attic since I was a very late baby and had a niece about the same age. When I was reading these books I just lay in my bed and laughed and said \"oh yeah\" we did that. I am now a great-grandmother but like to read these books to my little grandchildren and tell them \"you Mama T did that\" it is so very hard for them to believe that I was ever that young. The entire Grandma's Attic Series I believe would be a set of books that you will pass on down so they can be kept and read to all your ancestors. I have only read these two and to tell the truth had never head of them before. But not that I have I want to get the other books in the series, I relate to so much. I am so thankful to B and B Group for sending me these two books for my review.<br /><br />The entire Grandma's Attic Series I believe would be a set of books that you will pass on down so they can be kept and read to all your ancestors. I have only read these two and to tell the truth had never head of them before. But not that I have I want to get the other books in the series, I relate to so much.<br /><br />I am so thankful to B and B Group for sending me these two books for my review.", "timestamp": 1301678340000, "title": "Grandma's Attic" }, { "asin": "0310250676", "rating": 5, "text": "Life is a vicious cycle in the life of drug uses. When the mother stays high on drugs and has a baby or a child is raised in that home then it goes on with the new generation doing the same thing they grow up with. This is the case of Jordan a fifteen year old girl that uses drug so much and she just became a mother of a baby girl. Jordan's mother and brother both live with her and they would not stay sober long enough to take the girl to a hospital, so Jordan had to deliver her own baby.<br /><br />But this book is more about another family that tries to help Jordan. Barbara has a daughter \"Emily\" that was a drug user and is now in a place \"New Day\" where they keep them for a year so that the drugs can get out of their systems. She also has a fifteen year old son \"Lance\" and this is where they had met Jordan, as she was there for a while but decided to leave and went right back to the old life style she was in.<br /><br />Lance enjoys going to visit his sister as he like to tease and talk to the girls there but he also was one that had turned down drugs and liked to help people. Barbara had raised her children in a Christian home as she was a widow and she had a hard time trying to raise them. money wise.<br /><br />I would have loved to have been able to read the first books as I am sure they tell more about how the drug lords drag the young people into the life of abusing their bodies and minds with drugs. This is the first book that I have read that really made you feel as though you were living the life of these people and it make you see how easy it is for even your child can get into the habit of drugs.<br /><br />Terri does a wonderful job with this book as she does all that she writes.<br /><br /> I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting my review from Christian Review of Books.", "timestamp": 1301929460000, "title": "Victious Cycle" }, { "asin": "1433668688", "rating": 5, "text": "Marrianne Sommer was born on the day her two sisters were killed in a buggy/eighteen wheeler accident. The parents and children were on their way home when Abe the father kept dozing off and before he knew it the accident happened.<br /><br />Marrianne was name for the two sisters and her older brother Levi was only three at the time. Now Levi is grown and has left home for an English life style, Marrianne is (sort of) dating Amos Zook, even though he had never dated her, there was just and understanding. He was building them a house but she had never saw it. Abe had taken all he could at their home in Indiana and wanted to move to Montana where his brother lived. They packed up everything and moved to a new way of life. The Amish were few in this area and they mixed in with the English. Marrianne had told Amos that she was only staying six months and she would return home to him, but will she?<br /><br />Everything was different here in Montana the homes were far apart and there was no place to farm so what was Abe going to do? Marrianne went to work and was getting involved with an Englich man named Billy, he was a driver for the Amish but didn't know many of their ways. Will the family decide to stay in Montana or will they go back to their seventy acre farm in Indiana? This book was different than a lot of the Amish books I have read, as in this one they mingled with the Englich a lot more than most of the ones did, from the other Authors.<br /><br />This is the first Amish book Tricia Goyer has written but she has plenty other books under her belt. Good book.<br /><br />This book was sent to me free from Litefuse Publicity Group for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1302541119000, "title": "Beside Still Waters" }, { "asin": "1595547851", "rating": 5, "text": "When I started to read this book and all the way through until I read the \"Afterwards\" page did I know that this is about real people, but written in a fiction manner. I love books that are based on the 1800s and this one is just that. The author really did her research and came up with the real names of the saddle makers and used them in this story.<br /><br />It is about a man that lives in Ohio and makes saddles, he also is a traveling preacher. He is the father of three daughters and the oldest one is having to raise and take care of the two younger ones as the mother died in childbirth. Ann Miller is the oldest daughter and she is left alone with the little girls a lot when her father goes on his preaching jobs. She had no idea what he did or where he went on these journeys but when he was home he made some of the most beautiful saddles of anyone. He was always getting orders for them. And on one of these trips to make a saddle he carried his three daughters to Pittsburgh and they stayed with the doctor that lived next door to another saddle maker. That is when they found two of the most underfed and tattered young men they had ever seen. These were the saddle maker's apprentice but they were indentured slaves.<br /><br />This book goes through helping slaved to freedom, the loves of Ann Miller and helping Tom and Will the indentured slaves to get away from their mean owners that beat them. It is so written that I wanted to just get in there with the author and help these people myself. This is my first time reading anything written by Rosslyn Elliott and I hope to get to read the others in this series.<br /><br />Thanks to BookSneeze for sending me this book free to read and review in my own words and thoughts.", "timestamp": 1303744625000, "title": "Fairer than Morning" }, { "asin": "1595545352", "rating": 4, "text": "When FBI agent Raleigh Harmon decides to go on vacation alone with her mom, her aunt and her aunt's friend she never thought that it would end up with her having to work. They took a cruise to Alaska but when there was a murder/suicide the ship had to turn around and not go into port. The crew was trying to keep this a secret but on the ship the gossip flies. Raleigh found herself right in the middle of it as they tried to find out what happened.<br /><br />There was a movie crew on board trying to shot a movie with their drunken leading man and this was his wife that was missing. This case was so tough that she had them bring in a Special Agent to help with this case. She had found a very valuable ring at the scene but it kept coming up missing and then not missing, this was very hard for her to figure out. She knew a lot about rocks and valuable stones as she had studied it in college.<br /><br />The the Special Agent got there it was handsome Jack Stephanson, whom she did not care for, but she had to accept his help. They begin to work together and she found out that he was not as bad as she thought.<br /><br />This is the first book I have read of Sibella's but really enjoyed it. I have chatted with her on Facebook and I was so glad to win this book in a Thomas Nelson contest. Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson and also to Sibella Giorell for this book and the review is my own thoughts.", "timestamp": 1304611697000, "title": "The Mountains Bow Down" }, { "asin": "082543310X", "rating": 4, "text": "Just as World War 2 was beginning fifteen year old Julien Losier was very upset with his parents as they were moving them from Paris and all his friends to a small village Tanieux in central France where his father grew up and just up the road from his grandfather's farm. This was a small town and he just knew he would never fit in with these people.<br /><br />There is another girl Nina Krenkel alone with her brother had to leave their country on their father's command and go to Austria and he told them to burn their papers and not to tell anyone they were Jewish. They arrived in Tanieux ill and in despair. She didn't know what she was going to do. Then she and her brother met up with Julien Losier.<br /><br />They though as by going there they would run from the Nazis and be safe but nowhere was safe from Hitler. He and his sister both knew they would never be safe as they watched their father die and then tried to run to Austria alone with a Jewish boy they had meet and helped. None of them knew how close to death they would come too as they struggled to stay alive.<br />This book was written well and the authors seemed to know what they were writing about.<br /><br /> I usually don't like anything about World War 2 as I was born during this time and had a brother and 3 brothers-in-law in Germany fighting, three came back alive but one of my brothers-in-law was in a box. But this book was interesting and written in a way for younger people, so I was able to understand it better. I am a great-grandmother so it takes something that really explains things for me to understand. I really am a history buff so I rate this book as a 4.5<br /><br />Thanks so much to Kregel Publications for the free copy of this book in order for me to review.", "timestamp": 1305397282000, "title": "How Huge The Night" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 5, "text": "Susannah leaves her family home after her parents are killed and she can not make it on her own, She didn't have any suitors and had never dated so her Pastor sent her to the Dakota prairie to marry his brother whom she had never met. She was having problems with the banker of their town and he would not leave her alone so she though this was best to get away from it all.<br /><br />When Susannah met Jesse at the so called train depot she had no idea what type of house he lived in but they were married by proxy before she left. On their way to their land claim he redid their marriage vows himself.<br /><br />Is is very a very hard life as when she got to their house it was made of sod and so small they kept running into each other when they moved. Jesse had been in the War between the States and still had some bad dreams about this as Susannah was so afraid the banker would find her.<br /><br />When the grasshoppers came and destroyed everything they had planted, Jesse decided to go away and try to find a job leaving Susannah at home and alone except for their dog and a couple they lived on the next claim.<br /><br />As she waited for his return she found out she was expecting a baby and did everything she could to protect it as far as moving to town and teaching a very small school. But she is tougher than Jesse thought as she held everything together and kept herself up.<br /><br />I really loved this book and didn't want it to end. I think this was the first book that I have read by Catherine Richmond and sure want to read some more.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by BookSneeze for my honest review,", "timestamp": 1306698971000, "title": "Loved this book, Spring for Susannah" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 4, "text": "Set in the 1800s Clara Endicott was the daughter of wealthy parents but she was best friends with Daniel Tremain who worked in a steel mill alone with his father, he was taking his exam in order to get a scholarship for college when he was called away and his father was under a steam boiler that had exploded up. He was the only one that knew how to keep it from blowing more and to help so they could get his father from under the hot boiler. He got it fixed but his father did not survive. Daniel was very smart in the ways of inventing things so as he had to work and keep his mother and sisters up, he kept working on making things better. They both loved music and even composed some of their own. They loved the classics and played together every day.<br /><br />Clara was sent to an aunt in England as her parents wanted to get her away from Danial as she was sixteen. She was sent to an aunt but that did not stop her form pressuring her dream as a witter and it really got her in trouble as she exploded the coal mine owners that worked the children under the ground. She found herself in jail and thought that she would have to spend a long time there when her brother came from America and got her out, but she had to be on a ship back to America by sundown. She had not heard from Daniel since she had gone to England ten years ago, and he had not heard from her, even though both of them had written to each other.<br /><br />When she got back on America soil she soon found out had powerful Daniel had become and the companies that he owned. She still felt as though he was her best friend so when they met in an Opera House that he had built that friendship was still there.<br /><br />I love the books that are written from the 1800s and this one is no exception. It is well written even though I have not read any of Elizabeth Camden's work before.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1306856569000, "title": "The Lady of Bolton Hill" }, { "asin": "1414333064", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my first time reading one of Gina Holmes' books and I know it will not be my last. A very good story that just kept me turning page after page.<br /><br />As Eric and Kyra Yoshida has thought their marriage was over, Krya was in an accident that left some of her memory gone, as she didn't remember that they were separated. Their only son Benji had just left for the navy as this was what he had always wanted. He was more of a mama's boy than his dad's, so this had really turned Kyra's life around alone with the separation from her husband.<br /><br />Eric worked as a car salesman and as this was not the job he wanted it made the most money so he had taken a job and moved his family from their home by the sea to this fancy neighborhood. where none of them was happy.<br /><br />As the story continues it will tell things about a marriage that happens to almost everyone, but can they overcome this and do as they had promised God when they married that \"Death do they part?\"<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Tyndale Publications for my review.", "timestamp": 1314026247000, "title": "Dry as Rain" }, { "asin": "0764208055", "rating": 4, "text": "El Paso, Texas, August, 1886 as the story begins, Elizabeth Evans a widow and the daughter of a state senator and had come to help her brother with his newspaper. This part of Texas was so close to the border of Mexico that even then they were having trouble with this country. Some of the leaders in Mexico did not like what Lloyd wrote in his newspaper and killed him soon after the arrival of Elizabeth. Then she was taken with them and that is where the Texas Rangers came into the picture.<br /><br />This book is so full of romance, suspense and history that I could hardly lay it down, I finished it in two sittings. I have read the first one in this series also and it was just as good. Yvonne Harris has a way to tell these historical stories.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House for sending me this book at no cost to me and I chose to review it.", "timestamp": 1314804429000, "title": "A River to Cross" }, { "asin": "0805448152", "rating": 5, "text": "Lady Kendra Townsend was an only child as he mother died giving birth to her, as she and her father lived in England. Her father had a twin brother but he was not nice at all and he gambled everything he could get his hands on and always came to his brother Edward to bail him out. But this time it took everything Edward had to bail him out so he and Kendra had to live being very poor. Edward died and Andrew the twin took over the title and came to the castle and also was going to make Kendra marry an old man just so he could get the inheritance that was left to her from her grandmother once she married. She refused to marry the old man so her uncle shipped her off to America to her mother's sister that Kendra had never met.<br /><br />On the ship that she traveled on she was the only passenger as it was a cargo ship only but she was treated kind and was watched to be sure none of the sailors bothered her. The captain of the ship is Dorian Colburg and he really liked her but was determined never to marry again as he was married once before and his wife died.<br /><br />What will Kendra find when she gets to America and to her aunt and uncle's place?<br /><br />This is really a good book if you love romance, and adventure, Jamie Carie writes very good books as I have read a lot of her books.<br /><br />Thanks to B and H for sending me this advanced readers edition of this book to read and review.", "timestamp": 1316025327000, "title": "Pirate of My Heart" }, { "asin": "0310332311", "rating": 4, "text": "As you put the first cd into your player you are ready for a great story as only Terri Blackstock can tell it. Her work always keeps you wondering what is coming next.<br /><br />Carney Sullivan grew up in the world of a traveling carnival, she wanted a place to call home so she settled for Serenity Texas. She makes a home and has a child and a new faith. But she can spot a con artist as soon as she sees them as her father was one.<br /><br />Then she meet the swave Logan Brisco she knows right away the he also was a con artist even thought he was so very good looking and word some of the fanciest clother. He was out for no good and it seems that Carney was the only one in the town that knew this. He had everyone fooled but he was planning on getting anything he could from the good people encluding Carney's heart. Can she warn the people of the town who they are dealing with or will her heart stand in the way,<br /><br />This story is a suspence that you can't wait until you can hear more. Thanks so much to Zondervan Publisher for sending me this audio book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1321723124000, "title": "Shadow In Serenity" }, { "asin": "0310727618", "rating": 4, "text": "This book was inspired by the story \"The Beauty and the Beast\" and as Annabel Chapman was forced into the role of a servant for the beastly Lord Ranulf le Wyse when her family who was once welthy merchants was forced to go into debt.<br /><br />She is burdened with all the household duties and also had to help harvest the barley stalks and also cook for all the others. She was having a very hard life and she was forced into doing jobs she had never done before. Her family also wanted her to marry the Lord so that they could save their home and to keep her brother from having to do hard work. Seems to me they really used the women in the families to take care of the lazy men and boys.<br /><br />Lord Ranulf le Wyse was known to terrifying and beastly and the Lord's bailiff, a bad man in his own had made advances on her. She just wanted out of this house, but with no hope of leaving and she wishes there was someway she could kill the Lord Wyse but could she do this as she knew he needed to accept God and she needed to get closer to God and try to do what he wanted from her.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Zondervan publishing for sending me this book to review and I did so in my own words.", "timestamp": 1326905314000, "title": "The Merchant's Daughter" }, { "asin": "1595549013", "rating": 4, "text": "This is the second book in the series \"A Hickory Ridge Romance\" and it is good to read more about the young widow Carrie Daly. The story takes place in 1876 just after the Civil War was over and she had lost her husband so she didn't think she would ever be ready for another beau. But that was before she met Nate Chastain, he was wanting her to marry him but she was just not ready to settle down with another man yet.<br /><br />When Griff Rutledge 'came to town to help train a Throughbred, he decided to not to go back home to<br />Charleston, SC just yet and to stay in Hickory Ridge for a while. He had met the widow Carrie and took a liking to her but will she like him in return. She was already dating Nate and knew she was not ready to settle down with him, so why would she drop him and put her mind on the highfulating Griff Rutledge? Could their diffrences be settled enought for them to fall for each other.<br /><br />This is a very good book and will keep you turning page after page. I read fast anyway and when I really get into the story I may stay up all night reading. This was such a story.<br /><br />Thanks to BookSneeze for sending me a free copy and I decided to write a review.", "timestamp": 1329243201000, "title": "Beauty For Ashes" }, { "asin": "076420839X", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the second book in \"The Daughters of Caleb Bender\" series where an Amish man in 1920 moves his family to rural Mexico in hopes of escaping religious persecution in Ohio where the family encounters more difficulties and loss. Paradise Valley is nestled between the mountain range of Sierra Madre Oriental. Caleb's the second daughter Miriam, is struggling with her feelings for Domingo, a Nahua who has helped the family settle in to Paradise Valley, but in order to please her family she allows Micah to court her. Then she meets Domingo who calls her \"Cualnezqui\" which means \"beautiful\". Is she getting in over her head with by letting her heart take over. She dreams haunted dreams about being dressed in coarse cotton pants and a peasant shirt. Is this dream trying to tell her something?<br /><br />Rachel, Caleb's youngest daughter has been courting Jake for quite a while as more people move into the valley, the young courting couples are waiting for a minister to come to town so they can get married.<br /><br />This second year in Mexico has turned out worse than the first, and Caleb has to learn to live by faith and not by what he sees. El Pantera the bandit is still causing trouble for the family.<br /><br />Dale has really done well with this series, I read the first one and will be glad when the third one come out, not rushing you Dale but we need the next book.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this free book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1329495489000, "title": "The Captive Heart" }, { "asin": "0310722365", "rating": 5, "text": "This Bible is so pretty and colorful, it is pink what more can I say about a Bible for a girl. It is the New International version and I prefer the KJV but anything to get the message across to our young children. On the inside the pages are written in pink and purple with places to write what they think and it even has some questions for the child to answer and write in her own words.<br /><br />I have an eleven year old granddaughter that is getting my copy and I believe the way that it is layed out will make her want to pick it up every day and read a little. Even a verse or two always helps. All we need to do is plant the seed and God will see that it grows.<br /><br />I believe any little girl would love one of these and it you have a birthday coming up or even put it into their Easter basket. This word is so much nicer than candy. Pick up a copy for your special little girl and I am sure God will bless you.<br /><br />Thanks so much to The B and B Media group for sending this to me and I have posted my own review.", "timestamp": 1331652385000, "title": "NIV FaithGirlz Bible" }, { "asin": "1595548874", "rating": 4, "text": "\"Need You Now\" is Beth Wiseman's first book outside the Amish secter. I have read so many of her books and loved everyone of them. This one is not exception. BookSneeze provided me with this complimentary paperback book.<br /><br />As Darlene and her husband Brad struggle to raise three teenagers, they move from Houston to Round Top, Texas to a farm left to Darlene by her grandparents, but the house needed a lot of repair. The move did not go well with the children and expecially for their middle child Grace who is fifteen. She was trying to deal with her stress and depression, so she became a \"cutter'. (A cutter is someone that hards themself with anything sharp).<br /><br />The move and the problem with their daughter begin to take a toll on their marriage and expecially when Darlene desides to take a job outside the home. They wondered if their faith was going to see them through so they begin to doubt that also. She needed to get away and make some friends and then Darlene begin to receive too much attention from a father of the sutistic young girl she was assigned too in the school for special needs children. She really needed God now, as she and her husband Brad was having issues and the man's attention was very hard to ignore.<br /><br />Will their love for each other and of God get them through?", "timestamp": 1332770062000, "title": "Need You Now" }, { "asin": "0310330432", "rating": 5, "text": "In this story Vannetta brings an Amish woman and an English woman together in a way that I have not read before. Deborah Yoder really needs to sell her quilts to help out with financies in her family, while Callie Harper had inherited a qult shop from her aunt.<br /><br />In Shipshewana a murder and selling quilts brings the two women together. Deborah is Amish and is tall and harty and the mother of five. Callie is English and tiny, young single. Deborah reveals her plans to auction off her quilts on-line, on a computer of all things in a town where most of the residents don't have electricty.<br /><br />A murder takes place and both women set aside their differences to try and solve it and to catch who ever the killer is.<br />I love Amish stories and this one was just great as the two different women work together for the same reason. The idea of a \"friendship quilt\" really works well with these two women. Can't wait untill the next book comes out.<br /><br />Thanks to Zondervan Publishing for sending me this book to read and enjoy and I am doing my own review.'", "timestamp": 1334939894000, "title": "Falling To Pieces An Amish murder mystery" }, { "asin": "076420615X", "rating": 4, "text": "If you like to read stories taking place in the 1800s then you will love this one. The civil war is going on and the folks in Texas are seperated between wanting the North or the South to win. Hannah Dandridge was helping he father raise her two young siblings as her step-mother had died in childbirth. Her dad got the word that his grandfather had been killded in the war and he left his family in the hands of their housekeeper and her family to go aid his grandmother, whom was dying. But he never returned. The rance they lived on had been given to him because he supported the South and he and his lawyer partener were in business together, but he had no idea what his partener was trying to do.<br /><br />When the REAL owner of the ranch returned from the war William Barnett was suprised to find someone else was living in his house. He stayed on for the time being and helped Hannah and the others run the farm and to try and keep the Indians from attacking.<br /><br />What will Hannah do when she finds out for sure her father was dead and she was going to have to raise her 3 year old sister and 7 year old brother. Will she marry her dad's former partner Herbert Lockhart a much older man or will she find another way to survive.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1336060739000, "title": "Chasing the Sun" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "As the time draws near for Esther and Tobias to be married, Esther and her friend Deborah are out with Deborah's daughter to pick flowers they see someone lying dead in the nearby creek. This property belonged to Reuben the brother of Tobias.<br /><br />When the people came out to claim the body Reuben will not say anything and they are blaming him, but he just let's it past and keeps his thoughts to himself. Tobias can't understand his brother keeping everything bottled up inside and letting it fall on his shoulders.<br /><br />As Esther, Deborah and the owner of the quilt shop Callie decide to find out themselves what had happened to this person. At he same time old man Ira Bontrager comes to the women and ask them to help him find out what happened to his daughter that has been missing since 1965.<br /><br />In the first book of the series the women are good at solving mysteries, but can they solve these two?<br /><br />If you like to read about the Amish then you will love this series as it is also a mystery. Something different and new with this community as they usually just keep to themselves and don't try to solve mysteries nor to get involved. I really loved the books and I didn't want to lay them down.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Zondervan Publishers for sending me this free book in order for me to do a review.", "timestamp": 1337716924000, "title": "A Great Series" }, { "asin": "1416599959", "rating": 4, "text": "Deborah Raney is a great author and all the books I have read of hers I always enjoy. Thanks to Glass Roads for sending me this book free for my review.<br /><br /> The story begins the day David was buried after the fire in the Handover Falls homeless shelter had burned and these men had been killed. She did not bury him in Handover Falls where the others were buried but had him buried beside his parents in Springfield.<br /><br />After eighteen months had passed Susan Marlowe is just now beginning to heal somewhat after her husband David had died in a fire alone with four other firefighters. She then discovered that David had carried a secret to the grave with him.<br /><br />She and her sons begin their lived anew after the fire, but what is this secret? Surly there would have been something she had noticed about David. But when she found out, she knew she should have seen it a long time before David's death.<br /><br />Can she learn to find peace again and will she ever find another man to take her late husband's place in her life?", "timestamp": 1338216545000, "title": "A Handover Falls novel" }, { "asin": "1616387157", "rating": 5, "text": "Sixty-three years is a long time as we have been married fifty-one years ourselves. So I loved this book about an older couple, most are about young couples. Thanks Darrel for thinking of my generation. That being said I will get on with what I thought of the book its self.<br /><br />As the story begins it is 2006 and Adam and Elizabeth are at their anniversary party and they were dancing the waltz as they had done for the past sixty-three years.<br /><br />When Adam returned home to Reunion, Montana he was received with a hug from his mother but his father was still holding a grudge because he went to war and left them to manage the farm by themselves. The farm had fallen apart and soon he found out they were about to loose it. He went to the bank to his old friend Nathan Roberts to see what he could do, but Nathan would not work with him. Soon he found out the reason was Elizabeth.<br /><br />He went to a dance and saw Elizabeth Baxter dancing with his high school rival Nathan Roberts. When he got up the nerve to cut in, he knew this was the girl for him.<br /><br />As the story continues you will laugh at some of things and you will cry alone with them at others. I am so happy to have received this free book from Glass Roads to review and to join this tour. This may be Darrel Nelson's first novel but I sure hope there are more to come from him. I really enjoyed it.", "timestamp": 1338903242000, "title": "A must read!!" }, { "asin": "0764206168", "rating": 4, "text": "I have had to oppunity to read a lot of Tracie Peterson's books and have loved all of them. This one is no acception. As the series \"Land of the Lone Star\" contunies Laura Marquardt felt herself becoming more drawn to Captain Brandon Reid. As she was wanting to educate blacks, everyone around her was against it, but Brandon was an officer over them and he was all for her doing this.<br /><br />After Laura's sister married her boyfriend that was in the Confederate army, Laura was so afraid for her sister and that she may be in for more than she bargarined for. It may even cost her, her own life and Laura was really worried about this.<br /><br />As we all know the \"War between the States\" was not a pretty site, as I live in the south and love the old plantation homes and the beautiful homes in Charleston, SC I am so proud to say that I came way after this war. I had a Great-grandfather that was lost near Charleston, he and my great-grandmother had just immigrated from Germany.<br /><br />I loved this series as I love the history of it all. I want to thank Bethany House for sending me this book free for me to post a review.", "timestamp": 1341416241000, "title": "Touching The Sky" }, { "asin": "0736951512", "rating": 5, "text": "When Matthew left the Amish and went out into the English world to live, he left Susanna with a broken heart, but she had to go on, so when Herman Wagler asked to take her home from a singing, she went and they continued to see each other. Then they decided to wed, even though she though her heart still belonged to Matthew.<br /><br />After they had been married three weeks, Matthew showed up at his brother's home and Susanna saw him, then she told him she was married. That was hard for him to believe.<br /><br />Susanna's family celebrated Christmas but Herman's family didn't and there was a disagreement amoung the newely wed on this. But as his wift Susanna went alone with Herman. Will this put a wedge in their marraige? What about the return of her first love Matthew?<br /><br />As always Jerry S Eicher writes a great book on the Amish as he grew up that way himself. Thanks so much to Jerry and Harvest House Publishing for sending me this free book in order for me to review.", "timestamp": 1345559289000, "title": "Another great Christmas book" } ]

[ { "asin": "160260696X", "rating": 5, "text": "Set in late nineteenth century Texas in the fictional town of Lookout, the characters dance off the page from the very first scene. When Luke Davis returns to the hometown he left several years, he is excited about being the new town marshal, but dreads facing Rachel, the woman who betrayed him and married his best friend years ago.<br /><br />Between the amusing and endearing antics of young Jacqueline, the ornery Corbett cousins and a whole Texas town of interesting characters, Luke and Rachel have no peace, especially when one of the potential brides brings a twist of intrigue and danger to thicken the plot.<br /><br />A satisfying tale of forgiveness, trust, and second chances, The Anonymous Bride will entertain, inspire and warm the most stoic heart.<br /><br />This book was supplied by Goodreads and Barbour Publishing with no obligation to write a positive review<br /><br />Now The Author: Vickie McDonough is an award-winning inspirational romance author. She has written 16 novels and novellas. Her Heartsong books, The Bounty Hunter and the Bride and Wild At Heart both placed third in the Top Ten Favorite Historical Romance category in Heartsong Present's annual readers' contests. Her stories frequently place in national contests, such as the ACFW Book of the Year contest and the Inspirational Readers Choice Contest. She has also written book reviews for over eight years. Vickie is a wife of thirty-three years, mother of four grown sons and grandma to a feisty three-year-old girl. When she's not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, gardening, watching movies, and traveling.", "timestamp": 1272388280000, "title": "The Anonymous Bride" }, { "asin": "0764205137", "rating": 5, "text": "In 1872, sixteen women are lured to Nebraska with the promise of free land, independence, and an opportunity to start over after the devastating loss of their husbands. What they find when they arrive in Plum Grove, Nebraska is a story of hope, new beginnings, forgiveness, and love. Add in a conniving man who tricked these women into coming west and you have a recipe for conflict. When six women decide to ditch his plans, the fun begins in earnest.<br /><br />Tales of heartbreak, romance and cowboys sweep you away as this story unfolds in the lives of the six women that started over in Four Corners, Nebraska with their new homes and lands. Ella is a strong woman that loves to farm with her mother Zita. Hettie slipped in without anyone knowing she was not one of the brides she had been a doctor's wife. Caroline is as southern as you can get. Ruth was a widow with a young son, and then there was Sally and they all stuck together. They meet Linney a young girl that worked in the store at Plum Grove. The tales just gets deeper and deeper as the story unfolds.<br /><br />I love Stephanie Grace Whitson's books, she always writes a story that keep you spellbound.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy for purpose of review from Bethany House Publishers.", "timestamp": 1273679261000, "title": "Sixteen Brides" }, { "asin": "1595546790", "rating": 5, "text": "Love on a Dime is set in Newport, Rhode Island, 1899, I love stories that take place in the 1800s. I like to read something that I don't have to deal with day by day and that is why I love historical. This is one of those books that you desperately want to know what happens next! This is a novel that I will pull off of the shelf and read over and over again to enjoy. The first novel for James, I expect to see much more from her in the future!<br /><br />I loved to join the Westbrook's for a leisurely summer season in beautiful Newport. Lillian Westbrook is a beauty, strong in her convictions, and modest in her accomplishments who is pursued by Jackson Grail, the handsome, hero. Jackson Grail has regrets. He loved Lilly to pieces and wanted to marry her, but refused to take her away from her life of privilege to live like a pauper. Carla draws you into the story, transporting you into the scenes with charming prose and great word imagery. With each word I could feel the powerful Atlantic Ocean cool my face in the afternoon sun, hear the gulls as I took a relaxing stroll, and see all the breathtaking elegance and luxury that can only be described as Newport!<br /><br />Lilly hides her authorship but people speak highly of the author Fannie Cole, Lilly's pen name. A wonderful, interesting read about secrets and romance and I love the title as it describes the books that used to be called \"Dime Novels\"<br /><br />I would like to thanks to Cara Lynn James and Booksneeze<br /> for sending me a copy to review.", "timestamp": 1275437490000, "title": "LOVE ON A DIME" }, { "asin": "159554870X", "rating": 5, "text": "Kelley Long is a new writer to me and I really enjoy the Amish books, even though there are so many coming out now with this theme. Kelley put a whole new twist on the Amish story. This book started out with a bang and ended with one.<br />When I started reading it I thought it would be the same as the others I have read and enjoyed but this one was so different.<br /><br />Sarah was the only daughter at home with older brothers and she loved to garden, that was her top priority, she didn't care for quilting or sewing as most of the Amish women tend to do. But she could make a mean garden and knew about all the plants.<br />When a new vet moved into the Amish community everything started to change. He was loved by all and did his work great but he was not Amish. This did not seem to brother the people as other books led us to believe in the past. They took him on as one of them.<br />Sarah was a loner as she didn't like to meet a lot of people, (I understand her because that is the way I am) but she was made to run the stand that the Amish make a lot of their money from in the summer, and she hated it. She didn't know what she was going to do when the \"Englishers\" came. She decided to start a quilt top for her sister's baby that would soon make his appearance, so this is the way she got by sitting all day at the stand.<br />As the story unfolds the Amish man that is in love with her \"but she not him\" keeps trying to get her to go out with him and he is a nice man but she grew up with him as a friend and that is all he will ever be.<br /><br />She does get by and with her new nephew she begin to see things more in the light of an Amish woman and even starts her own quilt and has a quilting party. This is a must read for all that enjoy Amish books, it is a good clean Christian book with a new twist.<br /><br />This book was sent to me for review by BookSneeze", "timestamp": 1277481538000, "title": "Sarah's Garden" }, { "asin": "1414323867", "rating": 5, "text": "Lilly Corbett Gray, loves pretty things, and animals. Always on the lookout to rescue a hurting animal or to spring some evil traps, Lilly is a little girl with a big heart. However that rescue mode is what leads Lilly into the biggest mess of her life. Excited about her month long visit to her Aunt Alice in the city, she is anxious to go. Waiting for Manda the hired girl to finish her chores, and walk her to the coach, that will take her to the train, Lilly hears a dog who is hurting. Unable to leave it be, she goes to investigate and finds her neighbor throwing a sack of puppies into a pond, and what she heard was the mama dog wanting her pups. While rescuing the pups, the neighbor catches her and locks her up in a shed. Finding Lilly gone, Manda figures she just walked to the coach alone. And Manda has her own troubles, the no good middling man from the band at the barn dance, has tried to take advantage of her in the barn and beat her up. Manda runs away to her sisters, not wanting anyone to see her in the state she was in. The train that Lilly was on going to her aunts, has a horrible crash, killing and injuring many people and sending Lilly's family and friends into a panic of worry. Will they find Lilly in time? Will they discover she isn't on the train and find her in the shed? What will happen to Lilly Corbett Gray? This story, set in the late 1890's is a great read.<br /><br />This book will be released by Tyndale in August 2010. 376 pages US $12.99 4 stars.<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale for review purposes only in my own words", "timestamp": 1280855347000, "title": "Still House Pond" }, { "asin": "1433669366", "rating": 5, "text": "Alaska 1897, aboard a steamship Ellen Pierce was on her way to the gold field to satisfy her sick brother Johan who has mental problems and she is afraid of him, as her mother on her death bed made her promise to take care of her brother. She had meet a man on board that had talked to her named Buck Lewis. They were racing with time as the river would soon freeze over. There was a large shaking of the ship and they all went up to see what had happened, and the ship was stuck in ice with no way to get it out until the thaw. Buck Lewis said he was not staying and more men wanted to go with him, along with them, Johan said he was going so that meant that Ellen had to go also.<br /><br />This was a very hard and cold trip which took all the energy they could endure and only the strongest would survive the journey by foot to reach Dawson City. Johan didn't make it so that left Ellen alone with no where to go, upon arriving in Dawson City, she realized it was going to be very hard as she didn't have much money and everything was so expensive. With a very few options, she must learn to trust God for her survival.<br /><br />This is the first book I have read by Carie but I loved the beautiful book and the story. It was well presented and is a book I will keep and read over. I ma looking forward reading more of her books in the near future.<br /><br />I received this free copy of this book from B&H books in exchange for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1284482010000, "title": "The Snowflake, a Novella" }, { "asin": "0764206710", "rating": 5, "text": "Ruth Livingstone's life changes the day her father puts a young child in her arms and sends her to a small village in New Jersey under an assumed name. There Ruth pretends to be a widow with a small child while her Preacher Father is tried for murder of the child's prostitute mother. They are sent to live with some of her Father's followers.<br /><br />Asher Tripp is the newspaperman who determines that this case is the event he can use to redeem himself as a journalist with his brother, who owns the local paper.<br /><br />Ruth finds that tending a small garden along the banks of the Toms River is a place where she can find a measure of peace in the midst of the sorrow that continues to build. It is here that Asher Tripp finds a temporary residence, all in an attempt to discover if the lovely creature known as Widow Malloy is truly Ruth Livingstone, the woman every newspaper has been looking for.<br /><br />When Asher and Ruth meet it is anything but love, but as they get to know each other will love begin to bloom and it it does will it be strong enough to withstand the secrets that separate them?<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House for review.", "timestamp": 1285454011000, "title": "Love's First Bloom" }, { "asin": "0825425905", "rating": 5, "text": "After returning from a photo shoot in Indonesia, Camden Bristow finds herself without a job, and in debt. Fount magazine has gone bankrupt due to the economy and everyone has disappeared along with her paycheck. With her savings gone and and no other job in the future, Camden decides to make a trip to visit her beloved grandma, Rosalie. Upon arriving in Ohio, Camden learns her grandmother has recently passed away and left her home, Crescent Hill, to her. Crescent Hill her grandmother's home has always been the only \"real\" home in Camden's life. While dealing with the loss of her grandmother, Crescent Hill suddenly becomes insecure and unsafe. Not knowing whom she can trust, Camden is thrown into the unknown, and soon discovers the many secrets of Crescent Hill and the Bristow family. Camden's life will change forever and she is forced to re-evaluate and learn how to better trust in God. \"Refuge on Crescent Hill\" is more than just a title for this book. It harbors the truth and lessons in this wonderful novel.<br />\"Refuge on Crescent Hill\" will make you not find a page you can stop on from the moment you begin reading, you will want to know more. It is mystery and suspense wrapped up in historical fiction. I loved the historical fiction that in in this story. The author does a wonderful job of bringing four different stories into one, interweaving them until they blend at the end. Each character is well developed and brings something different to the story.<br /><br />While the story is predictable at times, there are many moments that will surprise you and keep you wondering. The book was very hard to put down. I really enjoyed reading this novel and would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fiction, mystery, suspense, genealogy, or Christian fiction. Melanie did a great job of keeping my interest and not wanting it to end.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Kregel Publications for review.", "timestamp": 1287962753000, "title": "Refuge On Cresent Hill" }, { "asin": "1609360257", "rating": 5, "text": "Easter Lange loved her fiance' or though she did. She had a one time stand with him in the back of a car and from that union she had a little girl. Linus went to war and when he found out about the baby he had sent her to live with his very proper parents. She lived in the attic with her little girl but she also worked as a nurse at the hospital. Her family had shunned her when they found out about her pregnancy so she had no where else to go.<br /><br />Meanwhile in Germany Linus had been wounded really bad and gave the medic a letter to send to Easter, when she received it in another letter from the medic, she would not open it as she knew that Linus was dead. She also kept this from his parents. She kept writing back and forth to the medic whose name is Peter. He lived in Markesan Wisconsin and she lived a way from him but within a days ride by train, so her friend talked into going to meet him. When she got there she found out he was a POW from Germany. She ran away as she could not believe he was a Gemany soldier<br /><br />Different things begin to happen, she found Peter at the hospital where she worked as he had been beaten up and was very bad. She also was treating Charlie who had lost a leg in the war and then had jumped off the top of the hospital but some how survived but didn't know anyone.<br /><br />The POW camp was moved to their city and some of the Germans hated the Americans and plotted ways to get even. You must read this book, it is packed full of anything you may want to read. History, nurses, doctors, farmers and so on. Susan May Warren did a great job on this one.<br /><br />Thanks to Amy at Litfuse Publicity Group for review.", "timestamp": 1289234808000, "title": "Nightingale" }, { "asin": "0764207326", "rating": 5, "text": "As I live on the East coast I love any book that is written on it. This book by Alice J. Wisler is such a book, it takes place at the Outer Banks North Carolina. They lived in a tourist town of Hatteras and Jackie Donovan works for the newspaper there called \"The Lighthouse News\". She loves her town and everything in it, as her parents had moved her to Charlotte, NC when she was younger but she came back to the Outer Banks. She and her friend Minnie and Millie's young son lived in a duplex near the beach. Millie's husband had gotten killed in a boating accident the year before and she was still having trouble over losing him.<br /><br />Jackie and Millie used to visit the Bailey House, a bed and breakfast , when they were small and Jackie had always dreamed of owing the house and opening up her own. She was having trouble finding who owned it and she finely found out Davis Erickson (the Bailey's grandson) owned it and she started talking to him about getting the house. She even started dating him, but there was something wrong with that, she just didn't know what every one else in town knew about him. She was almost thirty and her family and friends were always setting her up with blind dates but they always went wrong. So she though she had found the perfect man. But had she? She just didn't know what he was like and then maybe there was someone that had always been there just waiting for her to notice him.<br /><br />I loved this book, but as I said I live in SC but not on the coast and I knew where the Outer Banks are and the language had its southern charm, just like I have always been used too. This is the first book I have read by Alice J. Wisler but I hope to read more, I really enjoyed it. I have got to mention that Jackie loved her \"Diet Pepsi\" so do I.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers for review.", "timestamp": 1289319747000, "title": "Hatteras Girl" }, { "asin": "0764208500", "rating": 4, "text": "Amy Gallagher is a want a be writer. She is at the age of 30 and she feel her clock is ticking away. But she just received her story back (AGAIN the 27th time) from another magazine, Will she ever find anyone that will buy her story? She quit her job and went back to school and got her master's degree, but has had to become a part time English professor to pay her bills. To beat it all her boy friend of was breaking up with her in the school cafeteria (cheap to eat there) and he just walked off, no regret.<br /><br />She had become friend with another writer Zoe' that could sell anything she wrote. Zoe' had moved in with her and that help both of them pay their bills. Amy hated to correct papers from her students, that was not something she wanted to do for the rest of her life. She had rather make to-do list that write a story, what was she going to do?<br /><br />The cast of characters in Amy's real world (a fundie mom, a socially-awkward office mate. Then there is the young man that lands on her sofa due to bedbugs in his old apartment. As Amy begins to see her-self better she can start to find out you she really is. I was sure that Amy would get a little stronger by the end but she was determination to succeed, fall in love and not lose her faith in the process.<br /><br />This is my first read of Bethany Pierce's and I found it enjoyable.<br /><br />Bethany House provided me with a review copy of this book.", "timestamp": 1289517047000, "title": "Amy Inspired" }, { "asin": "0307458997", "rating": 5, "text": "I received this book from Library Thing and I want to thank you for it. I read the entire book last night and it keep me turning page after page.<br />The story started while Cora was looking for that special Christmas gift. It was icy and her car slid off the road and messed up her tie rod, so while they were towing her car she went shopping, She had heard about a book store on the internet and she felt like this is where she would find that gift. She walked to an older part of town and found the store, the door was stuck and she had a time getting in as the man just sit behind the counter reading a book. She finally got the door to open and from then on everything was like the old fairy tales that she had heard when she was a child. The man knew what she wanted and when she got the book home a slip of paper fell out and it was an invitation to a Christmas ball, but no time or place.<br /><br />The same thing happened to her boss's boss when he went to the store. Sometime you could find the street that was only a few blocks from where they worked but if you were driving a car, you could not find it. He bought a book also and the same thing happened to him an invitation fell from the book.<br /><br />Oh this book is great and so right to read as the Christmas season approaches. You will laugh and you may even shed a tear or two but either way, it will take you back to a fairy land.", "timestamp": 1290298098000, "title": "Two tickets to the Christmas Ball" }, { "asin": "0307457176", "rating": 4, "text": "Showing newest posts with label Review. Show older posts<br />Showing newest posts with label Review. Show older posts<br />Dec 27, 2010<br />Photobucket<br /><br />TANDEM<br />by<br />Tracey Bateman<br /><br />My Review:<br />I have read a lot of books by Tracey Bateman but this is the first from any author I have read about vampires. The book was a good read but different, it was hard for me to get through the \"Hunting\" parts of the book, but other than that it was an interesting book. It has romance, mystery and about anything you could want from a book. The main character was Lauryn McBride who is dealing with her father that has Alzheimer's and trying to run the auction business that her dad had started in Abbey Hills, Mo. She was working on an old mansion that had belonged to Markus Chisom who had perished in a fire. She was having to go through everything and catalogue it for the estate sale that was to be held. She really needed the money but was having trouble as there were so many killings lately in the small town, people and animals.<br /><br />In comes Amede Dastillion from New Orleans that had received a package from Lauryn that held some letters that had belonged to one of her long ago relatives, or maybe not? She came to town and would not leave, then along with her was her assistance Juliette that meet a man there in town that said he was a reporter going from small town to town, but he wouldn't leave either.<br /><br />Then there was this reporter Miranda that had a blog and worked part time at the diner. I am telling you folks that this book will blow your mind, I am a Christian and this is a Christian based book that does refer to the Bible with Billy, a missionary and his father who is the pastor of the church. You really just need to read this for yourselves, it is a different book.<br /><br />My Thought:<br />As I said before I am a Christian and I only read Christian fiction books and I really didn't know this one was about vampires, but it was different. I got the impression at the last of the book that the author may have thrown in a part that you are born in a certain life style, but in the Bible it says we are may in the image of God, so we know the type of man HE is if we read out Bibles. I may be wrong in assuming that she meant this but as I said that is the impression that I got. I don't believe in vampires either, not ghost and so on.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Blogging for Books a division of WaterBrook Press free just for my review.", "timestamp": 1293467802000, "title": "Tandem" }, { "asin": "082542674X", "rating": 4, "text": "Sheila Franklin lived in New Orleans in 1940s when she was growing up and loved music. She loved Jazz but her mother wouldn't let her play it. She could play piano and the was learning the clarinet, which her father played. She loved to roam around the music filled streets in the Quarter of New Orleans and she could keep secrets and loved to slip around and find out things. But her world as she knew it disappeared the night her family home burned and she lost both her parents. She went to live with her grandmother that had her name changed form Sheba to Shelia.<br /><br />After she grows up and married a pastor her past starts to come back as the phone rung and the man on the other end asked for Sylvia Allen and as her son come on the scene she had to do some confession to her son whom she had abandoned against her will when he was few days old. She also had some secrets that she had to tell her Pastor husband Edward. In the 1960s what all she had been hiding. Will the truth hurt their marriage and what will Edward say about a son he never knew about?<br /><br />This book was a good read as it takes you back to New Orleans in the days when in the Quarters the music was beautiful and the color made no difference. I have never been to New Orleans but would like to go, and see all I have read about. Patti Lacy has written some good books relating to history as she has written \"What The Bayou Saw\" and \"An Irishwoman's Tales\"<br /><br />Thanks to Kregel Publications for sending me this free copy to review.", "timestamp": 1295205336000, "title": "The Rhythm of Secrets" }, { "asin": "1595545395", "rating": 5, "text": "Lucy runs and operated a home for homeless girls eighteen years old or so, once the foster care system has turned them out, they have no where to go, as she was homeless for a while when she was young she had a place in her heart for these girls. But when the highest contributor \"Sinclair Enterprises\" cut her out of their help she had no idea what she was going to do, in able to keep this home open for her girls.<br /><br />She was a very nervous person and had no self esteem she had a problem with asking for more help but she did it anyway. But the Spencer company would not give an inch so she was despair in what to do in order to keep the home open. She met an old school mate of hers that had been a professional football player, Alex Sinclair, but had hurt his knee and now he was running for congress. She got tied up with him and he offered her a way to save the home, but could she do it.<br /><br />She found out somethings about herself that she never knew, as her mother had gotten killed in a car wreck when she was younger, but had been able to send her to a boarding school and then she went to college with a scholarship or did she? She will find out things her mother never told her and Alex will try to put a closer to his twin brother's death while trying to fun for Congress. Can they work out their problems and both of them fine out what God has in store for them?<br /><br />This book was sent to me by BookSneeze in order for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1295538273000, "title": "Save The Date" }, { "asin": "1595547916", "rating": 5, "text": "Katie McKenna had left her home town of New Orleans to get away from a terrible embarrassment and she had moved to California. She had left her mother behind and all her friend except a college friend Eileen whom she roomed with, but she had known her in New Orleans and Eileen knew what her problem was.<br /><br />An old rich boyfriend showed up at her door and was determine to take her back to New Orleans on his private jet for his brother's wedding. Katie had worked while she went to college in a bar as a singer and dancer. She did not ever drink but she used her talents without it. She was determined not to go back to New Orleans and had not even went to see her mother since she had left eight years ago. Her dad had run a grocery store during her growing up years but was not dead. Her mom had remarried and she had never met her new step-father.<br /><br />She was not sort of engaged to a man names Dexter, who really was a bore and he didn't even mind when she left with Luc DeForges the multi-millionaire old boy friend. Will she be able to face the people in her home town and the family of DeForges? Will Dexter ever really be engaged to Katie? You need to buy this book and find out for yourself, I promise you will not be disappointed. A really great read.<br /><br />This is the first time I have read any of Kristin Billerbeck's work but I want to read more, even if I am not a your woman but a great-granny. I think anyone will enjoy her books.<br /><br />This book was sent to me for review by Audra Jennings of The B and B Media Group for my review.", "timestamp": 1296585444000, "title": "A Billion Reasons Why" }, { "asin": "143470212X", "rating": 4, "text": "As I was reading through this book I have never known how bad the women suffer in other parts of the world. Kim was a devoted wife and mother that went to church and did what she thought God wanted her to do. She had a high paying job with her way to the top and her second husband Milton felt that something was missing in their lives. As all the children were out of the house except two girls, they throught they had everything but they both were still unhappy. As they started to pray about this, it seem that an answer came that Kim didn't want to hear. She wanted to do what God asked but on her own terms.<br /><br />This book is really an eye opener and as we think we have it bad here in America, we just don't see what goes on in other parts of the world even though we see some of the things on TV it is not the same as being there. Kimberly and Milton Smith started a organization \"Make Way Partners\" in which they run and are trying to build the only private and ingeniously based anti-trafficking network in Africa and Eastern Europe. For more information on this project check out their site and read all about it.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by The B and B Media Group for my own thoughts and review.", "timestamp": 1297445478000, "title": "Passport Through Darkness" }, { "asin": "1854249746", "rating": 3, "text": "First let me say that this is not a book that I could get into, I did the best I could and tried to understand this period of time. It was set in 14th century Oxford and about the medieval.<br /><br />I think that Mel Starr knows what he is writing about and I believe he has studied this period of time and the way things were done. In this third novel, Hugh de Singleton a surgeon in the village of Bampton, near Oxford. Hugh liked Kate who proved a help in finding the missing books that were stolen from Master Wyclif's rooms and are up-for-grabs. . There are some very interesting people out to stop him, some are determined to stop him permanently if necessary, as they are have greed and really do not care for Mel at all.<br /><br />This book was sent to me buy Kregel Publications for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1298486328000, "title": "A Trail of Ink" }, { "asin": "1595548017", "rating": 5, "text": "Abigale Jones lives in Chicago and is a reporter for her mom's magazine \"Viewpoint\". She works way too much as has high blood pressure and a lot of headaches. Her sister is a doctor and she tells Abigale that she need to slow down, but her mom had to just make her take a leave from the magazine and to go to Moose Creek, Montana to check on her great aunt. Her dad had died because of high blood pressure and they were trying to take care that she did everything she was suppose to do in order for that not to happen to her.<br /><br />When she gets to her great aunt's house there is not place for her to sleep except on an old sofa, so when the opportunity comes alone for her to be a nanny for the summer to a little girl just up the road she takes that. As she and Maddy grows close, Abigale begins to really like the \"Big Sky Country\". Maddy had lost her mother before she and her cowboy dad moved from Texas to try to leave old memories. She needed a woman figure in her life as every summer she had a new nanny and that was very upsetting for her. Maddy's dad Wade Ryan owned a large ranch and was busy all the time so he couldn't spend the time with her as she needed.<br /><br />Everything was going alone great until Abigale's reporter nose found a story that she could not turn down as the future of \"Viewpoint\" was in trouble, so even though she was suppose to be resting she was still trying to save the magazine. Then everything begin to fall apart, with her and the new friends she had made in Montanna.<br /><br />I loved this book, it has everything in it that a reader like myself loves. Denise really did a great job with writing it.<br /><br />Thanks so much to The B and B Media group for sending me this book for review.", "timestamp": 1301500345000, "title": "A Coyboy's Touch" }, { "asin": "0781403790", "rating": 5, "text": "Mable and her friend Sarah Jane as they find themselves in one scrape after another! I find so many of the little stories in both books that are related to myself and my niece Gail as we were growing together. We were in my own Mama's attic since I was a very late baby and had a niece about the same age. When I was reading these books I just lay in my bed and laughed and said \"oh yeah\" we did that. I am now a great-grandmother but like to read these books to my little grandchildren and tell them \"you Mama T did that\" it is so very hard for them to believe that I was ever that young. The entire Grandma's Attic Series I believe would be a set of books that you will pass on down so they can be kept and read to all your ancestors. I have only read these two and to tell the truth had never head of them before. But not that I have I want to get the other books in the series, I relate to so much. I am so thankful to B and B Group for sending me these two books for my review.<br /><br />The entire Grandma's Attic Series I believe would be a set of books that you will pass on down so they can be kept and read to all your ancestors. I have only read these two and to tell the truth had never head of them before. But not that I have I want to get the other books in the series, I relate to so much.<br /><br />I am so thankful to B and B Group for sending me these two books for my review.", "timestamp": 1301678340000, "title": "Grandma's Attic" }, { "asin": "0310250676", "rating": 5, "text": "Life is a vicious cycle in the life of drug uses. When the mother stays high on drugs and has a baby or a child is raised in that home then it goes on with the new generation doing the same thing they grow up with. This is the case of Jordan a fifteen year old girl that uses drug so much and she just became a mother of a baby girl. Jordan's mother and brother both live with her and they would not stay sober long enough to take the girl to a hospital, so Jordan had to deliver her own baby.<br /><br />But this book is more about another family that tries to help Jordan. Barbara has a daughter \"Emily\" that was a drug user and is now in a place \"New Day\" where they keep them for a year so that the drugs can get out of their systems. She also has a fifteen year old son \"Lance\" and this is where they had met Jordan, as she was there for a while but decided to leave and went right back to the old life style she was in.<br /><br />Lance enjoys going to visit his sister as he like to tease and talk to the girls there but he also was one that had turned down drugs and liked to help people. Barbara had raised her children in a Christian home as she was a widow and she had a hard time trying to raise them. money wise.<br /><br />I would have loved to have been able to read the first books as I am sure they tell more about how the drug lords drag the young people into the life of abusing their bodies and minds with drugs. This is the first book that I have read that really made you feel as though you were living the life of these people and it make you see how easy it is for even your child can get into the habit of drugs.<br /><br />Terri does a wonderful job with this book as she does all that she writes.<br /><br /> I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting my review from Christian Review of Books.", "timestamp": 1301929460000, "title": "Victious Cycle" }, { "asin": "1433668688", "rating": 5, "text": "Marrianne Sommer was born on the day her two sisters were killed in a buggy/eighteen wheeler accident. The parents and children were on their way home when Abe the father kept dozing off and before he knew it the accident happened.<br /><br />Marrianne was name for the two sisters and her older brother Levi was only three at the time. Now Levi is grown and has left home for an English life style, Marrianne is (sort of) dating Amos Zook, even though he had never dated her, there was just and understanding. He was building them a house but she had never saw it. Abe had taken all he could at their home in Indiana and wanted to move to Montana where his brother lived. They packed up everything and moved to a new way of life. The Amish were few in this area and they mixed in with the English. Marrianne had told Amos that she was only staying six months and she would return home to him, but will she?<br /><br />Everything was different here in Montana the homes were far apart and there was no place to farm so what was Abe going to do? Marrianne went to work and was getting involved with an Englich man named Billy, he was a driver for the Amish but didn't know many of their ways. Will the family decide to stay in Montana or will they go back to their seventy acre farm in Indiana? This book was different than a lot of the Amish books I have read, as in this one they mingled with the Englich a lot more than most of the ones did, from the other Authors.<br /><br />This is the first Amish book Tricia Goyer has written but she has plenty other books under her belt. Good book.<br /><br />This book was sent to me free from Litefuse Publicity Group for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1302541119000, "title": "Beside Still Waters" }, { "asin": "1595547851", "rating": 5, "text": "When I started to read this book and all the way through until I read the \"Afterwards\" page did I know that this is about real people, but written in a fiction manner. I love books that are based on the 1800s and this one is just that. The author really did her research and came up with the real names of the saddle makers and used them in this story.<br /><br />It is about a man that lives in Ohio and makes saddles, he also is a traveling preacher. He is the father of three daughters and the oldest one is having to raise and take care of the two younger ones as the mother died in childbirth. Ann Miller is the oldest daughter and she is left alone with the little girls a lot when her father goes on his preaching jobs. She had no idea what he did or where he went on these journeys but when he was home he made some of the most beautiful saddles of anyone. He was always getting orders for them. And on one of these trips to make a saddle he carried his three daughters to Pittsburgh and they stayed with the doctor that lived next door to another saddle maker. That is when they found two of the most underfed and tattered young men they had ever seen. These were the saddle maker's apprentice but they were indentured slaves.<br /><br />This book goes through helping slaved to freedom, the loves of Ann Miller and helping Tom and Will the indentured slaves to get away from their mean owners that beat them. It is so written that I wanted to just get in there with the author and help these people myself. This is my first time reading anything written by Rosslyn Elliott and I hope to get to read the others in this series.<br /><br />Thanks to BookSneeze for sending me this book free to read and review in my own words and thoughts.", "timestamp": 1303744625000, "title": "Fairer than Morning" }, { "asin": "1595545352", "rating": 4, "text": "When FBI agent Raleigh Harmon decides to go on vacation alone with her mom, her aunt and her aunt's friend she never thought that it would end up with her having to work. They took a cruise to Alaska but when there was a murder/suicide the ship had to turn around and not go into port. The crew was trying to keep this a secret but on the ship the gossip flies. Raleigh found herself right in the middle of it as they tried to find out what happened.<br /><br />There was a movie crew on board trying to shot a movie with their drunken leading man and this was his wife that was missing. This case was so tough that she had them bring in a Special Agent to help with this case. She had found a very valuable ring at the scene but it kept coming up missing and then not missing, this was very hard for her to figure out. She knew a lot about rocks and valuable stones as she had studied it in college.<br /><br />The the Special Agent got there it was handsome Jack Stephanson, whom she did not care for, but she had to accept his help. They begin to work together and she found out that he was not as bad as she thought.<br /><br />This is the first book I have read of Sibella's but really enjoyed it. I have chatted with her on Facebook and I was so glad to win this book in a Thomas Nelson contest. Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson and also to Sibella Giorell for this book and the review is my own thoughts.", "timestamp": 1304611697000, "title": "The Mountains Bow Down" }, { "asin": "082543310X", "rating": 4, "text": "Just as World War 2 was beginning fifteen year old Julien Losier was very upset with his parents as they were moving them from Paris and all his friends to a small village Tanieux in central France where his father grew up and just up the road from his grandfather's farm. This was a small town and he just knew he would never fit in with these people.<br /><br />There is another girl Nina Krenkel alone with her brother had to leave their country on their father's command and go to Austria and he told them to burn their papers and not to tell anyone they were Jewish. They arrived in Tanieux ill and in despair. She didn't know what she was going to do. Then she and her brother met up with Julien Losier.<br /><br />They though as by going there they would run from the Nazis and be safe but nowhere was safe from Hitler. He and his sister both knew they would never be safe as they watched their father die and then tried to run to Austria alone with a Jewish boy they had meet and helped. None of them knew how close to death they would come too as they struggled to stay alive.<br />This book was written well and the authors seemed to know what they were writing about.<br /><br /> I usually don't like anything about World War 2 as I was born during this time and had a brother and 3 brothers-in-law in Germany fighting, three came back alive but one of my brothers-in-law was in a box. But this book was interesting and written in a way for younger people, so I was able to understand it better. I am a great-grandmother so it takes something that really explains things for me to understand. I really am a history buff so I rate this book as a 4.5<br /><br />Thanks so much to Kregel Publications for the free copy of this book in order for me to review.", "timestamp": 1305397282000, "title": "How Huge The Night" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 5, "text": "Susannah leaves her family home after her parents are killed and she can not make it on her own, She didn't have any suitors and had never dated so her Pastor sent her to the Dakota prairie to marry his brother whom she had never met. She was having problems with the banker of their town and he would not leave her alone so she though this was best to get away from it all.<br /><br />When Susannah met Jesse at the so called train depot she had no idea what type of house he lived in but they were married by proxy before she left. On their way to their land claim he redid their marriage vows himself.<br /><br />Is is very a very hard life as when she got to their house it was made of sod and so small they kept running into each other when they moved. Jesse had been in the War between the States and still had some bad dreams about this as Susannah was so afraid the banker would find her.<br /><br />When the grasshoppers came and destroyed everything they had planted, Jesse decided to go away and try to find a job leaving Susannah at home and alone except for their dog and a couple they lived on the next claim.<br /><br />As she waited for his return she found out she was expecting a baby and did everything she could to protect it as far as moving to town and teaching a very small school. But she is tougher than Jesse thought as she held everything together and kept herself up.<br /><br />I really loved this book and didn't want it to end. I think this was the first book that I have read by Catherine Richmond and sure want to read some more.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by BookSneeze for my honest review,", "timestamp": 1306698971000, "title": "Loved this book, Spring for Susannah" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 4, "text": "Set in the 1800s Clara Endicott was the daughter of wealthy parents but she was best friends with Daniel Tremain who worked in a steel mill alone with his father, he was taking his exam in order to get a scholarship for college when he was called away and his father was under a steam boiler that had exploded up. He was the only one that knew how to keep it from blowing more and to help so they could get his father from under the hot boiler. He got it fixed but his father did not survive. Daniel was very smart in the ways of inventing things so as he had to work and keep his mother and sisters up, he kept working on making things better. They both loved music and even composed some of their own. They loved the classics and played together every day.<br /><br />Clara was sent to an aunt in England as her parents wanted to get her away from Danial as she was sixteen. She was sent to an aunt but that did not stop her form pressuring her dream as a witter and it really got her in trouble as she exploded the coal mine owners that worked the children under the ground. She found herself in jail and thought that she would have to spend a long time there when her brother came from America and got her out, but she had to be on a ship back to America by sundown. She had not heard from Daniel since she had gone to England ten years ago, and he had not heard from her, even though both of them had written to each other.<br /><br />When she got back on America soil she soon found out had powerful Daniel had become and the companies that he owned. She still felt as though he was her best friend so when they met in an Opera House that he had built that friendship was still there.<br /><br />I love the books that are written from the 1800s and this one is no exception. It is well written even though I have not read any of Elizabeth Camden's work before.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1306856569000, "title": "The Lady of Bolton Hill" }, { "asin": "1414333064", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my first time reading one of Gina Holmes' books and I know it will not be my last. A very good story that just kept me turning page after page.<br /><br />As Eric and Kyra Yoshida has thought their marriage was over, Krya was in an accident that left some of her memory gone, as she didn't remember that they were separated. Their only son Benji had just left for the navy as this was what he had always wanted. He was more of a mama's boy than his dad's, so this had really turned Kyra's life around alone with the separation from her husband.<br /><br />Eric worked as a car salesman and as this was not the job he wanted it made the most money so he had taken a job and moved his family from their home by the sea to this fancy neighborhood. where none of them was happy.<br /><br />As the story continues it will tell things about a marriage that happens to almost everyone, but can they overcome this and do as they had promised God when they married that \"Death do they part?\"<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Tyndale Publications for my review.", "timestamp": 1314026247000, "title": "Dry as Rain" }, { "asin": "0764208055", "rating": 4, "text": "El Paso, Texas, August, 1886 as the story begins, Elizabeth Evans a widow and the daughter of a state senator and had come to help her brother with his newspaper. This part of Texas was so close to the border of Mexico that even then they were having trouble with this country. Some of the leaders in Mexico did not like what Lloyd wrote in his newspaper and killed him soon after the arrival of Elizabeth. Then she was taken with them and that is where the Texas Rangers came into the picture.<br /><br />This book is so full of romance, suspense and history that I could hardly lay it down, I finished it in two sittings. I have read the first one in this series also and it was just as good. Yvonne Harris has a way to tell these historical stories.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House for sending me this book at no cost to me and I chose to review it.", "timestamp": 1314804429000, "title": "A River to Cross" }, { "asin": "0805448152", "rating": 5, "text": "Lady Kendra Townsend was an only child as he mother died giving birth to her, as she and her father lived in England. Her father had a twin brother but he was not nice at all and he gambled everything he could get his hands on and always came to his brother Edward to bail him out. But this time it took everything Edward had to bail him out so he and Kendra had to live being very poor. Edward died and Andrew the twin took over the title and came to the castle and also was going to make Kendra marry an old man just so he could get the inheritance that was left to her from her grandmother once she married. She refused to marry the old man so her uncle shipped her off to America to her mother's sister that Kendra had never met.<br /><br />On the ship that she traveled on she was the only passenger as it was a cargo ship only but she was treated kind and was watched to be sure none of the sailors bothered her. The captain of the ship is Dorian Colburg and he really liked her but was determined never to marry again as he was married once before and his wife died.<br /><br />What will Kendra find when she gets to America and to her aunt and uncle's place?<br /><br />This is really a good book if you love romance, and adventure, Jamie Carie writes very good books as I have read a lot of her books.<br /><br />Thanks to B and H for sending me this advanced readers edition of this book to read and review.", "timestamp": 1316025327000, "title": "Pirate of My Heart" }, { "asin": "0310332311", "rating": 4, "text": "As you put the first cd into your player you are ready for a great story as only Terri Blackstock can tell it. Her work always keeps you wondering what is coming next.<br /><br />Carney Sullivan grew up in the world of a traveling carnival, she wanted a place to call home so she settled for Serenity Texas. She makes a home and has a child and a new faith. But she can spot a con artist as soon as she sees them as her father was one.<br /><br />Then she meet the swave Logan Brisco she knows right away the he also was a con artist even thought he was so very good looking and word some of the fanciest clother. He was out for no good and it seems that Carney was the only one in the town that knew this. He had everyone fooled but he was planning on getting anything he could from the good people encluding Carney's heart. Can she warn the people of the town who they are dealing with or will her heart stand in the way,<br /><br />This story is a suspence that you can't wait until you can hear more. Thanks so much to Zondervan Publisher for sending me this audio book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1321723124000, "title": "Shadow In Serenity" }, { "asin": "0310727618", "rating": 4, "text": "This book was inspired by the story \"The Beauty and the Beast\" and as Annabel Chapman was forced into the role of a servant for the beastly Lord Ranulf le Wyse when her family who was once welthy merchants was forced to go into debt.<br /><br />She is burdened with all the household duties and also had to help harvest the barley stalks and also cook for all the others. She was having a very hard life and she was forced into doing jobs she had never done before. Her family also wanted her to marry the Lord so that they could save their home and to keep her brother from having to do hard work. Seems to me they really used the women in the families to take care of the lazy men and boys.<br /><br />Lord Ranulf le Wyse was known to terrifying and beastly and the Lord's bailiff, a bad man in his own had made advances on her. She just wanted out of this house, but with no hope of leaving and she wishes there was someway she could kill the Lord Wyse but could she do this as she knew he needed to accept God and she needed to get closer to God and try to do what he wanted from her.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Zondervan publishing for sending me this book to review and I did so in my own words.", "timestamp": 1326905314000, "title": "The Merchant's Daughter" }, { "asin": "1595549013", "rating": 4, "text": "This is the second book in the series \"A Hickory Ridge Romance\" and it is good to read more about the young widow Carrie Daly. The story takes place in 1876 just after the Civil War was over and she had lost her husband so she didn't think she would ever be ready for another beau. But that was before she met Nate Chastain, he was wanting her to marry him but she was just not ready to settle down with another man yet.<br /><br />When Griff Rutledge 'came to town to help train a Throughbred, he decided to not to go back home to<br />Charleston, SC just yet and to stay in Hickory Ridge for a while. He had met the widow Carrie and took a liking to her but will she like him in return. She was already dating Nate and knew she was not ready to settle down with him, so why would she drop him and put her mind on the highfulating Griff Rutledge? Could their diffrences be settled enought for them to fall for each other.<br /><br />This is a very good book and will keep you turning page after page. I read fast anyway and when I really get into the story I may stay up all night reading. This was such a story.<br /><br />Thanks to BookSneeze for sending me a free copy and I decided to write a review.", "timestamp": 1329243201000, "title": "Beauty For Ashes" }, { "asin": "076420839X", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the second book in \"The Daughters of Caleb Bender\" series where an Amish man in 1920 moves his family to rural Mexico in hopes of escaping religious persecution in Ohio where the family encounters more difficulties and loss. Paradise Valley is nestled between the mountain range of Sierra Madre Oriental. Caleb's the second daughter Miriam, is struggling with her feelings for Domingo, a Nahua who has helped the family settle in to Paradise Valley, but in order to please her family she allows Micah to court her. Then she meets Domingo who calls her \"Cualnezqui\" which means \"beautiful\". Is she getting in over her head with by letting her heart take over. She dreams haunted dreams about being dressed in coarse cotton pants and a peasant shirt. Is this dream trying to tell her something?<br /><br />Rachel, Caleb's youngest daughter has been courting Jake for quite a while as more people move into the valley, the young courting couples are waiting for a minister to come to town so they can get married.<br /><br />This second year in Mexico has turned out worse than the first, and Caleb has to learn to live by faith and not by what he sees. El Pantera the bandit is still causing trouble for the family.<br /><br />Dale has really done well with this series, I read the first one and will be glad when the third one come out, not rushing you Dale but we need the next book.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this free book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1329495489000, "title": "The Captive Heart" }, { "asin": "0310722365", "rating": 5, "text": "This Bible is so pretty and colorful, it is pink what more can I say about a Bible for a girl. It is the New International version and I prefer the KJV but anything to get the message across to our young children. On the inside the pages are written in pink and purple with places to write what they think and it even has some questions for the child to answer and write in her own words.<br /><br />I have an eleven year old granddaughter that is getting my copy and I believe the way that it is layed out will make her want to pick it up every day and read a little. Even a verse or two always helps. All we need to do is plant the seed and God will see that it grows.<br /><br />I believe any little girl would love one of these and it you have a birthday coming up or even put it into their Easter basket. This word is so much nicer than candy. Pick up a copy for your special little girl and I am sure God will bless you.<br /><br />Thanks so much to The B and B Media group for sending this to me and I have posted my own review.", "timestamp": 1331652385000, "title": "NIV FaithGirlz Bible" }, { "asin": "1595548874", "rating": 4, "text": "\"Need You Now\" is Beth Wiseman's first book outside the Amish secter. I have read so many of her books and loved everyone of them. This one is not exception. BookSneeze provided me with this complimentary paperback book.<br /><br />As Darlene and her husband Brad struggle to raise three teenagers, they move from Houston to Round Top, Texas to a farm left to Darlene by her grandparents, but the house needed a lot of repair. The move did not go well with the children and expecially for their middle child Grace who is fifteen. She was trying to deal with her stress and depression, so she became a \"cutter'. (A cutter is someone that hards themself with anything sharp).<br /><br />The move and the problem with their daughter begin to take a toll on their marriage and expecially when Darlene desides to take a job outside the home. They wondered if their faith was going to see them through so they begin to doubt that also. She needed to get away and make some friends and then Darlene begin to receive too much attention from a father of the sutistic young girl she was assigned too in the school for special needs children. She really needed God now, as she and her husband Brad was having issues and the man's attention was very hard to ignore.<br /><br />Will their love for each other and of God get them through?", "timestamp": 1332770062000, "title": "Need You Now" }, { "asin": "0310330432", "rating": 5, "text": "In this story Vannetta brings an Amish woman and an English woman together in a way that I have not read before. Deborah Yoder really needs to sell her quilts to help out with financies in her family, while Callie Harper had inherited a qult shop from her aunt.<br /><br />In Shipshewana a murder and selling quilts brings the two women together. Deborah is Amish and is tall and harty and the mother of five. Callie is English and tiny, young single. Deborah reveals her plans to auction off her quilts on-line, on a computer of all things in a town where most of the residents don't have electricty.<br /><br />A murder takes place and both women set aside their differences to try and solve it and to catch who ever the killer is.<br />I love Amish stories and this one was just great as the two different women work together for the same reason. The idea of a \"friendship quilt\" really works well with these two women. Can't wait untill the next book comes out.<br /><br />Thanks to Zondervan Publishing for sending me this book to read and enjoy and I am doing my own review.'", "timestamp": 1334939894000, "title": "Falling To Pieces An Amish murder mystery" }, { "asin": "076420615X", "rating": 4, "text": "If you like to read stories taking place in the 1800s then you will love this one. The civil war is going on and the folks in Texas are seperated between wanting the North or the South to win. Hannah Dandridge was helping he father raise her two young siblings as her step-mother had died in childbirth. Her dad got the word that his grandfather had been killded in the war and he left his family in the hands of their housekeeper and her family to go aid his grandmother, whom was dying. But he never returned. The rance they lived on had been given to him because he supported the South and he and his lawyer partener were in business together, but he had no idea what his partener was trying to do.<br /><br />When the REAL owner of the ranch returned from the war William Barnett was suprised to find someone else was living in his house. He stayed on for the time being and helped Hannah and the others run the farm and to try and keep the Indians from attacking.<br /><br />What will Hannah do when she finds out for sure her father was dead and she was going to have to raise her 3 year old sister and 7 year old brother. Will she marry her dad's former partner Herbert Lockhart a much older man or will she find another way to survive.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1336060739000, "title": "Chasing the Sun" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "As the time draws near for Esther and Tobias to be married, Esther and her friend Deborah are out with Deborah's daughter to pick flowers they see someone lying dead in the nearby creek. This property belonged to Reuben the brother of Tobias.<br /><br />When the people came out to claim the body Reuben will not say anything and they are blaming him, but he just let's it past and keeps his thoughts to himself. Tobias can't understand his brother keeping everything bottled up inside and letting it fall on his shoulders.<br /><br />As Esther, Deborah and the owner of the quilt shop Callie decide to find out themselves what had happened to this person. At he same time old man Ira Bontrager comes to the women and ask them to help him find out what happened to his daughter that has been missing since 1965.<br /><br />In the first book of the series the women are good at solving mysteries, but can they solve these two?<br /><br />If you like to read about the Amish then you will love this series as it is also a mystery. Something different and new with this community as they usually just keep to themselves and don't try to solve mysteries nor to get involved. I really loved the books and I didn't want to lay them down.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Zondervan Publishers for sending me this free book in order for me to do a review.", "timestamp": 1337716924000, "title": "A Great Series" }, { "asin": "1416599959", "rating": 4, "text": "Deborah Raney is a great author and all the books I have read of hers I always enjoy. Thanks to Glass Roads for sending me this book free for my review.<br /><br /> The story begins the day David was buried after the fire in the Handover Falls homeless shelter had burned and these men had been killed. She did not bury him in Handover Falls where the others were buried but had him buried beside his parents in Springfield.<br /><br />After eighteen months had passed Susan Marlowe is just now beginning to heal somewhat after her husband David had died in a fire alone with four other firefighters. She then discovered that David had carried a secret to the grave with him.<br /><br />She and her sons begin their lived anew after the fire, but what is this secret? Surly there would have been something she had noticed about David. But when she found out, she knew she should have seen it a long time before David's death.<br /><br />Can she learn to find peace again and will she ever find another man to take her late husband's place in her life?", "timestamp": 1338216545000, "title": "A Handover Falls novel" }, { "asin": "1616387157", "rating": 5, "text": "Sixty-three years is a long time as we have been married fifty-one years ourselves. So I loved this book about an older couple, most are about young couples. Thanks Darrel for thinking of my generation. That being said I will get on with what I thought of the book its self.<br /><br />As the story begins it is 2006 and Adam and Elizabeth are at their anniversary party and they were dancing the waltz as they had done for the past sixty-three years.<br /><br />When Adam returned home to Reunion, Montana he was received with a hug from his mother but his father was still holding a grudge because he went to war and left them to manage the farm by themselves. The farm had fallen apart and soon he found out they were about to loose it. He went to the bank to his old friend Nathan Roberts to see what he could do, but Nathan would not work with him. Soon he found out the reason was Elizabeth.<br /><br />He went to a dance and saw Elizabeth Baxter dancing with his high school rival Nathan Roberts. When he got up the nerve to cut in, he knew this was the girl for him.<br /><br />As the story continues you will laugh at some of things and you will cry alone with them at others. I am so happy to have received this free book from Glass Roads to review and to join this tour. This may be Darrel Nelson's first novel but I sure hope there are more to come from him. I really enjoyed it.", "timestamp": 1338903242000, "title": "A must read!!" }, { "asin": "0764206168", "rating": 4, "text": "I have had to oppunity to read a lot of Tracie Peterson's books and have loved all of them. This one is no acception. As the series \"Land of the Lone Star\" contunies Laura Marquardt felt herself becoming more drawn to Captain Brandon Reid. As she was wanting to educate blacks, everyone around her was against it, but Brandon was an officer over them and he was all for her doing this.<br /><br />After Laura's sister married her boyfriend that was in the Confederate army, Laura was so afraid for her sister and that she may be in for more than she bargarined for. It may even cost her, her own life and Laura was really worried about this.<br /><br />As we all know the \"War between the States\" was not a pretty site, as I live in the south and love the old plantation homes and the beautiful homes in Charleston, SC I am so proud to say that I came way after this war. I had a Great-grandfather that was lost near Charleston, he and my great-grandmother had just immigrated from Germany.<br /><br />I loved this series as I love the history of it all. I want to thank Bethany House for sending me this book free for me to post a review.", "timestamp": 1341416241000, "title": "Touching The Sky" }, { "asin": "0736951512", "rating": 5, "text": "When Matthew left the Amish and went out into the English world to live, he left Susanna with a broken heart, but she had to go on, so when Herman Wagler asked to take her home from a singing, she went and they continued to see each other. Then they decided to wed, even though she though her heart still belonged to Matthew.<br /><br />After they had been married three weeks, Matthew showed up at his brother's home and Susanna saw him, then she told him she was married. That was hard for him to believe.<br /><br />Susanna's family celebrated Christmas but Herman's family didn't and there was a disagreement amoung the newely wed on this. But as his wift Susanna went alone with Herman. Will this put a wedge in their marraige? What about the return of her first love Matthew?<br /><br />As always Jerry S Eicher writes a great book on the Amish as he grew up that way himself. Thanks so much to Jerry and Harvest House Publishing for sending me this free book in order for me to review.", "timestamp": 1345559289000, "title": "Another great Christmas book" }, { "asin": "0764209132", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the third book in the series \"The Kincaid Brides\" and anything that Mary Connealy write is always a great read alone with some laughts. I want to thank The auther and Bethany House Publishers for ssending me this book for me to review.<br /><br />When Callie though at Seth had died she tried to go on with her life, she had a little boy and wanted him to be able to get what belonged to him from his father. When she got to the ranch she was determined to claim it for her little boy. She had a hard time getting there with a baby to care for alone the way.<br /><br />When she found her run a-way husband she was ready to shoot him, but knew she could not do that, so she tried everything she could to get even. But you know God does not like for us to get even, we are supposed to forgive and forget which is so hard to do. Will Callie forgive and go alone with her life at the ranch or will she just pick up and leave?<br /><br />You will find this book funny, a little mystery and a whole lot of love to go alone with it.<br />I have read the first two books and I loved this one.", "timestamp": 1346769340000, "title": "Over The Edge, 3rd book in series" } ]

[ { "asin": "160260696X", "rating": 5, "text": "Set in late nineteenth century Texas in the fictional town of Lookout, the characters dance off the page from the very first scene. When Luke Davis returns to the hometown he left several years, he is excited about being the new town marshal, but dreads facing Rachel, the woman who betrayed him and married his best friend years ago.<br /><br />Between the amusing and endearing antics of young Jacqueline, the ornery Corbett cousins and a whole Texas town of interesting characters, Luke and Rachel have no peace, especially when one of the potential brides brings a twist of intrigue and danger to thicken the plot.<br /><br />A satisfying tale of forgiveness, trust, and second chances, The Anonymous Bride will entertain, inspire and warm the most stoic heart.<br /><br />This book was supplied by Goodreads and Barbour Publishing with no obligation to write a positive review<br /><br />Now The Author: Vickie McDonough is an award-winning inspirational romance author. She has written 16 novels and novellas. Her Heartsong books, The Bounty Hunter and the Bride and Wild At Heart both placed third in the Top Ten Favorite Historical Romance category in Heartsong Present's annual readers' contests. Her stories frequently place in national contests, such as the ACFW Book of the Year contest and the Inspirational Readers Choice Contest. She has also written book reviews for over eight years. Vickie is a wife of thirty-three years, mother of four grown sons and grandma to a feisty three-year-old girl. When she's not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, gardening, watching movies, and traveling.", "timestamp": 1272388280000, "title": "The Anonymous Bride" }, { "asin": "0764205137", "rating": 5, "text": "In 1872, sixteen women are lured to Nebraska with the promise of free land, independence, and an opportunity to start over after the devastating loss of their husbands. What they find when they arrive in Plum Grove, Nebraska is a story of hope, new beginnings, forgiveness, and love. Add in a conniving man who tricked these women into coming west and you have a recipe for conflict. When six women decide to ditch his plans, the fun begins in earnest.<br /><br />Tales of heartbreak, romance and cowboys sweep you away as this story unfolds in the lives of the six women that started over in Four Corners, Nebraska with their new homes and lands. Ella is a strong woman that loves to farm with her mother Zita. Hettie slipped in without anyone knowing she was not one of the brides she had been a doctor's wife. Caroline is as southern as you can get. Ruth was a widow with a young son, and then there was Sally and they all stuck together. They meet Linney a young girl that worked in the store at Plum Grove. The tales just gets deeper and deeper as the story unfolds.<br /><br />I love Stephanie Grace Whitson's books, she always writes a story that keep you spellbound.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy for purpose of review from Bethany House Publishers.", "timestamp": 1273679261000, "title": "Sixteen Brides" }, { "asin": "1595546790", "rating": 5, "text": "Love on a Dime is set in Newport, Rhode Island, 1899, I love stories that take place in the 1800s. I like to read something that I don't have to deal with day by day and that is why I love historical. This is one of those books that you desperately want to know what happens next! This is a novel that I will pull off of the shelf and read over and over again to enjoy. The first novel for James, I expect to see much more from her in the future!<br /><br />I loved to join the Westbrook's for a leisurely summer season in beautiful Newport. Lillian Westbrook is a beauty, strong in her convictions, and modest in her accomplishments who is pursued by Jackson Grail, the handsome, hero. Jackson Grail has regrets. He loved Lilly to pieces and wanted to marry her, but refused to take her away from her life of privilege to live like a pauper. Carla draws you into the story, transporting you into the scenes with charming prose and great word imagery. With each word I could feel the powerful Atlantic Ocean cool my face in the afternoon sun, hear the gulls as I took a relaxing stroll, and see all the breathtaking elegance and luxury that can only be described as Newport!<br /><br />Lilly hides her authorship but people speak highly of the author Fannie Cole, Lilly's pen name. A wonderful, interesting read about secrets and romance and I love the title as it describes the books that used to be called \"Dime Novels\"<br /><br />I would like to thanks to Cara Lynn James and Booksneeze<br /> for sending me a copy to review.", "timestamp": 1275437490000, "title": "LOVE ON A DIME" }, { "asin": "159554870X", "rating": 5, "text": "Kelley Long is a new writer to me and I really enjoy the Amish books, even though there are so many coming out now with this theme. Kelley put a whole new twist on the Amish story. This book started out with a bang and ended with one.<br />When I started reading it I thought it would be the same as the others I have read and enjoyed but this one was so different.<br /><br />Sarah was the only daughter at home with older brothers and she loved to garden, that was her top priority, she didn't care for quilting or sewing as most of the Amish women tend to do. But she could make a mean garden and knew about all the plants.<br />When a new vet moved into the Amish community everything started to change. He was loved by all and did his work great but he was not Amish. This did not seem to brother the people as other books led us to believe in the past. They took him on as one of them.<br />Sarah was a loner as she didn't like to meet a lot of people, (I understand her because that is the way I am) but she was made to run the stand that the Amish make a lot of their money from in the summer, and she hated it. She didn't know what she was going to do when the \"Englishers\" came. She decided to start a quilt top for her sister's baby that would soon make his appearance, so this is the way she got by sitting all day at the stand.<br />As the story unfolds the Amish man that is in love with her \"but she not him\" keeps trying to get her to go out with him and he is a nice man but she grew up with him as a friend and that is all he will ever be.<br /><br />She does get by and with her new nephew she begin to see things more in the light of an Amish woman and even starts her own quilt and has a quilting party. This is a must read for all that enjoy Amish books, it is a good clean Christian book with a new twist.<br /><br />This book was sent to me for review by BookSneeze", "timestamp": 1277481538000, "title": "Sarah's Garden" }, { "asin": "1414323867", "rating": 5, "text": "Lilly Corbett Gray, loves pretty things, and animals. Always on the lookout to rescue a hurting animal or to spring some evil traps, Lilly is a little girl with a big heart. However that rescue mode is what leads Lilly into the biggest mess of her life. Excited about her month long visit to her Aunt Alice in the city, she is anxious to go. Waiting for Manda the hired girl to finish her chores, and walk her to the coach, that will take her to the train, Lilly hears a dog who is hurting. Unable to leave it be, she goes to investigate and finds her neighbor throwing a sack of puppies into a pond, and what she heard was the mama dog wanting her pups. While rescuing the pups, the neighbor catches her and locks her up in a shed. Finding Lilly gone, Manda figures she just walked to the coach alone. And Manda has her own troubles, the no good middling man from the band at the barn dance, has tried to take advantage of her in the barn and beat her up. Manda runs away to her sisters, not wanting anyone to see her in the state she was in. The train that Lilly was on going to her aunts, has a horrible crash, killing and injuring many people and sending Lilly's family and friends into a panic of worry. Will they find Lilly in time? Will they discover she isn't on the train and find her in the shed? What will happen to Lilly Corbett Gray? This story, set in the late 1890's is a great read.<br /><br />This book will be released by Tyndale in August 2010. 376 pages US $12.99 4 stars.<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale for review purposes only in my own words", "timestamp": 1280855347000, "title": "Still House Pond" }, { "asin": "1433669366", "rating": 5, "text": "Alaska 1897, aboard a steamship Ellen Pierce was on her way to the gold field to satisfy her sick brother Johan who has mental problems and she is afraid of him, as her mother on her death bed made her promise to take care of her brother. She had meet a man on board that had talked to her named Buck Lewis. They were racing with time as the river would soon freeze over. There was a large shaking of the ship and they all went up to see what had happened, and the ship was stuck in ice with no way to get it out until the thaw. Buck Lewis said he was not staying and more men wanted to go with him, along with them, Johan said he was going so that meant that Ellen had to go also.<br /><br />This was a very hard and cold trip which took all the energy they could endure and only the strongest would survive the journey by foot to reach Dawson City. Johan didn't make it so that left Ellen alone with no where to go, upon arriving in Dawson City, she realized it was going to be very hard as she didn't have much money and everything was so expensive. With a very few options, she must learn to trust God for her survival.<br /><br />This is the first book I have read by Carie but I loved the beautiful book and the story. It was well presented and is a book I will keep and read over. I ma looking forward reading more of her books in the near future.<br /><br />I received this free copy of this book from B&H books in exchange for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1284482010000, "title": "The Snowflake, a Novella" }, { "asin": "0764206710", "rating": 5, "text": "Ruth Livingstone's life changes the day her father puts a young child in her arms and sends her to a small village in New Jersey under an assumed name. There Ruth pretends to be a widow with a small child while her Preacher Father is tried for murder of the child's prostitute mother. They are sent to live with some of her Father's followers.<br /><br />Asher Tripp is the newspaperman who determines that this case is the event he can use to redeem himself as a journalist with his brother, who owns the local paper.<br /><br />Ruth finds that tending a small garden along the banks of the Toms River is a place where she can find a measure of peace in the midst of the sorrow that continues to build. It is here that Asher Tripp finds a temporary residence, all in an attempt to discover if the lovely creature known as Widow Malloy is truly Ruth Livingstone, the woman every newspaper has been looking for.<br /><br />When Asher and Ruth meet it is anything but love, but as they get to know each other will love begin to bloom and it it does will it be strong enough to withstand the secrets that separate them?<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House for review.", "timestamp": 1285454011000, "title": "Love's First Bloom" }, { "asin": "0825425905", "rating": 5, "text": "After returning from a photo shoot in Indonesia, Camden Bristow finds herself without a job, and in debt. Fount magazine has gone bankrupt due to the economy and everyone has disappeared along with her paycheck. With her savings gone and and no other job in the future, Camden decides to make a trip to visit her beloved grandma, Rosalie. Upon arriving in Ohio, Camden learns her grandmother has recently passed away and left her home, Crescent Hill, to her. Crescent Hill her grandmother's home has always been the only \"real\" home in Camden's life. While dealing with the loss of her grandmother, Crescent Hill suddenly becomes insecure and unsafe. Not knowing whom she can trust, Camden is thrown into the unknown, and soon discovers the many secrets of Crescent Hill and the Bristow family. Camden's life will change forever and she is forced to re-evaluate and learn how to better trust in God. \"Refuge on Crescent Hill\" is more than just a title for this book. It harbors the truth and lessons in this wonderful novel.<br />\"Refuge on Crescent Hill\" will make you not find a page you can stop on from the moment you begin reading, you will want to know more. It is mystery and suspense wrapped up in historical fiction. I loved the historical fiction that in in this story. The author does a wonderful job of bringing four different stories into one, interweaving them until they blend at the end. Each character is well developed and brings something different to the story.<br /><br />While the story is predictable at times, there are many moments that will surprise you and keep you wondering. The book was very hard to put down. I really enjoyed reading this novel and would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fiction, mystery, suspense, genealogy, or Christian fiction. Melanie did a great job of keeping my interest and not wanting it to end.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Kregel Publications for review.", "timestamp": 1287962753000, "title": "Refuge On Cresent Hill" }, { "asin": "1609360257", "rating": 5, "text": "Easter Lange loved her fiance' or though she did. She had a one time stand with him in the back of a car and from that union she had a little girl. Linus went to war and when he found out about the baby he had sent her to live with his very proper parents. She lived in the attic with her little girl but she also worked as a nurse at the hospital. Her family had shunned her when they found out about her pregnancy so she had no where else to go.<br /><br />Meanwhile in Germany Linus had been wounded really bad and gave the medic a letter to send to Easter, when she received it in another letter from the medic, she would not open it as she knew that Linus was dead. She also kept this from his parents. She kept writing back and forth to the medic whose name is Peter. He lived in Markesan Wisconsin and she lived a way from him but within a days ride by train, so her friend talked into going to meet him. When she got there she found out he was a POW from Germany. She ran away as she could not believe he was a Gemany soldier<br /><br />Different things begin to happen, she found Peter at the hospital where she worked as he had been beaten up and was very bad. She also was treating Charlie who had lost a leg in the war and then had jumped off the top of the hospital but some how survived but didn't know anyone.<br /><br />The POW camp was moved to their city and some of the Germans hated the Americans and plotted ways to get even. You must read this book, it is packed full of anything you may want to read. History, nurses, doctors, farmers and so on. Susan May Warren did a great job on this one.<br /><br />Thanks to Amy at Litfuse Publicity Group for review.", "timestamp": 1289234808000, "title": "Nightingale" }, { "asin": "0764207326", "rating": 5, "text": "As I live on the East coast I love any book that is written on it. This book by Alice J. Wisler is such a book, it takes place at the Outer Banks North Carolina. They lived in a tourist town of Hatteras and Jackie Donovan works for the newspaper there called \"The Lighthouse News\". She loves her town and everything in it, as her parents had moved her to Charlotte, NC when she was younger but she came back to the Outer Banks. She and her friend Minnie and Millie's young son lived in a duplex near the beach. Millie's husband had gotten killed in a boating accident the year before and she was still having trouble over losing him.<br /><br />Jackie and Millie used to visit the Bailey House, a bed and breakfast , when they were small and Jackie had always dreamed of owing the house and opening up her own. She was having trouble finding who owned it and she finely found out Davis Erickson (the Bailey's grandson) owned it and she started talking to him about getting the house. She even started dating him, but there was something wrong with that, she just didn't know what every one else in town knew about him. She was almost thirty and her family and friends were always setting her up with blind dates but they always went wrong. So she though she had found the perfect man. But had she? She just didn't know what he was like and then maybe there was someone that had always been there just waiting for her to notice him.<br /><br />I loved this book, but as I said I live in SC but not on the coast and I knew where the Outer Banks are and the language had its southern charm, just like I have always been used too. This is the first book I have read by Alice J. Wisler but I hope to read more, I really enjoyed it. I have got to mention that Jackie loved her \"Diet Pepsi\" so do I.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers for review.", "timestamp": 1289319747000, "title": "Hatteras Girl" }, { "asin": "0764208500", "rating": 4, "text": "Amy Gallagher is a want a be writer. She is at the age of 30 and she feel her clock is ticking away. But she just received her story back (AGAIN the 27th time) from another magazine, Will she ever find anyone that will buy her story? She quit her job and went back to school and got her master's degree, but has had to become a part time English professor to pay her bills. To beat it all her boy friend of was breaking up with her in the school cafeteria (cheap to eat there) and he just walked off, no regret.<br /><br />She had become friend with another writer Zoe' that could sell anything she wrote. Zoe' had moved in with her and that help both of them pay their bills. Amy hated to correct papers from her students, that was not something she wanted to do for the rest of her life. She had rather make to-do list that write a story, what was she going to do?<br /><br />The cast of characters in Amy's real world (a fundie mom, a socially-awkward office mate. Then there is the young man that lands on her sofa due to bedbugs in his old apartment. As Amy begins to see her-self better she can start to find out you she really is. I was sure that Amy would get a little stronger by the end but she was determination to succeed, fall in love and not lose her faith in the process.<br /><br />This is my first read of Bethany Pierce's and I found it enjoyable.<br /><br />Bethany House provided me with a review copy of this book.", "timestamp": 1289517047000, "title": "Amy Inspired" }, { "asin": "0307458997", "rating": 5, "text": "I received this book from Library Thing and I want to thank you for it. I read the entire book last night and it keep me turning page after page.<br />The story started while Cora was looking for that special Christmas gift. It was icy and her car slid off the road and messed up her tie rod, so while they were towing her car she went shopping, She had heard about a book store on the internet and she felt like this is where she would find that gift. She walked to an older part of town and found the store, the door was stuck and she had a time getting in as the man just sit behind the counter reading a book. She finally got the door to open and from then on everything was like the old fairy tales that she had heard when she was a child. The man knew what she wanted and when she got the book home a slip of paper fell out and it was an invitation to a Christmas ball, but no time or place.<br /><br />The same thing happened to her boss's boss when he went to the store. Sometime you could find the street that was only a few blocks from where they worked but if you were driving a car, you could not find it. He bought a book also and the same thing happened to him an invitation fell from the book.<br /><br />Oh this book is great and so right to read as the Christmas season approaches. You will laugh and you may even shed a tear or two but either way, it will take you back to a fairy land.", "timestamp": 1290298098000, "title": "Two tickets to the Christmas Ball" }, { "asin": "0307457176", "rating": 4, "text": "Showing newest posts with label Review. Show older posts<br />Showing newest posts with label Review. Show older posts<br />Dec 27, 2010<br />Photobucket<br /><br />TANDEM<br />by<br />Tracey Bateman<br /><br />My Review:<br />I have read a lot of books by Tracey Bateman but this is the first from any author I have read about vampires. The book was a good read but different, it was hard for me to get through the \"Hunting\" parts of the book, but other than that it was an interesting book. It has romance, mystery and about anything you could want from a book. The main character was Lauryn McBride who is dealing with her father that has Alzheimer's and trying to run the auction business that her dad had started in Abbey Hills, Mo. She was working on an old mansion that had belonged to Markus Chisom who had perished in a fire. She was having to go through everything and catalogue it for the estate sale that was to be held. She really needed the money but was having trouble as there were so many killings lately in the small town, people and animals.<br /><br />In comes Amede Dastillion from New Orleans that had received a package from Lauryn that held some letters that had belonged to one of her long ago relatives, or maybe not? She came to town and would not leave, then along with her was her assistance Juliette that meet a man there in town that said he was a reporter going from small town to town, but he wouldn't leave either.<br /><br />Then there was this reporter Miranda that had a blog and worked part time at the diner. I am telling you folks that this book will blow your mind, I am a Christian and this is a Christian based book that does refer to the Bible with Billy, a missionary and his father who is the pastor of the church. You really just need to read this for yourselves, it is a different book.<br /><br />My Thought:<br />As I said before I am a Christian and I only read Christian fiction books and I really didn't know this one was about vampires, but it was different. I got the impression at the last of the book that the author may have thrown in a part that you are born in a certain life style, but in the Bible it says we are may in the image of God, so we know the type of man HE is if we read out Bibles. I may be wrong in assuming that she meant this but as I said that is the impression that I got. I don't believe in vampires either, not ghost and so on.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Blogging for Books a division of WaterBrook Press free just for my review.", "timestamp": 1293467802000, "title": "Tandem" }, { "asin": "082542674X", "rating": 4, "text": "Sheila Franklin lived in New Orleans in 1940s when she was growing up and loved music. She loved Jazz but her mother wouldn't let her play it. She could play piano and the was learning the clarinet, which her father played. She loved to roam around the music filled streets in the Quarter of New Orleans and she could keep secrets and loved to slip around and find out things. But her world as she knew it disappeared the night her family home burned and she lost both her parents. She went to live with her grandmother that had her name changed form Sheba to Shelia.<br /><br />After she grows up and married a pastor her past starts to come back as the phone rung and the man on the other end asked for Sylvia Allen and as her son come on the scene she had to do some confession to her son whom she had abandoned against her will when he was few days old. She also had some secrets that she had to tell her Pastor husband Edward. In the 1960s what all she had been hiding. Will the truth hurt their marriage and what will Edward say about a son he never knew about?<br /><br />This book was a good read as it takes you back to New Orleans in the days when in the Quarters the music was beautiful and the color made no difference. I have never been to New Orleans but would like to go, and see all I have read about. Patti Lacy has written some good books relating to history as she has written \"What The Bayou Saw\" and \"An Irishwoman's Tales\"<br /><br />Thanks to Kregel Publications for sending me this free copy to review.", "timestamp": 1295205336000, "title": "The Rhythm of Secrets" }, { "asin": "1595545395", "rating": 5, "text": "Lucy runs and operated a home for homeless girls eighteen years old or so, once the foster care system has turned them out, they have no where to go, as she was homeless for a while when she was young she had a place in her heart for these girls. But when the highest contributor \"Sinclair Enterprises\" cut her out of their help she had no idea what she was going to do, in able to keep this home open for her girls.<br /><br />She was a very nervous person and had no self esteem she had a problem with asking for more help but she did it anyway. But the Spencer company would not give an inch so she was despair in what to do in order to keep the home open. She met an old school mate of hers that had been a professional football player, Alex Sinclair, but had hurt his knee and now he was running for congress. She got tied up with him and he offered her a way to save the home, but could she do it.<br /><br />She found out somethings about herself that she never knew, as her mother had gotten killed in a car wreck when she was younger, but had been able to send her to a boarding school and then she went to college with a scholarship or did she? She will find out things her mother never told her and Alex will try to put a closer to his twin brother's death while trying to fun for Congress. Can they work out their problems and both of them fine out what God has in store for them?<br /><br />This book was sent to me by BookSneeze in order for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1295538273000, "title": "Save The Date" }, { "asin": "1595547916", "rating": 5, "text": "Katie McKenna had left her home town of New Orleans to get away from a terrible embarrassment and she had moved to California. She had left her mother behind and all her friend except a college friend Eileen whom she roomed with, but she had known her in New Orleans and Eileen knew what her problem was.<br /><br />An old rich boyfriend showed up at her door and was determine to take her back to New Orleans on his private jet for his brother's wedding. Katie had worked while she went to college in a bar as a singer and dancer. She did not ever drink but she used her talents without it. She was determined not to go back to New Orleans and had not even went to see her mother since she had left eight years ago. Her dad had run a grocery store during her growing up years but was not dead. Her mom had remarried and she had never met her new step-father.<br /><br />She was not sort of engaged to a man names Dexter, who really was a bore and he didn't even mind when she left with Luc DeForges the multi-millionaire old boy friend. Will she be able to face the people in her home town and the family of DeForges? Will Dexter ever really be engaged to Katie? You need to buy this book and find out for yourself, I promise you will not be disappointed. A really great read.<br /><br />This is the first time I have read any of Kristin Billerbeck's work but I want to read more, even if I am not a your woman but a great-granny. I think anyone will enjoy her books.<br /><br />This book was sent to me for review by Audra Jennings of The B and B Media Group for my review.", "timestamp": 1296585444000, "title": "A Billion Reasons Why" }, { "asin": "143470212X", "rating": 4, "text": "As I was reading through this book I have never known how bad the women suffer in other parts of the world. Kim was a devoted wife and mother that went to church and did what she thought God wanted her to do. She had a high paying job with her way to the top and her second husband Milton felt that something was missing in their lives. As all the children were out of the house except two girls, they throught they had everything but they both were still unhappy. As they started to pray about this, it seem that an answer came that Kim didn't want to hear. She wanted to do what God asked but on her own terms.<br /><br />This book is really an eye opener and as we think we have it bad here in America, we just don't see what goes on in other parts of the world even though we see some of the things on TV it is not the same as being there. Kimberly and Milton Smith started a organization \"Make Way Partners\" in which they run and are trying to build the only private and ingeniously based anti-trafficking network in Africa and Eastern Europe. For more information on this project check out their site and read all about it.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by The B and B Media Group for my own thoughts and review.", "timestamp": 1297445478000, "title": "Passport Through Darkness" }, { "asin": "1854249746", "rating": 3, "text": "First let me say that this is not a book that I could get into, I did the best I could and tried to understand this period of time. It was set in 14th century Oxford and about the medieval.<br /><br />I think that Mel Starr knows what he is writing about and I believe he has studied this period of time and the way things were done. In this third novel, Hugh de Singleton a surgeon in the village of Bampton, near Oxford. Hugh liked Kate who proved a help in finding the missing books that were stolen from Master Wyclif's rooms and are up-for-grabs. . There are some very interesting people out to stop him, some are determined to stop him permanently if necessary, as they are have greed and really do not care for Mel at all.<br /><br />This book was sent to me buy Kregel Publications for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1298486328000, "title": "A Trail of Ink" }, { "asin": "1595548017", "rating": 5, "text": "Abigale Jones lives in Chicago and is a reporter for her mom's magazine \"Viewpoint\". She works way too much as has high blood pressure and a lot of headaches. Her sister is a doctor and she tells Abigale that she need to slow down, but her mom had to just make her take a leave from the magazine and to go to Moose Creek, Montana to check on her great aunt. Her dad had died because of high blood pressure and they were trying to take care that she did everything she was suppose to do in order for that not to happen to her.<br /><br />When she gets to her great aunt's house there is not place for her to sleep except on an old sofa, so when the opportunity comes alone for her to be a nanny for the summer to a little girl just up the road she takes that. As she and Maddy grows close, Abigale begins to really like the \"Big Sky Country\". Maddy had lost her mother before she and her cowboy dad moved from Texas to try to leave old memories. She needed a woman figure in her life as every summer she had a new nanny and that was very upsetting for her. Maddy's dad Wade Ryan owned a large ranch and was busy all the time so he couldn't spend the time with her as she needed.<br /><br />Everything was going alone great until Abigale's reporter nose found a story that she could not turn down as the future of \"Viewpoint\" was in trouble, so even though she was suppose to be resting she was still trying to save the magazine. Then everything begin to fall apart, with her and the new friends she had made in Montanna.<br /><br />I loved this book, it has everything in it that a reader like myself loves. Denise really did a great job with writing it.<br /><br />Thanks so much to The B and B Media group for sending me this book for review.", "timestamp": 1301500345000, "title": "A Coyboy's Touch" }, { "asin": "0781403790", "rating": 5, "text": "Mable and her friend Sarah Jane as they find themselves in one scrape after another! I find so many of the little stories in both books that are related to myself and my niece Gail as we were growing together. We were in my own Mama's attic since I was a very late baby and had a niece about the same age. When I was reading these books I just lay in my bed and laughed and said \"oh yeah\" we did that. I am now a great-grandmother but like to read these books to my little grandchildren and tell them \"you Mama T did that\" it is so very hard for them to believe that I was ever that young. The entire Grandma's Attic Series I believe would be a set of books that you will pass on down so they can be kept and read to all your ancestors. I have only read these two and to tell the truth had never head of them before. But not that I have I want to get the other books in the series, I relate to so much. I am so thankful to B and B Group for sending me these two books for my review.<br /><br />The entire Grandma's Attic Series I believe would be a set of books that you will pass on down so they can be kept and read to all your ancestors. I have only read these two and to tell the truth had never head of them before. But not that I have I want to get the other books in the series, I relate to so much.<br /><br />I am so thankful to B and B Group for sending me these two books for my review.", "timestamp": 1301678340000, "title": "Grandma's Attic" }, { "asin": "0310250676", "rating": 5, "text": "Life is a vicious cycle in the life of drug uses. When the mother stays high on drugs and has a baby or a child is raised in that home then it goes on with the new generation doing the same thing they grow up with. This is the case of Jordan a fifteen year old girl that uses drug so much and she just became a mother of a baby girl. Jordan's mother and brother both live with her and they would not stay sober long enough to take the girl to a hospital, so Jordan had to deliver her own baby.<br /><br />But this book is more about another family that tries to help Jordan. Barbara has a daughter \"Emily\" that was a drug user and is now in a place \"New Day\" where they keep them for a year so that the drugs can get out of their systems. She also has a fifteen year old son \"Lance\" and this is where they had met Jordan, as she was there for a while but decided to leave and went right back to the old life style she was in.<br /><br />Lance enjoys going to visit his sister as he like to tease and talk to the girls there but he also was one that had turned down drugs and liked to help people. Barbara had raised her children in a Christian home as she was a widow and she had a hard time trying to raise them. money wise.<br /><br />I would have loved to have been able to read the first books as I am sure they tell more about how the drug lords drag the young people into the life of abusing their bodies and minds with drugs. This is the first book that I have read that really made you feel as though you were living the life of these people and it make you see how easy it is for even your child can get into the habit of drugs.<br /><br />Terri does a wonderful job with this book as she does all that she writes.<br /><br /> I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting my review from Christian Review of Books.", "timestamp": 1301929460000, "title": "Victious Cycle" }, { "asin": "1433668688", "rating": 5, "text": "Marrianne Sommer was born on the day her two sisters were killed in a buggy/eighteen wheeler accident. The parents and children were on their way home when Abe the father kept dozing off and before he knew it the accident happened.<br /><br />Marrianne was name for the two sisters and her older brother Levi was only three at the time. Now Levi is grown and has left home for an English life style, Marrianne is (sort of) dating Amos Zook, even though he had never dated her, there was just and understanding. He was building them a house but she had never saw it. Abe had taken all he could at their home in Indiana and wanted to move to Montana where his brother lived. They packed up everything and moved to a new way of life. The Amish were few in this area and they mixed in with the English. Marrianne had told Amos that she was only staying six months and she would return home to him, but will she?<br /><br />Everything was different here in Montana the homes were far apart and there was no place to farm so what was Abe going to do? Marrianne went to work and was getting involved with an Englich man named Billy, he was a driver for the Amish but didn't know many of their ways. Will the family decide to stay in Montana or will they go back to their seventy acre farm in Indiana? This book was different than a lot of the Amish books I have read, as in this one they mingled with the Englich a lot more than most of the ones did, from the other Authors.<br /><br />This is the first Amish book Tricia Goyer has written but she has plenty other books under her belt. Good book.<br /><br />This book was sent to me free from Litefuse Publicity Group for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1302541119000, "title": "Beside Still Waters" }, { "asin": "1595547851", "rating": 5, "text": "When I started to read this book and all the way through until I read the \"Afterwards\" page did I know that this is about real people, but written in a fiction manner. I love books that are based on the 1800s and this one is just that. The author really did her research and came up with the real names of the saddle makers and used them in this story.<br /><br />It is about a man that lives in Ohio and makes saddles, he also is a traveling preacher. He is the father of three daughters and the oldest one is having to raise and take care of the two younger ones as the mother died in childbirth. Ann Miller is the oldest daughter and she is left alone with the little girls a lot when her father goes on his preaching jobs. She had no idea what he did or where he went on these journeys but when he was home he made some of the most beautiful saddles of anyone. He was always getting orders for them. And on one of these trips to make a saddle he carried his three daughters to Pittsburgh and they stayed with the doctor that lived next door to another saddle maker. That is when they found two of the most underfed and tattered young men they had ever seen. These were the saddle maker's apprentice but they were indentured slaves.<br /><br />This book goes through helping slaved to freedom, the loves of Ann Miller and helping Tom and Will the indentured slaves to get away from their mean owners that beat them. It is so written that I wanted to just get in there with the author and help these people myself. This is my first time reading anything written by Rosslyn Elliott and I hope to get to read the others in this series.<br /><br />Thanks to BookSneeze for sending me this book free to read and review in my own words and thoughts.", "timestamp": 1303744625000, "title": "Fairer than Morning" }, { "asin": "1595545352", "rating": 4, "text": "When FBI agent Raleigh Harmon decides to go on vacation alone with her mom, her aunt and her aunt's friend she never thought that it would end up with her having to work. They took a cruise to Alaska but when there was a murder/suicide the ship had to turn around and not go into port. The crew was trying to keep this a secret but on the ship the gossip flies. Raleigh found herself right in the middle of it as they tried to find out what happened.<br /><br />There was a movie crew on board trying to shot a movie with their drunken leading man and this was his wife that was missing. This case was so tough that she had them bring in a Special Agent to help with this case. She had found a very valuable ring at the scene but it kept coming up missing and then not missing, this was very hard for her to figure out. She knew a lot about rocks and valuable stones as she had studied it in college.<br /><br />The the Special Agent got there it was handsome Jack Stephanson, whom she did not care for, but she had to accept his help. They begin to work together and she found out that he was not as bad as she thought.<br /><br />This is the first book I have read of Sibella's but really enjoyed it. I have chatted with her on Facebook and I was so glad to win this book in a Thomas Nelson contest. Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson and also to Sibella Giorell for this book and the review is my own thoughts.", "timestamp": 1304611697000, "title": "The Mountains Bow Down" }, { "asin": "082543310X", "rating": 4, "text": "Just as World War 2 was beginning fifteen year old Julien Losier was very upset with his parents as they were moving them from Paris and all his friends to a small village Tanieux in central France where his father grew up and just up the road from his grandfather's farm. This was a small town and he just knew he would never fit in with these people.<br /><br />There is another girl Nina Krenkel alone with her brother had to leave their country on their father's command and go to Austria and he told them to burn their papers and not to tell anyone they were Jewish. They arrived in Tanieux ill and in despair. She didn't know what she was going to do. Then she and her brother met up with Julien Losier.<br /><br />They though as by going there they would run from the Nazis and be safe but nowhere was safe from Hitler. He and his sister both knew they would never be safe as they watched their father die and then tried to run to Austria alone with a Jewish boy they had meet and helped. None of them knew how close to death they would come too as they struggled to stay alive.<br />This book was written well and the authors seemed to know what they were writing about.<br /><br /> I usually don't like anything about World War 2 as I was born during this time and had a brother and 3 brothers-in-law in Germany fighting, three came back alive but one of my brothers-in-law was in a box. But this book was interesting and written in a way for younger people, so I was able to understand it better. I am a great-grandmother so it takes something that really explains things for me to understand. I really am a history buff so I rate this book as a 4.5<br /><br />Thanks so much to Kregel Publications for the free copy of this book in order for me to review.", "timestamp": 1305397282000, "title": "How Huge The Night" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 5, "text": "Susannah leaves her family home after her parents are killed and she can not make it on her own, She didn't have any suitors and had never dated so her Pastor sent her to the Dakota prairie to marry his brother whom she had never met. She was having problems with the banker of their town and he would not leave her alone so she though this was best to get away from it all.<br /><br />When Susannah met Jesse at the so called train depot she had no idea what type of house he lived in but they were married by proxy before she left. On their way to their land claim he redid their marriage vows himself.<br /><br />Is is very a very hard life as when she got to their house it was made of sod and so small they kept running into each other when they moved. Jesse had been in the War between the States and still had some bad dreams about this as Susannah was so afraid the banker would find her.<br /><br />When the grasshoppers came and destroyed everything they had planted, Jesse decided to go away and try to find a job leaving Susannah at home and alone except for their dog and a couple they lived on the next claim.<br /><br />As she waited for his return she found out she was expecting a baby and did everything she could to protect it as far as moving to town and teaching a very small school. But she is tougher than Jesse thought as she held everything together and kept herself up.<br /><br />I really loved this book and didn't want it to end. I think this was the first book that I have read by Catherine Richmond and sure want to read some more.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by BookSneeze for my honest review,", "timestamp": 1306698971000, "title": "Loved this book, Spring for Susannah" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 4, "text": "Set in the 1800s Clara Endicott was the daughter of wealthy parents but she was best friends with Daniel Tremain who worked in a steel mill alone with his father, he was taking his exam in order to get a scholarship for college when he was called away and his father was under a steam boiler that had exploded up. He was the only one that knew how to keep it from blowing more and to help so they could get his father from under the hot boiler. He got it fixed but his father did not survive. Daniel was very smart in the ways of inventing things so as he had to work and keep his mother and sisters up, he kept working on making things better. They both loved music and even composed some of their own. They loved the classics and played together every day.<br /><br />Clara was sent to an aunt in England as her parents wanted to get her away from Danial as she was sixteen. She was sent to an aunt but that did not stop her form pressuring her dream as a witter and it really got her in trouble as she exploded the coal mine owners that worked the children under the ground. She found herself in jail and thought that she would have to spend a long time there when her brother came from America and got her out, but she had to be on a ship back to America by sundown. She had not heard from Daniel since she had gone to England ten years ago, and he had not heard from her, even though both of them had written to each other.<br /><br />When she got back on America soil she soon found out had powerful Daniel had become and the companies that he owned. She still felt as though he was her best friend so when they met in an Opera House that he had built that friendship was still there.<br /><br />I love the books that are written from the 1800s and this one is no exception. It is well written even though I have not read any of Elizabeth Camden's work before.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1306856569000, "title": "The Lady of Bolton Hill" }, { "asin": "1414333064", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my first time reading one of Gina Holmes' books and I know it will not be my last. A very good story that just kept me turning page after page.<br /><br />As Eric and Kyra Yoshida has thought their marriage was over, Krya was in an accident that left some of her memory gone, as she didn't remember that they were separated. Their only son Benji had just left for the navy as this was what he had always wanted. He was more of a mama's boy than his dad's, so this had really turned Kyra's life around alone with the separation from her husband.<br /><br />Eric worked as a car salesman and as this was not the job he wanted it made the most money so he had taken a job and moved his family from their home by the sea to this fancy neighborhood. where none of them was happy.<br /><br />As the story continues it will tell things about a marriage that happens to almost everyone, but can they overcome this and do as they had promised God when they married that \"Death do they part?\"<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Tyndale Publications for my review.", "timestamp": 1314026247000, "title": "Dry as Rain" }, { "asin": "0764208055", "rating": 4, "text": "El Paso, Texas, August, 1886 as the story begins, Elizabeth Evans a widow and the daughter of a state senator and had come to help her brother with his newspaper. This part of Texas was so close to the border of Mexico that even then they were having trouble with this country. Some of the leaders in Mexico did not like what Lloyd wrote in his newspaper and killed him soon after the arrival of Elizabeth. Then she was taken with them and that is where the Texas Rangers came into the picture.<br /><br />This book is so full of romance, suspense and history that I could hardly lay it down, I finished it in two sittings. I have read the first one in this series also and it was just as good. Yvonne Harris has a way to tell these historical stories.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House for sending me this book at no cost to me and I chose to review it.", "timestamp": 1314804429000, "title": "A River to Cross" }, { "asin": "0805448152", "rating": 5, "text": "Lady Kendra Townsend was an only child as he mother died giving birth to her, as she and her father lived in England. Her father had a twin brother but he was not nice at all and he gambled everything he could get his hands on and always came to his brother Edward to bail him out. But this time it took everything Edward had to bail him out so he and Kendra had to live being very poor. Edward died and Andrew the twin took over the title and came to the castle and also was going to make Kendra marry an old man just so he could get the inheritance that was left to her from her grandmother once she married. She refused to marry the old man so her uncle shipped her off to America to her mother's sister that Kendra had never met.<br /><br />On the ship that she traveled on she was the only passenger as it was a cargo ship only but she was treated kind and was watched to be sure none of the sailors bothered her. The captain of the ship is Dorian Colburg and he really liked her but was determined never to marry again as he was married once before and his wife died.<br /><br />What will Kendra find when she gets to America and to her aunt and uncle's place?<br /><br />This is really a good book if you love romance, and adventure, Jamie Carie writes very good books as I have read a lot of her books.<br /><br />Thanks to B and H for sending me this advanced readers edition of this book to read and review.", "timestamp": 1316025327000, "title": "Pirate of My Heart" }, { "asin": "0310332311", "rating": 4, "text": "As you put the first cd into your player you are ready for a great story as only Terri Blackstock can tell it. Her work always keeps you wondering what is coming next.<br /><br />Carney Sullivan grew up in the world of a traveling carnival, she wanted a place to call home so she settled for Serenity Texas. She makes a home and has a child and a new faith. But she can spot a con artist as soon as she sees them as her father was one.<br /><br />Then she meet the swave Logan Brisco she knows right away the he also was a con artist even thought he was so very good looking and word some of the fanciest clother. He was out for no good and it seems that Carney was the only one in the town that knew this. He had everyone fooled but he was planning on getting anything he could from the good people encluding Carney's heart. Can she warn the people of the town who they are dealing with or will her heart stand in the way,<br /><br />This story is a suspence that you can't wait until you can hear more. Thanks so much to Zondervan Publisher for sending me this audio book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1321723124000, "title": "Shadow In Serenity" }, { "asin": "0310727618", "rating": 4, "text": "This book was inspired by the story \"The Beauty and the Beast\" and as Annabel Chapman was forced into the role of a servant for the beastly Lord Ranulf le Wyse when her family who was once welthy merchants was forced to go into debt.<br /><br />She is burdened with all the household duties and also had to help harvest the barley stalks and also cook for all the others. She was having a very hard life and she was forced into doing jobs she had never done before. Her family also wanted her to marry the Lord so that they could save their home and to keep her brother from having to do hard work. Seems to me they really used the women in the families to take care of the lazy men and boys.<br /><br />Lord Ranulf le Wyse was known to terrifying and beastly and the Lord's bailiff, a bad man in his own had made advances on her. She just wanted out of this house, but with no hope of leaving and she wishes there was someway she could kill the Lord Wyse but could she do this as she knew he needed to accept God and she needed to get closer to God and try to do what he wanted from her.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Zondervan publishing for sending me this book to review and I did so in my own words.", "timestamp": 1326905314000, "title": "The Merchant's Daughter" }, { "asin": "1595549013", "rating": 4, "text": "This is the second book in the series \"A Hickory Ridge Romance\" and it is good to read more about the young widow Carrie Daly. The story takes place in 1876 just after the Civil War was over and she had lost her husband so she didn't think she would ever be ready for another beau. But that was before she met Nate Chastain, he was wanting her to marry him but she was just not ready to settle down with another man yet.<br /><br />When Griff Rutledge 'came to town to help train a Throughbred, he decided to not to go back home to<br />Charleston, SC just yet and to stay in Hickory Ridge for a while. He had met the widow Carrie and took a liking to her but will she like him in return. She was already dating Nate and knew she was not ready to settle down with him, so why would she drop him and put her mind on the highfulating Griff Rutledge? Could their diffrences be settled enought for them to fall for each other.<br /><br />This is a very good book and will keep you turning page after page. I read fast anyway and when I really get into the story I may stay up all night reading. This was such a story.<br /><br />Thanks to BookSneeze for sending me a free copy and I decided to write a review.", "timestamp": 1329243201000, "title": "Beauty For Ashes" }, { "asin": "076420839X", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the second book in \"The Daughters of Caleb Bender\" series where an Amish man in 1920 moves his family to rural Mexico in hopes of escaping religious persecution in Ohio where the family encounters more difficulties and loss. Paradise Valley is nestled between the mountain range of Sierra Madre Oriental. Caleb's the second daughter Miriam, is struggling with her feelings for Domingo, a Nahua who has helped the family settle in to Paradise Valley, but in order to please her family she allows Micah to court her. Then she meets Domingo who calls her \"Cualnezqui\" which means \"beautiful\". Is she getting in over her head with by letting her heart take over. She dreams haunted dreams about being dressed in coarse cotton pants and a peasant shirt. Is this dream trying to tell her something?<br /><br />Rachel, Caleb's youngest daughter has been courting Jake for quite a while as more people move into the valley, the young courting couples are waiting for a minister to come to town so they can get married.<br /><br />This second year in Mexico has turned out worse than the first, and Caleb has to learn to live by faith and not by what he sees. El Pantera the bandit is still causing trouble for the family.<br /><br />Dale has really done well with this series, I read the first one and will be glad when the third one come out, not rushing you Dale but we need the next book.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this free book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1329495489000, "title": "The Captive Heart" }, { "asin": "0310722365", "rating": 5, "text": "This Bible is so pretty and colorful, it is pink what more can I say about a Bible for a girl. It is the New International version and I prefer the KJV but anything to get the message across to our young children. On the inside the pages are written in pink and purple with places to write what they think and it even has some questions for the child to answer and write in her own words.<br /><br />I have an eleven year old granddaughter that is getting my copy and I believe the way that it is layed out will make her want to pick it up every day and read a little. Even a verse or two always helps. All we need to do is plant the seed and God will see that it grows.<br /><br />I believe any little girl would love one of these and it you have a birthday coming up or even put it into their Easter basket. This word is so much nicer than candy. Pick up a copy for your special little girl and I am sure God will bless you.<br /><br />Thanks so much to The B and B Media group for sending this to me and I have posted my own review.", "timestamp": 1331652385000, "title": "NIV FaithGirlz Bible" }, { "asin": "1595548874", "rating": 4, "text": "\"Need You Now\" is Beth Wiseman's first book outside the Amish secter. I have read so many of her books and loved everyone of them. This one is not exception. BookSneeze provided me with this complimentary paperback book.<br /><br />As Darlene and her husband Brad struggle to raise three teenagers, they move from Houston to Round Top, Texas to a farm left to Darlene by her grandparents, but the house needed a lot of repair. The move did not go well with the children and expecially for their middle child Grace who is fifteen. She was trying to deal with her stress and depression, so she became a \"cutter'. (A cutter is someone that hards themself with anything sharp).<br /><br />The move and the problem with their daughter begin to take a toll on their marriage and expecially when Darlene desides to take a job outside the home. They wondered if their faith was going to see them through so they begin to doubt that also. She needed to get away and make some friends and then Darlene begin to receive too much attention from a father of the sutistic young girl she was assigned too in the school for special needs children. She really needed God now, as she and her husband Brad was having issues and the man's attention was very hard to ignore.<br /><br />Will their love for each other and of God get them through?", "timestamp": 1332770062000, "title": "Need You Now" }, { "asin": "0310330432", "rating": 5, "text": "In this story Vannetta brings an Amish woman and an English woman together in a way that I have not read before. Deborah Yoder really needs to sell her quilts to help out with financies in her family, while Callie Harper had inherited a qult shop from her aunt.<br /><br />In Shipshewana a murder and selling quilts brings the two women together. Deborah is Amish and is tall and harty and the mother of five. Callie is English and tiny, young single. Deborah reveals her plans to auction off her quilts on-line, on a computer of all things in a town where most of the residents don't have electricty.<br /><br />A murder takes place and both women set aside their differences to try and solve it and to catch who ever the killer is.<br />I love Amish stories and this one was just great as the two different women work together for the same reason. The idea of a \"friendship quilt\" really works well with these two women. Can't wait untill the next book comes out.<br /><br />Thanks to Zondervan Publishing for sending me this book to read and enjoy and I am doing my own review.'", "timestamp": 1334939894000, "title": "Falling To Pieces An Amish murder mystery" }, { "asin": "076420615X", "rating": 4, "text": "If you like to read stories taking place in the 1800s then you will love this one. The civil war is going on and the folks in Texas are seperated between wanting the North or the South to win. Hannah Dandridge was helping he father raise her two young siblings as her step-mother had died in childbirth. Her dad got the word that his grandfather had been killded in the war and he left his family in the hands of their housekeeper and her family to go aid his grandmother, whom was dying. But he never returned. The rance they lived on had been given to him because he supported the South and he and his lawyer partener were in business together, but he had no idea what his partener was trying to do.<br /><br />When the REAL owner of the ranch returned from the war William Barnett was suprised to find someone else was living in his house. He stayed on for the time being and helped Hannah and the others run the farm and to try and keep the Indians from attacking.<br /><br />What will Hannah do when she finds out for sure her father was dead and she was going to have to raise her 3 year old sister and 7 year old brother. Will she marry her dad's former partner Herbert Lockhart a much older man or will she find another way to survive.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1336060739000, "title": "Chasing the Sun" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "As the time draws near for Esther and Tobias to be married, Esther and her friend Deborah are out with Deborah's daughter to pick flowers they see someone lying dead in the nearby creek. This property belonged to Reuben the brother of Tobias.<br /><br />When the people came out to claim the body Reuben will not say anything and they are blaming him, but he just let's it past and keeps his thoughts to himself. Tobias can't understand his brother keeping everything bottled up inside and letting it fall on his shoulders.<br /><br />As Esther, Deborah and the owner of the quilt shop Callie decide to find out themselves what had happened to this person. At he same time old man Ira Bontrager comes to the women and ask them to help him find out what happened to his daughter that has been missing since 1965.<br /><br />In the first book of the series the women are good at solving mysteries, but can they solve these two?<br /><br />If you like to read about the Amish then you will love this series as it is also a mystery. Something different and new with this community as they usually just keep to themselves and don't try to solve mysteries nor to get involved. I really loved the books and I didn't want to lay them down.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Zondervan Publishers for sending me this free book in order for me to do a review.", "timestamp": 1337716924000, "title": "A Great Series" }, { "asin": "1416599959", "rating": 4, "text": "Deborah Raney is a great author and all the books I have read of hers I always enjoy. Thanks to Glass Roads for sending me this book free for my review.<br /><br /> The story begins the day David was buried after the fire in the Handover Falls homeless shelter had burned and these men had been killed. She did not bury him in Handover Falls where the others were buried but had him buried beside his parents in Springfield.<br /><br />After eighteen months had passed Susan Marlowe is just now beginning to heal somewhat after her husband David had died in a fire alone with four other firefighters. She then discovered that David had carried a secret to the grave with him.<br /><br />She and her sons begin their lived anew after the fire, but what is this secret? Surly there would have been something she had noticed about David. But when she found out, she knew she should have seen it a long time before David's death.<br /><br />Can she learn to find peace again and will she ever find another man to take her late husband's place in her life?", "timestamp": 1338216545000, "title": "A Handover Falls novel" }, { "asin": "1616387157", "rating": 5, "text": "Sixty-three years is a long time as we have been married fifty-one years ourselves. So I loved this book about an older couple, most are about young couples. Thanks Darrel for thinking of my generation. That being said I will get on with what I thought of the book its self.<br /><br />As the story begins it is 2006 and Adam and Elizabeth are at their anniversary party and they were dancing the waltz as they had done for the past sixty-three years.<br /><br />When Adam returned home to Reunion, Montana he was received with a hug from his mother but his father was still holding a grudge because he went to war and left them to manage the farm by themselves. The farm had fallen apart and soon he found out they were about to loose it. He went to the bank to his old friend Nathan Roberts to see what he could do, but Nathan would not work with him. Soon he found out the reason was Elizabeth.<br /><br />He went to a dance and saw Elizabeth Baxter dancing with his high school rival Nathan Roberts. When he got up the nerve to cut in, he knew this was the girl for him.<br /><br />As the story continues you will laugh at some of things and you will cry alone with them at others. I am so happy to have received this free book from Glass Roads to review and to join this tour. This may be Darrel Nelson's first novel but I sure hope there are more to come from him. I really enjoyed it.", "timestamp": 1338903242000, "title": "A must read!!" }, { "asin": "0764206168", "rating": 4, "text": "I have had to oppunity to read a lot of Tracie Peterson's books and have loved all of them. This one is no acception. As the series \"Land of the Lone Star\" contunies Laura Marquardt felt herself becoming more drawn to Captain Brandon Reid. As she was wanting to educate blacks, everyone around her was against it, but Brandon was an officer over them and he was all for her doing this.<br /><br />After Laura's sister married her boyfriend that was in the Confederate army, Laura was so afraid for her sister and that she may be in for more than she bargarined for. It may even cost her, her own life and Laura was really worried about this.<br /><br />As we all know the \"War between the States\" was not a pretty site, as I live in the south and love the old plantation homes and the beautiful homes in Charleston, SC I am so proud to say that I came way after this war. I had a Great-grandfather that was lost near Charleston, he and my great-grandmother had just immigrated from Germany.<br /><br />I loved this series as I love the history of it all. I want to thank Bethany House for sending me this book free for me to post a review.", "timestamp": 1341416241000, "title": "Touching The Sky" }, { "asin": "0736951512", "rating": 5, "text": "When Matthew left the Amish and went out into the English world to live, he left Susanna with a broken heart, but she had to go on, so when Herman Wagler asked to take her home from a singing, she went and they continued to see each other. Then they decided to wed, even though she though her heart still belonged to Matthew.<br /><br />After they had been married three weeks, Matthew showed up at his brother's home and Susanna saw him, then she told him she was married. That was hard for him to believe.<br /><br />Susanna's family celebrated Christmas but Herman's family didn't and there was a disagreement amoung the newely wed on this. But as his wift Susanna went alone with Herman. Will this put a wedge in their marraige? What about the return of her first love Matthew?<br /><br />As always Jerry S Eicher writes a great book on the Amish as he grew up that way himself. Thanks so much to Jerry and Harvest House Publishing for sending me this free book in order for me to review.", "timestamp": 1345559289000, "title": "Another great Christmas book" }, { "asin": "0764209132", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the third book in the series \"The Kincaid Brides\" and anything that Mary Connealy write is always a great read alone with some laughts. I want to thank The auther and Bethany House Publishers for ssending me this book for me to review.<br /><br />When Callie though at Seth had died she tried to go on with her life, she had a little boy and wanted him to be able to get what belonged to him from his father. When she got to the ranch she was determined to claim it for her little boy. She had a hard time getting there with a baby to care for alone the way.<br /><br />When she found her run a-way husband she was ready to shoot him, but knew she could not do that, so she tried everything she could to get even. But you know God does not like for us to get even, we are supposed to forgive and forget which is so hard to do. Will Callie forgive and go alone with her life at the ranch or will she just pick up and leave?<br /><br />You will find this book funny, a little mystery and a whole lot of love to go alone with it.<br />I have read the first two books and I loved this one.", "timestamp": 1346769340000, "title": "Over The Edge, 3rd book in series" }, { "asin": "1595548033", "rating": 5, "text": "Annie Wilkerson lives in Moose Creek Montana and trains horses and she also writes fo Motana Living. She has her younger sister and her nephew to support and writes for Montana Living Magazine. When the magazine cancels her column and is starting to write a love column they offer the job to Annie. She really needed the money the column would bring in, BUT, she has never been in love, so she will just have to wing it. Her neighbor Dylan Taylor need help with his horse and she sees him as a flirt. She asked him that if she helps him with his horse will he help her to understand what it would be like to be in love.<br /><br />She finds out that she had misjudged Dylan as she was around him more, but she still don't feel as though she can trust a cowboy. She knew that her dad has walked out on her mom and he was a cowboy, so she just thought all of them were the same.<br /><br />She has a lot of trouble with her sister Sierra as she want listen to anyhting she tells her, but Annie soon finds out that she is not the one that should be telling her grown sister what to do. When she finds out that she must trust God to be in charge things begin too turn around.<br /><br />I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishing (BookSneeze) in exchange for an honest review.", "timestamp": 1347728131000, "title": "A great Cowboy story" } ]

[ { "asin": "160260696X", "rating": 5, "text": "Set in late nineteenth century Texas in the fictional town of Lookout, the characters dance off the page from the very first scene. When Luke Davis returns to the hometown he left several years, he is excited about being the new town marshal, but dreads facing Rachel, the woman who betrayed him and married his best friend years ago.<br /><br />Between the amusing and endearing antics of young Jacqueline, the ornery Corbett cousins and a whole Texas town of interesting characters, Luke and Rachel have no peace, especially when one of the potential brides brings a twist of intrigue and danger to thicken the plot.<br /><br />A satisfying tale of forgiveness, trust, and second chances, The Anonymous Bride will entertain, inspire and warm the most stoic heart.<br /><br />This book was supplied by Goodreads and Barbour Publishing with no obligation to write a positive review<br /><br />Now The Author: Vickie McDonough is an award-winning inspirational romance author. She has written 16 novels and novellas. Her Heartsong books, The Bounty Hunter and the Bride and Wild At Heart both placed third in the Top Ten Favorite Historical Romance category in Heartsong Present's annual readers' contests. Her stories frequently place in national contests, such as the ACFW Book of the Year contest and the Inspirational Readers Choice Contest. She has also written book reviews for over eight years. Vickie is a wife of thirty-three years, mother of four grown sons and grandma to a feisty three-year-old girl. When she's not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, gardening, watching movies, and traveling.", "timestamp": 1272388280000, "title": "The Anonymous Bride" }, { "asin": "0764205137", "rating": 5, "text": "In 1872, sixteen women are lured to Nebraska with the promise of free land, independence, and an opportunity to start over after the devastating loss of their husbands. What they find when they arrive in Plum Grove, Nebraska is a story of hope, new beginnings, forgiveness, and love. Add in a conniving man who tricked these women into coming west and you have a recipe for conflict. When six women decide to ditch his plans, the fun begins in earnest.<br /><br />Tales of heartbreak, romance and cowboys sweep you away as this story unfolds in the lives of the six women that started over in Four Corners, Nebraska with their new homes and lands. Ella is a strong woman that loves to farm with her mother Zita. Hettie slipped in without anyone knowing she was not one of the brides she had been a doctor's wife. Caroline is as southern as you can get. Ruth was a widow with a young son, and then there was Sally and they all stuck together. They meet Linney a young girl that worked in the store at Plum Grove. The tales just gets deeper and deeper as the story unfolds.<br /><br />I love Stephanie Grace Whitson's books, she always writes a story that keep you spellbound.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy for purpose of review from Bethany House Publishers.", "timestamp": 1273679261000, "title": "Sixteen Brides" }, { "asin": "1595546790", "rating": 5, "text": "Love on a Dime is set in Newport, Rhode Island, 1899, I love stories that take place in the 1800s. I like to read something that I don't have to deal with day by day and that is why I love historical. This is one of those books that you desperately want to know what happens next! This is a novel that I will pull off of the shelf and read over and over again to enjoy. The first novel for James, I expect to see much more from her in the future!<br /><br />I loved to join the Westbrook's for a leisurely summer season in beautiful Newport. Lillian Westbrook is a beauty, strong in her convictions, and modest in her accomplishments who is pursued by Jackson Grail, the handsome, hero. Jackson Grail has regrets. He loved Lilly to pieces and wanted to marry her, but refused to take her away from her life of privilege to live like a pauper. Carla draws you into the story, transporting you into the scenes with charming prose and great word imagery. With each word I could feel the powerful Atlantic Ocean cool my face in the afternoon sun, hear the gulls as I took a relaxing stroll, and see all the breathtaking elegance and luxury that can only be described as Newport!<br /><br />Lilly hides her authorship but people speak highly of the author Fannie Cole, Lilly's pen name. A wonderful, interesting read about secrets and romance and I love the title as it describes the books that used to be called \"Dime Novels\"<br /><br />I would like to thanks to Cara Lynn James and Booksneeze<br /> for sending me a copy to review.", "timestamp": 1275437490000, "title": "LOVE ON A DIME" }, { "asin": "159554870X", "rating": 5, "text": "Kelley Long is a new writer to me and I really enjoy the Amish books, even though there are so many coming out now with this theme. Kelley put a whole new twist on the Amish story. This book started out with a bang and ended with one.<br />When I started reading it I thought it would be the same as the others I have read and enjoyed but this one was so different.<br /><br />Sarah was the only daughter at home with older brothers and she loved to garden, that was her top priority, she didn't care for quilting or sewing as most of the Amish women tend to do. But she could make a mean garden and knew about all the plants.<br />When a new vet moved into the Amish community everything started to change. He was loved by all and did his work great but he was not Amish. This did not seem to brother the people as other books led us to believe in the past. They took him on as one of them.<br />Sarah was a loner as she didn't like to meet a lot of people, (I understand her because that is the way I am) but she was made to run the stand that the Amish make a lot of their money from in the summer, and she hated it. She didn't know what she was going to do when the \"Englishers\" came. She decided to start a quilt top for her sister's baby that would soon make his appearance, so this is the way she got by sitting all day at the stand.<br />As the story unfolds the Amish man that is in love with her \"but she not him\" keeps trying to get her to go out with him and he is a nice man but she grew up with him as a friend and that is all he will ever be.<br /><br />She does get by and with her new nephew she begin to see things more in the light of an Amish woman and even starts her own quilt and has a quilting party. This is a must read for all that enjoy Amish books, it is a good clean Christian book with a new twist.<br /><br />This book was sent to me for review by BookSneeze", "timestamp": 1277481538000, "title": "Sarah's Garden" }, { "asin": "1414323867", "rating": 5, "text": "Lilly Corbett Gray, loves pretty things, and animals. Always on the lookout to rescue a hurting animal or to spring some evil traps, Lilly is a little girl with a big heart. However that rescue mode is what leads Lilly into the biggest mess of her life. Excited about her month long visit to her Aunt Alice in the city, she is anxious to go. Waiting for Manda the hired girl to finish her chores, and walk her to the coach, that will take her to the train, Lilly hears a dog who is hurting. Unable to leave it be, she goes to investigate and finds her neighbor throwing a sack of puppies into a pond, and what she heard was the mama dog wanting her pups. While rescuing the pups, the neighbor catches her and locks her up in a shed. Finding Lilly gone, Manda figures she just walked to the coach alone. And Manda has her own troubles, the no good middling man from the band at the barn dance, has tried to take advantage of her in the barn and beat her up. Manda runs away to her sisters, not wanting anyone to see her in the state she was in. The train that Lilly was on going to her aunts, has a horrible crash, killing and injuring many people and sending Lilly's family and friends into a panic of worry. Will they find Lilly in time? Will they discover she isn't on the train and find her in the shed? What will happen to Lilly Corbett Gray? This story, set in the late 1890's is a great read.<br /><br />This book will be released by Tyndale in August 2010. 376 pages US $12.99 4 stars.<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale for review purposes only in my own words", "timestamp": 1280855347000, "title": "Still House Pond" }, { "asin": "1433669366", "rating": 5, "text": "Alaska 1897, aboard a steamship Ellen Pierce was on her way to the gold field to satisfy her sick brother Johan who has mental problems and she is afraid of him, as her mother on her death bed made her promise to take care of her brother. She had meet a man on board that had talked to her named Buck Lewis. They were racing with time as the river would soon freeze over. There was a large shaking of the ship and they all went up to see what had happened, and the ship was stuck in ice with no way to get it out until the thaw. Buck Lewis said he was not staying and more men wanted to go with him, along with them, Johan said he was going so that meant that Ellen had to go also.<br /><br />This was a very hard and cold trip which took all the energy they could endure and only the strongest would survive the journey by foot to reach Dawson City. Johan didn't make it so that left Ellen alone with no where to go, upon arriving in Dawson City, she realized it was going to be very hard as she didn't have much money and everything was so expensive. With a very few options, she must learn to trust God for her survival.<br /><br />This is the first book I have read by Carie but I loved the beautiful book and the story. It was well presented and is a book I will keep and read over. I ma looking forward reading more of her books in the near future.<br /><br />I received this free copy of this book from B&H books in exchange for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1284482010000, "title": "The Snowflake, a Novella" }, { "asin": "0764206710", "rating": 5, "text": "Ruth Livingstone's life changes the day her father puts a young child in her arms and sends her to a small village in New Jersey under an assumed name. There Ruth pretends to be a widow with a small child while her Preacher Father is tried for murder of the child's prostitute mother. They are sent to live with some of her Father's followers.<br /><br />Asher Tripp is the newspaperman who determines that this case is the event he can use to redeem himself as a journalist with his brother, who owns the local paper.<br /><br />Ruth finds that tending a small garden along the banks of the Toms River is a place where she can find a measure of peace in the midst of the sorrow that continues to build. It is here that Asher Tripp finds a temporary residence, all in an attempt to discover if the lovely creature known as Widow Malloy is truly Ruth Livingstone, the woman every newspaper has been looking for.<br /><br />When Asher and Ruth meet it is anything but love, but as they get to know each other will love begin to bloom and it it does will it be strong enough to withstand the secrets that separate them?<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House for review.", "timestamp": 1285454011000, "title": "Love's First Bloom" }, { "asin": "0825425905", "rating": 5, "text": "After returning from a photo shoot in Indonesia, Camden Bristow finds herself without a job, and in debt. Fount magazine has gone bankrupt due to the economy and everyone has disappeared along with her paycheck. With her savings gone and and no other job in the future, Camden decides to make a trip to visit her beloved grandma, Rosalie. Upon arriving in Ohio, Camden learns her grandmother has recently passed away and left her home, Crescent Hill, to her. Crescent Hill her grandmother's home has always been the only \"real\" home in Camden's life. While dealing with the loss of her grandmother, Crescent Hill suddenly becomes insecure and unsafe. Not knowing whom she can trust, Camden is thrown into the unknown, and soon discovers the many secrets of Crescent Hill and the Bristow family. Camden's life will change forever and she is forced to re-evaluate and learn how to better trust in God. \"Refuge on Crescent Hill\" is more than just a title for this book. It harbors the truth and lessons in this wonderful novel.<br />\"Refuge on Crescent Hill\" will make you not find a page you can stop on from the moment you begin reading, you will want to know more. It is mystery and suspense wrapped up in historical fiction. I loved the historical fiction that in in this story. The author does a wonderful job of bringing four different stories into one, interweaving them until they blend at the end. Each character is well developed and brings something different to the story.<br /><br />While the story is predictable at times, there are many moments that will surprise you and keep you wondering. The book was very hard to put down. I really enjoyed reading this novel and would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fiction, mystery, suspense, genealogy, or Christian fiction. Melanie did a great job of keeping my interest and not wanting it to end.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Kregel Publications for review.", "timestamp": 1287962753000, "title": "Refuge On Cresent Hill" }, { "asin": "1609360257", "rating": 5, "text": "Easter Lange loved her fiance' or though she did. She had a one time stand with him in the back of a car and from that union she had a little girl. Linus went to war and when he found out about the baby he had sent her to live with his very proper parents. She lived in the attic with her little girl but she also worked as a nurse at the hospital. Her family had shunned her when they found out about her pregnancy so she had no where else to go.<br /><br />Meanwhile in Germany Linus had been wounded really bad and gave the medic a letter to send to Easter, when she received it in another letter from the medic, she would not open it as she knew that Linus was dead. She also kept this from his parents. She kept writing back and forth to the medic whose name is Peter. He lived in Markesan Wisconsin and she lived a way from him but within a days ride by train, so her friend talked into going to meet him. When she got there she found out he was a POW from Germany. She ran away as she could not believe he was a Gemany soldier<br /><br />Different things begin to happen, she found Peter at the hospital where she worked as he had been beaten up and was very bad. She also was treating Charlie who had lost a leg in the war and then had jumped off the top of the hospital but some how survived but didn't know anyone.<br /><br />The POW camp was moved to their city and some of the Germans hated the Americans and plotted ways to get even. You must read this book, it is packed full of anything you may want to read. History, nurses, doctors, farmers and so on. Susan May Warren did a great job on this one.<br /><br />Thanks to Amy at Litfuse Publicity Group for review.", "timestamp": 1289234808000, "title": "Nightingale" }, { "asin": "0764207326", "rating": 5, "text": "As I live on the East coast I love any book that is written on it. This book by Alice J. Wisler is such a book, it takes place at the Outer Banks North Carolina. They lived in a tourist town of Hatteras and Jackie Donovan works for the newspaper there called \"The Lighthouse News\". She loves her town and everything in it, as her parents had moved her to Charlotte, NC when she was younger but she came back to the Outer Banks. She and her friend Minnie and Millie's young son lived in a duplex near the beach. Millie's husband had gotten killed in a boating accident the year before and she was still having trouble over losing him.<br /><br />Jackie and Millie used to visit the Bailey House, a bed and breakfast , when they were small and Jackie had always dreamed of owing the house and opening up her own. She was having trouble finding who owned it and she finely found out Davis Erickson (the Bailey's grandson) owned it and she started talking to him about getting the house. She even started dating him, but there was something wrong with that, she just didn't know what every one else in town knew about him. She was almost thirty and her family and friends were always setting her up with blind dates but they always went wrong. So she though she had found the perfect man. But had she? She just didn't know what he was like and then maybe there was someone that had always been there just waiting for her to notice him.<br /><br />I loved this book, but as I said I live in SC but not on the coast and I knew where the Outer Banks are and the language had its southern charm, just like I have always been used too. This is the first book I have read by Alice J. Wisler but I hope to read more, I really enjoyed it. I have got to mention that Jackie loved her \"Diet Pepsi\" so do I.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers for review.", "timestamp": 1289319747000, "title": "Hatteras Girl" }, { "asin": "0764208500", "rating": 4, "text": "Amy Gallagher is a want a be writer. She is at the age of 30 and she feel her clock is ticking away. But she just received her story back (AGAIN the 27th time) from another magazine, Will she ever find anyone that will buy her story? She quit her job and went back to school and got her master's degree, but has had to become a part time English professor to pay her bills. To beat it all her boy friend of was breaking up with her in the school cafeteria (cheap to eat there) and he just walked off, no regret.<br /><br />She had become friend with another writer Zoe' that could sell anything she wrote. Zoe' had moved in with her and that help both of them pay their bills. Amy hated to correct papers from her students, that was not something she wanted to do for the rest of her life. She had rather make to-do list that write a story, what was she going to do?<br /><br />The cast of characters in Amy's real world (a fundie mom, a socially-awkward office mate. Then there is the young man that lands on her sofa due to bedbugs in his old apartment. As Amy begins to see her-self better she can start to find out you she really is. I was sure that Amy would get a little stronger by the end but she was determination to succeed, fall in love and not lose her faith in the process.<br /><br />This is my first read of Bethany Pierce's and I found it enjoyable.<br /><br />Bethany House provided me with a review copy of this book.", "timestamp": 1289517047000, "title": "Amy Inspired" }, { "asin": "0307458997", "rating": 5, "text": "I received this book from Library Thing and I want to thank you for it. I read the entire book last night and it keep me turning page after page.<br />The story started while Cora was looking for that special Christmas gift. It was icy and her car slid off the road and messed up her tie rod, so while they were towing her car she went shopping, She had heard about a book store on the internet and she felt like this is where she would find that gift. She walked to an older part of town and found the store, the door was stuck and she had a time getting in as the man just sit behind the counter reading a book. She finally got the door to open and from then on everything was like the old fairy tales that she had heard when she was a child. The man knew what she wanted and when she got the book home a slip of paper fell out and it was an invitation to a Christmas ball, but no time or place.<br /><br />The same thing happened to her boss's boss when he went to the store. Sometime you could find the street that was only a few blocks from where they worked but if you were driving a car, you could not find it. He bought a book also and the same thing happened to him an invitation fell from the book.<br /><br />Oh this book is great and so right to read as the Christmas season approaches. You will laugh and you may even shed a tear or two but either way, it will take you back to a fairy land.", "timestamp": 1290298098000, "title": "Two tickets to the Christmas Ball" }, { "asin": "0307457176", "rating": 4, "text": "Showing newest posts with label Review. Show older posts<br />Showing newest posts with label Review. Show older posts<br />Dec 27, 2010<br />Photobucket<br /><br />TANDEM<br />by<br />Tracey Bateman<br /><br />My Review:<br />I have read a lot of books by Tracey Bateman but this is the first from any author I have read about vampires. The book was a good read but different, it was hard for me to get through the \"Hunting\" parts of the book, but other than that it was an interesting book. It has romance, mystery and about anything you could want from a book. The main character was Lauryn McBride who is dealing with her father that has Alzheimer's and trying to run the auction business that her dad had started in Abbey Hills, Mo. She was working on an old mansion that had belonged to Markus Chisom who had perished in a fire. She was having to go through everything and catalogue it for the estate sale that was to be held. She really needed the money but was having trouble as there were so many killings lately in the small town, people and animals.<br /><br />In comes Amede Dastillion from New Orleans that had received a package from Lauryn that held some letters that had belonged to one of her long ago relatives, or maybe not? She came to town and would not leave, then along with her was her assistance Juliette that meet a man there in town that said he was a reporter going from small town to town, but he wouldn't leave either.<br /><br />Then there was this reporter Miranda that had a blog and worked part time at the diner. I am telling you folks that this book will blow your mind, I am a Christian and this is a Christian based book that does refer to the Bible with Billy, a missionary and his father who is the pastor of the church. You really just need to read this for yourselves, it is a different book.<br /><br />My Thought:<br />As I said before I am a Christian and I only read Christian fiction books and I really didn't know this one was about vampires, but it was different. I got the impression at the last of the book that the author may have thrown in a part that you are born in a certain life style, but in the Bible it says we are may in the image of God, so we know the type of man HE is if we read out Bibles. I may be wrong in assuming that she meant this but as I said that is the impression that I got. I don't believe in vampires either, not ghost and so on.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Blogging for Books a division of WaterBrook Press free just for my review.", "timestamp": 1293467802000, "title": "Tandem" }, { "asin": "082542674X", "rating": 4, "text": "Sheila Franklin lived in New Orleans in 1940s when she was growing up and loved music. She loved Jazz but her mother wouldn't let her play it. She could play piano and the was learning the clarinet, which her father played. She loved to roam around the music filled streets in the Quarter of New Orleans and she could keep secrets and loved to slip around and find out things. But her world as she knew it disappeared the night her family home burned and she lost both her parents. She went to live with her grandmother that had her name changed form Sheba to Shelia.<br /><br />After she grows up and married a pastor her past starts to come back as the phone rung and the man on the other end asked for Sylvia Allen and as her son come on the scene she had to do some confession to her son whom she had abandoned against her will when he was few days old. She also had some secrets that she had to tell her Pastor husband Edward. In the 1960s what all she had been hiding. Will the truth hurt their marriage and what will Edward say about a son he never knew about?<br /><br />This book was a good read as it takes you back to New Orleans in the days when in the Quarters the music was beautiful and the color made no difference. I have never been to New Orleans but would like to go, and see all I have read about. Patti Lacy has written some good books relating to history as she has written \"What The Bayou Saw\" and \"An Irishwoman's Tales\"<br /><br />Thanks to Kregel Publications for sending me this free copy to review.", "timestamp": 1295205336000, "title": "The Rhythm of Secrets" }, { "asin": "1595545395", "rating": 5, "text": "Lucy runs and operated a home for homeless girls eighteen years old or so, once the foster care system has turned them out, they have no where to go, as she was homeless for a while when she was young she had a place in her heart for these girls. But when the highest contributor \"Sinclair Enterprises\" cut her out of their help she had no idea what she was going to do, in able to keep this home open for her girls.<br /><br />She was a very nervous person and had no self esteem she had a problem with asking for more help but she did it anyway. But the Spencer company would not give an inch so she was despair in what to do in order to keep the home open. She met an old school mate of hers that had been a professional football player, Alex Sinclair, but had hurt his knee and now he was running for congress. She got tied up with him and he offered her a way to save the home, but could she do it.<br /><br />She found out somethings about herself that she never knew, as her mother had gotten killed in a car wreck when she was younger, but had been able to send her to a boarding school and then she went to college with a scholarship or did she? She will find out things her mother never told her and Alex will try to put a closer to his twin brother's death while trying to fun for Congress. Can they work out their problems and both of them fine out what God has in store for them?<br /><br />This book was sent to me by BookSneeze in order for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1295538273000, "title": "Save The Date" }, { "asin": "1595547916", "rating": 5, "text": "Katie McKenna had left her home town of New Orleans to get away from a terrible embarrassment and she had moved to California. She had left her mother behind and all her friend except a college friend Eileen whom she roomed with, but she had known her in New Orleans and Eileen knew what her problem was.<br /><br />An old rich boyfriend showed up at her door and was determine to take her back to New Orleans on his private jet for his brother's wedding. Katie had worked while she went to college in a bar as a singer and dancer. She did not ever drink but she used her talents without it. She was determined not to go back to New Orleans and had not even went to see her mother since she had left eight years ago. Her dad had run a grocery store during her growing up years but was not dead. Her mom had remarried and she had never met her new step-father.<br /><br />She was not sort of engaged to a man names Dexter, who really was a bore and he didn't even mind when she left with Luc DeForges the multi-millionaire old boy friend. Will she be able to face the people in her home town and the family of DeForges? Will Dexter ever really be engaged to Katie? You need to buy this book and find out for yourself, I promise you will not be disappointed. A really great read.<br /><br />This is the first time I have read any of Kristin Billerbeck's work but I want to read more, even if I am not a your woman but a great-granny. I think anyone will enjoy her books.<br /><br />This book was sent to me for review by Audra Jennings of The B and B Media Group for my review.", "timestamp": 1296585444000, "title": "A Billion Reasons Why" }, { "asin": "143470212X", "rating": 4, "text": "As I was reading through this book I have never known how bad the women suffer in other parts of the world. Kim was a devoted wife and mother that went to church and did what she thought God wanted her to do. She had a high paying job with her way to the top and her second husband Milton felt that something was missing in their lives. As all the children were out of the house except two girls, they throught they had everything but they both were still unhappy. As they started to pray about this, it seem that an answer came that Kim didn't want to hear. She wanted to do what God asked but on her own terms.<br /><br />This book is really an eye opener and as we think we have it bad here in America, we just don't see what goes on in other parts of the world even though we see some of the things on TV it is not the same as being there. Kimberly and Milton Smith started a organization \"Make Way Partners\" in which they run and are trying to build the only private and ingeniously based anti-trafficking network in Africa and Eastern Europe. For more information on this project check out their site and read all about it.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by The B and B Media Group for my own thoughts and review.", "timestamp": 1297445478000, "title": "Passport Through Darkness" }, { "asin": "1854249746", "rating": 3, "text": "First let me say that this is not a book that I could get into, I did the best I could and tried to understand this period of time. It was set in 14th century Oxford and about the medieval.<br /><br />I think that Mel Starr knows what he is writing about and I believe he has studied this period of time and the way things were done. In this third novel, Hugh de Singleton a surgeon in the village of Bampton, near Oxford. Hugh liked Kate who proved a help in finding the missing books that were stolen from Master Wyclif's rooms and are up-for-grabs. . There are some very interesting people out to stop him, some are determined to stop him permanently if necessary, as they are have greed and really do not care for Mel at all.<br /><br />This book was sent to me buy Kregel Publications for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1298486328000, "title": "A Trail of Ink" }, { "asin": "1595548017", "rating": 5, "text": "Abigale Jones lives in Chicago and is a reporter for her mom's magazine \"Viewpoint\". She works way too much as has high blood pressure and a lot of headaches. Her sister is a doctor and she tells Abigale that she need to slow down, but her mom had to just make her take a leave from the magazine and to go to Moose Creek, Montana to check on her great aunt. Her dad had died because of high blood pressure and they were trying to take care that she did everything she was suppose to do in order for that not to happen to her.<br /><br />When she gets to her great aunt's house there is not place for her to sleep except on an old sofa, so when the opportunity comes alone for her to be a nanny for the summer to a little girl just up the road she takes that. As she and Maddy grows close, Abigale begins to really like the \"Big Sky Country\". Maddy had lost her mother before she and her cowboy dad moved from Texas to try to leave old memories. She needed a woman figure in her life as every summer she had a new nanny and that was very upsetting for her. Maddy's dad Wade Ryan owned a large ranch and was busy all the time so he couldn't spend the time with her as she needed.<br /><br />Everything was going alone great until Abigale's reporter nose found a story that she could not turn down as the future of \"Viewpoint\" was in trouble, so even though she was suppose to be resting she was still trying to save the magazine. Then everything begin to fall apart, with her and the new friends she had made in Montanna.<br /><br />I loved this book, it has everything in it that a reader like myself loves. Denise really did a great job with writing it.<br /><br />Thanks so much to The B and B Media group for sending me this book for review.", "timestamp": 1301500345000, "title": "A Coyboy's Touch" }, { "asin": "0781403790", "rating": 5, "text": "Mable and her friend Sarah Jane as they find themselves in one scrape after another! I find so many of the little stories in both books that are related to myself and my niece Gail as we were growing together. We were in my own Mama's attic since I was a very late baby and had a niece about the same age. When I was reading these books I just lay in my bed and laughed and said \"oh yeah\" we did that. I am now a great-grandmother but like to read these books to my little grandchildren and tell them \"you Mama T did that\" it is so very hard for them to believe that I was ever that young. The entire Grandma's Attic Series I believe would be a set of books that you will pass on down so they can be kept and read to all your ancestors. I have only read these two and to tell the truth had never head of them before. But not that I have I want to get the other books in the series, I relate to so much. I am so thankful to B and B Group for sending me these two books for my review.<br /><br />The entire Grandma's Attic Series I believe would be a set of books that you will pass on down so they can be kept and read to all your ancestors. I have only read these two and to tell the truth had never head of them before. But not that I have I want to get the other books in the series, I relate to so much.<br /><br />I am so thankful to B and B Group for sending me these two books for my review.", "timestamp": 1301678340000, "title": "Grandma's Attic" }, { "asin": "0310250676", "rating": 5, "text": "Life is a vicious cycle in the life of drug uses. When the mother stays high on drugs and has a baby or a child is raised in that home then it goes on with the new generation doing the same thing they grow up with. This is the case of Jordan a fifteen year old girl that uses drug so much and she just became a mother of a baby girl. Jordan's mother and brother both live with her and they would not stay sober long enough to take the girl to a hospital, so Jordan had to deliver her own baby.<br /><br />But this book is more about another family that tries to help Jordan. Barbara has a daughter \"Emily\" that was a drug user and is now in a place \"New Day\" where they keep them for a year so that the drugs can get out of their systems. She also has a fifteen year old son \"Lance\" and this is where they had met Jordan, as she was there for a while but decided to leave and went right back to the old life style she was in.<br /><br />Lance enjoys going to visit his sister as he like to tease and talk to the girls there but he also was one that had turned down drugs and liked to help people. Barbara had raised her children in a Christian home as she was a widow and she had a hard time trying to raise them. money wise.<br /><br />I would have loved to have been able to read the first books as I am sure they tell more about how the drug lords drag the young people into the life of abusing their bodies and minds with drugs. This is the first book that I have read that really made you feel as though you were living the life of these people and it make you see how easy it is for even your child can get into the habit of drugs.<br /><br />Terri does a wonderful job with this book as she does all that she writes.<br /><br /> I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting my review from Christian Review of Books.", "timestamp": 1301929460000, "title": "Victious Cycle" }, { "asin": "1433668688", "rating": 5, "text": "Marrianne Sommer was born on the day her two sisters were killed in a buggy/eighteen wheeler accident. The parents and children were on their way home when Abe the father kept dozing off and before he knew it the accident happened.<br /><br />Marrianne was name for the two sisters and her older brother Levi was only three at the time. Now Levi is grown and has left home for an English life style, Marrianne is (sort of) dating Amos Zook, even though he had never dated her, there was just and understanding. He was building them a house but she had never saw it. Abe had taken all he could at their home in Indiana and wanted to move to Montana where his brother lived. They packed up everything and moved to a new way of life. The Amish were few in this area and they mixed in with the English. Marrianne had told Amos that she was only staying six months and she would return home to him, but will she?<br /><br />Everything was different here in Montana the homes were far apart and there was no place to farm so what was Abe going to do? Marrianne went to work and was getting involved with an Englich man named Billy, he was a driver for the Amish but didn't know many of their ways. Will the family decide to stay in Montana or will they go back to their seventy acre farm in Indiana? This book was different than a lot of the Amish books I have read, as in this one they mingled with the Englich a lot more than most of the ones did, from the other Authors.<br /><br />This is the first Amish book Tricia Goyer has written but she has plenty other books under her belt. Good book.<br /><br />This book was sent to me free from Litefuse Publicity Group for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1302541119000, "title": "Beside Still Waters" }, { "asin": "1595547851", "rating": 5, "text": "When I started to read this book and all the way through until I read the \"Afterwards\" page did I know that this is about real people, but written in a fiction manner. I love books that are based on the 1800s and this one is just that. The author really did her research and came up with the real names of the saddle makers and used them in this story.<br /><br />It is about a man that lives in Ohio and makes saddles, he also is a traveling preacher. He is the father of three daughters and the oldest one is having to raise and take care of the two younger ones as the mother died in childbirth. Ann Miller is the oldest daughter and she is left alone with the little girls a lot when her father goes on his preaching jobs. She had no idea what he did or where he went on these journeys but when he was home he made some of the most beautiful saddles of anyone. He was always getting orders for them. And on one of these trips to make a saddle he carried his three daughters to Pittsburgh and they stayed with the doctor that lived next door to another saddle maker. That is when they found two of the most underfed and tattered young men they had ever seen. These were the saddle maker's apprentice but they were indentured slaves.<br /><br />This book goes through helping slaved to freedom, the loves of Ann Miller and helping Tom and Will the indentured slaves to get away from their mean owners that beat them. It is so written that I wanted to just get in there with the author and help these people myself. This is my first time reading anything written by Rosslyn Elliott and I hope to get to read the others in this series.<br /><br />Thanks to BookSneeze for sending me this book free to read and review in my own words and thoughts.", "timestamp": 1303744625000, "title": "Fairer than Morning" }, { "asin": "1595545352", "rating": 4, "text": "When FBI agent Raleigh Harmon decides to go on vacation alone with her mom, her aunt and her aunt's friend she never thought that it would end up with her having to work. They took a cruise to Alaska but when there was a murder/suicide the ship had to turn around and not go into port. The crew was trying to keep this a secret but on the ship the gossip flies. Raleigh found herself right in the middle of it as they tried to find out what happened.<br /><br />There was a movie crew on board trying to shot a movie with their drunken leading man and this was his wife that was missing. This case was so tough that she had them bring in a Special Agent to help with this case. She had found a very valuable ring at the scene but it kept coming up missing and then not missing, this was very hard for her to figure out. She knew a lot about rocks and valuable stones as she had studied it in college.<br /><br />The the Special Agent got there it was handsome Jack Stephanson, whom she did not care for, but she had to accept his help. They begin to work together and she found out that he was not as bad as she thought.<br /><br />This is the first book I have read of Sibella's but really enjoyed it. I have chatted with her on Facebook and I was so glad to win this book in a Thomas Nelson contest. Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson and also to Sibella Giorell for this book and the review is my own thoughts.", "timestamp": 1304611697000, "title": "The Mountains Bow Down" }, { "asin": "082543310X", "rating": 4, "text": "Just as World War 2 was beginning fifteen year old Julien Losier was very upset with his parents as they were moving them from Paris and all his friends to a small village Tanieux in central France where his father grew up and just up the road from his grandfather's farm. This was a small town and he just knew he would never fit in with these people.<br /><br />There is another girl Nina Krenkel alone with her brother had to leave their country on their father's command and go to Austria and he told them to burn their papers and not to tell anyone they were Jewish. They arrived in Tanieux ill and in despair. She didn't know what she was going to do. Then she and her brother met up with Julien Losier.<br /><br />They though as by going there they would run from the Nazis and be safe but nowhere was safe from Hitler. He and his sister both knew they would never be safe as they watched their father die and then tried to run to Austria alone with a Jewish boy they had meet and helped. None of them knew how close to death they would come too as they struggled to stay alive.<br />This book was written well and the authors seemed to know what they were writing about.<br /><br /> I usually don't like anything about World War 2 as I was born during this time and had a brother and 3 brothers-in-law in Germany fighting, three came back alive but one of my brothers-in-law was in a box. But this book was interesting and written in a way for younger people, so I was able to understand it better. I am a great-grandmother so it takes something that really explains things for me to understand. I really am a history buff so I rate this book as a 4.5<br /><br />Thanks so much to Kregel Publications for the free copy of this book in order for me to review.", "timestamp": 1305397282000, "title": "How Huge The Night" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 5, "text": "Susannah leaves her family home after her parents are killed and she can not make it on her own, She didn't have any suitors and had never dated so her Pastor sent her to the Dakota prairie to marry his brother whom she had never met. She was having problems with the banker of their town and he would not leave her alone so she though this was best to get away from it all.<br /><br />When Susannah met Jesse at the so called train depot she had no idea what type of house he lived in but they were married by proxy before she left. On their way to their land claim he redid their marriage vows himself.<br /><br />Is is very a very hard life as when she got to their house it was made of sod and so small they kept running into each other when they moved. Jesse had been in the War between the States and still had some bad dreams about this as Susannah was so afraid the banker would find her.<br /><br />When the grasshoppers came and destroyed everything they had planted, Jesse decided to go away and try to find a job leaving Susannah at home and alone except for their dog and a couple they lived on the next claim.<br /><br />As she waited for his return she found out she was expecting a baby and did everything she could to protect it as far as moving to town and teaching a very small school. But she is tougher than Jesse thought as she held everything together and kept herself up.<br /><br />I really loved this book and didn't want it to end. I think this was the first book that I have read by Catherine Richmond and sure want to read some more.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by BookSneeze for my honest review,", "timestamp": 1306698971000, "title": "Loved this book, Spring for Susannah" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 4, "text": "Set in the 1800s Clara Endicott was the daughter of wealthy parents but she was best friends with Daniel Tremain who worked in a steel mill alone with his father, he was taking his exam in order to get a scholarship for college when he was called away and his father was under a steam boiler that had exploded up. He was the only one that knew how to keep it from blowing more and to help so they could get his father from under the hot boiler. He got it fixed but his father did not survive. Daniel was very smart in the ways of inventing things so as he had to work and keep his mother and sisters up, he kept working on making things better. They both loved music and even composed some of their own. They loved the classics and played together every day.<br /><br />Clara was sent to an aunt in England as her parents wanted to get her away from Danial as she was sixteen. She was sent to an aunt but that did not stop her form pressuring her dream as a witter and it really got her in trouble as she exploded the coal mine owners that worked the children under the ground. She found herself in jail and thought that she would have to spend a long time there when her brother came from America and got her out, but she had to be on a ship back to America by sundown. She had not heard from Daniel since she had gone to England ten years ago, and he had not heard from her, even though both of them had written to each other.<br /><br />When she got back on America soil she soon found out had powerful Daniel had become and the companies that he owned. She still felt as though he was her best friend so when they met in an Opera House that he had built that friendship was still there.<br /><br />I love the books that are written from the 1800s and this one is no exception. It is well written even though I have not read any of Elizabeth Camden's work before.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1306856569000, "title": "The Lady of Bolton Hill" }, { "asin": "1414333064", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my first time reading one of Gina Holmes' books and I know it will not be my last. A very good story that just kept me turning page after page.<br /><br />As Eric and Kyra Yoshida has thought their marriage was over, Krya was in an accident that left some of her memory gone, as she didn't remember that they were separated. Their only son Benji had just left for the navy as this was what he had always wanted. He was more of a mama's boy than his dad's, so this had really turned Kyra's life around alone with the separation from her husband.<br /><br />Eric worked as a car salesman and as this was not the job he wanted it made the most money so he had taken a job and moved his family from their home by the sea to this fancy neighborhood. where none of them was happy.<br /><br />As the story continues it will tell things about a marriage that happens to almost everyone, but can they overcome this and do as they had promised God when they married that \"Death do they part?\"<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Tyndale Publications for my review.", "timestamp": 1314026247000, "title": "Dry as Rain" }, { "asin": "0764208055", "rating": 4, "text": "El Paso, Texas, August, 1886 as the story begins, Elizabeth Evans a widow and the daughter of a state senator and had come to help her brother with his newspaper. This part of Texas was so close to the border of Mexico that even then they were having trouble with this country. Some of the leaders in Mexico did not like what Lloyd wrote in his newspaper and killed him soon after the arrival of Elizabeth. Then she was taken with them and that is where the Texas Rangers came into the picture.<br /><br />This book is so full of romance, suspense and history that I could hardly lay it down, I finished it in two sittings. I have read the first one in this series also and it was just as good. Yvonne Harris has a way to tell these historical stories.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House for sending me this book at no cost to me and I chose to review it.", "timestamp": 1314804429000, "title": "A River to Cross" }, { "asin": "0805448152", "rating": 5, "text": "Lady Kendra Townsend was an only child as he mother died giving birth to her, as she and her father lived in England. Her father had a twin brother but he was not nice at all and he gambled everything he could get his hands on and always came to his brother Edward to bail him out. But this time it took everything Edward had to bail him out so he and Kendra had to live being very poor. Edward died and Andrew the twin took over the title and came to the castle and also was going to make Kendra marry an old man just so he could get the inheritance that was left to her from her grandmother once she married. She refused to marry the old man so her uncle shipped her off to America to her mother's sister that Kendra had never met.<br /><br />On the ship that she traveled on she was the only passenger as it was a cargo ship only but she was treated kind and was watched to be sure none of the sailors bothered her. The captain of the ship is Dorian Colburg and he really liked her but was determined never to marry again as he was married once before and his wife died.<br /><br />What will Kendra find when she gets to America and to her aunt and uncle's place?<br /><br />This is really a good book if you love romance, and adventure, Jamie Carie writes very good books as I have read a lot of her books.<br /><br />Thanks to B and H for sending me this advanced readers edition of this book to read and review.", "timestamp": 1316025327000, "title": "Pirate of My Heart" }, { "asin": "0310332311", "rating": 4, "text": "As you put the first cd into your player you are ready for a great story as only Terri Blackstock can tell it. Her work always keeps you wondering what is coming next.<br /><br />Carney Sullivan grew up in the world of a traveling carnival, she wanted a place to call home so she settled for Serenity Texas. She makes a home and has a child and a new faith. But she can spot a con artist as soon as she sees them as her father was one.<br /><br />Then she meet the swave Logan Brisco she knows right away the he also was a con artist even thought he was so very good looking and word some of the fanciest clother. He was out for no good and it seems that Carney was the only one in the town that knew this. He had everyone fooled but he was planning on getting anything he could from the good people encluding Carney's heart. Can she warn the people of the town who they are dealing with or will her heart stand in the way,<br /><br />This story is a suspence that you can't wait until you can hear more. Thanks so much to Zondervan Publisher for sending me this audio book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1321723124000, "title": "Shadow In Serenity" }, { "asin": "0310727618", "rating": 4, "text": "This book was inspired by the story \"The Beauty and the Beast\" and as Annabel Chapman was forced into the role of a servant for the beastly Lord Ranulf le Wyse when her family who was once welthy merchants was forced to go into debt.<br /><br />She is burdened with all the household duties and also had to help harvest the barley stalks and also cook for all the others. She was having a very hard life and she was forced into doing jobs she had never done before. Her family also wanted her to marry the Lord so that they could save their home and to keep her brother from having to do hard work. Seems to me they really used the women in the families to take care of the lazy men and boys.<br /><br />Lord Ranulf le Wyse was known to terrifying and beastly and the Lord's bailiff, a bad man in his own had made advances on her. She just wanted out of this house, but with no hope of leaving and she wishes there was someway she could kill the Lord Wyse but could she do this as she knew he needed to accept God and she needed to get closer to God and try to do what he wanted from her.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Zondervan publishing for sending me this book to review and I did so in my own words.", "timestamp": 1326905314000, "title": "The Merchant's Daughter" }, { "asin": "1595549013", "rating": 4, "text": "This is the second book in the series \"A Hickory Ridge Romance\" and it is good to read more about the young widow Carrie Daly. The story takes place in 1876 just after the Civil War was over and she had lost her husband so she didn't think she would ever be ready for another beau. But that was before she met Nate Chastain, he was wanting her to marry him but she was just not ready to settle down with another man yet.<br /><br />When Griff Rutledge 'came to town to help train a Throughbred, he decided to not to go back home to<br />Charleston, SC just yet and to stay in Hickory Ridge for a while. He had met the widow Carrie and took a liking to her but will she like him in return. She was already dating Nate and knew she was not ready to settle down with him, so why would she drop him and put her mind on the highfulating Griff Rutledge? Could their diffrences be settled enought for them to fall for each other.<br /><br />This is a very good book and will keep you turning page after page. I read fast anyway and when I really get into the story I may stay up all night reading. This was such a story.<br /><br />Thanks to BookSneeze for sending me a free copy and I decided to write a review.", "timestamp": 1329243201000, "title": "Beauty For Ashes" }, { "asin": "076420839X", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the second book in \"The Daughters of Caleb Bender\" series where an Amish man in 1920 moves his family to rural Mexico in hopes of escaping religious persecution in Ohio where the family encounters more difficulties and loss. Paradise Valley is nestled between the mountain range of Sierra Madre Oriental. Caleb's the second daughter Miriam, is struggling with her feelings for Domingo, a Nahua who has helped the family settle in to Paradise Valley, but in order to please her family she allows Micah to court her. Then she meets Domingo who calls her \"Cualnezqui\" which means \"beautiful\". Is she getting in over her head with by letting her heart take over. She dreams haunted dreams about being dressed in coarse cotton pants and a peasant shirt. Is this dream trying to tell her something?<br /><br />Rachel, Caleb's youngest daughter has been courting Jake for quite a while as more people move into the valley, the young courting couples are waiting for a minister to come to town so they can get married.<br /><br />This second year in Mexico has turned out worse than the first, and Caleb has to learn to live by faith and not by what he sees. El Pantera the bandit is still causing trouble for the family.<br /><br />Dale has really done well with this series, I read the first one and will be glad when the third one come out, not rushing you Dale but we need the next book.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this free book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1329495489000, "title": "The Captive Heart" }, { "asin": "0310722365", "rating": 5, "text": "This Bible is so pretty and colorful, it is pink what more can I say about a Bible for a girl. It is the New International version and I prefer the KJV but anything to get the message across to our young children. On the inside the pages are written in pink and purple with places to write what they think and it even has some questions for the child to answer and write in her own words.<br /><br />I have an eleven year old granddaughter that is getting my copy and I believe the way that it is layed out will make her want to pick it up every day and read a little. Even a verse or two always helps. All we need to do is plant the seed and God will see that it grows.<br /><br />I believe any little girl would love one of these and it you have a birthday coming up or even put it into their Easter basket. This word is so much nicer than candy. Pick up a copy for your special little girl and I am sure God will bless you.<br /><br />Thanks so much to The B and B Media group for sending this to me and I have posted my own review.", "timestamp": 1331652385000, "title": "NIV FaithGirlz Bible" }, { "asin": "1595548874", "rating": 4, "text": "\"Need You Now\" is Beth Wiseman's first book outside the Amish secter. I have read so many of her books and loved everyone of them. This one is not exception. BookSneeze provided me with this complimentary paperback book.<br /><br />As Darlene and her husband Brad struggle to raise three teenagers, they move from Houston to Round Top, Texas to a farm left to Darlene by her grandparents, but the house needed a lot of repair. The move did not go well with the children and expecially for their middle child Grace who is fifteen. She was trying to deal with her stress and depression, so she became a \"cutter'. (A cutter is someone that hards themself with anything sharp).<br /><br />The move and the problem with their daughter begin to take a toll on their marriage and expecially when Darlene desides to take a job outside the home. They wondered if their faith was going to see them through so they begin to doubt that also. She needed to get away and make some friends and then Darlene begin to receive too much attention from a father of the sutistic young girl she was assigned too in the school for special needs children. She really needed God now, as she and her husband Brad was having issues and the man's attention was very hard to ignore.<br /><br />Will their love for each other and of God get them through?", "timestamp": 1332770062000, "title": "Need You Now" }, { "asin": "0310330432", "rating": 5, "text": "In this story Vannetta brings an Amish woman and an English woman together in a way that I have not read before. Deborah Yoder really needs to sell her quilts to help out with financies in her family, while Callie Harper had inherited a qult shop from her aunt.<br /><br />In Shipshewana a murder and selling quilts brings the two women together. Deborah is Amish and is tall and harty and the mother of five. Callie is English and tiny, young single. Deborah reveals her plans to auction off her quilts on-line, on a computer of all things in a town where most of the residents don't have electricty.<br /><br />A murder takes place and both women set aside their differences to try and solve it and to catch who ever the killer is.<br />I love Amish stories and this one was just great as the two different women work together for the same reason. The idea of a \"friendship quilt\" really works well with these two women. Can't wait untill the next book comes out.<br /><br />Thanks to Zondervan Publishing for sending me this book to read and enjoy and I am doing my own review.'", "timestamp": 1334939894000, "title": "Falling To Pieces An Amish murder mystery" }, { "asin": "076420615X", "rating": 4, "text": "If you like to read stories taking place in the 1800s then you will love this one. The civil war is going on and the folks in Texas are seperated between wanting the North or the South to win. Hannah Dandridge was helping he father raise her two young siblings as her step-mother had died in childbirth. Her dad got the word that his grandfather had been killded in the war and he left his family in the hands of their housekeeper and her family to go aid his grandmother, whom was dying. But he never returned. The rance they lived on had been given to him because he supported the South and he and his lawyer partener were in business together, but he had no idea what his partener was trying to do.<br /><br />When the REAL owner of the ranch returned from the war William Barnett was suprised to find someone else was living in his house. He stayed on for the time being and helped Hannah and the others run the farm and to try and keep the Indians from attacking.<br /><br />What will Hannah do when she finds out for sure her father was dead and she was going to have to raise her 3 year old sister and 7 year old brother. Will she marry her dad's former partner Herbert Lockhart a much older man or will she find another way to survive.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1336060739000, "title": "Chasing the Sun" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "As the time draws near for Esther and Tobias to be married, Esther and her friend Deborah are out with Deborah's daughter to pick flowers they see someone lying dead in the nearby creek. This property belonged to Reuben the brother of Tobias.<br /><br />When the people came out to claim the body Reuben will not say anything and they are blaming him, but he just let's it past and keeps his thoughts to himself. Tobias can't understand his brother keeping everything bottled up inside and letting it fall on his shoulders.<br /><br />As Esther, Deborah and the owner of the quilt shop Callie decide to find out themselves what had happened to this person. At he same time old man Ira Bontrager comes to the women and ask them to help him find out what happened to his daughter that has been missing since 1965.<br /><br />In the first book of the series the women are good at solving mysteries, but can they solve these two?<br /><br />If you like to read about the Amish then you will love this series as it is also a mystery. Something different and new with this community as they usually just keep to themselves and don't try to solve mysteries nor to get involved. I really loved the books and I didn't want to lay them down.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Zondervan Publishers for sending me this free book in order for me to do a review.", "timestamp": 1337716924000, "title": "A Great Series" }, { "asin": "1416599959", "rating": 4, "text": "Deborah Raney is a great author and all the books I have read of hers I always enjoy. Thanks to Glass Roads for sending me this book free for my review.<br /><br /> The story begins the day David was buried after the fire in the Handover Falls homeless shelter had burned and these men had been killed. She did not bury him in Handover Falls where the others were buried but had him buried beside his parents in Springfield.<br /><br />After eighteen months had passed Susan Marlowe is just now beginning to heal somewhat after her husband David had died in a fire alone with four other firefighters. She then discovered that David had carried a secret to the grave with him.<br /><br />She and her sons begin their lived anew after the fire, but what is this secret? Surly there would have been something she had noticed about David. But when she found out, she knew she should have seen it a long time before David's death.<br /><br />Can she learn to find peace again and will she ever find another man to take her late husband's place in her life?", "timestamp": 1338216545000, "title": "A Handover Falls novel" }, { "asin": "1616387157", "rating": 5, "text": "Sixty-three years is a long time as we have been married fifty-one years ourselves. So I loved this book about an older couple, most are about young couples. Thanks Darrel for thinking of my generation. That being said I will get on with what I thought of the book its self.<br /><br />As the story begins it is 2006 and Adam and Elizabeth are at their anniversary party and they were dancing the waltz as they had done for the past sixty-three years.<br /><br />When Adam returned home to Reunion, Montana he was received with a hug from his mother but his father was still holding a grudge because he went to war and left them to manage the farm by themselves. The farm had fallen apart and soon he found out they were about to loose it. He went to the bank to his old friend Nathan Roberts to see what he could do, but Nathan would not work with him. Soon he found out the reason was Elizabeth.<br /><br />He went to a dance and saw Elizabeth Baxter dancing with his high school rival Nathan Roberts. When he got up the nerve to cut in, he knew this was the girl for him.<br /><br />As the story continues you will laugh at some of things and you will cry alone with them at others. I am so happy to have received this free book from Glass Roads to review and to join this tour. This may be Darrel Nelson's first novel but I sure hope there are more to come from him. I really enjoyed it.", "timestamp": 1338903242000, "title": "A must read!!" }, { "asin": "0764206168", "rating": 4, "text": "I have had to oppunity to read a lot of Tracie Peterson's books and have loved all of them. This one is no acception. As the series \"Land of the Lone Star\" contunies Laura Marquardt felt herself becoming more drawn to Captain Brandon Reid. As she was wanting to educate blacks, everyone around her was against it, but Brandon was an officer over them and he was all for her doing this.<br /><br />After Laura's sister married her boyfriend that was in the Confederate army, Laura was so afraid for her sister and that she may be in for more than she bargarined for. It may even cost her, her own life and Laura was really worried about this.<br /><br />As we all know the \"War between the States\" was not a pretty site, as I live in the south and love the old plantation homes and the beautiful homes in Charleston, SC I am so proud to say that I came way after this war. I had a Great-grandfather that was lost near Charleston, he and my great-grandmother had just immigrated from Germany.<br /><br />I loved this series as I love the history of it all. I want to thank Bethany House for sending me this book free for me to post a review.", "timestamp": 1341416241000, "title": "Touching The Sky" }, { "asin": "0736951512", "rating": 5, "text": "When Matthew left the Amish and went out into the English world to live, he left Susanna with a broken heart, but she had to go on, so when Herman Wagler asked to take her home from a singing, she went and they continued to see each other. Then they decided to wed, even though she though her heart still belonged to Matthew.<br /><br />After they had been married three weeks, Matthew showed up at his brother's home and Susanna saw him, then she told him she was married. That was hard for him to believe.<br /><br />Susanna's family celebrated Christmas but Herman's family didn't and there was a disagreement amoung the newely wed on this. But as his wift Susanna went alone with Herman. Will this put a wedge in their marraige? What about the return of her first love Matthew?<br /><br />As always Jerry S Eicher writes a great book on the Amish as he grew up that way himself. Thanks so much to Jerry and Harvest House Publishing for sending me this free book in order for me to review.", "timestamp": 1345559289000, "title": "Another great Christmas book" }, { "asin": "0764209132", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the third book in the series \"The Kincaid Brides\" and anything that Mary Connealy write is always a great read alone with some laughts. I want to thank The auther and Bethany House Publishers for ssending me this book for me to review.<br /><br />When Callie though at Seth had died she tried to go on with her life, she had a little boy and wanted him to be able to get what belonged to him from his father. When she got to the ranch she was determined to claim it for her little boy. She had a hard time getting there with a baby to care for alone the way.<br /><br />When she found her run a-way husband she was ready to shoot him, but knew she could not do that, so she tried everything she could to get even. But you know God does not like for us to get even, we are supposed to forgive and forget which is so hard to do. Will Callie forgive and go alone with her life at the ranch or will she just pick up and leave?<br /><br />You will find this book funny, a little mystery and a whole lot of love to go alone with it.<br />I have read the first two books and I loved this one.", "timestamp": 1346769340000, "title": "Over The Edge, 3rd book in series" }, { "asin": "1595548033", "rating": 5, "text": "Annie Wilkerson lives in Moose Creek Montana and trains horses and she also writes fo Motana Living. She has her younger sister and her nephew to support and writes for Montana Living Magazine. When the magazine cancels her column and is starting to write a love column they offer the job to Annie. She really needed the money the column would bring in, BUT, she has never been in love, so she will just have to wing it. Her neighbor Dylan Taylor need help with his horse and she sees him as a flirt. She asked him that if she helps him with his horse will he help her to understand what it would be like to be in love.<br /><br />She finds out that she had misjudged Dylan as she was around him more, but she still don't feel as though she can trust a cowboy. She knew that her dad has walked out on her mom and he was a cowboy, so she just thought all of them were the same.<br /><br />She has a lot of trouble with her sister Sierra as she want listen to anyhting she tells her, but Annie soon finds out that she is not the one that should be telling her grown sister what to do. When she finds out that she must trust God to be in charge things begin too turn around.<br /><br />I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishing (BookSneeze) in exchange for an honest review.", "timestamp": 1347728131000, "title": "A great Cowboy story" }, { "asin": "0764209787", "rating": 4, "text": "As always one of the best Amish authors had written a book that is dear to our hearts. She was the first author where I read about the Amish (The Shunning and I still have it) but back then everything was so new to me. As I had heard about them but had never saw one nore knew anything about their life style. But Beverly bring it all to life and made me understand some of the things the Amish do.<br /><br />In this book in Hickory Hollow Joanna Kurtz has been in a wedding many times but never her own, when will it be her turn? She loves to write but that is forbidden in her culture but she write where no one knows about it. Joanna was excited about being in her cousin's wedding but did everyone have to ask her when she was getting married. This made her feel so bad and embrassed but she knew that one day the right man would some alone. She and Eben Troyer had been writting to each other but he lived in Indiana and a long distance romance lacked something. Maybe one day Eben would come to Hickory Hollow and make her his bride IF his brother would just come home and stop living in the English world.<br /><br />Will they ever get their chance at happiness? Guess you will need to buy the book to find out all that happens.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House Publisher for sending me this book for review and I was under no obligation to do so.", "timestamp": 1351862602000, "title": "The Bridesmaid" } ]

[ { "asin": "160260696X", "rating": 5, "text": "Set in late nineteenth century Texas in the fictional town of Lookout, the characters dance off the page from the very first scene. When Luke Davis returns to the hometown he left several years, he is excited about being the new town marshal, but dreads facing Rachel, the woman who betrayed him and married his best friend years ago.<br /><br />Between the amusing and endearing antics of young Jacqueline, the ornery Corbett cousins and a whole Texas town of interesting characters, Luke and Rachel have no peace, especially when one of the potential brides brings a twist of intrigue and danger to thicken the plot.<br /><br />A satisfying tale of forgiveness, trust, and second chances, The Anonymous Bride will entertain, inspire and warm the most stoic heart.<br /><br />This book was supplied by Goodreads and Barbour Publishing with no obligation to write a positive review<br /><br />Now The Author: Vickie McDonough is an award-winning inspirational romance author. She has written 16 novels and novellas. Her Heartsong books, The Bounty Hunter and the Bride and Wild At Heart both placed third in the Top Ten Favorite Historical Romance category in Heartsong Present's annual readers' contests. Her stories frequently place in national contests, such as the ACFW Book of the Year contest and the Inspirational Readers Choice Contest. She has also written book reviews for over eight years. Vickie is a wife of thirty-three years, mother of four grown sons and grandma to a feisty three-year-old girl. When she's not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, gardening, watching movies, and traveling.", "timestamp": 1272388280000, "title": "The Anonymous Bride" }, { "asin": "0764205137", "rating": 5, "text": "In 1872, sixteen women are lured to Nebraska with the promise of free land, independence, and an opportunity to start over after the devastating loss of their husbands. What they find when they arrive in Plum Grove, Nebraska is a story of hope, new beginnings, forgiveness, and love. Add in a conniving man who tricked these women into coming west and you have a recipe for conflict. When six women decide to ditch his plans, the fun begins in earnest.<br /><br />Tales of heartbreak, romance and cowboys sweep you away as this story unfolds in the lives of the six women that started over in Four Corners, Nebraska with their new homes and lands. Ella is a strong woman that loves to farm with her mother Zita. Hettie slipped in without anyone knowing she was not one of the brides she had been a doctor's wife. Caroline is as southern as you can get. Ruth was a widow with a young son, and then there was Sally and they all stuck together. They meet Linney a young girl that worked in the store at Plum Grove. The tales just gets deeper and deeper as the story unfolds.<br /><br />I love Stephanie Grace Whitson's books, she always writes a story that keep you spellbound.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy for purpose of review from Bethany House Publishers.", "timestamp": 1273679261000, "title": "Sixteen Brides" }, { "asin": "1595546790", "rating": 5, "text": "Love on a Dime is set in Newport, Rhode Island, 1899, I love stories that take place in the 1800s. I like to read something that I don't have to deal with day by day and that is why I love historical. This is one of those books that you desperately want to know what happens next! This is a novel that I will pull off of the shelf and read over and over again to enjoy. The first novel for James, I expect to see much more from her in the future!<br /><br />I loved to join the Westbrook's for a leisurely summer season in beautiful Newport. Lillian Westbrook is a beauty, strong in her convictions, and modest in her accomplishments who is pursued by Jackson Grail, the handsome, hero. Jackson Grail has regrets. He loved Lilly to pieces and wanted to marry her, but refused to take her away from her life of privilege to live like a pauper. Carla draws you into the story, transporting you into the scenes with charming prose and great word imagery. With each word I could feel the powerful Atlantic Ocean cool my face in the afternoon sun, hear the gulls as I took a relaxing stroll, and see all the breathtaking elegance and luxury that can only be described as Newport!<br /><br />Lilly hides her authorship but people speak highly of the author Fannie Cole, Lilly's pen name. A wonderful, interesting read about secrets and romance and I love the title as it describes the books that used to be called \"Dime Novels\"<br /><br />I would like to thanks to Cara Lynn James and Booksneeze<br /> for sending me a copy to review.", "timestamp": 1275437490000, "title": "LOVE ON A DIME" }, { "asin": "159554870X", "rating": 5, "text": "Kelley Long is a new writer to me and I really enjoy the Amish books, even though there are so many coming out now with this theme. Kelley put a whole new twist on the Amish story. This book started out with a bang and ended with one.<br />When I started reading it I thought it would be the same as the others I have read and enjoyed but this one was so different.<br /><br />Sarah was the only daughter at home with older brothers and she loved to garden, that was her top priority, she didn't care for quilting or sewing as most of the Amish women tend to do. But she could make a mean garden and knew about all the plants.<br />When a new vet moved into the Amish community everything started to change. He was loved by all and did his work great but he was not Amish. This did not seem to brother the people as other books led us to believe in the past. They took him on as one of them.<br />Sarah was a loner as she didn't like to meet a lot of people, (I understand her because that is the way I am) but she was made to run the stand that the Amish make a lot of their money from in the summer, and she hated it. She didn't know what she was going to do when the \"Englishers\" came. She decided to start a quilt top for her sister's baby that would soon make his appearance, so this is the way she got by sitting all day at the stand.<br />As the story unfolds the Amish man that is in love with her \"but she not him\" keeps trying to get her to go out with him and he is a nice man but she grew up with him as a friend and that is all he will ever be.<br /><br />She does get by and with her new nephew she begin to see things more in the light of an Amish woman and even starts her own quilt and has a quilting party. This is a must read for all that enjoy Amish books, it is a good clean Christian book with a new twist.<br /><br />This book was sent to me for review by BookSneeze", "timestamp": 1277481538000, "title": "Sarah's Garden" }, { "asin": "1414323867", "rating": 5, "text": "Lilly Corbett Gray, loves pretty things, and animals. Always on the lookout to rescue a hurting animal or to spring some evil traps, Lilly is a little girl with a big heart. However that rescue mode is what leads Lilly into the biggest mess of her life. Excited about her month long visit to her Aunt Alice in the city, she is anxious to go. Waiting for Manda the hired girl to finish her chores, and walk her to the coach, that will take her to the train, Lilly hears a dog who is hurting. Unable to leave it be, she goes to investigate and finds her neighbor throwing a sack of puppies into a pond, and what she heard was the mama dog wanting her pups. While rescuing the pups, the neighbor catches her and locks her up in a shed. Finding Lilly gone, Manda figures she just walked to the coach alone. And Manda has her own troubles, the no good middling man from the band at the barn dance, has tried to take advantage of her in the barn and beat her up. Manda runs away to her sisters, not wanting anyone to see her in the state she was in. The train that Lilly was on going to her aunts, has a horrible crash, killing and injuring many people and sending Lilly's family and friends into a panic of worry. Will they find Lilly in time? Will they discover she isn't on the train and find her in the shed? What will happen to Lilly Corbett Gray? This story, set in the late 1890's is a great read.<br /><br />This book will be released by Tyndale in August 2010. 376 pages US $12.99 4 stars.<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale for review purposes only in my own words", "timestamp": 1280855347000, "title": "Still House Pond" }, { "asin": "1433669366", "rating": 5, "text": "Alaska 1897, aboard a steamship Ellen Pierce was on her way to the gold field to satisfy her sick brother Johan who has mental problems and she is afraid of him, as her mother on her death bed made her promise to take care of her brother. She had meet a man on board that had talked to her named Buck Lewis. They were racing with time as the river would soon freeze over. There was a large shaking of the ship and they all went up to see what had happened, and the ship was stuck in ice with no way to get it out until the thaw. Buck Lewis said he was not staying and more men wanted to go with him, along with them, Johan said he was going so that meant that Ellen had to go also.<br /><br />This was a very hard and cold trip which took all the energy they could endure and only the strongest would survive the journey by foot to reach Dawson City. Johan didn't make it so that left Ellen alone with no where to go, upon arriving in Dawson City, she realized it was going to be very hard as she didn't have much money and everything was so expensive. With a very few options, she must learn to trust God for her survival.<br /><br />This is the first book I have read by Carie but I loved the beautiful book and the story. It was well presented and is a book I will keep and read over. I ma looking forward reading more of her books in the near future.<br /><br />I received this free copy of this book from B&H books in exchange for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1284482010000, "title": "The Snowflake, a Novella" }, { "asin": "0764206710", "rating": 5, "text": "Ruth Livingstone's life changes the day her father puts a young child in her arms and sends her to a small village in New Jersey under an assumed name. There Ruth pretends to be a widow with a small child while her Preacher Father is tried for murder of the child's prostitute mother. They are sent to live with some of her Father's followers.<br /><br />Asher Tripp is the newspaperman who determines that this case is the event he can use to redeem himself as a journalist with his brother, who owns the local paper.<br /><br />Ruth finds that tending a small garden along the banks of the Toms River is a place where she can find a measure of peace in the midst of the sorrow that continues to build. It is here that Asher Tripp finds a temporary residence, all in an attempt to discover if the lovely creature known as Widow Malloy is truly Ruth Livingstone, the woman every newspaper has been looking for.<br /><br />When Asher and Ruth meet it is anything but love, but as they get to know each other will love begin to bloom and it it does will it be strong enough to withstand the secrets that separate them?<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House for review.", "timestamp": 1285454011000, "title": "Love's First Bloom" }, { "asin": "0825425905", "rating": 5, "text": "After returning from a photo shoot in Indonesia, Camden Bristow finds herself without a job, and in debt. Fount magazine has gone bankrupt due to the economy and everyone has disappeared along with her paycheck. With her savings gone and and no other job in the future, Camden decides to make a trip to visit her beloved grandma, Rosalie. Upon arriving in Ohio, Camden learns her grandmother has recently passed away and left her home, Crescent Hill, to her. Crescent Hill her grandmother's home has always been the only \"real\" home in Camden's life. While dealing with the loss of her grandmother, Crescent Hill suddenly becomes insecure and unsafe. Not knowing whom she can trust, Camden is thrown into the unknown, and soon discovers the many secrets of Crescent Hill and the Bristow family. Camden's life will change forever and she is forced to re-evaluate and learn how to better trust in God. \"Refuge on Crescent Hill\" is more than just a title for this book. It harbors the truth and lessons in this wonderful novel.<br />\"Refuge on Crescent Hill\" will make you not find a page you can stop on from the moment you begin reading, you will want to know more. It is mystery and suspense wrapped up in historical fiction. I loved the historical fiction that in in this story. The author does a wonderful job of bringing four different stories into one, interweaving them until they blend at the end. Each character is well developed and brings something different to the story.<br /><br />While the story is predictable at times, there are many moments that will surprise you and keep you wondering. The book was very hard to put down. I really enjoyed reading this novel and would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fiction, mystery, suspense, genealogy, or Christian fiction. Melanie did a great job of keeping my interest and not wanting it to end.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Kregel Publications for review.", "timestamp": 1287962753000, "title": "Refuge On Cresent Hill" }, { "asin": "1609360257", "rating": 5, "text": "Easter Lange loved her fiance' or though she did. She had a one time stand with him in the back of a car and from that union she had a little girl. Linus went to war and when he found out about the baby he had sent her to live with his very proper parents. She lived in the attic with her little girl but she also worked as a nurse at the hospital. Her family had shunned her when they found out about her pregnancy so she had no where else to go.<br /><br />Meanwhile in Germany Linus had been wounded really bad and gave the medic a letter to send to Easter, when she received it in another letter from the medic, she would not open it as she knew that Linus was dead. She also kept this from his parents. She kept writing back and forth to the medic whose name is Peter. He lived in Markesan Wisconsin and she lived a way from him but within a days ride by train, so her friend talked into going to meet him. When she got there she found out he was a POW from Germany. She ran away as she could not believe he was a Gemany soldier<br /><br />Different things begin to happen, she found Peter at the hospital where she worked as he had been beaten up and was very bad. She also was treating Charlie who had lost a leg in the war and then had jumped off the top of the hospital but some how survived but didn't know anyone.<br /><br />The POW camp was moved to their city and some of the Germans hated the Americans and plotted ways to get even. You must read this book, it is packed full of anything you may want to read. History, nurses, doctors, farmers and so on. Susan May Warren did a great job on this one.<br /><br />Thanks to Amy at Litfuse Publicity Group for review.", "timestamp": 1289234808000, "title": "Nightingale" }, { "asin": "0764207326", "rating": 5, "text": "As I live on the East coast I love any book that is written on it. This book by Alice J. Wisler is such a book, it takes place at the Outer Banks North Carolina. They lived in a tourist town of Hatteras and Jackie Donovan works for the newspaper there called \"The Lighthouse News\". She loves her town and everything in it, as her parents had moved her to Charlotte, NC when she was younger but she came back to the Outer Banks. She and her friend Minnie and Millie's young son lived in a duplex near the beach. Millie's husband had gotten killed in a boating accident the year before and she was still having trouble over losing him.<br /><br />Jackie and Millie used to visit the Bailey House, a bed and breakfast , when they were small and Jackie had always dreamed of owing the house and opening up her own. She was having trouble finding who owned it and she finely found out Davis Erickson (the Bailey's grandson) owned it and she started talking to him about getting the house. She even started dating him, but there was something wrong with that, she just didn't know what every one else in town knew about him. She was almost thirty and her family and friends were always setting her up with blind dates but they always went wrong. So she though she had found the perfect man. But had she? She just didn't know what he was like and then maybe there was someone that had always been there just waiting for her to notice him.<br /><br />I loved this book, but as I said I live in SC but not on the coast and I knew where the Outer Banks are and the language had its southern charm, just like I have always been used too. This is the first book I have read by Alice J. Wisler but I hope to read more, I really enjoyed it. I have got to mention that Jackie loved her \"Diet Pepsi\" so do I.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers for review.", "timestamp": 1289319747000, "title": "Hatteras Girl" }, { "asin": "0764208500", "rating": 4, "text": "Amy Gallagher is a want a be writer. She is at the age of 30 and she feel her clock is ticking away. But she just received her story back (AGAIN the 27th time) from another magazine, Will she ever find anyone that will buy her story? She quit her job and went back to school and got her master's degree, but has had to become a part time English professor to pay her bills. To beat it all her boy friend of was breaking up with her in the school cafeteria (cheap to eat there) and he just walked off, no regret.<br /><br />She had become friend with another writer Zoe' that could sell anything she wrote. Zoe' had moved in with her and that help both of them pay their bills. Amy hated to correct papers from her students, that was not something she wanted to do for the rest of her life. She had rather make to-do list that write a story, what was she going to do?<br /><br />The cast of characters in Amy's real world (a fundie mom, a socially-awkward office mate. Then there is the young man that lands on her sofa due to bedbugs in his old apartment. As Amy begins to see her-self better she can start to find out you she really is. I was sure that Amy would get a little stronger by the end but she was determination to succeed, fall in love and not lose her faith in the process.<br /><br />This is my first read of Bethany Pierce's and I found it enjoyable.<br /><br />Bethany House provided me with a review copy of this book.", "timestamp": 1289517047000, "title": "Amy Inspired" }, { "asin": "0307458997", "rating": 5, "text": "I received this book from Library Thing and I want to thank you for it. I read the entire book last night and it keep me turning page after page.<br />The story started while Cora was looking for that special Christmas gift. It was icy and her car slid off the road and messed up her tie rod, so while they were towing her car she went shopping, She had heard about a book store on the internet and she felt like this is where she would find that gift. She walked to an older part of town and found the store, the door was stuck and she had a time getting in as the man just sit behind the counter reading a book. She finally got the door to open and from then on everything was like the old fairy tales that she had heard when she was a child. The man knew what she wanted and when she got the book home a slip of paper fell out and it was an invitation to a Christmas ball, but no time or place.<br /><br />The same thing happened to her boss's boss when he went to the store. Sometime you could find the street that was only a few blocks from where they worked but if you were driving a car, you could not find it. He bought a book also and the same thing happened to him an invitation fell from the book.<br /><br />Oh this book is great and so right to read as the Christmas season approaches. You will laugh and you may even shed a tear or two but either way, it will take you back to a fairy land.", "timestamp": 1290298098000, "title": "Two tickets to the Christmas Ball" }, { "asin": "0307457176", "rating": 4, "text": "Showing newest posts with label Review. Show older posts<br />Showing newest posts with label Review. Show older posts<br />Dec 27, 2010<br />Photobucket<br /><br />TANDEM<br />by<br />Tracey Bateman<br /><br />My Review:<br />I have read a lot of books by Tracey Bateman but this is the first from any author I have read about vampires. The book was a good read but different, it was hard for me to get through the \"Hunting\" parts of the book, but other than that it was an interesting book. It has romance, mystery and about anything you could want from a book. The main character was Lauryn McBride who is dealing with her father that has Alzheimer's and trying to run the auction business that her dad had started in Abbey Hills, Mo. She was working on an old mansion that had belonged to Markus Chisom who had perished in a fire. She was having to go through everything and catalogue it for the estate sale that was to be held. She really needed the money but was having trouble as there were so many killings lately in the small town, people and animals.<br /><br />In comes Amede Dastillion from New Orleans that had received a package from Lauryn that held some letters that had belonged to one of her long ago relatives, or maybe not? She came to town and would not leave, then along with her was her assistance Juliette that meet a man there in town that said he was a reporter going from small town to town, but he wouldn't leave either.<br /><br />Then there was this reporter Miranda that had a blog and worked part time at the diner. I am telling you folks that this book will blow your mind, I am a Christian and this is a Christian based book that does refer to the Bible with Billy, a missionary and his father who is the pastor of the church. You really just need to read this for yourselves, it is a different book.<br /><br />My Thought:<br />As I said before I am a Christian and I only read Christian fiction books and I really didn't know this one was about vampires, but it was different. I got the impression at the last of the book that the author may have thrown in a part that you are born in a certain life style, but in the Bible it says we are may in the image of God, so we know the type of man HE is if we read out Bibles. I may be wrong in assuming that she meant this but as I said that is the impression that I got. I don't believe in vampires either, not ghost and so on.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Blogging for Books a division of WaterBrook Press free just for my review.", "timestamp": 1293467802000, "title": "Tandem" }, { "asin": "082542674X", "rating": 4, "text": "Sheila Franklin lived in New Orleans in 1940s when she was growing up and loved music. She loved Jazz but her mother wouldn't let her play it. She could play piano and the was learning the clarinet, which her father played. She loved to roam around the music filled streets in the Quarter of New Orleans and she could keep secrets and loved to slip around and find out things. But her world as she knew it disappeared the night her family home burned and she lost both her parents. She went to live with her grandmother that had her name changed form Sheba to Shelia.<br /><br />After she grows up and married a pastor her past starts to come back as the phone rung and the man on the other end asked for Sylvia Allen and as her son come on the scene she had to do some confession to her son whom she had abandoned against her will when he was few days old. She also had some secrets that she had to tell her Pastor husband Edward. In the 1960s what all she had been hiding. Will the truth hurt their marriage and what will Edward say about a son he never knew about?<br /><br />This book was a good read as it takes you back to New Orleans in the days when in the Quarters the music was beautiful and the color made no difference. I have never been to New Orleans but would like to go, and see all I have read about. Patti Lacy has written some good books relating to history as she has written \"What The Bayou Saw\" and \"An Irishwoman's Tales\"<br /><br />Thanks to Kregel Publications for sending me this free copy to review.", "timestamp": 1295205336000, "title": "The Rhythm of Secrets" }, { "asin": "1595545395", "rating": 5, "text": "Lucy runs and operated a home for homeless girls eighteen years old or so, once the foster care system has turned them out, they have no where to go, as she was homeless for a while when she was young she had a place in her heart for these girls. But when the highest contributor \"Sinclair Enterprises\" cut her out of their help she had no idea what she was going to do, in able to keep this home open for her girls.<br /><br />She was a very nervous person and had no self esteem she had a problem with asking for more help but she did it anyway. But the Spencer company would not give an inch so she was despair in what to do in order to keep the home open. She met an old school mate of hers that had been a professional football player, Alex Sinclair, but had hurt his knee and now he was running for congress. She got tied up with him and he offered her a way to save the home, but could she do it.<br /><br />She found out somethings about herself that she never knew, as her mother had gotten killed in a car wreck when she was younger, but had been able to send her to a boarding school and then she went to college with a scholarship or did she? She will find out things her mother never told her and Alex will try to put a closer to his twin brother's death while trying to fun for Congress. Can they work out their problems and both of them fine out what God has in store for them?<br /><br />This book was sent to me by BookSneeze in order for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1295538273000, "title": "Save The Date" }, { "asin": "1595547916", "rating": 5, "text": "Katie McKenna had left her home town of New Orleans to get away from a terrible embarrassment and she had moved to California. She had left her mother behind and all her friend except a college friend Eileen whom she roomed with, but she had known her in New Orleans and Eileen knew what her problem was.<br /><br />An old rich boyfriend showed up at her door and was determine to take her back to New Orleans on his private jet for his brother's wedding. Katie had worked while she went to college in a bar as a singer and dancer. She did not ever drink but she used her talents without it. She was determined not to go back to New Orleans and had not even went to see her mother since she had left eight years ago. Her dad had run a grocery store during her growing up years but was not dead. Her mom had remarried and she had never met her new step-father.<br /><br />She was not sort of engaged to a man names Dexter, who really was a bore and he didn't even mind when she left with Luc DeForges the multi-millionaire old boy friend. Will she be able to face the people in her home town and the family of DeForges? Will Dexter ever really be engaged to Katie? You need to buy this book and find out for yourself, I promise you will not be disappointed. A really great read.<br /><br />This is the first time I have read any of Kristin Billerbeck's work but I want to read more, even if I am not a your woman but a great-granny. I think anyone will enjoy her books.<br /><br />This book was sent to me for review by Audra Jennings of The B and B Media Group for my review.", "timestamp": 1296585444000, "title": "A Billion Reasons Why" }, { "asin": "143470212X", "rating": 4, "text": "As I was reading through this book I have never known how bad the women suffer in other parts of the world. Kim was a devoted wife and mother that went to church and did what she thought God wanted her to do. She had a high paying job with her way to the top and her second husband Milton felt that something was missing in their lives. As all the children were out of the house except two girls, they throught they had everything but they both were still unhappy. As they started to pray about this, it seem that an answer came that Kim didn't want to hear. She wanted to do what God asked but on her own terms.<br /><br />This book is really an eye opener and as we think we have it bad here in America, we just don't see what goes on in other parts of the world even though we see some of the things on TV it is not the same as being there. Kimberly and Milton Smith started a organization \"Make Way Partners\" in which they run and are trying to build the only private and ingeniously based anti-trafficking network in Africa and Eastern Europe. For more information on this project check out their site and read all about it.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by The B and B Media Group for my own thoughts and review.", "timestamp": 1297445478000, "title": "Passport Through Darkness" }, { "asin": "1854249746", "rating": 3, "text": "First let me say that this is not a book that I could get into, I did the best I could and tried to understand this period of time. It was set in 14th century Oxford and about the medieval.<br /><br />I think that Mel Starr knows what he is writing about and I believe he has studied this period of time and the way things were done. In this third novel, Hugh de Singleton a surgeon in the village of Bampton, near Oxford. Hugh liked Kate who proved a help in finding the missing books that were stolen from Master Wyclif's rooms and are up-for-grabs. . There are some very interesting people out to stop him, some are determined to stop him permanently if necessary, as they are have greed and really do not care for Mel at all.<br /><br />This book was sent to me buy Kregel Publications for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1298486328000, "title": "A Trail of Ink" }, { "asin": "1595548017", "rating": 5, "text": "Abigale Jones lives in Chicago and is a reporter for her mom's magazine \"Viewpoint\". She works way too much as has high blood pressure and a lot of headaches. Her sister is a doctor and she tells Abigale that she need to slow down, but her mom had to just make her take a leave from the magazine and to go to Moose Creek, Montana to check on her great aunt. Her dad had died because of high blood pressure and they were trying to take care that she did everything she was suppose to do in order for that not to happen to her.<br /><br />When she gets to her great aunt's house there is not place for her to sleep except on an old sofa, so when the opportunity comes alone for her to be a nanny for the summer to a little girl just up the road she takes that. As she and Maddy grows close, Abigale begins to really like the \"Big Sky Country\". Maddy had lost her mother before she and her cowboy dad moved from Texas to try to leave old memories. She needed a woman figure in her life as every summer she had a new nanny and that was very upsetting for her. Maddy's dad Wade Ryan owned a large ranch and was busy all the time so he couldn't spend the time with her as she needed.<br /><br />Everything was going alone great until Abigale's reporter nose found a story that she could not turn down as the future of \"Viewpoint\" was in trouble, so even though she was suppose to be resting she was still trying to save the magazine. Then everything begin to fall apart, with her and the new friends she had made in Montanna.<br /><br />I loved this book, it has everything in it that a reader like myself loves. Denise really did a great job with writing it.<br /><br />Thanks so much to The B and B Media group for sending me this book for review.", "timestamp": 1301500345000, "title": "A Coyboy's Touch" }, { "asin": "0781403790", "rating": 5, "text": "Mable and her friend Sarah Jane as they find themselves in one scrape after another! I find so many of the little stories in both books that are related to myself and my niece Gail as we were growing together. We were in my own Mama's attic since I was a very late baby and had a niece about the same age. When I was reading these books I just lay in my bed and laughed and said \"oh yeah\" we did that. I am now a great-grandmother but like to read these books to my little grandchildren and tell them \"you Mama T did that\" it is so very hard for them to believe that I was ever that young. The entire Grandma's Attic Series I believe would be a set of books that you will pass on down so they can be kept and read to all your ancestors. I have only read these two and to tell the truth had never head of them before. But not that I have I want to get the other books in the series, I relate to so much. I am so thankful to B and B Group for sending me these two books for my review.<br /><br />The entire Grandma's Attic Series I believe would be a set of books that you will pass on down so they can be kept and read to all your ancestors. I have only read these two and to tell the truth had never head of them before. But not that I have I want to get the other books in the series, I relate to so much.<br /><br />I am so thankful to B and B Group for sending me these two books for my review.", "timestamp": 1301678340000, "title": "Grandma's Attic" }, { "asin": "0310250676", "rating": 5, "text": "Life is a vicious cycle in the life of drug uses. When the mother stays high on drugs and has a baby or a child is raised in that home then it goes on with the new generation doing the same thing they grow up with. This is the case of Jordan a fifteen year old girl that uses drug so much and she just became a mother of a baby girl. Jordan's mother and brother both live with her and they would not stay sober long enough to take the girl to a hospital, so Jordan had to deliver her own baby.<br /><br />But this book is more about another family that tries to help Jordan. Barbara has a daughter \"Emily\" that was a drug user and is now in a place \"New Day\" where they keep them for a year so that the drugs can get out of their systems. She also has a fifteen year old son \"Lance\" and this is where they had met Jordan, as she was there for a while but decided to leave and went right back to the old life style she was in.<br /><br />Lance enjoys going to visit his sister as he like to tease and talk to the girls there but he also was one that had turned down drugs and liked to help people. Barbara had raised her children in a Christian home as she was a widow and she had a hard time trying to raise them. money wise.<br /><br />I would have loved to have been able to read the first books as I am sure they tell more about how the drug lords drag the young people into the life of abusing their bodies and minds with drugs. This is the first book that I have read that really made you feel as though you were living the life of these people and it make you see how easy it is for even your child can get into the habit of drugs.<br /><br />Terri does a wonderful job with this book as she does all that she writes.<br /><br /> I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting my review from Christian Review of Books.", "timestamp": 1301929460000, "title": "Victious Cycle" }, { "asin": "1433668688", "rating": 5, "text": "Marrianne Sommer was born on the day her two sisters were killed in a buggy/eighteen wheeler accident. The parents and children were on their way home when Abe the father kept dozing off and before he knew it the accident happened.<br /><br />Marrianne was name for the two sisters and her older brother Levi was only three at the time. Now Levi is grown and has left home for an English life style, Marrianne is (sort of) dating Amos Zook, even though he had never dated her, there was just and understanding. He was building them a house but she had never saw it. Abe had taken all he could at their home in Indiana and wanted to move to Montana where his brother lived. They packed up everything and moved to a new way of life. The Amish were few in this area and they mixed in with the English. Marrianne had told Amos that she was only staying six months and she would return home to him, but will she?<br /><br />Everything was different here in Montana the homes were far apart and there was no place to farm so what was Abe going to do? Marrianne went to work and was getting involved with an Englich man named Billy, he was a driver for the Amish but didn't know many of their ways. Will the family decide to stay in Montana or will they go back to their seventy acre farm in Indiana? This book was different than a lot of the Amish books I have read, as in this one they mingled with the Englich a lot more than most of the ones did, from the other Authors.<br /><br />This is the first Amish book Tricia Goyer has written but she has plenty other books under her belt. Good book.<br /><br />This book was sent to me free from Litefuse Publicity Group for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1302541119000, "title": "Beside Still Waters" }, { "asin": "1595547851", "rating": 5, "text": "When I started to read this book and all the way through until I read the \"Afterwards\" page did I know that this is about real people, but written in a fiction manner. I love books that are based on the 1800s and this one is just that. The author really did her research and came up with the real names of the saddle makers and used them in this story.<br /><br />It is about a man that lives in Ohio and makes saddles, he also is a traveling preacher. He is the father of three daughters and the oldest one is having to raise and take care of the two younger ones as the mother died in childbirth. Ann Miller is the oldest daughter and she is left alone with the little girls a lot when her father goes on his preaching jobs. She had no idea what he did or where he went on these journeys but when he was home he made some of the most beautiful saddles of anyone. He was always getting orders for them. And on one of these trips to make a saddle he carried his three daughters to Pittsburgh and they stayed with the doctor that lived next door to another saddle maker. That is when they found two of the most underfed and tattered young men they had ever seen. These were the saddle maker's apprentice but they were indentured slaves.<br /><br />This book goes through helping slaved to freedom, the loves of Ann Miller and helping Tom and Will the indentured slaves to get away from their mean owners that beat them. It is so written that I wanted to just get in there with the author and help these people myself. This is my first time reading anything written by Rosslyn Elliott and I hope to get to read the others in this series.<br /><br />Thanks to BookSneeze for sending me this book free to read and review in my own words and thoughts.", "timestamp": 1303744625000, "title": "Fairer than Morning" }, { "asin": "1595545352", "rating": 4, "text": "When FBI agent Raleigh Harmon decides to go on vacation alone with her mom, her aunt and her aunt's friend she never thought that it would end up with her having to work. They took a cruise to Alaska but when there was a murder/suicide the ship had to turn around and not go into port. The crew was trying to keep this a secret but on the ship the gossip flies. Raleigh found herself right in the middle of it as they tried to find out what happened.<br /><br />There was a movie crew on board trying to shot a movie with their drunken leading man and this was his wife that was missing. This case was so tough that she had them bring in a Special Agent to help with this case. She had found a very valuable ring at the scene but it kept coming up missing and then not missing, this was very hard for her to figure out. She knew a lot about rocks and valuable stones as she had studied it in college.<br /><br />The the Special Agent got there it was handsome Jack Stephanson, whom she did not care for, but she had to accept his help. They begin to work together and she found out that he was not as bad as she thought.<br /><br />This is the first book I have read of Sibella's but really enjoyed it. I have chatted with her on Facebook and I was so glad to win this book in a Thomas Nelson contest. Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson and also to Sibella Giorell for this book and the review is my own thoughts.", "timestamp": 1304611697000, "title": "The Mountains Bow Down" }, { "asin": "082543310X", "rating": 4, "text": "Just as World War 2 was beginning fifteen year old Julien Losier was very upset with his parents as they were moving them from Paris and all his friends to a small village Tanieux in central France where his father grew up and just up the road from his grandfather's farm. This was a small town and he just knew he would never fit in with these people.<br /><br />There is another girl Nina Krenkel alone with her brother had to leave their country on their father's command and go to Austria and he told them to burn their papers and not to tell anyone they were Jewish. They arrived in Tanieux ill and in despair. She didn't know what she was going to do. Then she and her brother met up with Julien Losier.<br /><br />They though as by going there they would run from the Nazis and be safe but nowhere was safe from Hitler. He and his sister both knew they would never be safe as they watched their father die and then tried to run to Austria alone with a Jewish boy they had meet and helped. None of them knew how close to death they would come too as they struggled to stay alive.<br />This book was written well and the authors seemed to know what they were writing about.<br /><br /> I usually don't like anything about World War 2 as I was born during this time and had a brother and 3 brothers-in-law in Germany fighting, three came back alive but one of my brothers-in-law was in a box. But this book was interesting and written in a way for younger people, so I was able to understand it better. I am a great-grandmother so it takes something that really explains things for me to understand. I really am a history buff so I rate this book as a 4.5<br /><br />Thanks so much to Kregel Publications for the free copy of this book in order for me to review.", "timestamp": 1305397282000, "title": "How Huge The Night" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 5, "text": "Susannah leaves her family home after her parents are killed and she can not make it on her own, She didn't have any suitors and had never dated so her Pastor sent her to the Dakota prairie to marry his brother whom she had never met. She was having problems with the banker of their town and he would not leave her alone so she though this was best to get away from it all.<br /><br />When Susannah met Jesse at the so called train depot she had no idea what type of house he lived in but they were married by proxy before she left. On their way to their land claim he redid their marriage vows himself.<br /><br />Is is very a very hard life as when she got to their house it was made of sod and so small they kept running into each other when they moved. Jesse had been in the War between the States and still had some bad dreams about this as Susannah was so afraid the banker would find her.<br /><br />When the grasshoppers came and destroyed everything they had planted, Jesse decided to go away and try to find a job leaving Susannah at home and alone except for their dog and a couple they lived on the next claim.<br /><br />As she waited for his return she found out she was expecting a baby and did everything she could to protect it as far as moving to town and teaching a very small school. But she is tougher than Jesse thought as she held everything together and kept herself up.<br /><br />I really loved this book and didn't want it to end. I think this was the first book that I have read by Catherine Richmond and sure want to read some more.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by BookSneeze for my honest review,", "timestamp": 1306698971000, "title": "Loved this book, Spring for Susannah" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 4, "text": "Set in the 1800s Clara Endicott was the daughter of wealthy parents but she was best friends with Daniel Tremain who worked in a steel mill alone with his father, he was taking his exam in order to get a scholarship for college when he was called away and his father was under a steam boiler that had exploded up. He was the only one that knew how to keep it from blowing more and to help so they could get his father from under the hot boiler. He got it fixed but his father did not survive. Daniel was very smart in the ways of inventing things so as he had to work and keep his mother and sisters up, he kept working on making things better. They both loved music and even composed some of their own. They loved the classics and played together every day.<br /><br />Clara was sent to an aunt in England as her parents wanted to get her away from Danial as she was sixteen. She was sent to an aunt but that did not stop her form pressuring her dream as a witter and it really got her in trouble as she exploded the coal mine owners that worked the children under the ground. She found herself in jail and thought that she would have to spend a long time there when her brother came from America and got her out, but she had to be on a ship back to America by sundown. She had not heard from Daniel since she had gone to England ten years ago, and he had not heard from her, even though both of them had written to each other.<br /><br />When she got back on America soil she soon found out had powerful Daniel had become and the companies that he owned. She still felt as though he was her best friend so when they met in an Opera House that he had built that friendship was still there.<br /><br />I love the books that are written from the 1800s and this one is no exception. It is well written even though I have not read any of Elizabeth Camden's work before.<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.", "timestamp": 1306856569000, "title": "The Lady of Bolton Hill" }, { "asin": "1414333064", "rating": 5, "text": "This is my first time reading one of Gina Holmes' books and I know it will not be my last. A very good story that just kept me turning page after page.<br /><br />As Eric and Kyra Yoshida has thought their marriage was over, Krya was in an accident that left some of her memory gone, as she didn't remember that they were separated. Their only son Benji had just left for the navy as this was what he had always wanted. He was more of a mama's boy than his dad's, so this had really turned Kyra's life around alone with the separation from her husband.<br /><br />Eric worked as a car salesman and as this was not the job he wanted it made the most money so he had taken a job and moved his family from their home by the sea to this fancy neighborhood. where none of them was happy.<br /><br />As the story continues it will tell things about a marriage that happens to almost everyone, but can they overcome this and do as they had promised God when they married that \"Death do they part?\"<br /><br />This book was sent to me by Tyndale Publications for my review.", "timestamp": 1314026247000, "title": "Dry as Rain" }, { "asin": "0764208055", "rating": 4, "text": "El Paso, Texas, August, 1886 as the story begins, Elizabeth Evans a widow and the daughter of a state senator and had come to help her brother with his newspaper. This part of Texas was so close to the border of Mexico that even then they were having trouble with this country. Some of the leaders in Mexico did not like what Lloyd wrote in his newspaper and killed him soon after the arrival of Elizabeth. Then she was taken with them and that is where the Texas Rangers came into the picture.<br /><br />This book is so full of romance, suspense and history that I could hardly lay it down, I finished it in two sittings. I have read the first one in this series also and it was just as good. Yvonne Harris has a way to tell these historical stories.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House for sending me this book at no cost to me and I chose to review it.", "timestamp": 1314804429000, "title": "A River to Cross" }, { "asin": "0805448152", "rating": 5, "text": "Lady Kendra Townsend was an only child as he mother died giving birth to her, as she and her father lived in England. Her father had a twin brother but he was not nice at all and he gambled everything he could get his hands on and always came to his brother Edward to bail him out. But this time it took everything Edward had to bail him out so he and Kendra had to live being very poor. Edward died and Andrew the twin took over the title and came to the castle and also was going to make Kendra marry an old man just so he could get the inheritance that was left to her from her grandmother once she married. She refused to marry the old man so her uncle shipped her off to America to her mother's sister that Kendra had never met.<br /><br />On the ship that she traveled on she was the only passenger as it was a cargo ship only but she was treated kind and was watched to be sure none of the sailors bothered her. The captain of the ship is Dorian Colburg and he really liked her but was determined never to marry again as he was married once before and his wife died.<br /><br />What will Kendra find when she gets to America and to her aunt and uncle's place?<br /><br />This is really a good book if you love romance, and adventure, Jamie Carie writes very good books as I have read a lot of her books.<br /><br />Thanks to B and H for sending me this advanced readers edition of this book to read and review.", "timestamp": 1316025327000, "title": "Pirate of My Heart" }, { "asin": "0310332311", "rating": 4, "text": "As you put the first cd into your player you are ready for a great story as only Terri Blackstock can tell it. Her work always keeps you wondering what is coming next.<br /><br />Carney Sullivan grew up in the world of a traveling carnival, she wanted a place to call home so she settled for Serenity Texas. She makes a home and has a child and a new faith. But she can spot a con artist as soon as she sees them as her father was one.<br /><br />Then she meet the swave Logan Brisco she knows right away the he also was a con artist even thought he was so very good looking and word some of the fanciest clother. He was out for no good and it seems that Carney was the only one in the town that knew this. He had everyone fooled but he was planning on getting anything he could from the good people encluding Carney's heart. Can she warn the people of the town who they are dealing with or will her heart stand in the way,<br /><br />This story is a suspence that you can't wait until you can hear more. Thanks so much to Zondervan Publisher for sending me this audio book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1321723124000, "title": "Shadow In Serenity" }, { "asin": "0310727618", "rating": 4, "text": "This book was inspired by the story \"The Beauty and the Beast\" and as Annabel Chapman was forced into the role of a servant for the beastly Lord Ranulf le Wyse when her family who was once welthy merchants was forced to go into debt.<br /><br />She is burdened with all the household duties and also had to help harvest the barley stalks and also cook for all the others. She was having a very hard life and she was forced into doing jobs she had never done before. Her family also wanted her to marry the Lord so that they could save their home and to keep her brother from having to do hard work. Seems to me they really used the women in the families to take care of the lazy men and boys.<br /><br />Lord Ranulf le Wyse was known to terrifying and beastly and the Lord's bailiff, a bad man in his own had made advances on her. She just wanted out of this house, but with no hope of leaving and she wishes there was someway she could kill the Lord Wyse but could she do this as she knew he needed to accept God and she needed to get closer to God and try to do what he wanted from her.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Zondervan publishing for sending me this book to review and I did so in my own words.", "timestamp": 1326905314000, "title": "The Merchant's Daughter" }, { "asin": "1595549013", "rating": 4, "text": "This is the second book in the series \"A Hickory Ridge Romance\" and it is good to read more about the young widow Carrie Daly. The story takes place in 1876 just after the Civil War was over and she had lost her husband so she didn't think she would ever be ready for another beau. But that was before she met Nate Chastain, he was wanting her to marry him but she was just not ready to settle down with another man yet.<br /><br />When Griff Rutledge 'came to town to help train a Throughbred, he decided to not to go back home to<br />Charleston, SC just yet and to stay in Hickory Ridge for a while. He had met the widow Carrie and took a liking to her but will she like him in return. She was already dating Nate and knew she was not ready to settle down with him, so why would she drop him and put her mind on the highfulating Griff Rutledge? Could their diffrences be settled enought for them to fall for each other.<br /><br />This is a very good book and will keep you turning page after page. I read fast anyway and when I really get into the story I may stay up all night reading. This was such a story.<br /><br />Thanks to BookSneeze for sending me a free copy and I decided to write a review.", "timestamp": 1329243201000, "title": "Beauty For Ashes" }, { "asin": "076420839X", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the second book in \"The Daughters of Caleb Bender\" series where an Amish man in 1920 moves his family to rural Mexico in hopes of escaping religious persecution in Ohio where the family encounters more difficulties and loss. Paradise Valley is nestled between the mountain range of Sierra Madre Oriental. Caleb's the second daughter Miriam, is struggling with her feelings for Domingo, a Nahua who has helped the family settle in to Paradise Valley, but in order to please her family she allows Micah to court her. Then she meets Domingo who calls her \"Cualnezqui\" which means \"beautiful\". Is she getting in over her head with by letting her heart take over. She dreams haunted dreams about being dressed in coarse cotton pants and a peasant shirt. Is this dream trying to tell her something?<br /><br />Rachel, Caleb's youngest daughter has been courting Jake for quite a while as more people move into the valley, the young courting couples are waiting for a minister to come to town so they can get married.<br /><br />This second year in Mexico has turned out worse than the first, and Caleb has to learn to live by faith and not by what he sees. El Pantera the bandit is still causing trouble for the family.<br /><br />Dale has really done well with this series, I read the first one and will be glad when the third one come out, not rushing you Dale but we need the next book.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this free book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1329495489000, "title": "The Captive Heart" }, { "asin": "0310722365", "rating": 5, "text": "This Bible is so pretty and colorful, it is pink what more can I say about a Bible for a girl. It is the New International version and I prefer the KJV but anything to get the message across to our young children. On the inside the pages are written in pink and purple with places to write what they think and it even has some questions for the child to answer and write in her own words.<br /><br />I have an eleven year old granddaughter that is getting my copy and I believe the way that it is layed out will make her want to pick it up every day and read a little. Even a verse or two always helps. All we need to do is plant the seed and God will see that it grows.<br /><br />I believe any little girl would love one of these and it you have a birthday coming up or even put it into their Easter basket. This word is so much nicer than candy. Pick up a copy for your special little girl and I am sure God will bless you.<br /><br />Thanks so much to The B and B Media group for sending this to me and I have posted my own review.", "timestamp": 1331652385000, "title": "NIV FaithGirlz Bible" }, { "asin": "1595548874", "rating": 4, "text": "\"Need You Now\" is Beth Wiseman's first book outside the Amish secter. I have read so many of her books and loved everyone of them. This one is not exception. BookSneeze provided me with this complimentary paperback book.<br /><br />As Darlene and her husband Brad struggle to raise three teenagers, they move from Houston to Round Top, Texas to a farm left to Darlene by her grandparents, but the house needed a lot of repair. The move did not go well with the children and expecially for their middle child Grace who is fifteen. She was trying to deal with her stress and depression, so she became a \"cutter'. (A cutter is someone that hards themself with anything sharp).<br /><br />The move and the problem with their daughter begin to take a toll on their marriage and expecially when Darlene desides to take a job outside the home. They wondered if their faith was going to see them through so they begin to doubt that also. She needed to get away and make some friends and then Darlene begin to receive too much attention from a father of the sutistic young girl she was assigned too in the school for special needs children. She really needed God now, as she and her husband Brad was having issues and the man's attention was very hard to ignore.<br /><br />Will their love for each other and of God get them through?", "timestamp": 1332770062000, "title": "Need You Now" }, { "asin": "0310330432", "rating": 5, "text": "In this story Vannetta brings an Amish woman and an English woman together in a way that I have not read before. Deborah Yoder really needs to sell her quilts to help out with financies in her family, while Callie Harper had inherited a qult shop from her aunt.<br /><br />In Shipshewana a murder and selling quilts brings the two women together. Deborah is Amish and is tall and harty and the mother of five. Callie is English and tiny, young single. Deborah reveals her plans to auction off her quilts on-line, on a computer of all things in a town where most of the residents don't have electricty.<br /><br />A murder takes place and both women set aside their differences to try and solve it and to catch who ever the killer is.<br />I love Amish stories and this one was just great as the two different women work together for the same reason. The idea of a \"friendship quilt\" really works well with these two women. Can't wait untill the next book comes out.<br /><br />Thanks to Zondervan Publishing for sending me this book to read and enjoy and I am doing my own review.'", "timestamp": 1334939894000, "title": "Falling To Pieces An Amish murder mystery" }, { "asin": "076420615X", "rating": 4, "text": "If you like to read stories taking place in the 1800s then you will love this one. The civil war is going on and the folks in Texas are seperated between wanting the North or the South to win. Hannah Dandridge was helping he father raise her two young siblings as her step-mother had died in childbirth. Her dad got the word that his grandfather had been killded in the war and he left his family in the hands of their housekeeper and her family to go aid his grandmother, whom was dying. But he never returned. The rance they lived on had been given to him because he supported the South and he and his lawyer partener were in business together, but he had no idea what his partener was trying to do.<br /><br />When the REAL owner of the ranch returned from the war William Barnett was suprised to find someone else was living in his house. He stayed on for the time being and helped Hannah and the others run the farm and to try and keep the Indians from attacking.<br /><br />What will Hannah do when she finds out for sure her father was dead and she was going to have to raise her 3 year old sister and 7 year old brother. Will she marry her dad's former partner Herbert Lockhart a much older man or will she find another way to survive.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this book and I choose to review it.", "timestamp": 1336060739000, "title": "Chasing the Sun" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "As the time draws near for Esther and Tobias to be married, Esther and her friend Deborah are out with Deborah's daughter to pick flowers they see someone lying dead in the nearby creek. This property belonged to Reuben the brother of Tobias.<br /><br />When the people came out to claim the body Reuben will not say anything and they are blaming him, but he just let's it past and keeps his thoughts to himself. Tobias can't understand his brother keeping everything bottled up inside and letting it fall on his shoulders.<br /><br />As Esther, Deborah and the owner of the quilt shop Callie decide to find out themselves what had happened to this person. At he same time old man Ira Bontrager comes to the women and ask them to help him find out what happened to his daughter that has been missing since 1965.<br /><br />In the first book of the series the women are good at solving mysteries, but can they solve these two?<br /><br />If you like to read about the Amish then you will love this series as it is also a mystery. Something different and new with this community as they usually just keep to themselves and don't try to solve mysteries nor to get involved. I really loved the books and I didn't want to lay them down.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Zondervan Publishers for sending me this free book in order for me to do a review.", "timestamp": 1337716924000, "title": "A Great Series" }, { "asin": "1416599959", "rating": 4, "text": "Deborah Raney is a great author and all the books I have read of hers I always enjoy. Thanks to Glass Roads for sending me this book free for my review.<br /><br /> The story begins the day David was buried after the fire in the Handover Falls homeless shelter had burned and these men had been killed. She did not bury him in Handover Falls where the others were buried but had him buried beside his parents in Springfield.<br /><br />After eighteen months had passed Susan Marlowe is just now beginning to heal somewhat after her husband David had died in a fire alone with four other firefighters. She then discovered that David had carried a secret to the grave with him.<br /><br />She and her sons begin their lived anew after the fire, but what is this secret? Surly there would have been something she had noticed about David. But when she found out, she knew she should have seen it a long time before David's death.<br /><br />Can she learn to find peace again and will she ever find another man to take her late husband's place in her life?", "timestamp": 1338216545000, "title": "A Handover Falls novel" }, { "asin": "1616387157", "rating": 5, "text": "Sixty-three years is a long time as we have been married fifty-one years ourselves. So I loved this book about an older couple, most are about young couples. Thanks Darrel for thinking of my generation. That being said I will get on with what I thought of the book its self.<br /><br />As the story begins it is 2006 and Adam and Elizabeth are at their anniversary party and they were dancing the waltz as they had done for the past sixty-three years.<br /><br />When Adam returned home to Reunion, Montana he was received with a hug from his mother but his father was still holding a grudge because he went to war and left them to manage the farm by themselves. The farm had fallen apart and soon he found out they were about to loose it. He went to the bank to his old friend Nathan Roberts to see what he could do, but Nathan would not work with him. Soon he found out the reason was Elizabeth.<br /><br />He went to a dance and saw Elizabeth Baxter dancing with his high school rival Nathan Roberts. When he got up the nerve to cut in, he knew this was the girl for him.<br /><br />As the story continues you will laugh at some of things and you will cry alone with them at others. I am so happy to have received this free book from Glass Roads to review and to join this tour. This may be Darrel Nelson's first novel but I sure hope there are more to come from him. I really enjoyed it.", "timestamp": 1338903242000, "title": "A must read!!" }, { "asin": "0764206168", "rating": 4, "text": "I have had to oppunity to read a lot of Tracie Peterson's books and have loved all of them. This one is no acception. As the series \"Land of the Lone Star\" contunies Laura Marquardt felt herself becoming more drawn to Captain Brandon Reid. As she was wanting to educate blacks, everyone around her was against it, but Brandon was an officer over them and he was all for her doing this.<br /><br />After Laura's sister married her boyfriend that was in the Confederate army, Laura was so afraid for her sister and that she may be in for more than she bargarined for. It may even cost her, her own life and Laura was really worried about this.<br /><br />As we all know the \"War between the States\" was not a pretty site, as I live in the south and love the old plantation homes and the beautiful homes in Charleston, SC I am so proud to say that I came way after this war. I had a Great-grandfather that was lost near Charleston, he and my great-grandmother had just immigrated from Germany.<br /><br />I loved this series as I love the history of it all. I want to thank Bethany House for sending me this book free for me to post a review.", "timestamp": 1341416241000, "title": "Touching The Sky" }, { "asin": "0736951512", "rating": 5, "text": "When Matthew left the Amish and went out into the English world to live, he left Susanna with a broken heart, but she had to go on, so when Herman Wagler asked to take her home from a singing, she went and they continued to see each other. Then they decided to wed, even though she though her heart still belonged to Matthew.<br /><br />After they had been married three weeks, Matthew showed up at his brother's home and Susanna saw him, then she told him she was married. That was hard for him to believe.<br /><br />Susanna's family celebrated Christmas but Herman's family didn't and there was a disagreement amoung the newely wed on this. But as his wift Susanna went alone with Herman. Will this put a wedge in their marraige? What about the return of her first love Matthew?<br /><br />As always Jerry S Eicher writes a great book on the Amish as he grew up that way himself. Thanks so much to Jerry and Harvest House Publishing for sending me this free book in order for me to review.", "timestamp": 1345559289000, "title": "Another great Christmas book" }, { "asin": "0764209132", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the third book in the series \"The Kincaid Brides\" and anything that Mary Connealy write is always a great read alone with some laughts. I want to thank The auther and Bethany House Publishers for ssending me this book for me to review.<br /><br />When Callie though at Seth had died she tried to go on with her life, she had a little boy and wanted him to be able to get what belonged to him from his father. When she got to the ranch she was determined to claim it for her little boy. She had a hard time getting there with a baby to care for alone the way.<br /><br />When she found her run a-way husband she was ready to shoot him, but knew she could not do that, so she tried everything she could to get even. But you know God does not like for us to get even, we are supposed to forgive and forget which is so hard to do. Will Callie forgive and go alone with her life at the ranch or will she just pick up and leave?<br /><br />You will find this book funny, a little mystery and a whole lot of love to go alone with it.<br />I have read the first two books and I loved this one.", "timestamp": 1346769340000, "title": "Over The Edge, 3rd book in series" }, { "asin": "1595548033", "rating": 5, "text": "Annie Wilkerson lives in Moose Creek Montana and trains horses and she also writes fo Motana Living. She has her younger sister and her nephew to support and writes for Montana Living Magazine. When the magazine cancels her column and is starting to write a love column they offer the job to Annie. She really needed the money the column would bring in, BUT, she has never been in love, so she will just have to wing it. Her neighbor Dylan Taylor need help with his horse and she sees him as a flirt. She asked him that if she helps him with his horse will he help her to understand what it would be like to be in love.<br /><br />She finds out that she had misjudged Dylan as she was around him more, but she still don't feel as though she can trust a cowboy. She knew that her dad has walked out on her mom and he was a cowboy, so she just thought all of them were the same.<br /><br />She has a lot of trouble with her sister Sierra as she want listen to anyhting she tells her, but Annie soon finds out that she is not the one that should be telling her grown sister what to do. When she finds out that she must trust God to be in charge things begin too turn around.<br /><br />I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishing (BookSneeze) in exchange for an honest review.", "timestamp": 1347728131000, "title": "A great Cowboy story" }, { "asin": "0764209787", "rating": 4, "text": "As always one of the best Amish authors had written a book that is dear to our hearts. She was the first author where I read about the Amish (The Shunning and I still have it) but back then everything was so new to me. As I had heard about them but had never saw one nore knew anything about their life style. But Beverly bring it all to life and made me understand some of the things the Amish do.<br /><br />In this book in Hickory Hollow Joanna Kurtz has been in a wedding many times but never her own, when will it be her turn? She loves to write but that is forbidden in her culture but she write where no one knows about it. Joanna was excited about being in her cousin's wedding but did everyone have to ask her when she was getting married. This made her feel so bad and embrassed but she knew that one day the right man would some alone. She and Eben Troyer had been writting to each other but he lived in Indiana and a long distance romance lacked something. Maybe one day Eben would come to Hickory Hollow and make her his bride IF his brother would just come home and stop living in the English world.<br /><br />Will they ever get their chance at happiness? Guess you will need to buy the book to find out all that happens.<br /><br />Thanks so much to Bethany House Publisher for sending me this book for review and I was under no obligation to do so.", "timestamp": 1351862602000, "title": "The Bridesmaid" }, { "asin": "0764207881", "rating": 3, "text": "At Home is Drayton Valley is a story about Tarsie and Joss as they learn to love each other.<br /><br />As Tarsie Raines is living in a poor tenant place and she is hoping to find something better in her life. The year is 1880 in the city of New York and with her friend Joss and Mary Beubacher and their two children start out for Kansas with an unusual wagon train. As they are traveling a tragedy strikes and they lose Mary. Tarsie begins to help Joss with the children alone the way. They begin to begin to doubt God and His plans for their future.<br /><br />I have read a lot of Kim Vogel Sawyer's work and have enjoyed it all. I am a history buff and love anything that takes place back in the 1800s. She has a way with the pages she writes and I enjoy her work very much.<br /><br />Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this book in exchange for a review of my own thinking.", "timestamp": 1351969725000, "title": "A Home in Drayton Valley" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764207563", "rating": 5, "text": "This was my first book by Karen Witemeyer, and I LOVED IT! I love her fun style of writing. I just couldn't help falling in love with Adelaide and Gideon. Adelaide was fun, and spunky, but when she set her mind to something, she was bound and determined to do it! She was a gal that knew what she wanted, and wasn't afraid to go after it, even though she might be a bit clumsy in the going. Going after what she thought was her man didn't turn out like she thought it would. That's what landed her at Gideon's Sheep Farm interviewing for a job as Governess to his 5 year old daughter. Her mouth also seemed to get her into a lot of trouble too.....like in saying before you think! But it always seemed to turn out for her good.<br /><br />Gideon.....well he was just adorable from the beginning. I loved him from the first time he saw Adelaide in the barn. Though his and Adelaide's first few meeting were kind of awkward, he seemed to adore her from the beginning. I just loved Karen's way of bringing them together in a fun enjoyable way that made you just want to keep reading to see what would happen next. But would Gideon hire Adelaide over the two older and more experienced ladies that were also at the farm for the interview? Even though Adelaide had taught school for a few years, was she capable of taking care of this 5 year old that couldn't speak?<br /><br />I admired both Gideon and Adelaide's relationship with the Lord, and their willingness to seek Him in every decision they needed to make. The way they trusted the Lord when Isabella's uncle came to claim the child and her inheritance.<br /><br />This was only Karen Witemeyer's second book, but I had to check her website again to make sure she had only written 2 books! She truly writes like an experienced writer, and I will sure be reading her first book \"Tailor-Made Bride\" and also her third book \"To Win Her Heart\" coming in April 2011.", "timestamp": 1300383958000, "title": "Awesome Story line, wonderful author!" }, { "asin": "1603742557", "rating": 5, "text": "MY REVIEW<br />This is a story of mainly Jacob Miller and Becky Troyer, two young people from Amish communities in different states. Jacob's father sends him to a cousin who lives in a rural Missouri town to hopefully change his mind about his sweetheart in Pennsylvania. That's the one thing Jacob's daed forgot to tell him though, Jacob though he was only moving to help out his cousin on the farm. As for Becky, she ends up with a boppli and single because of her wild rumspringa time. Upon Jacob's arrival at their farm, there was a noticeable attraction between the two of them from the beginning. But Becky knew when Jacob found out about her secret, he would never come near her, and with Jacob, there was someone back home named Susie. Jacob noticed that Becky never smiled, and after he found out about her daughter, he knew something bad had happened, so he decided to make it his priority to be her friend and eventually bring her smile back.<br />Even though Becky has been before her church and confessed her sins, being shunned for 6 weeks because of them, can she overcome her past and trust another man into her live to love and trust?<br />And what about Jacob's sweetheart Susie back home, they are to me married during the Amish marriage season in December. Will their time away from each other prove their forever love, or will his attraction to Becky grow stronger, maybe even as far as loving her?<br />I loved this book from Laura Hilton. In her writing this, she shows that being Amish is not always a perfect life. During the rumspringa years, some young people make bad decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. In most of the Amish books I have read, the daed was always the harsh type, almost as far as being just mean. It was clear they loved their children, but they tried to keep the `head of the house' rule strict I guess. But in Patchwork Dreams this was different. I really liked the attitude of Becky's parents Daniel and Leah. Daniel wasn't afraid to hug his girls anywhere, letting them know his love for them. He didn't agree with the Bishop on all things concerning Becky. (Don't want to tell you all so you can read and find out for yourself.) Becky's mamm even suggested the family would move to another Amish community to keep Becky from being forced to hurtful situations. This was just really heartwarming to me, to see her parents love and support for her. And the way they loved her daughter Emma, well the heartwarming love was easy to feel as you read the story.<br />If you love Amish, this is a must read! If you don't know, or haven't read any Amish books, then this would be a great start for you! I can't wait for the second book in this series to be out. The series is `The Amish of Seymour' and you can look for it, I think around fall of 2011.<br />A huge THANK YOU to Laura Hilton for providing me a copy of this book to read. I love the way Laura tells the story, and the characters she creates, making them real life. I didn't want the book to end!<br />The book review and the opinions are totally mine. It was my honor to write the review for Laura", "timestamp": 1303869867000, "title": "Heartwarming Amish Fiction" }, { "asin": "0781403790", "rating": 5, "text": "Arleta Richardson remembers stories her grandma told her from years ago when she was young. These stories in Book One range from the author remembering stories about Grandma's Red Bonnet, Grandma's Prayer, Pearl Buttons, Little Gray Shoes, and my favorite The Pump. In this one, someone told Grandma not to do something, and of course she did it anyway, and she suffered for it for a long time. You will find twenty one loving little stories as the author remembers her Grandma in this book.<br /><br />I chose this book because I remember the days I sat with my Grandma and she told me stories of when she was a child and of when my dad, aunt and uncle was a child. I wanted to read someone elses tales of the older days. This was a really nice getaway from other books I read. I laughed, cried, and enjoyed each heartwarming story as I read them. And of course I was sad realizing just as with my Grandma, life goes on after they are gone, and we miss them so much. But what a blessing that we can remember those we love in such ways. The author had a special relationship with her grandma that she always remembered. I recommend this book to anyway wanting a good fun getaway from life as it is. And it is good for any age group.<br /><br />The book was given to me by the publisher through B&B Media Group. I appreciate being able to read and review this book for them. I was not expected to give a positive review. The opinions of this review are mine only.<br /><br />Purchase From Amazon", "timestamp": 1305054158000, "title": "In Grandma's Attic Stories" }, { "asin": "1595548114", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br />Despite her father not being supportive, Lucy Fairbanks' love of photography leads her to many places in her community, trying to capture the moment with her camera. Unfortunately that landed her into many unexplainable situations. How can you explain falling out of a tree on the top of a stagecoach being robbed by three bandits, scaring the horses into taking off with the stagecoach, Lucy on top, leaving the bandits behind? Or when trying to sneak a picture of the wild man, ending up in a sink hole, pulling wild man David Wolf in with her? And this is just a few times Lucy Fairbanks gets into trouble in this story. And why does David always seem to show up during Lucy's troubled situations? Will Lucy finally succumb to her many difficulties trying to be a photographer and find another career? And what will people think of her and wild man Wolf?<br />A Vision of Lucy was a wonderful story of Lucy and her love of taking pictures. The fascinating thing about the camera was the historical time setting and cameras in that time in history. Though I have seen them in movies, I'd never read anything about them. The author's research and knowledge of cameras in the early days was evident in the way she explained them in detail. This added historical detail made the story much more interesting. I love the characters the author created as well. They were witty, fun, funny, secretive, and nosy, and each fit the story line perfectly. The humor in this book makes it a great enjoyable book to relax and read. My pick for the funniest scene by far is Lucy falling out of the tree onto the stagecoach. And Lucy was so lovable I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen to her. I feel this book is very well written by the author Margaret Brownley. She has the ability to keep you interested enough to not want to stop reading until the last page! And I would recommend this book to anyone, especially those who love Historical Fiction. You will not be waiting your time reading this!<br />Thanks to the Author Margaret Brownley for providing a copy of \"A Vision of Lucy\" for me to read, it was an honor to read and review . I was not expected to give a positive review of this book. The opinions in this review are mine alone.<br /><br />Publisher Website<br /><br />Authors Website", "timestamp": 1306524270000, "title": "\"A Vision of Lucy\" and her Antique Cameras! Loved it!" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 5, "text": "This book is just simply beautiful inside and out! The romance between Clara and Daniel is enough to make you want to drool. Elizabeth Camden's debut book is one of the best debut books I have read in a while. Daniel was the poor guy, making friends with rich daddy's girl Clara Endicott because of the type of music they shared. As the years go by and the couple gets older, daddy sends his girl across the ocean to be raised by her aunt because he can see the chemistry growing between them. As they meet again twelve years later they realize that they were still not only best friends but sparks begin to sky rocket as the two of them start spending time together. But Daniel is so bitter about the way his parents died will he be able to put all of that behind him? And will Clara marry him if he doesn't mend relationships and changed his heart, or let God change his heart?<br /><br />Clara's dad really irritated me because of his attitude and I am really glad that Clara was independent enough to stand up for herself. I enjoyed the determination of Clara and Daniel to be together even against the odds. The author created a cast of unique and believable characters that you grow to love, some as your own family, and some that you shy away from. This book captured me from the first pages to the very end! I just couldn't put it down! And oh, by the way, I LOVE the book cover. The model so beautifully wears the gorgeous blue dress and the colors are so soft and inviting. And this is one book that you can judge by its cover! And check this out over on the LifeWay blog, its post for this day is the making of the cover of The Lady of Bolton Hill at Bethany House. Wonderful post and very interesting!<br /><br />And also go here on the LifeWay blog Q & A With Elisabeth Camden about this debut book.<br /><br />I received this book free from Bethany House book review 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 55.<br /><br /> Purchase this book at AMAZON", "timestamp": 1311089320000, "title": "Awesome Debut book and love story!" }, { "asin": "082542674X", "rating": 5, "text": "For Shelia Franklin, a phone call comes that will change her life forever. She will finally get to meet him, someone from her past that she's wanted to meet for over 20 years. Now she will have her time with him.<br />This book is full of secrets. Shelia has been secretly guarding her life's long time skeleton for many years from everyone, even her husband. What would he think of her if the truth really came out? Would it destroy their marriage? Her husband's church? As she gets ready to meet her main secret, she can't think about anything but him. What will happen with Sheila and the secrets that she has kept so close to her heart? Will her husband understand and stand behind her, or will he let her deal with the issues herself?<br /><br />This is my first book of Patti Lacy's and I was captivated by the writer's ability to tell a story so realistic and powerful. The way the characters are so beautifully woven together you not only see secrets and deception, heartbreaks and sadness, but you see love, forgiveness, grace and redemption through Christ in their lives throughout the story. The unique rhythm in the musical background gave the story a special smoothness, even through all of the difficulties.<br /><br />Even though this book started out slow for me, it just took a while to get into it, I enjoyed reading it very much. I would recommend this wonderful story to anyone who loves Christian fiction. It will be worth the time you spend reading it.<br /><br />This book was provided by Kregel Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine alone.", "timestamp": 1314300528000, "title": "A story full of Secrets but enjoyable" }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 4, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Helen Carlisle is now a widow, after her husband was killed in the military. But she wasn't the grieving widow everyone thought she was. In fact, she was glad her husband was gone, because of his abuse, which no one would ever believe. That is until Ray came upon the scene, and he figured it out, to which Helen denied that anything bad happened between she and Jim. No one could find out about the abuse, because Jim was so nice and sweet around everyone else, not one would believe Helen. She was just a cripple after all, and the way she stumbled around caused all of her accidents, so Jim told everyone.<br /><br />This is my first book by Sarah Sundin, I haven't read the other books in this series, but I still enjoyed this one! I like that the author deals with spousal abuse in this book, something that truly needs to be dealt with. And just like in the book, the abuser blames the one he's abusing. Helen was blessed that Ray found out, but then he left her for a while, not helping. And it was a double blessing when she found a way to leave her in-laws house and the abuse from Jim's father. I hope anyone reading this book that is dealing with an abusive situation will realize that there is help, and go find it!<br /><br />I also liked Ray and Helen. Ray was so gracious and kind, wanting to help Helen, even if she didn't want his help at first. He loved the Lord, which was evident in the way he lived. Helen was so sweet, and she wanted to raise her son the right way, not abusing the women in his life. Her self confidence was trampled on more than once by jerks that call themselves men. But I am glad there was a happy ending, and Helen was able to have a happy life, away from abuse and critical, hateful things said about her handicap condition.<br /><br />This book was provided by Revell Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1314500292000, "title": "Blue Skies Tomorrow, Great Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0800719964", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Amish Values for Your Family...........by Suzanne Woods Fisher<br /><br />Amish Values for Your Family is one of the best books I have read about the Amish life! For many years, I've been fascinated with their lifestyle. I think the reason I cherish and respect the Amish lifestyle is because our family was brought up a lot like them as far as the working conditions. We grew our own food and put it up for the winter. We butchered our own beef and pork, milked our own cows, we had electricity but no TV and no indoor bathrooms. Our faith was different, but we lived on a farm and worked! And life was slower for us, we spent time together as a family, my parents and grandparents always took time for us. Yes, we had nothing as far as material things, but we were truly blessed with parents and grandparents that love the Lord an loved us enough to give us their time and teach us to live for the Lord. They are all in Heaven now, but their legacy lives on in the lives of their children, grandchildren and great-children, until we see them again.<br /><br />There are many values I can mention but I will mention the time they spend together as a family. I know firsthand how important this is. Even though we have things to entertain us, if we would just schedule valuable family time each week we would see a huge difference in our kids, teens and our families. And I have to mention the faith and trust they have in the Lord, and this resulting in the forgiving spirit they all have. The forgiving spirit is the one thing I wish was stronger in my life. Sometime I wonder just how they can be that way! It is because they want to be like Christ!<br /><br />I loved reading this book, and will keep it with my stash of books! I enjoyed the family stories and how they live. I appreciate the author taking time to research and interview to write this valuable book. My pray is that we as Christians will strive to take these principles to heart and try to incorporate them in our daily lives.<br /><br />I was provided a copy of this book by LitFuse Publicity Group in exchange for a review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1314931299000, "title": "Awesome book on the Amish family life" }, { "asin": "1400318033", "rating": 5, "text": "Thank you God for Blessing Me...by Max Lucado<br />This little book about little Hermie is so beautiful and adorable. It is just right for a small child with the thick board pages and story just long enough to keep their attention. This little Caterpillar is just the cutest little creature and is thankful for everything and everyone around him.<br />Max Lucado has such a wonderful way with words for adults as well as children. I love the way he uses little creatures to teach children about God. My 2 year niece grabbed this book as soon as I took it from the mailer and said, `this is mine!' She not only loves for me to read it to her she loves to read it herself looking at the awesome illustrations and telling her own story about Hermie.<br />You won't go wrong getting this book for your little one. Teach them to choose books about God while they are still young. And what a wonderful way to interact with your children, by reading to them!<br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1317785427000, "title": "Wonderful Chidren book about giving God thanks." }, { "asin": "0310332311", "rating": 5, "text": "Shadow in Serenity By: Terri Blackstock<br /><br />Even though Logan Brisco was smooth talking and a con artist, he still sometimes has feelings of wanting to be part of a family, which he didn't have. Being in the little town of Serenity, Texas for a week or so brought those feelings back on goodtime, especially after he started having feelings for Carny. Carny knows how people like Logan works because her mom and dad were con's too and trained her to do the same thing. Thankfully she was over that life for good and had no intensions of going back.<br /><br />I appreciate that Terri brought back one of her old novels, re-writing it as a Christian fiction. Though I can't imagine someone like Logan, I know they do exist and con a lot of people out of their money and belongings so I'm glad to read a reminder of those kind. Despite him being a con, I liked Logan, and especially after he started spending so much time with Carny. His character was believable because he played his part so well, thanks to the author! In fact, the author created really believable characters for the entire book, and I enjoyed getting to know them throughout the book.<br /><br />This was a fun and interesting read, and I enjoyed it very much. I appreciate the author showing the necessity to living for the Lord and letting Him work through our lives. I don't want to tell too much to give the story away, but this is one you need to read! If for no other reason, read it because Terri Blackstock took the time to give us a Christian version of this book!<br /><br />Shadow in Serenity was provided by the publisher, Zondervan in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1320031078000, "title": "Shadow In Serenity, A Great Re-write." }, { "asin": "0310330432", "rating": 5, "text": "Callie is in Shipshewana just long enough to sell the little quilt shop she inherited from her aunt, because she has no desire to reopen the shop. Everything starts to change though when Callie meets some of Amish people in the community, especially Deborah Yoder. Through Deborah and these other Amish ladies, Callie finds out that her aunt's shop is not just for tourists, but a place for some of the Amish ladies to get together and work on their quilts. The more she gets to know these ladies and the people of Shipshewana, the less she wants to return to Texas and her life there. But can she successfully make a go of it if she reopens the shop?<br />And another surprising twist to the story is when the local newspaper editor ends up dead, and Callie is a major suspect, well, she can't just run off. She needs to do whatever she can to clear her name. Which may be a little bit difficult since Callie is so straight forward and speaks her peace when someone tries to tell things untrue about her, like publishing something in the local newspaper to destroy her reputation.<br />For me, this was a wonderful Amish story with a twist of suspense to it. The storyline and the characters just draw you in as we following Callie and her life in Shipshewana. Just when you think you have things figured out, there's another twist and fingers are pointing to someone else.<br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and if you like just a good Amish read with a little extra jolt of suspense, then you will love this book as well. So go grab a copy for yourself, read and enjoy it!<br />This book was provided by the publisher, Zondervan in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1325875037000, "title": "Falling to Pieces, a wonderful Amish story with a twist" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 5, "text": "Faith and her grandfather had lost so much, the only way Faith thought they could be happy again was to take off on the Oregon Trail and start a new life in the West. This has been Faith's dream for a while, and now it was making her grandfather realize the same thing. But getting him to leave their home in the small Missouri town of Noble Springs was not going to be easy.<br />But then things started happening that drew Faith to their home, even though Faith wasn't aware of it yet.<br />Her grandfather put Faith in charge of the store, letting her run it as she pleased. This did not make a lot of the men in the area happy, but it wasn't long before these men, as well as the rest of the neighbors were warming up to Faith, accepting her as the new store manager.<br />Royal, a guy that promised Faith he would keep her ribbon and remember her while he was in the war came back in town. And though he didn't remember her or the ribbon when she asks him about it, he decided to woo her, but did he really love her?<br />Then she meets Rosemary, who becomes like a sister to Faith. Not to mention Rosemary's brother Curt, to which both Curt and Faith were attracted to each other, but neither seemed to realize it for a while.<br />Her grandfather's health issues, Curt becoming friends with her granddad and spending time with him, the break-ins, Curt always being there for her when she really needed someone.<br />But Faith just couldn't see that they should stay in Noble Springs, she was still determined to leave, after all this was her dream.<br />I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction story, with characters that I loved more and more as I continued to read the book. That is all buy Royal, this guy just irks me, I wanted him out of Faith's life to give Curt a chance! The history in the story is so very detailed you feel like you are there, walking around the little town visiting all of the shops, talking to the owners of the businesses there. I love the feel of the small town atmosphere where everyone knows everyone else, well, and everyone knows your business, which is not so good sometimes too! But still, I love it! I am looking forward to Ann Shorey's next book in this series. This is just a wonderfully good read, so go grab a copy for yourself to read and enjoy!<br />This book was provided by Revell Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1327815115000, "title": "Wonderful Historical Fiction by Ann Shorey" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "This was my first book in this series so I had fun figuring out some of the words, which I thought was neat. Maybe because some of my family no longer with us used some of the same words? And Hugh's herbal medicines would interested a lot of people today, I wonder myself if some of these remedies will work just as well as prescription medicines.<br /><br />I felt bad that Hugh was on his own thinking that someone else murdered old atte Bridge, instead of him taking his own life. Well except Hugh's new wife that is. I enjoyed the love, and trust of this couple, and the dependence they had for each other. At least Hugh knew he could talk to his wife about his feelings about the murder when he didn't have anyone else to talk with.<br /><br />This is a well written book set in this small town with characters that you grow to love and enjoy, some so humble, and some not so humble. Leaning about the 1366 culture was interesting, and I wouldn't a lot of people today love their primitive living. I really enjoyed this author's writing. As you read the book, you will see his own thoughts about different situations through the character Hugh. And Hugh and Kate is just a couple we all want living in our neighborhood!<br /><br />I recommend this book to anyone that likes historical fiction, or really anyone that just likes a good read! Grab a copy to read and enjoy for yourself!<br /><br />I received this book from Kregel Publications to participate in their blog tour. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1327815635000, "title": "Unhollowed Ground...enjoyed this book!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The year is 1813 and the War of 1812 has been underway, thus being the reason that Belinda is determined to travel aborad a British privateer in order to rescue her husband from an English prison. She's made a deal with the ships captain, Rafe Docherty and now she needs to talk her sister-in-law into going with her to be her midwife, and everything will be in line to take off. This turns out to be a not so easy task because sister-in-law Phoebe has no intentions to get on the ship. But Belinda ends up making it happen, and so the story begins.<br />Ralph is just as frustrated as Phoebe that she is on the ship, no way does he want to deal with two American women, but he finds himself attracted to her and ends up helping her along the way. I really like Rafe. Being the captain of the ship, he is tough and incharge, yet we see the caring side of him too, and especially with his feelings for Phoebe. He's been struggling with things in his past, but now we see his new stuggles with how he feels about Phoebe and thinking about a normal life with her.<br />Phoebe endures much from being lied to by Belinda, but she is a tough lady and soon we see her faith and strength and her caring personality as she tries to help Rafe with his struggles. She takes a lot off of Belinda on the trip too, and it's really sickening how Belinda is so spoiled and expectes Phoebe to wait on her. Belinda will do what it takes to get her way. She's the character in the book that gets on everyone's nerves, you gotta have them right? She's just a spoiled brat!<br />I thought this was a wonderful story and I enjoyed it immensely. The characters were very well created and developed, believable and likeable. Well that is except for Belinda, but really the story wouldn't have been as good without her! The historical setting, events, ship life, and everything was very well researched and amazingly detailed. And having been to Williamsburg several times, it was fun to imagine the setting there as I read the story. Very well thought out and written story. It will be well worth your time to grab a copy of this book to read and enjoy for yourself.<br />Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group<br />I received this book from Revell Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own.", "timestamp": 1331009055000, "title": "Heart's Safe Passage" }, { "asin": "1595549153", "rating": 5, "text": "For the men out there, what would you do if your father left town for several days, came back home with a woman and introduced her as Lucy, your new wife? Well that is just what happened to Nate Stanton. And he was not happy with his dad, to say the least. And to gain his wife's two siblings, Jed and Eileen too boot, well that was almost more than Nate could take.<br /><br />After somewhat coming to terms with the new marriage, in name only let me tell you, Nate moved his new family into his small home. Surely this would send her back where she came from, because his home was not much of a home, and small at that. But Nate ended up being the surprised one. And after a while he kind of enjoyed not coming home to a empty house. And Jed was turning out to be a lot of help on the farm, and little Eileen, well she'd just had Nate's heart from the beginning. Things could start getting very interesting around the Stanton household. But it was when secrets and deception started coming to the surface that Nate really realized what was going on. And for that, you need to read the book to find out all of the many secrets, acts of deception and of course the twists and turns to the story that make it so appealing.<br /><br />I love Colleen Coble's books. I have all of them, and have read them all as well, and this one didn't disappoint. Colleen has a way of creating characters that just draw you into the story and don't let you go. Nate and Lucy was fun and interesting as they started their life together. This is really just a nice, fun, good clean book to read and enjoy. And I'm hoping for a Book Two to enjoy more of Nate and Lucy's journey through their marriage and on their farm.<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1332792107000, "title": "Another great book from Colleen Coble" }, { "asin": "1414333218", "rating": 5, "text": "When I review a Randy Singer book, I hang on to my seat at the first page and don't let go until the very last word. Randy is absolutely one of the best suspense/thriller authors today! So if the book says `Randy Singer, just go ahead and buy it because it's going to be good!<br /><br />Readers meet Jamie Brock again, from Randy's book \"False Witness.\" Jamie has been working as an assistant DA for several years. Her mom was shot and killed 11 years earlier and she is now losing her dad to illness. And to add to that, Jamie has been assigned a murder case, the suspect being the lawyer who defended the man who killed her mom. As this story unfolds, well you just need to read the book to find out what happens, it's too much to tell her. And I don't want to spoil the book for you.<br /><br />Randy brings up some interesting questions about the death penalty in this book through the lawyer character, Mace James. How should Christians feel about it? Suppose the killer gives his life to Christ while in prison? Should he be left there to die alone since he made mistakes and bad choices? Suppose this person is really innocent? There are several other issues with the state system that are talked about in this book through the life-like believable characters created by the author.<br /><br />Being a lawyer himself, Randy Singer expertly writes stories with so much detail the reader gets a touch of a lawyer's real life when reading his books. Add to this a little suspense, drama, romance, danger, fear, and determined characters taking on the most dangerous and difficult cases, and you have a Number 1 novel that will blow you away when you read it.<br /><br />I highly recommend this terrific book to those suspense/thriller lovers out there looking for awesome books to read. And as in all of Randy's books, you will see Jesus and salvation through Him throughout the book.<br /><br />I was provided a copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review of this product. The review is my opinions only.", "timestamp": 1334450842000, "title": "Another Awesome Thriller by Randy Singer" }, { "asin": "0310250684", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Terri Blackstock is such a gifted writer. I love everything she writes including \"Downfall.\" I appreciate that Terri deals with tough issues that people deal with everyday, and always finds a workable solution, including trusting the Lord with their lives and letting Him work in and through them.<br /><br />Emily Covington wants to prove herself to everyone, assuring them that her life with drugs is over. But when things start happening to her, and since it looks like someone wants her dead, her family still had doubts about Emily's past life.<br /><br />In \"Downfall,' Terri Blackstock writes another suspense/ thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seats until the very last word. When I put the book down, all I could think about was what was gonna happen, so I would pick it back up. From the people we loved to the villains we could do without, the character were so real and true to life it was like reading something in the newspaper. And with an intriguing plot that had the many twist and turns, it was difficult to solve the mystery until it was all revealed in the end.<br /><br />If you've never read a Terri Blackstock book, you are missing a real treat. And for those fans who always come back for more of her stories, you will love the words penned in Terri's new book, \"Downfall.\"<br /><br />This book was provided by Zondervan Publishers through The Suspense Zone. I appreciate Susan and all of the work she does to promote Edgy Christian Fiction and thrillers like \"Downfall.\" I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1335069393000, "title": "Another great thriller by Terri Blackstock" }, { "asin": "0802405843", "rating": 5, "text": "Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis<br />A Texas Trails novel.....in the Morgan Family Series<br /><br />Susan Page Davis continues the Morgan family story in this second book of Texas Trails. Billie Morgan and her horse were taken by the Comanche's and thought to be dead. And that did almost happen, but Billie, or Taabe Wiapu escaped from the Indian reservation and was almost dead when Ned found her. He takes her to a convent of Nuns for her safety, and families came to see if she was their long lost daughter, and that's how the Morgan family found Billie. What a reunion that was!<br /><br />Susan Page Davis is a wonderful writer and she did not disappoint in this story. I thoroughly enjoyed the continuation of the Morgan's story, though a little flavor was added with the nuns and getting to know more about the Comanche Indians. This book deals with a lot of interesting issues that captivate you and just won't let you put the book down. We get a lot of history, learn a little about the ways on Indians, a little of what goes on in a nun setting, (though these nuns faced some interesting situations that most probably don't), faith, trust and leaning on God, and of course a little romance to spice things up.<br /><br />I highly recommend Captive Trail as well as the other books in the Texas Trails, Morgan family Series. There are six in all, so you have some reading to do. Go to River North, the fiction division of Moody Publishers and check out this wonderful series written by three different and awesome authors.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by River North. I was not expected or required to write a positive review of this book. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1337234418000, "title": "A Wonderful Book Two in the Texas Trail Series" }, { "asin": "0764209507", "rating": 3, "text": "My Own Worst Enemy By Janet Davis<br /><br />In this book, Janet Davis deals with problems all women face today. If you have ever has issues with self doubt, fear, insecurity and things such as this, then you will benefit from this book. Ms. Davis uses many of her own trials and stories as well as stories from others, friends and Biblical characters as examples of what she is talking about and teaching in this book. She breaks the book down into the many faces and many phases of life, and the choices along the way, and in each section has chapters dealing with each of these topics.<br />This book would be a good small study guide with the study questions to discuss that are included here in this book.<br />I recommend that you check out this book for your Small Groups, Sunday school class or individual study.<br />I rec'd a copy of this book from Bethany House to read and review. The opinions here are mine. I have having my honest opinion on what I feel about this book.", "timestamp": 1337241723000, "title": "My Own Worst Enemy" }, { "asin": "0764209418", "rating": 5, "text": "Patti Lacy is a new author for me so I wasn't sure what to except of her book, but I will pleasantly surprised and amazed at this wonderful new author for me. I will sure be watching for more books from Ms. Lacy in the future.<br /><br />With wonderful character that will grasp your heart in the beginning and keep it until the very end, Patti Lacy pens a contemporary story that will sure stay with you for long after you finish the book. I learned a lot about China and the Chinese culture reading this book, and sometimes the reading was difficult because of the situation.<br /><br />Joy, (and I love her name!) struggles with moving to America and her new American family. Joy's sister Kai is determined to find her, after leaving her in a Chinese orphanage, but must first win the trust of Joy/Lily's adopted parents. Join Joy/Lily as we follow her journey though her life in China and as it continues in the Americas.<br /><br />I really encourage you to grab a copy of this adoption story of love, loss and redemption to read for yourself. This will be one of the best books you have read in a while!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Bethany House for me to review and give my honest opinion, which I have.", "timestamp": 1338004334000, "title": "Great Book!! A must read!" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />When Shiloh Wainright accepts a teaching position at the White River Indian Agency in northwestern Colorado, she never dreamed of catching up with her old childhood best friend Jesse Blackwater. Though she is thrilled to see him again, and see that he is doing well after his abrupt leave almost ten years ago from her families ranch. Could their friendship rekindle now that they were back together, and now that they were nine years older than before?<br /><br />Trouble is, Shiloh is from a white family and Jesse is half-breed. Half white and half Ute Indian. Which means any attraction they might have toward each other cannot happen. A relationship between the two of them would be unheard of and forbidden.<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan writes a heartwarming and at the same time heart wrenching story about two people from completely different cultures, two completely different worlds represented here. As we follow Jesse and Shiloh's story, Kathleen takes us on a journey like no other we've been on. The differences between the Ute and white man's life is nothing to be compared. And with a dad like Jesse's, being abusive and hating both Jesse and is mother, Jesse could only find acceptance with his mother's people, the Ute.<br /><br />Shiloh wasn't the only one so drawn to Jesse, he was just so adorable! And the hurt he had always suffered, and still was suffering was heartbreaking to read about. It was a hurt that not even Shiloh could help him with. And Shiloh had her own hurt and heartache over what happened to Jesse years ago when he left the ranch.<br /><br />I had a difficult time getting into this story, but it was because of the information on the Ute Indians, and the background for the story. It was just kind of boring for me. But it then the story took off and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I was so heartbroken for Jesse that I wanted to make sure everything turn out for him ok. The story is sometimes not so easy to read, I found myself reading, but not taking it in at times because of the nature of the scenes with the Indians trying to defend what they had. Wonderful writing of the author in the vivid details of the Ute's way of life. And I appreciate the author describing God's way of salvation so plain and clear, and for showing that only God can break through those barriers and change lives.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting a really good read, and especially those who enjoy historical fiction. And if you enjoy a good old Indian story, this one is for you as well!<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1338086187000, "title": "A Love Forbidden Love Story" }, { "asin": "1595549978", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />There is one thing to say about Kim Cash, and that is, she just has it going on when it comes to writing books! \"Hope Springs\" is another outstanding book that shows us family, faith, cooking up old friendships, forgiveness and healing, and yes, and a boost of romance added to give readers a story that will keep those pages turning. Janelle, Becca and Stephanie's time spent in Hope Springs changed their life forever. I thoroughly enjoyed getting involved in the lives of these ladies throughout this story. Kim Cash will have you laughing, then crying, along with worshiping the Lord as you follow get to know these three characters. I appreciate the way Kim weaves the lives of her characters together with God and living their lives for Him. That's what Christian fiction is all about. Following characters that live for God. Oh they may not start out that way, like many of us, but through there difficulties and trials, they end up giving it all to the Lord. And Thank You Kim for giving us a book such as this.<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1339557398000, "title": "Hope Springs, Wonderful Book" }, { "asin": "1434764303", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />Wow, this book is incredible, I love, love it! I have only read a few of Lisa Bergren's books, and each ones just gets better!<br /><br />Cora Diehl returns to her hometown Dunnigan, Montana after spending her first year at college, to find her dad seriously ill, and a farm to take care of. Cora prays for God to someway help their family with their crops in order to make it financial for the year. But Cora wasn't expecting God to answer her prayer they way he did. Neither did Cora expect to find out secrets that would totally turn her life upside down forever. And I know there are spoilers in review already written, but I'm not going to give them here! This is where you need to read the book to find out what is happening!<br /><br />In my opinion, \"Glamorous Illusions is a masterpiece by Lisa Bergren! Lisa creates characters that are so realistic and true that sometimes it is difficult to realize you are reading a fiction story! The relationship between Cora and her parents is heartwarming, and just knowing that they literally spent everything they had to send her to college gave me chills. And when you read the book, you will see what I am talking about!<br /><br />However, Cora was always puzzled at the glamorous, expensive gift she received for her sixteenth birthday, along with all of the other birthday gifts she received, and even though her parents wasn't telling, Cora suspected they knew what was going on.<br /><br />Then the day comes that will change the lives of Cora and her family forever, and whether that be good or bad, only time will tell. And as you follow this hew happening in the lives of Cora and her family, Lisa Bergren takes you on an unforgettable trip of lifetime as Cora joins the Grand Tour with her family.<br /><br />The only thing I found that I didn't like about the book was it's ending, and having to wait for the second book to drop down from the hanging this book left. I hope the author gives us a better view of Cora's family and her choices she makes while on her tour.", "timestamp": 1339736350000, "title": "A Masterpiece from Lisa T. Bregren" }, { "asin": "0800734378", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Waiting for Sunrise by Eva Marie Everson<br /><br />After Reading Chasing Sunsets, the first book in this series, I was excited and waiting to read \"Waiting for Sunrise.\" The main character in this second book is Patsy Milstrap, whom we met in Chasing Sunsets. Patsy and her husband Gil are on the way to Cedar Key for a vacation, but what Gil is really doing is trying to get Patsy away in order to find help with dealing with her past. Even though Patsy is married to a wonderful man with<br /><br />Again, Eva Marie Everson writes a wonderful story with characters that readers grow to love and believe as though they are real. She writes Patsy's story in a way that seems so real, I was wanting to pray for Patsy daily as I read this book! I love the beach setting, and Cedar Key sounds just like the place anyone needs to go for healing. And Gil is adorable, and his love for Patsy is so very heartwarming, he was willing to do anything to get help for his wife. And Patsy knew he was trying so hard, it must have hurt her so to know he loved her and was trying to help her. One thought I had as I was reading was that wouldn't it be wonderful if all husbands and wives had that unconditional love for each other, just as God has for us. Marriages would be able to survive if this were true. This book truly shows the true real love in a marriage that could have easily fallen apart. A love that grows through the difficult times, not one that is torn down. The author had be crying a lot during this book, but I had to smile and even laugh at times as well. Eva Marie Everson is truly a gifted and talented author that will always be a favorite on my reading list.<br /><br />I highly recommend this wonderful book for anyone to read and enjoy, and especially someone going through difficult situations such as someone trying to deal with their difficult past. Patsy's story is sure to give you hope as you follow her journey.", "timestamp": 1340125410000, "title": "Waiting for Sunrise..wonderful book" }, { "asin": "0800720482", "rating": 5, "text": "Mary Magdalene by Diana Wallis Taylor<br /><br />MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />After reading \"Journey to the Well\" I am hooked on Diana Taylor's books! I look forward to new ones coming out, and I was excited to be able to read and review \"Mary Magdalene.\" And again, I was not disappointed! If you like Biblical Fiction, this book is a must for you!<br /><br />Since Mary Magdalene is somewhat a mystery because there is not much written about her in the Bible, I really wanted to read this book to find out what Diana Taylor's version of Mary was. The book starts out with a young Mary, a daddy's girl and love immensely by her mom. I enjoyed getting to know this young Mary, and following her life to adulthood. The accounts of Mary being demon possessed was heartbreaking, and her family staying close to her, supporting her was so heartwarming. Coming from this life, and the miracle of her healing, I can clearly see why Mary Magdalene was so devoted to Jesus. She loved Him deeply because He changed her life forever.<br /><br />I cringe when I think about some of the things people have to say about Mary and her devotion to the Lord. And I appreciate Diana Taylor for how she shows us the real deal of why Mary loved Jesus so much. It was very well known that no one anywhere had been able to help Mary. And then her husband Nathan, a man wisely chosen by Jared for his daughter, hears about the healer Jesus. It was Jesus who healed Mary and gave her a new life. Shouldn't that make Mary, and anyone else that Jesus has healed in a situation such as this, devoted to Him for life?<br /><br />Wow, I feel like I keep jumping all over the place in this story. Even though we don't know what Mary's life was like, I thoroughly enjoyed this fictional novel of how Diana Wallis Taylor thought it could have been. It is fun just being able to wonder and read about how it could have been. And I feel the Biblical accounts were accurate, so that's all that really matters to me, the rest is fiction, and that's where the fun is.<br /><br />*****Available June 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.*****<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1340649122000, "title": "Mary Magdalene....a wonderful read" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "A Perfect Square by Vannetta Chapman<br /><br />I was excited to revisit my friends in Shipshewana again in Vannetta Chapman's second book in the Shipshewana Amish Mystery series. I really grew to love Deborah and Callie, Esther and Melinda and couldn't wait to see what this book has in store for readers. And I can say that I love this book as much as I did the first, and was hooked from the very first pages.<br /><br />When a young Amish girl is found dead in Ruben's pond, he ends up being the only suspect, especially since he wouldn't answer any questions the authorities were asking him. Who is Ruben trying to protect? Will he actually go to prison for life to protect this person? This murder of an unknown young lady has the Shipshewana community in an uproar.<br /><br />With officer Shane Black on the case, Deborah knew that he would do nothing to find out Ruben's innocence. That meant the job was up to her, and she would have Callie's assistance. Turns out, Callie is looking for someone herself. A daughter, one that no one knows about except her very ill father. These ladies have their work cut out for them as the try to solve these mysteries.<br /><br />I love how Vannetta Chapman weaves these stories together with characters that are well created and developed and a plot that will keep readers wanting to find out what's gonna happen to whom. I highly recommend A Perfect Square for your enjoyment.<br /><br />This book was provided by Zondervan Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1343622238000, "title": "Wonderful and enjoyable second book in this series..." }, { "asin": "0800734556", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THE GIFTED<br /><br />Having reading some of Ann's books on the Shakers, I knew what to expect about their beliefs, though I don't support what they believe at all! How can people actually believe this stuff, and live by it is beyond me.<br /><br />And such were the struggles of Jassamine Brady. Growing up in the shaker neighborhood and loving her family and friends there didn't draw Jassamine to their way of life at all. She found herself very interested in the ways of the world and she sought those ways, struggling to obey the strict rules she was brought up to follow. And when unforeseen circumstances brings young Tristan into her life, Jassamine may be closer than she thinks about finding out what the outside would is all about.<br /><br />Ann Gabhart has such a unique and wonderful way of writing about these shaker people with and open attitude, not condemning them, but giving her readers a true and vivid insight of how they really live.<br /><br />I highly recommend The Gifted as well as the first four books in this wonderful series by Ann Gabhart.<br /><br />Available July 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1343623722000, "title": "Very nice read about the Shakers" }, { "asin": "1609366409", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Elena's family trip to Mackinac Island this summer will be different than all of the others. This time, her mother has in mind to marry her off to the rich and famous Chester Darrington in order to save their family business. Elena has no desire to marry this Mr. Darrington, or even meet him for that matter.<br /><br />Chase didn't really want to make the trip to Mackinac Island with his sister and her husband, but he did want a place to try out the new telescope that the family business was interesting in funding for the invention. One of the first things he heard upon his arrival was his hopeful marriage to this Elena Bissette. Well, he would stay as far away from Elena as possible because he sure wasn't looking for a wife, and especially someone like her.<br /><br />Not knowing who each other is, Chase and Elena meet up at an old lighthouse on the Island. One in which Elena has been visiting for all of the years her family has been coming to the Island and one that Chase has just found. The attraction between the two is a sure thing, Chase liking Elena because she's not one of the \"circle\" which his sister is in. And Elena liking Chase because of pretty much the same reason.<br /><br />In Love Finds You In Mackinac Island, Michigan, Melanie Dobson weaves a historical romance that will keep you on your toes throughout the book. The meeting and relationship of Chase and Elena was sweet and adorable at first, that is until the truth about who each was came to surface. That's when things get touchy between the two and neither want to see each other again! But Chase's mom had a different idea. Can she bring these two back together again? Or is Chase just too stubborn to face the real truth?<br /><br />This is a wonderful and sweet story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It's one of those stories that just make you feel good after reading it. The characters are so real they feel like family and friends. I love Chase and Elena, and I love their attitude about their wealthy families. And Chase's mom was the character that really pulled everything together. Her attitude about gossip shamed me, and one thing I took away from this book is to gossip, or listen to gossip less, and look at the positive sides of people. I really appreciate Melanie bringing this valuable lesson to her readers about this subject.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for you to read and enjoy for yourself. It will make a wonderful summer read, but its not just for summer, it will make an awesome read anytime! And you sure will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1344137674000, "title": "Wonderful Summer read on Mackinac Island!" }, { "asin": "0800734580", "rating": 5, "text": "Lethal Legacy.....By: Irene Hannon<br /><br />Kelly Warren knows for sure that her dad's death was murder, but proving it might not be so easy. It was an attempt on Kelly's own life that detective Cole Taylor starts to believe her suspicions are right. Prompting him to dig and search until he finds enough evidence to re-open the case. What will Cole find out? And can he keep is personal feeling for Kelly at bay enough to stay on the case until its over?<br /><br />Any book by Irene Hannon is storytelling at it's very best. She has a way of telling a story that will pull you in from the very first page and engulf you until you read the last word. Just as it was with me as I read \"Lethal Legacy.\" The characters are so well crafted and believable that it felt like reading a real-life story. Kelly was a quiet sweet Christian young lady who mostly stayed to herself. She had a close relationship with her dad and was determined to find his killer. And since the detective who had the case earlier was on vacation, who by the good-looking, hot, Cole Taylor was assigned to review the case for her. Cole was also a likeable person, and his close nit family really gave the book a more personal touch. A very touching story, one that will stay with readers for a long time after you finish reading.<br /><br />If you are a suspense lover, then this book is a must, one you will not be disappointed in. And if you just like a good, clean, enjoyable read, then you will love this book too. And if you are like me and stay up until the wee hours of the morning finishing \"Lethal Legacy,\" believe me, every night sound you hear will scare the wits out of you! But that's the fun of reading a suspense!<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for your reading enjoyment. Grab a copy of this one, and the others in this series for a few great reads!<br /><br />\"Available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.\"<br /><br />I received this book from Revell Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own.", "timestamp": 1344924556000, "title": "Awesome Suspense!!" }, { "asin": "0764208101", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Travelers Rest starts off as what you would think of being a happier every after, but since Ann Tatlock is writing about difficult issues that people really face, the story gets difficult to read. Jane Morrow and Seth Ballantine have been friends since childhood, and how were getting married. But their life was torn apart when Seth comes home from serving his country injured in Iraq. Jane loves Seth and has no other thoughts except to stay with him and take care of him, but Seth has different thoughts. He no longer wants the relationship to go on, because he just doesn't want Jane to be his nurse for the rest of his life. But chances are, he will get better, but they are very slim.<br /><br />Author Ann Tatlock is a talented author that writes a story that will capture your heart, and give you a new love, respect, awareness and thankfulness for those who fight for us to live in freedom. I was drawn to the characters, and especially Seth and Jane, as well as the old retired Doctor, Truman. With such detailed descriptions of the difficulties and situations they characters were facing, and with so many twists and turns, the author was able to keep my attention until the very end.<br /><br />I recommend this book for you to read, and especially if you like stories about war victims and families.<br /><br />I rec'd a copy of this book from Bethany House to read and review. The opinions here are mine. I have written my honest opinion on what I feel about this book", "timestamp": 1348894897000, "title": "Great Read" }, { "asin": "0764207873", "rating": 5, "text": "When Hope Blossoms by Kim Vogel Sawyer<br />For Bethany House review by Shannon Hannabass<br /><br />Tim Roper thought he could run from God, hid himself in his apple trees, but when a Mennonite widow and her children moved in the farmhouse next to his, his life changed forever. But that change took a while, and the changed unfold between the pages of Kim Vogel Sawyer's new book, \"When Hope Blossoms.\"<br /><br />I love Kim Vogel Sawyers books, and this one is another winner for me. I love Tim and Amy's story. Even though they both has a past that seemed impossible for them, God had a plan for their life, and in Him timing, He worked their lives together for their own good. I love how Kim weaves together families and communities and comes up with a story that captures the attention of readers from the very first page. I have to say I was so intrigued and captivated by this book I read it in one day! I love the way the realistic characters steal their way into your heart as the story unfolds around you. You don't want to miss this beautiful, sweet story of love, forgiveness and acceptance. Grab your copy today to read and enjoy for yourself!<br /><br />I received this book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own", "timestamp": 1348895821000, "title": "Very Nice Read" }, { "asin": "0764209132", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok I thought this book was kinda strange at times, but though it did end up kind of crazy, with Seth not remembering much about his life and family. He and Callie find themselves back together and thus the journey of Seth begins.<br /><br />The characters created by the author, and especially Callie and the whit and life she brought into the lives of this family gave this story a fun and interesting twist. And knowing Seth in a new and different way, the interesting situations between he and Callie brought a special meaning for this book.<br /><br />The Kincaid Brides Series is truly on that you will enjoy reading. I highly encourage you to grab a copy of this book, or the three books in this series for your reading enjoyment. You will not be disappointed!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Bethany House for me to read and review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only", "timestamp": 1349076484000, "title": "Another great book by Mary Connealy" }, { "asin": "1609366867", "rating": 5, "text": "I've read several books on the Titanic this year so I was excited to read Queen of the Waves for another story about this time in history, which I'm surprised because I really didn't care for the movie that much. But I really like Janice Thompson's story of Tessa and Nathan, alone with the other characters involved with Tessa being on the ship in the first place. Tessa is such a sweet person with a personality that rubs off on those around her, as we see in the story. Throughout all of the horrible tragedy with Titanic, this is a story readers can really enjoy and appreciate. And the vivid details of the time in history leading up to when the Titanic set sail, and as the story unfolds until the end, well it is just an awesome history lesson.<br />Of course this book is only fiction, and these things didn't happen aboard the ship, but I loved imagining what it was like, with all of the rich and famous, and imagining what it was like to be there during the horrific tragedy. I thoroughly enjoyed Queen of the Waves and highly recommend it for your reading enjoyment. You will not be disappointed.<br />This book was provided by Summerside Press through LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1349751219000, "title": "Queen of the Waves" }, { "asin": "1609366859", "rating": 4, "text": "Samantha Waldron and her family face some horrific situations as we follow their journey on the Oregon Trail in 1842. Samantha's mom passed away before they started on the trail, so her father was determined to make it to the end of the trail for the rest of his family. But no one knew the many difficult situations they would endure while traveling. Life was not easy as they traveled these many miles.<br /><br />Melanie Dobson's story of Samantha and her family along the Oregon Trail is a believable and intriguing story with believable characters that will keep you interested until the end, because of all the twists and turns it takes. The author tells all of the gruesome details of situations and difficulties during the trail, making the story seem more realistic.<br /><br />I enjoyed this historical novel by Melanie Dobson, though I don't think it is her best work. If you enjoy the Oregon Trail era, and reading books about that time, you will enjoy this one. So pick up a copy for your own reading enjoyment.<br /><br />This book was provided by Summerside Press through LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1349752867000, "title": "Where the Trail Ends" }, { "asin": "0764206168", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Again, Tracie Peterson captures our hearts and interest with this second book in Land of the Lone Star Series. In Touching the Sky, the story is about Laura Marquardt and her sister Carissa. Both sisters find love, Laura with Union Captain Brandon Reid and Carissa, Confederate Malcolm Lowe. Conflicts and difficulties arise as the story unfolds surrounding the lives of these two ladies.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book in every way. I really enjoyed the history so vividly described in Texas after the war, and I enjoyed characters created that are so realistic like and play their parts in the story so well. I love Tracie Peterson books, and this one is no different, it is a winner in my opinion.<br /><br />I recommend that you go purchase your own copy of this book, and while you are at it, pick up a copy of all three books in Land of the Lone Star Series for your reading enjoyment. And if you like historical fiction, this is a must read for you!", "timestamp": 1350326454000, "title": "Touching the Sky" }, { "asin": "0310335108", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />If you enjoy Amish fiction, you will sure enjoy Tricia Goyer's new book The Memory Jar. I really like the Memory Jar idea for best friends Patty and Sarah. It is a good way to store memories, and in Sarah's case it is especially special after Sarah is left to go through life alone. Then Sarah meets Jathan, and things started changing in her life.<br /><br />Tricia Goyer creates wonderful realistic character that we grow to love as the story unfolds and the characters develop so well. The story started a little slow for me, but then as it developed, and the story took a different twist, tensions rise, gossip spreads, people started backing off and acting strange, and Sarah started questioning her earlier decisions. It seems like Jathan has more baggage to take care of than either of them thought. But Tricia Goyer weaves the characters, situations, difficulties, doubts and people along with more twists and turn and brings a story that will keep you reading until the last page, while it warms you heart in a special way. You will love this Amish community and its people when you pick up your copy of The Memory Jar.<br /><br />This book was provided by LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1351637313000, "title": "The Memory Jar" }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Christmas Roses is a wonderful story about Celia Anderson. Celia is a single mom who runs a boarding house, providing for she and her daughter. She knows her daughter needs a dad, but doesn't want to marry because of need, she wants a marriage of love. Well, then Mark comes into the picture!<br /><br />This is a sweet, charming and heartwarming historical story that would be wonderful for everyone to read for Christmas. I love the beautiful cover, and the story just goes right along with what the cover shows. Amanda Cabot creates realistic and amazing characters to tell her Christmas story, and I enjoyed getting to know each character as the story unfolds. Around Christmastime I try to read all of the Christmas stories I can, and I am honored to read and review Christmas Roses. This is a story that will stay with you throughout the Christmas Season.<br /><br />\"Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.\"<br /><br />This book was provided by Revel Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1354679070000, "title": "Nice Christmas Read!" }, { "asin": "140168744X", "rating": 4, "text": "It took me a while to get into this book, don't know why, maybe it was the early setting since it was 227BC. But<br />after I got into the story, I really enjoyed it.<br />I didn't know a lot about the Island of Rhodes either, but with the author's details throughout the book, it<br />was interesting and nice to get to know this place in history. Tracy Higley created characters that are interesting<br />and believable, and enjoyable to get to know. I really liked Tessa and wanted her to find freedom from her Greek<br />owner. When the opportunity came along for her to be free, her life changed in a way she wasn't expecting. Would<br />Tessa finally be free and find her own true love? This is a book well worth your read, and if you enjoy historical<br />fiction, you will truly enjoy Isle of Shadows.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book to Christian fiction lovers, and especially those who enjoy historical stories. Pick<br />up your copy today for an enjoyable read.<br /><br />This book was provided by Booksneeze through their blogger program. I was not expected or required to write a positive<br />review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1356129857000, "title": "Nice historical read" }, { "asin": "0800719891", "rating": 5, "text": "THe Lesson by Susan Woods Fisher<br /><br />In the third and final book of Susan Woods Fisher's Stoney Ridge Seasons Series, Mary Kate Lapp is now nineteen<br />old and still looking for action. But this time, did her sneaking around get her in more trouble that she expected?<br />And to make it worse, it landed her to job of teaching in their Amish school, and Mary Kate certainly was not a<br />school teacher.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mary Kate's story. She was a fun character throughout the first two books in the series<br />because of her free spirit, and determination to find out everything! I am also a Susan Wood's Fisher fan and I love<br />this entire series. The characters were enjoyable and realistic, drawing you into the story and keeping your attention.<br />And the interesting plot keeps you reading because so much is happening to the Lapp family you just want to find<br />out the outcome.<br /><br />If you love Amish fiction, you will love The Lesson, and the first two books in this series. Or if you are looking<br />for a nice enjoyable light read, this is your series! Go out and grap a copy of these books to read for yourself.<br />You will not be disappointed.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Tours. I was not required or expected to write a positive<br />review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1357361476000, "title": "Great ending to Series!" }, { "asin": "1401685676", "rating": 5, "text": "An Amish Kitchen is a neat collection of three novellas, and the Amish Kitchen of the characters has a huge part of each story. The stories are so realistic because the kitchen is a major part of the Amish lifestyle in reality. And I loved getting the recipes as a bonus in this book, especially the herbal remedies!<br />I love Amish fiction and really enjoyed Faith and Abram's story in Kelly Long's \"A Taste of Faith; reading about Hannah King's Bed and Breakfast and newcomer Stephen Esh in Amy Clipston's \"A Spoonful of Hope,\" and Beth Wiseman's \" A Recipe for Hope,\" and Eva Bender and her family's disaster when a tree falls on her haus. In all three of these stories, the characters deal with difficult situations, and they need to trust God and depend on Him. Their faith carries them through, but it is not always easy. It is difficult to pick a best one, because they all interacted so well together and I enjoyed them all.<br />If you love Amish fiction, this one is for you. You will love these short stories. This is a great book for those who really don't have time to read a full size novel.<br />Booksneeze provided a copy of this book for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1358193641000, "title": "Awesome Amish three stories in this book!" }, { "asin": "1595549706", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Having read the first two books in this series, I was anxious for the third book in The Brides of Last Chance Ranch to hit the stands. And author Margaret Brownley did not disappoint! With characters that I fell in love with, I thoroughly enjoyed another really good read that will stay with me for a while! I grew to love Molly, and the relationship she had with her brother was truly heartwarming. My heart went out to her as she strove to do whatever she could to take care of Donny.<br /><br />Waiting for Morning is truly a story that will capture the heart of any reader, just as it did mine. I highly recommend this historical fiction to book lovers everywhere. A copy of this book was provided by Booksneeze's blogger program. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1361337502000, "title": "Waiting for Morning" }, { "asin": "1859859313", "rating": 5, "text": "My Thoughts On This Book<br /><br />The Story of David and Goliath is one that most children enjoy and remember well. David Sticker Book tells this wonderful Bible story in words, pictures and added stickers for children to interact with the story. And I was suprised at the amount of stickers that are included in the book, they are wonderful. And I really like the illustrations as well. The book is a whole is beautiful inside and out. And as usual, I used my four year-old niece as the real person to review this book of David, and she absolutely loved it! We read the story together and she had a wonderful time placing the stickers on the correct pages, and as she placed the stickers, she talked about each one and we had fun talking about David and Goliath. This tells me that the stickers are a valuable source to go with the story because it keeps children much more interested in the story.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for your small child. I will know they will love it just as much as my niece does. And she still loves reading the book, even after the stickers are all in place.<br /><br />I received this book free from Kregel Publishing. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The<br /> opinions here are my own.", "timestamp": 1361587647000, "title": "Wonderful little book for small children" }, { "asin": "1401686826", "rating": 5, "text": "So Shines the Night......<br /><br />I really enjoyed this historical Biblical fiction by Tracey Higley. I haven't read a lot books in this early era, being set in 57 A. D. The characters were interesting and realistic and I enjoyed getting to know them as the story unfolds. The story is based on Acts 19 and the author did her research well, because as I continued to read, the situations and everything surrounding them begin to feel so real I felt like I was there! And as always I love that Tracy brings a part of the Bible to life through her vivid imagination in So Shines the Night, and I appreciate her sharing this story with us!<br /><br />If you enjoy historical fiction, or Biblical fiction, you will love So Shines the Night. I encourage you to pick up your copy today!<br /><br />I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson 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 55.", "timestamp": 1362552920000, "title": "So Shines the Night" }, { "asin": "080072089X", "rating": 5, "text": "It seems that someone is a spy in Lady Wexham's house but who could it be? Rees Phillips is trying to find out, with his new job disguised as a butler. But can Rees sneak around and try to find answers without anyone suspecting him? This book gets very interesting as the sneaking around continues, not only with Rees but others in the household.<br /><br />This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend. I enjoyed the era of the setting and the vivid details so perfectly described by Ruth Axtell. The characters were unique and believable and they keep readers guessing and reading throughout the story. I really liked Rees and his attempting to be a butler, which he did very well. And the tension between he and the Lady Wexham was enough to keep me reading to find out what the outcome between them would be.<br /><br />I highly recommend this story for anyone who loves a good historical fiction with a bit of suspense and romance. You will not be disappointed!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Revell Publishers for me to read and review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1362978017000, "title": "Great Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0745962823", "rating": 2, "text": "I love sticker story books for children, and this is why I wanted to review My Very First Easter Story Book. The book is very attractive, with vivid colors and stickers to go along with the story on each page. The story is about the story of Easter, Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave.<br /><br />The story is simple enough for very small children to understand, and I like that part about this book. But I do wish the author would have explained why Jesus died for us instead of making the remark a number of times that He did this to make the world a better place. Children need the simplicity of the story but they also need to know the actual truth of what the scripture says. For me, when I read the story to my niece, I added the parts left out by the author, but not everyone can or will do that. I hope the next book the author writes she will stay closer to scripture.", "timestamp": 1364047316000, "title": "Easter Sticker book" }, { "asin": "1595548890", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />When I see Beth Wiseman's name on a book, I know it is going to be an awesome read. I love her Amish books, but I am enjoying the contempory fiction she is writing as well! In The House That Love Built, the characters are realistic and believable and I enjoyed getting to know them better as the story unfolded. Beth had a strong faith in God, and she showed this faith through the many struggles she faced. And she was able to help Owen with struggles with his faith as their friendship progressed. I did feel for Beth as she struggled with the situation with her dad, because she was clearly hurt by him.<br />This is a story of love, faith in the Lord, forgiveness and second chances. If you are looking for a good clean entertaining story, this one is for you.", "timestamp": 1365582565000, "title": "Another wonderful book by Beth Wiseman" }, { "asin": "1414361122", "rating": 5, "text": "Rescue Team by Candace Calvert<br /><br />Kate Callison has been running from her past and jumping jobs for several years, and now she is working as ER director at Austin Grace Hospital. As different cases came through the ER department, memories of Kate's past surfaced more and more. Wes Tanner was at the right place at the right time when an emergency happened at Austin Grace, but then he met the new ER director, Kate. Wes finds himself attracted to Kate, despite her dismissive attitude, but just how does Kate feel about Wes?<br /><br />I am a big fan of Candace Calvert and Rescue Team is another Candace book that I LOVE! I love books that capture my attention early in the story, and this one had my attention from the first page! I wasn't sure about Kate at first, with her attitude and the mystery of her past, but as the story unfolded, I could understand her attitude about life. And I love Wes, he is such a sweetheart, and I love his family. But he has a heartbreaking past as well, that he doesn't want to talk about. Ms. Calvert weaves together a story of heartbreaking pasts, through many difficult situations and twists and turns, and so vividly shows love, forgiveness and healing through God's love and mercy in Wes and Kate's story.<br /><br />If you enjoy Christian fiction, or just want a good clean medical romance to read, I highly recommend Rescue Team. With Candace being a former nurse, the medical knowledge is phenomenal, making the story even more interesting and enjoyable.<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale House to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1367285043000, "title": "Awesome Christian Fiction with a lot of Medical Knowledge" }, { "asin": "0764209663", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Looking for a new preacher? Why not hold up a train and steal him at gunpoint? Karen Witemeyer gives us and interesting, enjoyable, witty, funny story that will sure be the height of your entertainment this summer in Stealing the Preacher. Joanna's outlaw father was willing to do anything to give her what she wants, including holding up a train and stealing Crockett Archer. Only Crockett can't stay in the little Texas Community of Piney Woods because he's on a mission someplace else as a preacher candidate. But as he gets to know the people in Piney Woods, he's drawn to the need for someone to take over the little church that hasn't had a preacher for quite a while. But what about this other church, the one who is waiting on his arrival to vote on whether or not they want him as their own preacher. Well, its all unfolded between the pages of the wonderful book!<br />First of all, I LOVE this cover. I am so glad Bethany House decided to change it! And Karen Witemeyer is at it again with her awesome, humorous writing style. As I read Stealing the Preacher, I fell in love with the people of Piney Woods, and was really hoping that Crockett would decide to change his mind and be their new preacher, especially since he was so different from most preachers, and he identified with these people so well. With all of the twists and turns, and the adorable, unique characters, why not come on board with the rest of us and enjoy this wonderful summer, and well really, anytime read from Ms. Whitemeyer and Bethany House. You will sure be happy you decided to try this one. And while you are at it, check out the other books by Karen Witemeyer. I've read all of Karen's books, and each one gets better and better! She is definitely high on my favorite authors list!<br />I received this book from the publisher Bethany House, and Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1371094501000, "title": "Another awesome historical fiction from Karen Witemeyer" }, { "asin": "0825442141", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Reading this book clearly shows that women have always experienced hurt in some way. Authors Dena Dyer and Tina Samples' Wounded Women of the Bible gives ladies an inside look at more than a dozen women throughout Bible time and the hurts and difficulties they faced. We read the stories of Dinah, Ruth, Hagar, Ichabod's Mother, Mary and Martha, and others, getting to know they ladies in a really interesting and unique way.<br /><br />Finding Hope When Life Hurts is truly what we learned from this book through the lives of each of these ladies. Dena Dyer and Tina Samples leave nothing out as they study and explore what the Bible says. I also appreciate the authors opening their own lives and showing the hurts and struggles they have faced in their lives. To me, this makes the book even more special because we are not only getting truths from the Bible, we are getting truths from real people's lives.<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Kregel to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1377922007000, "title": "Wonderful Bible Study!" }, { "asin": "1859857663", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Bumper Wipe Clean Activities was a huge hit with my 4 year old niece. She loves it, and has played and played with it. I ended up mailing it to her house so she could have it there to play with! This is the cutest little book your child will ever have. The wipe clean activities are adorable for the kids to do. This is an awesome idea for a children's book. Abbi has enjoyed the matching, tracing, going through the mazes, and all of the other activities, and the awesome thing about this is that they can wipe the page clean, and start over again!<br /><br />Need activities to keep children quiet in the car, or maybe an appointment? This is the book you need. It is hours of fun for young children, I would have one for each child, and they can do their own thing while you enjoy the peace and quiet!<br /><br />I just can't say enough about this little activity book. This is a must for all homes with small children! You and your child will love is just as much as Abbi and I do!!<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Kregel to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1380282113000, "title": "Love, Love this book!!" }, { "asin": "B00FFBG1PM", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The Bargin is not just another Amish Fiction! It is an Amish fiction with a twist like I haven't read before, the setting being in the Vietnam War. I loved the history weaved into the book about this era, and especially since I was old enough during that time to remember a lot about the war and the friends I had who fought in it. Betsy's story was interesting, with her family living as Englisch. This story brought back a lot of memories of when I was growing up, and that I did enjoy very much! It was so interesting because back then, we did really live plain, or so it seems like that now. I really did love the setting, and the story.<br /><br />Stephanie Reed is a fairly new author for me, so I was excited to review an Amish fiction from a different author. Ms. Reed created characters that were enjoyable and believable, giving readers a real feel of life in the early 1970′s. If you enjoy Amish, you will love this one. If you enjoy historical fiction, this is for you too! So why not put the two together and check out this new book from Stephanie Reed. I think you will be pleasantly surprised!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1382586934000, "title": "The Bargin" }, { "asin": "1859855865", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS<br /><br />This is a really neat Bible handbook from Kregel Publishers. The Candle Bible Handbook is for 8 to 12 year olds and would be an awesome addition to their library, because it can be a wonderful study tool for your child to use while reading the Bible or reading Bible stories. There are many things to help with Bible study including study questions, tips to watch for when reading, an outline an description of the book, along with a little box with important information. And you will also find a section with Big ideas in the Bible, Bible Promises, Fifty very important passages in the Bible and Who’s Who in the Bible. And of course this is just a touch of what you will find in this neat handbook.<br /><br />I really like this book that will be an additional study tool when studying the Bible. I found it interesting myself as I read through it and went over the different things added to help study. If you have kids in this age group, or I think even teenagers would like this, I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of The Candle Bible Handbook. You will find it very informative and interesting.<br /><br />I rec’d a copy of this book from Kregel to read and review. The opinions in this review are mine only. I was not required or expected to write a positive review.", "timestamp": 1400470384000, "title": "Really Neat for Kids" }, { "asin": "1414368453", "rating": 5, "text": "Annie, a young Irish immigrant is the housekeeper at Mrs. Hawkins boarding house, but she is also a wonderful story teller, thanks to her really great storyteller father. But when Annie’s father passed away, and after living with her no caring uncle, and the horrible places he sent her, she eventually ended up in New York. You will thoroughly enjoy this wonderful historical novel by Cindy Thomson. Annie not only loved storytelling, she loved to daydream, so her mind was always full of a story to tell. And Ms. Thomson does an amazing job of telling these stories in a way that will capture your heart and attention. One thing that was so touching to me is the way telling her stories always made Annie think of the father she missed so much. Check out this fabulous book and give it a try!<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale House to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1420701507000, "title": "Really interesting historical fiction!" }, { "asin": "0529102781", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Jeremiah and Anna May's life took a tumbling fall when Jeremiah left his Amish family, Anna May and the Amish faith for the English world, and their schools, to become a veterinarian. But will his return mean that they can pick up where they left off with their relationship? Life is not that easy! And life for these two young people was not without heartaches and many struggles as they strived to find out what God really wanted them to do with their lives.<br /><br />I have read many of Kathleen Fuller's books, and have enjoyed them all! Just as I enjoyed this one, and I'm going to get the other books in this series as well! I fell in love with these characters immediately, and I thoroughly enjoyed following their journey, though they did have their moments. I like that Ms. Fuller shows so much detail to the story and each scene that takes place. This is truly a well written book, and a book that anyone who loves a really good Amish story will want to read!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1426653601000, "title": "Very nice Amish story!" }, { "asin": "0800722485", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />For me, this was a really heartwarming story. Kaitlyn was trying to get her life together after leaving her child with her brother to raise. Now she has to prove that she is the mother her daughter needs in order to get her daughter back. On the other hand, Steven is trying to prove that he has grown up, and ready to settle down. But would Steven and Kaitlyn be able to make a go of it together, with all of their past failures?<br /><br />I have really enjoyed Catherine Armstrong’s A Place to Call Home Series, and I so much enjoyed this third book! The characters are very realistic and enjoyable to get to know. The lives of the characters sure keep readers wondering what will happen next! And I appreciate the detailed info about this little place called Last Chance. It is sure a place I would love to visit!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1426819255000, "title": "Love this wonderful book!" }, { "asin": "0310315549", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This has been an absolutely enjoyable series to read, and Rachel Hauck is an amazingly talented writer! I love how she brings you into the story, giving me the feeling I was there with the characters. As I read the book, I felt as though the characters were real, as I thought about them day and night! Corina was hoping to find her prince charming for the second time, but with all of the issues going on, and with Corina still dealing with the death of her brother, there was just no way. But was there? This is truly a story of redemption and love, and the twists and turns in the story kept me turning the pages pretty fast! The setting, the characters, the different scenes throughout the story as I read, they all came together to a wonderful ending. I highly recommend How to Catch a Prince, and the other books in Rachel Hauck's Royal Wedding Series.<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1427161293000, "title": "Love this heartwarming story" }, { "asin": "0718031652", "rating": 4, "text": "Sarah Montgomery finally gets to join her fiancée Rand Campbell, in Fort Laramie, Wyoming but is he really excited to see her? Seems like he has found someone else to occupy his time, making life difficult for Sarah. But then when ex-fiancé Ben Croftner shows up in Wyoming, things get a little more exciting, or maybe we could say tension was filling the air more than ever.<br /><br />A Heart's Obsession is another short story in Colleen Coble's A Journey of the Heart Series. a reissue of the Wyoming series published around a decade, and back this time in 6 short books. Though I like short books sometimes, its kind of frustrating that we as readers have to wait so long for the next chapters in the book. Its like reading a few chapters, putting the book down, and after a month picking it back up again. I am just not fond of this type of reading myself. But as far as the story, I love it! It is awesome, just as all of Colleen Coble books are!! I will keep them all, and read them again in the order of the series, and will enjoy them much more. I hope this is not a trend that publishers are heading toward, but it will be interesting to see.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1429074224000, "title": "Short story" }, { "asin": "0310335884", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Life hasn't been easy for 32 year old Linda Zook, being orphaned at age 4 and raised by an uncle that didn't want her. But Linda is determined to make something of her life, working part time at the Lancaster Grand Hotel, she desires to we worthy of a life that she can be happy and loved. Thirty-two year old Aaron Ebersol comes back into the picture after leaving the Amish community for almost two decades because of the harsh demands of his father. These two meet up, but what will life be for them because of their background? Can they find love and forgiveness for the family that wronged them?<br /><br />Amy Clipston is one of my favorite Amish writers. I love her writing style, the long series about this Amish Community and the families, and I fell in love with her characters in the first book of this series! Linda and Aaron's story is a sad, but yet a happy one. I thoroughly enjoyed following the lives of these two characters through the thick and thin of their relationship. As I read their story, I could clearly see the love, grace, forgiveness and redemption of our God in the lives of these characters. In everything they went through, God was in the driver's seat of their lives and leading them every step of the way. If you enjoy Amish fiction, this series is a must for you. Check out A Simple Prayer by Amy Clipston, and the other books in this awesome series.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1431489089000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Life hasn't been easy for 32 year old Linda Zook" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Talk about mystery, The End of Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble is one of the best mysteries I have read! Who is Claire Dellamare? She thought her life was like any other rich girl’s life, that it until she Claire returns to the Hotel Tourmaline for a business meeting with her CEO father. That’s when she starts hearing rumors about her disappearing for a year when she was young.<br /><br />Wow, this was an awesome read! The plot line was amazing, and the characters were so very realistic I wanted to be there in the story with them. Clarie was a sweet and intelligent young lady, and never did she think her life would be in shambles when she returned to the Hotel Tourmaline. The more I read the stranger the story became, one murder and one young child went missing at the same time. Was there a connection? What strange and horrific thing could have happened all those years ago? This is a book you do not want to miss. And if you are a Colleen Cobble fan, this is one of her best!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1431575510000, "title": "The End of Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble is one of the best mysteries I have read" }, { "asin": "0529103435", "rating": 5, "text": "A Heart’s Betrayal is the fourth book in Colleen Coble’s A Journey of the Heat Series. This series is a previous series from Ms. Coble, this one is a very short book for each story. In this story, Emmie Croftner finds out that her late husband wasn’t the man she thought he was, the home and everything she had wasn’t hers after all. After relocating, Emmie meets a soldier that just might change her life.<br /><br />As usual, Colleen Coble writes a story with characters are interesting and intriguing, and make the story interesting. The situations in Emmie’s life leave her with a life of tension, so much so that she can’t stay in her town any longer. This change in her life leaves a more and different type of tension, because of her new place and new people in her life. The one thing with these short books is that you have to wait a month to read the next short installment. For me, it is much easier to read the entire story at once. I am keeping all of these books and will read them again one after the other!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1433304461000, "title": "A Heart’s Betrayal is the fourth book in Colleen Coble’s ..." }, { "asin": "1496402146", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This is a really good story written from a mothers viewpoint about her child. With television being the big entertainment and past time, weight problems in children are on the rise. Heidi Bond made changes she had to make for her daughter’s health. With the world today full of fast food, quick fix meals, and sweet and fatty snacks, obesity in children just keeps getting worse.<br /><br />I appreciate how Heidi and Breanna are using their story to help other kids with the same problems they have experienced. Even though their journey was not an easy on, it was a productive one because it taught them the meaning of a healthy lifestyle. I did make me angry as Heidi talked about the way people viewed her efforts, especially talking about those who had talked about her daughter’s obesity, now criticizing her for refusing her candy and sweet treats. People can be so rude. If you are someone you love is experiencing the same or similar situation, I encourage you to pick up a copy of Heidi’s book, Who’s the New Kid. I think you will find help you never expected.<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1433905940000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK This is a really good story written from a mothers viewpoint about her child" }, { "asin": "0310322170", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Another murder in the Amish Artisan Village in Middlebury, Indiana, and the Poison Poet strikes again and again leaving pies with notes attached saying the pies are poisoned. And then the emails Amber is getting, that is clearly from the Poison Poet? Ms. Chapman does it again with a murder, mystery/suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seats. And in an Amish community at that!<br /><br />I felt so bad for Amber, the harassing emails were causing problems with her work and marriage, because the Poison Poet was determined that she wouldn’t tell anyone what was going on. But she had too many friends and family that loved her, and I was touched at the way the pulled together to help her. And another person that was helped was Preston. I really like Preston and the sweet relationship forming between Preston and Mocha, which you will need to read the book to find out about these two! And who in the world could have gunned Ryan Duvall down in broad daylight, just as he finished his race?<br /> A lot of questions, and a lot going on in Murder Freshly Baked, and I just know you will enjoy it as much as I did!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1433921239000, "title": "Just Wonderful Writing by Ms. Chapman!" }, { "asin": "0800734351", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Has Marisa St. George found the man or her dreams after moving back to her hometown of Dupree, Texas. Very successful and well known writer Blake Kendall decides to try hanging out at Rainbow’s End Resort for a while to see if it would help his writers block, that he couldn’t seem to get over. The attraction between Marisa and Blake was immediate, but then things started to come up that put a halt on that attraction, and their relationship was rocky one min and ok the next. This situation, along with everything else going on at Rainbow’s End Resort makes for a fun and entertaining story.<br /><br />In Firefly Valley ,I loved reading about the characters I grew to love in the first book in this series, At Bluebonnet Lake, and meeting the new people traveling to the area! The relaxing atmosphere at the Rainbow’s End Resort and the quite town of Dupree, Texas makes this a light read, yet a story that deals with lives that were changed through forgiveness of each other and the love, forgiveness and redemption of our Lord. I want to encourage you to pick up a copy of In Firefly Valley for hours of relaxing, entertaining and fun. I think you will like this book as much as I did! This one goes on my keeper shelf!<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.<br /><br />Another really sweet book from author Amanda Cabot!", "timestamp": 1434349019000, "title": "along with everything else going on at Rainbow’s End Resort makes for a fun and entertaining story" }, { "asin": "0800723503", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Her mother's death causes Elizabeth Benjamin to return to her home in Key West, but things didn't go as she thought it would. Though she needed her family, it seemed that they didn't need her as much, and she sure wasn't happy with her father's pick as a husband for her. Was her trip back home a mistake?<br /><br />Since this was my first book by Christine Johnson I wasn't sure what to expect, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. This book was as good as the cover is beautiful! I love the inviting cover! This was also my first story with a setting in the historical 1850's Key West, Florida. There is a lot that makes up the plot of this story, danger, secrets, adventures seas, heart throbbing romance, and determination in the hearts of characters. Ms. Johnson does a marvelous job of weaving it all together to write a most amazing, entertaining and enjoyable story that I highly recommend. I will sure be looking for more books in this series.<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1434354351000, "title": "and she sure wasn't happy with her father's pick as a husband for her" }, { "asin": "1601425996", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Mesu Andrew's books because she has such an amazing talent of taking Bible characters, putting them in a historical Biblical setting and creating a story that will pull you in and keep you long after you finish the book. When I finish reading a Mesu Andrews book, I have a new, clear insight of the Biblical character the Book is about.<br /><br />The Pharoah's Daughter is another one of those books. I have always loved the story of Moses being put in the river in a basket as a baby by his sister. And Pharoah's daughter claiming Moses for her own, and raising him as her own. Ms. Andrews takes this story much deeper, bringing us into the home of Pharoah's daughter and now the home of Moses. I have always has questions about how this or that happened, and in this story, Ms. Andrews answers some of those questions in her fictional way. This was a special time in history, and I appreciate this awesome author for taking on these characters and this time in history. And I also appreciate the knowledge and research it took to write a story like this. Needless to say, I was in awe of The Pharoah's Daughter and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves historical, Biblical, or just a good fiction story.<br /><br />Blogging for Books provided this book for my honest review. The review is my views alone.", "timestamp": 1434561646000, "title": "I love Mesu Andrew's books because she has such an amazing ..." }, { "asin": "0718011783", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Two very different people, and a dangerous ruby? That's what this story is about. Daughter of a shop keeper, Camille is searching for her own lot in life. And the son of a very wealthy, well-known explorer and collector, Jonathan is settle in his fathers wealth, even though he is the second son. But his life changes when the hunt for a special ruby leads him to Camille's family shop. Who will finally uncover this expensive, dangerous jewel?<br /><br />Author Sarah Ladd takes us on an exciting and dangerous journey through the streets of historical London in her new book, The Curiosity Keeper. And Curiosity it is as I read this really good book! The characters will weave their way into your hearts, and the sights and sounds of London are so expertly detailed that you will find yourselves wondering if you are there! I love the tension in the scenes, because it made me keep turning the pages. The intensity and suspense that takes place makes for a very enjoyable read. I highly recommend The Curiosity Keeper!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1436334889000, "title": "And Curiosity it is as I read this really good book! The characters will weave their way into ..." }, { "asin": "0718031687", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br /> Emmie has a secret that she definitely doesn't want Isaac to know about, because she doesn't want to loose him. This makes for a lot of twists and turns in this very short story. This is book 5 in A Journey of the Heart Series. I enjoyed reading the continuation of this story, the characters and setting is already familiar, and the plot is somewhat set. As with all Colleen Coble books, this is a wonderful read and a wonderful series. I enjoyed each book, but I think reading all of these short book at once would be better because you don't have to wait to see what the next few chapters give.<br /><br />BookLook Bloggers provided this book for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive or any type of review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1436336191000, "title": "I enjoyed reading the continuation of this story" }, { "asin": "0310749417", "rating": 5, "text": "My Thoughts<br /><br />This is a cute little Bible Story book for any little one. If you have small children, you would be wise to invest in this book for them. The colors are nice and bright, and the cover is just plain cute! It has Papa, Brother, Sister and Honey reading, which is one of our favorite things to do here. The book is made just for smaller kids with thick sturdy pages that a child cannot tear, so you don't have to worry about them playing with this book. And you will enjoy reading these Bible stories and teaching your child about Jesus.<br /><br />This book was provided by BookLook Bloggers. The opinions here are mine.", "timestamp": 1441166721000, "title": "The colors are nice and bright" }, { "asin": "1401688888", "rating": 5, "text": "I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1441168580000, "title": "Love it!" }, { "asin": "1401690513", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Abby Knightly’s life came to an end as she knew it when her husband was killed in an auto accident, and Abby feels responsible. Not being about to live with what happened, Abby decides to move to a little town she had read about in a column in a newspaper. Circumstances caused her to meet Bo, one of three brothers that owned a ranch in the small town of Wishing Springs, Texas .<br /><br />This story took a different turn than the first book in this series. Bo’s story didn’t come across as well as Tru’s for me. Bo seemed less responsible, more reckless and the little surprise that ended up on his pops doorstep confirms that. It just happened that Abby was there at the right time, which was ok with Bo because he needed all the help he could get. Even though I did enjoy the story, a young lady showing up in a small town, meeting a guy that has sworn off ladies, and all of a sudden were thrown together and everything else that happened within a few weeks just wasn’t as believable as I would have liked. But then, that’s just me! All in all, I enjoyed the Monahan family again, and looking forward to reading book three! And by the way, Pops is just the sweetest old man, just adorable!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1441775657000, "title": "Even though I did enjoy the story" }, { "asin": "0310338492", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Love this book, Love this series! Shelley Shepard Gray is one of the best!! Lydia and Sebastian were two very different people, from completely different backgrounds, but the attraction between them was real. But the two being together was just impossible. Or was it? Though rough as some of the characters are, this is a pretty sweet story. There is a lot of bad things happening, a lot of tension, a lot of twists and turns, but Ms. Gray does a fantastic job of pulling it all together, with twists and turns you don’t expect, and making another awesome story in this series. I don’t want to say too much, and give anything away, so I wont! This is a wonderful and entertaining story, set just after the Chicago Worlds Fair is over, a story that will stay with you for a while.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1447220727000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Love this book" }, { "asin": "0310339545", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Leila Lantz has a difficult decision to make. Two young men, Jesse, and Will (Jesse's cousin) want her love and commitment. But the two offer entirely different lifestyles for Leila. Jesse is struggling with his faith, and not so sure he is ready for a lifetime commitment, but Leila has loved him since the first time she saw him. And Will, well he is more settled and knows what he wants to do with his life, but keeps his feelings for Leila to himself because he doesn't want to hurt his cousin Jesse. How will this author untangle this mess of relationships for Leila?<br /><br />I really like the way Kelly Irvin writes Amish fiction. She adds a unique twist to her stories that make them very interesting and entertaining. Leila has some tough decisions to make, but I liked that. Dealing with real life situations, even among the Amish faith helps to realize that we all have problems that we must surrender to the Lord. And this book will have you taking a closer look at your own faith. It was nice visiting characters from book one, and I am excited to read book three when it hits the shelves. If you are looking for a good clean book for enjoyment, this is a wonderful one to pick up!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1447474989000, "title": "and Will (Jesse's cousin) want her love and commitment" }, { "asin": "1601425007", "rating": 5, "text": "A Refuge at Highland Hall is the third book in the Edwardian Brides series by Carrie Turansky. I was glad to read more of Highland Hall's Penny Ramsey in this story. Because of Britain's involvement in WWI, Penny decides to travel to London to help her sister Kate and her husband with the houseful of orphaned children they have. Its there that Penny meets Royal Naval Air Service pilot Alex Goodwin, and there was definitely an attraction between the two! Knowing he would be chasing Zeppelins across the front line in France, Alex couldn't allow anything series between the two. But they could write to each other while he was in France. But faced with unforeseen circumstances, Alex's life takes a dramatic change, and seeing Penny again was out of the question.<br /><br />This is such a wonderful book! First of all, the cover is beautiful, and the story inside is full of entertainment. I loved meeting the characters again, they now seem like family members. Penny is such a sweetheart, and I was cheering on a relationship between she and Alex. There's a lot of things going on in this book, a lot of twists and turns happening that made me keep my nose in the book until I finished!! Author Carrie Turansky does an amazing joy of weaving everything together nicely, and giving readers a sweet romance.<br /><br />And the history in this story is phenomenal, it made the trip back into the past WWI era so enjoyable. As I read, I felt like I was living the story along with the characters. This book is a must if you enjoy historical and WWI fiction. And this one is a nice clean read! One that anyone will enjoy!<br /><br />I received this book from Blogging for Books to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1454892669000, "title": "Awesome Read!" }, { "asin": "0310332435", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGTHS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Casey Cox only wants to do the right things, find her father's killer. But her life falls apart when she finds her good friend murdered, and with her DNA being all over the place, she has no option but to run. Dylan Roberts, the PI hired to find Casey doesn't think she is guilty of murder, the evidence just doesn't show it.<br /><br />If I Run is another fast pace thriller from one of my very favorite authors, Terri Blackstock. It starts our with Casey finding her good friend Brent murdered in his home. Knowing why Brent was murdered, and her blood all over everything, Casey's only choice is to take off. Casey was a fantastic leading character, with all of her twists and turns trying to stay under the radar, I never knew what was coming next! Casey was such a caring person, she cared more for helping others than she did herself, even if she did put herself in the spotlight. I really enjoyed this story, and I read it through without putting it down.<br /><br />However, the ending just almost ruined it for me. It left so many loose ends, I felt as though I was hanging from a cliff when I read that last sentence. I sure hope there is a book two, I will be very disappointed if it is not. Can't wait to find out about another book in this series!", "timestamp": 1455863516000, "title": "But her life falls apart when she finds her good friend murdered" }, { "asin": "1414389752", "rating": 5, "text": "Mariah and her grandmother are trying their best to keep their ranch running after the death of Mariah’s father. But their lives take a drastic change when Slade Donovan show up claiming the ranch. As it turns out, Mariah’s father supposedly took money that belonged to Slade’s father and bought the ranch, so now that Slade’s father is dead, he is there to claim what belongs to their family. He agrees to let Mariah and her grandmother stay in the house until his mom and sister come to live there. But a lot of things happen here in this story before that takes place.<br /><br />This was my first book by Pam Hillman, and I loved it so very much! There was a lot of tension between the characters because Slade was carrying around so much anger and bitterness. Mariah was shocked that her father would steal money, so she and Slade didn’t get along. The two that did surprisingly got along was Slade’s quiet brother and Mariah’s grandmother, while I think had a lot to do with Slade and Mariah slowing changing their minds. Grandma was a sweetheart, she loved the Lord, and nothing seemed to upset her. She was the glue that held them all together. But when the mom and sister get there, things may change for them.<br /><br />I enjoyed Ms. Hillman’s writing style and I look forwarding to reading other books by her. The bit of suspense and romance make this story one you will love and enjoy. And I can’t leave out the fact that the history throughout this story was so interesting and very well searched and woven into the lives of the characters. You can’t go wrong with this book being on your ‘to read’ shelf. I purchased a copy of this book to read, and it is so good I wanted to leave a review.", "timestamp": 1456156195000, "title": "Love this historical fiction" }, { "asin": "0764211412", "rating": 5, "text": "I thought this book was a fantastic read, and I really enjoyed every minute of it! After Miranda sold a prized portrait, and her grandfather bought an auction house that they were sure the portrait went to, the story took a new twist! I'm not sure how I would have felt had I ended up at a livestock auction house, and it was just as interesting reading about Miranda's experience. There is a lot in this story to absorb, and I kept wondering if a mistake was made about buying this auction house in the first place, but I just had to be patient. I will have to say, from the cover of this book, I did not expect the story that is between the pages!<br /><br />When I see a book by Regina Jennings, I know its going to be an awesome read, and this was no exception. I became very attached to the characters, the grandfather was adorable and Miranda was a special young lady! And oh, the romance was sweet and heartfelt. This is a must read for those of you who enjoy historical fiction, or just looking for a good clean read! At Love's Bidding will not disappoint!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1456295075000, "title": "Love this book!" }, { "asin": "0718033183", "rating": 4, "text": "Arguments with parents happen often, but Joanna Schrock never dreamed this argument would be her last. The accident that happened after the argument changed Joanna's life forever, in ways she never expected. Andrew, her beau since childhood draws closer<br /> to Joanna, knowing her could have lost her in the accident. But is his marriage offer truly because of his love for her?<br /><br /> This was a most enjoyable story. I do not read a lot of Amish stories, but this one captured my attention, with the horrific accident and the heartbreaking happenings after. The story gets intense while Joanna is recovering, with Andrew hovering over her, and Joanna wondering if it was his love or his pity for him that he was acting in such a way.<br /><br /> This story was interesting enough to keep me reading. If you enjoy Amish stories, you will enjoy this one.<br /><br />I received a free copy of this book from ,…….. to read and review. I expressed my own opinion in this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1458937229000, "title": "But is his marriage offer truly because of his love for her" }, { "asin": "0800726405", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br /> After the death of her husband, Shelby Kincaid decides to move back to where she was raised, and purchase her family's home, Misty Willow. AJ Sullivan owns the home, given to him by his grandfather, though he is sure not interested in the place. Once the two meet, for some odd reason they couldn't stay away from each other. But family history and dark secrets find their place between these two young people.<br /><br />This turned out to be a sweet and heartwarming story. AJ wasn't the villain I thought he would me, he was actually a character I liked very much. AJ's cousins, Brett and Amy are a different story altogether. The were difficult to tolerate! Ms. Alexander does a fantastic job of weaving this story together, through the difficult past, to the difficult cousins, to this special couple, Shelby and AJ, turning their lives around to create a beautiful life between the two. This is a wonderful contemporary story that you don't want to miss.<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1459829440000, "title": "Love this beautiful story!" }, { "asin": "1629116858", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Abigail Stutzman had no idea why she was dumped at a bus station with a ticket to an aunt and uncle's house she didn't even know she had. What was wrong with her mamm, why did she allow this to happen to her? And it seemed like her aunt and uncle and everyone else in her new community was silent on the issue as well. What made things even worse for Abby is her new friends seem to leave her on a trail of burned down barns. Nothing happening in her life made sense to Abbi anymore.<br /><br />Poor Abby, I can not imagine what it would be like to be left at a bus station and sent to someone I didn't even know! Amish sometimes have a strange way of handing situations. One thing about it, Even though Abby didn't know her aunt and uncle, they were happy to meet their new niece, and was glad to have her in their home. She became like a daughter to them. But the fires were a puzzle. And firefighter Sam Miller couldn't figure it out either. But Abby had to be the one setting the fires, wasn't she? As Sam and Abby spend more and more time together, sparks of another kind start flying, and the fire between these two characters may not be so easy to put out.<br /><br />I love Laura Hilton's Amish stories so much. She always has a little different twist to her stories, involving Englischers in such a way that it seems like there is no logical fix to the situations, but in the end, Ms. Hilton weaves the stories together to make a perfect and wonderful ending. And so it was with The Amish Firefighter. This was truly a story of unveiled secrets, forgiveness, redemption and grace in the lives of these characters. I love and appreciate the way Ms. Hilton so vividly tells the story of God's redeeming love to those who as for His forgiveness. I love, love this story, and I am looking forward for more from these Jamesport, Missouri characters.<br /><br />I received this book from Celebrate Lit Blog Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1465782835000, "title": "And it seemed like her aunt and uncle and everyone else in her ..." }, { "asin": "0800722752", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This was an interesting read, being this is election year! Leta Breckenridge lands a excellent paying job at a public relations firm. What Leta didn't know is that she would be used in ways that were very uncomfortable for her. Nathan Emerson may be in the next running race for governor of Texas, and he has just the right woman by his side to make his running complete. But then he meets Leta, and she is so different from anyone he's ever met before. But two very different lifestyles at this point in Nathan's life?<br /><br />I have grown to love books written by Kellie Coates Gilbert, and each book keeps getting better. Ms. Gilbert develops characters that are so very realistic and believable. As I read everything going on in this book, I had to ask myself; Does this really happen in real life? And I'm afraid my answer leans more toward yes that anything else. This story shows that lying, cheating, deceitfulness, always comes back to bite you.<br /><br />I also loved the relationship Leta had with her mom. Even though her mom didn't know how she was most of the time, Leta still needed her mom and they were so sweet together. I hope I have said enough to want you to read this book. I don't want to give away any of the story, for me it ruins it when someone does that. I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of this book and read it. You will not be disappointed in this one. Or anything this author writes!<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1469974817000, "title": "Loved this amazing story" }, { "asin": "0310345391", "rating": 5, "text": "A prison cell in Lake Erie became the home of Confederate soldiers. Growing as close as brothers in this prison, a group of these soldiers made promises to care for one another, no matter what happened. When Phillip Markham lost his life in the prison, Robert Truax knew he had to fulfill that promise and take care of Phillip's wife Marinda. As tough as the situation with Marinda turned out to be, Robert wanted to do the job he came to do and get on with his life. But there were many unexpected bumps in the road that changed those plans.<br /><br /> Shelley Shepard Gray starts another series off with a bang! This beautiful story of love and redemption with capture your hearts. When everything seemed lost and thought there was no hope, Marinda finds out that God does give second chances in life. Robert and Marinda's story is such a sweet heartwarming story. The main characters, as well as the supporting characters will quickly find their way into your heart. I enjoyed the Civil War and post war historical facts and settings. This is a great story for those who enjoy stories with Civil War settings.<br /><br /> A copy of this book was provided to me by BookLook Bloggers for me to read and review. This is my honest opinion of this book.", "timestamp": 1472525447000, "title": "This beautiful story of love and redemption with capture your hearts" }, { "asin": "031034154X", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, this is an amazing story! I fell in love with the characters early in the story. I loved the way Ms. Hauck interweaves Cora and Haley’s stories, and though one was historical and one modern, the story was beautiful written in a way that made me crave more of each character. I couldn’t put this book down because I wanted to find out what was happening with each lady.<br /><br />Cora was the sweetest young lady with a lot of disappointments and heartaches. Rufus, well I just wanted to give him a piece of my mind. And Birch was a sweetheart, a man every women dreams of. Haley was independent like Cora, and wanted to open the Wedding Shop, despite what her parents thought. She was determined to try and forget her ex forever. And I really liked Cole as well. He has his share of disappointments and heartaches too. And I love the way Rachel Hauck interweaves the stories of these four characters in an amazing way, weaving together their dysfunctional lives with their faith in the Lord. And she shows that even though our lives don’t turn out the way we want, and despite the heartaches and disappointments we may go through, Jesus will always be there in us and with us. And He can take all of our baggage and make something beautiful from it all.<br /><br />The Wedding Shop is another beautiful story from author Rach Hauck. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good clean heartwarming read. And if you haven’t read The Wedding Dress and The Wedding Chapel, I encourage you to check out these two books as well.<br /><br />I received this book from Celebration Lit Blog Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1474495378000, "title": "Love it!" }, { "asin": "0310342015", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />I love, love Amy Clipston's books and this is another amazing one from her. She writes the most amazing Amish fiction, and you don't want to miss this one. Mike Lantz has his hands full taking care of his dad and his disabled son. He moves to the area because he wants his son to go to this special school, hoping he can learn like a regular. And that's where he meets Rachel. Rachel feels sorry for the Lantz family and wants to help them, so she starts fixing them mills each week and sending them home by Mike's son John. The special thing about these meals is that she sends them in an antique basket that belonged to her mom, a basket that brought her mom and dad together. Can history repeat itself and bring another couple together?<br />Find out when you read the third book in The Amish Heirloom Series by Amy Clipston. I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1475899748000, "title": "Rachel Fisher is devastated when the young man she’s loved for years leaves her to date her best friend" }, { "asin": "162911748X", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />This is such an amazing story, I was in awe the entire time I was reading this book. Both Mary and Joseph were the sweetest young couple. Her parents loved her very much to make sure the man she would marry was the man she loved. I know this is fiction, but as I read the account of the angel coming to Mary in a dream, her trip to see her cousin Elizabeth, Mary telling her parents and Joseph she was pregnant with the Messiah, each and every scene was so fully detailed, I felt like I was living this story along with the characters. It is so neat to see this Bible account through the eyes of Diana W. Taylor.<br />It was so sweet to follow along with Mary as she realized she was carrying a special baby, that God has actually trusted her an favored her among all of the women of that time, and chose her to be the mother of Jesus. Despite what she had to go through, the outrage of her family and Joseph when she first told them she was pregnant with God's son, all of the talk and whispers among everyone she came in contact with, Mary still had a peace and calmness, and an excitement that God had favored her among women. Can you just imaging what that would feel like?<br />Ms. Taylor not only writes an wonderful story of Mary, the historical events and all of the details was amazing. It is so much in this story that I love, I could go on and on, but you have an idea what this book is about. And I agree with others that this book needs to be read before Christmas and before Easter. It is a great way to ready your heart for the Celebration of each of these holidays. If you have friends and family that love reading, and don't know the Lord, this would be the most amazing book for them to read. The Gospel is told throughout this book in a wonderful way. This is a must read for every Christian!<br />&#34;I received this book from the author for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed in this review are my own.&#34;", "timestamp": 1476502162000, "title": "Love this Biblical Fiction!" }, { "asin": "1501822608", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is an awesome devotional for the month of December. Ace Collins take us through each day of December with a different insight about the one we celebrate on Christmas day, Jesus Christ. I have enjoyed this devotional because each day I am reminded of the birth of or Savior, and it I can read about Him and Worship Him in a new way each day. There is also a lot of fun things throughout the pages of this books. You will find nice recipes, the meaning behind the words of songs, Christmas traditions, Christmas carols and some movies. I am really enjoying my time spent in this little book, and I will save it for years to come.<br />I highly recommend The Most Wonderful Time of the Year for your special Christmas devotions. received this book from Litfuse to read and review. I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1481771391000, "title": "Awesome Christmas Devotional" }, { "asin": "0718086422", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />For me, it was difficult to get interested in this story until after the first several chapters, but then, the story opens up into raw emotions about what truly happens to families that go into full time ministry, especially as missionaries to another country. Through fiction, this author shares the feelings and truths of the real family problems that can occur. After reading this, you will feel more of a desire to pray for missionaries you know, as well as any missionaries that give up their lives as they know it to go into an unknown place and share the gospel of Christ. Remember to pray for those taking the gospel to the places in the world that would not hear unless someone comes to tell them.<br />This is a must read if you believe God is calling you to the mission fields. It could very well help families know more about what to expect.<br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1483588639000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK For me, it was ..." }, { "asin": "1401685978", "rating": 3, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK <br />Charlotte and Daniel are in love, but the problem is Charlotte is an Englisher, and she doesn’t seem to want to do anything about joining the Amish faith to be with Daniel for the rest of their lives. Daniel is getting so frustrated because he loves Charlotte, but the Bishop is putting the pressure on him because if there relationship is to go on, Charlotte needs to be doing something to lead them all to believe she is thinking about joining their faith. Even though she has lived in the Amish community for a long time, and considers the Amish as her family.<br />This book doesn’t have a lot going on, the main issue is Charlotte and Daniel’s disturbing relationship. Which makes this book much slower than the first two books in this series. This one is just lacking something, not an interesting. But, all in all, I would have read it anyway to see what happens at the end of the series, and to tie up some loose ends. Pick u this last book in Beth Wiseman’s An Amish Secrets Series. I received this book from Booklook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1508817344048, "title": "... THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Charlotte and Daniel are in love, but the problem is Charlotte is an Englisher" }, { "asin": "1683223357", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />This first Christmas story, ‘Christmas in Gold’ is about and elderly lady named Astrid who fell down steps at home and her son and daughter decides to move her to an assisted living facility near her son’s house. Trouble is, he travels all of the time and is hardly home. So after much downsizing her son gets her moved in, he has to leave and the daughter can’t come to help either, so ….has fun decorating her new apartment. Except she couldn’t find her God Christmas ornaments, so guess her son didn’t bother to bring them. Then She starts making new friends at her new place, specifically her therapist. They both needed a friend and despite their age difference they hit it off. So we’re able to be there for each other.<br /><br />This is a good story, but it started off very slow for me. After probably halfway through it gets better. There’s a little bit of drama here but not much. Christmas did turn out different than I expected. The characters are interesting and realistic, and the author shows that no matter the circumstances, we can be happy and useful in whatever stage of life we are in. The God will walk with us.<br /><br />❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️<br /><br />This second story ‘Christmas in Blue’ for me, is much better. Carole, who has always taken care of the Christmas to Remember event each year passed away leaving her best friend, Angela to follow in her footsteps. And of course she was chosen to do the Christmas to Remember event as well. But things didn’t go so smoothly, and time was running out, and besides that, they only Christmas decorations they could find was blue. Everything. Blue. Which the town wasn’t going to like. Then a mystery person appeared, helping diligently to make the Celebration a success.<br /><br />I enjoyed this story a lot. It was really special to see a twin come together. But the end results was surprisingly very well done. Makes for a very cozy Christmas story to read during the holidays! Especially if there comes a pretty snowfall!<br /><br />This is a beautiful book! I love blue so the colors are just what I like. I encourage you to pick up a copy of The Colors of Christmas for hours of cozy, clean fun entertainment! A complementary copy of this book was provided by TLC Tours. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1509065101398, "title": "Cozy Christmas read" }, { "asin": "1420144839", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Liza Schrock in content running the bakery her late husband bought for her, and has no need for another man in her life. Paul was enough for a lifetime of men for her. Until Jacob Graber and his daughter Ellie walks into her bakery and her life.<br /><br />I enjoyed this sweet Amish story, though some of the time it was a bit slow and things were repeated often. Lisa was happy to be rid of her demanding husband and could now live without fear of his abusive behavior. Though she reacts to Jacob differently than any other man, she is still content with being alone. But Jacob is determined to win Lisa over. I didn’t really care for Jacob’s attitude in several areas. He was rather pushy, even asking Lisa’s family personal questions that were none of his business at the time. And I didn’t like the way he talked to his daughter Ellie about how he felt over his wife’s death, how he missed her too, and needed a friend. To me, this just added to Ellie’s negative feelings, and made Jacob a bit self centered, which is not how Amish men are to act. Soles he sounded like more the whiny child. And I could understand Ellie’s feelings. She had lost her mom after all, and was at the age to question Amish life. And with her dads feelings and attitude all over the place she needed more stability than him.<br /><br />This story jumps around a lot, it deals with a lot of issues lightly but it doesn’t get too deep in any of them. For Amish fiction lovers, you will enjoy Lisa’s story. The ending is much better than the rest of the book so hang in there and keep reading!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1517488805654, "title": "I enjoyed this sweet Amish story" }, { "asin": "0718091159", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Amish Sweethearts is a collection of four Amish stories written by author Amy Clipston. In each of these stores, the main character has some pretty hefty issues to deal with. But they also each find the person they want to spend their life with. And sometime the Amish Father is hard to get along with, which several of these characters had to deal with as well. Ms. Clipston does a wonderful job of weaving lives, circumstances, hurts and wrong decisions together, and coming up with stories that will warm your heart.<br /><br />Overall I enjoyed this book, but I do have a problem with the publisher, publishing two stories that have already previously been published in similar books, and not that kings ago. It’s like getting half a book new and the other half used. And charge the same price. Hopefully this will not be the case again. This is the reason for the 4 stars instead of 5.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1517551284649, "title": "the main character has some pretty hefty issues to deal with" }, { "asin": "1683700406", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The Melody of the Soul is an emotional, heartbreaking read, but yet interesting as we meet Violinist Anna Zadok, a Christian Jew, and her grandmother. With the Nazi’s occupation in Prague, Anna and her grandmother lost family, and Anna lost the right to play her beloved violin. When Nazi officer Horst Engel hears Anna play, enjoys the music so much he makes a way for her to keep playing.<br /><br />As one that plays several musical instruments, I always enjoy books where music has such a huge part in the lives of its characters, as did this book. And the soft side of a Nazi officers love of music was a special touch to the story as well. The characters are well developed as the story progresses. And the author does a fantastic job of weaving the beautiful historical scenes of Praque and the horrors and graphics of WWll, making an enjoyable read for everyone. If you love WWll stories, This is one you want to check out!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1517942859721, "title": "I always enjoy books where music has such a huge part in ..." }, { "asin": "0718099397", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />NFL player Toren Daniels just couldn’t control his anger, no matter what. But when he wakes up in a hotel room, not remembering where he’s been for the past 8 month, his anger is gone. This throws Daniels on a whirlwind to find out where he’s been for the past eight months, as well as prove to his wife and family that he has changed! But with his family believing Toren is dead, they have moved on.<br /><br />I have to admit, I’ve never read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but this author did a very good job of describing what it is about throughout this book, so it was easy to follow the parallel of the two stories. I though I had this plot firgured out, and I actually did get part of it right, but getting to the bottom of Toren’s story and the end of book, author James Rubart takes readers in an unbelievable journey that will stick with you for a long time! Rubarts books are the only fantasy type books I read, and I read them because I love the way he takes Bible principles and a character like Toren with his severe anger issues and weaves them together to show God’s love, mercy and forgiveness. His expertise knowledge and research for this story is evident in each scene in this book. Sometimes I had to just stop and wrap my mind around all of the details before reading further. I found “The Man He Never Was” an amazing book on God’s love. If you enjoy books that strongly applys Bible principals to the lives of the characters in a fantasy type way, you will love this book. And if you have never read a book of this genre, this would be a good one to start with!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1521526071725, "title": "Awesome Story!" }, { "asin": "1496421523", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />I loved this book. So much so that I hated having to put it down for the non important things such as cleaning house or cooking dinner! Just Let Go was so realistic, so much like people everywhere today. And I love the Title because letting go and Letting God in on our problems would be so much easier than trying to fix them ourselves.<br /><br />Quinn and Brady both had so many issues to fight through. But first they have to like each other because they didn’t get off to a very good start. Both had anger issues caused by heir past and they just didn’t want to let the past go. Would a real relationship work for the two?<br /><br />Along with my love of story, the characters are fantastic and they make the story so much more interesting. Ms. Walsh deals with a lot issuess that so many people face today, it’s hard to pinpoint just one. And the plot flows so smoothly. I appreciate that this book is full of love and redemption, caring and loving people. This is an amazing Contemporary Fiction for anyone looking for a good clean fun read.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1530755538746, "title": "This is an Amazing Story!" }, { "asin": "1624167470", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The idea of a Hope Jar, or a Prayer Jar is a pretty neat idea! And Michelle finding it was good because that’s what she needed in her life at the time. I somehow find it unbelievable though how Michelle ended up with this Amish family. That grandparents would take a young lady in under those circumstances. And I was really irritated at Michelle for her actions and attitude. I did feel bad for the Lapps because they fell in love with Michelle.<br /><br />But I think my heart broke mostly for Sara. She was the one who had to suffer the most. I wish there would have been more about Sara in this story, but hopefully another book will have her story. All in all that was a good story, the characters were realistic, making me feel as though I had met new neighbors. If you love Amish, you will love this story<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1534876862140, "title": "The Hope Jar" }, { "asin": "0718083040", "rating": 5, "text": "I have enjoyed Robert Whitlow’s books for a while now, and this one it just as amazing as his previous books. I appreciate the fact that he write about issues that the world struggles with currently. I’m a time where there is so much hatred because of a person’s color, race, background, or just because people don’t like another person, Whitlow’s book Chosen People brings to light the need for everyone to respect others, reguardless of who they are. Imagine what would happen if everyone read this book and followed what Whitlow is saying to everyone. And though fiction, this book hits the nail on the head about issues happening today. Things that are going on today in the families and lives of everyone. Oh that we might heed his voice and his words. I strongly encourage everyone to check this book out. And if you think it’s for you, then read a copy and see what you think.<br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1549609867320, "title": "What a Good Read" }, { "asin": "168322826X", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Ladies of Intrigue is a collection of three stories written by Michelle Griep. I didn’t realize these Novellas were previously published, so I had read a couple of them already! Don’t you just hate when this happens? A new book with stories you have already read! But it was good to refresh my memory of these stories.<br /><br />It starts on Cornish Coast in 1815 when the First Lady of Intrigue falls in love with s smuggler. Not exactly what she had planned to do. Then on to Dakota Territory in 1862 with the second Intrigung Lady, Emily and Dr. Clark. I’ve always enjoyed a stories set in the Dakota Territory, and I enjoyed this one, especially with the doctoring techniques of this century. And the third Intriguing Lady is found in St. Paul Minnesota and the House of Secrets. This haunted house had the worst most haunting secrets of all!<br /><br />All three of these stories will sure keep your interest, from the historical fact that we always find in a Michelle Griep story to the haunting mysteries each of these stories hold. You are sure to get a taste of the exceptional writing of this author!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1551073892869, "title": "An Collection if Intriguing Tales" }, { "asin": "031034817X", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />First of all I love this book cover! It is what Dee me to this book! And I love Kelly Irvin’s books as well! And this was such a special read! Laura and Zechariah are both getting on in years, both feeling as though their work on this earth is finished, but God may have other plans! Laura’s helping in Zechariah’s granddaughter after having her Nablus results in the two elderly people getting together, and they realize they are needed.<br /><br />This is a beautiful heartwarming story set in the beautiful Amish community in Jamesport, Missouri. Ms. Irvin does a fantastic job of creating characters that we will all love as they weave their way into our hearts throughout this story. They plot flows well, and kept my interest throughout the story. I like that Redemption, love, and faith were woven into the characters lives! This is a story you don’t wasn’t to miss, especially if you are an Amish fan!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1551334152740, "title": "Beautiful heartwarming story" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764207563", "rating": 5, "text": "This was my first book by Karen Witemeyer, and I LOVED IT! I love her fun style of writing. I just couldn't help falling in love with Adelaide and Gideon. Adelaide was fun, and spunky, but when she set her mind to something, she was bound and determined to do it! She was a gal that knew what she wanted, and wasn't afraid to go after it, even though she might be a bit clumsy in the going. Going after what she thought was her man didn't turn out like she thought it would. That's what landed her at Gideon's Sheep Farm interviewing for a job as Governess to his 5 year old daughter. Her mouth also seemed to get her into a lot of trouble too.....like in saying before you think! But it always seemed to turn out for her good.<br /><br />Gideon.....well he was just adorable from the beginning. I loved him from the first time he saw Adelaide in the barn. Though his and Adelaide's first few meeting were kind of awkward, he seemed to adore her from the beginning. I just loved Karen's way of bringing them together in a fun enjoyable way that made you just want to keep reading to see what would happen next. But would Gideon hire Adelaide over the two older and more experienced ladies that were also at the farm for the interview? Even though Adelaide had taught school for a few years, was she capable of taking care of this 5 year old that couldn't speak?<br /><br />I admired both Gideon and Adelaide's relationship with the Lord, and their willingness to seek Him in every decision they needed to make. The way they trusted the Lord when Isabella's uncle came to claim the child and her inheritance.<br /><br />This was only Karen Witemeyer's second book, but I had to check her website again to make sure she had only written 2 books! She truly writes like an experienced writer, and I will sure be reading her first book \"Tailor-Made Bride\" and also her third book \"To Win Her Heart\" coming in April 2011.", "timestamp": 1300383958000, "title": "Awesome Story line, wonderful author!" }, { "asin": "1603742557", "rating": 5, "text": "MY REVIEW<br />This is a story of mainly Jacob Miller and Becky Troyer, two young people from Amish communities in different states. Jacob's father sends him to a cousin who lives in a rural Missouri town to hopefully change his mind about his sweetheart in Pennsylvania. That's the one thing Jacob's daed forgot to tell him though, Jacob though he was only moving to help out his cousin on the farm. As for Becky, she ends up with a boppli and single because of her wild rumspringa time. Upon Jacob's arrival at their farm, there was a noticeable attraction between the two of them from the beginning. But Becky knew when Jacob found out about her secret, he would never come near her, and with Jacob, there was someone back home named Susie. Jacob noticed that Becky never smiled, and after he found out about her daughter, he knew something bad had happened, so he decided to make it his priority to be her friend and eventually bring her smile back.<br />Even though Becky has been before her church and confessed her sins, being shunned for 6 weeks because of them, can she overcome her past and trust another man into her live to love and trust?<br />And what about Jacob's sweetheart Susie back home, they are to me married during the Amish marriage season in December. Will their time away from each other prove their forever love, or will his attraction to Becky grow stronger, maybe even as far as loving her?<br />I loved this book from Laura Hilton. In her writing this, she shows that being Amish is not always a perfect life. During the rumspringa years, some young people make bad decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. In most of the Amish books I have read, the daed was always the harsh type, almost as far as being just mean. It was clear they loved their children, but they tried to keep the `head of the house' rule strict I guess. But in Patchwork Dreams this was different. I really liked the attitude of Becky's parents Daniel and Leah. Daniel wasn't afraid to hug his girls anywhere, letting them know his love for them. He didn't agree with the Bishop on all things concerning Becky. (Don't want to tell you all so you can read and find out for yourself.) Becky's mamm even suggested the family would move to another Amish community to keep Becky from being forced to hurtful situations. This was just really heartwarming to me, to see her parents love and support for her. And the way they loved her daughter Emma, well the heartwarming love was easy to feel as you read the story.<br />If you love Amish, this is a must read! If you don't know, or haven't read any Amish books, then this would be a great start for you! I can't wait for the second book in this series to be out. The series is `The Amish of Seymour' and you can look for it, I think around fall of 2011.<br />A huge THANK YOU to Laura Hilton for providing me a copy of this book to read. I love the way Laura tells the story, and the characters she creates, making them real life. I didn't want the book to end!<br />The book review and the opinions are totally mine. It was my honor to write the review for Laura", "timestamp": 1303869867000, "title": "Heartwarming Amish Fiction" }, { "asin": "0781403790", "rating": 5, "text": "Arleta Richardson remembers stories her grandma told her from years ago when she was young. These stories in Book One range from the author remembering stories about Grandma's Red Bonnet, Grandma's Prayer, Pearl Buttons, Little Gray Shoes, and my favorite The Pump. In this one, someone told Grandma not to do something, and of course she did it anyway, and she suffered for it for a long time. You will find twenty one loving little stories as the author remembers her Grandma in this book.<br /><br />I chose this book because I remember the days I sat with my Grandma and she told me stories of when she was a child and of when my dad, aunt and uncle was a child. I wanted to read someone elses tales of the older days. This was a really nice getaway from other books I read. I laughed, cried, and enjoyed each heartwarming story as I read them. And of course I was sad realizing just as with my Grandma, life goes on after they are gone, and we miss them so much. But what a blessing that we can remember those we love in such ways. The author had a special relationship with her grandma that she always remembered. I recommend this book to anyway wanting a good fun getaway from life as it is. And it is good for any age group.<br /><br />The book was given to me by the publisher through B&B Media Group. I appreciate being able to read and review this book for them. I was not expected to give a positive review. The opinions of this review are mine only.<br /><br />Purchase From Amazon", "timestamp": 1305054158000, "title": "In Grandma's Attic Stories" }, { "asin": "1595548114", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br />Despite her father not being supportive, Lucy Fairbanks' love of photography leads her to many places in her community, trying to capture the moment with her camera. Unfortunately that landed her into many unexplainable situations. How can you explain falling out of a tree on the top of a stagecoach being robbed by three bandits, scaring the horses into taking off with the stagecoach, Lucy on top, leaving the bandits behind? Or when trying to sneak a picture of the wild man, ending up in a sink hole, pulling wild man David Wolf in with her? And this is just a few times Lucy Fairbanks gets into trouble in this story. And why does David always seem to show up during Lucy's troubled situations? Will Lucy finally succumb to her many difficulties trying to be a photographer and find another career? And what will people think of her and wild man Wolf?<br />A Vision of Lucy was a wonderful story of Lucy and her love of taking pictures. The fascinating thing about the camera was the historical time setting and cameras in that time in history. Though I have seen them in movies, I'd never read anything about them. The author's research and knowledge of cameras in the early days was evident in the way she explained them in detail. This added historical detail made the story much more interesting. I love the characters the author created as well. They were witty, fun, funny, secretive, and nosy, and each fit the story line perfectly. The humor in this book makes it a great enjoyable book to relax and read. My pick for the funniest scene by far is Lucy falling out of the tree onto the stagecoach. And Lucy was so lovable I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen to her. I feel this book is very well written by the author Margaret Brownley. She has the ability to keep you interested enough to not want to stop reading until the last page! And I would recommend this book to anyone, especially those who love Historical Fiction. You will not be waiting your time reading this!<br />Thanks to the Author Margaret Brownley for providing a copy of \"A Vision of Lucy\" for me to read, it was an honor to read and review . I was not expected to give a positive review of this book. The opinions in this review are mine alone.<br /><br />Publisher Website<br /><br />Authors Website", "timestamp": 1306524270000, "title": "\"A Vision of Lucy\" and her Antique Cameras! Loved it!" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 5, "text": "This book is just simply beautiful inside and out! The romance between Clara and Daniel is enough to make you want to drool. Elizabeth Camden's debut book is one of the best debut books I have read in a while. Daniel was the poor guy, making friends with rich daddy's girl Clara Endicott because of the type of music they shared. As the years go by and the couple gets older, daddy sends his girl across the ocean to be raised by her aunt because he can see the chemistry growing between them. As they meet again twelve years later they realize that they were still not only best friends but sparks begin to sky rocket as the two of them start spending time together. But Daniel is so bitter about the way his parents died will he be able to put all of that behind him? And will Clara marry him if he doesn't mend relationships and changed his heart, or let God change his heart?<br /><br />Clara's dad really irritated me because of his attitude and I am really glad that Clara was independent enough to stand up for herself. I enjoyed the determination of Clara and Daniel to be together even against the odds. The author created a cast of unique and believable characters that you grow to love, some as your own family, and some that you shy away from. This book captured me from the first pages to the very end! I just couldn't put it down! And oh, by the way, I LOVE the book cover. The model so beautifully wears the gorgeous blue dress and the colors are so soft and inviting. And this is one book that you can judge by its cover! And check this out over on the LifeWay blog, its post for this day is the making of the cover of The Lady of Bolton Hill at Bethany House. Wonderful post and very interesting!<br /><br />And also go here on the LifeWay blog Q & A With Elisabeth Camden about this debut book.<br /><br />I received this book free from Bethany House book review 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 55.<br /><br /> Purchase this book at AMAZON", "timestamp": 1311089320000, "title": "Awesome Debut book and love story!" }, { "asin": "082542674X", "rating": 5, "text": "For Shelia Franklin, a phone call comes that will change her life forever. She will finally get to meet him, someone from her past that she's wanted to meet for over 20 years. Now she will have her time with him.<br />This book is full of secrets. Shelia has been secretly guarding her life's long time skeleton for many years from everyone, even her husband. What would he think of her if the truth really came out? Would it destroy their marriage? Her husband's church? As she gets ready to meet her main secret, she can't think about anything but him. What will happen with Sheila and the secrets that she has kept so close to her heart? Will her husband understand and stand behind her, or will he let her deal with the issues herself?<br /><br />This is my first book of Patti Lacy's and I was captivated by the writer's ability to tell a story so realistic and powerful. The way the characters are so beautifully woven together you not only see secrets and deception, heartbreaks and sadness, but you see love, forgiveness, grace and redemption through Christ in their lives throughout the story. The unique rhythm in the musical background gave the story a special smoothness, even through all of the difficulties.<br /><br />Even though this book started out slow for me, it just took a while to get into it, I enjoyed reading it very much. I would recommend this wonderful story to anyone who loves Christian fiction. It will be worth the time you spend reading it.<br /><br />This book was provided by Kregel Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine alone.", "timestamp": 1314300528000, "title": "A story full of Secrets but enjoyable" }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 4, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Helen Carlisle is now a widow, after her husband was killed in the military. But she wasn't the grieving widow everyone thought she was. In fact, she was glad her husband was gone, because of his abuse, which no one would ever believe. That is until Ray came upon the scene, and he figured it out, to which Helen denied that anything bad happened between she and Jim. No one could find out about the abuse, because Jim was so nice and sweet around everyone else, not one would believe Helen. She was just a cripple after all, and the way she stumbled around caused all of her accidents, so Jim told everyone.<br /><br />This is my first book by Sarah Sundin, I haven't read the other books in this series, but I still enjoyed this one! I like that the author deals with spousal abuse in this book, something that truly needs to be dealt with. And just like in the book, the abuser blames the one he's abusing. Helen was blessed that Ray found out, but then he left her for a while, not helping. And it was a double blessing when she found a way to leave her in-laws house and the abuse from Jim's father. I hope anyone reading this book that is dealing with an abusive situation will realize that there is help, and go find it!<br /><br />I also liked Ray and Helen. Ray was so gracious and kind, wanting to help Helen, even if she didn't want his help at first. He loved the Lord, which was evident in the way he lived. Helen was so sweet, and she wanted to raise her son the right way, not abusing the women in his life. Her self confidence was trampled on more than once by jerks that call themselves men. But I am glad there was a happy ending, and Helen was able to have a happy life, away from abuse and critical, hateful things said about her handicap condition.<br /><br />This book was provided by Revell Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1314500292000, "title": "Blue Skies Tomorrow, Great Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0800719964", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Amish Values for Your Family...........by Suzanne Woods Fisher<br /><br />Amish Values for Your Family is one of the best books I have read about the Amish life! For many years, I've been fascinated with their lifestyle. I think the reason I cherish and respect the Amish lifestyle is because our family was brought up a lot like them as far as the working conditions. We grew our own food and put it up for the winter. We butchered our own beef and pork, milked our own cows, we had electricity but no TV and no indoor bathrooms. Our faith was different, but we lived on a farm and worked! And life was slower for us, we spent time together as a family, my parents and grandparents always took time for us. Yes, we had nothing as far as material things, but we were truly blessed with parents and grandparents that love the Lord an loved us enough to give us their time and teach us to live for the Lord. They are all in Heaven now, but their legacy lives on in the lives of their children, grandchildren and great-children, until we see them again.<br /><br />There are many values I can mention but I will mention the time they spend together as a family. I know firsthand how important this is. Even though we have things to entertain us, if we would just schedule valuable family time each week we would see a huge difference in our kids, teens and our families. And I have to mention the faith and trust they have in the Lord, and this resulting in the forgiving spirit they all have. The forgiving spirit is the one thing I wish was stronger in my life. Sometime I wonder just how they can be that way! It is because they want to be like Christ!<br /><br />I loved reading this book, and will keep it with my stash of books! I enjoyed the family stories and how they live. I appreciate the author taking time to research and interview to write this valuable book. My pray is that we as Christians will strive to take these principles to heart and try to incorporate them in our daily lives.<br /><br />I was provided a copy of this book by LitFuse Publicity Group in exchange for a review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1314931299000, "title": "Awesome book on the Amish family life" }, { "asin": "1400318033", "rating": 5, "text": "Thank you God for Blessing Me...by Max Lucado<br />This little book about little Hermie is so beautiful and adorable. It is just right for a small child with the thick board pages and story just long enough to keep their attention. This little Caterpillar is just the cutest little creature and is thankful for everything and everyone around him.<br />Max Lucado has such a wonderful way with words for adults as well as children. I love the way he uses little creatures to teach children about God. My 2 year niece grabbed this book as soon as I took it from the mailer and said, `this is mine!' She not only loves for me to read it to her she loves to read it herself looking at the awesome illustrations and telling her own story about Hermie.<br />You won't go wrong getting this book for your little one. Teach them to choose books about God while they are still young. And what a wonderful way to interact with your children, by reading to them!<br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1317785427000, "title": "Wonderful Chidren book about giving God thanks." }, { "asin": "0310332311", "rating": 5, "text": "Shadow in Serenity By: Terri Blackstock<br /><br />Even though Logan Brisco was smooth talking and a con artist, he still sometimes has feelings of wanting to be part of a family, which he didn't have. Being in the little town of Serenity, Texas for a week or so brought those feelings back on goodtime, especially after he started having feelings for Carny. Carny knows how people like Logan works because her mom and dad were con's too and trained her to do the same thing. Thankfully she was over that life for good and had no intensions of going back.<br /><br />I appreciate that Terri brought back one of her old novels, re-writing it as a Christian fiction. Though I can't imagine someone like Logan, I know they do exist and con a lot of people out of their money and belongings so I'm glad to read a reminder of those kind. Despite him being a con, I liked Logan, and especially after he started spending so much time with Carny. His character was believable because he played his part so well, thanks to the author! In fact, the author created really believable characters for the entire book, and I enjoyed getting to know them throughout the book.<br /><br />This was a fun and interesting read, and I enjoyed it very much. I appreciate the author showing the necessity to living for the Lord and letting Him work through our lives. I don't want to tell too much to give the story away, but this is one you need to read! If for no other reason, read it because Terri Blackstock took the time to give us a Christian version of this book!<br /><br />Shadow in Serenity was provided by the publisher, Zondervan in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1320031078000, "title": "Shadow In Serenity, A Great Re-write." }, { "asin": "0310330432", "rating": 5, "text": "Callie is in Shipshewana just long enough to sell the little quilt shop she inherited from her aunt, because she has no desire to reopen the shop. Everything starts to change though when Callie meets some of Amish people in the community, especially Deborah Yoder. Through Deborah and these other Amish ladies, Callie finds out that her aunt's shop is not just for tourists, but a place for some of the Amish ladies to get together and work on their quilts. The more she gets to know these ladies and the people of Shipshewana, the less she wants to return to Texas and her life there. But can she successfully make a go of it if she reopens the shop?<br />And another surprising twist to the story is when the local newspaper editor ends up dead, and Callie is a major suspect, well, she can't just run off. She needs to do whatever she can to clear her name. Which may be a little bit difficult since Callie is so straight forward and speaks her peace when someone tries to tell things untrue about her, like publishing something in the local newspaper to destroy her reputation.<br />For me, this was a wonderful Amish story with a twist of suspense to it. The storyline and the characters just draw you in as we following Callie and her life in Shipshewana. Just when you think you have things figured out, there's another twist and fingers are pointing to someone else.<br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and if you like just a good Amish read with a little extra jolt of suspense, then you will love this book as well. So go grab a copy for yourself, read and enjoy it!<br />This book was provided by the publisher, Zondervan in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1325875037000, "title": "Falling to Pieces, a wonderful Amish story with a twist" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 5, "text": "Faith and her grandfather had lost so much, the only way Faith thought they could be happy again was to take off on the Oregon Trail and start a new life in the West. This has been Faith's dream for a while, and now it was making her grandfather realize the same thing. But getting him to leave their home in the small Missouri town of Noble Springs was not going to be easy.<br />But then things started happening that drew Faith to their home, even though Faith wasn't aware of it yet.<br />Her grandfather put Faith in charge of the store, letting her run it as she pleased. This did not make a lot of the men in the area happy, but it wasn't long before these men, as well as the rest of the neighbors were warming up to Faith, accepting her as the new store manager.<br />Royal, a guy that promised Faith he would keep her ribbon and remember her while he was in the war came back in town. And though he didn't remember her or the ribbon when she asks him about it, he decided to woo her, but did he really love her?<br />Then she meets Rosemary, who becomes like a sister to Faith. Not to mention Rosemary's brother Curt, to which both Curt and Faith were attracted to each other, but neither seemed to realize it for a while.<br />Her grandfather's health issues, Curt becoming friends with her granddad and spending time with him, the break-ins, Curt always being there for her when she really needed someone.<br />But Faith just couldn't see that they should stay in Noble Springs, she was still determined to leave, after all this was her dream.<br />I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction story, with characters that I loved more and more as I continued to read the book. That is all buy Royal, this guy just irks me, I wanted him out of Faith's life to give Curt a chance! The history in the story is so very detailed you feel like you are there, walking around the little town visiting all of the shops, talking to the owners of the businesses there. I love the feel of the small town atmosphere where everyone knows everyone else, well, and everyone knows your business, which is not so good sometimes too! But still, I love it! I am looking forward to Ann Shorey's next book in this series. This is just a wonderfully good read, so go grab a copy for yourself to read and enjoy!<br />This book was provided by Revell Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1327815115000, "title": "Wonderful Historical Fiction by Ann Shorey" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "This was my first book in this series so I had fun figuring out some of the words, which I thought was neat. Maybe because some of my family no longer with us used some of the same words? And Hugh's herbal medicines would interested a lot of people today, I wonder myself if some of these remedies will work just as well as prescription medicines.<br /><br />I felt bad that Hugh was on his own thinking that someone else murdered old atte Bridge, instead of him taking his own life. Well except Hugh's new wife that is. I enjoyed the love, and trust of this couple, and the dependence they had for each other. At least Hugh knew he could talk to his wife about his feelings about the murder when he didn't have anyone else to talk with.<br /><br />This is a well written book set in this small town with characters that you grow to love and enjoy, some so humble, and some not so humble. Leaning about the 1366 culture was interesting, and I wouldn't a lot of people today love their primitive living. I really enjoyed this author's writing. As you read the book, you will see his own thoughts about different situations through the character Hugh. And Hugh and Kate is just a couple we all want living in our neighborhood!<br /><br />I recommend this book to anyone that likes historical fiction, or really anyone that just likes a good read! Grab a copy to read and enjoy for yourself!<br /><br />I received this book from Kregel Publications to participate in their blog tour. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1327815635000, "title": "Unhollowed Ground...enjoyed this book!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The year is 1813 and the War of 1812 has been underway, thus being the reason that Belinda is determined to travel aborad a British privateer in order to rescue her husband from an English prison. She's made a deal with the ships captain, Rafe Docherty and now she needs to talk her sister-in-law into going with her to be her midwife, and everything will be in line to take off. This turns out to be a not so easy task because sister-in-law Phoebe has no intentions to get on the ship. But Belinda ends up making it happen, and so the story begins.<br />Ralph is just as frustrated as Phoebe that she is on the ship, no way does he want to deal with two American women, but he finds himself attracted to her and ends up helping her along the way. I really like Rafe. Being the captain of the ship, he is tough and incharge, yet we see the caring side of him too, and especially with his feelings for Phoebe. He's been struggling with things in his past, but now we see his new stuggles with how he feels about Phoebe and thinking about a normal life with her.<br />Phoebe endures much from being lied to by Belinda, but she is a tough lady and soon we see her faith and strength and her caring personality as she tries to help Rafe with his struggles. She takes a lot off of Belinda on the trip too, and it's really sickening how Belinda is so spoiled and expectes Phoebe to wait on her. Belinda will do what it takes to get her way. She's the character in the book that gets on everyone's nerves, you gotta have them right? She's just a spoiled brat!<br />I thought this was a wonderful story and I enjoyed it immensely. The characters were very well created and developed, believable and likeable. Well that is except for Belinda, but really the story wouldn't have been as good without her! The historical setting, events, ship life, and everything was very well researched and amazingly detailed. And having been to Williamsburg several times, it was fun to imagine the setting there as I read the story. Very well thought out and written story. It will be well worth your time to grab a copy of this book to read and enjoy for yourself.<br />Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group<br />I received this book from Revell Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own.", "timestamp": 1331009055000, "title": "Heart's Safe Passage" }, { "asin": "1595549153", "rating": 5, "text": "For the men out there, what would you do if your father left town for several days, came back home with a woman and introduced her as Lucy, your new wife? Well that is just what happened to Nate Stanton. And he was not happy with his dad, to say the least. And to gain his wife's two siblings, Jed and Eileen too boot, well that was almost more than Nate could take.<br /><br />After somewhat coming to terms with the new marriage, in name only let me tell you, Nate moved his new family into his small home. Surely this would send her back where she came from, because his home was not much of a home, and small at that. But Nate ended up being the surprised one. And after a while he kind of enjoyed not coming home to a empty house. And Jed was turning out to be a lot of help on the farm, and little Eileen, well she'd just had Nate's heart from the beginning. Things could start getting very interesting around the Stanton household. But it was when secrets and deception started coming to the surface that Nate really realized what was going on. And for that, you need to read the book to find out all of the many secrets, acts of deception and of course the twists and turns to the story that make it so appealing.<br /><br />I love Colleen Coble's books. I have all of them, and have read them all as well, and this one didn't disappoint. Colleen has a way of creating characters that just draw you into the story and don't let you go. Nate and Lucy was fun and interesting as they started their life together. This is really just a nice, fun, good clean book to read and enjoy. And I'm hoping for a Book Two to enjoy more of Nate and Lucy's journey through their marriage and on their farm.<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1332792107000, "title": "Another great book from Colleen Coble" }, { "asin": "1414333218", "rating": 5, "text": "When I review a Randy Singer book, I hang on to my seat at the first page and don't let go until the very last word. Randy is absolutely one of the best suspense/thriller authors today! So if the book says `Randy Singer, just go ahead and buy it because it's going to be good!<br /><br />Readers meet Jamie Brock again, from Randy's book \"False Witness.\" Jamie has been working as an assistant DA for several years. Her mom was shot and killed 11 years earlier and she is now losing her dad to illness. And to add to that, Jamie has been assigned a murder case, the suspect being the lawyer who defended the man who killed her mom. As this story unfolds, well you just need to read the book to find out what happens, it's too much to tell her. And I don't want to spoil the book for you.<br /><br />Randy brings up some interesting questions about the death penalty in this book through the lawyer character, Mace James. How should Christians feel about it? Suppose the killer gives his life to Christ while in prison? Should he be left there to die alone since he made mistakes and bad choices? Suppose this person is really innocent? There are several other issues with the state system that are talked about in this book through the life-like believable characters created by the author.<br /><br />Being a lawyer himself, Randy Singer expertly writes stories with so much detail the reader gets a touch of a lawyer's real life when reading his books. Add to this a little suspense, drama, romance, danger, fear, and determined characters taking on the most dangerous and difficult cases, and you have a Number 1 novel that will blow you away when you read it.<br /><br />I highly recommend this terrific book to those suspense/thriller lovers out there looking for awesome books to read. And as in all of Randy's books, you will see Jesus and salvation through Him throughout the book.<br /><br />I was provided a copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review of this product. The review is my opinions only.", "timestamp": 1334450842000, "title": "Another Awesome Thriller by Randy Singer" }, { "asin": "0310250684", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Terri Blackstock is such a gifted writer. I love everything she writes including \"Downfall.\" I appreciate that Terri deals with tough issues that people deal with everyday, and always finds a workable solution, including trusting the Lord with their lives and letting Him work in and through them.<br /><br />Emily Covington wants to prove herself to everyone, assuring them that her life with drugs is over. But when things start happening to her, and since it looks like someone wants her dead, her family still had doubts about Emily's past life.<br /><br />In \"Downfall,' Terri Blackstock writes another suspense/ thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seats until the very last word. When I put the book down, all I could think about was what was gonna happen, so I would pick it back up. From the people we loved to the villains we could do without, the character were so real and true to life it was like reading something in the newspaper. And with an intriguing plot that had the many twist and turns, it was difficult to solve the mystery until it was all revealed in the end.<br /><br />If you've never read a Terri Blackstock book, you are missing a real treat. And for those fans who always come back for more of her stories, you will love the words penned in Terri's new book, \"Downfall.\"<br /><br />This book was provided by Zondervan Publishers through The Suspense Zone. I appreciate Susan and all of the work she does to promote Edgy Christian Fiction and thrillers like \"Downfall.\" I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1335069393000, "title": "Another great thriller by Terri Blackstock" }, { "asin": "0802405843", "rating": 5, "text": "Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis<br />A Texas Trails novel.....in the Morgan Family Series<br /><br />Susan Page Davis continues the Morgan family story in this second book of Texas Trails. Billie Morgan and her horse were taken by the Comanche's and thought to be dead. And that did almost happen, but Billie, or Taabe Wiapu escaped from the Indian reservation and was almost dead when Ned found her. He takes her to a convent of Nuns for her safety, and families came to see if she was their long lost daughter, and that's how the Morgan family found Billie. What a reunion that was!<br /><br />Susan Page Davis is a wonderful writer and she did not disappoint in this story. I thoroughly enjoyed the continuation of the Morgan's story, though a little flavor was added with the nuns and getting to know more about the Comanche Indians. This book deals with a lot of interesting issues that captivate you and just won't let you put the book down. We get a lot of history, learn a little about the ways on Indians, a little of what goes on in a nun setting, (though these nuns faced some interesting situations that most probably don't), faith, trust and leaning on God, and of course a little romance to spice things up.<br /><br />I highly recommend Captive Trail as well as the other books in the Texas Trails, Morgan family Series. There are six in all, so you have some reading to do. Go to River North, the fiction division of Moody Publishers and check out this wonderful series written by three different and awesome authors.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by River North. I was not expected or required to write a positive review of this book. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1337234418000, "title": "A Wonderful Book Two in the Texas Trail Series" }, { "asin": "0764209507", "rating": 3, "text": "My Own Worst Enemy By Janet Davis<br /><br />In this book, Janet Davis deals with problems all women face today. If you have ever has issues with self doubt, fear, insecurity and things such as this, then you will benefit from this book. Ms. Davis uses many of her own trials and stories as well as stories from others, friends and Biblical characters as examples of what she is talking about and teaching in this book. She breaks the book down into the many faces and many phases of life, and the choices along the way, and in each section has chapters dealing with each of these topics.<br />This book would be a good small study guide with the study questions to discuss that are included here in this book.<br />I recommend that you check out this book for your Small Groups, Sunday school class or individual study.<br />I rec'd a copy of this book from Bethany House to read and review. The opinions here are mine. I have having my honest opinion on what I feel about this book.", "timestamp": 1337241723000, "title": "My Own Worst Enemy" }, { "asin": "0764209418", "rating": 5, "text": "Patti Lacy is a new author for me so I wasn't sure what to except of her book, but I will pleasantly surprised and amazed at this wonderful new author for me. I will sure be watching for more books from Ms. Lacy in the future.<br /><br />With wonderful character that will grasp your heart in the beginning and keep it until the very end, Patti Lacy pens a contemporary story that will sure stay with you for long after you finish the book. I learned a lot about China and the Chinese culture reading this book, and sometimes the reading was difficult because of the situation.<br /><br />Joy, (and I love her name!) struggles with moving to America and her new American family. Joy's sister Kai is determined to find her, after leaving her in a Chinese orphanage, but must first win the trust of Joy/Lily's adopted parents. Join Joy/Lily as we follow her journey though her life in China and as it continues in the Americas.<br /><br />I really encourage you to grab a copy of this adoption story of love, loss and redemption to read for yourself. This will be one of the best books you have read in a while!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Bethany House for me to review and give my honest opinion, which I have.", "timestamp": 1338004334000, "title": "Great Book!! A must read!" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />When Shiloh Wainright accepts a teaching position at the White River Indian Agency in northwestern Colorado, she never dreamed of catching up with her old childhood best friend Jesse Blackwater. Though she is thrilled to see him again, and see that he is doing well after his abrupt leave almost ten years ago from her families ranch. Could their friendship rekindle now that they were back together, and now that they were nine years older than before?<br /><br />Trouble is, Shiloh is from a white family and Jesse is half-breed. Half white and half Ute Indian. Which means any attraction they might have toward each other cannot happen. A relationship between the two of them would be unheard of and forbidden.<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan writes a heartwarming and at the same time heart wrenching story about two people from completely different cultures, two completely different worlds represented here. As we follow Jesse and Shiloh's story, Kathleen takes us on a journey like no other we've been on. The differences between the Ute and white man's life is nothing to be compared. And with a dad like Jesse's, being abusive and hating both Jesse and is mother, Jesse could only find acceptance with his mother's people, the Ute.<br /><br />Shiloh wasn't the only one so drawn to Jesse, he was just so adorable! And the hurt he had always suffered, and still was suffering was heartbreaking to read about. It was a hurt that not even Shiloh could help him with. And Shiloh had her own hurt and heartache over what happened to Jesse years ago when he left the ranch.<br /><br />I had a difficult time getting into this story, but it was because of the information on the Ute Indians, and the background for the story. It was just kind of boring for me. But it then the story took off and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I was so heartbroken for Jesse that I wanted to make sure everything turn out for him ok. The story is sometimes not so easy to read, I found myself reading, but not taking it in at times because of the nature of the scenes with the Indians trying to defend what they had. Wonderful writing of the author in the vivid details of the Ute's way of life. And I appreciate the author describing God's way of salvation so plain and clear, and for showing that only God can break through those barriers and change lives.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting a really good read, and especially those who enjoy historical fiction. And if you enjoy a good old Indian story, this one is for you as well!<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1338086187000, "title": "A Love Forbidden Love Story" }, { "asin": "1595549978", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />There is one thing to say about Kim Cash, and that is, she just has it going on when it comes to writing books! \"Hope Springs\" is another outstanding book that shows us family, faith, cooking up old friendships, forgiveness and healing, and yes, and a boost of romance added to give readers a story that will keep those pages turning. Janelle, Becca and Stephanie's time spent in Hope Springs changed their life forever. I thoroughly enjoyed getting involved in the lives of these ladies throughout this story. Kim Cash will have you laughing, then crying, along with worshiping the Lord as you follow get to know these three characters. I appreciate the way Kim weaves the lives of her characters together with God and living their lives for Him. That's what Christian fiction is all about. Following characters that live for God. Oh they may not start out that way, like many of us, but through there difficulties and trials, they end up giving it all to the Lord. And Thank You Kim for giving us a book such as this.<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1339557398000, "title": "Hope Springs, Wonderful Book" }, { "asin": "1434764303", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />Wow, this book is incredible, I love, love it! I have only read a few of Lisa Bergren's books, and each ones just gets better!<br /><br />Cora Diehl returns to her hometown Dunnigan, Montana after spending her first year at college, to find her dad seriously ill, and a farm to take care of. Cora prays for God to someway help their family with their crops in order to make it financial for the year. But Cora wasn't expecting God to answer her prayer they way he did. Neither did Cora expect to find out secrets that would totally turn her life upside down forever. And I know there are spoilers in review already written, but I'm not going to give them here! This is where you need to read the book to find out what is happening!<br /><br />In my opinion, \"Glamorous Illusions is a masterpiece by Lisa Bergren! Lisa creates characters that are so realistic and true that sometimes it is difficult to realize you are reading a fiction story! The relationship between Cora and her parents is heartwarming, and just knowing that they literally spent everything they had to send her to college gave me chills. And when you read the book, you will see what I am talking about!<br /><br />However, Cora was always puzzled at the glamorous, expensive gift she received for her sixteenth birthday, along with all of the other birthday gifts she received, and even though her parents wasn't telling, Cora suspected they knew what was going on.<br /><br />Then the day comes that will change the lives of Cora and her family forever, and whether that be good or bad, only time will tell. And as you follow this hew happening in the lives of Cora and her family, Lisa Bergren takes you on an unforgettable trip of lifetime as Cora joins the Grand Tour with her family.<br /><br />The only thing I found that I didn't like about the book was it's ending, and having to wait for the second book to drop down from the hanging this book left. I hope the author gives us a better view of Cora's family and her choices she makes while on her tour.", "timestamp": 1339736350000, "title": "A Masterpiece from Lisa T. Bregren" }, { "asin": "0800734378", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Waiting for Sunrise by Eva Marie Everson<br /><br />After Reading Chasing Sunsets, the first book in this series, I was excited and waiting to read \"Waiting for Sunrise.\" The main character in this second book is Patsy Milstrap, whom we met in Chasing Sunsets. Patsy and her husband Gil are on the way to Cedar Key for a vacation, but what Gil is really doing is trying to get Patsy away in order to find help with dealing with her past. Even though Patsy is married to a wonderful man with<br /><br />Again, Eva Marie Everson writes a wonderful story with characters that readers grow to love and believe as though they are real. She writes Patsy's story in a way that seems so real, I was wanting to pray for Patsy daily as I read this book! I love the beach setting, and Cedar Key sounds just like the place anyone needs to go for healing. And Gil is adorable, and his love for Patsy is so very heartwarming, he was willing to do anything to get help for his wife. And Patsy knew he was trying so hard, it must have hurt her so to know he loved her and was trying to help her. One thought I had as I was reading was that wouldn't it be wonderful if all husbands and wives had that unconditional love for each other, just as God has for us. Marriages would be able to survive if this were true. This book truly shows the true real love in a marriage that could have easily fallen apart. A love that grows through the difficult times, not one that is torn down. The author had be crying a lot during this book, but I had to smile and even laugh at times as well. Eva Marie Everson is truly a gifted and talented author that will always be a favorite on my reading list.<br /><br />I highly recommend this wonderful book for anyone to read and enjoy, and especially someone going through difficult situations such as someone trying to deal with their difficult past. Patsy's story is sure to give you hope as you follow her journey.", "timestamp": 1340125410000, "title": "Waiting for Sunrise..wonderful book" }, { "asin": "0800720482", "rating": 5, "text": "Mary Magdalene by Diana Wallis Taylor<br /><br />MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />After reading \"Journey to the Well\" I am hooked on Diana Taylor's books! I look forward to new ones coming out, and I was excited to be able to read and review \"Mary Magdalene.\" And again, I was not disappointed! If you like Biblical Fiction, this book is a must for you!<br /><br />Since Mary Magdalene is somewhat a mystery because there is not much written about her in the Bible, I really wanted to read this book to find out what Diana Taylor's version of Mary was. The book starts out with a young Mary, a daddy's girl and love immensely by her mom. I enjoyed getting to know this young Mary, and following her life to adulthood. The accounts of Mary being demon possessed was heartbreaking, and her family staying close to her, supporting her was so heartwarming. Coming from this life, and the miracle of her healing, I can clearly see why Mary Magdalene was so devoted to Jesus. She loved Him deeply because He changed her life forever.<br /><br />I cringe when I think about some of the things people have to say about Mary and her devotion to the Lord. And I appreciate Diana Taylor for how she shows us the real deal of why Mary loved Jesus so much. It was very well known that no one anywhere had been able to help Mary. And then her husband Nathan, a man wisely chosen by Jared for his daughter, hears about the healer Jesus. It was Jesus who healed Mary and gave her a new life. Shouldn't that make Mary, and anyone else that Jesus has healed in a situation such as this, devoted to Him for life?<br /><br />Wow, I feel like I keep jumping all over the place in this story. Even though we don't know what Mary's life was like, I thoroughly enjoyed this fictional novel of how Diana Wallis Taylor thought it could have been. It is fun just being able to wonder and read about how it could have been. And I feel the Biblical accounts were accurate, so that's all that really matters to me, the rest is fiction, and that's where the fun is.<br /><br />*****Available June 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.*****<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1340649122000, "title": "Mary Magdalene....a wonderful read" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "A Perfect Square by Vannetta Chapman<br /><br />I was excited to revisit my friends in Shipshewana again in Vannetta Chapman's second book in the Shipshewana Amish Mystery series. I really grew to love Deborah and Callie, Esther and Melinda and couldn't wait to see what this book has in store for readers. And I can say that I love this book as much as I did the first, and was hooked from the very first pages.<br /><br />When a young Amish girl is found dead in Ruben's pond, he ends up being the only suspect, especially since he wouldn't answer any questions the authorities were asking him. Who is Ruben trying to protect? Will he actually go to prison for life to protect this person? This murder of an unknown young lady has the Shipshewana community in an uproar.<br /><br />With officer Shane Black on the case, Deborah knew that he would do nothing to find out Ruben's innocence. That meant the job was up to her, and she would have Callie's assistance. Turns out, Callie is looking for someone herself. A daughter, one that no one knows about except her very ill father. These ladies have their work cut out for them as the try to solve these mysteries.<br /><br />I love how Vannetta Chapman weaves these stories together with characters that are well created and developed and a plot that will keep readers wanting to find out what's gonna happen to whom. I highly recommend A Perfect Square for your enjoyment.<br /><br />This book was provided by Zondervan Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1343622238000, "title": "Wonderful and enjoyable second book in this series..." }, { "asin": "0800734556", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THE GIFTED<br /><br />Having reading some of Ann's books on the Shakers, I knew what to expect about their beliefs, though I don't support what they believe at all! How can people actually believe this stuff, and live by it is beyond me.<br /><br />And such were the struggles of Jassamine Brady. Growing up in the shaker neighborhood and loving her family and friends there didn't draw Jassamine to their way of life at all. She found herself very interested in the ways of the world and she sought those ways, struggling to obey the strict rules she was brought up to follow. And when unforeseen circumstances brings young Tristan into her life, Jassamine may be closer than she thinks about finding out what the outside would is all about.<br /><br />Ann Gabhart has such a unique and wonderful way of writing about these shaker people with and open attitude, not condemning them, but giving her readers a true and vivid insight of how they really live.<br /><br />I highly recommend The Gifted as well as the first four books in this wonderful series by Ann Gabhart.<br /><br />Available July 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1343623722000, "title": "Very nice read about the Shakers" }, { "asin": "1609366409", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Elena's family trip to Mackinac Island this summer will be different than all of the others. This time, her mother has in mind to marry her off to the rich and famous Chester Darrington in order to save their family business. Elena has no desire to marry this Mr. Darrington, or even meet him for that matter.<br /><br />Chase didn't really want to make the trip to Mackinac Island with his sister and her husband, but he did want a place to try out the new telescope that the family business was interesting in funding for the invention. One of the first things he heard upon his arrival was his hopeful marriage to this Elena Bissette. Well, he would stay as far away from Elena as possible because he sure wasn't looking for a wife, and especially someone like her.<br /><br />Not knowing who each other is, Chase and Elena meet up at an old lighthouse on the Island. One in which Elena has been visiting for all of the years her family has been coming to the Island and one that Chase has just found. The attraction between the two is a sure thing, Chase liking Elena because she's not one of the \"circle\" which his sister is in. And Elena liking Chase because of pretty much the same reason.<br /><br />In Love Finds You In Mackinac Island, Michigan, Melanie Dobson weaves a historical romance that will keep you on your toes throughout the book. The meeting and relationship of Chase and Elena was sweet and adorable at first, that is until the truth about who each was came to surface. That's when things get touchy between the two and neither want to see each other again! But Chase's mom had a different idea. Can she bring these two back together again? Or is Chase just too stubborn to face the real truth?<br /><br />This is a wonderful and sweet story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It's one of those stories that just make you feel good after reading it. The characters are so real they feel like family and friends. I love Chase and Elena, and I love their attitude about their wealthy families. And Chase's mom was the character that really pulled everything together. Her attitude about gossip shamed me, and one thing I took away from this book is to gossip, or listen to gossip less, and look at the positive sides of people. I really appreciate Melanie bringing this valuable lesson to her readers about this subject.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for you to read and enjoy for yourself. It will make a wonderful summer read, but its not just for summer, it will make an awesome read anytime! And you sure will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1344137674000, "title": "Wonderful Summer read on Mackinac Island!" }, { "asin": "0800734580", "rating": 5, "text": "Lethal Legacy.....By: Irene Hannon<br /><br />Kelly Warren knows for sure that her dad's death was murder, but proving it might not be so easy. It was an attempt on Kelly's own life that detective Cole Taylor starts to believe her suspicions are right. Prompting him to dig and search until he finds enough evidence to re-open the case. What will Cole find out? And can he keep is personal feeling for Kelly at bay enough to stay on the case until its over?<br /><br />Any book by Irene Hannon is storytelling at it's very best. She has a way of telling a story that will pull you in from the very first page and engulf you until you read the last word. Just as it was with me as I read \"Lethal Legacy.\" The characters are so well crafted and believable that it felt like reading a real-life story. Kelly was a quiet sweet Christian young lady who mostly stayed to herself. She had a close relationship with her dad and was determined to find his killer. And since the detective who had the case earlier was on vacation, who by the good-looking, hot, Cole Taylor was assigned to review the case for her. Cole was also a likeable person, and his close nit family really gave the book a more personal touch. A very touching story, one that will stay with readers for a long time after you finish reading.<br /><br />If you are a suspense lover, then this book is a must, one you will not be disappointed in. And if you just like a good, clean, enjoyable read, then you will love this book too. And if you are like me and stay up until the wee hours of the morning finishing \"Lethal Legacy,\" believe me, every night sound you hear will scare the wits out of you! But that's the fun of reading a suspense!<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for your reading enjoyment. Grab a copy of this one, and the others in this series for a few great reads!<br /><br />\"Available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.\"<br /><br />I received this book from Revell Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own.", "timestamp": 1344924556000, "title": "Awesome Suspense!!" }, { "asin": "0764208101", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Travelers Rest starts off as what you would think of being a happier every after, but since Ann Tatlock is writing about difficult issues that people really face, the story gets difficult to read. Jane Morrow and Seth Ballantine have been friends since childhood, and how were getting married. But their life was torn apart when Seth comes home from serving his country injured in Iraq. Jane loves Seth and has no other thoughts except to stay with him and take care of him, but Seth has different thoughts. He no longer wants the relationship to go on, because he just doesn't want Jane to be his nurse for the rest of his life. But chances are, he will get better, but they are very slim.<br /><br />Author Ann Tatlock is a talented author that writes a story that will capture your heart, and give you a new love, respect, awareness and thankfulness for those who fight for us to live in freedom. I was drawn to the characters, and especially Seth and Jane, as well as the old retired Doctor, Truman. With such detailed descriptions of the difficulties and situations they characters were facing, and with so many twists and turns, the author was able to keep my attention until the very end.<br /><br />I recommend this book for you to read, and especially if you like stories about war victims and families.<br /><br />I rec'd a copy of this book from Bethany House to read and review. The opinions here are mine. I have written my honest opinion on what I feel about this book", "timestamp": 1348894897000, "title": "Great Read" }, { "asin": "0764207873", "rating": 5, "text": "When Hope Blossoms by Kim Vogel Sawyer<br />For Bethany House review by Shannon Hannabass<br /><br />Tim Roper thought he could run from God, hid himself in his apple trees, but when a Mennonite widow and her children moved in the farmhouse next to his, his life changed forever. But that change took a while, and the changed unfold between the pages of Kim Vogel Sawyer's new book, \"When Hope Blossoms.\"<br /><br />I love Kim Vogel Sawyers books, and this one is another winner for me. I love Tim and Amy's story. Even though they both has a past that seemed impossible for them, God had a plan for their life, and in Him timing, He worked their lives together for their own good. I love how Kim weaves together families and communities and comes up with a story that captures the attention of readers from the very first page. I have to say I was so intrigued and captivated by this book I read it in one day! I love the way the realistic characters steal their way into your heart as the story unfolds around you. You don't want to miss this beautiful, sweet story of love, forgiveness and acceptance. Grab your copy today to read and enjoy for yourself!<br /><br />I received this book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own", "timestamp": 1348895821000, "title": "Very Nice Read" }, { "asin": "0764209132", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok I thought this book was kinda strange at times, but though it did end up kind of crazy, with Seth not remembering much about his life and family. He and Callie find themselves back together and thus the journey of Seth begins.<br /><br />The characters created by the author, and especially Callie and the whit and life she brought into the lives of this family gave this story a fun and interesting twist. And knowing Seth in a new and different way, the interesting situations between he and Callie brought a special meaning for this book.<br /><br />The Kincaid Brides Series is truly on that you will enjoy reading. I highly encourage you to grab a copy of this book, or the three books in this series for your reading enjoyment. You will not be disappointed!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Bethany House for me to read and review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only", "timestamp": 1349076484000, "title": "Another great book by Mary Connealy" }, { "asin": "1609366867", "rating": 5, "text": "I've read several books on the Titanic this year so I was excited to read Queen of the Waves for another story about this time in history, which I'm surprised because I really didn't care for the movie that much. But I really like Janice Thompson's story of Tessa and Nathan, alone with the other characters involved with Tessa being on the ship in the first place. Tessa is such a sweet person with a personality that rubs off on those around her, as we see in the story. Throughout all of the horrible tragedy with Titanic, this is a story readers can really enjoy and appreciate. And the vivid details of the time in history leading up to when the Titanic set sail, and as the story unfolds until the end, well it is just an awesome history lesson.<br />Of course this book is only fiction, and these things didn't happen aboard the ship, but I loved imagining what it was like, with all of the rich and famous, and imagining what it was like to be there during the horrific tragedy. I thoroughly enjoyed Queen of the Waves and highly recommend it for your reading enjoyment. You will not be disappointed.<br />This book was provided by Summerside Press through LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1349751219000, "title": "Queen of the Waves" }, { "asin": "1609366859", "rating": 4, "text": "Samantha Waldron and her family face some horrific situations as we follow their journey on the Oregon Trail in 1842. Samantha's mom passed away before they started on the trail, so her father was determined to make it to the end of the trail for the rest of his family. But no one knew the many difficult situations they would endure while traveling. Life was not easy as they traveled these many miles.<br /><br />Melanie Dobson's story of Samantha and her family along the Oregon Trail is a believable and intriguing story with believable characters that will keep you interested until the end, because of all the twists and turns it takes. The author tells all of the gruesome details of situations and difficulties during the trail, making the story seem more realistic.<br /><br />I enjoyed this historical novel by Melanie Dobson, though I don't think it is her best work. If you enjoy the Oregon Trail era, and reading books about that time, you will enjoy this one. So pick up a copy for your own reading enjoyment.<br /><br />This book was provided by Summerside Press through LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1349752867000, "title": "Where the Trail Ends" }, { "asin": "0764206168", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Again, Tracie Peterson captures our hearts and interest with this second book in Land of the Lone Star Series. In Touching the Sky, the story is about Laura Marquardt and her sister Carissa. Both sisters find love, Laura with Union Captain Brandon Reid and Carissa, Confederate Malcolm Lowe. Conflicts and difficulties arise as the story unfolds surrounding the lives of these two ladies.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book in every way. I really enjoyed the history so vividly described in Texas after the war, and I enjoyed characters created that are so realistic like and play their parts in the story so well. I love Tracie Peterson books, and this one is no different, it is a winner in my opinion.<br /><br />I recommend that you go purchase your own copy of this book, and while you are at it, pick up a copy of all three books in Land of the Lone Star Series for your reading enjoyment. And if you like historical fiction, this is a must read for you!", "timestamp": 1350326454000, "title": "Touching the Sky" }, { "asin": "0310335108", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />If you enjoy Amish fiction, you will sure enjoy Tricia Goyer's new book The Memory Jar. I really like the Memory Jar idea for best friends Patty and Sarah. It is a good way to store memories, and in Sarah's case it is especially special after Sarah is left to go through life alone. Then Sarah meets Jathan, and things started changing in her life.<br /><br />Tricia Goyer creates wonderful realistic character that we grow to love as the story unfolds and the characters develop so well. The story started a little slow for me, but then as it developed, and the story took a different twist, tensions rise, gossip spreads, people started backing off and acting strange, and Sarah started questioning her earlier decisions. It seems like Jathan has more baggage to take care of than either of them thought. But Tricia Goyer weaves the characters, situations, difficulties, doubts and people along with more twists and turn and brings a story that will keep you reading until the last page, while it warms you heart in a special way. You will love this Amish community and its people when you pick up your copy of The Memory Jar.<br /><br />This book was provided by LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1351637313000, "title": "The Memory Jar" }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Christmas Roses is a wonderful story about Celia Anderson. Celia is a single mom who runs a boarding house, providing for she and her daughter. She knows her daughter needs a dad, but doesn't want to marry because of need, she wants a marriage of love. Well, then Mark comes into the picture!<br /><br />This is a sweet, charming and heartwarming historical story that would be wonderful for everyone to read for Christmas. I love the beautiful cover, and the story just goes right along with what the cover shows. Amanda Cabot creates realistic and amazing characters to tell her Christmas story, and I enjoyed getting to know each character as the story unfolds. Around Christmastime I try to read all of the Christmas stories I can, and I am honored to read and review Christmas Roses. This is a story that will stay with you throughout the Christmas Season.<br /><br />\"Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.\"<br /><br />This book was provided by Revel Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1354679070000, "title": "Nice Christmas Read!" }, { "asin": "140168744X", "rating": 4, "text": "It took me a while to get into this book, don't know why, maybe it was the early setting since it was 227BC. But<br />after I got into the story, I really enjoyed it.<br />I didn't know a lot about the Island of Rhodes either, but with the author's details throughout the book, it<br />was interesting and nice to get to know this place in history. Tracy Higley created characters that are interesting<br />and believable, and enjoyable to get to know. I really liked Tessa and wanted her to find freedom from her Greek<br />owner. When the opportunity came along for her to be free, her life changed in a way she wasn't expecting. Would<br />Tessa finally be free and find her own true love? This is a book well worth your read, and if you enjoy historical<br />fiction, you will truly enjoy Isle of Shadows.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book to Christian fiction lovers, and especially those who enjoy historical stories. Pick<br />up your copy today for an enjoyable read.<br /><br />This book was provided by Booksneeze through their blogger program. I was not expected or required to write a positive<br />review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1356129857000, "title": "Nice historical read" }, { "asin": "0800719891", "rating": 5, "text": "THe Lesson by Susan Woods Fisher<br /><br />In the third and final book of Susan Woods Fisher's Stoney Ridge Seasons Series, Mary Kate Lapp is now nineteen<br />old and still looking for action. But this time, did her sneaking around get her in more trouble that she expected?<br />And to make it worse, it landed her to job of teaching in their Amish school, and Mary Kate certainly was not a<br />school teacher.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mary Kate's story. She was a fun character throughout the first two books in the series<br />because of her free spirit, and determination to find out everything! I am also a Susan Wood's Fisher fan and I love<br />this entire series. The characters were enjoyable and realistic, drawing you into the story and keeping your attention.<br />And the interesting plot keeps you reading because so much is happening to the Lapp family you just want to find<br />out the outcome.<br /><br />If you love Amish fiction, you will love The Lesson, and the first two books in this series. Or if you are looking<br />for a nice enjoyable light read, this is your series! Go out and grap a copy of these books to read for yourself.<br />You will not be disappointed.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Tours. I was not required or expected to write a positive<br />review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1357361476000, "title": "Great ending to Series!" }, { "asin": "1401685676", "rating": 5, "text": "An Amish Kitchen is a neat collection of three novellas, and the Amish Kitchen of the characters has a huge part of each story. The stories are so realistic because the kitchen is a major part of the Amish lifestyle in reality. And I loved getting the recipes as a bonus in this book, especially the herbal remedies!<br />I love Amish fiction and really enjoyed Faith and Abram's story in Kelly Long's \"A Taste of Faith; reading about Hannah King's Bed and Breakfast and newcomer Stephen Esh in Amy Clipston's \"A Spoonful of Hope,\" and Beth Wiseman's \" A Recipe for Hope,\" and Eva Bender and her family's disaster when a tree falls on her haus. In all three of these stories, the characters deal with difficult situations, and they need to trust God and depend on Him. Their faith carries them through, but it is not always easy. It is difficult to pick a best one, because they all interacted so well together and I enjoyed them all.<br />If you love Amish fiction, this one is for you. You will love these short stories. This is a great book for those who really don't have time to read a full size novel.<br />Booksneeze provided a copy of this book for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1358193641000, "title": "Awesome Amish three stories in this book!" }, { "asin": "1595549706", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Having read the first two books in this series, I was anxious for the third book in The Brides of Last Chance Ranch to hit the stands. And author Margaret Brownley did not disappoint! With characters that I fell in love with, I thoroughly enjoyed another really good read that will stay with me for a while! I grew to love Molly, and the relationship she had with her brother was truly heartwarming. My heart went out to her as she strove to do whatever she could to take care of Donny.<br /><br />Waiting for Morning is truly a story that will capture the heart of any reader, just as it did mine. I highly recommend this historical fiction to book lovers everywhere. A copy of this book was provided by Booksneeze's blogger program. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1361337502000, "title": "Waiting for Morning" }, { "asin": "1859859313", "rating": 5, "text": "My Thoughts On This Book<br /><br />The Story of David and Goliath is one that most children enjoy and remember well. David Sticker Book tells this wonderful Bible story in words, pictures and added stickers for children to interact with the story. And I was suprised at the amount of stickers that are included in the book, they are wonderful. And I really like the illustrations as well. The book is a whole is beautiful inside and out. And as usual, I used my four year-old niece as the real person to review this book of David, and she absolutely loved it! We read the story together and she had a wonderful time placing the stickers on the correct pages, and as she placed the stickers, she talked about each one and we had fun talking about David and Goliath. This tells me that the stickers are a valuable source to go with the story because it keeps children much more interested in the story.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for your small child. I will know they will love it just as much as my niece does. And she still loves reading the book, even after the stickers are all in place.<br /><br />I received this book free from Kregel Publishing. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The<br /> opinions here are my own.", "timestamp": 1361587647000, "title": "Wonderful little book for small children" }, { "asin": "1401686826", "rating": 5, "text": "So Shines the Night......<br /><br />I really enjoyed this historical Biblical fiction by Tracey Higley. I haven't read a lot books in this early era, being set in 57 A. D. The characters were interesting and realistic and I enjoyed getting to know them as the story unfolds. The story is based on Acts 19 and the author did her research well, because as I continued to read, the situations and everything surrounding them begin to feel so real I felt like I was there! And as always I love that Tracy brings a part of the Bible to life through her vivid imagination in So Shines the Night, and I appreciate her sharing this story with us!<br /><br />If you enjoy historical fiction, or Biblical fiction, you will love So Shines the Night. I encourage you to pick up your copy today!<br /><br />I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson 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 55.", "timestamp": 1362552920000, "title": "So Shines the Night" }, { "asin": "080072089X", "rating": 5, "text": "It seems that someone is a spy in Lady Wexham's house but who could it be? Rees Phillips is trying to find out, with his new job disguised as a butler. But can Rees sneak around and try to find answers without anyone suspecting him? This book gets very interesting as the sneaking around continues, not only with Rees but others in the household.<br /><br />This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend. I enjoyed the era of the setting and the vivid details so perfectly described by Ruth Axtell. The characters were unique and believable and they keep readers guessing and reading throughout the story. I really liked Rees and his attempting to be a butler, which he did very well. And the tension between he and the Lady Wexham was enough to keep me reading to find out what the outcome between them would be.<br /><br />I highly recommend this story for anyone who loves a good historical fiction with a bit of suspense and romance. You will not be disappointed!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Revell Publishers for me to read and review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1362978017000, "title": "Great Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0745962823", "rating": 2, "text": "I love sticker story books for children, and this is why I wanted to review My Very First Easter Story Book. The book is very attractive, with vivid colors and stickers to go along with the story on each page. The story is about the story of Easter, Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave.<br /><br />The story is simple enough for very small children to understand, and I like that part about this book. But I do wish the author would have explained why Jesus died for us instead of making the remark a number of times that He did this to make the world a better place. Children need the simplicity of the story but they also need to know the actual truth of what the scripture says. For me, when I read the story to my niece, I added the parts left out by the author, but not everyone can or will do that. I hope the next book the author writes she will stay closer to scripture.", "timestamp": 1364047316000, "title": "Easter Sticker book" }, { "asin": "1595548890", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />When I see Beth Wiseman's name on a book, I know it is going to be an awesome read. I love her Amish books, but I am enjoying the contempory fiction she is writing as well! In The House That Love Built, the characters are realistic and believable and I enjoyed getting to know them better as the story unfolded. Beth had a strong faith in God, and she showed this faith through the many struggles she faced. And she was able to help Owen with struggles with his faith as their friendship progressed. I did feel for Beth as she struggled with the situation with her dad, because she was clearly hurt by him.<br />This is a story of love, faith in the Lord, forgiveness and second chances. If you are looking for a good clean entertaining story, this one is for you.", "timestamp": 1365582565000, "title": "Another wonderful book by Beth Wiseman" }, { "asin": "1414361122", "rating": 5, "text": "Rescue Team by Candace Calvert<br /><br />Kate Callison has been running from her past and jumping jobs for several years, and now she is working as ER director at Austin Grace Hospital. As different cases came through the ER department, memories of Kate's past surfaced more and more. Wes Tanner was at the right place at the right time when an emergency happened at Austin Grace, but then he met the new ER director, Kate. Wes finds himself attracted to Kate, despite her dismissive attitude, but just how does Kate feel about Wes?<br /><br />I am a big fan of Candace Calvert and Rescue Team is another Candace book that I LOVE! I love books that capture my attention early in the story, and this one had my attention from the first page! I wasn't sure about Kate at first, with her attitude and the mystery of her past, but as the story unfolded, I could understand her attitude about life. And I love Wes, he is such a sweetheart, and I love his family. But he has a heartbreaking past as well, that he doesn't want to talk about. Ms. Calvert weaves together a story of heartbreaking pasts, through many difficult situations and twists and turns, and so vividly shows love, forgiveness and healing through God's love and mercy in Wes and Kate's story.<br /><br />If you enjoy Christian fiction, or just want a good clean medical romance to read, I highly recommend Rescue Team. With Candace being a former nurse, the medical knowledge is phenomenal, making the story even more interesting and enjoyable.<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale House to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1367285043000, "title": "Awesome Christian Fiction with a lot of Medical Knowledge" }, { "asin": "0764209663", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Looking for a new preacher? Why not hold up a train and steal him at gunpoint? Karen Witemeyer gives us and interesting, enjoyable, witty, funny story that will sure be the height of your entertainment this summer in Stealing the Preacher. Joanna's outlaw father was willing to do anything to give her what she wants, including holding up a train and stealing Crockett Archer. Only Crockett can't stay in the little Texas Community of Piney Woods because he's on a mission someplace else as a preacher candidate. But as he gets to know the people in Piney Woods, he's drawn to the need for someone to take over the little church that hasn't had a preacher for quite a while. But what about this other church, the one who is waiting on his arrival to vote on whether or not they want him as their own preacher. Well, its all unfolded between the pages of the wonderful book!<br />First of all, I LOVE this cover. I am so glad Bethany House decided to change it! And Karen Witemeyer is at it again with her awesome, humorous writing style. As I read Stealing the Preacher, I fell in love with the people of Piney Woods, and was really hoping that Crockett would decide to change his mind and be their new preacher, especially since he was so different from most preachers, and he identified with these people so well. With all of the twists and turns, and the adorable, unique characters, why not come on board with the rest of us and enjoy this wonderful summer, and well really, anytime read from Ms. Whitemeyer and Bethany House. You will sure be happy you decided to try this one. And while you are at it, check out the other books by Karen Witemeyer. I've read all of Karen's books, and each one gets better and better! She is definitely high on my favorite authors list!<br />I received this book from the publisher Bethany House, and Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1371094501000, "title": "Another awesome historical fiction from Karen Witemeyer" }, { "asin": "0825442141", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Reading this book clearly shows that women have always experienced hurt in some way. Authors Dena Dyer and Tina Samples' Wounded Women of the Bible gives ladies an inside look at more than a dozen women throughout Bible time and the hurts and difficulties they faced. We read the stories of Dinah, Ruth, Hagar, Ichabod's Mother, Mary and Martha, and others, getting to know they ladies in a really interesting and unique way.<br /><br />Finding Hope When Life Hurts is truly what we learned from this book through the lives of each of these ladies. Dena Dyer and Tina Samples leave nothing out as they study and explore what the Bible says. I also appreciate the authors opening their own lives and showing the hurts and struggles they have faced in their lives. To me, this makes the book even more special because we are not only getting truths from the Bible, we are getting truths from real people's lives.<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Kregel to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1377922007000, "title": "Wonderful Bible Study!" }, { "asin": "1859857663", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Bumper Wipe Clean Activities was a huge hit with my 4 year old niece. She loves it, and has played and played with it. I ended up mailing it to her house so she could have it there to play with! This is the cutest little book your child will ever have. The wipe clean activities are adorable for the kids to do. This is an awesome idea for a children's book. Abbi has enjoyed the matching, tracing, going through the mazes, and all of the other activities, and the awesome thing about this is that they can wipe the page clean, and start over again!<br /><br />Need activities to keep children quiet in the car, or maybe an appointment? This is the book you need. It is hours of fun for young children, I would have one for each child, and they can do their own thing while you enjoy the peace and quiet!<br /><br />I just can't say enough about this little activity book. This is a must for all homes with small children! You and your child will love is just as much as Abbi and I do!!<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Kregel to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1380282113000, "title": "Love, Love this book!!" }, { "asin": "B00FFBG1PM", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The Bargin is not just another Amish Fiction! It is an Amish fiction with a twist like I haven't read before, the setting being in the Vietnam War. I loved the history weaved into the book about this era, and especially since I was old enough during that time to remember a lot about the war and the friends I had who fought in it. Betsy's story was interesting, with her family living as Englisch. This story brought back a lot of memories of when I was growing up, and that I did enjoy very much! It was so interesting because back then, we did really live plain, or so it seems like that now. I really did love the setting, and the story.<br /><br />Stephanie Reed is a fairly new author for me, so I was excited to review an Amish fiction from a different author. Ms. Reed created characters that were enjoyable and believable, giving readers a real feel of life in the early 1970′s. If you enjoy Amish, you will love this one. If you enjoy historical fiction, this is for you too! So why not put the two together and check out this new book from Stephanie Reed. I think you will be pleasantly surprised!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1382586934000, "title": "The Bargin" }, { "asin": "1859855865", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS<br /><br />This is a really neat Bible handbook from Kregel Publishers. The Candle Bible Handbook is for 8 to 12 year olds and would be an awesome addition to their library, because it can be a wonderful study tool for your child to use while reading the Bible or reading Bible stories. There are many things to help with Bible study including study questions, tips to watch for when reading, an outline an description of the book, along with a little box with important information. And you will also find a section with Big ideas in the Bible, Bible Promises, Fifty very important passages in the Bible and Who’s Who in the Bible. And of course this is just a touch of what you will find in this neat handbook.<br /><br />I really like this book that will be an additional study tool when studying the Bible. I found it interesting myself as I read through it and went over the different things added to help study. If you have kids in this age group, or I think even teenagers would like this, I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of The Candle Bible Handbook. You will find it very informative and interesting.<br /><br />I rec’d a copy of this book from Kregel to read and review. The opinions in this review are mine only. I was not required or expected to write a positive review.", "timestamp": 1400470384000, "title": "Really Neat for Kids" }, { "asin": "1414368453", "rating": 5, "text": "Annie, a young Irish immigrant is the housekeeper at Mrs. Hawkins boarding house, but she is also a wonderful story teller, thanks to her really great storyteller father. But when Annie’s father passed away, and after living with her no caring uncle, and the horrible places he sent her, she eventually ended up in New York. You will thoroughly enjoy this wonderful historical novel by Cindy Thomson. Annie not only loved storytelling, she loved to daydream, so her mind was always full of a story to tell. And Ms. Thomson does an amazing job of telling these stories in a way that will capture your heart and attention. One thing that was so touching to me is the way telling her stories always made Annie think of the father she missed so much. Check out this fabulous book and give it a try!<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale House to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1420701507000, "title": "Really interesting historical fiction!" }, { "asin": "0529102781", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Jeremiah and Anna May's life took a tumbling fall when Jeremiah left his Amish family, Anna May and the Amish faith for the English world, and their schools, to become a veterinarian. But will his return mean that they can pick up where they left off with their relationship? Life is not that easy! And life for these two young people was not without heartaches and many struggles as they strived to find out what God really wanted them to do with their lives.<br /><br />I have read many of Kathleen Fuller's books, and have enjoyed them all! Just as I enjoyed this one, and I'm going to get the other books in this series as well! I fell in love with these characters immediately, and I thoroughly enjoyed following their journey, though they did have their moments. I like that Ms. Fuller shows so much detail to the story and each scene that takes place. This is truly a well written book, and a book that anyone who loves a really good Amish story will want to read!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1426653601000, "title": "Very nice Amish story!" }, { "asin": "0800722485", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />For me, this was a really heartwarming story. Kaitlyn was trying to get her life together after leaving her child with her brother to raise. Now she has to prove that she is the mother her daughter needs in order to get her daughter back. On the other hand, Steven is trying to prove that he has grown up, and ready to settle down. But would Steven and Kaitlyn be able to make a go of it together, with all of their past failures?<br /><br />I have really enjoyed Catherine Armstrong’s A Place to Call Home Series, and I so much enjoyed this third book! The characters are very realistic and enjoyable to get to know. The lives of the characters sure keep readers wondering what will happen next! And I appreciate the detailed info about this little place called Last Chance. It is sure a place I would love to visit!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1426819255000, "title": "Love this wonderful book!" }, { "asin": "0310315549", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This has been an absolutely enjoyable series to read, and Rachel Hauck is an amazingly talented writer! I love how she brings you into the story, giving me the feeling I was there with the characters. As I read the book, I felt as though the characters were real, as I thought about them day and night! Corina was hoping to find her prince charming for the second time, but with all of the issues going on, and with Corina still dealing with the death of her brother, there was just no way. But was there? This is truly a story of redemption and love, and the twists and turns in the story kept me turning the pages pretty fast! The setting, the characters, the different scenes throughout the story as I read, they all came together to a wonderful ending. I highly recommend How to Catch a Prince, and the other books in Rachel Hauck's Royal Wedding Series.<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1427161293000, "title": "Love this heartwarming story" }, { "asin": "0718031652", "rating": 4, "text": "Sarah Montgomery finally gets to join her fiancée Rand Campbell, in Fort Laramie, Wyoming but is he really excited to see her? Seems like he has found someone else to occupy his time, making life difficult for Sarah. But then when ex-fiancé Ben Croftner shows up in Wyoming, things get a little more exciting, or maybe we could say tension was filling the air more than ever.<br /><br />A Heart's Obsession is another short story in Colleen Coble's A Journey of the Heart Series. a reissue of the Wyoming series published around a decade, and back this time in 6 short books. Though I like short books sometimes, its kind of frustrating that we as readers have to wait so long for the next chapters in the book. Its like reading a few chapters, putting the book down, and after a month picking it back up again. I am just not fond of this type of reading myself. But as far as the story, I love it! It is awesome, just as all of Colleen Coble books are!! I will keep them all, and read them again in the order of the series, and will enjoy them much more. I hope this is not a trend that publishers are heading toward, but it will be interesting to see.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1429074224000, "title": "Short story" }, { "asin": "0310335884", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Life hasn't been easy for 32 year old Linda Zook, being orphaned at age 4 and raised by an uncle that didn't want her. But Linda is determined to make something of her life, working part time at the Lancaster Grand Hotel, she desires to we worthy of a life that she can be happy and loved. Thirty-two year old Aaron Ebersol comes back into the picture after leaving the Amish community for almost two decades because of the harsh demands of his father. These two meet up, but what will life be for them because of their background? Can they find love and forgiveness for the family that wronged them?<br /><br />Amy Clipston is one of my favorite Amish writers. I love her writing style, the long series about this Amish Community and the families, and I fell in love with her characters in the first book of this series! Linda and Aaron's story is a sad, but yet a happy one. I thoroughly enjoyed following the lives of these two characters through the thick and thin of their relationship. As I read their story, I could clearly see the love, grace, forgiveness and redemption of our God in the lives of these characters. In everything they went through, God was in the driver's seat of their lives and leading them every step of the way. If you enjoy Amish fiction, this series is a must for you. Check out A Simple Prayer by Amy Clipston, and the other books in this awesome series.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1431489089000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Life hasn't been easy for 32 year old Linda Zook" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Talk about mystery, The End of Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble is one of the best mysteries I have read! Who is Claire Dellamare? She thought her life was like any other rich girl’s life, that it until she Claire returns to the Hotel Tourmaline for a business meeting with her CEO father. That’s when she starts hearing rumors about her disappearing for a year when she was young.<br /><br />Wow, this was an awesome read! The plot line was amazing, and the characters were so very realistic I wanted to be there in the story with them. Clarie was a sweet and intelligent young lady, and never did she think her life would be in shambles when she returned to the Hotel Tourmaline. The more I read the stranger the story became, one murder and one young child went missing at the same time. Was there a connection? What strange and horrific thing could have happened all those years ago? This is a book you do not want to miss. And if you are a Colleen Cobble fan, this is one of her best!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1431575510000, "title": "The End of Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble is one of the best mysteries I have read" }, { "asin": "0529103435", "rating": 5, "text": "A Heart’s Betrayal is the fourth book in Colleen Coble’s A Journey of the Heat Series. This series is a previous series from Ms. Coble, this one is a very short book for each story. In this story, Emmie Croftner finds out that her late husband wasn’t the man she thought he was, the home and everything she had wasn’t hers after all. After relocating, Emmie meets a soldier that just might change her life.<br /><br />As usual, Colleen Coble writes a story with characters are interesting and intriguing, and make the story interesting. The situations in Emmie’s life leave her with a life of tension, so much so that she can’t stay in her town any longer. This change in her life leaves a more and different type of tension, because of her new place and new people in her life. The one thing with these short books is that you have to wait a month to read the next short installment. For me, it is much easier to read the entire story at once. I am keeping all of these books and will read them again one after the other!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1433304461000, "title": "A Heart’s Betrayal is the fourth book in Colleen Coble’s ..." }, { "asin": "1496402146", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This is a really good story written from a mothers viewpoint about her child. With television being the big entertainment and past time, weight problems in children are on the rise. Heidi Bond made changes she had to make for her daughter’s health. With the world today full of fast food, quick fix meals, and sweet and fatty snacks, obesity in children just keeps getting worse.<br /><br />I appreciate how Heidi and Breanna are using their story to help other kids with the same problems they have experienced. Even though their journey was not an easy on, it was a productive one because it taught them the meaning of a healthy lifestyle. I did make me angry as Heidi talked about the way people viewed her efforts, especially talking about those who had talked about her daughter’s obesity, now criticizing her for refusing her candy and sweet treats. People can be so rude. If you are someone you love is experiencing the same or similar situation, I encourage you to pick up a copy of Heidi’s book, Who’s the New Kid. I think you will find help you never expected.<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1433905940000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK This is a really good story written from a mothers viewpoint about her child" }, { "asin": "0310322170", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Another murder in the Amish Artisan Village in Middlebury, Indiana, and the Poison Poet strikes again and again leaving pies with notes attached saying the pies are poisoned. And then the emails Amber is getting, that is clearly from the Poison Poet? Ms. Chapman does it again with a murder, mystery/suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seats. And in an Amish community at that!<br /><br />I felt so bad for Amber, the harassing emails were causing problems with her work and marriage, because the Poison Poet was determined that she wouldn’t tell anyone what was going on. But she had too many friends and family that loved her, and I was touched at the way the pulled together to help her. And another person that was helped was Preston. I really like Preston and the sweet relationship forming between Preston and Mocha, which you will need to read the book to find out about these two! And who in the world could have gunned Ryan Duvall down in broad daylight, just as he finished his race?<br /> A lot of questions, and a lot going on in Murder Freshly Baked, and I just know you will enjoy it as much as I did!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1433921239000, "title": "Just Wonderful Writing by Ms. Chapman!" }, { "asin": "0800734351", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Has Marisa St. George found the man or her dreams after moving back to her hometown of Dupree, Texas. Very successful and well known writer Blake Kendall decides to try hanging out at Rainbow’s End Resort for a while to see if it would help his writers block, that he couldn’t seem to get over. The attraction between Marisa and Blake was immediate, but then things started to come up that put a halt on that attraction, and their relationship was rocky one min and ok the next. This situation, along with everything else going on at Rainbow’s End Resort makes for a fun and entertaining story.<br /><br />In Firefly Valley ,I loved reading about the characters I grew to love in the first book in this series, At Bluebonnet Lake, and meeting the new people traveling to the area! The relaxing atmosphere at the Rainbow’s End Resort and the quite town of Dupree, Texas makes this a light read, yet a story that deals with lives that were changed through forgiveness of each other and the love, forgiveness and redemption of our Lord. I want to encourage you to pick up a copy of In Firefly Valley for hours of relaxing, entertaining and fun. I think you will like this book as much as I did! This one goes on my keeper shelf!<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.<br /><br />Another really sweet book from author Amanda Cabot!", "timestamp": 1434349019000, "title": "along with everything else going on at Rainbow’s End Resort makes for a fun and entertaining story" }, { "asin": "0800723503", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Her mother's death causes Elizabeth Benjamin to return to her home in Key West, but things didn't go as she thought it would. Though she needed her family, it seemed that they didn't need her as much, and she sure wasn't happy with her father's pick as a husband for her. Was her trip back home a mistake?<br /><br />Since this was my first book by Christine Johnson I wasn't sure what to expect, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. This book was as good as the cover is beautiful! I love the inviting cover! This was also my first story with a setting in the historical 1850's Key West, Florida. There is a lot that makes up the plot of this story, danger, secrets, adventures seas, heart throbbing romance, and determination in the hearts of characters. Ms. Johnson does a marvelous job of weaving it all together to write a most amazing, entertaining and enjoyable story that I highly recommend. I will sure be looking for more books in this series.<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1434354351000, "title": "and she sure wasn't happy with her father's pick as a husband for her" }, { "asin": "1601425996", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Mesu Andrew's books because she has such an amazing talent of taking Bible characters, putting them in a historical Biblical setting and creating a story that will pull you in and keep you long after you finish the book. When I finish reading a Mesu Andrews book, I have a new, clear insight of the Biblical character the Book is about.<br /><br />The Pharoah's Daughter is another one of those books. I have always loved the story of Moses being put in the river in a basket as a baby by his sister. And Pharoah's daughter claiming Moses for her own, and raising him as her own. Ms. Andrews takes this story much deeper, bringing us into the home of Pharoah's daughter and now the home of Moses. I have always has questions about how this or that happened, and in this story, Ms. Andrews answers some of those questions in her fictional way. This was a special time in history, and I appreciate this awesome author for taking on these characters and this time in history. And I also appreciate the knowledge and research it took to write a story like this. Needless to say, I was in awe of The Pharoah's Daughter and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves historical, Biblical, or just a good fiction story.<br /><br />Blogging for Books provided this book for my honest review. The review is my views alone.", "timestamp": 1434561646000, "title": "I love Mesu Andrew's books because she has such an amazing ..." }, { "asin": "0718011783", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Two very different people, and a dangerous ruby? That's what this story is about. Daughter of a shop keeper, Camille is searching for her own lot in life. And the son of a very wealthy, well-known explorer and collector, Jonathan is settle in his fathers wealth, even though he is the second son. But his life changes when the hunt for a special ruby leads him to Camille's family shop. Who will finally uncover this expensive, dangerous jewel?<br /><br />Author Sarah Ladd takes us on an exciting and dangerous journey through the streets of historical London in her new book, The Curiosity Keeper. And Curiosity it is as I read this really good book! The characters will weave their way into your hearts, and the sights and sounds of London are so expertly detailed that you will find yourselves wondering if you are there! I love the tension in the scenes, because it made me keep turning the pages. The intensity and suspense that takes place makes for a very enjoyable read. I highly recommend The Curiosity Keeper!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1436334889000, "title": "And Curiosity it is as I read this really good book! The characters will weave their way into ..." }, { "asin": "0718031687", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br /> Emmie has a secret that she definitely doesn't want Isaac to know about, because she doesn't want to loose him. This makes for a lot of twists and turns in this very short story. This is book 5 in A Journey of the Heart Series. I enjoyed reading the continuation of this story, the characters and setting is already familiar, and the plot is somewhat set. As with all Colleen Coble books, this is a wonderful read and a wonderful series. I enjoyed each book, but I think reading all of these short book at once would be better because you don't have to wait to see what the next few chapters give.<br /><br />BookLook Bloggers provided this book for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive or any type of review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1436336191000, "title": "I enjoyed reading the continuation of this story" }, { "asin": "0310749417", "rating": 5, "text": "My Thoughts<br /><br />This is a cute little Bible Story book for any little one. If you have small children, you would be wise to invest in this book for them. The colors are nice and bright, and the cover is just plain cute! It has Papa, Brother, Sister and Honey reading, which is one of our favorite things to do here. The book is made just for smaller kids with thick sturdy pages that a child cannot tear, so you don't have to worry about them playing with this book. And you will enjoy reading these Bible stories and teaching your child about Jesus.<br /><br />This book was provided by BookLook Bloggers. The opinions here are mine.", "timestamp": 1441166721000, "title": "The colors are nice and bright" }, { "asin": "1401688888", "rating": 5, "text": "I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1441168580000, "title": "Love it!" }, { "asin": "1401690513", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Abby Knightly’s life came to an end as she knew it when her husband was killed in an auto accident, and Abby feels responsible. Not being about to live with what happened, Abby decides to move to a little town she had read about in a column in a newspaper. Circumstances caused her to meet Bo, one of three brothers that owned a ranch in the small town of Wishing Springs, Texas .<br /><br />This story took a different turn than the first book in this series. Bo’s story didn’t come across as well as Tru’s for me. Bo seemed less responsible, more reckless and the little surprise that ended up on his pops doorstep confirms that. It just happened that Abby was there at the right time, which was ok with Bo because he needed all the help he could get. Even though I did enjoy the story, a young lady showing up in a small town, meeting a guy that has sworn off ladies, and all of a sudden were thrown together and everything else that happened within a few weeks just wasn’t as believable as I would have liked. But then, that’s just me! All in all, I enjoyed the Monahan family again, and looking forward to reading book three! And by the way, Pops is just the sweetest old man, just adorable!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1441775657000, "title": "Even though I did enjoy the story" }, { "asin": "0310338492", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Love this book, Love this series! Shelley Shepard Gray is one of the best!! Lydia and Sebastian were two very different people, from completely different backgrounds, but the attraction between them was real. But the two being together was just impossible. Or was it? Though rough as some of the characters are, this is a pretty sweet story. There is a lot of bad things happening, a lot of tension, a lot of twists and turns, but Ms. Gray does a fantastic job of pulling it all together, with twists and turns you don’t expect, and making another awesome story in this series. I don’t want to say too much, and give anything away, so I wont! This is a wonderful and entertaining story, set just after the Chicago Worlds Fair is over, a story that will stay with you for a while.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1447220727000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Love this book" }, { "asin": "0310339545", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Leila Lantz has a difficult decision to make. Two young men, Jesse, and Will (Jesse's cousin) want her love and commitment. But the two offer entirely different lifestyles for Leila. Jesse is struggling with his faith, and not so sure he is ready for a lifetime commitment, but Leila has loved him since the first time she saw him. And Will, well he is more settled and knows what he wants to do with his life, but keeps his feelings for Leila to himself because he doesn't want to hurt his cousin Jesse. How will this author untangle this mess of relationships for Leila?<br /><br />I really like the way Kelly Irvin writes Amish fiction. She adds a unique twist to her stories that make them very interesting and entertaining. Leila has some tough decisions to make, but I liked that. Dealing with real life situations, even among the Amish faith helps to realize that we all have problems that we must surrender to the Lord. And this book will have you taking a closer look at your own faith. It was nice visiting characters from book one, and I am excited to read book three when it hits the shelves. If you are looking for a good clean book for enjoyment, this is a wonderful one to pick up!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1447474989000, "title": "and Will (Jesse's cousin) want her love and commitment" }, { "asin": "1601425007", "rating": 5, "text": "A Refuge at Highland Hall is the third book in the Edwardian Brides series by Carrie Turansky. I was glad to read more of Highland Hall's Penny Ramsey in this story. Because of Britain's involvement in WWI, Penny decides to travel to London to help her sister Kate and her husband with the houseful of orphaned children they have. Its there that Penny meets Royal Naval Air Service pilot Alex Goodwin, and there was definitely an attraction between the two! Knowing he would be chasing Zeppelins across the front line in France, Alex couldn't allow anything series between the two. But they could write to each other while he was in France. But faced with unforeseen circumstances, Alex's life takes a dramatic change, and seeing Penny again was out of the question.<br /><br />This is such a wonderful book! First of all, the cover is beautiful, and the story inside is full of entertainment. I loved meeting the characters again, they now seem like family members. Penny is such a sweetheart, and I was cheering on a relationship between she and Alex. There's a lot of things going on in this book, a lot of twists and turns happening that made me keep my nose in the book until I finished!! Author Carrie Turansky does an amazing joy of weaving everything together nicely, and giving readers a sweet romance.<br /><br />And the history in this story is phenomenal, it made the trip back into the past WWI era so enjoyable. As I read, I felt like I was living the story along with the characters. This book is a must if you enjoy historical and WWI fiction. And this one is a nice clean read! One that anyone will enjoy!<br /><br />I received this book from Blogging for Books to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1454892669000, "title": "Awesome Read!" }, { "asin": "0310332435", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGTHS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Casey Cox only wants to do the right things, find her father's killer. But her life falls apart when she finds her good friend murdered, and with her DNA being all over the place, she has no option but to run. Dylan Roberts, the PI hired to find Casey doesn't think she is guilty of murder, the evidence just doesn't show it.<br /><br />If I Run is another fast pace thriller from one of my very favorite authors, Terri Blackstock. It starts our with Casey finding her good friend Brent murdered in his home. Knowing why Brent was murdered, and her blood all over everything, Casey's only choice is to take off. Casey was a fantastic leading character, with all of her twists and turns trying to stay under the radar, I never knew what was coming next! Casey was such a caring person, she cared more for helping others than she did herself, even if she did put herself in the spotlight. I really enjoyed this story, and I read it through without putting it down.<br /><br />However, the ending just almost ruined it for me. It left so many loose ends, I felt as though I was hanging from a cliff when I read that last sentence. I sure hope there is a book two, I will be very disappointed if it is not. Can't wait to find out about another book in this series!", "timestamp": 1455863516000, "title": "But her life falls apart when she finds her good friend murdered" }, { "asin": "1414389752", "rating": 5, "text": "Mariah and her grandmother are trying their best to keep their ranch running after the death of Mariah’s father. But their lives take a drastic change when Slade Donovan show up claiming the ranch. As it turns out, Mariah’s father supposedly took money that belonged to Slade’s father and bought the ranch, so now that Slade’s father is dead, he is there to claim what belongs to their family. He agrees to let Mariah and her grandmother stay in the house until his mom and sister come to live there. But a lot of things happen here in this story before that takes place.<br /><br />This was my first book by Pam Hillman, and I loved it so very much! There was a lot of tension between the characters because Slade was carrying around so much anger and bitterness. Mariah was shocked that her father would steal money, so she and Slade didn’t get along. The two that did surprisingly got along was Slade’s quiet brother and Mariah’s grandmother, while I think had a lot to do with Slade and Mariah slowing changing their minds. Grandma was a sweetheart, she loved the Lord, and nothing seemed to upset her. She was the glue that held them all together. But when the mom and sister get there, things may change for them.<br /><br />I enjoyed Ms. Hillman’s writing style and I look forwarding to reading other books by her. The bit of suspense and romance make this story one you will love and enjoy. And I can’t leave out the fact that the history throughout this story was so interesting and very well searched and woven into the lives of the characters. You can’t go wrong with this book being on your ‘to read’ shelf. I purchased a copy of this book to read, and it is so good I wanted to leave a review.", "timestamp": 1456156195000, "title": "Love this historical fiction" }, { "asin": "0764211412", "rating": 5, "text": "I thought this book was a fantastic read, and I really enjoyed every minute of it! After Miranda sold a prized portrait, and her grandfather bought an auction house that they were sure the portrait went to, the story took a new twist! I'm not sure how I would have felt had I ended up at a livestock auction house, and it was just as interesting reading about Miranda's experience. There is a lot in this story to absorb, and I kept wondering if a mistake was made about buying this auction house in the first place, but I just had to be patient. I will have to say, from the cover of this book, I did not expect the story that is between the pages!<br /><br />When I see a book by Regina Jennings, I know its going to be an awesome read, and this was no exception. I became very attached to the characters, the grandfather was adorable and Miranda was a special young lady! And oh, the romance was sweet and heartfelt. This is a must read for those of you who enjoy historical fiction, or just looking for a good clean read! At Love's Bidding will not disappoint!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1456295075000, "title": "Love this book!" }, { "asin": "0718033183", "rating": 4, "text": "Arguments with parents happen often, but Joanna Schrock never dreamed this argument would be her last. The accident that happened after the argument changed Joanna's life forever, in ways she never expected. Andrew, her beau since childhood draws closer<br /> to Joanna, knowing her could have lost her in the accident. But is his marriage offer truly because of his love for her?<br /><br /> This was a most enjoyable story. I do not read a lot of Amish stories, but this one captured my attention, with the horrific accident and the heartbreaking happenings after. The story gets intense while Joanna is recovering, with Andrew hovering over her, and Joanna wondering if it was his love or his pity for him that he was acting in such a way.<br /><br /> This story was interesting enough to keep me reading. If you enjoy Amish stories, you will enjoy this one.<br /><br />I received a free copy of this book from ,…….. to read and review. I expressed my own opinion in this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1458937229000, "title": "But is his marriage offer truly because of his love for her" }, { "asin": "0800726405", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br /> After the death of her husband, Shelby Kincaid decides to move back to where she was raised, and purchase her family's home, Misty Willow. AJ Sullivan owns the home, given to him by his grandfather, though he is sure not interested in the place. Once the two meet, for some odd reason they couldn't stay away from each other. But family history and dark secrets find their place between these two young people.<br /><br />This turned out to be a sweet and heartwarming story. AJ wasn't the villain I thought he would me, he was actually a character I liked very much. AJ's cousins, Brett and Amy are a different story altogether. The were difficult to tolerate! Ms. Alexander does a fantastic job of weaving this story together, through the difficult past, to the difficult cousins, to this special couple, Shelby and AJ, turning their lives around to create a beautiful life between the two. This is a wonderful contemporary story that you don't want to miss.<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1459829440000, "title": "Love this beautiful story!" }, { "asin": "1629116858", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Abigail Stutzman had no idea why she was dumped at a bus station with a ticket to an aunt and uncle's house she didn't even know she had. What was wrong with her mamm, why did she allow this to happen to her? And it seemed like her aunt and uncle and everyone else in her new community was silent on the issue as well. What made things even worse for Abby is her new friends seem to leave her on a trail of burned down barns. Nothing happening in her life made sense to Abbi anymore.<br /><br />Poor Abby, I can not imagine what it would be like to be left at a bus station and sent to someone I didn't even know! Amish sometimes have a strange way of handing situations. One thing about it, Even though Abby didn't know her aunt and uncle, they were happy to meet their new niece, and was glad to have her in their home. She became like a daughter to them. But the fires were a puzzle. And firefighter Sam Miller couldn't figure it out either. But Abby had to be the one setting the fires, wasn't she? As Sam and Abby spend more and more time together, sparks of another kind start flying, and the fire between these two characters may not be so easy to put out.<br /><br />I love Laura Hilton's Amish stories so much. She always has a little different twist to her stories, involving Englischers in such a way that it seems like there is no logical fix to the situations, but in the end, Ms. Hilton weaves the stories together to make a perfect and wonderful ending. And so it was with The Amish Firefighter. This was truly a story of unveiled secrets, forgiveness, redemption and grace in the lives of these characters. I love and appreciate the way Ms. Hilton so vividly tells the story of God's redeeming love to those who as for His forgiveness. I love, love this story, and I am looking forward for more from these Jamesport, Missouri characters.<br /><br />I received this book from Celebrate Lit Blog Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1465782835000, "title": "And it seemed like her aunt and uncle and everyone else in her ..." }, { "asin": "0800722752", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This was an interesting read, being this is election year! Leta Breckenridge lands a excellent paying job at a public relations firm. What Leta didn't know is that she would be used in ways that were very uncomfortable for her. Nathan Emerson may be in the next running race for governor of Texas, and he has just the right woman by his side to make his running complete. But then he meets Leta, and she is so different from anyone he's ever met before. But two very different lifestyles at this point in Nathan's life?<br /><br />I have grown to love books written by Kellie Coates Gilbert, and each book keeps getting better. Ms. Gilbert develops characters that are so very realistic and believable. As I read everything going on in this book, I had to ask myself; Does this really happen in real life? And I'm afraid my answer leans more toward yes that anything else. This story shows that lying, cheating, deceitfulness, always comes back to bite you.<br /><br />I also loved the relationship Leta had with her mom. Even though her mom didn't know how she was most of the time, Leta still needed her mom and they were so sweet together. I hope I have said enough to want you to read this book. I don't want to give away any of the story, for me it ruins it when someone does that. I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of this book and read it. You will not be disappointed in this one. Or anything this author writes!<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1469974817000, "title": "Loved this amazing story" }, { "asin": "0310345391", "rating": 5, "text": "A prison cell in Lake Erie became the home of Confederate soldiers. Growing as close as brothers in this prison, a group of these soldiers made promises to care for one another, no matter what happened. When Phillip Markham lost his life in the prison, Robert Truax knew he had to fulfill that promise and take care of Phillip's wife Marinda. As tough as the situation with Marinda turned out to be, Robert wanted to do the job he came to do and get on with his life. But there were many unexpected bumps in the road that changed those plans.<br /><br /> Shelley Shepard Gray starts another series off with a bang! This beautiful story of love and redemption with capture your hearts. When everything seemed lost and thought there was no hope, Marinda finds out that God does give second chances in life. Robert and Marinda's story is such a sweet heartwarming story. The main characters, as well as the supporting characters will quickly find their way into your heart. I enjoyed the Civil War and post war historical facts and settings. This is a great story for those who enjoy stories with Civil War settings.<br /><br /> A copy of this book was provided to me by BookLook Bloggers for me to read and review. This is my honest opinion of this book.", "timestamp": 1472525447000, "title": "This beautiful story of love and redemption with capture your hearts" }, { "asin": "031034154X", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, this is an amazing story! I fell in love with the characters early in the story. I loved the way Ms. Hauck interweaves Cora and Haley’s stories, and though one was historical and one modern, the story was beautiful written in a way that made me crave more of each character. I couldn’t put this book down because I wanted to find out what was happening with each lady.<br /><br />Cora was the sweetest young lady with a lot of disappointments and heartaches. Rufus, well I just wanted to give him a piece of my mind. And Birch was a sweetheart, a man every women dreams of. Haley was independent like Cora, and wanted to open the Wedding Shop, despite what her parents thought. She was determined to try and forget her ex forever. And I really liked Cole as well. He has his share of disappointments and heartaches too. And I love the way Rachel Hauck interweaves the stories of these four characters in an amazing way, weaving together their dysfunctional lives with their faith in the Lord. And she shows that even though our lives don’t turn out the way we want, and despite the heartaches and disappointments we may go through, Jesus will always be there in us and with us. And He can take all of our baggage and make something beautiful from it all.<br /><br />The Wedding Shop is another beautiful story from author Rach Hauck. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good clean heartwarming read. And if you haven’t read The Wedding Dress and The Wedding Chapel, I encourage you to check out these two books as well.<br /><br />I received this book from Celebration Lit Blog Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1474495378000, "title": "Love it!" }, { "asin": "0310342015", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />I love, love Amy Clipston's books and this is another amazing one from her. She writes the most amazing Amish fiction, and you don't want to miss this one. Mike Lantz has his hands full taking care of his dad and his disabled son. He moves to the area because he wants his son to go to this special school, hoping he can learn like a regular. And that's where he meets Rachel. Rachel feels sorry for the Lantz family and wants to help them, so she starts fixing them mills each week and sending them home by Mike's son John. The special thing about these meals is that she sends them in an antique basket that belonged to her mom, a basket that brought her mom and dad together. Can history repeat itself and bring another couple together?<br />Find out when you read the third book in The Amish Heirloom Series by Amy Clipston. I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1475899748000, "title": "Rachel Fisher is devastated when the young man she’s loved for years leaves her to date her best friend" }, { "asin": "162911748X", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />This is such an amazing story, I was in awe the entire time I was reading this book. Both Mary and Joseph were the sweetest young couple. Her parents loved her very much to make sure the man she would marry was the man she loved. I know this is fiction, but as I read the account of the angel coming to Mary in a dream, her trip to see her cousin Elizabeth, Mary telling her parents and Joseph she was pregnant with the Messiah, each and every scene was so fully detailed, I felt like I was living this story along with the characters. It is so neat to see this Bible account through the eyes of Diana W. Taylor.<br />It was so sweet to follow along with Mary as she realized she was carrying a special baby, that God has actually trusted her an favored her among all of the women of that time, and chose her to be the mother of Jesus. Despite what she had to go through, the outrage of her family and Joseph when she first told them she was pregnant with God's son, all of the talk and whispers among everyone she came in contact with, Mary still had a peace and calmness, and an excitement that God had favored her among women. Can you just imaging what that would feel like?<br />Ms. Taylor not only writes an wonderful story of Mary, the historical events and all of the details was amazing. It is so much in this story that I love, I could go on and on, but you have an idea what this book is about. And I agree with others that this book needs to be read before Christmas and before Easter. It is a great way to ready your heart for the Celebration of each of these holidays. If you have friends and family that love reading, and don't know the Lord, this would be the most amazing book for them to read. The Gospel is told throughout this book in a wonderful way. This is a must read for every Christian!<br />&#34;I received this book from the author for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed in this review are my own.&#34;", "timestamp": 1476502162000, "title": "Love this Biblical Fiction!" }, { "asin": "1501822608", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is an awesome devotional for the month of December. Ace Collins take us through each day of December with a different insight about the one we celebrate on Christmas day, Jesus Christ. I have enjoyed this devotional because each day I am reminded of the birth of or Savior, and it I can read about Him and Worship Him in a new way each day. There is also a lot of fun things throughout the pages of this books. You will find nice recipes, the meaning behind the words of songs, Christmas traditions, Christmas carols and some movies. I am really enjoying my time spent in this little book, and I will save it for years to come.<br />I highly recommend The Most Wonderful Time of the Year for your special Christmas devotions. received this book from Litfuse to read and review. I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1481771391000, "title": "Awesome Christmas Devotional" }, { "asin": "0718086422", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />For me, it was difficult to get interested in this story until after the first several chapters, but then, the story opens up into raw emotions about what truly happens to families that go into full time ministry, especially as missionaries to another country. Through fiction, this author shares the feelings and truths of the real family problems that can occur. After reading this, you will feel more of a desire to pray for missionaries you know, as well as any missionaries that give up their lives as they know it to go into an unknown place and share the gospel of Christ. Remember to pray for those taking the gospel to the places in the world that would not hear unless someone comes to tell them.<br />This is a must read if you believe God is calling you to the mission fields. It could very well help families know more about what to expect.<br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1483588639000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK For me, it was ..." }, { "asin": "1401685978", "rating": 3, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK <br />Charlotte and Daniel are in love, but the problem is Charlotte is an Englisher, and she doesn’t seem to want to do anything about joining the Amish faith to be with Daniel for the rest of their lives. Daniel is getting so frustrated because he loves Charlotte, but the Bishop is putting the pressure on him because if there relationship is to go on, Charlotte needs to be doing something to lead them all to believe she is thinking about joining their faith. Even though she has lived in the Amish community for a long time, and considers the Amish as her family.<br />This book doesn’t have a lot going on, the main issue is Charlotte and Daniel’s disturbing relationship. Which makes this book much slower than the first two books in this series. This one is just lacking something, not an interesting. But, all in all, I would have read it anyway to see what happens at the end of the series, and to tie up some loose ends. Pick u this last book in Beth Wiseman’s An Amish Secrets Series. I received this book from Booklook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1508817344048, "title": "... THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Charlotte and Daniel are in love, but the problem is Charlotte is an Englisher" }, { "asin": "1683223357", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />This first Christmas story, ‘Christmas in Gold’ is about and elderly lady named Astrid who fell down steps at home and her son and daughter decides to move her to an assisted living facility near her son’s house. Trouble is, he travels all of the time and is hardly home. So after much downsizing her son gets her moved in, he has to leave and the daughter can’t come to help either, so ….has fun decorating her new apartment. Except she couldn’t find her God Christmas ornaments, so guess her son didn’t bother to bring them. Then She starts making new friends at her new place, specifically her therapist. They both needed a friend and despite their age difference they hit it off. So we’re able to be there for each other.<br /><br />This is a good story, but it started off very slow for me. After probably halfway through it gets better. There’s a little bit of drama here but not much. Christmas did turn out different than I expected. The characters are interesting and realistic, and the author shows that no matter the circumstances, we can be happy and useful in whatever stage of life we are in. The God will walk with us.<br /><br />❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️<br /><br />This second story ‘Christmas in Blue’ for me, is much better. Carole, who has always taken care of the Christmas to Remember event each year passed away leaving her best friend, Angela to follow in her footsteps. And of course she was chosen to do the Christmas to Remember event as well. But things didn’t go so smoothly, and time was running out, and besides that, they only Christmas decorations they could find was blue. Everything. Blue. Which the town wasn’t going to like. Then a mystery person appeared, helping diligently to make the Celebration a success.<br /><br />I enjoyed this story a lot. It was really special to see a twin come together. But the end results was surprisingly very well done. Makes for a very cozy Christmas story to read during the holidays! Especially if there comes a pretty snowfall!<br /><br />This is a beautiful book! I love blue so the colors are just what I like. I encourage you to pick up a copy of The Colors of Christmas for hours of cozy, clean fun entertainment! A complementary copy of this book was provided by TLC Tours. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1509065101398, "title": "Cozy Christmas read" }, { "asin": "1420144839", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Liza Schrock in content running the bakery her late husband bought for her, and has no need for another man in her life. Paul was enough for a lifetime of men for her. Until Jacob Graber and his daughter Ellie walks into her bakery and her life.<br /><br />I enjoyed this sweet Amish story, though some of the time it was a bit slow and things were repeated often. Lisa was happy to be rid of her demanding husband and could now live without fear of his abusive behavior. Though she reacts to Jacob differently than any other man, she is still content with being alone. But Jacob is determined to win Lisa over. I didn’t really care for Jacob’s attitude in several areas. He was rather pushy, even asking Lisa’s family personal questions that were none of his business at the time. And I didn’t like the way he talked to his daughter Ellie about how he felt over his wife’s death, how he missed her too, and needed a friend. To me, this just added to Ellie’s negative feelings, and made Jacob a bit self centered, which is not how Amish men are to act. Soles he sounded like more the whiny child. And I could understand Ellie’s feelings. She had lost her mom after all, and was at the age to question Amish life. And with her dads feelings and attitude all over the place she needed more stability than him.<br /><br />This story jumps around a lot, it deals with a lot of issues lightly but it doesn’t get too deep in any of them. For Amish fiction lovers, you will enjoy Lisa’s story. The ending is much better than the rest of the book so hang in there and keep reading!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1517488805654, "title": "I enjoyed this sweet Amish story" }, { "asin": "0718091159", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Amish Sweethearts is a collection of four Amish stories written by author Amy Clipston. In each of these stores, the main character has some pretty hefty issues to deal with. But they also each find the person they want to spend their life with. And sometime the Amish Father is hard to get along with, which several of these characters had to deal with as well. Ms. Clipston does a wonderful job of weaving lives, circumstances, hurts and wrong decisions together, and coming up with stories that will warm your heart.<br /><br />Overall I enjoyed this book, but I do have a problem with the publisher, publishing two stories that have already previously been published in similar books, and not that kings ago. It’s like getting half a book new and the other half used. And charge the same price. Hopefully this will not be the case again. This is the reason for the 4 stars instead of 5.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1517551284649, "title": "the main character has some pretty hefty issues to deal with" }, { "asin": "1683700406", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The Melody of the Soul is an emotional, heartbreaking read, but yet interesting as we meet Violinist Anna Zadok, a Christian Jew, and her grandmother. With the Nazi’s occupation in Prague, Anna and her grandmother lost family, and Anna lost the right to play her beloved violin. When Nazi officer Horst Engel hears Anna play, enjoys the music so much he makes a way for her to keep playing.<br /><br />As one that plays several musical instruments, I always enjoy books where music has such a huge part in the lives of its characters, as did this book. And the soft side of a Nazi officers love of music was a special touch to the story as well. The characters are well developed as the story progresses. And the author does a fantastic job of weaving the beautiful historical scenes of Praque and the horrors and graphics of WWll, making an enjoyable read for everyone. If you love WWll stories, This is one you want to check out!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1517942859721, "title": "I always enjoy books where music has such a huge part in ..." }, { "asin": "0718099397", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />NFL player Toren Daniels just couldn’t control his anger, no matter what. But when he wakes up in a hotel room, not remembering where he’s been for the past 8 month, his anger is gone. This throws Daniels on a whirlwind to find out where he’s been for the past eight months, as well as prove to his wife and family that he has changed! But with his family believing Toren is dead, they have moved on.<br /><br />I have to admit, I’ve never read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but this author did a very good job of describing what it is about throughout this book, so it was easy to follow the parallel of the two stories. I though I had this plot firgured out, and I actually did get part of it right, but getting to the bottom of Toren’s story and the end of book, author James Rubart takes readers in an unbelievable journey that will stick with you for a long time! Rubarts books are the only fantasy type books I read, and I read them because I love the way he takes Bible principles and a character like Toren with his severe anger issues and weaves them together to show God’s love, mercy and forgiveness. His expertise knowledge and research for this story is evident in each scene in this book. Sometimes I had to just stop and wrap my mind around all of the details before reading further. I found “The Man He Never Was” an amazing book on God’s love. If you enjoy books that strongly applys Bible principals to the lives of the characters in a fantasy type way, you will love this book. And if you have never read a book of this genre, this would be a good one to start with!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1521526071725, "title": "Awesome Story!" }, { "asin": "1496421523", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />I loved this book. So much so that I hated having to put it down for the non important things such as cleaning house or cooking dinner! Just Let Go was so realistic, so much like people everywhere today. And I love the Title because letting go and Letting God in on our problems would be so much easier than trying to fix them ourselves.<br /><br />Quinn and Brady both had so many issues to fight through. But first they have to like each other because they didn’t get off to a very good start. Both had anger issues caused by heir past and they just didn’t want to let the past go. Would a real relationship work for the two?<br /><br />Along with my love of story, the characters are fantastic and they make the story so much more interesting. Ms. Walsh deals with a lot issuess that so many people face today, it’s hard to pinpoint just one. And the plot flows so smoothly. I appreciate that this book is full of love and redemption, caring and loving people. This is an amazing Contemporary Fiction for anyone looking for a good clean fun read.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1530755538746, "title": "This is an Amazing Story!" }, { "asin": "1624167470", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The idea of a Hope Jar, or a Prayer Jar is a pretty neat idea! And Michelle finding it was good because that’s what she needed in her life at the time. I somehow find it unbelievable though how Michelle ended up with this Amish family. That grandparents would take a young lady in under those circumstances. And I was really irritated at Michelle for her actions and attitude. I did feel bad for the Lapps because they fell in love with Michelle.<br /><br />But I think my heart broke mostly for Sara. She was the one who had to suffer the most. I wish there would have been more about Sara in this story, but hopefully another book will have her story. All in all that was a good story, the characters were realistic, making me feel as though I had met new neighbors. If you love Amish, you will love this story<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1534876862140, "title": "The Hope Jar" }, { "asin": "0718083040", "rating": 5, "text": "I have enjoyed Robert Whitlow’s books for a while now, and this one it just as amazing as his previous books. I appreciate the fact that he write about issues that the world struggles with currently. I’m a time where there is so much hatred because of a person’s color, race, background, or just because people don’t like another person, Whitlow’s book Chosen People brings to light the need for everyone to respect others, reguardless of who they are. Imagine what would happen if everyone read this book and followed what Whitlow is saying to everyone. And though fiction, this book hits the nail on the head about issues happening today. Things that are going on today in the families and lives of everyone. Oh that we might heed his voice and his words. I strongly encourage everyone to check this book out. And if you think it’s for you, then read a copy and see what you think.<br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1549609867320, "title": "What a Good Read" }, { "asin": "168322826X", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Ladies of Intrigue is a collection of three stories written by Michelle Griep. I didn’t realize these Novellas were previously published, so I had read a couple of them already! Don’t you just hate when this happens? A new book with stories you have already read! But it was good to refresh my memory of these stories.<br /><br />It starts on Cornish Coast in 1815 when the First Lady of Intrigue falls in love with s smuggler. Not exactly what she had planned to do. Then on to Dakota Territory in 1862 with the second Intrigung Lady, Emily and Dr. Clark. I’ve always enjoyed a stories set in the Dakota Territory, and I enjoyed this one, especially with the doctoring techniques of this century. And the third Intriguing Lady is found in St. Paul Minnesota and the House of Secrets. This haunted house had the worst most haunting secrets of all!<br /><br />All three of these stories will sure keep your interest, from the historical fact that we always find in a Michelle Griep story to the haunting mysteries each of these stories hold. You are sure to get a taste of the exceptional writing of this author!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1551073892869, "title": "An Collection if Intriguing Tales" }, { "asin": "031034817X", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />First of all I love this book cover! It is what Dee me to this book! And I love Kelly Irvin’s books as well! And this was such a special read! Laura and Zechariah are both getting on in years, both feeling as though their work on this earth is finished, but God may have other plans! Laura’s helping in Zechariah’s granddaughter after having her Nablus results in the two elderly people getting together, and they realize they are needed.<br /><br />This is a beautiful heartwarming story set in the beautiful Amish community in Jamesport, Missouri. Ms. Irvin does a fantastic job of creating characters that we will all love as they weave their way into our hearts throughout this story. They plot flows well, and kept my interest throughout the story. I like that Redemption, love, and faith were woven into the characters lives! This is a story you don’t wasn’t to miss, especially if you are an Amish fan!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1551334152740, "title": "Beautiful heartwarming story" }, { "asin": "0785219706", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Glory Road is a quiet, small place where Jessica owns a thriving garden shop, and lives with her daughter and mom. She moved back to Glory Road years ago after devorcing the husband that decided he wanted someone else and not her. Jessica lives her quiet life and was content with her small family. That is until two handsome, very different men came into her life. One she had never met, one that lived on Glory Road when they were growing up. And life is just not the same as before these two men arrive.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I love the characters, they were all fantastic! Jessica and her quirky mom has such different personalities, and I can see a little off Evan in both of the ladies. Three strong women, two of which have suffered heartbreaking issues life has thrown them, all determined to stay strong and fight to strive in this world. I love Glory Road and the atmosphere surrounding the place! It all seems olive somewhere in a dream, yet so close and realistic. It’s a place I would sure want to live. Ms. Denton does a really good job weaving together the differences between Ben and Sumner, and with Jessica struggling to make a decision between the two. Of course I fell in love with Ben from the beginning, so I was cheering for him all along! But you have to read the book for the rest of that story!<br /><br />Glory Road is a sweet calming read for me. It’s like settling down at home for a nice relaxing stay. It’s that book you want to read when you need a few days of relaxing. It’s a book that I highly recommend to anyone wanting a nice clean time of enjoyment through books!<br /><br />I received this book from JustReads Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1553618781544, "title": "A really awesome heartwarming read!" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764207563", "rating": 5, "text": "This was my first book by Karen Witemeyer, and I LOVED IT! I love her fun style of writing. I just couldn't help falling in love with Adelaide and Gideon. Adelaide was fun, and spunky, but when she set her mind to something, she was bound and determined to do it! She was a gal that knew what she wanted, and wasn't afraid to go after it, even though she might be a bit clumsy in the going. Going after what she thought was her man didn't turn out like she thought it would. That's what landed her at Gideon's Sheep Farm interviewing for a job as Governess to his 5 year old daughter. Her mouth also seemed to get her into a lot of trouble too.....like in saying before you think! But it always seemed to turn out for her good.<br /><br />Gideon.....well he was just adorable from the beginning. I loved him from the first time he saw Adelaide in the barn. Though his and Adelaide's first few meeting were kind of awkward, he seemed to adore her from the beginning. I just loved Karen's way of bringing them together in a fun enjoyable way that made you just want to keep reading to see what would happen next. But would Gideon hire Adelaide over the two older and more experienced ladies that were also at the farm for the interview? Even though Adelaide had taught school for a few years, was she capable of taking care of this 5 year old that couldn't speak?<br /><br />I admired both Gideon and Adelaide's relationship with the Lord, and their willingness to seek Him in every decision they needed to make. The way they trusted the Lord when Isabella's uncle came to claim the child and her inheritance.<br /><br />This was only Karen Witemeyer's second book, but I had to check her website again to make sure she had only written 2 books! She truly writes like an experienced writer, and I will sure be reading her first book \"Tailor-Made Bride\" and also her third book \"To Win Her Heart\" coming in April 2011.", "timestamp": 1300383958000, "title": "Awesome Story line, wonderful author!" }, { "asin": "1603742557", "rating": 5, "text": "MY REVIEW<br />This is a story of mainly Jacob Miller and Becky Troyer, two young people from Amish communities in different states. Jacob's father sends him to a cousin who lives in a rural Missouri town to hopefully change his mind about his sweetheart in Pennsylvania. That's the one thing Jacob's daed forgot to tell him though, Jacob though he was only moving to help out his cousin on the farm. As for Becky, she ends up with a boppli and single because of her wild rumspringa time. Upon Jacob's arrival at their farm, there was a noticeable attraction between the two of them from the beginning. But Becky knew when Jacob found out about her secret, he would never come near her, and with Jacob, there was someone back home named Susie. Jacob noticed that Becky never smiled, and after he found out about her daughter, he knew something bad had happened, so he decided to make it his priority to be her friend and eventually bring her smile back.<br />Even though Becky has been before her church and confessed her sins, being shunned for 6 weeks because of them, can she overcome her past and trust another man into her live to love and trust?<br />And what about Jacob's sweetheart Susie back home, they are to me married during the Amish marriage season in December. Will their time away from each other prove their forever love, or will his attraction to Becky grow stronger, maybe even as far as loving her?<br />I loved this book from Laura Hilton. In her writing this, she shows that being Amish is not always a perfect life. During the rumspringa years, some young people make bad decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. In most of the Amish books I have read, the daed was always the harsh type, almost as far as being just mean. It was clear they loved their children, but they tried to keep the `head of the house' rule strict I guess. But in Patchwork Dreams this was different. I really liked the attitude of Becky's parents Daniel and Leah. Daniel wasn't afraid to hug his girls anywhere, letting them know his love for them. He didn't agree with the Bishop on all things concerning Becky. (Don't want to tell you all so you can read and find out for yourself.) Becky's mamm even suggested the family would move to another Amish community to keep Becky from being forced to hurtful situations. This was just really heartwarming to me, to see her parents love and support for her. And the way they loved her daughter Emma, well the heartwarming love was easy to feel as you read the story.<br />If you love Amish, this is a must read! If you don't know, or haven't read any Amish books, then this would be a great start for you! I can't wait for the second book in this series to be out. The series is `The Amish of Seymour' and you can look for it, I think around fall of 2011.<br />A huge THANK YOU to Laura Hilton for providing me a copy of this book to read. I love the way Laura tells the story, and the characters she creates, making them real life. I didn't want the book to end!<br />The book review and the opinions are totally mine. It was my honor to write the review for Laura", "timestamp": 1303869867000, "title": "Heartwarming Amish Fiction" }, { "asin": "0781403790", "rating": 5, "text": "Arleta Richardson remembers stories her grandma told her from years ago when she was young. These stories in Book One range from the author remembering stories about Grandma's Red Bonnet, Grandma's Prayer, Pearl Buttons, Little Gray Shoes, and my favorite The Pump. In this one, someone told Grandma not to do something, and of course she did it anyway, and she suffered for it for a long time. You will find twenty one loving little stories as the author remembers her Grandma in this book.<br /><br />I chose this book because I remember the days I sat with my Grandma and she told me stories of when she was a child and of when my dad, aunt and uncle was a child. I wanted to read someone elses tales of the older days. This was a really nice getaway from other books I read. I laughed, cried, and enjoyed each heartwarming story as I read them. And of course I was sad realizing just as with my Grandma, life goes on after they are gone, and we miss them so much. But what a blessing that we can remember those we love in such ways. The author had a special relationship with her grandma that she always remembered. I recommend this book to anyway wanting a good fun getaway from life as it is. And it is good for any age group.<br /><br />The book was given to me by the publisher through B&B Media Group. I appreciate being able to read and review this book for them. I was not expected to give a positive review. The opinions of this review are mine only.<br /><br />Purchase From Amazon", "timestamp": 1305054158000, "title": "In Grandma's Attic Stories" }, { "asin": "1595548114", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br />Despite her father not being supportive, Lucy Fairbanks' love of photography leads her to many places in her community, trying to capture the moment with her camera. Unfortunately that landed her into many unexplainable situations. How can you explain falling out of a tree on the top of a stagecoach being robbed by three bandits, scaring the horses into taking off with the stagecoach, Lucy on top, leaving the bandits behind? Or when trying to sneak a picture of the wild man, ending up in a sink hole, pulling wild man David Wolf in with her? And this is just a few times Lucy Fairbanks gets into trouble in this story. And why does David always seem to show up during Lucy's troubled situations? Will Lucy finally succumb to her many difficulties trying to be a photographer and find another career? And what will people think of her and wild man Wolf?<br />A Vision of Lucy was a wonderful story of Lucy and her love of taking pictures. The fascinating thing about the camera was the historical time setting and cameras in that time in history. Though I have seen them in movies, I'd never read anything about them. The author's research and knowledge of cameras in the early days was evident in the way she explained them in detail. This added historical detail made the story much more interesting. I love the characters the author created as well. They were witty, fun, funny, secretive, and nosy, and each fit the story line perfectly. The humor in this book makes it a great enjoyable book to relax and read. My pick for the funniest scene by far is Lucy falling out of the tree onto the stagecoach. And Lucy was so lovable I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen to her. I feel this book is very well written by the author Margaret Brownley. She has the ability to keep you interested enough to not want to stop reading until the last page! And I would recommend this book to anyone, especially those who love Historical Fiction. You will not be waiting your time reading this!<br />Thanks to the Author Margaret Brownley for providing a copy of \"A Vision of Lucy\" for me to read, it was an honor to read and review . I was not expected to give a positive review of this book. The opinions in this review are mine alone.<br /><br />Publisher Website<br /><br />Authors Website", "timestamp": 1306524270000, "title": "\"A Vision of Lucy\" and her Antique Cameras! Loved it!" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 5, "text": "This book is just simply beautiful inside and out! The romance between Clara and Daniel is enough to make you want to drool. Elizabeth Camden's debut book is one of the best debut books I have read in a while. Daniel was the poor guy, making friends with rich daddy's girl Clara Endicott because of the type of music they shared. As the years go by and the couple gets older, daddy sends his girl across the ocean to be raised by her aunt because he can see the chemistry growing between them. As they meet again twelve years later they realize that they were still not only best friends but sparks begin to sky rocket as the two of them start spending time together. But Daniel is so bitter about the way his parents died will he be able to put all of that behind him? And will Clara marry him if he doesn't mend relationships and changed his heart, or let God change his heart?<br /><br />Clara's dad really irritated me because of his attitude and I am really glad that Clara was independent enough to stand up for herself. I enjoyed the determination of Clara and Daniel to be together even against the odds. The author created a cast of unique and believable characters that you grow to love, some as your own family, and some that you shy away from. This book captured me from the first pages to the very end! I just couldn't put it down! And oh, by the way, I LOVE the book cover. The model so beautifully wears the gorgeous blue dress and the colors are so soft and inviting. And this is one book that you can judge by its cover! And check this out over on the LifeWay blog, its post for this day is the making of the cover of The Lady of Bolton Hill at Bethany House. Wonderful post and very interesting!<br /><br />And also go here on the LifeWay blog Q & A With Elisabeth Camden about this debut book.<br /><br />I received this book free from Bethany House book review 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 55.<br /><br /> Purchase this book at AMAZON", "timestamp": 1311089320000, "title": "Awesome Debut book and love story!" }, { "asin": "082542674X", "rating": 5, "text": "For Shelia Franklin, a phone call comes that will change her life forever. She will finally get to meet him, someone from her past that she's wanted to meet for over 20 years. Now she will have her time with him.<br />This book is full of secrets. Shelia has been secretly guarding her life's long time skeleton for many years from everyone, even her husband. What would he think of her if the truth really came out? Would it destroy their marriage? Her husband's church? As she gets ready to meet her main secret, she can't think about anything but him. What will happen with Sheila and the secrets that she has kept so close to her heart? Will her husband understand and stand behind her, or will he let her deal with the issues herself?<br /><br />This is my first book of Patti Lacy's and I was captivated by the writer's ability to tell a story so realistic and powerful. The way the characters are so beautifully woven together you not only see secrets and deception, heartbreaks and sadness, but you see love, forgiveness, grace and redemption through Christ in their lives throughout the story. The unique rhythm in the musical background gave the story a special smoothness, even through all of the difficulties.<br /><br />Even though this book started out slow for me, it just took a while to get into it, I enjoyed reading it very much. I would recommend this wonderful story to anyone who loves Christian fiction. It will be worth the time you spend reading it.<br /><br />This book was provided by Kregel Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine alone.", "timestamp": 1314300528000, "title": "A story full of Secrets but enjoyable" }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 4, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Helen Carlisle is now a widow, after her husband was killed in the military. But she wasn't the grieving widow everyone thought she was. In fact, she was glad her husband was gone, because of his abuse, which no one would ever believe. That is until Ray came upon the scene, and he figured it out, to which Helen denied that anything bad happened between she and Jim. No one could find out about the abuse, because Jim was so nice and sweet around everyone else, not one would believe Helen. She was just a cripple after all, and the way she stumbled around caused all of her accidents, so Jim told everyone.<br /><br />This is my first book by Sarah Sundin, I haven't read the other books in this series, but I still enjoyed this one! I like that the author deals with spousal abuse in this book, something that truly needs to be dealt with. And just like in the book, the abuser blames the one he's abusing. Helen was blessed that Ray found out, but then he left her for a while, not helping. And it was a double blessing when she found a way to leave her in-laws house and the abuse from Jim's father. I hope anyone reading this book that is dealing with an abusive situation will realize that there is help, and go find it!<br /><br />I also liked Ray and Helen. Ray was so gracious and kind, wanting to help Helen, even if she didn't want his help at first. He loved the Lord, which was evident in the way he lived. Helen was so sweet, and she wanted to raise her son the right way, not abusing the women in his life. Her self confidence was trampled on more than once by jerks that call themselves men. But I am glad there was a happy ending, and Helen was able to have a happy life, away from abuse and critical, hateful things said about her handicap condition.<br /><br />This book was provided by Revell Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1314500292000, "title": "Blue Skies Tomorrow, Great Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0800719964", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Amish Values for Your Family...........by Suzanne Woods Fisher<br /><br />Amish Values for Your Family is one of the best books I have read about the Amish life! For many years, I've been fascinated with their lifestyle. I think the reason I cherish and respect the Amish lifestyle is because our family was brought up a lot like them as far as the working conditions. We grew our own food and put it up for the winter. We butchered our own beef and pork, milked our own cows, we had electricity but no TV and no indoor bathrooms. Our faith was different, but we lived on a farm and worked! And life was slower for us, we spent time together as a family, my parents and grandparents always took time for us. Yes, we had nothing as far as material things, but we were truly blessed with parents and grandparents that love the Lord an loved us enough to give us their time and teach us to live for the Lord. They are all in Heaven now, but their legacy lives on in the lives of their children, grandchildren and great-children, until we see them again.<br /><br />There are many values I can mention but I will mention the time they spend together as a family. I know firsthand how important this is. Even though we have things to entertain us, if we would just schedule valuable family time each week we would see a huge difference in our kids, teens and our families. And I have to mention the faith and trust they have in the Lord, and this resulting in the forgiving spirit they all have. The forgiving spirit is the one thing I wish was stronger in my life. Sometime I wonder just how they can be that way! It is because they want to be like Christ!<br /><br />I loved reading this book, and will keep it with my stash of books! I enjoyed the family stories and how they live. I appreciate the author taking time to research and interview to write this valuable book. My pray is that we as Christians will strive to take these principles to heart and try to incorporate them in our daily lives.<br /><br />I was provided a copy of this book by LitFuse Publicity Group in exchange for a review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1314931299000, "title": "Awesome book on the Amish family life" }, { "asin": "1400318033", "rating": 5, "text": "Thank you God for Blessing Me...by Max Lucado<br />This little book about little Hermie is so beautiful and adorable. It is just right for a small child with the thick board pages and story just long enough to keep their attention. This little Caterpillar is just the cutest little creature and is thankful for everything and everyone around him.<br />Max Lucado has such a wonderful way with words for adults as well as children. I love the way he uses little creatures to teach children about God. My 2 year niece grabbed this book as soon as I took it from the mailer and said, `this is mine!' She not only loves for me to read it to her she loves to read it herself looking at the awesome illustrations and telling her own story about Hermie.<br />You won't go wrong getting this book for your little one. Teach them to choose books about God while they are still young. And what a wonderful way to interact with your children, by reading to them!<br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1317785427000, "title": "Wonderful Chidren book about giving God thanks." }, { "asin": "0310332311", "rating": 5, "text": "Shadow in Serenity By: Terri Blackstock<br /><br />Even though Logan Brisco was smooth talking and a con artist, he still sometimes has feelings of wanting to be part of a family, which he didn't have. Being in the little town of Serenity, Texas for a week or so brought those feelings back on goodtime, especially after he started having feelings for Carny. Carny knows how people like Logan works because her mom and dad were con's too and trained her to do the same thing. Thankfully she was over that life for good and had no intensions of going back.<br /><br />I appreciate that Terri brought back one of her old novels, re-writing it as a Christian fiction. Though I can't imagine someone like Logan, I know they do exist and con a lot of people out of their money and belongings so I'm glad to read a reminder of those kind. Despite him being a con, I liked Logan, and especially after he started spending so much time with Carny. His character was believable because he played his part so well, thanks to the author! In fact, the author created really believable characters for the entire book, and I enjoyed getting to know them throughout the book.<br /><br />This was a fun and interesting read, and I enjoyed it very much. I appreciate the author showing the necessity to living for the Lord and letting Him work through our lives. I don't want to tell too much to give the story away, but this is one you need to read! If for no other reason, read it because Terri Blackstock took the time to give us a Christian version of this book!<br /><br />Shadow in Serenity was provided by the publisher, Zondervan in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1320031078000, "title": "Shadow In Serenity, A Great Re-write." }, { "asin": "0310330432", "rating": 5, "text": "Callie is in Shipshewana just long enough to sell the little quilt shop she inherited from her aunt, because she has no desire to reopen the shop. Everything starts to change though when Callie meets some of Amish people in the community, especially Deborah Yoder. Through Deborah and these other Amish ladies, Callie finds out that her aunt's shop is not just for tourists, but a place for some of the Amish ladies to get together and work on their quilts. The more she gets to know these ladies and the people of Shipshewana, the less she wants to return to Texas and her life there. But can she successfully make a go of it if she reopens the shop?<br />And another surprising twist to the story is when the local newspaper editor ends up dead, and Callie is a major suspect, well, she can't just run off. She needs to do whatever she can to clear her name. Which may be a little bit difficult since Callie is so straight forward and speaks her peace when someone tries to tell things untrue about her, like publishing something in the local newspaper to destroy her reputation.<br />For me, this was a wonderful Amish story with a twist of suspense to it. The storyline and the characters just draw you in as we following Callie and her life in Shipshewana. Just when you think you have things figured out, there's another twist and fingers are pointing to someone else.<br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and if you like just a good Amish read with a little extra jolt of suspense, then you will love this book as well. So go grab a copy for yourself, read and enjoy it!<br />This book was provided by the publisher, Zondervan in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1325875037000, "title": "Falling to Pieces, a wonderful Amish story with a twist" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 5, "text": "Faith and her grandfather had lost so much, the only way Faith thought they could be happy again was to take off on the Oregon Trail and start a new life in the West. This has been Faith's dream for a while, and now it was making her grandfather realize the same thing. But getting him to leave their home in the small Missouri town of Noble Springs was not going to be easy.<br />But then things started happening that drew Faith to their home, even though Faith wasn't aware of it yet.<br />Her grandfather put Faith in charge of the store, letting her run it as she pleased. This did not make a lot of the men in the area happy, but it wasn't long before these men, as well as the rest of the neighbors were warming up to Faith, accepting her as the new store manager.<br />Royal, a guy that promised Faith he would keep her ribbon and remember her while he was in the war came back in town. And though he didn't remember her or the ribbon when she asks him about it, he decided to woo her, but did he really love her?<br />Then she meets Rosemary, who becomes like a sister to Faith. Not to mention Rosemary's brother Curt, to which both Curt and Faith were attracted to each other, but neither seemed to realize it for a while.<br />Her grandfather's health issues, Curt becoming friends with her granddad and spending time with him, the break-ins, Curt always being there for her when she really needed someone.<br />But Faith just couldn't see that they should stay in Noble Springs, she was still determined to leave, after all this was her dream.<br />I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction story, with characters that I loved more and more as I continued to read the book. That is all buy Royal, this guy just irks me, I wanted him out of Faith's life to give Curt a chance! The history in the story is so very detailed you feel like you are there, walking around the little town visiting all of the shops, talking to the owners of the businesses there. I love the feel of the small town atmosphere where everyone knows everyone else, well, and everyone knows your business, which is not so good sometimes too! But still, I love it! I am looking forward to Ann Shorey's next book in this series. This is just a wonderfully good read, so go grab a copy for yourself to read and enjoy!<br />This book was provided by Revell Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1327815115000, "title": "Wonderful Historical Fiction by Ann Shorey" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "This was my first book in this series so I had fun figuring out some of the words, which I thought was neat. Maybe because some of my family no longer with us used some of the same words? And Hugh's herbal medicines would interested a lot of people today, I wonder myself if some of these remedies will work just as well as prescription medicines.<br /><br />I felt bad that Hugh was on his own thinking that someone else murdered old atte Bridge, instead of him taking his own life. Well except Hugh's new wife that is. I enjoyed the love, and trust of this couple, and the dependence they had for each other. At least Hugh knew he could talk to his wife about his feelings about the murder when he didn't have anyone else to talk with.<br /><br />This is a well written book set in this small town with characters that you grow to love and enjoy, some so humble, and some not so humble. Leaning about the 1366 culture was interesting, and I wouldn't a lot of people today love their primitive living. I really enjoyed this author's writing. As you read the book, you will see his own thoughts about different situations through the character Hugh. And Hugh and Kate is just a couple we all want living in our neighborhood!<br /><br />I recommend this book to anyone that likes historical fiction, or really anyone that just likes a good read! Grab a copy to read and enjoy for yourself!<br /><br />I received this book from Kregel Publications to participate in their blog tour. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1327815635000, "title": "Unhollowed Ground...enjoyed this book!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The year is 1813 and the War of 1812 has been underway, thus being the reason that Belinda is determined to travel aborad a British privateer in order to rescue her husband from an English prison. She's made a deal with the ships captain, Rafe Docherty and now she needs to talk her sister-in-law into going with her to be her midwife, and everything will be in line to take off. This turns out to be a not so easy task because sister-in-law Phoebe has no intentions to get on the ship. But Belinda ends up making it happen, and so the story begins.<br />Ralph is just as frustrated as Phoebe that she is on the ship, no way does he want to deal with two American women, but he finds himself attracted to her and ends up helping her along the way. I really like Rafe. Being the captain of the ship, he is tough and incharge, yet we see the caring side of him too, and especially with his feelings for Phoebe. He's been struggling with things in his past, but now we see his new stuggles with how he feels about Phoebe and thinking about a normal life with her.<br />Phoebe endures much from being lied to by Belinda, but she is a tough lady and soon we see her faith and strength and her caring personality as she tries to help Rafe with his struggles. She takes a lot off of Belinda on the trip too, and it's really sickening how Belinda is so spoiled and expectes Phoebe to wait on her. Belinda will do what it takes to get her way. She's the character in the book that gets on everyone's nerves, you gotta have them right? She's just a spoiled brat!<br />I thought this was a wonderful story and I enjoyed it immensely. The characters were very well created and developed, believable and likeable. Well that is except for Belinda, but really the story wouldn't have been as good without her! The historical setting, events, ship life, and everything was very well researched and amazingly detailed. And having been to Williamsburg several times, it was fun to imagine the setting there as I read the story. Very well thought out and written story. It will be well worth your time to grab a copy of this book to read and enjoy for yourself.<br />Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group<br />I received this book from Revell Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own.", "timestamp": 1331009055000, "title": "Heart's Safe Passage" }, { "asin": "1595549153", "rating": 5, "text": "For the men out there, what would you do if your father left town for several days, came back home with a woman and introduced her as Lucy, your new wife? Well that is just what happened to Nate Stanton. And he was not happy with his dad, to say the least. And to gain his wife's two siblings, Jed and Eileen too boot, well that was almost more than Nate could take.<br /><br />After somewhat coming to terms with the new marriage, in name only let me tell you, Nate moved his new family into his small home. Surely this would send her back where she came from, because his home was not much of a home, and small at that. But Nate ended up being the surprised one. And after a while he kind of enjoyed not coming home to a empty house. And Jed was turning out to be a lot of help on the farm, and little Eileen, well she'd just had Nate's heart from the beginning. Things could start getting very interesting around the Stanton household. But it was when secrets and deception started coming to the surface that Nate really realized what was going on. And for that, you need to read the book to find out all of the many secrets, acts of deception and of course the twists and turns to the story that make it so appealing.<br /><br />I love Colleen Coble's books. I have all of them, and have read them all as well, and this one didn't disappoint. Colleen has a way of creating characters that just draw you into the story and don't let you go. Nate and Lucy was fun and interesting as they started their life together. This is really just a nice, fun, good clean book to read and enjoy. And I'm hoping for a Book Two to enjoy more of Nate and Lucy's journey through their marriage and on their farm.<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1332792107000, "title": "Another great book from Colleen Coble" }, { "asin": "1414333218", "rating": 5, "text": "When I review a Randy Singer book, I hang on to my seat at the first page and don't let go until the very last word. Randy is absolutely one of the best suspense/thriller authors today! So if the book says `Randy Singer, just go ahead and buy it because it's going to be good!<br /><br />Readers meet Jamie Brock again, from Randy's book \"False Witness.\" Jamie has been working as an assistant DA for several years. Her mom was shot and killed 11 years earlier and she is now losing her dad to illness. And to add to that, Jamie has been assigned a murder case, the suspect being the lawyer who defended the man who killed her mom. As this story unfolds, well you just need to read the book to find out what happens, it's too much to tell her. And I don't want to spoil the book for you.<br /><br />Randy brings up some interesting questions about the death penalty in this book through the lawyer character, Mace James. How should Christians feel about it? Suppose the killer gives his life to Christ while in prison? Should he be left there to die alone since he made mistakes and bad choices? Suppose this person is really innocent? There are several other issues with the state system that are talked about in this book through the life-like believable characters created by the author.<br /><br />Being a lawyer himself, Randy Singer expertly writes stories with so much detail the reader gets a touch of a lawyer's real life when reading his books. Add to this a little suspense, drama, romance, danger, fear, and determined characters taking on the most dangerous and difficult cases, and you have a Number 1 novel that will blow you away when you read it.<br /><br />I highly recommend this terrific book to those suspense/thriller lovers out there looking for awesome books to read. And as in all of Randy's books, you will see Jesus and salvation through Him throughout the book.<br /><br />I was provided a copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review of this product. The review is my opinions only.", "timestamp": 1334450842000, "title": "Another Awesome Thriller by Randy Singer" }, { "asin": "0310250684", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Terri Blackstock is such a gifted writer. I love everything she writes including \"Downfall.\" I appreciate that Terri deals with tough issues that people deal with everyday, and always finds a workable solution, including trusting the Lord with their lives and letting Him work in and through them.<br /><br />Emily Covington wants to prove herself to everyone, assuring them that her life with drugs is over. But when things start happening to her, and since it looks like someone wants her dead, her family still had doubts about Emily's past life.<br /><br />In \"Downfall,' Terri Blackstock writes another suspense/ thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seats until the very last word. When I put the book down, all I could think about was what was gonna happen, so I would pick it back up. From the people we loved to the villains we could do without, the character were so real and true to life it was like reading something in the newspaper. And with an intriguing plot that had the many twist and turns, it was difficult to solve the mystery until it was all revealed in the end.<br /><br />If you've never read a Terri Blackstock book, you are missing a real treat. And for those fans who always come back for more of her stories, you will love the words penned in Terri's new book, \"Downfall.\"<br /><br />This book was provided by Zondervan Publishers through The Suspense Zone. I appreciate Susan and all of the work she does to promote Edgy Christian Fiction and thrillers like \"Downfall.\" I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1335069393000, "title": "Another great thriller by Terri Blackstock" }, { "asin": "0802405843", "rating": 5, "text": "Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis<br />A Texas Trails novel.....in the Morgan Family Series<br /><br />Susan Page Davis continues the Morgan family story in this second book of Texas Trails. Billie Morgan and her horse were taken by the Comanche's and thought to be dead. And that did almost happen, but Billie, or Taabe Wiapu escaped from the Indian reservation and was almost dead when Ned found her. He takes her to a convent of Nuns for her safety, and families came to see if she was their long lost daughter, and that's how the Morgan family found Billie. What a reunion that was!<br /><br />Susan Page Davis is a wonderful writer and she did not disappoint in this story. I thoroughly enjoyed the continuation of the Morgan's story, though a little flavor was added with the nuns and getting to know more about the Comanche Indians. This book deals with a lot of interesting issues that captivate you and just won't let you put the book down. We get a lot of history, learn a little about the ways on Indians, a little of what goes on in a nun setting, (though these nuns faced some interesting situations that most probably don't), faith, trust and leaning on God, and of course a little romance to spice things up.<br /><br />I highly recommend Captive Trail as well as the other books in the Texas Trails, Morgan family Series. There are six in all, so you have some reading to do. Go to River North, the fiction division of Moody Publishers and check out this wonderful series written by three different and awesome authors.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by River North. I was not expected or required to write a positive review of this book. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1337234418000, "title": "A Wonderful Book Two in the Texas Trail Series" }, { "asin": "0764209507", "rating": 3, "text": "My Own Worst Enemy By Janet Davis<br /><br />In this book, Janet Davis deals with problems all women face today. If you have ever has issues with self doubt, fear, insecurity and things such as this, then you will benefit from this book. Ms. Davis uses many of her own trials and stories as well as stories from others, friends and Biblical characters as examples of what she is talking about and teaching in this book. She breaks the book down into the many faces and many phases of life, and the choices along the way, and in each section has chapters dealing with each of these topics.<br />This book would be a good small study guide with the study questions to discuss that are included here in this book.<br />I recommend that you check out this book for your Small Groups, Sunday school class or individual study.<br />I rec'd a copy of this book from Bethany House to read and review. The opinions here are mine. I have having my honest opinion on what I feel about this book.", "timestamp": 1337241723000, "title": "My Own Worst Enemy" }, { "asin": "0764209418", "rating": 5, "text": "Patti Lacy is a new author for me so I wasn't sure what to except of her book, but I will pleasantly surprised and amazed at this wonderful new author for me. I will sure be watching for more books from Ms. Lacy in the future.<br /><br />With wonderful character that will grasp your heart in the beginning and keep it until the very end, Patti Lacy pens a contemporary story that will sure stay with you for long after you finish the book. I learned a lot about China and the Chinese culture reading this book, and sometimes the reading was difficult because of the situation.<br /><br />Joy, (and I love her name!) struggles with moving to America and her new American family. Joy's sister Kai is determined to find her, after leaving her in a Chinese orphanage, but must first win the trust of Joy/Lily's adopted parents. Join Joy/Lily as we follow her journey though her life in China and as it continues in the Americas.<br /><br />I really encourage you to grab a copy of this adoption story of love, loss and redemption to read for yourself. This will be one of the best books you have read in a while!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Bethany House for me to review and give my honest opinion, which I have.", "timestamp": 1338004334000, "title": "Great Book!! A must read!" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />When Shiloh Wainright accepts a teaching position at the White River Indian Agency in northwestern Colorado, she never dreamed of catching up with her old childhood best friend Jesse Blackwater. Though she is thrilled to see him again, and see that he is doing well after his abrupt leave almost ten years ago from her families ranch. Could their friendship rekindle now that they were back together, and now that they were nine years older than before?<br /><br />Trouble is, Shiloh is from a white family and Jesse is half-breed. Half white and half Ute Indian. Which means any attraction they might have toward each other cannot happen. A relationship between the two of them would be unheard of and forbidden.<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan writes a heartwarming and at the same time heart wrenching story about two people from completely different cultures, two completely different worlds represented here. As we follow Jesse and Shiloh's story, Kathleen takes us on a journey like no other we've been on. The differences between the Ute and white man's life is nothing to be compared. And with a dad like Jesse's, being abusive and hating both Jesse and is mother, Jesse could only find acceptance with his mother's people, the Ute.<br /><br />Shiloh wasn't the only one so drawn to Jesse, he was just so adorable! And the hurt he had always suffered, and still was suffering was heartbreaking to read about. It was a hurt that not even Shiloh could help him with. And Shiloh had her own hurt and heartache over what happened to Jesse years ago when he left the ranch.<br /><br />I had a difficult time getting into this story, but it was because of the information on the Ute Indians, and the background for the story. It was just kind of boring for me. But it then the story took off and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I was so heartbroken for Jesse that I wanted to make sure everything turn out for him ok. The story is sometimes not so easy to read, I found myself reading, but not taking it in at times because of the nature of the scenes with the Indians trying to defend what they had. Wonderful writing of the author in the vivid details of the Ute's way of life. And I appreciate the author describing God's way of salvation so plain and clear, and for showing that only God can break through those barriers and change lives.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting a really good read, and especially those who enjoy historical fiction. And if you enjoy a good old Indian story, this one is for you as well!<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1338086187000, "title": "A Love Forbidden Love Story" }, { "asin": "1595549978", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />There is one thing to say about Kim Cash, and that is, she just has it going on when it comes to writing books! \"Hope Springs\" is another outstanding book that shows us family, faith, cooking up old friendships, forgiveness and healing, and yes, and a boost of romance added to give readers a story that will keep those pages turning. Janelle, Becca and Stephanie's time spent in Hope Springs changed their life forever. I thoroughly enjoyed getting involved in the lives of these ladies throughout this story. Kim Cash will have you laughing, then crying, along with worshiping the Lord as you follow get to know these three characters. I appreciate the way Kim weaves the lives of her characters together with God and living their lives for Him. That's what Christian fiction is all about. Following characters that live for God. Oh they may not start out that way, like many of us, but through there difficulties and trials, they end up giving it all to the Lord. And Thank You Kim for giving us a book such as this.<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1339557398000, "title": "Hope Springs, Wonderful Book" }, { "asin": "1434764303", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />Wow, this book is incredible, I love, love it! I have only read a few of Lisa Bergren's books, and each ones just gets better!<br /><br />Cora Diehl returns to her hometown Dunnigan, Montana after spending her first year at college, to find her dad seriously ill, and a farm to take care of. Cora prays for God to someway help their family with their crops in order to make it financial for the year. But Cora wasn't expecting God to answer her prayer they way he did. Neither did Cora expect to find out secrets that would totally turn her life upside down forever. And I know there are spoilers in review already written, but I'm not going to give them here! This is where you need to read the book to find out what is happening!<br /><br />In my opinion, \"Glamorous Illusions is a masterpiece by Lisa Bergren! Lisa creates characters that are so realistic and true that sometimes it is difficult to realize you are reading a fiction story! The relationship between Cora and her parents is heartwarming, and just knowing that they literally spent everything they had to send her to college gave me chills. And when you read the book, you will see what I am talking about!<br /><br />However, Cora was always puzzled at the glamorous, expensive gift she received for her sixteenth birthday, along with all of the other birthday gifts she received, and even though her parents wasn't telling, Cora suspected they knew what was going on.<br /><br />Then the day comes that will change the lives of Cora and her family forever, and whether that be good or bad, only time will tell. And as you follow this hew happening in the lives of Cora and her family, Lisa Bergren takes you on an unforgettable trip of lifetime as Cora joins the Grand Tour with her family.<br /><br />The only thing I found that I didn't like about the book was it's ending, and having to wait for the second book to drop down from the hanging this book left. I hope the author gives us a better view of Cora's family and her choices she makes while on her tour.", "timestamp": 1339736350000, "title": "A Masterpiece from Lisa T. Bregren" }, { "asin": "0800734378", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Waiting for Sunrise by Eva Marie Everson<br /><br />After Reading Chasing Sunsets, the first book in this series, I was excited and waiting to read \"Waiting for Sunrise.\" The main character in this second book is Patsy Milstrap, whom we met in Chasing Sunsets. Patsy and her husband Gil are on the way to Cedar Key for a vacation, but what Gil is really doing is trying to get Patsy away in order to find help with dealing with her past. Even though Patsy is married to a wonderful man with<br /><br />Again, Eva Marie Everson writes a wonderful story with characters that readers grow to love and believe as though they are real. She writes Patsy's story in a way that seems so real, I was wanting to pray for Patsy daily as I read this book! I love the beach setting, and Cedar Key sounds just like the place anyone needs to go for healing. And Gil is adorable, and his love for Patsy is so very heartwarming, he was willing to do anything to get help for his wife. And Patsy knew he was trying so hard, it must have hurt her so to know he loved her and was trying to help her. One thought I had as I was reading was that wouldn't it be wonderful if all husbands and wives had that unconditional love for each other, just as God has for us. Marriages would be able to survive if this were true. This book truly shows the true real love in a marriage that could have easily fallen apart. A love that grows through the difficult times, not one that is torn down. The author had be crying a lot during this book, but I had to smile and even laugh at times as well. Eva Marie Everson is truly a gifted and talented author that will always be a favorite on my reading list.<br /><br />I highly recommend this wonderful book for anyone to read and enjoy, and especially someone going through difficult situations such as someone trying to deal with their difficult past. Patsy's story is sure to give you hope as you follow her journey.", "timestamp": 1340125410000, "title": "Waiting for Sunrise..wonderful book" }, { "asin": "0800720482", "rating": 5, "text": "Mary Magdalene by Diana Wallis Taylor<br /><br />MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />After reading \"Journey to the Well\" I am hooked on Diana Taylor's books! I look forward to new ones coming out, and I was excited to be able to read and review \"Mary Magdalene.\" And again, I was not disappointed! If you like Biblical Fiction, this book is a must for you!<br /><br />Since Mary Magdalene is somewhat a mystery because there is not much written about her in the Bible, I really wanted to read this book to find out what Diana Taylor's version of Mary was. The book starts out with a young Mary, a daddy's girl and love immensely by her mom. I enjoyed getting to know this young Mary, and following her life to adulthood. The accounts of Mary being demon possessed was heartbreaking, and her family staying close to her, supporting her was so heartwarming. Coming from this life, and the miracle of her healing, I can clearly see why Mary Magdalene was so devoted to Jesus. She loved Him deeply because He changed her life forever.<br /><br />I cringe when I think about some of the things people have to say about Mary and her devotion to the Lord. And I appreciate Diana Taylor for how she shows us the real deal of why Mary loved Jesus so much. It was very well known that no one anywhere had been able to help Mary. And then her husband Nathan, a man wisely chosen by Jared for his daughter, hears about the healer Jesus. It was Jesus who healed Mary and gave her a new life. Shouldn't that make Mary, and anyone else that Jesus has healed in a situation such as this, devoted to Him for life?<br /><br />Wow, I feel like I keep jumping all over the place in this story. Even though we don't know what Mary's life was like, I thoroughly enjoyed this fictional novel of how Diana Wallis Taylor thought it could have been. It is fun just being able to wonder and read about how it could have been. And I feel the Biblical accounts were accurate, so that's all that really matters to me, the rest is fiction, and that's where the fun is.<br /><br />*****Available June 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.*****<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1340649122000, "title": "Mary Magdalene....a wonderful read" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "A Perfect Square by Vannetta Chapman<br /><br />I was excited to revisit my friends in Shipshewana again in Vannetta Chapman's second book in the Shipshewana Amish Mystery series. I really grew to love Deborah and Callie, Esther and Melinda and couldn't wait to see what this book has in store for readers. And I can say that I love this book as much as I did the first, and was hooked from the very first pages.<br /><br />When a young Amish girl is found dead in Ruben's pond, he ends up being the only suspect, especially since he wouldn't answer any questions the authorities were asking him. Who is Ruben trying to protect? Will he actually go to prison for life to protect this person? This murder of an unknown young lady has the Shipshewana community in an uproar.<br /><br />With officer Shane Black on the case, Deborah knew that he would do nothing to find out Ruben's innocence. That meant the job was up to her, and she would have Callie's assistance. Turns out, Callie is looking for someone herself. A daughter, one that no one knows about except her very ill father. These ladies have their work cut out for them as the try to solve these mysteries.<br /><br />I love how Vannetta Chapman weaves these stories together with characters that are well created and developed and a plot that will keep readers wanting to find out what's gonna happen to whom. I highly recommend A Perfect Square for your enjoyment.<br /><br />This book was provided by Zondervan Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1343622238000, "title": "Wonderful and enjoyable second book in this series..." }, { "asin": "0800734556", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THE GIFTED<br /><br />Having reading some of Ann's books on the Shakers, I knew what to expect about their beliefs, though I don't support what they believe at all! How can people actually believe this stuff, and live by it is beyond me.<br /><br />And such were the struggles of Jassamine Brady. Growing up in the shaker neighborhood and loving her family and friends there didn't draw Jassamine to their way of life at all. She found herself very interested in the ways of the world and she sought those ways, struggling to obey the strict rules she was brought up to follow. And when unforeseen circumstances brings young Tristan into her life, Jassamine may be closer than she thinks about finding out what the outside would is all about.<br /><br />Ann Gabhart has such a unique and wonderful way of writing about these shaker people with and open attitude, not condemning them, but giving her readers a true and vivid insight of how they really live.<br /><br />I highly recommend The Gifted as well as the first four books in this wonderful series by Ann Gabhart.<br /><br />Available July 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1343623722000, "title": "Very nice read about the Shakers" }, { "asin": "1609366409", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Elena's family trip to Mackinac Island this summer will be different than all of the others. This time, her mother has in mind to marry her off to the rich and famous Chester Darrington in order to save their family business. Elena has no desire to marry this Mr. Darrington, or even meet him for that matter.<br /><br />Chase didn't really want to make the trip to Mackinac Island with his sister and her husband, but he did want a place to try out the new telescope that the family business was interesting in funding for the invention. One of the first things he heard upon his arrival was his hopeful marriage to this Elena Bissette. Well, he would stay as far away from Elena as possible because he sure wasn't looking for a wife, and especially someone like her.<br /><br />Not knowing who each other is, Chase and Elena meet up at an old lighthouse on the Island. One in which Elena has been visiting for all of the years her family has been coming to the Island and one that Chase has just found. The attraction between the two is a sure thing, Chase liking Elena because she's not one of the \"circle\" which his sister is in. And Elena liking Chase because of pretty much the same reason.<br /><br />In Love Finds You In Mackinac Island, Michigan, Melanie Dobson weaves a historical romance that will keep you on your toes throughout the book. The meeting and relationship of Chase and Elena was sweet and adorable at first, that is until the truth about who each was came to surface. That's when things get touchy between the two and neither want to see each other again! But Chase's mom had a different idea. Can she bring these two back together again? Or is Chase just too stubborn to face the real truth?<br /><br />This is a wonderful and sweet story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It's one of those stories that just make you feel good after reading it. The characters are so real they feel like family and friends. I love Chase and Elena, and I love their attitude about their wealthy families. And Chase's mom was the character that really pulled everything together. Her attitude about gossip shamed me, and one thing I took away from this book is to gossip, or listen to gossip less, and look at the positive sides of people. I really appreciate Melanie bringing this valuable lesson to her readers about this subject.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for you to read and enjoy for yourself. It will make a wonderful summer read, but its not just for summer, it will make an awesome read anytime! And you sure will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1344137674000, "title": "Wonderful Summer read on Mackinac Island!" }, { "asin": "0800734580", "rating": 5, "text": "Lethal Legacy.....By: Irene Hannon<br /><br />Kelly Warren knows for sure that her dad's death was murder, but proving it might not be so easy. It was an attempt on Kelly's own life that detective Cole Taylor starts to believe her suspicions are right. Prompting him to dig and search until he finds enough evidence to re-open the case. What will Cole find out? And can he keep is personal feeling for Kelly at bay enough to stay on the case until its over?<br /><br />Any book by Irene Hannon is storytelling at it's very best. She has a way of telling a story that will pull you in from the very first page and engulf you until you read the last word. Just as it was with me as I read \"Lethal Legacy.\" The characters are so well crafted and believable that it felt like reading a real-life story. Kelly was a quiet sweet Christian young lady who mostly stayed to herself. She had a close relationship with her dad and was determined to find his killer. And since the detective who had the case earlier was on vacation, who by the good-looking, hot, Cole Taylor was assigned to review the case for her. Cole was also a likeable person, and his close nit family really gave the book a more personal touch. A very touching story, one that will stay with readers for a long time after you finish reading.<br /><br />If you are a suspense lover, then this book is a must, one you will not be disappointed in. And if you just like a good, clean, enjoyable read, then you will love this book too. And if you are like me and stay up until the wee hours of the morning finishing \"Lethal Legacy,\" believe me, every night sound you hear will scare the wits out of you! But that's the fun of reading a suspense!<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for your reading enjoyment. Grab a copy of this one, and the others in this series for a few great reads!<br /><br />\"Available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.\"<br /><br />I received this book from Revell Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own.", "timestamp": 1344924556000, "title": "Awesome Suspense!!" }, { "asin": "0764208101", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Travelers Rest starts off as what you would think of being a happier every after, but since Ann Tatlock is writing about difficult issues that people really face, the story gets difficult to read. Jane Morrow and Seth Ballantine have been friends since childhood, and how were getting married. But their life was torn apart when Seth comes home from serving his country injured in Iraq. Jane loves Seth and has no other thoughts except to stay with him and take care of him, but Seth has different thoughts. He no longer wants the relationship to go on, because he just doesn't want Jane to be his nurse for the rest of his life. But chances are, he will get better, but they are very slim.<br /><br />Author Ann Tatlock is a talented author that writes a story that will capture your heart, and give you a new love, respect, awareness and thankfulness for those who fight for us to live in freedom. I was drawn to the characters, and especially Seth and Jane, as well as the old retired Doctor, Truman. With such detailed descriptions of the difficulties and situations they characters were facing, and with so many twists and turns, the author was able to keep my attention until the very end.<br /><br />I recommend this book for you to read, and especially if you like stories about war victims and families.<br /><br />I rec'd a copy of this book from Bethany House to read and review. The opinions here are mine. I have written my honest opinion on what I feel about this book", "timestamp": 1348894897000, "title": "Great Read" }, { "asin": "0764207873", "rating": 5, "text": "When Hope Blossoms by Kim Vogel Sawyer<br />For Bethany House review by Shannon Hannabass<br /><br />Tim Roper thought he could run from God, hid himself in his apple trees, but when a Mennonite widow and her children moved in the farmhouse next to his, his life changed forever. But that change took a while, and the changed unfold between the pages of Kim Vogel Sawyer's new book, \"When Hope Blossoms.\"<br /><br />I love Kim Vogel Sawyers books, and this one is another winner for me. I love Tim and Amy's story. Even though they both has a past that seemed impossible for them, God had a plan for their life, and in Him timing, He worked their lives together for their own good. I love how Kim weaves together families and communities and comes up with a story that captures the attention of readers from the very first page. I have to say I was so intrigued and captivated by this book I read it in one day! I love the way the realistic characters steal their way into your heart as the story unfolds around you. You don't want to miss this beautiful, sweet story of love, forgiveness and acceptance. Grab your copy today to read and enjoy for yourself!<br /><br />I received this book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own", "timestamp": 1348895821000, "title": "Very Nice Read" }, { "asin": "0764209132", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok I thought this book was kinda strange at times, but though it did end up kind of crazy, with Seth not remembering much about his life and family. He and Callie find themselves back together and thus the journey of Seth begins.<br /><br />The characters created by the author, and especially Callie and the whit and life she brought into the lives of this family gave this story a fun and interesting twist. And knowing Seth in a new and different way, the interesting situations between he and Callie brought a special meaning for this book.<br /><br />The Kincaid Brides Series is truly on that you will enjoy reading. I highly encourage you to grab a copy of this book, or the three books in this series for your reading enjoyment. You will not be disappointed!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Bethany House for me to read and review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only", "timestamp": 1349076484000, "title": "Another great book by Mary Connealy" }, { "asin": "1609366867", "rating": 5, "text": "I've read several books on the Titanic this year so I was excited to read Queen of the Waves for another story about this time in history, which I'm surprised because I really didn't care for the movie that much. But I really like Janice Thompson's story of Tessa and Nathan, alone with the other characters involved with Tessa being on the ship in the first place. Tessa is such a sweet person with a personality that rubs off on those around her, as we see in the story. Throughout all of the horrible tragedy with Titanic, this is a story readers can really enjoy and appreciate. And the vivid details of the time in history leading up to when the Titanic set sail, and as the story unfolds until the end, well it is just an awesome history lesson.<br />Of course this book is only fiction, and these things didn't happen aboard the ship, but I loved imagining what it was like, with all of the rich and famous, and imagining what it was like to be there during the horrific tragedy. I thoroughly enjoyed Queen of the Waves and highly recommend it for your reading enjoyment. You will not be disappointed.<br />This book was provided by Summerside Press through LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1349751219000, "title": "Queen of the Waves" }, { "asin": "1609366859", "rating": 4, "text": "Samantha Waldron and her family face some horrific situations as we follow their journey on the Oregon Trail in 1842. Samantha's mom passed away before they started on the trail, so her father was determined to make it to the end of the trail for the rest of his family. But no one knew the many difficult situations they would endure while traveling. Life was not easy as they traveled these many miles.<br /><br />Melanie Dobson's story of Samantha and her family along the Oregon Trail is a believable and intriguing story with believable characters that will keep you interested until the end, because of all the twists and turns it takes. The author tells all of the gruesome details of situations and difficulties during the trail, making the story seem more realistic.<br /><br />I enjoyed this historical novel by Melanie Dobson, though I don't think it is her best work. If you enjoy the Oregon Trail era, and reading books about that time, you will enjoy this one. So pick up a copy for your own reading enjoyment.<br /><br />This book was provided by Summerside Press through LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1349752867000, "title": "Where the Trail Ends" }, { "asin": "0764206168", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Again, Tracie Peterson captures our hearts and interest with this second book in Land of the Lone Star Series. In Touching the Sky, the story is about Laura Marquardt and her sister Carissa. Both sisters find love, Laura with Union Captain Brandon Reid and Carissa, Confederate Malcolm Lowe. Conflicts and difficulties arise as the story unfolds surrounding the lives of these two ladies.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book in every way. I really enjoyed the history so vividly described in Texas after the war, and I enjoyed characters created that are so realistic like and play their parts in the story so well. I love Tracie Peterson books, and this one is no different, it is a winner in my opinion.<br /><br />I recommend that you go purchase your own copy of this book, and while you are at it, pick up a copy of all three books in Land of the Lone Star Series for your reading enjoyment. And if you like historical fiction, this is a must read for you!", "timestamp": 1350326454000, "title": "Touching the Sky" }, { "asin": "0310335108", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />If you enjoy Amish fiction, you will sure enjoy Tricia Goyer's new book The Memory Jar. I really like the Memory Jar idea for best friends Patty and Sarah. It is a good way to store memories, and in Sarah's case it is especially special after Sarah is left to go through life alone. Then Sarah meets Jathan, and things started changing in her life.<br /><br />Tricia Goyer creates wonderful realistic character that we grow to love as the story unfolds and the characters develop so well. The story started a little slow for me, but then as it developed, and the story took a different twist, tensions rise, gossip spreads, people started backing off and acting strange, and Sarah started questioning her earlier decisions. It seems like Jathan has more baggage to take care of than either of them thought. But Tricia Goyer weaves the characters, situations, difficulties, doubts and people along with more twists and turn and brings a story that will keep you reading until the last page, while it warms you heart in a special way. You will love this Amish community and its people when you pick up your copy of The Memory Jar.<br /><br />This book was provided by LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1351637313000, "title": "The Memory Jar" }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Christmas Roses is a wonderful story about Celia Anderson. Celia is a single mom who runs a boarding house, providing for she and her daughter. She knows her daughter needs a dad, but doesn't want to marry because of need, she wants a marriage of love. Well, then Mark comes into the picture!<br /><br />This is a sweet, charming and heartwarming historical story that would be wonderful for everyone to read for Christmas. I love the beautiful cover, and the story just goes right along with what the cover shows. Amanda Cabot creates realistic and amazing characters to tell her Christmas story, and I enjoyed getting to know each character as the story unfolds. Around Christmastime I try to read all of the Christmas stories I can, and I am honored to read and review Christmas Roses. This is a story that will stay with you throughout the Christmas Season.<br /><br />\"Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.\"<br /><br />This book was provided by Revel Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1354679070000, "title": "Nice Christmas Read!" }, { "asin": "140168744X", "rating": 4, "text": "It took me a while to get into this book, don't know why, maybe it was the early setting since it was 227BC. But<br />after I got into the story, I really enjoyed it.<br />I didn't know a lot about the Island of Rhodes either, but with the author's details throughout the book, it<br />was interesting and nice to get to know this place in history. Tracy Higley created characters that are interesting<br />and believable, and enjoyable to get to know. I really liked Tessa and wanted her to find freedom from her Greek<br />owner. When the opportunity came along for her to be free, her life changed in a way she wasn't expecting. Would<br />Tessa finally be free and find her own true love? This is a book well worth your read, and if you enjoy historical<br />fiction, you will truly enjoy Isle of Shadows.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book to Christian fiction lovers, and especially those who enjoy historical stories. Pick<br />up your copy today for an enjoyable read.<br /><br />This book was provided by Booksneeze through their blogger program. I was not expected or required to write a positive<br />review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1356129857000, "title": "Nice historical read" }, { "asin": "0800719891", "rating": 5, "text": "THe Lesson by Susan Woods Fisher<br /><br />In the third and final book of Susan Woods Fisher's Stoney Ridge Seasons Series, Mary Kate Lapp is now nineteen<br />old and still looking for action. But this time, did her sneaking around get her in more trouble that she expected?<br />And to make it worse, it landed her to job of teaching in their Amish school, and Mary Kate certainly was not a<br />school teacher.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mary Kate's story. She was a fun character throughout the first two books in the series<br />because of her free spirit, and determination to find out everything! I am also a Susan Wood's Fisher fan and I love<br />this entire series. The characters were enjoyable and realistic, drawing you into the story and keeping your attention.<br />And the interesting plot keeps you reading because so much is happening to the Lapp family you just want to find<br />out the outcome.<br /><br />If you love Amish fiction, you will love The Lesson, and the first two books in this series. Or if you are looking<br />for a nice enjoyable light read, this is your series! Go out and grap a copy of these books to read for yourself.<br />You will not be disappointed.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Tours. I was not required or expected to write a positive<br />review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1357361476000, "title": "Great ending to Series!" }, { "asin": "1401685676", "rating": 5, "text": "An Amish Kitchen is a neat collection of three novellas, and the Amish Kitchen of the characters has a huge part of each story. The stories are so realistic because the kitchen is a major part of the Amish lifestyle in reality. And I loved getting the recipes as a bonus in this book, especially the herbal remedies!<br />I love Amish fiction and really enjoyed Faith and Abram's story in Kelly Long's \"A Taste of Faith; reading about Hannah King's Bed and Breakfast and newcomer Stephen Esh in Amy Clipston's \"A Spoonful of Hope,\" and Beth Wiseman's \" A Recipe for Hope,\" and Eva Bender and her family's disaster when a tree falls on her haus. In all three of these stories, the characters deal with difficult situations, and they need to trust God and depend on Him. Their faith carries them through, but it is not always easy. It is difficult to pick a best one, because they all interacted so well together and I enjoyed them all.<br />If you love Amish fiction, this one is for you. You will love these short stories. This is a great book for those who really don't have time to read a full size novel.<br />Booksneeze provided a copy of this book for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1358193641000, "title": "Awesome Amish three stories in this book!" }, { "asin": "1595549706", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Having read the first two books in this series, I was anxious for the third book in The Brides of Last Chance Ranch to hit the stands. And author Margaret Brownley did not disappoint! With characters that I fell in love with, I thoroughly enjoyed another really good read that will stay with me for a while! I grew to love Molly, and the relationship she had with her brother was truly heartwarming. My heart went out to her as she strove to do whatever she could to take care of Donny.<br /><br />Waiting for Morning is truly a story that will capture the heart of any reader, just as it did mine. I highly recommend this historical fiction to book lovers everywhere. A copy of this book was provided by Booksneeze's blogger program. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1361337502000, "title": "Waiting for Morning" }, { "asin": "1859859313", "rating": 5, "text": "My Thoughts On This Book<br /><br />The Story of David and Goliath is one that most children enjoy and remember well. David Sticker Book tells this wonderful Bible story in words, pictures and added stickers for children to interact with the story. And I was suprised at the amount of stickers that are included in the book, they are wonderful. And I really like the illustrations as well. The book is a whole is beautiful inside and out. And as usual, I used my four year-old niece as the real person to review this book of David, and she absolutely loved it! We read the story together and she had a wonderful time placing the stickers on the correct pages, and as she placed the stickers, she talked about each one and we had fun talking about David and Goliath. This tells me that the stickers are a valuable source to go with the story because it keeps children much more interested in the story.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for your small child. I will know they will love it just as much as my niece does. And she still loves reading the book, even after the stickers are all in place.<br /><br />I received this book free from Kregel Publishing. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The<br /> opinions here are my own.", "timestamp": 1361587647000, "title": "Wonderful little book for small children" }, { "asin": "1401686826", "rating": 5, "text": "So Shines the Night......<br /><br />I really enjoyed this historical Biblical fiction by Tracey Higley. I haven't read a lot books in this early era, being set in 57 A. D. The characters were interesting and realistic and I enjoyed getting to know them as the story unfolds. The story is based on Acts 19 and the author did her research well, because as I continued to read, the situations and everything surrounding them begin to feel so real I felt like I was there! And as always I love that Tracy brings a part of the Bible to life through her vivid imagination in So Shines the Night, and I appreciate her sharing this story with us!<br /><br />If you enjoy historical fiction, or Biblical fiction, you will love So Shines the Night. I encourage you to pick up your copy today!<br /><br />I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson 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 55.", "timestamp": 1362552920000, "title": "So Shines the Night" }, { "asin": "080072089X", "rating": 5, "text": "It seems that someone is a spy in Lady Wexham's house but who could it be? Rees Phillips is trying to find out, with his new job disguised as a butler. But can Rees sneak around and try to find answers without anyone suspecting him? This book gets very interesting as the sneaking around continues, not only with Rees but others in the household.<br /><br />This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend. I enjoyed the era of the setting and the vivid details so perfectly described by Ruth Axtell. The characters were unique and believable and they keep readers guessing and reading throughout the story. I really liked Rees and his attempting to be a butler, which he did very well. And the tension between he and the Lady Wexham was enough to keep me reading to find out what the outcome between them would be.<br /><br />I highly recommend this story for anyone who loves a good historical fiction with a bit of suspense and romance. You will not be disappointed!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Revell Publishers for me to read and review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1362978017000, "title": "Great Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0745962823", "rating": 2, "text": "I love sticker story books for children, and this is why I wanted to review My Very First Easter Story Book. The book is very attractive, with vivid colors and stickers to go along with the story on each page. The story is about the story of Easter, Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave.<br /><br />The story is simple enough for very small children to understand, and I like that part about this book. But I do wish the author would have explained why Jesus died for us instead of making the remark a number of times that He did this to make the world a better place. Children need the simplicity of the story but they also need to know the actual truth of what the scripture says. For me, when I read the story to my niece, I added the parts left out by the author, but not everyone can or will do that. I hope the next book the author writes she will stay closer to scripture.", "timestamp": 1364047316000, "title": "Easter Sticker book" }, { "asin": "1595548890", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />When I see Beth Wiseman's name on a book, I know it is going to be an awesome read. I love her Amish books, but I am enjoying the contempory fiction she is writing as well! In The House That Love Built, the characters are realistic and believable and I enjoyed getting to know them better as the story unfolded. Beth had a strong faith in God, and she showed this faith through the many struggles she faced. And she was able to help Owen with struggles with his faith as their friendship progressed. I did feel for Beth as she struggled with the situation with her dad, because she was clearly hurt by him.<br />This is a story of love, faith in the Lord, forgiveness and second chances. If you are looking for a good clean entertaining story, this one is for you.", "timestamp": 1365582565000, "title": "Another wonderful book by Beth Wiseman" }, { "asin": "1414361122", "rating": 5, "text": "Rescue Team by Candace Calvert<br /><br />Kate Callison has been running from her past and jumping jobs for several years, and now she is working as ER director at Austin Grace Hospital. As different cases came through the ER department, memories of Kate's past surfaced more and more. Wes Tanner was at the right place at the right time when an emergency happened at Austin Grace, but then he met the new ER director, Kate. Wes finds himself attracted to Kate, despite her dismissive attitude, but just how does Kate feel about Wes?<br /><br />I am a big fan of Candace Calvert and Rescue Team is another Candace book that I LOVE! I love books that capture my attention early in the story, and this one had my attention from the first page! I wasn't sure about Kate at first, with her attitude and the mystery of her past, but as the story unfolded, I could understand her attitude about life. And I love Wes, he is such a sweetheart, and I love his family. But he has a heartbreaking past as well, that he doesn't want to talk about. Ms. Calvert weaves together a story of heartbreaking pasts, through many difficult situations and twists and turns, and so vividly shows love, forgiveness and healing through God's love and mercy in Wes and Kate's story.<br /><br />If you enjoy Christian fiction, or just want a good clean medical romance to read, I highly recommend Rescue Team. With Candace being a former nurse, the medical knowledge is phenomenal, making the story even more interesting and enjoyable.<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale House to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1367285043000, "title": "Awesome Christian Fiction with a lot of Medical Knowledge" }, { "asin": "0764209663", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Looking for a new preacher? Why not hold up a train and steal him at gunpoint? Karen Witemeyer gives us and interesting, enjoyable, witty, funny story that will sure be the height of your entertainment this summer in Stealing the Preacher. Joanna's outlaw father was willing to do anything to give her what she wants, including holding up a train and stealing Crockett Archer. Only Crockett can't stay in the little Texas Community of Piney Woods because he's on a mission someplace else as a preacher candidate. But as he gets to know the people in Piney Woods, he's drawn to the need for someone to take over the little church that hasn't had a preacher for quite a while. But what about this other church, the one who is waiting on his arrival to vote on whether or not they want him as their own preacher. Well, its all unfolded between the pages of the wonderful book!<br />First of all, I LOVE this cover. I am so glad Bethany House decided to change it! And Karen Witemeyer is at it again with her awesome, humorous writing style. As I read Stealing the Preacher, I fell in love with the people of Piney Woods, and was really hoping that Crockett would decide to change his mind and be their new preacher, especially since he was so different from most preachers, and he identified with these people so well. With all of the twists and turns, and the adorable, unique characters, why not come on board with the rest of us and enjoy this wonderful summer, and well really, anytime read from Ms. Whitemeyer and Bethany House. You will sure be happy you decided to try this one. And while you are at it, check out the other books by Karen Witemeyer. I've read all of Karen's books, and each one gets better and better! She is definitely high on my favorite authors list!<br />I received this book from the publisher Bethany House, and Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1371094501000, "title": "Another awesome historical fiction from Karen Witemeyer" }, { "asin": "0825442141", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Reading this book clearly shows that women have always experienced hurt in some way. Authors Dena Dyer and Tina Samples' Wounded Women of the Bible gives ladies an inside look at more than a dozen women throughout Bible time and the hurts and difficulties they faced. We read the stories of Dinah, Ruth, Hagar, Ichabod's Mother, Mary and Martha, and others, getting to know they ladies in a really interesting and unique way.<br /><br />Finding Hope When Life Hurts is truly what we learned from this book through the lives of each of these ladies. Dena Dyer and Tina Samples leave nothing out as they study and explore what the Bible says. I also appreciate the authors opening their own lives and showing the hurts and struggles they have faced in their lives. To me, this makes the book even more special because we are not only getting truths from the Bible, we are getting truths from real people's lives.<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Kregel to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1377922007000, "title": "Wonderful Bible Study!" }, { "asin": "1859857663", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Bumper Wipe Clean Activities was a huge hit with my 4 year old niece. She loves it, and has played and played with it. I ended up mailing it to her house so she could have it there to play with! This is the cutest little book your child will ever have. The wipe clean activities are adorable for the kids to do. This is an awesome idea for a children's book. Abbi has enjoyed the matching, tracing, going through the mazes, and all of the other activities, and the awesome thing about this is that they can wipe the page clean, and start over again!<br /><br />Need activities to keep children quiet in the car, or maybe an appointment? This is the book you need. It is hours of fun for young children, I would have one for each child, and they can do their own thing while you enjoy the peace and quiet!<br /><br />I just can't say enough about this little activity book. This is a must for all homes with small children! You and your child will love is just as much as Abbi and I do!!<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Kregel to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1380282113000, "title": "Love, Love this book!!" }, { "asin": "B00FFBG1PM", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The Bargin is not just another Amish Fiction! It is an Amish fiction with a twist like I haven't read before, the setting being in the Vietnam War. I loved the history weaved into the book about this era, and especially since I was old enough during that time to remember a lot about the war and the friends I had who fought in it. Betsy's story was interesting, with her family living as Englisch. This story brought back a lot of memories of when I was growing up, and that I did enjoy very much! It was so interesting because back then, we did really live plain, or so it seems like that now. I really did love the setting, and the story.<br /><br />Stephanie Reed is a fairly new author for me, so I was excited to review an Amish fiction from a different author. Ms. Reed created characters that were enjoyable and believable, giving readers a real feel of life in the early 1970′s. If you enjoy Amish, you will love this one. If you enjoy historical fiction, this is for you too! So why not put the two together and check out this new book from Stephanie Reed. I think you will be pleasantly surprised!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1382586934000, "title": "The Bargin" }, { "asin": "1859855865", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS<br /><br />This is a really neat Bible handbook from Kregel Publishers. The Candle Bible Handbook is for 8 to 12 year olds and would be an awesome addition to their library, because it can be a wonderful study tool for your child to use while reading the Bible or reading Bible stories. There are many things to help with Bible study including study questions, tips to watch for when reading, an outline an description of the book, along with a little box with important information. And you will also find a section with Big ideas in the Bible, Bible Promises, Fifty very important passages in the Bible and Who’s Who in the Bible. And of course this is just a touch of what you will find in this neat handbook.<br /><br />I really like this book that will be an additional study tool when studying the Bible. I found it interesting myself as I read through it and went over the different things added to help study. If you have kids in this age group, or I think even teenagers would like this, I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of The Candle Bible Handbook. You will find it very informative and interesting.<br /><br />I rec’d a copy of this book from Kregel to read and review. The opinions in this review are mine only. I was not required or expected to write a positive review.", "timestamp": 1400470384000, "title": "Really Neat for Kids" }, { "asin": "1414368453", "rating": 5, "text": "Annie, a young Irish immigrant is the housekeeper at Mrs. Hawkins boarding house, but she is also a wonderful story teller, thanks to her really great storyteller father. But when Annie’s father passed away, and after living with her no caring uncle, and the horrible places he sent her, she eventually ended up in New York. You will thoroughly enjoy this wonderful historical novel by Cindy Thomson. Annie not only loved storytelling, she loved to daydream, so her mind was always full of a story to tell. And Ms. Thomson does an amazing job of telling these stories in a way that will capture your heart and attention. One thing that was so touching to me is the way telling her stories always made Annie think of the father she missed so much. Check out this fabulous book and give it a try!<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale House to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1420701507000, "title": "Really interesting historical fiction!" }, { "asin": "0529102781", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Jeremiah and Anna May's life took a tumbling fall when Jeremiah left his Amish family, Anna May and the Amish faith for the English world, and their schools, to become a veterinarian. But will his return mean that they can pick up where they left off with their relationship? Life is not that easy! And life for these two young people was not without heartaches and many struggles as they strived to find out what God really wanted them to do with their lives.<br /><br />I have read many of Kathleen Fuller's books, and have enjoyed them all! Just as I enjoyed this one, and I'm going to get the other books in this series as well! I fell in love with these characters immediately, and I thoroughly enjoyed following their journey, though they did have their moments. I like that Ms. Fuller shows so much detail to the story and each scene that takes place. This is truly a well written book, and a book that anyone who loves a really good Amish story will want to read!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1426653601000, "title": "Very nice Amish story!" }, { "asin": "0800722485", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />For me, this was a really heartwarming story. Kaitlyn was trying to get her life together after leaving her child with her brother to raise. Now she has to prove that she is the mother her daughter needs in order to get her daughter back. On the other hand, Steven is trying to prove that he has grown up, and ready to settle down. But would Steven and Kaitlyn be able to make a go of it together, with all of their past failures?<br /><br />I have really enjoyed Catherine Armstrong’s A Place to Call Home Series, and I so much enjoyed this third book! The characters are very realistic and enjoyable to get to know. The lives of the characters sure keep readers wondering what will happen next! And I appreciate the detailed info about this little place called Last Chance. It is sure a place I would love to visit!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1426819255000, "title": "Love this wonderful book!" }, { "asin": "0310315549", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This has been an absolutely enjoyable series to read, and Rachel Hauck is an amazingly talented writer! I love how she brings you into the story, giving me the feeling I was there with the characters. As I read the book, I felt as though the characters were real, as I thought about them day and night! Corina was hoping to find her prince charming for the second time, but with all of the issues going on, and with Corina still dealing with the death of her brother, there was just no way. But was there? This is truly a story of redemption and love, and the twists and turns in the story kept me turning the pages pretty fast! The setting, the characters, the different scenes throughout the story as I read, they all came together to a wonderful ending. I highly recommend How to Catch a Prince, and the other books in Rachel Hauck's Royal Wedding Series.<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1427161293000, "title": "Love this heartwarming story" }, { "asin": "0718031652", "rating": 4, "text": "Sarah Montgomery finally gets to join her fiancée Rand Campbell, in Fort Laramie, Wyoming but is he really excited to see her? Seems like he has found someone else to occupy his time, making life difficult for Sarah. But then when ex-fiancé Ben Croftner shows up in Wyoming, things get a little more exciting, or maybe we could say tension was filling the air more than ever.<br /><br />A Heart's Obsession is another short story in Colleen Coble's A Journey of the Heart Series. a reissue of the Wyoming series published around a decade, and back this time in 6 short books. Though I like short books sometimes, its kind of frustrating that we as readers have to wait so long for the next chapters in the book. Its like reading a few chapters, putting the book down, and after a month picking it back up again. I am just not fond of this type of reading myself. But as far as the story, I love it! It is awesome, just as all of Colleen Coble books are!! I will keep them all, and read them again in the order of the series, and will enjoy them much more. I hope this is not a trend that publishers are heading toward, but it will be interesting to see.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1429074224000, "title": "Short story" }, { "asin": "0310335884", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Life hasn't been easy for 32 year old Linda Zook, being orphaned at age 4 and raised by an uncle that didn't want her. But Linda is determined to make something of her life, working part time at the Lancaster Grand Hotel, she desires to we worthy of a life that she can be happy and loved. Thirty-two year old Aaron Ebersol comes back into the picture after leaving the Amish community for almost two decades because of the harsh demands of his father. These two meet up, but what will life be for them because of their background? Can they find love and forgiveness for the family that wronged them?<br /><br />Amy Clipston is one of my favorite Amish writers. I love her writing style, the long series about this Amish Community and the families, and I fell in love with her characters in the first book of this series! Linda and Aaron's story is a sad, but yet a happy one. I thoroughly enjoyed following the lives of these two characters through the thick and thin of their relationship. As I read their story, I could clearly see the love, grace, forgiveness and redemption of our God in the lives of these characters. In everything they went through, God was in the driver's seat of their lives and leading them every step of the way. If you enjoy Amish fiction, this series is a must for you. Check out A Simple Prayer by Amy Clipston, and the other books in this awesome series.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1431489089000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Life hasn't been easy for 32 year old Linda Zook" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Talk about mystery, The End of Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble is one of the best mysteries I have read! Who is Claire Dellamare? She thought her life was like any other rich girl’s life, that it until she Claire returns to the Hotel Tourmaline for a business meeting with her CEO father. That’s when she starts hearing rumors about her disappearing for a year when she was young.<br /><br />Wow, this was an awesome read! The plot line was amazing, and the characters were so very realistic I wanted to be there in the story with them. Clarie was a sweet and intelligent young lady, and never did she think her life would be in shambles when she returned to the Hotel Tourmaline. The more I read the stranger the story became, one murder and one young child went missing at the same time. Was there a connection? What strange and horrific thing could have happened all those years ago? This is a book you do not want to miss. And if you are a Colleen Cobble fan, this is one of her best!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1431575510000, "title": "The End of Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble is one of the best mysteries I have read" }, { "asin": "0529103435", "rating": 5, "text": "A Heart’s Betrayal is the fourth book in Colleen Coble’s A Journey of the Heat Series. This series is a previous series from Ms. Coble, this one is a very short book for each story. In this story, Emmie Croftner finds out that her late husband wasn’t the man she thought he was, the home and everything she had wasn’t hers after all. After relocating, Emmie meets a soldier that just might change her life.<br /><br />As usual, Colleen Coble writes a story with characters are interesting and intriguing, and make the story interesting. The situations in Emmie’s life leave her with a life of tension, so much so that she can’t stay in her town any longer. This change in her life leaves a more and different type of tension, because of her new place and new people in her life. The one thing with these short books is that you have to wait a month to read the next short installment. For me, it is much easier to read the entire story at once. I am keeping all of these books and will read them again one after the other!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1433304461000, "title": "A Heart’s Betrayal is the fourth book in Colleen Coble’s ..." }, { "asin": "1496402146", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This is a really good story written from a mothers viewpoint about her child. With television being the big entertainment and past time, weight problems in children are on the rise. Heidi Bond made changes she had to make for her daughter’s health. With the world today full of fast food, quick fix meals, and sweet and fatty snacks, obesity in children just keeps getting worse.<br /><br />I appreciate how Heidi and Breanna are using their story to help other kids with the same problems they have experienced. Even though their journey was not an easy on, it was a productive one because it taught them the meaning of a healthy lifestyle. I did make me angry as Heidi talked about the way people viewed her efforts, especially talking about those who had talked about her daughter’s obesity, now criticizing her for refusing her candy and sweet treats. People can be so rude. If you are someone you love is experiencing the same or similar situation, I encourage you to pick up a copy of Heidi’s book, Who’s the New Kid. I think you will find help you never expected.<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1433905940000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK This is a really good story written from a mothers viewpoint about her child" }, { "asin": "0310322170", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Another murder in the Amish Artisan Village in Middlebury, Indiana, and the Poison Poet strikes again and again leaving pies with notes attached saying the pies are poisoned. And then the emails Amber is getting, that is clearly from the Poison Poet? Ms. Chapman does it again with a murder, mystery/suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seats. And in an Amish community at that!<br /><br />I felt so bad for Amber, the harassing emails were causing problems with her work and marriage, because the Poison Poet was determined that she wouldn’t tell anyone what was going on. But she had too many friends and family that loved her, and I was touched at the way the pulled together to help her. And another person that was helped was Preston. I really like Preston and the sweet relationship forming between Preston and Mocha, which you will need to read the book to find out about these two! And who in the world could have gunned Ryan Duvall down in broad daylight, just as he finished his race?<br /> A lot of questions, and a lot going on in Murder Freshly Baked, and I just know you will enjoy it as much as I did!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1433921239000, "title": "Just Wonderful Writing by Ms. Chapman!" }, { "asin": "0800734351", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Has Marisa St. George found the man or her dreams after moving back to her hometown of Dupree, Texas. Very successful and well known writer Blake Kendall decides to try hanging out at Rainbow’s End Resort for a while to see if it would help his writers block, that he couldn’t seem to get over. The attraction between Marisa and Blake was immediate, but then things started to come up that put a halt on that attraction, and their relationship was rocky one min and ok the next. This situation, along with everything else going on at Rainbow’s End Resort makes for a fun and entertaining story.<br /><br />In Firefly Valley ,I loved reading about the characters I grew to love in the first book in this series, At Bluebonnet Lake, and meeting the new people traveling to the area! The relaxing atmosphere at the Rainbow’s End Resort and the quite town of Dupree, Texas makes this a light read, yet a story that deals with lives that were changed through forgiveness of each other and the love, forgiveness and redemption of our Lord. I want to encourage you to pick up a copy of In Firefly Valley for hours of relaxing, entertaining and fun. I think you will like this book as much as I did! This one goes on my keeper shelf!<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.<br /><br />Another really sweet book from author Amanda Cabot!", "timestamp": 1434349019000, "title": "along with everything else going on at Rainbow’s End Resort makes for a fun and entertaining story" }, { "asin": "0800723503", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Her mother's death causes Elizabeth Benjamin to return to her home in Key West, but things didn't go as she thought it would. Though she needed her family, it seemed that they didn't need her as much, and she sure wasn't happy with her father's pick as a husband for her. Was her trip back home a mistake?<br /><br />Since this was my first book by Christine Johnson I wasn't sure what to expect, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. This book was as good as the cover is beautiful! I love the inviting cover! This was also my first story with a setting in the historical 1850's Key West, Florida. There is a lot that makes up the plot of this story, danger, secrets, adventures seas, heart throbbing romance, and determination in the hearts of characters. Ms. Johnson does a marvelous job of weaving it all together to write a most amazing, entertaining and enjoyable story that I highly recommend. I will sure be looking for more books in this series.<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1434354351000, "title": "and she sure wasn't happy with her father's pick as a husband for her" }, { "asin": "1601425996", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Mesu Andrew's books because she has such an amazing talent of taking Bible characters, putting them in a historical Biblical setting and creating a story that will pull you in and keep you long after you finish the book. When I finish reading a Mesu Andrews book, I have a new, clear insight of the Biblical character the Book is about.<br /><br />The Pharoah's Daughter is another one of those books. I have always loved the story of Moses being put in the river in a basket as a baby by his sister. And Pharoah's daughter claiming Moses for her own, and raising him as her own. Ms. Andrews takes this story much deeper, bringing us into the home of Pharoah's daughter and now the home of Moses. I have always has questions about how this or that happened, and in this story, Ms. Andrews answers some of those questions in her fictional way. This was a special time in history, and I appreciate this awesome author for taking on these characters and this time in history. And I also appreciate the knowledge and research it took to write a story like this. Needless to say, I was in awe of The Pharoah's Daughter and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves historical, Biblical, or just a good fiction story.<br /><br />Blogging for Books provided this book for my honest review. The review is my views alone.", "timestamp": 1434561646000, "title": "I love Mesu Andrew's books because she has such an amazing ..." }, { "asin": "0718011783", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Two very different people, and a dangerous ruby? That's what this story is about. Daughter of a shop keeper, Camille is searching for her own lot in life. And the son of a very wealthy, well-known explorer and collector, Jonathan is settle in his fathers wealth, even though he is the second son. But his life changes when the hunt for a special ruby leads him to Camille's family shop. Who will finally uncover this expensive, dangerous jewel?<br /><br />Author Sarah Ladd takes us on an exciting and dangerous journey through the streets of historical London in her new book, The Curiosity Keeper. And Curiosity it is as I read this really good book! The characters will weave their way into your hearts, and the sights and sounds of London are so expertly detailed that you will find yourselves wondering if you are there! I love the tension in the scenes, because it made me keep turning the pages. The intensity and suspense that takes place makes for a very enjoyable read. I highly recommend The Curiosity Keeper!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1436334889000, "title": "And Curiosity it is as I read this really good book! The characters will weave their way into ..." }, { "asin": "0718031687", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br /> Emmie has a secret that she definitely doesn't want Isaac to know about, because she doesn't want to loose him. This makes for a lot of twists and turns in this very short story. This is book 5 in A Journey of the Heart Series. I enjoyed reading the continuation of this story, the characters and setting is already familiar, and the plot is somewhat set. As with all Colleen Coble books, this is a wonderful read and a wonderful series. I enjoyed each book, but I think reading all of these short book at once would be better because you don't have to wait to see what the next few chapters give.<br /><br />BookLook Bloggers provided this book for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive or any type of review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1436336191000, "title": "I enjoyed reading the continuation of this story" }, { "asin": "0310749417", "rating": 5, "text": "My Thoughts<br /><br />This is a cute little Bible Story book for any little one. If you have small children, you would be wise to invest in this book for them. The colors are nice and bright, and the cover is just plain cute! It has Papa, Brother, Sister and Honey reading, which is one of our favorite things to do here. The book is made just for smaller kids with thick sturdy pages that a child cannot tear, so you don't have to worry about them playing with this book. And you will enjoy reading these Bible stories and teaching your child about Jesus.<br /><br />This book was provided by BookLook Bloggers. The opinions here are mine.", "timestamp": 1441166721000, "title": "The colors are nice and bright" }, { "asin": "1401688888", "rating": 5, "text": "I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1441168580000, "title": "Love it!" }, { "asin": "1401690513", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Abby Knightly’s life came to an end as she knew it when her husband was killed in an auto accident, and Abby feels responsible. Not being about to live with what happened, Abby decides to move to a little town she had read about in a column in a newspaper. Circumstances caused her to meet Bo, one of three brothers that owned a ranch in the small town of Wishing Springs, Texas .<br /><br />This story took a different turn than the first book in this series. Bo’s story didn’t come across as well as Tru’s for me. Bo seemed less responsible, more reckless and the little surprise that ended up on his pops doorstep confirms that. It just happened that Abby was there at the right time, which was ok with Bo because he needed all the help he could get. Even though I did enjoy the story, a young lady showing up in a small town, meeting a guy that has sworn off ladies, and all of a sudden were thrown together and everything else that happened within a few weeks just wasn’t as believable as I would have liked. But then, that’s just me! All in all, I enjoyed the Monahan family again, and looking forward to reading book three! And by the way, Pops is just the sweetest old man, just adorable!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1441775657000, "title": "Even though I did enjoy the story" }, { "asin": "0310338492", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Love this book, Love this series! Shelley Shepard Gray is one of the best!! Lydia and Sebastian were two very different people, from completely different backgrounds, but the attraction between them was real. But the two being together was just impossible. Or was it? Though rough as some of the characters are, this is a pretty sweet story. There is a lot of bad things happening, a lot of tension, a lot of twists and turns, but Ms. Gray does a fantastic job of pulling it all together, with twists and turns you don’t expect, and making another awesome story in this series. I don’t want to say too much, and give anything away, so I wont! This is a wonderful and entertaining story, set just after the Chicago Worlds Fair is over, a story that will stay with you for a while.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1447220727000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Love this book" }, { "asin": "0310339545", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Leila Lantz has a difficult decision to make. Two young men, Jesse, and Will (Jesse's cousin) want her love and commitment. But the two offer entirely different lifestyles for Leila. Jesse is struggling with his faith, and not so sure he is ready for a lifetime commitment, but Leila has loved him since the first time she saw him. And Will, well he is more settled and knows what he wants to do with his life, but keeps his feelings for Leila to himself because he doesn't want to hurt his cousin Jesse. How will this author untangle this mess of relationships for Leila?<br /><br />I really like the way Kelly Irvin writes Amish fiction. She adds a unique twist to her stories that make them very interesting and entertaining. Leila has some tough decisions to make, but I liked that. Dealing with real life situations, even among the Amish faith helps to realize that we all have problems that we must surrender to the Lord. And this book will have you taking a closer look at your own faith. It was nice visiting characters from book one, and I am excited to read book three when it hits the shelves. If you are looking for a good clean book for enjoyment, this is a wonderful one to pick up!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1447474989000, "title": "and Will (Jesse's cousin) want her love and commitment" }, { "asin": "1601425007", "rating": 5, "text": "A Refuge at Highland Hall is the third book in the Edwardian Brides series by Carrie Turansky. I was glad to read more of Highland Hall's Penny Ramsey in this story. Because of Britain's involvement in WWI, Penny decides to travel to London to help her sister Kate and her husband with the houseful of orphaned children they have. Its there that Penny meets Royal Naval Air Service pilot Alex Goodwin, and there was definitely an attraction between the two! Knowing he would be chasing Zeppelins across the front line in France, Alex couldn't allow anything series between the two. But they could write to each other while he was in France. But faced with unforeseen circumstances, Alex's life takes a dramatic change, and seeing Penny again was out of the question.<br /><br />This is such a wonderful book! First of all, the cover is beautiful, and the story inside is full of entertainment. I loved meeting the characters again, they now seem like family members. Penny is such a sweetheart, and I was cheering on a relationship between she and Alex. There's a lot of things going on in this book, a lot of twists and turns happening that made me keep my nose in the book until I finished!! Author Carrie Turansky does an amazing joy of weaving everything together nicely, and giving readers a sweet romance.<br /><br />And the history in this story is phenomenal, it made the trip back into the past WWI era so enjoyable. As I read, I felt like I was living the story along with the characters. This book is a must if you enjoy historical and WWI fiction. And this one is a nice clean read! One that anyone will enjoy!<br /><br />I received this book from Blogging for Books to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1454892669000, "title": "Awesome Read!" }, { "asin": "0310332435", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGTHS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Casey Cox only wants to do the right things, find her father's killer. But her life falls apart when she finds her good friend murdered, and with her DNA being all over the place, she has no option but to run. Dylan Roberts, the PI hired to find Casey doesn't think she is guilty of murder, the evidence just doesn't show it.<br /><br />If I Run is another fast pace thriller from one of my very favorite authors, Terri Blackstock. It starts our with Casey finding her good friend Brent murdered in his home. Knowing why Brent was murdered, and her blood all over everything, Casey's only choice is to take off. Casey was a fantastic leading character, with all of her twists and turns trying to stay under the radar, I never knew what was coming next! Casey was such a caring person, she cared more for helping others than she did herself, even if she did put herself in the spotlight. I really enjoyed this story, and I read it through without putting it down.<br /><br />However, the ending just almost ruined it for me. It left so many loose ends, I felt as though I was hanging from a cliff when I read that last sentence. I sure hope there is a book two, I will be very disappointed if it is not. Can't wait to find out about another book in this series!", "timestamp": 1455863516000, "title": "But her life falls apart when she finds her good friend murdered" }, { "asin": "1414389752", "rating": 5, "text": "Mariah and her grandmother are trying their best to keep their ranch running after the death of Mariah’s father. But their lives take a drastic change when Slade Donovan show up claiming the ranch. As it turns out, Mariah’s father supposedly took money that belonged to Slade’s father and bought the ranch, so now that Slade’s father is dead, he is there to claim what belongs to their family. He agrees to let Mariah and her grandmother stay in the house until his mom and sister come to live there. But a lot of things happen here in this story before that takes place.<br /><br />This was my first book by Pam Hillman, and I loved it so very much! There was a lot of tension between the characters because Slade was carrying around so much anger and bitterness. Mariah was shocked that her father would steal money, so she and Slade didn’t get along. The two that did surprisingly got along was Slade’s quiet brother and Mariah’s grandmother, while I think had a lot to do with Slade and Mariah slowing changing their minds. Grandma was a sweetheart, she loved the Lord, and nothing seemed to upset her. She was the glue that held them all together. But when the mom and sister get there, things may change for them.<br /><br />I enjoyed Ms. Hillman’s writing style and I look forwarding to reading other books by her. The bit of suspense and romance make this story one you will love and enjoy. And I can’t leave out the fact that the history throughout this story was so interesting and very well searched and woven into the lives of the characters. You can’t go wrong with this book being on your ‘to read’ shelf. I purchased a copy of this book to read, and it is so good I wanted to leave a review.", "timestamp": 1456156195000, "title": "Love this historical fiction" }, { "asin": "0764211412", "rating": 5, "text": "I thought this book was a fantastic read, and I really enjoyed every minute of it! After Miranda sold a prized portrait, and her grandfather bought an auction house that they were sure the portrait went to, the story took a new twist! I'm not sure how I would have felt had I ended up at a livestock auction house, and it was just as interesting reading about Miranda's experience. There is a lot in this story to absorb, and I kept wondering if a mistake was made about buying this auction house in the first place, but I just had to be patient. I will have to say, from the cover of this book, I did not expect the story that is between the pages!<br /><br />When I see a book by Regina Jennings, I know its going to be an awesome read, and this was no exception. I became very attached to the characters, the grandfather was adorable and Miranda was a special young lady! And oh, the romance was sweet and heartfelt. This is a must read for those of you who enjoy historical fiction, or just looking for a good clean read! At Love's Bidding will not disappoint!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1456295075000, "title": "Love this book!" }, { "asin": "0718033183", "rating": 4, "text": "Arguments with parents happen often, but Joanna Schrock never dreamed this argument would be her last. The accident that happened after the argument changed Joanna's life forever, in ways she never expected. Andrew, her beau since childhood draws closer<br /> to Joanna, knowing her could have lost her in the accident. But is his marriage offer truly because of his love for her?<br /><br /> This was a most enjoyable story. I do not read a lot of Amish stories, but this one captured my attention, with the horrific accident and the heartbreaking happenings after. The story gets intense while Joanna is recovering, with Andrew hovering over her, and Joanna wondering if it was his love or his pity for him that he was acting in such a way.<br /><br /> This story was interesting enough to keep me reading. If you enjoy Amish stories, you will enjoy this one.<br /><br />I received a free copy of this book from ,…….. to read and review. I expressed my own opinion in this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1458937229000, "title": "But is his marriage offer truly because of his love for her" }, { "asin": "0800726405", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br /> After the death of her husband, Shelby Kincaid decides to move back to where she was raised, and purchase her family's home, Misty Willow. AJ Sullivan owns the home, given to him by his grandfather, though he is sure not interested in the place. Once the two meet, for some odd reason they couldn't stay away from each other. But family history and dark secrets find their place between these two young people.<br /><br />This turned out to be a sweet and heartwarming story. AJ wasn't the villain I thought he would me, he was actually a character I liked very much. AJ's cousins, Brett and Amy are a different story altogether. The were difficult to tolerate! Ms. Alexander does a fantastic job of weaving this story together, through the difficult past, to the difficult cousins, to this special couple, Shelby and AJ, turning their lives around to create a beautiful life between the two. This is a wonderful contemporary story that you don't want to miss.<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1459829440000, "title": "Love this beautiful story!" }, { "asin": "1629116858", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Abigail Stutzman had no idea why she was dumped at a bus station with a ticket to an aunt and uncle's house she didn't even know she had. What was wrong with her mamm, why did she allow this to happen to her? And it seemed like her aunt and uncle and everyone else in her new community was silent on the issue as well. What made things even worse for Abby is her new friends seem to leave her on a trail of burned down barns. Nothing happening in her life made sense to Abbi anymore.<br /><br />Poor Abby, I can not imagine what it would be like to be left at a bus station and sent to someone I didn't even know! Amish sometimes have a strange way of handing situations. One thing about it, Even though Abby didn't know her aunt and uncle, they were happy to meet their new niece, and was glad to have her in their home. She became like a daughter to them. But the fires were a puzzle. And firefighter Sam Miller couldn't figure it out either. But Abby had to be the one setting the fires, wasn't she? As Sam and Abby spend more and more time together, sparks of another kind start flying, and the fire between these two characters may not be so easy to put out.<br /><br />I love Laura Hilton's Amish stories so much. She always has a little different twist to her stories, involving Englischers in such a way that it seems like there is no logical fix to the situations, but in the end, Ms. Hilton weaves the stories together to make a perfect and wonderful ending. And so it was with The Amish Firefighter. This was truly a story of unveiled secrets, forgiveness, redemption and grace in the lives of these characters. I love and appreciate the way Ms. Hilton so vividly tells the story of God's redeeming love to those who as for His forgiveness. I love, love this story, and I am looking forward for more from these Jamesport, Missouri characters.<br /><br />I received this book from Celebrate Lit Blog Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1465782835000, "title": "And it seemed like her aunt and uncle and everyone else in her ..." }, { "asin": "0800722752", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This was an interesting read, being this is election year! Leta Breckenridge lands a excellent paying job at a public relations firm. What Leta didn't know is that she would be used in ways that were very uncomfortable for her. Nathan Emerson may be in the next running race for governor of Texas, and he has just the right woman by his side to make his running complete. But then he meets Leta, and she is so different from anyone he's ever met before. But two very different lifestyles at this point in Nathan's life?<br /><br />I have grown to love books written by Kellie Coates Gilbert, and each book keeps getting better. Ms. Gilbert develops characters that are so very realistic and believable. As I read everything going on in this book, I had to ask myself; Does this really happen in real life? And I'm afraid my answer leans more toward yes that anything else. This story shows that lying, cheating, deceitfulness, always comes back to bite you.<br /><br />I also loved the relationship Leta had with her mom. Even though her mom didn't know how she was most of the time, Leta still needed her mom and they were so sweet together. I hope I have said enough to want you to read this book. I don't want to give away any of the story, for me it ruins it when someone does that. I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of this book and read it. You will not be disappointed in this one. Or anything this author writes!<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1469974817000, "title": "Loved this amazing story" }, { "asin": "0310345391", "rating": 5, "text": "A prison cell in Lake Erie became the home of Confederate soldiers. Growing as close as brothers in this prison, a group of these soldiers made promises to care for one another, no matter what happened. When Phillip Markham lost his life in the prison, Robert Truax knew he had to fulfill that promise and take care of Phillip's wife Marinda. As tough as the situation with Marinda turned out to be, Robert wanted to do the job he came to do and get on with his life. But there were many unexpected bumps in the road that changed those plans.<br /><br /> Shelley Shepard Gray starts another series off with a bang! This beautiful story of love and redemption with capture your hearts. When everything seemed lost and thought there was no hope, Marinda finds out that God does give second chances in life. Robert and Marinda's story is such a sweet heartwarming story. The main characters, as well as the supporting characters will quickly find their way into your heart. I enjoyed the Civil War and post war historical facts and settings. This is a great story for those who enjoy stories with Civil War settings.<br /><br /> A copy of this book was provided to me by BookLook Bloggers for me to read and review. This is my honest opinion of this book.", "timestamp": 1472525447000, "title": "This beautiful story of love and redemption with capture your hearts" }, { "asin": "031034154X", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, this is an amazing story! I fell in love with the characters early in the story. I loved the way Ms. Hauck interweaves Cora and Haley’s stories, and though one was historical and one modern, the story was beautiful written in a way that made me crave more of each character. I couldn’t put this book down because I wanted to find out what was happening with each lady.<br /><br />Cora was the sweetest young lady with a lot of disappointments and heartaches. Rufus, well I just wanted to give him a piece of my mind. And Birch was a sweetheart, a man every women dreams of. Haley was independent like Cora, and wanted to open the Wedding Shop, despite what her parents thought. She was determined to try and forget her ex forever. And I really liked Cole as well. He has his share of disappointments and heartaches too. And I love the way Rachel Hauck interweaves the stories of these four characters in an amazing way, weaving together their dysfunctional lives with their faith in the Lord. And she shows that even though our lives don’t turn out the way we want, and despite the heartaches and disappointments we may go through, Jesus will always be there in us and with us. And He can take all of our baggage and make something beautiful from it all.<br /><br />The Wedding Shop is another beautiful story from author Rach Hauck. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good clean heartwarming read. And if you haven’t read The Wedding Dress and The Wedding Chapel, I encourage you to check out these two books as well.<br /><br />I received this book from Celebration Lit Blog Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1474495378000, "title": "Love it!" }, { "asin": "0310342015", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />I love, love Amy Clipston's books and this is another amazing one from her. She writes the most amazing Amish fiction, and you don't want to miss this one. Mike Lantz has his hands full taking care of his dad and his disabled son. He moves to the area because he wants his son to go to this special school, hoping he can learn like a regular. And that's where he meets Rachel. Rachel feels sorry for the Lantz family and wants to help them, so she starts fixing them mills each week and sending them home by Mike's son John. The special thing about these meals is that she sends them in an antique basket that belonged to her mom, a basket that brought her mom and dad together. Can history repeat itself and bring another couple together?<br />Find out when you read the third book in The Amish Heirloom Series by Amy Clipston. I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1475899748000, "title": "Rachel Fisher is devastated when the young man she’s loved for years leaves her to date her best friend" }, { "asin": "162911748X", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />This is such an amazing story, I was in awe the entire time I was reading this book. Both Mary and Joseph were the sweetest young couple. Her parents loved her very much to make sure the man she would marry was the man she loved. I know this is fiction, but as I read the account of the angel coming to Mary in a dream, her trip to see her cousin Elizabeth, Mary telling her parents and Joseph she was pregnant with the Messiah, each and every scene was so fully detailed, I felt like I was living this story along with the characters. It is so neat to see this Bible account through the eyes of Diana W. Taylor.<br />It was so sweet to follow along with Mary as she realized she was carrying a special baby, that God has actually trusted her an favored her among all of the women of that time, and chose her to be the mother of Jesus. Despite what she had to go through, the outrage of her family and Joseph when she first told them she was pregnant with God's son, all of the talk and whispers among everyone she came in contact with, Mary still had a peace and calmness, and an excitement that God had favored her among women. Can you just imaging what that would feel like?<br />Ms. Taylor not only writes an wonderful story of Mary, the historical events and all of the details was amazing. It is so much in this story that I love, I could go on and on, but you have an idea what this book is about. And I agree with others that this book needs to be read before Christmas and before Easter. It is a great way to ready your heart for the Celebration of each of these holidays. If you have friends and family that love reading, and don't know the Lord, this would be the most amazing book for them to read. The Gospel is told throughout this book in a wonderful way. This is a must read for every Christian!<br />&#34;I received this book from the author for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed in this review are my own.&#34;", "timestamp": 1476502162000, "title": "Love this Biblical Fiction!" }, { "asin": "1501822608", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is an awesome devotional for the month of December. Ace Collins take us through each day of December with a different insight about the one we celebrate on Christmas day, Jesus Christ. I have enjoyed this devotional because each day I am reminded of the birth of or Savior, and it I can read about Him and Worship Him in a new way each day. There is also a lot of fun things throughout the pages of this books. You will find nice recipes, the meaning behind the words of songs, Christmas traditions, Christmas carols and some movies. I am really enjoying my time spent in this little book, and I will save it for years to come.<br />I highly recommend The Most Wonderful Time of the Year for your special Christmas devotions. received this book from Litfuse to read and review. I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1481771391000, "title": "Awesome Christmas Devotional" }, { "asin": "0718086422", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />For me, it was difficult to get interested in this story until after the first several chapters, but then, the story opens up into raw emotions about what truly happens to families that go into full time ministry, especially as missionaries to another country. Through fiction, this author shares the feelings and truths of the real family problems that can occur. After reading this, you will feel more of a desire to pray for missionaries you know, as well as any missionaries that give up their lives as they know it to go into an unknown place and share the gospel of Christ. Remember to pray for those taking the gospel to the places in the world that would not hear unless someone comes to tell them.<br />This is a must read if you believe God is calling you to the mission fields. It could very well help families know more about what to expect.<br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1483588639000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK For me, it was ..." }, { "asin": "1401685978", "rating": 3, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK <br />Charlotte and Daniel are in love, but the problem is Charlotte is an Englisher, and she doesn’t seem to want to do anything about joining the Amish faith to be with Daniel for the rest of their lives. Daniel is getting so frustrated because he loves Charlotte, but the Bishop is putting the pressure on him because if there relationship is to go on, Charlotte needs to be doing something to lead them all to believe she is thinking about joining their faith. Even though she has lived in the Amish community for a long time, and considers the Amish as her family.<br />This book doesn’t have a lot going on, the main issue is Charlotte and Daniel’s disturbing relationship. Which makes this book much slower than the first two books in this series. This one is just lacking something, not an interesting. But, all in all, I would have read it anyway to see what happens at the end of the series, and to tie up some loose ends. Pick u this last book in Beth Wiseman’s An Amish Secrets Series. I received this book from Booklook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1508817344048, "title": "... THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Charlotte and Daniel are in love, but the problem is Charlotte is an Englisher" }, { "asin": "1683223357", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />This first Christmas story, ‘Christmas in Gold’ is about and elderly lady named Astrid who fell down steps at home and her son and daughter decides to move her to an assisted living facility near her son’s house. Trouble is, he travels all of the time and is hardly home. So after much downsizing her son gets her moved in, he has to leave and the daughter can’t come to help either, so ….has fun decorating her new apartment. Except she couldn’t find her God Christmas ornaments, so guess her son didn’t bother to bring them. Then She starts making new friends at her new place, specifically her therapist. They both needed a friend and despite their age difference they hit it off. So we’re able to be there for each other.<br /><br />This is a good story, but it started off very slow for me. After probably halfway through it gets better. There’s a little bit of drama here but not much. Christmas did turn out different than I expected. The characters are interesting and realistic, and the author shows that no matter the circumstances, we can be happy and useful in whatever stage of life we are in. The God will walk with us.<br /><br />❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️<br /><br />This second story ‘Christmas in Blue’ for me, is much better. Carole, who has always taken care of the Christmas to Remember event each year passed away leaving her best friend, Angela to follow in her footsteps. And of course she was chosen to do the Christmas to Remember event as well. But things didn’t go so smoothly, and time was running out, and besides that, they only Christmas decorations they could find was blue. Everything. Blue. Which the town wasn’t going to like. Then a mystery person appeared, helping diligently to make the Celebration a success.<br /><br />I enjoyed this story a lot. It was really special to see a twin come together. But the end results was surprisingly very well done. Makes for a very cozy Christmas story to read during the holidays! Especially if there comes a pretty snowfall!<br /><br />This is a beautiful book! I love blue so the colors are just what I like. I encourage you to pick up a copy of The Colors of Christmas for hours of cozy, clean fun entertainment! A complementary copy of this book was provided by TLC Tours. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1509065101398, "title": "Cozy Christmas read" }, { "asin": "1420144839", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Liza Schrock in content running the bakery her late husband bought for her, and has no need for another man in her life. Paul was enough for a lifetime of men for her. Until Jacob Graber and his daughter Ellie walks into her bakery and her life.<br /><br />I enjoyed this sweet Amish story, though some of the time it was a bit slow and things were repeated often. Lisa was happy to be rid of her demanding husband and could now live without fear of his abusive behavior. Though she reacts to Jacob differently than any other man, she is still content with being alone. But Jacob is determined to win Lisa over. I didn’t really care for Jacob’s attitude in several areas. He was rather pushy, even asking Lisa’s family personal questions that were none of his business at the time. And I didn’t like the way he talked to his daughter Ellie about how he felt over his wife’s death, how he missed her too, and needed a friend. To me, this just added to Ellie’s negative feelings, and made Jacob a bit self centered, which is not how Amish men are to act. Soles he sounded like more the whiny child. And I could understand Ellie’s feelings. She had lost her mom after all, and was at the age to question Amish life. And with her dads feelings and attitude all over the place she needed more stability than him.<br /><br />This story jumps around a lot, it deals with a lot of issues lightly but it doesn’t get too deep in any of them. For Amish fiction lovers, you will enjoy Lisa’s story. The ending is much better than the rest of the book so hang in there and keep reading!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1517488805654, "title": "I enjoyed this sweet Amish story" }, { "asin": "0718091159", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Amish Sweethearts is a collection of four Amish stories written by author Amy Clipston. In each of these stores, the main character has some pretty hefty issues to deal with. But they also each find the person they want to spend their life with. And sometime the Amish Father is hard to get along with, which several of these characters had to deal with as well. Ms. Clipston does a wonderful job of weaving lives, circumstances, hurts and wrong decisions together, and coming up with stories that will warm your heart.<br /><br />Overall I enjoyed this book, but I do have a problem with the publisher, publishing two stories that have already previously been published in similar books, and not that kings ago. It’s like getting half a book new and the other half used. And charge the same price. Hopefully this will not be the case again. This is the reason for the 4 stars instead of 5.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1517551284649, "title": "the main character has some pretty hefty issues to deal with" }, { "asin": "1683700406", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The Melody of the Soul is an emotional, heartbreaking read, but yet interesting as we meet Violinist Anna Zadok, a Christian Jew, and her grandmother. With the Nazi’s occupation in Prague, Anna and her grandmother lost family, and Anna lost the right to play her beloved violin. When Nazi officer Horst Engel hears Anna play, enjoys the music so much he makes a way for her to keep playing.<br /><br />As one that plays several musical instruments, I always enjoy books where music has such a huge part in the lives of its characters, as did this book. And the soft side of a Nazi officers love of music was a special touch to the story as well. The characters are well developed as the story progresses. And the author does a fantastic job of weaving the beautiful historical scenes of Praque and the horrors and graphics of WWll, making an enjoyable read for everyone. If you love WWll stories, This is one you want to check out!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1517942859721, "title": "I always enjoy books where music has such a huge part in ..." }, { "asin": "0718099397", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />NFL player Toren Daniels just couldn’t control his anger, no matter what. But when he wakes up in a hotel room, not remembering where he’s been for the past 8 month, his anger is gone. This throws Daniels on a whirlwind to find out where he’s been for the past eight months, as well as prove to his wife and family that he has changed! But with his family believing Toren is dead, they have moved on.<br /><br />I have to admit, I’ve never read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but this author did a very good job of describing what it is about throughout this book, so it was easy to follow the parallel of the two stories. I though I had this plot firgured out, and I actually did get part of it right, but getting to the bottom of Toren’s story and the end of book, author James Rubart takes readers in an unbelievable journey that will stick with you for a long time! Rubarts books are the only fantasy type books I read, and I read them because I love the way he takes Bible principles and a character like Toren with his severe anger issues and weaves them together to show God’s love, mercy and forgiveness. His expertise knowledge and research for this story is evident in each scene in this book. Sometimes I had to just stop and wrap my mind around all of the details before reading further. I found “The Man He Never Was” an amazing book on God’s love. If you enjoy books that strongly applys Bible principals to the lives of the characters in a fantasy type way, you will love this book. And if you have never read a book of this genre, this would be a good one to start with!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1521526071725, "title": "Awesome Story!" }, { "asin": "1496421523", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />I loved this book. So much so that I hated having to put it down for the non important things such as cleaning house or cooking dinner! Just Let Go was so realistic, so much like people everywhere today. And I love the Title because letting go and Letting God in on our problems would be so much easier than trying to fix them ourselves.<br /><br />Quinn and Brady both had so many issues to fight through. But first they have to like each other because they didn’t get off to a very good start. Both had anger issues caused by heir past and they just didn’t want to let the past go. Would a real relationship work for the two?<br /><br />Along with my love of story, the characters are fantastic and they make the story so much more interesting. Ms. Walsh deals with a lot issuess that so many people face today, it’s hard to pinpoint just one. And the plot flows so smoothly. I appreciate that this book is full of love and redemption, caring and loving people. This is an amazing Contemporary Fiction for anyone looking for a good clean fun read.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1530755538746, "title": "This is an Amazing Story!" }, { "asin": "1624167470", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The idea of a Hope Jar, or a Prayer Jar is a pretty neat idea! And Michelle finding it was good because that’s what she needed in her life at the time. I somehow find it unbelievable though how Michelle ended up with this Amish family. That grandparents would take a young lady in under those circumstances. And I was really irritated at Michelle for her actions and attitude. I did feel bad for the Lapps because they fell in love with Michelle.<br /><br />But I think my heart broke mostly for Sara. She was the one who had to suffer the most. I wish there would have been more about Sara in this story, but hopefully another book will have her story. All in all that was a good story, the characters were realistic, making me feel as though I had met new neighbors. If you love Amish, you will love this story<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1534876862140, "title": "The Hope Jar" }, { "asin": "0718083040", "rating": 5, "text": "I have enjoyed Robert Whitlow’s books for a while now, and this one it just as amazing as his previous books. I appreciate the fact that he write about issues that the world struggles with currently. I’m a time where there is so much hatred because of a person’s color, race, background, or just because people don’t like another person, Whitlow’s book Chosen People brings to light the need for everyone to respect others, reguardless of who they are. Imagine what would happen if everyone read this book and followed what Whitlow is saying to everyone. And though fiction, this book hits the nail on the head about issues happening today. Things that are going on today in the families and lives of everyone. Oh that we might heed his voice and his words. I strongly encourage everyone to check this book out. And if you think it’s for you, then read a copy and see what you think.<br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1549609867320, "title": "What a Good Read" }, { "asin": "168322826X", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Ladies of Intrigue is a collection of three stories written by Michelle Griep. I didn’t realize these Novellas were previously published, so I had read a couple of them already! Don’t you just hate when this happens? A new book with stories you have already read! But it was good to refresh my memory of these stories.<br /><br />It starts on Cornish Coast in 1815 when the First Lady of Intrigue falls in love with s smuggler. Not exactly what she had planned to do. Then on to Dakota Territory in 1862 with the second Intrigung Lady, Emily and Dr. Clark. I’ve always enjoyed a stories set in the Dakota Territory, and I enjoyed this one, especially with the doctoring techniques of this century. And the third Intriguing Lady is found in St. Paul Minnesota and the House of Secrets. This haunted house had the worst most haunting secrets of all!<br /><br />All three of these stories will sure keep your interest, from the historical fact that we always find in a Michelle Griep story to the haunting mysteries each of these stories hold. You are sure to get a taste of the exceptional writing of this author!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1551073892869, "title": "An Collection if Intriguing Tales" }, { "asin": "031034817X", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />First of all I love this book cover! It is what Dee me to this book! And I love Kelly Irvin’s books as well! And this was such a special read! Laura and Zechariah are both getting on in years, both feeling as though their work on this earth is finished, but God may have other plans! Laura’s helping in Zechariah’s granddaughter after having her Nablus results in the two elderly people getting together, and they realize they are needed.<br /><br />This is a beautiful heartwarming story set in the beautiful Amish community in Jamesport, Missouri. Ms. Irvin does a fantastic job of creating characters that we will all love as they weave their way into our hearts throughout this story. They plot flows well, and kept my interest throughout the story. I like that Redemption, love, and faith were woven into the characters lives! This is a story you don’t wasn’t to miss, especially if you are an Amish fan!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1551334152740, "title": "Beautiful heartwarming story" }, { "asin": "0785219706", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Glory Road is a quiet, small place where Jessica owns a thriving garden shop, and lives with her daughter and mom. She moved back to Glory Road years ago after devorcing the husband that decided he wanted someone else and not her. Jessica lives her quiet life and was content with her small family. That is until two handsome, very different men came into her life. One she had never met, one that lived on Glory Road when they were growing up. And life is just not the same as before these two men arrive.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I love the characters, they were all fantastic! Jessica and her quirky mom has such different personalities, and I can see a little off Evan in both of the ladies. Three strong women, two of which have suffered heartbreaking issues life has thrown them, all determined to stay strong and fight to strive in this world. I love Glory Road and the atmosphere surrounding the place! It all seems olive somewhere in a dream, yet so close and realistic. It’s a place I would sure want to live. Ms. Denton does a really good job weaving together the differences between Ben and Sumner, and with Jessica struggling to make a decision between the two. Of course I fell in love with Ben from the beginning, so I was cheering for him all along! But you have to read the book for the rest of that story!<br /><br />Glory Road is a sweet calming read for me. It’s like settling down at home for a nice relaxing stay. It’s that book you want to read when you need a few days of relaxing. It’s a book that I highly recommend to anyone wanting a nice clean time of enjoyment through books!<br /><br />I received this book from JustReads Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1553618781544, "title": "A really awesome heartwarming read!" }, { "asin": "0785216642", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Everleigh Applegate and Beck Holiday, separated by fifty years, but joined together by devastating loss, secrets, and men who want to give them happiness again. Rachel Hauck has written another amazing story that will fill our minds and take us on a journey that will stay with us long after we close the pages of this book!<br /><br />Another story that I love, love, love! The characters are so realistic I can feel the pain they have suffered while reading the words describing their feelings. Everleigh’s story is written around the era I was born and my early years, which I always love to read about. And Rachel Hauck is the very best when it comes to writing time slip stories. I love the way she goes from one era to the other so fluently and make the plot play out so smoothly. There are a number of issues dealt with in this book, starting with Beck being suspended from her job as a cop because of misconduct. Though I can understand her going off, it was just the wrong place and at the wrong time. My heart went out to Beck and Everleigh because of the lifechanging losses they had to deal with. And Ms. Hauck dealt with these losses and changes with class! And I can’t leave out the men that came into both of these ladies lives. Both Don and Bruno were humble characters, dealing with somewhat the same issues in their lives. And their decisions were made easier by their friendship with these ladies. And if you want to know all of the details and what happens with Everleigh and Beck, I highly recommend you pick up a copy of The Memory House.<br /><br />I received this book from Read with Audra to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1555137130100, "title": "Absolutely Wonderful Read" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764207563", "rating": 5, "text": "This was my first book by Karen Witemeyer, and I LOVED IT! I love her fun style of writing. I just couldn't help falling in love with Adelaide and Gideon. Adelaide was fun, and spunky, but when she set her mind to something, she was bound and determined to do it! She was a gal that knew what she wanted, and wasn't afraid to go after it, even though she might be a bit clumsy in the going. Going after what she thought was her man didn't turn out like she thought it would. That's what landed her at Gideon's Sheep Farm interviewing for a job as Governess to his 5 year old daughter. Her mouth also seemed to get her into a lot of trouble too.....like in saying before you think! But it always seemed to turn out for her good.<br /><br />Gideon.....well he was just adorable from the beginning. I loved him from the first time he saw Adelaide in the barn. Though his and Adelaide's first few meeting were kind of awkward, he seemed to adore her from the beginning. I just loved Karen's way of bringing them together in a fun enjoyable way that made you just want to keep reading to see what would happen next. But would Gideon hire Adelaide over the two older and more experienced ladies that were also at the farm for the interview? Even though Adelaide had taught school for a few years, was she capable of taking care of this 5 year old that couldn't speak?<br /><br />I admired both Gideon and Adelaide's relationship with the Lord, and their willingness to seek Him in every decision they needed to make. The way they trusted the Lord when Isabella's uncle came to claim the child and her inheritance.<br /><br />This was only Karen Witemeyer's second book, but I had to check her website again to make sure she had only written 2 books! She truly writes like an experienced writer, and I will sure be reading her first book \"Tailor-Made Bride\" and also her third book \"To Win Her Heart\" coming in April 2011.", "timestamp": 1300383958000, "title": "Awesome Story line, wonderful author!" }, { "asin": "1603742557", "rating": 5, "text": "MY REVIEW<br />This is a story of mainly Jacob Miller and Becky Troyer, two young people from Amish communities in different states. Jacob's father sends him to a cousin who lives in a rural Missouri town to hopefully change his mind about his sweetheart in Pennsylvania. That's the one thing Jacob's daed forgot to tell him though, Jacob though he was only moving to help out his cousin on the farm. As for Becky, she ends up with a boppli and single because of her wild rumspringa time. Upon Jacob's arrival at their farm, there was a noticeable attraction between the two of them from the beginning. But Becky knew when Jacob found out about her secret, he would never come near her, and with Jacob, there was someone back home named Susie. Jacob noticed that Becky never smiled, and after he found out about her daughter, he knew something bad had happened, so he decided to make it his priority to be her friend and eventually bring her smile back.<br />Even though Becky has been before her church and confessed her sins, being shunned for 6 weeks because of them, can she overcome her past and trust another man into her live to love and trust?<br />And what about Jacob's sweetheart Susie back home, they are to me married during the Amish marriage season in December. Will their time away from each other prove their forever love, or will his attraction to Becky grow stronger, maybe even as far as loving her?<br />I loved this book from Laura Hilton. In her writing this, she shows that being Amish is not always a perfect life. During the rumspringa years, some young people make bad decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. In most of the Amish books I have read, the daed was always the harsh type, almost as far as being just mean. It was clear they loved their children, but they tried to keep the `head of the house' rule strict I guess. But in Patchwork Dreams this was different. I really liked the attitude of Becky's parents Daniel and Leah. Daniel wasn't afraid to hug his girls anywhere, letting them know his love for them. He didn't agree with the Bishop on all things concerning Becky. (Don't want to tell you all so you can read and find out for yourself.) Becky's mamm even suggested the family would move to another Amish community to keep Becky from being forced to hurtful situations. This was just really heartwarming to me, to see her parents love and support for her. And the way they loved her daughter Emma, well the heartwarming love was easy to feel as you read the story.<br />If you love Amish, this is a must read! If you don't know, or haven't read any Amish books, then this would be a great start for you! I can't wait for the second book in this series to be out. The series is `The Amish of Seymour' and you can look for it, I think around fall of 2011.<br />A huge THANK YOU to Laura Hilton for providing me a copy of this book to read. I love the way Laura tells the story, and the characters she creates, making them real life. I didn't want the book to end!<br />The book review and the opinions are totally mine. It was my honor to write the review for Laura", "timestamp": 1303869867000, "title": "Heartwarming Amish Fiction" }, { "asin": "0781403790", "rating": 5, "text": "Arleta Richardson remembers stories her grandma told her from years ago when she was young. These stories in Book One range from the author remembering stories about Grandma's Red Bonnet, Grandma's Prayer, Pearl Buttons, Little Gray Shoes, and my favorite The Pump. In this one, someone told Grandma not to do something, and of course she did it anyway, and she suffered for it for a long time. You will find twenty one loving little stories as the author remembers her Grandma in this book.<br /><br />I chose this book because I remember the days I sat with my Grandma and she told me stories of when she was a child and of when my dad, aunt and uncle was a child. I wanted to read someone elses tales of the older days. This was a really nice getaway from other books I read. I laughed, cried, and enjoyed each heartwarming story as I read them. And of course I was sad realizing just as with my Grandma, life goes on after they are gone, and we miss them so much. But what a blessing that we can remember those we love in such ways. The author had a special relationship with her grandma that she always remembered. I recommend this book to anyway wanting a good fun getaway from life as it is. And it is good for any age group.<br /><br />The book was given to me by the publisher through B&B Media Group. I appreciate being able to read and review this book for them. I was not expected to give a positive review. The opinions of this review are mine only.<br /><br />Purchase From Amazon", "timestamp": 1305054158000, "title": "In Grandma's Attic Stories" }, { "asin": "1595548114", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br />Despite her father not being supportive, Lucy Fairbanks' love of photography leads her to many places in her community, trying to capture the moment with her camera. Unfortunately that landed her into many unexplainable situations. How can you explain falling out of a tree on the top of a stagecoach being robbed by three bandits, scaring the horses into taking off with the stagecoach, Lucy on top, leaving the bandits behind? Or when trying to sneak a picture of the wild man, ending up in a sink hole, pulling wild man David Wolf in with her? And this is just a few times Lucy Fairbanks gets into trouble in this story. And why does David always seem to show up during Lucy's troubled situations? Will Lucy finally succumb to her many difficulties trying to be a photographer and find another career? And what will people think of her and wild man Wolf?<br />A Vision of Lucy was a wonderful story of Lucy and her love of taking pictures. The fascinating thing about the camera was the historical time setting and cameras in that time in history. Though I have seen them in movies, I'd never read anything about them. The author's research and knowledge of cameras in the early days was evident in the way she explained them in detail. This added historical detail made the story much more interesting. I love the characters the author created as well. They were witty, fun, funny, secretive, and nosy, and each fit the story line perfectly. The humor in this book makes it a great enjoyable book to relax and read. My pick for the funniest scene by far is Lucy falling out of the tree onto the stagecoach. And Lucy was so lovable I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen to her. I feel this book is very well written by the author Margaret Brownley. She has the ability to keep you interested enough to not want to stop reading until the last page! And I would recommend this book to anyone, especially those who love Historical Fiction. You will not be waiting your time reading this!<br />Thanks to the Author Margaret Brownley for providing a copy of \"A Vision of Lucy\" for me to read, it was an honor to read and review . I was not expected to give a positive review of this book. The opinions in this review are mine alone.<br /><br />Publisher Website<br /><br />Authors Website", "timestamp": 1306524270000, "title": "\"A Vision of Lucy\" and her Antique Cameras! Loved it!" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 5, "text": "This book is just simply beautiful inside and out! The romance between Clara and Daniel is enough to make you want to drool. Elizabeth Camden's debut book is one of the best debut books I have read in a while. Daniel was the poor guy, making friends with rich daddy's girl Clara Endicott because of the type of music they shared. As the years go by and the couple gets older, daddy sends his girl across the ocean to be raised by her aunt because he can see the chemistry growing between them. As they meet again twelve years later they realize that they were still not only best friends but sparks begin to sky rocket as the two of them start spending time together. But Daniel is so bitter about the way his parents died will he be able to put all of that behind him? And will Clara marry him if he doesn't mend relationships and changed his heart, or let God change his heart?<br /><br />Clara's dad really irritated me because of his attitude and I am really glad that Clara was independent enough to stand up for herself. I enjoyed the determination of Clara and Daniel to be together even against the odds. The author created a cast of unique and believable characters that you grow to love, some as your own family, and some that you shy away from. This book captured me from the first pages to the very end! I just couldn't put it down! And oh, by the way, I LOVE the book cover. The model so beautifully wears the gorgeous blue dress and the colors are so soft and inviting. And this is one book that you can judge by its cover! And check this out over on the LifeWay blog, its post for this day is the making of the cover of The Lady of Bolton Hill at Bethany House. Wonderful post and very interesting!<br /><br />And also go here on the LifeWay blog Q & A With Elisabeth Camden about this debut book.<br /><br />I received this book free from Bethany House book review 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 55.<br /><br /> Purchase this book at AMAZON", "timestamp": 1311089320000, "title": "Awesome Debut book and love story!" }, { "asin": "082542674X", "rating": 5, "text": "For Shelia Franklin, a phone call comes that will change her life forever. She will finally get to meet him, someone from her past that she's wanted to meet for over 20 years. Now she will have her time with him.<br />This book is full of secrets. Shelia has been secretly guarding her life's long time skeleton for many years from everyone, even her husband. What would he think of her if the truth really came out? Would it destroy their marriage? Her husband's church? As she gets ready to meet her main secret, she can't think about anything but him. What will happen with Sheila and the secrets that she has kept so close to her heart? Will her husband understand and stand behind her, or will he let her deal with the issues herself?<br /><br />This is my first book of Patti Lacy's and I was captivated by the writer's ability to tell a story so realistic and powerful. The way the characters are so beautifully woven together you not only see secrets and deception, heartbreaks and sadness, but you see love, forgiveness, grace and redemption through Christ in their lives throughout the story. The unique rhythm in the musical background gave the story a special smoothness, even through all of the difficulties.<br /><br />Even though this book started out slow for me, it just took a while to get into it, I enjoyed reading it very much. I would recommend this wonderful story to anyone who loves Christian fiction. It will be worth the time you spend reading it.<br /><br />This book was provided by Kregel Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine alone.", "timestamp": 1314300528000, "title": "A story full of Secrets but enjoyable" }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 4, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Helen Carlisle is now a widow, after her husband was killed in the military. But she wasn't the grieving widow everyone thought she was. In fact, she was glad her husband was gone, because of his abuse, which no one would ever believe. That is until Ray came upon the scene, and he figured it out, to which Helen denied that anything bad happened between she and Jim. No one could find out about the abuse, because Jim was so nice and sweet around everyone else, not one would believe Helen. She was just a cripple after all, and the way she stumbled around caused all of her accidents, so Jim told everyone.<br /><br />This is my first book by Sarah Sundin, I haven't read the other books in this series, but I still enjoyed this one! I like that the author deals with spousal abuse in this book, something that truly needs to be dealt with. And just like in the book, the abuser blames the one he's abusing. Helen was blessed that Ray found out, but then he left her for a while, not helping. And it was a double blessing when she found a way to leave her in-laws house and the abuse from Jim's father. I hope anyone reading this book that is dealing with an abusive situation will realize that there is help, and go find it!<br /><br />I also liked Ray and Helen. Ray was so gracious and kind, wanting to help Helen, even if she didn't want his help at first. He loved the Lord, which was evident in the way he lived. Helen was so sweet, and she wanted to raise her son the right way, not abusing the women in his life. Her self confidence was trampled on more than once by jerks that call themselves men. But I am glad there was a happy ending, and Helen was able to have a happy life, away from abuse and critical, hateful things said about her handicap condition.<br /><br />This book was provided by Revell Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1314500292000, "title": "Blue Skies Tomorrow, Great Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0800719964", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Amish Values for Your Family...........by Suzanne Woods Fisher<br /><br />Amish Values for Your Family is one of the best books I have read about the Amish life! For many years, I've been fascinated with their lifestyle. I think the reason I cherish and respect the Amish lifestyle is because our family was brought up a lot like them as far as the working conditions. We grew our own food and put it up for the winter. We butchered our own beef and pork, milked our own cows, we had electricity but no TV and no indoor bathrooms. Our faith was different, but we lived on a farm and worked! And life was slower for us, we spent time together as a family, my parents and grandparents always took time for us. Yes, we had nothing as far as material things, but we were truly blessed with parents and grandparents that love the Lord an loved us enough to give us their time and teach us to live for the Lord. They are all in Heaven now, but their legacy lives on in the lives of their children, grandchildren and great-children, until we see them again.<br /><br />There are many values I can mention but I will mention the time they spend together as a family. I know firsthand how important this is. Even though we have things to entertain us, if we would just schedule valuable family time each week we would see a huge difference in our kids, teens and our families. And I have to mention the faith and trust they have in the Lord, and this resulting in the forgiving spirit they all have. The forgiving spirit is the one thing I wish was stronger in my life. Sometime I wonder just how they can be that way! It is because they want to be like Christ!<br /><br />I loved reading this book, and will keep it with my stash of books! I enjoyed the family stories and how they live. I appreciate the author taking time to research and interview to write this valuable book. My pray is that we as Christians will strive to take these principles to heart and try to incorporate them in our daily lives.<br /><br />I was provided a copy of this book by LitFuse Publicity Group in exchange for a review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1314931299000, "title": "Awesome book on the Amish family life" }, { "asin": "1400318033", "rating": 5, "text": "Thank you God for Blessing Me...by Max Lucado<br />This little book about little Hermie is so beautiful and adorable. It is just right for a small child with the thick board pages and story just long enough to keep their attention. This little Caterpillar is just the cutest little creature and is thankful for everything and everyone around him.<br />Max Lucado has such a wonderful way with words for adults as well as children. I love the way he uses little creatures to teach children about God. My 2 year niece grabbed this book as soon as I took it from the mailer and said, `this is mine!' She not only loves for me to read it to her she loves to read it herself looking at the awesome illustrations and telling her own story about Hermie.<br />You won't go wrong getting this book for your little one. Teach them to choose books about God while they are still young. And what a wonderful way to interact with your children, by reading to them!<br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1317785427000, "title": "Wonderful Chidren book about giving God thanks." }, { "asin": "0310332311", "rating": 5, "text": "Shadow in Serenity By: Terri Blackstock<br /><br />Even though Logan Brisco was smooth talking and a con artist, he still sometimes has feelings of wanting to be part of a family, which he didn't have. Being in the little town of Serenity, Texas for a week or so brought those feelings back on goodtime, especially after he started having feelings for Carny. Carny knows how people like Logan works because her mom and dad were con's too and trained her to do the same thing. Thankfully she was over that life for good and had no intensions of going back.<br /><br />I appreciate that Terri brought back one of her old novels, re-writing it as a Christian fiction. Though I can't imagine someone like Logan, I know they do exist and con a lot of people out of their money and belongings so I'm glad to read a reminder of those kind. Despite him being a con, I liked Logan, and especially after he started spending so much time with Carny. His character was believable because he played his part so well, thanks to the author! In fact, the author created really believable characters for the entire book, and I enjoyed getting to know them throughout the book.<br /><br />This was a fun and interesting read, and I enjoyed it very much. I appreciate the author showing the necessity to living for the Lord and letting Him work through our lives. I don't want to tell too much to give the story away, but this is one you need to read! If for no other reason, read it because Terri Blackstock took the time to give us a Christian version of this book!<br /><br />Shadow in Serenity was provided by the publisher, Zondervan in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1320031078000, "title": "Shadow In Serenity, A Great Re-write." }, { "asin": "0310330432", "rating": 5, "text": "Callie is in Shipshewana just long enough to sell the little quilt shop she inherited from her aunt, because she has no desire to reopen the shop. Everything starts to change though when Callie meets some of Amish people in the community, especially Deborah Yoder. Through Deborah and these other Amish ladies, Callie finds out that her aunt's shop is not just for tourists, but a place for some of the Amish ladies to get together and work on their quilts. The more she gets to know these ladies and the people of Shipshewana, the less she wants to return to Texas and her life there. But can she successfully make a go of it if she reopens the shop?<br />And another surprising twist to the story is when the local newspaper editor ends up dead, and Callie is a major suspect, well, she can't just run off. She needs to do whatever she can to clear her name. Which may be a little bit difficult since Callie is so straight forward and speaks her peace when someone tries to tell things untrue about her, like publishing something in the local newspaper to destroy her reputation.<br />For me, this was a wonderful Amish story with a twist of suspense to it. The storyline and the characters just draw you in as we following Callie and her life in Shipshewana. Just when you think you have things figured out, there's another twist and fingers are pointing to someone else.<br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and if you like just a good Amish read with a little extra jolt of suspense, then you will love this book as well. So go grab a copy for yourself, read and enjoy it!<br />This book was provided by the publisher, Zondervan in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1325875037000, "title": "Falling to Pieces, a wonderful Amish story with a twist" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 5, "text": "Faith and her grandfather had lost so much, the only way Faith thought they could be happy again was to take off on the Oregon Trail and start a new life in the West. This has been Faith's dream for a while, and now it was making her grandfather realize the same thing. But getting him to leave their home in the small Missouri town of Noble Springs was not going to be easy.<br />But then things started happening that drew Faith to their home, even though Faith wasn't aware of it yet.<br />Her grandfather put Faith in charge of the store, letting her run it as she pleased. This did not make a lot of the men in the area happy, but it wasn't long before these men, as well as the rest of the neighbors were warming up to Faith, accepting her as the new store manager.<br />Royal, a guy that promised Faith he would keep her ribbon and remember her while he was in the war came back in town. And though he didn't remember her or the ribbon when she asks him about it, he decided to woo her, but did he really love her?<br />Then she meets Rosemary, who becomes like a sister to Faith. Not to mention Rosemary's brother Curt, to which both Curt and Faith were attracted to each other, but neither seemed to realize it for a while.<br />Her grandfather's health issues, Curt becoming friends with her granddad and spending time with him, the break-ins, Curt always being there for her when she really needed someone.<br />But Faith just couldn't see that they should stay in Noble Springs, she was still determined to leave, after all this was her dream.<br />I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction story, with characters that I loved more and more as I continued to read the book. That is all buy Royal, this guy just irks me, I wanted him out of Faith's life to give Curt a chance! The history in the story is so very detailed you feel like you are there, walking around the little town visiting all of the shops, talking to the owners of the businesses there. I love the feel of the small town atmosphere where everyone knows everyone else, well, and everyone knows your business, which is not so good sometimes too! But still, I love it! I am looking forward to Ann Shorey's next book in this series. This is just a wonderfully good read, so go grab a copy for yourself to read and enjoy!<br />This book was provided by Revell Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1327815115000, "title": "Wonderful Historical Fiction by Ann Shorey" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "This was my first book in this series so I had fun figuring out some of the words, which I thought was neat. Maybe because some of my family no longer with us used some of the same words? And Hugh's herbal medicines would interested a lot of people today, I wonder myself if some of these remedies will work just as well as prescription medicines.<br /><br />I felt bad that Hugh was on his own thinking that someone else murdered old atte Bridge, instead of him taking his own life. Well except Hugh's new wife that is. I enjoyed the love, and trust of this couple, and the dependence they had for each other. At least Hugh knew he could talk to his wife about his feelings about the murder when he didn't have anyone else to talk with.<br /><br />This is a well written book set in this small town with characters that you grow to love and enjoy, some so humble, and some not so humble. Leaning about the 1366 culture was interesting, and I wouldn't a lot of people today love their primitive living. I really enjoyed this author's writing. As you read the book, you will see his own thoughts about different situations through the character Hugh. And Hugh and Kate is just a couple we all want living in our neighborhood!<br /><br />I recommend this book to anyone that likes historical fiction, or really anyone that just likes a good read! Grab a copy to read and enjoy for yourself!<br /><br />I received this book from Kregel Publications to participate in their blog tour. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1327815635000, "title": "Unhollowed Ground...enjoyed this book!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The year is 1813 and the War of 1812 has been underway, thus being the reason that Belinda is determined to travel aborad a British privateer in order to rescue her husband from an English prison. She's made a deal with the ships captain, Rafe Docherty and now she needs to talk her sister-in-law into going with her to be her midwife, and everything will be in line to take off. This turns out to be a not so easy task because sister-in-law Phoebe has no intentions to get on the ship. But Belinda ends up making it happen, and so the story begins.<br />Ralph is just as frustrated as Phoebe that she is on the ship, no way does he want to deal with two American women, but he finds himself attracted to her and ends up helping her along the way. I really like Rafe. Being the captain of the ship, he is tough and incharge, yet we see the caring side of him too, and especially with his feelings for Phoebe. He's been struggling with things in his past, but now we see his new stuggles with how he feels about Phoebe and thinking about a normal life with her.<br />Phoebe endures much from being lied to by Belinda, but she is a tough lady and soon we see her faith and strength and her caring personality as she tries to help Rafe with his struggles. She takes a lot off of Belinda on the trip too, and it's really sickening how Belinda is so spoiled and expectes Phoebe to wait on her. Belinda will do what it takes to get her way. She's the character in the book that gets on everyone's nerves, you gotta have them right? She's just a spoiled brat!<br />I thought this was a wonderful story and I enjoyed it immensely. The characters were very well created and developed, believable and likeable. Well that is except for Belinda, but really the story wouldn't have been as good without her! The historical setting, events, ship life, and everything was very well researched and amazingly detailed. And having been to Williamsburg several times, it was fun to imagine the setting there as I read the story. Very well thought out and written story. It will be well worth your time to grab a copy of this book to read and enjoy for yourself.<br />Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group<br />I received this book from Revell Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own.", "timestamp": 1331009055000, "title": "Heart's Safe Passage" }, { "asin": "1595549153", "rating": 5, "text": "For the men out there, what would you do if your father left town for several days, came back home with a woman and introduced her as Lucy, your new wife? Well that is just what happened to Nate Stanton. And he was not happy with his dad, to say the least. And to gain his wife's two siblings, Jed and Eileen too boot, well that was almost more than Nate could take.<br /><br />After somewhat coming to terms with the new marriage, in name only let me tell you, Nate moved his new family into his small home. Surely this would send her back where she came from, because his home was not much of a home, and small at that. But Nate ended up being the surprised one. And after a while he kind of enjoyed not coming home to a empty house. And Jed was turning out to be a lot of help on the farm, and little Eileen, well she'd just had Nate's heart from the beginning. Things could start getting very interesting around the Stanton household. But it was when secrets and deception started coming to the surface that Nate really realized what was going on. And for that, you need to read the book to find out all of the many secrets, acts of deception and of course the twists and turns to the story that make it so appealing.<br /><br />I love Colleen Coble's books. I have all of them, and have read them all as well, and this one didn't disappoint. Colleen has a way of creating characters that just draw you into the story and don't let you go. Nate and Lucy was fun and interesting as they started their life together. This is really just a nice, fun, good clean book to read and enjoy. And I'm hoping for a Book Two to enjoy more of Nate and Lucy's journey through their marriage and on their farm.<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1332792107000, "title": "Another great book from Colleen Coble" }, { "asin": "1414333218", "rating": 5, "text": "When I review a Randy Singer book, I hang on to my seat at the first page and don't let go until the very last word. Randy is absolutely one of the best suspense/thriller authors today! So if the book says `Randy Singer, just go ahead and buy it because it's going to be good!<br /><br />Readers meet Jamie Brock again, from Randy's book \"False Witness.\" Jamie has been working as an assistant DA for several years. Her mom was shot and killed 11 years earlier and she is now losing her dad to illness. And to add to that, Jamie has been assigned a murder case, the suspect being the lawyer who defended the man who killed her mom. As this story unfolds, well you just need to read the book to find out what happens, it's too much to tell her. And I don't want to spoil the book for you.<br /><br />Randy brings up some interesting questions about the death penalty in this book through the lawyer character, Mace James. How should Christians feel about it? Suppose the killer gives his life to Christ while in prison? Should he be left there to die alone since he made mistakes and bad choices? Suppose this person is really innocent? There are several other issues with the state system that are talked about in this book through the life-like believable characters created by the author.<br /><br />Being a lawyer himself, Randy Singer expertly writes stories with so much detail the reader gets a touch of a lawyer's real life when reading his books. Add to this a little suspense, drama, romance, danger, fear, and determined characters taking on the most dangerous and difficult cases, and you have a Number 1 novel that will blow you away when you read it.<br /><br />I highly recommend this terrific book to those suspense/thriller lovers out there looking for awesome books to read. And as in all of Randy's books, you will see Jesus and salvation through Him throughout the book.<br /><br />I was provided a copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review of this product. The review is my opinions only.", "timestamp": 1334450842000, "title": "Another Awesome Thriller by Randy Singer" }, { "asin": "0310250684", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Terri Blackstock is such a gifted writer. I love everything she writes including \"Downfall.\" I appreciate that Terri deals with tough issues that people deal with everyday, and always finds a workable solution, including trusting the Lord with their lives and letting Him work in and through them.<br /><br />Emily Covington wants to prove herself to everyone, assuring them that her life with drugs is over. But when things start happening to her, and since it looks like someone wants her dead, her family still had doubts about Emily's past life.<br /><br />In \"Downfall,' Terri Blackstock writes another suspense/ thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seats until the very last word. When I put the book down, all I could think about was what was gonna happen, so I would pick it back up. From the people we loved to the villains we could do without, the character were so real and true to life it was like reading something in the newspaper. And with an intriguing plot that had the many twist and turns, it was difficult to solve the mystery until it was all revealed in the end.<br /><br />If you've never read a Terri Blackstock book, you are missing a real treat. And for those fans who always come back for more of her stories, you will love the words penned in Terri's new book, \"Downfall.\"<br /><br />This book was provided by Zondervan Publishers through The Suspense Zone. I appreciate Susan and all of the work she does to promote Edgy Christian Fiction and thrillers like \"Downfall.\" I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1335069393000, "title": "Another great thriller by Terri Blackstock" }, { "asin": "0802405843", "rating": 5, "text": "Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis<br />A Texas Trails novel.....in the Morgan Family Series<br /><br />Susan Page Davis continues the Morgan family story in this second book of Texas Trails. Billie Morgan and her horse were taken by the Comanche's and thought to be dead. And that did almost happen, but Billie, or Taabe Wiapu escaped from the Indian reservation and was almost dead when Ned found her. He takes her to a convent of Nuns for her safety, and families came to see if she was their long lost daughter, and that's how the Morgan family found Billie. What a reunion that was!<br /><br />Susan Page Davis is a wonderful writer and she did not disappoint in this story. I thoroughly enjoyed the continuation of the Morgan's story, though a little flavor was added with the nuns and getting to know more about the Comanche Indians. This book deals with a lot of interesting issues that captivate you and just won't let you put the book down. We get a lot of history, learn a little about the ways on Indians, a little of what goes on in a nun setting, (though these nuns faced some interesting situations that most probably don't), faith, trust and leaning on God, and of course a little romance to spice things up.<br /><br />I highly recommend Captive Trail as well as the other books in the Texas Trails, Morgan family Series. There are six in all, so you have some reading to do. Go to River North, the fiction division of Moody Publishers and check out this wonderful series written by three different and awesome authors.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by River North. I was not expected or required to write a positive review of this book. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1337234418000, "title": "A Wonderful Book Two in the Texas Trail Series" }, { "asin": "0764209507", "rating": 3, "text": "My Own Worst Enemy By Janet Davis<br /><br />In this book, Janet Davis deals with problems all women face today. If you have ever has issues with self doubt, fear, insecurity and things such as this, then you will benefit from this book. Ms. Davis uses many of her own trials and stories as well as stories from others, friends and Biblical characters as examples of what she is talking about and teaching in this book. She breaks the book down into the many faces and many phases of life, and the choices along the way, and in each section has chapters dealing with each of these topics.<br />This book would be a good small study guide with the study questions to discuss that are included here in this book.<br />I recommend that you check out this book for your Small Groups, Sunday school class or individual study.<br />I rec'd a copy of this book from Bethany House to read and review. The opinions here are mine. I have having my honest opinion on what I feel about this book.", "timestamp": 1337241723000, "title": "My Own Worst Enemy" }, { "asin": "0764209418", "rating": 5, "text": "Patti Lacy is a new author for me so I wasn't sure what to except of her book, but I will pleasantly surprised and amazed at this wonderful new author for me. I will sure be watching for more books from Ms. Lacy in the future.<br /><br />With wonderful character that will grasp your heart in the beginning and keep it until the very end, Patti Lacy pens a contemporary story that will sure stay with you for long after you finish the book. I learned a lot about China and the Chinese culture reading this book, and sometimes the reading was difficult because of the situation.<br /><br />Joy, (and I love her name!) struggles with moving to America and her new American family. Joy's sister Kai is determined to find her, after leaving her in a Chinese orphanage, but must first win the trust of Joy/Lily's adopted parents. Join Joy/Lily as we follow her journey though her life in China and as it continues in the Americas.<br /><br />I really encourage you to grab a copy of this adoption story of love, loss and redemption to read for yourself. This will be one of the best books you have read in a while!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Bethany House for me to review and give my honest opinion, which I have.", "timestamp": 1338004334000, "title": "Great Book!! A must read!" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />When Shiloh Wainright accepts a teaching position at the White River Indian Agency in northwestern Colorado, she never dreamed of catching up with her old childhood best friend Jesse Blackwater. Though she is thrilled to see him again, and see that he is doing well after his abrupt leave almost ten years ago from her families ranch. Could their friendship rekindle now that they were back together, and now that they were nine years older than before?<br /><br />Trouble is, Shiloh is from a white family and Jesse is half-breed. Half white and half Ute Indian. Which means any attraction they might have toward each other cannot happen. A relationship between the two of them would be unheard of and forbidden.<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan writes a heartwarming and at the same time heart wrenching story about two people from completely different cultures, two completely different worlds represented here. As we follow Jesse and Shiloh's story, Kathleen takes us on a journey like no other we've been on. The differences between the Ute and white man's life is nothing to be compared. And with a dad like Jesse's, being abusive and hating both Jesse and is mother, Jesse could only find acceptance with his mother's people, the Ute.<br /><br />Shiloh wasn't the only one so drawn to Jesse, he was just so adorable! And the hurt he had always suffered, and still was suffering was heartbreaking to read about. It was a hurt that not even Shiloh could help him with. And Shiloh had her own hurt and heartache over what happened to Jesse years ago when he left the ranch.<br /><br />I had a difficult time getting into this story, but it was because of the information on the Ute Indians, and the background for the story. It was just kind of boring for me. But it then the story took off and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I was so heartbroken for Jesse that I wanted to make sure everything turn out for him ok. The story is sometimes not so easy to read, I found myself reading, but not taking it in at times because of the nature of the scenes with the Indians trying to defend what they had. Wonderful writing of the author in the vivid details of the Ute's way of life. And I appreciate the author describing God's way of salvation so plain and clear, and for showing that only God can break through those barriers and change lives.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting a really good read, and especially those who enjoy historical fiction. And if you enjoy a good old Indian story, this one is for you as well!<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1338086187000, "title": "A Love Forbidden Love Story" }, { "asin": "1595549978", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />There is one thing to say about Kim Cash, and that is, she just has it going on when it comes to writing books! \"Hope Springs\" is another outstanding book that shows us family, faith, cooking up old friendships, forgiveness and healing, and yes, and a boost of romance added to give readers a story that will keep those pages turning. Janelle, Becca and Stephanie's time spent in Hope Springs changed their life forever. I thoroughly enjoyed getting involved in the lives of these ladies throughout this story. Kim Cash will have you laughing, then crying, along with worshiping the Lord as you follow get to know these three characters. I appreciate the way Kim weaves the lives of her characters together with God and living their lives for Him. That's what Christian fiction is all about. Following characters that live for God. Oh they may not start out that way, like many of us, but through there difficulties and trials, they end up giving it all to the Lord. And Thank You Kim for giving us a book such as this.<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1339557398000, "title": "Hope Springs, Wonderful Book" }, { "asin": "1434764303", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />Wow, this book is incredible, I love, love it! I have only read a few of Lisa Bergren's books, and each ones just gets better!<br /><br />Cora Diehl returns to her hometown Dunnigan, Montana after spending her first year at college, to find her dad seriously ill, and a farm to take care of. Cora prays for God to someway help their family with their crops in order to make it financial for the year. But Cora wasn't expecting God to answer her prayer they way he did. Neither did Cora expect to find out secrets that would totally turn her life upside down forever. And I know there are spoilers in review already written, but I'm not going to give them here! This is where you need to read the book to find out what is happening!<br /><br />In my opinion, \"Glamorous Illusions is a masterpiece by Lisa Bergren! Lisa creates characters that are so realistic and true that sometimes it is difficult to realize you are reading a fiction story! The relationship between Cora and her parents is heartwarming, and just knowing that they literally spent everything they had to send her to college gave me chills. And when you read the book, you will see what I am talking about!<br /><br />However, Cora was always puzzled at the glamorous, expensive gift she received for her sixteenth birthday, along with all of the other birthday gifts she received, and even though her parents wasn't telling, Cora suspected they knew what was going on.<br /><br />Then the day comes that will change the lives of Cora and her family forever, and whether that be good or bad, only time will tell. And as you follow this hew happening in the lives of Cora and her family, Lisa Bergren takes you on an unforgettable trip of lifetime as Cora joins the Grand Tour with her family.<br /><br />The only thing I found that I didn't like about the book was it's ending, and having to wait for the second book to drop down from the hanging this book left. I hope the author gives us a better view of Cora's family and her choices she makes while on her tour.", "timestamp": 1339736350000, "title": "A Masterpiece from Lisa T. Bregren" }, { "asin": "0800734378", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Waiting for Sunrise by Eva Marie Everson<br /><br />After Reading Chasing Sunsets, the first book in this series, I was excited and waiting to read \"Waiting for Sunrise.\" The main character in this second book is Patsy Milstrap, whom we met in Chasing Sunsets. Patsy and her husband Gil are on the way to Cedar Key for a vacation, but what Gil is really doing is trying to get Patsy away in order to find help with dealing with her past. Even though Patsy is married to a wonderful man with<br /><br />Again, Eva Marie Everson writes a wonderful story with characters that readers grow to love and believe as though they are real. She writes Patsy's story in a way that seems so real, I was wanting to pray for Patsy daily as I read this book! I love the beach setting, and Cedar Key sounds just like the place anyone needs to go for healing. And Gil is adorable, and his love for Patsy is so very heartwarming, he was willing to do anything to get help for his wife. And Patsy knew he was trying so hard, it must have hurt her so to know he loved her and was trying to help her. One thought I had as I was reading was that wouldn't it be wonderful if all husbands and wives had that unconditional love for each other, just as God has for us. Marriages would be able to survive if this were true. This book truly shows the true real love in a marriage that could have easily fallen apart. A love that grows through the difficult times, not one that is torn down. The author had be crying a lot during this book, but I had to smile and even laugh at times as well. Eva Marie Everson is truly a gifted and talented author that will always be a favorite on my reading list.<br /><br />I highly recommend this wonderful book for anyone to read and enjoy, and especially someone going through difficult situations such as someone trying to deal with their difficult past. Patsy's story is sure to give you hope as you follow her journey.", "timestamp": 1340125410000, "title": "Waiting for Sunrise..wonderful book" }, { "asin": "0800720482", "rating": 5, "text": "Mary Magdalene by Diana Wallis Taylor<br /><br />MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />After reading \"Journey to the Well\" I am hooked on Diana Taylor's books! I look forward to new ones coming out, and I was excited to be able to read and review \"Mary Magdalene.\" And again, I was not disappointed! If you like Biblical Fiction, this book is a must for you!<br /><br />Since Mary Magdalene is somewhat a mystery because there is not much written about her in the Bible, I really wanted to read this book to find out what Diana Taylor's version of Mary was. The book starts out with a young Mary, a daddy's girl and love immensely by her mom. I enjoyed getting to know this young Mary, and following her life to adulthood. The accounts of Mary being demon possessed was heartbreaking, and her family staying close to her, supporting her was so heartwarming. Coming from this life, and the miracle of her healing, I can clearly see why Mary Magdalene was so devoted to Jesus. She loved Him deeply because He changed her life forever.<br /><br />I cringe when I think about some of the things people have to say about Mary and her devotion to the Lord. And I appreciate Diana Taylor for how she shows us the real deal of why Mary loved Jesus so much. It was very well known that no one anywhere had been able to help Mary. And then her husband Nathan, a man wisely chosen by Jared for his daughter, hears about the healer Jesus. It was Jesus who healed Mary and gave her a new life. Shouldn't that make Mary, and anyone else that Jesus has healed in a situation such as this, devoted to Him for life?<br /><br />Wow, I feel like I keep jumping all over the place in this story. Even though we don't know what Mary's life was like, I thoroughly enjoyed this fictional novel of how Diana Wallis Taylor thought it could have been. It is fun just being able to wonder and read about how it could have been. And I feel the Biblical accounts were accurate, so that's all that really matters to me, the rest is fiction, and that's where the fun is.<br /><br />*****Available June 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.*****<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1340649122000, "title": "Mary Magdalene....a wonderful read" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "A Perfect Square by Vannetta Chapman<br /><br />I was excited to revisit my friends in Shipshewana again in Vannetta Chapman's second book in the Shipshewana Amish Mystery series. I really grew to love Deborah and Callie, Esther and Melinda and couldn't wait to see what this book has in store for readers. And I can say that I love this book as much as I did the first, and was hooked from the very first pages.<br /><br />When a young Amish girl is found dead in Ruben's pond, he ends up being the only suspect, especially since he wouldn't answer any questions the authorities were asking him. Who is Ruben trying to protect? Will he actually go to prison for life to protect this person? This murder of an unknown young lady has the Shipshewana community in an uproar.<br /><br />With officer Shane Black on the case, Deborah knew that he would do nothing to find out Ruben's innocence. That meant the job was up to her, and she would have Callie's assistance. Turns out, Callie is looking for someone herself. A daughter, one that no one knows about except her very ill father. These ladies have their work cut out for them as the try to solve these mysteries.<br /><br />I love how Vannetta Chapman weaves these stories together with characters that are well created and developed and a plot that will keep readers wanting to find out what's gonna happen to whom. I highly recommend A Perfect Square for your enjoyment.<br /><br />This book was provided by Zondervan Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1343622238000, "title": "Wonderful and enjoyable second book in this series..." }, { "asin": "0800734556", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THE GIFTED<br /><br />Having reading some of Ann's books on the Shakers, I knew what to expect about their beliefs, though I don't support what they believe at all! How can people actually believe this stuff, and live by it is beyond me.<br /><br />And such were the struggles of Jassamine Brady. Growing up in the shaker neighborhood and loving her family and friends there didn't draw Jassamine to their way of life at all. She found herself very interested in the ways of the world and she sought those ways, struggling to obey the strict rules she was brought up to follow. And when unforeseen circumstances brings young Tristan into her life, Jassamine may be closer than she thinks about finding out what the outside would is all about.<br /><br />Ann Gabhart has such a unique and wonderful way of writing about these shaker people with and open attitude, not condemning them, but giving her readers a true and vivid insight of how they really live.<br /><br />I highly recommend The Gifted as well as the first four books in this wonderful series by Ann Gabhart.<br /><br />Available July 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1343623722000, "title": "Very nice read about the Shakers" }, { "asin": "1609366409", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Elena's family trip to Mackinac Island this summer will be different than all of the others. This time, her mother has in mind to marry her off to the rich and famous Chester Darrington in order to save their family business. Elena has no desire to marry this Mr. Darrington, or even meet him for that matter.<br /><br />Chase didn't really want to make the trip to Mackinac Island with his sister and her husband, but he did want a place to try out the new telescope that the family business was interesting in funding for the invention. One of the first things he heard upon his arrival was his hopeful marriage to this Elena Bissette. Well, he would stay as far away from Elena as possible because he sure wasn't looking for a wife, and especially someone like her.<br /><br />Not knowing who each other is, Chase and Elena meet up at an old lighthouse on the Island. One in which Elena has been visiting for all of the years her family has been coming to the Island and one that Chase has just found. The attraction between the two is a sure thing, Chase liking Elena because she's not one of the \"circle\" which his sister is in. And Elena liking Chase because of pretty much the same reason.<br /><br />In Love Finds You In Mackinac Island, Michigan, Melanie Dobson weaves a historical romance that will keep you on your toes throughout the book. The meeting and relationship of Chase and Elena was sweet and adorable at first, that is until the truth about who each was came to surface. That's when things get touchy between the two and neither want to see each other again! But Chase's mom had a different idea. Can she bring these two back together again? Or is Chase just too stubborn to face the real truth?<br /><br />This is a wonderful and sweet story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It's one of those stories that just make you feel good after reading it. The characters are so real they feel like family and friends. I love Chase and Elena, and I love their attitude about their wealthy families. And Chase's mom was the character that really pulled everything together. Her attitude about gossip shamed me, and one thing I took away from this book is to gossip, or listen to gossip less, and look at the positive sides of people. I really appreciate Melanie bringing this valuable lesson to her readers about this subject.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for you to read and enjoy for yourself. It will make a wonderful summer read, but its not just for summer, it will make an awesome read anytime! And you sure will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1344137674000, "title": "Wonderful Summer read on Mackinac Island!" }, { "asin": "0800734580", "rating": 5, "text": "Lethal Legacy.....By: Irene Hannon<br /><br />Kelly Warren knows for sure that her dad's death was murder, but proving it might not be so easy. It was an attempt on Kelly's own life that detective Cole Taylor starts to believe her suspicions are right. Prompting him to dig and search until he finds enough evidence to re-open the case. What will Cole find out? And can he keep is personal feeling for Kelly at bay enough to stay on the case until its over?<br /><br />Any book by Irene Hannon is storytelling at it's very best. She has a way of telling a story that will pull you in from the very first page and engulf you until you read the last word. Just as it was with me as I read \"Lethal Legacy.\" The characters are so well crafted and believable that it felt like reading a real-life story. Kelly was a quiet sweet Christian young lady who mostly stayed to herself. She had a close relationship with her dad and was determined to find his killer. And since the detective who had the case earlier was on vacation, who by the good-looking, hot, Cole Taylor was assigned to review the case for her. Cole was also a likeable person, and his close nit family really gave the book a more personal touch. A very touching story, one that will stay with readers for a long time after you finish reading.<br /><br />If you are a suspense lover, then this book is a must, one you will not be disappointed in. And if you just like a good, clean, enjoyable read, then you will love this book too. And if you are like me and stay up until the wee hours of the morning finishing \"Lethal Legacy,\" believe me, every night sound you hear will scare the wits out of you! But that's the fun of reading a suspense!<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for your reading enjoyment. Grab a copy of this one, and the others in this series for a few great reads!<br /><br />\"Available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.\"<br /><br />I received this book from Revell Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own.", "timestamp": 1344924556000, "title": "Awesome Suspense!!" }, { "asin": "0764208101", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Travelers Rest starts off as what you would think of being a happier every after, but since Ann Tatlock is writing about difficult issues that people really face, the story gets difficult to read. Jane Morrow and Seth Ballantine have been friends since childhood, and how were getting married. But their life was torn apart when Seth comes home from serving his country injured in Iraq. Jane loves Seth and has no other thoughts except to stay with him and take care of him, but Seth has different thoughts. He no longer wants the relationship to go on, because he just doesn't want Jane to be his nurse for the rest of his life. But chances are, he will get better, but they are very slim.<br /><br />Author Ann Tatlock is a talented author that writes a story that will capture your heart, and give you a new love, respect, awareness and thankfulness for those who fight for us to live in freedom. I was drawn to the characters, and especially Seth and Jane, as well as the old retired Doctor, Truman. With such detailed descriptions of the difficulties and situations they characters were facing, and with so many twists and turns, the author was able to keep my attention until the very end.<br /><br />I recommend this book for you to read, and especially if you like stories about war victims and families.<br /><br />I rec'd a copy of this book from Bethany House to read and review. The opinions here are mine. I have written my honest opinion on what I feel about this book", "timestamp": 1348894897000, "title": "Great Read" }, { "asin": "0764207873", "rating": 5, "text": "When Hope Blossoms by Kim Vogel Sawyer<br />For Bethany House review by Shannon Hannabass<br /><br />Tim Roper thought he could run from God, hid himself in his apple trees, but when a Mennonite widow and her children moved in the farmhouse next to his, his life changed forever. But that change took a while, and the changed unfold between the pages of Kim Vogel Sawyer's new book, \"When Hope Blossoms.\"<br /><br />I love Kim Vogel Sawyers books, and this one is another winner for me. I love Tim and Amy's story. Even though they both has a past that seemed impossible for them, God had a plan for their life, and in Him timing, He worked their lives together for their own good. I love how Kim weaves together families and communities and comes up with a story that captures the attention of readers from the very first page. I have to say I was so intrigued and captivated by this book I read it in one day! I love the way the realistic characters steal their way into your heart as the story unfolds around you. You don't want to miss this beautiful, sweet story of love, forgiveness and acceptance. Grab your copy today to read and enjoy for yourself!<br /><br />I received this book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own", "timestamp": 1348895821000, "title": "Very Nice Read" }, { "asin": "0764209132", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok I thought this book was kinda strange at times, but though it did end up kind of crazy, with Seth not remembering much about his life and family. He and Callie find themselves back together and thus the journey of Seth begins.<br /><br />The characters created by the author, and especially Callie and the whit and life she brought into the lives of this family gave this story a fun and interesting twist. And knowing Seth in a new and different way, the interesting situations between he and Callie brought a special meaning for this book.<br /><br />The Kincaid Brides Series is truly on that you will enjoy reading. I highly encourage you to grab a copy of this book, or the three books in this series for your reading enjoyment. You will not be disappointed!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Bethany House for me to read and review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only", "timestamp": 1349076484000, "title": "Another great book by Mary Connealy" }, { "asin": "1609366867", "rating": 5, "text": "I've read several books on the Titanic this year so I was excited to read Queen of the Waves for another story about this time in history, which I'm surprised because I really didn't care for the movie that much. But I really like Janice Thompson's story of Tessa and Nathan, alone with the other characters involved with Tessa being on the ship in the first place. Tessa is such a sweet person with a personality that rubs off on those around her, as we see in the story. Throughout all of the horrible tragedy with Titanic, this is a story readers can really enjoy and appreciate. And the vivid details of the time in history leading up to when the Titanic set sail, and as the story unfolds until the end, well it is just an awesome history lesson.<br />Of course this book is only fiction, and these things didn't happen aboard the ship, but I loved imagining what it was like, with all of the rich and famous, and imagining what it was like to be there during the horrific tragedy. I thoroughly enjoyed Queen of the Waves and highly recommend it for your reading enjoyment. You will not be disappointed.<br />This book was provided by Summerside Press through LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1349751219000, "title": "Queen of the Waves" }, { "asin": "1609366859", "rating": 4, "text": "Samantha Waldron and her family face some horrific situations as we follow their journey on the Oregon Trail in 1842. Samantha's mom passed away before they started on the trail, so her father was determined to make it to the end of the trail for the rest of his family. But no one knew the many difficult situations they would endure while traveling. Life was not easy as they traveled these many miles.<br /><br />Melanie Dobson's story of Samantha and her family along the Oregon Trail is a believable and intriguing story with believable characters that will keep you interested until the end, because of all the twists and turns it takes. The author tells all of the gruesome details of situations and difficulties during the trail, making the story seem more realistic.<br /><br />I enjoyed this historical novel by Melanie Dobson, though I don't think it is her best work. If you enjoy the Oregon Trail era, and reading books about that time, you will enjoy this one. So pick up a copy for your own reading enjoyment.<br /><br />This book was provided by Summerside Press through LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1349752867000, "title": "Where the Trail Ends" }, { "asin": "0764206168", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Again, Tracie Peterson captures our hearts and interest with this second book in Land of the Lone Star Series. In Touching the Sky, the story is about Laura Marquardt and her sister Carissa. Both sisters find love, Laura with Union Captain Brandon Reid and Carissa, Confederate Malcolm Lowe. Conflicts and difficulties arise as the story unfolds surrounding the lives of these two ladies.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book in every way. I really enjoyed the history so vividly described in Texas after the war, and I enjoyed characters created that are so realistic like and play their parts in the story so well. I love Tracie Peterson books, and this one is no different, it is a winner in my opinion.<br /><br />I recommend that you go purchase your own copy of this book, and while you are at it, pick up a copy of all three books in Land of the Lone Star Series for your reading enjoyment. And if you like historical fiction, this is a must read for you!", "timestamp": 1350326454000, "title": "Touching the Sky" }, { "asin": "0310335108", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />If you enjoy Amish fiction, you will sure enjoy Tricia Goyer's new book The Memory Jar. I really like the Memory Jar idea for best friends Patty and Sarah. It is a good way to store memories, and in Sarah's case it is especially special after Sarah is left to go through life alone. Then Sarah meets Jathan, and things started changing in her life.<br /><br />Tricia Goyer creates wonderful realistic character that we grow to love as the story unfolds and the characters develop so well. The story started a little slow for me, but then as it developed, and the story took a different twist, tensions rise, gossip spreads, people started backing off and acting strange, and Sarah started questioning her earlier decisions. It seems like Jathan has more baggage to take care of than either of them thought. But Tricia Goyer weaves the characters, situations, difficulties, doubts and people along with more twists and turn and brings a story that will keep you reading until the last page, while it warms you heart in a special way. You will love this Amish community and its people when you pick up your copy of The Memory Jar.<br /><br />This book was provided by LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1351637313000, "title": "The Memory Jar" }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Christmas Roses is a wonderful story about Celia Anderson. Celia is a single mom who runs a boarding house, providing for she and her daughter. She knows her daughter needs a dad, but doesn't want to marry because of need, she wants a marriage of love. Well, then Mark comes into the picture!<br /><br />This is a sweet, charming and heartwarming historical story that would be wonderful for everyone to read for Christmas. I love the beautiful cover, and the story just goes right along with what the cover shows. Amanda Cabot creates realistic and amazing characters to tell her Christmas story, and I enjoyed getting to know each character as the story unfolds. Around Christmastime I try to read all of the Christmas stories I can, and I am honored to read and review Christmas Roses. This is a story that will stay with you throughout the Christmas Season.<br /><br />\"Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.\"<br /><br />This book was provided by Revel Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1354679070000, "title": "Nice Christmas Read!" }, { "asin": "140168744X", "rating": 4, "text": "It took me a while to get into this book, don't know why, maybe it was the early setting since it was 227BC. But<br />after I got into the story, I really enjoyed it.<br />I didn't know a lot about the Island of Rhodes either, but with the author's details throughout the book, it<br />was interesting and nice to get to know this place in history. Tracy Higley created characters that are interesting<br />and believable, and enjoyable to get to know. I really liked Tessa and wanted her to find freedom from her Greek<br />owner. When the opportunity came along for her to be free, her life changed in a way she wasn't expecting. Would<br />Tessa finally be free and find her own true love? This is a book well worth your read, and if you enjoy historical<br />fiction, you will truly enjoy Isle of Shadows.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book to Christian fiction lovers, and especially those who enjoy historical stories. Pick<br />up your copy today for an enjoyable read.<br /><br />This book was provided by Booksneeze through their blogger program. I was not expected or required to write a positive<br />review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1356129857000, "title": "Nice historical read" }, { "asin": "0800719891", "rating": 5, "text": "THe Lesson by Susan Woods Fisher<br /><br />In the third and final book of Susan Woods Fisher's Stoney Ridge Seasons Series, Mary Kate Lapp is now nineteen<br />old and still looking for action. But this time, did her sneaking around get her in more trouble that she expected?<br />And to make it worse, it landed her to job of teaching in their Amish school, and Mary Kate certainly was not a<br />school teacher.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mary Kate's story. She was a fun character throughout the first two books in the series<br />because of her free spirit, and determination to find out everything! I am also a Susan Wood's Fisher fan and I love<br />this entire series. The characters were enjoyable and realistic, drawing you into the story and keeping your attention.<br />And the interesting plot keeps you reading because so much is happening to the Lapp family you just want to find<br />out the outcome.<br /><br />If you love Amish fiction, you will love The Lesson, and the first two books in this series. Or if you are looking<br />for a nice enjoyable light read, this is your series! Go out and grap a copy of these books to read for yourself.<br />You will not be disappointed.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Tours. I was not required or expected to write a positive<br />review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1357361476000, "title": "Great ending to Series!" }, { "asin": "1401685676", "rating": 5, "text": "An Amish Kitchen is a neat collection of three novellas, and the Amish Kitchen of the characters has a huge part of each story. The stories are so realistic because the kitchen is a major part of the Amish lifestyle in reality. And I loved getting the recipes as a bonus in this book, especially the herbal remedies!<br />I love Amish fiction and really enjoyed Faith and Abram's story in Kelly Long's \"A Taste of Faith; reading about Hannah King's Bed and Breakfast and newcomer Stephen Esh in Amy Clipston's \"A Spoonful of Hope,\" and Beth Wiseman's \" A Recipe for Hope,\" and Eva Bender and her family's disaster when a tree falls on her haus. In all three of these stories, the characters deal with difficult situations, and they need to trust God and depend on Him. Their faith carries them through, but it is not always easy. It is difficult to pick a best one, because they all interacted so well together and I enjoyed them all.<br />If you love Amish fiction, this one is for you. You will love these short stories. This is a great book for those who really don't have time to read a full size novel.<br />Booksneeze provided a copy of this book for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1358193641000, "title": "Awesome Amish three stories in this book!" }, { "asin": "1595549706", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Having read the first two books in this series, I was anxious for the third book in The Brides of Last Chance Ranch to hit the stands. And author Margaret Brownley did not disappoint! With characters that I fell in love with, I thoroughly enjoyed another really good read that will stay with me for a while! I grew to love Molly, and the relationship she had with her brother was truly heartwarming. My heart went out to her as she strove to do whatever she could to take care of Donny.<br /><br />Waiting for Morning is truly a story that will capture the heart of any reader, just as it did mine. I highly recommend this historical fiction to book lovers everywhere. A copy of this book was provided by Booksneeze's blogger program. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1361337502000, "title": "Waiting for Morning" }, { "asin": "1859859313", "rating": 5, "text": "My Thoughts On This Book<br /><br />The Story of David and Goliath is one that most children enjoy and remember well. David Sticker Book tells this wonderful Bible story in words, pictures and added stickers for children to interact with the story. And I was suprised at the amount of stickers that are included in the book, they are wonderful. And I really like the illustrations as well. The book is a whole is beautiful inside and out. And as usual, I used my four year-old niece as the real person to review this book of David, and she absolutely loved it! We read the story together and she had a wonderful time placing the stickers on the correct pages, and as she placed the stickers, she talked about each one and we had fun talking about David and Goliath. This tells me that the stickers are a valuable source to go with the story because it keeps children much more interested in the story.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for your small child. I will know they will love it just as much as my niece does. And she still loves reading the book, even after the stickers are all in place.<br /><br />I received this book free from Kregel Publishing. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The<br /> opinions here are my own.", "timestamp": 1361587647000, "title": "Wonderful little book for small children" }, { "asin": "1401686826", "rating": 5, "text": "So Shines the Night......<br /><br />I really enjoyed this historical Biblical fiction by Tracey Higley. I haven't read a lot books in this early era, being set in 57 A. D. The characters were interesting and realistic and I enjoyed getting to know them as the story unfolds. The story is based on Acts 19 and the author did her research well, because as I continued to read, the situations and everything surrounding them begin to feel so real I felt like I was there! And as always I love that Tracy brings a part of the Bible to life through her vivid imagination in So Shines the Night, and I appreciate her sharing this story with us!<br /><br />If you enjoy historical fiction, or Biblical fiction, you will love So Shines the Night. I encourage you to pick up your copy today!<br /><br />I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson 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 55.", "timestamp": 1362552920000, "title": "So Shines the Night" }, { "asin": "080072089X", "rating": 5, "text": "It seems that someone is a spy in Lady Wexham's house but who could it be? Rees Phillips is trying to find out, with his new job disguised as a butler. But can Rees sneak around and try to find answers without anyone suspecting him? This book gets very interesting as the sneaking around continues, not only with Rees but others in the household.<br /><br />This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend. I enjoyed the era of the setting and the vivid details so perfectly described by Ruth Axtell. The characters were unique and believable and they keep readers guessing and reading throughout the story. I really liked Rees and his attempting to be a butler, which he did very well. And the tension between he and the Lady Wexham was enough to keep me reading to find out what the outcome between them would be.<br /><br />I highly recommend this story for anyone who loves a good historical fiction with a bit of suspense and romance. You will not be disappointed!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Revell Publishers for me to read and review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1362978017000, "title": "Great Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0745962823", "rating": 2, "text": "I love sticker story books for children, and this is why I wanted to review My Very First Easter Story Book. The book is very attractive, with vivid colors and stickers to go along with the story on each page. The story is about the story of Easter, Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave.<br /><br />The story is simple enough for very small children to understand, and I like that part about this book. But I do wish the author would have explained why Jesus died for us instead of making the remark a number of times that He did this to make the world a better place. Children need the simplicity of the story but they also need to know the actual truth of what the scripture says. For me, when I read the story to my niece, I added the parts left out by the author, but not everyone can or will do that. I hope the next book the author writes she will stay closer to scripture.", "timestamp": 1364047316000, "title": "Easter Sticker book" }, { "asin": "1595548890", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />When I see Beth Wiseman's name on a book, I know it is going to be an awesome read. I love her Amish books, but I am enjoying the contempory fiction she is writing as well! In The House That Love Built, the characters are realistic and believable and I enjoyed getting to know them better as the story unfolded. Beth had a strong faith in God, and she showed this faith through the many struggles she faced. And she was able to help Owen with struggles with his faith as their friendship progressed. I did feel for Beth as she struggled with the situation with her dad, because she was clearly hurt by him.<br />This is a story of love, faith in the Lord, forgiveness and second chances. If you are looking for a good clean entertaining story, this one is for you.", "timestamp": 1365582565000, "title": "Another wonderful book by Beth Wiseman" }, { "asin": "1414361122", "rating": 5, "text": "Rescue Team by Candace Calvert<br /><br />Kate Callison has been running from her past and jumping jobs for several years, and now she is working as ER director at Austin Grace Hospital. As different cases came through the ER department, memories of Kate's past surfaced more and more. Wes Tanner was at the right place at the right time when an emergency happened at Austin Grace, but then he met the new ER director, Kate. Wes finds himself attracted to Kate, despite her dismissive attitude, but just how does Kate feel about Wes?<br /><br />I am a big fan of Candace Calvert and Rescue Team is another Candace book that I LOVE! I love books that capture my attention early in the story, and this one had my attention from the first page! I wasn't sure about Kate at first, with her attitude and the mystery of her past, but as the story unfolded, I could understand her attitude about life. And I love Wes, he is such a sweetheart, and I love his family. But he has a heartbreaking past as well, that he doesn't want to talk about. Ms. Calvert weaves together a story of heartbreaking pasts, through many difficult situations and twists and turns, and so vividly shows love, forgiveness and healing through God's love and mercy in Wes and Kate's story.<br /><br />If you enjoy Christian fiction, or just want a good clean medical romance to read, I highly recommend Rescue Team. With Candace being a former nurse, the medical knowledge is phenomenal, making the story even more interesting and enjoyable.<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale House to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1367285043000, "title": "Awesome Christian Fiction with a lot of Medical Knowledge" }, { "asin": "0764209663", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Looking for a new preacher? Why not hold up a train and steal him at gunpoint? Karen Witemeyer gives us and interesting, enjoyable, witty, funny story that will sure be the height of your entertainment this summer in Stealing the Preacher. Joanna's outlaw father was willing to do anything to give her what she wants, including holding up a train and stealing Crockett Archer. Only Crockett can't stay in the little Texas Community of Piney Woods because he's on a mission someplace else as a preacher candidate. But as he gets to know the people in Piney Woods, he's drawn to the need for someone to take over the little church that hasn't had a preacher for quite a while. But what about this other church, the one who is waiting on his arrival to vote on whether or not they want him as their own preacher. Well, its all unfolded between the pages of the wonderful book!<br />First of all, I LOVE this cover. I am so glad Bethany House decided to change it! And Karen Witemeyer is at it again with her awesome, humorous writing style. As I read Stealing the Preacher, I fell in love with the people of Piney Woods, and was really hoping that Crockett would decide to change his mind and be their new preacher, especially since he was so different from most preachers, and he identified with these people so well. With all of the twists and turns, and the adorable, unique characters, why not come on board with the rest of us and enjoy this wonderful summer, and well really, anytime read from Ms. Whitemeyer and Bethany House. You will sure be happy you decided to try this one. And while you are at it, check out the other books by Karen Witemeyer. I've read all of Karen's books, and each one gets better and better! She is definitely high on my favorite authors list!<br />I received this book from the publisher Bethany House, and Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1371094501000, "title": "Another awesome historical fiction from Karen Witemeyer" }, { "asin": "0825442141", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Reading this book clearly shows that women have always experienced hurt in some way. Authors Dena Dyer and Tina Samples' Wounded Women of the Bible gives ladies an inside look at more than a dozen women throughout Bible time and the hurts and difficulties they faced. We read the stories of Dinah, Ruth, Hagar, Ichabod's Mother, Mary and Martha, and others, getting to know they ladies in a really interesting and unique way.<br /><br />Finding Hope When Life Hurts is truly what we learned from this book through the lives of each of these ladies. Dena Dyer and Tina Samples leave nothing out as they study and explore what the Bible says. I also appreciate the authors opening their own lives and showing the hurts and struggles they have faced in their lives. To me, this makes the book even more special because we are not only getting truths from the Bible, we are getting truths from real people's lives.<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Kregel to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1377922007000, "title": "Wonderful Bible Study!" }, { "asin": "1859857663", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Bumper Wipe Clean Activities was a huge hit with my 4 year old niece. She loves it, and has played and played with it. I ended up mailing it to her house so she could have it there to play with! This is the cutest little book your child will ever have. The wipe clean activities are adorable for the kids to do. This is an awesome idea for a children's book. Abbi has enjoyed the matching, tracing, going through the mazes, and all of the other activities, and the awesome thing about this is that they can wipe the page clean, and start over again!<br /><br />Need activities to keep children quiet in the car, or maybe an appointment? This is the book you need. It is hours of fun for young children, I would have one for each child, and they can do their own thing while you enjoy the peace and quiet!<br /><br />I just can't say enough about this little activity book. This is a must for all homes with small children! You and your child will love is just as much as Abbi and I do!!<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Kregel to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1380282113000, "title": "Love, Love this book!!" }, { "asin": "B00FFBG1PM", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The Bargin is not just another Amish Fiction! It is an Amish fiction with a twist like I haven't read before, the setting being in the Vietnam War. I loved the history weaved into the book about this era, and especially since I was old enough during that time to remember a lot about the war and the friends I had who fought in it. Betsy's story was interesting, with her family living as Englisch. This story brought back a lot of memories of when I was growing up, and that I did enjoy very much! It was so interesting because back then, we did really live plain, or so it seems like that now. I really did love the setting, and the story.<br /><br />Stephanie Reed is a fairly new author for me, so I was excited to review an Amish fiction from a different author. Ms. Reed created characters that were enjoyable and believable, giving readers a real feel of life in the early 1970′s. If you enjoy Amish, you will love this one. If you enjoy historical fiction, this is for you too! So why not put the two together and check out this new book from Stephanie Reed. I think you will be pleasantly surprised!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1382586934000, "title": "The Bargin" }, { "asin": "1859855865", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS<br /><br />This is a really neat Bible handbook from Kregel Publishers. The Candle Bible Handbook is for 8 to 12 year olds and would be an awesome addition to their library, because it can be a wonderful study tool for your child to use while reading the Bible or reading Bible stories. There are many things to help with Bible study including study questions, tips to watch for when reading, an outline an description of the book, along with a little box with important information. And you will also find a section with Big ideas in the Bible, Bible Promises, Fifty very important passages in the Bible and Who’s Who in the Bible. And of course this is just a touch of what you will find in this neat handbook.<br /><br />I really like this book that will be an additional study tool when studying the Bible. I found it interesting myself as I read through it and went over the different things added to help study. If you have kids in this age group, or I think even teenagers would like this, I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of The Candle Bible Handbook. You will find it very informative and interesting.<br /><br />I rec’d a copy of this book from Kregel to read and review. The opinions in this review are mine only. I was not required or expected to write a positive review.", "timestamp": 1400470384000, "title": "Really Neat for Kids" }, { "asin": "1414368453", "rating": 5, "text": "Annie, a young Irish immigrant is the housekeeper at Mrs. Hawkins boarding house, but she is also a wonderful story teller, thanks to her really great storyteller father. But when Annie’s father passed away, and after living with her no caring uncle, and the horrible places he sent her, she eventually ended up in New York. You will thoroughly enjoy this wonderful historical novel by Cindy Thomson. Annie not only loved storytelling, she loved to daydream, so her mind was always full of a story to tell. And Ms. Thomson does an amazing job of telling these stories in a way that will capture your heart and attention. One thing that was so touching to me is the way telling her stories always made Annie think of the father she missed so much. Check out this fabulous book and give it a try!<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale House to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1420701507000, "title": "Really interesting historical fiction!" }, { "asin": "0529102781", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Jeremiah and Anna May's life took a tumbling fall when Jeremiah left his Amish family, Anna May and the Amish faith for the English world, and their schools, to become a veterinarian. But will his return mean that they can pick up where they left off with their relationship? Life is not that easy! And life for these two young people was not without heartaches and many struggles as they strived to find out what God really wanted them to do with their lives.<br /><br />I have read many of Kathleen Fuller's books, and have enjoyed them all! Just as I enjoyed this one, and I'm going to get the other books in this series as well! I fell in love with these characters immediately, and I thoroughly enjoyed following their journey, though they did have their moments. I like that Ms. Fuller shows so much detail to the story and each scene that takes place. This is truly a well written book, and a book that anyone who loves a really good Amish story will want to read!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1426653601000, "title": "Very nice Amish story!" }, { "asin": "0800722485", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />For me, this was a really heartwarming story. Kaitlyn was trying to get her life together after leaving her child with her brother to raise. Now she has to prove that she is the mother her daughter needs in order to get her daughter back. On the other hand, Steven is trying to prove that he has grown up, and ready to settle down. But would Steven and Kaitlyn be able to make a go of it together, with all of their past failures?<br /><br />I have really enjoyed Catherine Armstrong’s A Place to Call Home Series, and I so much enjoyed this third book! The characters are very realistic and enjoyable to get to know. The lives of the characters sure keep readers wondering what will happen next! And I appreciate the detailed info about this little place called Last Chance. It is sure a place I would love to visit!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1426819255000, "title": "Love this wonderful book!" }, { "asin": "0310315549", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This has been an absolutely enjoyable series to read, and Rachel Hauck is an amazingly talented writer! I love how she brings you into the story, giving me the feeling I was there with the characters. As I read the book, I felt as though the characters were real, as I thought about them day and night! Corina was hoping to find her prince charming for the second time, but with all of the issues going on, and with Corina still dealing with the death of her brother, there was just no way. But was there? This is truly a story of redemption and love, and the twists and turns in the story kept me turning the pages pretty fast! The setting, the characters, the different scenes throughout the story as I read, they all came together to a wonderful ending. I highly recommend How to Catch a Prince, and the other books in Rachel Hauck's Royal Wedding Series.<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1427161293000, "title": "Love this heartwarming story" }, { "asin": "0718031652", "rating": 4, "text": "Sarah Montgomery finally gets to join her fiancée Rand Campbell, in Fort Laramie, Wyoming but is he really excited to see her? Seems like he has found someone else to occupy his time, making life difficult for Sarah. But then when ex-fiancé Ben Croftner shows up in Wyoming, things get a little more exciting, or maybe we could say tension was filling the air more than ever.<br /><br />A Heart's Obsession is another short story in Colleen Coble's A Journey of the Heart Series. a reissue of the Wyoming series published around a decade, and back this time in 6 short books. Though I like short books sometimes, its kind of frustrating that we as readers have to wait so long for the next chapters in the book. Its like reading a few chapters, putting the book down, and after a month picking it back up again. I am just not fond of this type of reading myself. But as far as the story, I love it! It is awesome, just as all of Colleen Coble books are!! I will keep them all, and read them again in the order of the series, and will enjoy them much more. I hope this is not a trend that publishers are heading toward, but it will be interesting to see.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1429074224000, "title": "Short story" }, { "asin": "0310335884", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Life hasn't been easy for 32 year old Linda Zook, being orphaned at age 4 and raised by an uncle that didn't want her. But Linda is determined to make something of her life, working part time at the Lancaster Grand Hotel, she desires to we worthy of a life that she can be happy and loved. Thirty-two year old Aaron Ebersol comes back into the picture after leaving the Amish community for almost two decades because of the harsh demands of his father. These two meet up, but what will life be for them because of their background? Can they find love and forgiveness for the family that wronged them?<br /><br />Amy Clipston is one of my favorite Amish writers. I love her writing style, the long series about this Amish Community and the families, and I fell in love with her characters in the first book of this series! Linda and Aaron's story is a sad, but yet a happy one. I thoroughly enjoyed following the lives of these two characters through the thick and thin of their relationship. As I read their story, I could clearly see the love, grace, forgiveness and redemption of our God in the lives of these characters. In everything they went through, God was in the driver's seat of their lives and leading them every step of the way. If you enjoy Amish fiction, this series is a must for you. Check out A Simple Prayer by Amy Clipston, and the other books in this awesome series.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1431489089000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Life hasn't been easy for 32 year old Linda Zook" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Talk about mystery, The End of Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble is one of the best mysteries I have read! Who is Claire Dellamare? She thought her life was like any other rich girl’s life, that it until she Claire returns to the Hotel Tourmaline for a business meeting with her CEO father. That’s when she starts hearing rumors about her disappearing for a year when she was young.<br /><br />Wow, this was an awesome read! The plot line was amazing, and the characters were so very realistic I wanted to be there in the story with them. Clarie was a sweet and intelligent young lady, and never did she think her life would be in shambles when she returned to the Hotel Tourmaline. The more I read the stranger the story became, one murder and one young child went missing at the same time. Was there a connection? What strange and horrific thing could have happened all those years ago? This is a book you do not want to miss. And if you are a Colleen Cobble fan, this is one of her best!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1431575510000, "title": "The End of Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble is one of the best mysteries I have read" }, { "asin": "0529103435", "rating": 5, "text": "A Heart’s Betrayal is the fourth book in Colleen Coble’s A Journey of the Heat Series. This series is a previous series from Ms. Coble, this one is a very short book for each story. In this story, Emmie Croftner finds out that her late husband wasn’t the man she thought he was, the home and everything she had wasn’t hers after all. After relocating, Emmie meets a soldier that just might change her life.<br /><br />As usual, Colleen Coble writes a story with characters are interesting and intriguing, and make the story interesting. The situations in Emmie’s life leave her with a life of tension, so much so that she can’t stay in her town any longer. This change in her life leaves a more and different type of tension, because of her new place and new people in her life. The one thing with these short books is that you have to wait a month to read the next short installment. For me, it is much easier to read the entire story at once. I am keeping all of these books and will read them again one after the other!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1433304461000, "title": "A Heart’s Betrayal is the fourth book in Colleen Coble’s ..." }, { "asin": "1496402146", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This is a really good story written from a mothers viewpoint about her child. With television being the big entertainment and past time, weight problems in children are on the rise. Heidi Bond made changes she had to make for her daughter’s health. With the world today full of fast food, quick fix meals, and sweet and fatty snacks, obesity in children just keeps getting worse.<br /><br />I appreciate how Heidi and Breanna are using their story to help other kids with the same problems they have experienced. Even though their journey was not an easy on, it was a productive one because it taught them the meaning of a healthy lifestyle. I did make me angry as Heidi talked about the way people viewed her efforts, especially talking about those who had talked about her daughter’s obesity, now criticizing her for refusing her candy and sweet treats. People can be so rude. If you are someone you love is experiencing the same or similar situation, I encourage you to pick up a copy of Heidi’s book, Who’s the New Kid. I think you will find help you never expected.<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1433905940000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK This is a really good story written from a mothers viewpoint about her child" }, { "asin": "0310322170", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Another murder in the Amish Artisan Village in Middlebury, Indiana, and the Poison Poet strikes again and again leaving pies with notes attached saying the pies are poisoned. And then the emails Amber is getting, that is clearly from the Poison Poet? Ms. Chapman does it again with a murder, mystery/suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seats. And in an Amish community at that!<br /><br />I felt so bad for Amber, the harassing emails were causing problems with her work and marriage, because the Poison Poet was determined that she wouldn’t tell anyone what was going on. But she had too many friends and family that loved her, and I was touched at the way the pulled together to help her. And another person that was helped was Preston. I really like Preston and the sweet relationship forming between Preston and Mocha, which you will need to read the book to find out about these two! And who in the world could have gunned Ryan Duvall down in broad daylight, just as he finished his race?<br /> A lot of questions, and a lot going on in Murder Freshly Baked, and I just know you will enjoy it as much as I did!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1433921239000, "title": "Just Wonderful Writing by Ms. Chapman!" }, { "asin": "0800734351", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Has Marisa St. George found the man or her dreams after moving back to her hometown of Dupree, Texas. Very successful and well known writer Blake Kendall decides to try hanging out at Rainbow’s End Resort for a while to see if it would help his writers block, that he couldn’t seem to get over. The attraction between Marisa and Blake was immediate, but then things started to come up that put a halt on that attraction, and their relationship was rocky one min and ok the next. This situation, along with everything else going on at Rainbow’s End Resort makes for a fun and entertaining story.<br /><br />In Firefly Valley ,I loved reading about the characters I grew to love in the first book in this series, At Bluebonnet Lake, and meeting the new people traveling to the area! The relaxing atmosphere at the Rainbow’s End Resort and the quite town of Dupree, Texas makes this a light read, yet a story that deals with lives that were changed through forgiveness of each other and the love, forgiveness and redemption of our Lord. I want to encourage you to pick up a copy of In Firefly Valley for hours of relaxing, entertaining and fun. I think you will like this book as much as I did! This one goes on my keeper shelf!<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.<br /><br />Another really sweet book from author Amanda Cabot!", "timestamp": 1434349019000, "title": "along with everything else going on at Rainbow’s End Resort makes for a fun and entertaining story" }, { "asin": "0800723503", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Her mother's death causes Elizabeth Benjamin to return to her home in Key West, but things didn't go as she thought it would. Though she needed her family, it seemed that they didn't need her as much, and she sure wasn't happy with her father's pick as a husband for her. Was her trip back home a mistake?<br /><br />Since this was my first book by Christine Johnson I wasn't sure what to expect, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. This book was as good as the cover is beautiful! I love the inviting cover! This was also my first story with a setting in the historical 1850's Key West, Florida. There is a lot that makes up the plot of this story, danger, secrets, adventures seas, heart throbbing romance, and determination in the hearts of characters. Ms. Johnson does a marvelous job of weaving it all together to write a most amazing, entertaining and enjoyable story that I highly recommend. I will sure be looking for more books in this series.<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1434354351000, "title": "and she sure wasn't happy with her father's pick as a husband for her" }, { "asin": "1601425996", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Mesu Andrew's books because she has such an amazing talent of taking Bible characters, putting them in a historical Biblical setting and creating a story that will pull you in and keep you long after you finish the book. When I finish reading a Mesu Andrews book, I have a new, clear insight of the Biblical character the Book is about.<br /><br />The Pharoah's Daughter is another one of those books. I have always loved the story of Moses being put in the river in a basket as a baby by his sister. And Pharoah's daughter claiming Moses for her own, and raising him as her own. Ms. Andrews takes this story much deeper, bringing us into the home of Pharoah's daughter and now the home of Moses. I have always has questions about how this or that happened, and in this story, Ms. Andrews answers some of those questions in her fictional way. This was a special time in history, and I appreciate this awesome author for taking on these characters and this time in history. And I also appreciate the knowledge and research it took to write a story like this. Needless to say, I was in awe of The Pharoah's Daughter and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves historical, Biblical, or just a good fiction story.<br /><br />Blogging for Books provided this book for my honest review. The review is my views alone.", "timestamp": 1434561646000, "title": "I love Mesu Andrew's books because she has such an amazing ..." }, { "asin": "0718011783", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Two very different people, and a dangerous ruby? That's what this story is about. Daughter of a shop keeper, Camille is searching for her own lot in life. And the son of a very wealthy, well-known explorer and collector, Jonathan is settle in his fathers wealth, even though he is the second son. But his life changes when the hunt for a special ruby leads him to Camille's family shop. Who will finally uncover this expensive, dangerous jewel?<br /><br />Author Sarah Ladd takes us on an exciting and dangerous journey through the streets of historical London in her new book, The Curiosity Keeper. And Curiosity it is as I read this really good book! The characters will weave their way into your hearts, and the sights and sounds of London are so expertly detailed that you will find yourselves wondering if you are there! I love the tension in the scenes, because it made me keep turning the pages. The intensity and suspense that takes place makes for a very enjoyable read. I highly recommend The Curiosity Keeper!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1436334889000, "title": "And Curiosity it is as I read this really good book! The characters will weave their way into ..." }, { "asin": "0718031687", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br /> Emmie has a secret that she definitely doesn't want Isaac to know about, because she doesn't want to loose him. This makes for a lot of twists and turns in this very short story. This is book 5 in A Journey of the Heart Series. I enjoyed reading the continuation of this story, the characters and setting is already familiar, and the plot is somewhat set. As with all Colleen Coble books, this is a wonderful read and a wonderful series. I enjoyed each book, but I think reading all of these short book at once would be better because you don't have to wait to see what the next few chapters give.<br /><br />BookLook Bloggers provided this book for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive or any type of review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1436336191000, "title": "I enjoyed reading the continuation of this story" }, { "asin": "0310749417", "rating": 5, "text": "My Thoughts<br /><br />This is a cute little Bible Story book for any little one. If you have small children, you would be wise to invest in this book for them. The colors are nice and bright, and the cover is just plain cute! It has Papa, Brother, Sister and Honey reading, which is one of our favorite things to do here. The book is made just for smaller kids with thick sturdy pages that a child cannot tear, so you don't have to worry about them playing with this book. And you will enjoy reading these Bible stories and teaching your child about Jesus.<br /><br />This book was provided by BookLook Bloggers. The opinions here are mine.", "timestamp": 1441166721000, "title": "The colors are nice and bright" }, { "asin": "1401688888", "rating": 5, "text": "I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1441168580000, "title": "Love it!" }, { "asin": "1401690513", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Abby Knightly’s life came to an end as she knew it when her husband was killed in an auto accident, and Abby feels responsible. Not being about to live with what happened, Abby decides to move to a little town she had read about in a column in a newspaper. Circumstances caused her to meet Bo, one of three brothers that owned a ranch in the small town of Wishing Springs, Texas .<br /><br />This story took a different turn than the first book in this series. Bo’s story didn’t come across as well as Tru’s for me. Bo seemed less responsible, more reckless and the little surprise that ended up on his pops doorstep confirms that. It just happened that Abby was there at the right time, which was ok with Bo because he needed all the help he could get. Even though I did enjoy the story, a young lady showing up in a small town, meeting a guy that has sworn off ladies, and all of a sudden were thrown together and everything else that happened within a few weeks just wasn’t as believable as I would have liked. But then, that’s just me! All in all, I enjoyed the Monahan family again, and looking forward to reading book three! And by the way, Pops is just the sweetest old man, just adorable!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1441775657000, "title": "Even though I did enjoy the story" }, { "asin": "0310338492", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Love this book, Love this series! Shelley Shepard Gray is one of the best!! Lydia and Sebastian were two very different people, from completely different backgrounds, but the attraction between them was real. But the two being together was just impossible. Or was it? Though rough as some of the characters are, this is a pretty sweet story. There is a lot of bad things happening, a lot of tension, a lot of twists and turns, but Ms. Gray does a fantastic job of pulling it all together, with twists and turns you don’t expect, and making another awesome story in this series. I don’t want to say too much, and give anything away, so I wont! This is a wonderful and entertaining story, set just after the Chicago Worlds Fair is over, a story that will stay with you for a while.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1447220727000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Love this book" }, { "asin": "0310339545", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Leila Lantz has a difficult decision to make. Two young men, Jesse, and Will (Jesse's cousin) want her love and commitment. But the two offer entirely different lifestyles for Leila. Jesse is struggling with his faith, and not so sure he is ready for a lifetime commitment, but Leila has loved him since the first time she saw him. And Will, well he is more settled and knows what he wants to do with his life, but keeps his feelings for Leila to himself because he doesn't want to hurt his cousin Jesse. How will this author untangle this mess of relationships for Leila?<br /><br />I really like the way Kelly Irvin writes Amish fiction. She adds a unique twist to her stories that make them very interesting and entertaining. Leila has some tough decisions to make, but I liked that. Dealing with real life situations, even among the Amish faith helps to realize that we all have problems that we must surrender to the Lord. And this book will have you taking a closer look at your own faith. It was nice visiting characters from book one, and I am excited to read book three when it hits the shelves. If you are looking for a good clean book for enjoyment, this is a wonderful one to pick up!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1447474989000, "title": "and Will (Jesse's cousin) want her love and commitment" }, { "asin": "1601425007", "rating": 5, "text": "A Refuge at Highland Hall is the third book in the Edwardian Brides series by Carrie Turansky. I was glad to read more of Highland Hall's Penny Ramsey in this story. Because of Britain's involvement in WWI, Penny decides to travel to London to help her sister Kate and her husband with the houseful of orphaned children they have. Its there that Penny meets Royal Naval Air Service pilot Alex Goodwin, and there was definitely an attraction between the two! Knowing he would be chasing Zeppelins across the front line in France, Alex couldn't allow anything series between the two. But they could write to each other while he was in France. But faced with unforeseen circumstances, Alex's life takes a dramatic change, and seeing Penny again was out of the question.<br /><br />This is such a wonderful book! First of all, the cover is beautiful, and the story inside is full of entertainment. I loved meeting the characters again, they now seem like family members. Penny is such a sweetheart, and I was cheering on a relationship between she and Alex. There's a lot of things going on in this book, a lot of twists and turns happening that made me keep my nose in the book until I finished!! Author Carrie Turansky does an amazing joy of weaving everything together nicely, and giving readers a sweet romance.<br /><br />And the history in this story is phenomenal, it made the trip back into the past WWI era so enjoyable. As I read, I felt like I was living the story along with the characters. This book is a must if you enjoy historical and WWI fiction. And this one is a nice clean read! One that anyone will enjoy!<br /><br />I received this book from Blogging for Books to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1454892669000, "title": "Awesome Read!" }, { "asin": "0310332435", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGTHS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Casey Cox only wants to do the right things, find her father's killer. But her life falls apart when she finds her good friend murdered, and with her DNA being all over the place, she has no option but to run. Dylan Roberts, the PI hired to find Casey doesn't think she is guilty of murder, the evidence just doesn't show it.<br /><br />If I Run is another fast pace thriller from one of my very favorite authors, Terri Blackstock. It starts our with Casey finding her good friend Brent murdered in his home. Knowing why Brent was murdered, and her blood all over everything, Casey's only choice is to take off. Casey was a fantastic leading character, with all of her twists and turns trying to stay under the radar, I never knew what was coming next! Casey was such a caring person, she cared more for helping others than she did herself, even if she did put herself in the spotlight. I really enjoyed this story, and I read it through without putting it down.<br /><br />However, the ending just almost ruined it for me. It left so many loose ends, I felt as though I was hanging from a cliff when I read that last sentence. I sure hope there is a book two, I will be very disappointed if it is not. Can't wait to find out about another book in this series!", "timestamp": 1455863516000, "title": "But her life falls apart when she finds her good friend murdered" }, { "asin": "1414389752", "rating": 5, "text": "Mariah and her grandmother are trying their best to keep their ranch running after the death of Mariah’s father. But their lives take a drastic change when Slade Donovan show up claiming the ranch. As it turns out, Mariah’s father supposedly took money that belonged to Slade’s father and bought the ranch, so now that Slade’s father is dead, he is there to claim what belongs to their family. He agrees to let Mariah and her grandmother stay in the house until his mom and sister come to live there. But a lot of things happen here in this story before that takes place.<br /><br />This was my first book by Pam Hillman, and I loved it so very much! There was a lot of tension between the characters because Slade was carrying around so much anger and bitterness. Mariah was shocked that her father would steal money, so she and Slade didn’t get along. The two that did surprisingly got along was Slade’s quiet brother and Mariah’s grandmother, while I think had a lot to do with Slade and Mariah slowing changing their minds. Grandma was a sweetheart, she loved the Lord, and nothing seemed to upset her. She was the glue that held them all together. But when the mom and sister get there, things may change for them.<br /><br />I enjoyed Ms. Hillman’s writing style and I look forwarding to reading other books by her. The bit of suspense and romance make this story one you will love and enjoy. And I can’t leave out the fact that the history throughout this story was so interesting and very well searched and woven into the lives of the characters. You can’t go wrong with this book being on your ‘to read’ shelf. I purchased a copy of this book to read, and it is so good I wanted to leave a review.", "timestamp": 1456156195000, "title": "Love this historical fiction" }, { "asin": "0764211412", "rating": 5, "text": "I thought this book was a fantastic read, and I really enjoyed every minute of it! After Miranda sold a prized portrait, and her grandfather bought an auction house that they were sure the portrait went to, the story took a new twist! I'm not sure how I would have felt had I ended up at a livestock auction house, and it was just as interesting reading about Miranda's experience. There is a lot in this story to absorb, and I kept wondering if a mistake was made about buying this auction house in the first place, but I just had to be patient. I will have to say, from the cover of this book, I did not expect the story that is between the pages!<br /><br />When I see a book by Regina Jennings, I know its going to be an awesome read, and this was no exception. I became very attached to the characters, the grandfather was adorable and Miranda was a special young lady! And oh, the romance was sweet and heartfelt. This is a must read for those of you who enjoy historical fiction, or just looking for a good clean read! At Love's Bidding will not disappoint!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1456295075000, "title": "Love this book!" }, { "asin": "0718033183", "rating": 4, "text": "Arguments with parents happen often, but Joanna Schrock never dreamed this argument would be her last. The accident that happened after the argument changed Joanna's life forever, in ways she never expected. Andrew, her beau since childhood draws closer<br /> to Joanna, knowing her could have lost her in the accident. But is his marriage offer truly because of his love for her?<br /><br /> This was a most enjoyable story. I do not read a lot of Amish stories, but this one captured my attention, with the horrific accident and the heartbreaking happenings after. The story gets intense while Joanna is recovering, with Andrew hovering over her, and Joanna wondering if it was his love or his pity for him that he was acting in such a way.<br /><br /> This story was interesting enough to keep me reading. If you enjoy Amish stories, you will enjoy this one.<br /><br />I received a free copy of this book from ,…….. to read and review. I expressed my own opinion in this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1458937229000, "title": "But is his marriage offer truly because of his love for her" }, { "asin": "0800726405", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br /> After the death of her husband, Shelby Kincaid decides to move back to where she was raised, and purchase her family's home, Misty Willow. AJ Sullivan owns the home, given to him by his grandfather, though he is sure not interested in the place. Once the two meet, for some odd reason they couldn't stay away from each other. But family history and dark secrets find their place between these two young people.<br /><br />This turned out to be a sweet and heartwarming story. AJ wasn't the villain I thought he would me, he was actually a character I liked very much. AJ's cousins, Brett and Amy are a different story altogether. The were difficult to tolerate! Ms. Alexander does a fantastic job of weaving this story together, through the difficult past, to the difficult cousins, to this special couple, Shelby and AJ, turning their lives around to create a beautiful life between the two. This is a wonderful contemporary story that you don't want to miss.<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1459829440000, "title": "Love this beautiful story!" }, { "asin": "1629116858", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Abigail Stutzman had no idea why she was dumped at a bus station with a ticket to an aunt and uncle's house she didn't even know she had. What was wrong with her mamm, why did she allow this to happen to her? And it seemed like her aunt and uncle and everyone else in her new community was silent on the issue as well. What made things even worse for Abby is her new friends seem to leave her on a trail of burned down barns. Nothing happening in her life made sense to Abbi anymore.<br /><br />Poor Abby, I can not imagine what it would be like to be left at a bus station and sent to someone I didn't even know! Amish sometimes have a strange way of handing situations. One thing about it, Even though Abby didn't know her aunt and uncle, they were happy to meet their new niece, and was glad to have her in their home. She became like a daughter to them. But the fires were a puzzle. And firefighter Sam Miller couldn't figure it out either. But Abby had to be the one setting the fires, wasn't she? As Sam and Abby spend more and more time together, sparks of another kind start flying, and the fire between these two characters may not be so easy to put out.<br /><br />I love Laura Hilton's Amish stories so much. She always has a little different twist to her stories, involving Englischers in such a way that it seems like there is no logical fix to the situations, but in the end, Ms. Hilton weaves the stories together to make a perfect and wonderful ending. And so it was with The Amish Firefighter. This was truly a story of unveiled secrets, forgiveness, redemption and grace in the lives of these characters. I love and appreciate the way Ms. Hilton so vividly tells the story of God's redeeming love to those who as for His forgiveness. I love, love this story, and I am looking forward for more from these Jamesport, Missouri characters.<br /><br />I received this book from Celebrate Lit Blog Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1465782835000, "title": "And it seemed like her aunt and uncle and everyone else in her ..." }, { "asin": "0800722752", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This was an interesting read, being this is election year! Leta Breckenridge lands a excellent paying job at a public relations firm. What Leta didn't know is that she would be used in ways that were very uncomfortable for her. Nathan Emerson may be in the next running race for governor of Texas, and he has just the right woman by his side to make his running complete. But then he meets Leta, and she is so different from anyone he's ever met before. But two very different lifestyles at this point in Nathan's life?<br /><br />I have grown to love books written by Kellie Coates Gilbert, and each book keeps getting better. Ms. Gilbert develops characters that are so very realistic and believable. As I read everything going on in this book, I had to ask myself; Does this really happen in real life? And I'm afraid my answer leans more toward yes that anything else. This story shows that lying, cheating, deceitfulness, always comes back to bite you.<br /><br />I also loved the relationship Leta had with her mom. Even though her mom didn't know how she was most of the time, Leta still needed her mom and they were so sweet together. I hope I have said enough to want you to read this book. I don't want to give away any of the story, for me it ruins it when someone does that. I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of this book and read it. You will not be disappointed in this one. Or anything this author writes!<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1469974817000, "title": "Loved this amazing story" }, { "asin": "0310345391", "rating": 5, "text": "A prison cell in Lake Erie became the home of Confederate soldiers. Growing as close as brothers in this prison, a group of these soldiers made promises to care for one another, no matter what happened. When Phillip Markham lost his life in the prison, Robert Truax knew he had to fulfill that promise and take care of Phillip's wife Marinda. As tough as the situation with Marinda turned out to be, Robert wanted to do the job he came to do and get on with his life. But there were many unexpected bumps in the road that changed those plans.<br /><br /> Shelley Shepard Gray starts another series off with a bang! This beautiful story of love and redemption with capture your hearts. When everything seemed lost and thought there was no hope, Marinda finds out that God does give second chances in life. Robert and Marinda's story is such a sweet heartwarming story. The main characters, as well as the supporting characters will quickly find their way into your heart. I enjoyed the Civil War and post war historical facts and settings. This is a great story for those who enjoy stories with Civil War settings.<br /><br /> A copy of this book was provided to me by BookLook Bloggers for me to read and review. This is my honest opinion of this book.", "timestamp": 1472525447000, "title": "This beautiful story of love and redemption with capture your hearts" }, { "asin": "031034154X", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, this is an amazing story! I fell in love with the characters early in the story. I loved the way Ms. Hauck interweaves Cora and Haley’s stories, and though one was historical and one modern, the story was beautiful written in a way that made me crave more of each character. I couldn’t put this book down because I wanted to find out what was happening with each lady.<br /><br />Cora was the sweetest young lady with a lot of disappointments and heartaches. Rufus, well I just wanted to give him a piece of my mind. And Birch was a sweetheart, a man every women dreams of. Haley was independent like Cora, and wanted to open the Wedding Shop, despite what her parents thought. She was determined to try and forget her ex forever. And I really liked Cole as well. He has his share of disappointments and heartaches too. And I love the way Rachel Hauck interweaves the stories of these four characters in an amazing way, weaving together their dysfunctional lives with their faith in the Lord. And she shows that even though our lives don’t turn out the way we want, and despite the heartaches and disappointments we may go through, Jesus will always be there in us and with us. And He can take all of our baggage and make something beautiful from it all.<br /><br />The Wedding Shop is another beautiful story from author Rach Hauck. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good clean heartwarming read. And if you haven’t read The Wedding Dress and The Wedding Chapel, I encourage you to check out these two books as well.<br /><br />I received this book from Celebration Lit Blog Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1474495378000, "title": "Love it!" }, { "asin": "0310342015", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />I love, love Amy Clipston's books and this is another amazing one from her. She writes the most amazing Amish fiction, and you don't want to miss this one. Mike Lantz has his hands full taking care of his dad and his disabled son. He moves to the area because he wants his son to go to this special school, hoping he can learn like a regular. And that's where he meets Rachel. Rachel feels sorry for the Lantz family and wants to help them, so she starts fixing them mills each week and sending them home by Mike's son John. The special thing about these meals is that she sends them in an antique basket that belonged to her mom, a basket that brought her mom and dad together. Can history repeat itself and bring another couple together?<br />Find out when you read the third book in The Amish Heirloom Series by Amy Clipston. I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1475899748000, "title": "Rachel Fisher is devastated when the young man she’s loved for years leaves her to date her best friend" }, { "asin": "162911748X", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />This is such an amazing story, I was in awe the entire time I was reading this book. Both Mary and Joseph were the sweetest young couple. Her parents loved her very much to make sure the man she would marry was the man she loved. I know this is fiction, but as I read the account of the angel coming to Mary in a dream, her trip to see her cousin Elizabeth, Mary telling her parents and Joseph she was pregnant with the Messiah, each and every scene was so fully detailed, I felt like I was living this story along with the characters. It is so neat to see this Bible account through the eyes of Diana W. Taylor.<br />It was so sweet to follow along with Mary as she realized she was carrying a special baby, that God has actually trusted her an favored her among all of the women of that time, and chose her to be the mother of Jesus. Despite what she had to go through, the outrage of her family and Joseph when she first told them she was pregnant with God's son, all of the talk and whispers among everyone she came in contact with, Mary still had a peace and calmness, and an excitement that God had favored her among women. Can you just imaging what that would feel like?<br />Ms. Taylor not only writes an wonderful story of Mary, the historical events and all of the details was amazing. It is so much in this story that I love, I could go on and on, but you have an idea what this book is about. And I agree with others that this book needs to be read before Christmas and before Easter. It is a great way to ready your heart for the Celebration of each of these holidays. If you have friends and family that love reading, and don't know the Lord, this would be the most amazing book for them to read. The Gospel is told throughout this book in a wonderful way. This is a must read for every Christian!<br />&#34;I received this book from the author for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed in this review are my own.&#34;", "timestamp": 1476502162000, "title": "Love this Biblical Fiction!" }, { "asin": "1501822608", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is an awesome devotional for the month of December. Ace Collins take us through each day of December with a different insight about the one we celebrate on Christmas day, Jesus Christ. I have enjoyed this devotional because each day I am reminded of the birth of or Savior, and it I can read about Him and Worship Him in a new way each day. There is also a lot of fun things throughout the pages of this books. You will find nice recipes, the meaning behind the words of songs, Christmas traditions, Christmas carols and some movies. I am really enjoying my time spent in this little book, and I will save it for years to come.<br />I highly recommend The Most Wonderful Time of the Year for your special Christmas devotions. received this book from Litfuse to read and review. I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1481771391000, "title": "Awesome Christmas Devotional" }, { "asin": "0718086422", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />For me, it was difficult to get interested in this story until after the first several chapters, but then, the story opens up into raw emotions about what truly happens to families that go into full time ministry, especially as missionaries to another country. Through fiction, this author shares the feelings and truths of the real family problems that can occur. After reading this, you will feel more of a desire to pray for missionaries you know, as well as any missionaries that give up their lives as they know it to go into an unknown place and share the gospel of Christ. Remember to pray for those taking the gospel to the places in the world that would not hear unless someone comes to tell them.<br />This is a must read if you believe God is calling you to the mission fields. It could very well help families know more about what to expect.<br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1483588639000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK For me, it was ..." }, { "asin": "1401685978", "rating": 3, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK <br />Charlotte and Daniel are in love, but the problem is Charlotte is an Englisher, and she doesn’t seem to want to do anything about joining the Amish faith to be with Daniel for the rest of their lives. Daniel is getting so frustrated because he loves Charlotte, but the Bishop is putting the pressure on him because if there relationship is to go on, Charlotte needs to be doing something to lead them all to believe she is thinking about joining their faith. Even though she has lived in the Amish community for a long time, and considers the Amish as her family.<br />This book doesn’t have a lot going on, the main issue is Charlotte and Daniel’s disturbing relationship. Which makes this book much slower than the first two books in this series. This one is just lacking something, not an interesting. But, all in all, I would have read it anyway to see what happens at the end of the series, and to tie up some loose ends. Pick u this last book in Beth Wiseman’s An Amish Secrets Series. I received this book from Booklook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1508817344048, "title": "... THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Charlotte and Daniel are in love, but the problem is Charlotte is an Englisher" }, { "asin": "1683223357", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />This first Christmas story, ‘Christmas in Gold’ is about and elderly lady named Astrid who fell down steps at home and her son and daughter decides to move her to an assisted living facility near her son’s house. Trouble is, he travels all of the time and is hardly home. So after much downsizing her son gets her moved in, he has to leave and the daughter can’t come to help either, so ….has fun decorating her new apartment. Except she couldn’t find her God Christmas ornaments, so guess her son didn’t bother to bring them. Then She starts making new friends at her new place, specifically her therapist. They both needed a friend and despite their age difference they hit it off. So we’re able to be there for each other.<br /><br />This is a good story, but it started off very slow for me. After probably halfway through it gets better. There’s a little bit of drama here but not much. Christmas did turn out different than I expected. The characters are interesting and realistic, and the author shows that no matter the circumstances, we can be happy and useful in whatever stage of life we are in. The God will walk with us.<br /><br />❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️<br /><br />This second story ‘Christmas in Blue’ for me, is much better. Carole, who has always taken care of the Christmas to Remember event each year passed away leaving her best friend, Angela to follow in her footsteps. And of course she was chosen to do the Christmas to Remember event as well. But things didn’t go so smoothly, and time was running out, and besides that, they only Christmas decorations they could find was blue. Everything. Blue. Which the town wasn’t going to like. Then a mystery person appeared, helping diligently to make the Celebration a success.<br /><br />I enjoyed this story a lot. It was really special to see a twin come together. But the end results was surprisingly very well done. Makes for a very cozy Christmas story to read during the holidays! Especially if there comes a pretty snowfall!<br /><br />This is a beautiful book! I love blue so the colors are just what I like. I encourage you to pick up a copy of The Colors of Christmas for hours of cozy, clean fun entertainment! A complementary copy of this book was provided by TLC Tours. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1509065101398, "title": "Cozy Christmas read" }, { "asin": "1420144839", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Liza Schrock in content running the bakery her late husband bought for her, and has no need for another man in her life. Paul was enough for a lifetime of men for her. Until Jacob Graber and his daughter Ellie walks into her bakery and her life.<br /><br />I enjoyed this sweet Amish story, though some of the time it was a bit slow and things were repeated often. Lisa was happy to be rid of her demanding husband and could now live without fear of his abusive behavior. Though she reacts to Jacob differently than any other man, she is still content with being alone. But Jacob is determined to win Lisa over. I didn’t really care for Jacob’s attitude in several areas. He was rather pushy, even asking Lisa’s family personal questions that were none of his business at the time. And I didn’t like the way he talked to his daughter Ellie about how he felt over his wife’s death, how he missed her too, and needed a friend. To me, this just added to Ellie’s negative feelings, and made Jacob a bit self centered, which is not how Amish men are to act. Soles he sounded like more the whiny child. And I could understand Ellie’s feelings. She had lost her mom after all, and was at the age to question Amish life. And with her dads feelings and attitude all over the place she needed more stability than him.<br /><br />This story jumps around a lot, it deals with a lot of issues lightly but it doesn’t get too deep in any of them. For Amish fiction lovers, you will enjoy Lisa’s story. The ending is much better than the rest of the book so hang in there and keep reading!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1517488805654, "title": "I enjoyed this sweet Amish story" }, { "asin": "0718091159", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Amish Sweethearts is a collection of four Amish stories written by author Amy Clipston. In each of these stores, the main character has some pretty hefty issues to deal with. But they also each find the person they want to spend their life with. And sometime the Amish Father is hard to get along with, which several of these characters had to deal with as well. Ms. Clipston does a wonderful job of weaving lives, circumstances, hurts and wrong decisions together, and coming up with stories that will warm your heart.<br /><br />Overall I enjoyed this book, but I do have a problem with the publisher, publishing two stories that have already previously been published in similar books, and not that kings ago. It’s like getting half a book new and the other half used. And charge the same price. Hopefully this will not be the case again. This is the reason for the 4 stars instead of 5.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1517551284649, "title": "the main character has some pretty hefty issues to deal with" }, { "asin": "1683700406", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The Melody of the Soul is an emotional, heartbreaking read, but yet interesting as we meet Violinist Anna Zadok, a Christian Jew, and her grandmother. With the Nazi’s occupation in Prague, Anna and her grandmother lost family, and Anna lost the right to play her beloved violin. When Nazi officer Horst Engel hears Anna play, enjoys the music so much he makes a way for her to keep playing.<br /><br />As one that plays several musical instruments, I always enjoy books where music has such a huge part in the lives of its characters, as did this book. And the soft side of a Nazi officers love of music was a special touch to the story as well. The characters are well developed as the story progresses. And the author does a fantastic job of weaving the beautiful historical scenes of Praque and the horrors and graphics of WWll, making an enjoyable read for everyone. If you love WWll stories, This is one you want to check out!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1517942859721, "title": "I always enjoy books where music has such a huge part in ..." }, { "asin": "0718099397", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />NFL player Toren Daniels just couldn’t control his anger, no matter what. But when he wakes up in a hotel room, not remembering where he’s been for the past 8 month, his anger is gone. This throws Daniels on a whirlwind to find out where he’s been for the past eight months, as well as prove to his wife and family that he has changed! But with his family believing Toren is dead, they have moved on.<br /><br />I have to admit, I’ve never read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but this author did a very good job of describing what it is about throughout this book, so it was easy to follow the parallel of the two stories. I though I had this plot firgured out, and I actually did get part of it right, but getting to the bottom of Toren’s story and the end of book, author James Rubart takes readers in an unbelievable journey that will stick with you for a long time! Rubarts books are the only fantasy type books I read, and I read them because I love the way he takes Bible principles and a character like Toren with his severe anger issues and weaves them together to show God’s love, mercy and forgiveness. His expertise knowledge and research for this story is evident in each scene in this book. Sometimes I had to just stop and wrap my mind around all of the details before reading further. I found “The Man He Never Was” an amazing book on God’s love. If you enjoy books that strongly applys Bible principals to the lives of the characters in a fantasy type way, you will love this book. And if you have never read a book of this genre, this would be a good one to start with!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1521526071725, "title": "Awesome Story!" }, { "asin": "1496421523", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />I loved this book. So much so that I hated having to put it down for the non important things such as cleaning house or cooking dinner! Just Let Go was so realistic, so much like people everywhere today. And I love the Title because letting go and Letting God in on our problems would be so much easier than trying to fix them ourselves.<br /><br />Quinn and Brady both had so many issues to fight through. But first they have to like each other because they didn’t get off to a very good start. Both had anger issues caused by heir past and they just didn’t want to let the past go. Would a real relationship work for the two?<br /><br />Along with my love of story, the characters are fantastic and they make the story so much more interesting. Ms. Walsh deals with a lot issuess that so many people face today, it’s hard to pinpoint just one. And the plot flows so smoothly. I appreciate that this book is full of love and redemption, caring and loving people. This is an amazing Contemporary Fiction for anyone looking for a good clean fun read.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1530755538746, "title": "This is an Amazing Story!" }, { "asin": "1624167470", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The idea of a Hope Jar, or a Prayer Jar is a pretty neat idea! And Michelle finding it was good because that’s what she needed in her life at the time. I somehow find it unbelievable though how Michelle ended up with this Amish family. That grandparents would take a young lady in under those circumstances. And I was really irritated at Michelle for her actions and attitude. I did feel bad for the Lapps because they fell in love with Michelle.<br /><br />But I think my heart broke mostly for Sara. She was the one who had to suffer the most. I wish there would have been more about Sara in this story, but hopefully another book will have her story. All in all that was a good story, the characters were realistic, making me feel as though I had met new neighbors. If you love Amish, you will love this story<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1534876862140, "title": "The Hope Jar" }, { "asin": "0718083040", "rating": 5, "text": "I have enjoyed Robert Whitlow’s books for a while now, and this one it just as amazing as his previous books. I appreciate the fact that he write about issues that the world struggles with currently. I’m a time where there is so much hatred because of a person’s color, race, background, or just because people don’t like another person, Whitlow’s book Chosen People brings to light the need for everyone to respect others, reguardless of who they are. Imagine what would happen if everyone read this book and followed what Whitlow is saying to everyone. And though fiction, this book hits the nail on the head about issues happening today. Things that are going on today in the families and lives of everyone. Oh that we might heed his voice and his words. I strongly encourage everyone to check this book out. And if you think it’s for you, then read a copy and see what you think.<br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1549609867320, "title": "What a Good Read" }, { "asin": "168322826X", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Ladies of Intrigue is a collection of three stories written by Michelle Griep. I didn’t realize these Novellas were previously published, so I had read a couple of them already! Don’t you just hate when this happens? A new book with stories you have already read! But it was good to refresh my memory of these stories.<br /><br />It starts on Cornish Coast in 1815 when the First Lady of Intrigue falls in love with s smuggler. Not exactly what she had planned to do. Then on to Dakota Territory in 1862 with the second Intrigung Lady, Emily and Dr. Clark. I’ve always enjoyed a stories set in the Dakota Territory, and I enjoyed this one, especially with the doctoring techniques of this century. And the third Intriguing Lady is found in St. Paul Minnesota and the House of Secrets. This haunted house had the worst most haunting secrets of all!<br /><br />All three of these stories will sure keep your interest, from the historical fact that we always find in a Michelle Griep story to the haunting mysteries each of these stories hold. You are sure to get a taste of the exceptional writing of this author!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1551073892869, "title": "An Collection if Intriguing Tales" }, { "asin": "031034817X", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />First of all I love this book cover! It is what Dee me to this book! And I love Kelly Irvin’s books as well! And this was such a special read! Laura and Zechariah are both getting on in years, both feeling as though their work on this earth is finished, but God may have other plans! Laura’s helping in Zechariah’s granddaughter after having her Nablus results in the two elderly people getting together, and they realize they are needed.<br /><br />This is a beautiful heartwarming story set in the beautiful Amish community in Jamesport, Missouri. Ms. Irvin does a fantastic job of creating characters that we will all love as they weave their way into our hearts throughout this story. They plot flows well, and kept my interest throughout the story. I like that Redemption, love, and faith were woven into the characters lives! This is a story you don’t wasn’t to miss, especially if you are an Amish fan!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1551334152740, "title": "Beautiful heartwarming story" }, { "asin": "0785219706", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Glory Road is a quiet, small place where Jessica owns a thriving garden shop, and lives with her daughter and mom. She moved back to Glory Road years ago after devorcing the husband that decided he wanted someone else and not her. Jessica lives her quiet life and was content with her small family. That is until two handsome, very different men came into her life. One she had never met, one that lived on Glory Road when they were growing up. And life is just not the same as before these two men arrive.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I love the characters, they were all fantastic! Jessica and her quirky mom has such different personalities, and I can see a little off Evan in both of the ladies. Three strong women, two of which have suffered heartbreaking issues life has thrown them, all determined to stay strong and fight to strive in this world. I love Glory Road and the atmosphere surrounding the place! It all seems olive somewhere in a dream, yet so close and realistic. It’s a place I would sure want to live. Ms. Denton does a really good job weaving together the differences between Ben and Sumner, and with Jessica struggling to make a decision between the two. Of course I fell in love with Ben from the beginning, so I was cheering for him all along! But you have to read the book for the rest of that story!<br /><br />Glory Road is a sweet calming read for me. It’s like settling down at home for a nice relaxing stay. It’s that book you want to read when you need a few days of relaxing. It’s a book that I highly recommend to anyone wanting a nice clean time of enjoyment through books!<br /><br />I received this book from JustReads Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1553618781544, "title": "A really awesome heartwarming read!" }, { "asin": "0785216642", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Everleigh Applegate and Beck Holiday, separated by fifty years, but joined together by devastating loss, secrets, and men who want to give them happiness again. Rachel Hauck has written another amazing story that will fill our minds and take us on a journey that will stay with us long after we close the pages of this book!<br /><br />Another story that I love, love, love! The characters are so realistic I can feel the pain they have suffered while reading the words describing their feelings. Everleigh’s story is written around the era I was born and my early years, which I always love to read about. And Rachel Hauck is the very best when it comes to writing time slip stories. I love the way she goes from one era to the other so fluently and make the plot play out so smoothly. There are a number of issues dealt with in this book, starting with Beck being suspended from her job as a cop because of misconduct. Though I can understand her going off, it was just the wrong place and at the wrong time. My heart went out to Beck and Everleigh because of the lifechanging losses they had to deal with. And Ms. Hauck dealt with these losses and changes with class! And I can’t leave out the men that came into both of these ladies lives. Both Don and Bruno were humble characters, dealing with somewhat the same issues in their lives. And their decisions were made easier by their friendship with these ladies. And if you want to know all of the details and what happens with Everleigh and Beck, I highly recommend you pick up a copy of The Memory House.<br /><br />I received this book from Read with Audra to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1555137130100, "title": "Absolutely Wonderful Read" }, { "asin": "1683229339", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The book of Ruth has always been a favorite story of the Bible for me, so I was happy that I could read and review “Shadows Among Sheaves.” It sure made the story interesting that the setting for this story was Victorian England and Rena was an Indian girl, and I really liked both characters. And the two characters faced many difficult situations because to Rena’s heratige. But Lord Barric was a little different. Even though he was gracious in helping Rena and Nell, for me, his character was just not what I have always thought Boaz was like. Lord Barric was just plain out mean at times, and I didn’t like his attitude, especially toward Rena.<br /><br />However the writing here is phenomenal. The author clearly did a lot of research before writing this story, and though this is Ms. Stephen’s debut novel, she her writing seems as though she is a seasoned writer, and this I did love. The only quirk I have with the story is the scenes that didn’t feel appropriate for Christian fiction. And there are several words or phrases that I feel could have been left out or changed because for me, they are a little strong for Christian fiction. And this gives this book 4 stars. But overall, this is still a book I encourage you to read and you can decide for yourself. I will certainly be looking for more from this author.<br /><br />A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I was not expected to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally my own view of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.<br /><br />", "timestamp": 1556793698025, "title": "A retelling of Ruth and Naomi" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764207563", "rating": 5, "text": "This was my first book by Karen Witemeyer, and I LOVED IT! I love her fun style of writing. I just couldn't help falling in love with Adelaide and Gideon. Adelaide was fun, and spunky, but when she set her mind to something, she was bound and determined to do it! She was a gal that knew what she wanted, and wasn't afraid to go after it, even though she might be a bit clumsy in the going. Going after what she thought was her man didn't turn out like she thought it would. That's what landed her at Gideon's Sheep Farm interviewing for a job as Governess to his 5 year old daughter. Her mouth also seemed to get her into a lot of trouble too.....like in saying before you think! But it always seemed to turn out for her good.<br /><br />Gideon.....well he was just adorable from the beginning. I loved him from the first time he saw Adelaide in the barn. Though his and Adelaide's first few meeting were kind of awkward, he seemed to adore her from the beginning. I just loved Karen's way of bringing them together in a fun enjoyable way that made you just want to keep reading to see what would happen next. But would Gideon hire Adelaide over the two older and more experienced ladies that were also at the farm for the interview? Even though Adelaide had taught school for a few years, was she capable of taking care of this 5 year old that couldn't speak?<br /><br />I admired both Gideon and Adelaide's relationship with the Lord, and their willingness to seek Him in every decision they needed to make. The way they trusted the Lord when Isabella's uncle came to claim the child and her inheritance.<br /><br />This was only Karen Witemeyer's second book, but I had to check her website again to make sure she had only written 2 books! She truly writes like an experienced writer, and I will sure be reading her first book \"Tailor-Made Bride\" and also her third book \"To Win Her Heart\" coming in April 2011.", "timestamp": 1300383958000, "title": "Awesome Story line, wonderful author!" }, { "asin": "1603742557", "rating": 5, "text": "MY REVIEW<br />This is a story of mainly Jacob Miller and Becky Troyer, two young people from Amish communities in different states. Jacob's father sends him to a cousin who lives in a rural Missouri town to hopefully change his mind about his sweetheart in Pennsylvania. That's the one thing Jacob's daed forgot to tell him though, Jacob though he was only moving to help out his cousin on the farm. As for Becky, she ends up with a boppli and single because of her wild rumspringa time. Upon Jacob's arrival at their farm, there was a noticeable attraction between the two of them from the beginning. But Becky knew when Jacob found out about her secret, he would never come near her, and with Jacob, there was someone back home named Susie. Jacob noticed that Becky never smiled, and after he found out about her daughter, he knew something bad had happened, so he decided to make it his priority to be her friend and eventually bring her smile back.<br />Even though Becky has been before her church and confessed her sins, being shunned for 6 weeks because of them, can she overcome her past and trust another man into her live to love and trust?<br />And what about Jacob's sweetheart Susie back home, they are to me married during the Amish marriage season in December. Will their time away from each other prove their forever love, or will his attraction to Becky grow stronger, maybe even as far as loving her?<br />I loved this book from Laura Hilton. In her writing this, she shows that being Amish is not always a perfect life. During the rumspringa years, some young people make bad decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. In most of the Amish books I have read, the daed was always the harsh type, almost as far as being just mean. It was clear they loved their children, but they tried to keep the `head of the house' rule strict I guess. But in Patchwork Dreams this was different. I really liked the attitude of Becky's parents Daniel and Leah. Daniel wasn't afraid to hug his girls anywhere, letting them know his love for them. He didn't agree with the Bishop on all things concerning Becky. (Don't want to tell you all so you can read and find out for yourself.) Becky's mamm even suggested the family would move to another Amish community to keep Becky from being forced to hurtful situations. This was just really heartwarming to me, to see her parents love and support for her. And the way they loved her daughter Emma, well the heartwarming love was easy to feel as you read the story.<br />If you love Amish, this is a must read! If you don't know, or haven't read any Amish books, then this would be a great start for you! I can't wait for the second book in this series to be out. The series is `The Amish of Seymour' and you can look for it, I think around fall of 2011.<br />A huge THANK YOU to Laura Hilton for providing me a copy of this book to read. I love the way Laura tells the story, and the characters she creates, making them real life. I didn't want the book to end!<br />The book review and the opinions are totally mine. It was my honor to write the review for Laura", "timestamp": 1303869867000, "title": "Heartwarming Amish Fiction" }, { "asin": "0781403790", "rating": 5, "text": "Arleta Richardson remembers stories her grandma told her from years ago when she was young. These stories in Book One range from the author remembering stories about Grandma's Red Bonnet, Grandma's Prayer, Pearl Buttons, Little Gray Shoes, and my favorite The Pump. In this one, someone told Grandma not to do something, and of course she did it anyway, and she suffered for it for a long time. You will find twenty one loving little stories as the author remembers her Grandma in this book.<br /><br />I chose this book because I remember the days I sat with my Grandma and she told me stories of when she was a child and of when my dad, aunt and uncle was a child. I wanted to read someone elses tales of the older days. This was a really nice getaway from other books I read. I laughed, cried, and enjoyed each heartwarming story as I read them. And of course I was sad realizing just as with my Grandma, life goes on after they are gone, and we miss them so much. But what a blessing that we can remember those we love in such ways. The author had a special relationship with her grandma that she always remembered. I recommend this book to anyway wanting a good fun getaway from life as it is. And it is good for any age group.<br /><br />The book was given to me by the publisher through B&B Media Group. I appreciate being able to read and review this book for them. I was not expected to give a positive review. The opinions of this review are mine only.<br /><br />Purchase From Amazon", "timestamp": 1305054158000, "title": "In Grandma's Attic Stories" }, { "asin": "1595548114", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br />Despite her father not being supportive, Lucy Fairbanks' love of photography leads her to many places in her community, trying to capture the moment with her camera. Unfortunately that landed her into many unexplainable situations. How can you explain falling out of a tree on the top of a stagecoach being robbed by three bandits, scaring the horses into taking off with the stagecoach, Lucy on top, leaving the bandits behind? Or when trying to sneak a picture of the wild man, ending up in a sink hole, pulling wild man David Wolf in with her? And this is just a few times Lucy Fairbanks gets into trouble in this story. And why does David always seem to show up during Lucy's troubled situations? Will Lucy finally succumb to her many difficulties trying to be a photographer and find another career? And what will people think of her and wild man Wolf?<br />A Vision of Lucy was a wonderful story of Lucy and her love of taking pictures. The fascinating thing about the camera was the historical time setting and cameras in that time in history. Though I have seen them in movies, I'd never read anything about them. The author's research and knowledge of cameras in the early days was evident in the way she explained them in detail. This added historical detail made the story much more interesting. I love the characters the author created as well. They were witty, fun, funny, secretive, and nosy, and each fit the story line perfectly. The humor in this book makes it a great enjoyable book to relax and read. My pick for the funniest scene by far is Lucy falling out of the tree onto the stagecoach. And Lucy was so lovable I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen to her. I feel this book is very well written by the author Margaret Brownley. She has the ability to keep you interested enough to not want to stop reading until the last page! And I would recommend this book to anyone, especially those who love Historical Fiction. You will not be waiting your time reading this!<br />Thanks to the Author Margaret Brownley for providing a copy of \"A Vision of Lucy\" for me to read, it was an honor to read and review . I was not expected to give a positive review of this book. The opinions in this review are mine alone.<br /><br />Publisher Website<br /><br />Authors Website", "timestamp": 1306524270000, "title": "\"A Vision of Lucy\" and her Antique Cameras! Loved it!" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 5, "text": "This book is just simply beautiful inside and out! The romance between Clara and Daniel is enough to make you want to drool. Elizabeth Camden's debut book is one of the best debut books I have read in a while. Daniel was the poor guy, making friends with rich daddy's girl Clara Endicott because of the type of music they shared. As the years go by and the couple gets older, daddy sends his girl across the ocean to be raised by her aunt because he can see the chemistry growing between them. As they meet again twelve years later they realize that they were still not only best friends but sparks begin to sky rocket as the two of them start spending time together. But Daniel is so bitter about the way his parents died will he be able to put all of that behind him? And will Clara marry him if he doesn't mend relationships and changed his heart, or let God change his heart?<br /><br />Clara's dad really irritated me because of his attitude and I am really glad that Clara was independent enough to stand up for herself. I enjoyed the determination of Clara and Daniel to be together even against the odds. The author created a cast of unique and believable characters that you grow to love, some as your own family, and some that you shy away from. This book captured me from the first pages to the very end! I just couldn't put it down! And oh, by the way, I LOVE the book cover. The model so beautifully wears the gorgeous blue dress and the colors are so soft and inviting. And this is one book that you can judge by its cover! And check this out over on the LifeWay blog, its post for this day is the making of the cover of The Lady of Bolton Hill at Bethany House. Wonderful post and very interesting!<br /><br />And also go here on the LifeWay blog Q & A With Elisabeth Camden about this debut book.<br /><br />I received this book free from Bethany House book review 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 55.<br /><br /> Purchase this book at AMAZON", "timestamp": 1311089320000, "title": "Awesome Debut book and love story!" }, { "asin": "082542674X", "rating": 5, "text": "For Shelia Franklin, a phone call comes that will change her life forever. She will finally get to meet him, someone from her past that she's wanted to meet for over 20 years. Now she will have her time with him.<br />This book is full of secrets. Shelia has been secretly guarding her life's long time skeleton for many years from everyone, even her husband. What would he think of her if the truth really came out? Would it destroy their marriage? Her husband's church? As she gets ready to meet her main secret, she can't think about anything but him. What will happen with Sheila and the secrets that she has kept so close to her heart? Will her husband understand and stand behind her, or will he let her deal with the issues herself?<br /><br />This is my first book of Patti Lacy's and I was captivated by the writer's ability to tell a story so realistic and powerful. The way the characters are so beautifully woven together you not only see secrets and deception, heartbreaks and sadness, but you see love, forgiveness, grace and redemption through Christ in their lives throughout the story. The unique rhythm in the musical background gave the story a special smoothness, even through all of the difficulties.<br /><br />Even though this book started out slow for me, it just took a while to get into it, I enjoyed reading it very much. I would recommend this wonderful story to anyone who loves Christian fiction. It will be worth the time you spend reading it.<br /><br />This book was provided by Kregel Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine alone.", "timestamp": 1314300528000, "title": "A story full of Secrets but enjoyable" }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 4, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Helen Carlisle is now a widow, after her husband was killed in the military. But she wasn't the grieving widow everyone thought she was. In fact, she was glad her husband was gone, because of his abuse, which no one would ever believe. That is until Ray came upon the scene, and he figured it out, to which Helen denied that anything bad happened between she and Jim. No one could find out about the abuse, because Jim was so nice and sweet around everyone else, not one would believe Helen. She was just a cripple after all, and the way she stumbled around caused all of her accidents, so Jim told everyone.<br /><br />This is my first book by Sarah Sundin, I haven't read the other books in this series, but I still enjoyed this one! I like that the author deals with spousal abuse in this book, something that truly needs to be dealt with. And just like in the book, the abuser blames the one he's abusing. Helen was blessed that Ray found out, but then he left her for a while, not helping. And it was a double blessing when she found a way to leave her in-laws house and the abuse from Jim's father. I hope anyone reading this book that is dealing with an abusive situation will realize that there is help, and go find it!<br /><br />I also liked Ray and Helen. Ray was so gracious and kind, wanting to help Helen, even if she didn't want his help at first. He loved the Lord, which was evident in the way he lived. Helen was so sweet, and she wanted to raise her son the right way, not abusing the women in his life. Her self confidence was trampled on more than once by jerks that call themselves men. But I am glad there was a happy ending, and Helen was able to have a happy life, away from abuse and critical, hateful things said about her handicap condition.<br /><br />This book was provided by Revell Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1314500292000, "title": "Blue Skies Tomorrow, Great Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0800719964", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Amish Values for Your Family...........by Suzanne Woods Fisher<br /><br />Amish Values for Your Family is one of the best books I have read about the Amish life! For many years, I've been fascinated with their lifestyle. I think the reason I cherish and respect the Amish lifestyle is because our family was brought up a lot like them as far as the working conditions. We grew our own food and put it up for the winter. We butchered our own beef and pork, milked our own cows, we had electricity but no TV and no indoor bathrooms. Our faith was different, but we lived on a farm and worked! And life was slower for us, we spent time together as a family, my parents and grandparents always took time for us. Yes, we had nothing as far as material things, but we were truly blessed with parents and grandparents that love the Lord an loved us enough to give us their time and teach us to live for the Lord. They are all in Heaven now, but their legacy lives on in the lives of their children, grandchildren and great-children, until we see them again.<br /><br />There are many values I can mention but I will mention the time they spend together as a family. I know firsthand how important this is. Even though we have things to entertain us, if we would just schedule valuable family time each week we would see a huge difference in our kids, teens and our families. And I have to mention the faith and trust they have in the Lord, and this resulting in the forgiving spirit they all have. The forgiving spirit is the one thing I wish was stronger in my life. Sometime I wonder just how they can be that way! It is because they want to be like Christ!<br /><br />I loved reading this book, and will keep it with my stash of books! I enjoyed the family stories and how they live. I appreciate the author taking time to research and interview to write this valuable book. My pray is that we as Christians will strive to take these principles to heart and try to incorporate them in our daily lives.<br /><br />I was provided a copy of this book by LitFuse Publicity Group in exchange for a review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1314931299000, "title": "Awesome book on the Amish family life" }, { "asin": "1400318033", "rating": 5, "text": "Thank you God for Blessing Me...by Max Lucado<br />This little book about little Hermie is so beautiful and adorable. It is just right for a small child with the thick board pages and story just long enough to keep their attention. This little Caterpillar is just the cutest little creature and is thankful for everything and everyone around him.<br />Max Lucado has such a wonderful way with words for adults as well as children. I love the way he uses little creatures to teach children about God. My 2 year niece grabbed this book as soon as I took it from the mailer and said, `this is mine!' She not only loves for me to read it to her she loves to read it herself looking at the awesome illustrations and telling her own story about Hermie.<br />You won't go wrong getting this book for your little one. Teach them to choose books about God while they are still young. And what a wonderful way to interact with your children, by reading to them!<br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1317785427000, "title": "Wonderful Chidren book about giving God thanks." }, { "asin": "0310332311", "rating": 5, "text": "Shadow in Serenity By: Terri Blackstock<br /><br />Even though Logan Brisco was smooth talking and a con artist, he still sometimes has feelings of wanting to be part of a family, which he didn't have. Being in the little town of Serenity, Texas for a week or so brought those feelings back on goodtime, especially after he started having feelings for Carny. Carny knows how people like Logan works because her mom and dad were con's too and trained her to do the same thing. Thankfully she was over that life for good and had no intensions of going back.<br /><br />I appreciate that Terri brought back one of her old novels, re-writing it as a Christian fiction. Though I can't imagine someone like Logan, I know they do exist and con a lot of people out of their money and belongings so I'm glad to read a reminder of those kind. Despite him being a con, I liked Logan, and especially after he started spending so much time with Carny. His character was believable because he played his part so well, thanks to the author! In fact, the author created really believable characters for the entire book, and I enjoyed getting to know them throughout the book.<br /><br />This was a fun and interesting read, and I enjoyed it very much. I appreciate the author showing the necessity to living for the Lord and letting Him work through our lives. I don't want to tell too much to give the story away, but this is one you need to read! If for no other reason, read it because Terri Blackstock took the time to give us a Christian version of this book!<br /><br />Shadow in Serenity was provided by the publisher, Zondervan in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1320031078000, "title": "Shadow In Serenity, A Great Re-write." }, { "asin": "0310330432", "rating": 5, "text": "Callie is in Shipshewana just long enough to sell the little quilt shop she inherited from her aunt, because she has no desire to reopen the shop. Everything starts to change though when Callie meets some of Amish people in the community, especially Deborah Yoder. Through Deborah and these other Amish ladies, Callie finds out that her aunt's shop is not just for tourists, but a place for some of the Amish ladies to get together and work on their quilts. The more she gets to know these ladies and the people of Shipshewana, the less she wants to return to Texas and her life there. But can she successfully make a go of it if she reopens the shop?<br />And another surprising twist to the story is when the local newspaper editor ends up dead, and Callie is a major suspect, well, she can't just run off. She needs to do whatever she can to clear her name. Which may be a little bit difficult since Callie is so straight forward and speaks her peace when someone tries to tell things untrue about her, like publishing something in the local newspaper to destroy her reputation.<br />For me, this was a wonderful Amish story with a twist of suspense to it. The storyline and the characters just draw you in as we following Callie and her life in Shipshewana. Just when you think you have things figured out, there's another twist and fingers are pointing to someone else.<br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and if you like just a good Amish read with a little extra jolt of suspense, then you will love this book as well. So go grab a copy for yourself, read and enjoy it!<br />This book was provided by the publisher, Zondervan in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1325875037000, "title": "Falling to Pieces, a wonderful Amish story with a twist" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 5, "text": "Faith and her grandfather had lost so much, the only way Faith thought they could be happy again was to take off on the Oregon Trail and start a new life in the West. This has been Faith's dream for a while, and now it was making her grandfather realize the same thing. But getting him to leave their home in the small Missouri town of Noble Springs was not going to be easy.<br />But then things started happening that drew Faith to their home, even though Faith wasn't aware of it yet.<br />Her grandfather put Faith in charge of the store, letting her run it as she pleased. This did not make a lot of the men in the area happy, but it wasn't long before these men, as well as the rest of the neighbors were warming up to Faith, accepting her as the new store manager.<br />Royal, a guy that promised Faith he would keep her ribbon and remember her while he was in the war came back in town. And though he didn't remember her or the ribbon when she asks him about it, he decided to woo her, but did he really love her?<br />Then she meets Rosemary, who becomes like a sister to Faith. Not to mention Rosemary's brother Curt, to which both Curt and Faith were attracted to each other, but neither seemed to realize it for a while.<br />Her grandfather's health issues, Curt becoming friends with her granddad and spending time with him, the break-ins, Curt always being there for her when she really needed someone.<br />But Faith just couldn't see that they should stay in Noble Springs, she was still determined to leave, after all this was her dream.<br />I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction story, with characters that I loved more and more as I continued to read the book. That is all buy Royal, this guy just irks me, I wanted him out of Faith's life to give Curt a chance! The history in the story is so very detailed you feel like you are there, walking around the little town visiting all of the shops, talking to the owners of the businesses there. I love the feel of the small town atmosphere where everyone knows everyone else, well, and everyone knows your business, which is not so good sometimes too! But still, I love it! I am looking forward to Ann Shorey's next book in this series. This is just a wonderfully good read, so go grab a copy for yourself to read and enjoy!<br />This book was provided by Revell Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1327815115000, "title": "Wonderful Historical Fiction by Ann Shorey" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "This was my first book in this series so I had fun figuring out some of the words, which I thought was neat. Maybe because some of my family no longer with us used some of the same words? And Hugh's herbal medicines would interested a lot of people today, I wonder myself if some of these remedies will work just as well as prescription medicines.<br /><br />I felt bad that Hugh was on his own thinking that someone else murdered old atte Bridge, instead of him taking his own life. Well except Hugh's new wife that is. I enjoyed the love, and trust of this couple, and the dependence they had for each other. At least Hugh knew he could talk to his wife about his feelings about the murder when he didn't have anyone else to talk with.<br /><br />This is a well written book set in this small town with characters that you grow to love and enjoy, some so humble, and some not so humble. Leaning about the 1366 culture was interesting, and I wouldn't a lot of people today love their primitive living. I really enjoyed this author's writing. As you read the book, you will see his own thoughts about different situations through the character Hugh. And Hugh and Kate is just a couple we all want living in our neighborhood!<br /><br />I recommend this book to anyone that likes historical fiction, or really anyone that just likes a good read! Grab a copy to read and enjoy for yourself!<br /><br />I received this book from Kregel Publications to participate in their blog tour. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1327815635000, "title": "Unhollowed Ground...enjoyed this book!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The year is 1813 and the War of 1812 has been underway, thus being the reason that Belinda is determined to travel aborad a British privateer in order to rescue her husband from an English prison. She's made a deal with the ships captain, Rafe Docherty and now she needs to talk her sister-in-law into going with her to be her midwife, and everything will be in line to take off. This turns out to be a not so easy task because sister-in-law Phoebe has no intentions to get on the ship. But Belinda ends up making it happen, and so the story begins.<br />Ralph is just as frustrated as Phoebe that she is on the ship, no way does he want to deal with two American women, but he finds himself attracted to her and ends up helping her along the way. I really like Rafe. Being the captain of the ship, he is tough and incharge, yet we see the caring side of him too, and especially with his feelings for Phoebe. He's been struggling with things in his past, but now we see his new stuggles with how he feels about Phoebe and thinking about a normal life with her.<br />Phoebe endures much from being lied to by Belinda, but she is a tough lady and soon we see her faith and strength and her caring personality as she tries to help Rafe with his struggles. She takes a lot off of Belinda on the trip too, and it's really sickening how Belinda is so spoiled and expectes Phoebe to wait on her. Belinda will do what it takes to get her way. She's the character in the book that gets on everyone's nerves, you gotta have them right? She's just a spoiled brat!<br />I thought this was a wonderful story and I enjoyed it immensely. The characters were very well created and developed, believable and likeable. Well that is except for Belinda, but really the story wouldn't have been as good without her! The historical setting, events, ship life, and everything was very well researched and amazingly detailed. And having been to Williamsburg several times, it was fun to imagine the setting there as I read the story. Very well thought out and written story. It will be well worth your time to grab a copy of this book to read and enjoy for yourself.<br />Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group<br />I received this book from Revell Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own.", "timestamp": 1331009055000, "title": "Heart's Safe Passage" }, { "asin": "1595549153", "rating": 5, "text": "For the men out there, what would you do if your father left town for several days, came back home with a woman and introduced her as Lucy, your new wife? Well that is just what happened to Nate Stanton. And he was not happy with his dad, to say the least. And to gain his wife's two siblings, Jed and Eileen too boot, well that was almost more than Nate could take.<br /><br />After somewhat coming to terms with the new marriage, in name only let me tell you, Nate moved his new family into his small home. Surely this would send her back where she came from, because his home was not much of a home, and small at that. But Nate ended up being the surprised one. And after a while he kind of enjoyed not coming home to a empty house. And Jed was turning out to be a lot of help on the farm, and little Eileen, well she'd just had Nate's heart from the beginning. Things could start getting very interesting around the Stanton household. But it was when secrets and deception started coming to the surface that Nate really realized what was going on. And for that, you need to read the book to find out all of the many secrets, acts of deception and of course the twists and turns to the story that make it so appealing.<br /><br />I love Colleen Coble's books. I have all of them, and have read them all as well, and this one didn't disappoint. Colleen has a way of creating characters that just draw you into the story and don't let you go. Nate and Lucy was fun and interesting as they started their life together. This is really just a nice, fun, good clean book to read and enjoy. And I'm hoping for a Book Two to enjoy more of Nate and Lucy's journey through their marriage and on their farm.<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1332792107000, "title": "Another great book from Colleen Coble" }, { "asin": "1414333218", "rating": 5, "text": "When I review a Randy Singer book, I hang on to my seat at the first page and don't let go until the very last word. Randy is absolutely one of the best suspense/thriller authors today! So if the book says `Randy Singer, just go ahead and buy it because it's going to be good!<br /><br />Readers meet Jamie Brock again, from Randy's book \"False Witness.\" Jamie has been working as an assistant DA for several years. Her mom was shot and killed 11 years earlier and she is now losing her dad to illness. And to add to that, Jamie has been assigned a murder case, the suspect being the lawyer who defended the man who killed her mom. As this story unfolds, well you just need to read the book to find out what happens, it's too much to tell her. And I don't want to spoil the book for you.<br /><br />Randy brings up some interesting questions about the death penalty in this book through the lawyer character, Mace James. How should Christians feel about it? Suppose the killer gives his life to Christ while in prison? Should he be left there to die alone since he made mistakes and bad choices? Suppose this person is really innocent? There are several other issues with the state system that are talked about in this book through the life-like believable characters created by the author.<br /><br />Being a lawyer himself, Randy Singer expertly writes stories with so much detail the reader gets a touch of a lawyer's real life when reading his books. Add to this a little suspense, drama, romance, danger, fear, and determined characters taking on the most dangerous and difficult cases, and you have a Number 1 novel that will blow you away when you read it.<br /><br />I highly recommend this terrific book to those suspense/thriller lovers out there looking for awesome books to read. And as in all of Randy's books, you will see Jesus and salvation through Him throughout the book.<br /><br />I was provided a copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review of this product. The review is my opinions only.", "timestamp": 1334450842000, "title": "Another Awesome Thriller by Randy Singer" }, { "asin": "0310250684", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Terri Blackstock is such a gifted writer. I love everything she writes including \"Downfall.\" I appreciate that Terri deals with tough issues that people deal with everyday, and always finds a workable solution, including trusting the Lord with their lives and letting Him work in and through them.<br /><br />Emily Covington wants to prove herself to everyone, assuring them that her life with drugs is over. But when things start happening to her, and since it looks like someone wants her dead, her family still had doubts about Emily's past life.<br /><br />In \"Downfall,' Terri Blackstock writes another suspense/ thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seats until the very last word. When I put the book down, all I could think about was what was gonna happen, so I would pick it back up. From the people we loved to the villains we could do without, the character were so real and true to life it was like reading something in the newspaper. And with an intriguing plot that had the many twist and turns, it was difficult to solve the mystery until it was all revealed in the end.<br /><br />If you've never read a Terri Blackstock book, you are missing a real treat. And for those fans who always come back for more of her stories, you will love the words penned in Terri's new book, \"Downfall.\"<br /><br />This book was provided by Zondervan Publishers through The Suspense Zone. I appreciate Susan and all of the work she does to promote Edgy Christian Fiction and thrillers like \"Downfall.\" I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1335069393000, "title": "Another great thriller by Terri Blackstock" }, { "asin": "0802405843", "rating": 5, "text": "Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis<br />A Texas Trails novel.....in the Morgan Family Series<br /><br />Susan Page Davis continues the Morgan family story in this second book of Texas Trails. Billie Morgan and her horse were taken by the Comanche's and thought to be dead. And that did almost happen, but Billie, or Taabe Wiapu escaped from the Indian reservation and was almost dead when Ned found her. He takes her to a convent of Nuns for her safety, and families came to see if she was their long lost daughter, and that's how the Morgan family found Billie. What a reunion that was!<br /><br />Susan Page Davis is a wonderful writer and she did not disappoint in this story. I thoroughly enjoyed the continuation of the Morgan's story, though a little flavor was added with the nuns and getting to know more about the Comanche Indians. This book deals with a lot of interesting issues that captivate you and just won't let you put the book down. We get a lot of history, learn a little about the ways on Indians, a little of what goes on in a nun setting, (though these nuns faced some interesting situations that most probably don't), faith, trust and leaning on God, and of course a little romance to spice things up.<br /><br />I highly recommend Captive Trail as well as the other books in the Texas Trails, Morgan family Series. There are six in all, so you have some reading to do. Go to River North, the fiction division of Moody Publishers and check out this wonderful series written by three different and awesome authors.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by River North. I was not expected or required to write a positive review of this book. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1337234418000, "title": "A Wonderful Book Two in the Texas Trail Series" }, { "asin": "0764209507", "rating": 3, "text": "My Own Worst Enemy By Janet Davis<br /><br />In this book, Janet Davis deals with problems all women face today. If you have ever has issues with self doubt, fear, insecurity and things such as this, then you will benefit from this book. Ms. Davis uses many of her own trials and stories as well as stories from others, friends and Biblical characters as examples of what she is talking about and teaching in this book. She breaks the book down into the many faces and many phases of life, and the choices along the way, and in each section has chapters dealing with each of these topics.<br />This book would be a good small study guide with the study questions to discuss that are included here in this book.<br />I recommend that you check out this book for your Small Groups, Sunday school class or individual study.<br />I rec'd a copy of this book from Bethany House to read and review. The opinions here are mine. I have having my honest opinion on what I feel about this book.", "timestamp": 1337241723000, "title": "My Own Worst Enemy" }, { "asin": "0764209418", "rating": 5, "text": "Patti Lacy is a new author for me so I wasn't sure what to except of her book, but I will pleasantly surprised and amazed at this wonderful new author for me. I will sure be watching for more books from Ms. Lacy in the future.<br /><br />With wonderful character that will grasp your heart in the beginning and keep it until the very end, Patti Lacy pens a contemporary story that will sure stay with you for long after you finish the book. I learned a lot about China and the Chinese culture reading this book, and sometimes the reading was difficult because of the situation.<br /><br />Joy, (and I love her name!) struggles with moving to America and her new American family. Joy's sister Kai is determined to find her, after leaving her in a Chinese orphanage, but must first win the trust of Joy/Lily's adopted parents. Join Joy/Lily as we follow her journey though her life in China and as it continues in the Americas.<br /><br />I really encourage you to grab a copy of this adoption story of love, loss and redemption to read for yourself. This will be one of the best books you have read in a while!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Bethany House for me to review and give my honest opinion, which I have.", "timestamp": 1338004334000, "title": "Great Book!! A must read!" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />When Shiloh Wainright accepts a teaching position at the White River Indian Agency in northwestern Colorado, she never dreamed of catching up with her old childhood best friend Jesse Blackwater. Though she is thrilled to see him again, and see that he is doing well after his abrupt leave almost ten years ago from her families ranch. Could their friendship rekindle now that they were back together, and now that they were nine years older than before?<br /><br />Trouble is, Shiloh is from a white family and Jesse is half-breed. Half white and half Ute Indian. Which means any attraction they might have toward each other cannot happen. A relationship between the two of them would be unheard of and forbidden.<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan writes a heartwarming and at the same time heart wrenching story about two people from completely different cultures, two completely different worlds represented here. As we follow Jesse and Shiloh's story, Kathleen takes us on a journey like no other we've been on. The differences between the Ute and white man's life is nothing to be compared. And with a dad like Jesse's, being abusive and hating both Jesse and is mother, Jesse could only find acceptance with his mother's people, the Ute.<br /><br />Shiloh wasn't the only one so drawn to Jesse, he was just so adorable! And the hurt he had always suffered, and still was suffering was heartbreaking to read about. It was a hurt that not even Shiloh could help him with. And Shiloh had her own hurt and heartache over what happened to Jesse years ago when he left the ranch.<br /><br />I had a difficult time getting into this story, but it was because of the information on the Ute Indians, and the background for the story. It was just kind of boring for me. But it then the story took off and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I was so heartbroken for Jesse that I wanted to make sure everything turn out for him ok. The story is sometimes not so easy to read, I found myself reading, but not taking it in at times because of the nature of the scenes with the Indians trying to defend what they had. Wonderful writing of the author in the vivid details of the Ute's way of life. And I appreciate the author describing God's way of salvation so plain and clear, and for showing that only God can break through those barriers and change lives.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting a really good read, and especially those who enjoy historical fiction. And if you enjoy a good old Indian story, this one is for you as well!<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1338086187000, "title": "A Love Forbidden Love Story" }, { "asin": "1595549978", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />There is one thing to say about Kim Cash, and that is, she just has it going on when it comes to writing books! \"Hope Springs\" is another outstanding book that shows us family, faith, cooking up old friendships, forgiveness and healing, and yes, and a boost of romance added to give readers a story that will keep those pages turning. Janelle, Becca and Stephanie's time spent in Hope Springs changed their life forever. I thoroughly enjoyed getting involved in the lives of these ladies throughout this story. Kim Cash will have you laughing, then crying, along with worshiping the Lord as you follow get to know these three characters. I appreciate the way Kim weaves the lives of her characters together with God and living their lives for Him. That's what Christian fiction is all about. Following characters that live for God. Oh they may not start out that way, like many of us, but through there difficulties and trials, they end up giving it all to the Lord. And Thank You Kim for giving us a book such as this.<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1339557398000, "title": "Hope Springs, Wonderful Book" }, { "asin": "1434764303", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />Wow, this book is incredible, I love, love it! I have only read a few of Lisa Bergren's books, and each ones just gets better!<br /><br />Cora Diehl returns to her hometown Dunnigan, Montana after spending her first year at college, to find her dad seriously ill, and a farm to take care of. Cora prays for God to someway help their family with their crops in order to make it financial for the year. But Cora wasn't expecting God to answer her prayer they way he did. Neither did Cora expect to find out secrets that would totally turn her life upside down forever. And I know there are spoilers in review already written, but I'm not going to give them here! This is where you need to read the book to find out what is happening!<br /><br />In my opinion, \"Glamorous Illusions is a masterpiece by Lisa Bergren! Lisa creates characters that are so realistic and true that sometimes it is difficult to realize you are reading a fiction story! The relationship between Cora and her parents is heartwarming, and just knowing that they literally spent everything they had to send her to college gave me chills. And when you read the book, you will see what I am talking about!<br /><br />However, Cora was always puzzled at the glamorous, expensive gift she received for her sixteenth birthday, along with all of the other birthday gifts she received, and even though her parents wasn't telling, Cora suspected they knew what was going on.<br /><br />Then the day comes that will change the lives of Cora and her family forever, and whether that be good or bad, only time will tell. And as you follow this hew happening in the lives of Cora and her family, Lisa Bergren takes you on an unforgettable trip of lifetime as Cora joins the Grand Tour with her family.<br /><br />The only thing I found that I didn't like about the book was it's ending, and having to wait for the second book to drop down from the hanging this book left. I hope the author gives us a better view of Cora's family and her choices she makes while on her tour.", "timestamp": 1339736350000, "title": "A Masterpiece from Lisa T. Bregren" }, { "asin": "0800734378", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Waiting for Sunrise by Eva Marie Everson<br /><br />After Reading Chasing Sunsets, the first book in this series, I was excited and waiting to read \"Waiting for Sunrise.\" The main character in this second book is Patsy Milstrap, whom we met in Chasing Sunsets. Patsy and her husband Gil are on the way to Cedar Key for a vacation, but what Gil is really doing is trying to get Patsy away in order to find help with dealing with her past. Even though Patsy is married to a wonderful man with<br /><br />Again, Eva Marie Everson writes a wonderful story with characters that readers grow to love and believe as though they are real. She writes Patsy's story in a way that seems so real, I was wanting to pray for Patsy daily as I read this book! I love the beach setting, and Cedar Key sounds just like the place anyone needs to go for healing. And Gil is adorable, and his love for Patsy is so very heartwarming, he was willing to do anything to get help for his wife. And Patsy knew he was trying so hard, it must have hurt her so to know he loved her and was trying to help her. One thought I had as I was reading was that wouldn't it be wonderful if all husbands and wives had that unconditional love for each other, just as God has for us. Marriages would be able to survive if this were true. This book truly shows the true real love in a marriage that could have easily fallen apart. A love that grows through the difficult times, not one that is torn down. The author had be crying a lot during this book, but I had to smile and even laugh at times as well. Eva Marie Everson is truly a gifted and talented author that will always be a favorite on my reading list.<br /><br />I highly recommend this wonderful book for anyone to read and enjoy, and especially someone going through difficult situations such as someone trying to deal with their difficult past. Patsy's story is sure to give you hope as you follow her journey.", "timestamp": 1340125410000, "title": "Waiting for Sunrise..wonderful book" }, { "asin": "0800720482", "rating": 5, "text": "Mary Magdalene by Diana Wallis Taylor<br /><br />MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />After reading \"Journey to the Well\" I am hooked on Diana Taylor's books! I look forward to new ones coming out, and I was excited to be able to read and review \"Mary Magdalene.\" And again, I was not disappointed! If you like Biblical Fiction, this book is a must for you!<br /><br />Since Mary Magdalene is somewhat a mystery because there is not much written about her in the Bible, I really wanted to read this book to find out what Diana Taylor's version of Mary was. The book starts out with a young Mary, a daddy's girl and love immensely by her mom. I enjoyed getting to know this young Mary, and following her life to adulthood. The accounts of Mary being demon possessed was heartbreaking, and her family staying close to her, supporting her was so heartwarming. Coming from this life, and the miracle of her healing, I can clearly see why Mary Magdalene was so devoted to Jesus. She loved Him deeply because He changed her life forever.<br /><br />I cringe when I think about some of the things people have to say about Mary and her devotion to the Lord. And I appreciate Diana Taylor for how she shows us the real deal of why Mary loved Jesus so much. It was very well known that no one anywhere had been able to help Mary. And then her husband Nathan, a man wisely chosen by Jared for his daughter, hears about the healer Jesus. It was Jesus who healed Mary and gave her a new life. Shouldn't that make Mary, and anyone else that Jesus has healed in a situation such as this, devoted to Him for life?<br /><br />Wow, I feel like I keep jumping all over the place in this story. Even though we don't know what Mary's life was like, I thoroughly enjoyed this fictional novel of how Diana Wallis Taylor thought it could have been. It is fun just being able to wonder and read about how it could have been. And I feel the Biblical accounts were accurate, so that's all that really matters to me, the rest is fiction, and that's where the fun is.<br /><br />*****Available June 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.*****<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1340649122000, "title": "Mary Magdalene....a wonderful read" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "A Perfect Square by Vannetta Chapman<br /><br />I was excited to revisit my friends in Shipshewana again in Vannetta Chapman's second book in the Shipshewana Amish Mystery series. I really grew to love Deborah and Callie, Esther and Melinda and couldn't wait to see what this book has in store for readers. And I can say that I love this book as much as I did the first, and was hooked from the very first pages.<br /><br />When a young Amish girl is found dead in Ruben's pond, he ends up being the only suspect, especially since he wouldn't answer any questions the authorities were asking him. Who is Ruben trying to protect? Will he actually go to prison for life to protect this person? This murder of an unknown young lady has the Shipshewana community in an uproar.<br /><br />With officer Shane Black on the case, Deborah knew that he would do nothing to find out Ruben's innocence. That meant the job was up to her, and she would have Callie's assistance. Turns out, Callie is looking for someone herself. A daughter, one that no one knows about except her very ill father. These ladies have their work cut out for them as the try to solve these mysteries.<br /><br />I love how Vannetta Chapman weaves these stories together with characters that are well created and developed and a plot that will keep readers wanting to find out what's gonna happen to whom. I highly recommend A Perfect Square for your enjoyment.<br /><br />This book was provided by Zondervan Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1343622238000, "title": "Wonderful and enjoyable second book in this series..." }, { "asin": "0800734556", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THE GIFTED<br /><br />Having reading some of Ann's books on the Shakers, I knew what to expect about their beliefs, though I don't support what they believe at all! How can people actually believe this stuff, and live by it is beyond me.<br /><br />And such were the struggles of Jassamine Brady. Growing up in the shaker neighborhood and loving her family and friends there didn't draw Jassamine to their way of life at all. She found herself very interested in the ways of the world and she sought those ways, struggling to obey the strict rules she was brought up to follow. And when unforeseen circumstances brings young Tristan into her life, Jassamine may be closer than she thinks about finding out what the outside would is all about.<br /><br />Ann Gabhart has such a unique and wonderful way of writing about these shaker people with and open attitude, not condemning them, but giving her readers a true and vivid insight of how they really live.<br /><br />I highly recommend The Gifted as well as the first four books in this wonderful series by Ann Gabhart.<br /><br />Available July 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1343623722000, "title": "Very nice read about the Shakers" }, { "asin": "1609366409", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Elena's family trip to Mackinac Island this summer will be different than all of the others. This time, her mother has in mind to marry her off to the rich and famous Chester Darrington in order to save their family business. Elena has no desire to marry this Mr. Darrington, or even meet him for that matter.<br /><br />Chase didn't really want to make the trip to Mackinac Island with his sister and her husband, but he did want a place to try out the new telescope that the family business was interesting in funding for the invention. One of the first things he heard upon his arrival was his hopeful marriage to this Elena Bissette. Well, he would stay as far away from Elena as possible because he sure wasn't looking for a wife, and especially someone like her.<br /><br />Not knowing who each other is, Chase and Elena meet up at an old lighthouse on the Island. One in which Elena has been visiting for all of the years her family has been coming to the Island and one that Chase has just found. The attraction between the two is a sure thing, Chase liking Elena because she's not one of the \"circle\" which his sister is in. And Elena liking Chase because of pretty much the same reason.<br /><br />In Love Finds You In Mackinac Island, Michigan, Melanie Dobson weaves a historical romance that will keep you on your toes throughout the book. The meeting and relationship of Chase and Elena was sweet and adorable at first, that is until the truth about who each was came to surface. That's when things get touchy between the two and neither want to see each other again! But Chase's mom had a different idea. Can she bring these two back together again? Or is Chase just too stubborn to face the real truth?<br /><br />This is a wonderful and sweet story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It's one of those stories that just make you feel good after reading it. The characters are so real they feel like family and friends. I love Chase and Elena, and I love their attitude about their wealthy families. And Chase's mom was the character that really pulled everything together. Her attitude about gossip shamed me, and one thing I took away from this book is to gossip, or listen to gossip less, and look at the positive sides of people. I really appreciate Melanie bringing this valuable lesson to her readers about this subject.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for you to read and enjoy for yourself. It will make a wonderful summer read, but its not just for summer, it will make an awesome read anytime! And you sure will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1344137674000, "title": "Wonderful Summer read on Mackinac Island!" }, { "asin": "0800734580", "rating": 5, "text": "Lethal Legacy.....By: Irene Hannon<br /><br />Kelly Warren knows for sure that her dad's death was murder, but proving it might not be so easy. It was an attempt on Kelly's own life that detective Cole Taylor starts to believe her suspicions are right. Prompting him to dig and search until he finds enough evidence to re-open the case. What will Cole find out? And can he keep is personal feeling for Kelly at bay enough to stay on the case until its over?<br /><br />Any book by Irene Hannon is storytelling at it's very best. She has a way of telling a story that will pull you in from the very first page and engulf you until you read the last word. Just as it was with me as I read \"Lethal Legacy.\" The characters are so well crafted and believable that it felt like reading a real-life story. Kelly was a quiet sweet Christian young lady who mostly stayed to herself. She had a close relationship with her dad and was determined to find his killer. And since the detective who had the case earlier was on vacation, who by the good-looking, hot, Cole Taylor was assigned to review the case for her. Cole was also a likeable person, and his close nit family really gave the book a more personal touch. A very touching story, one that will stay with readers for a long time after you finish reading.<br /><br />If you are a suspense lover, then this book is a must, one you will not be disappointed in. And if you just like a good, clean, enjoyable read, then you will love this book too. And if you are like me and stay up until the wee hours of the morning finishing \"Lethal Legacy,\" believe me, every night sound you hear will scare the wits out of you! But that's the fun of reading a suspense!<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for your reading enjoyment. Grab a copy of this one, and the others in this series for a few great reads!<br /><br />\"Available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.\"<br /><br />I received this book from Revell Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own.", "timestamp": 1344924556000, "title": "Awesome Suspense!!" }, { "asin": "0764208101", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Travelers Rest starts off as what you would think of being a happier every after, but since Ann Tatlock is writing about difficult issues that people really face, the story gets difficult to read. Jane Morrow and Seth Ballantine have been friends since childhood, and how were getting married. But their life was torn apart when Seth comes home from serving his country injured in Iraq. Jane loves Seth and has no other thoughts except to stay with him and take care of him, but Seth has different thoughts. He no longer wants the relationship to go on, because he just doesn't want Jane to be his nurse for the rest of his life. But chances are, he will get better, but they are very slim.<br /><br />Author Ann Tatlock is a talented author that writes a story that will capture your heart, and give you a new love, respect, awareness and thankfulness for those who fight for us to live in freedom. I was drawn to the characters, and especially Seth and Jane, as well as the old retired Doctor, Truman. With such detailed descriptions of the difficulties and situations they characters were facing, and with so many twists and turns, the author was able to keep my attention until the very end.<br /><br />I recommend this book for you to read, and especially if you like stories about war victims and families.<br /><br />I rec'd a copy of this book from Bethany House to read and review. The opinions here are mine. I have written my honest opinion on what I feel about this book", "timestamp": 1348894897000, "title": "Great Read" }, { "asin": "0764207873", "rating": 5, "text": "When Hope Blossoms by Kim Vogel Sawyer<br />For Bethany House review by Shannon Hannabass<br /><br />Tim Roper thought he could run from God, hid himself in his apple trees, but when a Mennonite widow and her children moved in the farmhouse next to his, his life changed forever. But that change took a while, and the changed unfold between the pages of Kim Vogel Sawyer's new book, \"When Hope Blossoms.\"<br /><br />I love Kim Vogel Sawyers books, and this one is another winner for me. I love Tim and Amy's story. Even though they both has a past that seemed impossible for them, God had a plan for their life, and in Him timing, He worked their lives together for their own good. I love how Kim weaves together families and communities and comes up with a story that captures the attention of readers from the very first page. I have to say I was so intrigued and captivated by this book I read it in one day! I love the way the realistic characters steal their way into your heart as the story unfolds around you. You don't want to miss this beautiful, sweet story of love, forgiveness and acceptance. Grab your copy today to read and enjoy for yourself!<br /><br />I received this book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own", "timestamp": 1348895821000, "title": "Very Nice Read" }, { "asin": "0764209132", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok I thought this book was kinda strange at times, but though it did end up kind of crazy, with Seth not remembering much about his life and family. He and Callie find themselves back together and thus the journey of Seth begins.<br /><br />The characters created by the author, and especially Callie and the whit and life she brought into the lives of this family gave this story a fun and interesting twist. And knowing Seth in a new and different way, the interesting situations between he and Callie brought a special meaning for this book.<br /><br />The Kincaid Brides Series is truly on that you will enjoy reading. I highly encourage you to grab a copy of this book, or the three books in this series for your reading enjoyment. You will not be disappointed!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Bethany House for me to read and review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only", "timestamp": 1349076484000, "title": "Another great book by Mary Connealy" }, { "asin": "1609366867", "rating": 5, "text": "I've read several books on the Titanic this year so I was excited to read Queen of the Waves for another story about this time in history, which I'm surprised because I really didn't care for the movie that much. But I really like Janice Thompson's story of Tessa and Nathan, alone with the other characters involved with Tessa being on the ship in the first place. Tessa is such a sweet person with a personality that rubs off on those around her, as we see in the story. Throughout all of the horrible tragedy with Titanic, this is a story readers can really enjoy and appreciate. And the vivid details of the time in history leading up to when the Titanic set sail, and as the story unfolds until the end, well it is just an awesome history lesson.<br />Of course this book is only fiction, and these things didn't happen aboard the ship, but I loved imagining what it was like, with all of the rich and famous, and imagining what it was like to be there during the horrific tragedy. I thoroughly enjoyed Queen of the Waves and highly recommend it for your reading enjoyment. You will not be disappointed.<br />This book was provided by Summerside Press through LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1349751219000, "title": "Queen of the Waves" }, { "asin": "1609366859", "rating": 4, "text": "Samantha Waldron and her family face some horrific situations as we follow their journey on the Oregon Trail in 1842. Samantha's mom passed away before they started on the trail, so her father was determined to make it to the end of the trail for the rest of his family. But no one knew the many difficult situations they would endure while traveling. Life was not easy as they traveled these many miles.<br /><br />Melanie Dobson's story of Samantha and her family along the Oregon Trail is a believable and intriguing story with believable characters that will keep you interested until the end, because of all the twists and turns it takes. The author tells all of the gruesome details of situations and difficulties during the trail, making the story seem more realistic.<br /><br />I enjoyed this historical novel by Melanie Dobson, though I don't think it is her best work. If you enjoy the Oregon Trail era, and reading books about that time, you will enjoy this one. So pick up a copy for your own reading enjoyment.<br /><br />This book was provided by Summerside Press through LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1349752867000, "title": "Where the Trail Ends" }, { "asin": "0764206168", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Again, Tracie Peterson captures our hearts and interest with this second book in Land of the Lone Star Series. In Touching the Sky, the story is about Laura Marquardt and her sister Carissa. Both sisters find love, Laura with Union Captain Brandon Reid and Carissa, Confederate Malcolm Lowe. Conflicts and difficulties arise as the story unfolds surrounding the lives of these two ladies.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book in every way. I really enjoyed the history so vividly described in Texas after the war, and I enjoyed characters created that are so realistic like and play their parts in the story so well. I love Tracie Peterson books, and this one is no different, it is a winner in my opinion.<br /><br />I recommend that you go purchase your own copy of this book, and while you are at it, pick up a copy of all three books in Land of the Lone Star Series for your reading enjoyment. And if you like historical fiction, this is a must read for you!", "timestamp": 1350326454000, "title": "Touching the Sky" }, { "asin": "0310335108", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />If you enjoy Amish fiction, you will sure enjoy Tricia Goyer's new book The Memory Jar. I really like the Memory Jar idea for best friends Patty and Sarah. It is a good way to store memories, and in Sarah's case it is especially special after Sarah is left to go through life alone. Then Sarah meets Jathan, and things started changing in her life.<br /><br />Tricia Goyer creates wonderful realistic character that we grow to love as the story unfolds and the characters develop so well. The story started a little slow for me, but then as it developed, and the story took a different twist, tensions rise, gossip spreads, people started backing off and acting strange, and Sarah started questioning her earlier decisions. It seems like Jathan has more baggage to take care of than either of them thought. But Tricia Goyer weaves the characters, situations, difficulties, doubts and people along with more twists and turn and brings a story that will keep you reading until the last page, while it warms you heart in a special way. You will love this Amish community and its people when you pick up your copy of The Memory Jar.<br /><br />This book was provided by LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1351637313000, "title": "The Memory Jar" }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Christmas Roses is a wonderful story about Celia Anderson. Celia is a single mom who runs a boarding house, providing for she and her daughter. She knows her daughter needs a dad, but doesn't want to marry because of need, she wants a marriage of love. Well, then Mark comes into the picture!<br /><br />This is a sweet, charming and heartwarming historical story that would be wonderful for everyone to read for Christmas. I love the beautiful cover, and the story just goes right along with what the cover shows. Amanda Cabot creates realistic and amazing characters to tell her Christmas story, and I enjoyed getting to know each character as the story unfolds. Around Christmastime I try to read all of the Christmas stories I can, and I am honored to read and review Christmas Roses. This is a story that will stay with you throughout the Christmas Season.<br /><br />\"Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.\"<br /><br />This book was provided by Revel Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1354679070000, "title": "Nice Christmas Read!" }, { "asin": "140168744X", "rating": 4, "text": "It took me a while to get into this book, don't know why, maybe it was the early setting since it was 227BC. But<br />after I got into the story, I really enjoyed it.<br />I didn't know a lot about the Island of Rhodes either, but with the author's details throughout the book, it<br />was interesting and nice to get to know this place in history. Tracy Higley created characters that are interesting<br />and believable, and enjoyable to get to know. I really liked Tessa and wanted her to find freedom from her Greek<br />owner. When the opportunity came along for her to be free, her life changed in a way she wasn't expecting. Would<br />Tessa finally be free and find her own true love? This is a book well worth your read, and if you enjoy historical<br />fiction, you will truly enjoy Isle of Shadows.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book to Christian fiction lovers, and especially those who enjoy historical stories. Pick<br />up your copy today for an enjoyable read.<br /><br />This book was provided by Booksneeze through their blogger program. I was not expected or required to write a positive<br />review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1356129857000, "title": "Nice historical read" }, { "asin": "0800719891", "rating": 5, "text": "THe Lesson by Susan Woods Fisher<br /><br />In the third and final book of Susan Woods Fisher's Stoney Ridge Seasons Series, Mary Kate Lapp is now nineteen<br />old and still looking for action. But this time, did her sneaking around get her in more trouble that she expected?<br />And to make it worse, it landed her to job of teaching in their Amish school, and Mary Kate certainly was not a<br />school teacher.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mary Kate's story. She was a fun character throughout the first two books in the series<br />because of her free spirit, and determination to find out everything! I am also a Susan Wood's Fisher fan and I love<br />this entire series. The characters were enjoyable and realistic, drawing you into the story and keeping your attention.<br />And the interesting plot keeps you reading because so much is happening to the Lapp family you just want to find<br />out the outcome.<br /><br />If you love Amish fiction, you will love The Lesson, and the first two books in this series. Or if you are looking<br />for a nice enjoyable light read, this is your series! Go out and grap a copy of these books to read for yourself.<br />You will not be disappointed.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Tours. I was not required or expected to write a positive<br />review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1357361476000, "title": "Great ending to Series!" }, { "asin": "1401685676", "rating": 5, "text": "An Amish Kitchen is a neat collection of three novellas, and the Amish Kitchen of the characters has a huge part of each story. The stories are so realistic because the kitchen is a major part of the Amish lifestyle in reality. And I loved getting the recipes as a bonus in this book, especially the herbal remedies!<br />I love Amish fiction and really enjoyed Faith and Abram's story in Kelly Long's \"A Taste of Faith; reading about Hannah King's Bed and Breakfast and newcomer Stephen Esh in Amy Clipston's \"A Spoonful of Hope,\" and Beth Wiseman's \" A Recipe for Hope,\" and Eva Bender and her family's disaster when a tree falls on her haus. In all three of these stories, the characters deal with difficult situations, and they need to trust God and depend on Him. Their faith carries them through, but it is not always easy. It is difficult to pick a best one, because they all interacted so well together and I enjoyed them all.<br />If you love Amish fiction, this one is for you. You will love these short stories. This is a great book for those who really don't have time to read a full size novel.<br />Booksneeze provided a copy of this book for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1358193641000, "title": "Awesome Amish three stories in this book!" }, { "asin": "1595549706", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Having read the first two books in this series, I was anxious for the third book in The Brides of Last Chance Ranch to hit the stands. And author Margaret Brownley did not disappoint! With characters that I fell in love with, I thoroughly enjoyed another really good read that will stay with me for a while! I grew to love Molly, and the relationship she had with her brother was truly heartwarming. My heart went out to her as she strove to do whatever she could to take care of Donny.<br /><br />Waiting for Morning is truly a story that will capture the heart of any reader, just as it did mine. I highly recommend this historical fiction to book lovers everywhere. A copy of this book was provided by Booksneeze's blogger program. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1361337502000, "title": "Waiting for Morning" }, { "asin": "1859859313", "rating": 5, "text": "My Thoughts On This Book<br /><br />The Story of David and Goliath is one that most children enjoy and remember well. David Sticker Book tells this wonderful Bible story in words, pictures and added stickers for children to interact with the story. And I was suprised at the amount of stickers that are included in the book, they are wonderful. And I really like the illustrations as well. The book is a whole is beautiful inside and out. And as usual, I used my four year-old niece as the real person to review this book of David, and she absolutely loved it! We read the story together and she had a wonderful time placing the stickers on the correct pages, and as she placed the stickers, she talked about each one and we had fun talking about David and Goliath. This tells me that the stickers are a valuable source to go with the story because it keeps children much more interested in the story.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for your small child. I will know they will love it just as much as my niece does. And she still loves reading the book, even after the stickers are all in place.<br /><br />I received this book free from Kregel Publishing. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The<br /> opinions here are my own.", "timestamp": 1361587647000, "title": "Wonderful little book for small children" }, { "asin": "1401686826", "rating": 5, "text": "So Shines the Night......<br /><br />I really enjoyed this historical Biblical fiction by Tracey Higley. I haven't read a lot books in this early era, being set in 57 A. D. The characters were interesting and realistic and I enjoyed getting to know them as the story unfolds. The story is based on Acts 19 and the author did her research well, because as I continued to read, the situations and everything surrounding them begin to feel so real I felt like I was there! And as always I love that Tracy brings a part of the Bible to life through her vivid imagination in So Shines the Night, and I appreciate her sharing this story with us!<br /><br />If you enjoy historical fiction, or Biblical fiction, you will love So Shines the Night. I encourage you to pick up your copy today!<br /><br />I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson 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 55.", "timestamp": 1362552920000, "title": "So Shines the Night" }, { "asin": "080072089X", "rating": 5, "text": "It seems that someone is a spy in Lady Wexham's house but who could it be? Rees Phillips is trying to find out, with his new job disguised as a butler. But can Rees sneak around and try to find answers without anyone suspecting him? This book gets very interesting as the sneaking around continues, not only with Rees but others in the household.<br /><br />This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend. I enjoyed the era of the setting and the vivid details so perfectly described by Ruth Axtell. The characters were unique and believable and they keep readers guessing and reading throughout the story. I really liked Rees and his attempting to be a butler, which he did very well. And the tension between he and the Lady Wexham was enough to keep me reading to find out what the outcome between them would be.<br /><br />I highly recommend this story for anyone who loves a good historical fiction with a bit of suspense and romance. You will not be disappointed!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Revell Publishers for me to read and review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1362978017000, "title": "Great Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0745962823", "rating": 2, "text": "I love sticker story books for children, and this is why I wanted to review My Very First Easter Story Book. The book is very attractive, with vivid colors and stickers to go along with the story on each page. The story is about the story of Easter, Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave.<br /><br />The story is simple enough for very small children to understand, and I like that part about this book. But I do wish the author would have explained why Jesus died for us instead of making the remark a number of times that He did this to make the world a better place. Children need the simplicity of the story but they also need to know the actual truth of what the scripture says. For me, when I read the story to my niece, I added the parts left out by the author, but not everyone can or will do that. I hope the next book the author writes she will stay closer to scripture.", "timestamp": 1364047316000, "title": "Easter Sticker book" }, { "asin": "1595548890", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />When I see Beth Wiseman's name on a book, I know it is going to be an awesome read. I love her Amish books, but I am enjoying the contempory fiction she is writing as well! In The House That Love Built, the characters are realistic and believable and I enjoyed getting to know them better as the story unfolded. Beth had a strong faith in God, and she showed this faith through the many struggles she faced. And she was able to help Owen with struggles with his faith as their friendship progressed. I did feel for Beth as she struggled with the situation with her dad, because she was clearly hurt by him.<br />This is a story of love, faith in the Lord, forgiveness and second chances. If you are looking for a good clean entertaining story, this one is for you.", "timestamp": 1365582565000, "title": "Another wonderful book by Beth Wiseman" }, { "asin": "1414361122", "rating": 5, "text": "Rescue Team by Candace Calvert<br /><br />Kate Callison has been running from her past and jumping jobs for several years, and now she is working as ER director at Austin Grace Hospital. As different cases came through the ER department, memories of Kate's past surfaced more and more. Wes Tanner was at the right place at the right time when an emergency happened at Austin Grace, but then he met the new ER director, Kate. Wes finds himself attracted to Kate, despite her dismissive attitude, but just how does Kate feel about Wes?<br /><br />I am a big fan of Candace Calvert and Rescue Team is another Candace book that I LOVE! I love books that capture my attention early in the story, and this one had my attention from the first page! I wasn't sure about Kate at first, with her attitude and the mystery of her past, but as the story unfolded, I could understand her attitude about life. And I love Wes, he is such a sweetheart, and I love his family. But he has a heartbreaking past as well, that he doesn't want to talk about. Ms. Calvert weaves together a story of heartbreaking pasts, through many difficult situations and twists and turns, and so vividly shows love, forgiveness and healing through God's love and mercy in Wes and Kate's story.<br /><br />If you enjoy Christian fiction, or just want a good clean medical romance to read, I highly recommend Rescue Team. With Candace being a former nurse, the medical knowledge is phenomenal, making the story even more interesting and enjoyable.<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale House to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1367285043000, "title": "Awesome Christian Fiction with a lot of Medical Knowledge" }, { "asin": "0764209663", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Looking for a new preacher? Why not hold up a train and steal him at gunpoint? Karen Witemeyer gives us and interesting, enjoyable, witty, funny story that will sure be the height of your entertainment this summer in Stealing the Preacher. Joanna's outlaw father was willing to do anything to give her what she wants, including holding up a train and stealing Crockett Archer. Only Crockett can't stay in the little Texas Community of Piney Woods because he's on a mission someplace else as a preacher candidate. But as he gets to know the people in Piney Woods, he's drawn to the need for someone to take over the little church that hasn't had a preacher for quite a while. But what about this other church, the one who is waiting on his arrival to vote on whether or not they want him as their own preacher. Well, its all unfolded between the pages of the wonderful book!<br />First of all, I LOVE this cover. I am so glad Bethany House decided to change it! And Karen Witemeyer is at it again with her awesome, humorous writing style. As I read Stealing the Preacher, I fell in love with the people of Piney Woods, and was really hoping that Crockett would decide to change his mind and be their new preacher, especially since he was so different from most preachers, and he identified with these people so well. With all of the twists and turns, and the adorable, unique characters, why not come on board with the rest of us and enjoy this wonderful summer, and well really, anytime read from Ms. Whitemeyer and Bethany House. You will sure be happy you decided to try this one. And while you are at it, check out the other books by Karen Witemeyer. I've read all of Karen's books, and each one gets better and better! She is definitely high on my favorite authors list!<br />I received this book from the publisher Bethany House, and Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1371094501000, "title": "Another awesome historical fiction from Karen Witemeyer" }, { "asin": "0825442141", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Reading this book clearly shows that women have always experienced hurt in some way. Authors Dena Dyer and Tina Samples' Wounded Women of the Bible gives ladies an inside look at more than a dozen women throughout Bible time and the hurts and difficulties they faced. We read the stories of Dinah, Ruth, Hagar, Ichabod's Mother, Mary and Martha, and others, getting to know they ladies in a really interesting and unique way.<br /><br />Finding Hope When Life Hurts is truly what we learned from this book through the lives of each of these ladies. Dena Dyer and Tina Samples leave nothing out as they study and explore what the Bible says. I also appreciate the authors opening their own lives and showing the hurts and struggles they have faced in their lives. To me, this makes the book even more special because we are not only getting truths from the Bible, we are getting truths from real people's lives.<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Kregel to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1377922007000, "title": "Wonderful Bible Study!" }, { "asin": "1859857663", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Bumper Wipe Clean Activities was a huge hit with my 4 year old niece. She loves it, and has played and played with it. I ended up mailing it to her house so she could have it there to play with! This is the cutest little book your child will ever have. The wipe clean activities are adorable for the kids to do. This is an awesome idea for a children's book. Abbi has enjoyed the matching, tracing, going through the mazes, and all of the other activities, and the awesome thing about this is that they can wipe the page clean, and start over again!<br /><br />Need activities to keep children quiet in the car, or maybe an appointment? This is the book you need. It is hours of fun for young children, I would have one for each child, and they can do their own thing while you enjoy the peace and quiet!<br /><br />I just can't say enough about this little activity book. This is a must for all homes with small children! You and your child will love is just as much as Abbi and I do!!<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Kregel to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1380282113000, "title": "Love, Love this book!!" }, { "asin": "B00FFBG1PM", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The Bargin is not just another Amish Fiction! It is an Amish fiction with a twist like I haven't read before, the setting being in the Vietnam War. I loved the history weaved into the book about this era, and especially since I was old enough during that time to remember a lot about the war and the friends I had who fought in it. Betsy's story was interesting, with her family living as Englisch. This story brought back a lot of memories of when I was growing up, and that I did enjoy very much! It was so interesting because back then, we did really live plain, or so it seems like that now. I really did love the setting, and the story.<br /><br />Stephanie Reed is a fairly new author for me, so I was excited to review an Amish fiction from a different author. Ms. Reed created characters that were enjoyable and believable, giving readers a real feel of life in the early 1970′s. If you enjoy Amish, you will love this one. If you enjoy historical fiction, this is for you too! So why not put the two together and check out this new book from Stephanie Reed. I think you will be pleasantly surprised!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1382586934000, "title": "The Bargin" }, { "asin": "1859855865", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS<br /><br />This is a really neat Bible handbook from Kregel Publishers. The Candle Bible Handbook is for 8 to 12 year olds and would be an awesome addition to their library, because it can be a wonderful study tool for your child to use while reading the Bible or reading Bible stories. There are many things to help with Bible study including study questions, tips to watch for when reading, an outline an description of the book, along with a little box with important information. And you will also find a section with Big ideas in the Bible, Bible Promises, Fifty very important passages in the Bible and Who’s Who in the Bible. And of course this is just a touch of what you will find in this neat handbook.<br /><br />I really like this book that will be an additional study tool when studying the Bible. I found it interesting myself as I read through it and went over the different things added to help study. If you have kids in this age group, or I think even teenagers would like this, I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of The Candle Bible Handbook. You will find it very informative and interesting.<br /><br />I rec’d a copy of this book from Kregel to read and review. The opinions in this review are mine only. I was not required or expected to write a positive review.", "timestamp": 1400470384000, "title": "Really Neat for Kids" }, { "asin": "1414368453", "rating": 5, "text": "Annie, a young Irish immigrant is the housekeeper at Mrs. Hawkins boarding house, but she is also a wonderful story teller, thanks to her really great storyteller father. But when Annie’s father passed away, and after living with her no caring uncle, and the horrible places he sent her, she eventually ended up in New York. You will thoroughly enjoy this wonderful historical novel by Cindy Thomson. Annie not only loved storytelling, she loved to daydream, so her mind was always full of a story to tell. And Ms. Thomson does an amazing job of telling these stories in a way that will capture your heart and attention. One thing that was so touching to me is the way telling her stories always made Annie think of the father she missed so much. Check out this fabulous book and give it a try!<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale House to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1420701507000, "title": "Really interesting historical fiction!" }, { "asin": "0529102781", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Jeremiah and Anna May's life took a tumbling fall when Jeremiah left his Amish family, Anna May and the Amish faith for the English world, and their schools, to become a veterinarian. But will his return mean that they can pick up where they left off with their relationship? Life is not that easy! And life for these two young people was not without heartaches and many struggles as they strived to find out what God really wanted them to do with their lives.<br /><br />I have read many of Kathleen Fuller's books, and have enjoyed them all! Just as I enjoyed this one, and I'm going to get the other books in this series as well! I fell in love with these characters immediately, and I thoroughly enjoyed following their journey, though they did have their moments. I like that Ms. Fuller shows so much detail to the story and each scene that takes place. This is truly a well written book, and a book that anyone who loves a really good Amish story will want to read!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1426653601000, "title": "Very nice Amish story!" }, { "asin": "0800722485", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />For me, this was a really heartwarming story. Kaitlyn was trying to get her life together after leaving her child with her brother to raise. Now she has to prove that she is the mother her daughter needs in order to get her daughter back. On the other hand, Steven is trying to prove that he has grown up, and ready to settle down. But would Steven and Kaitlyn be able to make a go of it together, with all of their past failures?<br /><br />I have really enjoyed Catherine Armstrong’s A Place to Call Home Series, and I so much enjoyed this third book! The characters are very realistic and enjoyable to get to know. The lives of the characters sure keep readers wondering what will happen next! And I appreciate the detailed info about this little place called Last Chance. It is sure a place I would love to visit!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1426819255000, "title": "Love this wonderful book!" }, { "asin": "0310315549", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This has been an absolutely enjoyable series to read, and Rachel Hauck is an amazingly talented writer! I love how she brings you into the story, giving me the feeling I was there with the characters. As I read the book, I felt as though the characters were real, as I thought about them day and night! Corina was hoping to find her prince charming for the second time, but with all of the issues going on, and with Corina still dealing with the death of her brother, there was just no way. But was there? This is truly a story of redemption and love, and the twists and turns in the story kept me turning the pages pretty fast! The setting, the characters, the different scenes throughout the story as I read, they all came together to a wonderful ending. I highly recommend How to Catch a Prince, and the other books in Rachel Hauck's Royal Wedding Series.<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1427161293000, "title": "Love this heartwarming story" }, { "asin": "0718031652", "rating": 4, "text": "Sarah Montgomery finally gets to join her fiancée Rand Campbell, in Fort Laramie, Wyoming but is he really excited to see her? Seems like he has found someone else to occupy his time, making life difficult for Sarah. But then when ex-fiancé Ben Croftner shows up in Wyoming, things get a little more exciting, or maybe we could say tension was filling the air more than ever.<br /><br />A Heart's Obsession is another short story in Colleen Coble's A Journey of the Heart Series. a reissue of the Wyoming series published around a decade, and back this time in 6 short books. Though I like short books sometimes, its kind of frustrating that we as readers have to wait so long for the next chapters in the book. Its like reading a few chapters, putting the book down, and after a month picking it back up again. I am just not fond of this type of reading myself. But as far as the story, I love it! It is awesome, just as all of Colleen Coble books are!! I will keep them all, and read them again in the order of the series, and will enjoy them much more. I hope this is not a trend that publishers are heading toward, but it will be interesting to see.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1429074224000, "title": "Short story" }, { "asin": "0310335884", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Life hasn't been easy for 32 year old Linda Zook, being orphaned at age 4 and raised by an uncle that didn't want her. But Linda is determined to make something of her life, working part time at the Lancaster Grand Hotel, she desires to we worthy of a life that she can be happy and loved. Thirty-two year old Aaron Ebersol comes back into the picture after leaving the Amish community for almost two decades because of the harsh demands of his father. These two meet up, but what will life be for them because of their background? Can they find love and forgiveness for the family that wronged them?<br /><br />Amy Clipston is one of my favorite Amish writers. I love her writing style, the long series about this Amish Community and the families, and I fell in love with her characters in the first book of this series! Linda and Aaron's story is a sad, but yet a happy one. I thoroughly enjoyed following the lives of these two characters through the thick and thin of their relationship. As I read their story, I could clearly see the love, grace, forgiveness and redemption of our God in the lives of these characters. In everything they went through, God was in the driver's seat of their lives and leading them every step of the way. If you enjoy Amish fiction, this series is a must for you. Check out A Simple Prayer by Amy Clipston, and the other books in this awesome series.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1431489089000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Life hasn't been easy for 32 year old Linda Zook" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Talk about mystery, The End of Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble is one of the best mysteries I have read! Who is Claire Dellamare? She thought her life was like any other rich girl’s life, that it until she Claire returns to the Hotel Tourmaline for a business meeting with her CEO father. That’s when she starts hearing rumors about her disappearing for a year when she was young.<br /><br />Wow, this was an awesome read! The plot line was amazing, and the characters were so very realistic I wanted to be there in the story with them. Clarie was a sweet and intelligent young lady, and never did she think her life would be in shambles when she returned to the Hotel Tourmaline. The more I read the stranger the story became, one murder and one young child went missing at the same time. Was there a connection? What strange and horrific thing could have happened all those years ago? This is a book you do not want to miss. And if you are a Colleen Cobble fan, this is one of her best!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1431575510000, "title": "The End of Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble is one of the best mysteries I have read" }, { "asin": "0529103435", "rating": 5, "text": "A Heart’s Betrayal is the fourth book in Colleen Coble’s A Journey of the Heat Series. This series is a previous series from Ms. Coble, this one is a very short book for each story. In this story, Emmie Croftner finds out that her late husband wasn’t the man she thought he was, the home and everything she had wasn’t hers after all. After relocating, Emmie meets a soldier that just might change her life.<br /><br />As usual, Colleen Coble writes a story with characters are interesting and intriguing, and make the story interesting. The situations in Emmie’s life leave her with a life of tension, so much so that she can’t stay in her town any longer. This change in her life leaves a more and different type of tension, because of her new place and new people in her life. The one thing with these short books is that you have to wait a month to read the next short installment. For me, it is much easier to read the entire story at once. I am keeping all of these books and will read them again one after the other!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1433304461000, "title": "A Heart’s Betrayal is the fourth book in Colleen Coble’s ..." }, { "asin": "1496402146", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This is a really good story written from a mothers viewpoint about her child. With television being the big entertainment and past time, weight problems in children are on the rise. Heidi Bond made changes she had to make for her daughter’s health. With the world today full of fast food, quick fix meals, and sweet and fatty snacks, obesity in children just keeps getting worse.<br /><br />I appreciate how Heidi and Breanna are using their story to help other kids with the same problems they have experienced. Even though their journey was not an easy on, it was a productive one because it taught them the meaning of a healthy lifestyle. I did make me angry as Heidi talked about the way people viewed her efforts, especially talking about those who had talked about her daughter’s obesity, now criticizing her for refusing her candy and sweet treats. People can be so rude. If you are someone you love is experiencing the same or similar situation, I encourage you to pick up a copy of Heidi’s book, Who’s the New Kid. I think you will find help you never expected.<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1433905940000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK This is a really good story written from a mothers viewpoint about her child" }, { "asin": "0310322170", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Another murder in the Amish Artisan Village in Middlebury, Indiana, and the Poison Poet strikes again and again leaving pies with notes attached saying the pies are poisoned. And then the emails Amber is getting, that is clearly from the Poison Poet? Ms. Chapman does it again with a murder, mystery/suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seats. And in an Amish community at that!<br /><br />I felt so bad for Amber, the harassing emails were causing problems with her work and marriage, because the Poison Poet was determined that she wouldn’t tell anyone what was going on. But she had too many friends and family that loved her, and I was touched at the way the pulled together to help her. And another person that was helped was Preston. I really like Preston and the sweet relationship forming between Preston and Mocha, which you will need to read the book to find out about these two! And who in the world could have gunned Ryan Duvall down in broad daylight, just as he finished his race?<br /> A lot of questions, and a lot going on in Murder Freshly Baked, and I just know you will enjoy it as much as I did!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1433921239000, "title": "Just Wonderful Writing by Ms. Chapman!" }, { "asin": "0800734351", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Has Marisa St. George found the man or her dreams after moving back to her hometown of Dupree, Texas. Very successful and well known writer Blake Kendall decides to try hanging out at Rainbow’s End Resort for a while to see if it would help his writers block, that he couldn’t seem to get over. The attraction between Marisa and Blake was immediate, but then things started to come up that put a halt on that attraction, and their relationship was rocky one min and ok the next. This situation, along with everything else going on at Rainbow’s End Resort makes for a fun and entertaining story.<br /><br />In Firefly Valley ,I loved reading about the characters I grew to love in the first book in this series, At Bluebonnet Lake, and meeting the new people traveling to the area! The relaxing atmosphere at the Rainbow’s End Resort and the quite town of Dupree, Texas makes this a light read, yet a story that deals with lives that were changed through forgiveness of each other and the love, forgiveness and redemption of our Lord. I want to encourage you to pick up a copy of In Firefly Valley for hours of relaxing, entertaining and fun. I think you will like this book as much as I did! This one goes on my keeper shelf!<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.<br /><br />Another really sweet book from author Amanda Cabot!", "timestamp": 1434349019000, "title": "along with everything else going on at Rainbow’s End Resort makes for a fun and entertaining story" }, { "asin": "0800723503", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Her mother's death causes Elizabeth Benjamin to return to her home in Key West, but things didn't go as she thought it would. Though she needed her family, it seemed that they didn't need her as much, and she sure wasn't happy with her father's pick as a husband for her. Was her trip back home a mistake?<br /><br />Since this was my first book by Christine Johnson I wasn't sure what to expect, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. This book was as good as the cover is beautiful! I love the inviting cover! This was also my first story with a setting in the historical 1850's Key West, Florida. There is a lot that makes up the plot of this story, danger, secrets, adventures seas, heart throbbing romance, and determination in the hearts of characters. Ms. Johnson does a marvelous job of weaving it all together to write a most amazing, entertaining and enjoyable story that I highly recommend. I will sure be looking for more books in this series.<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1434354351000, "title": "and she sure wasn't happy with her father's pick as a husband for her" }, { "asin": "1601425996", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Mesu Andrew's books because she has such an amazing talent of taking Bible characters, putting them in a historical Biblical setting and creating a story that will pull you in and keep you long after you finish the book. When I finish reading a Mesu Andrews book, I have a new, clear insight of the Biblical character the Book is about.<br /><br />The Pharoah's Daughter is another one of those books. I have always loved the story of Moses being put in the river in a basket as a baby by his sister. And Pharoah's daughter claiming Moses for her own, and raising him as her own. Ms. Andrews takes this story much deeper, bringing us into the home of Pharoah's daughter and now the home of Moses. I have always has questions about how this or that happened, and in this story, Ms. Andrews answers some of those questions in her fictional way. This was a special time in history, and I appreciate this awesome author for taking on these characters and this time in history. And I also appreciate the knowledge and research it took to write a story like this. Needless to say, I was in awe of The Pharoah's Daughter and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves historical, Biblical, or just a good fiction story.<br /><br />Blogging for Books provided this book for my honest review. The review is my views alone.", "timestamp": 1434561646000, "title": "I love Mesu Andrew's books because she has such an amazing ..." }, { "asin": "0718011783", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Two very different people, and a dangerous ruby? That's what this story is about. Daughter of a shop keeper, Camille is searching for her own lot in life. And the son of a very wealthy, well-known explorer and collector, Jonathan is settle in his fathers wealth, even though he is the second son. But his life changes when the hunt for a special ruby leads him to Camille's family shop. Who will finally uncover this expensive, dangerous jewel?<br /><br />Author Sarah Ladd takes us on an exciting and dangerous journey through the streets of historical London in her new book, The Curiosity Keeper. And Curiosity it is as I read this really good book! The characters will weave their way into your hearts, and the sights and sounds of London are so expertly detailed that you will find yourselves wondering if you are there! I love the tension in the scenes, because it made me keep turning the pages. The intensity and suspense that takes place makes for a very enjoyable read. I highly recommend The Curiosity Keeper!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1436334889000, "title": "And Curiosity it is as I read this really good book! The characters will weave their way into ..." }, { "asin": "0718031687", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br /> Emmie has a secret that she definitely doesn't want Isaac to know about, because she doesn't want to loose him. This makes for a lot of twists and turns in this very short story. This is book 5 in A Journey of the Heart Series. I enjoyed reading the continuation of this story, the characters and setting is already familiar, and the plot is somewhat set. As with all Colleen Coble books, this is a wonderful read and a wonderful series. I enjoyed each book, but I think reading all of these short book at once would be better because you don't have to wait to see what the next few chapters give.<br /><br />BookLook Bloggers provided this book for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive or any type of review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1436336191000, "title": "I enjoyed reading the continuation of this story" }, { "asin": "0310749417", "rating": 5, "text": "My Thoughts<br /><br />This is a cute little Bible Story book for any little one. If you have small children, you would be wise to invest in this book for them. The colors are nice and bright, and the cover is just plain cute! It has Papa, Brother, Sister and Honey reading, which is one of our favorite things to do here. The book is made just for smaller kids with thick sturdy pages that a child cannot tear, so you don't have to worry about them playing with this book. And you will enjoy reading these Bible stories and teaching your child about Jesus.<br /><br />This book was provided by BookLook Bloggers. The opinions here are mine.", "timestamp": 1441166721000, "title": "The colors are nice and bright" }, { "asin": "1401688888", "rating": 5, "text": "I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1441168580000, "title": "Love it!" }, { "asin": "1401690513", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Abby Knightly’s life came to an end as she knew it when her husband was killed in an auto accident, and Abby feels responsible. Not being about to live with what happened, Abby decides to move to a little town she had read about in a column in a newspaper. Circumstances caused her to meet Bo, one of three brothers that owned a ranch in the small town of Wishing Springs, Texas .<br /><br />This story took a different turn than the first book in this series. Bo’s story didn’t come across as well as Tru’s for me. Bo seemed less responsible, more reckless and the little surprise that ended up on his pops doorstep confirms that. It just happened that Abby was there at the right time, which was ok with Bo because he needed all the help he could get. Even though I did enjoy the story, a young lady showing up in a small town, meeting a guy that has sworn off ladies, and all of a sudden were thrown together and everything else that happened within a few weeks just wasn’t as believable as I would have liked. But then, that’s just me! All in all, I enjoyed the Monahan family again, and looking forward to reading book three! And by the way, Pops is just the sweetest old man, just adorable!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1441775657000, "title": "Even though I did enjoy the story" }, { "asin": "0310338492", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Love this book, Love this series! Shelley Shepard Gray is one of the best!! Lydia and Sebastian were two very different people, from completely different backgrounds, but the attraction between them was real. But the two being together was just impossible. Or was it? Though rough as some of the characters are, this is a pretty sweet story. There is a lot of bad things happening, a lot of tension, a lot of twists and turns, but Ms. Gray does a fantastic job of pulling it all together, with twists and turns you don’t expect, and making another awesome story in this series. I don’t want to say too much, and give anything away, so I wont! This is a wonderful and entertaining story, set just after the Chicago Worlds Fair is over, a story that will stay with you for a while.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1447220727000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Love this book" }, { "asin": "0310339545", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Leila Lantz has a difficult decision to make. Two young men, Jesse, and Will (Jesse's cousin) want her love and commitment. But the two offer entirely different lifestyles for Leila. Jesse is struggling with his faith, and not so sure he is ready for a lifetime commitment, but Leila has loved him since the first time she saw him. And Will, well he is more settled and knows what he wants to do with his life, but keeps his feelings for Leila to himself because he doesn't want to hurt his cousin Jesse. How will this author untangle this mess of relationships for Leila?<br /><br />I really like the way Kelly Irvin writes Amish fiction. She adds a unique twist to her stories that make them very interesting and entertaining. Leila has some tough decisions to make, but I liked that. Dealing with real life situations, even among the Amish faith helps to realize that we all have problems that we must surrender to the Lord. And this book will have you taking a closer look at your own faith. It was nice visiting characters from book one, and I am excited to read book three when it hits the shelves. If you are looking for a good clean book for enjoyment, this is a wonderful one to pick up!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1447474989000, "title": "and Will (Jesse's cousin) want her love and commitment" }, { "asin": "1601425007", "rating": 5, "text": "A Refuge at Highland Hall is the third book in the Edwardian Brides series by Carrie Turansky. I was glad to read more of Highland Hall's Penny Ramsey in this story. Because of Britain's involvement in WWI, Penny decides to travel to London to help her sister Kate and her husband with the houseful of orphaned children they have. Its there that Penny meets Royal Naval Air Service pilot Alex Goodwin, and there was definitely an attraction between the two! Knowing he would be chasing Zeppelins across the front line in France, Alex couldn't allow anything series between the two. But they could write to each other while he was in France. But faced with unforeseen circumstances, Alex's life takes a dramatic change, and seeing Penny again was out of the question.<br /><br />This is such a wonderful book! First of all, the cover is beautiful, and the story inside is full of entertainment. I loved meeting the characters again, they now seem like family members. Penny is such a sweetheart, and I was cheering on a relationship between she and Alex. There's a lot of things going on in this book, a lot of twists and turns happening that made me keep my nose in the book until I finished!! Author Carrie Turansky does an amazing joy of weaving everything together nicely, and giving readers a sweet romance.<br /><br />And the history in this story is phenomenal, it made the trip back into the past WWI era so enjoyable. As I read, I felt like I was living the story along with the characters. This book is a must if you enjoy historical and WWI fiction. And this one is a nice clean read! One that anyone will enjoy!<br /><br />I received this book from Blogging for Books to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1454892669000, "title": "Awesome Read!" }, { "asin": "0310332435", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGTHS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Casey Cox only wants to do the right things, find her father's killer. But her life falls apart when she finds her good friend murdered, and with her DNA being all over the place, she has no option but to run. Dylan Roberts, the PI hired to find Casey doesn't think she is guilty of murder, the evidence just doesn't show it.<br /><br />If I Run is another fast pace thriller from one of my very favorite authors, Terri Blackstock. It starts our with Casey finding her good friend Brent murdered in his home. Knowing why Brent was murdered, and her blood all over everything, Casey's only choice is to take off. Casey was a fantastic leading character, with all of her twists and turns trying to stay under the radar, I never knew what was coming next! Casey was such a caring person, she cared more for helping others than she did herself, even if she did put herself in the spotlight. I really enjoyed this story, and I read it through without putting it down.<br /><br />However, the ending just almost ruined it for me. It left so many loose ends, I felt as though I was hanging from a cliff when I read that last sentence. I sure hope there is a book two, I will be very disappointed if it is not. Can't wait to find out about another book in this series!", "timestamp": 1455863516000, "title": "But her life falls apart when she finds her good friend murdered" }, { "asin": "1414389752", "rating": 5, "text": "Mariah and her grandmother are trying their best to keep their ranch running after the death of Mariah’s father. But their lives take a drastic change when Slade Donovan show up claiming the ranch. As it turns out, Mariah’s father supposedly took money that belonged to Slade’s father and bought the ranch, so now that Slade’s father is dead, he is there to claim what belongs to their family. He agrees to let Mariah and her grandmother stay in the house until his mom and sister come to live there. But a lot of things happen here in this story before that takes place.<br /><br />This was my first book by Pam Hillman, and I loved it so very much! There was a lot of tension between the characters because Slade was carrying around so much anger and bitterness. Mariah was shocked that her father would steal money, so she and Slade didn’t get along. The two that did surprisingly got along was Slade’s quiet brother and Mariah’s grandmother, while I think had a lot to do with Slade and Mariah slowing changing their minds. Grandma was a sweetheart, she loved the Lord, and nothing seemed to upset her. She was the glue that held them all together. But when the mom and sister get there, things may change for them.<br /><br />I enjoyed Ms. Hillman’s writing style and I look forwarding to reading other books by her. The bit of suspense and romance make this story one you will love and enjoy. And I can’t leave out the fact that the history throughout this story was so interesting and very well searched and woven into the lives of the characters. You can’t go wrong with this book being on your ‘to read’ shelf. I purchased a copy of this book to read, and it is so good I wanted to leave a review.", "timestamp": 1456156195000, "title": "Love this historical fiction" }, { "asin": "0764211412", "rating": 5, "text": "I thought this book was a fantastic read, and I really enjoyed every minute of it! After Miranda sold a prized portrait, and her grandfather bought an auction house that they were sure the portrait went to, the story took a new twist! I'm not sure how I would have felt had I ended up at a livestock auction house, and it was just as interesting reading about Miranda's experience. There is a lot in this story to absorb, and I kept wondering if a mistake was made about buying this auction house in the first place, but I just had to be patient. I will have to say, from the cover of this book, I did not expect the story that is between the pages!<br /><br />When I see a book by Regina Jennings, I know its going to be an awesome read, and this was no exception. I became very attached to the characters, the grandfather was adorable and Miranda was a special young lady! And oh, the romance was sweet and heartfelt. This is a must read for those of you who enjoy historical fiction, or just looking for a good clean read! At Love's Bidding will not disappoint!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1456295075000, "title": "Love this book!" }, { "asin": "0718033183", "rating": 4, "text": "Arguments with parents happen often, but Joanna Schrock never dreamed this argument would be her last. The accident that happened after the argument changed Joanna's life forever, in ways she never expected. Andrew, her beau since childhood draws closer<br /> to Joanna, knowing her could have lost her in the accident. But is his marriage offer truly because of his love for her?<br /><br /> This was a most enjoyable story. I do not read a lot of Amish stories, but this one captured my attention, with the horrific accident and the heartbreaking happenings after. The story gets intense while Joanna is recovering, with Andrew hovering over her, and Joanna wondering if it was his love or his pity for him that he was acting in such a way.<br /><br /> This story was interesting enough to keep me reading. If you enjoy Amish stories, you will enjoy this one.<br /><br />I received a free copy of this book from ,…….. to read and review. I expressed my own opinion in this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1458937229000, "title": "But is his marriage offer truly because of his love for her" }, { "asin": "0800726405", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br /> After the death of her husband, Shelby Kincaid decides to move back to where she was raised, and purchase her family's home, Misty Willow. AJ Sullivan owns the home, given to him by his grandfather, though he is sure not interested in the place. Once the two meet, for some odd reason they couldn't stay away from each other. But family history and dark secrets find their place between these two young people.<br /><br />This turned out to be a sweet and heartwarming story. AJ wasn't the villain I thought he would me, he was actually a character I liked very much. AJ's cousins, Brett and Amy are a different story altogether. The were difficult to tolerate! Ms. Alexander does a fantastic job of weaving this story together, through the difficult past, to the difficult cousins, to this special couple, Shelby and AJ, turning their lives around to create a beautiful life between the two. This is a wonderful contemporary story that you don't want to miss.<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1459829440000, "title": "Love this beautiful story!" }, { "asin": "1629116858", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Abigail Stutzman had no idea why she was dumped at a bus station with a ticket to an aunt and uncle's house she didn't even know she had. What was wrong with her mamm, why did she allow this to happen to her? And it seemed like her aunt and uncle and everyone else in her new community was silent on the issue as well. What made things even worse for Abby is her new friends seem to leave her on a trail of burned down barns. Nothing happening in her life made sense to Abbi anymore.<br /><br />Poor Abby, I can not imagine what it would be like to be left at a bus station and sent to someone I didn't even know! Amish sometimes have a strange way of handing situations. One thing about it, Even though Abby didn't know her aunt and uncle, they were happy to meet their new niece, and was glad to have her in their home. She became like a daughter to them. But the fires were a puzzle. And firefighter Sam Miller couldn't figure it out either. But Abby had to be the one setting the fires, wasn't she? As Sam and Abby spend more and more time together, sparks of another kind start flying, and the fire between these two characters may not be so easy to put out.<br /><br />I love Laura Hilton's Amish stories so much. She always has a little different twist to her stories, involving Englischers in such a way that it seems like there is no logical fix to the situations, but in the end, Ms. Hilton weaves the stories together to make a perfect and wonderful ending. And so it was with The Amish Firefighter. This was truly a story of unveiled secrets, forgiveness, redemption and grace in the lives of these characters. I love and appreciate the way Ms. Hilton so vividly tells the story of God's redeeming love to those who as for His forgiveness. I love, love this story, and I am looking forward for more from these Jamesport, Missouri characters.<br /><br />I received this book from Celebrate Lit Blog Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1465782835000, "title": "And it seemed like her aunt and uncle and everyone else in her ..." }, { "asin": "0800722752", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This was an interesting read, being this is election year! Leta Breckenridge lands a excellent paying job at a public relations firm. What Leta didn't know is that she would be used in ways that were very uncomfortable for her. Nathan Emerson may be in the next running race for governor of Texas, and he has just the right woman by his side to make his running complete. But then he meets Leta, and she is so different from anyone he's ever met before. But two very different lifestyles at this point in Nathan's life?<br /><br />I have grown to love books written by Kellie Coates Gilbert, and each book keeps getting better. Ms. Gilbert develops characters that are so very realistic and believable. As I read everything going on in this book, I had to ask myself; Does this really happen in real life? And I'm afraid my answer leans more toward yes that anything else. This story shows that lying, cheating, deceitfulness, always comes back to bite you.<br /><br />I also loved the relationship Leta had with her mom. Even though her mom didn't know how she was most of the time, Leta still needed her mom and they were so sweet together. I hope I have said enough to want you to read this book. I don't want to give away any of the story, for me it ruins it when someone does that. I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of this book and read it. You will not be disappointed in this one. Or anything this author writes!<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1469974817000, "title": "Loved this amazing story" }, { "asin": "0310345391", "rating": 5, "text": "A prison cell in Lake Erie became the home of Confederate soldiers. Growing as close as brothers in this prison, a group of these soldiers made promises to care for one another, no matter what happened. When Phillip Markham lost his life in the prison, Robert Truax knew he had to fulfill that promise and take care of Phillip's wife Marinda. As tough as the situation with Marinda turned out to be, Robert wanted to do the job he came to do and get on with his life. But there were many unexpected bumps in the road that changed those plans.<br /><br /> Shelley Shepard Gray starts another series off with a bang! This beautiful story of love and redemption with capture your hearts. When everything seemed lost and thought there was no hope, Marinda finds out that God does give second chances in life. Robert and Marinda's story is such a sweet heartwarming story. The main characters, as well as the supporting characters will quickly find their way into your heart. I enjoyed the Civil War and post war historical facts and settings. This is a great story for those who enjoy stories with Civil War settings.<br /><br /> A copy of this book was provided to me by BookLook Bloggers for me to read and review. This is my honest opinion of this book.", "timestamp": 1472525447000, "title": "This beautiful story of love and redemption with capture your hearts" }, { "asin": "031034154X", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, this is an amazing story! I fell in love with the characters early in the story. I loved the way Ms. Hauck interweaves Cora and Haley’s stories, and though one was historical and one modern, the story was beautiful written in a way that made me crave more of each character. I couldn’t put this book down because I wanted to find out what was happening with each lady.<br /><br />Cora was the sweetest young lady with a lot of disappointments and heartaches. Rufus, well I just wanted to give him a piece of my mind. And Birch was a sweetheart, a man every women dreams of. Haley was independent like Cora, and wanted to open the Wedding Shop, despite what her parents thought. She was determined to try and forget her ex forever. And I really liked Cole as well. He has his share of disappointments and heartaches too. And I love the way Rachel Hauck interweaves the stories of these four characters in an amazing way, weaving together their dysfunctional lives with their faith in the Lord. And she shows that even though our lives don’t turn out the way we want, and despite the heartaches and disappointments we may go through, Jesus will always be there in us and with us. And He can take all of our baggage and make something beautiful from it all.<br /><br />The Wedding Shop is another beautiful story from author Rach Hauck. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good clean heartwarming read. And if you haven’t read The Wedding Dress and The Wedding Chapel, I encourage you to check out these two books as well.<br /><br />I received this book from Celebration Lit Blog Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1474495378000, "title": "Love it!" }, { "asin": "0310342015", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />I love, love Amy Clipston's books and this is another amazing one from her. She writes the most amazing Amish fiction, and you don't want to miss this one. Mike Lantz has his hands full taking care of his dad and his disabled son. He moves to the area because he wants his son to go to this special school, hoping he can learn like a regular. And that's where he meets Rachel. Rachel feels sorry for the Lantz family and wants to help them, so she starts fixing them mills each week and sending them home by Mike's son John. The special thing about these meals is that she sends them in an antique basket that belonged to her mom, a basket that brought her mom and dad together. Can history repeat itself and bring another couple together?<br />Find out when you read the third book in The Amish Heirloom Series by Amy Clipston. I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1475899748000, "title": "Rachel Fisher is devastated when the young man she’s loved for years leaves her to date her best friend" }, { "asin": "162911748X", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />This is such an amazing story, I was in awe the entire time I was reading this book. Both Mary and Joseph were the sweetest young couple. Her parents loved her very much to make sure the man she would marry was the man she loved. I know this is fiction, but as I read the account of the angel coming to Mary in a dream, her trip to see her cousin Elizabeth, Mary telling her parents and Joseph she was pregnant with the Messiah, each and every scene was so fully detailed, I felt like I was living this story along with the characters. It is so neat to see this Bible account through the eyes of Diana W. Taylor.<br />It was so sweet to follow along with Mary as she realized she was carrying a special baby, that God has actually trusted her an favored her among all of the women of that time, and chose her to be the mother of Jesus. Despite what she had to go through, the outrage of her family and Joseph when she first told them she was pregnant with God's son, all of the talk and whispers among everyone she came in contact with, Mary still had a peace and calmness, and an excitement that God had favored her among women. Can you just imaging what that would feel like?<br />Ms. Taylor not only writes an wonderful story of Mary, the historical events and all of the details was amazing. It is so much in this story that I love, I could go on and on, but you have an idea what this book is about. And I agree with others that this book needs to be read before Christmas and before Easter. It is a great way to ready your heart for the Celebration of each of these holidays. If you have friends and family that love reading, and don't know the Lord, this would be the most amazing book for them to read. The Gospel is told throughout this book in a wonderful way. This is a must read for every Christian!<br />&#34;I received this book from the author for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed in this review are my own.&#34;", "timestamp": 1476502162000, "title": "Love this Biblical Fiction!" }, { "asin": "1501822608", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is an awesome devotional for the month of December. Ace Collins take us through each day of December with a different insight about the one we celebrate on Christmas day, Jesus Christ. I have enjoyed this devotional because each day I am reminded of the birth of or Savior, and it I can read about Him and Worship Him in a new way each day. There is also a lot of fun things throughout the pages of this books. You will find nice recipes, the meaning behind the words of songs, Christmas traditions, Christmas carols and some movies. I am really enjoying my time spent in this little book, and I will save it for years to come.<br />I highly recommend The Most Wonderful Time of the Year for your special Christmas devotions. received this book from Litfuse to read and review. I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1481771391000, "title": "Awesome Christmas Devotional" }, { "asin": "0718086422", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />For me, it was difficult to get interested in this story until after the first several chapters, but then, the story opens up into raw emotions about what truly happens to families that go into full time ministry, especially as missionaries to another country. Through fiction, this author shares the feelings and truths of the real family problems that can occur. After reading this, you will feel more of a desire to pray for missionaries you know, as well as any missionaries that give up their lives as they know it to go into an unknown place and share the gospel of Christ. Remember to pray for those taking the gospel to the places in the world that would not hear unless someone comes to tell them.<br />This is a must read if you believe God is calling you to the mission fields. It could very well help families know more about what to expect.<br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1483588639000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK For me, it was ..." }, { "asin": "1401685978", "rating": 3, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK <br />Charlotte and Daniel are in love, but the problem is Charlotte is an Englisher, and she doesn’t seem to want to do anything about joining the Amish faith to be with Daniel for the rest of their lives. Daniel is getting so frustrated because he loves Charlotte, but the Bishop is putting the pressure on him because if there relationship is to go on, Charlotte needs to be doing something to lead them all to believe she is thinking about joining their faith. Even though she has lived in the Amish community for a long time, and considers the Amish as her family.<br />This book doesn’t have a lot going on, the main issue is Charlotte and Daniel’s disturbing relationship. Which makes this book much slower than the first two books in this series. This one is just lacking something, not an interesting. But, all in all, I would have read it anyway to see what happens at the end of the series, and to tie up some loose ends. Pick u this last book in Beth Wiseman’s An Amish Secrets Series. I received this book from Booklook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1508817344048, "title": "... THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Charlotte and Daniel are in love, but the problem is Charlotte is an Englisher" }, { "asin": "1683223357", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />This first Christmas story, ‘Christmas in Gold’ is about and elderly lady named Astrid who fell down steps at home and her son and daughter decides to move her to an assisted living facility near her son’s house. Trouble is, he travels all of the time and is hardly home. So after much downsizing her son gets her moved in, he has to leave and the daughter can’t come to help either, so ….has fun decorating her new apartment. Except she couldn’t find her God Christmas ornaments, so guess her son didn’t bother to bring them. Then She starts making new friends at her new place, specifically her therapist. They both needed a friend and despite their age difference they hit it off. So we’re able to be there for each other.<br /><br />This is a good story, but it started off very slow for me. After probably halfway through it gets better. There’s a little bit of drama here but not much. Christmas did turn out different than I expected. The characters are interesting and realistic, and the author shows that no matter the circumstances, we can be happy and useful in whatever stage of life we are in. The God will walk with us.<br /><br />❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️<br /><br />This second story ‘Christmas in Blue’ for me, is much better. Carole, who has always taken care of the Christmas to Remember event each year passed away leaving her best friend, Angela to follow in her footsteps. And of course she was chosen to do the Christmas to Remember event as well. But things didn’t go so smoothly, and time was running out, and besides that, they only Christmas decorations they could find was blue. Everything. Blue. Which the town wasn’t going to like. Then a mystery person appeared, helping diligently to make the Celebration a success.<br /><br />I enjoyed this story a lot. It was really special to see a twin come together. But the end results was surprisingly very well done. Makes for a very cozy Christmas story to read during the holidays! Especially if there comes a pretty snowfall!<br /><br />This is a beautiful book! I love blue so the colors are just what I like. I encourage you to pick up a copy of The Colors of Christmas for hours of cozy, clean fun entertainment! A complementary copy of this book was provided by TLC Tours. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1509065101398, "title": "Cozy Christmas read" }, { "asin": "1420144839", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Liza Schrock in content running the bakery her late husband bought for her, and has no need for another man in her life. Paul was enough for a lifetime of men for her. Until Jacob Graber and his daughter Ellie walks into her bakery and her life.<br /><br />I enjoyed this sweet Amish story, though some of the time it was a bit slow and things were repeated often. Lisa was happy to be rid of her demanding husband and could now live without fear of his abusive behavior. Though she reacts to Jacob differently than any other man, she is still content with being alone. But Jacob is determined to win Lisa over. I didn’t really care for Jacob’s attitude in several areas. He was rather pushy, even asking Lisa’s family personal questions that were none of his business at the time. And I didn’t like the way he talked to his daughter Ellie about how he felt over his wife’s death, how he missed her too, and needed a friend. To me, this just added to Ellie’s negative feelings, and made Jacob a bit self centered, which is not how Amish men are to act. Soles he sounded like more the whiny child. And I could understand Ellie’s feelings. She had lost her mom after all, and was at the age to question Amish life. And with her dads feelings and attitude all over the place she needed more stability than him.<br /><br />This story jumps around a lot, it deals with a lot of issues lightly but it doesn’t get too deep in any of them. For Amish fiction lovers, you will enjoy Lisa’s story. The ending is much better than the rest of the book so hang in there and keep reading!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1517488805654, "title": "I enjoyed this sweet Amish story" }, { "asin": "0718091159", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Amish Sweethearts is a collection of four Amish stories written by author Amy Clipston. In each of these stores, the main character has some pretty hefty issues to deal with. But they also each find the person they want to spend their life with. And sometime the Amish Father is hard to get along with, which several of these characters had to deal with as well. Ms. Clipston does a wonderful job of weaving lives, circumstances, hurts and wrong decisions together, and coming up with stories that will warm your heart.<br /><br />Overall I enjoyed this book, but I do have a problem with the publisher, publishing two stories that have already previously been published in similar books, and not that kings ago. It’s like getting half a book new and the other half used. And charge the same price. Hopefully this will not be the case again. This is the reason for the 4 stars instead of 5.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1517551284649, "title": "the main character has some pretty hefty issues to deal with" }, { "asin": "1683700406", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The Melody of the Soul is an emotional, heartbreaking read, but yet interesting as we meet Violinist Anna Zadok, a Christian Jew, and her grandmother. With the Nazi’s occupation in Prague, Anna and her grandmother lost family, and Anna lost the right to play her beloved violin. When Nazi officer Horst Engel hears Anna play, enjoys the music so much he makes a way for her to keep playing.<br /><br />As one that plays several musical instruments, I always enjoy books where music has such a huge part in the lives of its characters, as did this book. And the soft side of a Nazi officers love of music was a special touch to the story as well. The characters are well developed as the story progresses. And the author does a fantastic job of weaving the beautiful historical scenes of Praque and the horrors and graphics of WWll, making an enjoyable read for everyone. If you love WWll stories, This is one you want to check out!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1517942859721, "title": "I always enjoy books where music has such a huge part in ..." }, { "asin": "0718099397", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />NFL player Toren Daniels just couldn’t control his anger, no matter what. But when he wakes up in a hotel room, not remembering where he’s been for the past 8 month, his anger is gone. This throws Daniels on a whirlwind to find out where he’s been for the past eight months, as well as prove to his wife and family that he has changed! But with his family believing Toren is dead, they have moved on.<br /><br />I have to admit, I’ve never read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but this author did a very good job of describing what it is about throughout this book, so it was easy to follow the parallel of the two stories. I though I had this plot firgured out, and I actually did get part of it right, but getting to the bottom of Toren’s story and the end of book, author James Rubart takes readers in an unbelievable journey that will stick with you for a long time! Rubarts books are the only fantasy type books I read, and I read them because I love the way he takes Bible principles and a character like Toren with his severe anger issues and weaves them together to show God’s love, mercy and forgiveness. His expertise knowledge and research for this story is evident in each scene in this book. Sometimes I had to just stop and wrap my mind around all of the details before reading further. I found “The Man He Never Was” an amazing book on God’s love. If you enjoy books that strongly applys Bible principals to the lives of the characters in a fantasy type way, you will love this book. And if you have never read a book of this genre, this would be a good one to start with!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1521526071725, "title": "Awesome Story!" }, { "asin": "1496421523", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />I loved this book. So much so that I hated having to put it down for the non important things such as cleaning house or cooking dinner! Just Let Go was so realistic, so much like people everywhere today. And I love the Title because letting go and Letting God in on our problems would be so much easier than trying to fix them ourselves.<br /><br />Quinn and Brady both had so many issues to fight through. But first they have to like each other because they didn’t get off to a very good start. Both had anger issues caused by heir past and they just didn’t want to let the past go. Would a real relationship work for the two?<br /><br />Along with my love of story, the characters are fantastic and they make the story so much more interesting. Ms. Walsh deals with a lot issuess that so many people face today, it’s hard to pinpoint just one. And the plot flows so smoothly. I appreciate that this book is full of love and redemption, caring and loving people. This is an amazing Contemporary Fiction for anyone looking for a good clean fun read.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1530755538746, "title": "This is an Amazing Story!" }, { "asin": "1624167470", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The idea of a Hope Jar, or a Prayer Jar is a pretty neat idea! And Michelle finding it was good because that’s what she needed in her life at the time. I somehow find it unbelievable though how Michelle ended up with this Amish family. That grandparents would take a young lady in under those circumstances. And I was really irritated at Michelle for her actions and attitude. I did feel bad for the Lapps because they fell in love with Michelle.<br /><br />But I think my heart broke mostly for Sara. She was the one who had to suffer the most. I wish there would have been more about Sara in this story, but hopefully another book will have her story. All in all that was a good story, the characters were realistic, making me feel as though I had met new neighbors. If you love Amish, you will love this story<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1534876862140, "title": "The Hope Jar" }, { "asin": "0718083040", "rating": 5, "text": "I have enjoyed Robert Whitlow’s books for a while now, and this one it just as amazing as his previous books. I appreciate the fact that he write about issues that the world struggles with currently. I’m a time where there is so much hatred because of a person’s color, race, background, or just because people don’t like another person, Whitlow’s book Chosen People brings to light the need for everyone to respect others, reguardless of who they are. Imagine what would happen if everyone read this book and followed what Whitlow is saying to everyone. And though fiction, this book hits the nail on the head about issues happening today. Things that are going on today in the families and lives of everyone. Oh that we might heed his voice and his words. I strongly encourage everyone to check this book out. And if you think it’s for you, then read a copy and see what you think.<br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1549609867320, "title": "What a Good Read" }, { "asin": "168322826X", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Ladies of Intrigue is a collection of three stories written by Michelle Griep. I didn’t realize these Novellas were previously published, so I had read a couple of them already! Don’t you just hate when this happens? A new book with stories you have already read! But it was good to refresh my memory of these stories.<br /><br />It starts on Cornish Coast in 1815 when the First Lady of Intrigue falls in love with s smuggler. Not exactly what she had planned to do. Then on to Dakota Territory in 1862 with the second Intrigung Lady, Emily and Dr. Clark. I’ve always enjoyed a stories set in the Dakota Territory, and I enjoyed this one, especially with the doctoring techniques of this century. And the third Intriguing Lady is found in St. Paul Minnesota and the House of Secrets. This haunted house had the worst most haunting secrets of all!<br /><br />All three of these stories will sure keep your interest, from the historical fact that we always find in a Michelle Griep story to the haunting mysteries each of these stories hold. You are sure to get a taste of the exceptional writing of this author!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1551073892869, "title": "An Collection if Intriguing Tales" }, { "asin": "031034817X", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />First of all I love this book cover! It is what Dee me to this book! And I love Kelly Irvin’s books as well! And this was such a special read! Laura and Zechariah are both getting on in years, both feeling as though their work on this earth is finished, but God may have other plans! Laura’s helping in Zechariah’s granddaughter after having her Nablus results in the two elderly people getting together, and they realize they are needed.<br /><br />This is a beautiful heartwarming story set in the beautiful Amish community in Jamesport, Missouri. Ms. Irvin does a fantastic job of creating characters that we will all love as they weave their way into our hearts throughout this story. They plot flows well, and kept my interest throughout the story. I like that Redemption, love, and faith were woven into the characters lives! This is a story you don’t wasn’t to miss, especially if you are an Amish fan!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1551334152740, "title": "Beautiful heartwarming story" }, { "asin": "0785219706", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Glory Road is a quiet, small place where Jessica owns a thriving garden shop, and lives with her daughter and mom. She moved back to Glory Road years ago after devorcing the husband that decided he wanted someone else and not her. Jessica lives her quiet life and was content with her small family. That is until two handsome, very different men came into her life. One she had never met, one that lived on Glory Road when they were growing up. And life is just not the same as before these two men arrive.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I love the characters, they were all fantastic! Jessica and her quirky mom has such different personalities, and I can see a little off Evan in both of the ladies. Three strong women, two of which have suffered heartbreaking issues life has thrown them, all determined to stay strong and fight to strive in this world. I love Glory Road and the atmosphere surrounding the place! It all seems olive somewhere in a dream, yet so close and realistic. It’s a place I would sure want to live. Ms. Denton does a really good job weaving together the differences between Ben and Sumner, and with Jessica struggling to make a decision between the two. Of course I fell in love with Ben from the beginning, so I was cheering for him all along! But you have to read the book for the rest of that story!<br /><br />Glory Road is a sweet calming read for me. It’s like settling down at home for a nice relaxing stay. It’s that book you want to read when you need a few days of relaxing. It’s a book that I highly recommend to anyone wanting a nice clean time of enjoyment through books!<br /><br />I received this book from JustReads Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1553618781544, "title": "A really awesome heartwarming read!" }, { "asin": "0785216642", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Everleigh Applegate and Beck Holiday, separated by fifty years, but joined together by devastating loss, secrets, and men who want to give them happiness again. Rachel Hauck has written another amazing story that will fill our minds and take us on a journey that will stay with us long after we close the pages of this book!<br /><br />Another story that I love, love, love! The characters are so realistic I can feel the pain they have suffered while reading the words describing their feelings. Everleigh’s story is written around the era I was born and my early years, which I always love to read about. And Rachel Hauck is the very best when it comes to writing time slip stories. I love the way she goes from one era to the other so fluently and make the plot play out so smoothly. There are a number of issues dealt with in this book, starting with Beck being suspended from her job as a cop because of misconduct. Though I can understand her going off, it was just the wrong place and at the wrong time. My heart went out to Beck and Everleigh because of the lifechanging losses they had to deal with. And Ms. Hauck dealt with these losses and changes with class! And I can’t leave out the men that came into both of these ladies lives. Both Don and Bruno were humble characters, dealing with somewhat the same issues in their lives. And their decisions were made easier by their friendship with these ladies. And if you want to know all of the details and what happens with Everleigh and Beck, I highly recommend you pick up a copy of The Memory House.<br /><br />I received this book from Read with Audra to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1555137130100, "title": "Absolutely Wonderful Read" }, { "asin": "1683229339", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The book of Ruth has always been a favorite story of the Bible for me, so I was happy that I could read and review “Shadows Among Sheaves.” It sure made the story interesting that the setting for this story was Victorian England and Rena was an Indian girl, and I really liked both characters. And the two characters faced many difficult situations because to Rena’s heratige. But Lord Barric was a little different. Even though he was gracious in helping Rena and Nell, for me, his character was just not what I have always thought Boaz was like. Lord Barric was just plain out mean at times, and I didn’t like his attitude, especially toward Rena.<br /><br />However the writing here is phenomenal. The author clearly did a lot of research before writing this story, and though this is Ms. Stephen’s debut novel, she her writing seems as though she is a seasoned writer, and this I did love. The only quirk I have with the story is the scenes that didn’t feel appropriate for Christian fiction. And there are several words or phrases that I feel could have been left out or changed because for me, they are a little strong for Christian fiction. And this gives this book 4 stars. But overall, this is still a book I encourage you to read and you can decide for yourself. I will certainly be looking for more from this author.<br /><br />A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I was not expected to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally my own view of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.<br /><br />", "timestamp": 1556793698025, "title": "A retelling of Ruth and Naomi" }, { "asin": "0718075684", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK <br /><br />Wow! Another interesting book by Elizabeth Byler Younts. Brighton Friedrich was born in Riverside Home, an asylum for the mentally ill because her mom was there at the time. She made many friends there, after all she was there until she was an adult. One was Angel, an albino that wasn’t mentally ill, but his wealthy family didn’t want him. I’ve always heard that asylums in the early to mid 1900’s treated their patients horrible, and that’s what happens in this book. But for one nurse that grew to love Brighton.<br /><br />The title of this book didn’t prepare me for what was coming between the pages. This was definitely not an easy book to read. Sometimes it was hard to keep reading, yet I did, because I wanted to find out how the story ended. Ms. Younts goes into so much detail about the treatment of the patients, which really angered me, they used anything to control them. I’m glad much more has been found out about mentally ill patients today and there is help.<br /><br />The characters in this story grew on me. I fell in love with Brighton and Angel, and ‘Nursey’ as Brighten called her, was the only reason they survived. I did have a difficult time with how the nurse treated Brighten at one time though. And the escape from the home could have been handled differently but maybe during that era in time it was the only way.<br /><br />Over all, this is a fantastic read. A very different read, for sure. This is why I wanted to review this book, because I know it would be unique. So I encourage you to check out The Bright Unknown if this is an issue that interest you.<br /><br />A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.", "timestamp": 1572612292243, "title": "An interesting read" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764207563", "rating": 5, "text": "This was my first book by Karen Witemeyer, and I LOVED IT! I love her fun style of writing. I just couldn't help falling in love with Adelaide and Gideon. Adelaide was fun, and spunky, but when she set her mind to something, she was bound and determined to do it! She was a gal that knew what she wanted, and wasn't afraid to go after it, even though she might be a bit clumsy in the going. Going after what she thought was her man didn't turn out like she thought it would. That's what landed her at Gideon's Sheep Farm interviewing for a job as Governess to his 5 year old daughter. Her mouth also seemed to get her into a lot of trouble too.....like in saying before you think! But it always seemed to turn out for her good.<br /><br />Gideon.....well he was just adorable from the beginning. I loved him from the first time he saw Adelaide in the barn. Though his and Adelaide's first few meeting were kind of awkward, he seemed to adore her from the beginning. I just loved Karen's way of bringing them together in a fun enjoyable way that made you just want to keep reading to see what would happen next. But would Gideon hire Adelaide over the two older and more experienced ladies that were also at the farm for the interview? Even though Adelaide had taught school for a few years, was she capable of taking care of this 5 year old that couldn't speak?<br /><br />I admired both Gideon and Adelaide's relationship with the Lord, and their willingness to seek Him in every decision they needed to make. The way they trusted the Lord when Isabella's uncle came to claim the child and her inheritance.<br /><br />This was only Karen Witemeyer's second book, but I had to check her website again to make sure she had only written 2 books! She truly writes like an experienced writer, and I will sure be reading her first book \"Tailor-Made Bride\" and also her third book \"To Win Her Heart\" coming in April 2011.", "timestamp": 1300383958000, "title": "Awesome Story line, wonderful author!" }, { "asin": "1603742557", "rating": 5, "text": "MY REVIEW<br />This is a story of mainly Jacob Miller and Becky Troyer, two young people from Amish communities in different states. Jacob's father sends him to a cousin who lives in a rural Missouri town to hopefully change his mind about his sweetheart in Pennsylvania. That's the one thing Jacob's daed forgot to tell him though, Jacob though he was only moving to help out his cousin on the farm. As for Becky, she ends up with a boppli and single because of her wild rumspringa time. Upon Jacob's arrival at their farm, there was a noticeable attraction between the two of them from the beginning. But Becky knew when Jacob found out about her secret, he would never come near her, and with Jacob, there was someone back home named Susie. Jacob noticed that Becky never smiled, and after he found out about her daughter, he knew something bad had happened, so he decided to make it his priority to be her friend and eventually bring her smile back.<br />Even though Becky has been before her church and confessed her sins, being shunned for 6 weeks because of them, can she overcome her past and trust another man into her live to love and trust?<br />And what about Jacob's sweetheart Susie back home, they are to me married during the Amish marriage season in December. Will their time away from each other prove their forever love, or will his attraction to Becky grow stronger, maybe even as far as loving her?<br />I loved this book from Laura Hilton. In her writing this, she shows that being Amish is not always a perfect life. During the rumspringa years, some young people make bad decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. In most of the Amish books I have read, the daed was always the harsh type, almost as far as being just mean. It was clear they loved their children, but they tried to keep the `head of the house' rule strict I guess. But in Patchwork Dreams this was different. I really liked the attitude of Becky's parents Daniel and Leah. Daniel wasn't afraid to hug his girls anywhere, letting them know his love for them. He didn't agree with the Bishop on all things concerning Becky. (Don't want to tell you all so you can read and find out for yourself.) Becky's mamm even suggested the family would move to another Amish community to keep Becky from being forced to hurtful situations. This was just really heartwarming to me, to see her parents love and support for her. And the way they loved her daughter Emma, well the heartwarming love was easy to feel as you read the story.<br />If you love Amish, this is a must read! If you don't know, or haven't read any Amish books, then this would be a great start for you! I can't wait for the second book in this series to be out. The series is `The Amish of Seymour' and you can look for it, I think around fall of 2011.<br />A huge THANK YOU to Laura Hilton for providing me a copy of this book to read. I love the way Laura tells the story, and the characters she creates, making them real life. I didn't want the book to end!<br />The book review and the opinions are totally mine. It was my honor to write the review for Laura", "timestamp": 1303869867000, "title": "Heartwarming Amish Fiction" }, { "asin": "0781403790", "rating": 5, "text": "Arleta Richardson remembers stories her grandma told her from years ago when she was young. These stories in Book One range from the author remembering stories about Grandma's Red Bonnet, Grandma's Prayer, Pearl Buttons, Little Gray Shoes, and my favorite The Pump. In this one, someone told Grandma not to do something, and of course she did it anyway, and she suffered for it for a long time. You will find twenty one loving little stories as the author remembers her Grandma in this book.<br /><br />I chose this book because I remember the days I sat with my Grandma and she told me stories of when she was a child and of when my dad, aunt and uncle was a child. I wanted to read someone elses tales of the older days. This was a really nice getaway from other books I read. I laughed, cried, and enjoyed each heartwarming story as I read them. And of course I was sad realizing just as with my Grandma, life goes on after they are gone, and we miss them so much. But what a blessing that we can remember those we love in such ways. The author had a special relationship with her grandma that she always remembered. I recommend this book to anyway wanting a good fun getaway from life as it is. And it is good for any age group.<br /><br />The book was given to me by the publisher through B&B Media Group. I appreciate being able to read and review this book for them. I was not expected to give a positive review. The opinions of this review are mine only.<br /><br />Purchase From Amazon", "timestamp": 1305054158000, "title": "In Grandma's Attic Stories" }, { "asin": "1595548114", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br />Despite her father not being supportive, Lucy Fairbanks' love of photography leads her to many places in her community, trying to capture the moment with her camera. Unfortunately that landed her into many unexplainable situations. How can you explain falling out of a tree on the top of a stagecoach being robbed by three bandits, scaring the horses into taking off with the stagecoach, Lucy on top, leaving the bandits behind? Or when trying to sneak a picture of the wild man, ending up in a sink hole, pulling wild man David Wolf in with her? And this is just a few times Lucy Fairbanks gets into trouble in this story. And why does David always seem to show up during Lucy's troubled situations? Will Lucy finally succumb to her many difficulties trying to be a photographer and find another career? And what will people think of her and wild man Wolf?<br />A Vision of Lucy was a wonderful story of Lucy and her love of taking pictures. The fascinating thing about the camera was the historical time setting and cameras in that time in history. Though I have seen them in movies, I'd never read anything about them. The author's research and knowledge of cameras in the early days was evident in the way she explained them in detail. This added historical detail made the story much more interesting. I love the characters the author created as well. They were witty, fun, funny, secretive, and nosy, and each fit the story line perfectly. The humor in this book makes it a great enjoyable book to relax and read. My pick for the funniest scene by far is Lucy falling out of the tree onto the stagecoach. And Lucy was so lovable I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen to her. I feel this book is very well written by the author Margaret Brownley. She has the ability to keep you interested enough to not want to stop reading until the last page! And I would recommend this book to anyone, especially those who love Historical Fiction. You will not be waiting your time reading this!<br />Thanks to the Author Margaret Brownley for providing a copy of \"A Vision of Lucy\" for me to read, it was an honor to read and review . I was not expected to give a positive review of this book. The opinions in this review are mine alone.<br /><br />Publisher Website<br /><br />Authors Website", "timestamp": 1306524270000, "title": "\"A Vision of Lucy\" and her Antique Cameras! Loved it!" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 5, "text": "This book is just simply beautiful inside and out! The romance between Clara and Daniel is enough to make you want to drool. Elizabeth Camden's debut book is one of the best debut books I have read in a while. Daniel was the poor guy, making friends with rich daddy's girl Clara Endicott because of the type of music they shared. As the years go by and the couple gets older, daddy sends his girl across the ocean to be raised by her aunt because he can see the chemistry growing between them. As they meet again twelve years later they realize that they were still not only best friends but sparks begin to sky rocket as the two of them start spending time together. But Daniel is so bitter about the way his parents died will he be able to put all of that behind him? And will Clara marry him if he doesn't mend relationships and changed his heart, or let God change his heart?<br /><br />Clara's dad really irritated me because of his attitude and I am really glad that Clara was independent enough to stand up for herself. I enjoyed the determination of Clara and Daniel to be together even against the odds. The author created a cast of unique and believable characters that you grow to love, some as your own family, and some that you shy away from. This book captured me from the first pages to the very end! I just couldn't put it down! And oh, by the way, I LOVE the book cover. The model so beautifully wears the gorgeous blue dress and the colors are so soft and inviting. And this is one book that you can judge by its cover! And check this out over on the LifeWay blog, its post for this day is the making of the cover of The Lady of Bolton Hill at Bethany House. Wonderful post and very interesting!<br /><br />And also go here on the LifeWay blog Q & A With Elisabeth Camden about this debut book.<br /><br />I received this book free from Bethany House book review 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 55.<br /><br /> Purchase this book at AMAZON", "timestamp": 1311089320000, "title": "Awesome Debut book and love story!" }, { "asin": "082542674X", "rating": 5, "text": "For Shelia Franklin, a phone call comes that will change her life forever. She will finally get to meet him, someone from her past that she's wanted to meet for over 20 years. Now she will have her time with him.<br />This book is full of secrets. Shelia has been secretly guarding her life's long time skeleton for many years from everyone, even her husband. What would he think of her if the truth really came out? Would it destroy their marriage? Her husband's church? As she gets ready to meet her main secret, she can't think about anything but him. What will happen with Sheila and the secrets that she has kept so close to her heart? Will her husband understand and stand behind her, or will he let her deal with the issues herself?<br /><br />This is my first book of Patti Lacy's and I was captivated by the writer's ability to tell a story so realistic and powerful. The way the characters are so beautifully woven together you not only see secrets and deception, heartbreaks and sadness, but you see love, forgiveness, grace and redemption through Christ in their lives throughout the story. The unique rhythm in the musical background gave the story a special smoothness, even through all of the difficulties.<br /><br />Even though this book started out slow for me, it just took a while to get into it, I enjoyed reading it very much. I would recommend this wonderful story to anyone who loves Christian fiction. It will be worth the time you spend reading it.<br /><br />This book was provided by Kregel Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine alone.", "timestamp": 1314300528000, "title": "A story full of Secrets but enjoyable" }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 4, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Helen Carlisle is now a widow, after her husband was killed in the military. But she wasn't the grieving widow everyone thought she was. In fact, she was glad her husband was gone, because of his abuse, which no one would ever believe. That is until Ray came upon the scene, and he figured it out, to which Helen denied that anything bad happened between she and Jim. No one could find out about the abuse, because Jim was so nice and sweet around everyone else, not one would believe Helen. She was just a cripple after all, and the way she stumbled around caused all of her accidents, so Jim told everyone.<br /><br />This is my first book by Sarah Sundin, I haven't read the other books in this series, but I still enjoyed this one! I like that the author deals with spousal abuse in this book, something that truly needs to be dealt with. And just like in the book, the abuser blames the one he's abusing. Helen was blessed that Ray found out, but then he left her for a while, not helping. And it was a double blessing when she found a way to leave her in-laws house and the abuse from Jim's father. I hope anyone reading this book that is dealing with an abusive situation will realize that there is help, and go find it!<br /><br />I also liked Ray and Helen. Ray was so gracious and kind, wanting to help Helen, even if she didn't want his help at first. He loved the Lord, which was evident in the way he lived. Helen was so sweet, and she wanted to raise her son the right way, not abusing the women in his life. Her self confidence was trampled on more than once by jerks that call themselves men. But I am glad there was a happy ending, and Helen was able to have a happy life, away from abuse and critical, hateful things said about her handicap condition.<br /><br />This book was provided by Revell Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1314500292000, "title": "Blue Skies Tomorrow, Great Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0800719964", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Amish Values for Your Family...........by Suzanne Woods Fisher<br /><br />Amish Values for Your Family is one of the best books I have read about the Amish life! For many years, I've been fascinated with their lifestyle. I think the reason I cherish and respect the Amish lifestyle is because our family was brought up a lot like them as far as the working conditions. We grew our own food and put it up for the winter. We butchered our own beef and pork, milked our own cows, we had electricity but no TV and no indoor bathrooms. Our faith was different, but we lived on a farm and worked! And life was slower for us, we spent time together as a family, my parents and grandparents always took time for us. Yes, we had nothing as far as material things, but we were truly blessed with parents and grandparents that love the Lord an loved us enough to give us their time and teach us to live for the Lord. They are all in Heaven now, but their legacy lives on in the lives of their children, grandchildren and great-children, until we see them again.<br /><br />There are many values I can mention but I will mention the time they spend together as a family. I know firsthand how important this is. Even though we have things to entertain us, if we would just schedule valuable family time each week we would see a huge difference in our kids, teens and our families. And I have to mention the faith and trust they have in the Lord, and this resulting in the forgiving spirit they all have. The forgiving spirit is the one thing I wish was stronger in my life. Sometime I wonder just how they can be that way! It is because they want to be like Christ!<br /><br />I loved reading this book, and will keep it with my stash of books! I enjoyed the family stories and how they live. I appreciate the author taking time to research and interview to write this valuable book. My pray is that we as Christians will strive to take these principles to heart and try to incorporate them in our daily lives.<br /><br />I was provided a copy of this book by LitFuse Publicity Group in exchange for a review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1314931299000, "title": "Awesome book on the Amish family life" }, { "asin": "1400318033", "rating": 5, "text": "Thank you God for Blessing Me...by Max Lucado<br />This little book about little Hermie is so beautiful and adorable. It is just right for a small child with the thick board pages and story just long enough to keep their attention. This little Caterpillar is just the cutest little creature and is thankful for everything and everyone around him.<br />Max Lucado has such a wonderful way with words for adults as well as children. I love the way he uses little creatures to teach children about God. My 2 year niece grabbed this book as soon as I took it from the mailer and said, `this is mine!' She not only loves for me to read it to her she loves to read it herself looking at the awesome illustrations and telling her own story about Hermie.<br />You won't go wrong getting this book for your little one. Teach them to choose books about God while they are still young. And what a wonderful way to interact with your children, by reading to them!<br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1317785427000, "title": "Wonderful Chidren book about giving God thanks." }, { "asin": "0310332311", "rating": 5, "text": "Shadow in Serenity By: Terri Blackstock<br /><br />Even though Logan Brisco was smooth talking and a con artist, he still sometimes has feelings of wanting to be part of a family, which he didn't have. Being in the little town of Serenity, Texas for a week or so brought those feelings back on goodtime, especially after he started having feelings for Carny. Carny knows how people like Logan works because her mom and dad were con's too and trained her to do the same thing. Thankfully she was over that life for good and had no intensions of going back.<br /><br />I appreciate that Terri brought back one of her old novels, re-writing it as a Christian fiction. Though I can't imagine someone like Logan, I know they do exist and con a lot of people out of their money and belongings so I'm glad to read a reminder of those kind. Despite him being a con, I liked Logan, and especially after he started spending so much time with Carny. His character was believable because he played his part so well, thanks to the author! In fact, the author created really believable characters for the entire book, and I enjoyed getting to know them throughout the book.<br /><br />This was a fun and interesting read, and I enjoyed it very much. I appreciate the author showing the necessity to living for the Lord and letting Him work through our lives. I don't want to tell too much to give the story away, but this is one you need to read! If for no other reason, read it because Terri Blackstock took the time to give us a Christian version of this book!<br /><br />Shadow in Serenity was provided by the publisher, Zondervan in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1320031078000, "title": "Shadow In Serenity, A Great Re-write." }, { "asin": "0310330432", "rating": 5, "text": "Callie is in Shipshewana just long enough to sell the little quilt shop she inherited from her aunt, because she has no desire to reopen the shop. Everything starts to change though when Callie meets some of Amish people in the community, especially Deborah Yoder. Through Deborah and these other Amish ladies, Callie finds out that her aunt's shop is not just for tourists, but a place for some of the Amish ladies to get together and work on their quilts. The more she gets to know these ladies and the people of Shipshewana, the less she wants to return to Texas and her life there. But can she successfully make a go of it if she reopens the shop?<br />And another surprising twist to the story is when the local newspaper editor ends up dead, and Callie is a major suspect, well, she can't just run off. She needs to do whatever she can to clear her name. Which may be a little bit difficult since Callie is so straight forward and speaks her peace when someone tries to tell things untrue about her, like publishing something in the local newspaper to destroy her reputation.<br />For me, this was a wonderful Amish story with a twist of suspense to it. The storyline and the characters just draw you in as we following Callie and her life in Shipshewana. Just when you think you have things figured out, there's another twist and fingers are pointing to someone else.<br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and if you like just a good Amish read with a little extra jolt of suspense, then you will love this book as well. So go grab a copy for yourself, read and enjoy it!<br />This book was provided by the publisher, Zondervan in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1325875037000, "title": "Falling to Pieces, a wonderful Amish story with a twist" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 5, "text": "Faith and her grandfather had lost so much, the only way Faith thought they could be happy again was to take off on the Oregon Trail and start a new life in the West. This has been Faith's dream for a while, and now it was making her grandfather realize the same thing. But getting him to leave their home in the small Missouri town of Noble Springs was not going to be easy.<br />But then things started happening that drew Faith to their home, even though Faith wasn't aware of it yet.<br />Her grandfather put Faith in charge of the store, letting her run it as she pleased. This did not make a lot of the men in the area happy, but it wasn't long before these men, as well as the rest of the neighbors were warming up to Faith, accepting her as the new store manager.<br />Royal, a guy that promised Faith he would keep her ribbon and remember her while he was in the war came back in town. And though he didn't remember her or the ribbon when she asks him about it, he decided to woo her, but did he really love her?<br />Then she meets Rosemary, who becomes like a sister to Faith. Not to mention Rosemary's brother Curt, to which both Curt and Faith were attracted to each other, but neither seemed to realize it for a while.<br />Her grandfather's health issues, Curt becoming friends with her granddad and spending time with him, the break-ins, Curt always being there for her when she really needed someone.<br />But Faith just couldn't see that they should stay in Noble Springs, she was still determined to leave, after all this was her dream.<br />I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction story, with characters that I loved more and more as I continued to read the book. That is all buy Royal, this guy just irks me, I wanted him out of Faith's life to give Curt a chance! The history in the story is so very detailed you feel like you are there, walking around the little town visiting all of the shops, talking to the owners of the businesses there. I love the feel of the small town atmosphere where everyone knows everyone else, well, and everyone knows your business, which is not so good sometimes too! But still, I love it! I am looking forward to Ann Shorey's next book in this series. This is just a wonderfully good read, so go grab a copy for yourself to read and enjoy!<br />This book was provided by Revell Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1327815115000, "title": "Wonderful Historical Fiction by Ann Shorey" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "This was my first book in this series so I had fun figuring out some of the words, which I thought was neat. Maybe because some of my family no longer with us used some of the same words? And Hugh's herbal medicines would interested a lot of people today, I wonder myself if some of these remedies will work just as well as prescription medicines.<br /><br />I felt bad that Hugh was on his own thinking that someone else murdered old atte Bridge, instead of him taking his own life. Well except Hugh's new wife that is. I enjoyed the love, and trust of this couple, and the dependence they had for each other. At least Hugh knew he could talk to his wife about his feelings about the murder when he didn't have anyone else to talk with.<br /><br />This is a well written book set in this small town with characters that you grow to love and enjoy, some so humble, and some not so humble. Leaning about the 1366 culture was interesting, and I wouldn't a lot of people today love their primitive living. I really enjoyed this author's writing. As you read the book, you will see his own thoughts about different situations through the character Hugh. And Hugh and Kate is just a couple we all want living in our neighborhood!<br /><br />I recommend this book to anyone that likes historical fiction, or really anyone that just likes a good read! Grab a copy to read and enjoy for yourself!<br /><br />I received this book from Kregel Publications to participate in their blog tour. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1327815635000, "title": "Unhollowed Ground...enjoyed this book!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The year is 1813 and the War of 1812 has been underway, thus being the reason that Belinda is determined to travel aborad a British privateer in order to rescue her husband from an English prison. She's made a deal with the ships captain, Rafe Docherty and now she needs to talk her sister-in-law into going with her to be her midwife, and everything will be in line to take off. This turns out to be a not so easy task because sister-in-law Phoebe has no intentions to get on the ship. But Belinda ends up making it happen, and so the story begins.<br />Ralph is just as frustrated as Phoebe that she is on the ship, no way does he want to deal with two American women, but he finds himself attracted to her and ends up helping her along the way. I really like Rafe. Being the captain of the ship, he is tough and incharge, yet we see the caring side of him too, and especially with his feelings for Phoebe. He's been struggling with things in his past, but now we see his new stuggles with how he feels about Phoebe and thinking about a normal life with her.<br />Phoebe endures much from being lied to by Belinda, but she is a tough lady and soon we see her faith and strength and her caring personality as she tries to help Rafe with his struggles. She takes a lot off of Belinda on the trip too, and it's really sickening how Belinda is so spoiled and expectes Phoebe to wait on her. Belinda will do what it takes to get her way. She's the character in the book that gets on everyone's nerves, you gotta have them right? She's just a spoiled brat!<br />I thought this was a wonderful story and I enjoyed it immensely. The characters were very well created and developed, believable and likeable. Well that is except for Belinda, but really the story wouldn't have been as good without her! The historical setting, events, ship life, and everything was very well researched and amazingly detailed. And having been to Williamsburg several times, it was fun to imagine the setting there as I read the story. Very well thought out and written story. It will be well worth your time to grab a copy of this book to read and enjoy for yourself.<br />Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group<br />I received this book from Revell Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own.", "timestamp": 1331009055000, "title": "Heart's Safe Passage" }, { "asin": "1595549153", "rating": 5, "text": "For the men out there, what would you do if your father left town for several days, came back home with a woman and introduced her as Lucy, your new wife? Well that is just what happened to Nate Stanton. And he was not happy with his dad, to say the least. And to gain his wife's two siblings, Jed and Eileen too boot, well that was almost more than Nate could take.<br /><br />After somewhat coming to terms with the new marriage, in name only let me tell you, Nate moved his new family into his small home. Surely this would send her back where she came from, because his home was not much of a home, and small at that. But Nate ended up being the surprised one. And after a while he kind of enjoyed not coming home to a empty house. And Jed was turning out to be a lot of help on the farm, and little Eileen, well she'd just had Nate's heart from the beginning. Things could start getting very interesting around the Stanton household. But it was when secrets and deception started coming to the surface that Nate really realized what was going on. And for that, you need to read the book to find out all of the many secrets, acts of deception and of course the twists and turns to the story that make it so appealing.<br /><br />I love Colleen Coble's books. I have all of them, and have read them all as well, and this one didn't disappoint. Colleen has a way of creating characters that just draw you into the story and don't let you go. Nate and Lucy was fun and interesting as they started their life together. This is really just a nice, fun, good clean book to read and enjoy. And I'm hoping for a Book Two to enjoy more of Nate and Lucy's journey through their marriage and on their farm.<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1332792107000, "title": "Another great book from Colleen Coble" }, { "asin": "1414333218", "rating": 5, "text": "When I review a Randy Singer book, I hang on to my seat at the first page and don't let go until the very last word. Randy is absolutely one of the best suspense/thriller authors today! So if the book says `Randy Singer, just go ahead and buy it because it's going to be good!<br /><br />Readers meet Jamie Brock again, from Randy's book \"False Witness.\" Jamie has been working as an assistant DA for several years. Her mom was shot and killed 11 years earlier and she is now losing her dad to illness. And to add to that, Jamie has been assigned a murder case, the suspect being the lawyer who defended the man who killed her mom. As this story unfolds, well you just need to read the book to find out what happens, it's too much to tell her. And I don't want to spoil the book for you.<br /><br />Randy brings up some interesting questions about the death penalty in this book through the lawyer character, Mace James. How should Christians feel about it? Suppose the killer gives his life to Christ while in prison? Should he be left there to die alone since he made mistakes and bad choices? Suppose this person is really innocent? There are several other issues with the state system that are talked about in this book through the life-like believable characters created by the author.<br /><br />Being a lawyer himself, Randy Singer expertly writes stories with so much detail the reader gets a touch of a lawyer's real life when reading his books. Add to this a little suspense, drama, romance, danger, fear, and determined characters taking on the most dangerous and difficult cases, and you have a Number 1 novel that will blow you away when you read it.<br /><br />I highly recommend this terrific book to those suspense/thriller lovers out there looking for awesome books to read. And as in all of Randy's books, you will see Jesus and salvation through Him throughout the book.<br /><br />I was provided a copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review of this product. The review is my opinions only.", "timestamp": 1334450842000, "title": "Another Awesome Thriller by Randy Singer" }, { "asin": "0310250684", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Terri Blackstock is such a gifted writer. I love everything she writes including \"Downfall.\" I appreciate that Terri deals with tough issues that people deal with everyday, and always finds a workable solution, including trusting the Lord with their lives and letting Him work in and through them.<br /><br />Emily Covington wants to prove herself to everyone, assuring them that her life with drugs is over. But when things start happening to her, and since it looks like someone wants her dead, her family still had doubts about Emily's past life.<br /><br />In \"Downfall,' Terri Blackstock writes another suspense/ thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seats until the very last word. When I put the book down, all I could think about was what was gonna happen, so I would pick it back up. From the people we loved to the villains we could do without, the character were so real and true to life it was like reading something in the newspaper. And with an intriguing plot that had the many twist and turns, it was difficult to solve the mystery until it was all revealed in the end.<br /><br />If you've never read a Terri Blackstock book, you are missing a real treat. And for those fans who always come back for more of her stories, you will love the words penned in Terri's new book, \"Downfall.\"<br /><br />This book was provided by Zondervan Publishers through The Suspense Zone. I appreciate Susan and all of the work she does to promote Edgy Christian Fiction and thrillers like \"Downfall.\" I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1335069393000, "title": "Another great thriller by Terri Blackstock" }, { "asin": "0802405843", "rating": 5, "text": "Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis<br />A Texas Trails novel.....in the Morgan Family Series<br /><br />Susan Page Davis continues the Morgan family story in this second book of Texas Trails. Billie Morgan and her horse were taken by the Comanche's and thought to be dead. And that did almost happen, but Billie, or Taabe Wiapu escaped from the Indian reservation and was almost dead when Ned found her. He takes her to a convent of Nuns for her safety, and families came to see if she was their long lost daughter, and that's how the Morgan family found Billie. What a reunion that was!<br /><br />Susan Page Davis is a wonderful writer and she did not disappoint in this story. I thoroughly enjoyed the continuation of the Morgan's story, though a little flavor was added with the nuns and getting to know more about the Comanche Indians. This book deals with a lot of interesting issues that captivate you and just won't let you put the book down. We get a lot of history, learn a little about the ways on Indians, a little of what goes on in a nun setting, (though these nuns faced some interesting situations that most probably don't), faith, trust and leaning on God, and of course a little romance to spice things up.<br /><br />I highly recommend Captive Trail as well as the other books in the Texas Trails, Morgan family Series. There are six in all, so you have some reading to do. Go to River North, the fiction division of Moody Publishers and check out this wonderful series written by three different and awesome authors.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by River North. I was not expected or required to write a positive review of this book. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1337234418000, "title": "A Wonderful Book Two in the Texas Trail Series" }, { "asin": "0764209507", "rating": 3, "text": "My Own Worst Enemy By Janet Davis<br /><br />In this book, Janet Davis deals with problems all women face today. If you have ever has issues with self doubt, fear, insecurity and things such as this, then you will benefit from this book. Ms. Davis uses many of her own trials and stories as well as stories from others, friends and Biblical characters as examples of what she is talking about and teaching in this book. She breaks the book down into the many faces and many phases of life, and the choices along the way, and in each section has chapters dealing with each of these topics.<br />This book would be a good small study guide with the study questions to discuss that are included here in this book.<br />I recommend that you check out this book for your Small Groups, Sunday school class or individual study.<br />I rec'd a copy of this book from Bethany House to read and review. The opinions here are mine. I have having my honest opinion on what I feel about this book.", "timestamp": 1337241723000, "title": "My Own Worst Enemy" }, { "asin": "0764209418", "rating": 5, "text": "Patti Lacy is a new author for me so I wasn't sure what to except of her book, but I will pleasantly surprised and amazed at this wonderful new author for me. I will sure be watching for more books from Ms. Lacy in the future.<br /><br />With wonderful character that will grasp your heart in the beginning and keep it until the very end, Patti Lacy pens a contemporary story that will sure stay with you for long after you finish the book. I learned a lot about China and the Chinese culture reading this book, and sometimes the reading was difficult because of the situation.<br /><br />Joy, (and I love her name!) struggles with moving to America and her new American family. Joy's sister Kai is determined to find her, after leaving her in a Chinese orphanage, but must first win the trust of Joy/Lily's adopted parents. Join Joy/Lily as we follow her journey though her life in China and as it continues in the Americas.<br /><br />I really encourage you to grab a copy of this adoption story of love, loss and redemption to read for yourself. This will be one of the best books you have read in a while!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Bethany House for me to review and give my honest opinion, which I have.", "timestamp": 1338004334000, "title": "Great Book!! A must read!" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />When Shiloh Wainright accepts a teaching position at the White River Indian Agency in northwestern Colorado, she never dreamed of catching up with her old childhood best friend Jesse Blackwater. Though she is thrilled to see him again, and see that he is doing well after his abrupt leave almost ten years ago from her families ranch. Could their friendship rekindle now that they were back together, and now that they were nine years older than before?<br /><br />Trouble is, Shiloh is from a white family and Jesse is half-breed. Half white and half Ute Indian. Which means any attraction they might have toward each other cannot happen. A relationship between the two of them would be unheard of and forbidden.<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan writes a heartwarming and at the same time heart wrenching story about two people from completely different cultures, two completely different worlds represented here. As we follow Jesse and Shiloh's story, Kathleen takes us on a journey like no other we've been on. The differences between the Ute and white man's life is nothing to be compared. And with a dad like Jesse's, being abusive and hating both Jesse and is mother, Jesse could only find acceptance with his mother's people, the Ute.<br /><br />Shiloh wasn't the only one so drawn to Jesse, he was just so adorable! And the hurt he had always suffered, and still was suffering was heartbreaking to read about. It was a hurt that not even Shiloh could help him with. And Shiloh had her own hurt and heartache over what happened to Jesse years ago when he left the ranch.<br /><br />I had a difficult time getting into this story, but it was because of the information on the Ute Indians, and the background for the story. It was just kind of boring for me. But it then the story took off and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I was so heartbroken for Jesse that I wanted to make sure everything turn out for him ok. The story is sometimes not so easy to read, I found myself reading, but not taking it in at times because of the nature of the scenes with the Indians trying to defend what they had. Wonderful writing of the author in the vivid details of the Ute's way of life. And I appreciate the author describing God's way of salvation so plain and clear, and for showing that only God can break through those barriers and change lives.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting a really good read, and especially those who enjoy historical fiction. And if you enjoy a good old Indian story, this one is for you as well!<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1338086187000, "title": "A Love Forbidden Love Story" }, { "asin": "1595549978", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />There is one thing to say about Kim Cash, and that is, she just has it going on when it comes to writing books! \"Hope Springs\" is another outstanding book that shows us family, faith, cooking up old friendships, forgiveness and healing, and yes, and a boost of romance added to give readers a story that will keep those pages turning. Janelle, Becca and Stephanie's time spent in Hope Springs changed their life forever. I thoroughly enjoyed getting involved in the lives of these ladies throughout this story. Kim Cash will have you laughing, then crying, along with worshiping the Lord as you follow get to know these three characters. I appreciate the way Kim weaves the lives of her characters together with God and living their lives for Him. That's what Christian fiction is all about. Following characters that live for God. Oh they may not start out that way, like many of us, but through there difficulties and trials, they end up giving it all to the Lord. And Thank You Kim for giving us a book such as this.<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1339557398000, "title": "Hope Springs, Wonderful Book" }, { "asin": "1434764303", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />Wow, this book is incredible, I love, love it! I have only read a few of Lisa Bergren's books, and each ones just gets better!<br /><br />Cora Diehl returns to her hometown Dunnigan, Montana after spending her first year at college, to find her dad seriously ill, and a farm to take care of. Cora prays for God to someway help their family with their crops in order to make it financial for the year. But Cora wasn't expecting God to answer her prayer they way he did. Neither did Cora expect to find out secrets that would totally turn her life upside down forever. And I know there are spoilers in review already written, but I'm not going to give them here! This is where you need to read the book to find out what is happening!<br /><br />In my opinion, \"Glamorous Illusions is a masterpiece by Lisa Bergren! Lisa creates characters that are so realistic and true that sometimes it is difficult to realize you are reading a fiction story! The relationship between Cora and her parents is heartwarming, and just knowing that they literally spent everything they had to send her to college gave me chills. And when you read the book, you will see what I am talking about!<br /><br />However, Cora was always puzzled at the glamorous, expensive gift she received for her sixteenth birthday, along with all of the other birthday gifts she received, and even though her parents wasn't telling, Cora suspected they knew what was going on.<br /><br />Then the day comes that will change the lives of Cora and her family forever, and whether that be good or bad, only time will tell. And as you follow this hew happening in the lives of Cora and her family, Lisa Bergren takes you on an unforgettable trip of lifetime as Cora joins the Grand Tour with her family.<br /><br />The only thing I found that I didn't like about the book was it's ending, and having to wait for the second book to drop down from the hanging this book left. I hope the author gives us a better view of Cora's family and her choices she makes while on her tour.", "timestamp": 1339736350000, "title": "A Masterpiece from Lisa T. Bregren" }, { "asin": "0800734378", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Waiting for Sunrise by Eva Marie Everson<br /><br />After Reading Chasing Sunsets, the first book in this series, I was excited and waiting to read \"Waiting for Sunrise.\" The main character in this second book is Patsy Milstrap, whom we met in Chasing Sunsets. Patsy and her husband Gil are on the way to Cedar Key for a vacation, but what Gil is really doing is trying to get Patsy away in order to find help with dealing with her past. Even though Patsy is married to a wonderful man with<br /><br />Again, Eva Marie Everson writes a wonderful story with characters that readers grow to love and believe as though they are real. She writes Patsy's story in a way that seems so real, I was wanting to pray for Patsy daily as I read this book! I love the beach setting, and Cedar Key sounds just like the place anyone needs to go for healing. And Gil is adorable, and his love for Patsy is so very heartwarming, he was willing to do anything to get help for his wife. And Patsy knew he was trying so hard, it must have hurt her so to know he loved her and was trying to help her. One thought I had as I was reading was that wouldn't it be wonderful if all husbands and wives had that unconditional love for each other, just as God has for us. Marriages would be able to survive if this were true. This book truly shows the true real love in a marriage that could have easily fallen apart. A love that grows through the difficult times, not one that is torn down. The author had be crying a lot during this book, but I had to smile and even laugh at times as well. Eva Marie Everson is truly a gifted and talented author that will always be a favorite on my reading list.<br /><br />I highly recommend this wonderful book for anyone to read and enjoy, and especially someone going through difficult situations such as someone trying to deal with their difficult past. Patsy's story is sure to give you hope as you follow her journey.", "timestamp": 1340125410000, "title": "Waiting for Sunrise..wonderful book" }, { "asin": "0800720482", "rating": 5, "text": "Mary Magdalene by Diana Wallis Taylor<br /><br />MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />After reading \"Journey to the Well\" I am hooked on Diana Taylor's books! I look forward to new ones coming out, and I was excited to be able to read and review \"Mary Magdalene.\" And again, I was not disappointed! If you like Biblical Fiction, this book is a must for you!<br /><br />Since Mary Magdalene is somewhat a mystery because there is not much written about her in the Bible, I really wanted to read this book to find out what Diana Taylor's version of Mary was. The book starts out with a young Mary, a daddy's girl and love immensely by her mom. I enjoyed getting to know this young Mary, and following her life to adulthood. The accounts of Mary being demon possessed was heartbreaking, and her family staying close to her, supporting her was so heartwarming. Coming from this life, and the miracle of her healing, I can clearly see why Mary Magdalene was so devoted to Jesus. She loved Him deeply because He changed her life forever.<br /><br />I cringe when I think about some of the things people have to say about Mary and her devotion to the Lord. And I appreciate Diana Taylor for how she shows us the real deal of why Mary loved Jesus so much. It was very well known that no one anywhere had been able to help Mary. And then her husband Nathan, a man wisely chosen by Jared for his daughter, hears about the healer Jesus. It was Jesus who healed Mary and gave her a new life. Shouldn't that make Mary, and anyone else that Jesus has healed in a situation such as this, devoted to Him for life?<br /><br />Wow, I feel like I keep jumping all over the place in this story. Even though we don't know what Mary's life was like, I thoroughly enjoyed this fictional novel of how Diana Wallis Taylor thought it could have been. It is fun just being able to wonder and read about how it could have been. And I feel the Biblical accounts were accurate, so that's all that really matters to me, the rest is fiction, and that's where the fun is.<br /><br />*****Available June 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.*****<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1340649122000, "title": "Mary Magdalene....a wonderful read" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "A Perfect Square by Vannetta Chapman<br /><br />I was excited to revisit my friends in Shipshewana again in Vannetta Chapman's second book in the Shipshewana Amish Mystery series. I really grew to love Deborah and Callie, Esther and Melinda and couldn't wait to see what this book has in store for readers. And I can say that I love this book as much as I did the first, and was hooked from the very first pages.<br /><br />When a young Amish girl is found dead in Ruben's pond, he ends up being the only suspect, especially since he wouldn't answer any questions the authorities were asking him. Who is Ruben trying to protect? Will he actually go to prison for life to protect this person? This murder of an unknown young lady has the Shipshewana community in an uproar.<br /><br />With officer Shane Black on the case, Deborah knew that he would do nothing to find out Ruben's innocence. That meant the job was up to her, and she would have Callie's assistance. Turns out, Callie is looking for someone herself. A daughter, one that no one knows about except her very ill father. These ladies have their work cut out for them as the try to solve these mysteries.<br /><br />I love how Vannetta Chapman weaves these stories together with characters that are well created and developed and a plot that will keep readers wanting to find out what's gonna happen to whom. I highly recommend A Perfect Square for your enjoyment.<br /><br />This book was provided by Zondervan Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1343622238000, "title": "Wonderful and enjoyable second book in this series..." }, { "asin": "0800734556", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THE GIFTED<br /><br />Having reading some of Ann's books on the Shakers, I knew what to expect about their beliefs, though I don't support what they believe at all! How can people actually believe this stuff, and live by it is beyond me.<br /><br />And such were the struggles of Jassamine Brady. Growing up in the shaker neighborhood and loving her family and friends there didn't draw Jassamine to their way of life at all. She found herself very interested in the ways of the world and she sought those ways, struggling to obey the strict rules she was brought up to follow. And when unforeseen circumstances brings young Tristan into her life, Jassamine may be closer than she thinks about finding out what the outside would is all about.<br /><br />Ann Gabhart has such a unique and wonderful way of writing about these shaker people with and open attitude, not condemning them, but giving her readers a true and vivid insight of how they really live.<br /><br />I highly recommend The Gifted as well as the first four books in this wonderful series by Ann Gabhart.<br /><br />Available July 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1343623722000, "title": "Very nice read about the Shakers" }, { "asin": "1609366409", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Elena's family trip to Mackinac Island this summer will be different than all of the others. This time, her mother has in mind to marry her off to the rich and famous Chester Darrington in order to save their family business. Elena has no desire to marry this Mr. Darrington, or even meet him for that matter.<br /><br />Chase didn't really want to make the trip to Mackinac Island with his sister and her husband, but he did want a place to try out the new telescope that the family business was interesting in funding for the invention. One of the first things he heard upon his arrival was his hopeful marriage to this Elena Bissette. Well, he would stay as far away from Elena as possible because he sure wasn't looking for a wife, and especially someone like her.<br /><br />Not knowing who each other is, Chase and Elena meet up at an old lighthouse on the Island. One in which Elena has been visiting for all of the years her family has been coming to the Island and one that Chase has just found. The attraction between the two is a sure thing, Chase liking Elena because she's not one of the \"circle\" which his sister is in. And Elena liking Chase because of pretty much the same reason.<br /><br />In Love Finds You In Mackinac Island, Michigan, Melanie Dobson weaves a historical romance that will keep you on your toes throughout the book. The meeting and relationship of Chase and Elena was sweet and adorable at first, that is until the truth about who each was came to surface. That's when things get touchy between the two and neither want to see each other again! But Chase's mom had a different idea. Can she bring these two back together again? Or is Chase just too stubborn to face the real truth?<br /><br />This is a wonderful and sweet story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It's one of those stories that just make you feel good after reading it. The characters are so real they feel like family and friends. I love Chase and Elena, and I love their attitude about their wealthy families. And Chase's mom was the character that really pulled everything together. Her attitude about gossip shamed me, and one thing I took away from this book is to gossip, or listen to gossip less, and look at the positive sides of people. I really appreciate Melanie bringing this valuable lesson to her readers about this subject.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for you to read and enjoy for yourself. It will make a wonderful summer read, but its not just for summer, it will make an awesome read anytime! And you sure will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1344137674000, "title": "Wonderful Summer read on Mackinac Island!" }, { "asin": "0800734580", "rating": 5, "text": "Lethal Legacy.....By: Irene Hannon<br /><br />Kelly Warren knows for sure that her dad's death was murder, but proving it might not be so easy. It was an attempt on Kelly's own life that detective Cole Taylor starts to believe her suspicions are right. Prompting him to dig and search until he finds enough evidence to re-open the case. What will Cole find out? And can he keep is personal feeling for Kelly at bay enough to stay on the case until its over?<br /><br />Any book by Irene Hannon is storytelling at it's very best. She has a way of telling a story that will pull you in from the very first page and engulf you until you read the last word. Just as it was with me as I read \"Lethal Legacy.\" The characters are so well crafted and believable that it felt like reading a real-life story. Kelly was a quiet sweet Christian young lady who mostly stayed to herself. She had a close relationship with her dad and was determined to find his killer. And since the detective who had the case earlier was on vacation, who by the good-looking, hot, Cole Taylor was assigned to review the case for her. Cole was also a likeable person, and his close nit family really gave the book a more personal touch. A very touching story, one that will stay with readers for a long time after you finish reading.<br /><br />If you are a suspense lover, then this book is a must, one you will not be disappointed in. And if you just like a good, clean, enjoyable read, then you will love this book too. And if you are like me and stay up until the wee hours of the morning finishing \"Lethal Legacy,\" believe me, every night sound you hear will scare the wits out of you! But that's the fun of reading a suspense!<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for your reading enjoyment. Grab a copy of this one, and the others in this series for a few great reads!<br /><br />\"Available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.\"<br /><br />I received this book from Revell Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own.", "timestamp": 1344924556000, "title": "Awesome Suspense!!" }, { "asin": "0764208101", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Travelers Rest starts off as what you would think of being a happier every after, but since Ann Tatlock is writing about difficult issues that people really face, the story gets difficult to read. Jane Morrow and Seth Ballantine have been friends since childhood, and how were getting married. But their life was torn apart when Seth comes home from serving his country injured in Iraq. Jane loves Seth and has no other thoughts except to stay with him and take care of him, but Seth has different thoughts. He no longer wants the relationship to go on, because he just doesn't want Jane to be his nurse for the rest of his life. But chances are, he will get better, but they are very slim.<br /><br />Author Ann Tatlock is a talented author that writes a story that will capture your heart, and give you a new love, respect, awareness and thankfulness for those who fight for us to live in freedom. I was drawn to the characters, and especially Seth and Jane, as well as the old retired Doctor, Truman. With such detailed descriptions of the difficulties and situations they characters were facing, and with so many twists and turns, the author was able to keep my attention until the very end.<br /><br />I recommend this book for you to read, and especially if you like stories about war victims and families.<br /><br />I rec'd a copy of this book from Bethany House to read and review. The opinions here are mine. I have written my honest opinion on what I feel about this book", "timestamp": 1348894897000, "title": "Great Read" }, { "asin": "0764207873", "rating": 5, "text": "When Hope Blossoms by Kim Vogel Sawyer<br />For Bethany House review by Shannon Hannabass<br /><br />Tim Roper thought he could run from God, hid himself in his apple trees, but when a Mennonite widow and her children moved in the farmhouse next to his, his life changed forever. But that change took a while, and the changed unfold between the pages of Kim Vogel Sawyer's new book, \"When Hope Blossoms.\"<br /><br />I love Kim Vogel Sawyers books, and this one is another winner for me. I love Tim and Amy's story. Even though they both has a past that seemed impossible for them, God had a plan for their life, and in Him timing, He worked their lives together for their own good. I love how Kim weaves together families and communities and comes up with a story that captures the attention of readers from the very first page. I have to say I was so intrigued and captivated by this book I read it in one day! I love the way the realistic characters steal their way into your heart as the story unfolds around you. You don't want to miss this beautiful, sweet story of love, forgiveness and acceptance. Grab your copy today to read and enjoy for yourself!<br /><br />I received this book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own", "timestamp": 1348895821000, "title": "Very Nice Read" }, { "asin": "0764209132", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok I thought this book was kinda strange at times, but though it did end up kind of crazy, with Seth not remembering much about his life and family. He and Callie find themselves back together and thus the journey of Seth begins.<br /><br />The characters created by the author, and especially Callie and the whit and life she brought into the lives of this family gave this story a fun and interesting twist. And knowing Seth in a new and different way, the interesting situations between he and Callie brought a special meaning for this book.<br /><br />The Kincaid Brides Series is truly on that you will enjoy reading. I highly encourage you to grab a copy of this book, or the three books in this series for your reading enjoyment. You will not be disappointed!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Bethany House for me to read and review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only", "timestamp": 1349076484000, "title": "Another great book by Mary Connealy" }, { "asin": "1609366867", "rating": 5, "text": "I've read several books on the Titanic this year so I was excited to read Queen of the Waves for another story about this time in history, which I'm surprised because I really didn't care for the movie that much. But I really like Janice Thompson's story of Tessa and Nathan, alone with the other characters involved with Tessa being on the ship in the first place. Tessa is such a sweet person with a personality that rubs off on those around her, as we see in the story. Throughout all of the horrible tragedy with Titanic, this is a story readers can really enjoy and appreciate. And the vivid details of the time in history leading up to when the Titanic set sail, and as the story unfolds until the end, well it is just an awesome history lesson.<br />Of course this book is only fiction, and these things didn't happen aboard the ship, but I loved imagining what it was like, with all of the rich and famous, and imagining what it was like to be there during the horrific tragedy. I thoroughly enjoyed Queen of the Waves and highly recommend it for your reading enjoyment. You will not be disappointed.<br />This book was provided by Summerside Press through LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1349751219000, "title": "Queen of the Waves" }, { "asin": "1609366859", "rating": 4, "text": "Samantha Waldron and her family face some horrific situations as we follow their journey on the Oregon Trail in 1842. Samantha's mom passed away before they started on the trail, so her father was determined to make it to the end of the trail for the rest of his family. But no one knew the many difficult situations they would endure while traveling. Life was not easy as they traveled these many miles.<br /><br />Melanie Dobson's story of Samantha and her family along the Oregon Trail is a believable and intriguing story with believable characters that will keep you interested until the end, because of all the twists and turns it takes. The author tells all of the gruesome details of situations and difficulties during the trail, making the story seem more realistic.<br /><br />I enjoyed this historical novel by Melanie Dobson, though I don't think it is her best work. If you enjoy the Oregon Trail era, and reading books about that time, you will enjoy this one. So pick up a copy for your own reading enjoyment.<br /><br />This book was provided by Summerside Press through LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1349752867000, "title": "Where the Trail Ends" }, { "asin": "0764206168", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Again, Tracie Peterson captures our hearts and interest with this second book in Land of the Lone Star Series. In Touching the Sky, the story is about Laura Marquardt and her sister Carissa. Both sisters find love, Laura with Union Captain Brandon Reid and Carissa, Confederate Malcolm Lowe. Conflicts and difficulties arise as the story unfolds surrounding the lives of these two ladies.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book in every way. I really enjoyed the history so vividly described in Texas after the war, and I enjoyed characters created that are so realistic like and play their parts in the story so well. I love Tracie Peterson books, and this one is no different, it is a winner in my opinion.<br /><br />I recommend that you go purchase your own copy of this book, and while you are at it, pick up a copy of all three books in Land of the Lone Star Series for your reading enjoyment. And if you like historical fiction, this is a must read for you!", "timestamp": 1350326454000, "title": "Touching the Sky" }, { "asin": "0310335108", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />If you enjoy Amish fiction, you will sure enjoy Tricia Goyer's new book The Memory Jar. I really like the Memory Jar idea for best friends Patty and Sarah. It is a good way to store memories, and in Sarah's case it is especially special after Sarah is left to go through life alone. Then Sarah meets Jathan, and things started changing in her life.<br /><br />Tricia Goyer creates wonderful realistic character that we grow to love as the story unfolds and the characters develop so well. The story started a little slow for me, but then as it developed, and the story took a different twist, tensions rise, gossip spreads, people started backing off and acting strange, and Sarah started questioning her earlier decisions. It seems like Jathan has more baggage to take care of than either of them thought. But Tricia Goyer weaves the characters, situations, difficulties, doubts and people along with more twists and turn and brings a story that will keep you reading until the last page, while it warms you heart in a special way. You will love this Amish community and its people when you pick up your copy of The Memory Jar.<br /><br />This book was provided by LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1351637313000, "title": "The Memory Jar" }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Christmas Roses is a wonderful story about Celia Anderson. Celia is a single mom who runs a boarding house, providing for she and her daughter. She knows her daughter needs a dad, but doesn't want to marry because of need, she wants a marriage of love. Well, then Mark comes into the picture!<br /><br />This is a sweet, charming and heartwarming historical story that would be wonderful for everyone to read for Christmas. I love the beautiful cover, and the story just goes right along with what the cover shows. Amanda Cabot creates realistic and amazing characters to tell her Christmas story, and I enjoyed getting to know each character as the story unfolds. Around Christmastime I try to read all of the Christmas stories I can, and I am honored to read and review Christmas Roses. This is a story that will stay with you throughout the Christmas Season.<br /><br />\"Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.\"<br /><br />This book was provided by Revel Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1354679070000, "title": "Nice Christmas Read!" }, { "asin": "140168744X", "rating": 4, "text": "It took me a while to get into this book, don't know why, maybe it was the early setting since it was 227BC. But<br />after I got into the story, I really enjoyed it.<br />I didn't know a lot about the Island of Rhodes either, but with the author's details throughout the book, it<br />was interesting and nice to get to know this place in history. Tracy Higley created characters that are interesting<br />and believable, and enjoyable to get to know. I really liked Tessa and wanted her to find freedom from her Greek<br />owner. When the opportunity came along for her to be free, her life changed in a way she wasn't expecting. Would<br />Tessa finally be free and find her own true love? This is a book well worth your read, and if you enjoy historical<br />fiction, you will truly enjoy Isle of Shadows.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book to Christian fiction lovers, and especially those who enjoy historical stories. Pick<br />up your copy today for an enjoyable read.<br /><br />This book was provided by Booksneeze through their blogger program. I was not expected or required to write a positive<br />review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1356129857000, "title": "Nice historical read" }, { "asin": "0800719891", "rating": 5, "text": "THe Lesson by Susan Woods Fisher<br /><br />In the third and final book of Susan Woods Fisher's Stoney Ridge Seasons Series, Mary Kate Lapp is now nineteen<br />old and still looking for action. But this time, did her sneaking around get her in more trouble that she expected?<br />And to make it worse, it landed her to job of teaching in their Amish school, and Mary Kate certainly was not a<br />school teacher.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mary Kate's story. She was a fun character throughout the first two books in the series<br />because of her free spirit, and determination to find out everything! I am also a Susan Wood's Fisher fan and I love<br />this entire series. The characters were enjoyable and realistic, drawing you into the story and keeping your attention.<br />And the interesting plot keeps you reading because so much is happening to the Lapp family you just want to find<br />out the outcome.<br /><br />If you love Amish fiction, you will love The Lesson, and the first two books in this series. Or if you are looking<br />for a nice enjoyable light read, this is your series! Go out and grap a copy of these books to read for yourself.<br />You will not be disappointed.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Tours. I was not required or expected to write a positive<br />review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1357361476000, "title": "Great ending to Series!" }, { "asin": "1401685676", "rating": 5, "text": "An Amish Kitchen is a neat collection of three novellas, and the Amish Kitchen of the characters has a huge part of each story. The stories are so realistic because the kitchen is a major part of the Amish lifestyle in reality. And I loved getting the recipes as a bonus in this book, especially the herbal remedies!<br />I love Amish fiction and really enjoyed Faith and Abram's story in Kelly Long's \"A Taste of Faith; reading about Hannah King's Bed and Breakfast and newcomer Stephen Esh in Amy Clipston's \"A Spoonful of Hope,\" and Beth Wiseman's \" A Recipe for Hope,\" and Eva Bender and her family's disaster when a tree falls on her haus. In all three of these stories, the characters deal with difficult situations, and they need to trust God and depend on Him. Their faith carries them through, but it is not always easy. It is difficult to pick a best one, because they all interacted so well together and I enjoyed them all.<br />If you love Amish fiction, this one is for you. You will love these short stories. This is a great book for those who really don't have time to read a full size novel.<br />Booksneeze provided a copy of this book for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1358193641000, "title": "Awesome Amish three stories in this book!" }, { "asin": "1595549706", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Having read the first two books in this series, I was anxious for the third book in The Brides of Last Chance Ranch to hit the stands. And author Margaret Brownley did not disappoint! With characters that I fell in love with, I thoroughly enjoyed another really good read that will stay with me for a while! I grew to love Molly, and the relationship she had with her brother was truly heartwarming. My heart went out to her as she strove to do whatever she could to take care of Donny.<br /><br />Waiting for Morning is truly a story that will capture the heart of any reader, just as it did mine. I highly recommend this historical fiction to book lovers everywhere. A copy of this book was provided by Booksneeze's blogger program. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1361337502000, "title": "Waiting for Morning" }, { "asin": "1859859313", "rating": 5, "text": "My Thoughts On This Book<br /><br />The Story of David and Goliath is one that most children enjoy and remember well. David Sticker Book tells this wonderful Bible story in words, pictures and added stickers for children to interact with the story. And I was suprised at the amount of stickers that are included in the book, they are wonderful. And I really like the illustrations as well. The book is a whole is beautiful inside and out. And as usual, I used my four year-old niece as the real person to review this book of David, and she absolutely loved it! We read the story together and she had a wonderful time placing the stickers on the correct pages, and as she placed the stickers, she talked about each one and we had fun talking about David and Goliath. This tells me that the stickers are a valuable source to go with the story because it keeps children much more interested in the story.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for your small child. I will know they will love it just as much as my niece does. And she still loves reading the book, even after the stickers are all in place.<br /><br />I received this book free from Kregel Publishing. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The<br /> opinions here are my own.", "timestamp": 1361587647000, "title": "Wonderful little book for small children" }, { "asin": "1401686826", "rating": 5, "text": "So Shines the Night......<br /><br />I really enjoyed this historical Biblical fiction by Tracey Higley. I haven't read a lot books in this early era, being set in 57 A. D. The characters were interesting and realistic and I enjoyed getting to know them as the story unfolds. The story is based on Acts 19 and the author did her research well, because as I continued to read, the situations and everything surrounding them begin to feel so real I felt like I was there! And as always I love that Tracy brings a part of the Bible to life through her vivid imagination in So Shines the Night, and I appreciate her sharing this story with us!<br /><br />If you enjoy historical fiction, or Biblical fiction, you will love So Shines the Night. I encourage you to pick up your copy today!<br /><br />I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson 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 55.", "timestamp": 1362552920000, "title": "So Shines the Night" }, { "asin": "080072089X", "rating": 5, "text": "It seems that someone is a spy in Lady Wexham's house but who could it be? Rees Phillips is trying to find out, with his new job disguised as a butler. But can Rees sneak around and try to find answers without anyone suspecting him? This book gets very interesting as the sneaking around continues, not only with Rees but others in the household.<br /><br />This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend. I enjoyed the era of the setting and the vivid details so perfectly described by Ruth Axtell. The characters were unique and believable and they keep readers guessing and reading throughout the story. I really liked Rees and his attempting to be a butler, which he did very well. And the tension between he and the Lady Wexham was enough to keep me reading to find out what the outcome between them would be.<br /><br />I highly recommend this story for anyone who loves a good historical fiction with a bit of suspense and romance. You will not be disappointed!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Revell Publishers for me to read and review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1362978017000, "title": "Great Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0745962823", "rating": 2, "text": "I love sticker story books for children, and this is why I wanted to review My Very First Easter Story Book. The book is very attractive, with vivid colors and stickers to go along with the story on each page. The story is about the story of Easter, Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave.<br /><br />The story is simple enough for very small children to understand, and I like that part about this book. But I do wish the author would have explained why Jesus died for us instead of making the remark a number of times that He did this to make the world a better place. Children need the simplicity of the story but they also need to know the actual truth of what the scripture says. For me, when I read the story to my niece, I added the parts left out by the author, but not everyone can or will do that. I hope the next book the author writes she will stay closer to scripture.", "timestamp": 1364047316000, "title": "Easter Sticker book" }, { "asin": "1595548890", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />When I see Beth Wiseman's name on a book, I know it is going to be an awesome read. I love her Amish books, but I am enjoying the contempory fiction she is writing as well! In The House That Love Built, the characters are realistic and believable and I enjoyed getting to know them better as the story unfolded. Beth had a strong faith in God, and she showed this faith through the many struggles she faced. And she was able to help Owen with struggles with his faith as their friendship progressed. I did feel for Beth as she struggled with the situation with her dad, because she was clearly hurt by him.<br />This is a story of love, faith in the Lord, forgiveness and second chances. If you are looking for a good clean entertaining story, this one is for you.", "timestamp": 1365582565000, "title": "Another wonderful book by Beth Wiseman" }, { "asin": "1414361122", "rating": 5, "text": "Rescue Team by Candace Calvert<br /><br />Kate Callison has been running from her past and jumping jobs for several years, and now she is working as ER director at Austin Grace Hospital. As different cases came through the ER department, memories of Kate's past surfaced more and more. Wes Tanner was at the right place at the right time when an emergency happened at Austin Grace, but then he met the new ER director, Kate. Wes finds himself attracted to Kate, despite her dismissive attitude, but just how does Kate feel about Wes?<br /><br />I am a big fan of Candace Calvert and Rescue Team is another Candace book that I LOVE! I love books that capture my attention early in the story, and this one had my attention from the first page! I wasn't sure about Kate at first, with her attitude and the mystery of her past, but as the story unfolded, I could understand her attitude about life. And I love Wes, he is such a sweetheart, and I love his family. But he has a heartbreaking past as well, that he doesn't want to talk about. Ms. Calvert weaves together a story of heartbreaking pasts, through many difficult situations and twists and turns, and so vividly shows love, forgiveness and healing through God's love and mercy in Wes and Kate's story.<br /><br />If you enjoy Christian fiction, or just want a good clean medical romance to read, I highly recommend Rescue Team. With Candace being a former nurse, the medical knowledge is phenomenal, making the story even more interesting and enjoyable.<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale House to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1367285043000, "title": "Awesome Christian Fiction with a lot of Medical Knowledge" }, { "asin": "0764209663", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Looking for a new preacher? Why not hold up a train and steal him at gunpoint? Karen Witemeyer gives us and interesting, enjoyable, witty, funny story that will sure be the height of your entertainment this summer in Stealing the Preacher. Joanna's outlaw father was willing to do anything to give her what she wants, including holding up a train and stealing Crockett Archer. Only Crockett can't stay in the little Texas Community of Piney Woods because he's on a mission someplace else as a preacher candidate. But as he gets to know the people in Piney Woods, he's drawn to the need for someone to take over the little church that hasn't had a preacher for quite a while. But what about this other church, the one who is waiting on his arrival to vote on whether or not they want him as their own preacher. Well, its all unfolded between the pages of the wonderful book!<br />First of all, I LOVE this cover. I am so glad Bethany House decided to change it! And Karen Witemeyer is at it again with her awesome, humorous writing style. As I read Stealing the Preacher, I fell in love with the people of Piney Woods, and was really hoping that Crockett would decide to change his mind and be their new preacher, especially since he was so different from most preachers, and he identified with these people so well. With all of the twists and turns, and the adorable, unique characters, why not come on board with the rest of us and enjoy this wonderful summer, and well really, anytime read from Ms. Whitemeyer and Bethany House. You will sure be happy you decided to try this one. And while you are at it, check out the other books by Karen Witemeyer. I've read all of Karen's books, and each one gets better and better! She is definitely high on my favorite authors list!<br />I received this book from the publisher Bethany House, and Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1371094501000, "title": "Another awesome historical fiction from Karen Witemeyer" }, { "asin": "0825442141", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Reading this book clearly shows that women have always experienced hurt in some way. Authors Dena Dyer and Tina Samples' Wounded Women of the Bible gives ladies an inside look at more than a dozen women throughout Bible time and the hurts and difficulties they faced. We read the stories of Dinah, Ruth, Hagar, Ichabod's Mother, Mary and Martha, and others, getting to know they ladies in a really interesting and unique way.<br /><br />Finding Hope When Life Hurts is truly what we learned from this book through the lives of each of these ladies. Dena Dyer and Tina Samples leave nothing out as they study and explore what the Bible says. I also appreciate the authors opening their own lives and showing the hurts and struggles they have faced in their lives. To me, this makes the book even more special because we are not only getting truths from the Bible, we are getting truths from real people's lives.<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Kregel to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1377922007000, "title": "Wonderful Bible Study!" }, { "asin": "1859857663", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Bumper Wipe Clean Activities was a huge hit with my 4 year old niece. She loves it, and has played and played with it. I ended up mailing it to her house so she could have it there to play with! This is the cutest little book your child will ever have. The wipe clean activities are adorable for the kids to do. This is an awesome idea for a children's book. Abbi has enjoyed the matching, tracing, going through the mazes, and all of the other activities, and the awesome thing about this is that they can wipe the page clean, and start over again!<br /><br />Need activities to keep children quiet in the car, or maybe an appointment? This is the book you need. It is hours of fun for young children, I would have one for each child, and they can do their own thing while you enjoy the peace and quiet!<br /><br />I just can't say enough about this little activity book. This is a must for all homes with small children! You and your child will love is just as much as Abbi and I do!!<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Kregel to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1380282113000, "title": "Love, Love this book!!" }, { "asin": "B00FFBG1PM", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The Bargin is not just another Amish Fiction! It is an Amish fiction with a twist like I haven't read before, the setting being in the Vietnam War. I loved the history weaved into the book about this era, and especially since I was old enough during that time to remember a lot about the war and the friends I had who fought in it. Betsy's story was interesting, with her family living as Englisch. This story brought back a lot of memories of when I was growing up, and that I did enjoy very much! It was so interesting because back then, we did really live plain, or so it seems like that now. I really did love the setting, and the story.<br /><br />Stephanie Reed is a fairly new author for me, so I was excited to review an Amish fiction from a different author. Ms. Reed created characters that were enjoyable and believable, giving readers a real feel of life in the early 1970′s. If you enjoy Amish, you will love this one. If you enjoy historical fiction, this is for you too! So why not put the two together and check out this new book from Stephanie Reed. I think you will be pleasantly surprised!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1382586934000, "title": "The Bargin" }, { "asin": "1859855865", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS<br /><br />This is a really neat Bible handbook from Kregel Publishers. The Candle Bible Handbook is for 8 to 12 year olds and would be an awesome addition to their library, because it can be a wonderful study tool for your child to use while reading the Bible or reading Bible stories. There are many things to help with Bible study including study questions, tips to watch for when reading, an outline an description of the book, along with a little box with important information. And you will also find a section with Big ideas in the Bible, Bible Promises, Fifty very important passages in the Bible and Who’s Who in the Bible. And of course this is just a touch of what you will find in this neat handbook.<br /><br />I really like this book that will be an additional study tool when studying the Bible. I found it interesting myself as I read through it and went over the different things added to help study. If you have kids in this age group, or I think even teenagers would like this, I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of The Candle Bible Handbook. You will find it very informative and interesting.<br /><br />I rec’d a copy of this book from Kregel to read and review. The opinions in this review are mine only. I was not required or expected to write a positive review.", "timestamp": 1400470384000, "title": "Really Neat for Kids" }, { "asin": "1414368453", "rating": 5, "text": "Annie, a young Irish immigrant is the housekeeper at Mrs. Hawkins boarding house, but she is also a wonderful story teller, thanks to her really great storyteller father. But when Annie’s father passed away, and after living with her no caring uncle, and the horrible places he sent her, she eventually ended up in New York. You will thoroughly enjoy this wonderful historical novel by Cindy Thomson. Annie not only loved storytelling, she loved to daydream, so her mind was always full of a story to tell. And Ms. Thomson does an amazing job of telling these stories in a way that will capture your heart and attention. One thing that was so touching to me is the way telling her stories always made Annie think of the father she missed so much. Check out this fabulous book and give it a try!<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale House to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1420701507000, "title": "Really interesting historical fiction!" }, { "asin": "0529102781", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Jeremiah and Anna May's life took a tumbling fall when Jeremiah left his Amish family, Anna May and the Amish faith for the English world, and their schools, to become a veterinarian. But will his return mean that they can pick up where they left off with their relationship? Life is not that easy! And life for these two young people was not without heartaches and many struggles as they strived to find out what God really wanted them to do with their lives.<br /><br />I have read many of Kathleen Fuller's books, and have enjoyed them all! Just as I enjoyed this one, and I'm going to get the other books in this series as well! I fell in love with these characters immediately, and I thoroughly enjoyed following their journey, though they did have their moments. I like that Ms. Fuller shows so much detail to the story and each scene that takes place. This is truly a well written book, and a book that anyone who loves a really good Amish story will want to read!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1426653601000, "title": "Very nice Amish story!" }, { "asin": "0800722485", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />For me, this was a really heartwarming story. Kaitlyn was trying to get her life together after leaving her child with her brother to raise. Now she has to prove that she is the mother her daughter needs in order to get her daughter back. On the other hand, Steven is trying to prove that he has grown up, and ready to settle down. But would Steven and Kaitlyn be able to make a go of it together, with all of their past failures?<br /><br />I have really enjoyed Catherine Armstrong’s A Place to Call Home Series, and I so much enjoyed this third book! The characters are very realistic and enjoyable to get to know. The lives of the characters sure keep readers wondering what will happen next! And I appreciate the detailed info about this little place called Last Chance. It is sure a place I would love to visit!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1426819255000, "title": "Love this wonderful book!" }, { "asin": "0310315549", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This has been an absolutely enjoyable series to read, and Rachel Hauck is an amazingly talented writer! I love how she brings you into the story, giving me the feeling I was there with the characters. As I read the book, I felt as though the characters were real, as I thought about them day and night! Corina was hoping to find her prince charming for the second time, but with all of the issues going on, and with Corina still dealing with the death of her brother, there was just no way. But was there? This is truly a story of redemption and love, and the twists and turns in the story kept me turning the pages pretty fast! The setting, the characters, the different scenes throughout the story as I read, they all came together to a wonderful ending. I highly recommend How to Catch a Prince, and the other books in Rachel Hauck's Royal Wedding Series.<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1427161293000, "title": "Love this heartwarming story" }, { "asin": "0718031652", "rating": 4, "text": "Sarah Montgomery finally gets to join her fiancée Rand Campbell, in Fort Laramie, Wyoming but is he really excited to see her? Seems like he has found someone else to occupy his time, making life difficult for Sarah. But then when ex-fiancé Ben Croftner shows up in Wyoming, things get a little more exciting, or maybe we could say tension was filling the air more than ever.<br /><br />A Heart's Obsession is another short story in Colleen Coble's A Journey of the Heart Series. a reissue of the Wyoming series published around a decade, and back this time in 6 short books. Though I like short books sometimes, its kind of frustrating that we as readers have to wait so long for the next chapters in the book. Its like reading a few chapters, putting the book down, and after a month picking it back up again. I am just not fond of this type of reading myself. But as far as the story, I love it! It is awesome, just as all of Colleen Coble books are!! I will keep them all, and read them again in the order of the series, and will enjoy them much more. I hope this is not a trend that publishers are heading toward, but it will be interesting to see.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1429074224000, "title": "Short story" }, { "asin": "0310335884", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Life hasn't been easy for 32 year old Linda Zook, being orphaned at age 4 and raised by an uncle that didn't want her. But Linda is determined to make something of her life, working part time at the Lancaster Grand Hotel, she desires to we worthy of a life that she can be happy and loved. Thirty-two year old Aaron Ebersol comes back into the picture after leaving the Amish community for almost two decades because of the harsh demands of his father. These two meet up, but what will life be for them because of their background? Can they find love and forgiveness for the family that wronged them?<br /><br />Amy Clipston is one of my favorite Amish writers. I love her writing style, the long series about this Amish Community and the families, and I fell in love with her characters in the first book of this series! Linda and Aaron's story is a sad, but yet a happy one. I thoroughly enjoyed following the lives of these two characters through the thick and thin of their relationship. As I read their story, I could clearly see the love, grace, forgiveness and redemption of our God in the lives of these characters. In everything they went through, God was in the driver's seat of their lives and leading them every step of the way. If you enjoy Amish fiction, this series is a must for you. Check out A Simple Prayer by Amy Clipston, and the other books in this awesome series.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1431489089000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Life hasn't been easy for 32 year old Linda Zook" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Talk about mystery, The End of Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble is one of the best mysteries I have read! Who is Claire Dellamare? She thought her life was like any other rich girl’s life, that it until she Claire returns to the Hotel Tourmaline for a business meeting with her CEO father. That’s when she starts hearing rumors about her disappearing for a year when she was young.<br /><br />Wow, this was an awesome read! The plot line was amazing, and the characters were so very realistic I wanted to be there in the story with them. Clarie was a sweet and intelligent young lady, and never did she think her life would be in shambles when she returned to the Hotel Tourmaline. The more I read the stranger the story became, one murder and one young child went missing at the same time. Was there a connection? What strange and horrific thing could have happened all those years ago? This is a book you do not want to miss. And if you are a Colleen Cobble fan, this is one of her best!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1431575510000, "title": "The End of Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble is one of the best mysteries I have read" }, { "asin": "0529103435", "rating": 5, "text": "A Heart’s Betrayal is the fourth book in Colleen Coble’s A Journey of the Heat Series. This series is a previous series from Ms. Coble, this one is a very short book for each story. In this story, Emmie Croftner finds out that her late husband wasn’t the man she thought he was, the home and everything she had wasn’t hers after all. After relocating, Emmie meets a soldier that just might change her life.<br /><br />As usual, Colleen Coble writes a story with characters are interesting and intriguing, and make the story interesting. The situations in Emmie’s life leave her with a life of tension, so much so that she can’t stay in her town any longer. This change in her life leaves a more and different type of tension, because of her new place and new people in her life. The one thing with these short books is that you have to wait a month to read the next short installment. For me, it is much easier to read the entire story at once. I am keeping all of these books and will read them again one after the other!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1433304461000, "title": "A Heart’s Betrayal is the fourth book in Colleen Coble’s ..." }, { "asin": "1496402146", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This is a really good story written from a mothers viewpoint about her child. With television being the big entertainment and past time, weight problems in children are on the rise. Heidi Bond made changes she had to make for her daughter’s health. With the world today full of fast food, quick fix meals, and sweet and fatty snacks, obesity in children just keeps getting worse.<br /><br />I appreciate how Heidi and Breanna are using their story to help other kids with the same problems they have experienced. Even though their journey was not an easy on, it was a productive one because it taught them the meaning of a healthy lifestyle. I did make me angry as Heidi talked about the way people viewed her efforts, especially talking about those who had talked about her daughter’s obesity, now criticizing her for refusing her candy and sweet treats. People can be so rude. If you are someone you love is experiencing the same or similar situation, I encourage you to pick up a copy of Heidi’s book, Who’s the New Kid. I think you will find help you never expected.<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1433905940000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK This is a really good story written from a mothers viewpoint about her child" }, { "asin": "0310322170", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Another murder in the Amish Artisan Village in Middlebury, Indiana, and the Poison Poet strikes again and again leaving pies with notes attached saying the pies are poisoned. And then the emails Amber is getting, that is clearly from the Poison Poet? Ms. Chapman does it again with a murder, mystery/suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seats. And in an Amish community at that!<br /><br />I felt so bad for Amber, the harassing emails were causing problems with her work and marriage, because the Poison Poet was determined that she wouldn’t tell anyone what was going on. But she had too many friends and family that loved her, and I was touched at the way the pulled together to help her. And another person that was helped was Preston. I really like Preston and the sweet relationship forming between Preston and Mocha, which you will need to read the book to find out about these two! And who in the world could have gunned Ryan Duvall down in broad daylight, just as he finished his race?<br /> A lot of questions, and a lot going on in Murder Freshly Baked, and I just know you will enjoy it as much as I did!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1433921239000, "title": "Just Wonderful Writing by Ms. Chapman!" }, { "asin": "0800734351", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Has Marisa St. George found the man or her dreams after moving back to her hometown of Dupree, Texas. Very successful and well known writer Blake Kendall decides to try hanging out at Rainbow’s End Resort for a while to see if it would help his writers block, that he couldn’t seem to get over. The attraction between Marisa and Blake was immediate, but then things started to come up that put a halt on that attraction, and their relationship was rocky one min and ok the next. This situation, along with everything else going on at Rainbow’s End Resort makes for a fun and entertaining story.<br /><br />In Firefly Valley ,I loved reading about the characters I grew to love in the first book in this series, At Bluebonnet Lake, and meeting the new people traveling to the area! The relaxing atmosphere at the Rainbow’s End Resort and the quite town of Dupree, Texas makes this a light read, yet a story that deals with lives that were changed through forgiveness of each other and the love, forgiveness and redemption of our Lord. I want to encourage you to pick up a copy of In Firefly Valley for hours of relaxing, entertaining and fun. I think you will like this book as much as I did! This one goes on my keeper shelf!<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.<br /><br />Another really sweet book from author Amanda Cabot!", "timestamp": 1434349019000, "title": "along with everything else going on at Rainbow’s End Resort makes for a fun and entertaining story" }, { "asin": "0800723503", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Her mother's death causes Elizabeth Benjamin to return to her home in Key West, but things didn't go as she thought it would. Though she needed her family, it seemed that they didn't need her as much, and she sure wasn't happy with her father's pick as a husband for her. Was her trip back home a mistake?<br /><br />Since this was my first book by Christine Johnson I wasn't sure what to expect, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. This book was as good as the cover is beautiful! I love the inviting cover! This was also my first story with a setting in the historical 1850's Key West, Florida. There is a lot that makes up the plot of this story, danger, secrets, adventures seas, heart throbbing romance, and determination in the hearts of characters. Ms. Johnson does a marvelous job of weaving it all together to write a most amazing, entertaining and enjoyable story that I highly recommend. I will sure be looking for more books in this series.<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1434354351000, "title": "and she sure wasn't happy with her father's pick as a husband for her" }, { "asin": "1601425996", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Mesu Andrew's books because she has such an amazing talent of taking Bible characters, putting them in a historical Biblical setting and creating a story that will pull you in and keep you long after you finish the book. When I finish reading a Mesu Andrews book, I have a new, clear insight of the Biblical character the Book is about.<br /><br />The Pharoah's Daughter is another one of those books. I have always loved the story of Moses being put in the river in a basket as a baby by his sister. And Pharoah's daughter claiming Moses for her own, and raising him as her own. Ms. Andrews takes this story much deeper, bringing us into the home of Pharoah's daughter and now the home of Moses. I have always has questions about how this or that happened, and in this story, Ms. Andrews answers some of those questions in her fictional way. This was a special time in history, and I appreciate this awesome author for taking on these characters and this time in history. And I also appreciate the knowledge and research it took to write a story like this. Needless to say, I was in awe of The Pharoah's Daughter and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves historical, Biblical, or just a good fiction story.<br /><br />Blogging for Books provided this book for my honest review. The review is my views alone.", "timestamp": 1434561646000, "title": "I love Mesu Andrew's books because she has such an amazing ..." }, { "asin": "0718011783", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Two very different people, and a dangerous ruby? That's what this story is about. Daughter of a shop keeper, Camille is searching for her own lot in life. And the son of a very wealthy, well-known explorer and collector, Jonathan is settle in his fathers wealth, even though he is the second son. But his life changes when the hunt for a special ruby leads him to Camille's family shop. Who will finally uncover this expensive, dangerous jewel?<br /><br />Author Sarah Ladd takes us on an exciting and dangerous journey through the streets of historical London in her new book, The Curiosity Keeper. And Curiosity it is as I read this really good book! The characters will weave their way into your hearts, and the sights and sounds of London are so expertly detailed that you will find yourselves wondering if you are there! I love the tension in the scenes, because it made me keep turning the pages. The intensity and suspense that takes place makes for a very enjoyable read. I highly recommend The Curiosity Keeper!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1436334889000, "title": "And Curiosity it is as I read this really good book! The characters will weave their way into ..." }, { "asin": "0718031687", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br /> Emmie has a secret that she definitely doesn't want Isaac to know about, because she doesn't want to loose him. This makes for a lot of twists and turns in this very short story. This is book 5 in A Journey of the Heart Series. I enjoyed reading the continuation of this story, the characters and setting is already familiar, and the plot is somewhat set. As with all Colleen Coble books, this is a wonderful read and a wonderful series. I enjoyed each book, but I think reading all of these short book at once would be better because you don't have to wait to see what the next few chapters give.<br /><br />BookLook Bloggers provided this book for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive or any type of review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1436336191000, "title": "I enjoyed reading the continuation of this story" }, { "asin": "0310749417", "rating": 5, "text": "My Thoughts<br /><br />This is a cute little Bible Story book for any little one. If you have small children, you would be wise to invest in this book for them. The colors are nice and bright, and the cover is just plain cute! It has Papa, Brother, Sister and Honey reading, which is one of our favorite things to do here. The book is made just for smaller kids with thick sturdy pages that a child cannot tear, so you don't have to worry about them playing with this book. And you will enjoy reading these Bible stories and teaching your child about Jesus.<br /><br />This book was provided by BookLook Bloggers. The opinions here are mine.", "timestamp": 1441166721000, "title": "The colors are nice and bright" }, { "asin": "1401688888", "rating": 5, "text": "I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1441168580000, "title": "Love it!" }, { "asin": "1401690513", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Abby Knightly’s life came to an end as she knew it when her husband was killed in an auto accident, and Abby feels responsible. Not being about to live with what happened, Abby decides to move to a little town she had read about in a column in a newspaper. Circumstances caused her to meet Bo, one of three brothers that owned a ranch in the small town of Wishing Springs, Texas .<br /><br />This story took a different turn than the first book in this series. Bo’s story didn’t come across as well as Tru’s for me. Bo seemed less responsible, more reckless and the little surprise that ended up on his pops doorstep confirms that. It just happened that Abby was there at the right time, which was ok with Bo because he needed all the help he could get. Even though I did enjoy the story, a young lady showing up in a small town, meeting a guy that has sworn off ladies, and all of a sudden were thrown together and everything else that happened within a few weeks just wasn’t as believable as I would have liked. But then, that’s just me! All in all, I enjoyed the Monahan family again, and looking forward to reading book three! And by the way, Pops is just the sweetest old man, just adorable!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1441775657000, "title": "Even though I did enjoy the story" }, { "asin": "0310338492", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Love this book, Love this series! Shelley Shepard Gray is one of the best!! Lydia and Sebastian were two very different people, from completely different backgrounds, but the attraction between them was real. But the two being together was just impossible. Or was it? Though rough as some of the characters are, this is a pretty sweet story. There is a lot of bad things happening, a lot of tension, a lot of twists and turns, but Ms. Gray does a fantastic job of pulling it all together, with twists and turns you don’t expect, and making another awesome story in this series. I don’t want to say too much, and give anything away, so I wont! This is a wonderful and entertaining story, set just after the Chicago Worlds Fair is over, a story that will stay with you for a while.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1447220727000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Love this book" }, { "asin": "0310339545", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Leila Lantz has a difficult decision to make. Two young men, Jesse, and Will (Jesse's cousin) want her love and commitment. But the two offer entirely different lifestyles for Leila. Jesse is struggling with his faith, and not so sure he is ready for a lifetime commitment, but Leila has loved him since the first time she saw him. And Will, well he is more settled and knows what he wants to do with his life, but keeps his feelings for Leila to himself because he doesn't want to hurt his cousin Jesse. How will this author untangle this mess of relationships for Leila?<br /><br />I really like the way Kelly Irvin writes Amish fiction. She adds a unique twist to her stories that make them very interesting and entertaining. Leila has some tough decisions to make, but I liked that. Dealing with real life situations, even among the Amish faith helps to realize that we all have problems that we must surrender to the Lord. And this book will have you taking a closer look at your own faith. It was nice visiting characters from book one, and I am excited to read book three when it hits the shelves. If you are looking for a good clean book for enjoyment, this is a wonderful one to pick up!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1447474989000, "title": "and Will (Jesse's cousin) want her love and commitment" }, { "asin": "1601425007", "rating": 5, "text": "A Refuge at Highland Hall is the third book in the Edwardian Brides series by Carrie Turansky. I was glad to read more of Highland Hall's Penny Ramsey in this story. Because of Britain's involvement in WWI, Penny decides to travel to London to help her sister Kate and her husband with the houseful of orphaned children they have. Its there that Penny meets Royal Naval Air Service pilot Alex Goodwin, and there was definitely an attraction between the two! Knowing he would be chasing Zeppelins across the front line in France, Alex couldn't allow anything series between the two. But they could write to each other while he was in France. But faced with unforeseen circumstances, Alex's life takes a dramatic change, and seeing Penny again was out of the question.<br /><br />This is such a wonderful book! First of all, the cover is beautiful, and the story inside is full of entertainment. I loved meeting the characters again, they now seem like family members. Penny is such a sweetheart, and I was cheering on a relationship between she and Alex. There's a lot of things going on in this book, a lot of twists and turns happening that made me keep my nose in the book until I finished!! Author Carrie Turansky does an amazing joy of weaving everything together nicely, and giving readers a sweet romance.<br /><br />And the history in this story is phenomenal, it made the trip back into the past WWI era so enjoyable. As I read, I felt like I was living the story along with the characters. This book is a must if you enjoy historical and WWI fiction. And this one is a nice clean read! One that anyone will enjoy!<br /><br />I received this book from Blogging for Books to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1454892669000, "title": "Awesome Read!" }, { "asin": "0310332435", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGTHS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Casey Cox only wants to do the right things, find her father's killer. But her life falls apart when she finds her good friend murdered, and with her DNA being all over the place, she has no option but to run. Dylan Roberts, the PI hired to find Casey doesn't think she is guilty of murder, the evidence just doesn't show it.<br /><br />If I Run is another fast pace thriller from one of my very favorite authors, Terri Blackstock. It starts our with Casey finding her good friend Brent murdered in his home. Knowing why Brent was murdered, and her blood all over everything, Casey's only choice is to take off. Casey was a fantastic leading character, with all of her twists and turns trying to stay under the radar, I never knew what was coming next! Casey was such a caring person, she cared more for helping others than she did herself, even if she did put herself in the spotlight. I really enjoyed this story, and I read it through without putting it down.<br /><br />However, the ending just almost ruined it for me. It left so many loose ends, I felt as though I was hanging from a cliff when I read that last sentence. I sure hope there is a book two, I will be very disappointed if it is not. Can't wait to find out about another book in this series!", "timestamp": 1455863516000, "title": "But her life falls apart when she finds her good friend murdered" }, { "asin": "1414389752", "rating": 5, "text": "Mariah and her grandmother are trying their best to keep their ranch running after the death of Mariah’s father. But their lives take a drastic change when Slade Donovan show up claiming the ranch. As it turns out, Mariah’s father supposedly took money that belonged to Slade’s father and bought the ranch, so now that Slade’s father is dead, he is there to claim what belongs to their family. He agrees to let Mariah and her grandmother stay in the house until his mom and sister come to live there. But a lot of things happen here in this story before that takes place.<br /><br />This was my first book by Pam Hillman, and I loved it so very much! There was a lot of tension between the characters because Slade was carrying around so much anger and bitterness. Mariah was shocked that her father would steal money, so she and Slade didn’t get along. The two that did surprisingly got along was Slade’s quiet brother and Mariah’s grandmother, while I think had a lot to do with Slade and Mariah slowing changing their minds. Grandma was a sweetheart, she loved the Lord, and nothing seemed to upset her. She was the glue that held them all together. But when the mom and sister get there, things may change for them.<br /><br />I enjoyed Ms. Hillman’s writing style and I look forwarding to reading other books by her. The bit of suspense and romance make this story one you will love and enjoy. And I can’t leave out the fact that the history throughout this story was so interesting and very well searched and woven into the lives of the characters. You can’t go wrong with this book being on your ‘to read’ shelf. I purchased a copy of this book to read, and it is so good I wanted to leave a review.", "timestamp": 1456156195000, "title": "Love this historical fiction" }, { "asin": "0764211412", "rating": 5, "text": "I thought this book was a fantastic read, and I really enjoyed every minute of it! After Miranda sold a prized portrait, and her grandfather bought an auction house that they were sure the portrait went to, the story took a new twist! I'm not sure how I would have felt had I ended up at a livestock auction house, and it was just as interesting reading about Miranda's experience. There is a lot in this story to absorb, and I kept wondering if a mistake was made about buying this auction house in the first place, but I just had to be patient. I will have to say, from the cover of this book, I did not expect the story that is between the pages!<br /><br />When I see a book by Regina Jennings, I know its going to be an awesome read, and this was no exception. I became very attached to the characters, the grandfather was adorable and Miranda was a special young lady! And oh, the romance was sweet and heartfelt. This is a must read for those of you who enjoy historical fiction, or just looking for a good clean read! At Love's Bidding will not disappoint!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1456295075000, "title": "Love this book!" }, { "asin": "0718033183", "rating": 4, "text": "Arguments with parents happen often, but Joanna Schrock never dreamed this argument would be her last. The accident that happened after the argument changed Joanna's life forever, in ways she never expected. Andrew, her beau since childhood draws closer<br /> to Joanna, knowing her could have lost her in the accident. But is his marriage offer truly because of his love for her?<br /><br /> This was a most enjoyable story. I do not read a lot of Amish stories, but this one captured my attention, with the horrific accident and the heartbreaking happenings after. The story gets intense while Joanna is recovering, with Andrew hovering over her, and Joanna wondering if it was his love or his pity for him that he was acting in such a way.<br /><br /> This story was interesting enough to keep me reading. If you enjoy Amish stories, you will enjoy this one.<br /><br />I received a free copy of this book from ,…….. to read and review. I expressed my own opinion in this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1458937229000, "title": "But is his marriage offer truly because of his love for her" }, { "asin": "0800726405", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br /> After the death of her husband, Shelby Kincaid decides to move back to where she was raised, and purchase her family's home, Misty Willow. AJ Sullivan owns the home, given to him by his grandfather, though he is sure not interested in the place. Once the two meet, for some odd reason they couldn't stay away from each other. But family history and dark secrets find their place between these two young people.<br /><br />This turned out to be a sweet and heartwarming story. AJ wasn't the villain I thought he would me, he was actually a character I liked very much. AJ's cousins, Brett and Amy are a different story altogether. The were difficult to tolerate! Ms. Alexander does a fantastic job of weaving this story together, through the difficult past, to the difficult cousins, to this special couple, Shelby and AJ, turning their lives around to create a beautiful life between the two. This is a wonderful contemporary story that you don't want to miss.<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1459829440000, "title": "Love this beautiful story!" }, { "asin": "1629116858", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Abigail Stutzman had no idea why she was dumped at a bus station with a ticket to an aunt and uncle's house she didn't even know she had. What was wrong with her mamm, why did she allow this to happen to her? And it seemed like her aunt and uncle and everyone else in her new community was silent on the issue as well. What made things even worse for Abby is her new friends seem to leave her on a trail of burned down barns. Nothing happening in her life made sense to Abbi anymore.<br /><br />Poor Abby, I can not imagine what it would be like to be left at a bus station and sent to someone I didn't even know! Amish sometimes have a strange way of handing situations. One thing about it, Even though Abby didn't know her aunt and uncle, they were happy to meet their new niece, and was glad to have her in their home. She became like a daughter to them. But the fires were a puzzle. And firefighter Sam Miller couldn't figure it out either. But Abby had to be the one setting the fires, wasn't she? As Sam and Abby spend more and more time together, sparks of another kind start flying, and the fire between these two characters may not be so easy to put out.<br /><br />I love Laura Hilton's Amish stories so much. She always has a little different twist to her stories, involving Englischers in such a way that it seems like there is no logical fix to the situations, but in the end, Ms. Hilton weaves the stories together to make a perfect and wonderful ending. And so it was with The Amish Firefighter. This was truly a story of unveiled secrets, forgiveness, redemption and grace in the lives of these characters. I love and appreciate the way Ms. Hilton so vividly tells the story of God's redeeming love to those who as for His forgiveness. I love, love this story, and I am looking forward for more from these Jamesport, Missouri characters.<br /><br />I received this book from Celebrate Lit Blog Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1465782835000, "title": "And it seemed like her aunt and uncle and everyone else in her ..." }, { "asin": "0800722752", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This was an interesting read, being this is election year! Leta Breckenridge lands a excellent paying job at a public relations firm. What Leta didn't know is that she would be used in ways that were very uncomfortable for her. Nathan Emerson may be in the next running race for governor of Texas, and he has just the right woman by his side to make his running complete. But then he meets Leta, and she is so different from anyone he's ever met before. But two very different lifestyles at this point in Nathan's life?<br /><br />I have grown to love books written by Kellie Coates Gilbert, and each book keeps getting better. Ms. Gilbert develops characters that are so very realistic and believable. As I read everything going on in this book, I had to ask myself; Does this really happen in real life? And I'm afraid my answer leans more toward yes that anything else. This story shows that lying, cheating, deceitfulness, always comes back to bite you.<br /><br />I also loved the relationship Leta had with her mom. Even though her mom didn't know how she was most of the time, Leta still needed her mom and they were so sweet together. I hope I have said enough to want you to read this book. I don't want to give away any of the story, for me it ruins it when someone does that. I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of this book and read it. You will not be disappointed in this one. Or anything this author writes!<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1469974817000, "title": "Loved this amazing story" }, { "asin": "0310345391", "rating": 5, "text": "A prison cell in Lake Erie became the home of Confederate soldiers. Growing as close as brothers in this prison, a group of these soldiers made promises to care for one another, no matter what happened. When Phillip Markham lost his life in the prison, Robert Truax knew he had to fulfill that promise and take care of Phillip's wife Marinda. As tough as the situation with Marinda turned out to be, Robert wanted to do the job he came to do and get on with his life. But there were many unexpected bumps in the road that changed those plans.<br /><br /> Shelley Shepard Gray starts another series off with a bang! This beautiful story of love and redemption with capture your hearts. When everything seemed lost and thought there was no hope, Marinda finds out that God does give second chances in life. Robert and Marinda's story is such a sweet heartwarming story. The main characters, as well as the supporting characters will quickly find their way into your heart. I enjoyed the Civil War and post war historical facts and settings. This is a great story for those who enjoy stories with Civil War settings.<br /><br /> A copy of this book was provided to me by BookLook Bloggers for me to read and review. This is my honest opinion of this book.", "timestamp": 1472525447000, "title": "This beautiful story of love and redemption with capture your hearts" }, { "asin": "031034154X", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, this is an amazing story! I fell in love with the characters early in the story. I loved the way Ms. Hauck interweaves Cora and Haley’s stories, and though one was historical and one modern, the story was beautiful written in a way that made me crave more of each character. I couldn’t put this book down because I wanted to find out what was happening with each lady.<br /><br />Cora was the sweetest young lady with a lot of disappointments and heartaches. Rufus, well I just wanted to give him a piece of my mind. And Birch was a sweetheart, a man every women dreams of. Haley was independent like Cora, and wanted to open the Wedding Shop, despite what her parents thought. She was determined to try and forget her ex forever. And I really liked Cole as well. He has his share of disappointments and heartaches too. And I love the way Rachel Hauck interweaves the stories of these four characters in an amazing way, weaving together their dysfunctional lives with their faith in the Lord. And she shows that even though our lives don’t turn out the way we want, and despite the heartaches and disappointments we may go through, Jesus will always be there in us and with us. And He can take all of our baggage and make something beautiful from it all.<br /><br />The Wedding Shop is another beautiful story from author Rach Hauck. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good clean heartwarming read. And if you haven’t read The Wedding Dress and The Wedding Chapel, I encourage you to check out these two books as well.<br /><br />I received this book from Celebration Lit Blog Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1474495378000, "title": "Love it!" }, { "asin": "0310342015", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />I love, love Amy Clipston's books and this is another amazing one from her. She writes the most amazing Amish fiction, and you don't want to miss this one. Mike Lantz has his hands full taking care of his dad and his disabled son. He moves to the area because he wants his son to go to this special school, hoping he can learn like a regular. And that's where he meets Rachel. Rachel feels sorry for the Lantz family and wants to help them, so she starts fixing them mills each week and sending them home by Mike's son John. The special thing about these meals is that she sends them in an antique basket that belonged to her mom, a basket that brought her mom and dad together. Can history repeat itself and bring another couple together?<br />Find out when you read the third book in The Amish Heirloom Series by Amy Clipston. I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1475899748000, "title": "Rachel Fisher is devastated when the young man she’s loved for years leaves her to date her best friend" }, { "asin": "162911748X", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />This is such an amazing story, I was in awe the entire time I was reading this book. Both Mary and Joseph were the sweetest young couple. Her parents loved her very much to make sure the man she would marry was the man she loved. I know this is fiction, but as I read the account of the angel coming to Mary in a dream, her trip to see her cousin Elizabeth, Mary telling her parents and Joseph she was pregnant with the Messiah, each and every scene was so fully detailed, I felt like I was living this story along with the characters. It is so neat to see this Bible account through the eyes of Diana W. Taylor.<br />It was so sweet to follow along with Mary as she realized she was carrying a special baby, that God has actually trusted her an favored her among all of the women of that time, and chose her to be the mother of Jesus. Despite what she had to go through, the outrage of her family and Joseph when she first told them she was pregnant with God's son, all of the talk and whispers among everyone she came in contact with, Mary still had a peace and calmness, and an excitement that God had favored her among women. Can you just imaging what that would feel like?<br />Ms. Taylor not only writes an wonderful story of Mary, the historical events and all of the details was amazing. It is so much in this story that I love, I could go on and on, but you have an idea what this book is about. And I agree with others that this book needs to be read before Christmas and before Easter. It is a great way to ready your heart for the Celebration of each of these holidays. If you have friends and family that love reading, and don't know the Lord, this would be the most amazing book for them to read. The Gospel is told throughout this book in a wonderful way. This is a must read for every Christian!<br />&#34;I received this book from the author for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed in this review are my own.&#34;", "timestamp": 1476502162000, "title": "Love this Biblical Fiction!" }, { "asin": "1501822608", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is an awesome devotional for the month of December. Ace Collins take us through each day of December with a different insight about the one we celebrate on Christmas day, Jesus Christ. I have enjoyed this devotional because each day I am reminded of the birth of or Savior, and it I can read about Him and Worship Him in a new way each day. There is also a lot of fun things throughout the pages of this books. You will find nice recipes, the meaning behind the words of songs, Christmas traditions, Christmas carols and some movies. I am really enjoying my time spent in this little book, and I will save it for years to come.<br />I highly recommend The Most Wonderful Time of the Year for your special Christmas devotions. received this book from Litfuse to read and review. I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1481771391000, "title": "Awesome Christmas Devotional" }, { "asin": "0718086422", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />For me, it was difficult to get interested in this story until after the first several chapters, but then, the story opens up into raw emotions about what truly happens to families that go into full time ministry, especially as missionaries to another country. Through fiction, this author shares the feelings and truths of the real family problems that can occur. After reading this, you will feel more of a desire to pray for missionaries you know, as well as any missionaries that give up their lives as they know it to go into an unknown place and share the gospel of Christ. Remember to pray for those taking the gospel to the places in the world that would not hear unless someone comes to tell them.<br />This is a must read if you believe God is calling you to the mission fields. It could very well help families know more about what to expect.<br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1483588639000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK For me, it was ..." }, { "asin": "1401685978", "rating": 3, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK <br />Charlotte and Daniel are in love, but the problem is Charlotte is an Englisher, and she doesn’t seem to want to do anything about joining the Amish faith to be with Daniel for the rest of their lives. Daniel is getting so frustrated because he loves Charlotte, but the Bishop is putting the pressure on him because if there relationship is to go on, Charlotte needs to be doing something to lead them all to believe she is thinking about joining their faith. Even though she has lived in the Amish community for a long time, and considers the Amish as her family.<br />This book doesn’t have a lot going on, the main issue is Charlotte and Daniel’s disturbing relationship. Which makes this book much slower than the first two books in this series. This one is just lacking something, not an interesting. But, all in all, I would have read it anyway to see what happens at the end of the series, and to tie up some loose ends. Pick u this last book in Beth Wiseman’s An Amish Secrets Series. I received this book from Booklook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1508817344048, "title": "... THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Charlotte and Daniel are in love, but the problem is Charlotte is an Englisher" }, { "asin": "1683223357", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />This first Christmas story, ‘Christmas in Gold’ is about and elderly lady named Astrid who fell down steps at home and her son and daughter decides to move her to an assisted living facility near her son’s house. Trouble is, he travels all of the time and is hardly home. So after much downsizing her son gets her moved in, he has to leave and the daughter can’t come to help either, so ….has fun decorating her new apartment. Except she couldn’t find her God Christmas ornaments, so guess her son didn’t bother to bring them. Then She starts making new friends at her new place, specifically her therapist. They both needed a friend and despite their age difference they hit it off. So we’re able to be there for each other.<br /><br />This is a good story, but it started off very slow for me. After probably halfway through it gets better. There’s a little bit of drama here but not much. Christmas did turn out different than I expected. The characters are interesting and realistic, and the author shows that no matter the circumstances, we can be happy and useful in whatever stage of life we are in. The God will walk with us.<br /><br />❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️<br /><br />This second story ‘Christmas in Blue’ for me, is much better. Carole, who has always taken care of the Christmas to Remember event each year passed away leaving her best friend, Angela to follow in her footsteps. And of course she was chosen to do the Christmas to Remember event as well. But things didn’t go so smoothly, and time was running out, and besides that, they only Christmas decorations they could find was blue. Everything. Blue. Which the town wasn’t going to like. Then a mystery person appeared, helping diligently to make the Celebration a success.<br /><br />I enjoyed this story a lot. It was really special to see a twin come together. But the end results was surprisingly very well done. Makes for a very cozy Christmas story to read during the holidays! Especially if there comes a pretty snowfall!<br /><br />This is a beautiful book! I love blue so the colors are just what I like. I encourage you to pick up a copy of The Colors of Christmas for hours of cozy, clean fun entertainment! A complementary copy of this book was provided by TLC Tours. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1509065101398, "title": "Cozy Christmas read" }, { "asin": "1420144839", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Liza Schrock in content running the bakery her late husband bought for her, and has no need for another man in her life. Paul was enough for a lifetime of men for her. Until Jacob Graber and his daughter Ellie walks into her bakery and her life.<br /><br />I enjoyed this sweet Amish story, though some of the time it was a bit slow and things were repeated often. Lisa was happy to be rid of her demanding husband and could now live without fear of his abusive behavior. Though she reacts to Jacob differently than any other man, she is still content with being alone. But Jacob is determined to win Lisa over. I didn’t really care for Jacob’s attitude in several areas. He was rather pushy, even asking Lisa’s family personal questions that were none of his business at the time. And I didn’t like the way he talked to his daughter Ellie about how he felt over his wife’s death, how he missed her too, and needed a friend. To me, this just added to Ellie’s negative feelings, and made Jacob a bit self centered, which is not how Amish men are to act. Soles he sounded like more the whiny child. And I could understand Ellie’s feelings. She had lost her mom after all, and was at the age to question Amish life. And with her dads feelings and attitude all over the place she needed more stability than him.<br /><br />This story jumps around a lot, it deals with a lot of issues lightly but it doesn’t get too deep in any of them. For Amish fiction lovers, you will enjoy Lisa’s story. The ending is much better than the rest of the book so hang in there and keep reading!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1517488805654, "title": "I enjoyed this sweet Amish story" }, { "asin": "0718091159", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Amish Sweethearts is a collection of four Amish stories written by author Amy Clipston. In each of these stores, the main character has some pretty hefty issues to deal with. But they also each find the person they want to spend their life with. And sometime the Amish Father is hard to get along with, which several of these characters had to deal with as well. Ms. Clipston does a wonderful job of weaving lives, circumstances, hurts and wrong decisions together, and coming up with stories that will warm your heart.<br /><br />Overall I enjoyed this book, but I do have a problem with the publisher, publishing two stories that have already previously been published in similar books, and not that kings ago. It’s like getting half a book new and the other half used. And charge the same price. Hopefully this will not be the case again. This is the reason for the 4 stars instead of 5.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1517551284649, "title": "the main character has some pretty hefty issues to deal with" }, { "asin": "1683700406", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The Melody of the Soul is an emotional, heartbreaking read, but yet interesting as we meet Violinist Anna Zadok, a Christian Jew, and her grandmother. With the Nazi’s occupation in Prague, Anna and her grandmother lost family, and Anna lost the right to play her beloved violin. When Nazi officer Horst Engel hears Anna play, enjoys the music so much he makes a way for her to keep playing.<br /><br />As one that plays several musical instruments, I always enjoy books where music has such a huge part in the lives of its characters, as did this book. And the soft side of a Nazi officers love of music was a special touch to the story as well. The characters are well developed as the story progresses. And the author does a fantastic job of weaving the beautiful historical scenes of Praque and the horrors and graphics of WWll, making an enjoyable read for everyone. If you love WWll stories, This is one you want to check out!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1517942859721, "title": "I always enjoy books where music has such a huge part in ..." }, { "asin": "0718099397", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />NFL player Toren Daniels just couldn’t control his anger, no matter what. But when he wakes up in a hotel room, not remembering where he’s been for the past 8 month, his anger is gone. This throws Daniels on a whirlwind to find out where he’s been for the past eight months, as well as prove to his wife and family that he has changed! But with his family believing Toren is dead, they have moved on.<br /><br />I have to admit, I’ve never read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but this author did a very good job of describing what it is about throughout this book, so it was easy to follow the parallel of the two stories. I though I had this plot firgured out, and I actually did get part of it right, but getting to the bottom of Toren’s story and the end of book, author James Rubart takes readers in an unbelievable journey that will stick with you for a long time! Rubarts books are the only fantasy type books I read, and I read them because I love the way he takes Bible principles and a character like Toren with his severe anger issues and weaves them together to show God’s love, mercy and forgiveness. His expertise knowledge and research for this story is evident in each scene in this book. Sometimes I had to just stop and wrap my mind around all of the details before reading further. I found “The Man He Never Was” an amazing book on God’s love. If you enjoy books that strongly applys Bible principals to the lives of the characters in a fantasy type way, you will love this book. And if you have never read a book of this genre, this would be a good one to start with!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1521526071725, "title": "Awesome Story!" }, { "asin": "1496421523", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />I loved this book. So much so that I hated having to put it down for the non important things such as cleaning house or cooking dinner! Just Let Go was so realistic, so much like people everywhere today. And I love the Title because letting go and Letting God in on our problems would be so much easier than trying to fix them ourselves.<br /><br />Quinn and Brady both had so many issues to fight through. But first they have to like each other because they didn’t get off to a very good start. Both had anger issues caused by heir past and they just didn’t want to let the past go. Would a real relationship work for the two?<br /><br />Along with my love of story, the characters are fantastic and they make the story so much more interesting. Ms. Walsh deals with a lot issuess that so many people face today, it’s hard to pinpoint just one. And the plot flows so smoothly. I appreciate that this book is full of love and redemption, caring and loving people. This is an amazing Contemporary Fiction for anyone looking for a good clean fun read.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1530755538746, "title": "This is an Amazing Story!" }, { "asin": "1624167470", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The idea of a Hope Jar, or a Prayer Jar is a pretty neat idea! And Michelle finding it was good because that’s what she needed in her life at the time. I somehow find it unbelievable though how Michelle ended up with this Amish family. That grandparents would take a young lady in under those circumstances. And I was really irritated at Michelle for her actions and attitude. I did feel bad for the Lapps because they fell in love with Michelle.<br /><br />But I think my heart broke mostly for Sara. She was the one who had to suffer the most. I wish there would have been more about Sara in this story, but hopefully another book will have her story. All in all that was a good story, the characters were realistic, making me feel as though I had met new neighbors. If you love Amish, you will love this story<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1534876862140, "title": "The Hope Jar" }, { "asin": "0718083040", "rating": 5, "text": "I have enjoyed Robert Whitlow’s books for a while now, and this one it just as amazing as his previous books. I appreciate the fact that he write about issues that the world struggles with currently. I’m a time where there is so much hatred because of a person’s color, race, background, or just because people don’t like another person, Whitlow’s book Chosen People brings to light the need for everyone to respect others, reguardless of who they are. Imagine what would happen if everyone read this book and followed what Whitlow is saying to everyone. And though fiction, this book hits the nail on the head about issues happening today. Things that are going on today in the families and lives of everyone. Oh that we might heed his voice and his words. I strongly encourage everyone to check this book out. And if you think it’s for you, then read a copy and see what you think.<br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1549609867320, "title": "What a Good Read" }, { "asin": "168322826X", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Ladies of Intrigue is a collection of three stories written by Michelle Griep. I didn’t realize these Novellas were previously published, so I had read a couple of them already! Don’t you just hate when this happens? A new book with stories you have already read! But it was good to refresh my memory of these stories.<br /><br />It starts on Cornish Coast in 1815 when the First Lady of Intrigue falls in love with s smuggler. Not exactly what she had planned to do. Then on to Dakota Territory in 1862 with the second Intrigung Lady, Emily and Dr. Clark. I’ve always enjoyed a stories set in the Dakota Territory, and I enjoyed this one, especially with the doctoring techniques of this century. And the third Intriguing Lady is found in St. Paul Minnesota and the House of Secrets. This haunted house had the worst most haunting secrets of all!<br /><br />All three of these stories will sure keep your interest, from the historical fact that we always find in a Michelle Griep story to the haunting mysteries each of these stories hold. You are sure to get a taste of the exceptional writing of this author!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1551073892869, "title": "An Collection if Intriguing Tales" }, { "asin": "031034817X", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />First of all I love this book cover! It is what Dee me to this book! And I love Kelly Irvin’s books as well! And this was such a special read! Laura and Zechariah are both getting on in years, both feeling as though their work on this earth is finished, but God may have other plans! Laura’s helping in Zechariah’s granddaughter after having her Nablus results in the two elderly people getting together, and they realize they are needed.<br /><br />This is a beautiful heartwarming story set in the beautiful Amish community in Jamesport, Missouri. Ms. Irvin does a fantastic job of creating characters that we will all love as they weave their way into our hearts throughout this story. They plot flows well, and kept my interest throughout the story. I like that Redemption, love, and faith were woven into the characters lives! This is a story you don’t wasn’t to miss, especially if you are an Amish fan!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1551334152740, "title": "Beautiful heartwarming story" }, { "asin": "0785219706", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Glory Road is a quiet, small place where Jessica owns a thriving garden shop, and lives with her daughter and mom. She moved back to Glory Road years ago after devorcing the husband that decided he wanted someone else and not her. Jessica lives her quiet life and was content with her small family. That is until two handsome, very different men came into her life. One she had never met, one that lived on Glory Road when they were growing up. And life is just not the same as before these two men arrive.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I love the characters, they were all fantastic! Jessica and her quirky mom has such different personalities, and I can see a little off Evan in both of the ladies. Three strong women, two of which have suffered heartbreaking issues life has thrown them, all determined to stay strong and fight to strive in this world. I love Glory Road and the atmosphere surrounding the place! It all seems olive somewhere in a dream, yet so close and realistic. It’s a place I would sure want to live. Ms. Denton does a really good job weaving together the differences between Ben and Sumner, and with Jessica struggling to make a decision between the two. Of course I fell in love with Ben from the beginning, so I was cheering for him all along! But you have to read the book for the rest of that story!<br /><br />Glory Road is a sweet calming read for me. It’s like settling down at home for a nice relaxing stay. It’s that book you want to read when you need a few days of relaxing. It’s a book that I highly recommend to anyone wanting a nice clean time of enjoyment through books!<br /><br />I received this book from JustReads Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1553618781544, "title": "A really awesome heartwarming read!" }, { "asin": "0785216642", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Everleigh Applegate and Beck Holiday, separated by fifty years, but joined together by devastating loss, secrets, and men who want to give them happiness again. Rachel Hauck has written another amazing story that will fill our minds and take us on a journey that will stay with us long after we close the pages of this book!<br /><br />Another story that I love, love, love! The characters are so realistic I can feel the pain they have suffered while reading the words describing their feelings. Everleigh’s story is written around the era I was born and my early years, which I always love to read about. And Rachel Hauck is the very best when it comes to writing time slip stories. I love the way she goes from one era to the other so fluently and make the plot play out so smoothly. There are a number of issues dealt with in this book, starting with Beck being suspended from her job as a cop because of misconduct. Though I can understand her going off, it was just the wrong place and at the wrong time. My heart went out to Beck and Everleigh because of the lifechanging losses they had to deal with. And Ms. Hauck dealt with these losses and changes with class! And I can’t leave out the men that came into both of these ladies lives. Both Don and Bruno were humble characters, dealing with somewhat the same issues in their lives. And their decisions were made easier by their friendship with these ladies. And if you want to know all of the details and what happens with Everleigh and Beck, I highly recommend you pick up a copy of The Memory House.<br /><br />I received this book from Read with Audra to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1555137130100, "title": "Absolutely Wonderful Read" }, { "asin": "1683229339", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The book of Ruth has always been a favorite story of the Bible for me, so I was happy that I could read and review “Shadows Among Sheaves.” It sure made the story interesting that the setting for this story was Victorian England and Rena was an Indian girl, and I really liked both characters. And the two characters faced many difficult situations because to Rena’s heratige. But Lord Barric was a little different. Even though he was gracious in helping Rena and Nell, for me, his character was just not what I have always thought Boaz was like. Lord Barric was just plain out mean at times, and I didn’t like his attitude, especially toward Rena.<br /><br />However the writing here is phenomenal. The author clearly did a lot of research before writing this story, and though this is Ms. Stephen’s debut novel, she her writing seems as though she is a seasoned writer, and this I did love. The only quirk I have with the story is the scenes that didn’t feel appropriate for Christian fiction. And there are several words or phrases that I feel could have been left out or changed because for me, they are a little strong for Christian fiction. And this gives this book 4 stars. But overall, this is still a book I encourage you to read and you can decide for yourself. I will certainly be looking for more from this author.<br /><br />A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I was not expected to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally my own view of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.<br /><br />", "timestamp": 1556793698025, "title": "A retelling of Ruth and Naomi" }, { "asin": "0718075684", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK <br /><br />Wow! Another interesting book by Elizabeth Byler Younts. Brighton Friedrich was born in Riverside Home, an asylum for the mentally ill because her mom was there at the time. She made many friends there, after all she was there until she was an adult. One was Angel, an albino that wasn’t mentally ill, but his wealthy family didn’t want him. I’ve always heard that asylums in the early to mid 1900’s treated their patients horrible, and that’s what happens in this book. But for one nurse that grew to love Brighton.<br /><br />The title of this book didn’t prepare me for what was coming between the pages. This was definitely not an easy book to read. Sometimes it was hard to keep reading, yet I did, because I wanted to find out how the story ended. Ms. Younts goes into so much detail about the treatment of the patients, which really angered me, they used anything to control them. I’m glad much more has been found out about mentally ill patients today and there is help.<br /><br />The characters in this story grew on me. I fell in love with Brighton and Angel, and ‘Nursey’ as Brighten called her, was the only reason they survived. I did have a difficult time with how the nurse treated Brighten at one time though. And the escape from the home could have been handled differently but maybe during that era in time it was the only way.<br /><br />Over all, this is a fantastic read. A very different read, for sure. This is why I wanted to review this book, because I know it would be unique. So I encourage you to check out The Bright Unknown if this is an issue that interest you.<br /><br />A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.", "timestamp": 1572612292243, "title": "An interesting read" }, { "asin": "0310332591", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK <br /><br />Being back in his home town in Colorado, Nate wasn’t especially excited about how the town folks would receive him. But with Brenna living across the street from his brother, with whom he was staying, he was about to find out. Issues between the two families have been strained for many years, with no show for then to ever be any different.<br /><br />I love, love this story! Terri Blackstock is one of my favorite authors, her books exceed all of my expectations for a book! Smoke Screen is so professionally written, the characters seem like old friends, the plot is so realistic, it’s like a story that can be found in anyone’s town or community. Nate and Brenna quickly stole a piece of my heart, because of the past they could have had, if not for their fathers. Their supporting characters were honest, but sometimes a little difficult on the two.<br /><br />I was quite intrigued about Nate’s job of being a smokejumper. And I enjoyed the detailed information about the job included in the story. Ms. Blackstock did well in her research. And as far as Brenna, her situation is too familiar these days. My heart hurt for her so much. And her ex was a good for nothing conceded jerk, to put it nicely. With this part of the story, as well as how people acted was very well thought out and described in vivid detail as well.<br /><br />There really wasn’t anything I didn’t like about this book. The mystery behind who the real guilty person was, the misunderstanding of the people, and the romance added in was enough for a really amazing story and Terri Blackstock did not disappoint at the end either. She gave her readers an Heartwarming ending that will sure stick with me for a while.<br /><br />A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.<br /><br />", "timestamp": 1573977449350, "title": "Another amazing read by Terri Blackstock" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764207563", "rating": 5, "text": "This was my first book by Karen Witemeyer, and I LOVED IT! I love her fun style of writing. I just couldn't help falling in love with Adelaide and Gideon. Adelaide was fun, and spunky, but when she set her mind to something, she was bound and determined to do it! She was a gal that knew what she wanted, and wasn't afraid to go after it, even though she might be a bit clumsy in the going. Going after what she thought was her man didn't turn out like she thought it would. That's what landed her at Gideon's Sheep Farm interviewing for a job as Governess to his 5 year old daughter. Her mouth also seemed to get her into a lot of trouble too.....like in saying before you think! But it always seemed to turn out for her good.<br /><br />Gideon.....well he was just adorable from the beginning. I loved him from the first time he saw Adelaide in the barn. Though his and Adelaide's first few meeting were kind of awkward, he seemed to adore her from the beginning. I just loved Karen's way of bringing them together in a fun enjoyable way that made you just want to keep reading to see what would happen next. But would Gideon hire Adelaide over the two older and more experienced ladies that were also at the farm for the interview? Even though Adelaide had taught school for a few years, was she capable of taking care of this 5 year old that couldn't speak?<br /><br />I admired both Gideon and Adelaide's relationship with the Lord, and their willingness to seek Him in every decision they needed to make. The way they trusted the Lord when Isabella's uncle came to claim the child and her inheritance.<br /><br />This was only Karen Witemeyer's second book, but I had to check her website again to make sure she had only written 2 books! She truly writes like an experienced writer, and I will sure be reading her first book \"Tailor-Made Bride\" and also her third book \"To Win Her Heart\" coming in April 2011.", "timestamp": 1300383958000, "title": "Awesome Story line, wonderful author!" }, { "asin": "1603742557", "rating": 5, "text": "MY REVIEW<br />This is a story of mainly Jacob Miller and Becky Troyer, two young people from Amish communities in different states. Jacob's father sends him to a cousin who lives in a rural Missouri town to hopefully change his mind about his sweetheart in Pennsylvania. That's the one thing Jacob's daed forgot to tell him though, Jacob though he was only moving to help out his cousin on the farm. As for Becky, she ends up with a boppli and single because of her wild rumspringa time. Upon Jacob's arrival at their farm, there was a noticeable attraction between the two of them from the beginning. But Becky knew when Jacob found out about her secret, he would never come near her, and with Jacob, there was someone back home named Susie. Jacob noticed that Becky never smiled, and after he found out about her daughter, he knew something bad had happened, so he decided to make it his priority to be her friend and eventually bring her smile back.<br />Even though Becky has been before her church and confessed her sins, being shunned for 6 weeks because of them, can she overcome her past and trust another man into her live to love and trust?<br />And what about Jacob's sweetheart Susie back home, they are to me married during the Amish marriage season in December. Will their time away from each other prove their forever love, or will his attraction to Becky grow stronger, maybe even as far as loving her?<br />I loved this book from Laura Hilton. In her writing this, she shows that being Amish is not always a perfect life. During the rumspringa years, some young people make bad decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. In most of the Amish books I have read, the daed was always the harsh type, almost as far as being just mean. It was clear they loved their children, but they tried to keep the `head of the house' rule strict I guess. But in Patchwork Dreams this was different. I really liked the attitude of Becky's parents Daniel and Leah. Daniel wasn't afraid to hug his girls anywhere, letting them know his love for them. He didn't agree with the Bishop on all things concerning Becky. (Don't want to tell you all so you can read and find out for yourself.) Becky's mamm even suggested the family would move to another Amish community to keep Becky from being forced to hurtful situations. This was just really heartwarming to me, to see her parents love and support for her. And the way they loved her daughter Emma, well the heartwarming love was easy to feel as you read the story.<br />If you love Amish, this is a must read! If you don't know, or haven't read any Amish books, then this would be a great start for you! I can't wait for the second book in this series to be out. The series is `The Amish of Seymour' and you can look for it, I think around fall of 2011.<br />A huge THANK YOU to Laura Hilton for providing me a copy of this book to read. I love the way Laura tells the story, and the characters she creates, making them real life. I didn't want the book to end!<br />The book review and the opinions are totally mine. It was my honor to write the review for Laura", "timestamp": 1303869867000, "title": "Heartwarming Amish Fiction" }, { "asin": "0781403790", "rating": 5, "text": "Arleta Richardson remembers stories her grandma told her from years ago when she was young. These stories in Book One range from the author remembering stories about Grandma's Red Bonnet, Grandma's Prayer, Pearl Buttons, Little Gray Shoes, and my favorite The Pump. In this one, someone told Grandma not to do something, and of course she did it anyway, and she suffered for it for a long time. You will find twenty one loving little stories as the author remembers her Grandma in this book.<br /><br />I chose this book because I remember the days I sat with my Grandma and she told me stories of when she was a child and of when my dad, aunt and uncle was a child. I wanted to read someone elses tales of the older days. This was a really nice getaway from other books I read. I laughed, cried, and enjoyed each heartwarming story as I read them. And of course I was sad realizing just as with my Grandma, life goes on after they are gone, and we miss them so much. But what a blessing that we can remember those we love in such ways. The author had a special relationship with her grandma that she always remembered. I recommend this book to anyway wanting a good fun getaway from life as it is. And it is good for any age group.<br /><br />The book was given to me by the publisher through B&B Media Group. I appreciate being able to read and review this book for them. I was not expected to give a positive review. The opinions of this review are mine only.<br /><br />Purchase From Amazon", "timestamp": 1305054158000, "title": "In Grandma's Attic Stories" }, { "asin": "1595548114", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br />Despite her father not being supportive, Lucy Fairbanks' love of photography leads her to many places in her community, trying to capture the moment with her camera. Unfortunately that landed her into many unexplainable situations. How can you explain falling out of a tree on the top of a stagecoach being robbed by three bandits, scaring the horses into taking off with the stagecoach, Lucy on top, leaving the bandits behind? Or when trying to sneak a picture of the wild man, ending up in a sink hole, pulling wild man David Wolf in with her? And this is just a few times Lucy Fairbanks gets into trouble in this story. And why does David always seem to show up during Lucy's troubled situations? Will Lucy finally succumb to her many difficulties trying to be a photographer and find another career? And what will people think of her and wild man Wolf?<br />A Vision of Lucy was a wonderful story of Lucy and her love of taking pictures. The fascinating thing about the camera was the historical time setting and cameras in that time in history. Though I have seen them in movies, I'd never read anything about them. The author's research and knowledge of cameras in the early days was evident in the way she explained them in detail. This added historical detail made the story much more interesting. I love the characters the author created as well. They were witty, fun, funny, secretive, and nosy, and each fit the story line perfectly. The humor in this book makes it a great enjoyable book to relax and read. My pick for the funniest scene by far is Lucy falling out of the tree onto the stagecoach. And Lucy was so lovable I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen to her. I feel this book is very well written by the author Margaret Brownley. She has the ability to keep you interested enough to not want to stop reading until the last page! And I would recommend this book to anyone, especially those who love Historical Fiction. You will not be waiting your time reading this!<br />Thanks to the Author Margaret Brownley for providing a copy of \"A Vision of Lucy\" for me to read, it was an honor to read and review . I was not expected to give a positive review of this book. The opinions in this review are mine alone.<br /><br />Publisher Website<br /><br />Authors Website", "timestamp": 1306524270000, "title": "\"A Vision of Lucy\" and her Antique Cameras! Loved it!" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 5, "text": "This book is just simply beautiful inside and out! The romance between Clara and Daniel is enough to make you want to drool. Elizabeth Camden's debut book is one of the best debut books I have read in a while. Daniel was the poor guy, making friends with rich daddy's girl Clara Endicott because of the type of music they shared. As the years go by and the couple gets older, daddy sends his girl across the ocean to be raised by her aunt because he can see the chemistry growing between them. As they meet again twelve years later they realize that they were still not only best friends but sparks begin to sky rocket as the two of them start spending time together. But Daniel is so bitter about the way his parents died will he be able to put all of that behind him? And will Clara marry him if he doesn't mend relationships and changed his heart, or let God change his heart?<br /><br />Clara's dad really irritated me because of his attitude and I am really glad that Clara was independent enough to stand up for herself. I enjoyed the determination of Clara and Daniel to be together even against the odds. The author created a cast of unique and believable characters that you grow to love, some as your own family, and some that you shy away from. This book captured me from the first pages to the very end! I just couldn't put it down! And oh, by the way, I LOVE the book cover. The model so beautifully wears the gorgeous blue dress and the colors are so soft and inviting. And this is one book that you can judge by its cover! And check this out over on the LifeWay blog, its post for this day is the making of the cover of The Lady of Bolton Hill at Bethany House. Wonderful post and very interesting!<br /><br />And also go here on the LifeWay blog Q & A With Elisabeth Camden about this debut book.<br /><br />I received this book free from Bethany House book review 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 55.<br /><br /> Purchase this book at AMAZON", "timestamp": 1311089320000, "title": "Awesome Debut book and love story!" }, { "asin": "082542674X", "rating": 5, "text": "For Shelia Franklin, a phone call comes that will change her life forever. She will finally get to meet him, someone from her past that she's wanted to meet for over 20 years. Now she will have her time with him.<br />This book is full of secrets. Shelia has been secretly guarding her life's long time skeleton for many years from everyone, even her husband. What would he think of her if the truth really came out? Would it destroy their marriage? Her husband's church? As she gets ready to meet her main secret, she can't think about anything but him. What will happen with Sheila and the secrets that she has kept so close to her heart? Will her husband understand and stand behind her, or will he let her deal with the issues herself?<br /><br />This is my first book of Patti Lacy's and I was captivated by the writer's ability to tell a story so realistic and powerful. The way the characters are so beautifully woven together you not only see secrets and deception, heartbreaks and sadness, but you see love, forgiveness, grace and redemption through Christ in their lives throughout the story. The unique rhythm in the musical background gave the story a special smoothness, even through all of the difficulties.<br /><br />Even though this book started out slow for me, it just took a while to get into it, I enjoyed reading it very much. I would recommend this wonderful story to anyone who loves Christian fiction. It will be worth the time you spend reading it.<br /><br />This book was provided by Kregel Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine alone.", "timestamp": 1314300528000, "title": "A story full of Secrets but enjoyable" }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 4, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Helen Carlisle is now a widow, after her husband was killed in the military. But she wasn't the grieving widow everyone thought she was. In fact, she was glad her husband was gone, because of his abuse, which no one would ever believe. That is until Ray came upon the scene, and he figured it out, to which Helen denied that anything bad happened between she and Jim. No one could find out about the abuse, because Jim was so nice and sweet around everyone else, not one would believe Helen. She was just a cripple after all, and the way she stumbled around caused all of her accidents, so Jim told everyone.<br /><br />This is my first book by Sarah Sundin, I haven't read the other books in this series, but I still enjoyed this one! I like that the author deals with spousal abuse in this book, something that truly needs to be dealt with. And just like in the book, the abuser blames the one he's abusing. Helen was blessed that Ray found out, but then he left her for a while, not helping. And it was a double blessing when she found a way to leave her in-laws house and the abuse from Jim's father. I hope anyone reading this book that is dealing with an abusive situation will realize that there is help, and go find it!<br /><br />I also liked Ray and Helen. Ray was so gracious and kind, wanting to help Helen, even if she didn't want his help at first. He loved the Lord, which was evident in the way he lived. Helen was so sweet, and she wanted to raise her son the right way, not abusing the women in his life. Her self confidence was trampled on more than once by jerks that call themselves men. But I am glad there was a happy ending, and Helen was able to have a happy life, away from abuse and critical, hateful things said about her handicap condition.<br /><br />This book was provided by Revell Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1314500292000, "title": "Blue Skies Tomorrow, Great Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0800719964", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Amish Values for Your Family...........by Suzanne Woods Fisher<br /><br />Amish Values for Your Family is one of the best books I have read about the Amish life! For many years, I've been fascinated with their lifestyle. I think the reason I cherish and respect the Amish lifestyle is because our family was brought up a lot like them as far as the working conditions. We grew our own food and put it up for the winter. We butchered our own beef and pork, milked our own cows, we had electricity but no TV and no indoor bathrooms. Our faith was different, but we lived on a farm and worked! And life was slower for us, we spent time together as a family, my parents and grandparents always took time for us. Yes, we had nothing as far as material things, but we were truly blessed with parents and grandparents that love the Lord an loved us enough to give us their time and teach us to live for the Lord. They are all in Heaven now, but their legacy lives on in the lives of their children, grandchildren and great-children, until we see them again.<br /><br />There are many values I can mention but I will mention the time they spend together as a family. I know firsthand how important this is. Even though we have things to entertain us, if we would just schedule valuable family time each week we would see a huge difference in our kids, teens and our families. And I have to mention the faith and trust they have in the Lord, and this resulting in the forgiving spirit they all have. The forgiving spirit is the one thing I wish was stronger in my life. Sometime I wonder just how they can be that way! It is because they want to be like Christ!<br /><br />I loved reading this book, and will keep it with my stash of books! I enjoyed the family stories and how they live. I appreciate the author taking time to research and interview to write this valuable book. My pray is that we as Christians will strive to take these principles to heart and try to incorporate them in our daily lives.<br /><br />I was provided a copy of this book by LitFuse Publicity Group in exchange for a review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1314931299000, "title": "Awesome book on the Amish family life" }, { "asin": "1400318033", "rating": 5, "text": "Thank you God for Blessing Me...by Max Lucado<br />This little book about little Hermie is so beautiful and adorable. It is just right for a small child with the thick board pages and story just long enough to keep their attention. This little Caterpillar is just the cutest little creature and is thankful for everything and everyone around him.<br />Max Lucado has such a wonderful way with words for adults as well as children. I love the way he uses little creatures to teach children about God. My 2 year niece grabbed this book as soon as I took it from the mailer and said, `this is mine!' She not only loves for me to read it to her she loves to read it herself looking at the awesome illustrations and telling her own story about Hermie.<br />You won't go wrong getting this book for your little one. Teach them to choose books about God while they are still young. And what a wonderful way to interact with your children, by reading to them!<br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1317785427000, "title": "Wonderful Chidren book about giving God thanks." }, { "asin": "0310332311", "rating": 5, "text": "Shadow in Serenity By: Terri Blackstock<br /><br />Even though Logan Brisco was smooth talking and a con artist, he still sometimes has feelings of wanting to be part of a family, which he didn't have. Being in the little town of Serenity, Texas for a week or so brought those feelings back on goodtime, especially after he started having feelings for Carny. Carny knows how people like Logan works because her mom and dad were con's too and trained her to do the same thing. Thankfully she was over that life for good and had no intensions of going back.<br /><br />I appreciate that Terri brought back one of her old novels, re-writing it as a Christian fiction. Though I can't imagine someone like Logan, I know they do exist and con a lot of people out of their money and belongings so I'm glad to read a reminder of those kind. Despite him being a con, I liked Logan, and especially after he started spending so much time with Carny. His character was believable because he played his part so well, thanks to the author! In fact, the author created really believable characters for the entire book, and I enjoyed getting to know them throughout the book.<br /><br />This was a fun and interesting read, and I enjoyed it very much. I appreciate the author showing the necessity to living for the Lord and letting Him work through our lives. I don't want to tell too much to give the story away, but this is one you need to read! If for no other reason, read it because Terri Blackstock took the time to give us a Christian version of this book!<br /><br />Shadow in Serenity was provided by the publisher, Zondervan in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1320031078000, "title": "Shadow In Serenity, A Great Re-write." }, { "asin": "0310330432", "rating": 5, "text": "Callie is in Shipshewana just long enough to sell the little quilt shop she inherited from her aunt, because she has no desire to reopen the shop. Everything starts to change though when Callie meets some of Amish people in the community, especially Deborah Yoder. Through Deborah and these other Amish ladies, Callie finds out that her aunt's shop is not just for tourists, but a place for some of the Amish ladies to get together and work on their quilts. The more she gets to know these ladies and the people of Shipshewana, the less she wants to return to Texas and her life there. But can she successfully make a go of it if she reopens the shop?<br />And another surprising twist to the story is when the local newspaper editor ends up dead, and Callie is a major suspect, well, she can't just run off. She needs to do whatever she can to clear her name. Which may be a little bit difficult since Callie is so straight forward and speaks her peace when someone tries to tell things untrue about her, like publishing something in the local newspaper to destroy her reputation.<br />For me, this was a wonderful Amish story with a twist of suspense to it. The storyline and the characters just draw you in as we following Callie and her life in Shipshewana. Just when you think you have things figured out, there's another twist and fingers are pointing to someone else.<br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and if you like just a good Amish read with a little extra jolt of suspense, then you will love this book as well. So go grab a copy for yourself, read and enjoy it!<br />This book was provided by the publisher, Zondervan in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1325875037000, "title": "Falling to Pieces, a wonderful Amish story with a twist" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 5, "text": "Faith and her grandfather had lost so much, the only way Faith thought they could be happy again was to take off on the Oregon Trail and start a new life in the West. This has been Faith's dream for a while, and now it was making her grandfather realize the same thing. But getting him to leave their home in the small Missouri town of Noble Springs was not going to be easy.<br />But then things started happening that drew Faith to their home, even though Faith wasn't aware of it yet.<br />Her grandfather put Faith in charge of the store, letting her run it as she pleased. This did not make a lot of the men in the area happy, but it wasn't long before these men, as well as the rest of the neighbors were warming up to Faith, accepting her as the new store manager.<br />Royal, a guy that promised Faith he would keep her ribbon and remember her while he was in the war came back in town. And though he didn't remember her or the ribbon when she asks him about it, he decided to woo her, but did he really love her?<br />Then she meets Rosemary, who becomes like a sister to Faith. Not to mention Rosemary's brother Curt, to which both Curt and Faith were attracted to each other, but neither seemed to realize it for a while.<br />Her grandfather's health issues, Curt becoming friends with her granddad and spending time with him, the break-ins, Curt always being there for her when she really needed someone.<br />But Faith just couldn't see that they should stay in Noble Springs, she was still determined to leave, after all this was her dream.<br />I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction story, with characters that I loved more and more as I continued to read the book. That is all buy Royal, this guy just irks me, I wanted him out of Faith's life to give Curt a chance! The history in the story is so very detailed you feel like you are there, walking around the little town visiting all of the shops, talking to the owners of the businesses there. I love the feel of the small town atmosphere where everyone knows everyone else, well, and everyone knows your business, which is not so good sometimes too! But still, I love it! I am looking forward to Ann Shorey's next book in this series. This is just a wonderfully good read, so go grab a copy for yourself to read and enjoy!<br />This book was provided by Revell Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1327815115000, "title": "Wonderful Historical Fiction by Ann Shorey" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "This was my first book in this series so I had fun figuring out some of the words, which I thought was neat. Maybe because some of my family no longer with us used some of the same words? And Hugh's herbal medicines would interested a lot of people today, I wonder myself if some of these remedies will work just as well as prescription medicines.<br /><br />I felt bad that Hugh was on his own thinking that someone else murdered old atte Bridge, instead of him taking his own life. Well except Hugh's new wife that is. I enjoyed the love, and trust of this couple, and the dependence they had for each other. At least Hugh knew he could talk to his wife about his feelings about the murder when he didn't have anyone else to talk with.<br /><br />This is a well written book set in this small town with characters that you grow to love and enjoy, some so humble, and some not so humble. Leaning about the 1366 culture was interesting, and I wouldn't a lot of people today love their primitive living. I really enjoyed this author's writing. As you read the book, you will see his own thoughts about different situations through the character Hugh. And Hugh and Kate is just a couple we all want living in our neighborhood!<br /><br />I recommend this book to anyone that likes historical fiction, or really anyone that just likes a good read! Grab a copy to read and enjoy for yourself!<br /><br />I received this book from Kregel Publications to participate in their blog tour. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1327815635000, "title": "Unhollowed Ground...enjoyed this book!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The year is 1813 and the War of 1812 has been underway, thus being the reason that Belinda is determined to travel aborad a British privateer in order to rescue her husband from an English prison. She's made a deal with the ships captain, Rafe Docherty and now she needs to talk her sister-in-law into going with her to be her midwife, and everything will be in line to take off. This turns out to be a not so easy task because sister-in-law Phoebe has no intentions to get on the ship. But Belinda ends up making it happen, and so the story begins.<br />Ralph is just as frustrated as Phoebe that she is on the ship, no way does he want to deal with two American women, but he finds himself attracted to her and ends up helping her along the way. I really like Rafe. Being the captain of the ship, he is tough and incharge, yet we see the caring side of him too, and especially with his feelings for Phoebe. He's been struggling with things in his past, but now we see his new stuggles with how he feels about Phoebe and thinking about a normal life with her.<br />Phoebe endures much from being lied to by Belinda, but she is a tough lady and soon we see her faith and strength and her caring personality as she tries to help Rafe with his struggles. She takes a lot off of Belinda on the trip too, and it's really sickening how Belinda is so spoiled and expectes Phoebe to wait on her. Belinda will do what it takes to get her way. She's the character in the book that gets on everyone's nerves, you gotta have them right? She's just a spoiled brat!<br />I thought this was a wonderful story and I enjoyed it immensely. The characters were very well created and developed, believable and likeable. Well that is except for Belinda, but really the story wouldn't have been as good without her! The historical setting, events, ship life, and everything was very well researched and amazingly detailed. And having been to Williamsburg several times, it was fun to imagine the setting there as I read the story. Very well thought out and written story. It will be well worth your time to grab a copy of this book to read and enjoy for yourself.<br />Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group<br />I received this book from Revell Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own.", "timestamp": 1331009055000, "title": "Heart's Safe Passage" }, { "asin": "1595549153", "rating": 5, "text": "For the men out there, what would you do if your father left town for several days, came back home with a woman and introduced her as Lucy, your new wife? Well that is just what happened to Nate Stanton. And he was not happy with his dad, to say the least. And to gain his wife's two siblings, Jed and Eileen too boot, well that was almost more than Nate could take.<br /><br />After somewhat coming to terms with the new marriage, in name only let me tell you, Nate moved his new family into his small home. Surely this would send her back where she came from, because his home was not much of a home, and small at that. But Nate ended up being the surprised one. And after a while he kind of enjoyed not coming home to a empty house. And Jed was turning out to be a lot of help on the farm, and little Eileen, well she'd just had Nate's heart from the beginning. Things could start getting very interesting around the Stanton household. But it was when secrets and deception started coming to the surface that Nate really realized what was going on. And for that, you need to read the book to find out all of the many secrets, acts of deception and of course the twists and turns to the story that make it so appealing.<br /><br />I love Colleen Coble's books. I have all of them, and have read them all as well, and this one didn't disappoint. Colleen has a way of creating characters that just draw you into the story and don't let you go. Nate and Lucy was fun and interesting as they started their life together. This is really just a nice, fun, good clean book to read and enjoy. And I'm hoping for a Book Two to enjoy more of Nate and Lucy's journey through their marriage and on their farm.<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1332792107000, "title": "Another great book from Colleen Coble" }, { "asin": "1414333218", "rating": 5, "text": "When I review a Randy Singer book, I hang on to my seat at the first page and don't let go until the very last word. Randy is absolutely one of the best suspense/thriller authors today! So if the book says `Randy Singer, just go ahead and buy it because it's going to be good!<br /><br />Readers meet Jamie Brock again, from Randy's book \"False Witness.\" Jamie has been working as an assistant DA for several years. Her mom was shot and killed 11 years earlier and she is now losing her dad to illness. And to add to that, Jamie has been assigned a murder case, the suspect being the lawyer who defended the man who killed her mom. As this story unfolds, well you just need to read the book to find out what happens, it's too much to tell her. And I don't want to spoil the book for you.<br /><br />Randy brings up some interesting questions about the death penalty in this book through the lawyer character, Mace James. How should Christians feel about it? Suppose the killer gives his life to Christ while in prison? Should he be left there to die alone since he made mistakes and bad choices? Suppose this person is really innocent? There are several other issues with the state system that are talked about in this book through the life-like believable characters created by the author.<br /><br />Being a lawyer himself, Randy Singer expertly writes stories with so much detail the reader gets a touch of a lawyer's real life when reading his books. Add to this a little suspense, drama, romance, danger, fear, and determined characters taking on the most dangerous and difficult cases, and you have a Number 1 novel that will blow you away when you read it.<br /><br />I highly recommend this terrific book to those suspense/thriller lovers out there looking for awesome books to read. And as in all of Randy's books, you will see Jesus and salvation through Him throughout the book.<br /><br />I was provided a copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review of this product. The review is my opinions only.", "timestamp": 1334450842000, "title": "Another Awesome Thriller by Randy Singer" }, { "asin": "0310250684", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Terri Blackstock is such a gifted writer. I love everything she writes including \"Downfall.\" I appreciate that Terri deals with tough issues that people deal with everyday, and always finds a workable solution, including trusting the Lord with their lives and letting Him work in and through them.<br /><br />Emily Covington wants to prove herself to everyone, assuring them that her life with drugs is over. But when things start happening to her, and since it looks like someone wants her dead, her family still had doubts about Emily's past life.<br /><br />In \"Downfall,' Terri Blackstock writes another suspense/ thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seats until the very last word. When I put the book down, all I could think about was what was gonna happen, so I would pick it back up. From the people we loved to the villains we could do without, the character were so real and true to life it was like reading something in the newspaper. And with an intriguing plot that had the many twist and turns, it was difficult to solve the mystery until it was all revealed in the end.<br /><br />If you've never read a Terri Blackstock book, you are missing a real treat. And for those fans who always come back for more of her stories, you will love the words penned in Terri's new book, \"Downfall.\"<br /><br />This book was provided by Zondervan Publishers through The Suspense Zone. I appreciate Susan and all of the work she does to promote Edgy Christian Fiction and thrillers like \"Downfall.\" I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1335069393000, "title": "Another great thriller by Terri Blackstock" }, { "asin": "0802405843", "rating": 5, "text": "Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis<br />A Texas Trails novel.....in the Morgan Family Series<br /><br />Susan Page Davis continues the Morgan family story in this second book of Texas Trails. Billie Morgan and her horse were taken by the Comanche's and thought to be dead. And that did almost happen, but Billie, or Taabe Wiapu escaped from the Indian reservation and was almost dead when Ned found her. He takes her to a convent of Nuns for her safety, and families came to see if she was their long lost daughter, and that's how the Morgan family found Billie. What a reunion that was!<br /><br />Susan Page Davis is a wonderful writer and she did not disappoint in this story. I thoroughly enjoyed the continuation of the Morgan's story, though a little flavor was added with the nuns and getting to know more about the Comanche Indians. This book deals with a lot of interesting issues that captivate you and just won't let you put the book down. We get a lot of history, learn a little about the ways on Indians, a little of what goes on in a nun setting, (though these nuns faced some interesting situations that most probably don't), faith, trust and leaning on God, and of course a little romance to spice things up.<br /><br />I highly recommend Captive Trail as well as the other books in the Texas Trails, Morgan family Series. There are six in all, so you have some reading to do. Go to River North, the fiction division of Moody Publishers and check out this wonderful series written by three different and awesome authors.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by River North. I was not expected or required to write a positive review of this book. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1337234418000, "title": "A Wonderful Book Two in the Texas Trail Series" }, { "asin": "0764209507", "rating": 3, "text": "My Own Worst Enemy By Janet Davis<br /><br />In this book, Janet Davis deals with problems all women face today. If you have ever has issues with self doubt, fear, insecurity and things such as this, then you will benefit from this book. Ms. Davis uses many of her own trials and stories as well as stories from others, friends and Biblical characters as examples of what she is talking about and teaching in this book. She breaks the book down into the many faces and many phases of life, and the choices along the way, and in each section has chapters dealing with each of these topics.<br />This book would be a good small study guide with the study questions to discuss that are included here in this book.<br />I recommend that you check out this book for your Small Groups, Sunday school class or individual study.<br />I rec'd a copy of this book from Bethany House to read and review. The opinions here are mine. I have having my honest opinion on what I feel about this book.", "timestamp": 1337241723000, "title": "My Own Worst Enemy" }, { "asin": "0764209418", "rating": 5, "text": "Patti Lacy is a new author for me so I wasn't sure what to except of her book, but I will pleasantly surprised and amazed at this wonderful new author for me. I will sure be watching for more books from Ms. Lacy in the future.<br /><br />With wonderful character that will grasp your heart in the beginning and keep it until the very end, Patti Lacy pens a contemporary story that will sure stay with you for long after you finish the book. I learned a lot about China and the Chinese culture reading this book, and sometimes the reading was difficult because of the situation.<br /><br />Joy, (and I love her name!) struggles with moving to America and her new American family. Joy's sister Kai is determined to find her, after leaving her in a Chinese orphanage, but must first win the trust of Joy/Lily's adopted parents. Join Joy/Lily as we follow her journey though her life in China and as it continues in the Americas.<br /><br />I really encourage you to grab a copy of this adoption story of love, loss and redemption to read for yourself. This will be one of the best books you have read in a while!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Bethany House for me to review and give my honest opinion, which I have.", "timestamp": 1338004334000, "title": "Great Book!! A must read!" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />When Shiloh Wainright accepts a teaching position at the White River Indian Agency in northwestern Colorado, she never dreamed of catching up with her old childhood best friend Jesse Blackwater. Though she is thrilled to see him again, and see that he is doing well after his abrupt leave almost ten years ago from her families ranch. Could their friendship rekindle now that they were back together, and now that they were nine years older than before?<br /><br />Trouble is, Shiloh is from a white family and Jesse is half-breed. Half white and half Ute Indian. Which means any attraction they might have toward each other cannot happen. A relationship between the two of them would be unheard of and forbidden.<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan writes a heartwarming and at the same time heart wrenching story about two people from completely different cultures, two completely different worlds represented here. As we follow Jesse and Shiloh's story, Kathleen takes us on a journey like no other we've been on. The differences between the Ute and white man's life is nothing to be compared. And with a dad like Jesse's, being abusive and hating both Jesse and is mother, Jesse could only find acceptance with his mother's people, the Ute.<br /><br />Shiloh wasn't the only one so drawn to Jesse, he was just so adorable! And the hurt he had always suffered, and still was suffering was heartbreaking to read about. It was a hurt that not even Shiloh could help him with. And Shiloh had her own hurt and heartache over what happened to Jesse years ago when he left the ranch.<br /><br />I had a difficult time getting into this story, but it was because of the information on the Ute Indians, and the background for the story. It was just kind of boring for me. But it then the story took off and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I was so heartbroken for Jesse that I wanted to make sure everything turn out for him ok. The story is sometimes not so easy to read, I found myself reading, but not taking it in at times because of the nature of the scenes with the Indians trying to defend what they had. Wonderful writing of the author in the vivid details of the Ute's way of life. And I appreciate the author describing God's way of salvation so plain and clear, and for showing that only God can break through those barriers and change lives.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting a really good read, and especially those who enjoy historical fiction. And if you enjoy a good old Indian story, this one is for you as well!<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1338086187000, "title": "A Love Forbidden Love Story" }, { "asin": "1595549978", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />There is one thing to say about Kim Cash, and that is, she just has it going on when it comes to writing books! \"Hope Springs\" is another outstanding book that shows us family, faith, cooking up old friendships, forgiveness and healing, and yes, and a boost of romance added to give readers a story that will keep those pages turning. Janelle, Becca and Stephanie's time spent in Hope Springs changed their life forever. I thoroughly enjoyed getting involved in the lives of these ladies throughout this story. Kim Cash will have you laughing, then crying, along with worshiping the Lord as you follow get to know these three characters. I appreciate the way Kim weaves the lives of her characters together with God and living their lives for Him. That's what Christian fiction is all about. Following characters that live for God. Oh they may not start out that way, like many of us, but through there difficulties and trials, they end up giving it all to the Lord. And Thank You Kim for giving us a book such as this.<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1339557398000, "title": "Hope Springs, Wonderful Book" }, { "asin": "1434764303", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />Wow, this book is incredible, I love, love it! I have only read a few of Lisa Bergren's books, and each ones just gets better!<br /><br />Cora Diehl returns to her hometown Dunnigan, Montana after spending her first year at college, to find her dad seriously ill, and a farm to take care of. Cora prays for God to someway help their family with their crops in order to make it financial for the year. But Cora wasn't expecting God to answer her prayer they way he did. Neither did Cora expect to find out secrets that would totally turn her life upside down forever. And I know there are spoilers in review already written, but I'm not going to give them here! This is where you need to read the book to find out what is happening!<br /><br />In my opinion, \"Glamorous Illusions is a masterpiece by Lisa Bergren! Lisa creates characters that are so realistic and true that sometimes it is difficult to realize you are reading a fiction story! The relationship between Cora and her parents is heartwarming, and just knowing that they literally spent everything they had to send her to college gave me chills. And when you read the book, you will see what I am talking about!<br /><br />However, Cora was always puzzled at the glamorous, expensive gift she received for her sixteenth birthday, along with all of the other birthday gifts she received, and even though her parents wasn't telling, Cora suspected they knew what was going on.<br /><br />Then the day comes that will change the lives of Cora and her family forever, and whether that be good or bad, only time will tell. And as you follow this hew happening in the lives of Cora and her family, Lisa Bergren takes you on an unforgettable trip of lifetime as Cora joins the Grand Tour with her family.<br /><br />The only thing I found that I didn't like about the book was it's ending, and having to wait for the second book to drop down from the hanging this book left. I hope the author gives us a better view of Cora's family and her choices she makes while on her tour.", "timestamp": 1339736350000, "title": "A Masterpiece from Lisa T. Bregren" }, { "asin": "0800734378", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Waiting for Sunrise by Eva Marie Everson<br /><br />After Reading Chasing Sunsets, the first book in this series, I was excited and waiting to read \"Waiting for Sunrise.\" The main character in this second book is Patsy Milstrap, whom we met in Chasing Sunsets. Patsy and her husband Gil are on the way to Cedar Key for a vacation, but what Gil is really doing is trying to get Patsy away in order to find help with dealing with her past. Even though Patsy is married to a wonderful man with<br /><br />Again, Eva Marie Everson writes a wonderful story with characters that readers grow to love and believe as though they are real. She writes Patsy's story in a way that seems so real, I was wanting to pray for Patsy daily as I read this book! I love the beach setting, and Cedar Key sounds just like the place anyone needs to go for healing. And Gil is adorable, and his love for Patsy is so very heartwarming, he was willing to do anything to get help for his wife. And Patsy knew he was trying so hard, it must have hurt her so to know he loved her and was trying to help her. One thought I had as I was reading was that wouldn't it be wonderful if all husbands and wives had that unconditional love for each other, just as God has for us. Marriages would be able to survive if this were true. This book truly shows the true real love in a marriage that could have easily fallen apart. A love that grows through the difficult times, not one that is torn down. The author had be crying a lot during this book, but I had to smile and even laugh at times as well. Eva Marie Everson is truly a gifted and talented author that will always be a favorite on my reading list.<br /><br />I highly recommend this wonderful book for anyone to read and enjoy, and especially someone going through difficult situations such as someone trying to deal with their difficult past. Patsy's story is sure to give you hope as you follow her journey.", "timestamp": 1340125410000, "title": "Waiting for Sunrise..wonderful book" }, { "asin": "0800720482", "rating": 5, "text": "Mary Magdalene by Diana Wallis Taylor<br /><br />MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />After reading \"Journey to the Well\" I am hooked on Diana Taylor's books! I look forward to new ones coming out, and I was excited to be able to read and review \"Mary Magdalene.\" And again, I was not disappointed! If you like Biblical Fiction, this book is a must for you!<br /><br />Since Mary Magdalene is somewhat a mystery because there is not much written about her in the Bible, I really wanted to read this book to find out what Diana Taylor's version of Mary was. The book starts out with a young Mary, a daddy's girl and love immensely by her mom. I enjoyed getting to know this young Mary, and following her life to adulthood. The accounts of Mary being demon possessed was heartbreaking, and her family staying close to her, supporting her was so heartwarming. Coming from this life, and the miracle of her healing, I can clearly see why Mary Magdalene was so devoted to Jesus. She loved Him deeply because He changed her life forever.<br /><br />I cringe when I think about some of the things people have to say about Mary and her devotion to the Lord. And I appreciate Diana Taylor for how she shows us the real deal of why Mary loved Jesus so much. It was very well known that no one anywhere had been able to help Mary. And then her husband Nathan, a man wisely chosen by Jared for his daughter, hears about the healer Jesus. It was Jesus who healed Mary and gave her a new life. Shouldn't that make Mary, and anyone else that Jesus has healed in a situation such as this, devoted to Him for life?<br /><br />Wow, I feel like I keep jumping all over the place in this story. Even though we don't know what Mary's life was like, I thoroughly enjoyed this fictional novel of how Diana Wallis Taylor thought it could have been. It is fun just being able to wonder and read about how it could have been. And I feel the Biblical accounts were accurate, so that's all that really matters to me, the rest is fiction, and that's where the fun is.<br /><br />*****Available June 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.*****<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1340649122000, "title": "Mary Magdalene....a wonderful read" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "A Perfect Square by Vannetta Chapman<br /><br />I was excited to revisit my friends in Shipshewana again in Vannetta Chapman's second book in the Shipshewana Amish Mystery series. I really grew to love Deborah and Callie, Esther and Melinda and couldn't wait to see what this book has in store for readers. And I can say that I love this book as much as I did the first, and was hooked from the very first pages.<br /><br />When a young Amish girl is found dead in Ruben's pond, he ends up being the only suspect, especially since he wouldn't answer any questions the authorities were asking him. Who is Ruben trying to protect? Will he actually go to prison for life to protect this person? This murder of an unknown young lady has the Shipshewana community in an uproar.<br /><br />With officer Shane Black on the case, Deborah knew that he would do nothing to find out Ruben's innocence. That meant the job was up to her, and she would have Callie's assistance. Turns out, Callie is looking for someone herself. A daughter, one that no one knows about except her very ill father. These ladies have their work cut out for them as the try to solve these mysteries.<br /><br />I love how Vannetta Chapman weaves these stories together with characters that are well created and developed and a plot that will keep readers wanting to find out what's gonna happen to whom. I highly recommend A Perfect Square for your enjoyment.<br /><br />This book was provided by Zondervan Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1343622238000, "title": "Wonderful and enjoyable second book in this series..." }, { "asin": "0800734556", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THE GIFTED<br /><br />Having reading some of Ann's books on the Shakers, I knew what to expect about their beliefs, though I don't support what they believe at all! How can people actually believe this stuff, and live by it is beyond me.<br /><br />And such were the struggles of Jassamine Brady. Growing up in the shaker neighborhood and loving her family and friends there didn't draw Jassamine to their way of life at all. She found herself very interested in the ways of the world and she sought those ways, struggling to obey the strict rules she was brought up to follow. And when unforeseen circumstances brings young Tristan into her life, Jassamine may be closer than she thinks about finding out what the outside would is all about.<br /><br />Ann Gabhart has such a unique and wonderful way of writing about these shaker people with and open attitude, not condemning them, but giving her readers a true and vivid insight of how they really live.<br /><br />I highly recommend The Gifted as well as the first four books in this wonderful series by Ann Gabhart.<br /><br />Available July 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1343623722000, "title": "Very nice read about the Shakers" }, { "asin": "1609366409", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Elena's family trip to Mackinac Island this summer will be different than all of the others. This time, her mother has in mind to marry her off to the rich and famous Chester Darrington in order to save their family business. Elena has no desire to marry this Mr. Darrington, or even meet him for that matter.<br /><br />Chase didn't really want to make the trip to Mackinac Island with his sister and her husband, but he did want a place to try out the new telescope that the family business was interesting in funding for the invention. One of the first things he heard upon his arrival was his hopeful marriage to this Elena Bissette. Well, he would stay as far away from Elena as possible because he sure wasn't looking for a wife, and especially someone like her.<br /><br />Not knowing who each other is, Chase and Elena meet up at an old lighthouse on the Island. One in which Elena has been visiting for all of the years her family has been coming to the Island and one that Chase has just found. The attraction between the two is a sure thing, Chase liking Elena because she's not one of the \"circle\" which his sister is in. And Elena liking Chase because of pretty much the same reason.<br /><br />In Love Finds You In Mackinac Island, Michigan, Melanie Dobson weaves a historical romance that will keep you on your toes throughout the book. The meeting and relationship of Chase and Elena was sweet and adorable at first, that is until the truth about who each was came to surface. That's when things get touchy between the two and neither want to see each other again! But Chase's mom had a different idea. Can she bring these two back together again? Or is Chase just too stubborn to face the real truth?<br /><br />This is a wonderful and sweet story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It's one of those stories that just make you feel good after reading it. The characters are so real they feel like family and friends. I love Chase and Elena, and I love their attitude about their wealthy families. And Chase's mom was the character that really pulled everything together. Her attitude about gossip shamed me, and one thing I took away from this book is to gossip, or listen to gossip less, and look at the positive sides of people. I really appreciate Melanie bringing this valuable lesson to her readers about this subject.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for you to read and enjoy for yourself. It will make a wonderful summer read, but its not just for summer, it will make an awesome read anytime! And you sure will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1344137674000, "title": "Wonderful Summer read on Mackinac Island!" }, { "asin": "0800734580", "rating": 5, "text": "Lethal Legacy.....By: Irene Hannon<br /><br />Kelly Warren knows for sure that her dad's death was murder, but proving it might not be so easy. It was an attempt on Kelly's own life that detective Cole Taylor starts to believe her suspicions are right. Prompting him to dig and search until he finds enough evidence to re-open the case. What will Cole find out? And can he keep is personal feeling for Kelly at bay enough to stay on the case until its over?<br /><br />Any book by Irene Hannon is storytelling at it's very best. She has a way of telling a story that will pull you in from the very first page and engulf you until you read the last word. Just as it was with me as I read \"Lethal Legacy.\" The characters are so well crafted and believable that it felt like reading a real-life story. Kelly was a quiet sweet Christian young lady who mostly stayed to herself. She had a close relationship with her dad and was determined to find his killer. And since the detective who had the case earlier was on vacation, who by the good-looking, hot, Cole Taylor was assigned to review the case for her. Cole was also a likeable person, and his close nit family really gave the book a more personal touch. A very touching story, one that will stay with readers for a long time after you finish reading.<br /><br />If you are a suspense lover, then this book is a must, one you will not be disappointed in. And if you just like a good, clean, enjoyable read, then you will love this book too. And if you are like me and stay up until the wee hours of the morning finishing \"Lethal Legacy,\" believe me, every night sound you hear will scare the wits out of you! But that's the fun of reading a suspense!<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for your reading enjoyment. Grab a copy of this one, and the others in this series for a few great reads!<br /><br />\"Available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.\"<br /><br />I received this book from Revell Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own.", "timestamp": 1344924556000, "title": "Awesome Suspense!!" }, { "asin": "0764208101", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Travelers Rest starts off as what you would think of being a happier every after, but since Ann Tatlock is writing about difficult issues that people really face, the story gets difficult to read. Jane Morrow and Seth Ballantine have been friends since childhood, and how were getting married. But their life was torn apart when Seth comes home from serving his country injured in Iraq. Jane loves Seth and has no other thoughts except to stay with him and take care of him, but Seth has different thoughts. He no longer wants the relationship to go on, because he just doesn't want Jane to be his nurse for the rest of his life. But chances are, he will get better, but they are very slim.<br /><br />Author Ann Tatlock is a talented author that writes a story that will capture your heart, and give you a new love, respect, awareness and thankfulness for those who fight for us to live in freedom. I was drawn to the characters, and especially Seth and Jane, as well as the old retired Doctor, Truman. With such detailed descriptions of the difficulties and situations they characters were facing, and with so many twists and turns, the author was able to keep my attention until the very end.<br /><br />I recommend this book for you to read, and especially if you like stories about war victims and families.<br /><br />I rec'd a copy of this book from Bethany House to read and review. The opinions here are mine. I have written my honest opinion on what I feel about this book", "timestamp": 1348894897000, "title": "Great Read" }, { "asin": "0764207873", "rating": 5, "text": "When Hope Blossoms by Kim Vogel Sawyer<br />For Bethany House review by Shannon Hannabass<br /><br />Tim Roper thought he could run from God, hid himself in his apple trees, but when a Mennonite widow and her children moved in the farmhouse next to his, his life changed forever. But that change took a while, and the changed unfold between the pages of Kim Vogel Sawyer's new book, \"When Hope Blossoms.\"<br /><br />I love Kim Vogel Sawyers books, and this one is another winner for me. I love Tim and Amy's story. Even though they both has a past that seemed impossible for them, God had a plan for their life, and in Him timing, He worked their lives together for their own good. I love how Kim weaves together families and communities and comes up with a story that captures the attention of readers from the very first page. I have to say I was so intrigued and captivated by this book I read it in one day! I love the way the realistic characters steal their way into your heart as the story unfolds around you. You don't want to miss this beautiful, sweet story of love, forgiveness and acceptance. Grab your copy today to read and enjoy for yourself!<br /><br />I received this book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own", "timestamp": 1348895821000, "title": "Very Nice Read" }, { "asin": "0764209132", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok I thought this book was kinda strange at times, but though it did end up kind of crazy, with Seth not remembering much about his life and family. He and Callie find themselves back together and thus the journey of Seth begins.<br /><br />The characters created by the author, and especially Callie and the whit and life she brought into the lives of this family gave this story a fun and interesting twist. And knowing Seth in a new and different way, the interesting situations between he and Callie brought a special meaning for this book.<br /><br />The Kincaid Brides Series is truly on that you will enjoy reading. I highly encourage you to grab a copy of this book, or the three books in this series for your reading enjoyment. You will not be disappointed!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Bethany House for me to read and review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only", "timestamp": 1349076484000, "title": "Another great book by Mary Connealy" }, { "asin": "1609366867", "rating": 5, "text": "I've read several books on the Titanic this year so I was excited to read Queen of the Waves for another story about this time in history, which I'm surprised because I really didn't care for the movie that much. But I really like Janice Thompson's story of Tessa and Nathan, alone with the other characters involved with Tessa being on the ship in the first place. Tessa is such a sweet person with a personality that rubs off on those around her, as we see in the story. Throughout all of the horrible tragedy with Titanic, this is a story readers can really enjoy and appreciate. And the vivid details of the time in history leading up to when the Titanic set sail, and as the story unfolds until the end, well it is just an awesome history lesson.<br />Of course this book is only fiction, and these things didn't happen aboard the ship, but I loved imagining what it was like, with all of the rich and famous, and imagining what it was like to be there during the horrific tragedy. I thoroughly enjoyed Queen of the Waves and highly recommend it for your reading enjoyment. You will not be disappointed.<br />This book was provided by Summerside Press through LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1349751219000, "title": "Queen of the Waves" }, { "asin": "1609366859", "rating": 4, "text": "Samantha Waldron and her family face some horrific situations as we follow their journey on the Oregon Trail in 1842. Samantha's mom passed away before they started on the trail, so her father was determined to make it to the end of the trail for the rest of his family. But no one knew the many difficult situations they would endure while traveling. Life was not easy as they traveled these many miles.<br /><br />Melanie Dobson's story of Samantha and her family along the Oregon Trail is a believable and intriguing story with believable characters that will keep you interested until the end, because of all the twists and turns it takes. The author tells all of the gruesome details of situations and difficulties during the trail, making the story seem more realistic.<br /><br />I enjoyed this historical novel by Melanie Dobson, though I don't think it is her best work. If you enjoy the Oregon Trail era, and reading books about that time, you will enjoy this one. So pick up a copy for your own reading enjoyment.<br /><br />This book was provided by Summerside Press through LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1349752867000, "title": "Where the Trail Ends" }, { "asin": "0764206168", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Again, Tracie Peterson captures our hearts and interest with this second book in Land of the Lone Star Series. In Touching the Sky, the story is about Laura Marquardt and her sister Carissa. Both sisters find love, Laura with Union Captain Brandon Reid and Carissa, Confederate Malcolm Lowe. Conflicts and difficulties arise as the story unfolds surrounding the lives of these two ladies.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book in every way. I really enjoyed the history so vividly described in Texas after the war, and I enjoyed characters created that are so realistic like and play their parts in the story so well. I love Tracie Peterson books, and this one is no different, it is a winner in my opinion.<br /><br />I recommend that you go purchase your own copy of this book, and while you are at it, pick up a copy of all three books in Land of the Lone Star Series for your reading enjoyment. And if you like historical fiction, this is a must read for you!", "timestamp": 1350326454000, "title": "Touching the Sky" }, { "asin": "0310335108", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />If you enjoy Amish fiction, you will sure enjoy Tricia Goyer's new book The Memory Jar. I really like the Memory Jar idea for best friends Patty and Sarah. It is a good way to store memories, and in Sarah's case it is especially special after Sarah is left to go through life alone. Then Sarah meets Jathan, and things started changing in her life.<br /><br />Tricia Goyer creates wonderful realistic character that we grow to love as the story unfolds and the characters develop so well. The story started a little slow for me, but then as it developed, and the story took a different twist, tensions rise, gossip spreads, people started backing off and acting strange, and Sarah started questioning her earlier decisions. It seems like Jathan has more baggage to take care of than either of them thought. But Tricia Goyer weaves the characters, situations, difficulties, doubts and people along with more twists and turn and brings a story that will keep you reading until the last page, while it warms you heart in a special way. You will love this Amish community and its people when you pick up your copy of The Memory Jar.<br /><br />This book was provided by LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1351637313000, "title": "The Memory Jar" }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Christmas Roses is a wonderful story about Celia Anderson. Celia is a single mom who runs a boarding house, providing for she and her daughter. She knows her daughter needs a dad, but doesn't want to marry because of need, she wants a marriage of love. Well, then Mark comes into the picture!<br /><br />This is a sweet, charming and heartwarming historical story that would be wonderful for everyone to read for Christmas. I love the beautiful cover, and the story just goes right along with what the cover shows. Amanda Cabot creates realistic and amazing characters to tell her Christmas story, and I enjoyed getting to know each character as the story unfolds. Around Christmastime I try to read all of the Christmas stories I can, and I am honored to read and review Christmas Roses. This is a story that will stay with you throughout the Christmas Season.<br /><br />\"Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.\"<br /><br />This book was provided by Revel Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1354679070000, "title": "Nice Christmas Read!" }, { "asin": "140168744X", "rating": 4, "text": "It took me a while to get into this book, don't know why, maybe it was the early setting since it was 227BC. But<br />after I got into the story, I really enjoyed it.<br />I didn't know a lot about the Island of Rhodes either, but with the author's details throughout the book, it<br />was interesting and nice to get to know this place in history. Tracy Higley created characters that are interesting<br />and believable, and enjoyable to get to know. I really liked Tessa and wanted her to find freedom from her Greek<br />owner. When the opportunity came along for her to be free, her life changed in a way she wasn't expecting. Would<br />Tessa finally be free and find her own true love? This is a book well worth your read, and if you enjoy historical<br />fiction, you will truly enjoy Isle of Shadows.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book to Christian fiction lovers, and especially those who enjoy historical stories. Pick<br />up your copy today for an enjoyable read.<br /><br />This book was provided by Booksneeze through their blogger program. I was not expected or required to write a positive<br />review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1356129857000, "title": "Nice historical read" }, { "asin": "0800719891", "rating": 5, "text": "THe Lesson by Susan Woods Fisher<br /><br />In the third and final book of Susan Woods Fisher's Stoney Ridge Seasons Series, Mary Kate Lapp is now nineteen<br />old and still looking for action. But this time, did her sneaking around get her in more trouble that she expected?<br />And to make it worse, it landed her to job of teaching in their Amish school, and Mary Kate certainly was not a<br />school teacher.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mary Kate's story. She was a fun character throughout the first two books in the series<br />because of her free spirit, and determination to find out everything! I am also a Susan Wood's Fisher fan and I love<br />this entire series. The characters were enjoyable and realistic, drawing you into the story and keeping your attention.<br />And the interesting plot keeps you reading because so much is happening to the Lapp family you just want to find<br />out the outcome.<br /><br />If you love Amish fiction, you will love The Lesson, and the first two books in this series. Or if you are looking<br />for a nice enjoyable light read, this is your series! Go out and grap a copy of these books to read for yourself.<br />You will not be disappointed.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Tours. I was not required or expected to write a positive<br />review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1357361476000, "title": "Great ending to Series!" }, { "asin": "1401685676", "rating": 5, "text": "An Amish Kitchen is a neat collection of three novellas, and the Amish Kitchen of the characters has a huge part of each story. The stories are so realistic because the kitchen is a major part of the Amish lifestyle in reality. And I loved getting the recipes as a bonus in this book, especially the herbal remedies!<br />I love Amish fiction and really enjoyed Faith and Abram's story in Kelly Long's \"A Taste of Faith; reading about Hannah King's Bed and Breakfast and newcomer Stephen Esh in Amy Clipston's \"A Spoonful of Hope,\" and Beth Wiseman's \" A Recipe for Hope,\" and Eva Bender and her family's disaster when a tree falls on her haus. In all three of these stories, the characters deal with difficult situations, and they need to trust God and depend on Him. Their faith carries them through, but it is not always easy. It is difficult to pick a best one, because they all interacted so well together and I enjoyed them all.<br />If you love Amish fiction, this one is for you. You will love these short stories. This is a great book for those who really don't have time to read a full size novel.<br />Booksneeze provided a copy of this book for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1358193641000, "title": "Awesome Amish three stories in this book!" }, { "asin": "1595549706", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Having read the first two books in this series, I was anxious for the third book in The Brides of Last Chance Ranch to hit the stands. And author Margaret Brownley did not disappoint! With characters that I fell in love with, I thoroughly enjoyed another really good read that will stay with me for a while! I grew to love Molly, and the relationship she had with her brother was truly heartwarming. My heart went out to her as she strove to do whatever she could to take care of Donny.<br /><br />Waiting for Morning is truly a story that will capture the heart of any reader, just as it did mine. I highly recommend this historical fiction to book lovers everywhere. A copy of this book was provided by Booksneeze's blogger program. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1361337502000, "title": "Waiting for Morning" }, { "asin": "1859859313", "rating": 5, "text": "My Thoughts On This Book<br /><br />The Story of David and Goliath is one that most children enjoy and remember well. David Sticker Book tells this wonderful Bible story in words, pictures and added stickers for children to interact with the story. And I was suprised at the amount of stickers that are included in the book, they are wonderful. And I really like the illustrations as well. The book is a whole is beautiful inside and out. And as usual, I used my four year-old niece as the real person to review this book of David, and she absolutely loved it! We read the story together and she had a wonderful time placing the stickers on the correct pages, and as she placed the stickers, she talked about each one and we had fun talking about David and Goliath. This tells me that the stickers are a valuable source to go with the story because it keeps children much more interested in the story.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for your small child. I will know they will love it just as much as my niece does. And she still loves reading the book, even after the stickers are all in place.<br /><br />I received this book free from Kregel Publishing. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The<br /> opinions here are my own.", "timestamp": 1361587647000, "title": "Wonderful little book for small children" }, { "asin": "1401686826", "rating": 5, "text": "So Shines the Night......<br /><br />I really enjoyed this historical Biblical fiction by Tracey Higley. I haven't read a lot books in this early era, being set in 57 A. D. The characters were interesting and realistic and I enjoyed getting to know them as the story unfolds. The story is based on Acts 19 and the author did her research well, because as I continued to read, the situations and everything surrounding them begin to feel so real I felt like I was there! And as always I love that Tracy brings a part of the Bible to life through her vivid imagination in So Shines the Night, and I appreciate her sharing this story with us!<br /><br />If you enjoy historical fiction, or Biblical fiction, you will love So Shines the Night. I encourage you to pick up your copy today!<br /><br />I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson 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 55.", "timestamp": 1362552920000, "title": "So Shines the Night" }, { "asin": "080072089X", "rating": 5, "text": "It seems that someone is a spy in Lady Wexham's house but who could it be? Rees Phillips is trying to find out, with his new job disguised as a butler. But can Rees sneak around and try to find answers without anyone suspecting him? This book gets very interesting as the sneaking around continues, not only with Rees but others in the household.<br /><br />This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend. I enjoyed the era of the setting and the vivid details so perfectly described by Ruth Axtell. The characters were unique and believable and they keep readers guessing and reading throughout the story. I really liked Rees and his attempting to be a butler, which he did very well. And the tension between he and the Lady Wexham was enough to keep me reading to find out what the outcome between them would be.<br /><br />I highly recommend this story for anyone who loves a good historical fiction with a bit of suspense and romance. You will not be disappointed!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Revell Publishers for me to read and review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1362978017000, "title": "Great Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0745962823", "rating": 2, "text": "I love sticker story books for children, and this is why I wanted to review My Very First Easter Story Book. The book is very attractive, with vivid colors and stickers to go along with the story on each page. The story is about the story of Easter, Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave.<br /><br />The story is simple enough for very small children to understand, and I like that part about this book. But I do wish the author would have explained why Jesus died for us instead of making the remark a number of times that He did this to make the world a better place. Children need the simplicity of the story but they also need to know the actual truth of what the scripture says. For me, when I read the story to my niece, I added the parts left out by the author, but not everyone can or will do that. I hope the next book the author writes she will stay closer to scripture.", "timestamp": 1364047316000, "title": "Easter Sticker book" }, { "asin": "1595548890", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />When I see Beth Wiseman's name on a book, I know it is going to be an awesome read. I love her Amish books, but I am enjoying the contempory fiction she is writing as well! In The House That Love Built, the characters are realistic and believable and I enjoyed getting to know them better as the story unfolded. Beth had a strong faith in God, and she showed this faith through the many struggles she faced. And she was able to help Owen with struggles with his faith as their friendship progressed. I did feel for Beth as she struggled with the situation with her dad, because she was clearly hurt by him.<br />This is a story of love, faith in the Lord, forgiveness and second chances. If you are looking for a good clean entertaining story, this one is for you.", "timestamp": 1365582565000, "title": "Another wonderful book by Beth Wiseman" }, { "asin": "1414361122", "rating": 5, "text": "Rescue Team by Candace Calvert<br /><br />Kate Callison has been running from her past and jumping jobs for several years, and now she is working as ER director at Austin Grace Hospital. As different cases came through the ER department, memories of Kate's past surfaced more and more. Wes Tanner was at the right place at the right time when an emergency happened at Austin Grace, but then he met the new ER director, Kate. Wes finds himself attracted to Kate, despite her dismissive attitude, but just how does Kate feel about Wes?<br /><br />I am a big fan of Candace Calvert and Rescue Team is another Candace book that I LOVE! I love books that capture my attention early in the story, and this one had my attention from the first page! I wasn't sure about Kate at first, with her attitude and the mystery of her past, but as the story unfolded, I could understand her attitude about life. And I love Wes, he is such a sweetheart, and I love his family. But he has a heartbreaking past as well, that he doesn't want to talk about. Ms. Calvert weaves together a story of heartbreaking pasts, through many difficult situations and twists and turns, and so vividly shows love, forgiveness and healing through God's love and mercy in Wes and Kate's story.<br /><br />If you enjoy Christian fiction, or just want a good clean medical romance to read, I highly recommend Rescue Team. With Candace being a former nurse, the medical knowledge is phenomenal, making the story even more interesting and enjoyable.<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale House to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1367285043000, "title": "Awesome Christian Fiction with a lot of Medical Knowledge" }, { "asin": "0764209663", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Looking for a new preacher? Why not hold up a train and steal him at gunpoint? Karen Witemeyer gives us and interesting, enjoyable, witty, funny story that will sure be the height of your entertainment this summer in Stealing the Preacher. Joanna's outlaw father was willing to do anything to give her what she wants, including holding up a train and stealing Crockett Archer. Only Crockett can't stay in the little Texas Community of Piney Woods because he's on a mission someplace else as a preacher candidate. But as he gets to know the people in Piney Woods, he's drawn to the need for someone to take over the little church that hasn't had a preacher for quite a while. But what about this other church, the one who is waiting on his arrival to vote on whether or not they want him as their own preacher. Well, its all unfolded between the pages of the wonderful book!<br />First of all, I LOVE this cover. I am so glad Bethany House decided to change it! And Karen Witemeyer is at it again with her awesome, humorous writing style. As I read Stealing the Preacher, I fell in love with the people of Piney Woods, and was really hoping that Crockett would decide to change his mind and be their new preacher, especially since he was so different from most preachers, and he identified with these people so well. With all of the twists and turns, and the adorable, unique characters, why not come on board with the rest of us and enjoy this wonderful summer, and well really, anytime read from Ms. Whitemeyer and Bethany House. You will sure be happy you decided to try this one. And while you are at it, check out the other books by Karen Witemeyer. I've read all of Karen's books, and each one gets better and better! She is definitely high on my favorite authors list!<br />I received this book from the publisher Bethany House, and Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1371094501000, "title": "Another awesome historical fiction from Karen Witemeyer" }, { "asin": "0825442141", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Reading this book clearly shows that women have always experienced hurt in some way. Authors Dena Dyer and Tina Samples' Wounded Women of the Bible gives ladies an inside look at more than a dozen women throughout Bible time and the hurts and difficulties they faced. We read the stories of Dinah, Ruth, Hagar, Ichabod's Mother, Mary and Martha, and others, getting to know they ladies in a really interesting and unique way.<br /><br />Finding Hope When Life Hurts is truly what we learned from this book through the lives of each of these ladies. Dena Dyer and Tina Samples leave nothing out as they study and explore what the Bible says. I also appreciate the authors opening their own lives and showing the hurts and struggles they have faced in their lives. To me, this makes the book even more special because we are not only getting truths from the Bible, we are getting truths from real people's lives.<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Kregel to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1377922007000, "title": "Wonderful Bible Study!" }, { "asin": "1859857663", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Bumper Wipe Clean Activities was a huge hit with my 4 year old niece. She loves it, and has played and played with it. I ended up mailing it to her house so she could have it there to play with! This is the cutest little book your child will ever have. The wipe clean activities are adorable for the kids to do. This is an awesome idea for a children's book. Abbi has enjoyed the matching, tracing, going through the mazes, and all of the other activities, and the awesome thing about this is that they can wipe the page clean, and start over again!<br /><br />Need activities to keep children quiet in the car, or maybe an appointment? This is the book you need. It is hours of fun for young children, I would have one for each child, and they can do their own thing while you enjoy the peace and quiet!<br /><br />I just can't say enough about this little activity book. This is a must for all homes with small children! You and your child will love is just as much as Abbi and I do!!<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Kregel to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1380282113000, "title": "Love, Love this book!!" }, { "asin": "B00FFBG1PM", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The Bargin is not just another Amish Fiction! It is an Amish fiction with a twist like I haven't read before, the setting being in the Vietnam War. I loved the history weaved into the book about this era, and especially since I was old enough during that time to remember a lot about the war and the friends I had who fought in it. Betsy's story was interesting, with her family living as Englisch. This story brought back a lot of memories of when I was growing up, and that I did enjoy very much! It was so interesting because back then, we did really live plain, or so it seems like that now. I really did love the setting, and the story.<br /><br />Stephanie Reed is a fairly new author for me, so I was excited to review an Amish fiction from a different author. Ms. Reed created characters that were enjoyable and believable, giving readers a real feel of life in the early 1970′s. If you enjoy Amish, you will love this one. If you enjoy historical fiction, this is for you too! So why not put the two together and check out this new book from Stephanie Reed. I think you will be pleasantly surprised!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1382586934000, "title": "The Bargin" }, { "asin": "1859855865", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS<br /><br />This is a really neat Bible handbook from Kregel Publishers. The Candle Bible Handbook is for 8 to 12 year olds and would be an awesome addition to their library, because it can be a wonderful study tool for your child to use while reading the Bible or reading Bible stories. There are many things to help with Bible study including study questions, tips to watch for when reading, an outline an description of the book, along with a little box with important information. And you will also find a section with Big ideas in the Bible, Bible Promises, Fifty very important passages in the Bible and Who’s Who in the Bible. And of course this is just a touch of what you will find in this neat handbook.<br /><br />I really like this book that will be an additional study tool when studying the Bible. I found it interesting myself as I read through it and went over the different things added to help study. If you have kids in this age group, or I think even teenagers would like this, I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of The Candle Bible Handbook. You will find it very informative and interesting.<br /><br />I rec’d a copy of this book from Kregel to read and review. The opinions in this review are mine only. I was not required or expected to write a positive review.", "timestamp": 1400470384000, "title": "Really Neat for Kids" }, { "asin": "1414368453", "rating": 5, "text": "Annie, a young Irish immigrant is the housekeeper at Mrs. Hawkins boarding house, but she is also a wonderful story teller, thanks to her really great storyteller father. But when Annie’s father passed away, and after living with her no caring uncle, and the horrible places he sent her, she eventually ended up in New York. You will thoroughly enjoy this wonderful historical novel by Cindy Thomson. Annie not only loved storytelling, she loved to daydream, so her mind was always full of a story to tell. And Ms. Thomson does an amazing job of telling these stories in a way that will capture your heart and attention. One thing that was so touching to me is the way telling her stories always made Annie think of the father she missed so much. Check out this fabulous book and give it a try!<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale House to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1420701507000, "title": "Really interesting historical fiction!" }, { "asin": "0529102781", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Jeremiah and Anna May's life took a tumbling fall when Jeremiah left his Amish family, Anna May and the Amish faith for the English world, and their schools, to become a veterinarian. But will his return mean that they can pick up where they left off with their relationship? Life is not that easy! And life for these two young people was not without heartaches and many struggles as they strived to find out what God really wanted them to do with their lives.<br /><br />I have read many of Kathleen Fuller's books, and have enjoyed them all! Just as I enjoyed this one, and I'm going to get the other books in this series as well! I fell in love with these characters immediately, and I thoroughly enjoyed following their journey, though they did have their moments. I like that Ms. Fuller shows so much detail to the story and each scene that takes place. This is truly a well written book, and a book that anyone who loves a really good Amish story will want to read!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1426653601000, "title": "Very nice Amish story!" }, { "asin": "0800722485", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />For me, this was a really heartwarming story. Kaitlyn was trying to get her life together after leaving her child with her brother to raise. Now she has to prove that she is the mother her daughter needs in order to get her daughter back. On the other hand, Steven is trying to prove that he has grown up, and ready to settle down. But would Steven and Kaitlyn be able to make a go of it together, with all of their past failures?<br /><br />I have really enjoyed Catherine Armstrong’s A Place to Call Home Series, and I so much enjoyed this third book! The characters are very realistic and enjoyable to get to know. The lives of the characters sure keep readers wondering what will happen next! And I appreciate the detailed info about this little place called Last Chance. It is sure a place I would love to visit!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1426819255000, "title": "Love this wonderful book!" }, { "asin": "0310315549", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This has been an absolutely enjoyable series to read, and Rachel Hauck is an amazingly talented writer! I love how she brings you into the story, giving me the feeling I was there with the characters. As I read the book, I felt as though the characters were real, as I thought about them day and night! Corina was hoping to find her prince charming for the second time, but with all of the issues going on, and with Corina still dealing with the death of her brother, there was just no way. But was there? This is truly a story of redemption and love, and the twists and turns in the story kept me turning the pages pretty fast! The setting, the characters, the different scenes throughout the story as I read, they all came together to a wonderful ending. I highly recommend How to Catch a Prince, and the other books in Rachel Hauck's Royal Wedding Series.<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1427161293000, "title": "Love this heartwarming story" }, { "asin": "0718031652", "rating": 4, "text": "Sarah Montgomery finally gets to join her fiancée Rand Campbell, in Fort Laramie, Wyoming but is he really excited to see her? Seems like he has found someone else to occupy his time, making life difficult for Sarah. But then when ex-fiancé Ben Croftner shows up in Wyoming, things get a little more exciting, or maybe we could say tension was filling the air more than ever.<br /><br />A Heart's Obsession is another short story in Colleen Coble's A Journey of the Heart Series. a reissue of the Wyoming series published around a decade, and back this time in 6 short books. Though I like short books sometimes, its kind of frustrating that we as readers have to wait so long for the next chapters in the book. Its like reading a few chapters, putting the book down, and after a month picking it back up again. I am just not fond of this type of reading myself. But as far as the story, I love it! It is awesome, just as all of Colleen Coble books are!! I will keep them all, and read them again in the order of the series, and will enjoy them much more. I hope this is not a trend that publishers are heading toward, but it will be interesting to see.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1429074224000, "title": "Short story" }, { "asin": "0310335884", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Life hasn't been easy for 32 year old Linda Zook, being orphaned at age 4 and raised by an uncle that didn't want her. But Linda is determined to make something of her life, working part time at the Lancaster Grand Hotel, she desires to we worthy of a life that she can be happy and loved. Thirty-two year old Aaron Ebersol comes back into the picture after leaving the Amish community for almost two decades because of the harsh demands of his father. These two meet up, but what will life be for them because of their background? Can they find love and forgiveness for the family that wronged them?<br /><br />Amy Clipston is one of my favorite Amish writers. I love her writing style, the long series about this Amish Community and the families, and I fell in love with her characters in the first book of this series! Linda and Aaron's story is a sad, but yet a happy one. I thoroughly enjoyed following the lives of these two characters through the thick and thin of their relationship. As I read their story, I could clearly see the love, grace, forgiveness and redemption of our God in the lives of these characters. In everything they went through, God was in the driver's seat of their lives and leading them every step of the way. If you enjoy Amish fiction, this series is a must for you. Check out A Simple Prayer by Amy Clipston, and the other books in this awesome series.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1431489089000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Life hasn't been easy for 32 year old Linda Zook" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Talk about mystery, The End of Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble is one of the best mysteries I have read! Who is Claire Dellamare? She thought her life was like any other rich girl’s life, that it until she Claire returns to the Hotel Tourmaline for a business meeting with her CEO father. That’s when she starts hearing rumors about her disappearing for a year when she was young.<br /><br />Wow, this was an awesome read! The plot line was amazing, and the characters were so very realistic I wanted to be there in the story with them. Clarie was a sweet and intelligent young lady, and never did she think her life would be in shambles when she returned to the Hotel Tourmaline. The more I read the stranger the story became, one murder and one young child went missing at the same time. Was there a connection? What strange and horrific thing could have happened all those years ago? This is a book you do not want to miss. And if you are a Colleen Cobble fan, this is one of her best!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1431575510000, "title": "The End of Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble is one of the best mysteries I have read" }, { "asin": "0529103435", "rating": 5, "text": "A Heart’s Betrayal is the fourth book in Colleen Coble’s A Journey of the Heat Series. This series is a previous series from Ms. Coble, this one is a very short book for each story. In this story, Emmie Croftner finds out that her late husband wasn’t the man she thought he was, the home and everything she had wasn’t hers after all. After relocating, Emmie meets a soldier that just might change her life.<br /><br />As usual, Colleen Coble writes a story with characters are interesting and intriguing, and make the story interesting. The situations in Emmie’s life leave her with a life of tension, so much so that she can’t stay in her town any longer. This change in her life leaves a more and different type of tension, because of her new place and new people in her life. The one thing with these short books is that you have to wait a month to read the next short installment. For me, it is much easier to read the entire story at once. I am keeping all of these books and will read them again one after the other!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1433304461000, "title": "A Heart’s Betrayal is the fourth book in Colleen Coble’s ..." }, { "asin": "1496402146", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This is a really good story written from a mothers viewpoint about her child. With television being the big entertainment and past time, weight problems in children are on the rise. Heidi Bond made changes she had to make for her daughter’s health. With the world today full of fast food, quick fix meals, and sweet and fatty snacks, obesity in children just keeps getting worse.<br /><br />I appreciate how Heidi and Breanna are using their story to help other kids with the same problems they have experienced. Even though their journey was not an easy on, it was a productive one because it taught them the meaning of a healthy lifestyle. I did make me angry as Heidi talked about the way people viewed her efforts, especially talking about those who had talked about her daughter’s obesity, now criticizing her for refusing her candy and sweet treats. People can be so rude. If you are someone you love is experiencing the same or similar situation, I encourage you to pick up a copy of Heidi’s book, Who’s the New Kid. I think you will find help you never expected.<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1433905940000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK This is a really good story written from a mothers viewpoint about her child" }, { "asin": "0310322170", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Another murder in the Amish Artisan Village in Middlebury, Indiana, and the Poison Poet strikes again and again leaving pies with notes attached saying the pies are poisoned. And then the emails Amber is getting, that is clearly from the Poison Poet? Ms. Chapman does it again with a murder, mystery/suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seats. And in an Amish community at that!<br /><br />I felt so bad for Amber, the harassing emails were causing problems with her work and marriage, because the Poison Poet was determined that she wouldn’t tell anyone what was going on. But she had too many friends and family that loved her, and I was touched at the way the pulled together to help her. And another person that was helped was Preston. I really like Preston and the sweet relationship forming between Preston and Mocha, which you will need to read the book to find out about these two! And who in the world could have gunned Ryan Duvall down in broad daylight, just as he finished his race?<br /> A lot of questions, and a lot going on in Murder Freshly Baked, and I just know you will enjoy it as much as I did!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1433921239000, "title": "Just Wonderful Writing by Ms. Chapman!" }, { "asin": "0800734351", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Has Marisa St. George found the man or her dreams after moving back to her hometown of Dupree, Texas. Very successful and well known writer Blake Kendall decides to try hanging out at Rainbow’s End Resort for a while to see if it would help his writers block, that he couldn’t seem to get over. The attraction between Marisa and Blake was immediate, but then things started to come up that put a halt on that attraction, and their relationship was rocky one min and ok the next. This situation, along with everything else going on at Rainbow’s End Resort makes for a fun and entertaining story.<br /><br />In Firefly Valley ,I loved reading about the characters I grew to love in the first book in this series, At Bluebonnet Lake, and meeting the new people traveling to the area! The relaxing atmosphere at the Rainbow’s End Resort and the quite town of Dupree, Texas makes this a light read, yet a story that deals with lives that were changed through forgiveness of each other and the love, forgiveness and redemption of our Lord. I want to encourage you to pick up a copy of In Firefly Valley for hours of relaxing, entertaining and fun. I think you will like this book as much as I did! This one goes on my keeper shelf!<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.<br /><br />Another really sweet book from author Amanda Cabot!", "timestamp": 1434349019000, "title": "along with everything else going on at Rainbow’s End Resort makes for a fun and entertaining story" }, { "asin": "0800723503", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Her mother's death causes Elizabeth Benjamin to return to her home in Key West, but things didn't go as she thought it would. Though she needed her family, it seemed that they didn't need her as much, and she sure wasn't happy with her father's pick as a husband for her. Was her trip back home a mistake?<br /><br />Since this was my first book by Christine Johnson I wasn't sure what to expect, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. This book was as good as the cover is beautiful! I love the inviting cover! This was also my first story with a setting in the historical 1850's Key West, Florida. There is a lot that makes up the plot of this story, danger, secrets, adventures seas, heart throbbing romance, and determination in the hearts of characters. Ms. Johnson does a marvelous job of weaving it all together to write a most amazing, entertaining and enjoyable story that I highly recommend. I will sure be looking for more books in this series.<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1434354351000, "title": "and she sure wasn't happy with her father's pick as a husband for her" }, { "asin": "1601425996", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Mesu Andrew's books because she has such an amazing talent of taking Bible characters, putting them in a historical Biblical setting and creating a story that will pull you in and keep you long after you finish the book. When I finish reading a Mesu Andrews book, I have a new, clear insight of the Biblical character the Book is about.<br /><br />The Pharoah's Daughter is another one of those books. I have always loved the story of Moses being put in the river in a basket as a baby by his sister. And Pharoah's daughter claiming Moses for her own, and raising him as her own. Ms. Andrews takes this story much deeper, bringing us into the home of Pharoah's daughter and now the home of Moses. I have always has questions about how this or that happened, and in this story, Ms. Andrews answers some of those questions in her fictional way. This was a special time in history, and I appreciate this awesome author for taking on these characters and this time in history. And I also appreciate the knowledge and research it took to write a story like this. Needless to say, I was in awe of The Pharoah's Daughter and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves historical, Biblical, or just a good fiction story.<br /><br />Blogging for Books provided this book for my honest review. The review is my views alone.", "timestamp": 1434561646000, "title": "I love Mesu Andrew's books because she has such an amazing ..." }, { "asin": "0718011783", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Two very different people, and a dangerous ruby? That's what this story is about. Daughter of a shop keeper, Camille is searching for her own lot in life. And the son of a very wealthy, well-known explorer and collector, Jonathan is settle in his fathers wealth, even though he is the second son. But his life changes when the hunt for a special ruby leads him to Camille's family shop. Who will finally uncover this expensive, dangerous jewel?<br /><br />Author Sarah Ladd takes us on an exciting and dangerous journey through the streets of historical London in her new book, The Curiosity Keeper. And Curiosity it is as I read this really good book! The characters will weave their way into your hearts, and the sights and sounds of London are so expertly detailed that you will find yourselves wondering if you are there! I love the tension in the scenes, because it made me keep turning the pages. The intensity and suspense that takes place makes for a very enjoyable read. I highly recommend The Curiosity Keeper!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1436334889000, "title": "And Curiosity it is as I read this really good book! The characters will weave their way into ..." }, { "asin": "0718031687", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br /> Emmie has a secret that she definitely doesn't want Isaac to know about, because she doesn't want to loose him. This makes for a lot of twists and turns in this very short story. This is book 5 in A Journey of the Heart Series. I enjoyed reading the continuation of this story, the characters and setting is already familiar, and the plot is somewhat set. As with all Colleen Coble books, this is a wonderful read and a wonderful series. I enjoyed each book, but I think reading all of these short book at once would be better because you don't have to wait to see what the next few chapters give.<br /><br />BookLook Bloggers provided this book for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive or any type of review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1436336191000, "title": "I enjoyed reading the continuation of this story" }, { "asin": "0310749417", "rating": 5, "text": "My Thoughts<br /><br />This is a cute little Bible Story book for any little one. If you have small children, you would be wise to invest in this book for them. The colors are nice and bright, and the cover is just plain cute! It has Papa, Brother, Sister and Honey reading, which is one of our favorite things to do here. The book is made just for smaller kids with thick sturdy pages that a child cannot tear, so you don't have to worry about them playing with this book. And you will enjoy reading these Bible stories and teaching your child about Jesus.<br /><br />This book was provided by BookLook Bloggers. The opinions here are mine.", "timestamp": 1441166721000, "title": "The colors are nice and bright" }, { "asin": "1401688888", "rating": 5, "text": "I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1441168580000, "title": "Love it!" }, { "asin": "1401690513", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Abby Knightly’s life came to an end as she knew it when her husband was killed in an auto accident, and Abby feels responsible. Not being about to live with what happened, Abby decides to move to a little town she had read about in a column in a newspaper. Circumstances caused her to meet Bo, one of three brothers that owned a ranch in the small town of Wishing Springs, Texas .<br /><br />This story took a different turn than the first book in this series. Bo’s story didn’t come across as well as Tru’s for me. Bo seemed less responsible, more reckless and the little surprise that ended up on his pops doorstep confirms that. It just happened that Abby was there at the right time, which was ok with Bo because he needed all the help he could get. Even though I did enjoy the story, a young lady showing up in a small town, meeting a guy that has sworn off ladies, and all of a sudden were thrown together and everything else that happened within a few weeks just wasn’t as believable as I would have liked. But then, that’s just me! All in all, I enjoyed the Monahan family again, and looking forward to reading book three! And by the way, Pops is just the sweetest old man, just adorable!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1441775657000, "title": "Even though I did enjoy the story" }, { "asin": "0310338492", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Love this book, Love this series! Shelley Shepard Gray is one of the best!! Lydia and Sebastian were two very different people, from completely different backgrounds, but the attraction between them was real. But the two being together was just impossible. Or was it? Though rough as some of the characters are, this is a pretty sweet story. There is a lot of bad things happening, a lot of tension, a lot of twists and turns, but Ms. Gray does a fantastic job of pulling it all together, with twists and turns you don’t expect, and making another awesome story in this series. I don’t want to say too much, and give anything away, so I wont! This is a wonderful and entertaining story, set just after the Chicago Worlds Fair is over, a story that will stay with you for a while.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1447220727000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Love this book" }, { "asin": "0310339545", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Leila Lantz has a difficult decision to make. Two young men, Jesse, and Will (Jesse's cousin) want her love and commitment. But the two offer entirely different lifestyles for Leila. Jesse is struggling with his faith, and not so sure he is ready for a lifetime commitment, but Leila has loved him since the first time she saw him. And Will, well he is more settled and knows what he wants to do with his life, but keeps his feelings for Leila to himself because he doesn't want to hurt his cousin Jesse. How will this author untangle this mess of relationships for Leila?<br /><br />I really like the way Kelly Irvin writes Amish fiction. She adds a unique twist to her stories that make them very interesting and entertaining. Leila has some tough decisions to make, but I liked that. Dealing with real life situations, even among the Amish faith helps to realize that we all have problems that we must surrender to the Lord. And this book will have you taking a closer look at your own faith. It was nice visiting characters from book one, and I am excited to read book three when it hits the shelves. If you are looking for a good clean book for enjoyment, this is a wonderful one to pick up!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1447474989000, "title": "and Will (Jesse's cousin) want her love and commitment" }, { "asin": "1601425007", "rating": 5, "text": "A Refuge at Highland Hall is the third book in the Edwardian Brides series by Carrie Turansky. I was glad to read more of Highland Hall's Penny Ramsey in this story. Because of Britain's involvement in WWI, Penny decides to travel to London to help her sister Kate and her husband with the houseful of orphaned children they have. Its there that Penny meets Royal Naval Air Service pilot Alex Goodwin, and there was definitely an attraction between the two! Knowing he would be chasing Zeppelins across the front line in France, Alex couldn't allow anything series between the two. But they could write to each other while he was in France. But faced with unforeseen circumstances, Alex's life takes a dramatic change, and seeing Penny again was out of the question.<br /><br />This is such a wonderful book! First of all, the cover is beautiful, and the story inside is full of entertainment. I loved meeting the characters again, they now seem like family members. Penny is such a sweetheart, and I was cheering on a relationship between she and Alex. There's a lot of things going on in this book, a lot of twists and turns happening that made me keep my nose in the book until I finished!! Author Carrie Turansky does an amazing joy of weaving everything together nicely, and giving readers a sweet romance.<br /><br />And the history in this story is phenomenal, it made the trip back into the past WWI era so enjoyable. As I read, I felt like I was living the story along with the characters. This book is a must if you enjoy historical and WWI fiction. And this one is a nice clean read! One that anyone will enjoy!<br /><br />I received this book from Blogging for Books to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1454892669000, "title": "Awesome Read!" }, { "asin": "0310332435", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGTHS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Casey Cox only wants to do the right things, find her father's killer. But her life falls apart when she finds her good friend murdered, and with her DNA being all over the place, she has no option but to run. Dylan Roberts, the PI hired to find Casey doesn't think she is guilty of murder, the evidence just doesn't show it.<br /><br />If I Run is another fast pace thriller from one of my very favorite authors, Terri Blackstock. It starts our with Casey finding her good friend Brent murdered in his home. Knowing why Brent was murdered, and her blood all over everything, Casey's only choice is to take off. Casey was a fantastic leading character, with all of her twists and turns trying to stay under the radar, I never knew what was coming next! Casey was such a caring person, she cared more for helping others than she did herself, even if she did put herself in the spotlight. I really enjoyed this story, and I read it through without putting it down.<br /><br />However, the ending just almost ruined it for me. It left so many loose ends, I felt as though I was hanging from a cliff when I read that last sentence. I sure hope there is a book two, I will be very disappointed if it is not. Can't wait to find out about another book in this series!", "timestamp": 1455863516000, "title": "But her life falls apart when she finds her good friend murdered" }, { "asin": "1414389752", "rating": 5, "text": "Mariah and her grandmother are trying their best to keep their ranch running after the death of Mariah’s father. But their lives take a drastic change when Slade Donovan show up claiming the ranch. As it turns out, Mariah’s father supposedly took money that belonged to Slade’s father and bought the ranch, so now that Slade’s father is dead, he is there to claim what belongs to their family. He agrees to let Mariah and her grandmother stay in the house until his mom and sister come to live there. But a lot of things happen here in this story before that takes place.<br /><br />This was my first book by Pam Hillman, and I loved it so very much! There was a lot of tension between the characters because Slade was carrying around so much anger and bitterness. Mariah was shocked that her father would steal money, so she and Slade didn’t get along. The two that did surprisingly got along was Slade’s quiet brother and Mariah’s grandmother, while I think had a lot to do with Slade and Mariah slowing changing their minds. Grandma was a sweetheart, she loved the Lord, and nothing seemed to upset her. She was the glue that held them all together. But when the mom and sister get there, things may change for them.<br /><br />I enjoyed Ms. Hillman’s writing style and I look forwarding to reading other books by her. The bit of suspense and romance make this story one you will love and enjoy. And I can’t leave out the fact that the history throughout this story was so interesting and very well searched and woven into the lives of the characters. You can’t go wrong with this book being on your ‘to read’ shelf. I purchased a copy of this book to read, and it is so good I wanted to leave a review.", "timestamp": 1456156195000, "title": "Love this historical fiction" }, { "asin": "0764211412", "rating": 5, "text": "I thought this book was a fantastic read, and I really enjoyed every minute of it! After Miranda sold a prized portrait, and her grandfather bought an auction house that they were sure the portrait went to, the story took a new twist! I'm not sure how I would have felt had I ended up at a livestock auction house, and it was just as interesting reading about Miranda's experience. There is a lot in this story to absorb, and I kept wondering if a mistake was made about buying this auction house in the first place, but I just had to be patient. I will have to say, from the cover of this book, I did not expect the story that is between the pages!<br /><br />When I see a book by Regina Jennings, I know its going to be an awesome read, and this was no exception. I became very attached to the characters, the grandfather was adorable and Miranda was a special young lady! And oh, the romance was sweet and heartfelt. This is a must read for those of you who enjoy historical fiction, or just looking for a good clean read! At Love's Bidding will not disappoint!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1456295075000, "title": "Love this book!" }, { "asin": "0718033183", "rating": 4, "text": "Arguments with parents happen often, but Joanna Schrock never dreamed this argument would be her last. The accident that happened after the argument changed Joanna's life forever, in ways she never expected. Andrew, her beau since childhood draws closer<br /> to Joanna, knowing her could have lost her in the accident. But is his marriage offer truly because of his love for her?<br /><br /> This was a most enjoyable story. I do not read a lot of Amish stories, but this one captured my attention, with the horrific accident and the heartbreaking happenings after. The story gets intense while Joanna is recovering, with Andrew hovering over her, and Joanna wondering if it was his love or his pity for him that he was acting in such a way.<br /><br /> This story was interesting enough to keep me reading. If you enjoy Amish stories, you will enjoy this one.<br /><br />I received a free copy of this book from ,…….. to read and review. I expressed my own opinion in this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1458937229000, "title": "But is his marriage offer truly because of his love for her" }, { "asin": "0800726405", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br /> After the death of her husband, Shelby Kincaid decides to move back to where she was raised, and purchase her family's home, Misty Willow. AJ Sullivan owns the home, given to him by his grandfather, though he is sure not interested in the place. Once the two meet, for some odd reason they couldn't stay away from each other. But family history and dark secrets find their place between these two young people.<br /><br />This turned out to be a sweet and heartwarming story. AJ wasn't the villain I thought he would me, he was actually a character I liked very much. AJ's cousins, Brett and Amy are a different story altogether. The were difficult to tolerate! Ms. Alexander does a fantastic job of weaving this story together, through the difficult past, to the difficult cousins, to this special couple, Shelby and AJ, turning their lives around to create a beautiful life between the two. This is a wonderful contemporary story that you don't want to miss.<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1459829440000, "title": "Love this beautiful story!" }, { "asin": "1629116858", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Abigail Stutzman had no idea why she was dumped at a bus station with a ticket to an aunt and uncle's house she didn't even know she had. What was wrong with her mamm, why did she allow this to happen to her? And it seemed like her aunt and uncle and everyone else in her new community was silent on the issue as well. What made things even worse for Abby is her new friends seem to leave her on a trail of burned down barns. Nothing happening in her life made sense to Abbi anymore.<br /><br />Poor Abby, I can not imagine what it would be like to be left at a bus station and sent to someone I didn't even know! Amish sometimes have a strange way of handing situations. One thing about it, Even though Abby didn't know her aunt and uncle, they were happy to meet their new niece, and was glad to have her in their home. She became like a daughter to them. But the fires were a puzzle. And firefighter Sam Miller couldn't figure it out either. But Abby had to be the one setting the fires, wasn't she? As Sam and Abby spend more and more time together, sparks of another kind start flying, and the fire between these two characters may not be so easy to put out.<br /><br />I love Laura Hilton's Amish stories so much. She always has a little different twist to her stories, involving Englischers in such a way that it seems like there is no logical fix to the situations, but in the end, Ms. Hilton weaves the stories together to make a perfect and wonderful ending. And so it was with The Amish Firefighter. This was truly a story of unveiled secrets, forgiveness, redemption and grace in the lives of these characters. I love and appreciate the way Ms. Hilton so vividly tells the story of God's redeeming love to those who as for His forgiveness. I love, love this story, and I am looking forward for more from these Jamesport, Missouri characters.<br /><br />I received this book from Celebrate Lit Blog Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1465782835000, "title": "And it seemed like her aunt and uncle and everyone else in her ..." }, { "asin": "0800722752", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This was an interesting read, being this is election year! Leta Breckenridge lands a excellent paying job at a public relations firm. What Leta didn't know is that she would be used in ways that were very uncomfortable for her. Nathan Emerson may be in the next running race for governor of Texas, and he has just the right woman by his side to make his running complete. But then he meets Leta, and she is so different from anyone he's ever met before. But two very different lifestyles at this point in Nathan's life?<br /><br />I have grown to love books written by Kellie Coates Gilbert, and each book keeps getting better. Ms. Gilbert develops characters that are so very realistic and believable. As I read everything going on in this book, I had to ask myself; Does this really happen in real life? And I'm afraid my answer leans more toward yes that anything else. This story shows that lying, cheating, deceitfulness, always comes back to bite you.<br /><br />I also loved the relationship Leta had with her mom. Even though her mom didn't know how she was most of the time, Leta still needed her mom and they were so sweet together. I hope I have said enough to want you to read this book. I don't want to give away any of the story, for me it ruins it when someone does that. I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of this book and read it. You will not be disappointed in this one. Or anything this author writes!<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1469974817000, "title": "Loved this amazing story" }, { "asin": "0310345391", "rating": 5, "text": "A prison cell in Lake Erie became the home of Confederate soldiers. Growing as close as brothers in this prison, a group of these soldiers made promises to care for one another, no matter what happened. When Phillip Markham lost his life in the prison, Robert Truax knew he had to fulfill that promise and take care of Phillip's wife Marinda. As tough as the situation with Marinda turned out to be, Robert wanted to do the job he came to do and get on with his life. But there were many unexpected bumps in the road that changed those plans.<br /><br /> Shelley Shepard Gray starts another series off with a bang! This beautiful story of love and redemption with capture your hearts. When everything seemed lost and thought there was no hope, Marinda finds out that God does give second chances in life. Robert and Marinda's story is such a sweet heartwarming story. The main characters, as well as the supporting characters will quickly find their way into your heart. I enjoyed the Civil War and post war historical facts and settings. This is a great story for those who enjoy stories with Civil War settings.<br /><br /> A copy of this book was provided to me by BookLook Bloggers for me to read and review. This is my honest opinion of this book.", "timestamp": 1472525447000, "title": "This beautiful story of love and redemption with capture your hearts" }, { "asin": "031034154X", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, this is an amazing story! I fell in love with the characters early in the story. I loved the way Ms. Hauck interweaves Cora and Haley’s stories, and though one was historical and one modern, the story was beautiful written in a way that made me crave more of each character. I couldn’t put this book down because I wanted to find out what was happening with each lady.<br /><br />Cora was the sweetest young lady with a lot of disappointments and heartaches. Rufus, well I just wanted to give him a piece of my mind. And Birch was a sweetheart, a man every women dreams of. Haley was independent like Cora, and wanted to open the Wedding Shop, despite what her parents thought. She was determined to try and forget her ex forever. And I really liked Cole as well. He has his share of disappointments and heartaches too. And I love the way Rachel Hauck interweaves the stories of these four characters in an amazing way, weaving together their dysfunctional lives with their faith in the Lord. And she shows that even though our lives don’t turn out the way we want, and despite the heartaches and disappointments we may go through, Jesus will always be there in us and with us. And He can take all of our baggage and make something beautiful from it all.<br /><br />The Wedding Shop is another beautiful story from author Rach Hauck. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good clean heartwarming read. And if you haven’t read The Wedding Dress and The Wedding Chapel, I encourage you to check out these two books as well.<br /><br />I received this book from Celebration Lit Blog Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1474495378000, "title": "Love it!" }, { "asin": "0310342015", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />I love, love Amy Clipston's books and this is another amazing one from her. She writes the most amazing Amish fiction, and you don't want to miss this one. Mike Lantz has his hands full taking care of his dad and his disabled son. He moves to the area because he wants his son to go to this special school, hoping he can learn like a regular. And that's where he meets Rachel. Rachel feels sorry for the Lantz family and wants to help them, so she starts fixing them mills each week and sending them home by Mike's son John. The special thing about these meals is that she sends them in an antique basket that belonged to her mom, a basket that brought her mom and dad together. Can history repeat itself and bring another couple together?<br />Find out when you read the third book in The Amish Heirloom Series by Amy Clipston. I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1475899748000, "title": "Rachel Fisher is devastated when the young man she’s loved for years leaves her to date her best friend" }, { "asin": "162911748X", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />This is such an amazing story, I was in awe the entire time I was reading this book. Both Mary and Joseph were the sweetest young couple. Her parents loved her very much to make sure the man she would marry was the man she loved. I know this is fiction, but as I read the account of the angel coming to Mary in a dream, her trip to see her cousin Elizabeth, Mary telling her parents and Joseph she was pregnant with the Messiah, each and every scene was so fully detailed, I felt like I was living this story along with the characters. It is so neat to see this Bible account through the eyes of Diana W. Taylor.<br />It was so sweet to follow along with Mary as she realized she was carrying a special baby, that God has actually trusted her an favored her among all of the women of that time, and chose her to be the mother of Jesus. Despite what she had to go through, the outrage of her family and Joseph when she first told them she was pregnant with God's son, all of the talk and whispers among everyone she came in contact with, Mary still had a peace and calmness, and an excitement that God had favored her among women. Can you just imaging what that would feel like?<br />Ms. Taylor not only writes an wonderful story of Mary, the historical events and all of the details was amazing. It is so much in this story that I love, I could go on and on, but you have an idea what this book is about. And I agree with others that this book needs to be read before Christmas and before Easter. It is a great way to ready your heart for the Celebration of each of these holidays. If you have friends and family that love reading, and don't know the Lord, this would be the most amazing book for them to read. The Gospel is told throughout this book in a wonderful way. This is a must read for every Christian!<br />&#34;I received this book from the author for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed in this review are my own.&#34;", "timestamp": 1476502162000, "title": "Love this Biblical Fiction!" }, { "asin": "1501822608", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is an awesome devotional for the month of December. Ace Collins take us through each day of December with a different insight about the one we celebrate on Christmas day, Jesus Christ. I have enjoyed this devotional because each day I am reminded of the birth of or Savior, and it I can read about Him and Worship Him in a new way each day. There is also a lot of fun things throughout the pages of this books. You will find nice recipes, the meaning behind the words of songs, Christmas traditions, Christmas carols and some movies. I am really enjoying my time spent in this little book, and I will save it for years to come.<br />I highly recommend The Most Wonderful Time of the Year for your special Christmas devotions. received this book from Litfuse to read and review. I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1481771391000, "title": "Awesome Christmas Devotional" }, { "asin": "0718086422", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />For me, it was difficult to get interested in this story until after the first several chapters, but then, the story opens up into raw emotions about what truly happens to families that go into full time ministry, especially as missionaries to another country. Through fiction, this author shares the feelings and truths of the real family problems that can occur. After reading this, you will feel more of a desire to pray for missionaries you know, as well as any missionaries that give up their lives as they know it to go into an unknown place and share the gospel of Christ. Remember to pray for those taking the gospel to the places in the world that would not hear unless someone comes to tell them.<br />This is a must read if you believe God is calling you to the mission fields. It could very well help families know more about what to expect.<br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1483588639000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK For me, it was ..." }, { "asin": "1401685978", "rating": 3, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK <br />Charlotte and Daniel are in love, but the problem is Charlotte is an Englisher, and she doesn’t seem to want to do anything about joining the Amish faith to be with Daniel for the rest of their lives. Daniel is getting so frustrated because he loves Charlotte, but the Bishop is putting the pressure on him because if there relationship is to go on, Charlotte needs to be doing something to lead them all to believe she is thinking about joining their faith. Even though she has lived in the Amish community for a long time, and considers the Amish as her family.<br />This book doesn’t have a lot going on, the main issue is Charlotte and Daniel’s disturbing relationship. Which makes this book much slower than the first two books in this series. This one is just lacking something, not an interesting. But, all in all, I would have read it anyway to see what happens at the end of the series, and to tie up some loose ends. Pick u this last book in Beth Wiseman’s An Amish Secrets Series. I received this book from Booklook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1508817344048, "title": "... THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Charlotte and Daniel are in love, but the problem is Charlotte is an Englisher" }, { "asin": "1683223357", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />This first Christmas story, ‘Christmas in Gold’ is about and elderly lady named Astrid who fell down steps at home and her son and daughter decides to move her to an assisted living facility near her son’s house. Trouble is, he travels all of the time and is hardly home. So after much downsizing her son gets her moved in, he has to leave and the daughter can’t come to help either, so ….has fun decorating her new apartment. Except she couldn’t find her God Christmas ornaments, so guess her son didn’t bother to bring them. Then She starts making new friends at her new place, specifically her therapist. They both needed a friend and despite their age difference they hit it off. So we’re able to be there for each other.<br /><br />This is a good story, but it started off very slow for me. After probably halfway through it gets better. There’s a little bit of drama here but not much. Christmas did turn out different than I expected. The characters are interesting and realistic, and the author shows that no matter the circumstances, we can be happy and useful in whatever stage of life we are in. The God will walk with us.<br /><br />❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️<br /><br />This second story ‘Christmas in Blue’ for me, is much better. Carole, who has always taken care of the Christmas to Remember event each year passed away leaving her best friend, Angela to follow in her footsteps. And of course she was chosen to do the Christmas to Remember event as well. But things didn’t go so smoothly, and time was running out, and besides that, they only Christmas decorations they could find was blue. Everything. Blue. Which the town wasn’t going to like. Then a mystery person appeared, helping diligently to make the Celebration a success.<br /><br />I enjoyed this story a lot. It was really special to see a twin come together. But the end results was surprisingly very well done. Makes for a very cozy Christmas story to read during the holidays! Especially if there comes a pretty snowfall!<br /><br />This is a beautiful book! I love blue so the colors are just what I like. I encourage you to pick up a copy of The Colors of Christmas for hours of cozy, clean fun entertainment! A complementary copy of this book was provided by TLC Tours. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1509065101398, "title": "Cozy Christmas read" }, { "asin": "1420144839", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Liza Schrock in content running the bakery her late husband bought for her, and has no need for another man in her life. Paul was enough for a lifetime of men for her. Until Jacob Graber and his daughter Ellie walks into her bakery and her life.<br /><br />I enjoyed this sweet Amish story, though some of the time it was a bit slow and things were repeated often. Lisa was happy to be rid of her demanding husband and could now live without fear of his abusive behavior. Though she reacts to Jacob differently than any other man, she is still content with being alone. But Jacob is determined to win Lisa over. I didn’t really care for Jacob’s attitude in several areas. He was rather pushy, even asking Lisa’s family personal questions that were none of his business at the time. And I didn’t like the way he talked to his daughter Ellie about how he felt over his wife’s death, how he missed her too, and needed a friend. To me, this just added to Ellie’s negative feelings, and made Jacob a bit self centered, which is not how Amish men are to act. Soles he sounded like more the whiny child. And I could understand Ellie’s feelings. She had lost her mom after all, and was at the age to question Amish life. And with her dads feelings and attitude all over the place she needed more stability than him.<br /><br />This story jumps around a lot, it deals with a lot of issues lightly but it doesn’t get too deep in any of them. For Amish fiction lovers, you will enjoy Lisa’s story. The ending is much better than the rest of the book so hang in there and keep reading!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1517488805654, "title": "I enjoyed this sweet Amish story" }, { "asin": "0718091159", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Amish Sweethearts is a collection of four Amish stories written by author Amy Clipston. In each of these stores, the main character has some pretty hefty issues to deal with. But they also each find the person they want to spend their life with. And sometime the Amish Father is hard to get along with, which several of these characters had to deal with as well. Ms. Clipston does a wonderful job of weaving lives, circumstances, hurts and wrong decisions together, and coming up with stories that will warm your heart.<br /><br />Overall I enjoyed this book, but I do have a problem with the publisher, publishing two stories that have already previously been published in similar books, and not that kings ago. It’s like getting half a book new and the other half used. And charge the same price. Hopefully this will not be the case again. This is the reason for the 4 stars instead of 5.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1517551284649, "title": "the main character has some pretty hefty issues to deal with" }, { "asin": "1683700406", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The Melody of the Soul is an emotional, heartbreaking read, but yet interesting as we meet Violinist Anna Zadok, a Christian Jew, and her grandmother. With the Nazi’s occupation in Prague, Anna and her grandmother lost family, and Anna lost the right to play her beloved violin. When Nazi officer Horst Engel hears Anna play, enjoys the music so much he makes a way for her to keep playing.<br /><br />As one that plays several musical instruments, I always enjoy books where music has such a huge part in the lives of its characters, as did this book. And the soft side of a Nazi officers love of music was a special touch to the story as well. The characters are well developed as the story progresses. And the author does a fantastic job of weaving the beautiful historical scenes of Praque and the horrors and graphics of WWll, making an enjoyable read for everyone. If you love WWll stories, This is one you want to check out!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1517942859721, "title": "I always enjoy books where music has such a huge part in ..." }, { "asin": "0718099397", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />NFL player Toren Daniels just couldn’t control his anger, no matter what. But when he wakes up in a hotel room, not remembering where he’s been for the past 8 month, his anger is gone. This throws Daniels on a whirlwind to find out where he’s been for the past eight months, as well as prove to his wife and family that he has changed! But with his family believing Toren is dead, they have moved on.<br /><br />I have to admit, I’ve never read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but this author did a very good job of describing what it is about throughout this book, so it was easy to follow the parallel of the two stories. I though I had this plot firgured out, and I actually did get part of it right, but getting to the bottom of Toren’s story and the end of book, author James Rubart takes readers in an unbelievable journey that will stick with you for a long time! Rubarts books are the only fantasy type books I read, and I read them because I love the way he takes Bible principles and a character like Toren with his severe anger issues and weaves them together to show God’s love, mercy and forgiveness. His expertise knowledge and research for this story is evident in each scene in this book. Sometimes I had to just stop and wrap my mind around all of the details before reading further. I found “The Man He Never Was” an amazing book on God’s love. If you enjoy books that strongly applys Bible principals to the lives of the characters in a fantasy type way, you will love this book. And if you have never read a book of this genre, this would be a good one to start with!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1521526071725, "title": "Awesome Story!" }, { "asin": "1496421523", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />I loved this book. So much so that I hated having to put it down for the non important things such as cleaning house or cooking dinner! Just Let Go was so realistic, so much like people everywhere today. And I love the Title because letting go and Letting God in on our problems would be so much easier than trying to fix them ourselves.<br /><br />Quinn and Brady both had so many issues to fight through. But first they have to like each other because they didn’t get off to a very good start. Both had anger issues caused by heir past and they just didn’t want to let the past go. Would a real relationship work for the two?<br /><br />Along with my love of story, the characters are fantastic and they make the story so much more interesting. Ms. Walsh deals with a lot issuess that so many people face today, it’s hard to pinpoint just one. And the plot flows so smoothly. I appreciate that this book is full of love and redemption, caring and loving people. This is an amazing Contemporary Fiction for anyone looking for a good clean fun read.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1530755538746, "title": "This is an Amazing Story!" }, { "asin": "1624167470", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The idea of a Hope Jar, or a Prayer Jar is a pretty neat idea! And Michelle finding it was good because that’s what she needed in her life at the time. I somehow find it unbelievable though how Michelle ended up with this Amish family. That grandparents would take a young lady in under those circumstances. And I was really irritated at Michelle for her actions and attitude. I did feel bad for the Lapps because they fell in love with Michelle.<br /><br />But I think my heart broke mostly for Sara. She was the one who had to suffer the most. I wish there would have been more about Sara in this story, but hopefully another book will have her story. All in all that was a good story, the characters were realistic, making me feel as though I had met new neighbors. If you love Amish, you will love this story<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1534876862140, "title": "The Hope Jar" }, { "asin": "0718083040", "rating": 5, "text": "I have enjoyed Robert Whitlow’s books for a while now, and this one it just as amazing as his previous books. I appreciate the fact that he write about issues that the world struggles with currently. I’m a time where there is so much hatred because of a person’s color, race, background, or just because people don’t like another person, Whitlow’s book Chosen People brings to light the need for everyone to respect others, reguardless of who they are. Imagine what would happen if everyone read this book and followed what Whitlow is saying to everyone. And though fiction, this book hits the nail on the head about issues happening today. Things that are going on today in the families and lives of everyone. Oh that we might heed his voice and his words. I strongly encourage everyone to check this book out. And if you think it’s for you, then read a copy and see what you think.<br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1549609867320, "title": "What a Good Read" }, { "asin": "168322826X", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Ladies of Intrigue is a collection of three stories written by Michelle Griep. I didn’t realize these Novellas were previously published, so I had read a couple of them already! Don’t you just hate when this happens? A new book with stories you have already read! But it was good to refresh my memory of these stories.<br /><br />It starts on Cornish Coast in 1815 when the First Lady of Intrigue falls in love with s smuggler. Not exactly what she had planned to do. Then on to Dakota Territory in 1862 with the second Intrigung Lady, Emily and Dr. Clark. I’ve always enjoyed a stories set in the Dakota Territory, and I enjoyed this one, especially with the doctoring techniques of this century. And the third Intriguing Lady is found in St. Paul Minnesota and the House of Secrets. This haunted house had the worst most haunting secrets of all!<br /><br />All three of these stories will sure keep your interest, from the historical fact that we always find in a Michelle Griep story to the haunting mysteries each of these stories hold. You are sure to get a taste of the exceptional writing of this author!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1551073892869, "title": "An Collection if Intriguing Tales" }, { "asin": "031034817X", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />First of all I love this book cover! It is what Dee me to this book! And I love Kelly Irvin’s books as well! And this was such a special read! Laura and Zechariah are both getting on in years, both feeling as though their work on this earth is finished, but God may have other plans! Laura’s helping in Zechariah’s granddaughter after having her Nablus results in the two elderly people getting together, and they realize they are needed.<br /><br />This is a beautiful heartwarming story set in the beautiful Amish community in Jamesport, Missouri. Ms. Irvin does a fantastic job of creating characters that we will all love as they weave their way into our hearts throughout this story. They plot flows well, and kept my interest throughout the story. I like that Redemption, love, and faith were woven into the characters lives! This is a story you don’t wasn’t to miss, especially if you are an Amish fan!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1551334152740, "title": "Beautiful heartwarming story" }, { "asin": "0785219706", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Glory Road is a quiet, small place where Jessica owns a thriving garden shop, and lives with her daughter and mom. She moved back to Glory Road years ago after devorcing the husband that decided he wanted someone else and not her. Jessica lives her quiet life and was content with her small family. That is until two handsome, very different men came into her life. One she had never met, one that lived on Glory Road when they were growing up. And life is just not the same as before these two men arrive.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I love the characters, they were all fantastic! Jessica and her quirky mom has such different personalities, and I can see a little off Evan in both of the ladies. Three strong women, two of which have suffered heartbreaking issues life has thrown them, all determined to stay strong and fight to strive in this world. I love Glory Road and the atmosphere surrounding the place! It all seems olive somewhere in a dream, yet so close and realistic. It’s a place I would sure want to live. Ms. Denton does a really good job weaving together the differences between Ben and Sumner, and with Jessica struggling to make a decision between the two. Of course I fell in love with Ben from the beginning, so I was cheering for him all along! But you have to read the book for the rest of that story!<br /><br />Glory Road is a sweet calming read for me. It’s like settling down at home for a nice relaxing stay. It’s that book you want to read when you need a few days of relaxing. It’s a book that I highly recommend to anyone wanting a nice clean time of enjoyment through books!<br /><br />I received this book from JustReads Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1553618781544, "title": "A really awesome heartwarming read!" }, { "asin": "0785216642", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Everleigh Applegate and Beck Holiday, separated by fifty years, but joined together by devastating loss, secrets, and men who want to give them happiness again. Rachel Hauck has written another amazing story that will fill our minds and take us on a journey that will stay with us long after we close the pages of this book!<br /><br />Another story that I love, love, love! The characters are so realistic I can feel the pain they have suffered while reading the words describing their feelings. Everleigh’s story is written around the era I was born and my early years, which I always love to read about. And Rachel Hauck is the very best when it comes to writing time slip stories. I love the way she goes from one era to the other so fluently and make the plot play out so smoothly. There are a number of issues dealt with in this book, starting with Beck being suspended from her job as a cop because of misconduct. Though I can understand her going off, it was just the wrong place and at the wrong time. My heart went out to Beck and Everleigh because of the lifechanging losses they had to deal with. And Ms. Hauck dealt with these losses and changes with class! And I can’t leave out the men that came into both of these ladies lives. Both Don and Bruno were humble characters, dealing with somewhat the same issues in their lives. And their decisions were made easier by their friendship with these ladies. And if you want to know all of the details and what happens with Everleigh and Beck, I highly recommend you pick up a copy of The Memory House.<br /><br />I received this book from Read with Audra to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1555137130100, "title": "Absolutely Wonderful Read" }, { "asin": "1683229339", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The book of Ruth has always been a favorite story of the Bible for me, so I was happy that I could read and review “Shadows Among Sheaves.” It sure made the story interesting that the setting for this story was Victorian England and Rena was an Indian girl, and I really liked both characters. And the two characters faced many difficult situations because to Rena’s heratige. But Lord Barric was a little different. Even though he was gracious in helping Rena and Nell, for me, his character was just not what I have always thought Boaz was like. Lord Barric was just plain out mean at times, and I didn’t like his attitude, especially toward Rena.<br /><br />However the writing here is phenomenal. The author clearly did a lot of research before writing this story, and though this is Ms. Stephen’s debut novel, she her writing seems as though she is a seasoned writer, and this I did love. The only quirk I have with the story is the scenes that didn’t feel appropriate for Christian fiction. And there are several words or phrases that I feel could have been left out or changed because for me, they are a little strong for Christian fiction. And this gives this book 4 stars. But overall, this is still a book I encourage you to read and you can decide for yourself. I will certainly be looking for more from this author.<br /><br />A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I was not expected to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally my own view of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.<br /><br />", "timestamp": 1556793698025, "title": "A retelling of Ruth and Naomi" }, { "asin": "0718075684", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK <br /><br />Wow! Another interesting book by Elizabeth Byler Younts. Brighton Friedrich was born in Riverside Home, an asylum for the mentally ill because her mom was there at the time. She made many friends there, after all she was there until she was an adult. One was Angel, an albino that wasn’t mentally ill, but his wealthy family didn’t want him. I’ve always heard that asylums in the early to mid 1900’s treated their patients horrible, and that’s what happens in this book. But for one nurse that grew to love Brighton.<br /><br />The title of this book didn’t prepare me for what was coming between the pages. This was definitely not an easy book to read. Sometimes it was hard to keep reading, yet I did, because I wanted to find out how the story ended. Ms. Younts goes into so much detail about the treatment of the patients, which really angered me, they used anything to control them. I’m glad much more has been found out about mentally ill patients today and there is help.<br /><br />The characters in this story grew on me. I fell in love with Brighton and Angel, and ‘Nursey’ as Brighten called her, was the only reason they survived. I did have a difficult time with how the nurse treated Brighten at one time though. And the escape from the home could have been handled differently but maybe during that era in time it was the only way.<br /><br />Over all, this is a fantastic read. A very different read, for sure. This is why I wanted to review this book, because I know it would be unique. So I encourage you to check out The Bright Unknown if this is an issue that interest you.<br /><br />A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.", "timestamp": 1572612292243, "title": "An interesting read" }, { "asin": "0310332591", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK <br /><br />Being back in his home town in Colorado, Nate wasn’t especially excited about how the town folks would receive him. But with Brenna living across the street from his brother, with whom he was staying, he was about to find out. Issues between the two families have been strained for many years, with no show for then to ever be any different.<br /><br />I love, love this story! Terri Blackstock is one of my favorite authors, her books exceed all of my expectations for a book! Smoke Screen is so professionally written, the characters seem like old friends, the plot is so realistic, it’s like a story that can be found in anyone’s town or community. Nate and Brenna quickly stole a piece of my heart, because of the past they could have had, if not for their fathers. Their supporting characters were honest, but sometimes a little difficult on the two.<br /><br />I was quite intrigued about Nate’s job of being a smokejumper. And I enjoyed the detailed information about the job included in the story. Ms. Blackstock did well in her research. And as far as Brenna, her situation is too familiar these days. My heart hurt for her so much. And her ex was a good for nothing conceded jerk, to put it nicely. With this part of the story, as well as how people acted was very well thought out and described in vivid detail as well.<br /><br />There really wasn’t anything I didn’t like about this book. The mystery behind who the real guilty person was, the misunderstanding of the people, and the romance added in was enough for a really amazing story and Terri Blackstock did not disappoint at the end either. She gave her readers an Heartwarming ending that will sure stick with me for a while.<br /><br />A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.<br /><br />", "timestamp": 1573977449350, "title": "Another amazing read by Terri Blackstock" }, { "asin": "0764231820", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Black Heart is not a name anyone would want tagged as their name, but Major Phillip Camden wore the name loudly since his entire squadton lost their lives. Everyone but Camden. Now he is being blamed. But after spending time with Phillip, nurse Arabelle Denler sees him differently.<br /><br />This is another amazing book by author Roseanna White. Fron the first page, I was hooked on this story. Again, i was fascinated by the jobs of the code breakers. It’s a job I would have loved, though it had it’s moments. I liked Phillip from the beginning. Maybe because I felt sorry for him? But he just seemed like a nice guy. And Ara felt the same, especially the more she spent time with him. I was happy when she wanted to do what she could to help him. These are both truly wonderful characters. And the other characters are well thought out and created as well. The story is very well written and held my attention, so much so that I didn’t want to put it down.<br /><br />There’s much going on in this story. Too much to talk about here, and I don’t want to ruin the book for you. I highly recommend On Wings of Devotion. This is a story you are sure to love. Especially if you enjoy historical fiction!<br />A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.<br /><br />", "timestamp": 1579060654113, "title": "Love this really good historical fiction!" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764207563", "rating": 5, "text": "This was my first book by Karen Witemeyer, and I LOVED IT! I love her fun style of writing. I just couldn't help falling in love with Adelaide and Gideon. Adelaide was fun, and spunky, but when she set her mind to something, she was bound and determined to do it! She was a gal that knew what she wanted, and wasn't afraid to go after it, even though she might be a bit clumsy in the going. Going after what she thought was her man didn't turn out like she thought it would. That's what landed her at Gideon's Sheep Farm interviewing for a job as Governess to his 5 year old daughter. Her mouth also seemed to get her into a lot of trouble too.....like in saying before you think! But it always seemed to turn out for her good.<br /><br />Gideon.....well he was just adorable from the beginning. I loved him from the first time he saw Adelaide in the barn. Though his and Adelaide's first few meeting were kind of awkward, he seemed to adore her from the beginning. I just loved Karen's way of bringing them together in a fun enjoyable way that made you just want to keep reading to see what would happen next. But would Gideon hire Adelaide over the two older and more experienced ladies that were also at the farm for the interview? Even though Adelaide had taught school for a few years, was she capable of taking care of this 5 year old that couldn't speak?<br /><br />I admired both Gideon and Adelaide's relationship with the Lord, and their willingness to seek Him in every decision they needed to make. The way they trusted the Lord when Isabella's uncle came to claim the child and her inheritance.<br /><br />This was only Karen Witemeyer's second book, but I had to check her website again to make sure she had only written 2 books! She truly writes like an experienced writer, and I will sure be reading her first book \"Tailor-Made Bride\" and also her third book \"To Win Her Heart\" coming in April 2011.", "timestamp": 1300383958000, "title": "Awesome Story line, wonderful author!" }, { "asin": "1603742557", "rating": 5, "text": "MY REVIEW<br />This is a story of mainly Jacob Miller and Becky Troyer, two young people from Amish communities in different states. Jacob's father sends him to a cousin who lives in a rural Missouri town to hopefully change his mind about his sweetheart in Pennsylvania. That's the one thing Jacob's daed forgot to tell him though, Jacob though he was only moving to help out his cousin on the farm. As for Becky, she ends up with a boppli and single because of her wild rumspringa time. Upon Jacob's arrival at their farm, there was a noticeable attraction between the two of them from the beginning. But Becky knew when Jacob found out about her secret, he would never come near her, and with Jacob, there was someone back home named Susie. Jacob noticed that Becky never smiled, and after he found out about her daughter, he knew something bad had happened, so he decided to make it his priority to be her friend and eventually bring her smile back.<br />Even though Becky has been before her church and confessed her sins, being shunned for 6 weeks because of them, can she overcome her past and trust another man into her live to love and trust?<br />And what about Jacob's sweetheart Susie back home, they are to me married during the Amish marriage season in December. Will their time away from each other prove their forever love, or will his attraction to Becky grow stronger, maybe even as far as loving her?<br />I loved this book from Laura Hilton. In her writing this, she shows that being Amish is not always a perfect life. During the rumspringa years, some young people make bad decisions that will affect the rest of their lives. In most of the Amish books I have read, the daed was always the harsh type, almost as far as being just mean. It was clear they loved their children, but they tried to keep the `head of the house' rule strict I guess. But in Patchwork Dreams this was different. I really liked the attitude of Becky's parents Daniel and Leah. Daniel wasn't afraid to hug his girls anywhere, letting them know his love for them. He didn't agree with the Bishop on all things concerning Becky. (Don't want to tell you all so you can read and find out for yourself.) Becky's mamm even suggested the family would move to another Amish community to keep Becky from being forced to hurtful situations. This was just really heartwarming to me, to see her parents love and support for her. And the way they loved her daughter Emma, well the heartwarming love was easy to feel as you read the story.<br />If you love Amish, this is a must read! If you don't know, or haven't read any Amish books, then this would be a great start for you! I can't wait for the second book in this series to be out. The series is `The Amish of Seymour' and you can look for it, I think around fall of 2011.<br />A huge THANK YOU to Laura Hilton for providing me a copy of this book to read. I love the way Laura tells the story, and the characters she creates, making them real life. I didn't want the book to end!<br />The book review and the opinions are totally mine. It was my honor to write the review for Laura", "timestamp": 1303869867000, "title": "Heartwarming Amish Fiction" }, { "asin": "0781403790", "rating": 5, "text": "Arleta Richardson remembers stories her grandma told her from years ago when she was young. These stories in Book One range from the author remembering stories about Grandma's Red Bonnet, Grandma's Prayer, Pearl Buttons, Little Gray Shoes, and my favorite The Pump. In this one, someone told Grandma not to do something, and of course she did it anyway, and she suffered for it for a long time. You will find twenty one loving little stories as the author remembers her Grandma in this book.<br /><br />I chose this book because I remember the days I sat with my Grandma and she told me stories of when she was a child and of when my dad, aunt and uncle was a child. I wanted to read someone elses tales of the older days. This was a really nice getaway from other books I read. I laughed, cried, and enjoyed each heartwarming story as I read them. And of course I was sad realizing just as with my Grandma, life goes on after they are gone, and we miss them so much. But what a blessing that we can remember those we love in such ways. The author had a special relationship with her grandma that she always remembered. I recommend this book to anyway wanting a good fun getaway from life as it is. And it is good for any age group.<br /><br />The book was given to me by the publisher through B&B Media Group. I appreciate being able to read and review this book for them. I was not expected to give a positive review. The opinions of this review are mine only.<br /><br />Purchase From Amazon", "timestamp": 1305054158000, "title": "In Grandma's Attic Stories" }, { "asin": "1595548114", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br />Despite her father not being supportive, Lucy Fairbanks' love of photography leads her to many places in her community, trying to capture the moment with her camera. Unfortunately that landed her into many unexplainable situations. How can you explain falling out of a tree on the top of a stagecoach being robbed by three bandits, scaring the horses into taking off with the stagecoach, Lucy on top, leaving the bandits behind? Or when trying to sneak a picture of the wild man, ending up in a sink hole, pulling wild man David Wolf in with her? And this is just a few times Lucy Fairbanks gets into trouble in this story. And why does David always seem to show up during Lucy's troubled situations? Will Lucy finally succumb to her many difficulties trying to be a photographer and find another career? And what will people think of her and wild man Wolf?<br />A Vision of Lucy was a wonderful story of Lucy and her love of taking pictures. The fascinating thing about the camera was the historical time setting and cameras in that time in history. Though I have seen them in movies, I'd never read anything about them. The author's research and knowledge of cameras in the early days was evident in the way she explained them in detail. This added historical detail made the story much more interesting. I love the characters the author created as well. They were witty, fun, funny, secretive, and nosy, and each fit the story line perfectly. The humor in this book makes it a great enjoyable book to relax and read. My pick for the funniest scene by far is Lucy falling out of the tree onto the stagecoach. And Lucy was so lovable I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen to her. I feel this book is very well written by the author Margaret Brownley. She has the ability to keep you interested enough to not want to stop reading until the last page! And I would recommend this book to anyone, especially those who love Historical Fiction. You will not be waiting your time reading this!<br />Thanks to the Author Margaret Brownley for providing a copy of \"A Vision of Lucy\" for me to read, it was an honor to read and review . I was not expected to give a positive review of this book. The opinions in this review are mine alone.<br /><br />Publisher Website<br /><br />Authors Website", "timestamp": 1306524270000, "title": "\"A Vision of Lucy\" and her Antique Cameras! Loved it!" }, { "asin": "0764208942", "rating": 5, "text": "This book is just simply beautiful inside and out! The romance between Clara and Daniel is enough to make you want to drool. Elizabeth Camden's debut book is one of the best debut books I have read in a while. Daniel was the poor guy, making friends with rich daddy's girl Clara Endicott because of the type of music they shared. As the years go by and the couple gets older, daddy sends his girl across the ocean to be raised by her aunt because he can see the chemistry growing between them. As they meet again twelve years later they realize that they were still not only best friends but sparks begin to sky rocket as the two of them start spending time together. But Daniel is so bitter about the way his parents died will he be able to put all of that behind him? And will Clara marry him if he doesn't mend relationships and changed his heart, or let God change his heart?<br /><br />Clara's dad really irritated me because of his attitude and I am really glad that Clara was independent enough to stand up for herself. I enjoyed the determination of Clara and Daniel to be together even against the odds. The author created a cast of unique and believable characters that you grow to love, some as your own family, and some that you shy away from. This book captured me from the first pages to the very end! I just couldn't put it down! And oh, by the way, I LOVE the book cover. The model so beautifully wears the gorgeous blue dress and the colors are so soft and inviting. And this is one book that you can judge by its cover! And check this out over on the LifeWay blog, its post for this day is the making of the cover of The Lady of Bolton Hill at Bethany House. Wonderful post and very interesting!<br /><br />And also go here on the LifeWay blog Q & A With Elisabeth Camden about this debut book.<br /><br />I received this book free from Bethany House book review 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 55.<br /><br /> Purchase this book at AMAZON", "timestamp": 1311089320000, "title": "Awesome Debut book and love story!" }, { "asin": "082542674X", "rating": 5, "text": "For Shelia Franklin, a phone call comes that will change her life forever. She will finally get to meet him, someone from her past that she's wanted to meet for over 20 years. Now she will have her time with him.<br />This book is full of secrets. Shelia has been secretly guarding her life's long time skeleton for many years from everyone, even her husband. What would he think of her if the truth really came out? Would it destroy their marriage? Her husband's church? As she gets ready to meet her main secret, she can't think about anything but him. What will happen with Sheila and the secrets that she has kept so close to her heart? Will her husband understand and stand behind her, or will he let her deal with the issues herself?<br /><br />This is my first book of Patti Lacy's and I was captivated by the writer's ability to tell a story so realistic and powerful. The way the characters are so beautifully woven together you not only see secrets and deception, heartbreaks and sadness, but you see love, forgiveness, grace and redemption through Christ in their lives throughout the story. The unique rhythm in the musical background gave the story a special smoothness, even through all of the difficulties.<br /><br />Even though this book started out slow for me, it just took a while to get into it, I enjoyed reading it very much. I would recommend this wonderful story to anyone who loves Christian fiction. It will be worth the time you spend reading it.<br /><br />This book was provided by Kregel Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine alone.", "timestamp": 1314300528000, "title": "A story full of Secrets but enjoyable" }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 4, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Helen Carlisle is now a widow, after her husband was killed in the military. But she wasn't the grieving widow everyone thought she was. In fact, she was glad her husband was gone, because of his abuse, which no one would ever believe. That is until Ray came upon the scene, and he figured it out, to which Helen denied that anything bad happened between she and Jim. No one could find out about the abuse, because Jim was so nice and sweet around everyone else, not one would believe Helen. She was just a cripple after all, and the way she stumbled around caused all of her accidents, so Jim told everyone.<br /><br />This is my first book by Sarah Sundin, I haven't read the other books in this series, but I still enjoyed this one! I like that the author deals with spousal abuse in this book, something that truly needs to be dealt with. And just like in the book, the abuser blames the one he's abusing. Helen was blessed that Ray found out, but then he left her for a while, not helping. And it was a double blessing when she found a way to leave her in-laws house and the abuse from Jim's father. I hope anyone reading this book that is dealing with an abusive situation will realize that there is help, and go find it!<br /><br />I also liked Ray and Helen. Ray was so gracious and kind, wanting to help Helen, even if she didn't want his help at first. He loved the Lord, which was evident in the way he lived. Helen was so sweet, and she wanted to raise her son the right way, not abusing the women in his life. Her self confidence was trampled on more than once by jerks that call themselves men. But I am glad there was a happy ending, and Helen was able to have a happy life, away from abuse and critical, hateful things said about her handicap condition.<br /><br />This book was provided by Revell Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1314500292000, "title": "Blue Skies Tomorrow, Great Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0800719964", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Amish Values for Your Family...........by Suzanne Woods Fisher<br /><br />Amish Values for Your Family is one of the best books I have read about the Amish life! For many years, I've been fascinated with their lifestyle. I think the reason I cherish and respect the Amish lifestyle is because our family was brought up a lot like them as far as the working conditions. We grew our own food and put it up for the winter. We butchered our own beef and pork, milked our own cows, we had electricity but no TV and no indoor bathrooms. Our faith was different, but we lived on a farm and worked! And life was slower for us, we spent time together as a family, my parents and grandparents always took time for us. Yes, we had nothing as far as material things, but we were truly blessed with parents and grandparents that love the Lord an loved us enough to give us their time and teach us to live for the Lord. They are all in Heaven now, but their legacy lives on in the lives of their children, grandchildren and great-children, until we see them again.<br /><br />There are many values I can mention but I will mention the time they spend together as a family. I know firsthand how important this is. Even though we have things to entertain us, if we would just schedule valuable family time each week we would see a huge difference in our kids, teens and our families. And I have to mention the faith and trust they have in the Lord, and this resulting in the forgiving spirit they all have. The forgiving spirit is the one thing I wish was stronger in my life. Sometime I wonder just how they can be that way! It is because they want to be like Christ!<br /><br />I loved reading this book, and will keep it with my stash of books! I enjoyed the family stories and how they live. I appreciate the author taking time to research and interview to write this valuable book. My pray is that we as Christians will strive to take these principles to heart and try to incorporate them in our daily lives.<br /><br />I was provided a copy of this book by LitFuse Publicity Group in exchange for a review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1314931299000, "title": "Awesome book on the Amish family life" }, { "asin": "1400318033", "rating": 5, "text": "Thank you God for Blessing Me...by Max Lucado<br />This little book about little Hermie is so beautiful and adorable. It is just right for a small child with the thick board pages and story just long enough to keep their attention. This little Caterpillar is just the cutest little creature and is thankful for everything and everyone around him.<br />Max Lucado has such a wonderful way with words for adults as well as children. I love the way he uses little creatures to teach children about God. My 2 year niece grabbed this book as soon as I took it from the mailer and said, `this is mine!' She not only loves for me to read it to her she loves to read it herself looking at the awesome illustrations and telling her own story about Hermie.<br />You won't go wrong getting this book for your little one. Teach them to choose books about God while they are still young. And what a wonderful way to interact with your children, by reading to them!<br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1317785427000, "title": "Wonderful Chidren book about giving God thanks." }, { "asin": "0310332311", "rating": 5, "text": "Shadow in Serenity By: Terri Blackstock<br /><br />Even though Logan Brisco was smooth talking and a con artist, he still sometimes has feelings of wanting to be part of a family, which he didn't have. Being in the little town of Serenity, Texas for a week or so brought those feelings back on goodtime, especially after he started having feelings for Carny. Carny knows how people like Logan works because her mom and dad were con's too and trained her to do the same thing. Thankfully she was over that life for good and had no intensions of going back.<br /><br />I appreciate that Terri brought back one of her old novels, re-writing it as a Christian fiction. Though I can't imagine someone like Logan, I know they do exist and con a lot of people out of their money and belongings so I'm glad to read a reminder of those kind. Despite him being a con, I liked Logan, and especially after he started spending so much time with Carny. His character was believable because he played his part so well, thanks to the author! In fact, the author created really believable characters for the entire book, and I enjoyed getting to know them throughout the book.<br /><br />This was a fun and interesting read, and I enjoyed it very much. I appreciate the author showing the necessity to living for the Lord and letting Him work through our lives. I don't want to tell too much to give the story away, but this is one you need to read! If for no other reason, read it because Terri Blackstock took the time to give us a Christian version of this book!<br /><br />Shadow in Serenity was provided by the publisher, Zondervan in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1320031078000, "title": "Shadow In Serenity, A Great Re-write." }, { "asin": "0310330432", "rating": 5, "text": "Callie is in Shipshewana just long enough to sell the little quilt shop she inherited from her aunt, because she has no desire to reopen the shop. Everything starts to change though when Callie meets some of Amish people in the community, especially Deborah Yoder. Through Deborah and these other Amish ladies, Callie finds out that her aunt's shop is not just for tourists, but a place for some of the Amish ladies to get together and work on their quilts. The more she gets to know these ladies and the people of Shipshewana, the less she wants to return to Texas and her life there. But can she successfully make a go of it if she reopens the shop?<br />And another surprising twist to the story is when the local newspaper editor ends up dead, and Callie is a major suspect, well, she can't just run off. She needs to do whatever she can to clear her name. Which may be a little bit difficult since Callie is so straight forward and speaks her peace when someone tries to tell things untrue about her, like publishing something in the local newspaper to destroy her reputation.<br />For me, this was a wonderful Amish story with a twist of suspense to it. The storyline and the characters just draw you in as we following Callie and her life in Shipshewana. Just when you think you have things figured out, there's another twist and fingers are pointing to someone else.<br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and if you like just a good Amish read with a little extra jolt of suspense, then you will love this book as well. So go grab a copy for yourself, read and enjoy it!<br />This book was provided by the publisher, Zondervan in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1325875037000, "title": "Falling to Pieces, a wonderful Amish story with a twist" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 5, "text": "Faith and her grandfather had lost so much, the only way Faith thought they could be happy again was to take off on the Oregon Trail and start a new life in the West. This has been Faith's dream for a while, and now it was making her grandfather realize the same thing. But getting him to leave their home in the small Missouri town of Noble Springs was not going to be easy.<br />But then things started happening that drew Faith to their home, even though Faith wasn't aware of it yet.<br />Her grandfather put Faith in charge of the store, letting her run it as she pleased. This did not make a lot of the men in the area happy, but it wasn't long before these men, as well as the rest of the neighbors were warming up to Faith, accepting her as the new store manager.<br />Royal, a guy that promised Faith he would keep her ribbon and remember her while he was in the war came back in town. And though he didn't remember her or the ribbon when she asks him about it, he decided to woo her, but did he really love her?<br />Then she meets Rosemary, who becomes like a sister to Faith. Not to mention Rosemary's brother Curt, to which both Curt and Faith were attracted to each other, but neither seemed to realize it for a while.<br />Her grandfather's health issues, Curt becoming friends with her granddad and spending time with him, the break-ins, Curt always being there for her when she really needed someone.<br />But Faith just couldn't see that they should stay in Noble Springs, she was still determined to leave, after all this was her dream.<br />I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction story, with characters that I loved more and more as I continued to read the book. That is all buy Royal, this guy just irks me, I wanted him out of Faith's life to give Curt a chance! The history in the story is so very detailed you feel like you are there, walking around the little town visiting all of the shops, talking to the owners of the businesses there. I love the feel of the small town atmosphere where everyone knows everyone else, well, and everyone knows your business, which is not so good sometimes too! But still, I love it! I am looking forward to Ann Shorey's next book in this series. This is just a wonderfully good read, so go grab a copy for yourself to read and enjoy!<br />This book was provided by Revell Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1327815115000, "title": "Wonderful Historical Fiction by Ann Shorey" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "This was my first book in this series so I had fun figuring out some of the words, which I thought was neat. Maybe because some of my family no longer with us used some of the same words? And Hugh's herbal medicines would interested a lot of people today, I wonder myself if some of these remedies will work just as well as prescription medicines.<br /><br />I felt bad that Hugh was on his own thinking that someone else murdered old atte Bridge, instead of him taking his own life. Well except Hugh's new wife that is. I enjoyed the love, and trust of this couple, and the dependence they had for each other. At least Hugh knew he could talk to his wife about his feelings about the murder when he didn't have anyone else to talk with.<br /><br />This is a well written book set in this small town with characters that you grow to love and enjoy, some so humble, and some not so humble. Leaning about the 1366 culture was interesting, and I wouldn't a lot of people today love their primitive living. I really enjoyed this author's writing. As you read the book, you will see his own thoughts about different situations through the character Hugh. And Hugh and Kate is just a couple we all want living in our neighborhood!<br /><br />I recommend this book to anyone that likes historical fiction, or really anyone that just likes a good read! Grab a copy to read and enjoy for yourself!<br /><br />I received this book from Kregel Publications to participate in their blog tour. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1327815635000, "title": "Unhollowed Ground...enjoyed this book!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The year is 1813 and the War of 1812 has been underway, thus being the reason that Belinda is determined to travel aborad a British privateer in order to rescue her husband from an English prison. She's made a deal with the ships captain, Rafe Docherty and now she needs to talk her sister-in-law into going with her to be her midwife, and everything will be in line to take off. This turns out to be a not so easy task because sister-in-law Phoebe has no intentions to get on the ship. But Belinda ends up making it happen, and so the story begins.<br />Ralph is just as frustrated as Phoebe that she is on the ship, no way does he want to deal with two American women, but he finds himself attracted to her and ends up helping her along the way. I really like Rafe. Being the captain of the ship, he is tough and incharge, yet we see the caring side of him too, and especially with his feelings for Phoebe. He's been struggling with things in his past, but now we see his new stuggles with how he feels about Phoebe and thinking about a normal life with her.<br />Phoebe endures much from being lied to by Belinda, but she is a tough lady and soon we see her faith and strength and her caring personality as she tries to help Rafe with his struggles. She takes a lot off of Belinda on the trip too, and it's really sickening how Belinda is so spoiled and expectes Phoebe to wait on her. Belinda will do what it takes to get her way. She's the character in the book that gets on everyone's nerves, you gotta have them right? She's just a spoiled brat!<br />I thought this was a wonderful story and I enjoyed it immensely. The characters were very well created and developed, believable and likeable. Well that is except for Belinda, but really the story wouldn't have been as good without her! The historical setting, events, ship life, and everything was very well researched and amazingly detailed. And having been to Williamsburg several times, it was fun to imagine the setting there as I read the story. Very well thought out and written story. It will be well worth your time to grab a copy of this book to read and enjoy for yourself.<br />Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group<br />I received this book from Revell Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own.", "timestamp": 1331009055000, "title": "Heart's Safe Passage" }, { "asin": "1595549153", "rating": 5, "text": "For the men out there, what would you do if your father left town for several days, came back home with a woman and introduced her as Lucy, your new wife? Well that is just what happened to Nate Stanton. And he was not happy with his dad, to say the least. And to gain his wife's two siblings, Jed and Eileen too boot, well that was almost more than Nate could take.<br /><br />After somewhat coming to terms with the new marriage, in name only let me tell you, Nate moved his new family into his small home. Surely this would send her back where she came from, because his home was not much of a home, and small at that. But Nate ended up being the surprised one. And after a while he kind of enjoyed not coming home to a empty house. And Jed was turning out to be a lot of help on the farm, and little Eileen, well she'd just had Nate's heart from the beginning. Things could start getting very interesting around the Stanton household. But it was when secrets and deception started coming to the surface that Nate really realized what was going on. And for that, you need to read the book to find out all of the many secrets, acts of deception and of course the twists and turns to the story that make it so appealing.<br /><br />I love Colleen Coble's books. I have all of them, and have read them all as well, and this one didn't disappoint. Colleen has a way of creating characters that just draw you into the story and don't let you go. Nate and Lucy was fun and interesting as they started their life together. This is really just a nice, fun, good clean book to read and enjoy. And I'm hoping for a Book Two to enjoy more of Nate and Lucy's journey through their marriage and on their farm.<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1332792107000, "title": "Another great book from Colleen Coble" }, { "asin": "1414333218", "rating": 5, "text": "When I review a Randy Singer book, I hang on to my seat at the first page and don't let go until the very last word. Randy is absolutely one of the best suspense/thriller authors today! So if the book says `Randy Singer, just go ahead and buy it because it's going to be good!<br /><br />Readers meet Jamie Brock again, from Randy's book \"False Witness.\" Jamie has been working as an assistant DA for several years. Her mom was shot and killed 11 years earlier and she is now losing her dad to illness. And to add to that, Jamie has been assigned a murder case, the suspect being the lawyer who defended the man who killed her mom. As this story unfolds, well you just need to read the book to find out what happens, it's too much to tell her. And I don't want to spoil the book for you.<br /><br />Randy brings up some interesting questions about the death penalty in this book through the lawyer character, Mace James. How should Christians feel about it? Suppose the killer gives his life to Christ while in prison? Should he be left there to die alone since he made mistakes and bad choices? Suppose this person is really innocent? There are several other issues with the state system that are talked about in this book through the life-like believable characters created by the author.<br /><br />Being a lawyer himself, Randy Singer expertly writes stories with so much detail the reader gets a touch of a lawyer's real life when reading his books. Add to this a little suspense, drama, romance, danger, fear, and determined characters taking on the most dangerous and difficult cases, and you have a Number 1 novel that will blow you away when you read it.<br /><br />I highly recommend this terrific book to those suspense/thriller lovers out there looking for awesome books to read. And as in all of Randy's books, you will see Jesus and salvation through Him throughout the book.<br /><br />I was provided a copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review of this product. The review is my opinions only.", "timestamp": 1334450842000, "title": "Another Awesome Thriller by Randy Singer" }, { "asin": "0310250684", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Terri Blackstock is such a gifted writer. I love everything she writes including \"Downfall.\" I appreciate that Terri deals with tough issues that people deal with everyday, and always finds a workable solution, including trusting the Lord with their lives and letting Him work in and through them.<br /><br />Emily Covington wants to prove herself to everyone, assuring them that her life with drugs is over. But when things start happening to her, and since it looks like someone wants her dead, her family still had doubts about Emily's past life.<br /><br />In \"Downfall,' Terri Blackstock writes another suspense/ thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seats until the very last word. When I put the book down, all I could think about was what was gonna happen, so I would pick it back up. From the people we loved to the villains we could do without, the character were so real and true to life it was like reading something in the newspaper. And with an intriguing plot that had the many twist and turns, it was difficult to solve the mystery until it was all revealed in the end.<br /><br />If you've never read a Terri Blackstock book, you are missing a real treat. And for those fans who always come back for more of her stories, you will love the words penned in Terri's new book, \"Downfall.\"<br /><br />This book was provided by Zondervan Publishers through The Suspense Zone. I appreciate Susan and all of the work she does to promote Edgy Christian Fiction and thrillers like \"Downfall.\" I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1335069393000, "title": "Another great thriller by Terri Blackstock" }, { "asin": "0802405843", "rating": 5, "text": "Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis<br />A Texas Trails novel.....in the Morgan Family Series<br /><br />Susan Page Davis continues the Morgan family story in this second book of Texas Trails. Billie Morgan and her horse were taken by the Comanche's and thought to be dead. And that did almost happen, but Billie, or Taabe Wiapu escaped from the Indian reservation and was almost dead when Ned found her. He takes her to a convent of Nuns for her safety, and families came to see if she was their long lost daughter, and that's how the Morgan family found Billie. What a reunion that was!<br /><br />Susan Page Davis is a wonderful writer and she did not disappoint in this story. I thoroughly enjoyed the continuation of the Morgan's story, though a little flavor was added with the nuns and getting to know more about the Comanche Indians. This book deals with a lot of interesting issues that captivate you and just won't let you put the book down. We get a lot of history, learn a little about the ways on Indians, a little of what goes on in a nun setting, (though these nuns faced some interesting situations that most probably don't), faith, trust and leaning on God, and of course a little romance to spice things up.<br /><br />I highly recommend Captive Trail as well as the other books in the Texas Trails, Morgan family Series. There are six in all, so you have some reading to do. Go to River North, the fiction division of Moody Publishers and check out this wonderful series written by three different and awesome authors.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by River North. I was not expected or required to write a positive review of this book. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1337234418000, "title": "A Wonderful Book Two in the Texas Trail Series" }, { "asin": "0764209507", "rating": 3, "text": "My Own Worst Enemy By Janet Davis<br /><br />In this book, Janet Davis deals with problems all women face today. If you have ever has issues with self doubt, fear, insecurity and things such as this, then you will benefit from this book. Ms. Davis uses many of her own trials and stories as well as stories from others, friends and Biblical characters as examples of what she is talking about and teaching in this book. She breaks the book down into the many faces and many phases of life, and the choices along the way, and in each section has chapters dealing with each of these topics.<br />This book would be a good small study guide with the study questions to discuss that are included here in this book.<br />I recommend that you check out this book for your Small Groups, Sunday school class or individual study.<br />I rec'd a copy of this book from Bethany House to read and review. The opinions here are mine. I have having my honest opinion on what I feel about this book.", "timestamp": 1337241723000, "title": "My Own Worst Enemy" }, { "asin": "0764209418", "rating": 5, "text": "Patti Lacy is a new author for me so I wasn't sure what to except of her book, but I will pleasantly surprised and amazed at this wonderful new author for me. I will sure be watching for more books from Ms. Lacy in the future.<br /><br />With wonderful character that will grasp your heart in the beginning and keep it until the very end, Patti Lacy pens a contemporary story that will sure stay with you for long after you finish the book. I learned a lot about China and the Chinese culture reading this book, and sometimes the reading was difficult because of the situation.<br /><br />Joy, (and I love her name!) struggles with moving to America and her new American family. Joy's sister Kai is determined to find her, after leaving her in a Chinese orphanage, but must first win the trust of Joy/Lily's adopted parents. Join Joy/Lily as we follow her journey though her life in China and as it continues in the Americas.<br /><br />I really encourage you to grab a copy of this adoption story of love, loss and redemption to read for yourself. This will be one of the best books you have read in a while!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Bethany House for me to review and give my honest opinion, which I have.", "timestamp": 1338004334000, "title": "Great Book!! A must read!" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />When Shiloh Wainright accepts a teaching position at the White River Indian Agency in northwestern Colorado, she never dreamed of catching up with her old childhood best friend Jesse Blackwater. Though she is thrilled to see him again, and see that he is doing well after his abrupt leave almost ten years ago from her families ranch. Could their friendship rekindle now that they were back together, and now that they were nine years older than before?<br /><br />Trouble is, Shiloh is from a white family and Jesse is half-breed. Half white and half Ute Indian. Which means any attraction they might have toward each other cannot happen. A relationship between the two of them would be unheard of and forbidden.<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan writes a heartwarming and at the same time heart wrenching story about two people from completely different cultures, two completely different worlds represented here. As we follow Jesse and Shiloh's story, Kathleen takes us on a journey like no other we've been on. The differences between the Ute and white man's life is nothing to be compared. And with a dad like Jesse's, being abusive and hating both Jesse and is mother, Jesse could only find acceptance with his mother's people, the Ute.<br /><br />Shiloh wasn't the only one so drawn to Jesse, he was just so adorable! And the hurt he had always suffered, and still was suffering was heartbreaking to read about. It was a hurt that not even Shiloh could help him with. And Shiloh had her own hurt and heartache over what happened to Jesse years ago when he left the ranch.<br /><br />I had a difficult time getting into this story, but it was because of the information on the Ute Indians, and the background for the story. It was just kind of boring for me. But it then the story took off and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I was so heartbroken for Jesse that I wanted to make sure everything turn out for him ok. The story is sometimes not so easy to read, I found myself reading, but not taking it in at times because of the nature of the scenes with the Indians trying to defend what they had. Wonderful writing of the author in the vivid details of the Ute's way of life. And I appreciate the author describing God's way of salvation so plain and clear, and for showing that only God can break through those barriers and change lives.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting a really good read, and especially those who enjoy historical fiction. And if you enjoy a good old Indian story, this one is for you as well!<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1338086187000, "title": "A Love Forbidden Love Story" }, { "asin": "1595549978", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />There is one thing to say about Kim Cash, and that is, she just has it going on when it comes to writing books! \"Hope Springs\" is another outstanding book that shows us family, faith, cooking up old friendships, forgiveness and healing, and yes, and a boost of romance added to give readers a story that will keep those pages turning. Janelle, Becca and Stephanie's time spent in Hope Springs changed their life forever. I thoroughly enjoyed getting involved in the lives of these ladies throughout this story. Kim Cash will have you laughing, then crying, along with worshiping the Lord as you follow get to know these three characters. I appreciate the way Kim weaves the lives of her characters together with God and living their lives for Him. That's what Christian fiction is all about. Following characters that live for God. Oh they may not start out that way, like many of us, but through there difficulties and trials, they end up giving it all to the Lord. And Thank You Kim for giving us a book such as this.<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books 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 55.", "timestamp": 1339557398000, "title": "Hope Springs, Wonderful Book" }, { "asin": "1434764303", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />Wow, this book is incredible, I love, love it! I have only read a few of Lisa Bergren's books, and each ones just gets better!<br /><br />Cora Diehl returns to her hometown Dunnigan, Montana after spending her first year at college, to find her dad seriously ill, and a farm to take care of. Cora prays for God to someway help their family with their crops in order to make it financial for the year. But Cora wasn't expecting God to answer her prayer they way he did. Neither did Cora expect to find out secrets that would totally turn her life upside down forever. And I know there are spoilers in review already written, but I'm not going to give them here! This is where you need to read the book to find out what is happening!<br /><br />In my opinion, \"Glamorous Illusions is a masterpiece by Lisa Bergren! Lisa creates characters that are so realistic and true that sometimes it is difficult to realize you are reading a fiction story! The relationship between Cora and her parents is heartwarming, and just knowing that they literally spent everything they had to send her to college gave me chills. And when you read the book, you will see what I am talking about!<br /><br />However, Cora was always puzzled at the glamorous, expensive gift she received for her sixteenth birthday, along with all of the other birthday gifts she received, and even though her parents wasn't telling, Cora suspected they knew what was going on.<br /><br />Then the day comes that will change the lives of Cora and her family forever, and whether that be good or bad, only time will tell. And as you follow this hew happening in the lives of Cora and her family, Lisa Bergren takes you on an unforgettable trip of lifetime as Cora joins the Grand Tour with her family.<br /><br />The only thing I found that I didn't like about the book was it's ending, and having to wait for the second book to drop down from the hanging this book left. I hope the author gives us a better view of Cora's family and her choices she makes while on her tour.", "timestamp": 1339736350000, "title": "A Masterpiece from Lisa T. Bregren" }, { "asin": "0800734378", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Waiting for Sunrise by Eva Marie Everson<br /><br />After Reading Chasing Sunsets, the first book in this series, I was excited and waiting to read \"Waiting for Sunrise.\" The main character in this second book is Patsy Milstrap, whom we met in Chasing Sunsets. Patsy and her husband Gil are on the way to Cedar Key for a vacation, but what Gil is really doing is trying to get Patsy away in order to find help with dealing with her past. Even though Patsy is married to a wonderful man with<br /><br />Again, Eva Marie Everson writes a wonderful story with characters that readers grow to love and believe as though they are real. She writes Patsy's story in a way that seems so real, I was wanting to pray for Patsy daily as I read this book! I love the beach setting, and Cedar Key sounds just like the place anyone needs to go for healing. And Gil is adorable, and his love for Patsy is so very heartwarming, he was willing to do anything to get help for his wife. And Patsy knew he was trying so hard, it must have hurt her so to know he loved her and was trying to help her. One thought I had as I was reading was that wouldn't it be wonderful if all husbands and wives had that unconditional love for each other, just as God has for us. Marriages would be able to survive if this were true. This book truly shows the true real love in a marriage that could have easily fallen apart. A love that grows through the difficult times, not one that is torn down. The author had be crying a lot during this book, but I had to smile and even laugh at times as well. Eva Marie Everson is truly a gifted and talented author that will always be a favorite on my reading list.<br /><br />I highly recommend this wonderful book for anyone to read and enjoy, and especially someone going through difficult situations such as someone trying to deal with their difficult past. Patsy's story is sure to give you hope as you follow her journey.", "timestamp": 1340125410000, "title": "Waiting for Sunrise..wonderful book" }, { "asin": "0800720482", "rating": 5, "text": "Mary Magdalene by Diana Wallis Taylor<br /><br />MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!<br /><br />After reading \"Journey to the Well\" I am hooked on Diana Taylor's books! I look forward to new ones coming out, and I was excited to be able to read and review \"Mary Magdalene.\" And again, I was not disappointed! If you like Biblical Fiction, this book is a must for you!<br /><br />Since Mary Magdalene is somewhat a mystery because there is not much written about her in the Bible, I really wanted to read this book to find out what Diana Taylor's version of Mary was. The book starts out with a young Mary, a daddy's girl and love immensely by her mom. I enjoyed getting to know this young Mary, and following her life to adulthood. The accounts of Mary being demon possessed was heartbreaking, and her family staying close to her, supporting her was so heartwarming. Coming from this life, and the miracle of her healing, I can clearly see why Mary Magdalene was so devoted to Jesus. She loved Him deeply because He changed her life forever.<br /><br />I cringe when I think about some of the things people have to say about Mary and her devotion to the Lord. And I appreciate Diana Taylor for how she shows us the real deal of why Mary loved Jesus so much. It was very well known that no one anywhere had been able to help Mary. And then her husband Nathan, a man wisely chosen by Jared for his daughter, hears about the healer Jesus. It was Jesus who healed Mary and gave her a new life. Shouldn't that make Mary, and anyone else that Jesus has healed in a situation such as this, devoted to Him for life?<br /><br />Wow, I feel like I keep jumping all over the place in this story. Even though we don't know what Mary's life was like, I thoroughly enjoyed this fictional novel of how Diana Wallis Taylor thought it could have been. It is fun just being able to wonder and read about how it could have been. And I feel the Biblical accounts were accurate, so that's all that really matters to me, the rest is fiction, and that's where the fun is.<br /><br />*****Available June 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.*****<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1340649122000, "title": "Mary Magdalene....a wonderful read" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "A Perfect Square by Vannetta Chapman<br /><br />I was excited to revisit my friends in Shipshewana again in Vannetta Chapman's second book in the Shipshewana Amish Mystery series. I really grew to love Deborah and Callie, Esther and Melinda and couldn't wait to see what this book has in store for readers. And I can say that I love this book as much as I did the first, and was hooked from the very first pages.<br /><br />When a young Amish girl is found dead in Ruben's pond, he ends up being the only suspect, especially since he wouldn't answer any questions the authorities were asking him. Who is Ruben trying to protect? Will he actually go to prison for life to protect this person? This murder of an unknown young lady has the Shipshewana community in an uproar.<br /><br />With officer Shane Black on the case, Deborah knew that he would do nothing to find out Ruben's innocence. That meant the job was up to her, and she would have Callie's assistance. Turns out, Callie is looking for someone herself. A daughter, one that no one knows about except her very ill father. These ladies have their work cut out for them as the try to solve these mysteries.<br /><br />I love how Vannetta Chapman weaves these stories together with characters that are well created and developed and a plot that will keep readers wanting to find out what's gonna happen to whom. I highly recommend A Perfect Square for your enjoyment.<br /><br />This book was provided by Zondervan Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1343622238000, "title": "Wonderful and enjoyable second book in this series..." }, { "asin": "0800734556", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THE GIFTED<br /><br />Having reading some of Ann's books on the Shakers, I knew what to expect about their beliefs, though I don't support what they believe at all! How can people actually believe this stuff, and live by it is beyond me.<br /><br />And such were the struggles of Jassamine Brady. Growing up in the shaker neighborhood and loving her family and friends there didn't draw Jassamine to their way of life at all. She found herself very interested in the ways of the world and she sought those ways, struggling to obey the strict rules she was brought up to follow. And when unforeseen circumstances brings young Tristan into her life, Jassamine may be closer than she thinks about finding out what the outside would is all about.<br /><br />Ann Gabhart has such a unique and wonderful way of writing about these shaker people with and open attitude, not condemning them, but giving her readers a true and vivid insight of how they really live.<br /><br />I highly recommend The Gifted as well as the first four books in this wonderful series by Ann Gabhart.<br /><br />Available July 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1343623722000, "title": "Very nice read about the Shakers" }, { "asin": "1609366409", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Elena's family trip to Mackinac Island this summer will be different than all of the others. This time, her mother has in mind to marry her off to the rich and famous Chester Darrington in order to save their family business. Elena has no desire to marry this Mr. Darrington, or even meet him for that matter.<br /><br />Chase didn't really want to make the trip to Mackinac Island with his sister and her husband, but he did want a place to try out the new telescope that the family business was interesting in funding for the invention. One of the first things he heard upon his arrival was his hopeful marriage to this Elena Bissette. Well, he would stay as far away from Elena as possible because he sure wasn't looking for a wife, and especially someone like her.<br /><br />Not knowing who each other is, Chase and Elena meet up at an old lighthouse on the Island. One in which Elena has been visiting for all of the years her family has been coming to the Island and one that Chase has just found. The attraction between the two is a sure thing, Chase liking Elena because she's not one of the \"circle\" which his sister is in. And Elena liking Chase because of pretty much the same reason.<br /><br />In Love Finds You In Mackinac Island, Michigan, Melanie Dobson weaves a historical romance that will keep you on your toes throughout the book. The meeting and relationship of Chase and Elena was sweet and adorable at first, that is until the truth about who each was came to surface. That's when things get touchy between the two and neither want to see each other again! But Chase's mom had a different idea. Can she bring these two back together again? Or is Chase just too stubborn to face the real truth?<br /><br />This is a wonderful and sweet story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It's one of those stories that just make you feel good after reading it. The characters are so real they feel like family and friends. I love Chase and Elena, and I love their attitude about their wealthy families. And Chase's mom was the character that really pulled everything together. Her attitude about gossip shamed me, and one thing I took away from this book is to gossip, or listen to gossip less, and look at the positive sides of people. I really appreciate Melanie bringing this valuable lesson to her readers about this subject.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for you to read and enjoy for yourself. It will make a wonderful summer read, but its not just for summer, it will make an awesome read anytime! And you sure will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1344137674000, "title": "Wonderful Summer read on Mackinac Island!" }, { "asin": "0800734580", "rating": 5, "text": "Lethal Legacy.....By: Irene Hannon<br /><br />Kelly Warren knows for sure that her dad's death was murder, but proving it might not be so easy. It was an attempt on Kelly's own life that detective Cole Taylor starts to believe her suspicions are right. Prompting him to dig and search until he finds enough evidence to re-open the case. What will Cole find out? And can he keep is personal feeling for Kelly at bay enough to stay on the case until its over?<br /><br />Any book by Irene Hannon is storytelling at it's very best. She has a way of telling a story that will pull you in from the very first page and engulf you until you read the last word. Just as it was with me as I read \"Lethal Legacy.\" The characters are so well crafted and believable that it felt like reading a real-life story. Kelly was a quiet sweet Christian young lady who mostly stayed to herself. She had a close relationship with her dad and was determined to find his killer. And since the detective who had the case earlier was on vacation, who by the good-looking, hot, Cole Taylor was assigned to review the case for her. Cole was also a likeable person, and his close nit family really gave the book a more personal touch. A very touching story, one that will stay with readers for a long time after you finish reading.<br /><br />If you are a suspense lover, then this book is a must, one you will not be disappointed in. And if you just like a good, clean, enjoyable read, then you will love this book too. And if you are like me and stay up until the wee hours of the morning finishing \"Lethal Legacy,\" believe me, every night sound you hear will scare the wits out of you! But that's the fun of reading a suspense!<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for your reading enjoyment. Grab a copy of this one, and the others in this series for a few great reads!<br /><br />\"Available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.\"<br /><br />I received this book from Revell Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own.", "timestamp": 1344924556000, "title": "Awesome Suspense!!" }, { "asin": "0764208101", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Travelers Rest starts off as what you would think of being a happier every after, but since Ann Tatlock is writing about difficult issues that people really face, the story gets difficult to read. Jane Morrow and Seth Ballantine have been friends since childhood, and how were getting married. But their life was torn apart when Seth comes home from serving his country injured in Iraq. Jane loves Seth and has no other thoughts except to stay with him and take care of him, but Seth has different thoughts. He no longer wants the relationship to go on, because he just doesn't want Jane to be his nurse for the rest of his life. But chances are, he will get better, but they are very slim.<br /><br />Author Ann Tatlock is a talented author that writes a story that will capture your heart, and give you a new love, respect, awareness and thankfulness for those who fight for us to live in freedom. I was drawn to the characters, and especially Seth and Jane, as well as the old retired Doctor, Truman. With such detailed descriptions of the difficulties and situations they characters were facing, and with so many twists and turns, the author was able to keep my attention until the very end.<br /><br />I recommend this book for you to read, and especially if you like stories about war victims and families.<br /><br />I rec'd a copy of this book from Bethany House to read and review. The opinions here are mine. I have written my honest opinion on what I feel about this book", "timestamp": 1348894897000, "title": "Great Read" }, { "asin": "0764207873", "rating": 5, "text": "When Hope Blossoms by Kim Vogel Sawyer<br />For Bethany House review by Shannon Hannabass<br /><br />Tim Roper thought he could run from God, hid himself in his apple trees, but when a Mennonite widow and her children moved in the farmhouse next to his, his life changed forever. But that change took a while, and the changed unfold between the pages of Kim Vogel Sawyer's new book, \"When Hope Blossoms.\"<br /><br />I love Kim Vogel Sawyers books, and this one is another winner for me. I love Tim and Amy's story. Even though they both has a past that seemed impossible for them, God had a plan for their life, and in Him timing, He worked their lives together for their own good. I love how Kim weaves together families and communities and comes up with a story that captures the attention of readers from the very first page. I have to say I was so intrigued and captivated by this book I read it in one day! I love the way the realistic characters steal their way into your heart as the story unfolds around you. You don't want to miss this beautiful, sweet story of love, forgiveness and acceptance. Grab your copy today to read and enjoy for yourself!<br /><br />I received this book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are my own", "timestamp": 1348895821000, "title": "Very Nice Read" }, { "asin": "0764209132", "rating": 5, "text": "Ok I thought this book was kinda strange at times, but though it did end up kind of crazy, with Seth not remembering much about his life and family. He and Callie find themselves back together and thus the journey of Seth begins.<br /><br />The characters created by the author, and especially Callie and the whit and life she brought into the lives of this family gave this story a fun and interesting twist. And knowing Seth in a new and different way, the interesting situations between he and Callie brought a special meaning for this book.<br /><br />The Kincaid Brides Series is truly on that you will enjoy reading. I highly encourage you to grab a copy of this book, or the three books in this series for your reading enjoyment. You will not be disappointed!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Bethany House for me to read and review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only", "timestamp": 1349076484000, "title": "Another great book by Mary Connealy" }, { "asin": "1609366867", "rating": 5, "text": "I've read several books on the Titanic this year so I was excited to read Queen of the Waves for another story about this time in history, which I'm surprised because I really didn't care for the movie that much. But I really like Janice Thompson's story of Tessa and Nathan, alone with the other characters involved with Tessa being on the ship in the first place. Tessa is such a sweet person with a personality that rubs off on those around her, as we see in the story. Throughout all of the horrible tragedy with Titanic, this is a story readers can really enjoy and appreciate. And the vivid details of the time in history leading up to when the Titanic set sail, and as the story unfolds until the end, well it is just an awesome history lesson.<br />Of course this book is only fiction, and these things didn't happen aboard the ship, but I loved imagining what it was like, with all of the rich and famous, and imagining what it was like to be there during the horrific tragedy. I thoroughly enjoyed Queen of the Waves and highly recommend it for your reading enjoyment. You will not be disappointed.<br />This book was provided by Summerside Press through LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1349751219000, "title": "Queen of the Waves" }, { "asin": "1609366859", "rating": 4, "text": "Samantha Waldron and her family face some horrific situations as we follow their journey on the Oregon Trail in 1842. Samantha's mom passed away before they started on the trail, so her father was determined to make it to the end of the trail for the rest of his family. But no one knew the many difficult situations they would endure while traveling. Life was not easy as they traveled these many miles.<br /><br />Melanie Dobson's story of Samantha and her family along the Oregon Trail is a believable and intriguing story with believable characters that will keep you interested until the end, because of all the twists and turns it takes. The author tells all of the gruesome details of situations and difficulties during the trail, making the story seem more realistic.<br /><br />I enjoyed this historical novel by Melanie Dobson, though I don't think it is her best work. If you enjoy the Oregon Trail era, and reading books about that time, you will enjoy this one. So pick up a copy for your own reading enjoyment.<br /><br />This book was provided by Summerside Press through LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1349752867000, "title": "Where the Trail Ends" }, { "asin": "0764206168", "rating": 5, "text": "My Review<br /><br />Again, Tracie Peterson captures our hearts and interest with this second book in Land of the Lone Star Series. In Touching the Sky, the story is about Laura Marquardt and her sister Carissa. Both sisters find love, Laura with Union Captain Brandon Reid and Carissa, Confederate Malcolm Lowe. Conflicts and difficulties arise as the story unfolds surrounding the lives of these two ladies.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book in every way. I really enjoyed the history so vividly described in Texas after the war, and I enjoyed characters created that are so realistic like and play their parts in the story so well. I love Tracie Peterson books, and this one is no different, it is a winner in my opinion.<br /><br />I recommend that you go purchase your own copy of this book, and while you are at it, pick up a copy of all three books in Land of the Lone Star Series for your reading enjoyment. And if you like historical fiction, this is a must read for you!", "timestamp": 1350326454000, "title": "Touching the Sky" }, { "asin": "0310335108", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />If you enjoy Amish fiction, you will sure enjoy Tricia Goyer's new book The Memory Jar. I really like the Memory Jar idea for best friends Patty and Sarah. It is a good way to store memories, and in Sarah's case it is especially special after Sarah is left to go through life alone. Then Sarah meets Jathan, and things started changing in her life.<br /><br />Tricia Goyer creates wonderful realistic character that we grow to love as the story unfolds and the characters develop so well. The story started a little slow for me, but then as it developed, and the story took a different twist, tensions rise, gossip spreads, people started backing off and acting strange, and Sarah started questioning her earlier decisions. It seems like Jathan has more baggage to take care of than either of them thought. But Tricia Goyer weaves the characters, situations, difficulties, doubts and people along with more twists and turn and brings a story that will keep you reading until the last page, while it warms you heart in a special way. You will love this Amish community and its people when you pick up your copy of The Memory Jar.<br /><br />This book was provided by LitFuse Publishing Group. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1351637313000, "title": "The Memory Jar" }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Christmas Roses is a wonderful story about Celia Anderson. Celia is a single mom who runs a boarding house, providing for she and her daughter. She knows her daughter needs a dad, but doesn't want to marry because of need, she wants a marriage of love. Well, then Mark comes into the picture!<br /><br />This is a sweet, charming and heartwarming historical story that would be wonderful for everyone to read for Christmas. I love the beautiful cover, and the story just goes right along with what the cover shows. Amanda Cabot creates realistic and amazing characters to tell her Christmas story, and I enjoyed getting to know each character as the story unfolds. Around Christmastime I try to read all of the Christmas stories I can, and I am honored to read and review Christmas Roses. This is a story that will stay with you throughout the Christmas Season.<br /><br />\"Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.\"<br /><br />This book was provided by Revel Publishers for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1354679070000, "title": "Nice Christmas Read!" }, { "asin": "140168744X", "rating": 4, "text": "It took me a while to get into this book, don't know why, maybe it was the early setting since it was 227BC. But<br />after I got into the story, I really enjoyed it.<br />I didn't know a lot about the Island of Rhodes either, but with the author's details throughout the book, it<br />was interesting and nice to get to know this place in history. Tracy Higley created characters that are interesting<br />and believable, and enjoyable to get to know. I really liked Tessa and wanted her to find freedom from her Greek<br />owner. When the opportunity came along for her to be free, her life changed in a way she wasn't expecting. Would<br />Tessa finally be free and find her own true love? This is a book well worth your read, and if you enjoy historical<br />fiction, you will truly enjoy Isle of Shadows.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book to Christian fiction lovers, and especially those who enjoy historical stories. Pick<br />up your copy today for an enjoyable read.<br /><br />This book was provided by Booksneeze through their blogger program. I was not expected or required to write a positive<br />review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1356129857000, "title": "Nice historical read" }, { "asin": "0800719891", "rating": 5, "text": "THe Lesson by Susan Woods Fisher<br /><br />In the third and final book of Susan Woods Fisher's Stoney Ridge Seasons Series, Mary Kate Lapp is now nineteen<br />old and still looking for action. But this time, did her sneaking around get her in more trouble that she expected?<br />And to make it worse, it landed her to job of teaching in their Amish school, and Mary Kate certainly was not a<br />school teacher.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mary Kate's story. She was a fun character throughout the first two books in the series<br />because of her free spirit, and determination to find out everything! I am also a Susan Wood's Fisher fan and I love<br />this entire series. The characters were enjoyable and realistic, drawing you into the story and keeping your attention.<br />And the interesting plot keeps you reading because so much is happening to the Lapp family you just want to find<br />out the outcome.<br /><br />If you love Amish fiction, you will love The Lesson, and the first two books in this series. Or if you are looking<br />for a nice enjoyable light read, this is your series! Go out and grap a copy of these books to read for yourself.<br />You will not be disappointed.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Tours. I was not required or expected to write a positive<br />review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1357361476000, "title": "Great ending to Series!" }, { "asin": "1401685676", "rating": 5, "text": "An Amish Kitchen is a neat collection of three novellas, and the Amish Kitchen of the characters has a huge part of each story. The stories are so realistic because the kitchen is a major part of the Amish lifestyle in reality. And I loved getting the recipes as a bonus in this book, especially the herbal remedies!<br />I love Amish fiction and really enjoyed Faith and Abram's story in Kelly Long's \"A Taste of Faith; reading about Hannah King's Bed and Breakfast and newcomer Stephen Esh in Amy Clipston's \"A Spoonful of Hope,\" and Beth Wiseman's \" A Recipe for Hope,\" and Eva Bender and her family's disaster when a tree falls on her haus. In all three of these stories, the characters deal with difficult situations, and they need to trust God and depend on Him. Their faith carries them through, but it is not always easy. It is difficult to pick a best one, because they all interacted so well together and I enjoyed them all.<br />If you love Amish fiction, this one is for you. You will love these short stories. This is a great book for those who really don't have time to read a full size novel.<br />Booksneeze provided a copy of this book for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1358193641000, "title": "Awesome Amish three stories in this book!" }, { "asin": "1595549706", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Having read the first two books in this series, I was anxious for the third book in The Brides of Last Chance Ranch to hit the stands. And author Margaret Brownley did not disappoint! With characters that I fell in love with, I thoroughly enjoyed another really good read that will stay with me for a while! I grew to love Molly, and the relationship she had with her brother was truly heartwarming. My heart went out to her as she strove to do whatever she could to take care of Donny.<br /><br />Waiting for Morning is truly a story that will capture the heart of any reader, just as it did mine. I highly recommend this historical fiction to book lovers everywhere. A copy of this book was provided by Booksneeze's blogger program. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1361337502000, "title": "Waiting for Morning" }, { "asin": "1859859313", "rating": 5, "text": "My Thoughts On This Book<br /><br />The Story of David and Goliath is one that most children enjoy and remember well. David Sticker Book tells this wonderful Bible story in words, pictures and added stickers for children to interact with the story. And I was suprised at the amount of stickers that are included in the book, they are wonderful. And I really like the illustrations as well. The book is a whole is beautiful inside and out. And as usual, I used my four year-old niece as the real person to review this book of David, and she absolutely loved it! We read the story together and she had a wonderful time placing the stickers on the correct pages, and as she placed the stickers, she talked about each one and we had fun talking about David and Goliath. This tells me that the stickers are a valuable source to go with the story because it keeps children much more interested in the story.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book for your small child. I will know they will love it just as much as my niece does. And she still loves reading the book, even after the stickers are all in place.<br /><br />I received this book free from Kregel Publishing. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The<br /> opinions here are my own.", "timestamp": 1361587647000, "title": "Wonderful little book for small children" }, { "asin": "1401686826", "rating": 5, "text": "So Shines the Night......<br /><br />I really enjoyed this historical Biblical fiction by Tracey Higley. I haven't read a lot books in this early era, being set in 57 A. D. The characters were interesting and realistic and I enjoyed getting to know them as the story unfolds. The story is based on Acts 19 and the author did her research well, because as I continued to read, the situations and everything surrounding them begin to feel so real I felt like I was there! And as always I love that Tracy brings a part of the Bible to life through her vivid imagination in So Shines the Night, and I appreciate her sharing this story with us!<br /><br />If you enjoy historical fiction, or Biblical fiction, you will love So Shines the Night. I encourage you to pick up your copy today!<br /><br />I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson 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 55.", "timestamp": 1362552920000, "title": "So Shines the Night" }, { "asin": "080072089X", "rating": 5, "text": "It seems that someone is a spy in Lady Wexham's house but who could it be? Rees Phillips is trying to find out, with his new job disguised as a butler. But can Rees sneak around and try to find answers without anyone suspecting him? This book gets very interesting as the sneaking around continues, not only with Rees but others in the household.<br /><br />This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend. I enjoyed the era of the setting and the vivid details so perfectly described by Ruth Axtell. The characters were unique and believable and they keep readers guessing and reading throughout the story. I really liked Rees and his attempting to be a butler, which he did very well. And the tension between he and the Lady Wexham was enough to keep me reading to find out what the outcome between them would be.<br /><br />I highly recommend this story for anyone who loves a good historical fiction with a bit of suspense and romance. You will not be disappointed!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Revell Publishers for me to read and review. I was not required or expected to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1362978017000, "title": "Great Historical Fiction" }, { "asin": "0745962823", "rating": 2, "text": "I love sticker story books for children, and this is why I wanted to review My Very First Easter Story Book. The book is very attractive, with vivid colors and stickers to go along with the story on each page. The story is about the story of Easter, Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave.<br /><br />The story is simple enough for very small children to understand, and I like that part about this book. But I do wish the author would have explained why Jesus died for us instead of making the remark a number of times that He did this to make the world a better place. Children need the simplicity of the story but they also need to know the actual truth of what the scripture says. For me, when I read the story to my niece, I added the parts left out by the author, but not everyone can or will do that. I hope the next book the author writes she will stay closer to scripture.", "timestamp": 1364047316000, "title": "Easter Sticker book" }, { "asin": "1595548890", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />When I see Beth Wiseman's name on a book, I know it is going to be an awesome read. I love her Amish books, but I am enjoying the contempory fiction she is writing as well! In The House That Love Built, the characters are realistic and believable and I enjoyed getting to know them better as the story unfolded. Beth had a strong faith in God, and she showed this faith through the many struggles she faced. And she was able to help Owen with struggles with his faith as their friendship progressed. I did feel for Beth as she struggled with the situation with her dad, because she was clearly hurt by him.<br />This is a story of love, faith in the Lord, forgiveness and second chances. If you are looking for a good clean entertaining story, this one is for you.", "timestamp": 1365582565000, "title": "Another wonderful book by Beth Wiseman" }, { "asin": "1414361122", "rating": 5, "text": "Rescue Team by Candace Calvert<br /><br />Kate Callison has been running from her past and jumping jobs for several years, and now she is working as ER director at Austin Grace Hospital. As different cases came through the ER department, memories of Kate's past surfaced more and more. Wes Tanner was at the right place at the right time when an emergency happened at Austin Grace, but then he met the new ER director, Kate. Wes finds himself attracted to Kate, despite her dismissive attitude, but just how does Kate feel about Wes?<br /><br />I am a big fan of Candace Calvert and Rescue Team is another Candace book that I LOVE! I love books that capture my attention early in the story, and this one had my attention from the first page! I wasn't sure about Kate at first, with her attitude and the mystery of her past, but as the story unfolded, I could understand her attitude about life. And I love Wes, he is such a sweetheart, and I love his family. But he has a heartbreaking past as well, that he doesn't want to talk about. Ms. Calvert weaves together a story of heartbreaking pasts, through many difficult situations and twists and turns, and so vividly shows love, forgiveness and healing through God's love and mercy in Wes and Kate's story.<br /><br />If you enjoy Christian fiction, or just want a good clean medical romance to read, I highly recommend Rescue Team. With Candace being a former nurse, the medical knowledge is phenomenal, making the story even more interesting and enjoyable.<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale House to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1367285043000, "title": "Awesome Christian Fiction with a lot of Medical Knowledge" }, { "asin": "0764209663", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Looking for a new preacher? Why not hold up a train and steal him at gunpoint? Karen Witemeyer gives us and interesting, enjoyable, witty, funny story that will sure be the height of your entertainment this summer in Stealing the Preacher. Joanna's outlaw father was willing to do anything to give her what she wants, including holding up a train and stealing Crockett Archer. Only Crockett can't stay in the little Texas Community of Piney Woods because he's on a mission someplace else as a preacher candidate. But as he gets to know the people in Piney Woods, he's drawn to the need for someone to take over the little church that hasn't had a preacher for quite a while. But what about this other church, the one who is waiting on his arrival to vote on whether or not they want him as their own preacher. Well, its all unfolded between the pages of the wonderful book!<br />First of all, I LOVE this cover. I am so glad Bethany House decided to change it! And Karen Witemeyer is at it again with her awesome, humorous writing style. As I read Stealing the Preacher, I fell in love with the people of Piney Woods, and was really hoping that Crockett would decide to change his mind and be their new preacher, especially since he was so different from most preachers, and he identified with these people so well. With all of the twists and turns, and the adorable, unique characters, why not come on board with the rest of us and enjoy this wonderful summer, and well really, anytime read from Ms. Whitemeyer and Bethany House. You will sure be happy you decided to try this one. And while you are at it, check out the other books by Karen Witemeyer. I've read all of Karen's books, and each one gets better and better! She is definitely high on my favorite authors list!<br />I received this book from the publisher Bethany House, and Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1371094501000, "title": "Another awesome historical fiction from Karen Witemeyer" }, { "asin": "0825442141", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Reading this book clearly shows that women have always experienced hurt in some way. Authors Dena Dyer and Tina Samples' Wounded Women of the Bible gives ladies an inside look at more than a dozen women throughout Bible time and the hurts and difficulties they faced. We read the stories of Dinah, Ruth, Hagar, Ichabod's Mother, Mary and Martha, and others, getting to know they ladies in a really interesting and unique way.<br /><br />Finding Hope When Life Hurts is truly what we learned from this book through the lives of each of these ladies. Dena Dyer and Tina Samples leave nothing out as they study and explore what the Bible says. I also appreciate the authors opening their own lives and showing the hurts and struggles they have faced in their lives. To me, this makes the book even more special because we are not only getting truths from the Bible, we are getting truths from real people's lives.<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Kregel to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1377922007000, "title": "Wonderful Bible Study!" }, { "asin": "1859857663", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Bumper Wipe Clean Activities was a huge hit with my 4 year old niece. She loves it, and has played and played with it. I ended up mailing it to her house so she could have it there to play with! This is the cutest little book your child will ever have. The wipe clean activities are adorable for the kids to do. This is an awesome idea for a children's book. Abbi has enjoyed the matching, tracing, going through the mazes, and all of the other activities, and the awesome thing about this is that they can wipe the page clean, and start over again!<br /><br />Need activities to keep children quiet in the car, or maybe an appointment? This is the book you need. It is hours of fun for young children, I would have one for each child, and they can do their own thing while you enjoy the peace and quiet!<br /><br />I just can't say enough about this little activity book. This is a must for all homes with small children! You and your child will love is just as much as Abbi and I do!!<br /><br />I received this book from the publisher Kregel to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1380282113000, "title": "Love, Love this book!!" }, { "asin": "B00FFBG1PM", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The Bargin is not just another Amish Fiction! It is an Amish fiction with a twist like I haven't read before, the setting being in the Vietnam War. I loved the history weaved into the book about this era, and especially since I was old enough during that time to remember a lot about the war and the friends I had who fought in it. Betsy's story was interesting, with her family living as Englisch. This story brought back a lot of memories of when I was growing up, and that I did enjoy very much! It was so interesting because back then, we did really live plain, or so it seems like that now. I really did love the setting, and the story.<br /><br />Stephanie Reed is a fairly new author for me, so I was excited to review an Amish fiction from a different author. Ms. Reed created characters that were enjoyable and believable, giving readers a real feel of life in the early 1970′s. If you enjoy Amish, you will love this one. If you enjoy historical fiction, this is for you too! So why not put the two together and check out this new book from Stephanie Reed. I think you will be pleasantly surprised!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1382586934000, "title": "The Bargin" }, { "asin": "1859855865", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS<br /><br />This is a really neat Bible handbook from Kregel Publishers. The Candle Bible Handbook is for 8 to 12 year olds and would be an awesome addition to their library, because it can be a wonderful study tool for your child to use while reading the Bible or reading Bible stories. There are many things to help with Bible study including study questions, tips to watch for when reading, an outline an description of the book, along with a little box with important information. And you will also find a section with Big ideas in the Bible, Bible Promises, Fifty very important passages in the Bible and Who’s Who in the Bible. And of course this is just a touch of what you will find in this neat handbook.<br /><br />I really like this book that will be an additional study tool when studying the Bible. I found it interesting myself as I read through it and went over the different things added to help study. If you have kids in this age group, or I think even teenagers would like this, I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of The Candle Bible Handbook. You will find it very informative and interesting.<br /><br />I rec’d a copy of this book from Kregel to read and review. The opinions in this review are mine only. I was not required or expected to write a positive review.", "timestamp": 1400470384000, "title": "Really Neat for Kids" }, { "asin": "1414368453", "rating": 5, "text": "Annie, a young Irish immigrant is the housekeeper at Mrs. Hawkins boarding house, but she is also a wonderful story teller, thanks to her really great storyteller father. But when Annie’s father passed away, and after living with her no caring uncle, and the horrible places he sent her, she eventually ended up in New York. You will thoroughly enjoy this wonderful historical novel by Cindy Thomson. Annie not only loved storytelling, she loved to daydream, so her mind was always full of a story to tell. And Ms. Thomson does an amazing job of telling these stories in a way that will capture your heart and attention. One thing that was so touching to me is the way telling her stories always made Annie think of the father she missed so much. Check out this fabulous book and give it a try!<br /><br />I received this book from Tyndale House to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1420701507000, "title": "Really interesting historical fiction!" }, { "asin": "0529102781", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Jeremiah and Anna May's life took a tumbling fall when Jeremiah left his Amish family, Anna May and the Amish faith for the English world, and their schools, to become a veterinarian. But will his return mean that they can pick up where they left off with their relationship? Life is not that easy! And life for these two young people was not without heartaches and many struggles as they strived to find out what God really wanted them to do with their lives.<br /><br />I have read many of Kathleen Fuller's books, and have enjoyed them all! Just as I enjoyed this one, and I'm going to get the other books in this series as well! I fell in love with these characters immediately, and I thoroughly enjoyed following their journey, though they did have their moments. I like that Ms. Fuller shows so much detail to the story and each scene that takes place. This is truly a well written book, and a book that anyone who loves a really good Amish story will want to read!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1426653601000, "title": "Very nice Amish story!" }, { "asin": "0800722485", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />For me, this was a really heartwarming story. Kaitlyn was trying to get her life together after leaving her child with her brother to raise. Now she has to prove that she is the mother her daughter needs in order to get her daughter back. On the other hand, Steven is trying to prove that he has grown up, and ready to settle down. But would Steven and Kaitlyn be able to make a go of it together, with all of their past failures?<br /><br />I have really enjoyed Catherine Armstrong’s A Place to Call Home Series, and I so much enjoyed this third book! The characters are very realistic and enjoyable to get to know. The lives of the characters sure keep readers wondering what will happen next! And I appreciate the detailed info about this little place called Last Chance. It is sure a place I would love to visit!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1426819255000, "title": "Love this wonderful book!" }, { "asin": "0310315549", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This has been an absolutely enjoyable series to read, and Rachel Hauck is an amazingly talented writer! I love how she brings you into the story, giving me the feeling I was there with the characters. As I read the book, I felt as though the characters were real, as I thought about them day and night! Corina was hoping to find her prince charming for the second time, but with all of the issues going on, and with Corina still dealing with the death of her brother, there was just no way. But was there? This is truly a story of redemption and love, and the twists and turns in the story kept me turning the pages pretty fast! The setting, the characters, the different scenes throughout the story as I read, they all came together to a wonderful ending. I highly recommend How to Catch a Prince, and the other books in Rachel Hauck's Royal Wedding Series.<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1427161293000, "title": "Love this heartwarming story" }, { "asin": "0718031652", "rating": 4, "text": "Sarah Montgomery finally gets to join her fiancée Rand Campbell, in Fort Laramie, Wyoming but is he really excited to see her? Seems like he has found someone else to occupy his time, making life difficult for Sarah. But then when ex-fiancé Ben Croftner shows up in Wyoming, things get a little more exciting, or maybe we could say tension was filling the air more than ever.<br /><br />A Heart's Obsession is another short story in Colleen Coble's A Journey of the Heart Series. a reissue of the Wyoming series published around a decade, and back this time in 6 short books. Though I like short books sometimes, its kind of frustrating that we as readers have to wait so long for the next chapters in the book. Its like reading a few chapters, putting the book down, and after a month picking it back up again. I am just not fond of this type of reading myself. But as far as the story, I love it! It is awesome, just as all of Colleen Coble books are!! I will keep them all, and read them again in the order of the series, and will enjoy them much more. I hope this is not a trend that publishers are heading toward, but it will be interesting to see.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1429074224000, "title": "Short story" }, { "asin": "0310335884", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Life hasn't been easy for 32 year old Linda Zook, being orphaned at age 4 and raised by an uncle that didn't want her. But Linda is determined to make something of her life, working part time at the Lancaster Grand Hotel, she desires to we worthy of a life that she can be happy and loved. Thirty-two year old Aaron Ebersol comes back into the picture after leaving the Amish community for almost two decades because of the harsh demands of his father. These two meet up, but what will life be for them because of their background? Can they find love and forgiveness for the family that wronged them?<br /><br />Amy Clipston is one of my favorite Amish writers. I love her writing style, the long series about this Amish Community and the families, and I fell in love with her characters in the first book of this series! Linda and Aaron's story is a sad, but yet a happy one. I thoroughly enjoyed following the lives of these two characters through the thick and thin of their relationship. As I read their story, I could clearly see the love, grace, forgiveness and redemption of our God in the lives of these characters. In everything they went through, God was in the driver's seat of their lives and leading them every step of the way. If you enjoy Amish fiction, this series is a must for you. Check out A Simple Prayer by Amy Clipston, and the other books in this awesome series.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1431489089000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Life hasn't been easy for 32 year old Linda Zook" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Talk about mystery, The End of Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble is one of the best mysteries I have read! Who is Claire Dellamare? She thought her life was like any other rich girl’s life, that it until she Claire returns to the Hotel Tourmaline for a business meeting with her CEO father. That’s when she starts hearing rumors about her disappearing for a year when she was young.<br /><br />Wow, this was an awesome read! The plot line was amazing, and the characters were so very realistic I wanted to be there in the story with them. Clarie was a sweet and intelligent young lady, and never did she think her life would be in shambles when she returned to the Hotel Tourmaline. The more I read the stranger the story became, one murder and one young child went missing at the same time. Was there a connection? What strange and horrific thing could have happened all those years ago? This is a book you do not want to miss. And if you are a Colleen Cobble fan, this is one of her best!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1431575510000, "title": "The End of Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble is one of the best mysteries I have read" }, { "asin": "0529103435", "rating": 5, "text": "A Heart’s Betrayal is the fourth book in Colleen Coble’s A Journey of the Heat Series. This series is a previous series from Ms. Coble, this one is a very short book for each story. In this story, Emmie Croftner finds out that her late husband wasn’t the man she thought he was, the home and everything she had wasn’t hers after all. After relocating, Emmie meets a soldier that just might change her life.<br /><br />As usual, Colleen Coble writes a story with characters are interesting and intriguing, and make the story interesting. The situations in Emmie’s life leave her with a life of tension, so much so that she can’t stay in her town any longer. This change in her life leaves a more and different type of tension, because of her new place and new people in her life. The one thing with these short books is that you have to wait a month to read the next short installment. For me, it is much easier to read the entire story at once. I am keeping all of these books and will read them again one after the other!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1433304461000, "title": "A Heart’s Betrayal is the fourth book in Colleen Coble’s ..." }, { "asin": "1496402146", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This is a really good story written from a mothers viewpoint about her child. With television being the big entertainment and past time, weight problems in children are on the rise. Heidi Bond made changes she had to make for her daughter’s health. With the world today full of fast food, quick fix meals, and sweet and fatty snacks, obesity in children just keeps getting worse.<br /><br />I appreciate how Heidi and Breanna are using their story to help other kids with the same problems they have experienced. Even though their journey was not an easy on, it was a productive one because it taught them the meaning of a healthy lifestyle. I did make me angry as Heidi talked about the way people viewed her efforts, especially talking about those who had talked about her daughter’s obesity, now criticizing her for refusing her candy and sweet treats. People can be so rude. If you are someone you love is experiencing the same or similar situation, I encourage you to pick up a copy of Heidi’s book, Who’s the New Kid. I think you will find help you never expected.<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55", "timestamp": 1433905940000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK This is a really good story written from a mothers viewpoint about her child" }, { "asin": "0310322170", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Another murder in the Amish Artisan Village in Middlebury, Indiana, and the Poison Poet strikes again and again leaving pies with notes attached saying the pies are poisoned. And then the emails Amber is getting, that is clearly from the Poison Poet? Ms. Chapman does it again with a murder, mystery/suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seats. And in an Amish community at that!<br /><br />I felt so bad for Amber, the harassing emails were causing problems with her work and marriage, because the Poison Poet was determined that she wouldn’t tell anyone what was going on. But she had too many friends and family that loved her, and I was touched at the way the pulled together to help her. And another person that was helped was Preston. I really like Preston and the sweet relationship forming between Preston and Mocha, which you will need to read the book to find out about these two! And who in the world could have gunned Ryan Duvall down in broad daylight, just as he finished his race?<br /> A lot of questions, and a lot going on in Murder Freshly Baked, and I just know you will enjoy it as much as I did!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1433921239000, "title": "Just Wonderful Writing by Ms. Chapman!" }, { "asin": "0800734351", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Has Marisa St. George found the man or her dreams after moving back to her hometown of Dupree, Texas. Very successful and well known writer Blake Kendall decides to try hanging out at Rainbow’s End Resort for a while to see if it would help his writers block, that he couldn’t seem to get over. The attraction between Marisa and Blake was immediate, but then things started to come up that put a halt on that attraction, and their relationship was rocky one min and ok the next. This situation, along with everything else going on at Rainbow’s End Resort makes for a fun and entertaining story.<br /><br />In Firefly Valley ,I loved reading about the characters I grew to love in the first book in this series, At Bluebonnet Lake, and meeting the new people traveling to the area! The relaxing atmosphere at the Rainbow’s End Resort and the quite town of Dupree, Texas makes this a light read, yet a story that deals with lives that were changed through forgiveness of each other and the love, forgiveness and redemption of our Lord. I want to encourage you to pick up a copy of In Firefly Valley for hours of relaxing, entertaining and fun. I think you will like this book as much as I did! This one goes on my keeper shelf!<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.<br /><br />Another really sweet book from author Amanda Cabot!", "timestamp": 1434349019000, "title": "along with everything else going on at Rainbow’s End Resort makes for a fun and entertaining story" }, { "asin": "0800723503", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Her mother's death causes Elizabeth Benjamin to return to her home in Key West, but things didn't go as she thought it would. Though she needed her family, it seemed that they didn't need her as much, and she sure wasn't happy with her father's pick as a husband for her. Was her trip back home a mistake?<br /><br />Since this was my first book by Christine Johnson I wasn't sure what to expect, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. This book was as good as the cover is beautiful! I love the inviting cover! This was also my first story with a setting in the historical 1850's Key West, Florida. There is a lot that makes up the plot of this story, danger, secrets, adventures seas, heart throbbing romance, and determination in the hearts of characters. Ms. Johnson does a marvelous job of weaving it all together to write a most amazing, entertaining and enjoyable story that I highly recommend. I will sure be looking for more books in this series.<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1434354351000, "title": "and she sure wasn't happy with her father's pick as a husband for her" }, { "asin": "1601425996", "rating": 5, "text": "I love Mesu Andrew's books because she has such an amazing talent of taking Bible characters, putting them in a historical Biblical setting and creating a story that will pull you in and keep you long after you finish the book. When I finish reading a Mesu Andrews book, I have a new, clear insight of the Biblical character the Book is about.<br /><br />The Pharoah's Daughter is another one of those books. I have always loved the story of Moses being put in the river in a basket as a baby by his sister. And Pharoah's daughter claiming Moses for her own, and raising him as her own. Ms. Andrews takes this story much deeper, bringing us into the home of Pharoah's daughter and now the home of Moses. I have always has questions about how this or that happened, and in this story, Ms. Andrews answers some of those questions in her fictional way. This was a special time in history, and I appreciate this awesome author for taking on these characters and this time in history. And I also appreciate the knowledge and research it took to write a story like this. Needless to say, I was in awe of The Pharoah's Daughter and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves historical, Biblical, or just a good fiction story.<br /><br />Blogging for Books provided this book for my honest review. The review is my views alone.", "timestamp": 1434561646000, "title": "I love Mesu Andrew's books because she has such an amazing ..." }, { "asin": "0718011783", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Two very different people, and a dangerous ruby? That's what this story is about. Daughter of a shop keeper, Camille is searching for her own lot in life. And the son of a very wealthy, well-known explorer and collector, Jonathan is settle in his fathers wealth, even though he is the second son. But his life changes when the hunt for a special ruby leads him to Camille's family shop. Who will finally uncover this expensive, dangerous jewel?<br /><br />Author Sarah Ladd takes us on an exciting and dangerous journey through the streets of historical London in her new book, The Curiosity Keeper. And Curiosity it is as I read this really good book! The characters will weave their way into your hearts, and the sights and sounds of London are so expertly detailed that you will find yourselves wondering if you are there! I love the tension in the scenes, because it made me keep turning the pages. The intensity and suspense that takes place makes for a very enjoyable read. I highly recommend The Curiosity Keeper!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1436334889000, "title": "And Curiosity it is as I read this really good book! The characters will weave their way into ..." }, { "asin": "0718031687", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br /> Emmie has a secret that she definitely doesn't want Isaac to know about, because she doesn't want to loose him. This makes for a lot of twists and turns in this very short story. This is book 5 in A Journey of the Heart Series. I enjoyed reading the continuation of this story, the characters and setting is already familiar, and the plot is somewhat set. As with all Colleen Coble books, this is a wonderful read and a wonderful series. I enjoyed each book, but I think reading all of these short book at once would be better because you don't have to wait to see what the next few chapters give.<br /><br />BookLook Bloggers provided this book for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive or any type of review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1436336191000, "title": "I enjoyed reading the continuation of this story" }, { "asin": "0310749417", "rating": 5, "text": "My Thoughts<br /><br />This is a cute little Bible Story book for any little one. If you have small children, you would be wise to invest in this book for them. The colors are nice and bright, and the cover is just plain cute! It has Papa, Brother, Sister and Honey reading, which is one of our favorite things to do here. The book is made just for smaller kids with thick sturdy pages that a child cannot tear, so you don't have to worry about them playing with this book. And you will enjoy reading these Bible stories and teaching your child about Jesus.<br /><br />This book was provided by BookLook Bloggers. The opinions here are mine.", "timestamp": 1441166721000, "title": "The colors are nice and bright" }, { "asin": "1401688888", "rating": 5, "text": "I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1441168580000, "title": "Love it!" }, { "asin": "1401690513", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Abby Knightly’s life came to an end as she knew it when her husband was killed in an auto accident, and Abby feels responsible. Not being about to live with what happened, Abby decides to move to a little town she had read about in a column in a newspaper. Circumstances caused her to meet Bo, one of three brothers that owned a ranch in the small town of Wishing Springs, Texas .<br /><br />This story took a different turn than the first book in this series. Bo’s story didn’t come across as well as Tru’s for me. Bo seemed less responsible, more reckless and the little surprise that ended up on his pops doorstep confirms that. It just happened that Abby was there at the right time, which was ok with Bo because he needed all the help he could get. Even though I did enjoy the story, a young lady showing up in a small town, meeting a guy that has sworn off ladies, and all of a sudden were thrown together and everything else that happened within a few weeks just wasn’t as believable as I would have liked. But then, that’s just me! All in all, I enjoyed the Monahan family again, and looking forward to reading book three! And by the way, Pops is just the sweetest old man, just adorable!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1441775657000, "title": "Even though I did enjoy the story" }, { "asin": "0310338492", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Love this book, Love this series! Shelley Shepard Gray is one of the best!! Lydia and Sebastian were two very different people, from completely different backgrounds, but the attraction between them was real. But the two being together was just impossible. Or was it? Though rough as some of the characters are, this is a pretty sweet story. There is a lot of bad things happening, a lot of tension, a lot of twists and turns, but Ms. Gray does a fantastic job of pulling it all together, with twists and turns you don’t expect, and making another awesome story in this series. I don’t want to say too much, and give anything away, so I wont! This is a wonderful and entertaining story, set just after the Chicago Worlds Fair is over, a story that will stay with you for a while.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1447220727000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Love this book" }, { "asin": "0310339545", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Leila Lantz has a difficult decision to make. Two young men, Jesse, and Will (Jesse's cousin) want her love and commitment. But the two offer entirely different lifestyles for Leila. Jesse is struggling with his faith, and not so sure he is ready for a lifetime commitment, but Leila has loved him since the first time she saw him. And Will, well he is more settled and knows what he wants to do with his life, but keeps his feelings for Leila to himself because he doesn't want to hurt his cousin Jesse. How will this author untangle this mess of relationships for Leila?<br /><br />I really like the way Kelly Irvin writes Amish fiction. She adds a unique twist to her stories that make them very interesting and entertaining. Leila has some tough decisions to make, but I liked that. Dealing with real life situations, even among the Amish faith helps to realize that we all have problems that we must surrender to the Lord. And this book will have you taking a closer look at your own faith. It was nice visiting characters from book one, and I am excited to read book three when it hits the shelves. If you are looking for a good clean book for enjoyment, this is a wonderful one to pick up!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1447474989000, "title": "and Will (Jesse's cousin) want her love and commitment" }, { "asin": "1601425007", "rating": 5, "text": "A Refuge at Highland Hall is the third book in the Edwardian Brides series by Carrie Turansky. I was glad to read more of Highland Hall's Penny Ramsey in this story. Because of Britain's involvement in WWI, Penny decides to travel to London to help her sister Kate and her husband with the houseful of orphaned children they have. Its there that Penny meets Royal Naval Air Service pilot Alex Goodwin, and there was definitely an attraction between the two! Knowing he would be chasing Zeppelins across the front line in France, Alex couldn't allow anything series between the two. But they could write to each other while he was in France. But faced with unforeseen circumstances, Alex's life takes a dramatic change, and seeing Penny again was out of the question.<br /><br />This is such a wonderful book! First of all, the cover is beautiful, and the story inside is full of entertainment. I loved meeting the characters again, they now seem like family members. Penny is such a sweetheart, and I was cheering on a relationship between she and Alex. There's a lot of things going on in this book, a lot of twists and turns happening that made me keep my nose in the book until I finished!! Author Carrie Turansky does an amazing joy of weaving everything together nicely, and giving readers a sweet romance.<br /><br />And the history in this story is phenomenal, it made the trip back into the past WWI era so enjoyable. As I read, I felt like I was living the story along with the characters. This book is a must if you enjoy historical and WWI fiction. And this one is a nice clean read! One that anyone will enjoy!<br /><br />I received this book from Blogging for Books to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1454892669000, "title": "Awesome Read!" }, { "asin": "0310332435", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGTHS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Casey Cox only wants to do the right things, find her father's killer. But her life falls apart when she finds her good friend murdered, and with her DNA being all over the place, she has no option but to run. Dylan Roberts, the PI hired to find Casey doesn't think she is guilty of murder, the evidence just doesn't show it.<br /><br />If I Run is another fast pace thriller from one of my very favorite authors, Terri Blackstock. It starts our with Casey finding her good friend Brent murdered in his home. Knowing why Brent was murdered, and her blood all over everything, Casey's only choice is to take off. Casey was a fantastic leading character, with all of her twists and turns trying to stay under the radar, I never knew what was coming next! Casey was such a caring person, she cared more for helping others than she did herself, even if she did put herself in the spotlight. I really enjoyed this story, and I read it through without putting it down.<br /><br />However, the ending just almost ruined it for me. It left so many loose ends, I felt as though I was hanging from a cliff when I read that last sentence. I sure hope there is a book two, I will be very disappointed if it is not. Can't wait to find out about another book in this series!", "timestamp": 1455863516000, "title": "But her life falls apart when she finds her good friend murdered" }, { "asin": "1414389752", "rating": 5, "text": "Mariah and her grandmother are trying their best to keep their ranch running after the death of Mariah’s father. But their lives take a drastic change when Slade Donovan show up claiming the ranch. As it turns out, Mariah’s father supposedly took money that belonged to Slade’s father and bought the ranch, so now that Slade’s father is dead, he is there to claim what belongs to their family. He agrees to let Mariah and her grandmother stay in the house until his mom and sister come to live there. But a lot of things happen here in this story before that takes place.<br /><br />This was my first book by Pam Hillman, and I loved it so very much! There was a lot of tension between the characters because Slade was carrying around so much anger and bitterness. Mariah was shocked that her father would steal money, so she and Slade didn’t get along. The two that did surprisingly got along was Slade’s quiet brother and Mariah’s grandmother, while I think had a lot to do with Slade and Mariah slowing changing their minds. Grandma was a sweetheart, she loved the Lord, and nothing seemed to upset her. She was the glue that held them all together. But when the mom and sister get there, things may change for them.<br /><br />I enjoyed Ms. Hillman’s writing style and I look forwarding to reading other books by her. The bit of suspense and romance make this story one you will love and enjoy. And I can’t leave out the fact that the history throughout this story was so interesting and very well searched and woven into the lives of the characters. You can’t go wrong with this book being on your ‘to read’ shelf. I purchased a copy of this book to read, and it is so good I wanted to leave a review.", "timestamp": 1456156195000, "title": "Love this historical fiction" }, { "asin": "0764211412", "rating": 5, "text": "I thought this book was a fantastic read, and I really enjoyed every minute of it! After Miranda sold a prized portrait, and her grandfather bought an auction house that they were sure the portrait went to, the story took a new twist! I'm not sure how I would have felt had I ended up at a livestock auction house, and it was just as interesting reading about Miranda's experience. There is a lot in this story to absorb, and I kept wondering if a mistake was made about buying this auction house in the first place, but I just had to be patient. I will have to say, from the cover of this book, I did not expect the story that is between the pages!<br /><br />When I see a book by Regina Jennings, I know its going to be an awesome read, and this was no exception. I became very attached to the characters, the grandfather was adorable and Miranda was a special young lady! And oh, the romance was sweet and heartfelt. This is a must read for those of you who enjoy historical fiction, or just looking for a good clean read! At Love's Bidding will not disappoint!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1456295075000, "title": "Love this book!" }, { "asin": "0718033183", "rating": 4, "text": "Arguments with parents happen often, but Joanna Schrock never dreamed this argument would be her last. The accident that happened after the argument changed Joanna's life forever, in ways she never expected. Andrew, her beau since childhood draws closer<br /> to Joanna, knowing her could have lost her in the accident. But is his marriage offer truly because of his love for her?<br /><br /> This was a most enjoyable story. I do not read a lot of Amish stories, but this one captured my attention, with the horrific accident and the heartbreaking happenings after. The story gets intense while Joanna is recovering, with Andrew hovering over her, and Joanna wondering if it was his love or his pity for him that he was acting in such a way.<br /><br /> This story was interesting enough to keep me reading. If you enjoy Amish stories, you will enjoy this one.<br /><br />I received a free copy of this book from ,…….. to read and review. I expressed my own opinion in this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1458937229000, "title": "But is his marriage offer truly because of his love for her" }, { "asin": "0800726405", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br /> After the death of her husband, Shelby Kincaid decides to move back to where she was raised, and purchase her family's home, Misty Willow. AJ Sullivan owns the home, given to him by his grandfather, though he is sure not interested in the place. Once the two meet, for some odd reason they couldn't stay away from each other. But family history and dark secrets find their place between these two young people.<br /><br />This turned out to be a sweet and heartwarming story. AJ wasn't the villain I thought he would me, he was actually a character I liked very much. AJ's cousins, Brett and Amy are a different story altogether. The were difficult to tolerate! Ms. Alexander does a fantastic job of weaving this story together, through the difficult past, to the difficult cousins, to this special couple, Shelby and AJ, turning their lives around to create a beautiful life between the two. This is a wonderful contemporary story that you don't want to miss.<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1459829440000, "title": "Love this beautiful story!" }, { "asin": "1629116858", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Abigail Stutzman had no idea why she was dumped at a bus station with a ticket to an aunt and uncle's house she didn't even know she had. What was wrong with her mamm, why did she allow this to happen to her? And it seemed like her aunt and uncle and everyone else in her new community was silent on the issue as well. What made things even worse for Abby is her new friends seem to leave her on a trail of burned down barns. Nothing happening in her life made sense to Abbi anymore.<br /><br />Poor Abby, I can not imagine what it would be like to be left at a bus station and sent to someone I didn't even know! Amish sometimes have a strange way of handing situations. One thing about it, Even though Abby didn't know her aunt and uncle, they were happy to meet their new niece, and was glad to have her in their home. She became like a daughter to them. But the fires were a puzzle. And firefighter Sam Miller couldn't figure it out either. But Abby had to be the one setting the fires, wasn't she? As Sam and Abby spend more and more time together, sparks of another kind start flying, and the fire between these two characters may not be so easy to put out.<br /><br />I love Laura Hilton's Amish stories so much. She always has a little different twist to her stories, involving Englischers in such a way that it seems like there is no logical fix to the situations, but in the end, Ms. Hilton weaves the stories together to make a perfect and wonderful ending. And so it was with The Amish Firefighter. This was truly a story of unveiled secrets, forgiveness, redemption and grace in the lives of these characters. I love and appreciate the way Ms. Hilton so vividly tells the story of God's redeeming love to those who as for His forgiveness. I love, love this story, and I am looking forward for more from these Jamesport, Missouri characters.<br /><br />I received this book from Celebrate Lit Blog Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1465782835000, "title": "And it seemed like her aunt and uncle and everyone else in her ..." }, { "asin": "0800722752", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />This was an interesting read, being this is election year! Leta Breckenridge lands a excellent paying job at a public relations firm. What Leta didn't know is that she would be used in ways that were very uncomfortable for her. Nathan Emerson may be in the next running race for governor of Texas, and he has just the right woman by his side to make his running complete. But then he meets Leta, and she is so different from anyone he's ever met before. But two very different lifestyles at this point in Nathan's life?<br /><br />I have grown to love books written by Kellie Coates Gilbert, and each book keeps getting better. Ms. Gilbert develops characters that are so very realistic and believable. As I read everything going on in this book, I had to ask myself; Does this really happen in real life? And I'm afraid my answer leans more toward yes that anything else. This story shows that lying, cheating, deceitfulness, always comes back to bite you.<br /><br />I also loved the relationship Leta had with her mom. Even though her mom didn't know how she was most of the time, Leta still needed her mom and they were so sweet together. I hope I have said enough to want you to read this book. I don't want to give away any of the story, for me it ruins it when someone does that. I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of this book and read it. You will not be disappointed in this one. Or anything this author writes!<br /><br />I received this book from Revell to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1469974817000, "title": "Loved this amazing story" }, { "asin": "0310345391", "rating": 5, "text": "A prison cell in Lake Erie became the home of Confederate soldiers. Growing as close as brothers in this prison, a group of these soldiers made promises to care for one another, no matter what happened. When Phillip Markham lost his life in the prison, Robert Truax knew he had to fulfill that promise and take care of Phillip's wife Marinda. As tough as the situation with Marinda turned out to be, Robert wanted to do the job he came to do and get on with his life. But there were many unexpected bumps in the road that changed those plans.<br /><br /> Shelley Shepard Gray starts another series off with a bang! This beautiful story of love and redemption with capture your hearts. When everything seemed lost and thought there was no hope, Marinda finds out that God does give second chances in life. Robert and Marinda's story is such a sweet heartwarming story. The main characters, as well as the supporting characters will quickly find their way into your heart. I enjoyed the Civil War and post war historical facts and settings. This is a great story for those who enjoy stories with Civil War settings.<br /><br /> A copy of this book was provided to me by BookLook Bloggers for me to read and review. This is my honest opinion of this book.", "timestamp": 1472525447000, "title": "This beautiful story of love and redemption with capture your hearts" }, { "asin": "031034154X", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, this is an amazing story! I fell in love with the characters early in the story. I loved the way Ms. Hauck interweaves Cora and Haley’s stories, and though one was historical and one modern, the story was beautiful written in a way that made me crave more of each character. I couldn’t put this book down because I wanted to find out what was happening with each lady.<br /><br />Cora was the sweetest young lady with a lot of disappointments and heartaches. Rufus, well I just wanted to give him a piece of my mind. And Birch was a sweetheart, a man every women dreams of. Haley was independent like Cora, and wanted to open the Wedding Shop, despite what her parents thought. She was determined to try and forget her ex forever. And I really liked Cole as well. He has his share of disappointments and heartaches too. And I love the way Rachel Hauck interweaves the stories of these four characters in an amazing way, weaving together their dysfunctional lives with their faith in the Lord. And she shows that even though our lives don’t turn out the way we want, and despite the heartaches and disappointments we may go through, Jesus will always be there in us and with us. And He can take all of our baggage and make something beautiful from it all.<br /><br />The Wedding Shop is another beautiful story from author Rach Hauck. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good clean heartwarming read. And if you haven’t read The Wedding Dress and The Wedding Chapel, I encourage you to check out these two books as well.<br /><br />I received this book from Celebration Lit Blog Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1474495378000, "title": "Love it!" }, { "asin": "0310342015", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />I love, love Amy Clipston's books and this is another amazing one from her. She writes the most amazing Amish fiction, and you don't want to miss this one. Mike Lantz has his hands full taking care of his dad and his disabled son. He moves to the area because he wants his son to go to this special school, hoping he can learn like a regular. And that's where he meets Rachel. Rachel feels sorry for the Lantz family and wants to help them, so she starts fixing them mills each week and sending them home by Mike's son John. The special thing about these meals is that she sends them in an antique basket that belonged to her mom, a basket that brought her mom and dad together. Can history repeat itself and bring another couple together?<br />Find out when you read the third book in The Amish Heirloom Series by Amy Clipston. I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1475899748000, "title": "Rachel Fisher is devastated when the young man she’s loved for years leaves her to date her best friend" }, { "asin": "162911748X", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />This is such an amazing story, I was in awe the entire time I was reading this book. Both Mary and Joseph were the sweetest young couple. Her parents loved her very much to make sure the man she would marry was the man she loved. I know this is fiction, but as I read the account of the angel coming to Mary in a dream, her trip to see her cousin Elizabeth, Mary telling her parents and Joseph she was pregnant with the Messiah, each and every scene was so fully detailed, I felt like I was living this story along with the characters. It is so neat to see this Bible account through the eyes of Diana W. Taylor.<br />It was so sweet to follow along with Mary as she realized she was carrying a special baby, that God has actually trusted her an favored her among all of the women of that time, and chose her to be the mother of Jesus. Despite what she had to go through, the outrage of her family and Joseph when she first told them she was pregnant with God's son, all of the talk and whispers among everyone she came in contact with, Mary still had a peace and calmness, and an excitement that God had favored her among women. Can you just imaging what that would feel like?<br />Ms. Taylor not only writes an wonderful story of Mary, the historical events and all of the details was amazing. It is so much in this story that I love, I could go on and on, but you have an idea what this book is about. And I agree with others that this book needs to be read before Christmas and before Easter. It is a great way to ready your heart for the Celebration of each of these holidays. If you have friends and family that love reading, and don't know the Lord, this would be the most amazing book for them to read. The Gospel is told throughout this book in a wonderful way. This is a must read for every Christian!<br />&#34;I received this book from the author for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed in this review are my own.&#34;", "timestamp": 1476502162000, "title": "Love this Biblical Fiction!" }, { "asin": "1501822608", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is an awesome devotional for the month of December. Ace Collins take us through each day of December with a different insight about the one we celebrate on Christmas day, Jesus Christ. I have enjoyed this devotional because each day I am reminded of the birth of or Savior, and it I can read about Him and Worship Him in a new way each day. There is also a lot of fun things throughout the pages of this books. You will find nice recipes, the meaning behind the words of songs, Christmas traditions, Christmas carols and some movies. I am really enjoying my time spent in this little book, and I will save it for years to come.<br />I highly recommend The Most Wonderful Time of the Year for your special Christmas devotions. received this book from Litfuse to read and review. I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1481771391000, "title": "Awesome Christmas Devotional" }, { "asin": "0718086422", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />For me, it was difficult to get interested in this story until after the first several chapters, but then, the story opens up into raw emotions about what truly happens to families that go into full time ministry, especially as missionaries to another country. Through fiction, this author shares the feelings and truths of the real family problems that can occur. After reading this, you will feel more of a desire to pray for missionaries you know, as well as any missionaries that give up their lives as they know it to go into an unknown place and share the gospel of Christ. Remember to pray for those taking the gospel to the places in the world that would not hear unless someone comes to tell them.<br />This is a must read if you believe God is calling you to the mission fields. It could very well help families know more about what to expect.<br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1483588639000, "title": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK For me, it was ..." }, { "asin": "1401685978", "rating": 3, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK <br />Charlotte and Daniel are in love, but the problem is Charlotte is an Englisher, and she doesn’t seem to want to do anything about joining the Amish faith to be with Daniel for the rest of their lives. Daniel is getting so frustrated because he loves Charlotte, but the Bishop is putting the pressure on him because if there relationship is to go on, Charlotte needs to be doing something to lead them all to believe she is thinking about joining their faith. Even though she has lived in the Amish community for a long time, and considers the Amish as her family.<br />This book doesn’t have a lot going on, the main issue is Charlotte and Daniel’s disturbing relationship. Which makes this book much slower than the first two books in this series. This one is just lacking something, not an interesting. But, all in all, I would have read it anyway to see what happens at the end of the series, and to tie up some loose ends. Pick u this last book in Beth Wiseman’s An Amish Secrets Series. I received this book from Booklook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1508817344048, "title": "... THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Charlotte and Daniel are in love, but the problem is Charlotte is an Englisher" }, { "asin": "1683223357", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />This first Christmas story, ‘Christmas in Gold’ is about and elderly lady named Astrid who fell down steps at home and her son and daughter decides to move her to an assisted living facility near her son’s house. Trouble is, he travels all of the time and is hardly home. So after much downsizing her son gets her moved in, he has to leave and the daughter can’t come to help either, so ….has fun decorating her new apartment. Except she couldn’t find her God Christmas ornaments, so guess her son didn’t bother to bring them. Then She starts making new friends at her new place, specifically her therapist. They both needed a friend and despite their age difference they hit it off. So we’re able to be there for each other.<br /><br />This is a good story, but it started off very slow for me. After probably halfway through it gets better. There’s a little bit of drama here but not much. Christmas did turn out different than I expected. The characters are interesting and realistic, and the author shows that no matter the circumstances, we can be happy and useful in whatever stage of life we are in. The God will walk with us.<br /><br />❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️<br /><br />This second story ‘Christmas in Blue’ for me, is much better. Carole, who has always taken care of the Christmas to Remember event each year passed away leaving her best friend, Angela to follow in her footsteps. And of course she was chosen to do the Christmas to Remember event as well. But things didn’t go so smoothly, and time was running out, and besides that, they only Christmas decorations they could find was blue. Everything. Blue. Which the town wasn’t going to like. Then a mystery person appeared, helping diligently to make the Celebration a success.<br /><br />I enjoyed this story a lot. It was really special to see a twin come together. But the end results was surprisingly very well done. Makes for a very cozy Christmas story to read during the holidays! Especially if there comes a pretty snowfall!<br /><br />This is a beautiful book! I love blue so the colors are just what I like. I encourage you to pick up a copy of The Colors of Christmas for hours of cozy, clean fun entertainment! A complementary copy of this book was provided by TLC Tours. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1509065101398, "title": "Cozy Christmas read" }, { "asin": "1420144839", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Liza Schrock in content running the bakery her late husband bought for her, and has no need for another man in her life. Paul was enough for a lifetime of men for her. Until Jacob Graber and his daughter Ellie walks into her bakery and her life.<br /><br />I enjoyed this sweet Amish story, though some of the time it was a bit slow and things were repeated often. Lisa was happy to be rid of her demanding husband and could now live without fear of his abusive behavior. Though she reacts to Jacob differently than any other man, she is still content with being alone. But Jacob is determined to win Lisa over. I didn’t really care for Jacob’s attitude in several areas. He was rather pushy, even asking Lisa’s family personal questions that were none of his business at the time. And I didn’t like the way he talked to his daughter Ellie about how he felt over his wife’s death, how he missed her too, and needed a friend. To me, this just added to Ellie’s negative feelings, and made Jacob a bit self centered, which is not how Amish men are to act. Soles he sounded like more the whiny child. And I could understand Ellie’s feelings. She had lost her mom after all, and was at the age to question Amish life. And with her dads feelings and attitude all over the place she needed more stability than him.<br /><br />This story jumps around a lot, it deals with a lot of issues lightly but it doesn’t get too deep in any of them. For Amish fiction lovers, you will enjoy Lisa’s story. The ending is much better than the rest of the book so hang in there and keep reading!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1517488805654, "title": "I enjoyed this sweet Amish story" }, { "asin": "0718091159", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Amish Sweethearts is a collection of four Amish stories written by author Amy Clipston. In each of these stores, the main character has some pretty hefty issues to deal with. But they also each find the person they want to spend their life with. And sometime the Amish Father is hard to get along with, which several of these characters had to deal with as well. Ms. Clipston does a wonderful job of weaving lives, circumstances, hurts and wrong decisions together, and coming up with stories that will warm your heart.<br /><br />Overall I enjoyed this book, but I do have a problem with the publisher, publishing two stories that have already previously been published in similar books, and not that kings ago. It’s like getting half a book new and the other half used. And charge the same price. Hopefully this will not be the case again. This is the reason for the 4 stars instead of 5.<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1517551284649, "title": "the main character has some pretty hefty issues to deal with" }, { "asin": "1683700406", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />The Melody of the Soul is an emotional, heartbreaking read, but yet interesting as we meet Violinist Anna Zadok, a Christian Jew, and her grandmother. With the Nazi’s occupation in Prague, Anna and her grandmother lost family, and Anna lost the right to play her beloved violin. When Nazi officer Horst Engel hears Anna play, enjoys the music so much he makes a way for her to keep playing.<br /><br />As one that plays several musical instruments, I always enjoy books where music has such a huge part in the lives of its characters, as did this book. And the soft side of a Nazi officers love of music was a special touch to the story as well. The characters are well developed as the story progresses. And the author does a fantastic job of weaving the beautiful historical scenes of Praque and the horrors and graphics of WWll, making an enjoyable read for everyone. If you love WWll stories, This is one you want to check out!<br /><br />I received this book from Litfuse to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1517942859721, "title": "I always enjoy books where music has such a huge part in ..." }, { "asin": "0718099397", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />NFL player Toren Daniels just couldn’t control his anger, no matter what. But when he wakes up in a hotel room, not remembering where he’s been for the past 8 month, his anger is gone. This throws Daniels on a whirlwind to find out where he’s been for the past eight months, as well as prove to his wife and family that he has changed! But with his family believing Toren is dead, they have moved on.<br /><br />I have to admit, I’ve never read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but this author did a very good job of describing what it is about throughout this book, so it was easy to follow the parallel of the two stories. I though I had this plot firgured out, and I actually did get part of it right, but getting to the bottom of Toren’s story and the end of book, author James Rubart takes readers in an unbelievable journey that will stick with you for a long time! Rubarts books are the only fantasy type books I read, and I read them because I love the way he takes Bible principles and a character like Toren with his severe anger issues and weaves them together to show God’s love, mercy and forgiveness. His expertise knowledge and research for this story is evident in each scene in this book. Sometimes I had to just stop and wrap my mind around all of the details before reading further. I found “The Man He Never Was” an amazing book on God’s love. If you enjoy books that strongly applys Bible principals to the lives of the characters in a fantasy type way, you will love this book. And if you have never read a book of this genre, this would be a good one to start with!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1521526071725, "title": "Awesome Story!" }, { "asin": "1496421523", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />I loved this book. So much so that I hated having to put it down for the non important things such as cleaning house or cooking dinner! Just Let Go was so realistic, so much like people everywhere today. And I love the Title because letting go and Letting God in on our problems would be so much easier than trying to fix them ourselves.<br /><br />Quinn and Brady both had so many issues to fight through. But first they have to like each other because they didn’t get off to a very good start. Both had anger issues caused by heir past and they just didn’t want to let the past go. Would a real relationship work for the two?<br /><br />Along with my love of story, the characters are fantastic and they make the story so much more interesting. Ms. Walsh deals with a lot issuess that so many people face today, it’s hard to pinpoint just one. And the plot flows so smoothly. I appreciate that this book is full of love and redemption, caring and loving people. This is an amazing Contemporary Fiction for anyone looking for a good clean fun read.<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1530755538746, "title": "This is an Amazing Story!" }, { "asin": "1624167470", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The idea of a Hope Jar, or a Prayer Jar is a pretty neat idea! And Michelle finding it was good because that’s what she needed in her life at the time. I somehow find it unbelievable though how Michelle ended up with this Amish family. That grandparents would take a young lady in under those circumstances. And I was really irritated at Michelle for her actions and attitude. I did feel bad for the Lapps because they fell in love with Michelle.<br /><br />But I think my heart broke mostly for Sara. She was the one who had to suffer the most. I wish there would have been more about Sara in this story, but hopefully another book will have her story. All in all that was a good story, the characters were realistic, making me feel as though I had met new neighbors. If you love Amish, you will love this story<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1534876862140, "title": "The Hope Jar" }, { "asin": "0718083040", "rating": 5, "text": "I have enjoyed Robert Whitlow’s books for a while now, and this one it just as amazing as his previous books. I appreciate the fact that he write about issues that the world struggles with currently. I’m a time where there is so much hatred because of a person’s color, race, background, or just because people don’t like another person, Whitlow’s book Chosen People brings to light the need for everyone to respect others, reguardless of who they are. Imagine what would happen if everyone read this book and followed what Whitlow is saying to everyone. And though fiction, this book hits the nail on the head about issues happening today. Things that are going on today in the families and lives of everyone. Oh that we might heed his voice and his words. I strongly encourage everyone to check this book out. And if you think it’s for you, then read a copy and see what you think.<br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1549609867320, "title": "What a Good Read" }, { "asin": "168322826X", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Ladies of Intrigue is a collection of three stories written by Michelle Griep. I didn’t realize these Novellas were previously published, so I had read a couple of them already! Don’t you just hate when this happens? A new book with stories you have already read! But it was good to refresh my memory of these stories.<br /><br />It starts on Cornish Coast in 1815 when the First Lady of Intrigue falls in love with s smuggler. Not exactly what she had planned to do. Then on to Dakota Territory in 1862 with the second Intrigung Lady, Emily and Dr. Clark. I’ve always enjoyed a stories set in the Dakota Territory, and I enjoyed this one, especially with the doctoring techniques of this century. And the third Intriguing Lady is found in St. Paul Minnesota and the House of Secrets. This haunted house had the worst most haunting secrets of all!<br /><br />All three of these stories will sure keep your interest, from the historical fact that we always find in a Michelle Griep story to the haunting mysteries each of these stories hold. You are sure to get a taste of the exceptional writing of this author!<br /><br />A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.", "timestamp": 1551073892869, "title": "An Collection if Intriguing Tales" }, { "asin": "031034817X", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />First of all I love this book cover! It is what Dee me to this book! And I love Kelly Irvin’s books as well! And this was such a special read! Laura and Zechariah are both getting on in years, both feeling as though their work on this earth is finished, but God may have other plans! Laura’s helping in Zechariah’s granddaughter after having her Nablus results in the two elderly people getting together, and they realize they are needed.<br /><br />This is a beautiful heartwarming story set in the beautiful Amish community in Jamesport, Missouri. Ms. Irvin does a fantastic job of creating characters that we will all love as they weave their way into our hearts throughout this story. They plot flows well, and kept my interest throughout the story. I like that Redemption, love, and faith were woven into the characters lives! This is a story you don’t wasn’t to miss, especially if you are an Amish fan!<br /><br />I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.", "timestamp": 1551334152740, "title": "Beautiful heartwarming story" }, { "asin": "0785219706", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Glory Road is a quiet, small place where Jessica owns a thriving garden shop, and lives with her daughter and mom. She moved back to Glory Road years ago after devorcing the husband that decided he wanted someone else and not her. Jessica lives her quiet life and was content with her small family. That is until two handsome, very different men came into her life. One she had never met, one that lived on Glory Road when they were growing up. And life is just not the same as before these two men arrive.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I love the characters, they were all fantastic! Jessica and her quirky mom has such different personalities, and I can see a little off Evan in both of the ladies. Three strong women, two of which have suffered heartbreaking issues life has thrown them, all determined to stay strong and fight to strive in this world. I love Glory Road and the atmosphere surrounding the place! It all seems olive somewhere in a dream, yet so close and realistic. It’s a place I would sure want to live. Ms. Denton does a really good job weaving together the differences between Ben and Sumner, and with Jessica struggling to make a decision between the two. Of course I fell in love with Ben from the beginning, so I was cheering for him all along! But you have to read the book for the rest of that story!<br /><br />Glory Road is a sweet calming read for me. It’s like settling down at home for a nice relaxing stay. It’s that book you want to read when you need a few days of relaxing. It’s a book that I highly recommend to anyone wanting a nice clean time of enjoyment through books!<br /><br />I received this book from JustReads Tours to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1553618781544, "title": "A really awesome heartwarming read!" }, { "asin": "0785216642", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br />Everleigh Applegate and Beck Holiday, separated by fifty years, but joined together by devastating loss, secrets, and men who want to give them happiness again. Rachel Hauck has written another amazing story that will fill our minds and take us on a journey that will stay with us long after we close the pages of this book!<br /><br />Another story that I love, love, love! The characters are so realistic I can feel the pain they have suffered while reading the words describing their feelings. Everleigh’s story is written around the era I was born and my early years, which I always love to read about. And Rachel Hauck is the very best when it comes to writing time slip stories. I love the way she goes from one era to the other so fluently and make the plot play out so smoothly. There are a number of issues dealt with in this book, starting with Beck being suspended from her job as a cop because of misconduct. Though I can understand her going off, it was just the wrong place and at the wrong time. My heart went out to Beck and Everleigh because of the lifechanging losses they had to deal with. And Ms. Hauck dealt with these losses and changes with class! And I can’t leave out the men that came into both of these ladies lives. Both Don and Bruno were humble characters, dealing with somewhat the same issues in their lives. And their decisions were made easier by their friendship with these ladies. And if you want to know all of the details and what happens with Everleigh and Beck, I highly recommend you pick up a copy of The Memory House.<br /><br />I received this book from Read with Audra to read and review. 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 55.", "timestamp": 1555137130100, "title": "Absolutely Wonderful Read" }, { "asin": "1683229339", "rating": 4, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />The book of Ruth has always been a favorite story of the Bible for me, so I was happy that I could read and review “Shadows Among Sheaves.” It sure made the story interesting that the setting for this story was Victorian England and Rena was an Indian girl, and I really liked both characters. And the two characters faced many difficult situations because to Rena’s heratige. But Lord Barric was a little different. Even though he was gracious in helping Rena and Nell, for me, his character was just not what I have always thought Boaz was like. Lord Barric was just plain out mean at times, and I didn’t like his attitude, especially toward Rena.<br /><br />However the writing here is phenomenal. The author clearly did a lot of research before writing this story, and though this is Ms. Stephen’s debut novel, she her writing seems as though she is a seasoned writer, and this I did love. The only quirk I have with the story is the scenes that didn’t feel appropriate for Christian fiction. And there are several words or phrases that I feel could have been left out or changed because for me, they are a little strong for Christian fiction. And this gives this book 4 stars. But overall, this is still a book I encourage you to read and you can decide for yourself. I will certainly be looking for more from this author.<br /><br />A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I was not expected to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally my own view of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.<br /><br />", "timestamp": 1556793698025, "title": "A retelling of Ruth and Naomi" }, { "asin": "0718075684", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK <br /><br />Wow! Another interesting book by Elizabeth Byler Younts. Brighton Friedrich was born in Riverside Home, an asylum for the mentally ill because her mom was there at the time. She made many friends there, after all she was there until she was an adult. One was Angel, an albino that wasn’t mentally ill, but his wealthy family didn’t want him. I’ve always heard that asylums in the early to mid 1900’s treated their patients horrible, and that’s what happens in this book. But for one nurse that grew to love Brighton.<br /><br />The title of this book didn’t prepare me for what was coming between the pages. This was definitely not an easy book to read. Sometimes it was hard to keep reading, yet I did, because I wanted to find out how the story ended. Ms. Younts goes into so much detail about the treatment of the patients, which really angered me, they used anything to control them. I’m glad much more has been found out about mentally ill patients today and there is help.<br /><br />The characters in this story grew on me. I fell in love with Brighton and Angel, and ‘Nursey’ as Brighten called her, was the only reason they survived. I did have a difficult time with how the nurse treated Brighten at one time though. And the escape from the home could have been handled differently but maybe during that era in time it was the only way.<br /><br />Over all, this is a fantastic read. A very different read, for sure. This is why I wanted to review this book, because I know it would be unique. So I encourage you to check out The Bright Unknown if this is an issue that interest you.<br /><br />A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.", "timestamp": 1572612292243, "title": "An interesting read" }, { "asin": "0310332591", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK <br /><br />Being back in his home town in Colorado, Nate wasn’t especially excited about how the town folks would receive him. But with Brenna living across the street from his brother, with whom he was staying, he was about to find out. Issues between the two families have been strained for many years, with no show for then to ever be any different.<br /><br />I love, love this story! Terri Blackstock is one of my favorite authors, her books exceed all of my expectations for a book! Smoke Screen is so professionally written, the characters seem like old friends, the plot is so realistic, it’s like a story that can be found in anyone’s town or community. Nate and Brenna quickly stole a piece of my heart, because of the past they could have had, if not for their fathers. Their supporting characters were honest, but sometimes a little difficult on the two.<br /><br />I was quite intrigued about Nate’s job of being a smokejumper. And I enjoyed the detailed information about the job included in the story. Ms. Blackstock did well in her research. And as far as Brenna, her situation is too familiar these days. My heart hurt for her so much. And her ex was a good for nothing conceded jerk, to put it nicely. With this part of the story, as well as how people acted was very well thought out and described in vivid detail as well.<br /><br />There really wasn’t anything I didn’t like about this book. The mystery behind who the real guilty person was, the misunderstanding of the people, and the romance added in was enough for a really amazing story and Terri Blackstock did not disappoint at the end either. She gave her readers an Heartwarming ending that will sure stick with me for a while.<br /><br />A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.<br /><br />", "timestamp": 1573977449350, "title": "Another amazing read by Terri Blackstock" }, { "asin": "0764231820", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK<br /><br />Black Heart is not a name anyone would want tagged as their name, but Major Phillip Camden wore the name loudly since his entire squadton lost their lives. Everyone but Camden. Now he is being blamed. But after spending time with Phillip, nurse Arabelle Denler sees him differently.<br /><br />This is another amazing book by author Roseanna White. Fron the first page, I was hooked on this story. Again, i was fascinated by the jobs of the code breakers. It’s a job I would have loved, though it had it’s moments. I liked Phillip from the beginning. Maybe because I felt sorry for him? But he just seemed like a nice guy. And Ara felt the same, especially the more she spent time with him. I was happy when she wanted to do what she could to help him. These are both truly wonderful characters. And the other characters are well thought out and created as well. The story is very well written and held my attention, so much so that I didn’t want to put it down.<br /><br />There’s much going on in this story. Too much to talk about here, and I don’t want to ruin the book for you. I highly recommend On Wings of Devotion. This is a story you are sure to love. Especially if you enjoy historical fiction!<br />A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.<br /><br />", "timestamp": 1579060654113, "title": "Love this really good historical fiction!" }, { "asin": "0310350921", "rating": 5, "text": "MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK <br /><br />When Ed, Jett, Lexa, Chuck and Coral all received a mysterious invitation to the Fifth Avenue Story Society, none of them expected that their lives would be changed forever. Rachel Hauck has again written an amazing story for her readers to enjoy. With characters that all have their own stories, Ms. Hauck so vividly describes each character in a way that I felt I knew each one personally. I grew to love each of these characters because there is something for me to learn from each of them. <br /><br />As this group keeps meeting at the Fifth Avenue Literary Society Library, I was anticipating each meeting because I wanted to know what was happening next, who would be able to share their struggles with the others. And Gilda the librarian, bless her heart, I love that she eventually started interacting with this group, giving her own advice. This book it beautiful inside and out. The cover is absolutely beautiful, and these characters will stay with me for a long time. <br /><br />I would like to thank the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.", "timestamp": 1582132595984, "title": "Wow, another amazing read from Rachel Hauck" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764211692", "rating": 4, "text": "I am excited about my latest read! In a town where mail order brides are being scooped up before they have a chance with their intendeds, we find our story. Eliza Cantrall is anxious to meet her own husband-to-be, Axel, and takes off early to surprise him. On the way, she is robbed of all her savings and is now showing up without the money she promised him.<br /><br />Will Stanton is Axel's business partner and town preferred doctor. He has no practicing license, or schooling for that matter, but cares for his patients and they adore him. When Eliza arrives, Axel is nowhere to be found and Will finds himself drawn to her.<br /><br />I love that this novel isn't just a love story, but a spiritual journey, as well. Both, Eliza and Will, have to work through their dreams, hopes and desires while learning to trust God. They both have to realize what is most important in life and trust that God loves them enough to provide through all things.<br /><br />I am giving this 4 stars because I really enjoyed reading it, I liked Will and Eliza and their strong character. It was a light, easy read, but fun and had some depth. Great story. Thanks, www.netgalley.com and Bethany House for giving me this book for an honest review. Here's to many more!!<br /><br />www.atransparentmom.blogspot.com", "timestamp": 1408388501000, "title": "Cute read! Give it a try!!" }, { "asin": "141438985X", "rating": 1, "text": "Jan Watson is an author that is completely new to me. I had never read anything by her and was excited to review this book. As you know from past reviews, the front cover is a major selling point for me and this is a beautiful cover! Unfortunately, the positive attributes of this book end there.<br /><br />The story has multiple main characters. It is supposed to be centered around Mazy Pelfrey and how she will decide between the two men in her life. What is it that she really wants for her future? However, the author is continually sidetracked with characters that are completely irrelevant to the story. Every little bit of scenery and every mundane activity seems to be written in great detail with many confusing side stories and details. Furthermore, there is nothing exceptionally likeable about any of the characters and the ending is quite abrupt.<br /><br />The epilogue tells us who she chose. It doesn’t show how or when. It also tries to wrap up all the characters in a nice little package that has absolutely nothing to do with the storyline. Not only is it unrealistic, it is completely ridiculous. The whole epilogue completely blew my mind. I have never seen an author do this before.<br /><br />Believe me, I hate to give a scathing review. Unfortunately, there was nothing I liked about this story that could redeem it.<br /><br />I do thank you, Tyndale House Publishers, for giving me a copy of this book for my review. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1414805028000, "title": "No Thanks" }, { "asin": "0310315549", "rating": 5, "text": "In the third book of The Royal Wedding series, Corina Del Ray faces some hard decisions. She has been secretly married to the prince of Brighton, but even SHE didn’t know that their marriage certificate is still legitimate. They married in secret, but was later told that it was done illegally.<br /><br />Five years after her husband, the prince, walked away from her life, he has now appeared wanting her to sign an annulment. She has to decide whether or not to fight for her marriage. The prince, meanwhile, has his own feelings of failure and worthlessness to deal with.<br /><br />What I found really moving about this book was not necessarily the romance. I felt like the growth these characters went through, learning to trust in God, was the real story. It’s rare to have a romance that shows God’s love more than a great love story of the two characters. I found myself tearing up a few times as I read about God’s goodness.<br /><br />While there were a few odd elements to this book and some slow moving scenes, I felt that the bottom line far outweighed anything else. The bottom line being how God works deeply in our lives when we learn to trust Him; even when it doesn’t make sense and goes against every natural response.<br /><br />I definitely recommend this book. Read it and see how much God loves. &#60;3 Thank you, booklookbloggers, for this wonderful read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1429048735000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1401690610", "rating": 5, "text": "In Kristy’s follow up novel to The Butterfly and the Violin, we are once again taken back into the horrific time of WWII. As the story jumps from present day to the 1940’s, she beautifully intertwines the past and present. While, in the present, William fights for his name to be cleared. As we are taken back, Sophie’s back story is also partially revealed.<br /><br />I have never seen a book that goes back and forth like this. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think, or if I would like it. I also have a terrifying phobia of reading anything to do with WWII as my compassionate heart can’t handle it. That being said, the book grabbed my attention right away and I felt engrossed and engaged the entire way through. Kristy had a wonderful balance of sharing the details of this tragic era without sharing too many of the details. The characters were full of life and I fell in love with each one.<br /><br />Please pick up a copy of this book (don’t forget the first one! You’re gonna want it to keep up!!). Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!<br /><br />— Don’t forget to check out my Face-Off with Kristy Cambron and enter to win this great read!!<br /><br />http://atransparentmom.com/2015/04/21/a-sparrow-in-terezin/", "timestamp": 1429674595000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "A gripping, page turning, suspenseful and dramatic read!! Yes, it is all of those things!! From the first page of this book, you will be hooked!<br /><br />Claire Dellamare shows up at the Hotel Tourmaline to help her father close a business deal. Little does she know that her past is very much tied up with this quaint little town. As she has flashbacks and bits of her memory coming and going, Claire starts to learn that she has, indeed, been here! Realizing that she was missing for a whole year of her life when she was just a child, she goes on a hunt to find out the true story. Making new relationships and digging deeper, she finds out more and more about her past. Someone doesn't like this and will do anything to make her stop.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book! It's a solid 5 stars. Full of rich and complex characters, a deep storyline, suspense, mystery, and a reliance on God. Everything is here!! Please pick up a copy for yourself and for a friend!!<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!<br /><br />While you are at it, you can check out my fun Face-Off with the amazing Colleen Coble:<br /><br />http://atransparentmom.com/2015/04/22/face-off-with-colleen-coble/", "timestamp": 1430027822000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1451692447", "rating": 5, "text": "In 1892, as the World Fair was coming to Chicago, Tiffany (as in glass, not diamonds) was preparing to enter gorgeous, stained glass windows and other displays. The men were on strike, so Mr. Tiffany decided to hire women, for the first time in history. These women endured mistreatment, groping, being spit at and a number of other atrocities. They were not considered women of “good repute” if they had jobs, so men figured that they didn’t have to treat them as ladies.<br /><br />Much to her parents dismay, Flossie decides to move out of her home to become one of the “Tiffany Girls”. What a BEAUTIFUL story unfolds as we see her grow up and mature through the harsh realities of life. Her new “family” at the boarding house and the prestigious job she holds is what will bring her happiness; or so she thought.<br /><br />The hero in this story is also grappling with loss, fear and growth. It’s an absolutely wonderful book. I read it through in one day and didn’t want to put it down. It is full of so much rich history, colorful, intriguing characters, and windows into the world of the “New Woman”.<br /><br />Solid Five Stars. I encourage you to pick up a copy!<br /><br />Thank you, netgalley, for this wonderful read. As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1430837625000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800721837", "rating": 5, "text": "Tessa is hiding a secret and she absolutely MUST get hired as a horticulturist at Como Park or her family will find out what it is. They already think so little of her...Of course, there is also a young, handsome man that is vying for the same position and is ever so kind.<br /><br />Lorna is always a great storyteller and uses history in such a unique way. The characters are full of life, deep, and grow throughout. Even for someone with a black thumb and no interest in gardening, she can make the story come alive and hold my interest.<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1432352726000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800734351", "rating": 5, "text": "Marisa is back in her small hometown and she is not happy about it. She worked hard to get a degree and get out of there. Now back at a newly updated resort, she is trying to sort out her life. Her dad is missing, she's had her heart broken, her brother-in-law passed away, and she is starting over.<br /><br />When she meets Blake, she thinks that, just maybe, her dreams have come true. Of course, he has a little secret that just might change things. Romance, intrigue, and loveable characters make you want to keep turning the pages. Sometimes Amanda can get caught up over describing things, but I know that is just a matter of taste and style. Some people want a lot of descriptions and some just want to get on with the story. Other than that, it's a great book! She has a real talent!!<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1432954633000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1426787278", "rating": 5, "text": "A story of pain, sorrow, healing, love and cleansing. Emmalyn moves to a small town so she can pick up the pieces of her life. Well, so she can pick up the pieces of what’s left of her life. Her husband is in prison and due to be released soon. Can their marriage possibly survive this?<br /><br />Through it all, we meet some quirky characters that help “M” heal from the heartache her life has been. It’s uniquely written as if we were in Emmalyn’s mind, but it’s not in first person. There is much depth here in learning to forgive, to trust God, and to live life to the fullest. Great read and well written.<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433124192000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1496402146", "rating": 5, "text": "What a beautiful story! Heidi, had never learned anything about nutrition and exercise so, they just ate whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. Her daughter, Breanna, was in 3rd grade and already hitting 180+lbs. Heidi tried everything she could think of and prayed, prayed, prayed. Through a lot of research, common sense and answered prayer, Breanna has lost all of her excess weight and even made the Junior Olympics in swimming!!<br /><br />This is an incredible journey that will keep you turning the pages. There are so many great side notes on nutrition, labels, exercising ideas and much more. It even includes a 40-Day Meal and Exercise Plan. Heidi's brutal honesty is so refreshing.<br /><br />I know that a lot of people have their opinions on how she gained so much weight, how her mom handled it and everything else. However, I think that we, as mothers, need to be more supportive of each other instead of making it a competition. We can't possibly know what is best for her family when we aren't part of it. It's unreasonable to think that you have better answers. So, please just encourage each other and pray for each other. Heidi and Breanna are beautiful pictures of listening to God and watching Him get the glory.<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433302308000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764211692", "rating": 4, "text": "I am excited about my latest read! In a town where mail order brides are being scooped up before they have a chance with their intendeds, we find our story. Eliza Cantrall is anxious to meet her own husband-to-be, Axel, and takes off early to surprise him. On the way, she is robbed of all her savings and is now showing up without the money she promised him.<br /><br />Will Stanton is Axel's business partner and town preferred doctor. He has no practicing license, or schooling for that matter, but cares for his patients and they adore him. When Eliza arrives, Axel is nowhere to be found and Will finds himself drawn to her.<br /><br />I love that this novel isn't just a love story, but a spiritual journey, as well. Both, Eliza and Will, have to work through their dreams, hopes and desires while learning to trust God. They both have to realize what is most important in life and trust that God loves them enough to provide through all things.<br /><br />I am giving this 4 stars because I really enjoyed reading it, I liked Will and Eliza and their strong character. It was a light, easy read, but fun and had some depth. Great story. Thanks, www.netgalley.com and Bethany House for giving me this book for an honest review. Here's to many more!!<br /><br />www.atransparentmom.blogspot.com", "timestamp": 1408388501000, "title": "Cute read! Give it a try!!" }, { "asin": "141438985X", "rating": 1, "text": "Jan Watson is an author that is completely new to me. I had never read anything by her and was excited to review this book. As you know from past reviews, the front cover is a major selling point for me and this is a beautiful cover! Unfortunately, the positive attributes of this book end there.<br /><br />The story has multiple main characters. It is supposed to be centered around Mazy Pelfrey and how she will decide between the two men in her life. What is it that she really wants for her future? However, the author is continually sidetracked with characters that are completely irrelevant to the story. Every little bit of scenery and every mundane activity seems to be written in great detail with many confusing side stories and details. Furthermore, there is nothing exceptionally likeable about any of the characters and the ending is quite abrupt.<br /><br />The epilogue tells us who she chose. It doesn’t show how or when. It also tries to wrap up all the characters in a nice little package that has absolutely nothing to do with the storyline. Not only is it unrealistic, it is completely ridiculous. The whole epilogue completely blew my mind. I have never seen an author do this before.<br /><br />Believe me, I hate to give a scathing review. Unfortunately, there was nothing I liked about this story that could redeem it.<br /><br />I do thank you, Tyndale House Publishers, for giving me a copy of this book for my review. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1414805028000, "title": "No Thanks" }, { "asin": "0310315549", "rating": 5, "text": "In the third book of The Royal Wedding series, Corina Del Ray faces some hard decisions. She has been secretly married to the prince of Brighton, but even SHE didn’t know that their marriage certificate is still legitimate. They married in secret, but was later told that it was done illegally.<br /><br />Five years after her husband, the prince, walked away from her life, he has now appeared wanting her to sign an annulment. She has to decide whether or not to fight for her marriage. The prince, meanwhile, has his own feelings of failure and worthlessness to deal with.<br /><br />What I found really moving about this book was not necessarily the romance. I felt like the growth these characters went through, learning to trust in God, was the real story. It’s rare to have a romance that shows God’s love more than a great love story of the two characters. I found myself tearing up a few times as I read about God’s goodness.<br /><br />While there were a few odd elements to this book and some slow moving scenes, I felt that the bottom line far outweighed anything else. The bottom line being how God works deeply in our lives when we learn to trust Him; even when it doesn’t make sense and goes against every natural response.<br /><br />I definitely recommend this book. Read it and see how much God loves. &#60;3 Thank you, booklookbloggers, for this wonderful read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1429048735000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1401690610", "rating": 5, "text": "In Kristy’s follow up novel to The Butterfly and the Violin, we are once again taken back into the horrific time of WWII. As the story jumps from present day to the 1940’s, she beautifully intertwines the past and present. While, in the present, William fights for his name to be cleared. As we are taken back, Sophie’s back story is also partially revealed.<br /><br />I have never seen a book that goes back and forth like this. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think, or if I would like it. I also have a terrifying phobia of reading anything to do with WWII as my compassionate heart can’t handle it. That being said, the book grabbed my attention right away and I felt engrossed and engaged the entire way through. Kristy had a wonderful balance of sharing the details of this tragic era without sharing too many of the details. The characters were full of life and I fell in love with each one.<br /><br />Please pick up a copy of this book (don’t forget the first one! You’re gonna want it to keep up!!). Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!<br /><br />— Don’t forget to check out my Face-Off with Kristy Cambron and enter to win this great read!!<br /><br />http://atransparentmom.com/2015/04/21/a-sparrow-in-terezin/", "timestamp": 1429674595000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "A gripping, page turning, suspenseful and dramatic read!! Yes, it is all of those things!! From the first page of this book, you will be hooked!<br /><br />Claire Dellamare shows up at the Hotel Tourmaline to help her father close a business deal. Little does she know that her past is very much tied up with this quaint little town. As she has flashbacks and bits of her memory coming and going, Claire starts to learn that she has, indeed, been here! Realizing that she was missing for a whole year of her life when she was just a child, she goes on a hunt to find out the true story. Making new relationships and digging deeper, she finds out more and more about her past. Someone doesn't like this and will do anything to make her stop.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book! It's a solid 5 stars. Full of rich and complex characters, a deep storyline, suspense, mystery, and a reliance on God. Everything is here!! Please pick up a copy for yourself and for a friend!!<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!<br /><br />While you are at it, you can check out my fun Face-Off with the amazing Colleen Coble:<br /><br />http://atransparentmom.com/2015/04/22/face-off-with-colleen-coble/", "timestamp": 1430027822000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1451692447", "rating": 5, "text": "In 1892, as the World Fair was coming to Chicago, Tiffany (as in glass, not diamonds) was preparing to enter gorgeous, stained glass windows and other displays. The men were on strike, so Mr. Tiffany decided to hire women, for the first time in history. These women endured mistreatment, groping, being spit at and a number of other atrocities. They were not considered women of “good repute” if they had jobs, so men figured that they didn’t have to treat them as ladies.<br /><br />Much to her parents dismay, Flossie decides to move out of her home to become one of the “Tiffany Girls”. What a BEAUTIFUL story unfolds as we see her grow up and mature through the harsh realities of life. Her new “family” at the boarding house and the prestigious job she holds is what will bring her happiness; or so she thought.<br /><br />The hero in this story is also grappling with loss, fear and growth. It’s an absolutely wonderful book. I read it through in one day and didn’t want to put it down. It is full of so much rich history, colorful, intriguing characters, and windows into the world of the “New Woman”.<br /><br />Solid Five Stars. I encourage you to pick up a copy!<br /><br />Thank you, netgalley, for this wonderful read. As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1430837625000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800721837", "rating": 5, "text": "Tessa is hiding a secret and she absolutely MUST get hired as a horticulturist at Como Park or her family will find out what it is. They already think so little of her...Of course, there is also a young, handsome man that is vying for the same position and is ever so kind.<br /><br />Lorna is always a great storyteller and uses history in such a unique way. The characters are full of life, deep, and grow throughout. Even for someone with a black thumb and no interest in gardening, she can make the story come alive and hold my interest.<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1432352726000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800734351", "rating": 5, "text": "Marisa is back in her small hometown and she is not happy about it. She worked hard to get a degree and get out of there. Now back at a newly updated resort, she is trying to sort out her life. Her dad is missing, she's had her heart broken, her brother-in-law passed away, and she is starting over.<br /><br />When she meets Blake, she thinks that, just maybe, her dreams have come true. Of course, he has a little secret that just might change things. Romance, intrigue, and loveable characters make you want to keep turning the pages. Sometimes Amanda can get caught up over describing things, but I know that is just a matter of taste and style. Some people want a lot of descriptions and some just want to get on with the story. Other than that, it's a great book! She has a real talent!!<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1432954633000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1426787278", "rating": 5, "text": "A story of pain, sorrow, healing, love and cleansing. Emmalyn moves to a small town so she can pick up the pieces of her life. Well, so she can pick up the pieces of what’s left of her life. Her husband is in prison and due to be released soon. Can their marriage possibly survive this?<br /><br />Through it all, we meet some quirky characters that help “M” heal from the heartache her life has been. It’s uniquely written as if we were in Emmalyn’s mind, but it’s not in first person. There is much depth here in learning to forgive, to trust God, and to live life to the fullest. Great read and well written.<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433124192000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1496402146", "rating": 5, "text": "What a beautiful story! Heidi, had never learned anything about nutrition and exercise so, they just ate whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. Her daughter, Breanna, was in 3rd grade and already hitting 180+lbs. Heidi tried everything she could think of and prayed, prayed, prayed. Through a lot of research, common sense and answered prayer, Breanna has lost all of her excess weight and even made the Junior Olympics in swimming!!<br /><br />This is an incredible journey that will keep you turning the pages. There are so many great side notes on nutrition, labels, exercising ideas and much more. It even includes a 40-Day Meal and Exercise Plan. Heidi's brutal honesty is so refreshing.<br /><br />I know that a lot of people have their opinions on how she gained so much weight, how her mom handled it and everything else. However, I think that we, as mothers, need to be more supportive of each other instead of making it a competition. We can't possibly know what is best for her family when we aren't part of it. It's unreasonable to think that you have better answers. So, please just encourage each other and pray for each other. Heidi and Breanna are beautiful pictures of listening to God and watching Him get the glory.<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433302308000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800723503", "rating": 5, "text": "This book may look pretty on the outside, but hold onto your seat! You won't have a minute to breath from the first page to the last!! Elizabeth is heading back home to Key West and is ready to face life as it is now. Her mother just died, her father expects her to marry a man she can't stand to be around, and her brother is crippled because of a whim she had that put them in danger. All this while she holds onto her love for Rourke, a Godly and gentlemanly captain that she has loved for years.<br /><br />The characters are wonderfully written. (Warning: You will fall madly in love with Rourke!) God and spiritual matters are throughout the book. It is also very rich in history. There are many life changing decisions that are tackled while leading you to the perfectly wrapped-up ending. For those that love a fairy tale ending, you will love it! Some may find it a bit too tidy. Either way, it's a great story with a lot to offer.<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433348445000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764211692", "rating": 4, "text": "I am excited about my latest read! In a town where mail order brides are being scooped up before they have a chance with their intendeds, we find our story. Eliza Cantrall is anxious to meet her own husband-to-be, Axel, and takes off early to surprise him. On the way, she is robbed of all her savings and is now showing up without the money she promised him.<br /><br />Will Stanton is Axel's business partner and town preferred doctor. He has no practicing license, or schooling for that matter, but cares for his patients and they adore him. When Eliza arrives, Axel is nowhere to be found and Will finds himself drawn to her.<br /><br />I love that this novel isn't just a love story, but a spiritual journey, as well. Both, Eliza and Will, have to work through their dreams, hopes and desires while learning to trust God. They both have to realize what is most important in life and trust that God loves them enough to provide through all things.<br /><br />I am giving this 4 stars because I really enjoyed reading it, I liked Will and Eliza and their strong character. It was a light, easy read, but fun and had some depth. Great story. Thanks, www.netgalley.com and Bethany House for giving me this book for an honest review. Here's to many more!!<br /><br />www.atransparentmom.blogspot.com", "timestamp": 1408388501000, "title": "Cute read! Give it a try!!" }, { "asin": "141438985X", "rating": 1, "text": "Jan Watson is an author that is completely new to me. I had never read anything by her and was excited to review this book. As you know from past reviews, the front cover is a major selling point for me and this is a beautiful cover! Unfortunately, the positive attributes of this book end there.<br /><br />The story has multiple main characters. It is supposed to be centered around Mazy Pelfrey and how she will decide between the two men in her life. What is it that she really wants for her future? However, the author is continually sidetracked with characters that are completely irrelevant to the story. Every little bit of scenery and every mundane activity seems to be written in great detail with many confusing side stories and details. Furthermore, there is nothing exceptionally likeable about any of the characters and the ending is quite abrupt.<br /><br />The epilogue tells us who she chose. It doesn’t show how or when. It also tries to wrap up all the characters in a nice little package that has absolutely nothing to do with the storyline. Not only is it unrealistic, it is completely ridiculous. The whole epilogue completely blew my mind. I have never seen an author do this before.<br /><br />Believe me, I hate to give a scathing review. Unfortunately, there was nothing I liked about this story that could redeem it.<br /><br />I do thank you, Tyndale House Publishers, for giving me a copy of this book for my review. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1414805028000, "title": "No Thanks" }, { "asin": "0310315549", "rating": 5, "text": "In the third book of The Royal Wedding series, Corina Del Ray faces some hard decisions. She has been secretly married to the prince of Brighton, but even SHE didn’t know that their marriage certificate is still legitimate. They married in secret, but was later told that it was done illegally.<br /><br />Five years after her husband, the prince, walked away from her life, he has now appeared wanting her to sign an annulment. She has to decide whether or not to fight for her marriage. The prince, meanwhile, has his own feelings of failure and worthlessness to deal with.<br /><br />What I found really moving about this book was not necessarily the romance. I felt like the growth these characters went through, learning to trust in God, was the real story. It’s rare to have a romance that shows God’s love more than a great love story of the two characters. I found myself tearing up a few times as I read about God’s goodness.<br /><br />While there were a few odd elements to this book and some slow moving scenes, I felt that the bottom line far outweighed anything else. The bottom line being how God works deeply in our lives when we learn to trust Him; even when it doesn’t make sense and goes against every natural response.<br /><br />I definitely recommend this book. Read it and see how much God loves. &#60;3 Thank you, booklookbloggers, for this wonderful read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1429048735000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1401690610", "rating": 5, "text": "In Kristy’s follow up novel to The Butterfly and the Violin, we are once again taken back into the horrific time of WWII. As the story jumps from present day to the 1940’s, she beautifully intertwines the past and present. While, in the present, William fights for his name to be cleared. As we are taken back, Sophie’s back story is also partially revealed.<br /><br />I have never seen a book that goes back and forth like this. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think, or if I would like it. I also have a terrifying phobia of reading anything to do with WWII as my compassionate heart can’t handle it. That being said, the book grabbed my attention right away and I felt engrossed and engaged the entire way through. Kristy had a wonderful balance of sharing the details of this tragic era without sharing too many of the details. The characters were full of life and I fell in love with each one.<br /><br />Please pick up a copy of this book (don’t forget the first one! You’re gonna want it to keep up!!). Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!<br /><br />— Don’t forget to check out my Face-Off with Kristy Cambron and enter to win this great read!!<br /><br />http://atransparentmom.com/2015/04/21/a-sparrow-in-terezin/", "timestamp": 1429674595000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "A gripping, page turning, suspenseful and dramatic read!! Yes, it is all of those things!! From the first page of this book, you will be hooked!<br /><br />Claire Dellamare shows up at the Hotel Tourmaline to help her father close a business deal. Little does she know that her past is very much tied up with this quaint little town. As she has flashbacks and bits of her memory coming and going, Claire starts to learn that she has, indeed, been here! Realizing that she was missing for a whole year of her life when she was just a child, she goes on a hunt to find out the true story. Making new relationships and digging deeper, she finds out more and more about her past. Someone doesn't like this and will do anything to make her stop.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book! It's a solid 5 stars. Full of rich and complex characters, a deep storyline, suspense, mystery, and a reliance on God. Everything is here!! Please pick up a copy for yourself and for a friend!!<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!<br /><br />While you are at it, you can check out my fun Face-Off with the amazing Colleen Coble:<br /><br />http://atransparentmom.com/2015/04/22/face-off-with-colleen-coble/", "timestamp": 1430027822000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1451692447", "rating": 5, "text": "In 1892, as the World Fair was coming to Chicago, Tiffany (as in glass, not diamonds) was preparing to enter gorgeous, stained glass windows and other displays. The men were on strike, so Mr. Tiffany decided to hire women, for the first time in history. These women endured mistreatment, groping, being spit at and a number of other atrocities. They were not considered women of “good repute” if they had jobs, so men figured that they didn’t have to treat them as ladies.<br /><br />Much to her parents dismay, Flossie decides to move out of her home to become one of the “Tiffany Girls”. What a BEAUTIFUL story unfolds as we see her grow up and mature through the harsh realities of life. Her new “family” at the boarding house and the prestigious job she holds is what will bring her happiness; or so she thought.<br /><br />The hero in this story is also grappling with loss, fear and growth. It’s an absolutely wonderful book. I read it through in one day and didn’t want to put it down. It is full of so much rich history, colorful, intriguing characters, and windows into the world of the “New Woman”.<br /><br />Solid Five Stars. I encourage you to pick up a copy!<br /><br />Thank you, netgalley, for this wonderful read. As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1430837625000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800721837", "rating": 5, "text": "Tessa is hiding a secret and she absolutely MUST get hired as a horticulturist at Como Park or her family will find out what it is. They already think so little of her...Of course, there is also a young, handsome man that is vying for the same position and is ever so kind.<br /><br />Lorna is always a great storyteller and uses history in such a unique way. The characters are full of life, deep, and grow throughout. Even for someone with a black thumb and no interest in gardening, she can make the story come alive and hold my interest.<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1432352726000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800734351", "rating": 5, "text": "Marisa is back in her small hometown and she is not happy about it. She worked hard to get a degree and get out of there. Now back at a newly updated resort, she is trying to sort out her life. Her dad is missing, she's had her heart broken, her brother-in-law passed away, and she is starting over.<br /><br />When she meets Blake, she thinks that, just maybe, her dreams have come true. Of course, he has a little secret that just might change things. Romance, intrigue, and loveable characters make you want to keep turning the pages. Sometimes Amanda can get caught up over describing things, but I know that is just a matter of taste and style. Some people want a lot of descriptions and some just want to get on with the story. Other than that, it's a great book! She has a real talent!!<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1432954633000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1426787278", "rating": 5, "text": "A story of pain, sorrow, healing, love and cleansing. Emmalyn moves to a small town so she can pick up the pieces of her life. Well, so she can pick up the pieces of what’s left of her life. Her husband is in prison and due to be released soon. Can their marriage possibly survive this?<br /><br />Through it all, we meet some quirky characters that help “M” heal from the heartache her life has been. It’s uniquely written as if we were in Emmalyn’s mind, but it’s not in first person. There is much depth here in learning to forgive, to trust God, and to live life to the fullest. Great read and well written.<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433124192000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1496402146", "rating": 5, "text": "What a beautiful story! Heidi, had never learned anything about nutrition and exercise so, they just ate whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. Her daughter, Breanna, was in 3rd grade and already hitting 180+lbs. Heidi tried everything she could think of and prayed, prayed, prayed. Through a lot of research, common sense and answered prayer, Breanna has lost all of her excess weight and even made the Junior Olympics in swimming!!<br /><br />This is an incredible journey that will keep you turning the pages. There are so many great side notes on nutrition, labels, exercising ideas and much more. It even includes a 40-Day Meal and Exercise Plan. Heidi's brutal honesty is so refreshing.<br /><br />I know that a lot of people have their opinions on how she gained so much weight, how her mom handled it and everything else. However, I think that we, as mothers, need to be more supportive of each other instead of making it a competition. We can't possibly know what is best for her family when we aren't part of it. It's unreasonable to think that you have better answers. So, please just encourage each other and pray for each other. Heidi and Breanna are beautiful pictures of listening to God and watching Him get the glory.<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433302308000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800723503", "rating": 5, "text": "This book may look pretty on the outside, but hold onto your seat! You won't have a minute to breath from the first page to the last!! Elizabeth is heading back home to Key West and is ready to face life as it is now. Her mother just died, her father expects her to marry a man she can't stand to be around, and her brother is crippled because of a whim she had that put them in danger. All this while she holds onto her love for Rourke, a Godly and gentlemanly captain that she has loved for years.<br /><br />The characters are wonderfully written. (Warning: You will fall madly in love with Rourke!) God and spiritual matters are throughout the book. It is also very rich in history. There are many life changing decisions that are tackled while leading you to the perfectly wrapped-up ending. For those that love a fairy tale ending, you will love it! Some may find it a bit too tidy. Either way, it's a great story with a lot to offer.<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433348445000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "082544229X", "rating": 5, "text": "This book is a BEAUTIFUL message of forgiveness. As the title suggests, Laurie’s father was murdered. As she began to know Jesus and grow closer to Him, she started to realize that He was asking her to forgive her father’s murderer. Thus began a long journey of communication. Through many tears and open, raw wounds, Laurie was able to find peace and bring glory to God.<br /><br />As she shares with us the letters that passed back and forth between them, she also shares her heart and her emotions as each one shows up at her door. It is such a tragic, but beautiful story! God shines through in every ounce of it and that is what is so beautiful. Please pick up a copy! (Link is in the pic above)<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1436114307000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764211692", "rating": 4, "text": "I am excited about my latest read! In a town where mail order brides are being scooped up before they have a chance with their intendeds, we find our story. Eliza Cantrall is anxious to meet her own husband-to-be, Axel, and takes off early to surprise him. On the way, she is robbed of all her savings and is now showing up without the money she promised him.<br /><br />Will Stanton is Axel's business partner and town preferred doctor. He has no practicing license, or schooling for that matter, but cares for his patients and they adore him. When Eliza arrives, Axel is nowhere to be found and Will finds himself drawn to her.<br /><br />I love that this novel isn't just a love story, but a spiritual journey, as well. Both, Eliza and Will, have to work through their dreams, hopes and desires while learning to trust God. They both have to realize what is most important in life and trust that God loves them enough to provide through all things.<br /><br />I am giving this 4 stars because I really enjoyed reading it, I liked Will and Eliza and their strong character. It was a light, easy read, but fun and had some depth. Great story. Thanks, www.netgalley.com and Bethany House for giving me this book for an honest review. Here's to many more!!<br /><br />www.atransparentmom.blogspot.com", "timestamp": 1408388501000, "title": "Cute read! Give it a try!!" }, { "asin": "141438985X", "rating": 1, "text": "Jan Watson is an author that is completely new to me. I had never read anything by her and was excited to review this book. As you know from past reviews, the front cover is a major selling point for me and this is a beautiful cover! Unfortunately, the positive attributes of this book end there.<br /><br />The story has multiple main characters. It is supposed to be centered around Mazy Pelfrey and how she will decide between the two men in her life. What is it that she really wants for her future? However, the author is continually sidetracked with characters that are completely irrelevant to the story. Every little bit of scenery and every mundane activity seems to be written in great detail with many confusing side stories and details. Furthermore, there is nothing exceptionally likeable about any of the characters and the ending is quite abrupt.<br /><br />The epilogue tells us who she chose. It doesn’t show how or when. It also tries to wrap up all the characters in a nice little package that has absolutely nothing to do with the storyline. Not only is it unrealistic, it is completely ridiculous. The whole epilogue completely blew my mind. I have never seen an author do this before.<br /><br />Believe me, I hate to give a scathing review. Unfortunately, there was nothing I liked about this story that could redeem it.<br /><br />I do thank you, Tyndale House Publishers, for giving me a copy of this book for my review. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1414805028000, "title": "No Thanks" }, { "asin": "0310315549", "rating": 5, "text": "In the third book of The Royal Wedding series, Corina Del Ray faces some hard decisions. She has been secretly married to the prince of Brighton, but even SHE didn’t know that their marriage certificate is still legitimate. They married in secret, but was later told that it was done illegally.<br /><br />Five years after her husband, the prince, walked away from her life, he has now appeared wanting her to sign an annulment. She has to decide whether or not to fight for her marriage. The prince, meanwhile, has his own feelings of failure and worthlessness to deal with.<br /><br />What I found really moving about this book was not necessarily the romance. I felt like the growth these characters went through, learning to trust in God, was the real story. It’s rare to have a romance that shows God’s love more than a great love story of the two characters. I found myself tearing up a few times as I read about God’s goodness.<br /><br />While there were a few odd elements to this book and some slow moving scenes, I felt that the bottom line far outweighed anything else. The bottom line being how God works deeply in our lives when we learn to trust Him; even when it doesn’t make sense and goes against every natural response.<br /><br />I definitely recommend this book. Read it and see how much God loves. &#60;3 Thank you, booklookbloggers, for this wonderful read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1429048735000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1401690610", "rating": 5, "text": "In Kristy’s follow up novel to The Butterfly and the Violin, we are once again taken back into the horrific time of WWII. As the story jumps from present day to the 1940’s, she beautifully intertwines the past and present. While, in the present, William fights for his name to be cleared. As we are taken back, Sophie’s back story is also partially revealed.<br /><br />I have never seen a book that goes back and forth like this. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think, or if I would like it. I also have a terrifying phobia of reading anything to do with WWII as my compassionate heart can’t handle it. That being said, the book grabbed my attention right away and I felt engrossed and engaged the entire way through. Kristy had a wonderful balance of sharing the details of this tragic era without sharing too many of the details. The characters were full of life and I fell in love with each one.<br /><br />Please pick up a copy of this book (don’t forget the first one! You’re gonna want it to keep up!!). Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!<br /><br />— Don’t forget to check out my Face-Off with Kristy Cambron and enter to win this great read!!<br /><br />http://atransparentmom.com/2015/04/21/a-sparrow-in-terezin/", "timestamp": 1429674595000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "A gripping, page turning, suspenseful and dramatic read!! Yes, it is all of those things!! From the first page of this book, you will be hooked!<br /><br />Claire Dellamare shows up at the Hotel Tourmaline to help her father close a business deal. Little does she know that her past is very much tied up with this quaint little town. As she has flashbacks and bits of her memory coming and going, Claire starts to learn that she has, indeed, been here! Realizing that she was missing for a whole year of her life when she was just a child, she goes on a hunt to find out the true story. Making new relationships and digging deeper, she finds out more and more about her past. Someone doesn't like this and will do anything to make her stop.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book! It's a solid 5 stars. Full of rich and complex characters, a deep storyline, suspense, mystery, and a reliance on God. Everything is here!! Please pick up a copy for yourself and for a friend!!<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!<br /><br />While you are at it, you can check out my fun Face-Off with the amazing Colleen Coble:<br /><br />http://atransparentmom.com/2015/04/22/face-off-with-colleen-coble/", "timestamp": 1430027822000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1451692447", "rating": 5, "text": "In 1892, as the World Fair was coming to Chicago, Tiffany (as in glass, not diamonds) was preparing to enter gorgeous, stained glass windows and other displays. The men were on strike, so Mr. Tiffany decided to hire women, for the first time in history. These women endured mistreatment, groping, being spit at and a number of other atrocities. They were not considered women of “good repute” if they had jobs, so men figured that they didn’t have to treat them as ladies.<br /><br />Much to her parents dismay, Flossie decides to move out of her home to become one of the “Tiffany Girls”. What a BEAUTIFUL story unfolds as we see her grow up and mature through the harsh realities of life. Her new “family” at the boarding house and the prestigious job she holds is what will bring her happiness; or so she thought.<br /><br />The hero in this story is also grappling with loss, fear and growth. It’s an absolutely wonderful book. I read it through in one day and didn’t want to put it down. It is full of so much rich history, colorful, intriguing characters, and windows into the world of the “New Woman”.<br /><br />Solid Five Stars. I encourage you to pick up a copy!<br /><br />Thank you, netgalley, for this wonderful read. As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1430837625000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800721837", "rating": 5, "text": "Tessa is hiding a secret and she absolutely MUST get hired as a horticulturist at Como Park or her family will find out what it is. They already think so little of her...Of course, there is also a young, handsome man that is vying for the same position and is ever so kind.<br /><br />Lorna is always a great storyteller and uses history in such a unique way. The characters are full of life, deep, and grow throughout. Even for someone with a black thumb and no interest in gardening, she can make the story come alive and hold my interest.<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1432352726000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800734351", "rating": 5, "text": "Marisa is back in her small hometown and she is not happy about it. She worked hard to get a degree and get out of there. Now back at a newly updated resort, she is trying to sort out her life. Her dad is missing, she's had her heart broken, her brother-in-law passed away, and she is starting over.<br /><br />When she meets Blake, she thinks that, just maybe, her dreams have come true. Of course, he has a little secret that just might change things. Romance, intrigue, and loveable characters make you want to keep turning the pages. Sometimes Amanda can get caught up over describing things, but I know that is just a matter of taste and style. Some people want a lot of descriptions and some just want to get on with the story. Other than that, it's a great book! She has a real talent!!<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1432954633000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1426787278", "rating": 5, "text": "A story of pain, sorrow, healing, love and cleansing. Emmalyn moves to a small town so she can pick up the pieces of her life. Well, so she can pick up the pieces of what’s left of her life. Her husband is in prison and due to be released soon. Can their marriage possibly survive this?<br /><br />Through it all, we meet some quirky characters that help “M” heal from the heartache her life has been. It’s uniquely written as if we were in Emmalyn’s mind, but it’s not in first person. There is much depth here in learning to forgive, to trust God, and to live life to the fullest. Great read and well written.<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433124192000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1496402146", "rating": 5, "text": "What a beautiful story! Heidi, had never learned anything about nutrition and exercise so, they just ate whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. Her daughter, Breanna, was in 3rd grade and already hitting 180+lbs. Heidi tried everything she could think of and prayed, prayed, prayed. Through a lot of research, common sense and answered prayer, Breanna has lost all of her excess weight and even made the Junior Olympics in swimming!!<br /><br />This is an incredible journey that will keep you turning the pages. There are so many great side notes on nutrition, labels, exercising ideas and much more. It even includes a 40-Day Meal and Exercise Plan. Heidi's brutal honesty is so refreshing.<br /><br />I know that a lot of people have their opinions on how she gained so much weight, how her mom handled it and everything else. However, I think that we, as mothers, need to be more supportive of each other instead of making it a competition. We can't possibly know what is best for her family when we aren't part of it. It's unreasonable to think that you have better answers. So, please just encourage each other and pray for each other. Heidi and Breanna are beautiful pictures of listening to God and watching Him get the glory.<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433302308000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800723503", "rating": 5, "text": "This book may look pretty on the outside, but hold onto your seat! You won't have a minute to breath from the first page to the last!! Elizabeth is heading back home to Key West and is ready to face life as it is now. Her mother just died, her father expects her to marry a man she can't stand to be around, and her brother is crippled because of a whim she had that put them in danger. All this while she holds onto her love for Rourke, a Godly and gentlemanly captain that she has loved for years.<br /><br />The characters are wonderfully written. (Warning: You will fall madly in love with Rourke!) God and spiritual matters are throughout the book. It is also very rich in history. There are many life changing decisions that are tackled while leading you to the perfectly wrapped-up ending. For those that love a fairy tale ending, you will love it! Some may find it a bit too tidy. Either way, it's a great story with a lot to offer.<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433348445000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "082544229X", "rating": 5, "text": "This book is a BEAUTIFUL message of forgiveness. As the title suggests, Laurie’s father was murdered. As she began to know Jesus and grow closer to Him, she started to realize that He was asking her to forgive her father’s murderer. Thus began a long journey of communication. Through many tears and open, raw wounds, Laurie was able to find peace and bring glory to God.<br /><br />As she shares with us the letters that passed back and forth between them, she also shares her heart and her emotions as each one shows up at her door. It is such a tragic, but beautiful story! God shines through in every ounce of it and that is what is so beautiful. Please pick up a copy! (Link is in the pic above)<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1436114307000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800723570", "rating": 5, "text": "Anna was not expecting to spend her career as a hotel manager at the Value Lodge. When she is &#34;let go&#34; for trying to pull the place together, she's not too devastated. Her friend gives her a lead on a gorgeous boutique hotel in New York City that is hiring and she doesn't look back.<br /><br />Once Anna is in New York, she finds that someone from her past is also working at the hotel. I am sure you can guess where that leads! This book is written with engaging characters and a really fun storyline. I loved it and definitely recommend it for a light, summer read.<br />Thank you, Revell, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1436750788000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764211692", "rating": 4, "text": "I am excited about my latest read! In a town where mail order brides are being scooped up before they have a chance with their intendeds, we find our story. Eliza Cantrall is anxious to meet her own husband-to-be, Axel, and takes off early to surprise him. On the way, she is robbed of all her savings and is now showing up without the money she promised him.<br /><br />Will Stanton is Axel's business partner and town preferred doctor. He has no practicing license, or schooling for that matter, but cares for his patients and they adore him. When Eliza arrives, Axel is nowhere to be found and Will finds himself drawn to her.<br /><br />I love that this novel isn't just a love story, but a spiritual journey, as well. Both, Eliza and Will, have to work through their dreams, hopes and desires while learning to trust God. They both have to realize what is most important in life and trust that God loves them enough to provide through all things.<br /><br />I am giving this 4 stars because I really enjoyed reading it, I liked Will and Eliza and their strong character. It was a light, easy read, but fun and had some depth. Great story. Thanks, www.netgalley.com and Bethany House for giving me this book for an honest review. Here's to many more!!<br /><br />www.atransparentmom.blogspot.com", "timestamp": 1408388501000, "title": "Cute read! Give it a try!!" }, { "asin": "141438985X", "rating": 1, "text": "Jan Watson is an author that is completely new to me. I had never read anything by her and was excited to review this book. As you know from past reviews, the front cover is a major selling point for me and this is a beautiful cover! Unfortunately, the positive attributes of this book end there.<br /><br />The story has multiple main characters. It is supposed to be centered around Mazy Pelfrey and how she will decide between the two men in her life. What is it that she really wants for her future? However, the author is continually sidetracked with characters that are completely irrelevant to the story. Every little bit of scenery and every mundane activity seems to be written in great detail with many confusing side stories and details. Furthermore, there is nothing exceptionally likeable about any of the characters and the ending is quite abrupt.<br /><br />The epilogue tells us who she chose. It doesn’t show how or when. It also tries to wrap up all the characters in a nice little package that has absolutely nothing to do with the storyline. Not only is it unrealistic, it is completely ridiculous. The whole epilogue completely blew my mind. I have never seen an author do this before.<br /><br />Believe me, I hate to give a scathing review. Unfortunately, there was nothing I liked about this story that could redeem it.<br /><br />I do thank you, Tyndale House Publishers, for giving me a copy of this book for my review. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1414805028000, "title": "No Thanks" }, { "asin": "0310315549", "rating": 5, "text": "In the third book of The Royal Wedding series, Corina Del Ray faces some hard decisions. She has been secretly married to the prince of Brighton, but even SHE didn’t know that their marriage certificate is still legitimate. They married in secret, but was later told that it was done illegally.<br /><br />Five years after her husband, the prince, walked away from her life, he has now appeared wanting her to sign an annulment. She has to decide whether or not to fight for her marriage. The prince, meanwhile, has his own feelings of failure and worthlessness to deal with.<br /><br />What I found really moving about this book was not necessarily the romance. I felt like the growth these characters went through, learning to trust in God, was the real story. It’s rare to have a romance that shows God’s love more than a great love story of the two characters. I found myself tearing up a few times as I read about God’s goodness.<br /><br />While there were a few odd elements to this book and some slow moving scenes, I felt that the bottom line far outweighed anything else. The bottom line being how God works deeply in our lives when we learn to trust Him; even when it doesn’t make sense and goes against every natural response.<br /><br />I definitely recommend this book. Read it and see how much God loves. &#60;3 Thank you, booklookbloggers, for this wonderful read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1429048735000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1401690610", "rating": 5, "text": "In Kristy’s follow up novel to The Butterfly and the Violin, we are once again taken back into the horrific time of WWII. As the story jumps from present day to the 1940’s, she beautifully intertwines the past and present. While, in the present, William fights for his name to be cleared. As we are taken back, Sophie’s back story is also partially revealed.<br /><br />I have never seen a book that goes back and forth like this. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think, or if I would like it. I also have a terrifying phobia of reading anything to do with WWII as my compassionate heart can’t handle it. That being said, the book grabbed my attention right away and I felt engrossed and engaged the entire way through. Kristy had a wonderful balance of sharing the details of this tragic era without sharing too many of the details. The characters were full of life and I fell in love with each one.<br /><br />Please pick up a copy of this book (don’t forget the first one! You’re gonna want it to keep up!!). Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!<br /><br />— Don’t forget to check out my Face-Off with Kristy Cambron and enter to win this great read!!<br /><br />http://atransparentmom.com/2015/04/21/a-sparrow-in-terezin/", "timestamp": 1429674595000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "A gripping, page turning, suspenseful and dramatic read!! Yes, it is all of those things!! From the first page of this book, you will be hooked!<br /><br />Claire Dellamare shows up at the Hotel Tourmaline to help her father close a business deal. Little does she know that her past is very much tied up with this quaint little town. As she has flashbacks and bits of her memory coming and going, Claire starts to learn that she has, indeed, been here! Realizing that she was missing for a whole year of her life when she was just a child, she goes on a hunt to find out the true story. Making new relationships and digging deeper, she finds out more and more about her past. Someone doesn't like this and will do anything to make her stop.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book! It's a solid 5 stars. Full of rich and complex characters, a deep storyline, suspense, mystery, and a reliance on God. Everything is here!! Please pick up a copy for yourself and for a friend!!<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!<br /><br />While you are at it, you can check out my fun Face-Off with the amazing Colleen Coble:<br /><br />http://atransparentmom.com/2015/04/22/face-off-with-colleen-coble/", "timestamp": 1430027822000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1451692447", "rating": 5, "text": "In 1892, as the World Fair was coming to Chicago, Tiffany (as in glass, not diamonds) was preparing to enter gorgeous, stained glass windows and other displays. The men were on strike, so Mr. Tiffany decided to hire women, for the first time in history. These women endured mistreatment, groping, being spit at and a number of other atrocities. They were not considered women of “good repute” if they had jobs, so men figured that they didn’t have to treat them as ladies.<br /><br />Much to her parents dismay, Flossie decides to move out of her home to become one of the “Tiffany Girls”. What a BEAUTIFUL story unfolds as we see her grow up and mature through the harsh realities of life. Her new “family” at the boarding house and the prestigious job she holds is what will bring her happiness; or so she thought.<br /><br />The hero in this story is also grappling with loss, fear and growth. It’s an absolutely wonderful book. I read it through in one day and didn’t want to put it down. It is full of so much rich history, colorful, intriguing characters, and windows into the world of the “New Woman”.<br /><br />Solid Five Stars. I encourage you to pick up a copy!<br /><br />Thank you, netgalley, for this wonderful read. As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1430837625000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800721837", "rating": 5, "text": "Tessa is hiding a secret and she absolutely MUST get hired as a horticulturist at Como Park or her family will find out what it is. They already think so little of her...Of course, there is also a young, handsome man that is vying for the same position and is ever so kind.<br /><br />Lorna is always a great storyteller and uses history in such a unique way. The characters are full of life, deep, and grow throughout. Even for someone with a black thumb and no interest in gardening, she can make the story come alive and hold my interest.<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1432352726000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800734351", "rating": 5, "text": "Marisa is back in her small hometown and she is not happy about it. She worked hard to get a degree and get out of there. Now back at a newly updated resort, she is trying to sort out her life. Her dad is missing, she's had her heart broken, her brother-in-law passed away, and she is starting over.<br /><br />When she meets Blake, she thinks that, just maybe, her dreams have come true. Of course, he has a little secret that just might change things. Romance, intrigue, and loveable characters make you want to keep turning the pages. Sometimes Amanda can get caught up over describing things, but I know that is just a matter of taste and style. Some people want a lot of descriptions and some just want to get on with the story. Other than that, it's a great book! She has a real talent!!<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1432954633000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1426787278", "rating": 5, "text": "A story of pain, sorrow, healing, love and cleansing. Emmalyn moves to a small town so she can pick up the pieces of her life. Well, so she can pick up the pieces of what’s left of her life. Her husband is in prison and due to be released soon. Can their marriage possibly survive this?<br /><br />Through it all, we meet some quirky characters that help “M” heal from the heartache her life has been. It’s uniquely written as if we were in Emmalyn’s mind, but it’s not in first person. There is much depth here in learning to forgive, to trust God, and to live life to the fullest. Great read and well written.<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433124192000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1496402146", "rating": 5, "text": "What a beautiful story! Heidi, had never learned anything about nutrition and exercise so, they just ate whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. Her daughter, Breanna, was in 3rd grade and already hitting 180+lbs. Heidi tried everything she could think of and prayed, prayed, prayed. Through a lot of research, common sense and answered prayer, Breanna has lost all of her excess weight and even made the Junior Olympics in swimming!!<br /><br />This is an incredible journey that will keep you turning the pages. There are so many great side notes on nutrition, labels, exercising ideas and much more. It even includes a 40-Day Meal and Exercise Plan. Heidi's brutal honesty is so refreshing.<br /><br />I know that a lot of people have their opinions on how she gained so much weight, how her mom handled it and everything else. However, I think that we, as mothers, need to be more supportive of each other instead of making it a competition. We can't possibly know what is best for her family when we aren't part of it. It's unreasonable to think that you have better answers. So, please just encourage each other and pray for each other. Heidi and Breanna are beautiful pictures of listening to God and watching Him get the glory.<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433302308000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800723503", "rating": 5, "text": "This book may look pretty on the outside, but hold onto your seat! You won't have a minute to breath from the first page to the last!! Elizabeth is heading back home to Key West and is ready to face life as it is now. Her mother just died, her father expects her to marry a man she can't stand to be around, and her brother is crippled because of a whim she had that put them in danger. All this while she holds onto her love for Rourke, a Godly and gentlemanly captain that she has loved for years.<br /><br />The characters are wonderfully written. (Warning: You will fall madly in love with Rourke!) God and spiritual matters are throughout the book. It is also very rich in history. There are many life changing decisions that are tackled while leading you to the perfectly wrapped-up ending. For those that love a fairy tale ending, you will love it! Some may find it a bit too tidy. Either way, it's a great story with a lot to offer.<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433348445000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "082544229X", "rating": 5, "text": "This book is a BEAUTIFUL message of forgiveness. As the title suggests, Laurie’s father was murdered. As she began to know Jesus and grow closer to Him, she started to realize that He was asking her to forgive her father’s murderer. Thus began a long journey of communication. Through many tears and open, raw wounds, Laurie was able to find peace and bring glory to God.<br /><br />As she shares with us the letters that passed back and forth between them, she also shares her heart and her emotions as each one shows up at her door. It is such a tragic, but beautiful story! God shines through in every ounce of it and that is what is so beautiful. Please pick up a copy! (Link is in the pic above)<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1436114307000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800723570", "rating": 5, "text": "Anna was not expecting to spend her career as a hotel manager at the Value Lodge. When she is &#34;let go&#34; for trying to pull the place together, she's not too devastated. Her friend gives her a lead on a gorgeous boutique hotel in New York City that is hiring and she doesn't look back.<br /><br />Once Anna is in New York, she finds that someone from her past is also working at the hotel. I am sure you can guess where that leads! This book is written with engaging characters and a really fun storyline. I loved it and definitely recommend it for a light, summer read.<br />Thank you, Revell, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1436750788000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0310338476", "rating": 5, "text": "When Stella agrees to take on the job of interior designer for the remodeling of the old theater in town, she never expects to see her ex boyfriend as contractor and foreman. She hasn't seen Chase in over 4 years. He was supposed to have moved away! Things sure have changed in her life she she last saw him too. It's been almost one year, to the day, since her divorce was finalized. She hasn't had a job in months and her bills are piling up. Knowing that this job is her salvation, she can't run from it, or him.<br /><br />This is a fun book. It is easy to read and the characters are really loveable. Of course, things are really tough between the two of them as they figure out what they are doing and who they are in life. They have to turn to God, give up past hurt, and move forward with their lives. Great read! Pick up a copy :)<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this delightful read. As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1437316029000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764211692", "rating": 4, "text": "I am excited about my latest read! In a town where mail order brides are being scooped up before they have a chance with their intendeds, we find our story. Eliza Cantrall is anxious to meet her own husband-to-be, Axel, and takes off early to surprise him. On the way, she is robbed of all her savings and is now showing up without the money she promised him.<br /><br />Will Stanton is Axel's business partner and town preferred doctor. He has no practicing license, or schooling for that matter, but cares for his patients and they adore him. When Eliza arrives, Axel is nowhere to be found and Will finds himself drawn to her.<br /><br />I love that this novel isn't just a love story, but a spiritual journey, as well. Both, Eliza and Will, have to work through their dreams, hopes and desires while learning to trust God. They both have to realize what is most important in life and trust that God loves them enough to provide through all things.<br /><br />I am giving this 4 stars because I really enjoyed reading it, I liked Will and Eliza and their strong character. It was a light, easy read, but fun and had some depth. Great story. Thanks, www.netgalley.com and Bethany House for giving me this book for an honest review. Here's to many more!!<br /><br />www.atransparentmom.blogspot.com", "timestamp": 1408388501000, "title": "Cute read! Give it a try!!" }, { "asin": "141438985X", "rating": 1, "text": "Jan Watson is an author that is completely new to me. I had never read anything by her and was excited to review this book. As you know from past reviews, the front cover is a major selling point for me and this is a beautiful cover! Unfortunately, the positive attributes of this book end there.<br /><br />The story has multiple main characters. It is supposed to be centered around Mazy Pelfrey and how she will decide between the two men in her life. What is it that she really wants for her future? However, the author is continually sidetracked with characters that are completely irrelevant to the story. Every little bit of scenery and every mundane activity seems to be written in great detail with many confusing side stories and details. Furthermore, there is nothing exceptionally likeable about any of the characters and the ending is quite abrupt.<br /><br />The epilogue tells us who she chose. It doesn’t show how or when. It also tries to wrap up all the characters in a nice little package that has absolutely nothing to do with the storyline. Not only is it unrealistic, it is completely ridiculous. The whole epilogue completely blew my mind. I have never seen an author do this before.<br /><br />Believe me, I hate to give a scathing review. Unfortunately, there was nothing I liked about this story that could redeem it.<br /><br />I do thank you, Tyndale House Publishers, for giving me a copy of this book for my review. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1414805028000, "title": "No Thanks" }, { "asin": "0310315549", "rating": 5, "text": "In the third book of The Royal Wedding series, Corina Del Ray faces some hard decisions. She has been secretly married to the prince of Brighton, but even SHE didn’t know that their marriage certificate is still legitimate. They married in secret, but was later told that it was done illegally.<br /><br />Five years after her husband, the prince, walked away from her life, he has now appeared wanting her to sign an annulment. She has to decide whether or not to fight for her marriage. The prince, meanwhile, has his own feelings of failure and worthlessness to deal with.<br /><br />What I found really moving about this book was not necessarily the romance. I felt like the growth these characters went through, learning to trust in God, was the real story. It’s rare to have a romance that shows God’s love more than a great love story of the two characters. I found myself tearing up a few times as I read about God’s goodness.<br /><br />While there were a few odd elements to this book and some slow moving scenes, I felt that the bottom line far outweighed anything else. The bottom line being how God works deeply in our lives when we learn to trust Him; even when it doesn’t make sense and goes against every natural response.<br /><br />I definitely recommend this book. Read it and see how much God loves. &#60;3 Thank you, booklookbloggers, for this wonderful read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1429048735000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1401690610", "rating": 5, "text": "In Kristy’s follow up novel to The Butterfly and the Violin, we are once again taken back into the horrific time of WWII. As the story jumps from present day to the 1940’s, she beautifully intertwines the past and present. While, in the present, William fights for his name to be cleared. As we are taken back, Sophie’s back story is also partially revealed.<br /><br />I have never seen a book that goes back and forth like this. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think, or if I would like it. I also have a terrifying phobia of reading anything to do with WWII as my compassionate heart can’t handle it. That being said, the book grabbed my attention right away and I felt engrossed and engaged the entire way through. Kristy had a wonderful balance of sharing the details of this tragic era without sharing too many of the details. The characters were full of life and I fell in love with each one.<br /><br />Please pick up a copy of this book (don’t forget the first one! You’re gonna want it to keep up!!). Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!<br /><br />— Don’t forget to check out my Face-Off with Kristy Cambron and enter to win this great read!!<br /><br />http://atransparentmom.com/2015/04/21/a-sparrow-in-terezin/", "timestamp": 1429674595000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "A gripping, page turning, suspenseful and dramatic read!! Yes, it is all of those things!! From the first page of this book, you will be hooked!<br /><br />Claire Dellamare shows up at the Hotel Tourmaline to help her father close a business deal. Little does she know that her past is very much tied up with this quaint little town. As she has flashbacks and bits of her memory coming and going, Claire starts to learn that she has, indeed, been here! Realizing that she was missing for a whole year of her life when she was just a child, she goes on a hunt to find out the true story. Making new relationships and digging deeper, she finds out more and more about her past. Someone doesn't like this and will do anything to make her stop.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book! It's a solid 5 stars. Full of rich and complex characters, a deep storyline, suspense, mystery, and a reliance on God. Everything is here!! Please pick up a copy for yourself and for a friend!!<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!<br /><br />While you are at it, you can check out my fun Face-Off with the amazing Colleen Coble:<br /><br />http://atransparentmom.com/2015/04/22/face-off-with-colleen-coble/", "timestamp": 1430027822000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1451692447", "rating": 5, "text": "In 1892, as the World Fair was coming to Chicago, Tiffany (as in glass, not diamonds) was preparing to enter gorgeous, stained glass windows and other displays. The men were on strike, so Mr. Tiffany decided to hire women, for the first time in history. These women endured mistreatment, groping, being spit at and a number of other atrocities. They were not considered women of “good repute” if they had jobs, so men figured that they didn’t have to treat them as ladies.<br /><br />Much to her parents dismay, Flossie decides to move out of her home to become one of the “Tiffany Girls”. What a BEAUTIFUL story unfolds as we see her grow up and mature through the harsh realities of life. Her new “family” at the boarding house and the prestigious job she holds is what will bring her happiness; or so she thought.<br /><br />The hero in this story is also grappling with loss, fear and growth. It’s an absolutely wonderful book. I read it through in one day and didn’t want to put it down. It is full of so much rich history, colorful, intriguing characters, and windows into the world of the “New Woman”.<br /><br />Solid Five Stars. I encourage you to pick up a copy!<br /><br />Thank you, netgalley, for this wonderful read. As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1430837625000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800721837", "rating": 5, "text": "Tessa is hiding a secret and she absolutely MUST get hired as a horticulturist at Como Park or her family will find out what it is. They already think so little of her...Of course, there is also a young, handsome man that is vying for the same position and is ever so kind.<br /><br />Lorna is always a great storyteller and uses history in such a unique way. The characters are full of life, deep, and grow throughout. Even for someone with a black thumb and no interest in gardening, she can make the story come alive and hold my interest.<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1432352726000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800734351", "rating": 5, "text": "Marisa is back in her small hometown and she is not happy about it. She worked hard to get a degree and get out of there. Now back at a newly updated resort, she is trying to sort out her life. Her dad is missing, she's had her heart broken, her brother-in-law passed away, and she is starting over.<br /><br />When she meets Blake, she thinks that, just maybe, her dreams have come true. Of course, he has a little secret that just might change things. Romance, intrigue, and loveable characters make you want to keep turning the pages. Sometimes Amanda can get caught up over describing things, but I know that is just a matter of taste and style. Some people want a lot of descriptions and some just want to get on with the story. Other than that, it's a great book! She has a real talent!!<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1432954633000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1426787278", "rating": 5, "text": "A story of pain, sorrow, healing, love and cleansing. Emmalyn moves to a small town so she can pick up the pieces of her life. Well, so she can pick up the pieces of what’s left of her life. Her husband is in prison and due to be released soon. Can their marriage possibly survive this?<br /><br />Through it all, we meet some quirky characters that help “M” heal from the heartache her life has been. It’s uniquely written as if we were in Emmalyn’s mind, but it’s not in first person. There is much depth here in learning to forgive, to trust God, and to live life to the fullest. Great read and well written.<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433124192000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1496402146", "rating": 5, "text": "What a beautiful story! Heidi, had never learned anything about nutrition and exercise so, they just ate whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. Her daughter, Breanna, was in 3rd grade and already hitting 180+lbs. Heidi tried everything she could think of and prayed, prayed, prayed. Through a lot of research, common sense and answered prayer, Breanna has lost all of her excess weight and even made the Junior Olympics in swimming!!<br /><br />This is an incredible journey that will keep you turning the pages. There are so many great side notes on nutrition, labels, exercising ideas and much more. It even includes a 40-Day Meal and Exercise Plan. Heidi's brutal honesty is so refreshing.<br /><br />I know that a lot of people have their opinions on how she gained so much weight, how her mom handled it and everything else. However, I think that we, as mothers, need to be more supportive of each other instead of making it a competition. We can't possibly know what is best for her family when we aren't part of it. It's unreasonable to think that you have better answers. So, please just encourage each other and pray for each other. Heidi and Breanna are beautiful pictures of listening to God and watching Him get the glory.<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433302308000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800723503", "rating": 5, "text": "This book may look pretty on the outside, but hold onto your seat! You won't have a minute to breath from the first page to the last!! Elizabeth is heading back home to Key West and is ready to face life as it is now. Her mother just died, her father expects her to marry a man she can't stand to be around, and her brother is crippled because of a whim she had that put them in danger. All this while she holds onto her love for Rourke, a Godly and gentlemanly captain that she has loved for years.<br /><br />The characters are wonderfully written. (Warning: You will fall madly in love with Rourke!) God and spiritual matters are throughout the book. It is also very rich in history. There are many life changing decisions that are tackled while leading you to the perfectly wrapped-up ending. For those that love a fairy tale ending, you will love it! Some may find it a bit too tidy. Either way, it's a great story with a lot to offer.<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433348445000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "082544229X", "rating": 5, "text": "This book is a BEAUTIFUL message of forgiveness. As the title suggests, Laurie’s father was murdered. As she began to know Jesus and grow closer to Him, she started to realize that He was asking her to forgive her father’s murderer. Thus began a long journey of communication. Through many tears and open, raw wounds, Laurie was able to find peace and bring glory to God.<br /><br />As she shares with us the letters that passed back and forth between them, she also shares her heart and her emotions as each one shows up at her door. It is such a tragic, but beautiful story! God shines through in every ounce of it and that is what is so beautiful. Please pick up a copy! (Link is in the pic above)<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1436114307000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800723570", "rating": 5, "text": "Anna was not expecting to spend her career as a hotel manager at the Value Lodge. When she is &#34;let go&#34; for trying to pull the place together, she's not too devastated. Her friend gives her a lead on a gorgeous boutique hotel in New York City that is hiring and she doesn't look back.<br /><br />Once Anna is in New York, she finds that someone from her past is also working at the hotel. I am sure you can guess where that leads! This book is written with engaging characters and a really fun storyline. I loved it and definitely recommend it for a light, summer read.<br />Thank you, Revell, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1436750788000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0310338476", "rating": 5, "text": "When Stella agrees to take on the job of interior designer for the remodeling of the old theater in town, she never expects to see her ex boyfriend as contractor and foreman. She hasn't seen Chase in over 4 years. He was supposed to have moved away! Things sure have changed in her life she she last saw him too. It's been almost one year, to the day, since her divorce was finalized. She hasn't had a job in months and her bills are piling up. Knowing that this job is her salvation, she can't run from it, or him.<br /><br />This is a fun book. It is easy to read and the characters are really loveable. Of course, things are really tough between the two of them as they figure out what they are doing and who they are in life. They have to turn to God, give up past hurt, and move forward with their lives. Great read! Pick up a copy :)<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this delightful read. As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1437316029000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1426781415", "rating": 5, "text": "What a beautiful story of love and trust. Ruby is a young widow that is learning to find her way. She heads on out to work with her brother in the recently devastated San Francisco. After the 1906 fire destroyed much of the city, refugee camps and hospitals are in desperate need of help. She is determined to find her own way and not rely on a man.<br /><br />Of course, once she is there she meets a Dr. that sends her heart racing! This is a beautiful story. I loved the characters. They were very relatable. There was a strange part at the end that wasn't ever cleared up. I wish that something would have been said about it, but that is just me. I do recommend this book. It is a really great read and held my attention throughout.<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1437364063000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764211692", "rating": 4, "text": "I am excited about my latest read! In a town where mail order brides are being scooped up before they have a chance with their intendeds, we find our story. Eliza Cantrall is anxious to meet her own husband-to-be, Axel, and takes off early to surprise him. On the way, she is robbed of all her savings and is now showing up without the money she promised him.<br /><br />Will Stanton is Axel's business partner and town preferred doctor. He has no practicing license, or schooling for that matter, but cares for his patients and they adore him. When Eliza arrives, Axel is nowhere to be found and Will finds himself drawn to her.<br /><br />I love that this novel isn't just a love story, but a spiritual journey, as well. Both, Eliza and Will, have to work through their dreams, hopes and desires while learning to trust God. They both have to realize what is most important in life and trust that God loves them enough to provide through all things.<br /><br />I am giving this 4 stars because I really enjoyed reading it, I liked Will and Eliza and their strong character. It was a light, easy read, but fun and had some depth. Great story. Thanks, www.netgalley.com and Bethany House for giving me this book for an honest review. Here's to many more!!<br /><br />www.atransparentmom.blogspot.com", "timestamp": 1408388501000, "title": "Cute read! Give it a try!!" }, { "asin": "141438985X", "rating": 1, "text": "Jan Watson is an author that is completely new to me. I had never read anything by her and was excited to review this book. As you know from past reviews, the front cover is a major selling point for me and this is a beautiful cover! Unfortunately, the positive attributes of this book end there.<br /><br />The story has multiple main characters. It is supposed to be centered around Mazy Pelfrey and how she will decide between the two men in her life. What is it that she really wants for her future? However, the author is continually sidetracked with characters that are completely irrelevant to the story. Every little bit of scenery and every mundane activity seems to be written in great detail with many confusing side stories and details. Furthermore, there is nothing exceptionally likeable about any of the characters and the ending is quite abrupt.<br /><br />The epilogue tells us who she chose. It doesn’t show how or when. It also tries to wrap up all the characters in a nice little package that has absolutely nothing to do with the storyline. Not only is it unrealistic, it is completely ridiculous. The whole epilogue completely blew my mind. I have never seen an author do this before.<br /><br />Believe me, I hate to give a scathing review. Unfortunately, there was nothing I liked about this story that could redeem it.<br /><br />I do thank you, Tyndale House Publishers, for giving me a copy of this book for my review. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1414805028000, "title": "No Thanks" }, { "asin": "0310315549", "rating": 5, "text": "In the third book of The Royal Wedding series, Corina Del Ray faces some hard decisions. She has been secretly married to the prince of Brighton, but even SHE didn’t know that their marriage certificate is still legitimate. They married in secret, but was later told that it was done illegally.<br /><br />Five years after her husband, the prince, walked away from her life, he has now appeared wanting her to sign an annulment. She has to decide whether or not to fight for her marriage. The prince, meanwhile, has his own feelings of failure and worthlessness to deal with.<br /><br />What I found really moving about this book was not necessarily the romance. I felt like the growth these characters went through, learning to trust in God, was the real story. It’s rare to have a romance that shows God’s love more than a great love story of the two characters. I found myself tearing up a few times as I read about God’s goodness.<br /><br />While there were a few odd elements to this book and some slow moving scenes, I felt that the bottom line far outweighed anything else. The bottom line being how God works deeply in our lives when we learn to trust Him; even when it doesn’t make sense and goes against every natural response.<br /><br />I definitely recommend this book. Read it and see how much God loves. &#60;3 Thank you, booklookbloggers, for this wonderful read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1429048735000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1401690610", "rating": 5, "text": "In Kristy’s follow up novel to The Butterfly and the Violin, we are once again taken back into the horrific time of WWII. As the story jumps from present day to the 1940’s, she beautifully intertwines the past and present. While, in the present, William fights for his name to be cleared. As we are taken back, Sophie’s back story is also partially revealed.<br /><br />I have never seen a book that goes back and forth like this. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think, or if I would like it. I also have a terrifying phobia of reading anything to do with WWII as my compassionate heart can’t handle it. That being said, the book grabbed my attention right away and I felt engrossed and engaged the entire way through. Kristy had a wonderful balance of sharing the details of this tragic era without sharing too many of the details. The characters were full of life and I fell in love with each one.<br /><br />Please pick up a copy of this book (don’t forget the first one! You’re gonna want it to keep up!!). Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!<br /><br />— Don’t forget to check out my Face-Off with Kristy Cambron and enter to win this great read!!<br /><br />http://atransparentmom.com/2015/04/21/a-sparrow-in-terezin/", "timestamp": 1429674595000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "A gripping, page turning, suspenseful and dramatic read!! Yes, it is all of those things!! From the first page of this book, you will be hooked!<br /><br />Claire Dellamare shows up at the Hotel Tourmaline to help her father close a business deal. Little does she know that her past is very much tied up with this quaint little town. As she has flashbacks and bits of her memory coming and going, Claire starts to learn that she has, indeed, been here! Realizing that she was missing for a whole year of her life when she was just a child, she goes on a hunt to find out the true story. Making new relationships and digging deeper, she finds out more and more about her past. Someone doesn't like this and will do anything to make her stop.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book! It's a solid 5 stars. Full of rich and complex characters, a deep storyline, suspense, mystery, and a reliance on God. Everything is here!! Please pick up a copy for yourself and for a friend!!<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!<br /><br />While you are at it, you can check out my fun Face-Off with the amazing Colleen Coble:<br /><br />http://atransparentmom.com/2015/04/22/face-off-with-colleen-coble/", "timestamp": 1430027822000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1451692447", "rating": 5, "text": "In 1892, as the World Fair was coming to Chicago, Tiffany (as in glass, not diamonds) was preparing to enter gorgeous, stained glass windows and other displays. The men were on strike, so Mr. Tiffany decided to hire women, for the first time in history. These women endured mistreatment, groping, being spit at and a number of other atrocities. They were not considered women of “good repute” if they had jobs, so men figured that they didn’t have to treat them as ladies.<br /><br />Much to her parents dismay, Flossie decides to move out of her home to become one of the “Tiffany Girls”. What a BEAUTIFUL story unfolds as we see her grow up and mature through the harsh realities of life. Her new “family” at the boarding house and the prestigious job she holds is what will bring her happiness; or so she thought.<br /><br />The hero in this story is also grappling with loss, fear and growth. It’s an absolutely wonderful book. I read it through in one day and didn’t want to put it down. It is full of so much rich history, colorful, intriguing characters, and windows into the world of the “New Woman”.<br /><br />Solid Five Stars. I encourage you to pick up a copy!<br /><br />Thank you, netgalley, for this wonderful read. As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1430837625000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800721837", "rating": 5, "text": "Tessa is hiding a secret and she absolutely MUST get hired as a horticulturist at Como Park or her family will find out what it is. They already think so little of her...Of course, there is also a young, handsome man that is vying for the same position and is ever so kind.<br /><br />Lorna is always a great storyteller and uses history in such a unique way. The characters are full of life, deep, and grow throughout. Even for someone with a black thumb and no interest in gardening, she can make the story come alive and hold my interest.<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1432352726000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800734351", "rating": 5, "text": "Marisa is back in her small hometown and she is not happy about it. She worked hard to get a degree and get out of there. Now back at a newly updated resort, she is trying to sort out her life. Her dad is missing, she's had her heart broken, her brother-in-law passed away, and she is starting over.<br /><br />When she meets Blake, she thinks that, just maybe, her dreams have come true. Of course, he has a little secret that just might change things. Romance, intrigue, and loveable characters make you want to keep turning the pages. Sometimes Amanda can get caught up over describing things, but I know that is just a matter of taste and style. Some people want a lot of descriptions and some just want to get on with the story. Other than that, it's a great book! She has a real talent!!<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1432954633000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1426787278", "rating": 5, "text": "A story of pain, sorrow, healing, love and cleansing. Emmalyn moves to a small town so she can pick up the pieces of her life. Well, so she can pick up the pieces of what’s left of her life. Her husband is in prison and due to be released soon. Can their marriage possibly survive this?<br /><br />Through it all, we meet some quirky characters that help “M” heal from the heartache her life has been. It’s uniquely written as if we were in Emmalyn’s mind, but it’s not in first person. There is much depth here in learning to forgive, to trust God, and to live life to the fullest. Great read and well written.<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433124192000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1496402146", "rating": 5, "text": "What a beautiful story! Heidi, had never learned anything about nutrition and exercise so, they just ate whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. Her daughter, Breanna, was in 3rd grade and already hitting 180+lbs. Heidi tried everything she could think of and prayed, prayed, prayed. Through a lot of research, common sense and answered prayer, Breanna has lost all of her excess weight and even made the Junior Olympics in swimming!!<br /><br />This is an incredible journey that will keep you turning the pages. There are so many great side notes on nutrition, labels, exercising ideas and much more. It even includes a 40-Day Meal and Exercise Plan. Heidi's brutal honesty is so refreshing.<br /><br />I know that a lot of people have their opinions on how she gained so much weight, how her mom handled it and everything else. However, I think that we, as mothers, need to be more supportive of each other instead of making it a competition. We can't possibly know what is best for her family when we aren't part of it. It's unreasonable to think that you have better answers. So, please just encourage each other and pray for each other. Heidi and Breanna are beautiful pictures of listening to God and watching Him get the glory.<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433302308000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800723503", "rating": 5, "text": "This book may look pretty on the outside, but hold onto your seat! You won't have a minute to breath from the first page to the last!! Elizabeth is heading back home to Key West and is ready to face life as it is now. Her mother just died, her father expects her to marry a man she can't stand to be around, and her brother is crippled because of a whim she had that put them in danger. All this while she holds onto her love for Rourke, a Godly and gentlemanly captain that she has loved for years.<br /><br />The characters are wonderfully written. (Warning: You will fall madly in love with Rourke!) God and spiritual matters are throughout the book. It is also very rich in history. There are many life changing decisions that are tackled while leading you to the perfectly wrapped-up ending. For those that love a fairy tale ending, you will love it! Some may find it a bit too tidy. Either way, it's a great story with a lot to offer.<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433348445000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "082544229X", "rating": 5, "text": "This book is a BEAUTIFUL message of forgiveness. As the title suggests, Laurie’s father was murdered. As she began to know Jesus and grow closer to Him, she started to realize that He was asking her to forgive her father’s murderer. Thus began a long journey of communication. Through many tears and open, raw wounds, Laurie was able to find peace and bring glory to God.<br /><br />As she shares with us the letters that passed back and forth between them, she also shares her heart and her emotions as each one shows up at her door. It is such a tragic, but beautiful story! God shines through in every ounce of it and that is what is so beautiful. Please pick up a copy! (Link is in the pic above)<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1436114307000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800723570", "rating": 5, "text": "Anna was not expecting to spend her career as a hotel manager at the Value Lodge. When she is &#34;let go&#34; for trying to pull the place together, she's not too devastated. Her friend gives her a lead on a gorgeous boutique hotel in New York City that is hiring and she doesn't look back.<br /><br />Once Anna is in New York, she finds that someone from her past is also working at the hotel. I am sure you can guess where that leads! This book is written with engaging characters and a really fun storyline. I loved it and definitely recommend it for a light, summer read.<br />Thank you, Revell, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1436750788000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0310338476", "rating": 5, "text": "When Stella agrees to take on the job of interior designer for the remodeling of the old theater in town, she never expects to see her ex boyfriend as contractor and foreman. She hasn't seen Chase in over 4 years. He was supposed to have moved away! Things sure have changed in her life she she last saw him too. It's been almost one year, to the day, since her divorce was finalized. She hasn't had a job in months and her bills are piling up. Knowing that this job is her salvation, she can't run from it, or him.<br /><br />This is a fun book. It is easy to read and the characters are really loveable. Of course, things are really tough between the two of them as they figure out what they are doing and who they are in life. They have to turn to God, give up past hurt, and move forward with their lives. Great read! Pick up a copy :)<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this delightful read. As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1437316029000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1426781415", "rating": 5, "text": "What a beautiful story of love and trust. Ruby is a young widow that is learning to find her way. She heads on out to work with her brother in the recently devastated San Francisco. After the 1906 fire destroyed much of the city, refugee camps and hospitals are in desperate need of help. She is determined to find her own way and not rely on a man.<br /><br />Of course, once she is there she meets a Dr. that sends her heart racing! This is a beautiful story. I loved the characters. They were very relatable. There was a strange part at the end that wasn't ever cleared up. I wish that something would have been said about it, but that is just me. I do recommend this book. It is a really great read and held my attention throughout.<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1437364063000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0718011783", "rating": 5, "text": "Sarah has, AGAIN, hit a home run! In her latest book, there is mystery, intrigue, suspense and LOVE! Camille is working in her father's shop when she is attacked. The thief is in search of something that she knows nothing about. Throughout the book, she learns to fight for herself, has her heart completely smashed and is shown true love. It's quite the story!!<br /><br />The characters are extremely loveable. You want to fight for them individually, as well as together. God is not constant throughout, but more of a background element. Her writing is always well done. The book will hold your attention from the first page. Highly recommend anything by this author!!<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful read. As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!<br /><br />If you would like to see my fun Face-Off with Sarah, just go here: http://atransparentmom.com/2015/05/07/face-off-with-sarah-e-ladd/", "timestamp": 1438216585000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764211692", "rating": 4, "text": "I am excited about my latest read! In a town where mail order brides are being scooped up before they have a chance with their intendeds, we find our story. Eliza Cantrall is anxious to meet her own husband-to-be, Axel, and takes off early to surprise him. On the way, she is robbed of all her savings and is now showing up without the money she promised him.<br /><br />Will Stanton is Axel's business partner and town preferred doctor. He has no practicing license, or schooling for that matter, but cares for his patients and they adore him. When Eliza arrives, Axel is nowhere to be found and Will finds himself drawn to her.<br /><br />I love that this novel isn't just a love story, but a spiritual journey, as well. Both, Eliza and Will, have to work through their dreams, hopes and desires while learning to trust God. They both have to realize what is most important in life and trust that God loves them enough to provide through all things.<br /><br />I am giving this 4 stars because I really enjoyed reading it, I liked Will and Eliza and their strong character. It was a light, easy read, but fun and had some depth. Great story. Thanks, www.netgalley.com and Bethany House for giving me this book for an honest review. Here's to many more!!<br /><br />www.atransparentmom.blogspot.com", "timestamp": 1408388501000, "title": "Cute read! Give it a try!!" }, { "asin": "141438985X", "rating": 1, "text": "Jan Watson is an author that is completely new to me. I had never read anything by her and was excited to review this book. As you know from past reviews, the front cover is a major selling point for me and this is a beautiful cover! Unfortunately, the positive attributes of this book end there.<br /><br />The story has multiple main characters. It is supposed to be centered around Mazy Pelfrey and how she will decide between the two men in her life. What is it that she really wants for her future? However, the author is continually sidetracked with characters that are completely irrelevant to the story. Every little bit of scenery and every mundane activity seems to be written in great detail with many confusing side stories and details. Furthermore, there is nothing exceptionally likeable about any of the characters and the ending is quite abrupt.<br /><br />The epilogue tells us who she chose. It doesn’t show how or when. It also tries to wrap up all the characters in a nice little package that has absolutely nothing to do with the storyline. Not only is it unrealistic, it is completely ridiculous. The whole epilogue completely blew my mind. I have never seen an author do this before.<br /><br />Believe me, I hate to give a scathing review. Unfortunately, there was nothing I liked about this story that could redeem it.<br /><br />I do thank you, Tyndale House Publishers, for giving me a copy of this book for my review. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1414805028000, "title": "No Thanks" }, { "asin": "0310315549", "rating": 5, "text": "In the third book of The Royal Wedding series, Corina Del Ray faces some hard decisions. She has been secretly married to the prince of Brighton, but even SHE didn’t know that their marriage certificate is still legitimate. They married in secret, but was later told that it was done illegally.<br /><br />Five years after her husband, the prince, walked away from her life, he has now appeared wanting her to sign an annulment. She has to decide whether or not to fight for her marriage. The prince, meanwhile, has his own feelings of failure and worthlessness to deal with.<br /><br />What I found really moving about this book was not necessarily the romance. I felt like the growth these characters went through, learning to trust in God, was the real story. It’s rare to have a romance that shows God’s love more than a great love story of the two characters. I found myself tearing up a few times as I read about God’s goodness.<br /><br />While there were a few odd elements to this book and some slow moving scenes, I felt that the bottom line far outweighed anything else. The bottom line being how God works deeply in our lives when we learn to trust Him; even when it doesn’t make sense and goes against every natural response.<br /><br />I definitely recommend this book. Read it and see how much God loves. &#60;3 Thank you, booklookbloggers, for this wonderful read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1429048735000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1401690610", "rating": 5, "text": "In Kristy’s follow up novel to The Butterfly and the Violin, we are once again taken back into the horrific time of WWII. As the story jumps from present day to the 1940’s, she beautifully intertwines the past and present. While, in the present, William fights for his name to be cleared. As we are taken back, Sophie’s back story is also partially revealed.<br /><br />I have never seen a book that goes back and forth like this. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think, or if I would like it. I also have a terrifying phobia of reading anything to do with WWII as my compassionate heart can’t handle it. That being said, the book grabbed my attention right away and I felt engrossed and engaged the entire way through. Kristy had a wonderful balance of sharing the details of this tragic era without sharing too many of the details. The characters were full of life and I fell in love with each one.<br /><br />Please pick up a copy of this book (don’t forget the first one! You’re gonna want it to keep up!!). Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!<br /><br />— Don’t forget to check out my Face-Off with Kristy Cambron and enter to win this great read!!<br /><br />http://atransparentmom.com/2015/04/21/a-sparrow-in-terezin/", "timestamp": 1429674595000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "A gripping, page turning, suspenseful and dramatic read!! Yes, it is all of those things!! From the first page of this book, you will be hooked!<br /><br />Claire Dellamare shows up at the Hotel Tourmaline to help her father close a business deal. Little does she know that her past is very much tied up with this quaint little town. As she has flashbacks and bits of her memory coming and going, Claire starts to learn that she has, indeed, been here! Realizing that she was missing for a whole year of her life when she was just a child, she goes on a hunt to find out the true story. Making new relationships and digging deeper, she finds out more and more about her past. Someone doesn't like this and will do anything to make her stop.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book! It's a solid 5 stars. Full of rich and complex characters, a deep storyline, suspense, mystery, and a reliance on God. Everything is here!! Please pick up a copy for yourself and for a friend!!<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!<br /><br />While you are at it, you can check out my fun Face-Off with the amazing Colleen Coble:<br /><br />http://atransparentmom.com/2015/04/22/face-off-with-colleen-coble/", "timestamp": 1430027822000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1451692447", "rating": 5, "text": "In 1892, as the World Fair was coming to Chicago, Tiffany (as in glass, not diamonds) was preparing to enter gorgeous, stained glass windows and other displays. The men were on strike, so Mr. Tiffany decided to hire women, for the first time in history. These women endured mistreatment, groping, being spit at and a number of other atrocities. They were not considered women of “good repute” if they had jobs, so men figured that they didn’t have to treat them as ladies.<br /><br />Much to her parents dismay, Flossie decides to move out of her home to become one of the “Tiffany Girls”. What a BEAUTIFUL story unfolds as we see her grow up and mature through the harsh realities of life. Her new “family” at the boarding house and the prestigious job she holds is what will bring her happiness; or so she thought.<br /><br />The hero in this story is also grappling with loss, fear and growth. It’s an absolutely wonderful book. I read it through in one day and didn’t want to put it down. It is full of so much rich history, colorful, intriguing characters, and windows into the world of the “New Woman”.<br /><br />Solid Five Stars. I encourage you to pick up a copy!<br /><br />Thank you, netgalley, for this wonderful read. As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1430837625000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800721837", "rating": 5, "text": "Tessa is hiding a secret and she absolutely MUST get hired as a horticulturist at Como Park or her family will find out what it is. They already think so little of her...Of course, there is also a young, handsome man that is vying for the same position and is ever so kind.<br /><br />Lorna is always a great storyteller and uses history in such a unique way. The characters are full of life, deep, and grow throughout. Even for someone with a black thumb and no interest in gardening, she can make the story come alive and hold my interest.<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1432352726000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800734351", "rating": 5, "text": "Marisa is back in her small hometown and she is not happy about it. She worked hard to get a degree and get out of there. Now back at a newly updated resort, she is trying to sort out her life. Her dad is missing, she's had her heart broken, her brother-in-law passed away, and she is starting over.<br /><br />When she meets Blake, she thinks that, just maybe, her dreams have come true. Of course, he has a little secret that just might change things. Romance, intrigue, and loveable characters make you want to keep turning the pages. Sometimes Amanda can get caught up over describing things, but I know that is just a matter of taste and style. Some people want a lot of descriptions and some just want to get on with the story. Other than that, it's a great book! She has a real talent!!<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1432954633000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1426787278", "rating": 5, "text": "A story of pain, sorrow, healing, love and cleansing. Emmalyn moves to a small town so she can pick up the pieces of her life. Well, so she can pick up the pieces of what’s left of her life. Her husband is in prison and due to be released soon. Can their marriage possibly survive this?<br /><br />Through it all, we meet some quirky characters that help “M” heal from the heartache her life has been. It’s uniquely written as if we were in Emmalyn’s mind, but it’s not in first person. There is much depth here in learning to forgive, to trust God, and to live life to the fullest. Great read and well written.<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433124192000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1496402146", "rating": 5, "text": "What a beautiful story! Heidi, had never learned anything about nutrition and exercise so, they just ate whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. Her daughter, Breanna, was in 3rd grade and already hitting 180+lbs. Heidi tried everything she could think of and prayed, prayed, prayed. Through a lot of research, common sense and answered prayer, Breanna has lost all of her excess weight and even made the Junior Olympics in swimming!!<br /><br />This is an incredible journey that will keep you turning the pages. There are so many great side notes on nutrition, labels, exercising ideas and much more. It even includes a 40-Day Meal and Exercise Plan. Heidi's brutal honesty is so refreshing.<br /><br />I know that a lot of people have their opinions on how she gained so much weight, how her mom handled it and everything else. However, I think that we, as mothers, need to be more supportive of each other instead of making it a competition. We can't possibly know what is best for her family when we aren't part of it. It's unreasonable to think that you have better answers. So, please just encourage each other and pray for each other. Heidi and Breanna are beautiful pictures of listening to God and watching Him get the glory.<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433302308000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800723503", "rating": 5, "text": "This book may look pretty on the outside, but hold onto your seat! You won't have a minute to breath from the first page to the last!! Elizabeth is heading back home to Key West and is ready to face life as it is now. Her mother just died, her father expects her to marry a man she can't stand to be around, and her brother is crippled because of a whim she had that put them in danger. All this while she holds onto her love for Rourke, a Godly and gentlemanly captain that she has loved for years.<br /><br />The characters are wonderfully written. (Warning: You will fall madly in love with Rourke!) God and spiritual matters are throughout the book. It is also very rich in history. There are many life changing decisions that are tackled while leading you to the perfectly wrapped-up ending. For those that love a fairy tale ending, you will love it! Some may find it a bit too tidy. Either way, it's a great story with a lot to offer.<br /><br />Thank you, Revell, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1433348445000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "082544229X", "rating": 5, "text": "This book is a BEAUTIFUL message of forgiveness. As the title suggests, Laurie’s father was murdered. As she began to know Jesus and grow closer to Him, she started to realize that He was asking her to forgive her father’s murderer. Thus began a long journey of communication. Through many tears and open, raw wounds, Laurie was able to find peace and bring glory to God.<br /><br />As she shares with us the letters that passed back and forth between them, she also shares her heart and her emotions as each one shows up at her door. It is such a tragic, but beautiful story! God shines through in every ounce of it and that is what is so beautiful. Please pick up a copy! (Link is in the pic above)<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!", "timestamp": 1436114307000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0800723570", "rating": 5, "text": "Anna was not expecting to spend her career as a hotel manager at the Value Lodge. When she is &#34;let go&#34; for trying to pull the place together, she's not too devastated. Her friend gives her a lead on a gorgeous boutique hotel in New York City that is hiring and she doesn't look back.<br /><br />Once Anna is in New York, she finds that someone from her past is also working at the hotel. I am sure you can guess where that leads! This book is written with engaging characters and a really fun storyline. I loved it and definitely recommend it for a light, summer read.<br />Thank you, Revell, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1436750788000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0310338476", "rating": 5, "text": "When Stella agrees to take on the job of interior designer for the remodeling of the old theater in town, she never expects to see her ex boyfriend as contractor and foreman. She hasn't seen Chase in over 4 years. He was supposed to have moved away! Things sure have changed in her life she she last saw him too. It's been almost one year, to the day, since her divorce was finalized. She hasn't had a job in months and her bills are piling up. Knowing that this job is her salvation, she can't run from it, or him.<br /><br />This is a fun book. It is easy to read and the characters are really loveable. Of course, things are really tough between the two of them as they figure out what they are doing and who they are in life. They have to turn to God, give up past hurt, and move forward with their lives. Great read! Pick up a copy :)<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this delightful read. As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1437316029000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "1426781415", "rating": 5, "text": "What a beautiful story of love and trust. Ruby is a young widow that is learning to find her way. She heads on out to work with her brother in the recently devastated San Francisco. After the 1906 fire destroyed much of the city, refugee camps and hospitals are in desperate need of help. She is determined to find her own way and not rely on a man.<br /><br />Of course, once she is there she meets a Dr. that sends her heart racing! This is a beautiful story. I loved the characters. They were very relatable. There was a strange part at the end that wasn't ever cleared up. I wish that something would have been said about it, but that is just me. I do recommend this book. It is a really great read and held my attention throughout.<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this great book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1437364063000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0718011783", "rating": 5, "text": "Sarah has, AGAIN, hit a home run! In her latest book, there is mystery, intrigue, suspense and LOVE! Camille is working in her father's shop when she is attacked. The thief is in search of something that she knows nothing about. Throughout the book, she learns to fight for herself, has her heart completely smashed and is shown true love. It's quite the story!!<br /><br />The characters are extremely loveable. You want to fight for them individually, as well as together. God is not constant throughout, but more of a background element. Her writing is always well done. The book will hold your attention from the first page. Highly recommend anything by this author!!<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, for this wonderful read. As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!<br /><br />If you would like to see my fun Face-Off with Sarah, just go here: http://atransparentmom.com/2015/05/07/face-off-with-sarah-e-ladd/", "timestamp": 1438216585000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" }, { "asin": "0764211412", "rating": 5, "text": "First of all, you know its going to be a great book when the cover is so beautiful! Secondly, it's Regina Jennings! Come on!!<br /><br />In this fun and offbeat story, Miranda Wimplegate is a proper Boston woman that heads out to the middle of nowhere to find a painting that was unintentionally sold at her auction house. Once she shows up in this little town, she is confused about who there would need or want such a fancy painting. While working with the local auction house, she is forced to spend her days with a scruffy backwoodsman, Wyatt Ballentine.<br /><br />Of course, love blooms in the Ozarks :) Another great story by Regina. Lots of fun, great characters, good pace and interesting storyline. I would highly recommend!<br /><br />Thank you, Litfuse, Netgalley and Bethany House, for this great read. As always, this is my honest opinion! Here's to many more!!", "timestamp": 1453730193000, "title": "www.aTransParentMom.com" } ]

[ { "asin": "1401689140", "rating": 5, "text": "I found this to be a great story about forgiveness and how we are not in control of our lives, God is. We may have our own plans but that doesn't mean that those are the plans that God has for us. Rand's dream of building more and more nightclubs reminded me the story Jesus told about the man who filled up his storerooms with goods thinking he had a lot but he ended up losing everything when he died that night. I am going to remember the lilies and trust that God will care for all my needs.", "timestamp": 1424204775000, "title": "Great story about forgiveness and trusting in the Lord." }, { "asin": "0529103419", "rating": 5, "text": "The characters in this first novella are intriguing and now I can't wait till I can read the next book in the series to see what happens next. Will Ben attempt to kidnap Sarah again now that Rand has left? Will Sarah follow Rand? Fortunately, the second book just came today so I can find out what happens next. There are six parts to this Journey of the Heart series so I am going to have to be patient.", "timestamp": 1427863401000, "title": "I can't wait to see what happens next!" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "I really enjoy reading mysteries that make me want to see if I can try and figure out who did it and why they did it. I find it so boring when I figure it out early in the story, but this one kept me on my toes all the way through to the end.", "timestamp": 1429333742000, "title": "Couldn't put this book down till I finished it." }, { "asin": "1401690610", "rating": 5, "text": "I learned about The Blitz which is something that I don't recall ever hearing about, which is surprising to me since I do a lot of reading. If you enjoy reading Historical Fiction I would highly recommend reading both books. I plan on reading the first one to help me better understand all the characters. To me a great book is one that makes me think and to want to learn more about the subject matter. I am off to learn more about the Blitz.", "timestamp": 1430277169000, "title": "Intriguing story" }, { "asin": "0718031652", "rating": 5, "text": "I was super excited when this book arrived since I have been waiting to find out what will happened next with Rand and Sarah. Well, this time it is Sarah's turn to feel jilted by her love, Rand in book two of the Journey of the Heart Series. When Sarah shows up to where Rand has been stationed thinking they will be reunited she is in for a big surprise. Unfortunately, when Rand arrived in Fort Laramie he decided he was ready to move forward with his life and now he is the one who is engaged. It looks like these two will not be getting back together anytime soon so I will have to make sure I read all six books to find out what happens between them and Ben. I like that these books are a quick read but that means I have to wait a while for the next book. I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, all opinions are my own.", "timestamp": 1430366750000, "title": "Can't wait for number 3!" }, { "asin": "0718031660", "rating": 5, "text": "In book 3 of the Journey of the Heart Series, Sarah and Rand face more trouble from Ben Craftner and now Rand's Fiance has joined in with Ben to keep them apart. This one has plenty of action as Sarah gets kidnapped, the soldiers deal with Indian wars, and Ben comes to an untimely end. I enjoy reading novellas occasionally because it gives me a chance to take a mini reading breaks. Each book does stand alone but they also end with me wanting to jump into the next one so I can see what ordeals they are going to have to endure next. I received this book for free from Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.", "timestamp": 1433000561000, "title": "Great read" }, { "asin": "1426787278", "rating": 5, "text": "This book spoke volumes to me because I can relate to how Emmalyn felt alone. I had something horrible happen in my family a number of years back that made me feel so isolated from everyone since they had absolutely no idea of how I felt. Fortunately, I had one person like Bougie who wouldn't let me sit around and wallow in my despair. She was always available and constantly sent me reminders about God's love for me. I highly recommend this book for anyone needing to believe that things can get better in time.", "timestamp": 1433028288000, "title": "Awesome book!" }, { "asin": "0529103435", "rating": 4, "text": "Imagine losing your husband and then finding out that you were not his legitimate wife. In this 4th book of the Journey of the Heart series we meet Ben Croftner's sister Emmie, who decides that she must begin a new life away from everything she has ever known. Fortunately for her, she has friends like Sarah and Rand that take her into their home giving her a new start. Will she find love again? I can't wait for book 5 to find out! It is intersting to learn a little bit more about the issues between the soldiers and the indians during the 1800's. I received a sample of this product for free from Litfuse in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1435699474000, "title": "Fortunately for her" }, { "asin": "1426781415", "rating": 5, "text": "I found this story as intriguing as the first book where we are introduced to Robert, Dr. Gerald and Abby. Ruby meets Dr. Gerald Larkspur who seems to understand her and against her will she falls in love with him after telling herself that she doesn't want to fall in love again so she doesn't suffer loss again. In the end she learns that it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. This is a great story about realizing that we are not in control of our lives, God is and we need to have faith in him", "timestamp": 1437001988000, "title": "Great lesson about realizing that we are not in control" }, { "asin": "0718031687", "rating": 5, "text": "Poor Emmie has learned to distrust men so it takes her awhile to see that not all men are the same. Even though her life has been tough it is encouraging to see that she is still a very giving person and a great friend to everyone.<br /><br />I enjoy reading historical fiction especially when I learn something, this one sure makes me appreciate the luxuries we have nowadays, like heaters and hospitals to have babies in.<br /><br />I received a sample of this product for free in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1438458787000, "title": "Will Emmie take another chance at love?" }, { "asin": "1401690513", "rating": 5, "text": "In the second book of the Four of Hearts Ranch Romance Series, Abby blames herself when she loses her husband and baby as a result she punishes herself by not allowing herself to get close to anyone. Bo has also made mistakes and ends up with a little boy he is responsible for. Abby shows an incredible amount of courage and strength. I find it refreshing to see a family that loves one another, teases each another, and respects all the family members especially the grandfather. This one has grandpa involved in the storyline more since Bo lives with him. Debra does a great job describing his mental health issue (Alzheimers) and the brothers struggle with it. I am so involved in this series that I can't wait for Jarrod's story. I received a sample of this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1442204352000, "title": "Great story about courage and strength" } ]

[ { "asin": "1401689140", "rating": 5, "text": "I found this to be a great story about forgiveness and how we are not in control of our lives, God is. We may have our own plans but that doesn't mean that those are the plans that God has for us. Rand's dream of building more and more nightclubs reminded me the story Jesus told about the man who filled up his storerooms with goods thinking he had a lot but he ended up losing everything when he died that night. I am going to remember the lilies and trust that God will care for all my needs.", "timestamp": 1424204775000, "title": "Great story about forgiveness and trusting in the Lord." }, { "asin": "0529103419", "rating": 5, "text": "The characters in this first novella are intriguing and now I can't wait till I can read the next book in the series to see what happens next. Will Ben attempt to kidnap Sarah again now that Rand has left? Will Sarah follow Rand? Fortunately, the second book just came today so I can find out what happens next. There are six parts to this Journey of the Heart series so I am going to have to be patient.", "timestamp": 1427863401000, "title": "I can't wait to see what happens next!" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "I really enjoy reading mysteries that make me want to see if I can try and figure out who did it and why they did it. I find it so boring when I figure it out early in the story, but this one kept me on my toes all the way through to the end.", "timestamp": 1429333742000, "title": "Couldn't put this book down till I finished it." }, { "asin": "1401690610", "rating": 5, "text": "I learned about The Blitz which is something that I don't recall ever hearing about, which is surprising to me since I do a lot of reading. If you enjoy reading Historical Fiction I would highly recommend reading both books. I plan on reading the first one to help me better understand all the characters. To me a great book is one that makes me think and to want to learn more about the subject matter. I am off to learn more about the Blitz.", "timestamp": 1430277169000, "title": "Intriguing story" }, { "asin": "0718031652", "rating": 5, "text": "I was super excited when this book arrived since I have been waiting to find out what will happened next with Rand and Sarah. Well, this time it is Sarah's turn to feel jilted by her love, Rand in book two of the Journey of the Heart Series. When Sarah shows up to where Rand has been stationed thinking they will be reunited she is in for a big surprise. Unfortunately, when Rand arrived in Fort Laramie he decided he was ready to move forward with his life and now he is the one who is engaged. It looks like these two will not be getting back together anytime soon so I will have to make sure I read all six books to find out what happens between them and Ben. I like that these books are a quick read but that means I have to wait a while for the next book. I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, all opinions are my own.", "timestamp": 1430366750000, "title": "Can't wait for number 3!" }, { "asin": "0718031660", "rating": 5, "text": "In book 3 of the Journey of the Heart Series, Sarah and Rand face more trouble from Ben Craftner and now Rand's Fiance has joined in with Ben to keep them apart. This one has plenty of action as Sarah gets kidnapped, the soldiers deal with Indian wars, and Ben comes to an untimely end. I enjoy reading novellas occasionally because it gives me a chance to take a mini reading breaks. Each book does stand alone but they also end with me wanting to jump into the next one so I can see what ordeals they are going to have to endure next. I received this book for free from Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.", "timestamp": 1433000561000, "title": "Great read" }, { "asin": "1426787278", "rating": 5, "text": "This book spoke volumes to me because I can relate to how Emmalyn felt alone. I had something horrible happen in my family a number of years back that made me feel so isolated from everyone since they had absolutely no idea of how I felt. Fortunately, I had one person like Bougie who wouldn't let me sit around and wallow in my despair. She was always available and constantly sent me reminders about God's love for me. I highly recommend this book for anyone needing to believe that things can get better in time.", "timestamp": 1433028288000, "title": "Awesome book!" }, { "asin": "0529103435", "rating": 4, "text": "Imagine losing your husband and then finding out that you were not his legitimate wife. In this 4th book of the Journey of the Heart series we meet Ben Croftner's sister Emmie, who decides that she must begin a new life away from everything she has ever known. Fortunately for her, she has friends like Sarah and Rand that take her into their home giving her a new start. Will she find love again? I can't wait for book 5 to find out! It is intersting to learn a little bit more about the issues between the soldiers and the indians during the 1800's. I received a sample of this product for free from Litfuse in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1435699474000, "title": "Fortunately for her" }, { "asin": "1426781415", "rating": 5, "text": "I found this story as intriguing as the first book where we are introduced to Robert, Dr. Gerald and Abby. Ruby meets Dr. Gerald Larkspur who seems to understand her and against her will she falls in love with him after telling herself that she doesn't want to fall in love again so she doesn't suffer loss again. In the end she learns that it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. This is a great story about realizing that we are not in control of our lives, God is and we need to have faith in him", "timestamp": 1437001988000, "title": "Great lesson about realizing that we are not in control" }, { "asin": "0718031687", "rating": 5, "text": "Poor Emmie has learned to distrust men so it takes her awhile to see that not all men are the same. Even though her life has been tough it is encouraging to see that she is still a very giving person and a great friend to everyone.<br /><br />I enjoy reading historical fiction especially when I learn something, this one sure makes me appreciate the luxuries we have nowadays, like heaters and hospitals to have babies in.<br /><br />I received a sample of this product for free in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1438458787000, "title": "Will Emmie take another chance at love?" }, { "asin": "1401690513", "rating": 5, "text": "In the second book of the Four of Hearts Ranch Romance Series, Abby blames herself when she loses her husband and baby as a result she punishes herself by not allowing herself to get close to anyone. Bo has also made mistakes and ends up with a little boy he is responsible for. Abby shows an incredible amount of courage and strength. I find it refreshing to see a family that loves one another, teases each another, and respects all the family members especially the grandfather. This one has grandpa involved in the storyline more since Bo lives with him. Debra does a great job describing his mental health issue (Alzheimers) and the brothers struggle with it. I am so involved in this series that I can't wait for Jarrod's story. I received a sample of this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1442204352000, "title": "Great story about courage and strength" }, { "asin": "0764212567", "rating": 5, "text": "I enjoyed reading the first book in the Refined by Love series; The Brickmaker's Bride so much that when the opportunity presented itself to be able to read this second one, I was all over it! I enjoyed learning about brickmaking in the first book and in this one I learned something about pottery making. There are lots of interesting characters that have different issues to deal with. I received a sample of this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1442370324000, "title": "Great continuation to the Refined By Love Series" } ]

[ { "asin": "1401689140", "rating": 5, "text": "I found this to be a great story about forgiveness and how we are not in control of our lives, God is. We may have our own plans but that doesn't mean that those are the plans that God has for us. Rand's dream of building more and more nightclubs reminded me the story Jesus told about the man who filled up his storerooms with goods thinking he had a lot but he ended up losing everything when he died that night. I am going to remember the lilies and trust that God will care for all my needs.", "timestamp": 1424204775000, "title": "Great story about forgiveness and trusting in the Lord." }, { "asin": "0529103419", "rating": 5, "text": "The characters in this first novella are intriguing and now I can't wait till I can read the next book in the series to see what happens next. Will Ben attempt to kidnap Sarah again now that Rand has left? Will Sarah follow Rand? Fortunately, the second book just came today so I can find out what happens next. There are six parts to this Journey of the Heart series so I am going to have to be patient.", "timestamp": 1427863401000, "title": "I can't wait to see what happens next!" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "I really enjoy reading mysteries that make me want to see if I can try and figure out who did it and why they did it. I find it so boring when I figure it out early in the story, but this one kept me on my toes all the way through to the end.", "timestamp": 1429333742000, "title": "Couldn't put this book down till I finished it." }, { "asin": "1401690610", "rating": 5, "text": "I learned about The Blitz which is something that I don't recall ever hearing about, which is surprising to me since I do a lot of reading. If you enjoy reading Historical Fiction I would highly recommend reading both books. I plan on reading the first one to help me better understand all the characters. To me a great book is one that makes me think and to want to learn more about the subject matter. I am off to learn more about the Blitz.", "timestamp": 1430277169000, "title": "Intriguing story" }, { "asin": "0718031652", "rating": 5, "text": "I was super excited when this book arrived since I have been waiting to find out what will happened next with Rand and Sarah. Well, this time it is Sarah's turn to feel jilted by her love, Rand in book two of the Journey of the Heart Series. When Sarah shows up to where Rand has been stationed thinking they will be reunited she is in for a big surprise. Unfortunately, when Rand arrived in Fort Laramie he decided he was ready to move forward with his life and now he is the one who is engaged. It looks like these two will not be getting back together anytime soon so I will have to make sure I read all six books to find out what happens between them and Ben. I like that these books are a quick read but that means I have to wait a while for the next book. I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, all opinions are my own.", "timestamp": 1430366750000, "title": "Can't wait for number 3!" }, { "asin": "0718031660", "rating": 5, "text": "In book 3 of the Journey of the Heart Series, Sarah and Rand face more trouble from Ben Craftner and now Rand's Fiance has joined in with Ben to keep them apart. This one has plenty of action as Sarah gets kidnapped, the soldiers deal with Indian wars, and Ben comes to an untimely end. I enjoy reading novellas occasionally because it gives me a chance to take a mini reading breaks. Each book does stand alone but they also end with me wanting to jump into the next one so I can see what ordeals they are going to have to endure next. I received this book for free from Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.", "timestamp": 1433000561000, "title": "Great read" }, { "asin": "1426787278", "rating": 5, "text": "This book spoke volumes to me because I can relate to how Emmalyn felt alone. I had something horrible happen in my family a number of years back that made me feel so isolated from everyone since they had absolutely no idea of how I felt. Fortunately, I had one person like Bougie who wouldn't let me sit around and wallow in my despair. She was always available and constantly sent me reminders about God's love for me. I highly recommend this book for anyone needing to believe that things can get better in time.", "timestamp": 1433028288000, "title": "Awesome book!" }, { "asin": "0529103435", "rating": 4, "text": "Imagine losing your husband and then finding out that you were not his legitimate wife. In this 4th book of the Journey of the Heart series we meet Ben Croftner's sister Emmie, who decides that she must begin a new life away from everything she has ever known. Fortunately for her, she has friends like Sarah and Rand that take her into their home giving her a new start. Will she find love again? I can't wait for book 5 to find out! It is intersting to learn a little bit more about the issues between the soldiers and the indians during the 1800's. I received a sample of this product for free from Litfuse in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1435699474000, "title": "Fortunately for her" }, { "asin": "1426781415", "rating": 5, "text": "I found this story as intriguing as the first book where we are introduced to Robert, Dr. Gerald and Abby. Ruby meets Dr. Gerald Larkspur who seems to understand her and against her will she falls in love with him after telling herself that she doesn't want to fall in love again so she doesn't suffer loss again. In the end she learns that it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. This is a great story about realizing that we are not in control of our lives, God is and we need to have faith in him", "timestamp": 1437001988000, "title": "Great lesson about realizing that we are not in control" }, { "asin": "0718031687", "rating": 5, "text": "Poor Emmie has learned to distrust men so it takes her awhile to see that not all men are the same. Even though her life has been tough it is encouraging to see that she is still a very giving person and a great friend to everyone.<br /><br />I enjoy reading historical fiction especially when I learn something, this one sure makes me appreciate the luxuries we have nowadays, like heaters and hospitals to have babies in.<br /><br />I received a sample of this product for free in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1438458787000, "title": "Will Emmie take another chance at love?" }, { "asin": "1401690513", "rating": 5, "text": "In the second book of the Four of Hearts Ranch Romance Series, Abby blames herself when she loses her husband and baby as a result she punishes herself by not allowing herself to get close to anyone. Bo has also made mistakes and ends up with a little boy he is responsible for. Abby shows an incredible amount of courage and strength. I find it refreshing to see a family that loves one another, teases each another, and respects all the family members especially the grandfather. This one has grandpa involved in the storyline more since Bo lives with him. Debra does a great job describing his mental health issue (Alzheimers) and the brothers struggle with it. I am so involved in this series that I can't wait for Jarrod's story. I received a sample of this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1442204352000, "title": "Great story about courage and strength" }, { "asin": "0764212567", "rating": 5, "text": "I enjoyed reading the first book in the Refined by Love series; The Brickmaker's Bride so much that when the opportunity presented itself to be able to read this second one, I was all over it! I enjoyed learning about brickmaking in the first book and in this one I learned something about pottery making. There are lots of interesting characters that have different issues to deal with. I received a sample of this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1442370324000, "title": "Great continuation to the Refined By Love Series" }, { "asin": "0310341523", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a story about two couples who have to learn about how important communication is between two people who love each other. Sometimes people can be so engrossed in their own thoughts they don't let others in for fear of saying or doing the wrong thing. Peg and Colette's relationship reminds me of my relationship with my own sister before we opened up and could talk to each other about things that happened in our youth. I enjoy books that make you think and this one definately did that.", "timestamp": 1452051882000, "title": "Great read!" } ]

[ { "asin": "1401689140", "rating": 5, "text": "I found this to be a great story about forgiveness and how we are not in control of our lives, God is. We may have our own plans but that doesn't mean that those are the plans that God has for us. Rand's dream of building more and more nightclubs reminded me the story Jesus told about the man who filled up his storerooms with goods thinking he had a lot but he ended up losing everything when he died that night. I am going to remember the lilies and trust that God will care for all my needs.", "timestamp": 1424204775000, "title": "Great story about forgiveness and trusting in the Lord." }, { "asin": "0529103419", "rating": 5, "text": "The characters in this first novella are intriguing and now I can't wait till I can read the next book in the series to see what happens next. Will Ben attempt to kidnap Sarah again now that Rand has left? Will Sarah follow Rand? Fortunately, the second book just came today so I can find out what happens next. There are six parts to this Journey of the Heart series so I am going to have to be patient.", "timestamp": 1427863401000, "title": "I can't wait to see what happens next!" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "I really enjoy reading mysteries that make me want to see if I can try and figure out who did it and why they did it. I find it so boring when I figure it out early in the story, but this one kept me on my toes all the way through to the end.", "timestamp": 1429333742000, "title": "Couldn't put this book down till I finished it." }, { "asin": "1401690610", "rating": 5, "text": "I learned about The Blitz which is something that I don't recall ever hearing about, which is surprising to me since I do a lot of reading. If you enjoy reading Historical Fiction I would highly recommend reading both books. I plan on reading the first one to help me better understand all the characters. To me a great book is one that makes me think and to want to learn more about the subject matter. I am off to learn more about the Blitz.", "timestamp": 1430277169000, "title": "Intriguing story" }, { "asin": "0718031652", "rating": 5, "text": "I was super excited when this book arrived since I have been waiting to find out what will happened next with Rand and Sarah. Well, this time it is Sarah's turn to feel jilted by her love, Rand in book two of the Journey of the Heart Series. When Sarah shows up to where Rand has been stationed thinking they will be reunited she is in for a big surprise. Unfortunately, when Rand arrived in Fort Laramie he decided he was ready to move forward with his life and now he is the one who is engaged. It looks like these two will not be getting back together anytime soon so I will have to make sure I read all six books to find out what happens between them and Ben. I like that these books are a quick read but that means I have to wait a while for the next book. I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, all opinions are my own.", "timestamp": 1430366750000, "title": "Can't wait for number 3!" }, { "asin": "0718031660", "rating": 5, "text": "In book 3 of the Journey of the Heart Series, Sarah and Rand face more trouble from Ben Craftner and now Rand's Fiance has joined in with Ben to keep them apart. This one has plenty of action as Sarah gets kidnapped, the soldiers deal with Indian wars, and Ben comes to an untimely end. I enjoy reading novellas occasionally because it gives me a chance to take a mini reading breaks. Each book does stand alone but they also end with me wanting to jump into the next one so I can see what ordeals they are going to have to endure next. I received this book for free from Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.", "timestamp": 1433000561000, "title": "Great read" }, { "asin": "1426787278", "rating": 5, "text": "This book spoke volumes to me because I can relate to how Emmalyn felt alone. I had something horrible happen in my family a number of years back that made me feel so isolated from everyone since they had absolutely no idea of how I felt. Fortunately, I had one person like Bougie who wouldn't let me sit around and wallow in my despair. She was always available and constantly sent me reminders about God's love for me. I highly recommend this book for anyone needing to believe that things can get better in time.", "timestamp": 1433028288000, "title": "Awesome book!" }, { "asin": "0529103435", "rating": 4, "text": "Imagine losing your husband and then finding out that you were not his legitimate wife. In this 4th book of the Journey of the Heart series we meet Ben Croftner's sister Emmie, who decides that she must begin a new life away from everything she has ever known. Fortunately for her, she has friends like Sarah and Rand that take her into their home giving her a new start. Will she find love again? I can't wait for book 5 to find out! It is intersting to learn a little bit more about the issues between the soldiers and the indians during the 1800's. I received a sample of this product for free from Litfuse in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1435699474000, "title": "Fortunately for her" }, { "asin": "1426781415", "rating": 5, "text": "I found this story as intriguing as the first book where we are introduced to Robert, Dr. Gerald and Abby. Ruby meets Dr. Gerald Larkspur who seems to understand her and against her will she falls in love with him after telling herself that she doesn't want to fall in love again so she doesn't suffer loss again. In the end she learns that it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. This is a great story about realizing that we are not in control of our lives, God is and we need to have faith in him", "timestamp": 1437001988000, "title": "Great lesson about realizing that we are not in control" }, { "asin": "0718031687", "rating": 5, "text": "Poor Emmie has learned to distrust men so it takes her awhile to see that not all men are the same. Even though her life has been tough it is encouraging to see that she is still a very giving person and a great friend to everyone.<br /><br />I enjoy reading historical fiction especially when I learn something, this one sure makes me appreciate the luxuries we have nowadays, like heaters and hospitals to have babies in.<br /><br />I received a sample of this product for free in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1438458787000, "title": "Will Emmie take another chance at love?" }, { "asin": "1401690513", "rating": 5, "text": "In the second book of the Four of Hearts Ranch Romance Series, Abby blames herself when she loses her husband and baby as a result she punishes herself by not allowing herself to get close to anyone. Bo has also made mistakes and ends up with a little boy he is responsible for. Abby shows an incredible amount of courage and strength. I find it refreshing to see a family that loves one another, teases each another, and respects all the family members especially the grandfather. This one has grandpa involved in the storyline more since Bo lives with him. Debra does a great job describing his mental health issue (Alzheimers) and the brothers struggle with it. I am so involved in this series that I can't wait for Jarrod's story. I received a sample of this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1442204352000, "title": "Great story about courage and strength" }, { "asin": "0764212567", "rating": 5, "text": "I enjoyed reading the first book in the Refined by Love series; The Brickmaker's Bride so much that when the opportunity presented itself to be able to read this second one, I was all over it! I enjoyed learning about brickmaking in the first book and in this one I learned something about pottery making. There are lots of interesting characters that have different issues to deal with. I received a sample of this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1442370324000, "title": "Great continuation to the Refined By Love Series" }, { "asin": "0310341523", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a story about two couples who have to learn about how important communication is between two people who love each other. Sometimes people can be so engrossed in their own thoughts they don't let others in for fear of saying or doing the wrong thing. Peg and Colette's relationship reminds me of my relationship with my own sister before we opened up and could talk to each other about things that happened in our youth. I enjoy books that make you think and this one definately did that.", "timestamp": 1452051882000, "title": "Great read!" }, { "asin": "0310332435", "rating": 5, "text": "If you and I were sitting down on my sofa drinking tea and discussing new books that we each had read recently, this would be the one I would have to pick as the best yet. This is the third book I have read by Terri and just like the other two I found myself captivated from page one clear to the end.<br />I was so into the story that I was a little dismayed when I reached the end of the book and found that I will have to wait until the next book of this trilogy to see what happens to Casey and Dylan. No matter, I will wait patiently for the release of each book. I appreciated the encouragement from Terri in the &#34;Note from the author&#34; section at the back of the book.", "timestamp": 1456631173000, "title": "Another great book by Terri!" } ]

[ { "asin": "1401689140", "rating": 5, "text": "I found this to be a great story about forgiveness and how we are not in control of our lives, God is. We may have our own plans but that doesn't mean that those are the plans that God has for us. Rand's dream of building more and more nightclubs reminded me the story Jesus told about the man who filled up his storerooms with goods thinking he had a lot but he ended up losing everything when he died that night. I am going to remember the lilies and trust that God will care for all my needs.", "timestamp": 1424204775000, "title": "Great story about forgiveness and trusting in the Lord." }, { "asin": "0529103419", "rating": 5, "text": "The characters in this first novella are intriguing and now I can't wait till I can read the next book in the series to see what happens next. Will Ben attempt to kidnap Sarah again now that Rand has left? Will Sarah follow Rand? Fortunately, the second book just came today so I can find out what happens next. There are six parts to this Journey of the Heart series so I am going to have to be patient.", "timestamp": 1427863401000, "title": "I can't wait to see what happens next!" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "I really enjoy reading mysteries that make me want to see if I can try and figure out who did it and why they did it. I find it so boring when I figure it out early in the story, but this one kept me on my toes all the way through to the end.", "timestamp": 1429333742000, "title": "Couldn't put this book down till I finished it." }, { "asin": "1401690610", "rating": 5, "text": "I learned about The Blitz which is something that I don't recall ever hearing about, which is surprising to me since I do a lot of reading. If you enjoy reading Historical Fiction I would highly recommend reading both books. I plan on reading the first one to help me better understand all the characters. To me a great book is one that makes me think and to want to learn more about the subject matter. I am off to learn more about the Blitz.", "timestamp": 1430277169000, "title": "Intriguing story" }, { "asin": "0718031652", "rating": 5, "text": "I was super excited when this book arrived since I have been waiting to find out what will happened next with Rand and Sarah. Well, this time it is Sarah's turn to feel jilted by her love, Rand in book two of the Journey of the Heart Series. When Sarah shows up to where Rand has been stationed thinking they will be reunited she is in for a big surprise. Unfortunately, when Rand arrived in Fort Laramie he decided he was ready to move forward with his life and now he is the one who is engaged. It looks like these two will not be getting back together anytime soon so I will have to make sure I read all six books to find out what happens between them and Ben. I like that these books are a quick read but that means I have to wait a while for the next book. I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, all opinions are my own.", "timestamp": 1430366750000, "title": "Can't wait for number 3!" }, { "asin": "0718031660", "rating": 5, "text": "In book 3 of the Journey of the Heart Series, Sarah and Rand face more trouble from Ben Craftner and now Rand's Fiance has joined in with Ben to keep them apart. This one has plenty of action as Sarah gets kidnapped, the soldiers deal with Indian wars, and Ben comes to an untimely end. I enjoy reading novellas occasionally because it gives me a chance to take a mini reading breaks. Each book does stand alone but they also end with me wanting to jump into the next one so I can see what ordeals they are going to have to endure next. I received this book for free from Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.", "timestamp": 1433000561000, "title": "Great read" }, { "asin": "1426787278", "rating": 5, "text": "This book spoke volumes to me because I can relate to how Emmalyn felt alone. I had something horrible happen in my family a number of years back that made me feel so isolated from everyone since they had absolutely no idea of how I felt. Fortunately, I had one person like Bougie who wouldn't let me sit around and wallow in my despair. She was always available and constantly sent me reminders about God's love for me. I highly recommend this book for anyone needing to believe that things can get better in time.", "timestamp": 1433028288000, "title": "Awesome book!" }, { "asin": "0529103435", "rating": 4, "text": "Imagine losing your husband and then finding out that you were not his legitimate wife. In this 4th book of the Journey of the Heart series we meet Ben Croftner's sister Emmie, who decides that she must begin a new life away from everything she has ever known. Fortunately for her, she has friends like Sarah and Rand that take her into their home giving her a new start. Will she find love again? I can't wait for book 5 to find out! It is intersting to learn a little bit more about the issues between the soldiers and the indians during the 1800's. I received a sample of this product for free from Litfuse in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1435699474000, "title": "Fortunately for her" }, { "asin": "1426781415", "rating": 5, "text": "I found this story as intriguing as the first book where we are introduced to Robert, Dr. Gerald and Abby. Ruby meets Dr. Gerald Larkspur who seems to understand her and against her will she falls in love with him after telling herself that she doesn't want to fall in love again so she doesn't suffer loss again. In the end she learns that it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. This is a great story about realizing that we are not in control of our lives, God is and we need to have faith in him", "timestamp": 1437001988000, "title": "Great lesson about realizing that we are not in control" }, { "asin": "0718031687", "rating": 5, "text": "Poor Emmie has learned to distrust men so it takes her awhile to see that not all men are the same. Even though her life has been tough it is encouraging to see that she is still a very giving person and a great friend to everyone.<br /><br />I enjoy reading historical fiction especially when I learn something, this one sure makes me appreciate the luxuries we have nowadays, like heaters and hospitals to have babies in.<br /><br />I received a sample of this product for free in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1438458787000, "title": "Will Emmie take another chance at love?" }, { "asin": "1401690513", "rating": 5, "text": "In the second book of the Four of Hearts Ranch Romance Series, Abby blames herself when she loses her husband and baby as a result she punishes herself by not allowing herself to get close to anyone. Bo has also made mistakes and ends up with a little boy he is responsible for. Abby shows an incredible amount of courage and strength. I find it refreshing to see a family that loves one another, teases each another, and respects all the family members especially the grandfather. This one has grandpa involved in the storyline more since Bo lives with him. Debra does a great job describing his mental health issue (Alzheimers) and the brothers struggle with it. I am so involved in this series that I can't wait for Jarrod's story. I received a sample of this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1442204352000, "title": "Great story about courage and strength" }, { "asin": "0764212567", "rating": 5, "text": "I enjoyed reading the first book in the Refined by Love series; The Brickmaker's Bride so much that when the opportunity presented itself to be able to read this second one, I was all over it! I enjoyed learning about brickmaking in the first book and in this one I learned something about pottery making. There are lots of interesting characters that have different issues to deal with. I received a sample of this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1442370324000, "title": "Great continuation to the Refined By Love Series" }, { "asin": "0310341523", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a story about two couples who have to learn about how important communication is between two people who love each other. Sometimes people can be so engrossed in their own thoughts they don't let others in for fear of saying or doing the wrong thing. Peg and Colette's relationship reminds me of my relationship with my own sister before we opened up and could talk to each other about things that happened in our youth. I enjoy books that make you think and this one definately did that.", "timestamp": 1452051882000, "title": "Great read!" }, { "asin": "0310332435", "rating": 5, "text": "If you and I were sitting down on my sofa drinking tea and discussing new books that we each had read recently, this would be the one I would have to pick as the best yet. This is the third book I have read by Terri and just like the other two I found myself captivated from page one clear to the end.<br />I was so into the story that I was a little dismayed when I reached the end of the book and found that I will have to wait until the next book of this trilogy to see what happens to Casey and Dylan. No matter, I will wait patiently for the release of each book. I appreciated the encouragement from Terri in the &#34;Note from the author&#34; section at the back of the book.", "timestamp": 1456631173000, "title": "Another great book by Terri!" }, { "asin": "1401688314", "rating": 5, "text": "I found myself thoroughly engrossed in the story from the beginning. Ruth does an awesome job grabbing me into the story with these two fascinating characters. I found my emotions all over the place with this story, probably because it made me wonder how I would respond in the same predicament. I can relate to Mattie's feeling of being overwhelmed, it seems to me as if I have one problem right after another until everything finally falls into place and I just know it was God that got me through. Trusting in God is a very important thematic element in this story.", "timestamp": 1462504289000, "title": "I couldn't put this book down!" } ]

[ { "asin": "1401689140", "rating": 5, "text": "I found this to be a great story about forgiveness and how we are not in control of our lives, God is. We may have our own plans but that doesn't mean that those are the plans that God has for us. Rand's dream of building more and more nightclubs reminded me the story Jesus told about the man who filled up his storerooms with goods thinking he had a lot but he ended up losing everything when he died that night. I am going to remember the lilies and trust that God will care for all my needs.", "timestamp": 1424204775000, "title": "Great story about forgiveness and trusting in the Lord." }, { "asin": "0529103419", "rating": 5, "text": "The characters in this first novella are intriguing and now I can't wait till I can read the next book in the series to see what happens next. Will Ben attempt to kidnap Sarah again now that Rand has left? Will Sarah follow Rand? Fortunately, the second book just came today so I can find out what happens next. There are six parts to this Journey of the Heart series so I am going to have to be patient.", "timestamp": 1427863401000, "title": "I can't wait to see what happens next!" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "I really enjoy reading mysteries that make me want to see if I can try and figure out who did it and why they did it. I find it so boring when I figure it out early in the story, but this one kept me on my toes all the way through to the end.", "timestamp": 1429333742000, "title": "Couldn't put this book down till I finished it." }, { "asin": "1401690610", "rating": 5, "text": "I learned about The Blitz which is something that I don't recall ever hearing about, which is surprising to me since I do a lot of reading. If you enjoy reading Historical Fiction I would highly recommend reading both books. I plan on reading the first one to help me better understand all the characters. To me a great book is one that makes me think and to want to learn more about the subject matter. I am off to learn more about the Blitz.", "timestamp": 1430277169000, "title": "Intriguing story" }, { "asin": "0718031652", "rating": 5, "text": "I was super excited when this book arrived since I have been waiting to find out what will happened next with Rand and Sarah. Well, this time it is Sarah's turn to feel jilted by her love, Rand in book two of the Journey of the Heart Series. When Sarah shows up to where Rand has been stationed thinking they will be reunited she is in for a big surprise. Unfortunately, when Rand arrived in Fort Laramie he decided he was ready to move forward with his life and now he is the one who is engaged. It looks like these two will not be getting back together anytime soon so I will have to make sure I read all six books to find out what happens between them and Ben. I like that these books are a quick read but that means I have to wait a while for the next book. I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, all opinions are my own.", "timestamp": 1430366750000, "title": "Can't wait for number 3!" }, { "asin": "0718031660", "rating": 5, "text": "In book 3 of the Journey of the Heart Series, Sarah and Rand face more trouble from Ben Craftner and now Rand's Fiance has joined in with Ben to keep them apart. This one has plenty of action as Sarah gets kidnapped, the soldiers deal with Indian wars, and Ben comes to an untimely end. I enjoy reading novellas occasionally because it gives me a chance to take a mini reading breaks. Each book does stand alone but they also end with me wanting to jump into the next one so I can see what ordeals they are going to have to endure next. I received this book for free from Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.", "timestamp": 1433000561000, "title": "Great read" }, { "asin": "1426787278", "rating": 5, "text": "This book spoke volumes to me because I can relate to how Emmalyn felt alone. I had something horrible happen in my family a number of years back that made me feel so isolated from everyone since they had absolutely no idea of how I felt. Fortunately, I had one person like Bougie who wouldn't let me sit around and wallow in my despair. She was always available and constantly sent me reminders about God's love for me. I highly recommend this book for anyone needing to believe that things can get better in time.", "timestamp": 1433028288000, "title": "Awesome book!" }, { "asin": "0529103435", "rating": 4, "text": "Imagine losing your husband and then finding out that you were not his legitimate wife. In this 4th book of the Journey of the Heart series we meet Ben Croftner's sister Emmie, who decides that she must begin a new life away from everything she has ever known. Fortunately for her, she has friends like Sarah and Rand that take her into their home giving her a new start. Will she find love again? I can't wait for book 5 to find out! It is intersting to learn a little bit more about the issues between the soldiers and the indians during the 1800's. I received a sample of this product for free from Litfuse in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1435699474000, "title": "Fortunately for her" }, { "asin": "1426781415", "rating": 5, "text": "I found this story as intriguing as the first book where we are introduced to Robert, Dr. Gerald and Abby. Ruby meets Dr. Gerald Larkspur who seems to understand her and against her will she falls in love with him after telling herself that she doesn't want to fall in love again so she doesn't suffer loss again. In the end she learns that it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. This is a great story about realizing that we are not in control of our lives, God is and we need to have faith in him", "timestamp": 1437001988000, "title": "Great lesson about realizing that we are not in control" }, { "asin": "0718031687", "rating": 5, "text": "Poor Emmie has learned to distrust men so it takes her awhile to see that not all men are the same. Even though her life has been tough it is encouraging to see that she is still a very giving person and a great friend to everyone.<br /><br />I enjoy reading historical fiction especially when I learn something, this one sure makes me appreciate the luxuries we have nowadays, like heaters and hospitals to have babies in.<br /><br />I received a sample of this product for free in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1438458787000, "title": "Will Emmie take another chance at love?" }, { "asin": "1401690513", "rating": 5, "text": "In the second book of the Four of Hearts Ranch Romance Series, Abby blames herself when she loses her husband and baby as a result she punishes herself by not allowing herself to get close to anyone. Bo has also made mistakes and ends up with a little boy he is responsible for. Abby shows an incredible amount of courage and strength. I find it refreshing to see a family that loves one another, teases each another, and respects all the family members especially the grandfather. This one has grandpa involved in the storyline more since Bo lives with him. Debra does a great job describing his mental health issue (Alzheimers) and the brothers struggle with it. I am so involved in this series that I can't wait for Jarrod's story. I received a sample of this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1442204352000, "title": "Great story about courage and strength" }, { "asin": "0764212567", "rating": 5, "text": "I enjoyed reading the first book in the Refined by Love series; The Brickmaker's Bride so much that when the opportunity presented itself to be able to read this second one, I was all over it! I enjoyed learning about brickmaking in the first book and in this one I learned something about pottery making. There are lots of interesting characters that have different issues to deal with. I received a sample of this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1442370324000, "title": "Great continuation to the Refined By Love Series" }, { "asin": "0310341523", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a story about two couples who have to learn about how important communication is between two people who love each other. Sometimes people can be so engrossed in their own thoughts they don't let others in for fear of saying or doing the wrong thing. Peg and Colette's relationship reminds me of my relationship with my own sister before we opened up and could talk to each other about things that happened in our youth. I enjoy books that make you think and this one definately did that.", "timestamp": 1452051882000, "title": "Great read!" }, { "asin": "0310332435", "rating": 5, "text": "If you and I were sitting down on my sofa drinking tea and discussing new books that we each had read recently, this would be the one I would have to pick as the best yet. This is the third book I have read by Terri and just like the other two I found myself captivated from page one clear to the end.<br />I was so into the story that I was a little dismayed when I reached the end of the book and found that I will have to wait until the next book of this trilogy to see what happens to Casey and Dylan. No matter, I will wait patiently for the release of each book. I appreciated the encouragement from Terri in the &#34;Note from the author&#34; section at the back of the book.", "timestamp": 1456631173000, "title": "Another great book by Terri!" }, { "asin": "1401688314", "rating": 5, "text": "I found myself thoroughly engrossed in the story from the beginning. Ruth does an awesome job grabbing me into the story with these two fascinating characters. I found my emotions all over the place with this story, probably because it made me wonder how I would respond in the same predicament. I can relate to Mattie's feeling of being overwhelmed, it seems to me as if I have one problem right after another until everything finally falls into place and I just know it was God that got me through. Trusting in God is a very important thematic element in this story.", "timestamp": 1462504289000, "title": "I couldn't put this book down!" }, { "asin": "0062337815", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the 12th book I have read by Shelley, obviously I find her stories to be entertaining. Some are lighthearted and others a big more intense. In the second book of the Charmed Amish Life series we to get to know Lukas Kinsinger's sister. Rebecca. It has been two years since a fire at the lumber mill and the Kinsinger children are still keeping the mill going while still dealing with the loss of their parents and the changes caused by it. Katherine has always dreamed of being a teacher but is it really what God has planned for her? Jacob has stepped up to be a parent to his niece, which meant moving to new town and learning how to farming. I enjoyed reading about this sister and am looking forward to reading about Amelia Kinsinger in the third book.", "timestamp": 1465439791000, "title": "Great continuation of the Charmed Life Series." } ]

[ { "asin": "1401689140", "rating": 5, "text": "I found this to be a great story about forgiveness and how we are not in control of our lives, God is. We may have our own plans but that doesn't mean that those are the plans that God has for us. Rand's dream of building more and more nightclubs reminded me the story Jesus told about the man who filled up his storerooms with goods thinking he had a lot but he ended up losing everything when he died that night. I am going to remember the lilies and trust that God will care for all my needs.", "timestamp": 1424204775000, "title": "Great story about forgiveness and trusting in the Lord." }, { "asin": "0529103419", "rating": 5, "text": "The characters in this first novella are intriguing and now I can't wait till I can read the next book in the series to see what happens next. Will Ben attempt to kidnap Sarah again now that Rand has left? Will Sarah follow Rand? Fortunately, the second book just came today so I can find out what happens next. There are six parts to this Journey of the Heart series so I am going to have to be patient.", "timestamp": 1427863401000, "title": "I can't wait to see what happens next!" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "I really enjoy reading mysteries that make me want to see if I can try and figure out who did it and why they did it. I find it so boring when I figure it out early in the story, but this one kept me on my toes all the way through to the end.", "timestamp": 1429333742000, "title": "Couldn't put this book down till I finished it." }, { "asin": "1401690610", "rating": 5, "text": "I learned about The Blitz which is something that I don't recall ever hearing about, which is surprising to me since I do a lot of reading. If you enjoy reading Historical Fiction I would highly recommend reading both books. I plan on reading the first one to help me better understand all the characters. To me a great book is one that makes me think and to want to learn more about the subject matter. I am off to learn more about the Blitz.", "timestamp": 1430277169000, "title": "Intriguing story" }, { "asin": "0718031652", "rating": 5, "text": "I was super excited when this book arrived since I have been waiting to find out what will happened next with Rand and Sarah. Well, this time it is Sarah's turn to feel jilted by her love, Rand in book two of the Journey of the Heart Series. When Sarah shows up to where Rand has been stationed thinking they will be reunited she is in for a big surprise. Unfortunately, when Rand arrived in Fort Laramie he decided he was ready to move forward with his life and now he is the one who is engaged. It looks like these two will not be getting back together anytime soon so I will have to make sure I read all six books to find out what happens between them and Ben. I like that these books are a quick read but that means I have to wait a while for the next book. I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, all opinions are my own.", "timestamp": 1430366750000, "title": "Can't wait for number 3!" }, { "asin": "0718031660", "rating": 5, "text": "In book 3 of the Journey of the Heart Series, Sarah and Rand face more trouble from Ben Craftner and now Rand's Fiance has joined in with Ben to keep them apart. This one has plenty of action as Sarah gets kidnapped, the soldiers deal with Indian wars, and Ben comes to an untimely end. I enjoy reading novellas occasionally because it gives me a chance to take a mini reading breaks. Each book does stand alone but they also end with me wanting to jump into the next one so I can see what ordeals they are going to have to endure next. I received this book for free from Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.", "timestamp": 1433000561000, "title": "Great read" }, { "asin": "1426787278", "rating": 5, "text": "This book spoke volumes to me because I can relate to how Emmalyn felt alone. I had something horrible happen in my family a number of years back that made me feel so isolated from everyone since they had absolutely no idea of how I felt. Fortunately, I had one person like Bougie who wouldn't let me sit around and wallow in my despair. She was always available and constantly sent me reminders about God's love for me. I highly recommend this book for anyone needing to believe that things can get better in time.", "timestamp": 1433028288000, "title": "Awesome book!" }, { "asin": "0529103435", "rating": 4, "text": "Imagine losing your husband and then finding out that you were not his legitimate wife. In this 4th book of the Journey of the Heart series we meet Ben Croftner's sister Emmie, who decides that she must begin a new life away from everything she has ever known. Fortunately for her, she has friends like Sarah and Rand that take her into their home giving her a new start. Will she find love again? I can't wait for book 5 to find out! It is intersting to learn a little bit more about the issues between the soldiers and the indians during the 1800's. I received a sample of this product for free from Litfuse in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1435699474000, "title": "Fortunately for her" }, { "asin": "1426781415", "rating": 5, "text": "I found this story as intriguing as the first book where we are introduced to Robert, Dr. Gerald and Abby. Ruby meets Dr. Gerald Larkspur who seems to understand her and against her will she falls in love with him after telling herself that she doesn't want to fall in love again so she doesn't suffer loss again. In the end she learns that it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. This is a great story about realizing that we are not in control of our lives, God is and we need to have faith in him", "timestamp": 1437001988000, "title": "Great lesson about realizing that we are not in control" }, { "asin": "0718031687", "rating": 5, "text": "Poor Emmie has learned to distrust men so it takes her awhile to see that not all men are the same. Even though her life has been tough it is encouraging to see that she is still a very giving person and a great friend to everyone.<br /><br />I enjoy reading historical fiction especially when I learn something, this one sure makes me appreciate the luxuries we have nowadays, like heaters and hospitals to have babies in.<br /><br />I received a sample of this product for free in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1438458787000, "title": "Will Emmie take another chance at love?" }, { "asin": "1401690513", "rating": 5, "text": "In the second book of the Four of Hearts Ranch Romance Series, Abby blames herself when she loses her husband and baby as a result she punishes herself by not allowing herself to get close to anyone. Bo has also made mistakes and ends up with a little boy he is responsible for. Abby shows an incredible amount of courage and strength. I find it refreshing to see a family that loves one another, teases each another, and respects all the family members especially the grandfather. This one has grandpa involved in the storyline more since Bo lives with him. Debra does a great job describing his mental health issue (Alzheimers) and the brothers struggle with it. I am so involved in this series that I can't wait for Jarrod's story. I received a sample of this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1442204352000, "title": "Great story about courage and strength" }, { "asin": "0764212567", "rating": 5, "text": "I enjoyed reading the first book in the Refined by Love series; The Brickmaker's Bride so much that when the opportunity presented itself to be able to read this second one, I was all over it! I enjoyed learning about brickmaking in the first book and in this one I learned something about pottery making. There are lots of interesting characters that have different issues to deal with. I received a sample of this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1442370324000, "title": "Great continuation to the Refined By Love Series" }, { "asin": "0310341523", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a story about two couples who have to learn about how important communication is between two people who love each other. Sometimes people can be so engrossed in their own thoughts they don't let others in for fear of saying or doing the wrong thing. Peg and Colette's relationship reminds me of my relationship with my own sister before we opened up and could talk to each other about things that happened in our youth. I enjoy books that make you think and this one definately did that.", "timestamp": 1452051882000, "title": "Great read!" }, { "asin": "0310332435", "rating": 5, "text": "If you and I were sitting down on my sofa drinking tea and discussing new books that we each had read recently, this would be the one I would have to pick as the best yet. This is the third book I have read by Terri and just like the other two I found myself captivated from page one clear to the end.<br />I was so into the story that I was a little dismayed when I reached the end of the book and found that I will have to wait until the next book of this trilogy to see what happens to Casey and Dylan. No matter, I will wait patiently for the release of each book. I appreciated the encouragement from Terri in the &#34;Note from the author&#34; section at the back of the book.", "timestamp": 1456631173000, "title": "Another great book by Terri!" }, { "asin": "1401688314", "rating": 5, "text": "I found myself thoroughly engrossed in the story from the beginning. Ruth does an awesome job grabbing me into the story with these two fascinating characters. I found my emotions all over the place with this story, probably because it made me wonder how I would respond in the same predicament. I can relate to Mattie's feeling of being overwhelmed, it seems to me as if I have one problem right after another until everything finally falls into place and I just know it was God that got me through. Trusting in God is a very important thematic element in this story.", "timestamp": 1462504289000, "title": "I couldn't put this book down!" }, { "asin": "0062337815", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the 12th book I have read by Shelley, obviously I find her stories to be entertaining. Some are lighthearted and others a big more intense. In the second book of the Charmed Amish Life series we to get to know Lukas Kinsinger's sister. Rebecca. It has been two years since a fire at the lumber mill and the Kinsinger children are still keeping the mill going while still dealing with the loss of their parents and the changes caused by it. Katherine has always dreamed of being a teacher but is it really what God has planned for her? Jacob has stepped up to be a parent to his niece, which meant moving to new town and learning how to farming. I enjoyed reading about this sister and am looking forward to reading about Amelia Kinsinger in the third book.", "timestamp": 1465439791000, "title": "Great continuation of the Charmed Life Series." }, { "asin": "1530040396", "rating": 5, "text": "I found this to be an inspiring story about a young lady who only wanted to be loved and ended up with the short end of the stick. Fortunately, Lily had been loved enough by her father in her younger life that she comes to realize that a volatile relationship was not what she wanted for herself. Finding sanctuary in a home where she and her father had found solace in the years before her father died finally gives her the courage to make a new life for herself.", "timestamp": 1466641637000, "title": "Interesting story with a lot of Southern charm." } ]

[ { "asin": "1401689140", "rating": 5, "text": "I found this to be a great story about forgiveness and how we are not in control of our lives, God is. We may have our own plans but that doesn't mean that those are the plans that God has for us. Rand's dream of building more and more nightclubs reminded me the story Jesus told about the man who filled up his storerooms with goods thinking he had a lot but he ended up losing everything when he died that night. I am going to remember the lilies and trust that God will care for all my needs.", "timestamp": 1424204775000, "title": "Great story about forgiveness and trusting in the Lord." }, { "asin": "0529103419", "rating": 5, "text": "The characters in this first novella are intriguing and now I can't wait till I can read the next book in the series to see what happens next. Will Ben attempt to kidnap Sarah again now that Rand has left? Will Sarah follow Rand? Fortunately, the second book just came today so I can find out what happens next. There are six parts to this Journey of the Heart series so I am going to have to be patient.", "timestamp": 1427863401000, "title": "I can't wait to see what happens next!" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "I really enjoy reading mysteries that make me want to see if I can try and figure out who did it and why they did it. I find it so boring when I figure it out early in the story, but this one kept me on my toes all the way through to the end.", "timestamp": 1429333742000, "title": "Couldn't put this book down till I finished it." }, { "asin": "1401690610", "rating": 5, "text": "I learned about The Blitz which is something that I don't recall ever hearing about, which is surprising to me since I do a lot of reading. If you enjoy reading Historical Fiction I would highly recommend reading both books. I plan on reading the first one to help me better understand all the characters. To me a great book is one that makes me think and to want to learn more about the subject matter. I am off to learn more about the Blitz.", "timestamp": 1430277169000, "title": "Intriguing story" }, { "asin": "0718031652", "rating": 5, "text": "I was super excited when this book arrived since I have been waiting to find out what will happened next with Rand and Sarah. Well, this time it is Sarah's turn to feel jilted by her love, Rand in book two of the Journey of the Heart Series. When Sarah shows up to where Rand has been stationed thinking they will be reunited she is in for a big surprise. Unfortunately, when Rand arrived in Fort Laramie he decided he was ready to move forward with his life and now he is the one who is engaged. It looks like these two will not be getting back together anytime soon so I will have to make sure I read all six books to find out what happens between them and Ben. I like that these books are a quick read but that means I have to wait a while for the next book. I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, all opinions are my own.", "timestamp": 1430366750000, "title": "Can't wait for number 3!" }, { "asin": "0718031660", "rating": 5, "text": "In book 3 of the Journey of the Heart Series, Sarah and Rand face more trouble from Ben Craftner and now Rand's Fiance has joined in with Ben to keep them apart. This one has plenty of action as Sarah gets kidnapped, the soldiers deal with Indian wars, and Ben comes to an untimely end. I enjoy reading novellas occasionally because it gives me a chance to take a mini reading breaks. Each book does stand alone but they also end with me wanting to jump into the next one so I can see what ordeals they are going to have to endure next. I received this book for free from Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.", "timestamp": 1433000561000, "title": "Great read" }, { "asin": "1426787278", "rating": 5, "text": "This book spoke volumes to me because I can relate to how Emmalyn felt alone. I had something horrible happen in my family a number of years back that made me feel so isolated from everyone since they had absolutely no idea of how I felt. Fortunately, I had one person like Bougie who wouldn't let me sit around and wallow in my despair. She was always available and constantly sent me reminders about God's love for me. I highly recommend this book for anyone needing to believe that things can get better in time.", "timestamp": 1433028288000, "title": "Awesome book!" }, { "asin": "0529103435", "rating": 4, "text": "Imagine losing your husband and then finding out that you were not his legitimate wife. In this 4th book of the Journey of the Heart series we meet Ben Croftner's sister Emmie, who decides that she must begin a new life away from everything she has ever known. Fortunately for her, she has friends like Sarah and Rand that take her into their home giving her a new start. Will she find love again? I can't wait for book 5 to find out! It is intersting to learn a little bit more about the issues between the soldiers and the indians during the 1800's. I received a sample of this product for free from Litfuse in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1435699474000, "title": "Fortunately for her" }, { "asin": "1426781415", "rating": 5, "text": "I found this story as intriguing as the first book where we are introduced to Robert, Dr. Gerald and Abby. Ruby meets Dr. Gerald Larkspur who seems to understand her and against her will she falls in love with him after telling herself that she doesn't want to fall in love again so she doesn't suffer loss again. In the end she learns that it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. This is a great story about realizing that we are not in control of our lives, God is and we need to have faith in him", "timestamp": 1437001988000, "title": "Great lesson about realizing that we are not in control" }, { "asin": "0718031687", "rating": 5, "text": "Poor Emmie has learned to distrust men so it takes her awhile to see that not all men are the same. Even though her life has been tough it is encouraging to see that she is still a very giving person and a great friend to everyone.<br /><br />I enjoy reading historical fiction especially when I learn something, this one sure makes me appreciate the luxuries we have nowadays, like heaters and hospitals to have babies in.<br /><br />I received a sample of this product for free in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1438458787000, "title": "Will Emmie take another chance at love?" }, { "asin": "1401690513", "rating": 5, "text": "In the second book of the Four of Hearts Ranch Romance Series, Abby blames herself when she loses her husband and baby as a result she punishes herself by not allowing herself to get close to anyone. Bo has also made mistakes and ends up with a little boy he is responsible for. Abby shows an incredible amount of courage and strength. I find it refreshing to see a family that loves one another, teases each another, and respects all the family members especially the grandfather. This one has grandpa involved in the storyline more since Bo lives with him. Debra does a great job describing his mental health issue (Alzheimers) and the brothers struggle with it. I am so involved in this series that I can't wait for Jarrod's story. I received a sample of this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1442204352000, "title": "Great story about courage and strength" }, { "asin": "0764212567", "rating": 5, "text": "I enjoyed reading the first book in the Refined by Love series; The Brickmaker's Bride so much that when the opportunity presented itself to be able to read this second one, I was all over it! I enjoyed learning about brickmaking in the first book and in this one I learned something about pottery making. There are lots of interesting characters that have different issues to deal with. I received a sample of this product in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.", "timestamp": 1442370324000, "title": "Great continuation to the Refined By Love Series" }, { "asin": "0310341523", "rating": 5, "text": "This is a story about two couples who have to learn about how important communication is between two people who love each other. Sometimes people can be so engrossed in their own thoughts they don't let others in for fear of saying or doing the wrong thing. Peg and Colette's relationship reminds me of my relationship with my own sister before we opened up and could talk to each other about things that happened in our youth. I enjoy books that make you think and this one definately did that.", "timestamp": 1452051882000, "title": "Great read!" }, { "asin": "0310332435", "rating": 5, "text": "If you and I were sitting down on my sofa drinking tea and discussing new books that we each had read recently, this would be the one I would have to pick as the best yet. This is the third book I have read by Terri and just like the other two I found myself captivated from page one clear to the end.<br />I was so into the story that I was a little dismayed when I reached the end of the book and found that I will have to wait until the next book of this trilogy to see what happens to Casey and Dylan. No matter, I will wait patiently for the release of each book. I appreciated the encouragement from Terri in the &#34;Note from the author&#34; section at the back of the book.", "timestamp": 1456631173000, "title": "Another great book by Terri!" }, { "asin": "1401688314", "rating": 5, "text": "I found myself thoroughly engrossed in the story from the beginning. Ruth does an awesome job grabbing me into the story with these two fascinating characters. I found my emotions all over the place with this story, probably because it made me wonder how I would respond in the same predicament. I can relate to Mattie's feeling of being overwhelmed, it seems to me as if I have one problem right after another until everything finally falls into place and I just know it was God that got me through. Trusting in God is a very important thematic element in this story.", "timestamp": 1462504289000, "title": "I couldn't put this book down!" }, { "asin": "0062337815", "rating": 5, "text": "This is the 12th book I have read by Shelley, obviously I find her stories to be entertaining. Some are lighthearted and others a big more intense. In the second book of the Charmed Amish Life series we to get to know Lukas Kinsinger's sister. Rebecca. It has been two years since a fire at the lumber mill and the Kinsinger children are still keeping the mill going while still dealing with the loss of their parents and the changes caused by it. Katherine has always dreamed of being a teacher but is it really what God has planned for her? Jacob has stepped up to be a parent to his niece, which meant moving to new town and learning how to farming. I enjoyed reading about this sister and am looking forward to reading about Amelia Kinsinger in the third book.", "timestamp": 1465439791000, "title": "Great continuation of the Charmed Life Series." }, { "asin": "1530040396", "rating": 5, "text": "I found this to be an inspiring story about a young lady who only wanted to be loved and ended up with the short end of the stick. Fortunately, Lily had been loved enough by her father in her younger life that she comes to realize that a volatile relationship was not what she wanted for herself. Finding sanctuary in a home where she and her father had found solace in the years before her father died finally gives her the courage to make a new life for herself.", "timestamp": 1466641637000, "title": "Interesting story with a lot of Southern charm." }, { "asin": "0764213253", "rating": 5, "text": "Imagine finding out that your father, whom you believe loves you, really only sees you as a commodity. This is a wonderful tale of how God reunites a mother and daughter after many years apart. Once again I have found myself completely enthralled in a thought provoking historical fiction by Tracie. I am eagerly awaiting the next book of the series.", "timestamp": 1469761316000, "title": "Another great historical fiction by Tracie" } ]

[ { "asin": "1595545395", "rating": 4, "text": "This was such a sweet, fun book! Lucy is a cute heroine, and I love how she isn't perfect or \"beautiful\" in that cheesy way. That is way overdone these days, it seems! I was expecting the ultimate cheese from this book, and while it is a fun romance, it actually deals with some really serious issues despite it's appearance. I'm not even that much of a reader of Chick-Lit, nor do I usually like Contemporary novels, and I still really enjoyed this one. Some aspects of the plot are a bit unrealistic, but then again, the whole concept of faking an engagement/relationship is pretty crazy, so I was able to go along with it. I look forward to reading Jones' other novels.", "timestamp": 1314462852000, "title": "Light and Fun Summer Read" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 5, "text": "I have a hard time believing that Spring for Susannah is Richmond's debut novel! She writes like she already has several novels under her belt. This one is definitely a notch above the typical Christian Historical Fiction. Richmond completely drew me in with the sincerity of the story. Nothing is watered down and easy just because they believe in God. This book can definitely be viewed as two different parts. In the first part, Susannah is very timid and shy, but once she has to be on her own for a while, I really began to root for her. Her character developement was awesome.<br /><br />I also would like to thank Richmond for portraying the marriage between Susannah and Jesse as she did. They are one of the most realistic couples that I've read thus far in the genre. It seems that some authors shy away from portraying a real married relationship, but not Richmond. Nothing was graphic or overdone, but the intimacy in their relationship and their love for one another was evident. As one who has recently married, I found it so accurate and sincere.<br /><br />My one issue is that I found the ending to be somewhat abrupt. They were re-united, and then it seemed the book was over.<br /><br />I hope Richmond is already at work on her next novel; I can only imagine that she will continue to impress!", "timestamp": 1314463223000, "title": "Awesome Debut!" }, { "asin": "0849946158", "rating": 3, "text": "I found this to be a faith-affirming and uplifting story. I was challenged to think beyond some vague idea of heaven because of Colton's experience, and I really liked that. I can't imagine going through what that family went through, but like they said, it had a purpose.<br /><br />I do wish that some of the details that Colton mentioned were given a more \"scholarly\" approach. Don't get me wrong, I am not necessarily doubting that he experienced these things. There were just a couple of details that I could not find in the Bible. I wish that every time Colton made a point about heaven there would have been an exact place to find it in scripture. Todd did this for the majority of the time, and I found myself more moved and more comfortable with it than the times he did not. For example, I was uncomfortable with his descriptions of angels having wings as to my knowledge no angel ever appeared to a human in the Bible that had wings. I had thought the cherubim & seraphim do, but to my knowledge no where in the Bible does it mention that God's messengers have wings. Another detail I did not understand was Jesus' rainbow horse. I even tried to look it up (I am by no means a biblical scholar and know I am constantly overlooking things). I found mentions of a pale horse, a red horse, a white horse and a black horse (not that Jesus was riding all of them), but no where could I find a \"rainbow\" horse.<br /><br />Overall, I did like Heaven is for Real, but felt the need to \"be a Berean\" as they say, and check all things against scripture. I will take in the good things that this book (or any book) has to offer, and for my hard facts about what heaven is like, I will stick to the Word.", "timestamp": 1373138495000, "title": "Uplifting but not enough scripture backing for me" }, { "asin": "0764210416", "rating": 4, "text": "A thoroughly enjoyable novel, Tide and Tempest has a great blend of my favorite elements. Full of history, mystery, suspense, and a sincere romance, this read had a little bit of everything that my reading-heart could desire.<br /><br />The characters were portrayed in a realistic way, and I related so much with their internal conflicts. Both Tillie and Captain Morgan carried burdens of guilt and responsibility inside, and while the external conflict swirled with danger and intrigue, the internal conflict made these characters come alive for me. I also liked that their problems weren’t solved by romance or “insta-love.” They had to deal with those internal struggles first before letting someone into their heart and move on with their lives.<br /><br />I liked the pace of the plot too. It strikes a nice balance between character interaction and action scenes. I appreciated that the suspenseful moments made sense and flowed well. Sometimes I think that action sequences are a little jumbled and confusing, but here I didn’t find anything like that.<br /><br />I loved the atmosphere of the setting, especially the boarding house where Tillie lived. The entire setting was well-done from the dress shop where Tillie worked, to the apothecary shop in a rather unsavory part of town. There was a distinctive quality to each place in the story.<br /><br />Another sign of a great read is when the secondary characters come to life – for me, this character was Captain Morgan’s brother, Cass. In fact, I think he deserves his own story, and I am sort of hoping that some of the events that took place in this story are set up for him to have his own story one day!<br /><br />I am a sucker for dashing captains, especially if they hail from Ireland, and a roguish brother is not too bad either (wink, wink). The ending wraps everything up nicely, though not without some tension and heartache getting there. I was happy to get a happily-ever-after.<br /><br />This is my first read by Elizabeth Ludwig, and it definitely won’t be my last! I haven’t read the first two books in this series, but that didn’t prove to be an issue for my enjoyment of Tide and Tempest. Happy am I to say that I have the first book already on my Kindle and won the second book in a giveaway. Now I can learn that backstory of the other secondary characters in this story, and I know it will be a treat.", "timestamp": 1395668433000, "title": "A little bit of everything!" }, { "asin": "0764211692", "rating": 5, "text": "A Bride in Store is a worthy follow-up to the first novel in this series. In fact, I believe that her characters are even more developed, the writing more finessed and the plot tighter. I was especially taken with the unique plot points that she included in the story. Bereft of the store she used to run for her father, Eliza Cantrell travels to Kansas to be a mail-order bride for a man who owns a store, hoping that she will find a willing partner in both the store and marriage, if not complete happiness. The story starts with a bang in an unexpected train robbing scene. From the get go, it’s obvious that our Eliza is a quick-thinker and is not afraid to fight for what is rightfully hers. I really enjoyed her personality; she is entirely a lady of the times, but also unique in that she wants to be the owner and proprietor of her own store. She is not so forward-thinking that she wasn’t realistic to the time-period, but is still certainly distinct.<br /><br />The setting of 1881 Salt Flatts, Kansas feels authentic, as do the details about businesses at that time. I also found the details about healthcare back then fascinating; they really added a lot to the story. Some of the tidbits were tragic, but true to the time period when sickness and often death were simply an everyday matter. The side characters added great layers to the story; I especially loved Mrs. Lightfoot, the proprietor of the boarding house where Eliza lived. Without giving away too many details, I found her story to be intriguing and unexpected, and the relationship she and Eliza developed to be engaging.<br /><br />I admit that Will Stanton is not my typical favorite male lead, but he definitely grew on me as the story progressed. He is a thoughtful and somewhat reserved, yet he is selfless and doesn’t find worth in himself. Will dreams of studying to become a doctor, but in the meantime, takes care of his friend Axel’s store. Thrown off by Eliza’s early arrival, he allows her to work in the store until Axel’s return. I could really feel the tension and pull of attraction between them as Axel’s absence stretches into weeks. As their dreams and hopes for the future pull them in different directions, they navigate this new territory that springs up between them. Though I was never unsure of what the outcome would be, the journey getting there was a satisfying one. There was one plot twist regarding Axel that I actually did not see coming at all, so that was fun. Overall, there was quite a bit more action than what I originally thought.<br /><br />The spiritual aspect of the novel touched on several things, but the most prominent one for me was seeking God’s will for your life, and how sometimes your ideals and dreams don’t always align with that will. Sometimes you have to be willing to adapt and change your mind about things. I enjoyed watching Eliza and Will work through these things, even though at times it is painful, the outcome was better than they imagined.<br /><br />A Bride in Store was a great blend of unique historical details, endearing romance and well-rounded characters who experienced relatable dilemmas. Just an all-around fun read for me. I’m looking forward to Melissa Jagears next book. 4.5 stars!", "timestamp": 1411223159000, "title": "Great second novel!" }, { "asin": "0764210378", "rating": 5, "text": "Charlotte Withersby’s dearest wish is to study her beloved blooms as a botanist. She wants to be left alone by her uncle, society and most certainly by her father’s new assistant, an interloper named Mr. Trimble. In a time when women’s views and expertise in botany are not given credence, Charlotte must rely upon the name of her father, a well-known botanist, to publish her own work. When her uncle and father insist that she take on society to snare a husband, Charlotte is sure Mr. Trimble’s lackluster help will soon bring her back to her position as her father’s assistant and put all of the marriage nonsense to rest. What Charlotte doesn’t account for is finding actual suitors, nor is she prepared for the questions that be thrust into society will bring – is her merit in her work or does it lie within herself?<br /><br />Siri always chooses to write about historical elements that are usually not anything that I’ve read about in another novel. She is a brave author in the sense that she chooses to tackle story elements and character traits that are not widely used. In this case, it was the science of botany. The botany details are fascinating and add a lot of depth to Charlotte’s character development and intellectual tendencies. Charlotte’s quirks are so unique to her character. Siri’s characters and settings are never the norm, which is why her books continue to be a delight to read.<br /><br />This novel is more on the humorous side, and nowhere is that more evident than in the main character, Charlotte. She is quirky, and if I may, sometimes a bit odd. At first, I wasn’t sure how to take her, but as I read on, she grew on me. There is a possibility that she may not be for everyone; there were times that I was exasperated with her, but at the same time, she is extremely refreshing. She is everything that society is not – she is blunt, unpretentious and lacks the knowledge of all of the social niceties that are expected of her. In her heart of hearts, she wants to take care of her father and wants to be valued for her intellectual abilities, and moreover, wants herself to be enough, no more, no less.<br /><br />There were also some compelling side characters present in this story. I loved her new-found companion, Miss Templeton - the scenes with her were full of humor, and I loved how she took Charlotte under her wing and had a feeling that she found Charlotte refreshing as well. Their friendship and back-and-forth banter was entertaining to read. Her uncle, her self-named chaperone during all of her social outings is rather enigmatic at first, but as the story progresses, his character and background are revealed, and I was pleasantly surprised by the depth in the interactions between him and Charlotte.<br /><br />Mr. Trimble may not be the conventional hero, but I felt that he fit well within the story, and his character is very endearing. Despite being declared the enemy by Miss Templeton, it’s soon very clear that he isn’t the usurper that he appears to be and that he has his own reasons for becoming an assistant to a reclusive botanist. I wanted more interaction between him and Charlotte, and while the enemies turned lovers storyline sometimes wears on me, it works well in this story, and provides some humorous and also heartfelt exchanges between him and Charlotte.<br /><br />Whenever I pick a Siri Mitchell novel I know that I am in for something unique and fascinating. She always takes on topics that stand out, this story lives up to the standard I’ve come to expect in Siri’s novels. Although I’ve enjoyed all of her novels, this one definitely stands out as one I’ve enjoyed most. With a quirky main character, a sweet romance and a fascinating look at the world of botany, Like a Flower in Bloom is a favorite read of the year so far.", "timestamp": 1428698443000, "title": "Quirky, witty and altogether fun! :)" }, { "asin": "1414398697", "rating": 4, "text": "Abigail Pressman’s dream is to expand Book Nook, the beloved store she inherited from her father. In Love’s Park, a town obsessed with love and all things romantic, being single is an anomaly, so her dreams for her store are her salvation. When the owner of the building sells the entire space to a doctor new to town, she fears her dream will never come to fruition. In a secret match-making scheme, the Valentine Volunteers, the ladies who keep the tradition of stamping mail with the city’s postmark, attempt to pull Abigail into their fold. Despite herself, Abigail is drawn to the stringed paper hearts that she discovers among the Volunteers letters, even as she is drawn to the handsome doctor next door. This doctor doesn’t match the “dream-killer” she wanted to picture in her mind, and Abigail begins questions if her dream is her dream at all or just a crutch to stop her from reaching for what she really wants. A new string of paper hearts appears, leading Abigail to believe that something tragic happened to the couple who wrote them. As she uncovers more of the mystery couple’s story, Abigail fears that it will confirm her worst doubts about love, or even scarier, set her life on a path to a new dream entirely.<br /><br />Paper Hearts is a charming story. Walsh’s writing flows really well from scene to scene, and I loved the setting. The town almost felt like a character in and of itself and was so well-established on the outset of the story. I loved the small-town, everyone-knows-everyone vibe that stayed through the entire story. I really related to Abigail’s character, and I think most readers out there will. Not only is she a reader herself, she is artsy and quirky – someone I’d love to meet in real life. I could easily understand and empathize with her frustrations about the dreams for her store, and I wanted to see her succeed despite the obstacles she was facing.<br /><br />Personally, I cared more about her personal struggles than the romantic aspect of the book, which may not have been the intention. While I found Jacob, the male lead, to be a genuine, empathetic character, I couldn’t entirely get behind their relationship. For me, it was hard to come to terms with the way it progressed; they were supposed to be enemies, yet they were falling for one another. There were times that it just didn’t work for me. When the conflict didn’t center on the external conflict keeping them apart, but rather their internal conflicts, I enjoyed the story more. They were more solid characters apart than they were together, and for romantic reads, I want the couple to be complete as individuals, but also believable as a couple. Even so, the later scenes between them are sweet, but not in a syrupy way at all. My heart was definitely smiling at those scenes.<br /><br />There are also some strange shifts in point of view into the Valentine Volunteer meetings that some readers might find a bit jarring at first, simply because they are unexpected. The characters that comprise the Valentine Volunteers are actually quite humorous. The mixture of newly married, middle-aged and elderly “bah-humbug” ladies made for a funny combination, and once I realized that those shifts were coming, I fell into them easily.<br /><br />The spiritual element is woven throughout the story in a natural way, and I could really relate to the idea that sometimes prayers are answered in ways you never expected, sometimes in ways that you had never thought to pray. I found myself rooting for both Abigail and Jacob to shed their past and give God control of their futures.<br /><br />I definitely feel that Paper Hearts will be a hit for readers whose favorite genre is contemporary romance. Despite my few qualms about the story, the authentic setting and quirky cast of characters won me over. There is a lot of appeal here to recommend it to fans of this genre.<br /><br />Favorite quote: “…the very best love stories are the ones that are flawed and full of forgiveness and pain and joy and challenges and happiness. All these things make up a love story, Abigail.”", "timestamp": 1428944045000, "title": "Cute Contemporary Romance" }, { "asin": "1601425996", "rating": 5, "text": "Anippe has known from a young age that Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods controlled her fate. After childbirth took the lives her mother and infant brother, she becomes deathly afraid of bearing a child of her own, believing that Anubis, the Egyptian god of death lies in wait for the day she becomes a mother. She carries this fear into her marriage to Sebak, a captain in her brother, Pharaoh Tut’s, army and follows her as she becomes mistress of a prominent Egyptian estate. When Tut orders the Hebrew midwives to drown any sons that are born to their people, Anippe seizes the opportunity to launch a great deception. Finding a baby floating in a basket in the Nile, Anippe believes the Egyptian gods have answered her prayers. She can pretend that she had a son, yet doing so sets into motion events that place her, her son and his true Hebrew family, in terrible danger. As bloodshed mounts and the political tide of Egypt turns, Anippe wonders if her son may have a chance to become Pharaoh, or whether the god of the Hebrews, He who is called El Shaddai, has a bigger plan for them both.<br /><br />Prior to reading The Pharaoh’s Daughter, I had only read one of Mesu Andrews’s previous novels. While it was fully enjoyable, this novel brought a whole other level for me. I’ve read a couple of authors that are very popular in Biblical fiction, but they just didn’t click with me, so I tend to stick with a hand full of authors in this genre that I know won’t disappoint. After finishing this novel, I feel confident that Mesu Andrews can be easily join their ranks.<br /><br />In many ways, The Pharaoh’s Daughter is an epic story. It spans several years and several major shifts throughout Anippe’s life. There is a lot of political intrigue and several characters, but I feel like Mesu imparts what the reader needs to know without it being overwhelming. There are some jumps in time, but they were not a problem for me here. The passage of time and key events that the reader needs to know are explained by allowing the information to come naturally in the scene. Whether in the opening scene after substantial passage of time or whether in a character’s emotions after an intense scene, Mesu truly understands the importance of showing what happened rather than simply telling. She brings ancient Egypt to life in a fascinating way. Details of their belief system, politics, and daily life are present from the beginning, woven seamlessly throughout the story. One of my favorite details she included was the way they named second and third children the same name as the first born to “trick” the gods as a way to ensure the firstborn’s life. Names in general are very important in both the Egyptian and Hebrew families, and even Anippe experiences name changes that have a profound impact on her. From their elaborate feasts to the details of running an Egyptian household, I found it all to be mesmerizing.<br /><br />The lives of the Egyptian royalty and the Hebrew servants are fully realized. Despite having guards and servants are at her beck and call and wanting for very little in the material sense, Anippe lives in fear, first from childbirth, then later from her deception of raising Moses as her own son. The juxtaposition of the Egyptian’s way of life and the Hebrew’s way of life was very startling at times, but what was even more impressive was the feeling of discovering that along with Anippe as the story progresses. The lavish, pampered lifestyle of the Egyptians is a stark foil to the simplistic, bare, yet often content, lifestyle of the Hebrews. Both families are composed of well-rounded characters full of depth. Their hopes, fears and dreams were rich and layered, and I especially loved the interactions that brought royalty and commoner together. Although Anippe starts off as pampered and entitled, she develops and grows in a realistic way. Her sister, Ankhe, provides a nice foil for her, showing what can happen when bitterness in life circumstances rules instead of hope. Anippe gave her chance after chance, which was a bit annoying; however, since her sister was her only close relative, I can understand why she was so forgiving. Mered, a Hebrew and the chief linen maker in Anippe’s estate, is also a complex character. I really enjoyed getting to know him and his family. Overall, the relationships between the characters come across as genuine and heartfelt, and I especially treasured the relationship between Anippe and Miriam, who becomes Anippe’s handmaiden after she is found watching Moses from the river bank.<br /><br />This novel has a bit of everything – danger, court and political intrigues, familial and romantic love and a beautiful tale of redemption that encompasses the entire story. The spiritual aspect feels very authentic and natural to the story, and I related to Anippe’s fears and doubts. As her name is changed once again, this time to the Hebrew name of Bithiah, she comes to understand just how worthy she is of a life free from fear and seeing her progress from fear to hope was very uplifting.<br /><br />I am no expert on Egyptian history or a Biblical scholar, so as long as an author stays true to the Biblical account, I am usually lenient when it comes to things that don’t have a definitive answer. The Bible doesn’t name the pharaoh in the story of Moses, and Mesu chooses to use Tut as the Pharaoh that decreed Hebrew baby boys to be killed at birth and his successor as the one who refused the Lord’s demands in Exodus. While I don’t know that I believe them to be two different pharaohs, Mesu does present a plausible story and has clearly done a lot of research. Much of the story takes place well before the events in Exodus, so it’s easy to see Mesu’s story as what “could have been,” and I also appreciated her explanation at the end and what scripture she used as reference.<br /><br />Ultimately when I read fiction set in biblical times, I want to feel prompted to return to the biblical account and look at it with fresh eyes once again. Mesu certainly accomplished that for me in The Pharaoh’s Daughter. It was a thoroughly entertaining, enlightening and profound read that kept me turning those pages well past time to turn in for the night. The Pharaoh’s Daughter is labeled as “A Treasure of the Nile Novel,” so I’m hoping this means more stories (perhaps one about Miriam!) like this one are up next for Mesu. I am eager to read her other published books and whatever story that she pens next. Highly recommended!", "timestamp": 1428944200000, "title": "A Favorite of the Year!" }, { "asin": "1496402243", "rating": 3, "text": "Carrington Hale has spent her entire life preparing for her Choosing ceremony – the day that she is to be chosen to become a wife. After years of careful preparation, she is not prepared for this moment to end in disaster. Instead of being chosen, she must spend the rest of her days serving in the lowest level of society as a Lint. Knowing the Authority cannot be questioned, Carrington prepares herself for a life of toil and drudgery, completely shut off from her family. She soon establishes a connection with another Lint girl, and discovers that there is a whole other side to their society, a rebellion that shakes her beliefs to the core and resonates in her heart in ways that she never imagined. Then Carrington is given an unheard of second chance at the life prepared and dreamed of, but things are not quite what they seem. With an assassin killing Lints and corruption looming in the upper echelons of the Authority, Carrington must find out the truth before it destroys her and those she has come to love.<br /><br />I don’t read a lot of dystopian fiction, but when I saw this as an option to review, I took the chance because I love checking out debut authors, and the premise sounded intriguing to me. From the first chapter, I was drawn into the story. Rachelle starts with a heightened scene that really pulled me into the action. While I found some parts of it to be similar to things I have already read, I still enjoyed her debut novel.<br /><br />The world that Rachelle created here at first seems very simplistic. I think that it’s a little deeper and more involved than it might first appear. I appreciated that details of how the society worked were threaded throughout so as to avoid a big pile of information. The details were mentioned, but I didn’t feel that it was overwhelming at any point. I do wish I could have learned a bit more about its history and what it actually looks like. Even though I learned about the various elements of the government and society, I never really got a feel for what it looked like – was it futuristic, was it part old and part new, did homes look like they do now or are things more uniform? Overall though, I felt that the world building was done well and created a great backdrop for the story.<br /><br />Carrington’s character is interesting, but for me, she didn’t have any special quality or quirk that really brought her to life and established a connection. I felt empathy for her and was compelled to continue reading her story, but never felt that “something” that I look for in main characters. There is a lot of introspection in her character that I found to become repetitive, although I can see her realizations resonating greatly with a lot of readers. I look forward to Carrington learning who she is as a daughter of the true Father.<br /><br />The plot was entertaining, though nothing out of the ordinary. I was fairly certain what was going to happen, but I still enjoyed getting to the heightened scenes in the book. For me there were a few elements that I felt were left a little vague. How did Aaron and his followers meet without detection? Did he live outside of the city or hide somewhere inside? Perhaps more will be revealed about how those who function outside of the Authority live, as Carrington discovers more about who she is as a daughter of the true Father away from that society’s control.<br /><br />I know that this is the first novel is a series, so perhaps I just need to be more patient and wait for more to be revealed in the second book. Overall, The Choosing is very well-written debut novel, and I can see how there is plenty here for the sub-sequent books in the series to delve deeper into Carrington’s society and the rebellion. I recommend this for young adult readers who enjoy dystopian settings.", "timestamp": 1436816652000, "title": "Intriguing Series Start" }, { "asin": "0764212397", "rating": 4, "text": "I am always intrigued by a story that highlights a character that was not well-loved in a previous book. If you’ve read Hearts Made Whole, then you know Tessa wasn’t the most likeable secondary character. It made me so eager to read her story in Undaunted Hope, and the wait was certainly worth it. Tessa has matured and realized the error of her old ways. However, she still has a certain sass and isn’t afraid to step out in a profession that had traditionally been held by men. For me her character is what made this novel shine, along with the vibrant setting and rich historical detail.<br /><br />Tessa is one of my favorite heroines that Jody has written thus far. She’s got spunk that comes across in a realistic way. Her limitations as a woman are true to the time period, when reputation was everything for a woman. This story also portrays an important truth about the consequences of past mistakes. Even after you make the decision to become a different kind of person, the effects of those old choices are hard to overcome. However, with time, effort and God’s help, it can be done. Tessa’s journey as she strives to overcome the mistakes of her past is one that had my complete empathy and admiration.<br /><br />The secondary characters really stand out in this story. Brothers Alex and Michael, the children, and even prickly Nadine create such an endearing group of people. I really enjoyed the development of these relationships and the genuine feeling that is upheld throughout the entire story. The plot is especially well-paced. Everything flows naturally and realistically throughout the story. Though the romance for me isn’t the highlight of this story, it is still Jody’s trademark style, with a dramatic rescue and several tender moments.<br /><br />It seems that I gush about this with every novel of Jody’s, but the historical detail here is so well-done. These people had such a hard life, full of back-breaking, dangerous work. I could imagine the bone-deep cold of the coastal breeze and the helplessness of the miners as they bowed to the whims of selfish boss. That he was based on a real-life historical figure brought even more depth to the story. The setting and time period quickly come to life and stay strong throughout the story’s entirety.<br /><br />I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s so neat that Jody brought back characters from the novella that starts the Beacons of Hope series – it gives the feeling of completion within that storyline, and also provides a little bit of set-up for the next book in the series. I’m always a little sad when I finish one of Jody’s novels because it means another wait for her new release – thankfully the next book is set to come out in June of this year, so we don’t have to wait too long – but it’s also neat to get a glimpse of a character that readers will get to meet soon. If you haven’t read this series yet, definitely do. Though this book could be read as a stand-alone, the story felt even richer having experienced Tessa’s past in the previous book. I highly recommend Undaunted Hope for fans of romantic inspirational historical fiction.", "timestamp": 1454009509000, "title": "Lovely Romance & Great Historical Detail!" }, { "asin": "0310341523", "rating": 3, "text": "This was my first book by Rachel Hauck, and I think perhaps not the best one to start with of her books. I found it to be an intriguing story, but struggled with the telling of it. From the get-go, I was less than thrilled with the four different points of view. Perhaps this shows my youth and frame of mind at this point in life, but I was much more interested in Taylor and Jack's marriage than I was Jimmy and Colette's relationship from years ago. I'm just a reader that would much prefer to get into one or two character's heads and get to know them really well; instead, I felt like I was skimming each person's story. Because of that, some of the story-arcs just fell flat for me.<br /><br />The faith element seems on the nose in some scenes, and while I love the idea of layered family secrets, they were pretty obvious from the beginning of the story. The story seemed to be trying to be a mystery and focused a lot on secrets of the past, whereas I wished it would have focused on the family dynamics of the present-day.<br /><br />I did like Rachel's writing style and found it to be very readable. Again, this is my first book by this author, so please take my opinion for what it is. I did like the book, and I do still want to check out more of Rachel's books, so if anyone has any recommendations of what to try next, I'm all ears.", "timestamp": 1456102121000, "title": "Intriguing Story" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 4, "text": "Colleen Coble is another author that I’m a little behind the curve on reading, and I hope to remedy that further in the future. The Inn at Ocean’s Edge is only the second of her novels that I’ve read, and while I wasn’t blown away by the other novel, this one was a great suspenseful read. This novel provides really great set up for upcoming books in the series, while still in keeping with what appears to be Colleen’s trademark romantic suspense.<br /><br />I think what impressed me most with this story is how quickly the action starts. I love how it starts off with a bang and doesn’t let up until the end. It’s hard to talk about this type of story line without accidentally giving any spoilers, but I was held fast by the mystery. There are several surprising elements, and while some of my suspicions proved to be correct, there were many instances that I wasn’t sure what was going on with certain characters or plotlines. The story ended up being much more layered and intricate than I was expecting, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching everything unfold. There were a few scenes that I thought ended in an odd way, as if it needed just a few more sentences to give it a better sense of completeness, but it may be something that wouldn’t bother super-fans of suspense. While I enjoy it, it’s not the genre that I read most often, so this could just be me<br /><br />The characters, for the most part, react realistically to what is going on around them, and the less desirable characters don’t come off as caricatures, which is often a complaint of mine. Although my life is nothing like Claire’s life, I still found ways to relate to her. There were times that I could have used a bit more depth for the main characters; I did think they had realistic back story’s that created great conflict for their current circumstances. Colleen gives Claire small but impactful characteristics that add a lot of realism to her character and the same can be said of Luke’s character as well.<br /><br />Colleen also does a great job in writing the romance realistically into the story; the romantic moments are genuinely sweet yet realistic and fall naturally within the story’s flow. While Claire and Luke aren’t complete opposites, there’s a softness to him that Claire is drawn to. Their scenes had a spark from the very beginning.<br /><br />The setting is another area that is really well-done. Although I’ve never been to Maine, I feel like I’ve at least been on its coast because of this story. I could easily envision Hotel Tourmaline, as well as the natural landscape of the setting, whether it was a rocky cliff, sandy beach or a cranberry bog. This is a random side note, but I’ve loved the names of her more recent titles – this one gives off a sense of place, as well as a sense of excitement and, perhaps even danger, especially with the words, “ocean’s edge.” Despite it being a hotel more than an inn, the title is very evocative of the story overall.<br /><br />Fans of suspense and of Colleen’s past novels are sure to enjoy this one. Even I, an unseasoned suspense reader, flew through the pages once the mystery hooked me, and I definitely hope to read the next book in the Sunset Cove series.", "timestamp": 1456528716000, "title": "Great Suspense Read!" }, { "asin": "0764210386", "rating": 5, "text": "Flirtation Walk may not usurp my favorite spot of Siri Mitchell’s books, but it is definitely a favorite of the year so far. What an utterly fun and charming story! Siri’s books are always light and fun, but also impart a real truth to the reader. Combine that with winning characters and a unique historical setting, and I'm hooked.<br /><br />Lucinda Pennyworth is a bit of a contradiction. She wants to be respectable and normal, but her years of helping her father with his cons on unsuspecting victims have marked her in ways she doesn’t even realize. As she meets and gets to know her mother’s family, she comes to understand just how hard it will be to shed her present of her past mistakes. At first she uses her father’s tactics almost without realizing it, and I wasn’t sure how much I was going to like her. However, Siri is able to show Lucinda’s potential to the reader even before she herself realizes it. In terms of the faith aspect of the book, there is nothing earth-shattering here, but rather a lighter thread about overcoming past mistakes, forgiving yourself and accepting forgiveness from others.<br /><br />I say this nearly every time I read one of Siri’s books, but it’s true every time – she always chooses unique settings and times in history. In Flirtation Walk, it is West Point Academy and the surrounding town, not many years before the Civil War plunges the nation into chaos. Honestly, I was a little worried before starting the book. How interesting could a story and characters at West Point be? The answer is very interesting on both counts. I loved the tidbits and facts about military life at West Point, how confining it was, yet how much pride the cadets took in their lives there.<br /><br />Seth Westcott is an endearing character and definitely my favorite of the book. Perhaps his decisions seemed unlikely throughout the book, but I think they are supposed to seem that way, especially since they backfire on him. Seth’s friends are some of the most humorous secondary characters that I’ve read about in a while. It was obvious that they each had their own stories; in fact, Siri wrote a short story for Otter, and it suited his character perfectly. The others seem to have their own story as well; perhaps once day Siri will be able to tell their stories as well, but in the meantime, it’s fun to make up what I want to happen in my mind.<br /><br />There are several witty bits of dialogue that I loved, and everything ends well – the ending itself was so winsome and perfectly suited to the characters and their story. This isn’t super serious romantic historical, but rather has a lot of humorous moments. It’s definitely unique and perhaps not for readers that don’t appreciate some comedy in their historicals. I personally have always been drawn to books that stands out from the norm in the Christian fiction world, and Siri’s books have always held that unique element for me. I have one more of her historical fiction novels to read, as well as a couple of her contemporary stories that I haven't gotten to yet. I know that she is going to take a bit of a break from writing now, which is understandable, but bittersweet for this reader. While I read across many genres and types of books, I have Siri to thank for sparking my love of Christian fiction, especially as a reader who once scoffed at it, and only gave it a chance because of her book She Walks in Beauty. So, thank you, Siri, for daring to write books that don't fall in line perfectly with the rest of CBA, and I'll be waiting for your next novel, whenever it may come.", "timestamp": 1458873157000, "title": "Endearing Characters & Lovely Historical Details" }, { "asin": "0310338492", "rating": 3, "text": "Lydia Bancroft is a very unconventional lady - not only is she yet to be married, but she also works as a librarian and relishes her work there. Despite finding satisfaction in the lending library, she can't help but be drawn to a mysterious library patron. After an alarming incident between her and her fiance takes place, witnessed by this mysterious patron, her life takes a strange, exciting turn.<br /><br />The unique premise of this novel and the unusual circumstance of Lydia being a librarian drew me into this story. Lydia is reserved, but has a strong intellect. I really loved the moments that she stuck up for herself and proved that there was more to her than just being a shy librarian. Sebastian Marks is a self-made man, and though his chosen profession may not be entirely genteel, he has built himself into a better person through his own temerity. I love how the intrigue starts off and doesn't let up for basically the entire story; the romance is fairly light but still heartfelt, with the mystery taking center stage for the majority of the story.<br /><br />Although I found all of the characters to have intriguing personal stories, my preference is for the story to focus on just one or two main characters, so bear that in mind when reading my review. Secondary characters are wonderful, of course, but I didn't feel a deep connection with the other main characters. I'm not exactly sure what is was, but for the majority of the story, I was only a passive observer rather than really inside the characters heads. I also felt that some scenes unfolded a bit unrealistically; some of the more dangerous, tense scenes fell a bit flat for me.<br /><br />Despite feeling like it didn't completely come through in all of the character interactions, I did appreciate the focus on friendship and loyalty that the other main characters portrayed. It was nice to not have the plot focus so much on romance, but rather friend relationships. The story portrays how people from different backgrounds and experiences can still inspire one another to be better.<br /><br />Random side-thought, but yay for a character that wears spectacles! Since I'm bespectacled, I liked that a lot. Although, I have to say, I wish that the cover model was either wearing them or holding them or something. And be still my heart that Sebastian though to carry them in his pocket so they wouldn't be damaged - loved that sweet moment.<br /><br />Even though Whispers in the Reading Room didn't make it onto my favorites list, I did enjoy it, and I do want to eventually go back and read the first two books in the series.", "timestamp": 1465620497000, "title": "Unique Premise and Leading Librarian" }, { "asin": "0692691154", "rating": 4, "text": "I am so glad that Jody decided to go the untraditional route to publish Forever Safe. Although the first two books in the series are my favorites, this was a worthy conclusion to the Beacons of Hope series. Ever since Victoria appeared in book three, I knew that she had a story of her own! Forever Safe is full of an endearing romance and historical details of life surrounding a lighthouse, as well as some exciting tense moments toward the end.<br /><br />Stories that feature characters from way different walks of life always intrigue me, and that intrigue certainly holds true with Victoria and Tom. Though kind-hearted, Victoria is a pampered, spoiled young lady from a wealthy family. Tom’s origins are much more humble, and he worked make a profession for himself. From the get-go, their interactions are laced with tension because of these differences, and it is only when they are drawn by necessity from their respective roles that they begin to see that, despite their differences, they both have much to offer.<br /><br />Once again, some of my favorite details were of daily life as a light keeper and the duties that come with it. There is something charming about life around a lighthouse, yet there is always the feeling that something dangerous could happen at any moment – though much was routine, the idea that the surrounding seas may change in a moment was ever present. The climactic scenes really held my attention, and the emotion and resolve of the characters shone brightly in those moments.<br /><br />I loved the overall message of this story as well – the idea that there are always going to be things in life to fear, but you can’t let that stop you from making a decision and living. Victoria’s fears are grounded mostly in supposition and worry for tomorrow, whereas Tom lets past events and traumas color his present decisions. Though they were different types of fear, Jody did a lovely job at portraying that the same gumption and faith is required to overcome them – that fear doesn’t always go away, but it can be dealt with through faith and perseverance.<br /><br />Thought it’s a bit of a bummer to have this series done, I was entirely satisfied with this last book in the Beacons of Hope series. I wholeheartedly recommend for readers looking for a sweet, romantic story.", "timestamp": 1465677691000, "title": "Lovely Conclusion to the Series!" }, { "asin": "1434708381", "rating": 5, "text": "Jilted is a wonderful conclusion to the Mended Hearts series. Though I was sad to say goodbye to these characters, I was thrilled for all of the secrets to be revealed and for things to come full circle for Lynda Turner. I connected to her story on a very personal level and was so pleased with how things turned out for her. Her voice is crystal clear; Varina has done such a wonderful job keeping the voices of her three different narrators in each book separate and unique, while still remaining consistent with the clarity and humor found in her writing.<br /><br />The way that Varina handles the topic of depression is to be appreciated. Though Lynda suffers from depression, the story itself is hopeful, yet realistic in regards to how she struggles with her low points. Although Lynda does has let her depression get the best of her in the past, once things come to light, it brings a whole other layer to her character and to just how strong she had to be despite many people thinking the worst of her.<br /><br />If any saying applies to this story, it’s that “appearances can be deceiving.” By all of the local accounts, Lynda was just a depressed, broken woman, and Clyde Felton a dangerous ex-convict, but many looked that far and no farther. Meanwhile, one of the town’s elite is hiding secrets that would shock the town to the core. Though in some things in the plot were expected, these revelations and what they meant for Lynda kept me flipping the pages eagerly. Toward the end of the story, her personal journey moved me to tears. I was so moved by the reminder that it’s only later that we can see the good in a bad situation, that once the haze of grief and anger have faded, we can see the God placed others in our lives to be the hand that lifts us up, if we’re only willing to reach out and take it. He is eager to fill our cups to overflowing, if we just hold it out to Him.<br /><br />I have absolutely loved this series, and though it’s hard to pick, I think Jilted might be my favorite of the three – although that Ruthie is just a sassy as a secondary character as she is in her own story. These characters really came to life for me; Varina doesn’t sugarcoat situations, but nor does she add unnecessary detail that could make the story feel overly dramatic. Instead, I reveled in the true-to-life ups and downs of these characters, and rejoiced in the powerful message of this story.<br /><br />Varina is one of my favorite new authors, and I can’t wait to see what she brings readers next. If you are looking for an inspirational story about real, messy, wonderful characters, this story is for you. I highly recommend the Mended Hearts series – and I definitely think it’s best to read them in order, so started with Jaded, move on to Justified and savor a well-done ending in Jilted.", "timestamp": 1467165888000, "title": "My favorite of the series!" }, { "asin": "031033344X", "rating": 4, "text": "The Mountain Midwife opens with an engaging scene that pulled me immediately into Ashley Toliver’s world – that of a midwife for the women of a small Appalachian community. Awakened in the night, the last thing that Ashley expects is an abduction of her patient right after the birth. This light mystery takes off from there, pulling in another mystery of Hunter McDermott’s birth mother. Both of these threads intertwine nicely as the story progresses, as well as the growing friendship between Ashley and Hunter.<br /><br />There is a nice atmosphere found in this story – the feel of the small community is fully realized, and I loved the strong sense of heritage that Ashley has for her home. I enjoy when an author gives a character an authentic history that feels real to me, as this one did. The plot also flows nicely. The mystery thread is light and more my speed, since I don’t like super scary, crime-based stories.<br /><br />I felt like some of the ending scenes came across as a little bit anticlimactic. There are also some loose ends that I felt like weren’t tied up – perhaps to leave room for a sequel? I definitely felt like there are secondary characters in this story that could have their own and would be interested in reading those. I was also bummed at how easily things wrapped up for Ashley – I thought there would be more of a compromise regarding one big issue in her life. It seemed a bit glossed over, but that’s just my opinion. Other readers may not feel that way at all.<br /><br />The details about midwifery really grabbed my attention; Ashely had such deep roots, and the details about her job held my interest – and for anyone worried about there being too much detail, don’t be – I thought it was enough details to understand the situation and even learn from it, but not more information than was needed. I also thought it was neat how the author made Ashley and her friend Heather a descendant of characters in her historical series about midwives – I’ve read this first book, and this story actually makes me want to read the other two.<br /><br />Overall, this is an engaging story, with a lot of compelling elements, and a light mystery at its core - and I hope it's the beginning of a series. These characters have more stories to tell, I'm sure of it.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to do a review, and the views expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1475961978000, "title": "Light, Romantic Mystery" }, { "asin": "0310395933", "rating": 5, "text": "In Love Takes the Cake, Charlotte Cantrell knows what she’s about – providing brides with delicious cakes for their wedding day. What she doesn’t count on is being drawn to a regular customer, Will, who comes every week to buy cookies for the mysterious “Melissa.” Humorous misunderstandings abound in this confection of a story. I haven’t read any of Betsy St. Amant’s full length novels, but definitely want to after enjoying this fun story. The story could easily find its home on the Hallmark channel (and really who is complaining about that?), but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t also a dose of realism thanks to the back stories of both Charlotte and Will. The unraveling of the tangled threads of misunderstandings is a joy to read.<br /><br />I admit that The Perfect Arrangement was the story I was most eager to read, simple because I am always eager to read anything that Katie Ganshert writes. I was expecting a charming story, but this one truly blew me away. Amelia Mason is a bit quirky and a very relatable character. I’m a big fan of epistolary style narratives, so I love how the author includes email to tell the story. It’s a fresh twist that adds a lot of fun and charm to the characters interactions – Nate is a particularly endearing male lead. This may seem a small thing, but I also appreciated that she included a family with step-siblings. It’s not something I’ve seen much in Christian fiction, but it’s a real part of life, and it is done very well here. I also found the story of how Amelia came to own a flower shop and how it got its name to be such an endearing part of the story. This is one of my favorite novellas I’ve read in 2016.<br /><br />Love in the Details is nothing less than what I expect from a Becky Wade story – the characters are endearing, and it’s easy to root for them the entire time. She realistically portrays two people who were once in a relationship, meeting again after many years and different roads of life. It’s a genuinely sweet story that had me smiling while reading because they are just such likeable people. I appreciated the cautious, realistic way that they began to reconnect with one another – their reconnection doesn’t move too fast, nor does it drag, but rather it strikes the perfect balance with the length of the story. I also liked getting a peek into Holly’s writer life – I’m sure the author pulls from personal experience there, so it was fun to read about that.<br /><br />I know that many readers start picking up Christmas books well before the month of December rolls around. But before you pick up your Christmas books, I highly recommend squeezing a bit of “fall” into your reading this month with this wonderfully charming collection.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own.", "timestamp": 1479575023000, "title": "Perfect Trio of Stories!" }, { "asin": "0764218212", "rating": 5, "text": "Set during the tumultuous time of Israel’s beginning as a unified nation, Shadow of the Storm brings the life of the Hebrew tribes into sharp relief. Through the eyes of Shira, a woman still fighting the battles of her past, readers see these events firsthand through engrossing first-person narration. Shira’s insecurities make her a realistic, relatable character. My heart was stirred and found kinship with her; doubts and fears keep her from fully embracing her desire to be a midwife. Despite having a natural talent for it, her self-doubt and mistakes keep her from moving forward.<br /><br />There are times where it feels like books were placed in my life exactly when I needed it. The<br />Story takes on a personal level, and I see myself in the character so strongly, that I know that the timing is no accident. This was completely and entirely my experience while reading Shadow of the Storm and discovering Shira’s story. It was a joy to see Kiya, Eben and Jumo again. The friendship between Shira and Kiya is definitely a highlight of the story, and I’m glad that the familial relationships didn’t get lost in the plot or any romantic elements. Ayal is an intriguing character – despite not knowing his true intentions and a shaky beginning, I found myself wanting his character to be constant.<br /><br />Dvorah is one character that served a dual purpose for me. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about the addition of another character’s perspective, but as the story continues, Cossette does something that not many authors accomplish – make an unlikable, deplorable character provoke empathy within me. I found myself reacting strongly to Dvorah’s decisions – and by strongly, I distinctly remember saying out loud to my husband that I wanted to punch her in the face…um, oops? Seriously though, any read that elicits such an emotion from me is a winner in my book.<br /><br />In addition to providing a superb antagonist, Dvorah brought in an outsider perspective as well. I had honestly never really thought of how wild it would have been for so many people, from so many different backgrounds, would have functioned as a whole, while traveling through the desert. I suppose I never thought about the fact that, with the Hebrew tribes, some groups might have just been “tagging along,” for lack of a better phrase, because it was better than the life they left behind. Just because they were following Moses out of Egypt didn’t mean they left their prejudices and ingrained beliefs behind, nor did it mean that their beliefs aligned with the Hebrews. These differences and the issues that arose from them are fascinating and add a great element to the story.<br /><br />This powerful story has everything I look for in a novel. I was held riveted by the plot, Shira’s character, and the tender romance. Most importantly, this is a faith-affirming story that reminds reader of how God uses trials and setbacks to bolster faith and keep our eyes set on Him. This is one of my favorite books of 2016, and I am so looking forward to book 3 in the Out from Egypt series, Wings of the Wind. I highly recommend Shadow of the Storm to readers who enjoy Biblical fiction and an immersive first-person narrative.", "timestamp": 1479775248000, "title": "Superb Addition to the Series!" }, { "asin": "0718077911", "rating": 5, "text": "A Portrait of Emily Price is Katherine Reay at her best. The tone and main character are reminiscent of Dear Mr. Knightley, the realistic situations akin to Lizzy and Jane, and the international aspect nods to The Bronte Plot. I was happy to see her return to the overall tone that she brought readers in Dear Mr. Knightley. Though they were very different characters, Emily’s first-person voice had me enchanted in the same way that I was with Sam. While the family situations were complex, there is a beautiful simplicity in the way that things occur. There was never a moment where I willingly put this book down, and I was always eager to pick it back up.<br /><br />Usually whirlwind type romances don’t do much for me. I struggle with the realism and can’t get into the magic of it all. But from the moment that Emily met Ben, I felt like their biggest cheerleader! Yes, I was wondering how this was all going to play out, but I was rooting for them all the way. The author completely pulls it off – Ben is total book-boyfriend material. I did appreciate the realistic way that, despite how quickly their relationship moves, it was still a back and forth of misunderstanding and miscommunications, but also a sweet rendering of a new marriage. For readers that are not as big a fan of romance as myself, never fear – although this might be Reay’s most romantic story yet, Emily’s personal growth and a poignant family story take the prime spot in the narrative – and what a joy it is to watch it all unfold. The secondary characters are genuine and not to be overlooked. I particularly adored the relationship between Emily and Ben’s dad, Lucio – his character over all is one of the most gorgeous portrayals of fatherly love that I’ve read in a long while.<br /><br />Several aspects just make this story – that of art and Italy – and food! Emily’s job as a restorer is fascinating to read about, and I also loved watching her grow in confidence at an artist as well. The setting of a small Italian village is so picturesque and full of charm – from the cozy library in the family home, to the cobblestone streets of the village, I fell in love with it all. Ben’s charm is never as beguiling as the times he is in the kitchen, although the story paints an accurate picture of the precarious nature of the restaurant business, but more importantly, how food, family and tradition intertwine. And while there might be times where metaphors are overused in stories, or perhaps too many are used at once, here the combination of art restoration and creation provide a gorgeous comparison for the events of the story.<br /><br />My most favorite aspect of this story is how Emily proves to be a huge catalyst for change in Ben’s family, all the while trying to maintain a flimsy control of her new life in Italy and discover just what her roll is as a member of it. As Emily uncovers a painting in the local church, the secrets of Ben’s family are uncovered as well. While the faith elements are a lighter thread throughout the first part of the story, the latter half is suffused with a beautiful message of forgiveness and grace.<br /><br />I am always so pleased to read a Katherine Reay novel, but even more so when it’s as poignant and lovingly crafted as A Portrait of Emily Price. Highly recommended.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1480384995000, "title": "Her Best Book Yet!" }, { "asin": "149640646X", "rating": 4, "text": "I am very particular about the authors that I follow when it comes to Biblical fiction. Tessa Afshar is one author whose books I will always pick up and expect to be enthralled by the story. Land of Silence grabbed my heart from page one. She created a provocative, engrossing story for the woman with the issue of blood. When I first heard that this would be the basis for her new book, I admit, I did wonder how she was going to make it work. I wasn’t worried, of course, but I did wonder how she would choose to tell this story. She takes a figure that appears in one scene with the Bible and fleshes out her story into something beautiful – a tapestry, if you will, that rivals the beauty of the fabric creations in Elianna’s household.<br /><br />The characterization of Elianna is superb; her voice in the first person narration style is crystal clear and distinct. I love that she chose to tell the story in first-person. I think it made the telling of such a personal, emotionally-charged story that much more poignant and compelling. Speaking of fabric and tapestries, the details about fabric production, dyeing and even the selling and trading are fascinating and greatly enhanced my reading experience.<br /><br />This author excels at creating strong women that suit the setting and time period, and Elianna is truly an inspiring character. She is determined and wants to take care of her family, yet her pride keeps her from accepting help from her betrothed, Ethan. The novel spans many years, and I ached with her and cheered for her as she matures throughout the story. The way that she is battered by life circumstance and then later on by physical ailments, yet still holds tight to her faith, makes her a compelling character. I can’t let the review go without mentioning Ethan again – enduring, steadfast Ethan. The scenes between these two spark with feeling, and he matches Elianna’s stubbornness with a hard head of his own.<br /><br />The groundwork for the story is set up in a strong way. The opening scenes set up perfectly both the despair and hope that are to come. Stricken by grief, guilt and condemnation, Elianna works hard to be the perfect daughter and basically run her father’s textile business on her own. However, all of her hard work cannot prepare her for what’s to come. Looking back, I am once again impressed that the novel wasn’t bogged down with despair. Much of the novel is leading to her lowest point, but I never wanted to put it down – the story flows that well and is that engrossing. Though there were some times I felt that the pacing was a bit slow, the events that took place felt realistic and naturally placed in the story. It is only through reaching her lowest point, that the most important event of her life takes place – that of touching the hem of Jesus’s robe and finding physical healing, yes, but, more importantly, deep, irrevocable love, free of condemnation.<br /><br />Afshar’s writing just keeps getting better and better, and fans of her previous novels will not be disappointed in the slightest. I highly recommend this novel for readers of Biblical fiction, but also for any reader looking for a strong story of healing and redemption.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this novel, and I chose to review it. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1517601525606, "title": "Another Winning Story by Afshar" }, { "asin": "0800728734", "rating": 5, "text": "Charming, mysterious, romantic, fun, and swoon-worthy, A Rumored Fortune is Politano’s second novel, and, wow, does it deliver for this reader.<br /><br />There is such a strong atmosphere to sink into within these pages. The setting is a castle, its grounds home to a vineyard. Though her castle home is important and much loved, it is the vineyard that captured Tressa's mind, as it had previously captured her father's before his mysterious death. However, both castle and vineyard have the funds that they need to keep going, as her father's fortune is hidden in a place that only he knew.<br /><br />I adored Tressa’s character. Though Victorian Era heroines often have the misfortune of things happening to them rather than making things happen (which while aggravating to modern thought, is probably more realistic), Tressa is a realistic balance of delicate yet driven. She’s not afraid of doing things on her own but is also acutely aware of her own vulnerability and still bound to an extent to society’s expectations.<br /><br />The secondary characters are by turns intriguing, suspicious, and charming. I loved the relationship between Tressa and her lady’s maid, Lucy. Of course, her burgeoning friendship with Donegan Vance, the man her father hired to care for the vineyard captured my attention with ease, while her re-introduction to her former suitor, Andrew Carrington, made me question everyone’s motives, especially with a vast fortune involved.<br /><br />The faith element is strong throughout the novel, and while alluded to often, it always feels genuine and in keeping with the characters themselves. I found it to be refreshing and well-done; it is especially neat the way the care and keeping of a vineyard ties in so well with Tressa’s personal journey in such a natural way.<br /><br />This is only the tenth novel this year that I’ve given five stars. The exquisite blend of lovely writing, endearing characters, mysterious plot, and a gorgeous romance make A Rumored Fortune one of my favorite reads of the year!<br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a review, positive or otherwise, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1533512433595, "title": "Charming, Swoon-worthy Second Novel" }, { "asin": "1683228685", "rating": 4, "text": "The White City is a vibrant mystery, with more of a cozy feel than a sinister one. I've read some non-fiction accounts of H.H. Holmes, and it's really quite gruesome. The extent of his depravity and evil is not touched on here, as this story takes place nearer to the beginning of his terrible acts. However, there is enough that the danger is real and present throughout the pages of this book.<br /><br />At first I was a bit worried that Winnie was going to be too silly, but I was soon won over by her vivacity and charm. Her interactions with Detective Jude Thorpe are fun and sweet, and even though I don't enjoy a love triangle, even Percival won me over (I wouldn't mind seeing him in a future novel). Winnie is also a complete bookworm, so what's not to love about that. As with any bookworm though, occasionally our imagination might get the best of us - which is what happens to Winnie. She has to prove to her father that she knows what she's talking about and can back up her claims with evidence. Hence, where the sleuthing and danger come into play. Winnie's family plays a significant role in this story, as does romance, so if you're looking for suspense alone, that's not this title. I for one enjoyed the mix, and once I realized it was more of a cozy mystery, the story flowed well for me. I also found the descriptions of the city and the World's Fair to be lovely and a great backdrop for the events of the story.<br /><br />I enjoyed this debut novel; it shows great promise for the stories that I know are to come from Grace Hitchcock.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to post a positive review, and the thoughts expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1552672505439, "title": "Fun Historical Romance" }, { "asin": "0785223169", "rating": 4, "text": "In The Governess of Penwythe Hall, Ladd’s trademark handling of setting, characters, and romance are back in full force. The harsh landscape of Cornwall comes to life, complete with its dramatic coastline and the seemingly endless moors. This is just the place that widow and governess Delia Greythorne is forced back to after the death of her employer. Cornwall, a place of heartache for her, might hold the keys to moving on with her life, if she can combat dangers arising from her past.<br /><br />After a slow start, it was hard for me to put this one down. The plot builds nicely, each element building on another to create an entertaining read. Delia is a strong character, but not unrealistically so. She is fully aware of her position in the world, but still retains her dignity. One of my favorite parts of the story is the blossoming relationship between Jac Tretheway, Penwythe Hall’s owner, and the orphaned children. His priorities must shift, and I enjoyed his shift from duty to love.<br /><br />This is a lovely opening to Sarah E. Ladd’s new series, and I eagerly await The Thief of Lanwyn Manor’s release in 2020. Recommended to fans of historical romance with a healthy dose of intrigue and a dash of suspense.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1556578455672, "title": "Lovely Series Opener!" } ]

[ { "asin": "1595545395", "rating": 4, "text": "This was such a sweet, fun book! Lucy is a cute heroine, and I love how she isn't perfect or \"beautiful\" in that cheesy way. That is way overdone these days, it seems! I was expecting the ultimate cheese from this book, and while it is a fun romance, it actually deals with some really serious issues despite it's appearance. I'm not even that much of a reader of Chick-Lit, nor do I usually like Contemporary novels, and I still really enjoyed this one. Some aspects of the plot are a bit unrealistic, but then again, the whole concept of faking an engagement/relationship is pretty crazy, so I was able to go along with it. I look forward to reading Jones' other novels.", "timestamp": 1314462852000, "title": "Light and Fun Summer Read" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 5, "text": "I have a hard time believing that Spring for Susannah is Richmond's debut novel! She writes like she already has several novels under her belt. This one is definitely a notch above the typical Christian Historical Fiction. Richmond completely drew me in with the sincerity of the story. Nothing is watered down and easy just because they believe in God. This book can definitely be viewed as two different parts. In the first part, Susannah is very timid and shy, but once she has to be on her own for a while, I really began to root for her. Her character developement was awesome.<br /><br />I also would like to thank Richmond for portraying the marriage between Susannah and Jesse as she did. They are one of the most realistic couples that I've read thus far in the genre. It seems that some authors shy away from portraying a real married relationship, but not Richmond. Nothing was graphic or overdone, but the intimacy in their relationship and their love for one another was evident. As one who has recently married, I found it so accurate and sincere.<br /><br />My one issue is that I found the ending to be somewhat abrupt. They were re-united, and then it seemed the book was over.<br /><br />I hope Richmond is already at work on her next novel; I can only imagine that she will continue to impress!", "timestamp": 1314463223000, "title": "Awesome Debut!" }, { "asin": "0849946158", "rating": 3, "text": "I found this to be a faith-affirming and uplifting story. I was challenged to think beyond some vague idea of heaven because of Colton's experience, and I really liked that. I can't imagine going through what that family went through, but like they said, it had a purpose.<br /><br />I do wish that some of the details that Colton mentioned were given a more \"scholarly\" approach. Don't get me wrong, I am not necessarily doubting that he experienced these things. There were just a couple of details that I could not find in the Bible. I wish that every time Colton made a point about heaven there would have been an exact place to find it in scripture. Todd did this for the majority of the time, and I found myself more moved and more comfortable with it than the times he did not. For example, I was uncomfortable with his descriptions of angels having wings as to my knowledge no angel ever appeared to a human in the Bible that had wings. I had thought the cherubim & seraphim do, but to my knowledge no where in the Bible does it mention that God's messengers have wings. Another detail I did not understand was Jesus' rainbow horse. I even tried to look it up (I am by no means a biblical scholar and know I am constantly overlooking things). I found mentions of a pale horse, a red horse, a white horse and a black horse (not that Jesus was riding all of them), but no where could I find a \"rainbow\" horse.<br /><br />Overall, I did like Heaven is for Real, but felt the need to \"be a Berean\" as they say, and check all things against scripture. I will take in the good things that this book (or any book) has to offer, and for my hard facts about what heaven is like, I will stick to the Word.", "timestamp": 1373138495000, "title": "Uplifting but not enough scripture backing for me" }, { "asin": "0764210416", "rating": 4, "text": "A thoroughly enjoyable novel, Tide and Tempest has a great blend of my favorite elements. Full of history, mystery, suspense, and a sincere romance, this read had a little bit of everything that my reading-heart could desire.<br /><br />The characters were portrayed in a realistic way, and I related so much with their internal conflicts. Both Tillie and Captain Morgan carried burdens of guilt and responsibility inside, and while the external conflict swirled with danger and intrigue, the internal conflict made these characters come alive for me. I also liked that their problems weren’t solved by romance or “insta-love.” They had to deal with those internal struggles first before letting someone into their heart and move on with their lives.<br /><br />I liked the pace of the plot too. It strikes a nice balance between character interaction and action scenes. I appreciated that the suspenseful moments made sense and flowed well. Sometimes I think that action sequences are a little jumbled and confusing, but here I didn’t find anything like that.<br /><br />I loved the atmosphere of the setting, especially the boarding house where Tillie lived. The entire setting was well-done from the dress shop where Tillie worked, to the apothecary shop in a rather unsavory part of town. There was a distinctive quality to each place in the story.<br /><br />Another sign of a great read is when the secondary characters come to life – for me, this character was Captain Morgan’s brother, Cass. In fact, I think he deserves his own story, and I am sort of hoping that some of the events that took place in this story are set up for him to have his own story one day!<br /><br />I am a sucker for dashing captains, especially if they hail from Ireland, and a roguish brother is not too bad either (wink, wink). The ending wraps everything up nicely, though not without some tension and heartache getting there. I was happy to get a happily-ever-after.<br /><br />This is my first read by Elizabeth Ludwig, and it definitely won’t be my last! I haven’t read the first two books in this series, but that didn’t prove to be an issue for my enjoyment of Tide and Tempest. Happy am I to say that I have the first book already on my Kindle and won the second book in a giveaway. Now I can learn that backstory of the other secondary characters in this story, and I know it will be a treat.", "timestamp": 1395668433000, "title": "A little bit of everything!" }, { "asin": "0764211692", "rating": 5, "text": "A Bride in Store is a worthy follow-up to the first novel in this series. In fact, I believe that her characters are even more developed, the writing more finessed and the plot tighter. I was especially taken with the unique plot points that she included in the story. Bereft of the store she used to run for her father, Eliza Cantrell travels to Kansas to be a mail-order bride for a man who owns a store, hoping that she will find a willing partner in both the store and marriage, if not complete happiness. The story starts with a bang in an unexpected train robbing scene. From the get go, it’s obvious that our Eliza is a quick-thinker and is not afraid to fight for what is rightfully hers. I really enjoyed her personality; she is entirely a lady of the times, but also unique in that she wants to be the owner and proprietor of her own store. She is not so forward-thinking that she wasn’t realistic to the time-period, but is still certainly distinct.<br /><br />The setting of 1881 Salt Flatts, Kansas feels authentic, as do the details about businesses at that time. I also found the details about healthcare back then fascinating; they really added a lot to the story. Some of the tidbits were tragic, but true to the time period when sickness and often death were simply an everyday matter. The side characters added great layers to the story; I especially loved Mrs. Lightfoot, the proprietor of the boarding house where Eliza lived. Without giving away too many details, I found her story to be intriguing and unexpected, and the relationship she and Eliza developed to be engaging.<br /><br />I admit that Will Stanton is not my typical favorite male lead, but he definitely grew on me as the story progressed. He is a thoughtful and somewhat reserved, yet he is selfless and doesn’t find worth in himself. Will dreams of studying to become a doctor, but in the meantime, takes care of his friend Axel’s store. Thrown off by Eliza’s early arrival, he allows her to work in the store until Axel’s return. I could really feel the tension and pull of attraction between them as Axel’s absence stretches into weeks. As their dreams and hopes for the future pull them in different directions, they navigate this new territory that springs up between them. Though I was never unsure of what the outcome would be, the journey getting there was a satisfying one. There was one plot twist regarding Axel that I actually did not see coming at all, so that was fun. Overall, there was quite a bit more action than what I originally thought.<br /><br />The spiritual aspect of the novel touched on several things, but the most prominent one for me was seeking God’s will for your life, and how sometimes your ideals and dreams don’t always align with that will. Sometimes you have to be willing to adapt and change your mind about things. I enjoyed watching Eliza and Will work through these things, even though at times it is painful, the outcome was better than they imagined.<br /><br />A Bride in Store was a great blend of unique historical details, endearing romance and well-rounded characters who experienced relatable dilemmas. Just an all-around fun read for me. I’m looking forward to Melissa Jagears next book. 4.5 stars!", "timestamp": 1411223159000, "title": "Great second novel!" }, { "asin": "0764210378", "rating": 5, "text": "Charlotte Withersby’s dearest wish is to study her beloved blooms as a botanist. She wants to be left alone by her uncle, society and most certainly by her father’s new assistant, an interloper named Mr. Trimble. In a time when women’s views and expertise in botany are not given credence, Charlotte must rely upon the name of her father, a well-known botanist, to publish her own work. When her uncle and father insist that she take on society to snare a husband, Charlotte is sure Mr. Trimble’s lackluster help will soon bring her back to her position as her father’s assistant and put all of the marriage nonsense to rest. What Charlotte doesn’t account for is finding actual suitors, nor is she prepared for the questions that be thrust into society will bring – is her merit in her work or does it lie within herself?<br /><br />Siri always chooses to write about historical elements that are usually not anything that I’ve read about in another novel. She is a brave author in the sense that she chooses to tackle story elements and character traits that are not widely used. In this case, it was the science of botany. The botany details are fascinating and add a lot of depth to Charlotte’s character development and intellectual tendencies. Charlotte’s quirks are so unique to her character. Siri’s characters and settings are never the norm, which is why her books continue to be a delight to read.<br /><br />This novel is more on the humorous side, and nowhere is that more evident than in the main character, Charlotte. She is quirky, and if I may, sometimes a bit odd. At first, I wasn’t sure how to take her, but as I read on, she grew on me. There is a possibility that she may not be for everyone; there were times that I was exasperated with her, but at the same time, she is extremely refreshing. She is everything that society is not – she is blunt, unpretentious and lacks the knowledge of all of the social niceties that are expected of her. In her heart of hearts, she wants to take care of her father and wants to be valued for her intellectual abilities, and moreover, wants herself to be enough, no more, no less.<br /><br />There were also some compelling side characters present in this story. I loved her new-found companion, Miss Templeton - the scenes with her were full of humor, and I loved how she took Charlotte under her wing and had a feeling that she found Charlotte refreshing as well. Their friendship and back-and-forth banter was entertaining to read. Her uncle, her self-named chaperone during all of her social outings is rather enigmatic at first, but as the story progresses, his character and background are revealed, and I was pleasantly surprised by the depth in the interactions between him and Charlotte.<br /><br />Mr. Trimble may not be the conventional hero, but I felt that he fit well within the story, and his character is very endearing. Despite being declared the enemy by Miss Templeton, it’s soon very clear that he isn’t the usurper that he appears to be and that he has his own reasons for becoming an assistant to a reclusive botanist. I wanted more interaction between him and Charlotte, and while the enemies turned lovers storyline sometimes wears on me, it works well in this story, and provides some humorous and also heartfelt exchanges between him and Charlotte.<br /><br />Whenever I pick a Siri Mitchell novel I know that I am in for something unique and fascinating. She always takes on topics that stand out, this story lives up to the standard I’ve come to expect in Siri’s novels. Although I’ve enjoyed all of her novels, this one definitely stands out as one I’ve enjoyed most. With a quirky main character, a sweet romance and a fascinating look at the world of botany, Like a Flower in Bloom is a favorite read of the year so far.", "timestamp": 1428698443000, "title": "Quirky, witty and altogether fun! :)" }, { "asin": "1414398697", "rating": 4, "text": "Abigail Pressman’s dream is to expand Book Nook, the beloved store she inherited from her father. In Love’s Park, a town obsessed with love and all things romantic, being single is an anomaly, so her dreams for her store are her salvation. When the owner of the building sells the entire space to a doctor new to town, she fears her dream will never come to fruition. In a secret match-making scheme, the Valentine Volunteers, the ladies who keep the tradition of stamping mail with the city’s postmark, attempt to pull Abigail into their fold. Despite herself, Abigail is drawn to the stringed paper hearts that she discovers among the Volunteers letters, even as she is drawn to the handsome doctor next door. This doctor doesn’t match the “dream-killer” she wanted to picture in her mind, and Abigail begins questions if her dream is her dream at all or just a crutch to stop her from reaching for what she really wants. A new string of paper hearts appears, leading Abigail to believe that something tragic happened to the couple who wrote them. As she uncovers more of the mystery couple’s story, Abigail fears that it will confirm her worst doubts about love, or even scarier, set her life on a path to a new dream entirely.<br /><br />Paper Hearts is a charming story. Walsh’s writing flows really well from scene to scene, and I loved the setting. The town almost felt like a character in and of itself and was so well-established on the outset of the story. I loved the small-town, everyone-knows-everyone vibe that stayed through the entire story. I really related to Abigail’s character, and I think most readers out there will. Not only is she a reader herself, she is artsy and quirky – someone I’d love to meet in real life. I could easily understand and empathize with her frustrations about the dreams for her store, and I wanted to see her succeed despite the obstacles she was facing.<br /><br />Personally, I cared more about her personal struggles than the romantic aspect of the book, which may not have been the intention. While I found Jacob, the male lead, to be a genuine, empathetic character, I couldn’t entirely get behind their relationship. For me, it was hard to come to terms with the way it progressed; they were supposed to be enemies, yet they were falling for one another. There were times that it just didn’t work for me. When the conflict didn’t center on the external conflict keeping them apart, but rather their internal conflicts, I enjoyed the story more. They were more solid characters apart than they were together, and for romantic reads, I want the couple to be complete as individuals, but also believable as a couple. Even so, the later scenes between them are sweet, but not in a syrupy way at all. My heart was definitely smiling at those scenes.<br /><br />There are also some strange shifts in point of view into the Valentine Volunteer meetings that some readers might find a bit jarring at first, simply because they are unexpected. The characters that comprise the Valentine Volunteers are actually quite humorous. The mixture of newly married, middle-aged and elderly “bah-humbug” ladies made for a funny combination, and once I realized that those shifts were coming, I fell into them easily.<br /><br />The spiritual element is woven throughout the story in a natural way, and I could really relate to the idea that sometimes prayers are answered in ways you never expected, sometimes in ways that you had never thought to pray. I found myself rooting for both Abigail and Jacob to shed their past and give God control of their futures.<br /><br />I definitely feel that Paper Hearts will be a hit for readers whose favorite genre is contemporary romance. Despite my few qualms about the story, the authentic setting and quirky cast of characters won me over. There is a lot of appeal here to recommend it to fans of this genre.<br /><br />Favorite quote: “…the very best love stories are the ones that are flawed and full of forgiveness and pain and joy and challenges and happiness. All these things make up a love story, Abigail.”", "timestamp": 1428944045000, "title": "Cute Contemporary Romance" }, { "asin": "1601425996", "rating": 5, "text": "Anippe has known from a young age that Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods controlled her fate. After childbirth took the lives her mother and infant brother, she becomes deathly afraid of bearing a child of her own, believing that Anubis, the Egyptian god of death lies in wait for the day she becomes a mother. She carries this fear into her marriage to Sebak, a captain in her brother, Pharaoh Tut’s, army and follows her as she becomes mistress of a prominent Egyptian estate. When Tut orders the Hebrew midwives to drown any sons that are born to their people, Anippe seizes the opportunity to launch a great deception. Finding a baby floating in a basket in the Nile, Anippe believes the Egyptian gods have answered her prayers. She can pretend that she had a son, yet doing so sets into motion events that place her, her son and his true Hebrew family, in terrible danger. As bloodshed mounts and the political tide of Egypt turns, Anippe wonders if her son may have a chance to become Pharaoh, or whether the god of the Hebrews, He who is called El Shaddai, has a bigger plan for them both.<br /><br />Prior to reading The Pharaoh’s Daughter, I had only read one of Mesu Andrews’s previous novels. While it was fully enjoyable, this novel brought a whole other level for me. I’ve read a couple of authors that are very popular in Biblical fiction, but they just didn’t click with me, so I tend to stick with a hand full of authors in this genre that I know won’t disappoint. After finishing this novel, I feel confident that Mesu Andrews can be easily join their ranks.<br /><br />In many ways, The Pharaoh’s Daughter is an epic story. It spans several years and several major shifts throughout Anippe’s life. There is a lot of political intrigue and several characters, but I feel like Mesu imparts what the reader needs to know without it being overwhelming. There are some jumps in time, but they were not a problem for me here. The passage of time and key events that the reader needs to know are explained by allowing the information to come naturally in the scene. Whether in the opening scene after substantial passage of time or whether in a character’s emotions after an intense scene, Mesu truly understands the importance of showing what happened rather than simply telling. She brings ancient Egypt to life in a fascinating way. Details of their belief system, politics, and daily life are present from the beginning, woven seamlessly throughout the story. One of my favorite details she included was the way they named second and third children the same name as the first born to “trick” the gods as a way to ensure the firstborn’s life. Names in general are very important in both the Egyptian and Hebrew families, and even Anippe experiences name changes that have a profound impact on her. From their elaborate feasts to the details of running an Egyptian household, I found it all to be mesmerizing.<br /><br />The lives of the Egyptian royalty and the Hebrew servants are fully realized. Despite having guards and servants are at her beck and call and wanting for very little in the material sense, Anippe lives in fear, first from childbirth, then later from her deception of raising Moses as her own son. The juxtaposition of the Egyptian’s way of life and the Hebrew’s way of life was very startling at times, but what was even more impressive was the feeling of discovering that along with Anippe as the story progresses. The lavish, pampered lifestyle of the Egyptians is a stark foil to the simplistic, bare, yet often content, lifestyle of the Hebrews. Both families are composed of well-rounded characters full of depth. Their hopes, fears and dreams were rich and layered, and I especially loved the interactions that brought royalty and commoner together. Although Anippe starts off as pampered and entitled, she develops and grows in a realistic way. Her sister, Ankhe, provides a nice foil for her, showing what can happen when bitterness in life circumstances rules instead of hope. Anippe gave her chance after chance, which was a bit annoying; however, since her sister was her only close relative, I can understand why she was so forgiving. Mered, a Hebrew and the chief linen maker in Anippe’s estate, is also a complex character. I really enjoyed getting to know him and his family. Overall, the relationships between the characters come across as genuine and heartfelt, and I especially treasured the relationship between Anippe and Miriam, who becomes Anippe’s handmaiden after she is found watching Moses from the river bank.<br /><br />This novel has a bit of everything – danger, court and political intrigues, familial and romantic love and a beautiful tale of redemption that encompasses the entire story. The spiritual aspect feels very authentic and natural to the story, and I related to Anippe’s fears and doubts. As her name is changed once again, this time to the Hebrew name of Bithiah, she comes to understand just how worthy she is of a life free from fear and seeing her progress from fear to hope was very uplifting.<br /><br />I am no expert on Egyptian history or a Biblical scholar, so as long as an author stays true to the Biblical account, I am usually lenient when it comes to things that don’t have a definitive answer. The Bible doesn’t name the pharaoh in the story of Moses, and Mesu chooses to use Tut as the Pharaoh that decreed Hebrew baby boys to be killed at birth and his successor as the one who refused the Lord’s demands in Exodus. While I don’t know that I believe them to be two different pharaohs, Mesu does present a plausible story and has clearly done a lot of research. Much of the story takes place well before the events in Exodus, so it’s easy to see Mesu’s story as what “could have been,” and I also appreciated her explanation at the end and what scripture she used as reference.<br /><br />Ultimately when I read fiction set in biblical times, I want to feel prompted to return to the biblical account and look at it with fresh eyes once again. Mesu certainly accomplished that for me in The Pharaoh’s Daughter. It was a thoroughly entertaining, enlightening and profound read that kept me turning those pages well past time to turn in for the night. The Pharaoh’s Daughter is labeled as “A Treasure of the Nile Novel,” so I’m hoping this means more stories (perhaps one about Miriam!) like this one are up next for Mesu. I am eager to read her other published books and whatever story that she pens next. Highly recommended!", "timestamp": 1428944200000, "title": "A Favorite of the Year!" }, { "asin": "1496402243", "rating": 3, "text": "Carrington Hale has spent her entire life preparing for her Choosing ceremony – the day that she is to be chosen to become a wife. After years of careful preparation, she is not prepared for this moment to end in disaster. Instead of being chosen, she must spend the rest of her days serving in the lowest level of society as a Lint. Knowing the Authority cannot be questioned, Carrington prepares herself for a life of toil and drudgery, completely shut off from her family. She soon establishes a connection with another Lint girl, and discovers that there is a whole other side to their society, a rebellion that shakes her beliefs to the core and resonates in her heart in ways that she never imagined. Then Carrington is given an unheard of second chance at the life prepared and dreamed of, but things are not quite what they seem. With an assassin killing Lints and corruption looming in the upper echelons of the Authority, Carrington must find out the truth before it destroys her and those she has come to love.<br /><br />I don’t read a lot of dystopian fiction, but when I saw this as an option to review, I took the chance because I love checking out debut authors, and the premise sounded intriguing to me. From the first chapter, I was drawn into the story. Rachelle starts with a heightened scene that really pulled me into the action. While I found some parts of it to be similar to things I have already read, I still enjoyed her debut novel.<br /><br />The world that Rachelle created here at first seems very simplistic. I think that it’s a little deeper and more involved than it might first appear. I appreciated that details of how the society worked were threaded throughout so as to avoid a big pile of information. The details were mentioned, but I didn’t feel that it was overwhelming at any point. I do wish I could have learned a bit more about its history and what it actually looks like. Even though I learned about the various elements of the government and society, I never really got a feel for what it looked like – was it futuristic, was it part old and part new, did homes look like they do now or are things more uniform? Overall though, I felt that the world building was done well and created a great backdrop for the story.<br /><br />Carrington’s character is interesting, but for me, she didn’t have any special quality or quirk that really brought her to life and established a connection. I felt empathy for her and was compelled to continue reading her story, but never felt that “something” that I look for in main characters. There is a lot of introspection in her character that I found to become repetitive, although I can see her realizations resonating greatly with a lot of readers. I look forward to Carrington learning who she is as a daughter of the true Father.<br /><br />The plot was entertaining, though nothing out of the ordinary. I was fairly certain what was going to happen, but I still enjoyed getting to the heightened scenes in the book. For me there were a few elements that I felt were left a little vague. How did Aaron and his followers meet without detection? Did he live outside of the city or hide somewhere inside? Perhaps more will be revealed about how those who function outside of the Authority live, as Carrington discovers more about who she is as a daughter of the true Father away from that society’s control.<br /><br />I know that this is the first novel is a series, so perhaps I just need to be more patient and wait for more to be revealed in the second book. Overall, The Choosing is very well-written debut novel, and I can see how there is plenty here for the sub-sequent books in the series to delve deeper into Carrington’s society and the rebellion. I recommend this for young adult readers who enjoy dystopian settings.", "timestamp": 1436816652000, "title": "Intriguing Series Start" }, { "asin": "0764212397", "rating": 4, "text": "I am always intrigued by a story that highlights a character that was not well-loved in a previous book. If you’ve read Hearts Made Whole, then you know Tessa wasn’t the most likeable secondary character. It made me so eager to read her story in Undaunted Hope, and the wait was certainly worth it. Tessa has matured and realized the error of her old ways. However, she still has a certain sass and isn’t afraid to step out in a profession that had traditionally been held by men. For me her character is what made this novel shine, along with the vibrant setting and rich historical detail.<br /><br />Tessa is one of my favorite heroines that Jody has written thus far. She’s got spunk that comes across in a realistic way. Her limitations as a woman are true to the time period, when reputation was everything for a woman. This story also portrays an important truth about the consequences of past mistakes. Even after you make the decision to become a different kind of person, the effects of those old choices are hard to overcome. However, with time, effort and God’s help, it can be done. Tessa’s journey as she strives to overcome the mistakes of her past is one that had my complete empathy and admiration.<br /><br />The secondary characters really stand out in this story. Brothers Alex and Michael, the children, and even prickly Nadine create such an endearing group of people. I really enjoyed the development of these relationships and the genuine feeling that is upheld throughout the entire story. The plot is especially well-paced. Everything flows naturally and realistically throughout the story. Though the romance for me isn’t the highlight of this story, it is still Jody’s trademark style, with a dramatic rescue and several tender moments.<br /><br />It seems that I gush about this with every novel of Jody’s, but the historical detail here is so well-done. These people had such a hard life, full of back-breaking, dangerous work. I could imagine the bone-deep cold of the coastal breeze and the helplessness of the miners as they bowed to the whims of selfish boss. That he was based on a real-life historical figure brought even more depth to the story. The setting and time period quickly come to life and stay strong throughout the story’s entirety.<br /><br />I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s so neat that Jody brought back characters from the novella that starts the Beacons of Hope series – it gives the feeling of completion within that storyline, and also provides a little bit of set-up for the next book in the series. I’m always a little sad when I finish one of Jody’s novels because it means another wait for her new release – thankfully the next book is set to come out in June of this year, so we don’t have to wait too long – but it’s also neat to get a glimpse of a character that readers will get to meet soon. If you haven’t read this series yet, definitely do. Though this book could be read as a stand-alone, the story felt even richer having experienced Tessa’s past in the previous book. I highly recommend Undaunted Hope for fans of romantic inspirational historical fiction.", "timestamp": 1454009509000, "title": "Lovely Romance & Great Historical Detail!" }, { "asin": "0310341523", "rating": 3, "text": "This was my first book by Rachel Hauck, and I think perhaps not the best one to start with of her books. I found it to be an intriguing story, but struggled with the telling of it. From the get-go, I was less than thrilled with the four different points of view. Perhaps this shows my youth and frame of mind at this point in life, but I was much more interested in Taylor and Jack's marriage than I was Jimmy and Colette's relationship from years ago. I'm just a reader that would much prefer to get into one or two character's heads and get to know them really well; instead, I felt like I was skimming each person's story. Because of that, some of the story-arcs just fell flat for me.<br /><br />The faith element seems on the nose in some scenes, and while I love the idea of layered family secrets, they were pretty obvious from the beginning of the story. The story seemed to be trying to be a mystery and focused a lot on secrets of the past, whereas I wished it would have focused on the family dynamics of the present-day.<br /><br />I did like Rachel's writing style and found it to be very readable. Again, this is my first book by this author, so please take my opinion for what it is. I did like the book, and I do still want to check out more of Rachel's books, so if anyone has any recommendations of what to try next, I'm all ears.", "timestamp": 1456102121000, "title": "Intriguing Story" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 4, "text": "Colleen Coble is another author that I’m a little behind the curve on reading, and I hope to remedy that further in the future. The Inn at Ocean’s Edge is only the second of her novels that I’ve read, and while I wasn’t blown away by the other novel, this one was a great suspenseful read. This novel provides really great set up for upcoming books in the series, while still in keeping with what appears to be Colleen’s trademark romantic suspense.<br /><br />I think what impressed me most with this story is how quickly the action starts. I love how it starts off with a bang and doesn’t let up until the end. It’s hard to talk about this type of story line without accidentally giving any spoilers, but I was held fast by the mystery. There are several surprising elements, and while some of my suspicions proved to be correct, there were many instances that I wasn’t sure what was going on with certain characters or plotlines. The story ended up being much more layered and intricate than I was expecting, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching everything unfold. There were a few scenes that I thought ended in an odd way, as if it needed just a few more sentences to give it a better sense of completeness, but it may be something that wouldn’t bother super-fans of suspense. While I enjoy it, it’s not the genre that I read most often, so this could just be me<br /><br />The characters, for the most part, react realistically to what is going on around them, and the less desirable characters don’t come off as caricatures, which is often a complaint of mine. Although my life is nothing like Claire’s life, I still found ways to relate to her. There were times that I could have used a bit more depth for the main characters; I did think they had realistic back story’s that created great conflict for their current circumstances. Colleen gives Claire small but impactful characteristics that add a lot of realism to her character and the same can be said of Luke’s character as well.<br /><br />Colleen also does a great job in writing the romance realistically into the story; the romantic moments are genuinely sweet yet realistic and fall naturally within the story’s flow. While Claire and Luke aren’t complete opposites, there’s a softness to him that Claire is drawn to. Their scenes had a spark from the very beginning.<br /><br />The setting is another area that is really well-done. Although I’ve never been to Maine, I feel like I’ve at least been on its coast because of this story. I could easily envision Hotel Tourmaline, as well as the natural landscape of the setting, whether it was a rocky cliff, sandy beach or a cranberry bog. This is a random side note, but I’ve loved the names of her more recent titles – this one gives off a sense of place, as well as a sense of excitement and, perhaps even danger, especially with the words, “ocean’s edge.” Despite it being a hotel more than an inn, the title is very evocative of the story overall.<br /><br />Fans of suspense and of Colleen’s past novels are sure to enjoy this one. Even I, an unseasoned suspense reader, flew through the pages once the mystery hooked me, and I definitely hope to read the next book in the Sunset Cove series.", "timestamp": 1456528716000, "title": "Great Suspense Read!" }, { "asin": "0764210386", "rating": 5, "text": "Flirtation Walk may not usurp my favorite spot of Siri Mitchell’s books, but it is definitely a favorite of the year so far. What an utterly fun and charming story! Siri’s books are always light and fun, but also impart a real truth to the reader. Combine that with winning characters and a unique historical setting, and I'm hooked.<br /><br />Lucinda Pennyworth is a bit of a contradiction. She wants to be respectable and normal, but her years of helping her father with his cons on unsuspecting victims have marked her in ways she doesn’t even realize. As she meets and gets to know her mother’s family, she comes to understand just how hard it will be to shed her present of her past mistakes. At first she uses her father’s tactics almost without realizing it, and I wasn’t sure how much I was going to like her. However, Siri is able to show Lucinda’s potential to the reader even before she herself realizes it. In terms of the faith aspect of the book, there is nothing earth-shattering here, but rather a lighter thread about overcoming past mistakes, forgiving yourself and accepting forgiveness from others.<br /><br />I say this nearly every time I read one of Siri’s books, but it’s true every time – she always chooses unique settings and times in history. In Flirtation Walk, it is West Point Academy and the surrounding town, not many years before the Civil War plunges the nation into chaos. Honestly, I was a little worried before starting the book. How interesting could a story and characters at West Point be? The answer is very interesting on both counts. I loved the tidbits and facts about military life at West Point, how confining it was, yet how much pride the cadets took in their lives there.<br /><br />Seth Westcott is an endearing character and definitely my favorite of the book. Perhaps his decisions seemed unlikely throughout the book, but I think they are supposed to seem that way, especially since they backfire on him. Seth’s friends are some of the most humorous secondary characters that I’ve read about in a while. It was obvious that they each had their own stories; in fact, Siri wrote a short story for Otter, and it suited his character perfectly. The others seem to have their own story as well; perhaps once day Siri will be able to tell their stories as well, but in the meantime, it’s fun to make up what I want to happen in my mind.<br /><br />There are several witty bits of dialogue that I loved, and everything ends well – the ending itself was so winsome and perfectly suited to the characters and their story. This isn’t super serious romantic historical, but rather has a lot of humorous moments. It’s definitely unique and perhaps not for readers that don’t appreciate some comedy in their historicals. I personally have always been drawn to books that stands out from the norm in the Christian fiction world, and Siri’s books have always held that unique element for me. I have one more of her historical fiction novels to read, as well as a couple of her contemporary stories that I haven't gotten to yet. I know that she is going to take a bit of a break from writing now, which is understandable, but bittersweet for this reader. While I read across many genres and types of books, I have Siri to thank for sparking my love of Christian fiction, especially as a reader who once scoffed at it, and only gave it a chance because of her book She Walks in Beauty. So, thank you, Siri, for daring to write books that don't fall in line perfectly with the rest of CBA, and I'll be waiting for your next novel, whenever it may come.", "timestamp": 1458873157000, "title": "Endearing Characters & Lovely Historical Details" }, { "asin": "0310338492", "rating": 3, "text": "Lydia Bancroft is a very unconventional lady - not only is she yet to be married, but she also works as a librarian and relishes her work there. Despite finding satisfaction in the lending library, she can't help but be drawn to a mysterious library patron. After an alarming incident between her and her fiance takes place, witnessed by this mysterious patron, her life takes a strange, exciting turn.<br /><br />The unique premise of this novel and the unusual circumstance of Lydia being a librarian drew me into this story. Lydia is reserved, but has a strong intellect. I really loved the moments that she stuck up for herself and proved that there was more to her than just being a shy librarian. Sebastian Marks is a self-made man, and though his chosen profession may not be entirely genteel, he has built himself into a better person through his own temerity. I love how the intrigue starts off and doesn't let up for basically the entire story; the romance is fairly light but still heartfelt, with the mystery taking center stage for the majority of the story.<br /><br />Although I found all of the characters to have intriguing personal stories, my preference is for the story to focus on just one or two main characters, so bear that in mind when reading my review. Secondary characters are wonderful, of course, but I didn't feel a deep connection with the other main characters. I'm not exactly sure what is was, but for the majority of the story, I was only a passive observer rather than really inside the characters heads. I also felt that some scenes unfolded a bit unrealistically; some of the more dangerous, tense scenes fell a bit flat for me.<br /><br />Despite feeling like it didn't completely come through in all of the character interactions, I did appreciate the focus on friendship and loyalty that the other main characters portrayed. It was nice to not have the plot focus so much on romance, but rather friend relationships. The story portrays how people from different backgrounds and experiences can still inspire one another to be better.<br /><br />Random side-thought, but yay for a character that wears spectacles! Since I'm bespectacled, I liked that a lot. Although, I have to say, I wish that the cover model was either wearing them or holding them or something. And be still my heart that Sebastian though to carry them in his pocket so they wouldn't be damaged - loved that sweet moment.<br /><br />Even though Whispers in the Reading Room didn't make it onto my favorites list, I did enjoy it, and I do want to eventually go back and read the first two books in the series.", "timestamp": 1465620497000, "title": "Unique Premise and Leading Librarian" }, { "asin": "0692691154", "rating": 4, "text": "I am so glad that Jody decided to go the untraditional route to publish Forever Safe. Although the first two books in the series are my favorites, this was a worthy conclusion to the Beacons of Hope series. Ever since Victoria appeared in book three, I knew that she had a story of her own! Forever Safe is full of an endearing romance and historical details of life surrounding a lighthouse, as well as some exciting tense moments toward the end.<br /><br />Stories that feature characters from way different walks of life always intrigue me, and that intrigue certainly holds true with Victoria and Tom. Though kind-hearted, Victoria is a pampered, spoiled young lady from a wealthy family. Tom’s origins are much more humble, and he worked make a profession for himself. From the get-go, their interactions are laced with tension because of these differences, and it is only when they are drawn by necessity from their respective roles that they begin to see that, despite their differences, they both have much to offer.<br /><br />Once again, some of my favorite details were of daily life as a light keeper and the duties that come with it. There is something charming about life around a lighthouse, yet there is always the feeling that something dangerous could happen at any moment – though much was routine, the idea that the surrounding seas may change in a moment was ever present. The climactic scenes really held my attention, and the emotion and resolve of the characters shone brightly in those moments.<br /><br />I loved the overall message of this story as well – the idea that there are always going to be things in life to fear, but you can’t let that stop you from making a decision and living. Victoria’s fears are grounded mostly in supposition and worry for tomorrow, whereas Tom lets past events and traumas color his present decisions. Though they were different types of fear, Jody did a lovely job at portraying that the same gumption and faith is required to overcome them – that fear doesn’t always go away, but it can be dealt with through faith and perseverance.<br /><br />Thought it’s a bit of a bummer to have this series done, I was entirely satisfied with this last book in the Beacons of Hope series. I wholeheartedly recommend for readers looking for a sweet, romantic story.", "timestamp": 1465677691000, "title": "Lovely Conclusion to the Series!" }, { "asin": "1434708381", "rating": 5, "text": "Jilted is a wonderful conclusion to the Mended Hearts series. Though I was sad to say goodbye to these characters, I was thrilled for all of the secrets to be revealed and for things to come full circle for Lynda Turner. I connected to her story on a very personal level and was so pleased with how things turned out for her. Her voice is crystal clear; Varina has done such a wonderful job keeping the voices of her three different narrators in each book separate and unique, while still remaining consistent with the clarity and humor found in her writing.<br /><br />The way that Varina handles the topic of depression is to be appreciated. Though Lynda suffers from depression, the story itself is hopeful, yet realistic in regards to how she struggles with her low points. Although Lynda does has let her depression get the best of her in the past, once things come to light, it brings a whole other layer to her character and to just how strong she had to be despite many people thinking the worst of her.<br /><br />If any saying applies to this story, it’s that “appearances can be deceiving.” By all of the local accounts, Lynda was just a depressed, broken woman, and Clyde Felton a dangerous ex-convict, but many looked that far and no farther. Meanwhile, one of the town’s elite is hiding secrets that would shock the town to the core. Though in some things in the plot were expected, these revelations and what they meant for Lynda kept me flipping the pages eagerly. Toward the end of the story, her personal journey moved me to tears. I was so moved by the reminder that it’s only later that we can see the good in a bad situation, that once the haze of grief and anger have faded, we can see the God placed others in our lives to be the hand that lifts us up, if we’re only willing to reach out and take it. He is eager to fill our cups to overflowing, if we just hold it out to Him.<br /><br />I have absolutely loved this series, and though it’s hard to pick, I think Jilted might be my favorite of the three – although that Ruthie is just a sassy as a secondary character as she is in her own story. These characters really came to life for me; Varina doesn’t sugarcoat situations, but nor does she add unnecessary detail that could make the story feel overly dramatic. Instead, I reveled in the true-to-life ups and downs of these characters, and rejoiced in the powerful message of this story.<br /><br />Varina is one of my favorite new authors, and I can’t wait to see what she brings readers next. If you are looking for an inspirational story about real, messy, wonderful characters, this story is for you. I highly recommend the Mended Hearts series – and I definitely think it’s best to read them in order, so started with Jaded, move on to Justified and savor a well-done ending in Jilted.", "timestamp": 1467165888000, "title": "My favorite of the series!" }, { "asin": "031033344X", "rating": 4, "text": "The Mountain Midwife opens with an engaging scene that pulled me immediately into Ashley Toliver’s world – that of a midwife for the women of a small Appalachian community. Awakened in the night, the last thing that Ashley expects is an abduction of her patient right after the birth. This light mystery takes off from there, pulling in another mystery of Hunter McDermott’s birth mother. Both of these threads intertwine nicely as the story progresses, as well as the growing friendship between Ashley and Hunter.<br /><br />There is a nice atmosphere found in this story – the feel of the small community is fully realized, and I loved the strong sense of heritage that Ashley has for her home. I enjoy when an author gives a character an authentic history that feels real to me, as this one did. The plot also flows nicely. The mystery thread is light and more my speed, since I don’t like super scary, crime-based stories.<br /><br />I felt like some of the ending scenes came across as a little bit anticlimactic. There are also some loose ends that I felt like weren’t tied up – perhaps to leave room for a sequel? I definitely felt like there are secondary characters in this story that could have their own and would be interested in reading those. I was also bummed at how easily things wrapped up for Ashley – I thought there would be more of a compromise regarding one big issue in her life. It seemed a bit glossed over, but that’s just my opinion. Other readers may not feel that way at all.<br /><br />The details about midwifery really grabbed my attention; Ashely had such deep roots, and the details about her job held my interest – and for anyone worried about there being too much detail, don’t be – I thought it was enough details to understand the situation and even learn from it, but not more information than was needed. I also thought it was neat how the author made Ashley and her friend Heather a descendant of characters in her historical series about midwives – I’ve read this first book, and this story actually makes me want to read the other two.<br /><br />Overall, this is an engaging story, with a lot of compelling elements, and a light mystery at its core - and I hope it's the beginning of a series. These characters have more stories to tell, I'm sure of it.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to do a review, and the views expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1475961978000, "title": "Light, Romantic Mystery" }, { "asin": "0310395933", "rating": 5, "text": "In Love Takes the Cake, Charlotte Cantrell knows what she’s about – providing brides with delicious cakes for their wedding day. What she doesn’t count on is being drawn to a regular customer, Will, who comes every week to buy cookies for the mysterious “Melissa.” Humorous misunderstandings abound in this confection of a story. I haven’t read any of Betsy St. Amant’s full length novels, but definitely want to after enjoying this fun story. The story could easily find its home on the Hallmark channel (and really who is complaining about that?), but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t also a dose of realism thanks to the back stories of both Charlotte and Will. The unraveling of the tangled threads of misunderstandings is a joy to read.<br /><br />I admit that The Perfect Arrangement was the story I was most eager to read, simple because I am always eager to read anything that Katie Ganshert writes. I was expecting a charming story, but this one truly blew me away. Amelia Mason is a bit quirky and a very relatable character. I’m a big fan of epistolary style narratives, so I love how the author includes email to tell the story. It’s a fresh twist that adds a lot of fun and charm to the characters interactions – Nate is a particularly endearing male lead. This may seem a small thing, but I also appreciated that she included a family with step-siblings. It’s not something I’ve seen much in Christian fiction, but it’s a real part of life, and it is done very well here. I also found the story of how Amelia came to own a flower shop and how it got its name to be such an endearing part of the story. This is one of my favorite novellas I’ve read in 2016.<br /><br />Love in the Details is nothing less than what I expect from a Becky Wade story – the characters are endearing, and it’s easy to root for them the entire time. She realistically portrays two people who were once in a relationship, meeting again after many years and different roads of life. It’s a genuinely sweet story that had me smiling while reading because they are just such likeable people. I appreciated the cautious, realistic way that they began to reconnect with one another – their reconnection doesn’t move too fast, nor does it drag, but rather it strikes the perfect balance with the length of the story. I also liked getting a peek into Holly’s writer life – I’m sure the author pulls from personal experience there, so it was fun to read about that.<br /><br />I know that many readers start picking up Christmas books well before the month of December rolls around. But before you pick up your Christmas books, I highly recommend squeezing a bit of “fall” into your reading this month with this wonderfully charming collection.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own.", "timestamp": 1479575023000, "title": "Perfect Trio of Stories!" }, { "asin": "0764218212", "rating": 5, "text": "Set during the tumultuous time of Israel’s beginning as a unified nation, Shadow of the Storm brings the life of the Hebrew tribes into sharp relief. Through the eyes of Shira, a woman still fighting the battles of her past, readers see these events firsthand through engrossing first-person narration. Shira’s insecurities make her a realistic, relatable character. My heart was stirred and found kinship with her; doubts and fears keep her from fully embracing her desire to be a midwife. Despite having a natural talent for it, her self-doubt and mistakes keep her from moving forward.<br /><br />There are times where it feels like books were placed in my life exactly when I needed it. The<br />Story takes on a personal level, and I see myself in the character so strongly, that I know that the timing is no accident. This was completely and entirely my experience while reading Shadow of the Storm and discovering Shira’s story. It was a joy to see Kiya, Eben and Jumo again. The friendship between Shira and Kiya is definitely a highlight of the story, and I’m glad that the familial relationships didn’t get lost in the plot or any romantic elements. Ayal is an intriguing character – despite not knowing his true intentions and a shaky beginning, I found myself wanting his character to be constant.<br /><br />Dvorah is one character that served a dual purpose for me. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about the addition of another character’s perspective, but as the story continues, Cossette does something that not many authors accomplish – make an unlikable, deplorable character provoke empathy within me. I found myself reacting strongly to Dvorah’s decisions – and by strongly, I distinctly remember saying out loud to my husband that I wanted to punch her in the face…um, oops? Seriously though, any read that elicits such an emotion from me is a winner in my book.<br /><br />In addition to providing a superb antagonist, Dvorah brought in an outsider perspective as well. I had honestly never really thought of how wild it would have been for so many people, from so many different backgrounds, would have functioned as a whole, while traveling through the desert. I suppose I never thought about the fact that, with the Hebrew tribes, some groups might have just been “tagging along,” for lack of a better phrase, because it was better than the life they left behind. Just because they were following Moses out of Egypt didn’t mean they left their prejudices and ingrained beliefs behind, nor did it mean that their beliefs aligned with the Hebrews. These differences and the issues that arose from them are fascinating and add a great element to the story.<br /><br />This powerful story has everything I look for in a novel. I was held riveted by the plot, Shira’s character, and the tender romance. Most importantly, this is a faith-affirming story that reminds reader of how God uses trials and setbacks to bolster faith and keep our eyes set on Him. This is one of my favorite books of 2016, and I am so looking forward to book 3 in the Out from Egypt series, Wings of the Wind. I highly recommend Shadow of the Storm to readers who enjoy Biblical fiction and an immersive first-person narrative.", "timestamp": 1479775248000, "title": "Superb Addition to the Series!" }, { "asin": "0718077911", "rating": 5, "text": "A Portrait of Emily Price is Katherine Reay at her best. The tone and main character are reminiscent of Dear Mr. Knightley, the realistic situations akin to Lizzy and Jane, and the international aspect nods to The Bronte Plot. I was happy to see her return to the overall tone that she brought readers in Dear Mr. Knightley. Though they were very different characters, Emily’s first-person voice had me enchanted in the same way that I was with Sam. While the family situations were complex, there is a beautiful simplicity in the way that things occur. There was never a moment where I willingly put this book down, and I was always eager to pick it back up.<br /><br />Usually whirlwind type romances don’t do much for me. I struggle with the realism and can’t get into the magic of it all. But from the moment that Emily met Ben, I felt like their biggest cheerleader! Yes, I was wondering how this was all going to play out, but I was rooting for them all the way. The author completely pulls it off – Ben is total book-boyfriend material. I did appreciate the realistic way that, despite how quickly their relationship moves, it was still a back and forth of misunderstanding and miscommunications, but also a sweet rendering of a new marriage. For readers that are not as big a fan of romance as myself, never fear – although this might be Reay’s most romantic story yet, Emily’s personal growth and a poignant family story take the prime spot in the narrative – and what a joy it is to watch it all unfold. The secondary characters are genuine and not to be overlooked. I particularly adored the relationship between Emily and Ben’s dad, Lucio – his character over all is one of the most gorgeous portrayals of fatherly love that I’ve read in a long while.<br /><br />Several aspects just make this story – that of art and Italy – and food! Emily’s job as a restorer is fascinating to read about, and I also loved watching her grow in confidence at an artist as well. The setting of a small Italian village is so picturesque and full of charm – from the cozy library in the family home, to the cobblestone streets of the village, I fell in love with it all. Ben’s charm is never as beguiling as the times he is in the kitchen, although the story paints an accurate picture of the precarious nature of the restaurant business, but more importantly, how food, family and tradition intertwine. And while there might be times where metaphors are overused in stories, or perhaps too many are used at once, here the combination of art restoration and creation provide a gorgeous comparison for the events of the story.<br /><br />My most favorite aspect of this story is how Emily proves to be a huge catalyst for change in Ben’s family, all the while trying to maintain a flimsy control of her new life in Italy and discover just what her roll is as a member of it. As Emily uncovers a painting in the local church, the secrets of Ben’s family are uncovered as well. While the faith elements are a lighter thread throughout the first part of the story, the latter half is suffused with a beautiful message of forgiveness and grace.<br /><br />I am always so pleased to read a Katherine Reay novel, but even more so when it’s as poignant and lovingly crafted as A Portrait of Emily Price. Highly recommended.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1480384995000, "title": "Her Best Book Yet!" }, { "asin": "149640646X", "rating": 4, "text": "I am very particular about the authors that I follow when it comes to Biblical fiction. Tessa Afshar is one author whose books I will always pick up and expect to be enthralled by the story. Land of Silence grabbed my heart from page one. She created a provocative, engrossing story for the woman with the issue of blood. When I first heard that this would be the basis for her new book, I admit, I did wonder how she was going to make it work. I wasn’t worried, of course, but I did wonder how she would choose to tell this story. She takes a figure that appears in one scene with the Bible and fleshes out her story into something beautiful – a tapestry, if you will, that rivals the beauty of the fabric creations in Elianna’s household.<br /><br />The characterization of Elianna is superb; her voice in the first person narration style is crystal clear and distinct. I love that she chose to tell the story in first-person. I think it made the telling of such a personal, emotionally-charged story that much more poignant and compelling. Speaking of fabric and tapestries, the details about fabric production, dyeing and even the selling and trading are fascinating and greatly enhanced my reading experience.<br /><br />This author excels at creating strong women that suit the setting and time period, and Elianna is truly an inspiring character. She is determined and wants to take care of her family, yet her pride keeps her from accepting help from her betrothed, Ethan. The novel spans many years, and I ached with her and cheered for her as she matures throughout the story. The way that she is battered by life circumstance and then later on by physical ailments, yet still holds tight to her faith, makes her a compelling character. I can’t let the review go without mentioning Ethan again – enduring, steadfast Ethan. The scenes between these two spark with feeling, and he matches Elianna’s stubbornness with a hard head of his own.<br /><br />The groundwork for the story is set up in a strong way. The opening scenes set up perfectly both the despair and hope that are to come. Stricken by grief, guilt and condemnation, Elianna works hard to be the perfect daughter and basically run her father’s textile business on her own. However, all of her hard work cannot prepare her for what’s to come. Looking back, I am once again impressed that the novel wasn’t bogged down with despair. Much of the novel is leading to her lowest point, but I never wanted to put it down – the story flows that well and is that engrossing. Though there were some times I felt that the pacing was a bit slow, the events that took place felt realistic and naturally placed in the story. It is only through reaching her lowest point, that the most important event of her life takes place – that of touching the hem of Jesus’s robe and finding physical healing, yes, but, more importantly, deep, irrevocable love, free of condemnation.<br /><br />Afshar’s writing just keeps getting better and better, and fans of her previous novels will not be disappointed in the slightest. I highly recommend this novel for readers of Biblical fiction, but also for any reader looking for a strong story of healing and redemption.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this novel, and I chose to review it. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1517601525606, "title": "Another Winning Story by Afshar" }, { "asin": "0800728734", "rating": 5, "text": "Charming, mysterious, romantic, fun, and swoon-worthy, A Rumored Fortune is Politano’s second novel, and, wow, does it deliver for this reader.<br /><br />There is such a strong atmosphere to sink into within these pages. The setting is a castle, its grounds home to a vineyard. Though her castle home is important and much loved, it is the vineyard that captured Tressa's mind, as it had previously captured her father's before his mysterious death. However, both castle and vineyard have the funds that they need to keep going, as her father's fortune is hidden in a place that only he knew.<br /><br />I adored Tressa’s character. Though Victorian Era heroines often have the misfortune of things happening to them rather than making things happen (which while aggravating to modern thought, is probably more realistic), Tressa is a realistic balance of delicate yet driven. She’s not afraid of doing things on her own but is also acutely aware of her own vulnerability and still bound to an extent to society’s expectations.<br /><br />The secondary characters are by turns intriguing, suspicious, and charming. I loved the relationship between Tressa and her lady’s maid, Lucy. Of course, her burgeoning friendship with Donegan Vance, the man her father hired to care for the vineyard captured my attention with ease, while her re-introduction to her former suitor, Andrew Carrington, made me question everyone’s motives, especially with a vast fortune involved.<br /><br />The faith element is strong throughout the novel, and while alluded to often, it always feels genuine and in keeping with the characters themselves. I found it to be refreshing and well-done; it is especially neat the way the care and keeping of a vineyard ties in so well with Tressa’s personal journey in such a natural way.<br /><br />This is only the tenth novel this year that I’ve given five stars. The exquisite blend of lovely writing, endearing characters, mysterious plot, and a gorgeous romance make A Rumored Fortune one of my favorite reads of the year!<br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a review, positive or otherwise, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1533512433595, "title": "Charming, Swoon-worthy Second Novel" }, { "asin": "1683228685", "rating": 4, "text": "The White City is a vibrant mystery, with more of a cozy feel than a sinister one. I've read some non-fiction accounts of H.H. Holmes, and it's really quite gruesome. The extent of his depravity and evil is not touched on here, as this story takes place nearer to the beginning of his terrible acts. However, there is enough that the danger is real and present throughout the pages of this book.<br /><br />At first I was a bit worried that Winnie was going to be too silly, but I was soon won over by her vivacity and charm. Her interactions with Detective Jude Thorpe are fun and sweet, and even though I don't enjoy a love triangle, even Percival won me over (I wouldn't mind seeing him in a future novel). Winnie is also a complete bookworm, so what's not to love about that. As with any bookworm though, occasionally our imagination might get the best of us - which is what happens to Winnie. She has to prove to her father that she knows what she's talking about and can back up her claims with evidence. Hence, where the sleuthing and danger come into play. Winnie's family plays a significant role in this story, as does romance, so if you're looking for suspense alone, that's not this title. I for one enjoyed the mix, and once I realized it was more of a cozy mystery, the story flowed well for me. I also found the descriptions of the city and the World's Fair to be lovely and a great backdrop for the events of the story.<br /><br />I enjoyed this debut novel; it shows great promise for the stories that I know are to come from Grace Hitchcock.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to post a positive review, and the thoughts expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1552672505439, "title": "Fun Historical Romance" }, { "asin": "0785223169", "rating": 4, "text": "In The Governess of Penwythe Hall, Ladd’s trademark handling of setting, characters, and romance are back in full force. The harsh landscape of Cornwall comes to life, complete with its dramatic coastline and the seemingly endless moors. This is just the place that widow and governess Delia Greythorne is forced back to after the death of her employer. Cornwall, a place of heartache for her, might hold the keys to moving on with her life, if she can combat dangers arising from her past.<br /><br />After a slow start, it was hard for me to put this one down. The plot builds nicely, each element building on another to create an entertaining read. Delia is a strong character, but not unrealistically so. She is fully aware of her position in the world, but still retains her dignity. One of my favorite parts of the story is the blossoming relationship between Jac Tretheway, Penwythe Hall’s owner, and the orphaned children. His priorities must shift, and I enjoyed his shift from duty to love.<br /><br />This is a lovely opening to Sarah E. Ladd’s new series, and I eagerly await The Thief of Lanwyn Manor’s release in 2020. Recommended to fans of historical romance with a healthy dose of intrigue and a dash of suspense.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1556578455672, "title": "Lovely Series Opener!" }, { "asin": "0785222006", "rating": 4, "text": "A bookshop, lists of books, and friendship - what more could a bibliophile want out of a story? A book about books and bookshops and bookish things is a delight to be sure because \"that's what books do...they are a conversation, and introduce us to ourselves and to others,\" as the beloved Maddie of this book says.<br /><br />These are just the base elements that blend together to make the rich, layered tale that is The Printed Letter Bookshop. More than \"just\" books, this story is about making peace with life and those in it and choosing to be in charge of your own story: \"It's like you live in those classics you love, in some odd third-person narration, as if you aren't in charge of your own story. Who is, if not you, for goodness' sake?\"<br /><br />The story is about three women, Madeline, Claire, and Janet, and also one person and place around which their lives meet: Maddie, the owner of a bookshop, and the bookshop itself. Though at first I was taken aback by the three different narrators, I ended up liking all three of them quite a bit. While I typically prefer only one or two narrators, I felt equally interested in the lives of all three women. I enjoyed watching the relationship between them unfold. I loved the realness of each one, their struggles and their triumphs, and the often messy yet wonderful nature of life shines throughout the entire story.<br /><br />Though it doesn't top out as my favorite Reay book, she has written another charming yet deep story that is sure to meet a lot of readers right where they are in life.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not require to give a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1559851759910, "title": "Charming yet Deep" } ]

[ { "asin": "1595545395", "rating": 4, "text": "This was such a sweet, fun book! Lucy is a cute heroine, and I love how she isn't perfect or \"beautiful\" in that cheesy way. That is way overdone these days, it seems! I was expecting the ultimate cheese from this book, and while it is a fun romance, it actually deals with some really serious issues despite it's appearance. I'm not even that much of a reader of Chick-Lit, nor do I usually like Contemporary novels, and I still really enjoyed this one. Some aspects of the plot are a bit unrealistic, but then again, the whole concept of faking an engagement/relationship is pretty crazy, so I was able to go along with it. I look forward to reading Jones' other novels.", "timestamp": 1314462852000, "title": "Light and Fun Summer Read" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 5, "text": "I have a hard time believing that Spring for Susannah is Richmond's debut novel! She writes like she already has several novels under her belt. This one is definitely a notch above the typical Christian Historical Fiction. Richmond completely drew me in with the sincerity of the story. Nothing is watered down and easy just because they believe in God. This book can definitely be viewed as two different parts. In the first part, Susannah is very timid and shy, but once she has to be on her own for a while, I really began to root for her. Her character developement was awesome.<br /><br />I also would like to thank Richmond for portraying the marriage between Susannah and Jesse as she did. They are one of the most realistic couples that I've read thus far in the genre. It seems that some authors shy away from portraying a real married relationship, but not Richmond. Nothing was graphic or overdone, but the intimacy in their relationship and their love for one another was evident. As one who has recently married, I found it so accurate and sincere.<br /><br />My one issue is that I found the ending to be somewhat abrupt. They were re-united, and then it seemed the book was over.<br /><br />I hope Richmond is already at work on her next novel; I can only imagine that she will continue to impress!", "timestamp": 1314463223000, "title": "Awesome Debut!" }, { "asin": "0849946158", "rating": 3, "text": "I found this to be a faith-affirming and uplifting story. I was challenged to think beyond some vague idea of heaven because of Colton's experience, and I really liked that. I can't imagine going through what that family went through, but like they said, it had a purpose.<br /><br />I do wish that some of the details that Colton mentioned were given a more \"scholarly\" approach. Don't get me wrong, I am not necessarily doubting that he experienced these things. There were just a couple of details that I could not find in the Bible. I wish that every time Colton made a point about heaven there would have been an exact place to find it in scripture. Todd did this for the majority of the time, and I found myself more moved and more comfortable with it than the times he did not. For example, I was uncomfortable with his descriptions of angels having wings as to my knowledge no angel ever appeared to a human in the Bible that had wings. I had thought the cherubim & seraphim do, but to my knowledge no where in the Bible does it mention that God's messengers have wings. Another detail I did not understand was Jesus' rainbow horse. I even tried to look it up (I am by no means a biblical scholar and know I am constantly overlooking things). I found mentions of a pale horse, a red horse, a white horse and a black horse (not that Jesus was riding all of them), but no where could I find a \"rainbow\" horse.<br /><br />Overall, I did like Heaven is for Real, but felt the need to \"be a Berean\" as they say, and check all things against scripture. I will take in the good things that this book (or any book) has to offer, and for my hard facts about what heaven is like, I will stick to the Word.", "timestamp": 1373138495000, "title": "Uplifting but not enough scripture backing for me" }, { "asin": "0764210416", "rating": 4, "text": "A thoroughly enjoyable novel, Tide and Tempest has a great blend of my favorite elements. Full of history, mystery, suspense, and a sincere romance, this read had a little bit of everything that my reading-heart could desire.<br /><br />The characters were portrayed in a realistic way, and I related so much with their internal conflicts. Both Tillie and Captain Morgan carried burdens of guilt and responsibility inside, and while the external conflict swirled with danger and intrigue, the internal conflict made these characters come alive for me. I also liked that their problems weren’t solved by romance or “insta-love.” They had to deal with those internal struggles first before letting someone into their heart and move on with their lives.<br /><br />I liked the pace of the plot too. It strikes a nice balance between character interaction and action scenes. I appreciated that the suspenseful moments made sense and flowed well. Sometimes I think that action sequences are a little jumbled and confusing, but here I didn’t find anything like that.<br /><br />I loved the atmosphere of the setting, especially the boarding house where Tillie lived. The entire setting was well-done from the dress shop where Tillie worked, to the apothecary shop in a rather unsavory part of town. There was a distinctive quality to each place in the story.<br /><br />Another sign of a great read is when the secondary characters come to life – for me, this character was Captain Morgan’s brother, Cass. In fact, I think he deserves his own story, and I am sort of hoping that some of the events that took place in this story are set up for him to have his own story one day!<br /><br />I am a sucker for dashing captains, especially if they hail from Ireland, and a roguish brother is not too bad either (wink, wink). The ending wraps everything up nicely, though not without some tension and heartache getting there. I was happy to get a happily-ever-after.<br /><br />This is my first read by Elizabeth Ludwig, and it definitely won’t be my last! I haven’t read the first two books in this series, but that didn’t prove to be an issue for my enjoyment of Tide and Tempest. Happy am I to say that I have the first book already on my Kindle and won the second book in a giveaway. Now I can learn that backstory of the other secondary characters in this story, and I know it will be a treat.", "timestamp": 1395668433000, "title": "A little bit of everything!" }, { "asin": "0764211692", "rating": 5, "text": "A Bride in Store is a worthy follow-up to the first novel in this series. In fact, I believe that her characters are even more developed, the writing more finessed and the plot tighter. I was especially taken with the unique plot points that she included in the story. Bereft of the store she used to run for her father, Eliza Cantrell travels to Kansas to be a mail-order bride for a man who owns a store, hoping that she will find a willing partner in both the store and marriage, if not complete happiness. The story starts with a bang in an unexpected train robbing scene. From the get go, it’s obvious that our Eliza is a quick-thinker and is not afraid to fight for what is rightfully hers. I really enjoyed her personality; she is entirely a lady of the times, but also unique in that she wants to be the owner and proprietor of her own store. She is not so forward-thinking that she wasn’t realistic to the time-period, but is still certainly distinct.<br /><br />The setting of 1881 Salt Flatts, Kansas feels authentic, as do the details about businesses at that time. I also found the details about healthcare back then fascinating; they really added a lot to the story. Some of the tidbits were tragic, but true to the time period when sickness and often death were simply an everyday matter. The side characters added great layers to the story; I especially loved Mrs. Lightfoot, the proprietor of the boarding house where Eliza lived. Without giving away too many details, I found her story to be intriguing and unexpected, and the relationship she and Eliza developed to be engaging.<br /><br />I admit that Will Stanton is not my typical favorite male lead, but he definitely grew on me as the story progressed. He is a thoughtful and somewhat reserved, yet he is selfless and doesn’t find worth in himself. Will dreams of studying to become a doctor, but in the meantime, takes care of his friend Axel’s store. Thrown off by Eliza’s early arrival, he allows her to work in the store until Axel’s return. I could really feel the tension and pull of attraction between them as Axel’s absence stretches into weeks. As their dreams and hopes for the future pull them in different directions, they navigate this new territory that springs up between them. Though I was never unsure of what the outcome would be, the journey getting there was a satisfying one. There was one plot twist regarding Axel that I actually did not see coming at all, so that was fun. Overall, there was quite a bit more action than what I originally thought.<br /><br />The spiritual aspect of the novel touched on several things, but the most prominent one for me was seeking God’s will for your life, and how sometimes your ideals and dreams don’t always align with that will. Sometimes you have to be willing to adapt and change your mind about things. I enjoyed watching Eliza and Will work through these things, even though at times it is painful, the outcome was better than they imagined.<br /><br />A Bride in Store was a great blend of unique historical details, endearing romance and well-rounded characters who experienced relatable dilemmas. Just an all-around fun read for me. I’m looking forward to Melissa Jagears next book. 4.5 stars!", "timestamp": 1411223159000, "title": "Great second novel!" }, { "asin": "0764210378", "rating": 5, "text": "Charlotte Withersby’s dearest wish is to study her beloved blooms as a botanist. She wants to be left alone by her uncle, society and most certainly by her father’s new assistant, an interloper named Mr. Trimble. In a time when women’s views and expertise in botany are not given credence, Charlotte must rely upon the name of her father, a well-known botanist, to publish her own work. When her uncle and father insist that she take on society to snare a husband, Charlotte is sure Mr. Trimble’s lackluster help will soon bring her back to her position as her father’s assistant and put all of the marriage nonsense to rest. What Charlotte doesn’t account for is finding actual suitors, nor is she prepared for the questions that be thrust into society will bring – is her merit in her work or does it lie within herself?<br /><br />Siri always chooses to write about historical elements that are usually not anything that I’ve read about in another novel. She is a brave author in the sense that she chooses to tackle story elements and character traits that are not widely used. In this case, it was the science of botany. The botany details are fascinating and add a lot of depth to Charlotte’s character development and intellectual tendencies. Charlotte’s quirks are so unique to her character. Siri’s characters and settings are never the norm, which is why her books continue to be a delight to read.<br /><br />This novel is more on the humorous side, and nowhere is that more evident than in the main character, Charlotte. She is quirky, and if I may, sometimes a bit odd. At first, I wasn’t sure how to take her, but as I read on, she grew on me. There is a possibility that she may not be for everyone; there were times that I was exasperated with her, but at the same time, she is extremely refreshing. She is everything that society is not – she is blunt, unpretentious and lacks the knowledge of all of the social niceties that are expected of her. In her heart of hearts, she wants to take care of her father and wants to be valued for her intellectual abilities, and moreover, wants herself to be enough, no more, no less.<br /><br />There were also some compelling side characters present in this story. I loved her new-found companion, Miss Templeton - the scenes with her were full of humor, and I loved how she took Charlotte under her wing and had a feeling that she found Charlotte refreshing as well. Their friendship and back-and-forth banter was entertaining to read. Her uncle, her self-named chaperone during all of her social outings is rather enigmatic at first, but as the story progresses, his character and background are revealed, and I was pleasantly surprised by the depth in the interactions between him and Charlotte.<br /><br />Mr. Trimble may not be the conventional hero, but I felt that he fit well within the story, and his character is very endearing. Despite being declared the enemy by Miss Templeton, it’s soon very clear that he isn’t the usurper that he appears to be and that he has his own reasons for becoming an assistant to a reclusive botanist. I wanted more interaction between him and Charlotte, and while the enemies turned lovers storyline sometimes wears on me, it works well in this story, and provides some humorous and also heartfelt exchanges between him and Charlotte.<br /><br />Whenever I pick a Siri Mitchell novel I know that I am in for something unique and fascinating. She always takes on topics that stand out, this story lives up to the standard I’ve come to expect in Siri’s novels. Although I’ve enjoyed all of her novels, this one definitely stands out as one I’ve enjoyed most. With a quirky main character, a sweet romance and a fascinating look at the world of botany, Like a Flower in Bloom is a favorite read of the year so far.", "timestamp": 1428698443000, "title": "Quirky, witty and altogether fun! :)" }, { "asin": "1414398697", "rating": 4, "text": "Abigail Pressman’s dream is to expand Book Nook, the beloved store she inherited from her father. In Love’s Park, a town obsessed with love and all things romantic, being single is an anomaly, so her dreams for her store are her salvation. When the owner of the building sells the entire space to a doctor new to town, she fears her dream will never come to fruition. In a secret match-making scheme, the Valentine Volunteers, the ladies who keep the tradition of stamping mail with the city’s postmark, attempt to pull Abigail into their fold. Despite herself, Abigail is drawn to the stringed paper hearts that she discovers among the Volunteers letters, even as she is drawn to the handsome doctor next door. This doctor doesn’t match the “dream-killer” she wanted to picture in her mind, and Abigail begins questions if her dream is her dream at all or just a crutch to stop her from reaching for what she really wants. A new string of paper hearts appears, leading Abigail to believe that something tragic happened to the couple who wrote them. As she uncovers more of the mystery couple’s story, Abigail fears that it will confirm her worst doubts about love, or even scarier, set her life on a path to a new dream entirely.<br /><br />Paper Hearts is a charming story. Walsh’s writing flows really well from scene to scene, and I loved the setting. The town almost felt like a character in and of itself and was so well-established on the outset of the story. I loved the small-town, everyone-knows-everyone vibe that stayed through the entire story. I really related to Abigail’s character, and I think most readers out there will. Not only is she a reader herself, she is artsy and quirky – someone I’d love to meet in real life. I could easily understand and empathize with her frustrations about the dreams for her store, and I wanted to see her succeed despite the obstacles she was facing.<br /><br />Personally, I cared more about her personal struggles than the romantic aspect of the book, which may not have been the intention. While I found Jacob, the male lead, to be a genuine, empathetic character, I couldn’t entirely get behind their relationship. For me, it was hard to come to terms with the way it progressed; they were supposed to be enemies, yet they were falling for one another. There were times that it just didn’t work for me. When the conflict didn’t center on the external conflict keeping them apart, but rather their internal conflicts, I enjoyed the story more. They were more solid characters apart than they were together, and for romantic reads, I want the couple to be complete as individuals, but also believable as a couple. Even so, the later scenes between them are sweet, but not in a syrupy way at all. My heart was definitely smiling at those scenes.<br /><br />There are also some strange shifts in point of view into the Valentine Volunteer meetings that some readers might find a bit jarring at first, simply because they are unexpected. The characters that comprise the Valentine Volunteers are actually quite humorous. The mixture of newly married, middle-aged and elderly “bah-humbug” ladies made for a funny combination, and once I realized that those shifts were coming, I fell into them easily.<br /><br />The spiritual element is woven throughout the story in a natural way, and I could really relate to the idea that sometimes prayers are answered in ways you never expected, sometimes in ways that you had never thought to pray. I found myself rooting for both Abigail and Jacob to shed their past and give God control of their futures.<br /><br />I definitely feel that Paper Hearts will be a hit for readers whose favorite genre is contemporary romance. Despite my few qualms about the story, the authentic setting and quirky cast of characters won me over. There is a lot of appeal here to recommend it to fans of this genre.<br /><br />Favorite quote: “…the very best love stories are the ones that are flawed and full of forgiveness and pain and joy and challenges and happiness. All these things make up a love story, Abigail.”", "timestamp": 1428944045000, "title": "Cute Contemporary Romance" }, { "asin": "1601425996", "rating": 5, "text": "Anippe has known from a young age that Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods controlled her fate. After childbirth took the lives her mother and infant brother, she becomes deathly afraid of bearing a child of her own, believing that Anubis, the Egyptian god of death lies in wait for the day she becomes a mother. She carries this fear into her marriage to Sebak, a captain in her brother, Pharaoh Tut’s, army and follows her as she becomes mistress of a prominent Egyptian estate. When Tut orders the Hebrew midwives to drown any sons that are born to their people, Anippe seizes the opportunity to launch a great deception. Finding a baby floating in a basket in the Nile, Anippe believes the Egyptian gods have answered her prayers. She can pretend that she had a son, yet doing so sets into motion events that place her, her son and his true Hebrew family, in terrible danger. As bloodshed mounts and the political tide of Egypt turns, Anippe wonders if her son may have a chance to become Pharaoh, or whether the god of the Hebrews, He who is called El Shaddai, has a bigger plan for them both.<br /><br />Prior to reading The Pharaoh’s Daughter, I had only read one of Mesu Andrews’s previous novels. While it was fully enjoyable, this novel brought a whole other level for me. I’ve read a couple of authors that are very popular in Biblical fiction, but they just didn’t click with me, so I tend to stick with a hand full of authors in this genre that I know won’t disappoint. After finishing this novel, I feel confident that Mesu Andrews can be easily join their ranks.<br /><br />In many ways, The Pharaoh’s Daughter is an epic story. It spans several years and several major shifts throughout Anippe’s life. There is a lot of political intrigue and several characters, but I feel like Mesu imparts what the reader needs to know without it being overwhelming. There are some jumps in time, but they were not a problem for me here. The passage of time and key events that the reader needs to know are explained by allowing the information to come naturally in the scene. Whether in the opening scene after substantial passage of time or whether in a character’s emotions after an intense scene, Mesu truly understands the importance of showing what happened rather than simply telling. She brings ancient Egypt to life in a fascinating way. Details of their belief system, politics, and daily life are present from the beginning, woven seamlessly throughout the story. One of my favorite details she included was the way they named second and third children the same name as the first born to “trick” the gods as a way to ensure the firstborn’s life. Names in general are very important in both the Egyptian and Hebrew families, and even Anippe experiences name changes that have a profound impact on her. From their elaborate feasts to the details of running an Egyptian household, I found it all to be mesmerizing.<br /><br />The lives of the Egyptian royalty and the Hebrew servants are fully realized. Despite having guards and servants are at her beck and call and wanting for very little in the material sense, Anippe lives in fear, first from childbirth, then later from her deception of raising Moses as her own son. The juxtaposition of the Egyptian’s way of life and the Hebrew’s way of life was very startling at times, but what was even more impressive was the feeling of discovering that along with Anippe as the story progresses. The lavish, pampered lifestyle of the Egyptians is a stark foil to the simplistic, bare, yet often content, lifestyle of the Hebrews. Both families are composed of well-rounded characters full of depth. Their hopes, fears and dreams were rich and layered, and I especially loved the interactions that brought royalty and commoner together. Although Anippe starts off as pampered and entitled, she develops and grows in a realistic way. Her sister, Ankhe, provides a nice foil for her, showing what can happen when bitterness in life circumstances rules instead of hope. Anippe gave her chance after chance, which was a bit annoying; however, since her sister was her only close relative, I can understand why she was so forgiving. Mered, a Hebrew and the chief linen maker in Anippe’s estate, is also a complex character. I really enjoyed getting to know him and his family. Overall, the relationships between the characters come across as genuine and heartfelt, and I especially treasured the relationship between Anippe and Miriam, who becomes Anippe’s handmaiden after she is found watching Moses from the river bank.<br /><br />This novel has a bit of everything – danger, court and political intrigues, familial and romantic love and a beautiful tale of redemption that encompasses the entire story. The spiritual aspect feels very authentic and natural to the story, and I related to Anippe’s fears and doubts. As her name is changed once again, this time to the Hebrew name of Bithiah, she comes to understand just how worthy she is of a life free from fear and seeing her progress from fear to hope was very uplifting.<br /><br />I am no expert on Egyptian history or a Biblical scholar, so as long as an author stays true to the Biblical account, I am usually lenient when it comes to things that don’t have a definitive answer. The Bible doesn’t name the pharaoh in the story of Moses, and Mesu chooses to use Tut as the Pharaoh that decreed Hebrew baby boys to be killed at birth and his successor as the one who refused the Lord’s demands in Exodus. While I don’t know that I believe them to be two different pharaohs, Mesu does present a plausible story and has clearly done a lot of research. Much of the story takes place well before the events in Exodus, so it’s easy to see Mesu’s story as what “could have been,” and I also appreciated her explanation at the end and what scripture she used as reference.<br /><br />Ultimately when I read fiction set in biblical times, I want to feel prompted to return to the biblical account and look at it with fresh eyes once again. Mesu certainly accomplished that for me in The Pharaoh’s Daughter. It was a thoroughly entertaining, enlightening and profound read that kept me turning those pages well past time to turn in for the night. The Pharaoh’s Daughter is labeled as “A Treasure of the Nile Novel,” so I’m hoping this means more stories (perhaps one about Miriam!) like this one are up next for Mesu. I am eager to read her other published books and whatever story that she pens next. Highly recommended!", "timestamp": 1428944200000, "title": "A Favorite of the Year!" }, { "asin": "1496402243", "rating": 3, "text": "Carrington Hale has spent her entire life preparing for her Choosing ceremony – the day that she is to be chosen to become a wife. After years of careful preparation, she is not prepared for this moment to end in disaster. Instead of being chosen, she must spend the rest of her days serving in the lowest level of society as a Lint. Knowing the Authority cannot be questioned, Carrington prepares herself for a life of toil and drudgery, completely shut off from her family. She soon establishes a connection with another Lint girl, and discovers that there is a whole other side to their society, a rebellion that shakes her beliefs to the core and resonates in her heart in ways that she never imagined. Then Carrington is given an unheard of second chance at the life prepared and dreamed of, but things are not quite what they seem. With an assassin killing Lints and corruption looming in the upper echelons of the Authority, Carrington must find out the truth before it destroys her and those she has come to love.<br /><br />I don’t read a lot of dystopian fiction, but when I saw this as an option to review, I took the chance because I love checking out debut authors, and the premise sounded intriguing to me. From the first chapter, I was drawn into the story. Rachelle starts with a heightened scene that really pulled me into the action. While I found some parts of it to be similar to things I have already read, I still enjoyed her debut novel.<br /><br />The world that Rachelle created here at first seems very simplistic. I think that it’s a little deeper and more involved than it might first appear. I appreciated that details of how the society worked were threaded throughout so as to avoid a big pile of information. The details were mentioned, but I didn’t feel that it was overwhelming at any point. I do wish I could have learned a bit more about its history and what it actually looks like. Even though I learned about the various elements of the government and society, I never really got a feel for what it looked like – was it futuristic, was it part old and part new, did homes look like they do now or are things more uniform? Overall though, I felt that the world building was done well and created a great backdrop for the story.<br /><br />Carrington’s character is interesting, but for me, she didn’t have any special quality or quirk that really brought her to life and established a connection. I felt empathy for her and was compelled to continue reading her story, but never felt that “something” that I look for in main characters. There is a lot of introspection in her character that I found to become repetitive, although I can see her realizations resonating greatly with a lot of readers. I look forward to Carrington learning who she is as a daughter of the true Father.<br /><br />The plot was entertaining, though nothing out of the ordinary. I was fairly certain what was going to happen, but I still enjoyed getting to the heightened scenes in the book. For me there were a few elements that I felt were left a little vague. How did Aaron and his followers meet without detection? Did he live outside of the city or hide somewhere inside? Perhaps more will be revealed about how those who function outside of the Authority live, as Carrington discovers more about who she is as a daughter of the true Father away from that society’s control.<br /><br />I know that this is the first novel is a series, so perhaps I just need to be more patient and wait for more to be revealed in the second book. Overall, The Choosing is very well-written debut novel, and I can see how there is plenty here for the sub-sequent books in the series to delve deeper into Carrington’s society and the rebellion. I recommend this for young adult readers who enjoy dystopian settings.", "timestamp": 1436816652000, "title": "Intriguing Series Start" }, { "asin": "0764212397", "rating": 4, "text": "I am always intrigued by a story that highlights a character that was not well-loved in a previous book. If you’ve read Hearts Made Whole, then you know Tessa wasn’t the most likeable secondary character. It made me so eager to read her story in Undaunted Hope, and the wait was certainly worth it. Tessa has matured and realized the error of her old ways. However, she still has a certain sass and isn’t afraid to step out in a profession that had traditionally been held by men. For me her character is what made this novel shine, along with the vibrant setting and rich historical detail.<br /><br />Tessa is one of my favorite heroines that Jody has written thus far. She’s got spunk that comes across in a realistic way. Her limitations as a woman are true to the time period, when reputation was everything for a woman. This story also portrays an important truth about the consequences of past mistakes. Even after you make the decision to become a different kind of person, the effects of those old choices are hard to overcome. However, with time, effort and God’s help, it can be done. Tessa’s journey as she strives to overcome the mistakes of her past is one that had my complete empathy and admiration.<br /><br />The secondary characters really stand out in this story. Brothers Alex and Michael, the children, and even prickly Nadine create such an endearing group of people. I really enjoyed the development of these relationships and the genuine feeling that is upheld throughout the entire story. The plot is especially well-paced. Everything flows naturally and realistically throughout the story. Though the romance for me isn’t the highlight of this story, it is still Jody’s trademark style, with a dramatic rescue and several tender moments.<br /><br />It seems that I gush about this with every novel of Jody’s, but the historical detail here is so well-done. These people had such a hard life, full of back-breaking, dangerous work. I could imagine the bone-deep cold of the coastal breeze and the helplessness of the miners as they bowed to the whims of selfish boss. That he was based on a real-life historical figure brought even more depth to the story. The setting and time period quickly come to life and stay strong throughout the story’s entirety.<br /><br />I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s so neat that Jody brought back characters from the novella that starts the Beacons of Hope series – it gives the feeling of completion within that storyline, and also provides a little bit of set-up for the next book in the series. I’m always a little sad when I finish one of Jody’s novels because it means another wait for her new release – thankfully the next book is set to come out in June of this year, so we don’t have to wait too long – but it’s also neat to get a glimpse of a character that readers will get to meet soon. If you haven’t read this series yet, definitely do. Though this book could be read as a stand-alone, the story felt even richer having experienced Tessa’s past in the previous book. I highly recommend Undaunted Hope for fans of romantic inspirational historical fiction.", "timestamp": 1454009509000, "title": "Lovely Romance & Great Historical Detail!" }, { "asin": "0310341523", "rating": 3, "text": "This was my first book by Rachel Hauck, and I think perhaps not the best one to start with of her books. I found it to be an intriguing story, but struggled with the telling of it. From the get-go, I was less than thrilled with the four different points of view. Perhaps this shows my youth and frame of mind at this point in life, but I was much more interested in Taylor and Jack's marriage than I was Jimmy and Colette's relationship from years ago. I'm just a reader that would much prefer to get into one or two character's heads and get to know them really well; instead, I felt like I was skimming each person's story. Because of that, some of the story-arcs just fell flat for me.<br /><br />The faith element seems on the nose in some scenes, and while I love the idea of layered family secrets, they were pretty obvious from the beginning of the story. The story seemed to be trying to be a mystery and focused a lot on secrets of the past, whereas I wished it would have focused on the family dynamics of the present-day.<br /><br />I did like Rachel's writing style and found it to be very readable. Again, this is my first book by this author, so please take my opinion for what it is. I did like the book, and I do still want to check out more of Rachel's books, so if anyone has any recommendations of what to try next, I'm all ears.", "timestamp": 1456102121000, "title": "Intriguing Story" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 4, "text": "Colleen Coble is another author that I’m a little behind the curve on reading, and I hope to remedy that further in the future. The Inn at Ocean’s Edge is only the second of her novels that I’ve read, and while I wasn’t blown away by the other novel, this one was a great suspenseful read. This novel provides really great set up for upcoming books in the series, while still in keeping with what appears to be Colleen’s trademark romantic suspense.<br /><br />I think what impressed me most with this story is how quickly the action starts. I love how it starts off with a bang and doesn’t let up until the end. It’s hard to talk about this type of story line without accidentally giving any spoilers, but I was held fast by the mystery. There are several surprising elements, and while some of my suspicions proved to be correct, there were many instances that I wasn’t sure what was going on with certain characters or plotlines. The story ended up being much more layered and intricate than I was expecting, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching everything unfold. There were a few scenes that I thought ended in an odd way, as if it needed just a few more sentences to give it a better sense of completeness, but it may be something that wouldn’t bother super-fans of suspense. While I enjoy it, it’s not the genre that I read most often, so this could just be me<br /><br />The characters, for the most part, react realistically to what is going on around them, and the less desirable characters don’t come off as caricatures, which is often a complaint of mine. Although my life is nothing like Claire’s life, I still found ways to relate to her. There were times that I could have used a bit more depth for the main characters; I did think they had realistic back story’s that created great conflict for their current circumstances. Colleen gives Claire small but impactful characteristics that add a lot of realism to her character and the same can be said of Luke’s character as well.<br /><br />Colleen also does a great job in writing the romance realistically into the story; the romantic moments are genuinely sweet yet realistic and fall naturally within the story’s flow. While Claire and Luke aren’t complete opposites, there’s a softness to him that Claire is drawn to. Their scenes had a spark from the very beginning.<br /><br />The setting is another area that is really well-done. Although I’ve never been to Maine, I feel like I’ve at least been on its coast because of this story. I could easily envision Hotel Tourmaline, as well as the natural landscape of the setting, whether it was a rocky cliff, sandy beach or a cranberry bog. This is a random side note, but I’ve loved the names of her more recent titles – this one gives off a sense of place, as well as a sense of excitement and, perhaps even danger, especially with the words, “ocean’s edge.” Despite it being a hotel more than an inn, the title is very evocative of the story overall.<br /><br />Fans of suspense and of Colleen’s past novels are sure to enjoy this one. Even I, an unseasoned suspense reader, flew through the pages once the mystery hooked me, and I definitely hope to read the next book in the Sunset Cove series.", "timestamp": 1456528716000, "title": "Great Suspense Read!" }, { "asin": "0764210386", "rating": 5, "text": "Flirtation Walk may not usurp my favorite spot of Siri Mitchell’s books, but it is definitely a favorite of the year so far. What an utterly fun and charming story! Siri’s books are always light and fun, but also impart a real truth to the reader. Combine that with winning characters and a unique historical setting, and I'm hooked.<br /><br />Lucinda Pennyworth is a bit of a contradiction. She wants to be respectable and normal, but her years of helping her father with his cons on unsuspecting victims have marked her in ways she doesn’t even realize. As she meets and gets to know her mother’s family, she comes to understand just how hard it will be to shed her present of her past mistakes. At first she uses her father’s tactics almost without realizing it, and I wasn’t sure how much I was going to like her. However, Siri is able to show Lucinda’s potential to the reader even before she herself realizes it. In terms of the faith aspect of the book, there is nothing earth-shattering here, but rather a lighter thread about overcoming past mistakes, forgiving yourself and accepting forgiveness from others.<br /><br />I say this nearly every time I read one of Siri’s books, but it’s true every time – she always chooses unique settings and times in history. In Flirtation Walk, it is West Point Academy and the surrounding town, not many years before the Civil War plunges the nation into chaos. Honestly, I was a little worried before starting the book. How interesting could a story and characters at West Point be? The answer is very interesting on both counts. I loved the tidbits and facts about military life at West Point, how confining it was, yet how much pride the cadets took in their lives there.<br /><br />Seth Westcott is an endearing character and definitely my favorite of the book. Perhaps his decisions seemed unlikely throughout the book, but I think they are supposed to seem that way, especially since they backfire on him. Seth’s friends are some of the most humorous secondary characters that I’ve read about in a while. It was obvious that they each had their own stories; in fact, Siri wrote a short story for Otter, and it suited his character perfectly. The others seem to have their own story as well; perhaps once day Siri will be able to tell their stories as well, but in the meantime, it’s fun to make up what I want to happen in my mind.<br /><br />There are several witty bits of dialogue that I loved, and everything ends well – the ending itself was so winsome and perfectly suited to the characters and their story. This isn’t super serious romantic historical, but rather has a lot of humorous moments. It’s definitely unique and perhaps not for readers that don’t appreciate some comedy in their historicals. I personally have always been drawn to books that stands out from the norm in the Christian fiction world, and Siri’s books have always held that unique element for me. I have one more of her historical fiction novels to read, as well as a couple of her contemporary stories that I haven't gotten to yet. I know that she is going to take a bit of a break from writing now, which is understandable, but bittersweet for this reader. While I read across many genres and types of books, I have Siri to thank for sparking my love of Christian fiction, especially as a reader who once scoffed at it, and only gave it a chance because of her book She Walks in Beauty. So, thank you, Siri, for daring to write books that don't fall in line perfectly with the rest of CBA, and I'll be waiting for your next novel, whenever it may come.", "timestamp": 1458873157000, "title": "Endearing Characters & Lovely Historical Details" }, { "asin": "0310338492", "rating": 3, "text": "Lydia Bancroft is a very unconventional lady - not only is she yet to be married, but she also works as a librarian and relishes her work there. Despite finding satisfaction in the lending library, she can't help but be drawn to a mysterious library patron. After an alarming incident between her and her fiance takes place, witnessed by this mysterious patron, her life takes a strange, exciting turn.<br /><br />The unique premise of this novel and the unusual circumstance of Lydia being a librarian drew me into this story. Lydia is reserved, but has a strong intellect. I really loved the moments that she stuck up for herself and proved that there was more to her than just being a shy librarian. Sebastian Marks is a self-made man, and though his chosen profession may not be entirely genteel, he has built himself into a better person through his own temerity. I love how the intrigue starts off and doesn't let up for basically the entire story; the romance is fairly light but still heartfelt, with the mystery taking center stage for the majority of the story.<br /><br />Although I found all of the characters to have intriguing personal stories, my preference is for the story to focus on just one or two main characters, so bear that in mind when reading my review. Secondary characters are wonderful, of course, but I didn't feel a deep connection with the other main characters. I'm not exactly sure what is was, but for the majority of the story, I was only a passive observer rather than really inside the characters heads. I also felt that some scenes unfolded a bit unrealistically; some of the more dangerous, tense scenes fell a bit flat for me.<br /><br />Despite feeling like it didn't completely come through in all of the character interactions, I did appreciate the focus on friendship and loyalty that the other main characters portrayed. It was nice to not have the plot focus so much on romance, but rather friend relationships. The story portrays how people from different backgrounds and experiences can still inspire one another to be better.<br /><br />Random side-thought, but yay for a character that wears spectacles! Since I'm bespectacled, I liked that a lot. Although, I have to say, I wish that the cover model was either wearing them or holding them or something. And be still my heart that Sebastian though to carry them in his pocket so they wouldn't be damaged - loved that sweet moment.<br /><br />Even though Whispers in the Reading Room didn't make it onto my favorites list, I did enjoy it, and I do want to eventually go back and read the first two books in the series.", "timestamp": 1465620497000, "title": "Unique Premise and Leading Librarian" }, { "asin": "0692691154", "rating": 4, "text": "I am so glad that Jody decided to go the untraditional route to publish Forever Safe. Although the first two books in the series are my favorites, this was a worthy conclusion to the Beacons of Hope series. Ever since Victoria appeared in book three, I knew that she had a story of her own! Forever Safe is full of an endearing romance and historical details of life surrounding a lighthouse, as well as some exciting tense moments toward the end.<br /><br />Stories that feature characters from way different walks of life always intrigue me, and that intrigue certainly holds true with Victoria and Tom. Though kind-hearted, Victoria is a pampered, spoiled young lady from a wealthy family. Tom’s origins are much more humble, and he worked make a profession for himself. From the get-go, their interactions are laced with tension because of these differences, and it is only when they are drawn by necessity from their respective roles that they begin to see that, despite their differences, they both have much to offer.<br /><br />Once again, some of my favorite details were of daily life as a light keeper and the duties that come with it. There is something charming about life around a lighthouse, yet there is always the feeling that something dangerous could happen at any moment – though much was routine, the idea that the surrounding seas may change in a moment was ever present. The climactic scenes really held my attention, and the emotion and resolve of the characters shone brightly in those moments.<br /><br />I loved the overall message of this story as well – the idea that there are always going to be things in life to fear, but you can’t let that stop you from making a decision and living. Victoria’s fears are grounded mostly in supposition and worry for tomorrow, whereas Tom lets past events and traumas color his present decisions. Though they were different types of fear, Jody did a lovely job at portraying that the same gumption and faith is required to overcome them – that fear doesn’t always go away, but it can be dealt with through faith and perseverance.<br /><br />Thought it’s a bit of a bummer to have this series done, I was entirely satisfied with this last book in the Beacons of Hope series. I wholeheartedly recommend for readers looking for a sweet, romantic story.", "timestamp": 1465677691000, "title": "Lovely Conclusion to the Series!" }, { "asin": "1434708381", "rating": 5, "text": "Jilted is a wonderful conclusion to the Mended Hearts series. Though I was sad to say goodbye to these characters, I was thrilled for all of the secrets to be revealed and for things to come full circle for Lynda Turner. I connected to her story on a very personal level and was so pleased with how things turned out for her. Her voice is crystal clear; Varina has done such a wonderful job keeping the voices of her three different narrators in each book separate and unique, while still remaining consistent with the clarity and humor found in her writing.<br /><br />The way that Varina handles the topic of depression is to be appreciated. Though Lynda suffers from depression, the story itself is hopeful, yet realistic in regards to how she struggles with her low points. Although Lynda does has let her depression get the best of her in the past, once things come to light, it brings a whole other layer to her character and to just how strong she had to be despite many people thinking the worst of her.<br /><br />If any saying applies to this story, it’s that “appearances can be deceiving.” By all of the local accounts, Lynda was just a depressed, broken woman, and Clyde Felton a dangerous ex-convict, but many looked that far and no farther. Meanwhile, one of the town’s elite is hiding secrets that would shock the town to the core. Though in some things in the plot were expected, these revelations and what they meant for Lynda kept me flipping the pages eagerly. Toward the end of the story, her personal journey moved me to tears. I was so moved by the reminder that it’s only later that we can see the good in a bad situation, that once the haze of grief and anger have faded, we can see the God placed others in our lives to be the hand that lifts us up, if we’re only willing to reach out and take it. He is eager to fill our cups to overflowing, if we just hold it out to Him.<br /><br />I have absolutely loved this series, and though it’s hard to pick, I think Jilted might be my favorite of the three – although that Ruthie is just a sassy as a secondary character as she is in her own story. These characters really came to life for me; Varina doesn’t sugarcoat situations, but nor does she add unnecessary detail that could make the story feel overly dramatic. Instead, I reveled in the true-to-life ups and downs of these characters, and rejoiced in the powerful message of this story.<br /><br />Varina is one of my favorite new authors, and I can’t wait to see what she brings readers next. If you are looking for an inspirational story about real, messy, wonderful characters, this story is for you. I highly recommend the Mended Hearts series – and I definitely think it’s best to read them in order, so started with Jaded, move on to Justified and savor a well-done ending in Jilted.", "timestamp": 1467165888000, "title": "My favorite of the series!" }, { "asin": "031033344X", "rating": 4, "text": "The Mountain Midwife opens with an engaging scene that pulled me immediately into Ashley Toliver’s world – that of a midwife for the women of a small Appalachian community. Awakened in the night, the last thing that Ashley expects is an abduction of her patient right after the birth. This light mystery takes off from there, pulling in another mystery of Hunter McDermott’s birth mother. Both of these threads intertwine nicely as the story progresses, as well as the growing friendship between Ashley and Hunter.<br /><br />There is a nice atmosphere found in this story – the feel of the small community is fully realized, and I loved the strong sense of heritage that Ashley has for her home. I enjoy when an author gives a character an authentic history that feels real to me, as this one did. The plot also flows nicely. The mystery thread is light and more my speed, since I don’t like super scary, crime-based stories.<br /><br />I felt like some of the ending scenes came across as a little bit anticlimactic. There are also some loose ends that I felt like weren’t tied up – perhaps to leave room for a sequel? I definitely felt like there are secondary characters in this story that could have their own and would be interested in reading those. I was also bummed at how easily things wrapped up for Ashley – I thought there would be more of a compromise regarding one big issue in her life. It seemed a bit glossed over, but that’s just my opinion. Other readers may not feel that way at all.<br /><br />The details about midwifery really grabbed my attention; Ashely had such deep roots, and the details about her job held my interest – and for anyone worried about there being too much detail, don’t be – I thought it was enough details to understand the situation and even learn from it, but not more information than was needed. I also thought it was neat how the author made Ashley and her friend Heather a descendant of characters in her historical series about midwives – I’ve read this first book, and this story actually makes me want to read the other two.<br /><br />Overall, this is an engaging story, with a lot of compelling elements, and a light mystery at its core - and I hope it's the beginning of a series. These characters have more stories to tell, I'm sure of it.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to do a review, and the views expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1475961978000, "title": "Light, Romantic Mystery" }, { "asin": "0310395933", "rating": 5, "text": "In Love Takes the Cake, Charlotte Cantrell knows what she’s about – providing brides with delicious cakes for their wedding day. What she doesn’t count on is being drawn to a regular customer, Will, who comes every week to buy cookies for the mysterious “Melissa.” Humorous misunderstandings abound in this confection of a story. I haven’t read any of Betsy St. Amant’s full length novels, but definitely want to after enjoying this fun story. The story could easily find its home on the Hallmark channel (and really who is complaining about that?), but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t also a dose of realism thanks to the back stories of both Charlotte and Will. The unraveling of the tangled threads of misunderstandings is a joy to read.<br /><br />I admit that The Perfect Arrangement was the story I was most eager to read, simple because I am always eager to read anything that Katie Ganshert writes. I was expecting a charming story, but this one truly blew me away. Amelia Mason is a bit quirky and a very relatable character. I’m a big fan of epistolary style narratives, so I love how the author includes email to tell the story. It’s a fresh twist that adds a lot of fun and charm to the characters interactions – Nate is a particularly endearing male lead. This may seem a small thing, but I also appreciated that she included a family with step-siblings. It’s not something I’ve seen much in Christian fiction, but it’s a real part of life, and it is done very well here. I also found the story of how Amelia came to own a flower shop and how it got its name to be such an endearing part of the story. This is one of my favorite novellas I’ve read in 2016.<br /><br />Love in the Details is nothing less than what I expect from a Becky Wade story – the characters are endearing, and it’s easy to root for them the entire time. She realistically portrays two people who were once in a relationship, meeting again after many years and different roads of life. It’s a genuinely sweet story that had me smiling while reading because they are just such likeable people. I appreciated the cautious, realistic way that they began to reconnect with one another – their reconnection doesn’t move too fast, nor does it drag, but rather it strikes the perfect balance with the length of the story. I also liked getting a peek into Holly’s writer life – I’m sure the author pulls from personal experience there, so it was fun to read about that.<br /><br />I know that many readers start picking up Christmas books well before the month of December rolls around. But before you pick up your Christmas books, I highly recommend squeezing a bit of “fall” into your reading this month with this wonderfully charming collection.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own.", "timestamp": 1479575023000, "title": "Perfect Trio of Stories!" }, { "asin": "0764218212", "rating": 5, "text": "Set during the tumultuous time of Israel’s beginning as a unified nation, Shadow of the Storm brings the life of the Hebrew tribes into sharp relief. Through the eyes of Shira, a woman still fighting the battles of her past, readers see these events firsthand through engrossing first-person narration. Shira’s insecurities make her a realistic, relatable character. My heart was stirred and found kinship with her; doubts and fears keep her from fully embracing her desire to be a midwife. Despite having a natural talent for it, her self-doubt and mistakes keep her from moving forward.<br /><br />There are times where it feels like books were placed in my life exactly when I needed it. The<br />Story takes on a personal level, and I see myself in the character so strongly, that I know that the timing is no accident. This was completely and entirely my experience while reading Shadow of the Storm and discovering Shira’s story. It was a joy to see Kiya, Eben and Jumo again. The friendship between Shira and Kiya is definitely a highlight of the story, and I’m glad that the familial relationships didn’t get lost in the plot or any romantic elements. Ayal is an intriguing character – despite not knowing his true intentions and a shaky beginning, I found myself wanting his character to be constant.<br /><br />Dvorah is one character that served a dual purpose for me. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about the addition of another character’s perspective, but as the story continues, Cossette does something that not many authors accomplish – make an unlikable, deplorable character provoke empathy within me. I found myself reacting strongly to Dvorah’s decisions – and by strongly, I distinctly remember saying out loud to my husband that I wanted to punch her in the face…um, oops? Seriously though, any read that elicits such an emotion from me is a winner in my book.<br /><br />In addition to providing a superb antagonist, Dvorah brought in an outsider perspective as well. I had honestly never really thought of how wild it would have been for so many people, from so many different backgrounds, would have functioned as a whole, while traveling through the desert. I suppose I never thought about the fact that, with the Hebrew tribes, some groups might have just been “tagging along,” for lack of a better phrase, because it was better than the life they left behind. Just because they were following Moses out of Egypt didn’t mean they left their prejudices and ingrained beliefs behind, nor did it mean that their beliefs aligned with the Hebrews. These differences and the issues that arose from them are fascinating and add a great element to the story.<br /><br />This powerful story has everything I look for in a novel. I was held riveted by the plot, Shira’s character, and the tender romance. Most importantly, this is a faith-affirming story that reminds reader of how God uses trials and setbacks to bolster faith and keep our eyes set on Him. This is one of my favorite books of 2016, and I am so looking forward to book 3 in the Out from Egypt series, Wings of the Wind. I highly recommend Shadow of the Storm to readers who enjoy Biblical fiction and an immersive first-person narrative.", "timestamp": 1479775248000, "title": "Superb Addition to the Series!" }, { "asin": "0718077911", "rating": 5, "text": "A Portrait of Emily Price is Katherine Reay at her best. The tone and main character are reminiscent of Dear Mr. Knightley, the realistic situations akin to Lizzy and Jane, and the international aspect nods to The Bronte Plot. I was happy to see her return to the overall tone that she brought readers in Dear Mr. Knightley. Though they were very different characters, Emily’s first-person voice had me enchanted in the same way that I was with Sam. While the family situations were complex, there is a beautiful simplicity in the way that things occur. There was never a moment where I willingly put this book down, and I was always eager to pick it back up.<br /><br />Usually whirlwind type romances don’t do much for me. I struggle with the realism and can’t get into the magic of it all. But from the moment that Emily met Ben, I felt like their biggest cheerleader! Yes, I was wondering how this was all going to play out, but I was rooting for them all the way. The author completely pulls it off – Ben is total book-boyfriend material. I did appreciate the realistic way that, despite how quickly their relationship moves, it was still a back and forth of misunderstanding and miscommunications, but also a sweet rendering of a new marriage. For readers that are not as big a fan of romance as myself, never fear – although this might be Reay’s most romantic story yet, Emily’s personal growth and a poignant family story take the prime spot in the narrative – and what a joy it is to watch it all unfold. The secondary characters are genuine and not to be overlooked. I particularly adored the relationship between Emily and Ben’s dad, Lucio – his character over all is one of the most gorgeous portrayals of fatherly love that I’ve read in a long while.<br /><br />Several aspects just make this story – that of art and Italy – and food! Emily’s job as a restorer is fascinating to read about, and I also loved watching her grow in confidence at an artist as well. The setting of a small Italian village is so picturesque and full of charm – from the cozy library in the family home, to the cobblestone streets of the village, I fell in love with it all. Ben’s charm is never as beguiling as the times he is in the kitchen, although the story paints an accurate picture of the precarious nature of the restaurant business, but more importantly, how food, family and tradition intertwine. And while there might be times where metaphors are overused in stories, or perhaps too many are used at once, here the combination of art restoration and creation provide a gorgeous comparison for the events of the story.<br /><br />My most favorite aspect of this story is how Emily proves to be a huge catalyst for change in Ben’s family, all the while trying to maintain a flimsy control of her new life in Italy and discover just what her roll is as a member of it. As Emily uncovers a painting in the local church, the secrets of Ben’s family are uncovered as well. While the faith elements are a lighter thread throughout the first part of the story, the latter half is suffused with a beautiful message of forgiveness and grace.<br /><br />I am always so pleased to read a Katherine Reay novel, but even more so when it’s as poignant and lovingly crafted as A Portrait of Emily Price. Highly recommended.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1480384995000, "title": "Her Best Book Yet!" }, { "asin": "149640646X", "rating": 4, "text": "I am very particular about the authors that I follow when it comes to Biblical fiction. Tessa Afshar is one author whose books I will always pick up and expect to be enthralled by the story. Land of Silence grabbed my heart from page one. She created a provocative, engrossing story for the woman with the issue of blood. When I first heard that this would be the basis for her new book, I admit, I did wonder how she was going to make it work. I wasn’t worried, of course, but I did wonder how she would choose to tell this story. She takes a figure that appears in one scene with the Bible and fleshes out her story into something beautiful – a tapestry, if you will, that rivals the beauty of the fabric creations in Elianna’s household.<br /><br />The characterization of Elianna is superb; her voice in the first person narration style is crystal clear and distinct. I love that she chose to tell the story in first-person. I think it made the telling of such a personal, emotionally-charged story that much more poignant and compelling. Speaking of fabric and tapestries, the details about fabric production, dyeing and even the selling and trading are fascinating and greatly enhanced my reading experience.<br /><br />This author excels at creating strong women that suit the setting and time period, and Elianna is truly an inspiring character. She is determined and wants to take care of her family, yet her pride keeps her from accepting help from her betrothed, Ethan. The novel spans many years, and I ached with her and cheered for her as she matures throughout the story. The way that she is battered by life circumstance and then later on by physical ailments, yet still holds tight to her faith, makes her a compelling character. I can’t let the review go without mentioning Ethan again – enduring, steadfast Ethan. The scenes between these two spark with feeling, and he matches Elianna’s stubbornness with a hard head of his own.<br /><br />The groundwork for the story is set up in a strong way. The opening scenes set up perfectly both the despair and hope that are to come. Stricken by grief, guilt and condemnation, Elianna works hard to be the perfect daughter and basically run her father’s textile business on her own. However, all of her hard work cannot prepare her for what’s to come. Looking back, I am once again impressed that the novel wasn’t bogged down with despair. Much of the novel is leading to her lowest point, but I never wanted to put it down – the story flows that well and is that engrossing. Though there were some times I felt that the pacing was a bit slow, the events that took place felt realistic and naturally placed in the story. It is only through reaching her lowest point, that the most important event of her life takes place – that of touching the hem of Jesus’s robe and finding physical healing, yes, but, more importantly, deep, irrevocable love, free of condemnation.<br /><br />Afshar’s writing just keeps getting better and better, and fans of her previous novels will not be disappointed in the slightest. I highly recommend this novel for readers of Biblical fiction, but also for any reader looking for a strong story of healing and redemption.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this novel, and I chose to review it. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1517601525606, "title": "Another Winning Story by Afshar" }, { "asin": "0800728734", "rating": 5, "text": "Charming, mysterious, romantic, fun, and swoon-worthy, A Rumored Fortune is Politano’s second novel, and, wow, does it deliver for this reader.<br /><br />There is such a strong atmosphere to sink into within these pages. The setting is a castle, its grounds home to a vineyard. Though her castle home is important and much loved, it is the vineyard that captured Tressa's mind, as it had previously captured her father's before his mysterious death. However, both castle and vineyard have the funds that they need to keep going, as her father's fortune is hidden in a place that only he knew.<br /><br />I adored Tressa’s character. Though Victorian Era heroines often have the misfortune of things happening to them rather than making things happen (which while aggravating to modern thought, is probably more realistic), Tressa is a realistic balance of delicate yet driven. She’s not afraid of doing things on her own but is also acutely aware of her own vulnerability and still bound to an extent to society’s expectations.<br /><br />The secondary characters are by turns intriguing, suspicious, and charming. I loved the relationship between Tressa and her lady’s maid, Lucy. Of course, her burgeoning friendship with Donegan Vance, the man her father hired to care for the vineyard captured my attention with ease, while her re-introduction to her former suitor, Andrew Carrington, made me question everyone’s motives, especially with a vast fortune involved.<br /><br />The faith element is strong throughout the novel, and while alluded to often, it always feels genuine and in keeping with the characters themselves. I found it to be refreshing and well-done; it is especially neat the way the care and keeping of a vineyard ties in so well with Tressa’s personal journey in such a natural way.<br /><br />This is only the tenth novel this year that I’ve given five stars. The exquisite blend of lovely writing, endearing characters, mysterious plot, and a gorgeous romance make A Rumored Fortune one of my favorite reads of the year!<br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a review, positive or otherwise, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1533512433595, "title": "Charming, Swoon-worthy Second Novel" }, { "asin": "1683228685", "rating": 4, "text": "The White City is a vibrant mystery, with more of a cozy feel than a sinister one. I've read some non-fiction accounts of H.H. Holmes, and it's really quite gruesome. The extent of his depravity and evil is not touched on here, as this story takes place nearer to the beginning of his terrible acts. However, there is enough that the danger is real and present throughout the pages of this book.<br /><br />At first I was a bit worried that Winnie was going to be too silly, but I was soon won over by her vivacity and charm. Her interactions with Detective Jude Thorpe are fun and sweet, and even though I don't enjoy a love triangle, even Percival won me over (I wouldn't mind seeing him in a future novel). Winnie is also a complete bookworm, so what's not to love about that. As with any bookworm though, occasionally our imagination might get the best of us - which is what happens to Winnie. She has to prove to her father that she knows what she's talking about and can back up her claims with evidence. Hence, where the sleuthing and danger come into play. Winnie's family plays a significant role in this story, as does romance, so if you're looking for suspense alone, that's not this title. I for one enjoyed the mix, and once I realized it was more of a cozy mystery, the story flowed well for me. I also found the descriptions of the city and the World's Fair to be lovely and a great backdrop for the events of the story.<br /><br />I enjoyed this debut novel; it shows great promise for the stories that I know are to come from Grace Hitchcock.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to post a positive review, and the thoughts expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1552672505439, "title": "Fun Historical Romance" }, { "asin": "0785223169", "rating": 4, "text": "In The Governess of Penwythe Hall, Ladd’s trademark handling of setting, characters, and romance are back in full force. The harsh landscape of Cornwall comes to life, complete with its dramatic coastline and the seemingly endless moors. This is just the place that widow and governess Delia Greythorne is forced back to after the death of her employer. Cornwall, a place of heartache for her, might hold the keys to moving on with her life, if she can combat dangers arising from her past.<br /><br />After a slow start, it was hard for me to put this one down. The plot builds nicely, each element building on another to create an entertaining read. Delia is a strong character, but not unrealistically so. She is fully aware of her position in the world, but still retains her dignity. One of my favorite parts of the story is the blossoming relationship between Jac Tretheway, Penwythe Hall’s owner, and the orphaned children. His priorities must shift, and I enjoyed his shift from duty to love.<br /><br />This is a lovely opening to Sarah E. Ladd’s new series, and I eagerly await The Thief of Lanwyn Manor’s release in 2020. Recommended to fans of historical romance with a healthy dose of intrigue and a dash of suspense.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1556578455672, "title": "Lovely Series Opener!" }, { "asin": "0785222006", "rating": 4, "text": "A bookshop, lists of books, and friendship - what more could a bibliophile want out of a story? A book about books and bookshops and bookish things is a delight to be sure because \"that's what books do...they are a conversation, and introduce us to ourselves and to others,\" as the beloved Maddie of this book says.<br /><br />These are just the base elements that blend together to make the rich, layered tale that is The Printed Letter Bookshop. More than \"just\" books, this story is about making peace with life and those in it and choosing to be in charge of your own story: \"It's like you live in those classics you love, in some odd third-person narration, as if you aren't in charge of your own story. Who is, if not you, for goodness' sake?\"<br /><br />The story is about three women, Madeline, Claire, and Janet, and also one person and place around which their lives meet: Maddie, the owner of a bookshop, and the bookshop itself. Though at first I was taken aback by the three different narrators, I ended up liking all three of them quite a bit. While I typically prefer only one or two narrators, I felt equally interested in the lives of all three women. I enjoyed watching the relationship between them unfold. I loved the realness of each one, their struggles and their triumphs, and the often messy yet wonderful nature of life shines throughout the entire story.<br /><br />Though it doesn't top out as my favorite Reay book, she has written another charming yet deep story that is sure to meet a lot of readers right where they are in life.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not require to give a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1559851759910, "title": "Charming yet Deep" }, { "asin": "0800735323", "rating": 4, "text": "What a wonderful debut! Though suspense is not my go-to genre, I was drawn to this story first because of the small town setting, but also because of the author's presence on social media. Say what you will, but I'm always drawn to a warm, down-to-earth person, especially online where things can be so shallow and superficial.<br /><br />As I mentioned previously, the small town setting of Walton, Georgia comes to life in this story. From the locals who look after one another, to the diner where everyone gathers on the designated night, the flavor feels just right. In addition to the setting, I loved getting to know these characters. Lane's character is one that truly resonated with me, and I feel she will do the same for anyone that has struggled at any point in their life with depression. I applaud Walters for portraying her in what I feel is a realistic yet sensitive way. I cheered for the way that Lane kept pushing through, even when darkness threatened to take over her heart and mind. Words spoken to her by the precious Ms. Byrdie rooted deep into my heart:<br /><br />\"You are not broken. You are perfectly made. You have to stop punishing yourself for the way God made you - even for your depression. You need to forgive yourself and take captive those thoughts that you are anything but the woman our Creator designed you to be.\"<br /><br />The secondary characters are varied and endearing as well. My particular favorites (other than a handsome deputy Charlie Lynch, of course) are the Ms. Byrdie mentioned above, and Deputy Frost, who works with Charlie. The banter between Charlie and Deputy Frost had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion.<br /><br />The plot unfolds with delicious twists, and the mystery is sustained until just the perfect time. It was far enough to keep me guessing, yet soon enough so as to heighten the tension when I had a bit more of a clue than I did before. The investigating feels realistic to me, and I never felt there was any awkward behavior just for the sake of a thrill. Everything happens organically and feels natural. Speaking of feeling natural, the romance is a bit of a slow burn and SO sweet.<br /><br />I appreciate Living Lies for both it's entertainment value as much as I do for its honest portrayal of both struggles and hope. Throw in a quality mystery and an endearing romance, and it's a winning debut. I've added book two in the series to my to-read list and will be eager to get my hands on it!<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1569457568048, "title": "Excellent Debut!" } ]

[ { "asin": "1595545395", "rating": 4, "text": "This was such a sweet, fun book! Lucy is a cute heroine, and I love how she isn't perfect or \"beautiful\" in that cheesy way. That is way overdone these days, it seems! I was expecting the ultimate cheese from this book, and while it is a fun romance, it actually deals with some really serious issues despite it's appearance. I'm not even that much of a reader of Chick-Lit, nor do I usually like Contemporary novels, and I still really enjoyed this one. Some aspects of the plot are a bit unrealistic, but then again, the whole concept of faking an engagement/relationship is pretty crazy, so I was able to go along with it. I look forward to reading Jones' other novels.", "timestamp": 1314462852000, "title": "Light and Fun Summer Read" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 5, "text": "I have a hard time believing that Spring for Susannah is Richmond's debut novel! She writes like she already has several novels under her belt. This one is definitely a notch above the typical Christian Historical Fiction. Richmond completely drew me in with the sincerity of the story. Nothing is watered down and easy just because they believe in God. This book can definitely be viewed as two different parts. In the first part, Susannah is very timid and shy, but once she has to be on her own for a while, I really began to root for her. Her character developement was awesome.<br /><br />I also would like to thank Richmond for portraying the marriage between Susannah and Jesse as she did. They are one of the most realistic couples that I've read thus far in the genre. It seems that some authors shy away from portraying a real married relationship, but not Richmond. Nothing was graphic or overdone, but the intimacy in their relationship and their love for one another was evident. As one who has recently married, I found it so accurate and sincere.<br /><br />My one issue is that I found the ending to be somewhat abrupt. They were re-united, and then it seemed the book was over.<br /><br />I hope Richmond is already at work on her next novel; I can only imagine that she will continue to impress!", "timestamp": 1314463223000, "title": "Awesome Debut!" }, { "asin": "0849946158", "rating": 3, "text": "I found this to be a faith-affirming and uplifting story. I was challenged to think beyond some vague idea of heaven because of Colton's experience, and I really liked that. I can't imagine going through what that family went through, but like they said, it had a purpose.<br /><br />I do wish that some of the details that Colton mentioned were given a more \"scholarly\" approach. Don't get me wrong, I am not necessarily doubting that he experienced these things. There were just a couple of details that I could not find in the Bible. I wish that every time Colton made a point about heaven there would have been an exact place to find it in scripture. Todd did this for the majority of the time, and I found myself more moved and more comfortable with it than the times he did not. For example, I was uncomfortable with his descriptions of angels having wings as to my knowledge no angel ever appeared to a human in the Bible that had wings. I had thought the cherubim & seraphim do, but to my knowledge no where in the Bible does it mention that God's messengers have wings. Another detail I did not understand was Jesus' rainbow horse. I even tried to look it up (I am by no means a biblical scholar and know I am constantly overlooking things). I found mentions of a pale horse, a red horse, a white horse and a black horse (not that Jesus was riding all of them), but no where could I find a \"rainbow\" horse.<br /><br />Overall, I did like Heaven is for Real, but felt the need to \"be a Berean\" as they say, and check all things against scripture. I will take in the good things that this book (or any book) has to offer, and for my hard facts about what heaven is like, I will stick to the Word.", "timestamp": 1373138495000, "title": "Uplifting but not enough scripture backing for me" }, { "asin": "0764210416", "rating": 4, "text": "A thoroughly enjoyable novel, Tide and Tempest has a great blend of my favorite elements. Full of history, mystery, suspense, and a sincere romance, this read had a little bit of everything that my reading-heart could desire.<br /><br />The characters were portrayed in a realistic way, and I related so much with their internal conflicts. Both Tillie and Captain Morgan carried burdens of guilt and responsibility inside, and while the external conflict swirled with danger and intrigue, the internal conflict made these characters come alive for me. I also liked that their problems weren’t solved by romance or “insta-love.” They had to deal with those internal struggles first before letting someone into their heart and move on with their lives.<br /><br />I liked the pace of the plot too. It strikes a nice balance between character interaction and action scenes. I appreciated that the suspenseful moments made sense and flowed well. Sometimes I think that action sequences are a little jumbled and confusing, but here I didn’t find anything like that.<br /><br />I loved the atmosphere of the setting, especially the boarding house where Tillie lived. The entire setting was well-done from the dress shop where Tillie worked, to the apothecary shop in a rather unsavory part of town. There was a distinctive quality to each place in the story.<br /><br />Another sign of a great read is when the secondary characters come to life – for me, this character was Captain Morgan’s brother, Cass. In fact, I think he deserves his own story, and I am sort of hoping that some of the events that took place in this story are set up for him to have his own story one day!<br /><br />I am a sucker for dashing captains, especially if they hail from Ireland, and a roguish brother is not too bad either (wink, wink). The ending wraps everything up nicely, though not without some tension and heartache getting there. I was happy to get a happily-ever-after.<br /><br />This is my first read by Elizabeth Ludwig, and it definitely won’t be my last! I haven’t read the first two books in this series, but that didn’t prove to be an issue for my enjoyment of Tide and Tempest. Happy am I to say that I have the first book already on my Kindle and won the second book in a giveaway. Now I can learn that backstory of the other secondary characters in this story, and I know it will be a treat.", "timestamp": 1395668433000, "title": "A little bit of everything!" }, { "asin": "0764211692", "rating": 5, "text": "A Bride in Store is a worthy follow-up to the first novel in this series. In fact, I believe that her characters are even more developed, the writing more finessed and the plot tighter. I was especially taken with the unique plot points that she included in the story. Bereft of the store she used to run for her father, Eliza Cantrell travels to Kansas to be a mail-order bride for a man who owns a store, hoping that she will find a willing partner in both the store and marriage, if not complete happiness. The story starts with a bang in an unexpected train robbing scene. From the get go, it’s obvious that our Eliza is a quick-thinker and is not afraid to fight for what is rightfully hers. I really enjoyed her personality; she is entirely a lady of the times, but also unique in that she wants to be the owner and proprietor of her own store. She is not so forward-thinking that she wasn’t realistic to the time-period, but is still certainly distinct.<br /><br />The setting of 1881 Salt Flatts, Kansas feels authentic, as do the details about businesses at that time. I also found the details about healthcare back then fascinating; they really added a lot to the story. Some of the tidbits were tragic, but true to the time period when sickness and often death were simply an everyday matter. The side characters added great layers to the story; I especially loved Mrs. Lightfoot, the proprietor of the boarding house where Eliza lived. Without giving away too many details, I found her story to be intriguing and unexpected, and the relationship she and Eliza developed to be engaging.<br /><br />I admit that Will Stanton is not my typical favorite male lead, but he definitely grew on me as the story progressed. He is a thoughtful and somewhat reserved, yet he is selfless and doesn’t find worth in himself. Will dreams of studying to become a doctor, but in the meantime, takes care of his friend Axel’s store. Thrown off by Eliza’s early arrival, he allows her to work in the store until Axel’s return. I could really feel the tension and pull of attraction between them as Axel’s absence stretches into weeks. As their dreams and hopes for the future pull them in different directions, they navigate this new territory that springs up between them. Though I was never unsure of what the outcome would be, the journey getting there was a satisfying one. There was one plot twist regarding Axel that I actually did not see coming at all, so that was fun. Overall, there was quite a bit more action than what I originally thought.<br /><br />The spiritual aspect of the novel touched on several things, but the most prominent one for me was seeking God’s will for your life, and how sometimes your ideals and dreams don’t always align with that will. Sometimes you have to be willing to adapt and change your mind about things. I enjoyed watching Eliza and Will work through these things, even though at times it is painful, the outcome was better than they imagined.<br /><br />A Bride in Store was a great blend of unique historical details, endearing romance and well-rounded characters who experienced relatable dilemmas. Just an all-around fun read for me. I’m looking forward to Melissa Jagears next book. 4.5 stars!", "timestamp": 1411223159000, "title": "Great second novel!" }, { "asin": "0764210378", "rating": 5, "text": "Charlotte Withersby’s dearest wish is to study her beloved blooms as a botanist. She wants to be left alone by her uncle, society and most certainly by her father’s new assistant, an interloper named Mr. Trimble. In a time when women’s views and expertise in botany are not given credence, Charlotte must rely upon the name of her father, a well-known botanist, to publish her own work. When her uncle and father insist that she take on society to snare a husband, Charlotte is sure Mr. Trimble’s lackluster help will soon bring her back to her position as her father’s assistant and put all of the marriage nonsense to rest. What Charlotte doesn’t account for is finding actual suitors, nor is she prepared for the questions that be thrust into society will bring – is her merit in her work or does it lie within herself?<br /><br />Siri always chooses to write about historical elements that are usually not anything that I’ve read about in another novel. She is a brave author in the sense that she chooses to tackle story elements and character traits that are not widely used. In this case, it was the science of botany. The botany details are fascinating and add a lot of depth to Charlotte’s character development and intellectual tendencies. Charlotte’s quirks are so unique to her character. Siri’s characters and settings are never the norm, which is why her books continue to be a delight to read.<br /><br />This novel is more on the humorous side, and nowhere is that more evident than in the main character, Charlotte. She is quirky, and if I may, sometimes a bit odd. At first, I wasn’t sure how to take her, but as I read on, she grew on me. There is a possibility that she may not be for everyone; there were times that I was exasperated with her, but at the same time, she is extremely refreshing. She is everything that society is not – she is blunt, unpretentious and lacks the knowledge of all of the social niceties that are expected of her. In her heart of hearts, she wants to take care of her father and wants to be valued for her intellectual abilities, and moreover, wants herself to be enough, no more, no less.<br /><br />There were also some compelling side characters present in this story. I loved her new-found companion, Miss Templeton - the scenes with her were full of humor, and I loved how she took Charlotte under her wing and had a feeling that she found Charlotte refreshing as well. Their friendship and back-and-forth banter was entertaining to read. Her uncle, her self-named chaperone during all of her social outings is rather enigmatic at first, but as the story progresses, his character and background are revealed, and I was pleasantly surprised by the depth in the interactions between him and Charlotte.<br /><br />Mr. Trimble may not be the conventional hero, but I felt that he fit well within the story, and his character is very endearing. Despite being declared the enemy by Miss Templeton, it’s soon very clear that he isn’t the usurper that he appears to be and that he has his own reasons for becoming an assistant to a reclusive botanist. I wanted more interaction between him and Charlotte, and while the enemies turned lovers storyline sometimes wears on me, it works well in this story, and provides some humorous and also heartfelt exchanges between him and Charlotte.<br /><br />Whenever I pick a Siri Mitchell novel I know that I am in for something unique and fascinating. She always takes on topics that stand out, this story lives up to the standard I’ve come to expect in Siri’s novels. Although I’ve enjoyed all of her novels, this one definitely stands out as one I’ve enjoyed most. With a quirky main character, a sweet romance and a fascinating look at the world of botany, Like a Flower in Bloom is a favorite read of the year so far.", "timestamp": 1428698443000, "title": "Quirky, witty and altogether fun! :)" }, { "asin": "1414398697", "rating": 4, "text": "Abigail Pressman’s dream is to expand Book Nook, the beloved store she inherited from her father. In Love’s Park, a town obsessed with love and all things romantic, being single is an anomaly, so her dreams for her store are her salvation. When the owner of the building sells the entire space to a doctor new to town, she fears her dream will never come to fruition. In a secret match-making scheme, the Valentine Volunteers, the ladies who keep the tradition of stamping mail with the city’s postmark, attempt to pull Abigail into their fold. Despite herself, Abigail is drawn to the stringed paper hearts that she discovers among the Volunteers letters, even as she is drawn to the handsome doctor next door. This doctor doesn’t match the “dream-killer” she wanted to picture in her mind, and Abigail begins questions if her dream is her dream at all or just a crutch to stop her from reaching for what she really wants. A new string of paper hearts appears, leading Abigail to believe that something tragic happened to the couple who wrote them. As she uncovers more of the mystery couple’s story, Abigail fears that it will confirm her worst doubts about love, or even scarier, set her life on a path to a new dream entirely.<br /><br />Paper Hearts is a charming story. Walsh’s writing flows really well from scene to scene, and I loved the setting. The town almost felt like a character in and of itself and was so well-established on the outset of the story. I loved the small-town, everyone-knows-everyone vibe that stayed through the entire story. I really related to Abigail’s character, and I think most readers out there will. Not only is she a reader herself, she is artsy and quirky – someone I’d love to meet in real life. I could easily understand and empathize with her frustrations about the dreams for her store, and I wanted to see her succeed despite the obstacles she was facing.<br /><br />Personally, I cared more about her personal struggles than the romantic aspect of the book, which may not have been the intention. While I found Jacob, the male lead, to be a genuine, empathetic character, I couldn’t entirely get behind their relationship. For me, it was hard to come to terms with the way it progressed; they were supposed to be enemies, yet they were falling for one another. There were times that it just didn’t work for me. When the conflict didn’t center on the external conflict keeping them apart, but rather their internal conflicts, I enjoyed the story more. They were more solid characters apart than they were together, and for romantic reads, I want the couple to be complete as individuals, but also believable as a couple. Even so, the later scenes between them are sweet, but not in a syrupy way at all. My heart was definitely smiling at those scenes.<br /><br />There are also some strange shifts in point of view into the Valentine Volunteer meetings that some readers might find a bit jarring at first, simply because they are unexpected. The characters that comprise the Valentine Volunteers are actually quite humorous. The mixture of newly married, middle-aged and elderly “bah-humbug” ladies made for a funny combination, and once I realized that those shifts were coming, I fell into them easily.<br /><br />The spiritual element is woven throughout the story in a natural way, and I could really relate to the idea that sometimes prayers are answered in ways you never expected, sometimes in ways that you had never thought to pray. I found myself rooting for both Abigail and Jacob to shed their past and give God control of their futures.<br /><br />I definitely feel that Paper Hearts will be a hit for readers whose favorite genre is contemporary romance. Despite my few qualms about the story, the authentic setting and quirky cast of characters won me over. There is a lot of appeal here to recommend it to fans of this genre.<br /><br />Favorite quote: “…the very best love stories are the ones that are flawed and full of forgiveness and pain and joy and challenges and happiness. All these things make up a love story, Abigail.”", "timestamp": 1428944045000, "title": "Cute Contemporary Romance" }, { "asin": "1601425996", "rating": 5, "text": "Anippe has known from a young age that Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods controlled her fate. After childbirth took the lives her mother and infant brother, she becomes deathly afraid of bearing a child of her own, believing that Anubis, the Egyptian god of death lies in wait for the day she becomes a mother. She carries this fear into her marriage to Sebak, a captain in her brother, Pharaoh Tut’s, army and follows her as she becomes mistress of a prominent Egyptian estate. When Tut orders the Hebrew midwives to drown any sons that are born to their people, Anippe seizes the opportunity to launch a great deception. Finding a baby floating in a basket in the Nile, Anippe believes the Egyptian gods have answered her prayers. She can pretend that she had a son, yet doing so sets into motion events that place her, her son and his true Hebrew family, in terrible danger. As bloodshed mounts and the political tide of Egypt turns, Anippe wonders if her son may have a chance to become Pharaoh, or whether the god of the Hebrews, He who is called El Shaddai, has a bigger plan for them both.<br /><br />Prior to reading The Pharaoh’s Daughter, I had only read one of Mesu Andrews’s previous novels. While it was fully enjoyable, this novel brought a whole other level for me. I’ve read a couple of authors that are very popular in Biblical fiction, but they just didn’t click with me, so I tend to stick with a hand full of authors in this genre that I know won’t disappoint. After finishing this novel, I feel confident that Mesu Andrews can be easily join their ranks.<br /><br />In many ways, The Pharaoh’s Daughter is an epic story. It spans several years and several major shifts throughout Anippe’s life. There is a lot of political intrigue and several characters, but I feel like Mesu imparts what the reader needs to know without it being overwhelming. There are some jumps in time, but they were not a problem for me here. The passage of time and key events that the reader needs to know are explained by allowing the information to come naturally in the scene. Whether in the opening scene after substantial passage of time or whether in a character’s emotions after an intense scene, Mesu truly understands the importance of showing what happened rather than simply telling. She brings ancient Egypt to life in a fascinating way. Details of their belief system, politics, and daily life are present from the beginning, woven seamlessly throughout the story. One of my favorite details she included was the way they named second and third children the same name as the first born to “trick” the gods as a way to ensure the firstborn’s life. Names in general are very important in both the Egyptian and Hebrew families, and even Anippe experiences name changes that have a profound impact on her. From their elaborate feasts to the details of running an Egyptian household, I found it all to be mesmerizing.<br /><br />The lives of the Egyptian royalty and the Hebrew servants are fully realized. Despite having guards and servants are at her beck and call and wanting for very little in the material sense, Anippe lives in fear, first from childbirth, then later from her deception of raising Moses as her own son. The juxtaposition of the Egyptian’s way of life and the Hebrew’s way of life was very startling at times, but what was even more impressive was the feeling of discovering that along with Anippe as the story progresses. The lavish, pampered lifestyle of the Egyptians is a stark foil to the simplistic, bare, yet often content, lifestyle of the Hebrews. Both families are composed of well-rounded characters full of depth. Their hopes, fears and dreams were rich and layered, and I especially loved the interactions that brought royalty and commoner together. Although Anippe starts off as pampered and entitled, she develops and grows in a realistic way. Her sister, Ankhe, provides a nice foil for her, showing what can happen when bitterness in life circumstances rules instead of hope. Anippe gave her chance after chance, which was a bit annoying; however, since her sister was her only close relative, I can understand why she was so forgiving. Mered, a Hebrew and the chief linen maker in Anippe’s estate, is also a complex character. I really enjoyed getting to know him and his family. Overall, the relationships between the characters come across as genuine and heartfelt, and I especially treasured the relationship between Anippe and Miriam, who becomes Anippe’s handmaiden after she is found watching Moses from the river bank.<br /><br />This novel has a bit of everything – danger, court and political intrigues, familial and romantic love and a beautiful tale of redemption that encompasses the entire story. The spiritual aspect feels very authentic and natural to the story, and I related to Anippe’s fears and doubts. As her name is changed once again, this time to the Hebrew name of Bithiah, she comes to understand just how worthy she is of a life free from fear and seeing her progress from fear to hope was very uplifting.<br /><br />I am no expert on Egyptian history or a Biblical scholar, so as long as an author stays true to the Biblical account, I am usually lenient when it comes to things that don’t have a definitive answer. The Bible doesn’t name the pharaoh in the story of Moses, and Mesu chooses to use Tut as the Pharaoh that decreed Hebrew baby boys to be killed at birth and his successor as the one who refused the Lord’s demands in Exodus. While I don’t know that I believe them to be two different pharaohs, Mesu does present a plausible story and has clearly done a lot of research. Much of the story takes place well before the events in Exodus, so it’s easy to see Mesu’s story as what “could have been,” and I also appreciated her explanation at the end and what scripture she used as reference.<br /><br />Ultimately when I read fiction set in biblical times, I want to feel prompted to return to the biblical account and look at it with fresh eyes once again. Mesu certainly accomplished that for me in The Pharaoh’s Daughter. It was a thoroughly entertaining, enlightening and profound read that kept me turning those pages well past time to turn in for the night. The Pharaoh’s Daughter is labeled as “A Treasure of the Nile Novel,” so I’m hoping this means more stories (perhaps one about Miriam!) like this one are up next for Mesu. I am eager to read her other published books and whatever story that she pens next. Highly recommended!", "timestamp": 1428944200000, "title": "A Favorite of the Year!" }, { "asin": "1496402243", "rating": 3, "text": "Carrington Hale has spent her entire life preparing for her Choosing ceremony – the day that she is to be chosen to become a wife. After years of careful preparation, she is not prepared for this moment to end in disaster. Instead of being chosen, she must spend the rest of her days serving in the lowest level of society as a Lint. Knowing the Authority cannot be questioned, Carrington prepares herself for a life of toil and drudgery, completely shut off from her family. She soon establishes a connection with another Lint girl, and discovers that there is a whole other side to their society, a rebellion that shakes her beliefs to the core and resonates in her heart in ways that she never imagined. Then Carrington is given an unheard of second chance at the life prepared and dreamed of, but things are not quite what they seem. With an assassin killing Lints and corruption looming in the upper echelons of the Authority, Carrington must find out the truth before it destroys her and those she has come to love.<br /><br />I don’t read a lot of dystopian fiction, but when I saw this as an option to review, I took the chance because I love checking out debut authors, and the premise sounded intriguing to me. From the first chapter, I was drawn into the story. Rachelle starts with a heightened scene that really pulled me into the action. While I found some parts of it to be similar to things I have already read, I still enjoyed her debut novel.<br /><br />The world that Rachelle created here at first seems very simplistic. I think that it’s a little deeper and more involved than it might first appear. I appreciated that details of how the society worked were threaded throughout so as to avoid a big pile of information. The details were mentioned, but I didn’t feel that it was overwhelming at any point. I do wish I could have learned a bit more about its history and what it actually looks like. Even though I learned about the various elements of the government and society, I never really got a feel for what it looked like – was it futuristic, was it part old and part new, did homes look like they do now or are things more uniform? Overall though, I felt that the world building was done well and created a great backdrop for the story.<br /><br />Carrington’s character is interesting, but for me, she didn’t have any special quality or quirk that really brought her to life and established a connection. I felt empathy for her and was compelled to continue reading her story, but never felt that “something” that I look for in main characters. There is a lot of introspection in her character that I found to become repetitive, although I can see her realizations resonating greatly with a lot of readers. I look forward to Carrington learning who she is as a daughter of the true Father.<br /><br />The plot was entertaining, though nothing out of the ordinary. I was fairly certain what was going to happen, but I still enjoyed getting to the heightened scenes in the book. For me there were a few elements that I felt were left a little vague. How did Aaron and his followers meet without detection? Did he live outside of the city or hide somewhere inside? Perhaps more will be revealed about how those who function outside of the Authority live, as Carrington discovers more about who she is as a daughter of the true Father away from that society’s control.<br /><br />I know that this is the first novel is a series, so perhaps I just need to be more patient and wait for more to be revealed in the second book. Overall, The Choosing is very well-written debut novel, and I can see how there is plenty here for the sub-sequent books in the series to delve deeper into Carrington’s society and the rebellion. I recommend this for young adult readers who enjoy dystopian settings.", "timestamp": 1436816652000, "title": "Intriguing Series Start" }, { "asin": "0764212397", "rating": 4, "text": "I am always intrigued by a story that highlights a character that was not well-loved in a previous book. If you’ve read Hearts Made Whole, then you know Tessa wasn’t the most likeable secondary character. It made me so eager to read her story in Undaunted Hope, and the wait was certainly worth it. Tessa has matured and realized the error of her old ways. However, she still has a certain sass and isn’t afraid to step out in a profession that had traditionally been held by men. For me her character is what made this novel shine, along with the vibrant setting and rich historical detail.<br /><br />Tessa is one of my favorite heroines that Jody has written thus far. She’s got spunk that comes across in a realistic way. Her limitations as a woman are true to the time period, when reputation was everything for a woman. This story also portrays an important truth about the consequences of past mistakes. Even after you make the decision to become a different kind of person, the effects of those old choices are hard to overcome. However, with time, effort and God’s help, it can be done. Tessa’s journey as she strives to overcome the mistakes of her past is one that had my complete empathy and admiration.<br /><br />The secondary characters really stand out in this story. Brothers Alex and Michael, the children, and even prickly Nadine create such an endearing group of people. I really enjoyed the development of these relationships and the genuine feeling that is upheld throughout the entire story. The plot is especially well-paced. Everything flows naturally and realistically throughout the story. Though the romance for me isn’t the highlight of this story, it is still Jody’s trademark style, with a dramatic rescue and several tender moments.<br /><br />It seems that I gush about this with every novel of Jody’s, but the historical detail here is so well-done. These people had such a hard life, full of back-breaking, dangerous work. I could imagine the bone-deep cold of the coastal breeze and the helplessness of the miners as they bowed to the whims of selfish boss. That he was based on a real-life historical figure brought even more depth to the story. The setting and time period quickly come to life and stay strong throughout the story’s entirety.<br /><br />I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s so neat that Jody brought back characters from the novella that starts the Beacons of Hope series – it gives the feeling of completion within that storyline, and also provides a little bit of set-up for the next book in the series. I’m always a little sad when I finish one of Jody’s novels because it means another wait for her new release – thankfully the next book is set to come out in June of this year, so we don’t have to wait too long – but it’s also neat to get a glimpse of a character that readers will get to meet soon. If you haven’t read this series yet, definitely do. Though this book could be read as a stand-alone, the story felt even richer having experienced Tessa’s past in the previous book. I highly recommend Undaunted Hope for fans of romantic inspirational historical fiction.", "timestamp": 1454009509000, "title": "Lovely Romance & Great Historical Detail!" }, { "asin": "0310341523", "rating": 3, "text": "This was my first book by Rachel Hauck, and I think perhaps not the best one to start with of her books. I found it to be an intriguing story, but struggled with the telling of it. From the get-go, I was less than thrilled with the four different points of view. Perhaps this shows my youth and frame of mind at this point in life, but I was much more interested in Taylor and Jack's marriage than I was Jimmy and Colette's relationship from years ago. I'm just a reader that would much prefer to get into one or two character's heads and get to know them really well; instead, I felt like I was skimming each person's story. Because of that, some of the story-arcs just fell flat for me.<br /><br />The faith element seems on the nose in some scenes, and while I love the idea of layered family secrets, they were pretty obvious from the beginning of the story. The story seemed to be trying to be a mystery and focused a lot on secrets of the past, whereas I wished it would have focused on the family dynamics of the present-day.<br /><br />I did like Rachel's writing style and found it to be very readable. Again, this is my first book by this author, so please take my opinion for what it is. I did like the book, and I do still want to check out more of Rachel's books, so if anyone has any recommendations of what to try next, I'm all ears.", "timestamp": 1456102121000, "title": "Intriguing Story" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 4, "text": "Colleen Coble is another author that I’m a little behind the curve on reading, and I hope to remedy that further in the future. The Inn at Ocean’s Edge is only the second of her novels that I’ve read, and while I wasn’t blown away by the other novel, this one was a great suspenseful read. This novel provides really great set up for upcoming books in the series, while still in keeping with what appears to be Colleen’s trademark romantic suspense.<br /><br />I think what impressed me most with this story is how quickly the action starts. I love how it starts off with a bang and doesn’t let up until the end. It’s hard to talk about this type of story line without accidentally giving any spoilers, but I was held fast by the mystery. There are several surprising elements, and while some of my suspicions proved to be correct, there were many instances that I wasn’t sure what was going on with certain characters or plotlines. The story ended up being much more layered and intricate than I was expecting, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching everything unfold. There were a few scenes that I thought ended in an odd way, as if it needed just a few more sentences to give it a better sense of completeness, but it may be something that wouldn’t bother super-fans of suspense. While I enjoy it, it’s not the genre that I read most often, so this could just be me<br /><br />The characters, for the most part, react realistically to what is going on around them, and the less desirable characters don’t come off as caricatures, which is often a complaint of mine. Although my life is nothing like Claire’s life, I still found ways to relate to her. There were times that I could have used a bit more depth for the main characters; I did think they had realistic back story’s that created great conflict for their current circumstances. Colleen gives Claire small but impactful characteristics that add a lot of realism to her character and the same can be said of Luke’s character as well.<br /><br />Colleen also does a great job in writing the romance realistically into the story; the romantic moments are genuinely sweet yet realistic and fall naturally within the story’s flow. While Claire and Luke aren’t complete opposites, there’s a softness to him that Claire is drawn to. Their scenes had a spark from the very beginning.<br /><br />The setting is another area that is really well-done. Although I’ve never been to Maine, I feel like I’ve at least been on its coast because of this story. I could easily envision Hotel Tourmaline, as well as the natural landscape of the setting, whether it was a rocky cliff, sandy beach or a cranberry bog. This is a random side note, but I’ve loved the names of her more recent titles – this one gives off a sense of place, as well as a sense of excitement and, perhaps even danger, especially with the words, “ocean’s edge.” Despite it being a hotel more than an inn, the title is very evocative of the story overall.<br /><br />Fans of suspense and of Colleen’s past novels are sure to enjoy this one. Even I, an unseasoned suspense reader, flew through the pages once the mystery hooked me, and I definitely hope to read the next book in the Sunset Cove series.", "timestamp": 1456528716000, "title": "Great Suspense Read!" }, { "asin": "0764210386", "rating": 5, "text": "Flirtation Walk may not usurp my favorite spot of Siri Mitchell’s books, but it is definitely a favorite of the year so far. What an utterly fun and charming story! Siri’s books are always light and fun, but also impart a real truth to the reader. Combine that with winning characters and a unique historical setting, and I'm hooked.<br /><br />Lucinda Pennyworth is a bit of a contradiction. She wants to be respectable and normal, but her years of helping her father with his cons on unsuspecting victims have marked her in ways she doesn’t even realize. As she meets and gets to know her mother’s family, she comes to understand just how hard it will be to shed her present of her past mistakes. At first she uses her father’s tactics almost without realizing it, and I wasn’t sure how much I was going to like her. However, Siri is able to show Lucinda’s potential to the reader even before she herself realizes it. In terms of the faith aspect of the book, there is nothing earth-shattering here, but rather a lighter thread about overcoming past mistakes, forgiving yourself and accepting forgiveness from others.<br /><br />I say this nearly every time I read one of Siri’s books, but it’s true every time – she always chooses unique settings and times in history. In Flirtation Walk, it is West Point Academy and the surrounding town, not many years before the Civil War plunges the nation into chaos. Honestly, I was a little worried before starting the book. How interesting could a story and characters at West Point be? The answer is very interesting on both counts. I loved the tidbits and facts about military life at West Point, how confining it was, yet how much pride the cadets took in their lives there.<br /><br />Seth Westcott is an endearing character and definitely my favorite of the book. Perhaps his decisions seemed unlikely throughout the book, but I think they are supposed to seem that way, especially since they backfire on him. Seth’s friends are some of the most humorous secondary characters that I’ve read about in a while. It was obvious that they each had their own stories; in fact, Siri wrote a short story for Otter, and it suited his character perfectly. The others seem to have their own story as well; perhaps once day Siri will be able to tell their stories as well, but in the meantime, it’s fun to make up what I want to happen in my mind.<br /><br />There are several witty bits of dialogue that I loved, and everything ends well – the ending itself was so winsome and perfectly suited to the characters and their story. This isn’t super serious romantic historical, but rather has a lot of humorous moments. It’s definitely unique and perhaps not for readers that don’t appreciate some comedy in their historicals. I personally have always been drawn to books that stands out from the norm in the Christian fiction world, and Siri’s books have always held that unique element for me. I have one more of her historical fiction novels to read, as well as a couple of her contemporary stories that I haven't gotten to yet. I know that she is going to take a bit of a break from writing now, which is understandable, but bittersweet for this reader. While I read across many genres and types of books, I have Siri to thank for sparking my love of Christian fiction, especially as a reader who once scoffed at it, and only gave it a chance because of her book She Walks in Beauty. So, thank you, Siri, for daring to write books that don't fall in line perfectly with the rest of CBA, and I'll be waiting for your next novel, whenever it may come.", "timestamp": 1458873157000, "title": "Endearing Characters & Lovely Historical Details" }, { "asin": "0310338492", "rating": 3, "text": "Lydia Bancroft is a very unconventional lady - not only is she yet to be married, but she also works as a librarian and relishes her work there. Despite finding satisfaction in the lending library, she can't help but be drawn to a mysterious library patron. After an alarming incident between her and her fiance takes place, witnessed by this mysterious patron, her life takes a strange, exciting turn.<br /><br />The unique premise of this novel and the unusual circumstance of Lydia being a librarian drew me into this story. Lydia is reserved, but has a strong intellect. I really loved the moments that she stuck up for herself and proved that there was more to her than just being a shy librarian. Sebastian Marks is a self-made man, and though his chosen profession may not be entirely genteel, he has built himself into a better person through his own temerity. I love how the intrigue starts off and doesn't let up for basically the entire story; the romance is fairly light but still heartfelt, with the mystery taking center stage for the majority of the story.<br /><br />Although I found all of the characters to have intriguing personal stories, my preference is for the story to focus on just one or two main characters, so bear that in mind when reading my review. Secondary characters are wonderful, of course, but I didn't feel a deep connection with the other main characters. I'm not exactly sure what is was, but for the majority of the story, I was only a passive observer rather than really inside the characters heads. I also felt that some scenes unfolded a bit unrealistically; some of the more dangerous, tense scenes fell a bit flat for me.<br /><br />Despite feeling like it didn't completely come through in all of the character interactions, I did appreciate the focus on friendship and loyalty that the other main characters portrayed. It was nice to not have the plot focus so much on romance, but rather friend relationships. The story portrays how people from different backgrounds and experiences can still inspire one another to be better.<br /><br />Random side-thought, but yay for a character that wears spectacles! Since I'm bespectacled, I liked that a lot. Although, I have to say, I wish that the cover model was either wearing them or holding them or something. And be still my heart that Sebastian though to carry them in his pocket so they wouldn't be damaged - loved that sweet moment.<br /><br />Even though Whispers in the Reading Room didn't make it onto my favorites list, I did enjoy it, and I do want to eventually go back and read the first two books in the series.", "timestamp": 1465620497000, "title": "Unique Premise and Leading Librarian" }, { "asin": "0692691154", "rating": 4, "text": "I am so glad that Jody decided to go the untraditional route to publish Forever Safe. Although the first two books in the series are my favorites, this was a worthy conclusion to the Beacons of Hope series. Ever since Victoria appeared in book three, I knew that she had a story of her own! Forever Safe is full of an endearing romance and historical details of life surrounding a lighthouse, as well as some exciting tense moments toward the end.<br /><br />Stories that feature characters from way different walks of life always intrigue me, and that intrigue certainly holds true with Victoria and Tom. Though kind-hearted, Victoria is a pampered, spoiled young lady from a wealthy family. Tom’s origins are much more humble, and he worked make a profession for himself. From the get-go, their interactions are laced with tension because of these differences, and it is only when they are drawn by necessity from their respective roles that they begin to see that, despite their differences, they both have much to offer.<br /><br />Once again, some of my favorite details were of daily life as a light keeper and the duties that come with it. There is something charming about life around a lighthouse, yet there is always the feeling that something dangerous could happen at any moment – though much was routine, the idea that the surrounding seas may change in a moment was ever present. The climactic scenes really held my attention, and the emotion and resolve of the characters shone brightly in those moments.<br /><br />I loved the overall message of this story as well – the idea that there are always going to be things in life to fear, but you can’t let that stop you from making a decision and living. Victoria’s fears are grounded mostly in supposition and worry for tomorrow, whereas Tom lets past events and traumas color his present decisions. Though they were different types of fear, Jody did a lovely job at portraying that the same gumption and faith is required to overcome them – that fear doesn’t always go away, but it can be dealt with through faith and perseverance.<br /><br />Thought it’s a bit of a bummer to have this series done, I was entirely satisfied with this last book in the Beacons of Hope series. I wholeheartedly recommend for readers looking for a sweet, romantic story.", "timestamp": 1465677691000, "title": "Lovely Conclusion to the Series!" }, { "asin": "1434708381", "rating": 5, "text": "Jilted is a wonderful conclusion to the Mended Hearts series. Though I was sad to say goodbye to these characters, I was thrilled for all of the secrets to be revealed and for things to come full circle for Lynda Turner. I connected to her story on a very personal level and was so pleased with how things turned out for her. Her voice is crystal clear; Varina has done such a wonderful job keeping the voices of her three different narrators in each book separate and unique, while still remaining consistent with the clarity and humor found in her writing.<br /><br />The way that Varina handles the topic of depression is to be appreciated. Though Lynda suffers from depression, the story itself is hopeful, yet realistic in regards to how she struggles with her low points. Although Lynda does has let her depression get the best of her in the past, once things come to light, it brings a whole other layer to her character and to just how strong she had to be despite many people thinking the worst of her.<br /><br />If any saying applies to this story, it’s that “appearances can be deceiving.” By all of the local accounts, Lynda was just a depressed, broken woman, and Clyde Felton a dangerous ex-convict, but many looked that far and no farther. Meanwhile, one of the town’s elite is hiding secrets that would shock the town to the core. Though in some things in the plot were expected, these revelations and what they meant for Lynda kept me flipping the pages eagerly. Toward the end of the story, her personal journey moved me to tears. I was so moved by the reminder that it’s only later that we can see the good in a bad situation, that once the haze of grief and anger have faded, we can see the God placed others in our lives to be the hand that lifts us up, if we’re only willing to reach out and take it. He is eager to fill our cups to overflowing, if we just hold it out to Him.<br /><br />I have absolutely loved this series, and though it’s hard to pick, I think Jilted might be my favorite of the three – although that Ruthie is just a sassy as a secondary character as she is in her own story. These characters really came to life for me; Varina doesn’t sugarcoat situations, but nor does she add unnecessary detail that could make the story feel overly dramatic. Instead, I reveled in the true-to-life ups and downs of these characters, and rejoiced in the powerful message of this story.<br /><br />Varina is one of my favorite new authors, and I can’t wait to see what she brings readers next. If you are looking for an inspirational story about real, messy, wonderful characters, this story is for you. I highly recommend the Mended Hearts series – and I definitely think it’s best to read them in order, so started with Jaded, move on to Justified and savor a well-done ending in Jilted.", "timestamp": 1467165888000, "title": "My favorite of the series!" }, { "asin": "031033344X", "rating": 4, "text": "The Mountain Midwife opens with an engaging scene that pulled me immediately into Ashley Toliver’s world – that of a midwife for the women of a small Appalachian community. Awakened in the night, the last thing that Ashley expects is an abduction of her patient right after the birth. This light mystery takes off from there, pulling in another mystery of Hunter McDermott’s birth mother. Both of these threads intertwine nicely as the story progresses, as well as the growing friendship between Ashley and Hunter.<br /><br />There is a nice atmosphere found in this story – the feel of the small community is fully realized, and I loved the strong sense of heritage that Ashley has for her home. I enjoy when an author gives a character an authentic history that feels real to me, as this one did. The plot also flows nicely. The mystery thread is light and more my speed, since I don’t like super scary, crime-based stories.<br /><br />I felt like some of the ending scenes came across as a little bit anticlimactic. There are also some loose ends that I felt like weren’t tied up – perhaps to leave room for a sequel? I definitely felt like there are secondary characters in this story that could have their own and would be interested in reading those. I was also bummed at how easily things wrapped up for Ashley – I thought there would be more of a compromise regarding one big issue in her life. It seemed a bit glossed over, but that’s just my opinion. Other readers may not feel that way at all.<br /><br />The details about midwifery really grabbed my attention; Ashely had such deep roots, and the details about her job held my interest – and for anyone worried about there being too much detail, don’t be – I thought it was enough details to understand the situation and even learn from it, but not more information than was needed. I also thought it was neat how the author made Ashley and her friend Heather a descendant of characters in her historical series about midwives – I’ve read this first book, and this story actually makes me want to read the other two.<br /><br />Overall, this is an engaging story, with a lot of compelling elements, and a light mystery at its core - and I hope it's the beginning of a series. These characters have more stories to tell, I'm sure of it.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to do a review, and the views expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1475961978000, "title": "Light, Romantic Mystery" }, { "asin": "0310395933", "rating": 5, "text": "In Love Takes the Cake, Charlotte Cantrell knows what she’s about – providing brides with delicious cakes for their wedding day. What she doesn’t count on is being drawn to a regular customer, Will, who comes every week to buy cookies for the mysterious “Melissa.” Humorous misunderstandings abound in this confection of a story. I haven’t read any of Betsy St. Amant’s full length novels, but definitely want to after enjoying this fun story. The story could easily find its home on the Hallmark channel (and really who is complaining about that?), but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t also a dose of realism thanks to the back stories of both Charlotte and Will. The unraveling of the tangled threads of misunderstandings is a joy to read.<br /><br />I admit that The Perfect Arrangement was the story I was most eager to read, simple because I am always eager to read anything that Katie Ganshert writes. I was expecting a charming story, but this one truly blew me away. Amelia Mason is a bit quirky and a very relatable character. I’m a big fan of epistolary style narratives, so I love how the author includes email to tell the story. It’s a fresh twist that adds a lot of fun and charm to the characters interactions – Nate is a particularly endearing male lead. This may seem a small thing, but I also appreciated that she included a family with step-siblings. It’s not something I’ve seen much in Christian fiction, but it’s a real part of life, and it is done very well here. I also found the story of how Amelia came to own a flower shop and how it got its name to be such an endearing part of the story. This is one of my favorite novellas I’ve read in 2016.<br /><br />Love in the Details is nothing less than what I expect from a Becky Wade story – the characters are endearing, and it’s easy to root for them the entire time. She realistically portrays two people who were once in a relationship, meeting again after many years and different roads of life. It’s a genuinely sweet story that had me smiling while reading because they are just such likeable people. I appreciated the cautious, realistic way that they began to reconnect with one another – their reconnection doesn’t move too fast, nor does it drag, but rather it strikes the perfect balance with the length of the story. I also liked getting a peek into Holly’s writer life – I’m sure the author pulls from personal experience there, so it was fun to read about that.<br /><br />I know that many readers start picking up Christmas books well before the month of December rolls around. But before you pick up your Christmas books, I highly recommend squeezing a bit of “fall” into your reading this month with this wonderfully charming collection.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own.", "timestamp": 1479575023000, "title": "Perfect Trio of Stories!" }, { "asin": "0764218212", "rating": 5, "text": "Set during the tumultuous time of Israel’s beginning as a unified nation, Shadow of the Storm brings the life of the Hebrew tribes into sharp relief. Through the eyes of Shira, a woman still fighting the battles of her past, readers see these events firsthand through engrossing first-person narration. Shira’s insecurities make her a realistic, relatable character. My heart was stirred and found kinship with her; doubts and fears keep her from fully embracing her desire to be a midwife. Despite having a natural talent for it, her self-doubt and mistakes keep her from moving forward.<br /><br />There are times where it feels like books were placed in my life exactly when I needed it. The<br />Story takes on a personal level, and I see myself in the character so strongly, that I know that the timing is no accident. This was completely and entirely my experience while reading Shadow of the Storm and discovering Shira’s story. It was a joy to see Kiya, Eben and Jumo again. The friendship between Shira and Kiya is definitely a highlight of the story, and I’m glad that the familial relationships didn’t get lost in the plot or any romantic elements. Ayal is an intriguing character – despite not knowing his true intentions and a shaky beginning, I found myself wanting his character to be constant.<br /><br />Dvorah is one character that served a dual purpose for me. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about the addition of another character’s perspective, but as the story continues, Cossette does something that not many authors accomplish – make an unlikable, deplorable character provoke empathy within me. I found myself reacting strongly to Dvorah’s decisions – and by strongly, I distinctly remember saying out loud to my husband that I wanted to punch her in the face…um, oops? Seriously though, any read that elicits such an emotion from me is a winner in my book.<br /><br />In addition to providing a superb antagonist, Dvorah brought in an outsider perspective as well. I had honestly never really thought of how wild it would have been for so many people, from so many different backgrounds, would have functioned as a whole, while traveling through the desert. I suppose I never thought about the fact that, with the Hebrew tribes, some groups might have just been “tagging along,” for lack of a better phrase, because it was better than the life they left behind. Just because they were following Moses out of Egypt didn’t mean they left their prejudices and ingrained beliefs behind, nor did it mean that their beliefs aligned with the Hebrews. These differences and the issues that arose from them are fascinating and add a great element to the story.<br /><br />This powerful story has everything I look for in a novel. I was held riveted by the plot, Shira’s character, and the tender romance. Most importantly, this is a faith-affirming story that reminds reader of how God uses trials and setbacks to bolster faith and keep our eyes set on Him. This is one of my favorite books of 2016, and I am so looking forward to book 3 in the Out from Egypt series, Wings of the Wind. I highly recommend Shadow of the Storm to readers who enjoy Biblical fiction and an immersive first-person narrative.", "timestamp": 1479775248000, "title": "Superb Addition to the Series!" }, { "asin": "0718077911", "rating": 5, "text": "A Portrait of Emily Price is Katherine Reay at her best. The tone and main character are reminiscent of Dear Mr. Knightley, the realistic situations akin to Lizzy and Jane, and the international aspect nods to The Bronte Plot. I was happy to see her return to the overall tone that she brought readers in Dear Mr. Knightley. Though they were very different characters, Emily’s first-person voice had me enchanted in the same way that I was with Sam. While the family situations were complex, there is a beautiful simplicity in the way that things occur. There was never a moment where I willingly put this book down, and I was always eager to pick it back up.<br /><br />Usually whirlwind type romances don’t do much for me. I struggle with the realism and can’t get into the magic of it all. But from the moment that Emily met Ben, I felt like their biggest cheerleader! Yes, I was wondering how this was all going to play out, but I was rooting for them all the way. The author completely pulls it off – Ben is total book-boyfriend material. I did appreciate the realistic way that, despite how quickly their relationship moves, it was still a back and forth of misunderstanding and miscommunications, but also a sweet rendering of a new marriage. For readers that are not as big a fan of romance as myself, never fear – although this might be Reay’s most romantic story yet, Emily’s personal growth and a poignant family story take the prime spot in the narrative – and what a joy it is to watch it all unfold. The secondary characters are genuine and not to be overlooked. I particularly adored the relationship between Emily and Ben’s dad, Lucio – his character over all is one of the most gorgeous portrayals of fatherly love that I’ve read in a long while.<br /><br />Several aspects just make this story – that of art and Italy – and food! Emily’s job as a restorer is fascinating to read about, and I also loved watching her grow in confidence at an artist as well. The setting of a small Italian village is so picturesque and full of charm – from the cozy library in the family home, to the cobblestone streets of the village, I fell in love with it all. Ben’s charm is never as beguiling as the times he is in the kitchen, although the story paints an accurate picture of the precarious nature of the restaurant business, but more importantly, how food, family and tradition intertwine. And while there might be times where metaphors are overused in stories, or perhaps too many are used at once, here the combination of art restoration and creation provide a gorgeous comparison for the events of the story.<br /><br />My most favorite aspect of this story is how Emily proves to be a huge catalyst for change in Ben’s family, all the while trying to maintain a flimsy control of her new life in Italy and discover just what her roll is as a member of it. As Emily uncovers a painting in the local church, the secrets of Ben’s family are uncovered as well. While the faith elements are a lighter thread throughout the first part of the story, the latter half is suffused with a beautiful message of forgiveness and grace.<br /><br />I am always so pleased to read a Katherine Reay novel, but even more so when it’s as poignant and lovingly crafted as A Portrait of Emily Price. Highly recommended.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1480384995000, "title": "Her Best Book Yet!" }, { "asin": "149640646X", "rating": 4, "text": "I am very particular about the authors that I follow when it comes to Biblical fiction. Tessa Afshar is one author whose books I will always pick up and expect to be enthralled by the story. Land of Silence grabbed my heart from page one. She created a provocative, engrossing story for the woman with the issue of blood. When I first heard that this would be the basis for her new book, I admit, I did wonder how she was going to make it work. I wasn’t worried, of course, but I did wonder how she would choose to tell this story. She takes a figure that appears in one scene with the Bible and fleshes out her story into something beautiful – a tapestry, if you will, that rivals the beauty of the fabric creations in Elianna’s household.<br /><br />The characterization of Elianna is superb; her voice in the first person narration style is crystal clear and distinct. I love that she chose to tell the story in first-person. I think it made the telling of such a personal, emotionally-charged story that much more poignant and compelling. Speaking of fabric and tapestries, the details about fabric production, dyeing and even the selling and trading are fascinating and greatly enhanced my reading experience.<br /><br />This author excels at creating strong women that suit the setting and time period, and Elianna is truly an inspiring character. She is determined and wants to take care of her family, yet her pride keeps her from accepting help from her betrothed, Ethan. The novel spans many years, and I ached with her and cheered for her as she matures throughout the story. The way that she is battered by life circumstance and then later on by physical ailments, yet still holds tight to her faith, makes her a compelling character. I can’t let the review go without mentioning Ethan again – enduring, steadfast Ethan. The scenes between these two spark with feeling, and he matches Elianna’s stubbornness with a hard head of his own.<br /><br />The groundwork for the story is set up in a strong way. The opening scenes set up perfectly both the despair and hope that are to come. Stricken by grief, guilt and condemnation, Elianna works hard to be the perfect daughter and basically run her father’s textile business on her own. However, all of her hard work cannot prepare her for what’s to come. Looking back, I am once again impressed that the novel wasn’t bogged down with despair. Much of the novel is leading to her lowest point, but I never wanted to put it down – the story flows that well and is that engrossing. Though there were some times I felt that the pacing was a bit slow, the events that took place felt realistic and naturally placed in the story. It is only through reaching her lowest point, that the most important event of her life takes place – that of touching the hem of Jesus’s robe and finding physical healing, yes, but, more importantly, deep, irrevocable love, free of condemnation.<br /><br />Afshar’s writing just keeps getting better and better, and fans of her previous novels will not be disappointed in the slightest. I highly recommend this novel for readers of Biblical fiction, but also for any reader looking for a strong story of healing and redemption.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this novel, and I chose to review it. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1517601525606, "title": "Another Winning Story by Afshar" }, { "asin": "0800728734", "rating": 5, "text": "Charming, mysterious, romantic, fun, and swoon-worthy, A Rumored Fortune is Politano’s second novel, and, wow, does it deliver for this reader.<br /><br />There is such a strong atmosphere to sink into within these pages. The setting is a castle, its grounds home to a vineyard. Though her castle home is important and much loved, it is the vineyard that captured Tressa's mind, as it had previously captured her father's before his mysterious death. However, both castle and vineyard have the funds that they need to keep going, as her father's fortune is hidden in a place that only he knew.<br /><br />I adored Tressa’s character. Though Victorian Era heroines often have the misfortune of things happening to them rather than making things happen (which while aggravating to modern thought, is probably more realistic), Tressa is a realistic balance of delicate yet driven. She’s not afraid of doing things on her own but is also acutely aware of her own vulnerability and still bound to an extent to society’s expectations.<br /><br />The secondary characters are by turns intriguing, suspicious, and charming. I loved the relationship between Tressa and her lady’s maid, Lucy. Of course, her burgeoning friendship with Donegan Vance, the man her father hired to care for the vineyard captured my attention with ease, while her re-introduction to her former suitor, Andrew Carrington, made me question everyone’s motives, especially with a vast fortune involved.<br /><br />The faith element is strong throughout the novel, and while alluded to often, it always feels genuine and in keeping with the characters themselves. I found it to be refreshing and well-done; it is especially neat the way the care and keeping of a vineyard ties in so well with Tressa’s personal journey in such a natural way.<br /><br />This is only the tenth novel this year that I’ve given five stars. The exquisite blend of lovely writing, endearing characters, mysterious plot, and a gorgeous romance make A Rumored Fortune one of my favorite reads of the year!<br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a review, positive or otherwise, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1533512433595, "title": "Charming, Swoon-worthy Second Novel" }, { "asin": "1683228685", "rating": 4, "text": "The White City is a vibrant mystery, with more of a cozy feel than a sinister one. I've read some non-fiction accounts of H.H. Holmes, and it's really quite gruesome. The extent of his depravity and evil is not touched on here, as this story takes place nearer to the beginning of his terrible acts. However, there is enough that the danger is real and present throughout the pages of this book.<br /><br />At first I was a bit worried that Winnie was going to be too silly, but I was soon won over by her vivacity and charm. Her interactions with Detective Jude Thorpe are fun and sweet, and even though I don't enjoy a love triangle, even Percival won me over (I wouldn't mind seeing him in a future novel). Winnie is also a complete bookworm, so what's not to love about that. As with any bookworm though, occasionally our imagination might get the best of us - which is what happens to Winnie. She has to prove to her father that she knows what she's talking about and can back up her claims with evidence. Hence, where the sleuthing and danger come into play. Winnie's family plays a significant role in this story, as does romance, so if you're looking for suspense alone, that's not this title. I for one enjoyed the mix, and once I realized it was more of a cozy mystery, the story flowed well for me. I also found the descriptions of the city and the World's Fair to be lovely and a great backdrop for the events of the story.<br /><br />I enjoyed this debut novel; it shows great promise for the stories that I know are to come from Grace Hitchcock.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to post a positive review, and the thoughts expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1552672505439, "title": "Fun Historical Romance" }, { "asin": "0785223169", "rating": 4, "text": "In The Governess of Penwythe Hall, Ladd’s trademark handling of setting, characters, and romance are back in full force. The harsh landscape of Cornwall comes to life, complete with its dramatic coastline and the seemingly endless moors. This is just the place that widow and governess Delia Greythorne is forced back to after the death of her employer. Cornwall, a place of heartache for her, might hold the keys to moving on with her life, if she can combat dangers arising from her past.<br /><br />After a slow start, it was hard for me to put this one down. The plot builds nicely, each element building on another to create an entertaining read. Delia is a strong character, but not unrealistically so. She is fully aware of her position in the world, but still retains her dignity. One of my favorite parts of the story is the blossoming relationship between Jac Tretheway, Penwythe Hall’s owner, and the orphaned children. His priorities must shift, and I enjoyed his shift from duty to love.<br /><br />This is a lovely opening to Sarah E. Ladd’s new series, and I eagerly await The Thief of Lanwyn Manor’s release in 2020. Recommended to fans of historical romance with a healthy dose of intrigue and a dash of suspense.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1556578455672, "title": "Lovely Series Opener!" }, { "asin": "0785222006", "rating": 4, "text": "A bookshop, lists of books, and friendship - what more could a bibliophile want out of a story? A book about books and bookshops and bookish things is a delight to be sure because \"that's what books do...they are a conversation, and introduce us to ourselves and to others,\" as the beloved Maddie of this book says.<br /><br />These are just the base elements that blend together to make the rich, layered tale that is The Printed Letter Bookshop. More than \"just\" books, this story is about making peace with life and those in it and choosing to be in charge of your own story: \"It's like you live in those classics you love, in some odd third-person narration, as if you aren't in charge of your own story. Who is, if not you, for goodness' sake?\"<br /><br />The story is about three women, Madeline, Claire, and Janet, and also one person and place around which their lives meet: Maddie, the owner of a bookshop, and the bookshop itself. Though at first I was taken aback by the three different narrators, I ended up liking all three of them quite a bit. While I typically prefer only one or two narrators, I felt equally interested in the lives of all three women. I enjoyed watching the relationship between them unfold. I loved the realness of each one, their struggles and their triumphs, and the often messy yet wonderful nature of life shines throughout the entire story.<br /><br />Though it doesn't top out as my favorite Reay book, she has written another charming yet deep story that is sure to meet a lot of readers right where they are in life.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not require to give a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1559851759910, "title": "Charming yet Deep" }, { "asin": "0800735323", "rating": 4, "text": "What a wonderful debut! Though suspense is not my go-to genre, I was drawn to this story first because of the small town setting, but also because of the author's presence on social media. Say what you will, but I'm always drawn to a warm, down-to-earth person, especially online where things can be so shallow and superficial.<br /><br />As I mentioned previously, the small town setting of Walton, Georgia comes to life in this story. From the locals who look after one another, to the diner where everyone gathers on the designated night, the flavor feels just right. In addition to the setting, I loved getting to know these characters. Lane's character is one that truly resonated with me, and I feel she will do the same for anyone that has struggled at any point in their life with depression. I applaud Walters for portraying her in what I feel is a realistic yet sensitive way. I cheered for the way that Lane kept pushing through, even when darkness threatened to take over her heart and mind. Words spoken to her by the precious Ms. Byrdie rooted deep into my heart:<br /><br />\"You are not broken. You are perfectly made. You have to stop punishing yourself for the way God made you - even for your depression. You need to forgive yourself and take captive those thoughts that you are anything but the woman our Creator designed you to be.\"<br /><br />The secondary characters are varied and endearing as well. My particular favorites (other than a handsome deputy Charlie Lynch, of course) are the Ms. Byrdie mentioned above, and Deputy Frost, who works with Charlie. The banter between Charlie and Deputy Frost had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion.<br /><br />The plot unfolds with delicious twists, and the mystery is sustained until just the perfect time. It was far enough to keep me guessing, yet soon enough so as to heighten the tension when I had a bit more of a clue than I did before. The investigating feels realistic to me, and I never felt there was any awkward behavior just for the sake of a thrill. Everything happens organically and feels natural. Speaking of feeling natural, the romance is a bit of a slow burn and SO sweet.<br /><br />I appreciate Living Lies for both it's entertainment value as much as I do for its honest portrayal of both struggles and hope. Throw in a quality mystery and an endearing romance, and it's a winning debut. I've added book two in the series to my to-read list and will be eager to get my hands on it!<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1569457568048, "title": "Excellent Debut!" }, { "asin": "0800735331", "rating": 4, "text": "Natalie Walters has really brought me around to the suspense genre. I love the small town of Walton, and I really enjoy the friendships portrayed in the Harbored Secrets series. Vivian is a character that I wasn't too sure about at first, but just like everyone, she had a lot going on behind the unforgiving reporter facade. Walters really hits the sweet spot of character development, mystery, and realism. There's usually a point that I question the intelligence of a character in suspense novels, but that's not really the case here. The events feel plausible and kept my attention the entire time. Ryan is a character that I was eager to see more of - he is so endearing in the first book, so seeing his character develop so well in this book made my reader heart happy.<br /><br />I'm definitely looking forward to book three in the series - how great that it's about Pecca, such an engaging secondary character in this book - and I'm a little sad that it'll be the last adventure in Walton.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1574699420481, "title": "Great Addition to the Series" } ]

[ { "asin": "1595545395", "rating": 4, "text": "This was such a sweet, fun book! Lucy is a cute heroine, and I love how she isn't perfect or \"beautiful\" in that cheesy way. That is way overdone these days, it seems! I was expecting the ultimate cheese from this book, and while it is a fun romance, it actually deals with some really serious issues despite it's appearance. I'm not even that much of a reader of Chick-Lit, nor do I usually like Contemporary novels, and I still really enjoyed this one. Some aspects of the plot are a bit unrealistic, but then again, the whole concept of faking an engagement/relationship is pretty crazy, so I was able to go along with it. I look forward to reading Jones' other novels.", "timestamp": 1314462852000, "title": "Light and Fun Summer Read" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 5, "text": "I have a hard time believing that Spring for Susannah is Richmond's debut novel! She writes like she already has several novels under her belt. This one is definitely a notch above the typical Christian Historical Fiction. Richmond completely drew me in with the sincerity of the story. Nothing is watered down and easy just because they believe in God. This book can definitely be viewed as two different parts. In the first part, Susannah is very timid and shy, but once she has to be on her own for a while, I really began to root for her. Her character developement was awesome.<br /><br />I also would like to thank Richmond for portraying the marriage between Susannah and Jesse as she did. They are one of the most realistic couples that I've read thus far in the genre. It seems that some authors shy away from portraying a real married relationship, but not Richmond. Nothing was graphic or overdone, but the intimacy in their relationship and their love for one another was evident. As one who has recently married, I found it so accurate and sincere.<br /><br />My one issue is that I found the ending to be somewhat abrupt. They were re-united, and then it seemed the book was over.<br /><br />I hope Richmond is already at work on her next novel; I can only imagine that she will continue to impress!", "timestamp": 1314463223000, "title": "Awesome Debut!" }, { "asin": "0849946158", "rating": 3, "text": "I found this to be a faith-affirming and uplifting story. I was challenged to think beyond some vague idea of heaven because of Colton's experience, and I really liked that. I can't imagine going through what that family went through, but like they said, it had a purpose.<br /><br />I do wish that some of the details that Colton mentioned were given a more \"scholarly\" approach. Don't get me wrong, I am not necessarily doubting that he experienced these things. There were just a couple of details that I could not find in the Bible. I wish that every time Colton made a point about heaven there would have been an exact place to find it in scripture. Todd did this for the majority of the time, and I found myself more moved and more comfortable with it than the times he did not. For example, I was uncomfortable with his descriptions of angels having wings as to my knowledge no angel ever appeared to a human in the Bible that had wings. I had thought the cherubim & seraphim do, but to my knowledge no where in the Bible does it mention that God's messengers have wings. Another detail I did not understand was Jesus' rainbow horse. I even tried to look it up (I am by no means a biblical scholar and know I am constantly overlooking things). I found mentions of a pale horse, a red horse, a white horse and a black horse (not that Jesus was riding all of them), but no where could I find a \"rainbow\" horse.<br /><br />Overall, I did like Heaven is for Real, but felt the need to \"be a Berean\" as they say, and check all things against scripture. I will take in the good things that this book (or any book) has to offer, and for my hard facts about what heaven is like, I will stick to the Word.", "timestamp": 1373138495000, "title": "Uplifting but not enough scripture backing for me" }, { "asin": "0764210416", "rating": 4, "text": "A thoroughly enjoyable novel, Tide and Tempest has a great blend of my favorite elements. Full of history, mystery, suspense, and a sincere romance, this read had a little bit of everything that my reading-heart could desire.<br /><br />The characters were portrayed in a realistic way, and I related so much with their internal conflicts. Both Tillie and Captain Morgan carried burdens of guilt and responsibility inside, and while the external conflict swirled with danger and intrigue, the internal conflict made these characters come alive for me. I also liked that their problems weren’t solved by romance or “insta-love.” They had to deal with those internal struggles first before letting someone into their heart and move on with their lives.<br /><br />I liked the pace of the plot too. It strikes a nice balance between character interaction and action scenes. I appreciated that the suspenseful moments made sense and flowed well. Sometimes I think that action sequences are a little jumbled and confusing, but here I didn’t find anything like that.<br /><br />I loved the atmosphere of the setting, especially the boarding house where Tillie lived. The entire setting was well-done from the dress shop where Tillie worked, to the apothecary shop in a rather unsavory part of town. There was a distinctive quality to each place in the story.<br /><br />Another sign of a great read is when the secondary characters come to life – for me, this character was Captain Morgan’s brother, Cass. In fact, I think he deserves his own story, and I am sort of hoping that some of the events that took place in this story are set up for him to have his own story one day!<br /><br />I am a sucker for dashing captains, especially if they hail from Ireland, and a roguish brother is not too bad either (wink, wink). The ending wraps everything up nicely, though not without some tension and heartache getting there. I was happy to get a happily-ever-after.<br /><br />This is my first read by Elizabeth Ludwig, and it definitely won’t be my last! I haven’t read the first two books in this series, but that didn’t prove to be an issue for my enjoyment of Tide and Tempest. Happy am I to say that I have the first book already on my Kindle and won the second book in a giveaway. Now I can learn that backstory of the other secondary characters in this story, and I know it will be a treat.", "timestamp": 1395668433000, "title": "A little bit of everything!" }, { "asin": "0764211692", "rating": 5, "text": "A Bride in Store is a worthy follow-up to the first novel in this series. In fact, I believe that her characters are even more developed, the writing more finessed and the plot tighter. I was especially taken with the unique plot points that she included in the story. Bereft of the store she used to run for her father, Eliza Cantrell travels to Kansas to be a mail-order bride for a man who owns a store, hoping that she will find a willing partner in both the store and marriage, if not complete happiness. The story starts with a bang in an unexpected train robbing scene. From the get go, it’s obvious that our Eliza is a quick-thinker and is not afraid to fight for what is rightfully hers. I really enjoyed her personality; she is entirely a lady of the times, but also unique in that she wants to be the owner and proprietor of her own store. She is not so forward-thinking that she wasn’t realistic to the time-period, but is still certainly distinct.<br /><br />The setting of 1881 Salt Flatts, Kansas feels authentic, as do the details about businesses at that time. I also found the details about healthcare back then fascinating; they really added a lot to the story. Some of the tidbits were tragic, but true to the time period when sickness and often death were simply an everyday matter. The side characters added great layers to the story; I especially loved Mrs. Lightfoot, the proprietor of the boarding house where Eliza lived. Without giving away too many details, I found her story to be intriguing and unexpected, and the relationship she and Eliza developed to be engaging.<br /><br />I admit that Will Stanton is not my typical favorite male lead, but he definitely grew on me as the story progressed. He is a thoughtful and somewhat reserved, yet he is selfless and doesn’t find worth in himself. Will dreams of studying to become a doctor, but in the meantime, takes care of his friend Axel’s store. Thrown off by Eliza’s early arrival, he allows her to work in the store until Axel’s return. I could really feel the tension and pull of attraction between them as Axel’s absence stretches into weeks. As their dreams and hopes for the future pull them in different directions, they navigate this new territory that springs up between them. Though I was never unsure of what the outcome would be, the journey getting there was a satisfying one. There was one plot twist regarding Axel that I actually did not see coming at all, so that was fun. Overall, there was quite a bit more action than what I originally thought.<br /><br />The spiritual aspect of the novel touched on several things, but the most prominent one for me was seeking God’s will for your life, and how sometimes your ideals and dreams don’t always align with that will. Sometimes you have to be willing to adapt and change your mind about things. I enjoyed watching Eliza and Will work through these things, even though at times it is painful, the outcome was better than they imagined.<br /><br />A Bride in Store was a great blend of unique historical details, endearing romance and well-rounded characters who experienced relatable dilemmas. Just an all-around fun read for me. I’m looking forward to Melissa Jagears next book. 4.5 stars!", "timestamp": 1411223159000, "title": "Great second novel!" }, { "asin": "0764210378", "rating": 5, "text": "Charlotte Withersby’s dearest wish is to study her beloved blooms as a botanist. She wants to be left alone by her uncle, society and most certainly by her father’s new assistant, an interloper named Mr. Trimble. In a time when women’s views and expertise in botany are not given credence, Charlotte must rely upon the name of her father, a well-known botanist, to publish her own work. When her uncle and father insist that she take on society to snare a husband, Charlotte is sure Mr. Trimble’s lackluster help will soon bring her back to her position as her father’s assistant and put all of the marriage nonsense to rest. What Charlotte doesn’t account for is finding actual suitors, nor is she prepared for the questions that be thrust into society will bring – is her merit in her work or does it lie within herself?<br /><br />Siri always chooses to write about historical elements that are usually not anything that I’ve read about in another novel. She is a brave author in the sense that she chooses to tackle story elements and character traits that are not widely used. In this case, it was the science of botany. The botany details are fascinating and add a lot of depth to Charlotte’s character development and intellectual tendencies. Charlotte’s quirks are so unique to her character. Siri’s characters and settings are never the norm, which is why her books continue to be a delight to read.<br /><br />This novel is more on the humorous side, and nowhere is that more evident than in the main character, Charlotte. She is quirky, and if I may, sometimes a bit odd. At first, I wasn’t sure how to take her, but as I read on, she grew on me. There is a possibility that she may not be for everyone; there were times that I was exasperated with her, but at the same time, she is extremely refreshing. She is everything that society is not – she is blunt, unpretentious and lacks the knowledge of all of the social niceties that are expected of her. In her heart of hearts, she wants to take care of her father and wants to be valued for her intellectual abilities, and moreover, wants herself to be enough, no more, no less.<br /><br />There were also some compelling side characters present in this story. I loved her new-found companion, Miss Templeton - the scenes with her were full of humor, and I loved how she took Charlotte under her wing and had a feeling that she found Charlotte refreshing as well. Their friendship and back-and-forth banter was entertaining to read. Her uncle, her self-named chaperone during all of her social outings is rather enigmatic at first, but as the story progresses, his character and background are revealed, and I was pleasantly surprised by the depth in the interactions between him and Charlotte.<br /><br />Mr. Trimble may not be the conventional hero, but I felt that he fit well within the story, and his character is very endearing. Despite being declared the enemy by Miss Templeton, it’s soon very clear that he isn’t the usurper that he appears to be and that he has his own reasons for becoming an assistant to a reclusive botanist. I wanted more interaction between him and Charlotte, and while the enemies turned lovers storyline sometimes wears on me, it works well in this story, and provides some humorous and also heartfelt exchanges between him and Charlotte.<br /><br />Whenever I pick a Siri Mitchell novel I know that I am in for something unique and fascinating. She always takes on topics that stand out, this story lives up to the standard I’ve come to expect in Siri’s novels. Although I’ve enjoyed all of her novels, this one definitely stands out as one I’ve enjoyed most. With a quirky main character, a sweet romance and a fascinating look at the world of botany, Like a Flower in Bloom is a favorite read of the year so far.", "timestamp": 1428698443000, "title": "Quirky, witty and altogether fun! :)" }, { "asin": "1414398697", "rating": 4, "text": "Abigail Pressman’s dream is to expand Book Nook, the beloved store she inherited from her father. In Love’s Park, a town obsessed with love and all things romantic, being single is an anomaly, so her dreams for her store are her salvation. When the owner of the building sells the entire space to a doctor new to town, she fears her dream will never come to fruition. In a secret match-making scheme, the Valentine Volunteers, the ladies who keep the tradition of stamping mail with the city’s postmark, attempt to pull Abigail into their fold. Despite herself, Abigail is drawn to the stringed paper hearts that she discovers among the Volunteers letters, even as she is drawn to the handsome doctor next door. This doctor doesn’t match the “dream-killer” she wanted to picture in her mind, and Abigail begins questions if her dream is her dream at all or just a crutch to stop her from reaching for what she really wants. A new string of paper hearts appears, leading Abigail to believe that something tragic happened to the couple who wrote them. As she uncovers more of the mystery couple’s story, Abigail fears that it will confirm her worst doubts about love, or even scarier, set her life on a path to a new dream entirely.<br /><br />Paper Hearts is a charming story. Walsh’s writing flows really well from scene to scene, and I loved the setting. The town almost felt like a character in and of itself and was so well-established on the outset of the story. I loved the small-town, everyone-knows-everyone vibe that stayed through the entire story. I really related to Abigail’s character, and I think most readers out there will. Not only is she a reader herself, she is artsy and quirky – someone I’d love to meet in real life. I could easily understand and empathize with her frustrations about the dreams for her store, and I wanted to see her succeed despite the obstacles she was facing.<br /><br />Personally, I cared more about her personal struggles than the romantic aspect of the book, which may not have been the intention. While I found Jacob, the male lead, to be a genuine, empathetic character, I couldn’t entirely get behind their relationship. For me, it was hard to come to terms with the way it progressed; they were supposed to be enemies, yet they were falling for one another. There were times that it just didn’t work for me. When the conflict didn’t center on the external conflict keeping them apart, but rather their internal conflicts, I enjoyed the story more. They were more solid characters apart than they were together, and for romantic reads, I want the couple to be complete as individuals, but also believable as a couple. Even so, the later scenes between them are sweet, but not in a syrupy way at all. My heart was definitely smiling at those scenes.<br /><br />There are also some strange shifts in point of view into the Valentine Volunteer meetings that some readers might find a bit jarring at first, simply because they are unexpected. The characters that comprise the Valentine Volunteers are actually quite humorous. The mixture of newly married, middle-aged and elderly “bah-humbug” ladies made for a funny combination, and once I realized that those shifts were coming, I fell into them easily.<br /><br />The spiritual element is woven throughout the story in a natural way, and I could really relate to the idea that sometimes prayers are answered in ways you never expected, sometimes in ways that you had never thought to pray. I found myself rooting for both Abigail and Jacob to shed their past and give God control of their futures.<br /><br />I definitely feel that Paper Hearts will be a hit for readers whose favorite genre is contemporary romance. Despite my few qualms about the story, the authentic setting and quirky cast of characters won me over. There is a lot of appeal here to recommend it to fans of this genre.<br /><br />Favorite quote: “…the very best love stories are the ones that are flawed and full of forgiveness and pain and joy and challenges and happiness. All these things make up a love story, Abigail.”", "timestamp": 1428944045000, "title": "Cute Contemporary Romance" }, { "asin": "1601425996", "rating": 5, "text": "Anippe has known from a young age that Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods controlled her fate. After childbirth took the lives her mother and infant brother, she becomes deathly afraid of bearing a child of her own, believing that Anubis, the Egyptian god of death lies in wait for the day she becomes a mother. She carries this fear into her marriage to Sebak, a captain in her brother, Pharaoh Tut’s, army and follows her as she becomes mistress of a prominent Egyptian estate. When Tut orders the Hebrew midwives to drown any sons that are born to their people, Anippe seizes the opportunity to launch a great deception. Finding a baby floating in a basket in the Nile, Anippe believes the Egyptian gods have answered her prayers. She can pretend that she had a son, yet doing so sets into motion events that place her, her son and his true Hebrew family, in terrible danger. As bloodshed mounts and the political tide of Egypt turns, Anippe wonders if her son may have a chance to become Pharaoh, or whether the god of the Hebrews, He who is called El Shaddai, has a bigger plan for them both.<br /><br />Prior to reading The Pharaoh’s Daughter, I had only read one of Mesu Andrews’s previous novels. While it was fully enjoyable, this novel brought a whole other level for me. I’ve read a couple of authors that are very popular in Biblical fiction, but they just didn’t click with me, so I tend to stick with a hand full of authors in this genre that I know won’t disappoint. After finishing this novel, I feel confident that Mesu Andrews can be easily join their ranks.<br /><br />In many ways, The Pharaoh’s Daughter is an epic story. It spans several years and several major shifts throughout Anippe’s life. There is a lot of political intrigue and several characters, but I feel like Mesu imparts what the reader needs to know without it being overwhelming. There are some jumps in time, but they were not a problem for me here. The passage of time and key events that the reader needs to know are explained by allowing the information to come naturally in the scene. Whether in the opening scene after substantial passage of time or whether in a character’s emotions after an intense scene, Mesu truly understands the importance of showing what happened rather than simply telling. She brings ancient Egypt to life in a fascinating way. Details of their belief system, politics, and daily life are present from the beginning, woven seamlessly throughout the story. One of my favorite details she included was the way they named second and third children the same name as the first born to “trick” the gods as a way to ensure the firstborn’s life. Names in general are very important in both the Egyptian and Hebrew families, and even Anippe experiences name changes that have a profound impact on her. From their elaborate feasts to the details of running an Egyptian household, I found it all to be mesmerizing.<br /><br />The lives of the Egyptian royalty and the Hebrew servants are fully realized. Despite having guards and servants are at her beck and call and wanting for very little in the material sense, Anippe lives in fear, first from childbirth, then later from her deception of raising Moses as her own son. The juxtaposition of the Egyptian’s way of life and the Hebrew’s way of life was very startling at times, but what was even more impressive was the feeling of discovering that along with Anippe as the story progresses. The lavish, pampered lifestyle of the Egyptians is a stark foil to the simplistic, bare, yet often content, lifestyle of the Hebrews. Both families are composed of well-rounded characters full of depth. Their hopes, fears and dreams were rich and layered, and I especially loved the interactions that brought royalty and commoner together. Although Anippe starts off as pampered and entitled, she develops and grows in a realistic way. Her sister, Ankhe, provides a nice foil for her, showing what can happen when bitterness in life circumstances rules instead of hope. Anippe gave her chance after chance, which was a bit annoying; however, since her sister was her only close relative, I can understand why she was so forgiving. Mered, a Hebrew and the chief linen maker in Anippe’s estate, is also a complex character. I really enjoyed getting to know him and his family. Overall, the relationships between the characters come across as genuine and heartfelt, and I especially treasured the relationship between Anippe and Miriam, who becomes Anippe’s handmaiden after she is found watching Moses from the river bank.<br /><br />This novel has a bit of everything – danger, court and political intrigues, familial and romantic love and a beautiful tale of redemption that encompasses the entire story. The spiritual aspect feels very authentic and natural to the story, and I related to Anippe’s fears and doubts. As her name is changed once again, this time to the Hebrew name of Bithiah, she comes to understand just how worthy she is of a life free from fear and seeing her progress from fear to hope was very uplifting.<br /><br />I am no expert on Egyptian history or a Biblical scholar, so as long as an author stays true to the Biblical account, I am usually lenient when it comes to things that don’t have a definitive answer. The Bible doesn’t name the pharaoh in the story of Moses, and Mesu chooses to use Tut as the Pharaoh that decreed Hebrew baby boys to be killed at birth and his successor as the one who refused the Lord’s demands in Exodus. While I don’t know that I believe them to be two different pharaohs, Mesu does present a plausible story and has clearly done a lot of research. Much of the story takes place well before the events in Exodus, so it’s easy to see Mesu’s story as what “could have been,” and I also appreciated her explanation at the end and what scripture she used as reference.<br /><br />Ultimately when I read fiction set in biblical times, I want to feel prompted to return to the biblical account and look at it with fresh eyes once again. Mesu certainly accomplished that for me in The Pharaoh’s Daughter. It was a thoroughly entertaining, enlightening and profound read that kept me turning those pages well past time to turn in for the night. The Pharaoh’s Daughter is labeled as “A Treasure of the Nile Novel,” so I’m hoping this means more stories (perhaps one about Miriam!) like this one are up next for Mesu. I am eager to read her other published books and whatever story that she pens next. Highly recommended!", "timestamp": 1428944200000, "title": "A Favorite of the Year!" }, { "asin": "1496402243", "rating": 3, "text": "Carrington Hale has spent her entire life preparing for her Choosing ceremony – the day that she is to be chosen to become a wife. After years of careful preparation, she is not prepared for this moment to end in disaster. Instead of being chosen, she must spend the rest of her days serving in the lowest level of society as a Lint. Knowing the Authority cannot be questioned, Carrington prepares herself for a life of toil and drudgery, completely shut off from her family. She soon establishes a connection with another Lint girl, and discovers that there is a whole other side to their society, a rebellion that shakes her beliefs to the core and resonates in her heart in ways that she never imagined. Then Carrington is given an unheard of second chance at the life prepared and dreamed of, but things are not quite what they seem. With an assassin killing Lints and corruption looming in the upper echelons of the Authority, Carrington must find out the truth before it destroys her and those she has come to love.<br /><br />I don’t read a lot of dystopian fiction, but when I saw this as an option to review, I took the chance because I love checking out debut authors, and the premise sounded intriguing to me. From the first chapter, I was drawn into the story. Rachelle starts with a heightened scene that really pulled me into the action. While I found some parts of it to be similar to things I have already read, I still enjoyed her debut novel.<br /><br />The world that Rachelle created here at first seems very simplistic. I think that it’s a little deeper and more involved than it might first appear. I appreciated that details of how the society worked were threaded throughout so as to avoid a big pile of information. The details were mentioned, but I didn’t feel that it was overwhelming at any point. I do wish I could have learned a bit more about its history and what it actually looks like. Even though I learned about the various elements of the government and society, I never really got a feel for what it looked like – was it futuristic, was it part old and part new, did homes look like they do now or are things more uniform? Overall though, I felt that the world building was done well and created a great backdrop for the story.<br /><br />Carrington’s character is interesting, but for me, she didn’t have any special quality or quirk that really brought her to life and established a connection. I felt empathy for her and was compelled to continue reading her story, but never felt that “something” that I look for in main characters. There is a lot of introspection in her character that I found to become repetitive, although I can see her realizations resonating greatly with a lot of readers. I look forward to Carrington learning who she is as a daughter of the true Father.<br /><br />The plot was entertaining, though nothing out of the ordinary. I was fairly certain what was going to happen, but I still enjoyed getting to the heightened scenes in the book. For me there were a few elements that I felt were left a little vague. How did Aaron and his followers meet without detection? Did he live outside of the city or hide somewhere inside? Perhaps more will be revealed about how those who function outside of the Authority live, as Carrington discovers more about who she is as a daughter of the true Father away from that society’s control.<br /><br />I know that this is the first novel is a series, so perhaps I just need to be more patient and wait for more to be revealed in the second book. Overall, The Choosing is very well-written debut novel, and I can see how there is plenty here for the sub-sequent books in the series to delve deeper into Carrington’s society and the rebellion. I recommend this for young adult readers who enjoy dystopian settings.", "timestamp": 1436816652000, "title": "Intriguing Series Start" }, { "asin": "0764212397", "rating": 4, "text": "I am always intrigued by a story that highlights a character that was not well-loved in a previous book. If you’ve read Hearts Made Whole, then you know Tessa wasn’t the most likeable secondary character. It made me so eager to read her story in Undaunted Hope, and the wait was certainly worth it. Tessa has matured and realized the error of her old ways. However, she still has a certain sass and isn’t afraid to step out in a profession that had traditionally been held by men. For me her character is what made this novel shine, along with the vibrant setting and rich historical detail.<br /><br />Tessa is one of my favorite heroines that Jody has written thus far. She’s got spunk that comes across in a realistic way. Her limitations as a woman are true to the time period, when reputation was everything for a woman. This story also portrays an important truth about the consequences of past mistakes. Even after you make the decision to become a different kind of person, the effects of those old choices are hard to overcome. However, with time, effort and God’s help, it can be done. Tessa’s journey as she strives to overcome the mistakes of her past is one that had my complete empathy and admiration.<br /><br />The secondary characters really stand out in this story. Brothers Alex and Michael, the children, and even prickly Nadine create such an endearing group of people. I really enjoyed the development of these relationships and the genuine feeling that is upheld throughout the entire story. The plot is especially well-paced. Everything flows naturally and realistically throughout the story. Though the romance for me isn’t the highlight of this story, it is still Jody’s trademark style, with a dramatic rescue and several tender moments.<br /><br />It seems that I gush about this with every novel of Jody’s, but the historical detail here is so well-done. These people had such a hard life, full of back-breaking, dangerous work. I could imagine the bone-deep cold of the coastal breeze and the helplessness of the miners as they bowed to the whims of selfish boss. That he was based on a real-life historical figure brought even more depth to the story. The setting and time period quickly come to life and stay strong throughout the story’s entirety.<br /><br />I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s so neat that Jody brought back characters from the novella that starts the Beacons of Hope series – it gives the feeling of completion within that storyline, and also provides a little bit of set-up for the next book in the series. I’m always a little sad when I finish one of Jody’s novels because it means another wait for her new release – thankfully the next book is set to come out in June of this year, so we don’t have to wait too long – but it’s also neat to get a glimpse of a character that readers will get to meet soon. If you haven’t read this series yet, definitely do. Though this book could be read as a stand-alone, the story felt even richer having experienced Tessa’s past in the previous book. I highly recommend Undaunted Hope for fans of romantic inspirational historical fiction.", "timestamp": 1454009509000, "title": "Lovely Romance & Great Historical Detail!" }, { "asin": "0310341523", "rating": 3, "text": "This was my first book by Rachel Hauck, and I think perhaps not the best one to start with of her books. I found it to be an intriguing story, but struggled with the telling of it. From the get-go, I was less than thrilled with the four different points of view. Perhaps this shows my youth and frame of mind at this point in life, but I was much more interested in Taylor and Jack's marriage than I was Jimmy and Colette's relationship from years ago. I'm just a reader that would much prefer to get into one or two character's heads and get to know them really well; instead, I felt like I was skimming each person's story. Because of that, some of the story-arcs just fell flat for me.<br /><br />The faith element seems on the nose in some scenes, and while I love the idea of layered family secrets, they were pretty obvious from the beginning of the story. The story seemed to be trying to be a mystery and focused a lot on secrets of the past, whereas I wished it would have focused on the family dynamics of the present-day.<br /><br />I did like Rachel's writing style and found it to be very readable. Again, this is my first book by this author, so please take my opinion for what it is. I did like the book, and I do still want to check out more of Rachel's books, so if anyone has any recommendations of what to try next, I'm all ears.", "timestamp": 1456102121000, "title": "Intriguing Story" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 4, "text": "Colleen Coble is another author that I’m a little behind the curve on reading, and I hope to remedy that further in the future. The Inn at Ocean’s Edge is only the second of her novels that I’ve read, and while I wasn’t blown away by the other novel, this one was a great suspenseful read. This novel provides really great set up for upcoming books in the series, while still in keeping with what appears to be Colleen’s trademark romantic suspense.<br /><br />I think what impressed me most with this story is how quickly the action starts. I love how it starts off with a bang and doesn’t let up until the end. It’s hard to talk about this type of story line without accidentally giving any spoilers, but I was held fast by the mystery. There are several surprising elements, and while some of my suspicions proved to be correct, there were many instances that I wasn’t sure what was going on with certain characters or plotlines. The story ended up being much more layered and intricate than I was expecting, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching everything unfold. There were a few scenes that I thought ended in an odd way, as if it needed just a few more sentences to give it a better sense of completeness, but it may be something that wouldn’t bother super-fans of suspense. While I enjoy it, it’s not the genre that I read most often, so this could just be me<br /><br />The characters, for the most part, react realistically to what is going on around them, and the less desirable characters don’t come off as caricatures, which is often a complaint of mine. Although my life is nothing like Claire’s life, I still found ways to relate to her. There were times that I could have used a bit more depth for the main characters; I did think they had realistic back story’s that created great conflict for their current circumstances. Colleen gives Claire small but impactful characteristics that add a lot of realism to her character and the same can be said of Luke’s character as well.<br /><br />Colleen also does a great job in writing the romance realistically into the story; the romantic moments are genuinely sweet yet realistic and fall naturally within the story’s flow. While Claire and Luke aren’t complete opposites, there’s a softness to him that Claire is drawn to. Their scenes had a spark from the very beginning.<br /><br />The setting is another area that is really well-done. Although I’ve never been to Maine, I feel like I’ve at least been on its coast because of this story. I could easily envision Hotel Tourmaline, as well as the natural landscape of the setting, whether it was a rocky cliff, sandy beach or a cranberry bog. This is a random side note, but I’ve loved the names of her more recent titles – this one gives off a sense of place, as well as a sense of excitement and, perhaps even danger, especially with the words, “ocean’s edge.” Despite it being a hotel more than an inn, the title is very evocative of the story overall.<br /><br />Fans of suspense and of Colleen’s past novels are sure to enjoy this one. Even I, an unseasoned suspense reader, flew through the pages once the mystery hooked me, and I definitely hope to read the next book in the Sunset Cove series.", "timestamp": 1456528716000, "title": "Great Suspense Read!" }, { "asin": "0764210386", "rating": 5, "text": "Flirtation Walk may not usurp my favorite spot of Siri Mitchell’s books, but it is definitely a favorite of the year so far. What an utterly fun and charming story! Siri’s books are always light and fun, but also impart a real truth to the reader. Combine that with winning characters and a unique historical setting, and I'm hooked.<br /><br />Lucinda Pennyworth is a bit of a contradiction. She wants to be respectable and normal, but her years of helping her father with his cons on unsuspecting victims have marked her in ways she doesn’t even realize. As she meets and gets to know her mother’s family, she comes to understand just how hard it will be to shed her present of her past mistakes. At first she uses her father’s tactics almost without realizing it, and I wasn’t sure how much I was going to like her. However, Siri is able to show Lucinda’s potential to the reader even before she herself realizes it. In terms of the faith aspect of the book, there is nothing earth-shattering here, but rather a lighter thread about overcoming past mistakes, forgiving yourself and accepting forgiveness from others.<br /><br />I say this nearly every time I read one of Siri’s books, but it’s true every time – she always chooses unique settings and times in history. In Flirtation Walk, it is West Point Academy and the surrounding town, not many years before the Civil War plunges the nation into chaos. Honestly, I was a little worried before starting the book. How interesting could a story and characters at West Point be? The answer is very interesting on both counts. I loved the tidbits and facts about military life at West Point, how confining it was, yet how much pride the cadets took in their lives there.<br /><br />Seth Westcott is an endearing character and definitely my favorite of the book. Perhaps his decisions seemed unlikely throughout the book, but I think they are supposed to seem that way, especially since they backfire on him. Seth’s friends are some of the most humorous secondary characters that I’ve read about in a while. It was obvious that they each had their own stories; in fact, Siri wrote a short story for Otter, and it suited his character perfectly. The others seem to have their own story as well; perhaps once day Siri will be able to tell their stories as well, but in the meantime, it’s fun to make up what I want to happen in my mind.<br /><br />There are several witty bits of dialogue that I loved, and everything ends well – the ending itself was so winsome and perfectly suited to the characters and their story. This isn’t super serious romantic historical, but rather has a lot of humorous moments. It’s definitely unique and perhaps not for readers that don’t appreciate some comedy in their historicals. I personally have always been drawn to books that stands out from the norm in the Christian fiction world, and Siri’s books have always held that unique element for me. I have one more of her historical fiction novels to read, as well as a couple of her contemporary stories that I haven't gotten to yet. I know that she is going to take a bit of a break from writing now, which is understandable, but bittersweet for this reader. While I read across many genres and types of books, I have Siri to thank for sparking my love of Christian fiction, especially as a reader who once scoffed at it, and only gave it a chance because of her book She Walks in Beauty. So, thank you, Siri, for daring to write books that don't fall in line perfectly with the rest of CBA, and I'll be waiting for your next novel, whenever it may come.", "timestamp": 1458873157000, "title": "Endearing Characters & Lovely Historical Details" }, { "asin": "0310338492", "rating": 3, "text": "Lydia Bancroft is a very unconventional lady - not only is she yet to be married, but she also works as a librarian and relishes her work there. Despite finding satisfaction in the lending library, she can't help but be drawn to a mysterious library patron. After an alarming incident between her and her fiance takes place, witnessed by this mysterious patron, her life takes a strange, exciting turn.<br /><br />The unique premise of this novel and the unusual circumstance of Lydia being a librarian drew me into this story. Lydia is reserved, but has a strong intellect. I really loved the moments that she stuck up for herself and proved that there was more to her than just being a shy librarian. Sebastian Marks is a self-made man, and though his chosen profession may not be entirely genteel, he has built himself into a better person through his own temerity. I love how the intrigue starts off and doesn't let up for basically the entire story; the romance is fairly light but still heartfelt, with the mystery taking center stage for the majority of the story.<br /><br />Although I found all of the characters to have intriguing personal stories, my preference is for the story to focus on just one or two main characters, so bear that in mind when reading my review. Secondary characters are wonderful, of course, but I didn't feel a deep connection with the other main characters. I'm not exactly sure what is was, but for the majority of the story, I was only a passive observer rather than really inside the characters heads. I also felt that some scenes unfolded a bit unrealistically; some of the more dangerous, tense scenes fell a bit flat for me.<br /><br />Despite feeling like it didn't completely come through in all of the character interactions, I did appreciate the focus on friendship and loyalty that the other main characters portrayed. It was nice to not have the plot focus so much on romance, but rather friend relationships. The story portrays how people from different backgrounds and experiences can still inspire one another to be better.<br /><br />Random side-thought, but yay for a character that wears spectacles! Since I'm bespectacled, I liked that a lot. Although, I have to say, I wish that the cover model was either wearing them or holding them or something. And be still my heart that Sebastian though to carry them in his pocket so they wouldn't be damaged - loved that sweet moment.<br /><br />Even though Whispers in the Reading Room didn't make it onto my favorites list, I did enjoy it, and I do want to eventually go back and read the first two books in the series.", "timestamp": 1465620497000, "title": "Unique Premise and Leading Librarian" }, { "asin": "0692691154", "rating": 4, "text": "I am so glad that Jody decided to go the untraditional route to publish Forever Safe. Although the first two books in the series are my favorites, this was a worthy conclusion to the Beacons of Hope series. Ever since Victoria appeared in book three, I knew that she had a story of her own! Forever Safe is full of an endearing romance and historical details of life surrounding a lighthouse, as well as some exciting tense moments toward the end.<br /><br />Stories that feature characters from way different walks of life always intrigue me, and that intrigue certainly holds true with Victoria and Tom. Though kind-hearted, Victoria is a pampered, spoiled young lady from a wealthy family. Tom’s origins are much more humble, and he worked make a profession for himself. From the get-go, their interactions are laced with tension because of these differences, and it is only when they are drawn by necessity from their respective roles that they begin to see that, despite their differences, they both have much to offer.<br /><br />Once again, some of my favorite details were of daily life as a light keeper and the duties that come with it. There is something charming about life around a lighthouse, yet there is always the feeling that something dangerous could happen at any moment – though much was routine, the idea that the surrounding seas may change in a moment was ever present. The climactic scenes really held my attention, and the emotion and resolve of the characters shone brightly in those moments.<br /><br />I loved the overall message of this story as well – the idea that there are always going to be things in life to fear, but you can’t let that stop you from making a decision and living. Victoria’s fears are grounded mostly in supposition and worry for tomorrow, whereas Tom lets past events and traumas color his present decisions. Though they were different types of fear, Jody did a lovely job at portraying that the same gumption and faith is required to overcome them – that fear doesn’t always go away, but it can be dealt with through faith and perseverance.<br /><br />Thought it’s a bit of a bummer to have this series done, I was entirely satisfied with this last book in the Beacons of Hope series. I wholeheartedly recommend for readers looking for a sweet, romantic story.", "timestamp": 1465677691000, "title": "Lovely Conclusion to the Series!" }, { "asin": "1434708381", "rating": 5, "text": "Jilted is a wonderful conclusion to the Mended Hearts series. Though I was sad to say goodbye to these characters, I was thrilled for all of the secrets to be revealed and for things to come full circle for Lynda Turner. I connected to her story on a very personal level and was so pleased with how things turned out for her. Her voice is crystal clear; Varina has done such a wonderful job keeping the voices of her three different narrators in each book separate and unique, while still remaining consistent with the clarity and humor found in her writing.<br /><br />The way that Varina handles the topic of depression is to be appreciated. Though Lynda suffers from depression, the story itself is hopeful, yet realistic in regards to how she struggles with her low points. Although Lynda does has let her depression get the best of her in the past, once things come to light, it brings a whole other layer to her character and to just how strong she had to be despite many people thinking the worst of her.<br /><br />If any saying applies to this story, it’s that “appearances can be deceiving.” By all of the local accounts, Lynda was just a depressed, broken woman, and Clyde Felton a dangerous ex-convict, but many looked that far and no farther. Meanwhile, one of the town’s elite is hiding secrets that would shock the town to the core. Though in some things in the plot were expected, these revelations and what they meant for Lynda kept me flipping the pages eagerly. Toward the end of the story, her personal journey moved me to tears. I was so moved by the reminder that it’s only later that we can see the good in a bad situation, that once the haze of grief and anger have faded, we can see the God placed others in our lives to be the hand that lifts us up, if we’re only willing to reach out and take it. He is eager to fill our cups to overflowing, if we just hold it out to Him.<br /><br />I have absolutely loved this series, and though it’s hard to pick, I think Jilted might be my favorite of the three – although that Ruthie is just a sassy as a secondary character as she is in her own story. These characters really came to life for me; Varina doesn’t sugarcoat situations, but nor does she add unnecessary detail that could make the story feel overly dramatic. Instead, I reveled in the true-to-life ups and downs of these characters, and rejoiced in the powerful message of this story.<br /><br />Varina is one of my favorite new authors, and I can’t wait to see what she brings readers next. If you are looking for an inspirational story about real, messy, wonderful characters, this story is for you. I highly recommend the Mended Hearts series – and I definitely think it’s best to read them in order, so started with Jaded, move on to Justified and savor a well-done ending in Jilted.", "timestamp": 1467165888000, "title": "My favorite of the series!" }, { "asin": "031033344X", "rating": 4, "text": "The Mountain Midwife opens with an engaging scene that pulled me immediately into Ashley Toliver’s world – that of a midwife for the women of a small Appalachian community. Awakened in the night, the last thing that Ashley expects is an abduction of her patient right after the birth. This light mystery takes off from there, pulling in another mystery of Hunter McDermott’s birth mother. Both of these threads intertwine nicely as the story progresses, as well as the growing friendship between Ashley and Hunter.<br /><br />There is a nice atmosphere found in this story – the feel of the small community is fully realized, and I loved the strong sense of heritage that Ashley has for her home. I enjoy when an author gives a character an authentic history that feels real to me, as this one did. The plot also flows nicely. The mystery thread is light and more my speed, since I don’t like super scary, crime-based stories.<br /><br />I felt like some of the ending scenes came across as a little bit anticlimactic. There are also some loose ends that I felt like weren’t tied up – perhaps to leave room for a sequel? I definitely felt like there are secondary characters in this story that could have their own and would be interested in reading those. I was also bummed at how easily things wrapped up for Ashley – I thought there would be more of a compromise regarding one big issue in her life. It seemed a bit glossed over, but that’s just my opinion. Other readers may not feel that way at all.<br /><br />The details about midwifery really grabbed my attention; Ashely had such deep roots, and the details about her job held my interest – and for anyone worried about there being too much detail, don’t be – I thought it was enough details to understand the situation and even learn from it, but not more information than was needed. I also thought it was neat how the author made Ashley and her friend Heather a descendant of characters in her historical series about midwives – I’ve read this first book, and this story actually makes me want to read the other two.<br /><br />Overall, this is an engaging story, with a lot of compelling elements, and a light mystery at its core - and I hope it's the beginning of a series. These characters have more stories to tell, I'm sure of it.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to do a review, and the views expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1475961978000, "title": "Light, Romantic Mystery" }, { "asin": "0310395933", "rating": 5, "text": "In Love Takes the Cake, Charlotte Cantrell knows what she’s about – providing brides with delicious cakes for their wedding day. What she doesn’t count on is being drawn to a regular customer, Will, who comes every week to buy cookies for the mysterious “Melissa.” Humorous misunderstandings abound in this confection of a story. I haven’t read any of Betsy St. Amant’s full length novels, but definitely want to after enjoying this fun story. The story could easily find its home on the Hallmark channel (and really who is complaining about that?), but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t also a dose of realism thanks to the back stories of both Charlotte and Will. The unraveling of the tangled threads of misunderstandings is a joy to read.<br /><br />I admit that The Perfect Arrangement was the story I was most eager to read, simple because I am always eager to read anything that Katie Ganshert writes. I was expecting a charming story, but this one truly blew me away. Amelia Mason is a bit quirky and a very relatable character. I’m a big fan of epistolary style narratives, so I love how the author includes email to tell the story. It’s a fresh twist that adds a lot of fun and charm to the characters interactions – Nate is a particularly endearing male lead. This may seem a small thing, but I also appreciated that she included a family with step-siblings. It’s not something I’ve seen much in Christian fiction, but it’s a real part of life, and it is done very well here. I also found the story of how Amelia came to own a flower shop and how it got its name to be such an endearing part of the story. This is one of my favorite novellas I’ve read in 2016.<br /><br />Love in the Details is nothing less than what I expect from a Becky Wade story – the characters are endearing, and it’s easy to root for them the entire time. She realistically portrays two people who were once in a relationship, meeting again after many years and different roads of life. It’s a genuinely sweet story that had me smiling while reading because they are just such likeable people. I appreciated the cautious, realistic way that they began to reconnect with one another – their reconnection doesn’t move too fast, nor does it drag, but rather it strikes the perfect balance with the length of the story. I also liked getting a peek into Holly’s writer life – I’m sure the author pulls from personal experience there, so it was fun to read about that.<br /><br />I know that many readers start picking up Christmas books well before the month of December rolls around. But before you pick up your Christmas books, I highly recommend squeezing a bit of “fall” into your reading this month with this wonderfully charming collection.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own.", "timestamp": 1479575023000, "title": "Perfect Trio of Stories!" }, { "asin": "0764218212", "rating": 5, "text": "Set during the tumultuous time of Israel’s beginning as a unified nation, Shadow of the Storm brings the life of the Hebrew tribes into sharp relief. Through the eyes of Shira, a woman still fighting the battles of her past, readers see these events firsthand through engrossing first-person narration. Shira’s insecurities make her a realistic, relatable character. My heart was stirred and found kinship with her; doubts and fears keep her from fully embracing her desire to be a midwife. Despite having a natural talent for it, her self-doubt and mistakes keep her from moving forward.<br /><br />There are times where it feels like books were placed in my life exactly when I needed it. The<br />Story takes on a personal level, and I see myself in the character so strongly, that I know that the timing is no accident. This was completely and entirely my experience while reading Shadow of the Storm and discovering Shira’s story. It was a joy to see Kiya, Eben and Jumo again. The friendship between Shira and Kiya is definitely a highlight of the story, and I’m glad that the familial relationships didn’t get lost in the plot or any romantic elements. Ayal is an intriguing character – despite not knowing his true intentions and a shaky beginning, I found myself wanting his character to be constant.<br /><br />Dvorah is one character that served a dual purpose for me. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about the addition of another character’s perspective, but as the story continues, Cossette does something that not many authors accomplish – make an unlikable, deplorable character provoke empathy within me. I found myself reacting strongly to Dvorah’s decisions – and by strongly, I distinctly remember saying out loud to my husband that I wanted to punch her in the face…um, oops? Seriously though, any read that elicits such an emotion from me is a winner in my book.<br /><br />In addition to providing a superb antagonist, Dvorah brought in an outsider perspective as well. I had honestly never really thought of how wild it would have been for so many people, from so many different backgrounds, would have functioned as a whole, while traveling through the desert. I suppose I never thought about the fact that, with the Hebrew tribes, some groups might have just been “tagging along,” for lack of a better phrase, because it was better than the life they left behind. Just because they were following Moses out of Egypt didn’t mean they left their prejudices and ingrained beliefs behind, nor did it mean that their beliefs aligned with the Hebrews. These differences and the issues that arose from them are fascinating and add a great element to the story.<br /><br />This powerful story has everything I look for in a novel. I was held riveted by the plot, Shira’s character, and the tender romance. Most importantly, this is a faith-affirming story that reminds reader of how God uses trials and setbacks to bolster faith and keep our eyes set on Him. This is one of my favorite books of 2016, and I am so looking forward to book 3 in the Out from Egypt series, Wings of the Wind. I highly recommend Shadow of the Storm to readers who enjoy Biblical fiction and an immersive first-person narrative.", "timestamp": 1479775248000, "title": "Superb Addition to the Series!" }, { "asin": "0718077911", "rating": 5, "text": "A Portrait of Emily Price is Katherine Reay at her best. The tone and main character are reminiscent of Dear Mr. Knightley, the realistic situations akin to Lizzy and Jane, and the international aspect nods to The Bronte Plot. I was happy to see her return to the overall tone that she brought readers in Dear Mr. Knightley. Though they were very different characters, Emily’s first-person voice had me enchanted in the same way that I was with Sam. While the family situations were complex, there is a beautiful simplicity in the way that things occur. There was never a moment where I willingly put this book down, and I was always eager to pick it back up.<br /><br />Usually whirlwind type romances don’t do much for me. I struggle with the realism and can’t get into the magic of it all. But from the moment that Emily met Ben, I felt like their biggest cheerleader! Yes, I was wondering how this was all going to play out, but I was rooting for them all the way. The author completely pulls it off – Ben is total book-boyfriend material. I did appreciate the realistic way that, despite how quickly their relationship moves, it was still a back and forth of misunderstanding and miscommunications, but also a sweet rendering of a new marriage. For readers that are not as big a fan of romance as myself, never fear – although this might be Reay’s most romantic story yet, Emily’s personal growth and a poignant family story take the prime spot in the narrative – and what a joy it is to watch it all unfold. The secondary characters are genuine and not to be overlooked. I particularly adored the relationship between Emily and Ben’s dad, Lucio – his character over all is one of the most gorgeous portrayals of fatherly love that I’ve read in a long while.<br /><br />Several aspects just make this story – that of art and Italy – and food! Emily’s job as a restorer is fascinating to read about, and I also loved watching her grow in confidence at an artist as well. The setting of a small Italian village is so picturesque and full of charm – from the cozy library in the family home, to the cobblestone streets of the village, I fell in love with it all. Ben’s charm is never as beguiling as the times he is in the kitchen, although the story paints an accurate picture of the precarious nature of the restaurant business, but more importantly, how food, family and tradition intertwine. And while there might be times where metaphors are overused in stories, or perhaps too many are used at once, here the combination of art restoration and creation provide a gorgeous comparison for the events of the story.<br /><br />My most favorite aspect of this story is how Emily proves to be a huge catalyst for change in Ben’s family, all the while trying to maintain a flimsy control of her new life in Italy and discover just what her roll is as a member of it. As Emily uncovers a painting in the local church, the secrets of Ben’s family are uncovered as well. While the faith elements are a lighter thread throughout the first part of the story, the latter half is suffused with a beautiful message of forgiveness and grace.<br /><br />I am always so pleased to read a Katherine Reay novel, but even more so when it’s as poignant and lovingly crafted as A Portrait of Emily Price. Highly recommended.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1480384995000, "title": "Her Best Book Yet!" }, { "asin": "149640646X", "rating": 4, "text": "I am very particular about the authors that I follow when it comes to Biblical fiction. Tessa Afshar is one author whose books I will always pick up and expect to be enthralled by the story. Land of Silence grabbed my heart from page one. She created a provocative, engrossing story for the woman with the issue of blood. When I first heard that this would be the basis for her new book, I admit, I did wonder how she was going to make it work. I wasn’t worried, of course, but I did wonder how she would choose to tell this story. She takes a figure that appears in one scene with the Bible and fleshes out her story into something beautiful – a tapestry, if you will, that rivals the beauty of the fabric creations in Elianna’s household.<br /><br />The characterization of Elianna is superb; her voice in the first person narration style is crystal clear and distinct. I love that she chose to tell the story in first-person. I think it made the telling of such a personal, emotionally-charged story that much more poignant and compelling. Speaking of fabric and tapestries, the details about fabric production, dyeing and even the selling and trading are fascinating and greatly enhanced my reading experience.<br /><br />This author excels at creating strong women that suit the setting and time period, and Elianna is truly an inspiring character. She is determined and wants to take care of her family, yet her pride keeps her from accepting help from her betrothed, Ethan. The novel spans many years, and I ached with her and cheered for her as she matures throughout the story. The way that she is battered by life circumstance and then later on by physical ailments, yet still holds tight to her faith, makes her a compelling character. I can’t let the review go without mentioning Ethan again – enduring, steadfast Ethan. The scenes between these two spark with feeling, and he matches Elianna’s stubbornness with a hard head of his own.<br /><br />The groundwork for the story is set up in a strong way. The opening scenes set up perfectly both the despair and hope that are to come. Stricken by grief, guilt and condemnation, Elianna works hard to be the perfect daughter and basically run her father’s textile business on her own. However, all of her hard work cannot prepare her for what’s to come. Looking back, I am once again impressed that the novel wasn’t bogged down with despair. Much of the novel is leading to her lowest point, but I never wanted to put it down – the story flows that well and is that engrossing. Though there were some times I felt that the pacing was a bit slow, the events that took place felt realistic and naturally placed in the story. It is only through reaching her lowest point, that the most important event of her life takes place – that of touching the hem of Jesus’s robe and finding physical healing, yes, but, more importantly, deep, irrevocable love, free of condemnation.<br /><br />Afshar’s writing just keeps getting better and better, and fans of her previous novels will not be disappointed in the slightest. I highly recommend this novel for readers of Biblical fiction, but also for any reader looking for a strong story of healing and redemption.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this novel, and I chose to review it. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1517601525606, "title": "Another Winning Story by Afshar" }, { "asin": "0800728734", "rating": 5, "text": "Charming, mysterious, romantic, fun, and swoon-worthy, A Rumored Fortune is Politano’s second novel, and, wow, does it deliver for this reader.<br /><br />There is such a strong atmosphere to sink into within these pages. The setting is a castle, its grounds home to a vineyard. Though her castle home is important and much loved, it is the vineyard that captured Tressa's mind, as it had previously captured her father's before his mysterious death. However, both castle and vineyard have the funds that they need to keep going, as her father's fortune is hidden in a place that only he knew.<br /><br />I adored Tressa’s character. Though Victorian Era heroines often have the misfortune of things happening to them rather than making things happen (which while aggravating to modern thought, is probably more realistic), Tressa is a realistic balance of delicate yet driven. She’s not afraid of doing things on her own but is also acutely aware of her own vulnerability and still bound to an extent to society’s expectations.<br /><br />The secondary characters are by turns intriguing, suspicious, and charming. I loved the relationship between Tressa and her lady’s maid, Lucy. Of course, her burgeoning friendship with Donegan Vance, the man her father hired to care for the vineyard captured my attention with ease, while her re-introduction to her former suitor, Andrew Carrington, made me question everyone’s motives, especially with a vast fortune involved.<br /><br />The faith element is strong throughout the novel, and while alluded to often, it always feels genuine and in keeping with the characters themselves. I found it to be refreshing and well-done; it is especially neat the way the care and keeping of a vineyard ties in so well with Tressa’s personal journey in such a natural way.<br /><br />This is only the tenth novel this year that I’ve given five stars. The exquisite blend of lovely writing, endearing characters, mysterious plot, and a gorgeous romance make A Rumored Fortune one of my favorite reads of the year!<br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a review, positive or otherwise, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1533512433595, "title": "Charming, Swoon-worthy Second Novel" }, { "asin": "1683228685", "rating": 4, "text": "The White City is a vibrant mystery, with more of a cozy feel than a sinister one. I've read some non-fiction accounts of H.H. Holmes, and it's really quite gruesome. The extent of his depravity and evil is not touched on here, as this story takes place nearer to the beginning of his terrible acts. However, there is enough that the danger is real and present throughout the pages of this book.<br /><br />At first I was a bit worried that Winnie was going to be too silly, but I was soon won over by her vivacity and charm. Her interactions with Detective Jude Thorpe are fun and sweet, and even though I don't enjoy a love triangle, even Percival won me over (I wouldn't mind seeing him in a future novel). Winnie is also a complete bookworm, so what's not to love about that. As with any bookworm though, occasionally our imagination might get the best of us - which is what happens to Winnie. She has to prove to her father that she knows what she's talking about and can back up her claims with evidence. Hence, where the sleuthing and danger come into play. Winnie's family plays a significant role in this story, as does romance, so if you're looking for suspense alone, that's not this title. I for one enjoyed the mix, and once I realized it was more of a cozy mystery, the story flowed well for me. I also found the descriptions of the city and the World's Fair to be lovely and a great backdrop for the events of the story.<br /><br />I enjoyed this debut novel; it shows great promise for the stories that I know are to come from Grace Hitchcock.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to post a positive review, and the thoughts expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1552672505439, "title": "Fun Historical Romance" }, { "asin": "0785223169", "rating": 4, "text": "In The Governess of Penwythe Hall, Ladd’s trademark handling of setting, characters, and romance are back in full force. The harsh landscape of Cornwall comes to life, complete with its dramatic coastline and the seemingly endless moors. This is just the place that widow and governess Delia Greythorne is forced back to after the death of her employer. Cornwall, a place of heartache for her, might hold the keys to moving on with her life, if she can combat dangers arising from her past.<br /><br />After a slow start, it was hard for me to put this one down. The plot builds nicely, each element building on another to create an entertaining read. Delia is a strong character, but not unrealistically so. She is fully aware of her position in the world, but still retains her dignity. One of my favorite parts of the story is the blossoming relationship between Jac Tretheway, Penwythe Hall’s owner, and the orphaned children. His priorities must shift, and I enjoyed his shift from duty to love.<br /><br />This is a lovely opening to Sarah E. Ladd’s new series, and I eagerly await The Thief of Lanwyn Manor’s release in 2020. Recommended to fans of historical romance with a healthy dose of intrigue and a dash of suspense.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1556578455672, "title": "Lovely Series Opener!" }, { "asin": "0785222006", "rating": 4, "text": "A bookshop, lists of books, and friendship - what more could a bibliophile want out of a story? A book about books and bookshops and bookish things is a delight to be sure because \"that's what books do...they are a conversation, and introduce us to ourselves and to others,\" as the beloved Maddie of this book says.<br /><br />These are just the base elements that blend together to make the rich, layered tale that is The Printed Letter Bookshop. More than \"just\" books, this story is about making peace with life and those in it and choosing to be in charge of your own story: \"It's like you live in those classics you love, in some odd third-person narration, as if you aren't in charge of your own story. Who is, if not you, for goodness' sake?\"<br /><br />The story is about three women, Madeline, Claire, and Janet, and also one person and place around which their lives meet: Maddie, the owner of a bookshop, and the bookshop itself. Though at first I was taken aback by the three different narrators, I ended up liking all three of them quite a bit. While I typically prefer only one or two narrators, I felt equally interested in the lives of all three women. I enjoyed watching the relationship between them unfold. I loved the realness of each one, their struggles and their triumphs, and the often messy yet wonderful nature of life shines throughout the entire story.<br /><br />Though it doesn't top out as my favorite Reay book, she has written another charming yet deep story that is sure to meet a lot of readers right where they are in life.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not require to give a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1559851759910, "title": "Charming yet Deep" }, { "asin": "0800735323", "rating": 4, "text": "What a wonderful debut! Though suspense is not my go-to genre, I was drawn to this story first because of the small town setting, but also because of the author's presence on social media. Say what you will, but I'm always drawn to a warm, down-to-earth person, especially online where things can be so shallow and superficial.<br /><br />As I mentioned previously, the small town setting of Walton, Georgia comes to life in this story. From the locals who look after one another, to the diner where everyone gathers on the designated night, the flavor feels just right. In addition to the setting, I loved getting to know these characters. Lane's character is one that truly resonated with me, and I feel she will do the same for anyone that has struggled at any point in their life with depression. I applaud Walters for portraying her in what I feel is a realistic yet sensitive way. I cheered for the way that Lane kept pushing through, even when darkness threatened to take over her heart and mind. Words spoken to her by the precious Ms. Byrdie rooted deep into my heart:<br /><br />\"You are not broken. You are perfectly made. You have to stop punishing yourself for the way God made you - even for your depression. You need to forgive yourself and take captive those thoughts that you are anything but the woman our Creator designed you to be.\"<br /><br />The secondary characters are varied and endearing as well. My particular favorites (other than a handsome deputy Charlie Lynch, of course) are the Ms. Byrdie mentioned above, and Deputy Frost, who works with Charlie. The banter between Charlie and Deputy Frost had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion.<br /><br />The plot unfolds with delicious twists, and the mystery is sustained until just the perfect time. It was far enough to keep me guessing, yet soon enough so as to heighten the tension when I had a bit more of a clue than I did before. The investigating feels realistic to me, and I never felt there was any awkward behavior just for the sake of a thrill. Everything happens organically and feels natural. Speaking of feeling natural, the romance is a bit of a slow burn and SO sweet.<br /><br />I appreciate Living Lies for both it's entertainment value as much as I do for its honest portrayal of both struggles and hope. Throw in a quality mystery and an endearing romance, and it's a winning debut. I've added book two in the series to my to-read list and will be eager to get my hands on it!<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1569457568048, "title": "Excellent Debut!" }, { "asin": "0800735331", "rating": 4, "text": "Natalie Walters has really brought me around to the suspense genre. I love the small town of Walton, and I really enjoy the friendships portrayed in the Harbored Secrets series. Vivian is a character that I wasn't too sure about at first, but just like everyone, she had a lot going on behind the unforgiving reporter facade. Walters really hits the sweet spot of character development, mystery, and realism. There's usually a point that I question the intelligence of a character in suspense novels, but that's not really the case here. The events feel plausible and kept my attention the entire time. Ryan is a character that I was eager to see more of - he is so endearing in the first book, so seeing his character develop so well in this book made my reader heart happy.<br /><br />I'm definitely looking forward to book three in the series - how great that it's about Pecca, such an engaging secondary character in this book - and I'm a little sad that it'll be the last adventure in Walton.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1574699420481, "title": "Great Addition to the Series" }, { "asin": "080073534X", "rating": 4, "text": "Silent Shadows delivers a delicious mix of romance and suspense that I've learned to expect from Natalie Walters. I enjoyed returning to Walton, a small town in Georgia that came to life for me while reading this series, and while you can read this as a standalone and enjoy it just fine, I recommend starting from the beginning and getting to know everyone from the get-go. It's just more fun that way.<br /><br />Colton is a bit of a brooding lead, but he has his reasons. He's been dealt a tough blow, and he feels that his life has derailed. Pecca is one of those people with a indomitable spirit, but even she has to admit that she has to depend on the help of her close friends in Walton when it comes to the safety of herself and her son. Even though the romance is lovely, the true beauty in the story is from the friendships that are more like family, and the way they take care of each other.<br /><br />The plot flows smoothly, giving the reader bits of pieces of danger, and how it connects to Pecca, until things escalate quickly and tensely at the end of the story.<br /><br />Natalie Walters has been one of my favorite recent author discoveries, and I'm so glad that there are more books to come from her!<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher; I was not required to post a positive review, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.", "timestamp": 1587687726747, "title": "Lovely Series Conclusion" } ]

[ { "asin": "1595545395", "rating": 4, "text": "This was such a sweet, fun book! Lucy is a cute heroine, and I love how she isn't perfect or \"beautiful\" in that cheesy way. That is way overdone these days, it seems! I was expecting the ultimate cheese from this book, and while it is a fun romance, it actually deals with some really serious issues despite it's appearance. I'm not even that much of a reader of Chick-Lit, nor do I usually like Contemporary novels, and I still really enjoyed this one. Some aspects of the plot are a bit unrealistic, but then again, the whole concept of faking an engagement/relationship is pretty crazy, so I was able to go along with it. I look forward to reading Jones' other novels.", "timestamp": 1314462852000, "title": "Light and Fun Summer Read" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 5, "text": "I have a hard time believing that Spring for Susannah is Richmond's debut novel! She writes like she already has several novels under her belt. This one is definitely a notch above the typical Christian Historical Fiction. Richmond completely drew me in with the sincerity of the story. Nothing is watered down and easy just because they believe in God. This book can definitely be viewed as two different parts. In the first part, Susannah is very timid and shy, but once she has to be on her own for a while, I really began to root for her. Her character developement was awesome.<br /><br />I also would like to thank Richmond for portraying the marriage between Susannah and Jesse as she did. They are one of the most realistic couples that I've read thus far in the genre. It seems that some authors shy away from portraying a real married relationship, but not Richmond. Nothing was graphic or overdone, but the intimacy in their relationship and their love for one another was evident. As one who has recently married, I found it so accurate and sincere.<br /><br />My one issue is that I found the ending to be somewhat abrupt. They were re-united, and then it seemed the book was over.<br /><br />I hope Richmond is already at work on her next novel; I can only imagine that she will continue to impress!", "timestamp": 1314463223000, "title": "Awesome Debut!" }, { "asin": "0849946158", "rating": 3, "text": "I found this to be a faith-affirming and uplifting story. I was challenged to think beyond some vague idea of heaven because of Colton's experience, and I really liked that. I can't imagine going through what that family went through, but like they said, it had a purpose.<br /><br />I do wish that some of the details that Colton mentioned were given a more \"scholarly\" approach. Don't get me wrong, I am not necessarily doubting that he experienced these things. There were just a couple of details that I could not find in the Bible. I wish that every time Colton made a point about heaven there would have been an exact place to find it in scripture. Todd did this for the majority of the time, and I found myself more moved and more comfortable with it than the times he did not. For example, I was uncomfortable with his descriptions of angels having wings as to my knowledge no angel ever appeared to a human in the Bible that had wings. I had thought the cherubim & seraphim do, but to my knowledge no where in the Bible does it mention that God's messengers have wings. Another detail I did not understand was Jesus' rainbow horse. I even tried to look it up (I am by no means a biblical scholar and know I am constantly overlooking things). I found mentions of a pale horse, a red horse, a white horse and a black horse (not that Jesus was riding all of them), but no where could I find a \"rainbow\" horse.<br /><br />Overall, I did like Heaven is for Real, but felt the need to \"be a Berean\" as they say, and check all things against scripture. I will take in the good things that this book (or any book) has to offer, and for my hard facts about what heaven is like, I will stick to the Word.", "timestamp": 1373138495000, "title": "Uplifting but not enough scripture backing for me" }, { "asin": "0764210416", "rating": 4, "text": "A thoroughly enjoyable novel, Tide and Tempest has a great blend of my favorite elements. Full of history, mystery, suspense, and a sincere romance, this read had a little bit of everything that my reading-heart could desire.<br /><br />The characters were portrayed in a realistic way, and I related so much with their internal conflicts. Both Tillie and Captain Morgan carried burdens of guilt and responsibility inside, and while the external conflict swirled with danger and intrigue, the internal conflict made these characters come alive for me. I also liked that their problems weren’t solved by romance or “insta-love.” They had to deal with those internal struggles first before letting someone into their heart and move on with their lives.<br /><br />I liked the pace of the plot too. It strikes a nice balance between character interaction and action scenes. I appreciated that the suspenseful moments made sense and flowed well. Sometimes I think that action sequences are a little jumbled and confusing, but here I didn’t find anything like that.<br /><br />I loved the atmosphere of the setting, especially the boarding house where Tillie lived. The entire setting was well-done from the dress shop where Tillie worked, to the apothecary shop in a rather unsavory part of town. There was a distinctive quality to each place in the story.<br /><br />Another sign of a great read is when the secondary characters come to life – for me, this character was Captain Morgan’s brother, Cass. In fact, I think he deserves his own story, and I am sort of hoping that some of the events that took place in this story are set up for him to have his own story one day!<br /><br />I am a sucker for dashing captains, especially if they hail from Ireland, and a roguish brother is not too bad either (wink, wink). The ending wraps everything up nicely, though not without some tension and heartache getting there. I was happy to get a happily-ever-after.<br /><br />This is my first read by Elizabeth Ludwig, and it definitely won’t be my last! I haven’t read the first two books in this series, but that didn’t prove to be an issue for my enjoyment of Tide and Tempest. Happy am I to say that I have the first book already on my Kindle and won the second book in a giveaway. Now I can learn that backstory of the other secondary characters in this story, and I know it will be a treat.", "timestamp": 1395668433000, "title": "A little bit of everything!" }, { "asin": "0764211692", "rating": 5, "text": "A Bride in Store is a worthy follow-up to the first novel in this series. In fact, I believe that her characters are even more developed, the writing more finessed and the plot tighter. I was especially taken with the unique plot points that she included in the story. Bereft of the store she used to run for her father, Eliza Cantrell travels to Kansas to be a mail-order bride for a man who owns a store, hoping that she will find a willing partner in both the store and marriage, if not complete happiness. The story starts with a bang in an unexpected train robbing scene. From the get go, it’s obvious that our Eliza is a quick-thinker and is not afraid to fight for what is rightfully hers. I really enjoyed her personality; she is entirely a lady of the times, but also unique in that she wants to be the owner and proprietor of her own store. She is not so forward-thinking that she wasn’t realistic to the time-period, but is still certainly distinct.<br /><br />The setting of 1881 Salt Flatts, Kansas feels authentic, as do the details about businesses at that time. I also found the details about healthcare back then fascinating; they really added a lot to the story. Some of the tidbits were tragic, but true to the time period when sickness and often death were simply an everyday matter. The side characters added great layers to the story; I especially loved Mrs. Lightfoot, the proprietor of the boarding house where Eliza lived. Without giving away too many details, I found her story to be intriguing and unexpected, and the relationship she and Eliza developed to be engaging.<br /><br />I admit that Will Stanton is not my typical favorite male lead, but he definitely grew on me as the story progressed. He is a thoughtful and somewhat reserved, yet he is selfless and doesn’t find worth in himself. Will dreams of studying to become a doctor, but in the meantime, takes care of his friend Axel’s store. Thrown off by Eliza’s early arrival, he allows her to work in the store until Axel’s return. I could really feel the tension and pull of attraction between them as Axel’s absence stretches into weeks. As their dreams and hopes for the future pull them in different directions, they navigate this new territory that springs up between them. Though I was never unsure of what the outcome would be, the journey getting there was a satisfying one. There was one plot twist regarding Axel that I actually did not see coming at all, so that was fun. Overall, there was quite a bit more action than what I originally thought.<br /><br />The spiritual aspect of the novel touched on several things, but the most prominent one for me was seeking God’s will for your life, and how sometimes your ideals and dreams don’t always align with that will. Sometimes you have to be willing to adapt and change your mind about things. I enjoyed watching Eliza and Will work through these things, even though at times it is painful, the outcome was better than they imagined.<br /><br />A Bride in Store was a great blend of unique historical details, endearing romance and well-rounded characters who experienced relatable dilemmas. Just an all-around fun read for me. I’m looking forward to Melissa Jagears next book. 4.5 stars!", "timestamp": 1411223159000, "title": "Great second novel!" }, { "asin": "0764210378", "rating": 5, "text": "Charlotte Withersby’s dearest wish is to study her beloved blooms as a botanist. She wants to be left alone by her uncle, society and most certainly by her father’s new assistant, an interloper named Mr. Trimble. In a time when women’s views and expertise in botany are not given credence, Charlotte must rely upon the name of her father, a well-known botanist, to publish her own work. When her uncle and father insist that she take on society to snare a husband, Charlotte is sure Mr. Trimble’s lackluster help will soon bring her back to her position as her father’s assistant and put all of the marriage nonsense to rest. What Charlotte doesn’t account for is finding actual suitors, nor is she prepared for the questions that be thrust into society will bring – is her merit in her work or does it lie within herself?<br /><br />Siri always chooses to write about historical elements that are usually not anything that I’ve read about in another novel. She is a brave author in the sense that she chooses to tackle story elements and character traits that are not widely used. In this case, it was the science of botany. The botany details are fascinating and add a lot of depth to Charlotte’s character development and intellectual tendencies. Charlotte’s quirks are so unique to her character. Siri’s characters and settings are never the norm, which is why her books continue to be a delight to read.<br /><br />This novel is more on the humorous side, and nowhere is that more evident than in the main character, Charlotte. She is quirky, and if I may, sometimes a bit odd. At first, I wasn’t sure how to take her, but as I read on, she grew on me. There is a possibility that she may not be for everyone; there were times that I was exasperated with her, but at the same time, she is extremely refreshing. She is everything that society is not – she is blunt, unpretentious and lacks the knowledge of all of the social niceties that are expected of her. In her heart of hearts, she wants to take care of her father and wants to be valued for her intellectual abilities, and moreover, wants herself to be enough, no more, no less.<br /><br />There were also some compelling side characters present in this story. I loved her new-found companion, Miss Templeton - the scenes with her were full of humor, and I loved how she took Charlotte under her wing and had a feeling that she found Charlotte refreshing as well. Their friendship and back-and-forth banter was entertaining to read. Her uncle, her self-named chaperone during all of her social outings is rather enigmatic at first, but as the story progresses, his character and background are revealed, and I was pleasantly surprised by the depth in the interactions between him and Charlotte.<br /><br />Mr. Trimble may not be the conventional hero, but I felt that he fit well within the story, and his character is very endearing. Despite being declared the enemy by Miss Templeton, it’s soon very clear that he isn’t the usurper that he appears to be and that he has his own reasons for becoming an assistant to a reclusive botanist. I wanted more interaction between him and Charlotte, and while the enemies turned lovers storyline sometimes wears on me, it works well in this story, and provides some humorous and also heartfelt exchanges between him and Charlotte.<br /><br />Whenever I pick a Siri Mitchell novel I know that I am in for something unique and fascinating. She always takes on topics that stand out, this story lives up to the standard I’ve come to expect in Siri’s novels. Although I’ve enjoyed all of her novels, this one definitely stands out as one I’ve enjoyed most. With a quirky main character, a sweet romance and a fascinating look at the world of botany, Like a Flower in Bloom is a favorite read of the year so far.", "timestamp": 1428698443000, "title": "Quirky, witty and altogether fun! :)" }, { "asin": "1414398697", "rating": 4, "text": "Abigail Pressman’s dream is to expand Book Nook, the beloved store she inherited from her father. In Love’s Park, a town obsessed with love and all things romantic, being single is an anomaly, so her dreams for her store are her salvation. When the owner of the building sells the entire space to a doctor new to town, she fears her dream will never come to fruition. In a secret match-making scheme, the Valentine Volunteers, the ladies who keep the tradition of stamping mail with the city’s postmark, attempt to pull Abigail into their fold. Despite herself, Abigail is drawn to the stringed paper hearts that she discovers among the Volunteers letters, even as she is drawn to the handsome doctor next door. This doctor doesn’t match the “dream-killer” she wanted to picture in her mind, and Abigail begins questions if her dream is her dream at all or just a crutch to stop her from reaching for what she really wants. A new string of paper hearts appears, leading Abigail to believe that something tragic happened to the couple who wrote them. As she uncovers more of the mystery couple’s story, Abigail fears that it will confirm her worst doubts about love, or even scarier, set her life on a path to a new dream entirely.<br /><br />Paper Hearts is a charming story. Walsh’s writing flows really well from scene to scene, and I loved the setting. The town almost felt like a character in and of itself and was so well-established on the outset of the story. I loved the small-town, everyone-knows-everyone vibe that stayed through the entire story. I really related to Abigail’s character, and I think most readers out there will. Not only is she a reader herself, she is artsy and quirky – someone I’d love to meet in real life. I could easily understand and empathize with her frustrations about the dreams for her store, and I wanted to see her succeed despite the obstacles she was facing.<br /><br />Personally, I cared more about her personal struggles than the romantic aspect of the book, which may not have been the intention. While I found Jacob, the male lead, to be a genuine, empathetic character, I couldn’t entirely get behind their relationship. For me, it was hard to come to terms with the way it progressed; they were supposed to be enemies, yet they were falling for one another. There were times that it just didn’t work for me. When the conflict didn’t center on the external conflict keeping them apart, but rather their internal conflicts, I enjoyed the story more. They were more solid characters apart than they were together, and for romantic reads, I want the couple to be complete as individuals, but also believable as a couple. Even so, the later scenes between them are sweet, but not in a syrupy way at all. My heart was definitely smiling at those scenes.<br /><br />There are also some strange shifts in point of view into the Valentine Volunteer meetings that some readers might find a bit jarring at first, simply because they are unexpected. The characters that comprise the Valentine Volunteers are actually quite humorous. The mixture of newly married, middle-aged and elderly “bah-humbug” ladies made for a funny combination, and once I realized that those shifts were coming, I fell into them easily.<br /><br />The spiritual element is woven throughout the story in a natural way, and I could really relate to the idea that sometimes prayers are answered in ways you never expected, sometimes in ways that you had never thought to pray. I found myself rooting for both Abigail and Jacob to shed their past and give God control of their futures.<br /><br />I definitely feel that Paper Hearts will be a hit for readers whose favorite genre is contemporary romance. Despite my few qualms about the story, the authentic setting and quirky cast of characters won me over. There is a lot of appeal here to recommend it to fans of this genre.<br /><br />Favorite quote: “…the very best love stories are the ones that are flawed and full of forgiveness and pain and joy and challenges and happiness. All these things make up a love story, Abigail.”", "timestamp": 1428944045000, "title": "Cute Contemporary Romance" }, { "asin": "1601425996", "rating": 5, "text": "Anippe has known from a young age that Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods controlled her fate. After childbirth took the lives her mother and infant brother, she becomes deathly afraid of bearing a child of her own, believing that Anubis, the Egyptian god of death lies in wait for the day she becomes a mother. She carries this fear into her marriage to Sebak, a captain in her brother, Pharaoh Tut’s, army and follows her as she becomes mistress of a prominent Egyptian estate. When Tut orders the Hebrew midwives to drown any sons that are born to their people, Anippe seizes the opportunity to launch a great deception. Finding a baby floating in a basket in the Nile, Anippe believes the Egyptian gods have answered her prayers. She can pretend that she had a son, yet doing so sets into motion events that place her, her son and his true Hebrew family, in terrible danger. As bloodshed mounts and the political tide of Egypt turns, Anippe wonders if her son may have a chance to become Pharaoh, or whether the god of the Hebrews, He who is called El Shaddai, has a bigger plan for them both.<br /><br />Prior to reading The Pharaoh’s Daughter, I had only read one of Mesu Andrews’s previous novels. While it was fully enjoyable, this novel brought a whole other level for me. I’ve read a couple of authors that are very popular in Biblical fiction, but they just didn’t click with me, so I tend to stick with a hand full of authors in this genre that I know won’t disappoint. After finishing this novel, I feel confident that Mesu Andrews can be easily join their ranks.<br /><br />In many ways, The Pharaoh’s Daughter is an epic story. It spans several years and several major shifts throughout Anippe’s life. There is a lot of political intrigue and several characters, but I feel like Mesu imparts what the reader needs to know without it being overwhelming. There are some jumps in time, but they were not a problem for me here. The passage of time and key events that the reader needs to know are explained by allowing the information to come naturally in the scene. Whether in the opening scene after substantial passage of time or whether in a character’s emotions after an intense scene, Mesu truly understands the importance of showing what happened rather than simply telling. She brings ancient Egypt to life in a fascinating way. Details of their belief system, politics, and daily life are present from the beginning, woven seamlessly throughout the story. One of my favorite details she included was the way they named second and third children the same name as the first born to “trick” the gods as a way to ensure the firstborn’s life. Names in general are very important in both the Egyptian and Hebrew families, and even Anippe experiences name changes that have a profound impact on her. From their elaborate feasts to the details of running an Egyptian household, I found it all to be mesmerizing.<br /><br />The lives of the Egyptian royalty and the Hebrew servants are fully realized. Despite having guards and servants are at her beck and call and wanting for very little in the material sense, Anippe lives in fear, first from childbirth, then later from her deception of raising Moses as her own son. The juxtaposition of the Egyptian’s way of life and the Hebrew’s way of life was very startling at times, but what was even more impressive was the feeling of discovering that along with Anippe as the story progresses. The lavish, pampered lifestyle of the Egyptians is a stark foil to the simplistic, bare, yet often content, lifestyle of the Hebrews. Both families are composed of well-rounded characters full of depth. Their hopes, fears and dreams were rich and layered, and I especially loved the interactions that brought royalty and commoner together. Although Anippe starts off as pampered and entitled, she develops and grows in a realistic way. Her sister, Ankhe, provides a nice foil for her, showing what can happen when bitterness in life circumstances rules instead of hope. Anippe gave her chance after chance, which was a bit annoying; however, since her sister was her only close relative, I can understand why she was so forgiving. Mered, a Hebrew and the chief linen maker in Anippe’s estate, is also a complex character. I really enjoyed getting to know him and his family. Overall, the relationships between the characters come across as genuine and heartfelt, and I especially treasured the relationship between Anippe and Miriam, who becomes Anippe’s handmaiden after she is found watching Moses from the river bank.<br /><br />This novel has a bit of everything – danger, court and political intrigues, familial and romantic love and a beautiful tale of redemption that encompasses the entire story. The spiritual aspect feels very authentic and natural to the story, and I related to Anippe’s fears and doubts. As her name is changed once again, this time to the Hebrew name of Bithiah, she comes to understand just how worthy she is of a life free from fear and seeing her progress from fear to hope was very uplifting.<br /><br />I am no expert on Egyptian history or a Biblical scholar, so as long as an author stays true to the Biblical account, I am usually lenient when it comes to things that don’t have a definitive answer. The Bible doesn’t name the pharaoh in the story of Moses, and Mesu chooses to use Tut as the Pharaoh that decreed Hebrew baby boys to be killed at birth and his successor as the one who refused the Lord’s demands in Exodus. While I don’t know that I believe them to be two different pharaohs, Mesu does present a plausible story and has clearly done a lot of research. Much of the story takes place well before the events in Exodus, so it’s easy to see Mesu’s story as what “could have been,” and I also appreciated her explanation at the end and what scripture she used as reference.<br /><br />Ultimately when I read fiction set in biblical times, I want to feel prompted to return to the biblical account and look at it with fresh eyes once again. Mesu certainly accomplished that for me in The Pharaoh’s Daughter. It was a thoroughly entertaining, enlightening and profound read that kept me turning those pages well past time to turn in for the night. The Pharaoh’s Daughter is labeled as “A Treasure of the Nile Novel,” so I’m hoping this means more stories (perhaps one about Miriam!) like this one are up next for Mesu. I am eager to read her other published books and whatever story that she pens next. Highly recommended!", "timestamp": 1428944200000, "title": "A Favorite of the Year!" }, { "asin": "1496402243", "rating": 3, "text": "Carrington Hale has spent her entire life preparing for her Choosing ceremony – the day that she is to be chosen to become a wife. After years of careful preparation, she is not prepared for this moment to end in disaster. Instead of being chosen, she must spend the rest of her days serving in the lowest level of society as a Lint. Knowing the Authority cannot be questioned, Carrington prepares herself for a life of toil and drudgery, completely shut off from her family. She soon establishes a connection with another Lint girl, and discovers that there is a whole other side to their society, a rebellion that shakes her beliefs to the core and resonates in her heart in ways that she never imagined. Then Carrington is given an unheard of second chance at the life prepared and dreamed of, but things are not quite what they seem. With an assassin killing Lints and corruption looming in the upper echelons of the Authority, Carrington must find out the truth before it destroys her and those she has come to love.<br /><br />I don’t read a lot of dystopian fiction, but when I saw this as an option to review, I took the chance because I love checking out debut authors, and the premise sounded intriguing to me. From the first chapter, I was drawn into the story. Rachelle starts with a heightened scene that really pulled me into the action. While I found some parts of it to be similar to things I have already read, I still enjoyed her debut novel.<br /><br />The world that Rachelle created here at first seems very simplistic. I think that it’s a little deeper and more involved than it might first appear. I appreciated that details of how the society worked were threaded throughout so as to avoid a big pile of information. The details were mentioned, but I didn’t feel that it was overwhelming at any point. I do wish I could have learned a bit more about its history and what it actually looks like. Even though I learned about the various elements of the government and society, I never really got a feel for what it looked like – was it futuristic, was it part old and part new, did homes look like they do now or are things more uniform? Overall though, I felt that the world building was done well and created a great backdrop for the story.<br /><br />Carrington’s character is interesting, but for me, she didn’t have any special quality or quirk that really brought her to life and established a connection. I felt empathy for her and was compelled to continue reading her story, but never felt that “something” that I look for in main characters. There is a lot of introspection in her character that I found to become repetitive, although I can see her realizations resonating greatly with a lot of readers. I look forward to Carrington learning who she is as a daughter of the true Father.<br /><br />The plot was entertaining, though nothing out of the ordinary. I was fairly certain what was going to happen, but I still enjoyed getting to the heightened scenes in the book. For me there were a few elements that I felt were left a little vague. How did Aaron and his followers meet without detection? Did he live outside of the city or hide somewhere inside? Perhaps more will be revealed about how those who function outside of the Authority live, as Carrington discovers more about who she is as a daughter of the true Father away from that society’s control.<br /><br />I know that this is the first novel is a series, so perhaps I just need to be more patient and wait for more to be revealed in the second book. Overall, The Choosing is very well-written debut novel, and I can see how there is plenty here for the sub-sequent books in the series to delve deeper into Carrington’s society and the rebellion. I recommend this for young adult readers who enjoy dystopian settings.", "timestamp": 1436816652000, "title": "Intriguing Series Start" }, { "asin": "0764212397", "rating": 4, "text": "I am always intrigued by a story that highlights a character that was not well-loved in a previous book. If you’ve read Hearts Made Whole, then you know Tessa wasn’t the most likeable secondary character. It made me so eager to read her story in Undaunted Hope, and the wait was certainly worth it. Tessa has matured and realized the error of her old ways. However, she still has a certain sass and isn’t afraid to step out in a profession that had traditionally been held by men. For me her character is what made this novel shine, along with the vibrant setting and rich historical detail.<br /><br />Tessa is one of my favorite heroines that Jody has written thus far. She’s got spunk that comes across in a realistic way. Her limitations as a woman are true to the time period, when reputation was everything for a woman. This story also portrays an important truth about the consequences of past mistakes. Even after you make the decision to become a different kind of person, the effects of those old choices are hard to overcome. However, with time, effort and God’s help, it can be done. Tessa’s journey as she strives to overcome the mistakes of her past is one that had my complete empathy and admiration.<br /><br />The secondary characters really stand out in this story. Brothers Alex and Michael, the children, and even prickly Nadine create such an endearing group of people. I really enjoyed the development of these relationships and the genuine feeling that is upheld throughout the entire story. The plot is especially well-paced. Everything flows naturally and realistically throughout the story. Though the romance for me isn’t the highlight of this story, it is still Jody’s trademark style, with a dramatic rescue and several tender moments.<br /><br />It seems that I gush about this with every novel of Jody’s, but the historical detail here is so well-done. These people had such a hard life, full of back-breaking, dangerous work. I could imagine the bone-deep cold of the coastal breeze and the helplessness of the miners as they bowed to the whims of selfish boss. That he was based on a real-life historical figure brought even more depth to the story. The setting and time period quickly come to life and stay strong throughout the story’s entirety.<br /><br />I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s so neat that Jody brought back characters from the novella that starts the Beacons of Hope series – it gives the feeling of completion within that storyline, and also provides a little bit of set-up for the next book in the series. I’m always a little sad when I finish one of Jody’s novels because it means another wait for her new release – thankfully the next book is set to come out in June of this year, so we don’t have to wait too long – but it’s also neat to get a glimpse of a character that readers will get to meet soon. If you haven’t read this series yet, definitely do. Though this book could be read as a stand-alone, the story felt even richer having experienced Tessa’s past in the previous book. I highly recommend Undaunted Hope for fans of romantic inspirational historical fiction.", "timestamp": 1454009509000, "title": "Lovely Romance & Great Historical Detail!" }, { "asin": "0310341523", "rating": 3, "text": "This was my first book by Rachel Hauck, and I think perhaps not the best one to start with of her books. I found it to be an intriguing story, but struggled with the telling of it. From the get-go, I was less than thrilled with the four different points of view. Perhaps this shows my youth and frame of mind at this point in life, but I was much more interested in Taylor and Jack's marriage than I was Jimmy and Colette's relationship from years ago. I'm just a reader that would much prefer to get into one or two character's heads and get to know them really well; instead, I felt like I was skimming each person's story. Because of that, some of the story-arcs just fell flat for me.<br /><br />The faith element seems on the nose in some scenes, and while I love the idea of layered family secrets, they were pretty obvious from the beginning of the story. The story seemed to be trying to be a mystery and focused a lot on secrets of the past, whereas I wished it would have focused on the family dynamics of the present-day.<br /><br />I did like Rachel's writing style and found it to be very readable. Again, this is my first book by this author, so please take my opinion for what it is. I did like the book, and I do still want to check out more of Rachel's books, so if anyone has any recommendations of what to try next, I'm all ears.", "timestamp": 1456102121000, "title": "Intriguing Story" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 4, "text": "Colleen Coble is another author that I’m a little behind the curve on reading, and I hope to remedy that further in the future. The Inn at Ocean’s Edge is only the second of her novels that I’ve read, and while I wasn’t blown away by the other novel, this one was a great suspenseful read. This novel provides really great set up for upcoming books in the series, while still in keeping with what appears to be Colleen’s trademark romantic suspense.<br /><br />I think what impressed me most with this story is how quickly the action starts. I love how it starts off with a bang and doesn’t let up until the end. It’s hard to talk about this type of story line without accidentally giving any spoilers, but I was held fast by the mystery. There are several surprising elements, and while some of my suspicions proved to be correct, there were many instances that I wasn’t sure what was going on with certain characters or plotlines. The story ended up being much more layered and intricate than I was expecting, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching everything unfold. There were a few scenes that I thought ended in an odd way, as if it needed just a few more sentences to give it a better sense of completeness, but it may be something that wouldn’t bother super-fans of suspense. While I enjoy it, it’s not the genre that I read most often, so this could just be me<br /><br />The characters, for the most part, react realistically to what is going on around them, and the less desirable characters don’t come off as caricatures, which is often a complaint of mine. Although my life is nothing like Claire’s life, I still found ways to relate to her. There were times that I could have used a bit more depth for the main characters; I did think they had realistic back story’s that created great conflict for their current circumstances. Colleen gives Claire small but impactful characteristics that add a lot of realism to her character and the same can be said of Luke’s character as well.<br /><br />Colleen also does a great job in writing the romance realistically into the story; the romantic moments are genuinely sweet yet realistic and fall naturally within the story’s flow. While Claire and Luke aren’t complete opposites, there’s a softness to him that Claire is drawn to. Their scenes had a spark from the very beginning.<br /><br />The setting is another area that is really well-done. Although I’ve never been to Maine, I feel like I’ve at least been on its coast because of this story. I could easily envision Hotel Tourmaline, as well as the natural landscape of the setting, whether it was a rocky cliff, sandy beach or a cranberry bog. This is a random side note, but I’ve loved the names of her more recent titles – this one gives off a sense of place, as well as a sense of excitement and, perhaps even danger, especially with the words, “ocean’s edge.” Despite it being a hotel more than an inn, the title is very evocative of the story overall.<br /><br />Fans of suspense and of Colleen’s past novels are sure to enjoy this one. Even I, an unseasoned suspense reader, flew through the pages once the mystery hooked me, and I definitely hope to read the next book in the Sunset Cove series.", "timestamp": 1456528716000, "title": "Great Suspense Read!" }, { "asin": "0764210386", "rating": 5, "text": "Flirtation Walk may not usurp my favorite spot of Siri Mitchell’s books, but it is definitely a favorite of the year so far. What an utterly fun and charming story! Siri’s books are always light and fun, but also impart a real truth to the reader. Combine that with winning characters and a unique historical setting, and I'm hooked.<br /><br />Lucinda Pennyworth is a bit of a contradiction. She wants to be respectable and normal, but her years of helping her father with his cons on unsuspecting victims have marked her in ways she doesn’t even realize. As she meets and gets to know her mother’s family, she comes to understand just how hard it will be to shed her present of her past mistakes. At first she uses her father’s tactics almost without realizing it, and I wasn’t sure how much I was going to like her. However, Siri is able to show Lucinda’s potential to the reader even before she herself realizes it. In terms of the faith aspect of the book, there is nothing earth-shattering here, but rather a lighter thread about overcoming past mistakes, forgiving yourself and accepting forgiveness from others.<br /><br />I say this nearly every time I read one of Siri’s books, but it’s true every time – she always chooses unique settings and times in history. In Flirtation Walk, it is West Point Academy and the surrounding town, not many years before the Civil War plunges the nation into chaos. Honestly, I was a little worried before starting the book. How interesting could a story and characters at West Point be? The answer is very interesting on both counts. I loved the tidbits and facts about military life at West Point, how confining it was, yet how much pride the cadets took in their lives there.<br /><br />Seth Westcott is an endearing character and definitely my favorite of the book. Perhaps his decisions seemed unlikely throughout the book, but I think they are supposed to seem that way, especially since they backfire on him. Seth’s friends are some of the most humorous secondary characters that I’ve read about in a while. It was obvious that they each had their own stories; in fact, Siri wrote a short story for Otter, and it suited his character perfectly. The others seem to have their own story as well; perhaps once day Siri will be able to tell their stories as well, but in the meantime, it’s fun to make up what I want to happen in my mind.<br /><br />There are several witty bits of dialogue that I loved, and everything ends well – the ending itself was so winsome and perfectly suited to the characters and their story. This isn’t super serious romantic historical, but rather has a lot of humorous moments. It’s definitely unique and perhaps not for readers that don’t appreciate some comedy in their historicals. I personally have always been drawn to books that stands out from the norm in the Christian fiction world, and Siri’s books have always held that unique element for me. I have one more of her historical fiction novels to read, as well as a couple of her contemporary stories that I haven't gotten to yet. I know that she is going to take a bit of a break from writing now, which is understandable, but bittersweet for this reader. While I read across many genres and types of books, I have Siri to thank for sparking my love of Christian fiction, especially as a reader who once scoffed at it, and only gave it a chance because of her book She Walks in Beauty. So, thank you, Siri, for daring to write books that don't fall in line perfectly with the rest of CBA, and I'll be waiting for your next novel, whenever it may come.", "timestamp": 1458873157000, "title": "Endearing Characters & Lovely Historical Details" }, { "asin": "0310338492", "rating": 3, "text": "Lydia Bancroft is a very unconventional lady - not only is she yet to be married, but she also works as a librarian and relishes her work there. Despite finding satisfaction in the lending library, she can't help but be drawn to a mysterious library patron. After an alarming incident between her and her fiance takes place, witnessed by this mysterious patron, her life takes a strange, exciting turn.<br /><br />The unique premise of this novel and the unusual circumstance of Lydia being a librarian drew me into this story. Lydia is reserved, but has a strong intellect. I really loved the moments that she stuck up for herself and proved that there was more to her than just being a shy librarian. Sebastian Marks is a self-made man, and though his chosen profession may not be entirely genteel, he has built himself into a better person through his own temerity. I love how the intrigue starts off and doesn't let up for basically the entire story; the romance is fairly light but still heartfelt, with the mystery taking center stage for the majority of the story.<br /><br />Although I found all of the characters to have intriguing personal stories, my preference is for the story to focus on just one or two main characters, so bear that in mind when reading my review. Secondary characters are wonderful, of course, but I didn't feel a deep connection with the other main characters. I'm not exactly sure what is was, but for the majority of the story, I was only a passive observer rather than really inside the characters heads. I also felt that some scenes unfolded a bit unrealistically; some of the more dangerous, tense scenes fell a bit flat for me.<br /><br />Despite feeling like it didn't completely come through in all of the character interactions, I did appreciate the focus on friendship and loyalty that the other main characters portrayed. It was nice to not have the plot focus so much on romance, but rather friend relationships. The story portrays how people from different backgrounds and experiences can still inspire one another to be better.<br /><br />Random side-thought, but yay for a character that wears spectacles! Since I'm bespectacled, I liked that a lot. Although, I have to say, I wish that the cover model was either wearing them or holding them or something. And be still my heart that Sebastian though to carry them in his pocket so they wouldn't be damaged - loved that sweet moment.<br /><br />Even though Whispers in the Reading Room didn't make it onto my favorites list, I did enjoy it, and I do want to eventually go back and read the first two books in the series.", "timestamp": 1465620497000, "title": "Unique Premise and Leading Librarian" }, { "asin": "0692691154", "rating": 4, "text": "I am so glad that Jody decided to go the untraditional route to publish Forever Safe. Although the first two books in the series are my favorites, this was a worthy conclusion to the Beacons of Hope series. Ever since Victoria appeared in book three, I knew that she had a story of her own! Forever Safe is full of an endearing romance and historical details of life surrounding a lighthouse, as well as some exciting tense moments toward the end.<br /><br />Stories that feature characters from way different walks of life always intrigue me, and that intrigue certainly holds true with Victoria and Tom. Though kind-hearted, Victoria is a pampered, spoiled young lady from a wealthy family. Tom’s origins are much more humble, and he worked make a profession for himself. From the get-go, their interactions are laced with tension because of these differences, and it is only when they are drawn by necessity from their respective roles that they begin to see that, despite their differences, they both have much to offer.<br /><br />Once again, some of my favorite details were of daily life as a light keeper and the duties that come with it. There is something charming about life around a lighthouse, yet there is always the feeling that something dangerous could happen at any moment – though much was routine, the idea that the surrounding seas may change in a moment was ever present. The climactic scenes really held my attention, and the emotion and resolve of the characters shone brightly in those moments.<br /><br />I loved the overall message of this story as well – the idea that there are always going to be things in life to fear, but you can’t let that stop you from making a decision and living. Victoria’s fears are grounded mostly in supposition and worry for tomorrow, whereas Tom lets past events and traumas color his present decisions. Though they were different types of fear, Jody did a lovely job at portraying that the same gumption and faith is required to overcome them – that fear doesn’t always go away, but it can be dealt with through faith and perseverance.<br /><br />Thought it’s a bit of a bummer to have this series done, I was entirely satisfied with this last book in the Beacons of Hope series. I wholeheartedly recommend for readers looking for a sweet, romantic story.", "timestamp": 1465677691000, "title": "Lovely Conclusion to the Series!" }, { "asin": "1434708381", "rating": 5, "text": "Jilted is a wonderful conclusion to the Mended Hearts series. Though I was sad to say goodbye to these characters, I was thrilled for all of the secrets to be revealed and for things to come full circle for Lynda Turner. I connected to her story on a very personal level and was so pleased with how things turned out for her. Her voice is crystal clear; Varina has done such a wonderful job keeping the voices of her three different narrators in each book separate and unique, while still remaining consistent with the clarity and humor found in her writing.<br /><br />The way that Varina handles the topic of depression is to be appreciated. Though Lynda suffers from depression, the story itself is hopeful, yet realistic in regards to how she struggles with her low points. Although Lynda does has let her depression get the best of her in the past, once things come to light, it brings a whole other layer to her character and to just how strong she had to be despite many people thinking the worst of her.<br /><br />If any saying applies to this story, it’s that “appearances can be deceiving.” By all of the local accounts, Lynda was just a depressed, broken woman, and Clyde Felton a dangerous ex-convict, but many looked that far and no farther. Meanwhile, one of the town’s elite is hiding secrets that would shock the town to the core. Though in some things in the plot were expected, these revelations and what they meant for Lynda kept me flipping the pages eagerly. Toward the end of the story, her personal journey moved me to tears. I was so moved by the reminder that it’s only later that we can see the good in a bad situation, that once the haze of grief and anger have faded, we can see the God placed others in our lives to be the hand that lifts us up, if we’re only willing to reach out and take it. He is eager to fill our cups to overflowing, if we just hold it out to Him.<br /><br />I have absolutely loved this series, and though it’s hard to pick, I think Jilted might be my favorite of the three – although that Ruthie is just a sassy as a secondary character as she is in her own story. These characters really came to life for me; Varina doesn’t sugarcoat situations, but nor does she add unnecessary detail that could make the story feel overly dramatic. Instead, I reveled in the true-to-life ups and downs of these characters, and rejoiced in the powerful message of this story.<br /><br />Varina is one of my favorite new authors, and I can’t wait to see what she brings readers next. If you are looking for an inspirational story about real, messy, wonderful characters, this story is for you. I highly recommend the Mended Hearts series – and I definitely think it’s best to read them in order, so started with Jaded, move on to Justified and savor a well-done ending in Jilted.", "timestamp": 1467165888000, "title": "My favorite of the series!" }, { "asin": "031033344X", "rating": 4, "text": "The Mountain Midwife opens with an engaging scene that pulled me immediately into Ashley Toliver’s world – that of a midwife for the women of a small Appalachian community. Awakened in the night, the last thing that Ashley expects is an abduction of her patient right after the birth. This light mystery takes off from there, pulling in another mystery of Hunter McDermott’s birth mother. Both of these threads intertwine nicely as the story progresses, as well as the growing friendship between Ashley and Hunter.<br /><br />There is a nice atmosphere found in this story – the feel of the small community is fully realized, and I loved the strong sense of heritage that Ashley has for her home. I enjoy when an author gives a character an authentic history that feels real to me, as this one did. The plot also flows nicely. The mystery thread is light and more my speed, since I don’t like super scary, crime-based stories.<br /><br />I felt like some of the ending scenes came across as a little bit anticlimactic. There are also some loose ends that I felt like weren’t tied up – perhaps to leave room for a sequel? I definitely felt like there are secondary characters in this story that could have their own and would be interested in reading those. I was also bummed at how easily things wrapped up for Ashley – I thought there would be more of a compromise regarding one big issue in her life. It seemed a bit glossed over, but that’s just my opinion. Other readers may not feel that way at all.<br /><br />The details about midwifery really grabbed my attention; Ashely had such deep roots, and the details about her job held my interest – and for anyone worried about there being too much detail, don’t be – I thought it was enough details to understand the situation and even learn from it, but not more information than was needed. I also thought it was neat how the author made Ashley and her friend Heather a descendant of characters in her historical series about midwives – I’ve read this first book, and this story actually makes me want to read the other two.<br /><br />Overall, this is an engaging story, with a lot of compelling elements, and a light mystery at its core - and I hope it's the beginning of a series. These characters have more stories to tell, I'm sure of it.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to do a review, and the views expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1475961978000, "title": "Light, Romantic Mystery" }, { "asin": "0310395933", "rating": 5, "text": "In Love Takes the Cake, Charlotte Cantrell knows what she’s about – providing brides with delicious cakes for their wedding day. What she doesn’t count on is being drawn to a regular customer, Will, who comes every week to buy cookies for the mysterious “Melissa.” Humorous misunderstandings abound in this confection of a story. I haven’t read any of Betsy St. Amant’s full length novels, but definitely want to after enjoying this fun story. The story could easily find its home on the Hallmark channel (and really who is complaining about that?), but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t also a dose of realism thanks to the back stories of both Charlotte and Will. The unraveling of the tangled threads of misunderstandings is a joy to read.<br /><br />I admit that The Perfect Arrangement was the story I was most eager to read, simple because I am always eager to read anything that Katie Ganshert writes. I was expecting a charming story, but this one truly blew me away. Amelia Mason is a bit quirky and a very relatable character. I’m a big fan of epistolary style narratives, so I love how the author includes email to tell the story. It’s a fresh twist that adds a lot of fun and charm to the characters interactions – Nate is a particularly endearing male lead. This may seem a small thing, but I also appreciated that she included a family with step-siblings. It’s not something I’ve seen much in Christian fiction, but it’s a real part of life, and it is done very well here. I also found the story of how Amelia came to own a flower shop and how it got its name to be such an endearing part of the story. This is one of my favorite novellas I’ve read in 2016.<br /><br />Love in the Details is nothing less than what I expect from a Becky Wade story – the characters are endearing, and it’s easy to root for them the entire time. She realistically portrays two people who were once in a relationship, meeting again after many years and different roads of life. It’s a genuinely sweet story that had me smiling while reading because they are just such likeable people. I appreciated the cautious, realistic way that they began to reconnect with one another – their reconnection doesn’t move too fast, nor does it drag, but rather it strikes the perfect balance with the length of the story. I also liked getting a peek into Holly’s writer life – I’m sure the author pulls from personal experience there, so it was fun to read about that.<br /><br />I know that many readers start picking up Christmas books well before the month of December rolls around. But before you pick up your Christmas books, I highly recommend squeezing a bit of “fall” into your reading this month with this wonderfully charming collection.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own.", "timestamp": 1479575023000, "title": "Perfect Trio of Stories!" }, { "asin": "0764218212", "rating": 5, "text": "Set during the tumultuous time of Israel’s beginning as a unified nation, Shadow of the Storm brings the life of the Hebrew tribes into sharp relief. Through the eyes of Shira, a woman still fighting the battles of her past, readers see these events firsthand through engrossing first-person narration. Shira’s insecurities make her a realistic, relatable character. My heart was stirred and found kinship with her; doubts and fears keep her from fully embracing her desire to be a midwife. Despite having a natural talent for it, her self-doubt and mistakes keep her from moving forward.<br /><br />There are times where it feels like books were placed in my life exactly when I needed it. The<br />Story takes on a personal level, and I see myself in the character so strongly, that I know that the timing is no accident. This was completely and entirely my experience while reading Shadow of the Storm and discovering Shira’s story. It was a joy to see Kiya, Eben and Jumo again. The friendship between Shira and Kiya is definitely a highlight of the story, and I’m glad that the familial relationships didn’t get lost in the plot or any romantic elements. Ayal is an intriguing character – despite not knowing his true intentions and a shaky beginning, I found myself wanting his character to be constant.<br /><br />Dvorah is one character that served a dual purpose for me. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about the addition of another character’s perspective, but as the story continues, Cossette does something that not many authors accomplish – make an unlikable, deplorable character provoke empathy within me. I found myself reacting strongly to Dvorah’s decisions – and by strongly, I distinctly remember saying out loud to my husband that I wanted to punch her in the face…um, oops? Seriously though, any read that elicits such an emotion from me is a winner in my book.<br /><br />In addition to providing a superb antagonist, Dvorah brought in an outsider perspective as well. I had honestly never really thought of how wild it would have been for so many people, from so many different backgrounds, would have functioned as a whole, while traveling through the desert. I suppose I never thought about the fact that, with the Hebrew tribes, some groups might have just been “tagging along,” for lack of a better phrase, because it was better than the life they left behind. Just because they were following Moses out of Egypt didn’t mean they left their prejudices and ingrained beliefs behind, nor did it mean that their beliefs aligned with the Hebrews. These differences and the issues that arose from them are fascinating and add a great element to the story.<br /><br />This powerful story has everything I look for in a novel. I was held riveted by the plot, Shira’s character, and the tender romance. Most importantly, this is a faith-affirming story that reminds reader of how God uses trials and setbacks to bolster faith and keep our eyes set on Him. This is one of my favorite books of 2016, and I am so looking forward to book 3 in the Out from Egypt series, Wings of the Wind. I highly recommend Shadow of the Storm to readers who enjoy Biblical fiction and an immersive first-person narrative.", "timestamp": 1479775248000, "title": "Superb Addition to the Series!" }, { "asin": "0718077911", "rating": 5, "text": "A Portrait of Emily Price is Katherine Reay at her best. The tone and main character are reminiscent of Dear Mr. Knightley, the realistic situations akin to Lizzy and Jane, and the international aspect nods to The Bronte Plot. I was happy to see her return to the overall tone that she brought readers in Dear Mr. Knightley. Though they were very different characters, Emily’s first-person voice had me enchanted in the same way that I was with Sam. While the family situations were complex, there is a beautiful simplicity in the way that things occur. There was never a moment where I willingly put this book down, and I was always eager to pick it back up.<br /><br />Usually whirlwind type romances don’t do much for me. I struggle with the realism and can’t get into the magic of it all. But from the moment that Emily met Ben, I felt like their biggest cheerleader! Yes, I was wondering how this was all going to play out, but I was rooting for them all the way. The author completely pulls it off – Ben is total book-boyfriend material. I did appreciate the realistic way that, despite how quickly their relationship moves, it was still a back and forth of misunderstanding and miscommunications, but also a sweet rendering of a new marriage. For readers that are not as big a fan of romance as myself, never fear – although this might be Reay’s most romantic story yet, Emily’s personal growth and a poignant family story take the prime spot in the narrative – and what a joy it is to watch it all unfold. The secondary characters are genuine and not to be overlooked. I particularly adored the relationship between Emily and Ben’s dad, Lucio – his character over all is one of the most gorgeous portrayals of fatherly love that I’ve read in a long while.<br /><br />Several aspects just make this story – that of art and Italy – and food! Emily’s job as a restorer is fascinating to read about, and I also loved watching her grow in confidence at an artist as well. The setting of a small Italian village is so picturesque and full of charm – from the cozy library in the family home, to the cobblestone streets of the village, I fell in love with it all. Ben’s charm is never as beguiling as the times he is in the kitchen, although the story paints an accurate picture of the precarious nature of the restaurant business, but more importantly, how food, family and tradition intertwine. And while there might be times where metaphors are overused in stories, or perhaps too many are used at once, here the combination of art restoration and creation provide a gorgeous comparison for the events of the story.<br /><br />My most favorite aspect of this story is how Emily proves to be a huge catalyst for change in Ben’s family, all the while trying to maintain a flimsy control of her new life in Italy and discover just what her roll is as a member of it. As Emily uncovers a painting in the local church, the secrets of Ben’s family are uncovered as well. While the faith elements are a lighter thread throughout the first part of the story, the latter half is suffused with a beautiful message of forgiveness and grace.<br /><br />I am always so pleased to read a Katherine Reay novel, but even more so when it’s as poignant and lovingly crafted as A Portrait of Emily Price. Highly recommended.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1480384995000, "title": "Her Best Book Yet!" }, { "asin": "149640646X", "rating": 4, "text": "I am very particular about the authors that I follow when it comes to Biblical fiction. Tessa Afshar is one author whose books I will always pick up and expect to be enthralled by the story. Land of Silence grabbed my heart from page one. She created a provocative, engrossing story for the woman with the issue of blood. When I first heard that this would be the basis for her new book, I admit, I did wonder how she was going to make it work. I wasn’t worried, of course, but I did wonder how she would choose to tell this story. She takes a figure that appears in one scene with the Bible and fleshes out her story into something beautiful – a tapestry, if you will, that rivals the beauty of the fabric creations in Elianna’s household.<br /><br />The characterization of Elianna is superb; her voice in the first person narration style is crystal clear and distinct. I love that she chose to tell the story in first-person. I think it made the telling of such a personal, emotionally-charged story that much more poignant and compelling. Speaking of fabric and tapestries, the details about fabric production, dyeing and even the selling and trading are fascinating and greatly enhanced my reading experience.<br /><br />This author excels at creating strong women that suit the setting and time period, and Elianna is truly an inspiring character. She is determined and wants to take care of her family, yet her pride keeps her from accepting help from her betrothed, Ethan. The novel spans many years, and I ached with her and cheered for her as she matures throughout the story. The way that she is battered by life circumstance and then later on by physical ailments, yet still holds tight to her faith, makes her a compelling character. I can’t let the review go without mentioning Ethan again – enduring, steadfast Ethan. The scenes between these two spark with feeling, and he matches Elianna’s stubbornness with a hard head of his own.<br /><br />The groundwork for the story is set up in a strong way. The opening scenes set up perfectly both the despair and hope that are to come. Stricken by grief, guilt and condemnation, Elianna works hard to be the perfect daughter and basically run her father’s textile business on her own. However, all of her hard work cannot prepare her for what’s to come. Looking back, I am once again impressed that the novel wasn’t bogged down with despair. Much of the novel is leading to her lowest point, but I never wanted to put it down – the story flows that well and is that engrossing. Though there were some times I felt that the pacing was a bit slow, the events that took place felt realistic and naturally placed in the story. It is only through reaching her lowest point, that the most important event of her life takes place – that of touching the hem of Jesus’s robe and finding physical healing, yes, but, more importantly, deep, irrevocable love, free of condemnation.<br /><br />Afshar’s writing just keeps getting better and better, and fans of her previous novels will not be disappointed in the slightest. I highly recommend this novel for readers of Biblical fiction, but also for any reader looking for a strong story of healing and redemption.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this novel, and I chose to review it. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1517601525606, "title": "Another Winning Story by Afshar" }, { "asin": "0800728734", "rating": 5, "text": "Charming, mysterious, romantic, fun, and swoon-worthy, A Rumored Fortune is Politano’s second novel, and, wow, does it deliver for this reader.<br /><br />There is such a strong atmosphere to sink into within these pages. The setting is a castle, its grounds home to a vineyard. Though her castle home is important and much loved, it is the vineyard that captured Tressa's mind, as it had previously captured her father's before his mysterious death. However, both castle and vineyard have the funds that they need to keep going, as her father's fortune is hidden in a place that only he knew.<br /><br />I adored Tressa’s character. Though Victorian Era heroines often have the misfortune of things happening to them rather than making things happen (which while aggravating to modern thought, is probably more realistic), Tressa is a realistic balance of delicate yet driven. She’s not afraid of doing things on her own but is also acutely aware of her own vulnerability and still bound to an extent to society’s expectations.<br /><br />The secondary characters are by turns intriguing, suspicious, and charming. I loved the relationship between Tressa and her lady’s maid, Lucy. Of course, her burgeoning friendship with Donegan Vance, the man her father hired to care for the vineyard captured my attention with ease, while her re-introduction to her former suitor, Andrew Carrington, made me question everyone’s motives, especially with a vast fortune involved.<br /><br />The faith element is strong throughout the novel, and while alluded to often, it always feels genuine and in keeping with the characters themselves. I found it to be refreshing and well-done; it is especially neat the way the care and keeping of a vineyard ties in so well with Tressa’s personal journey in such a natural way.<br /><br />This is only the tenth novel this year that I’ve given five stars. The exquisite blend of lovely writing, endearing characters, mysterious plot, and a gorgeous romance make A Rumored Fortune one of my favorite reads of the year!<br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a review, positive or otherwise, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1533512433595, "title": "Charming, Swoon-worthy Second Novel" }, { "asin": "1683228685", "rating": 4, "text": "The White City is a vibrant mystery, with more of a cozy feel than a sinister one. I've read some non-fiction accounts of H.H. Holmes, and it's really quite gruesome. The extent of his depravity and evil is not touched on here, as this story takes place nearer to the beginning of his terrible acts. However, there is enough that the danger is real and present throughout the pages of this book.<br /><br />At first I was a bit worried that Winnie was going to be too silly, but I was soon won over by her vivacity and charm. Her interactions with Detective Jude Thorpe are fun and sweet, and even though I don't enjoy a love triangle, even Percival won me over (I wouldn't mind seeing him in a future novel). Winnie is also a complete bookworm, so what's not to love about that. As with any bookworm though, occasionally our imagination might get the best of us - which is what happens to Winnie. She has to prove to her father that she knows what she's talking about and can back up her claims with evidence. Hence, where the sleuthing and danger come into play. Winnie's family plays a significant role in this story, as does romance, so if you're looking for suspense alone, that's not this title. I for one enjoyed the mix, and once I realized it was more of a cozy mystery, the story flowed well for me. I also found the descriptions of the city and the World's Fair to be lovely and a great backdrop for the events of the story.<br /><br />I enjoyed this debut novel; it shows great promise for the stories that I know are to come from Grace Hitchcock.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to post a positive review, and the thoughts expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1552672505439, "title": "Fun Historical Romance" }, { "asin": "0785223169", "rating": 4, "text": "In The Governess of Penwythe Hall, Ladd’s trademark handling of setting, characters, and romance are back in full force. The harsh landscape of Cornwall comes to life, complete with its dramatic coastline and the seemingly endless moors. This is just the place that widow and governess Delia Greythorne is forced back to after the death of her employer. Cornwall, a place of heartache for her, might hold the keys to moving on with her life, if she can combat dangers arising from her past.<br /><br />After a slow start, it was hard for me to put this one down. The plot builds nicely, each element building on another to create an entertaining read. Delia is a strong character, but not unrealistically so. She is fully aware of her position in the world, but still retains her dignity. One of my favorite parts of the story is the blossoming relationship between Jac Tretheway, Penwythe Hall’s owner, and the orphaned children. His priorities must shift, and I enjoyed his shift from duty to love.<br /><br />This is a lovely opening to Sarah E. Ladd’s new series, and I eagerly await The Thief of Lanwyn Manor’s release in 2020. Recommended to fans of historical romance with a healthy dose of intrigue and a dash of suspense.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1556578455672, "title": "Lovely Series Opener!" }, { "asin": "0785222006", "rating": 4, "text": "A bookshop, lists of books, and friendship - what more could a bibliophile want out of a story? A book about books and bookshops and bookish things is a delight to be sure because \"that's what books do...they are a conversation, and introduce us to ourselves and to others,\" as the beloved Maddie of this book says.<br /><br />These are just the base elements that blend together to make the rich, layered tale that is The Printed Letter Bookshop. More than \"just\" books, this story is about making peace with life and those in it and choosing to be in charge of your own story: \"It's like you live in those classics you love, in some odd third-person narration, as if you aren't in charge of your own story. Who is, if not you, for goodness' sake?\"<br /><br />The story is about three women, Madeline, Claire, and Janet, and also one person and place around which their lives meet: Maddie, the owner of a bookshop, and the bookshop itself. Though at first I was taken aback by the three different narrators, I ended up liking all three of them quite a bit. While I typically prefer only one or two narrators, I felt equally interested in the lives of all three women. I enjoyed watching the relationship between them unfold. I loved the realness of each one, their struggles and their triumphs, and the often messy yet wonderful nature of life shines throughout the entire story.<br /><br />Though it doesn't top out as my favorite Reay book, she has written another charming yet deep story that is sure to meet a lot of readers right where they are in life.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not require to give a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1559851759910, "title": "Charming yet Deep" }, { "asin": "0800735323", "rating": 4, "text": "What a wonderful debut! Though suspense is not my go-to genre, I was drawn to this story first because of the small town setting, but also because of the author's presence on social media. Say what you will, but I'm always drawn to a warm, down-to-earth person, especially online where things can be so shallow and superficial.<br /><br />As I mentioned previously, the small town setting of Walton, Georgia comes to life in this story. From the locals who look after one another, to the diner where everyone gathers on the designated night, the flavor feels just right. In addition to the setting, I loved getting to know these characters. Lane's character is one that truly resonated with me, and I feel she will do the same for anyone that has struggled at any point in their life with depression. I applaud Walters for portraying her in what I feel is a realistic yet sensitive way. I cheered for the way that Lane kept pushing through, even when darkness threatened to take over her heart and mind. Words spoken to her by the precious Ms. Byrdie rooted deep into my heart:<br /><br />\"You are not broken. You are perfectly made. You have to stop punishing yourself for the way God made you - even for your depression. You need to forgive yourself and take captive those thoughts that you are anything but the woman our Creator designed you to be.\"<br /><br />The secondary characters are varied and endearing as well. My particular favorites (other than a handsome deputy Charlie Lynch, of course) are the Ms. Byrdie mentioned above, and Deputy Frost, who works with Charlie. The banter between Charlie and Deputy Frost had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion.<br /><br />The plot unfolds with delicious twists, and the mystery is sustained until just the perfect time. It was far enough to keep me guessing, yet soon enough so as to heighten the tension when I had a bit more of a clue than I did before. The investigating feels realistic to me, and I never felt there was any awkward behavior just for the sake of a thrill. Everything happens organically and feels natural. Speaking of feeling natural, the romance is a bit of a slow burn and SO sweet.<br /><br />I appreciate Living Lies for both it's entertainment value as much as I do for its honest portrayal of both struggles and hope. Throw in a quality mystery and an endearing romance, and it's a winning debut. I've added book two in the series to my to-read list and will be eager to get my hands on it!<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1569457568048, "title": "Excellent Debut!" }, { "asin": "0800735331", "rating": 4, "text": "Natalie Walters has really brought me around to the suspense genre. I love the small town of Walton, and I really enjoy the friendships portrayed in the Harbored Secrets series. Vivian is a character that I wasn't too sure about at first, but just like everyone, she had a lot going on behind the unforgiving reporter facade. Walters really hits the sweet spot of character development, mystery, and realism. There's usually a point that I question the intelligence of a character in suspense novels, but that's not really the case here. The events feel plausible and kept my attention the entire time. Ryan is a character that I was eager to see more of - he is so endearing in the first book, so seeing his character develop so well in this book made my reader heart happy.<br /><br />I'm definitely looking forward to book three in the series - how great that it's about Pecca, such an engaging secondary character in this book - and I'm a little sad that it'll be the last adventure in Walton.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1574699420481, "title": "Great Addition to the Series" }, { "asin": "080073534X", "rating": 4, "text": "Silent Shadows delivers a delicious mix of romance and suspense that I've learned to expect from Natalie Walters. I enjoyed returning to Walton, a small town in Georgia that came to life for me while reading this series, and while you can read this as a standalone and enjoy it just fine, I recommend starting from the beginning and getting to know everyone from the get-go. It's just more fun that way.<br /><br />Colton is a bit of a brooding lead, but he has his reasons. He's been dealt a tough blow, and he feels that his life has derailed. Pecca is one of those people with a indomitable spirit, but even she has to admit that she has to depend on the help of her close friends in Walton when it comes to the safety of herself and her son. Even though the romance is lovely, the true beauty in the story is from the friendships that are more like family, and the way they take care of each other.<br /><br />The plot flows smoothly, giving the reader bits of pieces of danger, and how it connects to Pecca, until things escalate quickly and tensely at the end of the story.<br /><br />Natalie Walters has been one of my favorite recent author discoveries, and I'm so glad that there are more books to come from her!<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher; I was not required to post a positive review, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.", "timestamp": 1587687726747, "title": "Lovely Series Conclusion" }, { "asin": "0785230009", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a poignant story of grief and finding joy again after terrible loss. Though their circumstances are different, both Eva and Angela have to figure out what their lives look like now that their husbands have passed away.<br /><br />I loved the realness of the family dynamics, as well as the lush New Zealand setting. And while I never see myself doing an ultra marathon, I found those details fascinating and loved going on that journey with them. The parallel to their inner journey is apparent but feels completely natural. I loved the gentle way that faith is discussed in the novel; it feels very organic within the story.<br /><br />This is my third Harrell novel and stands up wonderfully beside her other titles. I’ll be eager to read her next book!<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher; this review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1588556868464, "title": "Poignant Story of Grief & Finding Joy" } ]

[ { "asin": "1595545395", "rating": 4, "text": "This was such a sweet, fun book! Lucy is a cute heroine, and I love how she isn't perfect or \"beautiful\" in that cheesy way. That is way overdone these days, it seems! I was expecting the ultimate cheese from this book, and while it is a fun romance, it actually deals with some really serious issues despite it's appearance. I'm not even that much of a reader of Chick-Lit, nor do I usually like Contemporary novels, and I still really enjoyed this one. Some aspects of the plot are a bit unrealistic, but then again, the whole concept of faking an engagement/relationship is pretty crazy, so I was able to go along with it. I look forward to reading Jones' other novels.", "timestamp": 1314462852000, "title": "Light and Fun Summer Read" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 5, "text": "I have a hard time believing that Spring for Susannah is Richmond's debut novel! She writes like she already has several novels under her belt. This one is definitely a notch above the typical Christian Historical Fiction. Richmond completely drew me in with the sincerity of the story. Nothing is watered down and easy just because they believe in God. This book can definitely be viewed as two different parts. In the first part, Susannah is very timid and shy, but once she has to be on her own for a while, I really began to root for her. Her character developement was awesome.<br /><br />I also would like to thank Richmond for portraying the marriage between Susannah and Jesse as she did. They are one of the most realistic couples that I've read thus far in the genre. It seems that some authors shy away from portraying a real married relationship, but not Richmond. Nothing was graphic or overdone, but the intimacy in their relationship and their love for one another was evident. As one who has recently married, I found it so accurate and sincere.<br /><br />My one issue is that I found the ending to be somewhat abrupt. They were re-united, and then it seemed the book was over.<br /><br />I hope Richmond is already at work on her next novel; I can only imagine that she will continue to impress!", "timestamp": 1314463223000, "title": "Awesome Debut!" }, { "asin": "0849946158", "rating": 3, "text": "I found this to be a faith-affirming and uplifting story. I was challenged to think beyond some vague idea of heaven because of Colton's experience, and I really liked that. I can't imagine going through what that family went through, but like they said, it had a purpose.<br /><br />I do wish that some of the details that Colton mentioned were given a more \"scholarly\" approach. Don't get me wrong, I am not necessarily doubting that he experienced these things. There were just a couple of details that I could not find in the Bible. I wish that every time Colton made a point about heaven there would have been an exact place to find it in scripture. Todd did this for the majority of the time, and I found myself more moved and more comfortable with it than the times he did not. For example, I was uncomfortable with his descriptions of angels having wings as to my knowledge no angel ever appeared to a human in the Bible that had wings. I had thought the cherubim & seraphim do, but to my knowledge no where in the Bible does it mention that God's messengers have wings. Another detail I did not understand was Jesus' rainbow horse. I even tried to look it up (I am by no means a biblical scholar and know I am constantly overlooking things). I found mentions of a pale horse, a red horse, a white horse and a black horse (not that Jesus was riding all of them), but no where could I find a \"rainbow\" horse.<br /><br />Overall, I did like Heaven is for Real, but felt the need to \"be a Berean\" as they say, and check all things against scripture. I will take in the good things that this book (or any book) has to offer, and for my hard facts about what heaven is like, I will stick to the Word.", "timestamp": 1373138495000, "title": "Uplifting but not enough scripture backing for me" }, { "asin": "0764210416", "rating": 4, "text": "A thoroughly enjoyable novel, Tide and Tempest has a great blend of my favorite elements. Full of history, mystery, suspense, and a sincere romance, this read had a little bit of everything that my reading-heart could desire.<br /><br />The characters were portrayed in a realistic way, and I related so much with their internal conflicts. Both Tillie and Captain Morgan carried burdens of guilt and responsibility inside, and while the external conflict swirled with danger and intrigue, the internal conflict made these characters come alive for me. I also liked that their problems weren’t solved by romance or “insta-love.” They had to deal with those internal struggles first before letting someone into their heart and move on with their lives.<br /><br />I liked the pace of the plot too. It strikes a nice balance between character interaction and action scenes. I appreciated that the suspenseful moments made sense and flowed well. Sometimes I think that action sequences are a little jumbled and confusing, but here I didn’t find anything like that.<br /><br />I loved the atmosphere of the setting, especially the boarding house where Tillie lived. The entire setting was well-done from the dress shop where Tillie worked, to the apothecary shop in a rather unsavory part of town. There was a distinctive quality to each place in the story.<br /><br />Another sign of a great read is when the secondary characters come to life – for me, this character was Captain Morgan’s brother, Cass. In fact, I think he deserves his own story, and I am sort of hoping that some of the events that took place in this story are set up for him to have his own story one day!<br /><br />I am a sucker for dashing captains, especially if they hail from Ireland, and a roguish brother is not too bad either (wink, wink). The ending wraps everything up nicely, though not without some tension and heartache getting there. I was happy to get a happily-ever-after.<br /><br />This is my first read by Elizabeth Ludwig, and it definitely won’t be my last! I haven’t read the first two books in this series, but that didn’t prove to be an issue for my enjoyment of Tide and Tempest. Happy am I to say that I have the first book already on my Kindle and won the second book in a giveaway. Now I can learn that backstory of the other secondary characters in this story, and I know it will be a treat.", "timestamp": 1395668433000, "title": "A little bit of everything!" }, { "asin": "0764211692", "rating": 5, "text": "A Bride in Store is a worthy follow-up to the first novel in this series. In fact, I believe that her characters are even more developed, the writing more finessed and the plot tighter. I was especially taken with the unique plot points that she included in the story. Bereft of the store she used to run for her father, Eliza Cantrell travels to Kansas to be a mail-order bride for a man who owns a store, hoping that she will find a willing partner in both the store and marriage, if not complete happiness. The story starts with a bang in an unexpected train robbing scene. From the get go, it’s obvious that our Eliza is a quick-thinker and is not afraid to fight for what is rightfully hers. I really enjoyed her personality; she is entirely a lady of the times, but also unique in that she wants to be the owner and proprietor of her own store. She is not so forward-thinking that she wasn’t realistic to the time-period, but is still certainly distinct.<br /><br />The setting of 1881 Salt Flatts, Kansas feels authentic, as do the details about businesses at that time. I also found the details about healthcare back then fascinating; they really added a lot to the story. Some of the tidbits were tragic, but true to the time period when sickness and often death were simply an everyday matter. The side characters added great layers to the story; I especially loved Mrs. Lightfoot, the proprietor of the boarding house where Eliza lived. Without giving away too many details, I found her story to be intriguing and unexpected, and the relationship she and Eliza developed to be engaging.<br /><br />I admit that Will Stanton is not my typical favorite male lead, but he definitely grew on me as the story progressed. He is a thoughtful and somewhat reserved, yet he is selfless and doesn’t find worth in himself. Will dreams of studying to become a doctor, but in the meantime, takes care of his friend Axel’s store. Thrown off by Eliza’s early arrival, he allows her to work in the store until Axel’s return. I could really feel the tension and pull of attraction between them as Axel’s absence stretches into weeks. As their dreams and hopes for the future pull them in different directions, they navigate this new territory that springs up between them. Though I was never unsure of what the outcome would be, the journey getting there was a satisfying one. There was one plot twist regarding Axel that I actually did not see coming at all, so that was fun. Overall, there was quite a bit more action than what I originally thought.<br /><br />The spiritual aspect of the novel touched on several things, but the most prominent one for me was seeking God’s will for your life, and how sometimes your ideals and dreams don’t always align with that will. Sometimes you have to be willing to adapt and change your mind about things. I enjoyed watching Eliza and Will work through these things, even though at times it is painful, the outcome was better than they imagined.<br /><br />A Bride in Store was a great blend of unique historical details, endearing romance and well-rounded characters who experienced relatable dilemmas. Just an all-around fun read for me. I’m looking forward to Melissa Jagears next book. 4.5 stars!", "timestamp": 1411223159000, "title": "Great second novel!" }, { "asin": "0764210378", "rating": 5, "text": "Charlotte Withersby’s dearest wish is to study her beloved blooms as a botanist. She wants to be left alone by her uncle, society and most certainly by her father’s new assistant, an interloper named Mr. Trimble. In a time when women’s views and expertise in botany are not given credence, Charlotte must rely upon the name of her father, a well-known botanist, to publish her own work. When her uncle and father insist that she take on society to snare a husband, Charlotte is sure Mr. Trimble’s lackluster help will soon bring her back to her position as her father’s assistant and put all of the marriage nonsense to rest. What Charlotte doesn’t account for is finding actual suitors, nor is she prepared for the questions that be thrust into society will bring – is her merit in her work or does it lie within herself?<br /><br />Siri always chooses to write about historical elements that are usually not anything that I’ve read about in another novel. She is a brave author in the sense that she chooses to tackle story elements and character traits that are not widely used. In this case, it was the science of botany. The botany details are fascinating and add a lot of depth to Charlotte’s character development and intellectual tendencies. Charlotte’s quirks are so unique to her character. Siri’s characters and settings are never the norm, which is why her books continue to be a delight to read.<br /><br />This novel is more on the humorous side, and nowhere is that more evident than in the main character, Charlotte. She is quirky, and if I may, sometimes a bit odd. At first, I wasn’t sure how to take her, but as I read on, she grew on me. There is a possibility that she may not be for everyone; there were times that I was exasperated with her, but at the same time, she is extremely refreshing. She is everything that society is not – she is blunt, unpretentious and lacks the knowledge of all of the social niceties that are expected of her. In her heart of hearts, she wants to take care of her father and wants to be valued for her intellectual abilities, and moreover, wants herself to be enough, no more, no less.<br /><br />There were also some compelling side characters present in this story. I loved her new-found companion, Miss Templeton - the scenes with her were full of humor, and I loved how she took Charlotte under her wing and had a feeling that she found Charlotte refreshing as well. Their friendship and back-and-forth banter was entertaining to read. Her uncle, her self-named chaperone during all of her social outings is rather enigmatic at first, but as the story progresses, his character and background are revealed, and I was pleasantly surprised by the depth in the interactions between him and Charlotte.<br /><br />Mr. Trimble may not be the conventional hero, but I felt that he fit well within the story, and his character is very endearing. Despite being declared the enemy by Miss Templeton, it’s soon very clear that he isn’t the usurper that he appears to be and that he has his own reasons for becoming an assistant to a reclusive botanist. I wanted more interaction between him and Charlotte, and while the enemies turned lovers storyline sometimes wears on me, it works well in this story, and provides some humorous and also heartfelt exchanges between him and Charlotte.<br /><br />Whenever I pick a Siri Mitchell novel I know that I am in for something unique and fascinating. She always takes on topics that stand out, this story lives up to the standard I’ve come to expect in Siri’s novels. Although I’ve enjoyed all of her novels, this one definitely stands out as one I’ve enjoyed most. With a quirky main character, a sweet romance and a fascinating look at the world of botany, Like a Flower in Bloom is a favorite read of the year so far.", "timestamp": 1428698443000, "title": "Quirky, witty and altogether fun! :)" }, { "asin": "1414398697", "rating": 4, "text": "Abigail Pressman’s dream is to expand Book Nook, the beloved store she inherited from her father. In Love’s Park, a town obsessed with love and all things romantic, being single is an anomaly, so her dreams for her store are her salvation. When the owner of the building sells the entire space to a doctor new to town, she fears her dream will never come to fruition. In a secret match-making scheme, the Valentine Volunteers, the ladies who keep the tradition of stamping mail with the city’s postmark, attempt to pull Abigail into their fold. Despite herself, Abigail is drawn to the stringed paper hearts that she discovers among the Volunteers letters, even as she is drawn to the handsome doctor next door. This doctor doesn’t match the “dream-killer” she wanted to picture in her mind, and Abigail begins questions if her dream is her dream at all or just a crutch to stop her from reaching for what she really wants. A new string of paper hearts appears, leading Abigail to believe that something tragic happened to the couple who wrote them. As she uncovers more of the mystery couple’s story, Abigail fears that it will confirm her worst doubts about love, or even scarier, set her life on a path to a new dream entirely.<br /><br />Paper Hearts is a charming story. Walsh’s writing flows really well from scene to scene, and I loved the setting. The town almost felt like a character in and of itself and was so well-established on the outset of the story. I loved the small-town, everyone-knows-everyone vibe that stayed through the entire story. I really related to Abigail’s character, and I think most readers out there will. Not only is she a reader herself, she is artsy and quirky – someone I’d love to meet in real life. I could easily understand and empathize with her frustrations about the dreams for her store, and I wanted to see her succeed despite the obstacles she was facing.<br /><br />Personally, I cared more about her personal struggles than the romantic aspect of the book, which may not have been the intention. While I found Jacob, the male lead, to be a genuine, empathetic character, I couldn’t entirely get behind their relationship. For me, it was hard to come to terms with the way it progressed; they were supposed to be enemies, yet they were falling for one another. There were times that it just didn’t work for me. When the conflict didn’t center on the external conflict keeping them apart, but rather their internal conflicts, I enjoyed the story more. They were more solid characters apart than they were together, and for romantic reads, I want the couple to be complete as individuals, but also believable as a couple. Even so, the later scenes between them are sweet, but not in a syrupy way at all. My heart was definitely smiling at those scenes.<br /><br />There are also some strange shifts in point of view into the Valentine Volunteer meetings that some readers might find a bit jarring at first, simply because they are unexpected. The characters that comprise the Valentine Volunteers are actually quite humorous. The mixture of newly married, middle-aged and elderly “bah-humbug” ladies made for a funny combination, and once I realized that those shifts were coming, I fell into them easily.<br /><br />The spiritual element is woven throughout the story in a natural way, and I could really relate to the idea that sometimes prayers are answered in ways you never expected, sometimes in ways that you had never thought to pray. I found myself rooting for both Abigail and Jacob to shed their past and give God control of their futures.<br /><br />I definitely feel that Paper Hearts will be a hit for readers whose favorite genre is contemporary romance. Despite my few qualms about the story, the authentic setting and quirky cast of characters won me over. There is a lot of appeal here to recommend it to fans of this genre.<br /><br />Favorite quote: “…the very best love stories are the ones that are flawed and full of forgiveness and pain and joy and challenges and happiness. All these things make up a love story, Abigail.”", "timestamp": 1428944045000, "title": "Cute Contemporary Romance" }, { "asin": "1601425996", "rating": 5, "text": "Anippe has known from a young age that Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods controlled her fate. After childbirth took the lives her mother and infant brother, she becomes deathly afraid of bearing a child of her own, believing that Anubis, the Egyptian god of death lies in wait for the day she becomes a mother. She carries this fear into her marriage to Sebak, a captain in her brother, Pharaoh Tut’s, army and follows her as she becomes mistress of a prominent Egyptian estate. When Tut orders the Hebrew midwives to drown any sons that are born to their people, Anippe seizes the opportunity to launch a great deception. Finding a baby floating in a basket in the Nile, Anippe believes the Egyptian gods have answered her prayers. She can pretend that she had a son, yet doing so sets into motion events that place her, her son and his true Hebrew family, in terrible danger. As bloodshed mounts and the political tide of Egypt turns, Anippe wonders if her son may have a chance to become Pharaoh, or whether the god of the Hebrews, He who is called El Shaddai, has a bigger plan for them both.<br /><br />Prior to reading The Pharaoh’s Daughter, I had only read one of Mesu Andrews’s previous novels. While it was fully enjoyable, this novel brought a whole other level for me. I’ve read a couple of authors that are very popular in Biblical fiction, but they just didn’t click with me, so I tend to stick with a hand full of authors in this genre that I know won’t disappoint. After finishing this novel, I feel confident that Mesu Andrews can be easily join their ranks.<br /><br />In many ways, The Pharaoh’s Daughter is an epic story. It spans several years and several major shifts throughout Anippe’s life. There is a lot of political intrigue and several characters, but I feel like Mesu imparts what the reader needs to know without it being overwhelming. There are some jumps in time, but they were not a problem for me here. The passage of time and key events that the reader needs to know are explained by allowing the information to come naturally in the scene. Whether in the opening scene after substantial passage of time or whether in a character’s emotions after an intense scene, Mesu truly understands the importance of showing what happened rather than simply telling. She brings ancient Egypt to life in a fascinating way. Details of their belief system, politics, and daily life are present from the beginning, woven seamlessly throughout the story. One of my favorite details she included was the way they named second and third children the same name as the first born to “trick” the gods as a way to ensure the firstborn’s life. Names in general are very important in both the Egyptian and Hebrew families, and even Anippe experiences name changes that have a profound impact on her. From their elaborate feasts to the details of running an Egyptian household, I found it all to be mesmerizing.<br /><br />The lives of the Egyptian royalty and the Hebrew servants are fully realized. Despite having guards and servants are at her beck and call and wanting for very little in the material sense, Anippe lives in fear, first from childbirth, then later from her deception of raising Moses as her own son. The juxtaposition of the Egyptian’s way of life and the Hebrew’s way of life was very startling at times, but what was even more impressive was the feeling of discovering that along with Anippe as the story progresses. The lavish, pampered lifestyle of the Egyptians is a stark foil to the simplistic, bare, yet often content, lifestyle of the Hebrews. Both families are composed of well-rounded characters full of depth. Their hopes, fears and dreams were rich and layered, and I especially loved the interactions that brought royalty and commoner together. Although Anippe starts off as pampered and entitled, she develops and grows in a realistic way. Her sister, Ankhe, provides a nice foil for her, showing what can happen when bitterness in life circumstances rules instead of hope. Anippe gave her chance after chance, which was a bit annoying; however, since her sister was her only close relative, I can understand why she was so forgiving. Mered, a Hebrew and the chief linen maker in Anippe’s estate, is also a complex character. I really enjoyed getting to know him and his family. Overall, the relationships between the characters come across as genuine and heartfelt, and I especially treasured the relationship between Anippe and Miriam, who becomes Anippe’s handmaiden after she is found watching Moses from the river bank.<br /><br />This novel has a bit of everything – danger, court and political intrigues, familial and romantic love and a beautiful tale of redemption that encompasses the entire story. The spiritual aspect feels very authentic and natural to the story, and I related to Anippe’s fears and doubts. As her name is changed once again, this time to the Hebrew name of Bithiah, she comes to understand just how worthy she is of a life free from fear and seeing her progress from fear to hope was very uplifting.<br /><br />I am no expert on Egyptian history or a Biblical scholar, so as long as an author stays true to the Biblical account, I am usually lenient when it comes to things that don’t have a definitive answer. The Bible doesn’t name the pharaoh in the story of Moses, and Mesu chooses to use Tut as the Pharaoh that decreed Hebrew baby boys to be killed at birth and his successor as the one who refused the Lord’s demands in Exodus. While I don’t know that I believe them to be two different pharaohs, Mesu does present a plausible story and has clearly done a lot of research. Much of the story takes place well before the events in Exodus, so it’s easy to see Mesu’s story as what “could have been,” and I also appreciated her explanation at the end and what scripture she used as reference.<br /><br />Ultimately when I read fiction set in biblical times, I want to feel prompted to return to the biblical account and look at it with fresh eyes once again. Mesu certainly accomplished that for me in The Pharaoh’s Daughter. It was a thoroughly entertaining, enlightening and profound read that kept me turning those pages well past time to turn in for the night. The Pharaoh’s Daughter is labeled as “A Treasure of the Nile Novel,” so I’m hoping this means more stories (perhaps one about Miriam!) like this one are up next for Mesu. I am eager to read her other published books and whatever story that she pens next. Highly recommended!", "timestamp": 1428944200000, "title": "A Favorite of the Year!" }, { "asin": "1496402243", "rating": 3, "text": "Carrington Hale has spent her entire life preparing for her Choosing ceremony – the day that she is to be chosen to become a wife. After years of careful preparation, she is not prepared for this moment to end in disaster. Instead of being chosen, she must spend the rest of her days serving in the lowest level of society as a Lint. Knowing the Authority cannot be questioned, Carrington prepares herself for a life of toil and drudgery, completely shut off from her family. She soon establishes a connection with another Lint girl, and discovers that there is a whole other side to their society, a rebellion that shakes her beliefs to the core and resonates in her heart in ways that she never imagined. Then Carrington is given an unheard of second chance at the life prepared and dreamed of, but things are not quite what they seem. With an assassin killing Lints and corruption looming in the upper echelons of the Authority, Carrington must find out the truth before it destroys her and those she has come to love.<br /><br />I don’t read a lot of dystopian fiction, but when I saw this as an option to review, I took the chance because I love checking out debut authors, and the premise sounded intriguing to me. From the first chapter, I was drawn into the story. Rachelle starts with a heightened scene that really pulled me into the action. While I found some parts of it to be similar to things I have already read, I still enjoyed her debut novel.<br /><br />The world that Rachelle created here at first seems very simplistic. I think that it’s a little deeper and more involved than it might first appear. I appreciated that details of how the society worked were threaded throughout so as to avoid a big pile of information. The details were mentioned, but I didn’t feel that it was overwhelming at any point. I do wish I could have learned a bit more about its history and what it actually looks like. Even though I learned about the various elements of the government and society, I never really got a feel for what it looked like – was it futuristic, was it part old and part new, did homes look like they do now or are things more uniform? Overall though, I felt that the world building was done well and created a great backdrop for the story.<br /><br />Carrington’s character is interesting, but for me, she didn’t have any special quality or quirk that really brought her to life and established a connection. I felt empathy for her and was compelled to continue reading her story, but never felt that “something” that I look for in main characters. There is a lot of introspection in her character that I found to become repetitive, although I can see her realizations resonating greatly with a lot of readers. I look forward to Carrington learning who she is as a daughter of the true Father.<br /><br />The plot was entertaining, though nothing out of the ordinary. I was fairly certain what was going to happen, but I still enjoyed getting to the heightened scenes in the book. For me there were a few elements that I felt were left a little vague. How did Aaron and his followers meet without detection? Did he live outside of the city or hide somewhere inside? Perhaps more will be revealed about how those who function outside of the Authority live, as Carrington discovers more about who she is as a daughter of the true Father away from that society’s control.<br /><br />I know that this is the first novel is a series, so perhaps I just need to be more patient and wait for more to be revealed in the second book. Overall, The Choosing is very well-written debut novel, and I can see how there is plenty here for the sub-sequent books in the series to delve deeper into Carrington’s society and the rebellion. I recommend this for young adult readers who enjoy dystopian settings.", "timestamp": 1436816652000, "title": "Intriguing Series Start" }, { "asin": "0764212397", "rating": 4, "text": "I am always intrigued by a story that highlights a character that was not well-loved in a previous book. If you’ve read Hearts Made Whole, then you know Tessa wasn’t the most likeable secondary character. It made me so eager to read her story in Undaunted Hope, and the wait was certainly worth it. Tessa has matured and realized the error of her old ways. However, she still has a certain sass and isn’t afraid to step out in a profession that had traditionally been held by men. For me her character is what made this novel shine, along with the vibrant setting and rich historical detail.<br /><br />Tessa is one of my favorite heroines that Jody has written thus far. She’s got spunk that comes across in a realistic way. Her limitations as a woman are true to the time period, when reputation was everything for a woman. This story also portrays an important truth about the consequences of past mistakes. Even after you make the decision to become a different kind of person, the effects of those old choices are hard to overcome. However, with time, effort and God’s help, it can be done. Tessa’s journey as she strives to overcome the mistakes of her past is one that had my complete empathy and admiration.<br /><br />The secondary characters really stand out in this story. Brothers Alex and Michael, the children, and even prickly Nadine create such an endearing group of people. I really enjoyed the development of these relationships and the genuine feeling that is upheld throughout the entire story. The plot is especially well-paced. Everything flows naturally and realistically throughout the story. Though the romance for me isn’t the highlight of this story, it is still Jody’s trademark style, with a dramatic rescue and several tender moments.<br /><br />It seems that I gush about this with every novel of Jody’s, but the historical detail here is so well-done. These people had such a hard life, full of back-breaking, dangerous work. I could imagine the bone-deep cold of the coastal breeze and the helplessness of the miners as they bowed to the whims of selfish boss. That he was based on a real-life historical figure brought even more depth to the story. The setting and time period quickly come to life and stay strong throughout the story’s entirety.<br /><br />I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s so neat that Jody brought back characters from the novella that starts the Beacons of Hope series – it gives the feeling of completion within that storyline, and also provides a little bit of set-up for the next book in the series. I’m always a little sad when I finish one of Jody’s novels because it means another wait for her new release – thankfully the next book is set to come out in June of this year, so we don’t have to wait too long – but it’s also neat to get a glimpse of a character that readers will get to meet soon. If you haven’t read this series yet, definitely do. Though this book could be read as a stand-alone, the story felt even richer having experienced Tessa’s past in the previous book. I highly recommend Undaunted Hope for fans of romantic inspirational historical fiction.", "timestamp": 1454009509000, "title": "Lovely Romance & Great Historical Detail!" }, { "asin": "0310341523", "rating": 3, "text": "This was my first book by Rachel Hauck, and I think perhaps not the best one to start with of her books. I found it to be an intriguing story, but struggled with the telling of it. From the get-go, I was less than thrilled with the four different points of view. Perhaps this shows my youth and frame of mind at this point in life, but I was much more interested in Taylor and Jack's marriage than I was Jimmy and Colette's relationship from years ago. I'm just a reader that would much prefer to get into one or two character's heads and get to know them really well; instead, I felt like I was skimming each person's story. Because of that, some of the story-arcs just fell flat for me.<br /><br />The faith element seems on the nose in some scenes, and while I love the idea of layered family secrets, they were pretty obvious from the beginning of the story. The story seemed to be trying to be a mystery and focused a lot on secrets of the past, whereas I wished it would have focused on the family dynamics of the present-day.<br /><br />I did like Rachel's writing style and found it to be very readable. Again, this is my first book by this author, so please take my opinion for what it is. I did like the book, and I do still want to check out more of Rachel's books, so if anyone has any recommendations of what to try next, I'm all ears.", "timestamp": 1456102121000, "title": "Intriguing Story" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 4, "text": "Colleen Coble is another author that I’m a little behind the curve on reading, and I hope to remedy that further in the future. The Inn at Ocean’s Edge is only the second of her novels that I’ve read, and while I wasn’t blown away by the other novel, this one was a great suspenseful read. This novel provides really great set up for upcoming books in the series, while still in keeping with what appears to be Colleen’s trademark romantic suspense.<br /><br />I think what impressed me most with this story is how quickly the action starts. I love how it starts off with a bang and doesn’t let up until the end. It’s hard to talk about this type of story line without accidentally giving any spoilers, but I was held fast by the mystery. There are several surprising elements, and while some of my suspicions proved to be correct, there were many instances that I wasn’t sure what was going on with certain characters or plotlines. The story ended up being much more layered and intricate than I was expecting, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching everything unfold. There were a few scenes that I thought ended in an odd way, as if it needed just a few more sentences to give it a better sense of completeness, but it may be something that wouldn’t bother super-fans of suspense. While I enjoy it, it’s not the genre that I read most often, so this could just be me<br /><br />The characters, for the most part, react realistically to what is going on around them, and the less desirable characters don’t come off as caricatures, which is often a complaint of mine. Although my life is nothing like Claire’s life, I still found ways to relate to her. There were times that I could have used a bit more depth for the main characters; I did think they had realistic back story’s that created great conflict for their current circumstances. Colleen gives Claire small but impactful characteristics that add a lot of realism to her character and the same can be said of Luke’s character as well.<br /><br />Colleen also does a great job in writing the romance realistically into the story; the romantic moments are genuinely sweet yet realistic and fall naturally within the story’s flow. While Claire and Luke aren’t complete opposites, there’s a softness to him that Claire is drawn to. Their scenes had a spark from the very beginning.<br /><br />The setting is another area that is really well-done. Although I’ve never been to Maine, I feel like I’ve at least been on its coast because of this story. I could easily envision Hotel Tourmaline, as well as the natural landscape of the setting, whether it was a rocky cliff, sandy beach or a cranberry bog. This is a random side note, but I’ve loved the names of her more recent titles – this one gives off a sense of place, as well as a sense of excitement and, perhaps even danger, especially with the words, “ocean’s edge.” Despite it being a hotel more than an inn, the title is very evocative of the story overall.<br /><br />Fans of suspense and of Colleen’s past novels are sure to enjoy this one. Even I, an unseasoned suspense reader, flew through the pages once the mystery hooked me, and I definitely hope to read the next book in the Sunset Cove series.", "timestamp": 1456528716000, "title": "Great Suspense Read!" }, { "asin": "0764210386", "rating": 5, "text": "Flirtation Walk may not usurp my favorite spot of Siri Mitchell’s books, but it is definitely a favorite of the year so far. What an utterly fun and charming story! Siri’s books are always light and fun, but also impart a real truth to the reader. Combine that with winning characters and a unique historical setting, and I'm hooked.<br /><br />Lucinda Pennyworth is a bit of a contradiction. She wants to be respectable and normal, but her years of helping her father with his cons on unsuspecting victims have marked her in ways she doesn’t even realize. As she meets and gets to know her mother’s family, she comes to understand just how hard it will be to shed her present of her past mistakes. At first she uses her father’s tactics almost without realizing it, and I wasn’t sure how much I was going to like her. However, Siri is able to show Lucinda’s potential to the reader even before she herself realizes it. In terms of the faith aspect of the book, there is nothing earth-shattering here, but rather a lighter thread about overcoming past mistakes, forgiving yourself and accepting forgiveness from others.<br /><br />I say this nearly every time I read one of Siri’s books, but it’s true every time – she always chooses unique settings and times in history. In Flirtation Walk, it is West Point Academy and the surrounding town, not many years before the Civil War plunges the nation into chaos. Honestly, I was a little worried before starting the book. How interesting could a story and characters at West Point be? The answer is very interesting on both counts. I loved the tidbits and facts about military life at West Point, how confining it was, yet how much pride the cadets took in their lives there.<br /><br />Seth Westcott is an endearing character and definitely my favorite of the book. Perhaps his decisions seemed unlikely throughout the book, but I think they are supposed to seem that way, especially since they backfire on him. Seth’s friends are some of the most humorous secondary characters that I’ve read about in a while. It was obvious that they each had their own stories; in fact, Siri wrote a short story for Otter, and it suited his character perfectly. The others seem to have their own story as well; perhaps once day Siri will be able to tell their stories as well, but in the meantime, it’s fun to make up what I want to happen in my mind.<br /><br />There are several witty bits of dialogue that I loved, and everything ends well – the ending itself was so winsome and perfectly suited to the characters and their story. This isn’t super serious romantic historical, but rather has a lot of humorous moments. It’s definitely unique and perhaps not for readers that don’t appreciate some comedy in their historicals. I personally have always been drawn to books that stands out from the norm in the Christian fiction world, and Siri’s books have always held that unique element for me. I have one more of her historical fiction novels to read, as well as a couple of her contemporary stories that I haven't gotten to yet. I know that she is going to take a bit of a break from writing now, which is understandable, but bittersweet for this reader. While I read across many genres and types of books, I have Siri to thank for sparking my love of Christian fiction, especially as a reader who once scoffed at it, and only gave it a chance because of her book She Walks in Beauty. So, thank you, Siri, for daring to write books that don't fall in line perfectly with the rest of CBA, and I'll be waiting for your next novel, whenever it may come.", "timestamp": 1458873157000, "title": "Endearing Characters & Lovely Historical Details" }, { "asin": "0310338492", "rating": 3, "text": "Lydia Bancroft is a very unconventional lady - not only is she yet to be married, but she also works as a librarian and relishes her work there. Despite finding satisfaction in the lending library, she can't help but be drawn to a mysterious library patron. After an alarming incident between her and her fiance takes place, witnessed by this mysterious patron, her life takes a strange, exciting turn.<br /><br />The unique premise of this novel and the unusual circumstance of Lydia being a librarian drew me into this story. Lydia is reserved, but has a strong intellect. I really loved the moments that she stuck up for herself and proved that there was more to her than just being a shy librarian. Sebastian Marks is a self-made man, and though his chosen profession may not be entirely genteel, he has built himself into a better person through his own temerity. I love how the intrigue starts off and doesn't let up for basically the entire story; the romance is fairly light but still heartfelt, with the mystery taking center stage for the majority of the story.<br /><br />Although I found all of the characters to have intriguing personal stories, my preference is for the story to focus on just one or two main characters, so bear that in mind when reading my review. Secondary characters are wonderful, of course, but I didn't feel a deep connection with the other main characters. I'm not exactly sure what is was, but for the majority of the story, I was only a passive observer rather than really inside the characters heads. I also felt that some scenes unfolded a bit unrealistically; some of the more dangerous, tense scenes fell a bit flat for me.<br /><br />Despite feeling like it didn't completely come through in all of the character interactions, I did appreciate the focus on friendship and loyalty that the other main characters portrayed. It was nice to not have the plot focus so much on romance, but rather friend relationships. The story portrays how people from different backgrounds and experiences can still inspire one another to be better.<br /><br />Random side-thought, but yay for a character that wears spectacles! Since I'm bespectacled, I liked that a lot. Although, I have to say, I wish that the cover model was either wearing them or holding them or something. And be still my heart that Sebastian though to carry them in his pocket so they wouldn't be damaged - loved that sweet moment.<br /><br />Even though Whispers in the Reading Room didn't make it onto my favorites list, I did enjoy it, and I do want to eventually go back and read the first two books in the series.", "timestamp": 1465620497000, "title": "Unique Premise and Leading Librarian" }, { "asin": "0692691154", "rating": 4, "text": "I am so glad that Jody decided to go the untraditional route to publish Forever Safe. Although the first two books in the series are my favorites, this was a worthy conclusion to the Beacons of Hope series. Ever since Victoria appeared in book three, I knew that she had a story of her own! Forever Safe is full of an endearing romance and historical details of life surrounding a lighthouse, as well as some exciting tense moments toward the end.<br /><br />Stories that feature characters from way different walks of life always intrigue me, and that intrigue certainly holds true with Victoria and Tom. Though kind-hearted, Victoria is a pampered, spoiled young lady from a wealthy family. Tom’s origins are much more humble, and he worked make a profession for himself. From the get-go, their interactions are laced with tension because of these differences, and it is only when they are drawn by necessity from their respective roles that they begin to see that, despite their differences, they both have much to offer.<br /><br />Once again, some of my favorite details were of daily life as a light keeper and the duties that come with it. There is something charming about life around a lighthouse, yet there is always the feeling that something dangerous could happen at any moment – though much was routine, the idea that the surrounding seas may change in a moment was ever present. The climactic scenes really held my attention, and the emotion and resolve of the characters shone brightly in those moments.<br /><br />I loved the overall message of this story as well – the idea that there are always going to be things in life to fear, but you can’t let that stop you from making a decision and living. Victoria’s fears are grounded mostly in supposition and worry for tomorrow, whereas Tom lets past events and traumas color his present decisions. Though they were different types of fear, Jody did a lovely job at portraying that the same gumption and faith is required to overcome them – that fear doesn’t always go away, but it can be dealt with through faith and perseverance.<br /><br />Thought it’s a bit of a bummer to have this series done, I was entirely satisfied with this last book in the Beacons of Hope series. I wholeheartedly recommend for readers looking for a sweet, romantic story.", "timestamp": 1465677691000, "title": "Lovely Conclusion to the Series!" }, { "asin": "1434708381", "rating": 5, "text": "Jilted is a wonderful conclusion to the Mended Hearts series. Though I was sad to say goodbye to these characters, I was thrilled for all of the secrets to be revealed and for things to come full circle for Lynda Turner. I connected to her story on a very personal level and was so pleased with how things turned out for her. Her voice is crystal clear; Varina has done such a wonderful job keeping the voices of her three different narrators in each book separate and unique, while still remaining consistent with the clarity and humor found in her writing.<br /><br />The way that Varina handles the topic of depression is to be appreciated. Though Lynda suffers from depression, the story itself is hopeful, yet realistic in regards to how she struggles with her low points. Although Lynda does has let her depression get the best of her in the past, once things come to light, it brings a whole other layer to her character and to just how strong she had to be despite many people thinking the worst of her.<br /><br />If any saying applies to this story, it’s that “appearances can be deceiving.” By all of the local accounts, Lynda was just a depressed, broken woman, and Clyde Felton a dangerous ex-convict, but many looked that far and no farther. Meanwhile, one of the town’s elite is hiding secrets that would shock the town to the core. Though in some things in the plot were expected, these revelations and what they meant for Lynda kept me flipping the pages eagerly. Toward the end of the story, her personal journey moved me to tears. I was so moved by the reminder that it’s only later that we can see the good in a bad situation, that once the haze of grief and anger have faded, we can see the God placed others in our lives to be the hand that lifts us up, if we’re only willing to reach out and take it. He is eager to fill our cups to overflowing, if we just hold it out to Him.<br /><br />I have absolutely loved this series, and though it’s hard to pick, I think Jilted might be my favorite of the three – although that Ruthie is just a sassy as a secondary character as she is in her own story. These characters really came to life for me; Varina doesn’t sugarcoat situations, but nor does she add unnecessary detail that could make the story feel overly dramatic. Instead, I reveled in the true-to-life ups and downs of these characters, and rejoiced in the powerful message of this story.<br /><br />Varina is one of my favorite new authors, and I can’t wait to see what she brings readers next. If you are looking for an inspirational story about real, messy, wonderful characters, this story is for you. I highly recommend the Mended Hearts series – and I definitely think it’s best to read them in order, so started with Jaded, move on to Justified and savor a well-done ending in Jilted.", "timestamp": 1467165888000, "title": "My favorite of the series!" }, { "asin": "031033344X", "rating": 4, "text": "The Mountain Midwife opens with an engaging scene that pulled me immediately into Ashley Toliver’s world – that of a midwife for the women of a small Appalachian community. Awakened in the night, the last thing that Ashley expects is an abduction of her patient right after the birth. This light mystery takes off from there, pulling in another mystery of Hunter McDermott’s birth mother. Both of these threads intertwine nicely as the story progresses, as well as the growing friendship between Ashley and Hunter.<br /><br />There is a nice atmosphere found in this story – the feel of the small community is fully realized, and I loved the strong sense of heritage that Ashley has for her home. I enjoy when an author gives a character an authentic history that feels real to me, as this one did. The plot also flows nicely. The mystery thread is light and more my speed, since I don’t like super scary, crime-based stories.<br /><br />I felt like some of the ending scenes came across as a little bit anticlimactic. There are also some loose ends that I felt like weren’t tied up – perhaps to leave room for a sequel? I definitely felt like there are secondary characters in this story that could have their own and would be interested in reading those. I was also bummed at how easily things wrapped up for Ashley – I thought there would be more of a compromise regarding one big issue in her life. It seemed a bit glossed over, but that’s just my opinion. Other readers may not feel that way at all.<br /><br />The details about midwifery really grabbed my attention; Ashely had such deep roots, and the details about her job held my interest – and for anyone worried about there being too much detail, don’t be – I thought it was enough details to understand the situation and even learn from it, but not more information than was needed. I also thought it was neat how the author made Ashley and her friend Heather a descendant of characters in her historical series about midwives – I’ve read this first book, and this story actually makes me want to read the other two.<br /><br />Overall, this is an engaging story, with a lot of compelling elements, and a light mystery at its core - and I hope it's the beginning of a series. These characters have more stories to tell, I'm sure of it.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to do a review, and the views expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1475961978000, "title": "Light, Romantic Mystery" }, { "asin": "0310395933", "rating": 5, "text": "In Love Takes the Cake, Charlotte Cantrell knows what she’s about – providing brides with delicious cakes for their wedding day. What she doesn’t count on is being drawn to a regular customer, Will, who comes every week to buy cookies for the mysterious “Melissa.” Humorous misunderstandings abound in this confection of a story. I haven’t read any of Betsy St. Amant’s full length novels, but definitely want to after enjoying this fun story. The story could easily find its home on the Hallmark channel (and really who is complaining about that?), but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t also a dose of realism thanks to the back stories of both Charlotte and Will. The unraveling of the tangled threads of misunderstandings is a joy to read.<br /><br />I admit that The Perfect Arrangement was the story I was most eager to read, simple because I am always eager to read anything that Katie Ganshert writes. I was expecting a charming story, but this one truly blew me away. Amelia Mason is a bit quirky and a very relatable character. I’m a big fan of epistolary style narratives, so I love how the author includes email to tell the story. It’s a fresh twist that adds a lot of fun and charm to the characters interactions – Nate is a particularly endearing male lead. This may seem a small thing, but I also appreciated that she included a family with step-siblings. It’s not something I’ve seen much in Christian fiction, but it’s a real part of life, and it is done very well here. I also found the story of how Amelia came to own a flower shop and how it got its name to be such an endearing part of the story. This is one of my favorite novellas I’ve read in 2016.<br /><br />Love in the Details is nothing less than what I expect from a Becky Wade story – the characters are endearing, and it’s easy to root for them the entire time. She realistically portrays two people who were once in a relationship, meeting again after many years and different roads of life. It’s a genuinely sweet story that had me smiling while reading because they are just such likeable people. I appreciated the cautious, realistic way that they began to reconnect with one another – their reconnection doesn’t move too fast, nor does it drag, but rather it strikes the perfect balance with the length of the story. I also liked getting a peek into Holly’s writer life – I’m sure the author pulls from personal experience there, so it was fun to read about that.<br /><br />I know that many readers start picking up Christmas books well before the month of December rolls around. But before you pick up your Christmas books, I highly recommend squeezing a bit of “fall” into your reading this month with this wonderfully charming collection.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own.", "timestamp": 1479575023000, "title": "Perfect Trio of Stories!" }, { "asin": "0764218212", "rating": 5, "text": "Set during the tumultuous time of Israel’s beginning as a unified nation, Shadow of the Storm brings the life of the Hebrew tribes into sharp relief. Through the eyes of Shira, a woman still fighting the battles of her past, readers see these events firsthand through engrossing first-person narration. Shira’s insecurities make her a realistic, relatable character. My heart was stirred and found kinship with her; doubts and fears keep her from fully embracing her desire to be a midwife. Despite having a natural talent for it, her self-doubt and mistakes keep her from moving forward.<br /><br />There are times where it feels like books were placed in my life exactly when I needed it. The<br />Story takes on a personal level, and I see myself in the character so strongly, that I know that the timing is no accident. This was completely and entirely my experience while reading Shadow of the Storm and discovering Shira’s story. It was a joy to see Kiya, Eben and Jumo again. The friendship between Shira and Kiya is definitely a highlight of the story, and I’m glad that the familial relationships didn’t get lost in the plot or any romantic elements. Ayal is an intriguing character – despite not knowing his true intentions and a shaky beginning, I found myself wanting his character to be constant.<br /><br />Dvorah is one character that served a dual purpose for me. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about the addition of another character’s perspective, but as the story continues, Cossette does something that not many authors accomplish – make an unlikable, deplorable character provoke empathy within me. I found myself reacting strongly to Dvorah’s decisions – and by strongly, I distinctly remember saying out loud to my husband that I wanted to punch her in the face…um, oops? Seriously though, any read that elicits such an emotion from me is a winner in my book.<br /><br />In addition to providing a superb antagonist, Dvorah brought in an outsider perspective as well. I had honestly never really thought of how wild it would have been for so many people, from so many different backgrounds, would have functioned as a whole, while traveling through the desert. I suppose I never thought about the fact that, with the Hebrew tribes, some groups might have just been “tagging along,” for lack of a better phrase, because it was better than the life they left behind. Just because they were following Moses out of Egypt didn’t mean they left their prejudices and ingrained beliefs behind, nor did it mean that their beliefs aligned with the Hebrews. These differences and the issues that arose from them are fascinating and add a great element to the story.<br /><br />This powerful story has everything I look for in a novel. I was held riveted by the plot, Shira’s character, and the tender romance. Most importantly, this is a faith-affirming story that reminds reader of how God uses trials and setbacks to bolster faith and keep our eyes set on Him. This is one of my favorite books of 2016, and I am so looking forward to book 3 in the Out from Egypt series, Wings of the Wind. I highly recommend Shadow of the Storm to readers who enjoy Biblical fiction and an immersive first-person narrative.", "timestamp": 1479775248000, "title": "Superb Addition to the Series!" }, { "asin": "0718077911", "rating": 5, "text": "A Portrait of Emily Price is Katherine Reay at her best. The tone and main character are reminiscent of Dear Mr. Knightley, the realistic situations akin to Lizzy and Jane, and the international aspect nods to The Bronte Plot. I was happy to see her return to the overall tone that she brought readers in Dear Mr. Knightley. Though they were very different characters, Emily’s first-person voice had me enchanted in the same way that I was with Sam. While the family situations were complex, there is a beautiful simplicity in the way that things occur. There was never a moment where I willingly put this book down, and I was always eager to pick it back up.<br /><br />Usually whirlwind type romances don’t do much for me. I struggle with the realism and can’t get into the magic of it all. But from the moment that Emily met Ben, I felt like their biggest cheerleader! Yes, I was wondering how this was all going to play out, but I was rooting for them all the way. The author completely pulls it off – Ben is total book-boyfriend material. I did appreciate the realistic way that, despite how quickly their relationship moves, it was still a back and forth of misunderstanding and miscommunications, but also a sweet rendering of a new marriage. For readers that are not as big a fan of romance as myself, never fear – although this might be Reay’s most romantic story yet, Emily’s personal growth and a poignant family story take the prime spot in the narrative – and what a joy it is to watch it all unfold. The secondary characters are genuine and not to be overlooked. I particularly adored the relationship between Emily and Ben’s dad, Lucio – his character over all is one of the most gorgeous portrayals of fatherly love that I’ve read in a long while.<br /><br />Several aspects just make this story – that of art and Italy – and food! Emily’s job as a restorer is fascinating to read about, and I also loved watching her grow in confidence at an artist as well. The setting of a small Italian village is so picturesque and full of charm – from the cozy library in the family home, to the cobblestone streets of the village, I fell in love with it all. Ben’s charm is never as beguiling as the times he is in the kitchen, although the story paints an accurate picture of the precarious nature of the restaurant business, but more importantly, how food, family and tradition intertwine. And while there might be times where metaphors are overused in stories, or perhaps too many are used at once, here the combination of art restoration and creation provide a gorgeous comparison for the events of the story.<br /><br />My most favorite aspect of this story is how Emily proves to be a huge catalyst for change in Ben’s family, all the while trying to maintain a flimsy control of her new life in Italy and discover just what her roll is as a member of it. As Emily uncovers a painting in the local church, the secrets of Ben’s family are uncovered as well. While the faith elements are a lighter thread throughout the first part of the story, the latter half is suffused with a beautiful message of forgiveness and grace.<br /><br />I am always so pleased to read a Katherine Reay novel, but even more so when it’s as poignant and lovingly crafted as A Portrait of Emily Price. Highly recommended.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1480384995000, "title": "Her Best Book Yet!" }, { "asin": "149640646X", "rating": 4, "text": "I am very particular about the authors that I follow when it comes to Biblical fiction. Tessa Afshar is one author whose books I will always pick up and expect to be enthralled by the story. Land of Silence grabbed my heart from page one. She created a provocative, engrossing story for the woman with the issue of blood. When I first heard that this would be the basis for her new book, I admit, I did wonder how she was going to make it work. I wasn’t worried, of course, but I did wonder how she would choose to tell this story. She takes a figure that appears in one scene with the Bible and fleshes out her story into something beautiful – a tapestry, if you will, that rivals the beauty of the fabric creations in Elianna’s household.<br /><br />The characterization of Elianna is superb; her voice in the first person narration style is crystal clear and distinct. I love that she chose to tell the story in first-person. I think it made the telling of such a personal, emotionally-charged story that much more poignant and compelling. Speaking of fabric and tapestries, the details about fabric production, dyeing and even the selling and trading are fascinating and greatly enhanced my reading experience.<br /><br />This author excels at creating strong women that suit the setting and time period, and Elianna is truly an inspiring character. She is determined and wants to take care of her family, yet her pride keeps her from accepting help from her betrothed, Ethan. The novel spans many years, and I ached with her and cheered for her as she matures throughout the story. The way that she is battered by life circumstance and then later on by physical ailments, yet still holds tight to her faith, makes her a compelling character. I can’t let the review go without mentioning Ethan again – enduring, steadfast Ethan. The scenes between these two spark with feeling, and he matches Elianna’s stubbornness with a hard head of his own.<br /><br />The groundwork for the story is set up in a strong way. The opening scenes set up perfectly both the despair and hope that are to come. Stricken by grief, guilt and condemnation, Elianna works hard to be the perfect daughter and basically run her father’s textile business on her own. However, all of her hard work cannot prepare her for what’s to come. Looking back, I am once again impressed that the novel wasn’t bogged down with despair. Much of the novel is leading to her lowest point, but I never wanted to put it down – the story flows that well and is that engrossing. Though there were some times I felt that the pacing was a bit slow, the events that took place felt realistic and naturally placed in the story. It is only through reaching her lowest point, that the most important event of her life takes place – that of touching the hem of Jesus’s robe and finding physical healing, yes, but, more importantly, deep, irrevocable love, free of condemnation.<br /><br />Afshar’s writing just keeps getting better and better, and fans of her previous novels will not be disappointed in the slightest. I highly recommend this novel for readers of Biblical fiction, but also for any reader looking for a strong story of healing and redemption.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this novel, and I chose to review it. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1517601525606, "title": "Another Winning Story by Afshar" }, { "asin": "0800728734", "rating": 5, "text": "Charming, mysterious, romantic, fun, and swoon-worthy, A Rumored Fortune is Politano’s second novel, and, wow, does it deliver for this reader.<br /><br />There is such a strong atmosphere to sink into within these pages. The setting is a castle, its grounds home to a vineyard. Though her castle home is important and much loved, it is the vineyard that captured Tressa's mind, as it had previously captured her father's before his mysterious death. However, both castle and vineyard have the funds that they need to keep going, as her father's fortune is hidden in a place that only he knew.<br /><br />I adored Tressa’s character. Though Victorian Era heroines often have the misfortune of things happening to them rather than making things happen (which while aggravating to modern thought, is probably more realistic), Tressa is a realistic balance of delicate yet driven. She’s not afraid of doing things on her own but is also acutely aware of her own vulnerability and still bound to an extent to society’s expectations.<br /><br />The secondary characters are by turns intriguing, suspicious, and charming. I loved the relationship between Tressa and her lady’s maid, Lucy. Of course, her burgeoning friendship with Donegan Vance, the man her father hired to care for the vineyard captured my attention with ease, while her re-introduction to her former suitor, Andrew Carrington, made me question everyone’s motives, especially with a vast fortune involved.<br /><br />The faith element is strong throughout the novel, and while alluded to often, it always feels genuine and in keeping with the characters themselves. I found it to be refreshing and well-done; it is especially neat the way the care and keeping of a vineyard ties in so well with Tressa’s personal journey in such a natural way.<br /><br />This is only the tenth novel this year that I’ve given five stars. The exquisite blend of lovely writing, endearing characters, mysterious plot, and a gorgeous romance make A Rumored Fortune one of my favorite reads of the year!<br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a review, positive or otherwise, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1533512433595, "title": "Charming, Swoon-worthy Second Novel" }, { "asin": "1683228685", "rating": 4, "text": "The White City is a vibrant mystery, with more of a cozy feel than a sinister one. I've read some non-fiction accounts of H.H. Holmes, and it's really quite gruesome. The extent of his depravity and evil is not touched on here, as this story takes place nearer to the beginning of his terrible acts. However, there is enough that the danger is real and present throughout the pages of this book.<br /><br />At first I was a bit worried that Winnie was going to be too silly, but I was soon won over by her vivacity and charm. Her interactions with Detective Jude Thorpe are fun and sweet, and even though I don't enjoy a love triangle, even Percival won me over (I wouldn't mind seeing him in a future novel). Winnie is also a complete bookworm, so what's not to love about that. As with any bookworm though, occasionally our imagination might get the best of us - which is what happens to Winnie. She has to prove to her father that she knows what she's talking about and can back up her claims with evidence. Hence, where the sleuthing and danger come into play. Winnie's family plays a significant role in this story, as does romance, so if you're looking for suspense alone, that's not this title. I for one enjoyed the mix, and once I realized it was more of a cozy mystery, the story flowed well for me. I also found the descriptions of the city and the World's Fair to be lovely and a great backdrop for the events of the story.<br /><br />I enjoyed this debut novel; it shows great promise for the stories that I know are to come from Grace Hitchcock.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to post a positive review, and the thoughts expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1552672505439, "title": "Fun Historical Romance" }, { "asin": "0785223169", "rating": 4, "text": "In The Governess of Penwythe Hall, Ladd’s trademark handling of setting, characters, and romance are back in full force. The harsh landscape of Cornwall comes to life, complete with its dramatic coastline and the seemingly endless moors. This is just the place that widow and governess Delia Greythorne is forced back to after the death of her employer. Cornwall, a place of heartache for her, might hold the keys to moving on with her life, if she can combat dangers arising from her past.<br /><br />After a slow start, it was hard for me to put this one down. The plot builds nicely, each element building on another to create an entertaining read. Delia is a strong character, but not unrealistically so. She is fully aware of her position in the world, but still retains her dignity. One of my favorite parts of the story is the blossoming relationship between Jac Tretheway, Penwythe Hall’s owner, and the orphaned children. His priorities must shift, and I enjoyed his shift from duty to love.<br /><br />This is a lovely opening to Sarah E. Ladd’s new series, and I eagerly await The Thief of Lanwyn Manor’s release in 2020. Recommended to fans of historical romance with a healthy dose of intrigue and a dash of suspense.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1556578455672, "title": "Lovely Series Opener!" }, { "asin": "0785222006", "rating": 4, "text": "A bookshop, lists of books, and friendship - what more could a bibliophile want out of a story? A book about books and bookshops and bookish things is a delight to be sure because \"that's what books do...they are a conversation, and introduce us to ourselves and to others,\" as the beloved Maddie of this book says.<br /><br />These are just the base elements that blend together to make the rich, layered tale that is The Printed Letter Bookshop. More than \"just\" books, this story is about making peace with life and those in it and choosing to be in charge of your own story: \"It's like you live in those classics you love, in some odd third-person narration, as if you aren't in charge of your own story. Who is, if not you, for goodness' sake?\"<br /><br />The story is about three women, Madeline, Claire, and Janet, and also one person and place around which their lives meet: Maddie, the owner of a bookshop, and the bookshop itself. Though at first I was taken aback by the three different narrators, I ended up liking all three of them quite a bit. While I typically prefer only one or two narrators, I felt equally interested in the lives of all three women. I enjoyed watching the relationship between them unfold. I loved the realness of each one, their struggles and their triumphs, and the often messy yet wonderful nature of life shines throughout the entire story.<br /><br />Though it doesn't top out as my favorite Reay book, she has written another charming yet deep story that is sure to meet a lot of readers right where they are in life.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not require to give a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1559851759910, "title": "Charming yet Deep" }, { "asin": "0800735323", "rating": 4, "text": "What a wonderful debut! Though suspense is not my go-to genre, I was drawn to this story first because of the small town setting, but also because of the author's presence on social media. Say what you will, but I'm always drawn to a warm, down-to-earth person, especially online where things can be so shallow and superficial.<br /><br />As I mentioned previously, the small town setting of Walton, Georgia comes to life in this story. From the locals who look after one another, to the diner where everyone gathers on the designated night, the flavor feels just right. In addition to the setting, I loved getting to know these characters. Lane's character is one that truly resonated with me, and I feel she will do the same for anyone that has struggled at any point in their life with depression. I applaud Walters for portraying her in what I feel is a realistic yet sensitive way. I cheered for the way that Lane kept pushing through, even when darkness threatened to take over her heart and mind. Words spoken to her by the precious Ms. Byrdie rooted deep into my heart:<br /><br />\"You are not broken. You are perfectly made. You have to stop punishing yourself for the way God made you - even for your depression. You need to forgive yourself and take captive those thoughts that you are anything but the woman our Creator designed you to be.\"<br /><br />The secondary characters are varied and endearing as well. My particular favorites (other than a handsome deputy Charlie Lynch, of course) are the Ms. Byrdie mentioned above, and Deputy Frost, who works with Charlie. The banter between Charlie and Deputy Frost had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion.<br /><br />The plot unfolds with delicious twists, and the mystery is sustained until just the perfect time. It was far enough to keep me guessing, yet soon enough so as to heighten the tension when I had a bit more of a clue than I did before. The investigating feels realistic to me, and I never felt there was any awkward behavior just for the sake of a thrill. Everything happens organically and feels natural. Speaking of feeling natural, the romance is a bit of a slow burn and SO sweet.<br /><br />I appreciate Living Lies for both it's entertainment value as much as I do for its honest portrayal of both struggles and hope. Throw in a quality mystery and an endearing romance, and it's a winning debut. I've added book two in the series to my to-read list and will be eager to get my hands on it!<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1569457568048, "title": "Excellent Debut!" }, { "asin": "0800735331", "rating": 4, "text": "Natalie Walters has really brought me around to the suspense genre. I love the small town of Walton, and I really enjoy the friendships portrayed in the Harbored Secrets series. Vivian is a character that I wasn't too sure about at first, but just like everyone, she had a lot going on behind the unforgiving reporter facade. Walters really hits the sweet spot of character development, mystery, and realism. There's usually a point that I question the intelligence of a character in suspense novels, but that's not really the case here. The events feel plausible and kept my attention the entire time. Ryan is a character that I was eager to see more of - he is so endearing in the first book, so seeing his character develop so well in this book made my reader heart happy.<br /><br />I'm definitely looking forward to book three in the series - how great that it's about Pecca, such an engaging secondary character in this book - and I'm a little sad that it'll be the last adventure in Walton.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1574699420481, "title": "Great Addition to the Series" }, { "asin": "080073534X", "rating": 4, "text": "Silent Shadows delivers a delicious mix of romance and suspense that I've learned to expect from Natalie Walters. I enjoyed returning to Walton, a small town in Georgia that came to life for me while reading this series, and while you can read this as a standalone and enjoy it just fine, I recommend starting from the beginning and getting to know everyone from the get-go. It's just more fun that way.<br /><br />Colton is a bit of a brooding lead, but he has his reasons. He's been dealt a tough blow, and he feels that his life has derailed. Pecca is one of those people with a indomitable spirit, but even she has to admit that she has to depend on the help of her close friends in Walton when it comes to the safety of herself and her son. Even though the romance is lovely, the true beauty in the story is from the friendships that are more like family, and the way they take care of each other.<br /><br />The plot flows smoothly, giving the reader bits of pieces of danger, and how it connects to Pecca, until things escalate quickly and tensely at the end of the story.<br /><br />Natalie Walters has been one of my favorite recent author discoveries, and I'm so glad that there are more books to come from her!<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher; I was not required to post a positive review, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.", "timestamp": 1587687726747, "title": "Lovely Series Conclusion" }, { "asin": "0785230009", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a poignant story of grief and finding joy again after terrible loss. Though their circumstances are different, both Eva and Angela have to figure out what their lives look like now that their husbands have passed away.<br /><br />I loved the realness of the family dynamics, as well as the lush New Zealand setting. And while I never see myself doing an ultra marathon, I found those details fascinating and loved going on that journey with them. The parallel to their inner journey is apparent but feels completely natural. I loved the gentle way that faith is discussed in the novel; it feels very organic within the story.<br /><br />This is my third Harrell novel and stands up wonderfully beside her other titles. I’ll be eager to read her next book!<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher; this review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1588556868464, "title": "Poignant Story of Grief & Finding Joy" }, { "asin": "0764235605", "rating": 4, "text": "A new Becky Wade novel is always something to celebrate for this reader - and when it's the start of a series, even better! Stay with Me introduces readers to Genevieve Woodward, a popular speaker and Bible study author. She is also a part of the Miracle Five, a group of kids that survived a devastating earthquake while on a mission trip. Being a part of this group has impacted their adolescence and the rest of their lives, sending some on a journey to live a life worthy of their life being spared, while others take a darker turn.<br /><br />Genevieve is definitely on the side of making good on God sparing her life. She feels duty bound to produce goodness for the kingdom of God, but over time, it gradually became a mask to hide her personal struggles. Hiding behind her grateful, extroverted personality is an addiction to opioids, which began innocently enough when she was recovering from a nasty ankle injury. I really appreciated Wade tackling this what-if type of situation, since, after all, Christian authors and speakers are people too and aren’t exempt from temptations and struggles.Drug addiction is truly no respecter of person; it can take anyone from any and every walk of life, and I applaud Wade for portraying that in this story. Sam seems like the last person that would be right to help Genevieve. Their personalities are complete opposite; his is stoic and reserved, while hers is bright and extroverted. His previous experience with drug addiction and the intense destruction is causes makes him to be both drawn to her and keep her at arms length. He doesn’t want to risk his heart to what he considers another failure at helping a drug-addicted person.<br /><br />Despite the heavier topic, the story is not without humor either. I loved the relationship between Genevieve and her sister, Natalie – especially their quoting of Pride and Prejudice. There are beautiful moments of friendship and familial reconciliation, along with a good bit of family mystery. The setting is charming; I loved Genevieve’s cottage, as well as the beautiful descriptions of Sam’s farm. The reader is also introduced to other members of the Miracle Five ahead of the next book in the series. My favorite part is Genevieve’s letter at the end; it resonated with me deeply. I eagerly await book two in this series!<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1590960542093, "title": "Promising start to the series" } ]

[ { "asin": "1595545395", "rating": 4, "text": "This was such a sweet, fun book! Lucy is a cute heroine, and I love how she isn't perfect or \"beautiful\" in that cheesy way. That is way overdone these days, it seems! I was expecting the ultimate cheese from this book, and while it is a fun romance, it actually deals with some really serious issues despite it's appearance. I'm not even that much of a reader of Chick-Lit, nor do I usually like Contemporary novels, and I still really enjoyed this one. Some aspects of the plot are a bit unrealistic, but then again, the whole concept of faking an engagement/relationship is pretty crazy, so I was able to go along with it. I look forward to reading Jones' other novels.", "timestamp": 1314462852000, "title": "Light and Fun Summer Read" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 5, "text": "I have a hard time believing that Spring for Susannah is Richmond's debut novel! She writes like she already has several novels under her belt. This one is definitely a notch above the typical Christian Historical Fiction. Richmond completely drew me in with the sincerity of the story. Nothing is watered down and easy just because they believe in God. This book can definitely be viewed as two different parts. In the first part, Susannah is very timid and shy, but once she has to be on her own for a while, I really began to root for her. Her character developement was awesome.<br /><br />I also would like to thank Richmond for portraying the marriage between Susannah and Jesse as she did. They are one of the most realistic couples that I've read thus far in the genre. It seems that some authors shy away from portraying a real married relationship, but not Richmond. Nothing was graphic or overdone, but the intimacy in their relationship and their love for one another was evident. As one who has recently married, I found it so accurate and sincere.<br /><br />My one issue is that I found the ending to be somewhat abrupt. They were re-united, and then it seemed the book was over.<br /><br />I hope Richmond is already at work on her next novel; I can only imagine that she will continue to impress!", "timestamp": 1314463223000, "title": "Awesome Debut!" }, { "asin": "0849946158", "rating": 3, "text": "I found this to be a faith-affirming and uplifting story. I was challenged to think beyond some vague idea of heaven because of Colton's experience, and I really liked that. I can't imagine going through what that family went through, but like they said, it had a purpose.<br /><br />I do wish that some of the details that Colton mentioned were given a more \"scholarly\" approach. Don't get me wrong, I am not necessarily doubting that he experienced these things. There were just a couple of details that I could not find in the Bible. I wish that every time Colton made a point about heaven there would have been an exact place to find it in scripture. Todd did this for the majority of the time, and I found myself more moved and more comfortable with it than the times he did not. For example, I was uncomfortable with his descriptions of angels having wings as to my knowledge no angel ever appeared to a human in the Bible that had wings. I had thought the cherubim & seraphim do, but to my knowledge no where in the Bible does it mention that God's messengers have wings. Another detail I did not understand was Jesus' rainbow horse. I even tried to look it up (I am by no means a biblical scholar and know I am constantly overlooking things). I found mentions of a pale horse, a red horse, a white horse and a black horse (not that Jesus was riding all of them), but no where could I find a \"rainbow\" horse.<br /><br />Overall, I did like Heaven is for Real, but felt the need to \"be a Berean\" as they say, and check all things against scripture. I will take in the good things that this book (or any book) has to offer, and for my hard facts about what heaven is like, I will stick to the Word.", "timestamp": 1373138495000, "title": "Uplifting but not enough scripture backing for me" }, { "asin": "0764210416", "rating": 4, "text": "A thoroughly enjoyable novel, Tide and Tempest has a great blend of my favorite elements. Full of history, mystery, suspense, and a sincere romance, this read had a little bit of everything that my reading-heart could desire.<br /><br />The characters were portrayed in a realistic way, and I related so much with their internal conflicts. Both Tillie and Captain Morgan carried burdens of guilt and responsibility inside, and while the external conflict swirled with danger and intrigue, the internal conflict made these characters come alive for me. I also liked that their problems weren’t solved by romance or “insta-love.” They had to deal with those internal struggles first before letting someone into their heart and move on with their lives.<br /><br />I liked the pace of the plot too. It strikes a nice balance between character interaction and action scenes. I appreciated that the suspenseful moments made sense and flowed well. Sometimes I think that action sequences are a little jumbled and confusing, but here I didn’t find anything like that.<br /><br />I loved the atmosphere of the setting, especially the boarding house where Tillie lived. The entire setting was well-done from the dress shop where Tillie worked, to the apothecary shop in a rather unsavory part of town. There was a distinctive quality to each place in the story.<br /><br />Another sign of a great read is when the secondary characters come to life – for me, this character was Captain Morgan’s brother, Cass. In fact, I think he deserves his own story, and I am sort of hoping that some of the events that took place in this story are set up for him to have his own story one day!<br /><br />I am a sucker for dashing captains, especially if they hail from Ireland, and a roguish brother is not too bad either (wink, wink). The ending wraps everything up nicely, though not without some tension and heartache getting there. I was happy to get a happily-ever-after.<br /><br />This is my first read by Elizabeth Ludwig, and it definitely won’t be my last! I haven’t read the first two books in this series, but that didn’t prove to be an issue for my enjoyment of Tide and Tempest. Happy am I to say that I have the first book already on my Kindle and won the second book in a giveaway. Now I can learn that backstory of the other secondary characters in this story, and I know it will be a treat.", "timestamp": 1395668433000, "title": "A little bit of everything!" }, { "asin": "0764211692", "rating": 5, "text": "A Bride in Store is a worthy follow-up to the first novel in this series. In fact, I believe that her characters are even more developed, the writing more finessed and the plot tighter. I was especially taken with the unique plot points that she included in the story. Bereft of the store she used to run for her father, Eliza Cantrell travels to Kansas to be a mail-order bride for a man who owns a store, hoping that she will find a willing partner in both the store and marriage, if not complete happiness. The story starts with a bang in an unexpected train robbing scene. From the get go, it’s obvious that our Eliza is a quick-thinker and is not afraid to fight for what is rightfully hers. I really enjoyed her personality; she is entirely a lady of the times, but also unique in that she wants to be the owner and proprietor of her own store. She is not so forward-thinking that she wasn’t realistic to the time-period, but is still certainly distinct.<br /><br />The setting of 1881 Salt Flatts, Kansas feels authentic, as do the details about businesses at that time. I also found the details about healthcare back then fascinating; they really added a lot to the story. Some of the tidbits were tragic, but true to the time period when sickness and often death were simply an everyday matter. The side characters added great layers to the story; I especially loved Mrs. Lightfoot, the proprietor of the boarding house where Eliza lived. Without giving away too many details, I found her story to be intriguing and unexpected, and the relationship she and Eliza developed to be engaging.<br /><br />I admit that Will Stanton is not my typical favorite male lead, but he definitely grew on me as the story progressed. He is a thoughtful and somewhat reserved, yet he is selfless and doesn’t find worth in himself. Will dreams of studying to become a doctor, but in the meantime, takes care of his friend Axel’s store. Thrown off by Eliza’s early arrival, he allows her to work in the store until Axel’s return. I could really feel the tension and pull of attraction between them as Axel’s absence stretches into weeks. As their dreams and hopes for the future pull them in different directions, they navigate this new territory that springs up between them. Though I was never unsure of what the outcome would be, the journey getting there was a satisfying one. There was one plot twist regarding Axel that I actually did not see coming at all, so that was fun. Overall, there was quite a bit more action than what I originally thought.<br /><br />The spiritual aspect of the novel touched on several things, but the most prominent one for me was seeking God’s will for your life, and how sometimes your ideals and dreams don’t always align with that will. Sometimes you have to be willing to adapt and change your mind about things. I enjoyed watching Eliza and Will work through these things, even though at times it is painful, the outcome was better than they imagined.<br /><br />A Bride in Store was a great blend of unique historical details, endearing romance and well-rounded characters who experienced relatable dilemmas. Just an all-around fun read for me. I’m looking forward to Melissa Jagears next book. 4.5 stars!", "timestamp": 1411223159000, "title": "Great second novel!" }, { "asin": "0764210378", "rating": 5, "text": "Charlotte Withersby’s dearest wish is to study her beloved blooms as a botanist. She wants to be left alone by her uncle, society and most certainly by her father’s new assistant, an interloper named Mr. Trimble. In a time when women’s views and expertise in botany are not given credence, Charlotte must rely upon the name of her father, a well-known botanist, to publish her own work. When her uncle and father insist that she take on society to snare a husband, Charlotte is sure Mr. Trimble’s lackluster help will soon bring her back to her position as her father’s assistant and put all of the marriage nonsense to rest. What Charlotte doesn’t account for is finding actual suitors, nor is she prepared for the questions that be thrust into society will bring – is her merit in her work or does it lie within herself?<br /><br />Siri always chooses to write about historical elements that are usually not anything that I’ve read about in another novel. She is a brave author in the sense that she chooses to tackle story elements and character traits that are not widely used. In this case, it was the science of botany. The botany details are fascinating and add a lot of depth to Charlotte’s character development and intellectual tendencies. Charlotte’s quirks are so unique to her character. Siri’s characters and settings are never the norm, which is why her books continue to be a delight to read.<br /><br />This novel is more on the humorous side, and nowhere is that more evident than in the main character, Charlotte. She is quirky, and if I may, sometimes a bit odd. At first, I wasn’t sure how to take her, but as I read on, she grew on me. There is a possibility that she may not be for everyone; there were times that I was exasperated with her, but at the same time, she is extremely refreshing. She is everything that society is not – she is blunt, unpretentious and lacks the knowledge of all of the social niceties that are expected of her. In her heart of hearts, she wants to take care of her father and wants to be valued for her intellectual abilities, and moreover, wants herself to be enough, no more, no less.<br /><br />There were also some compelling side characters present in this story. I loved her new-found companion, Miss Templeton - the scenes with her were full of humor, and I loved how she took Charlotte under her wing and had a feeling that she found Charlotte refreshing as well. Their friendship and back-and-forth banter was entertaining to read. Her uncle, her self-named chaperone during all of her social outings is rather enigmatic at first, but as the story progresses, his character and background are revealed, and I was pleasantly surprised by the depth in the interactions between him and Charlotte.<br /><br />Mr. Trimble may not be the conventional hero, but I felt that he fit well within the story, and his character is very endearing. Despite being declared the enemy by Miss Templeton, it’s soon very clear that he isn’t the usurper that he appears to be and that he has his own reasons for becoming an assistant to a reclusive botanist. I wanted more interaction between him and Charlotte, and while the enemies turned lovers storyline sometimes wears on me, it works well in this story, and provides some humorous and also heartfelt exchanges between him and Charlotte.<br /><br />Whenever I pick a Siri Mitchell novel I know that I am in for something unique and fascinating. She always takes on topics that stand out, this story lives up to the standard I’ve come to expect in Siri’s novels. Although I’ve enjoyed all of her novels, this one definitely stands out as one I’ve enjoyed most. With a quirky main character, a sweet romance and a fascinating look at the world of botany, Like a Flower in Bloom is a favorite read of the year so far.", "timestamp": 1428698443000, "title": "Quirky, witty and altogether fun! :)" }, { "asin": "1414398697", "rating": 4, "text": "Abigail Pressman’s dream is to expand Book Nook, the beloved store she inherited from her father. In Love’s Park, a town obsessed with love and all things romantic, being single is an anomaly, so her dreams for her store are her salvation. When the owner of the building sells the entire space to a doctor new to town, she fears her dream will never come to fruition. In a secret match-making scheme, the Valentine Volunteers, the ladies who keep the tradition of stamping mail with the city’s postmark, attempt to pull Abigail into their fold. Despite herself, Abigail is drawn to the stringed paper hearts that she discovers among the Volunteers letters, even as she is drawn to the handsome doctor next door. This doctor doesn’t match the “dream-killer” she wanted to picture in her mind, and Abigail begins questions if her dream is her dream at all or just a crutch to stop her from reaching for what she really wants. A new string of paper hearts appears, leading Abigail to believe that something tragic happened to the couple who wrote them. As she uncovers more of the mystery couple’s story, Abigail fears that it will confirm her worst doubts about love, or even scarier, set her life on a path to a new dream entirely.<br /><br />Paper Hearts is a charming story. Walsh’s writing flows really well from scene to scene, and I loved the setting. The town almost felt like a character in and of itself and was so well-established on the outset of the story. I loved the small-town, everyone-knows-everyone vibe that stayed through the entire story. I really related to Abigail’s character, and I think most readers out there will. Not only is she a reader herself, she is artsy and quirky – someone I’d love to meet in real life. I could easily understand and empathize with her frustrations about the dreams for her store, and I wanted to see her succeed despite the obstacles she was facing.<br /><br />Personally, I cared more about her personal struggles than the romantic aspect of the book, which may not have been the intention. While I found Jacob, the male lead, to be a genuine, empathetic character, I couldn’t entirely get behind their relationship. For me, it was hard to come to terms with the way it progressed; they were supposed to be enemies, yet they were falling for one another. There were times that it just didn’t work for me. When the conflict didn’t center on the external conflict keeping them apart, but rather their internal conflicts, I enjoyed the story more. They were more solid characters apart than they were together, and for romantic reads, I want the couple to be complete as individuals, but also believable as a couple. Even so, the later scenes between them are sweet, but not in a syrupy way at all. My heart was definitely smiling at those scenes.<br /><br />There are also some strange shifts in point of view into the Valentine Volunteer meetings that some readers might find a bit jarring at first, simply because they are unexpected. The characters that comprise the Valentine Volunteers are actually quite humorous. The mixture of newly married, middle-aged and elderly “bah-humbug” ladies made for a funny combination, and once I realized that those shifts were coming, I fell into them easily.<br /><br />The spiritual element is woven throughout the story in a natural way, and I could really relate to the idea that sometimes prayers are answered in ways you never expected, sometimes in ways that you had never thought to pray. I found myself rooting for both Abigail and Jacob to shed their past and give God control of their futures.<br /><br />I definitely feel that Paper Hearts will be a hit for readers whose favorite genre is contemporary romance. Despite my few qualms about the story, the authentic setting and quirky cast of characters won me over. There is a lot of appeal here to recommend it to fans of this genre.<br /><br />Favorite quote: “…the very best love stories are the ones that are flawed and full of forgiveness and pain and joy and challenges and happiness. All these things make up a love story, Abigail.”", "timestamp": 1428944045000, "title": "Cute Contemporary Romance" }, { "asin": "1601425996", "rating": 5, "text": "Anippe has known from a young age that Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods controlled her fate. After childbirth took the lives her mother and infant brother, she becomes deathly afraid of bearing a child of her own, believing that Anubis, the Egyptian god of death lies in wait for the day she becomes a mother. She carries this fear into her marriage to Sebak, a captain in her brother, Pharaoh Tut’s, army and follows her as she becomes mistress of a prominent Egyptian estate. When Tut orders the Hebrew midwives to drown any sons that are born to their people, Anippe seizes the opportunity to launch a great deception. Finding a baby floating in a basket in the Nile, Anippe believes the Egyptian gods have answered her prayers. She can pretend that she had a son, yet doing so sets into motion events that place her, her son and his true Hebrew family, in terrible danger. As bloodshed mounts and the political tide of Egypt turns, Anippe wonders if her son may have a chance to become Pharaoh, or whether the god of the Hebrews, He who is called El Shaddai, has a bigger plan for them both.<br /><br />Prior to reading The Pharaoh’s Daughter, I had only read one of Mesu Andrews’s previous novels. While it was fully enjoyable, this novel brought a whole other level for me. I’ve read a couple of authors that are very popular in Biblical fiction, but they just didn’t click with me, so I tend to stick with a hand full of authors in this genre that I know won’t disappoint. After finishing this novel, I feel confident that Mesu Andrews can be easily join their ranks.<br /><br />In many ways, The Pharaoh’s Daughter is an epic story. It spans several years and several major shifts throughout Anippe’s life. There is a lot of political intrigue and several characters, but I feel like Mesu imparts what the reader needs to know without it being overwhelming. There are some jumps in time, but they were not a problem for me here. The passage of time and key events that the reader needs to know are explained by allowing the information to come naturally in the scene. Whether in the opening scene after substantial passage of time or whether in a character’s emotions after an intense scene, Mesu truly understands the importance of showing what happened rather than simply telling. She brings ancient Egypt to life in a fascinating way. Details of their belief system, politics, and daily life are present from the beginning, woven seamlessly throughout the story. One of my favorite details she included was the way they named second and third children the same name as the first born to “trick” the gods as a way to ensure the firstborn’s life. Names in general are very important in both the Egyptian and Hebrew families, and even Anippe experiences name changes that have a profound impact on her. From their elaborate feasts to the details of running an Egyptian household, I found it all to be mesmerizing.<br /><br />The lives of the Egyptian royalty and the Hebrew servants are fully realized. Despite having guards and servants are at her beck and call and wanting for very little in the material sense, Anippe lives in fear, first from childbirth, then later from her deception of raising Moses as her own son. The juxtaposition of the Egyptian’s way of life and the Hebrew’s way of life was very startling at times, but what was even more impressive was the feeling of discovering that along with Anippe as the story progresses. The lavish, pampered lifestyle of the Egyptians is a stark foil to the simplistic, bare, yet often content, lifestyle of the Hebrews. Both families are composed of well-rounded characters full of depth. Their hopes, fears and dreams were rich and layered, and I especially loved the interactions that brought royalty and commoner together. Although Anippe starts off as pampered and entitled, she develops and grows in a realistic way. Her sister, Ankhe, provides a nice foil for her, showing what can happen when bitterness in life circumstances rules instead of hope. Anippe gave her chance after chance, which was a bit annoying; however, since her sister was her only close relative, I can understand why she was so forgiving. Mered, a Hebrew and the chief linen maker in Anippe’s estate, is also a complex character. I really enjoyed getting to know him and his family. Overall, the relationships between the characters come across as genuine and heartfelt, and I especially treasured the relationship between Anippe and Miriam, who becomes Anippe’s handmaiden after she is found watching Moses from the river bank.<br /><br />This novel has a bit of everything – danger, court and political intrigues, familial and romantic love and a beautiful tale of redemption that encompasses the entire story. The spiritual aspect feels very authentic and natural to the story, and I related to Anippe’s fears and doubts. As her name is changed once again, this time to the Hebrew name of Bithiah, she comes to understand just how worthy she is of a life free from fear and seeing her progress from fear to hope was very uplifting.<br /><br />I am no expert on Egyptian history or a Biblical scholar, so as long as an author stays true to the Biblical account, I am usually lenient when it comes to things that don’t have a definitive answer. The Bible doesn’t name the pharaoh in the story of Moses, and Mesu chooses to use Tut as the Pharaoh that decreed Hebrew baby boys to be killed at birth and his successor as the one who refused the Lord’s demands in Exodus. While I don’t know that I believe them to be two different pharaohs, Mesu does present a plausible story and has clearly done a lot of research. Much of the story takes place well before the events in Exodus, so it’s easy to see Mesu’s story as what “could have been,” and I also appreciated her explanation at the end and what scripture she used as reference.<br /><br />Ultimately when I read fiction set in biblical times, I want to feel prompted to return to the biblical account and look at it with fresh eyes once again. Mesu certainly accomplished that for me in The Pharaoh’s Daughter. It was a thoroughly entertaining, enlightening and profound read that kept me turning those pages well past time to turn in for the night. The Pharaoh’s Daughter is labeled as “A Treasure of the Nile Novel,” so I’m hoping this means more stories (perhaps one about Miriam!) like this one are up next for Mesu. I am eager to read her other published books and whatever story that she pens next. Highly recommended!", "timestamp": 1428944200000, "title": "A Favorite of the Year!" }, { "asin": "1496402243", "rating": 3, "text": "Carrington Hale has spent her entire life preparing for her Choosing ceremony – the day that she is to be chosen to become a wife. After years of careful preparation, she is not prepared for this moment to end in disaster. Instead of being chosen, she must spend the rest of her days serving in the lowest level of society as a Lint. Knowing the Authority cannot be questioned, Carrington prepares herself for a life of toil and drudgery, completely shut off from her family. She soon establishes a connection with another Lint girl, and discovers that there is a whole other side to their society, a rebellion that shakes her beliefs to the core and resonates in her heart in ways that she never imagined. Then Carrington is given an unheard of second chance at the life prepared and dreamed of, but things are not quite what they seem. With an assassin killing Lints and corruption looming in the upper echelons of the Authority, Carrington must find out the truth before it destroys her and those she has come to love.<br /><br />I don’t read a lot of dystopian fiction, but when I saw this as an option to review, I took the chance because I love checking out debut authors, and the premise sounded intriguing to me. From the first chapter, I was drawn into the story. Rachelle starts with a heightened scene that really pulled me into the action. While I found some parts of it to be similar to things I have already read, I still enjoyed her debut novel.<br /><br />The world that Rachelle created here at first seems very simplistic. I think that it’s a little deeper and more involved than it might first appear. I appreciated that details of how the society worked were threaded throughout so as to avoid a big pile of information. The details were mentioned, but I didn’t feel that it was overwhelming at any point. I do wish I could have learned a bit more about its history and what it actually looks like. Even though I learned about the various elements of the government and society, I never really got a feel for what it looked like – was it futuristic, was it part old and part new, did homes look like they do now or are things more uniform? Overall though, I felt that the world building was done well and created a great backdrop for the story.<br /><br />Carrington’s character is interesting, but for me, she didn’t have any special quality or quirk that really brought her to life and established a connection. I felt empathy for her and was compelled to continue reading her story, but never felt that “something” that I look for in main characters. There is a lot of introspection in her character that I found to become repetitive, although I can see her realizations resonating greatly with a lot of readers. I look forward to Carrington learning who she is as a daughter of the true Father.<br /><br />The plot was entertaining, though nothing out of the ordinary. I was fairly certain what was going to happen, but I still enjoyed getting to the heightened scenes in the book. For me there were a few elements that I felt were left a little vague. How did Aaron and his followers meet without detection? Did he live outside of the city or hide somewhere inside? Perhaps more will be revealed about how those who function outside of the Authority live, as Carrington discovers more about who she is as a daughter of the true Father away from that society’s control.<br /><br />I know that this is the first novel is a series, so perhaps I just need to be more patient and wait for more to be revealed in the second book. Overall, The Choosing is very well-written debut novel, and I can see how there is plenty here for the sub-sequent books in the series to delve deeper into Carrington’s society and the rebellion. I recommend this for young adult readers who enjoy dystopian settings.", "timestamp": 1436816652000, "title": "Intriguing Series Start" }, { "asin": "0764212397", "rating": 4, "text": "I am always intrigued by a story that highlights a character that was not well-loved in a previous book. If you’ve read Hearts Made Whole, then you know Tessa wasn’t the most likeable secondary character. It made me so eager to read her story in Undaunted Hope, and the wait was certainly worth it. Tessa has matured and realized the error of her old ways. However, she still has a certain sass and isn’t afraid to step out in a profession that had traditionally been held by men. For me her character is what made this novel shine, along with the vibrant setting and rich historical detail.<br /><br />Tessa is one of my favorite heroines that Jody has written thus far. She’s got spunk that comes across in a realistic way. Her limitations as a woman are true to the time period, when reputation was everything for a woman. This story also portrays an important truth about the consequences of past mistakes. Even after you make the decision to become a different kind of person, the effects of those old choices are hard to overcome. However, with time, effort and God’s help, it can be done. Tessa’s journey as she strives to overcome the mistakes of her past is one that had my complete empathy and admiration.<br /><br />The secondary characters really stand out in this story. Brothers Alex and Michael, the children, and even prickly Nadine create such an endearing group of people. I really enjoyed the development of these relationships and the genuine feeling that is upheld throughout the entire story. The plot is especially well-paced. Everything flows naturally and realistically throughout the story. Though the romance for me isn’t the highlight of this story, it is still Jody’s trademark style, with a dramatic rescue and several tender moments.<br /><br />It seems that I gush about this with every novel of Jody’s, but the historical detail here is so well-done. These people had such a hard life, full of back-breaking, dangerous work. I could imagine the bone-deep cold of the coastal breeze and the helplessness of the miners as they bowed to the whims of selfish boss. That he was based on a real-life historical figure brought even more depth to the story. The setting and time period quickly come to life and stay strong throughout the story’s entirety.<br /><br />I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s so neat that Jody brought back characters from the novella that starts the Beacons of Hope series – it gives the feeling of completion within that storyline, and also provides a little bit of set-up for the next book in the series. I’m always a little sad when I finish one of Jody’s novels because it means another wait for her new release – thankfully the next book is set to come out in June of this year, so we don’t have to wait too long – but it’s also neat to get a glimpse of a character that readers will get to meet soon. If you haven’t read this series yet, definitely do. Though this book could be read as a stand-alone, the story felt even richer having experienced Tessa’s past in the previous book. I highly recommend Undaunted Hope for fans of romantic inspirational historical fiction.", "timestamp": 1454009509000, "title": "Lovely Romance & Great Historical Detail!" }, { "asin": "0310341523", "rating": 3, "text": "This was my first book by Rachel Hauck, and I think perhaps not the best one to start with of her books. I found it to be an intriguing story, but struggled with the telling of it. From the get-go, I was less than thrilled with the four different points of view. Perhaps this shows my youth and frame of mind at this point in life, but I was much more interested in Taylor and Jack's marriage than I was Jimmy and Colette's relationship from years ago. I'm just a reader that would much prefer to get into one or two character's heads and get to know them really well; instead, I felt like I was skimming each person's story. Because of that, some of the story-arcs just fell flat for me.<br /><br />The faith element seems on the nose in some scenes, and while I love the idea of layered family secrets, they were pretty obvious from the beginning of the story. The story seemed to be trying to be a mystery and focused a lot on secrets of the past, whereas I wished it would have focused on the family dynamics of the present-day.<br /><br />I did like Rachel's writing style and found it to be very readable. Again, this is my first book by this author, so please take my opinion for what it is. I did like the book, and I do still want to check out more of Rachel's books, so if anyone has any recommendations of what to try next, I'm all ears.", "timestamp": 1456102121000, "title": "Intriguing Story" }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 4, "text": "Colleen Coble is another author that I’m a little behind the curve on reading, and I hope to remedy that further in the future. The Inn at Ocean’s Edge is only the second of her novels that I’ve read, and while I wasn’t blown away by the other novel, this one was a great suspenseful read. This novel provides really great set up for upcoming books in the series, while still in keeping with what appears to be Colleen’s trademark romantic suspense.<br /><br />I think what impressed me most with this story is how quickly the action starts. I love how it starts off with a bang and doesn’t let up until the end. It’s hard to talk about this type of story line without accidentally giving any spoilers, but I was held fast by the mystery. There are several surprising elements, and while some of my suspicions proved to be correct, there were many instances that I wasn’t sure what was going on with certain characters or plotlines. The story ended up being much more layered and intricate than I was expecting, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching everything unfold. There were a few scenes that I thought ended in an odd way, as if it needed just a few more sentences to give it a better sense of completeness, but it may be something that wouldn’t bother super-fans of suspense. While I enjoy it, it’s not the genre that I read most often, so this could just be me<br /><br />The characters, for the most part, react realistically to what is going on around them, and the less desirable characters don’t come off as caricatures, which is often a complaint of mine. Although my life is nothing like Claire’s life, I still found ways to relate to her. There were times that I could have used a bit more depth for the main characters; I did think they had realistic back story’s that created great conflict for their current circumstances. Colleen gives Claire small but impactful characteristics that add a lot of realism to her character and the same can be said of Luke’s character as well.<br /><br />Colleen also does a great job in writing the romance realistically into the story; the romantic moments are genuinely sweet yet realistic and fall naturally within the story’s flow. While Claire and Luke aren’t complete opposites, there’s a softness to him that Claire is drawn to. Their scenes had a spark from the very beginning.<br /><br />The setting is another area that is really well-done. Although I’ve never been to Maine, I feel like I’ve at least been on its coast because of this story. I could easily envision Hotel Tourmaline, as well as the natural landscape of the setting, whether it was a rocky cliff, sandy beach or a cranberry bog. This is a random side note, but I’ve loved the names of her more recent titles – this one gives off a sense of place, as well as a sense of excitement and, perhaps even danger, especially with the words, “ocean’s edge.” Despite it being a hotel more than an inn, the title is very evocative of the story overall.<br /><br />Fans of suspense and of Colleen’s past novels are sure to enjoy this one. Even I, an unseasoned suspense reader, flew through the pages once the mystery hooked me, and I definitely hope to read the next book in the Sunset Cove series.", "timestamp": 1456528716000, "title": "Great Suspense Read!" }, { "asin": "0764210386", "rating": 5, "text": "Flirtation Walk may not usurp my favorite spot of Siri Mitchell’s books, but it is definitely a favorite of the year so far. What an utterly fun and charming story! Siri’s books are always light and fun, but also impart a real truth to the reader. Combine that with winning characters and a unique historical setting, and I'm hooked.<br /><br />Lucinda Pennyworth is a bit of a contradiction. She wants to be respectable and normal, but her years of helping her father with his cons on unsuspecting victims have marked her in ways she doesn’t even realize. As she meets and gets to know her mother’s family, she comes to understand just how hard it will be to shed her present of her past mistakes. At first she uses her father’s tactics almost without realizing it, and I wasn’t sure how much I was going to like her. However, Siri is able to show Lucinda’s potential to the reader even before she herself realizes it. In terms of the faith aspect of the book, there is nothing earth-shattering here, but rather a lighter thread about overcoming past mistakes, forgiving yourself and accepting forgiveness from others.<br /><br />I say this nearly every time I read one of Siri’s books, but it’s true every time – she always chooses unique settings and times in history. In Flirtation Walk, it is West Point Academy and the surrounding town, not many years before the Civil War plunges the nation into chaos. Honestly, I was a little worried before starting the book. How interesting could a story and characters at West Point be? The answer is very interesting on both counts. I loved the tidbits and facts about military life at West Point, how confining it was, yet how much pride the cadets took in their lives there.<br /><br />Seth Westcott is an endearing character and definitely my favorite of the book. Perhaps his decisions seemed unlikely throughout the book, but I think they are supposed to seem that way, especially since they backfire on him. Seth’s friends are some of the most humorous secondary characters that I’ve read about in a while. It was obvious that they each had their own stories; in fact, Siri wrote a short story for Otter, and it suited his character perfectly. The others seem to have their own story as well; perhaps once day Siri will be able to tell their stories as well, but in the meantime, it’s fun to make up what I want to happen in my mind.<br /><br />There are several witty bits of dialogue that I loved, and everything ends well – the ending itself was so winsome and perfectly suited to the characters and their story. This isn’t super serious romantic historical, but rather has a lot of humorous moments. It’s definitely unique and perhaps not for readers that don’t appreciate some comedy in their historicals. I personally have always been drawn to books that stands out from the norm in the Christian fiction world, and Siri’s books have always held that unique element for me. I have one more of her historical fiction novels to read, as well as a couple of her contemporary stories that I haven't gotten to yet. I know that she is going to take a bit of a break from writing now, which is understandable, but bittersweet for this reader. While I read across many genres and types of books, I have Siri to thank for sparking my love of Christian fiction, especially as a reader who once scoffed at it, and only gave it a chance because of her book She Walks in Beauty. So, thank you, Siri, for daring to write books that don't fall in line perfectly with the rest of CBA, and I'll be waiting for your next novel, whenever it may come.", "timestamp": 1458873157000, "title": "Endearing Characters & Lovely Historical Details" }, { "asin": "0310338492", "rating": 3, "text": "Lydia Bancroft is a very unconventional lady - not only is she yet to be married, but she also works as a librarian and relishes her work there. Despite finding satisfaction in the lending library, she can't help but be drawn to a mysterious library patron. After an alarming incident between her and her fiance takes place, witnessed by this mysterious patron, her life takes a strange, exciting turn.<br /><br />The unique premise of this novel and the unusual circumstance of Lydia being a librarian drew me into this story. Lydia is reserved, but has a strong intellect. I really loved the moments that she stuck up for herself and proved that there was more to her than just being a shy librarian. Sebastian Marks is a self-made man, and though his chosen profession may not be entirely genteel, he has built himself into a better person through his own temerity. I love how the intrigue starts off and doesn't let up for basically the entire story; the romance is fairly light but still heartfelt, with the mystery taking center stage for the majority of the story.<br /><br />Although I found all of the characters to have intriguing personal stories, my preference is for the story to focus on just one or two main characters, so bear that in mind when reading my review. Secondary characters are wonderful, of course, but I didn't feel a deep connection with the other main characters. I'm not exactly sure what is was, but for the majority of the story, I was only a passive observer rather than really inside the characters heads. I also felt that some scenes unfolded a bit unrealistically; some of the more dangerous, tense scenes fell a bit flat for me.<br /><br />Despite feeling like it didn't completely come through in all of the character interactions, I did appreciate the focus on friendship and loyalty that the other main characters portrayed. It was nice to not have the plot focus so much on romance, but rather friend relationships. The story portrays how people from different backgrounds and experiences can still inspire one another to be better.<br /><br />Random side-thought, but yay for a character that wears spectacles! Since I'm bespectacled, I liked that a lot. Although, I have to say, I wish that the cover model was either wearing them or holding them or something. And be still my heart that Sebastian though to carry them in his pocket so they wouldn't be damaged - loved that sweet moment.<br /><br />Even though Whispers in the Reading Room didn't make it onto my favorites list, I did enjoy it, and I do want to eventually go back and read the first two books in the series.", "timestamp": 1465620497000, "title": "Unique Premise and Leading Librarian" }, { "asin": "0692691154", "rating": 4, "text": "I am so glad that Jody decided to go the untraditional route to publish Forever Safe. Although the first two books in the series are my favorites, this was a worthy conclusion to the Beacons of Hope series. Ever since Victoria appeared in book three, I knew that she had a story of her own! Forever Safe is full of an endearing romance and historical details of life surrounding a lighthouse, as well as some exciting tense moments toward the end.<br /><br />Stories that feature characters from way different walks of life always intrigue me, and that intrigue certainly holds true with Victoria and Tom. Though kind-hearted, Victoria is a pampered, spoiled young lady from a wealthy family. Tom’s origins are much more humble, and he worked make a profession for himself. From the get-go, their interactions are laced with tension because of these differences, and it is only when they are drawn by necessity from their respective roles that they begin to see that, despite their differences, they both have much to offer.<br /><br />Once again, some of my favorite details were of daily life as a light keeper and the duties that come with it. There is something charming about life around a lighthouse, yet there is always the feeling that something dangerous could happen at any moment – though much was routine, the idea that the surrounding seas may change in a moment was ever present. The climactic scenes really held my attention, and the emotion and resolve of the characters shone brightly in those moments.<br /><br />I loved the overall message of this story as well – the idea that there are always going to be things in life to fear, but you can’t let that stop you from making a decision and living. Victoria’s fears are grounded mostly in supposition and worry for tomorrow, whereas Tom lets past events and traumas color his present decisions. Though they were different types of fear, Jody did a lovely job at portraying that the same gumption and faith is required to overcome them – that fear doesn’t always go away, but it can be dealt with through faith and perseverance.<br /><br />Thought it’s a bit of a bummer to have this series done, I was entirely satisfied with this last book in the Beacons of Hope series. I wholeheartedly recommend for readers looking for a sweet, romantic story.", "timestamp": 1465677691000, "title": "Lovely Conclusion to the Series!" }, { "asin": "1434708381", "rating": 5, "text": "Jilted is a wonderful conclusion to the Mended Hearts series. Though I was sad to say goodbye to these characters, I was thrilled for all of the secrets to be revealed and for things to come full circle for Lynda Turner. I connected to her story on a very personal level and was so pleased with how things turned out for her. Her voice is crystal clear; Varina has done such a wonderful job keeping the voices of her three different narrators in each book separate and unique, while still remaining consistent with the clarity and humor found in her writing.<br /><br />The way that Varina handles the topic of depression is to be appreciated. Though Lynda suffers from depression, the story itself is hopeful, yet realistic in regards to how she struggles with her low points. Although Lynda does has let her depression get the best of her in the past, once things come to light, it brings a whole other layer to her character and to just how strong she had to be despite many people thinking the worst of her.<br /><br />If any saying applies to this story, it’s that “appearances can be deceiving.” By all of the local accounts, Lynda was just a depressed, broken woman, and Clyde Felton a dangerous ex-convict, but many looked that far and no farther. Meanwhile, one of the town’s elite is hiding secrets that would shock the town to the core. Though in some things in the plot were expected, these revelations and what they meant for Lynda kept me flipping the pages eagerly. Toward the end of the story, her personal journey moved me to tears. I was so moved by the reminder that it’s only later that we can see the good in a bad situation, that once the haze of grief and anger have faded, we can see the God placed others in our lives to be the hand that lifts us up, if we’re only willing to reach out and take it. He is eager to fill our cups to overflowing, if we just hold it out to Him.<br /><br />I have absolutely loved this series, and though it’s hard to pick, I think Jilted might be my favorite of the three – although that Ruthie is just a sassy as a secondary character as she is in her own story. These characters really came to life for me; Varina doesn’t sugarcoat situations, but nor does she add unnecessary detail that could make the story feel overly dramatic. Instead, I reveled in the true-to-life ups and downs of these characters, and rejoiced in the powerful message of this story.<br /><br />Varina is one of my favorite new authors, and I can’t wait to see what she brings readers next. If you are looking for an inspirational story about real, messy, wonderful characters, this story is for you. I highly recommend the Mended Hearts series – and I definitely think it’s best to read them in order, so started with Jaded, move on to Justified and savor a well-done ending in Jilted.", "timestamp": 1467165888000, "title": "My favorite of the series!" }, { "asin": "031033344X", "rating": 4, "text": "The Mountain Midwife opens with an engaging scene that pulled me immediately into Ashley Toliver’s world – that of a midwife for the women of a small Appalachian community. Awakened in the night, the last thing that Ashley expects is an abduction of her patient right after the birth. This light mystery takes off from there, pulling in another mystery of Hunter McDermott’s birth mother. Both of these threads intertwine nicely as the story progresses, as well as the growing friendship between Ashley and Hunter.<br /><br />There is a nice atmosphere found in this story – the feel of the small community is fully realized, and I loved the strong sense of heritage that Ashley has for her home. I enjoy when an author gives a character an authentic history that feels real to me, as this one did. The plot also flows nicely. The mystery thread is light and more my speed, since I don’t like super scary, crime-based stories.<br /><br />I felt like some of the ending scenes came across as a little bit anticlimactic. There are also some loose ends that I felt like weren’t tied up – perhaps to leave room for a sequel? I definitely felt like there are secondary characters in this story that could have their own and would be interested in reading those. I was also bummed at how easily things wrapped up for Ashley – I thought there would be more of a compromise regarding one big issue in her life. It seemed a bit glossed over, but that’s just my opinion. Other readers may not feel that way at all.<br /><br />The details about midwifery really grabbed my attention; Ashely had such deep roots, and the details about her job held my interest – and for anyone worried about there being too much detail, don’t be – I thought it was enough details to understand the situation and even learn from it, but not more information than was needed. I also thought it was neat how the author made Ashley and her friend Heather a descendant of characters in her historical series about midwives – I’ve read this first book, and this story actually makes me want to read the other two.<br /><br />Overall, this is an engaging story, with a lot of compelling elements, and a light mystery at its core - and I hope it's the beginning of a series. These characters have more stories to tell, I'm sure of it.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to do a review, and the views expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1475961978000, "title": "Light, Romantic Mystery" }, { "asin": "0310395933", "rating": 5, "text": "In Love Takes the Cake, Charlotte Cantrell knows what she’s about – providing brides with delicious cakes for their wedding day. What she doesn’t count on is being drawn to a regular customer, Will, who comes every week to buy cookies for the mysterious “Melissa.” Humorous misunderstandings abound in this confection of a story. I haven’t read any of Betsy St. Amant’s full length novels, but definitely want to after enjoying this fun story. The story could easily find its home on the Hallmark channel (and really who is complaining about that?), but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t also a dose of realism thanks to the back stories of both Charlotte and Will. The unraveling of the tangled threads of misunderstandings is a joy to read.<br /><br />I admit that The Perfect Arrangement was the story I was most eager to read, simple because I am always eager to read anything that Katie Ganshert writes. I was expecting a charming story, but this one truly blew me away. Amelia Mason is a bit quirky and a very relatable character. I’m a big fan of epistolary style narratives, so I love how the author includes email to tell the story. It’s a fresh twist that adds a lot of fun and charm to the characters interactions – Nate is a particularly endearing male lead. This may seem a small thing, but I also appreciated that she included a family with step-siblings. It’s not something I’ve seen much in Christian fiction, but it’s a real part of life, and it is done very well here. I also found the story of how Amelia came to own a flower shop and how it got its name to be such an endearing part of the story. This is one of my favorite novellas I’ve read in 2016.<br /><br />Love in the Details is nothing less than what I expect from a Becky Wade story – the characters are endearing, and it’s easy to root for them the entire time. She realistically portrays two people who were once in a relationship, meeting again after many years and different roads of life. It’s a genuinely sweet story that had me smiling while reading because they are just such likeable people. I appreciated the cautious, realistic way that they began to reconnect with one another – their reconnection doesn’t move too fast, nor does it drag, but rather it strikes the perfect balance with the length of the story. I also liked getting a peek into Holly’s writer life – I’m sure the author pulls from personal experience there, so it was fun to read about that.<br /><br />I know that many readers start picking up Christmas books well before the month of December rolls around. But before you pick up your Christmas books, I highly recommend squeezing a bit of “fall” into your reading this month with this wonderfully charming collection.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own.", "timestamp": 1479575023000, "title": "Perfect Trio of Stories!" }, { "asin": "0764218212", "rating": 5, "text": "Set during the tumultuous time of Israel’s beginning as a unified nation, Shadow of the Storm brings the life of the Hebrew tribes into sharp relief. Through the eyes of Shira, a woman still fighting the battles of her past, readers see these events firsthand through engrossing first-person narration. Shira’s insecurities make her a realistic, relatable character. My heart was stirred and found kinship with her; doubts and fears keep her from fully embracing her desire to be a midwife. Despite having a natural talent for it, her self-doubt and mistakes keep her from moving forward.<br /><br />There are times where it feels like books were placed in my life exactly when I needed it. The<br />Story takes on a personal level, and I see myself in the character so strongly, that I know that the timing is no accident. This was completely and entirely my experience while reading Shadow of the Storm and discovering Shira’s story. It was a joy to see Kiya, Eben and Jumo again. The friendship between Shira and Kiya is definitely a highlight of the story, and I’m glad that the familial relationships didn’t get lost in the plot or any romantic elements. Ayal is an intriguing character – despite not knowing his true intentions and a shaky beginning, I found myself wanting his character to be constant.<br /><br />Dvorah is one character that served a dual purpose for me. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about the addition of another character’s perspective, but as the story continues, Cossette does something that not many authors accomplish – make an unlikable, deplorable character provoke empathy within me. I found myself reacting strongly to Dvorah’s decisions – and by strongly, I distinctly remember saying out loud to my husband that I wanted to punch her in the face…um, oops? Seriously though, any read that elicits such an emotion from me is a winner in my book.<br /><br />In addition to providing a superb antagonist, Dvorah brought in an outsider perspective as well. I had honestly never really thought of how wild it would have been for so many people, from so many different backgrounds, would have functioned as a whole, while traveling through the desert. I suppose I never thought about the fact that, with the Hebrew tribes, some groups might have just been “tagging along,” for lack of a better phrase, because it was better than the life they left behind. Just because they were following Moses out of Egypt didn’t mean they left their prejudices and ingrained beliefs behind, nor did it mean that their beliefs aligned with the Hebrews. These differences and the issues that arose from them are fascinating and add a great element to the story.<br /><br />This powerful story has everything I look for in a novel. I was held riveted by the plot, Shira’s character, and the tender romance. Most importantly, this is a faith-affirming story that reminds reader of how God uses trials and setbacks to bolster faith and keep our eyes set on Him. This is one of my favorite books of 2016, and I am so looking forward to book 3 in the Out from Egypt series, Wings of the Wind. I highly recommend Shadow of the Storm to readers who enjoy Biblical fiction and an immersive first-person narrative.", "timestamp": 1479775248000, "title": "Superb Addition to the Series!" }, { "asin": "0718077911", "rating": 5, "text": "A Portrait of Emily Price is Katherine Reay at her best. The tone and main character are reminiscent of Dear Mr. Knightley, the realistic situations akin to Lizzy and Jane, and the international aspect nods to The Bronte Plot. I was happy to see her return to the overall tone that she brought readers in Dear Mr. Knightley. Though they were very different characters, Emily’s first-person voice had me enchanted in the same way that I was with Sam. While the family situations were complex, there is a beautiful simplicity in the way that things occur. There was never a moment where I willingly put this book down, and I was always eager to pick it back up.<br /><br />Usually whirlwind type romances don’t do much for me. I struggle with the realism and can’t get into the magic of it all. But from the moment that Emily met Ben, I felt like their biggest cheerleader! Yes, I was wondering how this was all going to play out, but I was rooting for them all the way. The author completely pulls it off – Ben is total book-boyfriend material. I did appreciate the realistic way that, despite how quickly their relationship moves, it was still a back and forth of misunderstanding and miscommunications, but also a sweet rendering of a new marriage. For readers that are not as big a fan of romance as myself, never fear – although this might be Reay’s most romantic story yet, Emily’s personal growth and a poignant family story take the prime spot in the narrative – and what a joy it is to watch it all unfold. The secondary characters are genuine and not to be overlooked. I particularly adored the relationship between Emily and Ben’s dad, Lucio – his character over all is one of the most gorgeous portrayals of fatherly love that I’ve read in a long while.<br /><br />Several aspects just make this story – that of art and Italy – and food! Emily’s job as a restorer is fascinating to read about, and I also loved watching her grow in confidence at an artist as well. The setting of a small Italian village is so picturesque and full of charm – from the cozy library in the family home, to the cobblestone streets of the village, I fell in love with it all. Ben’s charm is never as beguiling as the times he is in the kitchen, although the story paints an accurate picture of the precarious nature of the restaurant business, but more importantly, how food, family and tradition intertwine. And while there might be times where metaphors are overused in stories, or perhaps too many are used at once, here the combination of art restoration and creation provide a gorgeous comparison for the events of the story.<br /><br />My most favorite aspect of this story is how Emily proves to be a huge catalyst for change in Ben’s family, all the while trying to maintain a flimsy control of her new life in Italy and discover just what her roll is as a member of it. As Emily uncovers a painting in the local church, the secrets of Ben’s family are uncovered as well. While the faith elements are a lighter thread throughout the first part of the story, the latter half is suffused with a beautiful message of forgiveness and grace.<br /><br />I am always so pleased to read a Katherine Reay novel, but even more so when it’s as poignant and lovingly crafted as A Portrait of Emily Price. Highly recommended.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1480384995000, "title": "Her Best Book Yet!" }, { "asin": "149640646X", "rating": 4, "text": "I am very particular about the authors that I follow when it comes to Biblical fiction. Tessa Afshar is one author whose books I will always pick up and expect to be enthralled by the story. Land of Silence grabbed my heart from page one. She created a provocative, engrossing story for the woman with the issue of blood. When I first heard that this would be the basis for her new book, I admit, I did wonder how she was going to make it work. I wasn’t worried, of course, but I did wonder how she would choose to tell this story. She takes a figure that appears in one scene with the Bible and fleshes out her story into something beautiful – a tapestry, if you will, that rivals the beauty of the fabric creations in Elianna’s household.<br /><br />The characterization of Elianna is superb; her voice in the first person narration style is crystal clear and distinct. I love that she chose to tell the story in first-person. I think it made the telling of such a personal, emotionally-charged story that much more poignant and compelling. Speaking of fabric and tapestries, the details about fabric production, dyeing and even the selling and trading are fascinating and greatly enhanced my reading experience.<br /><br />This author excels at creating strong women that suit the setting and time period, and Elianna is truly an inspiring character. She is determined and wants to take care of her family, yet her pride keeps her from accepting help from her betrothed, Ethan. The novel spans many years, and I ached with her and cheered for her as she matures throughout the story. The way that she is battered by life circumstance and then later on by physical ailments, yet still holds tight to her faith, makes her a compelling character. I can’t let the review go without mentioning Ethan again – enduring, steadfast Ethan. The scenes between these two spark with feeling, and he matches Elianna’s stubbornness with a hard head of his own.<br /><br />The groundwork for the story is set up in a strong way. The opening scenes set up perfectly both the despair and hope that are to come. Stricken by grief, guilt and condemnation, Elianna works hard to be the perfect daughter and basically run her father’s textile business on her own. However, all of her hard work cannot prepare her for what’s to come. Looking back, I am once again impressed that the novel wasn’t bogged down with despair. Much of the novel is leading to her lowest point, but I never wanted to put it down – the story flows that well and is that engrossing. Though there were some times I felt that the pacing was a bit slow, the events that took place felt realistic and naturally placed in the story. It is only through reaching her lowest point, that the most important event of her life takes place – that of touching the hem of Jesus’s robe and finding physical healing, yes, but, more importantly, deep, irrevocable love, free of condemnation.<br /><br />Afshar’s writing just keeps getting better and better, and fans of her previous novels will not be disappointed in the slightest. I highly recommend this novel for readers of Biblical fiction, but also for any reader looking for a strong story of healing and redemption.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this novel, and I chose to review it. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1517601525606, "title": "Another Winning Story by Afshar" }, { "asin": "0800728734", "rating": 5, "text": "Charming, mysterious, romantic, fun, and swoon-worthy, A Rumored Fortune is Politano’s second novel, and, wow, does it deliver for this reader.<br /><br />There is such a strong atmosphere to sink into within these pages. The setting is a castle, its grounds home to a vineyard. Though her castle home is important and much loved, it is the vineyard that captured Tressa's mind, as it had previously captured her father's before his mysterious death. However, both castle and vineyard have the funds that they need to keep going, as her father's fortune is hidden in a place that only he knew.<br /><br />I adored Tressa’s character. Though Victorian Era heroines often have the misfortune of things happening to them rather than making things happen (which while aggravating to modern thought, is probably more realistic), Tressa is a realistic balance of delicate yet driven. She’s not afraid of doing things on her own but is also acutely aware of her own vulnerability and still bound to an extent to society’s expectations.<br /><br />The secondary characters are by turns intriguing, suspicious, and charming. I loved the relationship between Tressa and her lady’s maid, Lucy. Of course, her burgeoning friendship with Donegan Vance, the man her father hired to care for the vineyard captured my attention with ease, while her re-introduction to her former suitor, Andrew Carrington, made me question everyone’s motives, especially with a vast fortune involved.<br /><br />The faith element is strong throughout the novel, and while alluded to often, it always feels genuine and in keeping with the characters themselves. I found it to be refreshing and well-done; it is especially neat the way the care and keeping of a vineyard ties in so well with Tressa’s personal journey in such a natural way.<br /><br />This is only the tenth novel this year that I’ve given five stars. The exquisite blend of lovely writing, endearing characters, mysterious plot, and a gorgeous romance make A Rumored Fortune one of my favorite reads of the year!<br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a review, positive or otherwise, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1533512433595, "title": "Charming, Swoon-worthy Second Novel" }, { "asin": "1683228685", "rating": 4, "text": "The White City is a vibrant mystery, with more of a cozy feel than a sinister one. I've read some non-fiction accounts of H.H. Holmes, and it's really quite gruesome. The extent of his depravity and evil is not touched on here, as this story takes place nearer to the beginning of his terrible acts. However, there is enough that the danger is real and present throughout the pages of this book.<br /><br />At first I was a bit worried that Winnie was going to be too silly, but I was soon won over by her vivacity and charm. Her interactions with Detective Jude Thorpe are fun and sweet, and even though I don't enjoy a love triangle, even Percival won me over (I wouldn't mind seeing him in a future novel). Winnie is also a complete bookworm, so what's not to love about that. As with any bookworm though, occasionally our imagination might get the best of us - which is what happens to Winnie. She has to prove to her father that she knows what she's talking about and can back up her claims with evidence. Hence, where the sleuthing and danger come into play. Winnie's family plays a significant role in this story, as does romance, so if you're looking for suspense alone, that's not this title. I for one enjoyed the mix, and once I realized it was more of a cozy mystery, the story flowed well for me. I also found the descriptions of the city and the World's Fair to be lovely and a great backdrop for the events of the story.<br /><br />I enjoyed this debut novel; it shows great promise for the stories that I know are to come from Grace Hitchcock.<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to post a positive review, and the thoughts expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1552672505439, "title": "Fun Historical Romance" }, { "asin": "0785223169", "rating": 4, "text": "In The Governess of Penwythe Hall, Ladd’s trademark handling of setting, characters, and romance are back in full force. The harsh landscape of Cornwall comes to life, complete with its dramatic coastline and the seemingly endless moors. This is just the place that widow and governess Delia Greythorne is forced back to after the death of her employer. Cornwall, a place of heartache for her, might hold the keys to moving on with her life, if she can combat dangers arising from her past.<br /><br />After a slow start, it was hard for me to put this one down. The plot builds nicely, each element building on another to create an entertaining read. Delia is a strong character, but not unrealistically so. She is fully aware of her position in the world, but still retains her dignity. One of my favorite parts of the story is the blossoming relationship between Jac Tretheway, Penwythe Hall’s owner, and the orphaned children. His priorities must shift, and I enjoyed his shift from duty to love.<br /><br />This is a lovely opening to Sarah E. Ladd’s new series, and I eagerly await The Thief of Lanwyn Manor’s release in 2020. Recommended to fans of historical romance with a healthy dose of intrigue and a dash of suspense.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1556578455672, "title": "Lovely Series Opener!" }, { "asin": "0785222006", "rating": 4, "text": "A bookshop, lists of books, and friendship - what more could a bibliophile want out of a story? A book about books and bookshops and bookish things is a delight to be sure because \"that's what books do...they are a conversation, and introduce us to ourselves and to others,\" as the beloved Maddie of this book says.<br /><br />These are just the base elements that blend together to make the rich, layered tale that is The Printed Letter Bookshop. More than \"just\" books, this story is about making peace with life and those in it and choosing to be in charge of your own story: \"It's like you live in those classics you love, in some odd third-person narration, as if you aren't in charge of your own story. Who is, if not you, for goodness' sake?\"<br /><br />The story is about three women, Madeline, Claire, and Janet, and also one person and place around which their lives meet: Maddie, the owner of a bookshop, and the bookshop itself. Though at first I was taken aback by the three different narrators, I ended up liking all three of them quite a bit. While I typically prefer only one or two narrators, I felt equally interested in the lives of all three women. I enjoyed watching the relationship between them unfold. I loved the realness of each one, their struggles and their triumphs, and the often messy yet wonderful nature of life shines throughout the entire story.<br /><br />Though it doesn't top out as my favorite Reay book, she has written another charming yet deep story that is sure to meet a lot of readers right where they are in life.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not require to give a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1559851759910, "title": "Charming yet Deep" }, { "asin": "0800735323", "rating": 4, "text": "What a wonderful debut! Though suspense is not my go-to genre, I was drawn to this story first because of the small town setting, but also because of the author's presence on social media. Say what you will, but I'm always drawn to a warm, down-to-earth person, especially online where things can be so shallow and superficial.<br /><br />As I mentioned previously, the small town setting of Walton, Georgia comes to life in this story. From the locals who look after one another, to the diner where everyone gathers on the designated night, the flavor feels just right. In addition to the setting, I loved getting to know these characters. Lane's character is one that truly resonated with me, and I feel she will do the same for anyone that has struggled at any point in their life with depression. I applaud Walters for portraying her in what I feel is a realistic yet sensitive way. I cheered for the way that Lane kept pushing through, even when darkness threatened to take over her heart and mind. Words spoken to her by the precious Ms. Byrdie rooted deep into my heart:<br /><br />\"You are not broken. You are perfectly made. You have to stop punishing yourself for the way God made you - even for your depression. You need to forgive yourself and take captive those thoughts that you are anything but the woman our Creator designed you to be.\"<br /><br />The secondary characters are varied and endearing as well. My particular favorites (other than a handsome deputy Charlie Lynch, of course) are the Ms. Byrdie mentioned above, and Deputy Frost, who works with Charlie. The banter between Charlie and Deputy Frost had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion.<br /><br />The plot unfolds with delicious twists, and the mystery is sustained until just the perfect time. It was far enough to keep me guessing, yet soon enough so as to heighten the tension when I had a bit more of a clue than I did before. The investigating feels realistic to me, and I never felt there was any awkward behavior just for the sake of a thrill. Everything happens organically and feels natural. Speaking of feeling natural, the romance is a bit of a slow burn and SO sweet.<br /><br />I appreciate Living Lies for both it's entertainment value as much as I do for its honest portrayal of both struggles and hope. Throw in a quality mystery and an endearing romance, and it's a winning debut. I've added book two in the series to my to-read list and will be eager to get my hands on it!<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1569457568048, "title": "Excellent Debut!" }, { "asin": "0800735331", "rating": 4, "text": "Natalie Walters has really brought me around to the suspense genre. I love the small town of Walton, and I really enjoy the friendships portrayed in the Harbored Secrets series. Vivian is a character that I wasn't too sure about at first, but just like everyone, she had a lot going on behind the unforgiving reporter facade. Walters really hits the sweet spot of character development, mystery, and realism. There's usually a point that I question the intelligence of a character in suspense novels, but that's not really the case here. The events feel plausible and kept my attention the entire time. Ryan is a character that I was eager to see more of - he is so endearing in the first book, so seeing his character develop so well in this book made my reader heart happy.<br /><br />I'm definitely looking forward to book three in the series - how great that it's about Pecca, such an engaging secondary character in this book - and I'm a little sad that it'll be the last adventure in Walton.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1574699420481, "title": "Great Addition to the Series" }, { "asin": "080073534X", "rating": 4, "text": "Silent Shadows delivers a delicious mix of romance and suspense that I've learned to expect from Natalie Walters. I enjoyed returning to Walton, a small town in Georgia that came to life for me while reading this series, and while you can read this as a standalone and enjoy it just fine, I recommend starting from the beginning and getting to know everyone from the get-go. It's just more fun that way.<br /><br />Colton is a bit of a brooding lead, but he has his reasons. He's been dealt a tough blow, and he feels that his life has derailed. Pecca is one of those people with a indomitable spirit, but even she has to admit that she has to depend on the help of her close friends in Walton when it comes to the safety of herself and her son. Even though the romance is lovely, the true beauty in the story is from the friendships that are more like family, and the way they take care of each other.<br /><br />The plot flows smoothly, giving the reader bits of pieces of danger, and how it connects to Pecca, until things escalate quickly and tensely at the end of the story.<br /><br />Natalie Walters has been one of my favorite recent author discoveries, and I'm so glad that there are more books to come from her!<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher; I was not required to post a positive review, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.", "timestamp": 1587687726747, "title": "Lovely Series Conclusion" }, { "asin": "0785230009", "rating": 4, "text": "This is a poignant story of grief and finding joy again after terrible loss. Though their circumstances are different, both Eva and Angela have to figure out what their lives look like now that their husbands have passed away.<br /><br />I loved the realness of the family dynamics, as well as the lush New Zealand setting. And while I never see myself doing an ultra marathon, I found those details fascinating and loved going on that journey with them. The parallel to their inner journey is apparent but feels completely natural. I loved the gentle way that faith is discussed in the novel; it feels very organic within the story.<br /><br />This is my third Harrell novel and stands up wonderfully beside her other titles. I’ll be eager to read her next book!<br /><br />I received an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher; this review is my honest opinion.", "timestamp": 1588556868464, "title": "Poignant Story of Grief & Finding Joy" }, { "asin": "0764235605", "rating": 4, "text": "A new Becky Wade novel is always something to celebrate for this reader - and when it's the start of a series, even better! Stay with Me introduces readers to Genevieve Woodward, a popular speaker and Bible study author. She is also a part of the Miracle Five, a group of kids that survived a devastating earthquake while on a mission trip. Being a part of this group has impacted their adolescence and the rest of their lives, sending some on a journey to live a life worthy of their life being spared, while others take a darker turn.<br /><br />Genevieve is definitely on the side of making good on God sparing her life. She feels duty bound to produce goodness for the kingdom of God, but over time, it gradually became a mask to hide her personal struggles. Hiding behind her grateful, extroverted personality is an addiction to opioids, which began innocently enough when she was recovering from a nasty ankle injury. I really appreciated Wade tackling this what-if type of situation, since, after all, Christian authors and speakers are people too and aren’t exempt from temptations and struggles.Drug addiction is truly no respecter of person; it can take anyone from any and every walk of life, and I applaud Wade for portraying that in this story. Sam seems like the last person that would be right to help Genevieve. Their personalities are complete opposite; his is stoic and reserved, while hers is bright and extroverted. His previous experience with drug addiction and the intense destruction is causes makes him to be both drawn to her and keep her at arms length. He doesn’t want to risk his heart to what he considers another failure at helping a drug-addicted person.<br /><br />Despite the heavier topic, the story is not without humor either. I loved the relationship between Genevieve and her sister, Natalie – especially their quoting of Pride and Prejudice. There are beautiful moments of friendship and familial reconciliation, along with a good bit of family mystery. The setting is charming; I loved Genevieve’s cottage, as well as the beautiful descriptions of Sam’s farm. The reader is also introduced to other members of the Miracle Five ahead of the next book in the series. My favorite part is Genevieve’s letter at the end; it resonated with me deeply. I eagerly await book two in this series!<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.", "timestamp": 1590960542093, "title": "Promising start to the series" }, { "asin": "0764230778", "rating": 4, "text": "In A Pursuit of Home, readers finally get the story from Jess's perspective. I have found her character to be intriguing from her first appearance in the Hawthorne House series, so it's was fun to see where else she has popped up and finally dig into her past. I wasn't really expecting her background to be what it was - it's tragic and filled with intrigue. In the end, not only is a family mystery solved, but an entire country is restored - exciting stuff!<br /><br />The studious Derek seems like Jess's opposite, but she needs him to help her puzzle out the past. While he is at first interested in the history and mystery of everything, soon he finds himself invested for entirely different reasons. I love that Derek is not really the typical lead - much different from say, Ryland or one of the Hawthorne brothers. He's a studious art expert and can get lost for hours trying to puzzle out one thing. The dialogue between the two is especially fun. I also appreciated that characters not only from this series, but from Hunter's previous one played roles in this novel as well. It was fun catching up with them.<br /><br />I wouldn't recommend reading the Haven Manor series out of order because they really do build on one another, and finding out more about Jess is just more fun because of her mystique in previous books. If you really want to do it up right, start with the Hawthorne House books - you'll have so much great reading ahead of you!", "timestamp": 1591206239788, "title": "Great conclusion for a fun character!" } ]

[ { "asin": "1595548017", "rating": 4, "text": "Twenty-eight , workaholic , single female seems to sum up Abigail but when she is given notice from her doctor who happens to also be her sister, she is told that she needs to relax and rest as she has been getting headaches and palpitations. It's even more forced upon you and doctor-patient confidentiality goes out the window when your boss happens to be your mother. For Abigail Reynolds , she has always got one thing in mind- chasing the next big lead in journalism and looking for ways to improve the newspaper \"Viewpoint\". When her mother recieves a worried letter from Abigail's Great-Aunt Lucy and thinks that maybe it might be time to move her into a home, she gives Abigail three months leave . So Abigail reluctantly travels to StillWater Ranch, Montana. It is here that she meets Eleven-year old Maddy and her father Wade Ryan. When Maddy's nanny quits and Wade is left with no options, Abigail steps in and soon of course we discover that our local cowboy Wade Ryan is hiding a secret , one that he has tried for years to keep silent, the truth about what happened to his wife those many years ago. Of course readers, we can all guess what is going to happen and we are left with the decision of Can Abigail soften Wade's harden heart and can Wade open himself up to having a new relationship or will it be a case of can Abigail give up the fast -track and workaholic ways of a journalist and settle to become a Cowboy's wife and stepmother ?<br />Find out in Denise Hunter's book which shows us that sometimes in life all we need is a little \"Cowboy's Touch\".", "timestamp": 1314583958000, "title": "Sometimes Life Gives Us a Little Push" }, { "asin": "0764209035", "rating": 5, "text": "As a female girl in the 1918's , it seems that our role in life is to be a society wife and get married and play house. Rebekah Hendricks has one goal in mind to exit out of her small town of Dowington, Oklahoma and marry Aviator Arthur Samson. So when she is offered the chance to go out of town to care for her sick Aunt , she agrees as it is an exciting opportunity. However, once Rebekah arrives , it seems that she has come in the time of the Spanish Influenza Pandemic and her aunty passes away. Rebekah discovers that her aunt was caring for four children whose father Frank is at war and her dying wish was for Rebekah to take care of them . So the story begins as Rebekah becomes caregiver and playing the role of mother to the children. In this it seems that Rebekah has captured the attention of the local Sheriff but her heart is with Arthur. As the story comes to light it seems that Arthur hasn't been completely faithful and Rebekah in turn is heartbroken. Enter Frank , the children's father who has returned. Will Rebekah choose the path of wife to bachelor Sheriff Jenkins or will she begin to care too much for the children and accept Frank's offer of an instant family ?<br />Find out in Wings of A Dream by Anne Mateer , a Christian author that I will be looking out for more books to read by her.", "timestamp": 1316505319000, "title": "God Can Grant our Dreams in the most Unexpected Ways" }, { "asin": "1400318033", "rating": 5, "text": "Looking for that perfect picture book for your child aged 0-5 years ? Wanting to teach them all about God's blessings and the wonderful things that he does and can provide for us all ?<br />Join Max Lucado as he presents his character the lovable caterpillar Hermie , Hermie shares with us in this cute 5pg adorable board book all the things that God has done for him that he is thankful for from providing him with food, shelter to having awesome friends.<br />This would make a godly and wonderful addition to any Christian home and child's collection.", "timestamp": 1317024197000, "title": "For all God's Little Children" }, { "asin": "1414333064", "rating": 5, "text": "Wanting a contemporary Christian Fiction ? One that answers the question of What If ???? . What if you had committed something so terrible , betraying the ones you loved and those around you ? For Eric , he fell into the web of temptation and what started off as an innocent lunch with co-workers grew into an affair with one in particular - a young female in her early 20's Danielle . His wife Kyra discovered it through an email that had been sent and his wife feeling betrayed kicked him out and was ready to divorce him as how could she trust him anymore. A few months later Kyra is in an accident and finds herself with amnesia , at first she thinks Eric is dead but as soon as she finds out he's alive, she is overjoyed . Kyra thinks that her and Eric are still the perfect couple , but what happens when she discovers that what she thinks and what really happened are two different things ? Should Eric come clean about what happened or should he play along with the amnesia and start anew ? Has God given Eric a second chance at renewing love and showing him that the statement - \"You Don't realise how much you had , until it's gone \" rings accurate ?.<br />Find out in this awesome journey of relationships with it's up's and down's. In a way this book reminded me of \"The Notebook\" by Nicholas Sparks and \"The House\" by Anjuelle Floyd.", "timestamp": 1325141390000, "title": "What if you got a Second Chance at Love ?" }, { "asin": "0764212540", "rating": 5, "text": "Nine years ago, Kelly had everything she ever wanted - a husband and a beautiful baby girl called Emily and then within a flash , it was all gone . Her husband had died of a drug overdose but not before he had taken their baby girl and sold her on the black market. Now years later Kelly has travelled all over looking for her baby girl and testing DNA of children that could be her Emily but none have matched. That is until she is thrust into the world of Nattie Livingston , a girl that could be her daughter and this time it looks positive. In order to get closer, Kelly strikes up a relationship with Jack and soon the pair of them start to fall in love and start dating. Soon Jack discovers what Kelly is up to via his sister discovering the website and decides to do a DNA test himself. The results though will shock him as to who the true identity of Natalie's biological mother is . Laura the Amish Nanny has been keeping her secrets and past hidden, but what will happen when a simple DNA test throws her into the crosshairs and forces Laura to come clean about her past life in the Amish Village. Will Kelly ever find her daughter or will she have to resign to the fact that it is a lost cause ?<br />Find out in the Lewis's new novel &#34;Child of Mine&#34; - a fast-paced and edgy read that targets the issues of black market baby-selling, missing children, DNA tests and adoption.<br />This book is definitely worth reading and one to add to your 2014 TBR Piles.", "timestamp": 1401872429000, "title": "An Amazing Heartfelt Story - Def Worth the Read." }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "When Claire Dellamore arrives at Ocean's Edge, a part of her feels like she has been here before . That can't be though as she doesn't remember ever coming here and when she asks her parents - no answers are recieved. Things will get a little bit crazy when one of the receptionists goes missing and turns up dead with a letter that says that Claire Dellamore isn't whom she claims to be. This starts Claire on a track to find out some answers to questions that have been bothering her and she learns that on her 4th birthday Claire disappeared for one year and then she later returned and no-one knew where she had been. Around the time of her disappearance another local woman went missing - Luke's mother and she hasn't been seen since that night. Does Claire remember what happened that night ? Armed with Luke who knows the town , Claire and Luke will retrace her steps to rediscover the truth about what happened that night but in doing so , Claire will open a massive bucket of secrets that have been locked away for many years. Can those who have worked so hard to keep things quiet, silence Claire and Luke before it's too late ? Or are their dark forces at play that never want the truth to be revealed as when it is , danger is surely to strike ?<br />What started out as just a single mystery turned near the end of the book into a full-on interwoven tale of hidden family secrets and a truth of what really happened that night and that sometimes people will believe what they want to believe - no matter what the evidence in front of them reveals.<br />If you are looking for an enjoyable Romantic Suspense by a great Christian Author - Check out Book #1 in the Sunset Cove Series &#34;The Inn at Ocean's Edge&#34; today as you will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1439183495000, "title": "Wanting an enjoyable Christian Romantic Suspense ?" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 4, "text": "Over twenty years ago Lance Krueger, a local private investigator's father disappeared, and he was never heard from again. Twenty years later, a car has been found in the local lake. In the boot of the car, is a skeleton. The skeleton turns out to be female, but the vehicle is registered to Lance's father. What happened to Lance's father and who is the female? So begins an investigation with Lance accompanying Morgan who is an attorney and dating Lincoln Sharpe who is Lance's partner at the PI business. As Lance and Morgan start to delve back into finding out the truth and getting closer, it looks like someone doesn't want the past to be dredged up and is killing the witnesses and is one step ahead of the law enforcement. This was a medium-paced mystery as I find Melinda Leigh's books either a hit or miss. Can Lance and his mother finally get some closure of what happened to his father, Vic ? Will he be the hero or villain in this tale? Find out in Bones Don't Lie by Melinda Leigh. The other thing that I loved about the Morgan Dane series is that they have a strong female lead - go Girl Power. Fans of Kendra Elliot's and Kate Watterson will enjoy Melinda Leigh's romantic suspense, and mystery filled adventures.", "timestamp": 1544857644481, "title": "Fans of Kendra Elliot and Kate Watterson's will love Melinda Leigh's Books" }, { "asin": "B074HC8QQT", "rating": 4, "text": "Korrine Davenport is back in the Savannah team of FBI agents and has been paired up with Agent Hatcher. The two of them have baggage as the night that Hatcher's wife Felicia was murdered, he was having a one night stand with Korrine. Korrine has been dodging her hometown as it brings back nasty memories of the night her father was killed while they danced together when she was five years old. In Pretty Little Killers, we see a group of criminals who have been let off or mistrials being murdered. Does the FBI team have a vigilante killer on the loose? This leads the agents to Tinsley's cottage where she has been an agoraphobic since she almost died at the hands of a serial killer called The Skull. The Skull's partner was the one who killed Hatcher's wife. Tinsley's therapist advised her to start up a blog as a cathartic journey called Heart and Soul where she can journal her feelings and in a way it has been helping others confess their darkest nightmares. A group called The Keepers have spotted the blog and are getting justice where the \"regular \" system failed and taking matters into their own hands. What happens when the Keepers get too close? Will Korrine find out the true identity of who killed her father and will she learn the man she loved and admired was nothing like she believed? A warning, some of the murder scenes in the book and the confessions on the blog are quite graphic and emotional.<br />Find out in this Southern Mystery Crime series \"The Keepers\" by Rita Herron.", "timestamp": 1561335266562, "title": "The Keepers will protect you when the world has failed." }, { "asin": "078522405X", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on a true story of a couple finding themselves and coming back to a place of love and compassion and happiness after a tragic moment in their relationship. There is also a movie based on this story. Indivisible starts with a Christian family named the Turners. Darren Turner is a minister and the family is all for serving God before Heather got pregnant and had her family she had wanted to become a missionary and serve. A news report features President George Bush talking about the war and terrorism in Iraq and the beginning of Osama Bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda. They are asking Americans to sign up and join the army and the fight to save the regular people from danger. Darren sees this as his calling and so the Turner family moved to an Army base where Darren signs up as an Army Chaplain. Within the next few months, Darren learns that he is being sent overseas with a troop for fifteen months. The family prepare and tears are shed. For the first three-six months Darren and Heather keep in good spirits and contact but then things start to get strained as overseas Darren is being hit every day by death of both American troops and innocent civilians - children and adults. He is losing friends and having to preside over the funerals of them all is getting to him. His communication with his family begins to slack and become short and sharp when he does get a chance. When Darren returns home from the war, he is a different person and not the same loving and caring husband and father he used to be. Even his children are afraid of him. Can Darren and Heather repair their marriage and their family? Will Darren be able to move on from what he experienced and let Heather into his heart again or was is the man he was before the war disappeared for good?<br />Find out in this emotional, inspiring and powerful read by Travis Thrasher \"Indivisible\". After finishing this book and feeling like I did afterward, I am now interested in watching the movie.", "timestamp": 1569053566216, "title": "Based on a True Story. An emotional, inspiring and powerful read." }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 4, "text": "We are back with our favorite FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick and her partner Truman who is the sheriff of the small town they live in. One of my favorite mystery writers is Kendra Elliot as I find her books fast-paced and they are action-packed. They also have flashbacks to past cases which I enjoy. In A Merciful Silence, the town has had a rainstorm and a group of five skulls has washed up in the ravine. When Mercy sees the skulls, she is reminded of a couple of cases that happened when she was in primary school over twenty years ago when two families were murdered in the same way. Is this a case of a copycat as the killer has been locked up for twenty years or did they arrest the wrong person? Meanwhile the only survivor of one of the original attacks Britta has moved back to town and now with the killings starting back up, is she in danger? Is the killer coming back to finish what he started over twenty years ago? The other storyline in this book is with the SC aka the Sovereign of Christ who believes that the US has no control over them and they have their own rights. Truman lands himself on the wrong side of this group and finds himself kidnapped. A week later, will he survive this ordeal when a savior arrives in the form of Ollie and Shep - we know this duo from the later books as he became Truman's adopted son or will he be left with PTSD and a crumbling relationship with Mercy when he returns back to civilization. If you are on the lookout for a new female mystery writer to read then check out Kendra Elliot as you won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1569225515625, "title": "Another awesome mystery in the Mercy Kilpatrick Series" } ]

[ { "asin": "1595548017", "rating": 4, "text": "Twenty-eight , workaholic , single female seems to sum up Abigail but when she is given notice from her doctor who happens to also be her sister, she is told that she needs to relax and rest as she has been getting headaches and palpitations. It's even more forced upon you and doctor-patient confidentiality goes out the window when your boss happens to be your mother. For Abigail Reynolds , she has always got one thing in mind- chasing the next big lead in journalism and looking for ways to improve the newspaper \"Viewpoint\". When her mother recieves a worried letter from Abigail's Great-Aunt Lucy and thinks that maybe it might be time to move her into a home, she gives Abigail three months leave . So Abigail reluctantly travels to StillWater Ranch, Montana. It is here that she meets Eleven-year old Maddy and her father Wade Ryan. When Maddy's nanny quits and Wade is left with no options, Abigail steps in and soon of course we discover that our local cowboy Wade Ryan is hiding a secret , one that he has tried for years to keep silent, the truth about what happened to his wife those many years ago. Of course readers, we can all guess what is going to happen and we are left with the decision of Can Abigail soften Wade's harden heart and can Wade open himself up to having a new relationship or will it be a case of can Abigail give up the fast -track and workaholic ways of a journalist and settle to become a Cowboy's wife and stepmother ?<br />Find out in Denise Hunter's book which shows us that sometimes in life all we need is a little \"Cowboy's Touch\".", "timestamp": 1314583958000, "title": "Sometimes Life Gives Us a Little Push" }, { "asin": "0764209035", "rating": 5, "text": "As a female girl in the 1918's , it seems that our role in life is to be a society wife and get married and play house. Rebekah Hendricks has one goal in mind to exit out of her small town of Dowington, Oklahoma and marry Aviator Arthur Samson. So when she is offered the chance to go out of town to care for her sick Aunt , she agrees as it is an exciting opportunity. However, once Rebekah arrives , it seems that she has come in the time of the Spanish Influenza Pandemic and her aunty passes away. Rebekah discovers that her aunt was caring for four children whose father Frank is at war and her dying wish was for Rebekah to take care of them . So the story begins as Rebekah becomes caregiver and playing the role of mother to the children. In this it seems that Rebekah has captured the attention of the local Sheriff but her heart is with Arthur. As the story comes to light it seems that Arthur hasn't been completely faithful and Rebekah in turn is heartbroken. Enter Frank , the children's father who has returned. Will Rebekah choose the path of wife to bachelor Sheriff Jenkins or will she begin to care too much for the children and accept Frank's offer of an instant family ?<br />Find out in Wings of A Dream by Anne Mateer , a Christian author that I will be looking out for more books to read by her.", "timestamp": 1316505319000, "title": "God Can Grant our Dreams in the most Unexpected Ways" }, { "asin": "1400318033", "rating": 5, "text": "Looking for that perfect picture book for your child aged 0-5 years ? Wanting to teach them all about God's blessings and the wonderful things that he does and can provide for us all ?<br />Join Max Lucado as he presents his character the lovable caterpillar Hermie , Hermie shares with us in this cute 5pg adorable board book all the things that God has done for him that he is thankful for from providing him with food, shelter to having awesome friends.<br />This would make a godly and wonderful addition to any Christian home and child's collection.", "timestamp": 1317024197000, "title": "For all God's Little Children" }, { "asin": "1414333064", "rating": 5, "text": "Wanting a contemporary Christian Fiction ? One that answers the question of What If ???? . What if you had committed something so terrible , betraying the ones you loved and those around you ? For Eric , he fell into the web of temptation and what started off as an innocent lunch with co-workers grew into an affair with one in particular - a young female in her early 20's Danielle . His wife Kyra discovered it through an email that had been sent and his wife feeling betrayed kicked him out and was ready to divorce him as how could she trust him anymore. A few months later Kyra is in an accident and finds herself with amnesia , at first she thinks Eric is dead but as soon as she finds out he's alive, she is overjoyed . Kyra thinks that her and Eric are still the perfect couple , but what happens when she discovers that what she thinks and what really happened are two different things ? Should Eric come clean about what happened or should he play along with the amnesia and start anew ? Has God given Eric a second chance at renewing love and showing him that the statement - \"You Don't realise how much you had , until it's gone \" rings accurate ?.<br />Find out in this awesome journey of relationships with it's up's and down's. In a way this book reminded me of \"The Notebook\" by Nicholas Sparks and \"The House\" by Anjuelle Floyd.", "timestamp": 1325141390000, "title": "What if you got a Second Chance at Love ?" }, { "asin": "0764212540", "rating": 5, "text": "Nine years ago, Kelly had everything she ever wanted - a husband and a beautiful baby girl called Emily and then within a flash , it was all gone . Her husband had died of a drug overdose but not before he had taken their baby girl and sold her on the black market. Now years later Kelly has travelled all over looking for her baby girl and testing DNA of children that could be her Emily but none have matched. That is until she is thrust into the world of Nattie Livingston , a girl that could be her daughter and this time it looks positive. In order to get closer, Kelly strikes up a relationship with Jack and soon the pair of them start to fall in love and start dating. Soon Jack discovers what Kelly is up to via his sister discovering the website and decides to do a DNA test himself. The results though will shock him as to who the true identity of Natalie's biological mother is . Laura the Amish Nanny has been keeping her secrets and past hidden, but what will happen when a simple DNA test throws her into the crosshairs and forces Laura to come clean about her past life in the Amish Village. Will Kelly ever find her daughter or will she have to resign to the fact that it is a lost cause ?<br />Find out in the Lewis's new novel &#34;Child of Mine&#34; - a fast-paced and edgy read that targets the issues of black market baby-selling, missing children, DNA tests and adoption.<br />This book is definitely worth reading and one to add to your 2014 TBR Piles.", "timestamp": 1401872429000, "title": "An Amazing Heartfelt Story - Def Worth the Read." }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "When Claire Dellamore arrives at Ocean's Edge, a part of her feels like she has been here before . That can't be though as she doesn't remember ever coming here and when she asks her parents - no answers are recieved. Things will get a little bit crazy when one of the receptionists goes missing and turns up dead with a letter that says that Claire Dellamore isn't whom she claims to be. This starts Claire on a track to find out some answers to questions that have been bothering her and she learns that on her 4th birthday Claire disappeared for one year and then she later returned and no-one knew where she had been. Around the time of her disappearance another local woman went missing - Luke's mother and she hasn't been seen since that night. Does Claire remember what happened that night ? Armed with Luke who knows the town , Claire and Luke will retrace her steps to rediscover the truth about what happened that night but in doing so , Claire will open a massive bucket of secrets that have been locked away for many years. Can those who have worked so hard to keep things quiet, silence Claire and Luke before it's too late ? Or are their dark forces at play that never want the truth to be revealed as when it is , danger is surely to strike ?<br />What started out as just a single mystery turned near the end of the book into a full-on interwoven tale of hidden family secrets and a truth of what really happened that night and that sometimes people will believe what they want to believe - no matter what the evidence in front of them reveals.<br />If you are looking for an enjoyable Romantic Suspense by a great Christian Author - Check out Book #1 in the Sunset Cove Series &#34;The Inn at Ocean's Edge&#34; today as you will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1439183495000, "title": "Wanting an enjoyable Christian Romantic Suspense ?" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 4, "text": "Over twenty years ago Lance Krueger, a local private investigator's father disappeared, and he was never heard from again. Twenty years later, a car has been found in the local lake. In the boot of the car, is a skeleton. The skeleton turns out to be female, but the vehicle is registered to Lance's father. What happened to Lance's father and who is the female? So begins an investigation with Lance accompanying Morgan who is an attorney and dating Lincoln Sharpe who is Lance's partner at the PI business. As Lance and Morgan start to delve back into finding out the truth and getting closer, it looks like someone doesn't want the past to be dredged up and is killing the witnesses and is one step ahead of the law enforcement. This was a medium-paced mystery as I find Melinda Leigh's books either a hit or miss. Can Lance and his mother finally get some closure of what happened to his father, Vic ? Will he be the hero or villain in this tale? Find out in Bones Don't Lie by Melinda Leigh. The other thing that I loved about the Morgan Dane series is that they have a strong female lead - go Girl Power. Fans of Kendra Elliot's and Kate Watterson will enjoy Melinda Leigh's romantic suspense, and mystery filled adventures.", "timestamp": 1544857644481, "title": "Fans of Kendra Elliot and Kate Watterson's will love Melinda Leigh's Books" }, { "asin": "B074HC8QQT", "rating": 4, "text": "Korrine Davenport is back in the Savannah team of FBI agents and has been paired up with Agent Hatcher. The two of them have baggage as the night that Hatcher's wife Felicia was murdered, he was having a one night stand with Korrine. Korrine has been dodging her hometown as it brings back nasty memories of the night her father was killed while they danced together when she was five years old. In Pretty Little Killers, we see a group of criminals who have been let off or mistrials being murdered. Does the FBI team have a vigilante killer on the loose? This leads the agents to Tinsley's cottage where she has been an agoraphobic since she almost died at the hands of a serial killer called The Skull. The Skull's partner was the one who killed Hatcher's wife. Tinsley's therapist advised her to start up a blog as a cathartic journey called Heart and Soul where she can journal her feelings and in a way it has been helping others confess their darkest nightmares. A group called The Keepers have spotted the blog and are getting justice where the \"regular \" system failed and taking matters into their own hands. What happens when the Keepers get too close? Will Korrine find out the true identity of who killed her father and will she learn the man she loved and admired was nothing like she believed? A warning, some of the murder scenes in the book and the confessions on the blog are quite graphic and emotional.<br />Find out in this Southern Mystery Crime series \"The Keepers\" by Rita Herron.", "timestamp": 1561335266562, "title": "The Keepers will protect you when the world has failed." }, { "asin": "078522405X", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on a true story of a couple finding themselves and coming back to a place of love and compassion and happiness after a tragic moment in their relationship. There is also a movie based on this story. Indivisible starts with a Christian family named the Turners. Darren Turner is a minister and the family is all for serving God before Heather got pregnant and had her family she had wanted to become a missionary and serve. A news report features President George Bush talking about the war and terrorism in Iraq and the beginning of Osama Bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda. They are asking Americans to sign up and join the army and the fight to save the regular people from danger. Darren sees this as his calling and so the Turner family moved to an Army base where Darren signs up as an Army Chaplain. Within the next few months, Darren learns that he is being sent overseas with a troop for fifteen months. The family prepare and tears are shed. For the first three-six months Darren and Heather keep in good spirits and contact but then things start to get strained as overseas Darren is being hit every day by death of both American troops and innocent civilians - children and adults. He is losing friends and having to preside over the funerals of them all is getting to him. His communication with his family begins to slack and become short and sharp when he does get a chance. When Darren returns home from the war, he is a different person and not the same loving and caring husband and father he used to be. Even his children are afraid of him. Can Darren and Heather repair their marriage and their family? Will Darren be able to move on from what he experienced and let Heather into his heart again or was is the man he was before the war disappeared for good?<br />Find out in this emotional, inspiring and powerful read by Travis Thrasher \"Indivisible\". After finishing this book and feeling like I did afterward, I am now interested in watching the movie.", "timestamp": 1569053566216, "title": "Based on a True Story. An emotional, inspiring and powerful read." }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 4, "text": "We are back with our favorite FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick and her partner Truman who is the sheriff of the small town they live in. One of my favorite mystery writers is Kendra Elliot as I find her books fast-paced and they are action-packed. They also have flashbacks to past cases which I enjoy. In A Merciful Silence, the town has had a rainstorm and a group of five skulls has washed up in the ravine. When Mercy sees the skulls, she is reminded of a couple of cases that happened when she was in primary school over twenty years ago when two families were murdered in the same way. Is this a case of a copycat as the killer has been locked up for twenty years or did they arrest the wrong person? Meanwhile the only survivor of one of the original attacks Britta has moved back to town and now with the killings starting back up, is she in danger? Is the killer coming back to finish what he started over twenty years ago? The other storyline in this book is with the SC aka the Sovereign of Christ who believes that the US has no control over them and they have their own rights. Truman lands himself on the wrong side of this group and finds himself kidnapped. A week later, will he survive this ordeal when a savior arrives in the form of Ollie and Shep - we know this duo from the later books as he became Truman's adopted son or will he be left with PTSD and a crumbling relationship with Mercy when he returns back to civilization. If you are on the lookout for a new female mystery writer to read then check out Kendra Elliot as you won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1569225515625, "title": "Another awesome mystery in the Mercy Kilpatrick Series" }, { "asin": "B01GJA450A", "rating": 3, "text": "As readers of The Phantom Paragrapher and those who know me IRL, you will know that I am bad at reading books out of order. I never mean too, it just happens. Sometimes I get it right but other times, I end up reading them back to front and that's what happened with Rogue Vows Novellas series. Reading this book second, gave me a clearer view of what had happened and the events leading up to what occurred in Book #2 - Burned by Her Devotion. Death and Her Devotion starts with Zane and Stevie who should have been finally tying the knot being called to the local camping ground as Chase Ryan has been found dead. Chase Ryan is a major Hollywood actor who plays a cop onscreen and has his fair share of stalkers especially one in particular who shows us looks can be deceiving Cyndee. With multiple stories that don't line up and the police of Solitude wanting this wrapped up before the wind of his death hits the news and media vans swarm down on Solitude, Oregon. Can Zane and Stevie get to the bottom of who killed Chase? Also in this book is an OMG moment as our stalker decides to have another go at arson trapping someone from Solitude in a barn? Can Carly and Seth get to the barn in time or will the Taylor family suffer another tragedy?<br />Find out in Book #1 of the Rogue Vows Novella series by Kendra Elliot for a quick read mystery fix.", "timestamp": 1588581044104, "title": "Celebrity Murder Hits Solitude, Oregon." } ]

[ { "asin": "1595548017", "rating": 4, "text": "Twenty-eight , workaholic , single female seems to sum up Abigail but when she is given notice from her doctor who happens to also be her sister, she is told that she needs to relax and rest as she has been getting headaches and palpitations. It's even more forced upon you and doctor-patient confidentiality goes out the window when your boss happens to be your mother. For Abigail Reynolds , she has always got one thing in mind- chasing the next big lead in journalism and looking for ways to improve the newspaper \"Viewpoint\". When her mother recieves a worried letter from Abigail's Great-Aunt Lucy and thinks that maybe it might be time to move her into a home, she gives Abigail three months leave . So Abigail reluctantly travels to StillWater Ranch, Montana. It is here that she meets Eleven-year old Maddy and her father Wade Ryan. When Maddy's nanny quits and Wade is left with no options, Abigail steps in and soon of course we discover that our local cowboy Wade Ryan is hiding a secret , one that he has tried for years to keep silent, the truth about what happened to his wife those many years ago. Of course readers, we can all guess what is going to happen and we are left with the decision of Can Abigail soften Wade's harden heart and can Wade open himself up to having a new relationship or will it be a case of can Abigail give up the fast -track and workaholic ways of a journalist and settle to become a Cowboy's wife and stepmother ?<br />Find out in Denise Hunter's book which shows us that sometimes in life all we need is a little \"Cowboy's Touch\".", "timestamp": 1314583958000, "title": "Sometimes Life Gives Us a Little Push" }, { "asin": "0764209035", "rating": 5, "text": "As a female girl in the 1918's , it seems that our role in life is to be a society wife and get married and play house. Rebekah Hendricks has one goal in mind to exit out of her small town of Dowington, Oklahoma and marry Aviator Arthur Samson. So when she is offered the chance to go out of town to care for her sick Aunt , she agrees as it is an exciting opportunity. However, once Rebekah arrives , it seems that she has come in the time of the Spanish Influenza Pandemic and her aunty passes away. Rebekah discovers that her aunt was caring for four children whose father Frank is at war and her dying wish was for Rebekah to take care of them . So the story begins as Rebekah becomes caregiver and playing the role of mother to the children. In this it seems that Rebekah has captured the attention of the local Sheriff but her heart is with Arthur. As the story comes to light it seems that Arthur hasn't been completely faithful and Rebekah in turn is heartbroken. Enter Frank , the children's father who has returned. Will Rebekah choose the path of wife to bachelor Sheriff Jenkins or will she begin to care too much for the children and accept Frank's offer of an instant family ?<br />Find out in Wings of A Dream by Anne Mateer , a Christian author that I will be looking out for more books to read by her.", "timestamp": 1316505319000, "title": "God Can Grant our Dreams in the most Unexpected Ways" }, { "asin": "1400318033", "rating": 5, "text": "Looking for that perfect picture book for your child aged 0-5 years ? Wanting to teach them all about God's blessings and the wonderful things that he does and can provide for us all ?<br />Join Max Lucado as he presents his character the lovable caterpillar Hermie , Hermie shares with us in this cute 5pg adorable board book all the things that God has done for him that he is thankful for from providing him with food, shelter to having awesome friends.<br />This would make a godly and wonderful addition to any Christian home and child's collection.", "timestamp": 1317024197000, "title": "For all God's Little Children" }, { "asin": "1414333064", "rating": 5, "text": "Wanting a contemporary Christian Fiction ? One that answers the question of What If ???? . What if you had committed something so terrible , betraying the ones you loved and those around you ? For Eric , he fell into the web of temptation and what started off as an innocent lunch with co-workers grew into an affair with one in particular - a young female in her early 20's Danielle . His wife Kyra discovered it through an email that had been sent and his wife feeling betrayed kicked him out and was ready to divorce him as how could she trust him anymore. A few months later Kyra is in an accident and finds herself with amnesia , at first she thinks Eric is dead but as soon as she finds out he's alive, she is overjoyed . Kyra thinks that her and Eric are still the perfect couple , but what happens when she discovers that what she thinks and what really happened are two different things ? Should Eric come clean about what happened or should he play along with the amnesia and start anew ? Has God given Eric a second chance at renewing love and showing him that the statement - \"You Don't realise how much you had , until it's gone \" rings accurate ?.<br />Find out in this awesome journey of relationships with it's up's and down's. In a way this book reminded me of \"The Notebook\" by Nicholas Sparks and \"The House\" by Anjuelle Floyd.", "timestamp": 1325141390000, "title": "What if you got a Second Chance at Love ?" }, { "asin": "0764212540", "rating": 5, "text": "Nine years ago, Kelly had everything she ever wanted - a husband and a beautiful baby girl called Emily and then within a flash , it was all gone . Her husband had died of a drug overdose but not before he had taken their baby girl and sold her on the black market. Now years later Kelly has travelled all over looking for her baby girl and testing DNA of children that could be her Emily but none have matched. That is until she is thrust into the world of Nattie Livingston , a girl that could be her daughter and this time it looks positive. In order to get closer, Kelly strikes up a relationship with Jack and soon the pair of them start to fall in love and start dating. Soon Jack discovers what Kelly is up to via his sister discovering the website and decides to do a DNA test himself. The results though will shock him as to who the true identity of Natalie's biological mother is . Laura the Amish Nanny has been keeping her secrets and past hidden, but what will happen when a simple DNA test throws her into the crosshairs and forces Laura to come clean about her past life in the Amish Village. Will Kelly ever find her daughter or will she have to resign to the fact that it is a lost cause ?<br />Find out in the Lewis's new novel &#34;Child of Mine&#34; - a fast-paced and edgy read that targets the issues of black market baby-selling, missing children, DNA tests and adoption.<br />This book is definitely worth reading and one to add to your 2014 TBR Piles.", "timestamp": 1401872429000, "title": "An Amazing Heartfelt Story - Def Worth the Read." }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "When Claire Dellamore arrives at Ocean's Edge, a part of her feels like she has been here before . That can't be though as she doesn't remember ever coming here and when she asks her parents - no answers are recieved. Things will get a little bit crazy when one of the receptionists goes missing and turns up dead with a letter that says that Claire Dellamore isn't whom she claims to be. This starts Claire on a track to find out some answers to questions that have been bothering her and she learns that on her 4th birthday Claire disappeared for one year and then she later returned and no-one knew where she had been. Around the time of her disappearance another local woman went missing - Luke's mother and she hasn't been seen since that night. Does Claire remember what happened that night ? Armed with Luke who knows the town , Claire and Luke will retrace her steps to rediscover the truth about what happened that night but in doing so , Claire will open a massive bucket of secrets that have been locked away for many years. Can those who have worked so hard to keep things quiet, silence Claire and Luke before it's too late ? Or are their dark forces at play that never want the truth to be revealed as when it is , danger is surely to strike ?<br />What started out as just a single mystery turned near the end of the book into a full-on interwoven tale of hidden family secrets and a truth of what really happened that night and that sometimes people will believe what they want to believe - no matter what the evidence in front of them reveals.<br />If you are looking for an enjoyable Romantic Suspense by a great Christian Author - Check out Book #1 in the Sunset Cove Series &#34;The Inn at Ocean's Edge&#34; today as you will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1439183495000, "title": "Wanting an enjoyable Christian Romantic Suspense ?" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 4, "text": "Over twenty years ago Lance Krueger, a local private investigator's father disappeared, and he was never heard from again. Twenty years later, a car has been found in the local lake. In the boot of the car, is a skeleton. The skeleton turns out to be female, but the vehicle is registered to Lance's father. What happened to Lance's father and who is the female? So begins an investigation with Lance accompanying Morgan who is an attorney and dating Lincoln Sharpe who is Lance's partner at the PI business. As Lance and Morgan start to delve back into finding out the truth and getting closer, it looks like someone doesn't want the past to be dredged up and is killing the witnesses and is one step ahead of the law enforcement. This was a medium-paced mystery as I find Melinda Leigh's books either a hit or miss. Can Lance and his mother finally get some closure of what happened to his father, Vic ? Will he be the hero or villain in this tale? Find out in Bones Don't Lie by Melinda Leigh. The other thing that I loved about the Morgan Dane series is that they have a strong female lead - go Girl Power. Fans of Kendra Elliot's and Kate Watterson will enjoy Melinda Leigh's romantic suspense, and mystery filled adventures.", "timestamp": 1544857644481, "title": "Fans of Kendra Elliot and Kate Watterson's will love Melinda Leigh's Books" }, { "asin": "B074HC8QQT", "rating": 4, "text": "Korrine Davenport is back in the Savannah team of FBI agents and has been paired up with Agent Hatcher. The two of them have baggage as the night that Hatcher's wife Felicia was murdered, he was having a one night stand with Korrine. Korrine has been dodging her hometown as it brings back nasty memories of the night her father was killed while they danced together when she was five years old. In Pretty Little Killers, we see a group of criminals who have been let off or mistrials being murdered. Does the FBI team have a vigilante killer on the loose? This leads the agents to Tinsley's cottage where she has been an agoraphobic since she almost died at the hands of a serial killer called The Skull. The Skull's partner was the one who killed Hatcher's wife. Tinsley's therapist advised her to start up a blog as a cathartic journey called Heart and Soul where she can journal her feelings and in a way it has been helping others confess their darkest nightmares. A group called The Keepers have spotted the blog and are getting justice where the \"regular \" system failed and taking matters into their own hands. What happens when the Keepers get too close? Will Korrine find out the true identity of who killed her father and will she learn the man she loved and admired was nothing like she believed? A warning, some of the murder scenes in the book and the confessions on the blog are quite graphic and emotional.<br />Find out in this Southern Mystery Crime series \"The Keepers\" by Rita Herron.", "timestamp": 1561335266562, "title": "The Keepers will protect you when the world has failed." }, { "asin": "078522405X", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on a true story of a couple finding themselves and coming back to a place of love and compassion and happiness after a tragic moment in their relationship. There is also a movie based on this story. Indivisible starts with a Christian family named the Turners. Darren Turner is a minister and the family is all for serving God before Heather got pregnant and had her family she had wanted to become a missionary and serve. A news report features President George Bush talking about the war and terrorism in Iraq and the beginning of Osama Bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda. They are asking Americans to sign up and join the army and the fight to save the regular people from danger. Darren sees this as his calling and so the Turner family moved to an Army base where Darren signs up as an Army Chaplain. Within the next few months, Darren learns that he is being sent overseas with a troop for fifteen months. The family prepare and tears are shed. For the first three-six months Darren and Heather keep in good spirits and contact but then things start to get strained as overseas Darren is being hit every day by death of both American troops and innocent civilians - children and adults. He is losing friends and having to preside over the funerals of them all is getting to him. His communication with his family begins to slack and become short and sharp when he does get a chance. When Darren returns home from the war, he is a different person and not the same loving and caring husband and father he used to be. Even his children are afraid of him. Can Darren and Heather repair their marriage and their family? Will Darren be able to move on from what he experienced and let Heather into his heart again or was is the man he was before the war disappeared for good?<br />Find out in this emotional, inspiring and powerful read by Travis Thrasher \"Indivisible\". After finishing this book and feeling like I did afterward, I am now interested in watching the movie.", "timestamp": 1569053566216, "title": "Based on a True Story. An emotional, inspiring and powerful read." }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 4, "text": "We are back with our favorite FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick and her partner Truman who is the sheriff of the small town they live in. One of my favorite mystery writers is Kendra Elliot as I find her books fast-paced and they are action-packed. They also have flashbacks to past cases which I enjoy. In A Merciful Silence, the town has had a rainstorm and a group of five skulls has washed up in the ravine. When Mercy sees the skulls, she is reminded of a couple of cases that happened when she was in primary school over twenty years ago when two families were murdered in the same way. Is this a case of a copycat as the killer has been locked up for twenty years or did they arrest the wrong person? Meanwhile the only survivor of one of the original attacks Britta has moved back to town and now with the killings starting back up, is she in danger? Is the killer coming back to finish what he started over twenty years ago? The other storyline in this book is with the SC aka the Sovereign of Christ who believes that the US has no control over them and they have their own rights. Truman lands himself on the wrong side of this group and finds himself kidnapped. A week later, will he survive this ordeal when a savior arrives in the form of Ollie and Shep - we know this duo from the later books as he became Truman's adopted son or will he be left with PTSD and a crumbling relationship with Mercy when he returns back to civilization. If you are on the lookout for a new female mystery writer to read then check out Kendra Elliot as you won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1569225515625, "title": "Another awesome mystery in the Mercy Kilpatrick Series" }, { "asin": "B01GJA450A", "rating": 3, "text": "As readers of The Phantom Paragrapher and those who know me IRL, you will know that I am bad at reading books out of order. I never mean too, it just happens. Sometimes I get it right but other times, I end up reading them back to front and that's what happened with Rogue Vows Novellas series. Reading this book second, gave me a clearer view of what had happened and the events leading up to what occurred in Book #2 - Burned by Her Devotion. Death and Her Devotion starts with Zane and Stevie who should have been finally tying the knot being called to the local camping ground as Chase Ryan has been found dead. Chase Ryan is a major Hollywood actor who plays a cop onscreen and has his fair share of stalkers especially one in particular who shows us looks can be deceiving Cyndee. With multiple stories that don't line up and the police of Solitude wanting this wrapped up before the wind of his death hits the news and media vans swarm down on Solitude, Oregon. Can Zane and Stevie get to the bottom of who killed Chase? Also in this book is an OMG moment as our stalker decides to have another go at arson trapping someone from Solitude in a barn? Can Carly and Seth get to the barn in time or will the Taylor family suffer another tragedy?<br />Find out in Book #1 of the Rogue Vows Novella series by Kendra Elliot for a quick read mystery fix.", "timestamp": 1588581044104, "title": "Celebrity Murder Hits Solitude, Oregon." }, { "asin": "1683228685", "rating": 4, "text": "This series I have had for a year now and I keep thinking about it and then, of course, other things pop up but lately, I had been thinking more about the series and so finally decided to knuckle down and read the first book \"The White City\" by Grace Hitchcock. Each book is featured on a true American crime but written in a fictional account with a romance storyline weaved into the story. During the past couple of months, I have been getting into the podcast My Favorite Murder and the earlier episodes kept mentioning H.H Holmes aka America's first Serial Killer and how he was known as the Devil in the White City. After finishing this book by Grace Hitchcock, I went onto the library catalog and have put Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City on hold to read once the lockdown is over. This book I wasn't 100% sure how much I would enjoy it as I tend to be a bit fussy when it comes to historical romances but due to the crime content, I was so drawn in and found myself enjoying it - even more than I had originally thought. In The White City, we first meet Winnie who is out at the Chicago World Fair back in 1893 with a potential suitor when she witnesses a kidnapping. Winnie's father is the chief of Police and so she heads to the station, of course, though due to her overactive imagination - her father doubts her a little. Winnie though determined to find the kidnapper follows her clues along with her new tail, one of the new detectives Jude. During this time we read as Winnie ends up getting a job for none other than HH Holmes at his Murder Hotel. Can Winnie with Jude prove that H.H Holmes is the serial killer that has been terrorizing the Chicago Streets or will Winnie find herself in the crosshairs and become his next victim after he suspects that she is too close to discovering his dark secrets? After finishing The White City and enjoying it so much, I now am even more excited to read the other books in the True Colors series.", "timestamp": 1589001088161, "title": "Enjoyed More than I thought I would.- a Fictional Account of H.H Holmes" } ]

[ { "asin": "1595548017", "rating": 4, "text": "Twenty-eight , workaholic , single female seems to sum up Abigail but when she is given notice from her doctor who happens to also be her sister, she is told that she needs to relax and rest as she has been getting headaches and palpitations. It's even more forced upon you and doctor-patient confidentiality goes out the window when your boss happens to be your mother. For Abigail Reynolds , she has always got one thing in mind- chasing the next big lead in journalism and looking for ways to improve the newspaper \"Viewpoint\". When her mother recieves a worried letter from Abigail's Great-Aunt Lucy and thinks that maybe it might be time to move her into a home, she gives Abigail three months leave . So Abigail reluctantly travels to StillWater Ranch, Montana. It is here that she meets Eleven-year old Maddy and her father Wade Ryan. When Maddy's nanny quits and Wade is left with no options, Abigail steps in and soon of course we discover that our local cowboy Wade Ryan is hiding a secret , one that he has tried for years to keep silent, the truth about what happened to his wife those many years ago. Of course readers, we can all guess what is going to happen and we are left with the decision of Can Abigail soften Wade's harden heart and can Wade open himself up to having a new relationship or will it be a case of can Abigail give up the fast -track and workaholic ways of a journalist and settle to become a Cowboy's wife and stepmother ?<br />Find out in Denise Hunter's book which shows us that sometimes in life all we need is a little \"Cowboy's Touch\".", "timestamp": 1314583958000, "title": "Sometimes Life Gives Us a Little Push" }, { "asin": "0764209035", "rating": 5, "text": "As a female girl in the 1918's , it seems that our role in life is to be a society wife and get married and play house. Rebekah Hendricks has one goal in mind to exit out of her small town of Dowington, Oklahoma and marry Aviator Arthur Samson. So when she is offered the chance to go out of town to care for her sick Aunt , she agrees as it is an exciting opportunity. However, once Rebekah arrives , it seems that she has come in the time of the Spanish Influenza Pandemic and her aunty passes away. Rebekah discovers that her aunt was caring for four children whose father Frank is at war and her dying wish was for Rebekah to take care of them . So the story begins as Rebekah becomes caregiver and playing the role of mother to the children. In this it seems that Rebekah has captured the attention of the local Sheriff but her heart is with Arthur. As the story comes to light it seems that Arthur hasn't been completely faithful and Rebekah in turn is heartbroken. Enter Frank , the children's father who has returned. Will Rebekah choose the path of wife to bachelor Sheriff Jenkins or will she begin to care too much for the children and accept Frank's offer of an instant family ?<br />Find out in Wings of A Dream by Anne Mateer , a Christian author that I will be looking out for more books to read by her.", "timestamp": 1316505319000, "title": "God Can Grant our Dreams in the most Unexpected Ways" }, { "asin": "1400318033", "rating": 5, "text": "Looking for that perfect picture book for your child aged 0-5 years ? Wanting to teach them all about God's blessings and the wonderful things that he does and can provide for us all ?<br />Join Max Lucado as he presents his character the lovable caterpillar Hermie , Hermie shares with us in this cute 5pg adorable board book all the things that God has done for him that he is thankful for from providing him with food, shelter to having awesome friends.<br />This would make a godly and wonderful addition to any Christian home and child's collection.", "timestamp": 1317024197000, "title": "For all God's Little Children" }, { "asin": "1414333064", "rating": 5, "text": "Wanting a contemporary Christian Fiction ? One that answers the question of What If ???? . What if you had committed something so terrible , betraying the ones you loved and those around you ? For Eric , he fell into the web of temptation and what started off as an innocent lunch with co-workers grew into an affair with one in particular - a young female in her early 20's Danielle . His wife Kyra discovered it through an email that had been sent and his wife feeling betrayed kicked him out and was ready to divorce him as how could she trust him anymore. A few months later Kyra is in an accident and finds herself with amnesia , at first she thinks Eric is dead but as soon as she finds out he's alive, she is overjoyed . Kyra thinks that her and Eric are still the perfect couple , but what happens when she discovers that what she thinks and what really happened are two different things ? Should Eric come clean about what happened or should he play along with the amnesia and start anew ? Has God given Eric a second chance at renewing love and showing him that the statement - \"You Don't realise how much you had , until it's gone \" rings accurate ?.<br />Find out in this awesome journey of relationships with it's up's and down's. In a way this book reminded me of \"The Notebook\" by Nicholas Sparks and \"The House\" by Anjuelle Floyd.", "timestamp": 1325141390000, "title": "What if you got a Second Chance at Love ?" }, { "asin": "0764212540", "rating": 5, "text": "Nine years ago, Kelly had everything she ever wanted - a husband and a beautiful baby girl called Emily and then within a flash , it was all gone . Her husband had died of a drug overdose but not before he had taken their baby girl and sold her on the black market. Now years later Kelly has travelled all over looking for her baby girl and testing DNA of children that could be her Emily but none have matched. That is until she is thrust into the world of Nattie Livingston , a girl that could be her daughter and this time it looks positive. In order to get closer, Kelly strikes up a relationship with Jack and soon the pair of them start to fall in love and start dating. Soon Jack discovers what Kelly is up to via his sister discovering the website and decides to do a DNA test himself. The results though will shock him as to who the true identity of Natalie's biological mother is . Laura the Amish Nanny has been keeping her secrets and past hidden, but what will happen when a simple DNA test throws her into the crosshairs and forces Laura to come clean about her past life in the Amish Village. Will Kelly ever find her daughter or will she have to resign to the fact that it is a lost cause ?<br />Find out in the Lewis's new novel &#34;Child of Mine&#34; - a fast-paced and edgy read that targets the issues of black market baby-selling, missing children, DNA tests and adoption.<br />This book is definitely worth reading and one to add to your 2014 TBR Piles.", "timestamp": 1401872429000, "title": "An Amazing Heartfelt Story - Def Worth the Read." }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "When Claire Dellamore arrives at Ocean's Edge, a part of her feels like she has been here before . That can't be though as she doesn't remember ever coming here and when she asks her parents - no answers are recieved. Things will get a little bit crazy when one of the receptionists goes missing and turns up dead with a letter that says that Claire Dellamore isn't whom she claims to be. This starts Claire on a track to find out some answers to questions that have been bothering her and she learns that on her 4th birthday Claire disappeared for one year and then she later returned and no-one knew where she had been. Around the time of her disappearance another local woman went missing - Luke's mother and she hasn't been seen since that night. Does Claire remember what happened that night ? Armed with Luke who knows the town , Claire and Luke will retrace her steps to rediscover the truth about what happened that night but in doing so , Claire will open a massive bucket of secrets that have been locked away for many years. Can those who have worked so hard to keep things quiet, silence Claire and Luke before it's too late ? Or are their dark forces at play that never want the truth to be revealed as when it is , danger is surely to strike ?<br />What started out as just a single mystery turned near the end of the book into a full-on interwoven tale of hidden family secrets and a truth of what really happened that night and that sometimes people will believe what they want to believe - no matter what the evidence in front of them reveals.<br />If you are looking for an enjoyable Romantic Suspense by a great Christian Author - Check out Book #1 in the Sunset Cove Series &#34;The Inn at Ocean's Edge&#34; today as you will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1439183495000, "title": "Wanting an enjoyable Christian Romantic Suspense ?" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 4, "text": "Over twenty years ago Lance Krueger, a local private investigator's father disappeared, and he was never heard from again. Twenty years later, a car has been found in the local lake. In the boot of the car, is a skeleton. The skeleton turns out to be female, but the vehicle is registered to Lance's father. What happened to Lance's father and who is the female? So begins an investigation with Lance accompanying Morgan who is an attorney and dating Lincoln Sharpe who is Lance's partner at the PI business. As Lance and Morgan start to delve back into finding out the truth and getting closer, it looks like someone doesn't want the past to be dredged up and is killing the witnesses and is one step ahead of the law enforcement. This was a medium-paced mystery as I find Melinda Leigh's books either a hit or miss. Can Lance and his mother finally get some closure of what happened to his father, Vic ? Will he be the hero or villain in this tale? Find out in Bones Don't Lie by Melinda Leigh. The other thing that I loved about the Morgan Dane series is that they have a strong female lead - go Girl Power. Fans of Kendra Elliot's and Kate Watterson will enjoy Melinda Leigh's romantic suspense, and mystery filled adventures.", "timestamp": 1544857644481, "title": "Fans of Kendra Elliot and Kate Watterson's will love Melinda Leigh's Books" }, { "asin": "B074HC8QQT", "rating": 4, "text": "Korrine Davenport is back in the Savannah team of FBI agents and has been paired up with Agent Hatcher. The two of them have baggage as the night that Hatcher's wife Felicia was murdered, he was having a one night stand with Korrine. Korrine has been dodging her hometown as it brings back nasty memories of the night her father was killed while they danced together when she was five years old. In Pretty Little Killers, we see a group of criminals who have been let off or mistrials being murdered. Does the FBI team have a vigilante killer on the loose? This leads the agents to Tinsley's cottage where she has been an agoraphobic since she almost died at the hands of a serial killer called The Skull. The Skull's partner was the one who killed Hatcher's wife. Tinsley's therapist advised her to start up a blog as a cathartic journey called Heart and Soul where she can journal her feelings and in a way it has been helping others confess their darkest nightmares. A group called The Keepers have spotted the blog and are getting justice where the \"regular \" system failed and taking matters into their own hands. What happens when the Keepers get too close? Will Korrine find out the true identity of who killed her father and will she learn the man she loved and admired was nothing like she believed? A warning, some of the murder scenes in the book and the confessions on the blog are quite graphic and emotional.<br />Find out in this Southern Mystery Crime series \"The Keepers\" by Rita Herron.", "timestamp": 1561335266562, "title": "The Keepers will protect you when the world has failed." }, { "asin": "078522405X", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on a true story of a couple finding themselves and coming back to a place of love and compassion and happiness after a tragic moment in their relationship. There is also a movie based on this story. Indivisible starts with a Christian family named the Turners. Darren Turner is a minister and the family is all for serving God before Heather got pregnant and had her family she had wanted to become a missionary and serve. A news report features President George Bush talking about the war and terrorism in Iraq and the beginning of Osama Bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda. They are asking Americans to sign up and join the army and the fight to save the regular people from danger. Darren sees this as his calling and so the Turner family moved to an Army base where Darren signs up as an Army Chaplain. Within the next few months, Darren learns that he is being sent overseas with a troop for fifteen months. The family prepare and tears are shed. For the first three-six months Darren and Heather keep in good spirits and contact but then things start to get strained as overseas Darren is being hit every day by death of both American troops and innocent civilians - children and adults. He is losing friends and having to preside over the funerals of them all is getting to him. His communication with his family begins to slack and become short and sharp when he does get a chance. When Darren returns home from the war, he is a different person and not the same loving and caring husband and father he used to be. Even his children are afraid of him. Can Darren and Heather repair their marriage and their family? Will Darren be able to move on from what he experienced and let Heather into his heart again or was is the man he was before the war disappeared for good?<br />Find out in this emotional, inspiring and powerful read by Travis Thrasher \"Indivisible\". After finishing this book and feeling like I did afterward, I am now interested in watching the movie.", "timestamp": 1569053566216, "title": "Based on a True Story. An emotional, inspiring and powerful read." }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 4, "text": "We are back with our favorite FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick and her partner Truman who is the sheriff of the small town they live in. One of my favorite mystery writers is Kendra Elliot as I find her books fast-paced and they are action-packed. They also have flashbacks to past cases which I enjoy. In A Merciful Silence, the town has had a rainstorm and a group of five skulls has washed up in the ravine. When Mercy sees the skulls, she is reminded of a couple of cases that happened when she was in primary school over twenty years ago when two families were murdered in the same way. Is this a case of a copycat as the killer has been locked up for twenty years or did they arrest the wrong person? Meanwhile the only survivor of one of the original attacks Britta has moved back to town and now with the killings starting back up, is she in danger? Is the killer coming back to finish what he started over twenty years ago? The other storyline in this book is with the SC aka the Sovereign of Christ who believes that the US has no control over them and they have their own rights. Truman lands himself on the wrong side of this group and finds himself kidnapped. A week later, will he survive this ordeal when a savior arrives in the form of Ollie and Shep - we know this duo from the later books as he became Truman's adopted son or will he be left with PTSD and a crumbling relationship with Mercy when he returns back to civilization. If you are on the lookout for a new female mystery writer to read then check out Kendra Elliot as you won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1569225515625, "title": "Another awesome mystery in the Mercy Kilpatrick Series" }, { "asin": "B01GJA450A", "rating": 3, "text": "As readers of The Phantom Paragrapher and those who know me IRL, you will know that I am bad at reading books out of order. I never mean too, it just happens. Sometimes I get it right but other times, I end up reading them back to front and that's what happened with Rogue Vows Novellas series. Reading this book second, gave me a clearer view of what had happened and the events leading up to what occurred in Book #2 - Burned by Her Devotion. Death and Her Devotion starts with Zane and Stevie who should have been finally tying the knot being called to the local camping ground as Chase Ryan has been found dead. Chase Ryan is a major Hollywood actor who plays a cop onscreen and has his fair share of stalkers especially one in particular who shows us looks can be deceiving Cyndee. With multiple stories that don't line up and the police of Solitude wanting this wrapped up before the wind of his death hits the news and media vans swarm down on Solitude, Oregon. Can Zane and Stevie get to the bottom of who killed Chase? Also in this book is an OMG moment as our stalker decides to have another go at arson trapping someone from Solitude in a barn? Can Carly and Seth get to the barn in time or will the Taylor family suffer another tragedy?<br />Find out in Book #1 of the Rogue Vows Novella series by Kendra Elliot for a quick read mystery fix.", "timestamp": 1588581044104, "title": "Celebrity Murder Hits Solitude, Oregon." }, { "asin": "1683228685", "rating": 4, "text": "This series I have had for a year now and I keep thinking about it and then, of course, other things pop up but lately, I had been thinking more about the series and so finally decided to knuckle down and read the first book \"The White City\" by Grace Hitchcock. Each book is featured on a true American crime but written in a fictional account with a romance storyline weaved into the story. During the past couple of months, I have been getting into the podcast My Favorite Murder and the earlier episodes kept mentioning H.H Holmes aka America's first Serial Killer and how he was known as the Devil in the White City. After finishing this book by Grace Hitchcock, I went onto the library catalog and have put Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City on hold to read once the lockdown is over. This book I wasn't 100% sure how much I would enjoy it as I tend to be a bit fussy when it comes to historical romances but due to the crime content, I was so drawn in and found myself enjoying it - even more than I had originally thought. In The White City, we first meet Winnie who is out at the Chicago World Fair back in 1893 with a potential suitor when she witnesses a kidnapping. Winnie's father is the chief of Police and so she heads to the station, of course, though due to her overactive imagination - her father doubts her a little. Winnie though determined to find the kidnapper follows her clues along with her new tail, one of the new detectives Jude. During this time we read as Winnie ends up getting a job for none other than HH Holmes at his Murder Hotel. Can Winnie with Jude prove that H.H Holmes is the serial killer that has been terrorizing the Chicago Streets or will Winnie find herself in the crosshairs and become his next victim after he suspects that she is too close to discovering his dark secrets? After finishing The White City and enjoying it so much, I now am even more excited to read the other books in the True Colors series.", "timestamp": 1589001088161, "title": "Enjoyed More than I thought I would.- a Fictional Account of H.H Holmes" }, { "asin": "B00Y0PIEZY", "rating": 3, "text": "I have to admit when it comes to mysteries, Kendra Elliot is one of my go-to authors as I normally love her books, but this one I wasn't feeling it overall. It just felt like too many secrets and unanswered questions for me and things were left hanging a bit. The novel starts with Chris out having some time alone in his cabin whilst his son Brian is at Disneyland with his grandparents. During his stay, he comes across a crashed SUV stuck in the snow - inside is a mother/daughter duo, Gianna and Violet Trask. Chris learns that they fled their cabin as it caught fire and later we discover Gianna was also drugged. Was the fire deliberate or an accident? Upon re-checking the cabin, we learn that there is the smell of burned flesh and things start to get a bit more suspenseful. During this time, the roads are closed as well due to a really bad snowstorm and car crash. Over the next course of the novel, more dead bodies will pile up and it looks like Gianna is the target but we aren't sure what for exactly. For me, when we discovered the reason behind the target on Gianna's back and the events surrounding everything it felt a tad weak for me. I had hoped we would read more about Chris's experience with the GhostMan as that sounded more fascinating. If you are in the mood for romantic suspense and wish to reunite with the characters of the Bone Secrets series, then check out Book #5 - Known, if not then I am on borderline in the mindset of giving this one a miss.", "timestamp": 1591181378989, "title": "Known is a hit or miss romantic suspense. Not my favourite by Kendra Elliot" } ]

[ { "asin": "1595548017", "rating": 4, "text": "Twenty-eight , workaholic , single female seems to sum up Abigail but when she is given notice from her doctor who happens to also be her sister, she is told that she needs to relax and rest as she has been getting headaches and palpitations. It's even more forced upon you and doctor-patient confidentiality goes out the window when your boss happens to be your mother. For Abigail Reynolds , she has always got one thing in mind- chasing the next big lead in journalism and looking for ways to improve the newspaper \"Viewpoint\". When her mother recieves a worried letter from Abigail's Great-Aunt Lucy and thinks that maybe it might be time to move her into a home, she gives Abigail three months leave . So Abigail reluctantly travels to StillWater Ranch, Montana. It is here that she meets Eleven-year old Maddy and her father Wade Ryan. When Maddy's nanny quits and Wade is left with no options, Abigail steps in and soon of course we discover that our local cowboy Wade Ryan is hiding a secret , one that he has tried for years to keep silent, the truth about what happened to his wife those many years ago. Of course readers, we can all guess what is going to happen and we are left with the decision of Can Abigail soften Wade's harden heart and can Wade open himself up to having a new relationship or will it be a case of can Abigail give up the fast -track and workaholic ways of a journalist and settle to become a Cowboy's wife and stepmother ?<br />Find out in Denise Hunter's book which shows us that sometimes in life all we need is a little \"Cowboy's Touch\".", "timestamp": 1314583958000, "title": "Sometimes Life Gives Us a Little Push" }, { "asin": "0764209035", "rating": 5, "text": "As a female girl in the 1918's , it seems that our role in life is to be a society wife and get married and play house. Rebekah Hendricks has one goal in mind to exit out of her small town of Dowington, Oklahoma and marry Aviator Arthur Samson. So when she is offered the chance to go out of town to care for her sick Aunt , she agrees as it is an exciting opportunity. However, once Rebekah arrives , it seems that she has come in the time of the Spanish Influenza Pandemic and her aunty passes away. Rebekah discovers that her aunt was caring for four children whose father Frank is at war and her dying wish was for Rebekah to take care of them . So the story begins as Rebekah becomes caregiver and playing the role of mother to the children. In this it seems that Rebekah has captured the attention of the local Sheriff but her heart is with Arthur. As the story comes to light it seems that Arthur hasn't been completely faithful and Rebekah in turn is heartbroken. Enter Frank , the children's father who has returned. Will Rebekah choose the path of wife to bachelor Sheriff Jenkins or will she begin to care too much for the children and accept Frank's offer of an instant family ?<br />Find out in Wings of A Dream by Anne Mateer , a Christian author that I will be looking out for more books to read by her.", "timestamp": 1316505319000, "title": "God Can Grant our Dreams in the most Unexpected Ways" }, { "asin": "1400318033", "rating": 5, "text": "Looking for that perfect picture book for your child aged 0-5 years ? Wanting to teach them all about God's blessings and the wonderful things that he does and can provide for us all ?<br />Join Max Lucado as he presents his character the lovable caterpillar Hermie , Hermie shares with us in this cute 5pg adorable board book all the things that God has done for him that he is thankful for from providing him with food, shelter to having awesome friends.<br />This would make a godly and wonderful addition to any Christian home and child's collection.", "timestamp": 1317024197000, "title": "For all God's Little Children" }, { "asin": "1414333064", "rating": 5, "text": "Wanting a contemporary Christian Fiction ? One that answers the question of What If ???? . What if you had committed something so terrible , betraying the ones you loved and those around you ? For Eric , he fell into the web of temptation and what started off as an innocent lunch with co-workers grew into an affair with one in particular - a young female in her early 20's Danielle . His wife Kyra discovered it through an email that had been sent and his wife feeling betrayed kicked him out and was ready to divorce him as how could she trust him anymore. A few months later Kyra is in an accident and finds herself with amnesia , at first she thinks Eric is dead but as soon as she finds out he's alive, she is overjoyed . Kyra thinks that her and Eric are still the perfect couple , but what happens when she discovers that what she thinks and what really happened are two different things ? Should Eric come clean about what happened or should he play along with the amnesia and start anew ? Has God given Eric a second chance at renewing love and showing him that the statement - \"You Don't realise how much you had , until it's gone \" rings accurate ?.<br />Find out in this awesome journey of relationships with it's up's and down's. In a way this book reminded me of \"The Notebook\" by Nicholas Sparks and \"The House\" by Anjuelle Floyd.", "timestamp": 1325141390000, "title": "What if you got a Second Chance at Love ?" }, { "asin": "0764212540", "rating": 5, "text": "Nine years ago, Kelly had everything she ever wanted - a husband and a beautiful baby girl called Emily and then within a flash , it was all gone . Her husband had died of a drug overdose but not before he had taken their baby girl and sold her on the black market. Now years later Kelly has travelled all over looking for her baby girl and testing DNA of children that could be her Emily but none have matched. That is until she is thrust into the world of Nattie Livingston , a girl that could be her daughter and this time it looks positive. In order to get closer, Kelly strikes up a relationship with Jack and soon the pair of them start to fall in love and start dating. Soon Jack discovers what Kelly is up to via his sister discovering the website and decides to do a DNA test himself. The results though will shock him as to who the true identity of Natalie's biological mother is . Laura the Amish Nanny has been keeping her secrets and past hidden, but what will happen when a simple DNA test throws her into the crosshairs and forces Laura to come clean about her past life in the Amish Village. Will Kelly ever find her daughter or will she have to resign to the fact that it is a lost cause ?<br />Find out in the Lewis's new novel &#34;Child of Mine&#34; - a fast-paced and edgy read that targets the issues of black market baby-selling, missing children, DNA tests and adoption.<br />This book is definitely worth reading and one to add to your 2014 TBR Piles.", "timestamp": 1401872429000, "title": "An Amazing Heartfelt Story - Def Worth the Read." }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "When Claire Dellamore arrives at Ocean's Edge, a part of her feels like she has been here before . That can't be though as she doesn't remember ever coming here and when she asks her parents - no answers are recieved. Things will get a little bit crazy when one of the receptionists goes missing and turns up dead with a letter that says that Claire Dellamore isn't whom she claims to be. This starts Claire on a track to find out some answers to questions that have been bothering her and she learns that on her 4th birthday Claire disappeared for one year and then she later returned and no-one knew where she had been. Around the time of her disappearance another local woman went missing - Luke's mother and she hasn't been seen since that night. Does Claire remember what happened that night ? Armed with Luke who knows the town , Claire and Luke will retrace her steps to rediscover the truth about what happened that night but in doing so , Claire will open a massive bucket of secrets that have been locked away for many years. Can those who have worked so hard to keep things quiet, silence Claire and Luke before it's too late ? Or are their dark forces at play that never want the truth to be revealed as when it is , danger is surely to strike ?<br />What started out as just a single mystery turned near the end of the book into a full-on interwoven tale of hidden family secrets and a truth of what really happened that night and that sometimes people will believe what they want to believe - no matter what the evidence in front of them reveals.<br />If you are looking for an enjoyable Romantic Suspense by a great Christian Author - Check out Book #1 in the Sunset Cove Series &#34;The Inn at Ocean's Edge&#34; today as you will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1439183495000, "title": "Wanting an enjoyable Christian Romantic Suspense ?" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 4, "text": "Over twenty years ago Lance Krueger, a local private investigator's father disappeared, and he was never heard from again. Twenty years later, a car has been found in the local lake. In the boot of the car, is a skeleton. The skeleton turns out to be female, but the vehicle is registered to Lance's father. What happened to Lance's father and who is the female? So begins an investigation with Lance accompanying Morgan who is an attorney and dating Lincoln Sharpe who is Lance's partner at the PI business. As Lance and Morgan start to delve back into finding out the truth and getting closer, it looks like someone doesn't want the past to be dredged up and is killing the witnesses and is one step ahead of the law enforcement. This was a medium-paced mystery as I find Melinda Leigh's books either a hit or miss. Can Lance and his mother finally get some closure of what happened to his father, Vic ? Will he be the hero or villain in this tale? Find out in Bones Don't Lie by Melinda Leigh. The other thing that I loved about the Morgan Dane series is that they have a strong female lead - go Girl Power. Fans of Kendra Elliot's and Kate Watterson will enjoy Melinda Leigh's romantic suspense, and mystery filled adventures.", "timestamp": 1544857644481, "title": "Fans of Kendra Elliot and Kate Watterson's will love Melinda Leigh's Books" }, { "asin": "B074HC8QQT", "rating": 4, "text": "Korrine Davenport is back in the Savannah team of FBI agents and has been paired up with Agent Hatcher. The two of them have baggage as the night that Hatcher's wife Felicia was murdered, he was having a one night stand with Korrine. Korrine has been dodging her hometown as it brings back nasty memories of the night her father was killed while they danced together when she was five years old. In Pretty Little Killers, we see a group of criminals who have been let off or mistrials being murdered. Does the FBI team have a vigilante killer on the loose? This leads the agents to Tinsley's cottage where she has been an agoraphobic since she almost died at the hands of a serial killer called The Skull. The Skull's partner was the one who killed Hatcher's wife. Tinsley's therapist advised her to start up a blog as a cathartic journey called Heart and Soul where she can journal her feelings and in a way it has been helping others confess their darkest nightmares. A group called The Keepers have spotted the blog and are getting justice where the \"regular \" system failed and taking matters into their own hands. What happens when the Keepers get too close? Will Korrine find out the true identity of who killed her father and will she learn the man she loved and admired was nothing like she believed? A warning, some of the murder scenes in the book and the confessions on the blog are quite graphic and emotional.<br />Find out in this Southern Mystery Crime series \"The Keepers\" by Rita Herron.", "timestamp": 1561335266562, "title": "The Keepers will protect you when the world has failed." }, { "asin": "078522405X", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on a true story of a couple finding themselves and coming back to a place of love and compassion and happiness after a tragic moment in their relationship. There is also a movie based on this story. Indivisible starts with a Christian family named the Turners. Darren Turner is a minister and the family is all for serving God before Heather got pregnant and had her family she had wanted to become a missionary and serve. A news report features President George Bush talking about the war and terrorism in Iraq and the beginning of Osama Bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda. They are asking Americans to sign up and join the army and the fight to save the regular people from danger. Darren sees this as his calling and so the Turner family moved to an Army base where Darren signs up as an Army Chaplain. Within the next few months, Darren learns that he is being sent overseas with a troop for fifteen months. The family prepare and tears are shed. For the first three-six months Darren and Heather keep in good spirits and contact but then things start to get strained as overseas Darren is being hit every day by death of both American troops and innocent civilians - children and adults. He is losing friends and having to preside over the funerals of them all is getting to him. His communication with his family begins to slack and become short and sharp when he does get a chance. When Darren returns home from the war, he is a different person and not the same loving and caring husband and father he used to be. Even his children are afraid of him. Can Darren and Heather repair their marriage and their family? Will Darren be able to move on from what he experienced and let Heather into his heart again or was is the man he was before the war disappeared for good?<br />Find out in this emotional, inspiring and powerful read by Travis Thrasher \"Indivisible\". After finishing this book and feeling like I did afterward, I am now interested in watching the movie.", "timestamp": 1569053566216, "title": "Based on a True Story. An emotional, inspiring and powerful read." }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 4, "text": "We are back with our favorite FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick and her partner Truman who is the sheriff of the small town they live in. One of my favorite mystery writers is Kendra Elliot as I find her books fast-paced and they are action-packed. They also have flashbacks to past cases which I enjoy. In A Merciful Silence, the town has had a rainstorm and a group of five skulls has washed up in the ravine. When Mercy sees the skulls, she is reminded of a couple of cases that happened when she was in primary school over twenty years ago when two families were murdered in the same way. Is this a case of a copycat as the killer has been locked up for twenty years or did they arrest the wrong person? Meanwhile the only survivor of one of the original attacks Britta has moved back to town and now with the killings starting back up, is she in danger? Is the killer coming back to finish what he started over twenty years ago? The other storyline in this book is with the SC aka the Sovereign of Christ who believes that the US has no control over them and they have their own rights. Truman lands himself on the wrong side of this group and finds himself kidnapped. A week later, will he survive this ordeal when a savior arrives in the form of Ollie and Shep - we know this duo from the later books as he became Truman's adopted son or will he be left with PTSD and a crumbling relationship with Mercy when he returns back to civilization. If you are on the lookout for a new female mystery writer to read then check out Kendra Elliot as you won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1569225515625, "title": "Another awesome mystery in the Mercy Kilpatrick Series" }, { "asin": "B01GJA450A", "rating": 3, "text": "As readers of The Phantom Paragrapher and those who know me IRL, you will know that I am bad at reading books out of order. I never mean too, it just happens. Sometimes I get it right but other times, I end up reading them back to front and that's what happened with Rogue Vows Novellas series. Reading this book second, gave me a clearer view of what had happened and the events leading up to what occurred in Book #2 - Burned by Her Devotion. Death and Her Devotion starts with Zane and Stevie who should have been finally tying the knot being called to the local camping ground as Chase Ryan has been found dead. Chase Ryan is a major Hollywood actor who plays a cop onscreen and has his fair share of stalkers especially one in particular who shows us looks can be deceiving Cyndee. With multiple stories that don't line up and the police of Solitude wanting this wrapped up before the wind of his death hits the news and media vans swarm down on Solitude, Oregon. Can Zane and Stevie get to the bottom of who killed Chase? Also in this book is an OMG moment as our stalker decides to have another go at arson trapping someone from Solitude in a barn? Can Carly and Seth get to the barn in time or will the Taylor family suffer another tragedy?<br />Find out in Book #1 of the Rogue Vows Novella series by Kendra Elliot for a quick read mystery fix.", "timestamp": 1588581044104, "title": "Celebrity Murder Hits Solitude, Oregon." }, { "asin": "1683228685", "rating": 4, "text": "This series I have had for a year now and I keep thinking about it and then, of course, other things pop up but lately, I had been thinking more about the series and so finally decided to knuckle down and read the first book \"The White City\" by Grace Hitchcock. Each book is featured on a true American crime but written in a fictional account with a romance storyline weaved into the story. During the past couple of months, I have been getting into the podcast My Favorite Murder and the earlier episodes kept mentioning H.H Holmes aka America's first Serial Killer and how he was known as the Devil in the White City. After finishing this book by Grace Hitchcock, I went onto the library catalog and have put Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City on hold to read once the lockdown is over. This book I wasn't 100% sure how much I would enjoy it as I tend to be a bit fussy when it comes to historical romances but due to the crime content, I was so drawn in and found myself enjoying it - even more than I had originally thought. In The White City, we first meet Winnie who is out at the Chicago World Fair back in 1893 with a potential suitor when she witnesses a kidnapping. Winnie's father is the chief of Police and so she heads to the station, of course, though due to her overactive imagination - her father doubts her a little. Winnie though determined to find the kidnapper follows her clues along with her new tail, one of the new detectives Jude. During this time we read as Winnie ends up getting a job for none other than HH Holmes at his Murder Hotel. Can Winnie with Jude prove that H.H Holmes is the serial killer that has been terrorizing the Chicago Streets or will Winnie find herself in the crosshairs and become his next victim after he suspects that she is too close to discovering his dark secrets? After finishing The White City and enjoying it so much, I now am even more excited to read the other books in the True Colors series.", "timestamp": 1589001088161, "title": "Enjoyed More than I thought I would.- a Fictional Account of H.H Holmes" }, { "asin": "B00Y0PIEZY", "rating": 3, "text": "I have to admit when it comes to mysteries, Kendra Elliot is one of my go-to authors as I normally love her books, but this one I wasn't feeling it overall. It just felt like too many secrets and unanswered questions for me and things were left hanging a bit. The novel starts with Chris out having some time alone in his cabin whilst his son Brian is at Disneyland with his grandparents. During his stay, he comes across a crashed SUV stuck in the snow - inside is a mother/daughter duo, Gianna and Violet Trask. Chris learns that they fled their cabin as it caught fire and later we discover Gianna was also drugged. Was the fire deliberate or an accident? Upon re-checking the cabin, we learn that there is the smell of burned flesh and things start to get a bit more suspenseful. During this time, the roads are closed as well due to a really bad snowstorm and car crash. Over the next course of the novel, more dead bodies will pile up and it looks like Gianna is the target but we aren't sure what for exactly. For me, when we discovered the reason behind the target on Gianna's back and the events surrounding everything it felt a tad weak for me. I had hoped we would read more about Chris's experience with the GhostMan as that sounded more fascinating. If you are in the mood for romantic suspense and wish to reunite with the characters of the Bone Secrets series, then check out Book #5 - Known, if not then I am on borderline in the mindset of giving this one a miss.", "timestamp": 1591181378989, "title": "Known is a hit or miss romantic suspense. Not my favourite by Kendra Elliot" }, { "asin": "B00KXD2HL4", "rating": 3, "text": "Whenever I am on holiday or have a break, I try and make it a mission to clear some of my older reads off my devices and my TBR piles. Needing a mystery to mix up my reading tastes lately, I scrolled through to a Kendra Elliot read - she is one of my favorite female mystery writers. In Bridged, it starts with a male throwing a guy over the bridge and making it look like a hanging. The guy was a congressman and so of course the FBI is called to the scene. The next few deaths cause us to realize that the killer has a list and is trying to clean up messes and getting revenge on those that harmed a female in the past as our killer doesn't have long to live as he is dying himself. Over the next course of the novel we will read as the FBI tries to help solve the case and of course, those who have read the other books in this series will recall that Ava has a twin sister Jayne who is always in trouble, and now, of course, has herself tied up with one of the guys on our killer's list and if that isn't enough for Ava to handle, Jayne and her partner also robbed Mason's house and Jayne stole their mother's ring from Ava. In Bridged we see the early beginnings of Mason and Ava's relationship forming and how they are trying to work around that inter-agency relationship policy as Ava is FBI and Mason is PD. Bridged was another great and gruesome murder mystery from Kendra Elliot and if you haven't yet discovered her work, then come out from that rock you have been hiding under and check out her list of titles and different series as each is as awesome as the other.", "timestamp": 1605766515153, "title": "Another amazing mystery by Kendra Elliot - One of my favourite Female Mystery Writers." } ]

[ { "asin": "1595548017", "rating": 4, "text": "Twenty-eight , workaholic , single female seems to sum up Abigail but when she is given notice from her doctor who happens to also be her sister, she is told that she needs to relax and rest as she has been getting headaches and palpitations. It's even more forced upon you and doctor-patient confidentiality goes out the window when your boss happens to be your mother. For Abigail Reynolds , she has always got one thing in mind- chasing the next big lead in journalism and looking for ways to improve the newspaper \"Viewpoint\". When her mother recieves a worried letter from Abigail's Great-Aunt Lucy and thinks that maybe it might be time to move her into a home, she gives Abigail three months leave . So Abigail reluctantly travels to StillWater Ranch, Montana. It is here that she meets Eleven-year old Maddy and her father Wade Ryan. When Maddy's nanny quits and Wade is left with no options, Abigail steps in and soon of course we discover that our local cowboy Wade Ryan is hiding a secret , one that he has tried for years to keep silent, the truth about what happened to his wife those many years ago. Of course readers, we can all guess what is going to happen and we are left with the decision of Can Abigail soften Wade's harden heart and can Wade open himself up to having a new relationship or will it be a case of can Abigail give up the fast -track and workaholic ways of a journalist and settle to become a Cowboy's wife and stepmother ?<br />Find out in Denise Hunter's book which shows us that sometimes in life all we need is a little \"Cowboy's Touch\".", "timestamp": 1314583958000, "title": "Sometimes Life Gives Us a Little Push" }, { "asin": "0764209035", "rating": 5, "text": "As a female girl in the 1918's , it seems that our role in life is to be a society wife and get married and play house. Rebekah Hendricks has one goal in mind to exit out of her small town of Dowington, Oklahoma and marry Aviator Arthur Samson. So when she is offered the chance to go out of town to care for her sick Aunt , she agrees as it is an exciting opportunity. However, once Rebekah arrives , it seems that she has come in the time of the Spanish Influenza Pandemic and her aunty passes away. Rebekah discovers that her aunt was caring for four children whose father Frank is at war and her dying wish was for Rebekah to take care of them . So the story begins as Rebekah becomes caregiver and playing the role of mother to the children. In this it seems that Rebekah has captured the attention of the local Sheriff but her heart is with Arthur. As the story comes to light it seems that Arthur hasn't been completely faithful and Rebekah in turn is heartbroken. Enter Frank , the children's father who has returned. Will Rebekah choose the path of wife to bachelor Sheriff Jenkins or will she begin to care too much for the children and accept Frank's offer of an instant family ?<br />Find out in Wings of A Dream by Anne Mateer , a Christian author that I will be looking out for more books to read by her.", "timestamp": 1316505319000, "title": "God Can Grant our Dreams in the most Unexpected Ways" }, { "asin": "1400318033", "rating": 5, "text": "Looking for that perfect picture book for your child aged 0-5 years ? Wanting to teach them all about God's blessings and the wonderful things that he does and can provide for us all ?<br />Join Max Lucado as he presents his character the lovable caterpillar Hermie , Hermie shares with us in this cute 5pg adorable board book all the things that God has done for him that he is thankful for from providing him with food, shelter to having awesome friends.<br />This would make a godly and wonderful addition to any Christian home and child's collection.", "timestamp": 1317024197000, "title": "For all God's Little Children" }, { "asin": "1414333064", "rating": 5, "text": "Wanting a contemporary Christian Fiction ? One that answers the question of What If ???? . What if you had committed something so terrible , betraying the ones you loved and those around you ? For Eric , he fell into the web of temptation and what started off as an innocent lunch with co-workers grew into an affair with one in particular - a young female in her early 20's Danielle . His wife Kyra discovered it through an email that had been sent and his wife feeling betrayed kicked him out and was ready to divorce him as how could she trust him anymore. A few months later Kyra is in an accident and finds herself with amnesia , at first she thinks Eric is dead but as soon as she finds out he's alive, she is overjoyed . Kyra thinks that her and Eric are still the perfect couple , but what happens when she discovers that what she thinks and what really happened are two different things ? Should Eric come clean about what happened or should he play along with the amnesia and start anew ? Has God given Eric a second chance at renewing love and showing him that the statement - \"You Don't realise how much you had , until it's gone \" rings accurate ?.<br />Find out in this awesome journey of relationships with it's up's and down's. In a way this book reminded me of \"The Notebook\" by Nicholas Sparks and \"The House\" by Anjuelle Floyd.", "timestamp": 1325141390000, "title": "What if you got a Second Chance at Love ?" }, { "asin": "0764212540", "rating": 5, "text": "Nine years ago, Kelly had everything she ever wanted - a husband and a beautiful baby girl called Emily and then within a flash , it was all gone . Her husband had died of a drug overdose but not before he had taken their baby girl and sold her on the black market. Now years later Kelly has travelled all over looking for her baby girl and testing DNA of children that could be her Emily but none have matched. That is until she is thrust into the world of Nattie Livingston , a girl that could be her daughter and this time it looks positive. In order to get closer, Kelly strikes up a relationship with Jack and soon the pair of them start to fall in love and start dating. Soon Jack discovers what Kelly is up to via his sister discovering the website and decides to do a DNA test himself. The results though will shock him as to who the true identity of Natalie's biological mother is . Laura the Amish Nanny has been keeping her secrets and past hidden, but what will happen when a simple DNA test throws her into the crosshairs and forces Laura to come clean about her past life in the Amish Village. Will Kelly ever find her daughter or will she have to resign to the fact that it is a lost cause ?<br />Find out in the Lewis's new novel &#34;Child of Mine&#34; - a fast-paced and edgy read that targets the issues of black market baby-selling, missing children, DNA tests and adoption.<br />This book is definitely worth reading and one to add to your 2014 TBR Piles.", "timestamp": 1401872429000, "title": "An Amazing Heartfelt Story - Def Worth the Read." }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "When Claire Dellamore arrives at Ocean's Edge, a part of her feels like she has been here before . That can't be though as she doesn't remember ever coming here and when she asks her parents - no answers are recieved. Things will get a little bit crazy when one of the receptionists goes missing and turns up dead with a letter that says that Claire Dellamore isn't whom she claims to be. This starts Claire on a track to find out some answers to questions that have been bothering her and she learns that on her 4th birthday Claire disappeared for one year and then she later returned and no-one knew where she had been. Around the time of her disappearance another local woman went missing - Luke's mother and she hasn't been seen since that night. Does Claire remember what happened that night ? Armed with Luke who knows the town , Claire and Luke will retrace her steps to rediscover the truth about what happened that night but in doing so , Claire will open a massive bucket of secrets that have been locked away for many years. Can those who have worked so hard to keep things quiet, silence Claire and Luke before it's too late ? Or are their dark forces at play that never want the truth to be revealed as when it is , danger is surely to strike ?<br />What started out as just a single mystery turned near the end of the book into a full-on interwoven tale of hidden family secrets and a truth of what really happened that night and that sometimes people will believe what they want to believe - no matter what the evidence in front of them reveals.<br />If you are looking for an enjoyable Romantic Suspense by a great Christian Author - Check out Book #1 in the Sunset Cove Series &#34;The Inn at Ocean's Edge&#34; today as you will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1439183495000, "title": "Wanting an enjoyable Christian Romantic Suspense ?" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 4, "text": "Over twenty years ago Lance Krueger, a local private investigator's father disappeared, and he was never heard from again. Twenty years later, a car has been found in the local lake. In the boot of the car, is a skeleton. The skeleton turns out to be female, but the vehicle is registered to Lance's father. What happened to Lance's father and who is the female? So begins an investigation with Lance accompanying Morgan who is an attorney and dating Lincoln Sharpe who is Lance's partner at the PI business. As Lance and Morgan start to delve back into finding out the truth and getting closer, it looks like someone doesn't want the past to be dredged up and is killing the witnesses and is one step ahead of the law enforcement. This was a medium-paced mystery as I find Melinda Leigh's books either a hit or miss. Can Lance and his mother finally get some closure of what happened to his father, Vic ? Will he be the hero or villain in this tale? Find out in Bones Don't Lie by Melinda Leigh. The other thing that I loved about the Morgan Dane series is that they have a strong female lead - go Girl Power. Fans of Kendra Elliot's and Kate Watterson will enjoy Melinda Leigh's romantic suspense, and mystery filled adventures.", "timestamp": 1544857644481, "title": "Fans of Kendra Elliot and Kate Watterson's will love Melinda Leigh's Books" }, { "asin": "B074HC8QQT", "rating": 4, "text": "Korrine Davenport is back in the Savannah team of FBI agents and has been paired up with Agent Hatcher. The two of them have baggage as the night that Hatcher's wife Felicia was murdered, he was having a one night stand with Korrine. Korrine has been dodging her hometown as it brings back nasty memories of the night her father was killed while they danced together when she was five years old. In Pretty Little Killers, we see a group of criminals who have been let off or mistrials being murdered. Does the FBI team have a vigilante killer on the loose? This leads the agents to Tinsley's cottage where she has been an agoraphobic since she almost died at the hands of a serial killer called The Skull. The Skull's partner was the one who killed Hatcher's wife. Tinsley's therapist advised her to start up a blog as a cathartic journey called Heart and Soul where she can journal her feelings and in a way it has been helping others confess their darkest nightmares. A group called The Keepers have spotted the blog and are getting justice where the \"regular \" system failed and taking matters into their own hands. What happens when the Keepers get too close? Will Korrine find out the true identity of who killed her father and will she learn the man she loved and admired was nothing like she believed? A warning, some of the murder scenes in the book and the confessions on the blog are quite graphic and emotional.<br />Find out in this Southern Mystery Crime series \"The Keepers\" by Rita Herron.", "timestamp": 1561335266562, "title": "The Keepers will protect you when the world has failed." }, { "asin": "078522405X", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on a true story of a couple finding themselves and coming back to a place of love and compassion and happiness after a tragic moment in their relationship. There is also a movie based on this story. Indivisible starts with a Christian family named the Turners. Darren Turner is a minister and the family is all for serving God before Heather got pregnant and had her family she had wanted to become a missionary and serve. A news report features President George Bush talking about the war and terrorism in Iraq and the beginning of Osama Bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda. They are asking Americans to sign up and join the army and the fight to save the regular people from danger. Darren sees this as his calling and so the Turner family moved to an Army base where Darren signs up as an Army Chaplain. Within the next few months, Darren learns that he is being sent overseas with a troop for fifteen months. The family prepare and tears are shed. For the first three-six months Darren and Heather keep in good spirits and contact but then things start to get strained as overseas Darren is being hit every day by death of both American troops and innocent civilians - children and adults. He is losing friends and having to preside over the funerals of them all is getting to him. His communication with his family begins to slack and become short and sharp when he does get a chance. When Darren returns home from the war, he is a different person and not the same loving and caring husband and father he used to be. Even his children are afraid of him. Can Darren and Heather repair their marriage and their family? Will Darren be able to move on from what he experienced and let Heather into his heart again or was is the man he was before the war disappeared for good?<br />Find out in this emotional, inspiring and powerful read by Travis Thrasher \"Indivisible\". After finishing this book and feeling like I did afterward, I am now interested in watching the movie.", "timestamp": 1569053566216, "title": "Based on a True Story. An emotional, inspiring and powerful read." }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 4, "text": "We are back with our favorite FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick and her partner Truman who is the sheriff of the small town they live in. One of my favorite mystery writers is Kendra Elliot as I find her books fast-paced and they are action-packed. They also have flashbacks to past cases which I enjoy. In A Merciful Silence, the town has had a rainstorm and a group of five skulls has washed up in the ravine. When Mercy sees the skulls, she is reminded of a couple of cases that happened when she was in primary school over twenty years ago when two families were murdered in the same way. Is this a case of a copycat as the killer has been locked up for twenty years or did they arrest the wrong person? Meanwhile the only survivor of one of the original attacks Britta has moved back to town and now with the killings starting back up, is she in danger? Is the killer coming back to finish what he started over twenty years ago? The other storyline in this book is with the SC aka the Sovereign of Christ who believes that the US has no control over them and they have their own rights. Truman lands himself on the wrong side of this group and finds himself kidnapped. A week later, will he survive this ordeal when a savior arrives in the form of Ollie and Shep - we know this duo from the later books as he became Truman's adopted son or will he be left with PTSD and a crumbling relationship with Mercy when he returns back to civilization. If you are on the lookout for a new female mystery writer to read then check out Kendra Elliot as you won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1569225515625, "title": "Another awesome mystery in the Mercy Kilpatrick Series" }, { "asin": "B01GJA450A", "rating": 3, "text": "As readers of The Phantom Paragrapher and those who know me IRL, you will know that I am bad at reading books out of order. I never mean too, it just happens. Sometimes I get it right but other times, I end up reading them back to front and that's what happened with Rogue Vows Novellas series. Reading this book second, gave me a clearer view of what had happened and the events leading up to what occurred in Book #2 - Burned by Her Devotion. Death and Her Devotion starts with Zane and Stevie who should have been finally tying the knot being called to the local camping ground as Chase Ryan has been found dead. Chase Ryan is a major Hollywood actor who plays a cop onscreen and has his fair share of stalkers especially one in particular who shows us looks can be deceiving Cyndee. With multiple stories that don't line up and the police of Solitude wanting this wrapped up before the wind of his death hits the news and media vans swarm down on Solitude, Oregon. Can Zane and Stevie get to the bottom of who killed Chase? Also in this book is an OMG moment as our stalker decides to have another go at arson trapping someone from Solitude in a barn? Can Carly and Seth get to the barn in time or will the Taylor family suffer another tragedy?<br />Find out in Book #1 of the Rogue Vows Novella series by Kendra Elliot for a quick read mystery fix.", "timestamp": 1588581044104, "title": "Celebrity Murder Hits Solitude, Oregon." }, { "asin": "1683228685", "rating": 4, "text": "This series I have had for a year now and I keep thinking about it and then, of course, other things pop up but lately, I had been thinking more about the series and so finally decided to knuckle down and read the first book \"The White City\" by Grace Hitchcock. Each book is featured on a true American crime but written in a fictional account with a romance storyline weaved into the story. During the past couple of months, I have been getting into the podcast My Favorite Murder and the earlier episodes kept mentioning H.H Holmes aka America's first Serial Killer and how he was known as the Devil in the White City. After finishing this book by Grace Hitchcock, I went onto the library catalog and have put Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City on hold to read once the lockdown is over. This book I wasn't 100% sure how much I would enjoy it as I tend to be a bit fussy when it comes to historical romances but due to the crime content, I was so drawn in and found myself enjoying it - even more than I had originally thought. In The White City, we first meet Winnie who is out at the Chicago World Fair back in 1893 with a potential suitor when she witnesses a kidnapping. Winnie's father is the chief of Police and so she heads to the station, of course, though due to her overactive imagination - her father doubts her a little. Winnie though determined to find the kidnapper follows her clues along with her new tail, one of the new detectives Jude. During this time we read as Winnie ends up getting a job for none other than HH Holmes at his Murder Hotel. Can Winnie with Jude prove that H.H Holmes is the serial killer that has been terrorizing the Chicago Streets or will Winnie find herself in the crosshairs and become his next victim after he suspects that she is too close to discovering his dark secrets? After finishing The White City and enjoying it so much, I now am even more excited to read the other books in the True Colors series.", "timestamp": 1589001088161, "title": "Enjoyed More than I thought I would.- a Fictional Account of H.H Holmes" }, { "asin": "B00Y0PIEZY", "rating": 3, "text": "I have to admit when it comes to mysteries, Kendra Elliot is one of my go-to authors as I normally love her books, but this one I wasn't feeling it overall. It just felt like too many secrets and unanswered questions for me and things were left hanging a bit. The novel starts with Chris out having some time alone in his cabin whilst his son Brian is at Disneyland with his grandparents. During his stay, he comes across a crashed SUV stuck in the snow - inside is a mother/daughter duo, Gianna and Violet Trask. Chris learns that they fled their cabin as it caught fire and later we discover Gianna was also drugged. Was the fire deliberate or an accident? Upon re-checking the cabin, we learn that there is the smell of burned flesh and things start to get a bit more suspenseful. During this time, the roads are closed as well due to a really bad snowstorm and car crash. Over the next course of the novel, more dead bodies will pile up and it looks like Gianna is the target but we aren't sure what for exactly. For me, when we discovered the reason behind the target on Gianna's back and the events surrounding everything it felt a tad weak for me. I had hoped we would read more about Chris's experience with the GhostMan as that sounded more fascinating. If you are in the mood for romantic suspense and wish to reunite with the characters of the Bone Secrets series, then check out Book #5 - Known, if not then I am on borderline in the mindset of giving this one a miss.", "timestamp": 1591181378989, "title": "Known is a hit or miss romantic suspense. Not my favourite by Kendra Elliot" }, { "asin": "B00KXD2HL4", "rating": 3, "text": "Whenever I am on holiday or have a break, I try and make it a mission to clear some of my older reads off my devices and my TBR piles. Needing a mystery to mix up my reading tastes lately, I scrolled through to a Kendra Elliot read - she is one of my favorite female mystery writers. In Bridged, it starts with a male throwing a guy over the bridge and making it look like a hanging. The guy was a congressman and so of course the FBI is called to the scene. The next few deaths cause us to realize that the killer has a list and is trying to clean up messes and getting revenge on those that harmed a female in the past as our killer doesn't have long to live as he is dying himself. Over the next course of the novel we will read as the FBI tries to help solve the case and of course, those who have read the other books in this series will recall that Ava has a twin sister Jayne who is always in trouble, and now, of course, has herself tied up with one of the guys on our killer's list and if that isn't enough for Ava to handle, Jayne and her partner also robbed Mason's house and Jayne stole their mother's ring from Ava. In Bridged we see the early beginnings of Mason and Ava's relationship forming and how they are trying to work around that inter-agency relationship policy as Ava is FBI and Mason is PD. Bridged was another great and gruesome murder mystery from Kendra Elliot and if you haven't yet discovered her work, then come out from that rock you have been hiding under and check out her list of titles and different series as each is as awesome as the other.", "timestamp": 1605766515153, "title": "Another amazing mystery by Kendra Elliot - One of my favourite Female Mystery Writers." }, { "asin": "0764230859", "rating": 3, "text": "At the end of Book #1, we saw the agent Rissa faced with the man of her dreams and her protector growing up Mason. He is now joining her team as a fellow Coast Guard agent. The Crushing Depths follows two storylines. The first is a Coast Guard investigation of several deaths that have happened on an oil rig called Dauntless and the second is a stalker case of one of the Coast Guard Medics. Mason and Rissi are paired together and sent to the Dauntless but even before they can arrive on ship to investigate, their helicopter malfunctions, and they end up crashing into the ocean. Some say it is all part of the curse known as \"Henry's curse\" that haunts the Dauntless ship, but Rissa and Mason who have logic and sense on their side are sure that this is a sign of foul play and eager to get to the bottom and find the person or persons responsible especially as the death toll seems to climb up during the book. The second storyline involves Brooke - who is a medic and Noah - The team leader of the CGIS. Brooke is one of Noah's sister Gabby's best friends and has her stalker. She is convinced it is her ex-boyfriend Brodie, but when he has an alibi and the stalker turns to attempted murder. Noah must put on his investigative hat and take a look at Brooke's wider past and who has a grudge and wants her dead before she ends up another victim to evil. The Crushing Depths by Dani Pettrey was another great Christian Romantic Suspense mixed with the world of CGIS/NCIS which I loved as I am a fan of the TV series NCIS, NCIS: LA, and NCIS: New Orleans.", "timestamp": 1618028362106, "title": "Another great Christian Romantic Suspense - Deadly Curse or Foul Play ? You Decide?" } ]

[ { "asin": "1595548017", "rating": 4, "text": "Twenty-eight , workaholic , single female seems to sum up Abigail but when she is given notice from her doctor who happens to also be her sister, she is told that she needs to relax and rest as she has been getting headaches and palpitations. It's even more forced upon you and doctor-patient confidentiality goes out the window when your boss happens to be your mother. For Abigail Reynolds , she has always got one thing in mind- chasing the next big lead in journalism and looking for ways to improve the newspaper \"Viewpoint\". When her mother recieves a worried letter from Abigail's Great-Aunt Lucy and thinks that maybe it might be time to move her into a home, she gives Abigail three months leave . So Abigail reluctantly travels to StillWater Ranch, Montana. It is here that she meets Eleven-year old Maddy and her father Wade Ryan. When Maddy's nanny quits and Wade is left with no options, Abigail steps in and soon of course we discover that our local cowboy Wade Ryan is hiding a secret , one that he has tried for years to keep silent, the truth about what happened to his wife those many years ago. Of course readers, we can all guess what is going to happen and we are left with the decision of Can Abigail soften Wade's harden heart and can Wade open himself up to having a new relationship or will it be a case of can Abigail give up the fast -track and workaholic ways of a journalist and settle to become a Cowboy's wife and stepmother ?<br />Find out in Denise Hunter's book which shows us that sometimes in life all we need is a little \"Cowboy's Touch\".", "timestamp": 1314583958000, "title": "Sometimes Life Gives Us a Little Push" }, { "asin": "0764209035", "rating": 5, "text": "As a female girl in the 1918's , it seems that our role in life is to be a society wife and get married and play house. Rebekah Hendricks has one goal in mind to exit out of her small town of Dowington, Oklahoma and marry Aviator Arthur Samson. So when she is offered the chance to go out of town to care for her sick Aunt , she agrees as it is an exciting opportunity. However, once Rebekah arrives , it seems that she has come in the time of the Spanish Influenza Pandemic and her aunty passes away. Rebekah discovers that her aunt was caring for four children whose father Frank is at war and her dying wish was for Rebekah to take care of them . So the story begins as Rebekah becomes caregiver and playing the role of mother to the children. In this it seems that Rebekah has captured the attention of the local Sheriff but her heart is with Arthur. As the story comes to light it seems that Arthur hasn't been completely faithful and Rebekah in turn is heartbroken. Enter Frank , the children's father who has returned. Will Rebekah choose the path of wife to bachelor Sheriff Jenkins or will she begin to care too much for the children and accept Frank's offer of an instant family ?<br />Find out in Wings of A Dream by Anne Mateer , a Christian author that I will be looking out for more books to read by her.", "timestamp": 1316505319000, "title": "God Can Grant our Dreams in the most Unexpected Ways" }, { "asin": "1400318033", "rating": 5, "text": "Looking for that perfect picture book for your child aged 0-5 years ? Wanting to teach them all about God's blessings and the wonderful things that he does and can provide for us all ?<br />Join Max Lucado as he presents his character the lovable caterpillar Hermie , Hermie shares with us in this cute 5pg adorable board book all the things that God has done for him that he is thankful for from providing him with food, shelter to having awesome friends.<br />This would make a godly and wonderful addition to any Christian home and child's collection.", "timestamp": 1317024197000, "title": "For all God's Little Children" }, { "asin": "1414333064", "rating": 5, "text": "Wanting a contemporary Christian Fiction ? One that answers the question of What If ???? . What if you had committed something so terrible , betraying the ones you loved and those around you ? For Eric , he fell into the web of temptation and what started off as an innocent lunch with co-workers grew into an affair with one in particular - a young female in her early 20's Danielle . His wife Kyra discovered it through an email that had been sent and his wife feeling betrayed kicked him out and was ready to divorce him as how could she trust him anymore. A few months later Kyra is in an accident and finds herself with amnesia , at first she thinks Eric is dead but as soon as she finds out he's alive, she is overjoyed . Kyra thinks that her and Eric are still the perfect couple , but what happens when she discovers that what she thinks and what really happened are two different things ? Should Eric come clean about what happened or should he play along with the amnesia and start anew ? Has God given Eric a second chance at renewing love and showing him that the statement - \"You Don't realise how much you had , until it's gone \" rings accurate ?.<br />Find out in this awesome journey of relationships with it's up's and down's. In a way this book reminded me of \"The Notebook\" by Nicholas Sparks and \"The House\" by Anjuelle Floyd.", "timestamp": 1325141390000, "title": "What if you got a Second Chance at Love ?" }, { "asin": "0764212540", "rating": 5, "text": "Nine years ago, Kelly had everything she ever wanted - a husband and a beautiful baby girl called Emily and then within a flash , it was all gone . Her husband had died of a drug overdose but not before he had taken their baby girl and sold her on the black market. Now years later Kelly has travelled all over looking for her baby girl and testing DNA of children that could be her Emily but none have matched. That is until she is thrust into the world of Nattie Livingston , a girl that could be her daughter and this time it looks positive. In order to get closer, Kelly strikes up a relationship with Jack and soon the pair of them start to fall in love and start dating. Soon Jack discovers what Kelly is up to via his sister discovering the website and decides to do a DNA test himself. The results though will shock him as to who the true identity of Natalie's biological mother is . Laura the Amish Nanny has been keeping her secrets and past hidden, but what will happen when a simple DNA test throws her into the crosshairs and forces Laura to come clean about her past life in the Amish Village. Will Kelly ever find her daughter or will she have to resign to the fact that it is a lost cause ?<br />Find out in the Lewis's new novel &#34;Child of Mine&#34; - a fast-paced and edgy read that targets the issues of black market baby-selling, missing children, DNA tests and adoption.<br />This book is definitely worth reading and one to add to your 2014 TBR Piles.", "timestamp": 1401872429000, "title": "An Amazing Heartfelt Story - Def Worth the Read." }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "When Claire Dellamore arrives at Ocean's Edge, a part of her feels like she has been here before . That can't be though as she doesn't remember ever coming here and when she asks her parents - no answers are recieved. Things will get a little bit crazy when one of the receptionists goes missing and turns up dead with a letter that says that Claire Dellamore isn't whom she claims to be. This starts Claire on a track to find out some answers to questions that have been bothering her and she learns that on her 4th birthday Claire disappeared for one year and then she later returned and no-one knew where she had been. Around the time of her disappearance another local woman went missing - Luke's mother and she hasn't been seen since that night. Does Claire remember what happened that night ? Armed with Luke who knows the town , Claire and Luke will retrace her steps to rediscover the truth about what happened that night but in doing so , Claire will open a massive bucket of secrets that have been locked away for many years. Can those who have worked so hard to keep things quiet, silence Claire and Luke before it's too late ? Or are their dark forces at play that never want the truth to be revealed as when it is , danger is surely to strike ?<br />What started out as just a single mystery turned near the end of the book into a full-on interwoven tale of hidden family secrets and a truth of what really happened that night and that sometimes people will believe what they want to believe - no matter what the evidence in front of them reveals.<br />If you are looking for an enjoyable Romantic Suspense by a great Christian Author - Check out Book #1 in the Sunset Cove Series &#34;The Inn at Ocean's Edge&#34; today as you will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1439183495000, "title": "Wanting an enjoyable Christian Romantic Suspense ?" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 4, "text": "Over twenty years ago Lance Krueger, a local private investigator's father disappeared, and he was never heard from again. Twenty years later, a car has been found in the local lake. In the boot of the car, is a skeleton. The skeleton turns out to be female, but the vehicle is registered to Lance's father. What happened to Lance's father and who is the female? So begins an investigation with Lance accompanying Morgan who is an attorney and dating Lincoln Sharpe who is Lance's partner at the PI business. As Lance and Morgan start to delve back into finding out the truth and getting closer, it looks like someone doesn't want the past to be dredged up and is killing the witnesses and is one step ahead of the law enforcement. This was a medium-paced mystery as I find Melinda Leigh's books either a hit or miss. Can Lance and his mother finally get some closure of what happened to his father, Vic ? Will he be the hero or villain in this tale? Find out in Bones Don't Lie by Melinda Leigh. The other thing that I loved about the Morgan Dane series is that they have a strong female lead - go Girl Power. Fans of Kendra Elliot's and Kate Watterson will enjoy Melinda Leigh's romantic suspense, and mystery filled adventures.", "timestamp": 1544857644481, "title": "Fans of Kendra Elliot and Kate Watterson's will love Melinda Leigh's Books" }, { "asin": "B074HC8QQT", "rating": 4, "text": "Korrine Davenport is back in the Savannah team of FBI agents and has been paired up with Agent Hatcher. The two of them have baggage as the night that Hatcher's wife Felicia was murdered, he was having a one night stand with Korrine. Korrine has been dodging her hometown as it brings back nasty memories of the night her father was killed while they danced together when she was five years old. In Pretty Little Killers, we see a group of criminals who have been let off or mistrials being murdered. Does the FBI team have a vigilante killer on the loose? This leads the agents to Tinsley's cottage where she has been an agoraphobic since she almost died at the hands of a serial killer called The Skull. The Skull's partner was the one who killed Hatcher's wife. Tinsley's therapist advised her to start up a blog as a cathartic journey called Heart and Soul where she can journal her feelings and in a way it has been helping others confess their darkest nightmares. A group called The Keepers have spotted the blog and are getting justice where the \"regular \" system failed and taking matters into their own hands. What happens when the Keepers get too close? Will Korrine find out the true identity of who killed her father and will she learn the man she loved and admired was nothing like she believed? A warning, some of the murder scenes in the book and the confessions on the blog are quite graphic and emotional.<br />Find out in this Southern Mystery Crime series \"The Keepers\" by Rita Herron.", "timestamp": 1561335266562, "title": "The Keepers will protect you when the world has failed." }, { "asin": "078522405X", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on a true story of a couple finding themselves and coming back to a place of love and compassion and happiness after a tragic moment in their relationship. There is also a movie based on this story. Indivisible starts with a Christian family named the Turners. Darren Turner is a minister and the family is all for serving God before Heather got pregnant and had her family she had wanted to become a missionary and serve. A news report features President George Bush talking about the war and terrorism in Iraq and the beginning of Osama Bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda. They are asking Americans to sign up and join the army and the fight to save the regular people from danger. Darren sees this as his calling and so the Turner family moved to an Army base where Darren signs up as an Army Chaplain. Within the next few months, Darren learns that he is being sent overseas with a troop for fifteen months. The family prepare and tears are shed. For the first three-six months Darren and Heather keep in good spirits and contact but then things start to get strained as overseas Darren is being hit every day by death of both American troops and innocent civilians - children and adults. He is losing friends and having to preside over the funerals of them all is getting to him. His communication with his family begins to slack and become short and sharp when he does get a chance. When Darren returns home from the war, he is a different person and not the same loving and caring husband and father he used to be. Even his children are afraid of him. Can Darren and Heather repair their marriage and their family? Will Darren be able to move on from what he experienced and let Heather into his heart again or was is the man he was before the war disappeared for good?<br />Find out in this emotional, inspiring and powerful read by Travis Thrasher \"Indivisible\". After finishing this book and feeling like I did afterward, I am now interested in watching the movie.", "timestamp": 1569053566216, "title": "Based on a True Story. An emotional, inspiring and powerful read." }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 4, "text": "We are back with our favorite FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick and her partner Truman who is the sheriff of the small town they live in. One of my favorite mystery writers is Kendra Elliot as I find her books fast-paced and they are action-packed. They also have flashbacks to past cases which I enjoy. In A Merciful Silence, the town has had a rainstorm and a group of five skulls has washed up in the ravine. When Mercy sees the skulls, she is reminded of a couple of cases that happened when she was in primary school over twenty years ago when two families were murdered in the same way. Is this a case of a copycat as the killer has been locked up for twenty years or did they arrest the wrong person? Meanwhile the only survivor of one of the original attacks Britta has moved back to town and now with the killings starting back up, is she in danger? Is the killer coming back to finish what he started over twenty years ago? The other storyline in this book is with the SC aka the Sovereign of Christ who believes that the US has no control over them and they have their own rights. Truman lands himself on the wrong side of this group and finds himself kidnapped. A week later, will he survive this ordeal when a savior arrives in the form of Ollie and Shep - we know this duo from the later books as he became Truman's adopted son or will he be left with PTSD and a crumbling relationship with Mercy when he returns back to civilization. If you are on the lookout for a new female mystery writer to read then check out Kendra Elliot as you won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1569225515625, "title": "Another awesome mystery in the Mercy Kilpatrick Series" }, { "asin": "B01GJA450A", "rating": 3, "text": "As readers of The Phantom Paragrapher and those who know me IRL, you will know that I am bad at reading books out of order. I never mean too, it just happens. Sometimes I get it right but other times, I end up reading them back to front and that's what happened with Rogue Vows Novellas series. Reading this book second, gave me a clearer view of what had happened and the events leading up to what occurred in Book #2 - Burned by Her Devotion. Death and Her Devotion starts with Zane and Stevie who should have been finally tying the knot being called to the local camping ground as Chase Ryan has been found dead. Chase Ryan is a major Hollywood actor who plays a cop onscreen and has his fair share of stalkers especially one in particular who shows us looks can be deceiving Cyndee. With multiple stories that don't line up and the police of Solitude wanting this wrapped up before the wind of his death hits the news and media vans swarm down on Solitude, Oregon. Can Zane and Stevie get to the bottom of who killed Chase? Also in this book is an OMG moment as our stalker decides to have another go at arson trapping someone from Solitude in a barn? Can Carly and Seth get to the barn in time or will the Taylor family suffer another tragedy?<br />Find out in Book #1 of the Rogue Vows Novella series by Kendra Elliot for a quick read mystery fix.", "timestamp": 1588581044104, "title": "Celebrity Murder Hits Solitude, Oregon." }, { "asin": "1683228685", "rating": 4, "text": "This series I have had for a year now and I keep thinking about it and then, of course, other things pop up but lately, I had been thinking more about the series and so finally decided to knuckle down and read the first book \"The White City\" by Grace Hitchcock. Each book is featured on a true American crime but written in a fictional account with a romance storyline weaved into the story. During the past couple of months, I have been getting into the podcast My Favorite Murder and the earlier episodes kept mentioning H.H Holmes aka America's first Serial Killer and how he was known as the Devil in the White City. After finishing this book by Grace Hitchcock, I went onto the library catalog and have put Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City on hold to read once the lockdown is over. This book I wasn't 100% sure how much I would enjoy it as I tend to be a bit fussy when it comes to historical romances but due to the crime content, I was so drawn in and found myself enjoying it - even more than I had originally thought. In The White City, we first meet Winnie who is out at the Chicago World Fair back in 1893 with a potential suitor when she witnesses a kidnapping. Winnie's father is the chief of Police and so she heads to the station, of course, though due to her overactive imagination - her father doubts her a little. Winnie though determined to find the kidnapper follows her clues along with her new tail, one of the new detectives Jude. During this time we read as Winnie ends up getting a job for none other than HH Holmes at his Murder Hotel. Can Winnie with Jude prove that H.H Holmes is the serial killer that has been terrorizing the Chicago Streets or will Winnie find herself in the crosshairs and become his next victim after he suspects that she is too close to discovering his dark secrets? After finishing The White City and enjoying it so much, I now am even more excited to read the other books in the True Colors series.", "timestamp": 1589001088161, "title": "Enjoyed More than I thought I would.- a Fictional Account of H.H Holmes" }, { "asin": "B00Y0PIEZY", "rating": 3, "text": "I have to admit when it comes to mysteries, Kendra Elliot is one of my go-to authors as I normally love her books, but this one I wasn't feeling it overall. It just felt like too many secrets and unanswered questions for me and things were left hanging a bit. The novel starts with Chris out having some time alone in his cabin whilst his son Brian is at Disneyland with his grandparents. During his stay, he comes across a crashed SUV stuck in the snow - inside is a mother/daughter duo, Gianna and Violet Trask. Chris learns that they fled their cabin as it caught fire and later we discover Gianna was also drugged. Was the fire deliberate or an accident? Upon re-checking the cabin, we learn that there is the smell of burned flesh and things start to get a bit more suspenseful. During this time, the roads are closed as well due to a really bad snowstorm and car crash. Over the next course of the novel, more dead bodies will pile up and it looks like Gianna is the target but we aren't sure what for exactly. For me, when we discovered the reason behind the target on Gianna's back and the events surrounding everything it felt a tad weak for me. I had hoped we would read more about Chris's experience with the GhostMan as that sounded more fascinating. If you are in the mood for romantic suspense and wish to reunite with the characters of the Bone Secrets series, then check out Book #5 - Known, if not then I am on borderline in the mindset of giving this one a miss.", "timestamp": 1591181378989, "title": "Known is a hit or miss romantic suspense. Not my favourite by Kendra Elliot" }, { "asin": "B00KXD2HL4", "rating": 3, "text": "Whenever I am on holiday or have a break, I try and make it a mission to clear some of my older reads off my devices and my TBR piles. Needing a mystery to mix up my reading tastes lately, I scrolled through to a Kendra Elliot read - she is one of my favorite female mystery writers. In Bridged, it starts with a male throwing a guy over the bridge and making it look like a hanging. The guy was a congressman and so of course the FBI is called to the scene. The next few deaths cause us to realize that the killer has a list and is trying to clean up messes and getting revenge on those that harmed a female in the past as our killer doesn't have long to live as he is dying himself. Over the next course of the novel we will read as the FBI tries to help solve the case and of course, those who have read the other books in this series will recall that Ava has a twin sister Jayne who is always in trouble, and now, of course, has herself tied up with one of the guys on our killer's list and if that isn't enough for Ava to handle, Jayne and her partner also robbed Mason's house and Jayne stole their mother's ring from Ava. In Bridged we see the early beginnings of Mason and Ava's relationship forming and how they are trying to work around that inter-agency relationship policy as Ava is FBI and Mason is PD. Bridged was another great and gruesome murder mystery from Kendra Elliot and if you haven't yet discovered her work, then come out from that rock you have been hiding under and check out her list of titles and different series as each is as awesome as the other.", "timestamp": 1605766515153, "title": "Another amazing mystery by Kendra Elliot - One of my favourite Female Mystery Writers." }, { "asin": "0764230859", "rating": 3, "text": "At the end of Book #1, we saw the agent Rissa faced with the man of her dreams and her protector growing up Mason. He is now joining her team as a fellow Coast Guard agent. The Crushing Depths follows two storylines. The first is a Coast Guard investigation of several deaths that have happened on an oil rig called Dauntless and the second is a stalker case of one of the Coast Guard Medics. Mason and Rissi are paired together and sent to the Dauntless but even before they can arrive on ship to investigate, their helicopter malfunctions, and they end up crashing into the ocean. Some say it is all part of the curse known as \"Henry's curse\" that haunts the Dauntless ship, but Rissa and Mason who have logic and sense on their side are sure that this is a sign of foul play and eager to get to the bottom and find the person or persons responsible especially as the death toll seems to climb up during the book. The second storyline involves Brooke - who is a medic and Noah - The team leader of the CGIS. Brooke is one of Noah's sister Gabby's best friends and has her stalker. She is convinced it is her ex-boyfriend Brodie, but when he has an alibi and the stalker turns to attempted murder. Noah must put on his investigative hat and take a look at Brooke's wider past and who has a grudge and wants her dead before she ends up another victim to evil. The Crushing Depths by Dani Pettrey was another great Christian Romantic Suspense mixed with the world of CGIS/NCIS which I loved as I am a fan of the TV series NCIS, NCIS: LA, and NCIS: New Orleans.", "timestamp": 1618028362106, "title": "Another great Christian Romantic Suspense - Deadly Curse or Foul Play ? You Decide?" }, { "asin": "0785228527", "rating": 3, "text": "Scrolling through my kindle in the weekend as I lay on my MIL's new seat swing, I was looking for something to read and came across Three Missing Days by Colleen Coble. I love the fact that this series can be read as standalones and are great Christian Romantic Suspense. In Three Missing Days, Chief Jane Hardy is settling back into life as the guy she loved and her son Will are back in Pelican Harbor after escaping life in a cult. Jane thought they were dead. Now though, just as life is settling down for Jane, Reed, and Will - Reed's ex-wife and the one who adopted Will when he was a baby - Lauren is back in town. Lauren vanished 8 years ago and had been declared legally dead, however, she isn't and wants Reed back and if she can't have him then she would love compensation and what she thinks she rightly deserves. If that wasn't bad enough, Gabriel- the cult leader where Jane and Reed first met is back in town and wants Jane dead as she knows something that could harm him. The thing though it occurred during three missing days that Jane can't recall. What happened with Jane and her mother during those three days and why is Lauren back in town? What's her agenda? Overall, if you are looking for a good romantic CF series to sink your teeth into with the feel of a small-town, then check out Colleen Coble's Pelican Harbor series today.", "timestamp": 1618129913627, "title": "Looking for a romantic CF suspense to sink your teeth into ?" } ]

[ { "asin": "1595548017", "rating": 4, "text": "Twenty-eight , workaholic , single female seems to sum up Abigail but when she is given notice from her doctor who happens to also be her sister, she is told that she needs to relax and rest as she has been getting headaches and palpitations. It's even more forced upon you and doctor-patient confidentiality goes out the window when your boss happens to be your mother. For Abigail Reynolds , she has always got one thing in mind- chasing the next big lead in journalism and looking for ways to improve the newspaper \"Viewpoint\". When her mother recieves a worried letter from Abigail's Great-Aunt Lucy and thinks that maybe it might be time to move her into a home, she gives Abigail three months leave . So Abigail reluctantly travels to StillWater Ranch, Montana. It is here that she meets Eleven-year old Maddy and her father Wade Ryan. When Maddy's nanny quits and Wade is left with no options, Abigail steps in and soon of course we discover that our local cowboy Wade Ryan is hiding a secret , one that he has tried for years to keep silent, the truth about what happened to his wife those many years ago. Of course readers, we can all guess what is going to happen and we are left with the decision of Can Abigail soften Wade's harden heart and can Wade open himself up to having a new relationship or will it be a case of can Abigail give up the fast -track and workaholic ways of a journalist and settle to become a Cowboy's wife and stepmother ?<br />Find out in Denise Hunter's book which shows us that sometimes in life all we need is a little \"Cowboy's Touch\".", "timestamp": 1314583958000, "title": "Sometimes Life Gives Us a Little Push" }, { "asin": "0764209035", "rating": 5, "text": "As a female girl in the 1918's , it seems that our role in life is to be a society wife and get married and play house. Rebekah Hendricks has one goal in mind to exit out of her small town of Dowington, Oklahoma and marry Aviator Arthur Samson. So when she is offered the chance to go out of town to care for her sick Aunt , she agrees as it is an exciting opportunity. However, once Rebekah arrives , it seems that she has come in the time of the Spanish Influenza Pandemic and her aunty passes away. Rebekah discovers that her aunt was caring for four children whose father Frank is at war and her dying wish was for Rebekah to take care of them . So the story begins as Rebekah becomes caregiver and playing the role of mother to the children. In this it seems that Rebekah has captured the attention of the local Sheriff but her heart is with Arthur. As the story comes to light it seems that Arthur hasn't been completely faithful and Rebekah in turn is heartbroken. Enter Frank , the children's father who has returned. Will Rebekah choose the path of wife to bachelor Sheriff Jenkins or will she begin to care too much for the children and accept Frank's offer of an instant family ?<br />Find out in Wings of A Dream by Anne Mateer , a Christian author that I will be looking out for more books to read by her.", "timestamp": 1316505319000, "title": "God Can Grant our Dreams in the most Unexpected Ways" }, { "asin": "1400318033", "rating": 5, "text": "Looking for that perfect picture book for your child aged 0-5 years ? Wanting to teach them all about God's blessings and the wonderful things that he does and can provide for us all ?<br />Join Max Lucado as he presents his character the lovable caterpillar Hermie , Hermie shares with us in this cute 5pg adorable board book all the things that God has done for him that he is thankful for from providing him with food, shelter to having awesome friends.<br />This would make a godly and wonderful addition to any Christian home and child's collection.", "timestamp": 1317024197000, "title": "For all God's Little Children" }, { "asin": "1414333064", "rating": 5, "text": "Wanting a contemporary Christian Fiction ? One that answers the question of What If ???? . What if you had committed something so terrible , betraying the ones you loved and those around you ? For Eric , he fell into the web of temptation and what started off as an innocent lunch with co-workers grew into an affair with one in particular - a young female in her early 20's Danielle . His wife Kyra discovered it through an email that had been sent and his wife feeling betrayed kicked him out and was ready to divorce him as how could she trust him anymore. A few months later Kyra is in an accident and finds herself with amnesia , at first she thinks Eric is dead but as soon as she finds out he's alive, she is overjoyed . Kyra thinks that her and Eric are still the perfect couple , but what happens when she discovers that what she thinks and what really happened are two different things ? Should Eric come clean about what happened or should he play along with the amnesia and start anew ? Has God given Eric a second chance at renewing love and showing him that the statement - \"You Don't realise how much you had , until it's gone \" rings accurate ?.<br />Find out in this awesome journey of relationships with it's up's and down's. In a way this book reminded me of \"The Notebook\" by Nicholas Sparks and \"The House\" by Anjuelle Floyd.", "timestamp": 1325141390000, "title": "What if you got a Second Chance at Love ?" }, { "asin": "0764212540", "rating": 5, "text": "Nine years ago, Kelly had everything she ever wanted - a husband and a beautiful baby girl called Emily and then within a flash , it was all gone . Her husband had died of a drug overdose but not before he had taken their baby girl and sold her on the black market. Now years later Kelly has travelled all over looking for her baby girl and testing DNA of children that could be her Emily but none have matched. That is until she is thrust into the world of Nattie Livingston , a girl that could be her daughter and this time it looks positive. In order to get closer, Kelly strikes up a relationship with Jack and soon the pair of them start to fall in love and start dating. Soon Jack discovers what Kelly is up to via his sister discovering the website and decides to do a DNA test himself. The results though will shock him as to who the true identity of Natalie's biological mother is . Laura the Amish Nanny has been keeping her secrets and past hidden, but what will happen when a simple DNA test throws her into the crosshairs and forces Laura to come clean about her past life in the Amish Village. Will Kelly ever find her daughter or will she have to resign to the fact that it is a lost cause ?<br />Find out in the Lewis's new novel &#34;Child of Mine&#34; - a fast-paced and edgy read that targets the issues of black market baby-selling, missing children, DNA tests and adoption.<br />This book is definitely worth reading and one to add to your 2014 TBR Piles.", "timestamp": 1401872429000, "title": "An Amazing Heartfelt Story - Def Worth the Read." }, { "asin": "1401690262", "rating": 5, "text": "When Claire Dellamore arrives at Ocean's Edge, a part of her feels like she has been here before . That can't be though as she doesn't remember ever coming here and when she asks her parents - no answers are recieved. Things will get a little bit crazy when one of the receptionists goes missing and turns up dead with a letter that says that Claire Dellamore isn't whom she claims to be. This starts Claire on a track to find out some answers to questions that have been bothering her and she learns that on her 4th birthday Claire disappeared for one year and then she later returned and no-one knew where she had been. Around the time of her disappearance another local woman went missing - Luke's mother and she hasn't been seen since that night. Does Claire remember what happened that night ? Armed with Luke who knows the town , Claire and Luke will retrace her steps to rediscover the truth about what happened that night but in doing so , Claire will open a massive bucket of secrets that have been locked away for many years. Can those who have worked so hard to keep things quiet, silence Claire and Luke before it's too late ? Or are their dark forces at play that never want the truth to be revealed as when it is , danger is surely to strike ?<br />What started out as just a single mystery turned near the end of the book into a full-on interwoven tale of hidden family secrets and a truth of what really happened that night and that sometimes people will believe what they want to believe - no matter what the evidence in front of them reveals.<br />If you are looking for an enjoyable Romantic Suspense by a great Christian Author - Check out Book #1 in the Sunset Cove Series &#34;The Inn at Ocean's Edge&#34; today as you will not be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1439183495000, "title": "Wanting an enjoyable Christian Romantic Suspense ?" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 4, "text": "Over twenty years ago Lance Krueger, a local private investigator's father disappeared, and he was never heard from again. Twenty years later, a car has been found in the local lake. In the boot of the car, is a skeleton. The skeleton turns out to be female, but the vehicle is registered to Lance's father. What happened to Lance's father and who is the female? So begins an investigation with Lance accompanying Morgan who is an attorney and dating Lincoln Sharpe who is Lance's partner at the PI business. As Lance and Morgan start to delve back into finding out the truth and getting closer, it looks like someone doesn't want the past to be dredged up and is killing the witnesses and is one step ahead of the law enforcement. This was a medium-paced mystery as I find Melinda Leigh's books either a hit or miss. Can Lance and his mother finally get some closure of what happened to his father, Vic ? Will he be the hero or villain in this tale? Find out in Bones Don't Lie by Melinda Leigh. The other thing that I loved about the Morgan Dane series is that they have a strong female lead - go Girl Power. Fans of Kendra Elliot's and Kate Watterson will enjoy Melinda Leigh's romantic suspense, and mystery filled adventures.", "timestamp": 1544857644481, "title": "Fans of Kendra Elliot and Kate Watterson's will love Melinda Leigh's Books" }, { "asin": "B074HC8QQT", "rating": 4, "text": "Korrine Davenport is back in the Savannah team of FBI agents and has been paired up with Agent Hatcher. The two of them have baggage as the night that Hatcher's wife Felicia was murdered, he was having a one night stand with Korrine. Korrine has been dodging her hometown as it brings back nasty memories of the night her father was killed while they danced together when she was five years old. In Pretty Little Killers, we see a group of criminals who have been let off or mistrials being murdered. Does the FBI team have a vigilante killer on the loose? This leads the agents to Tinsley's cottage where she has been an agoraphobic since she almost died at the hands of a serial killer called The Skull. The Skull's partner was the one who killed Hatcher's wife. Tinsley's therapist advised her to start up a blog as a cathartic journey called Heart and Soul where she can journal her feelings and in a way it has been helping others confess their darkest nightmares. A group called The Keepers have spotted the blog and are getting justice where the \"regular \" system failed and taking matters into their own hands. What happens when the Keepers get too close? Will Korrine find out the true identity of who killed her father and will she learn the man she loved and admired was nothing like she believed? A warning, some of the murder scenes in the book and the confessions on the blog are quite graphic and emotional.<br />Find out in this Southern Mystery Crime series \"The Keepers\" by Rita Herron.", "timestamp": 1561335266562, "title": "The Keepers will protect you when the world has failed." }, { "asin": "078522405X", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on a true story of a couple finding themselves and coming back to a place of love and compassion and happiness after a tragic moment in their relationship. There is also a movie based on this story. Indivisible starts with a Christian family named the Turners. Darren Turner is a minister and the family is all for serving God before Heather got pregnant and had her family she had wanted to become a missionary and serve. A news report features President George Bush talking about the war and terrorism in Iraq and the beginning of Osama Bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda. They are asking Americans to sign up and join the army and the fight to save the regular people from danger. Darren sees this as his calling and so the Turner family moved to an Army base where Darren signs up as an Army Chaplain. Within the next few months, Darren learns that he is being sent overseas with a troop for fifteen months. The family prepare and tears are shed. For the first three-six months Darren and Heather keep in good spirits and contact but then things start to get strained as overseas Darren is being hit every day by death of both American troops and innocent civilians - children and adults. He is losing friends and having to preside over the funerals of them all is getting to him. His communication with his family begins to slack and become short and sharp when he does get a chance. When Darren returns home from the war, he is a different person and not the same loving and caring husband and father he used to be. Even his children are afraid of him. Can Darren and Heather repair their marriage and their family? Will Darren be able to move on from what he experienced and let Heather into his heart again or was is the man he was before the war disappeared for good?<br />Find out in this emotional, inspiring and powerful read by Travis Thrasher \"Indivisible\". After finishing this book and feeling like I did afterward, I am now interested in watching the movie.", "timestamp": 1569053566216, "title": "Based on a True Story. An emotional, inspiring and powerful read." }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 4, "text": "We are back with our favorite FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick and her partner Truman who is the sheriff of the small town they live in. One of my favorite mystery writers is Kendra Elliot as I find her books fast-paced and they are action-packed. They also have flashbacks to past cases which I enjoy. In A Merciful Silence, the town has had a rainstorm and a group of five skulls has washed up in the ravine. When Mercy sees the skulls, she is reminded of a couple of cases that happened when she was in primary school over twenty years ago when two families were murdered in the same way. Is this a case of a copycat as the killer has been locked up for twenty years or did they arrest the wrong person? Meanwhile the only survivor of one of the original attacks Britta has moved back to town and now with the killings starting back up, is she in danger? Is the killer coming back to finish what he started over twenty years ago? The other storyline in this book is with the SC aka the Sovereign of Christ who believes that the US has no control over them and they have their own rights. Truman lands himself on the wrong side of this group and finds himself kidnapped. A week later, will he survive this ordeal when a savior arrives in the form of Ollie and Shep - we know this duo from the later books as he became Truman's adopted son or will he be left with PTSD and a crumbling relationship with Mercy when he returns back to civilization. If you are on the lookout for a new female mystery writer to read then check out Kendra Elliot as you won't be disappointed.", "timestamp": 1569225515625, "title": "Another awesome mystery in the Mercy Kilpatrick Series" }, { "asin": "B01GJA450A", "rating": 3, "text": "As readers of The Phantom Paragrapher and those who know me IRL, you will know that I am bad at reading books out of order. I never mean too, it just happens. Sometimes I get it right but other times, I end up reading them back to front and that's what happened with Rogue Vows Novellas series. Reading this book second, gave me a clearer view of what had happened and the events leading up to what occurred in Book #2 - Burned by Her Devotion. Death and Her Devotion starts with Zane and Stevie who should have been finally tying the knot being called to the local camping ground as Chase Ryan has been found dead. Chase Ryan is a major Hollywood actor who plays a cop onscreen and has his fair share of stalkers especially one in particular who shows us looks can be deceiving Cyndee. With multiple stories that don't line up and the police of Solitude wanting this wrapped up before the wind of his death hits the news and media vans swarm down on Solitude, Oregon. Can Zane and Stevie get to the bottom of who killed Chase? Also in this book is an OMG moment as our stalker decides to have another go at arson trapping someone from Solitude in a barn? Can Carly and Seth get to the barn in time or will the Taylor family suffer another tragedy?<br />Find out in Book #1 of the Rogue Vows Novella series by Kendra Elliot for a quick read mystery fix.", "timestamp": 1588581044104, "title": "Celebrity Murder Hits Solitude, Oregon." }, { "asin": "1683228685", "rating": 4, "text": "This series I have had for a year now and I keep thinking about it and then, of course, other things pop up but lately, I had been thinking more about the series and so finally decided to knuckle down and read the first book \"The White City\" by Grace Hitchcock. Each book is featured on a true American crime but written in a fictional account with a romance storyline weaved into the story. During the past couple of months, I have been getting into the podcast My Favorite Murder and the earlier episodes kept mentioning H.H Holmes aka America's first Serial Killer and how he was known as the Devil in the White City. After finishing this book by Grace Hitchcock, I went onto the library catalog and have put Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City on hold to read once the lockdown is over. This book I wasn't 100% sure how much I would enjoy it as I tend to be a bit fussy when it comes to historical romances but due to the crime content, I was so drawn in and found myself enjoying it - even more than I had originally thought. In The White City, we first meet Winnie who is out at the Chicago World Fair back in 1893 with a potential suitor when she witnesses a kidnapping. Winnie's father is the chief of Police and so she heads to the station, of course, though due to her overactive imagination - her father doubts her a little. Winnie though determined to find the kidnapper follows her clues along with her new tail, one of the new detectives Jude. During this time we read as Winnie ends up getting a job for none other than HH Holmes at his Murder Hotel. Can Winnie with Jude prove that H.H Holmes is the serial killer that has been terrorizing the Chicago Streets or will Winnie find herself in the crosshairs and become his next victim after he suspects that she is too close to discovering his dark secrets? After finishing The White City and enjoying it so much, I now am even more excited to read the other books in the True Colors series.", "timestamp": 1589001088161, "title": "Enjoyed More than I thought I would.- a Fictional Account of H.H Holmes" }, { "asin": "B00Y0PIEZY", "rating": 3, "text": "I have to admit when it comes to mysteries, Kendra Elliot is one of my go-to authors as I normally love her books, but this one I wasn't feeling it overall. It just felt like too many secrets and unanswered questions for me and things were left hanging a bit. The novel starts with Chris out having some time alone in his cabin whilst his son Brian is at Disneyland with his grandparents. During his stay, he comes across a crashed SUV stuck in the snow - inside is a mother/daughter duo, Gianna and Violet Trask. Chris learns that they fled their cabin as it caught fire and later we discover Gianna was also drugged. Was the fire deliberate or an accident? Upon re-checking the cabin, we learn that there is the smell of burned flesh and things start to get a bit more suspenseful. During this time, the roads are closed as well due to a really bad snowstorm and car crash. Over the next course of the novel, more dead bodies will pile up and it looks like Gianna is the target but we aren't sure what for exactly. For me, when we discovered the reason behind the target on Gianna's back and the events surrounding everything it felt a tad weak for me. I had hoped we would read more about Chris's experience with the GhostMan as that sounded more fascinating. If you are in the mood for romantic suspense and wish to reunite with the characters of the Bone Secrets series, then check out Book #5 - Known, if not then I am on borderline in the mindset of giving this one a miss.", "timestamp": 1591181378989, "title": "Known is a hit or miss romantic suspense. Not my favourite by Kendra Elliot" }, { "asin": "B00KXD2HL4", "rating": 3, "text": "Whenever I am on holiday or have a break, I try and make it a mission to clear some of my older reads off my devices and my TBR piles. Needing a mystery to mix up my reading tastes lately, I scrolled through to a Kendra Elliot read - she is one of my favorite female mystery writers. In Bridged, it starts with a male throwing a guy over the bridge and making it look like a hanging. The guy was a congressman and so of course the FBI is called to the scene. The next few deaths cause us to realize that the killer has a list and is trying to clean up messes and getting revenge on those that harmed a female in the past as our killer doesn't have long to live as he is dying himself. Over the next course of the novel we will read as the FBI tries to help solve the case and of course, those who have read the other books in this series will recall that Ava has a twin sister Jayne who is always in trouble, and now, of course, has herself tied up with one of the guys on our killer's list and if that isn't enough for Ava to handle, Jayne and her partner also robbed Mason's house and Jayne stole their mother's ring from Ava. In Bridged we see the early beginnings of Mason and Ava's relationship forming and how they are trying to work around that inter-agency relationship policy as Ava is FBI and Mason is PD. Bridged was another great and gruesome murder mystery from Kendra Elliot and if you haven't yet discovered her work, then come out from that rock you have been hiding under and check out her list of titles and different series as each is as awesome as the other.", "timestamp": 1605766515153, "title": "Another amazing mystery by Kendra Elliot - One of my favourite Female Mystery Writers." }, { "asin": "0764230859", "rating": 3, "text": "At the end of Book #1, we saw the agent Rissa faced with the man of her dreams and her protector growing up Mason. He is now joining her team as a fellow Coast Guard agent. The Crushing Depths follows two storylines. The first is a Coast Guard investigation of several deaths that have happened on an oil rig called Dauntless and the second is a stalker case of one of the Coast Guard Medics. Mason and Rissi are paired together and sent to the Dauntless but even before they can arrive on ship to investigate, their helicopter malfunctions, and they end up crashing into the ocean. Some say it is all part of the curse known as \"Henry's curse\" that haunts the Dauntless ship, but Rissa and Mason who have logic and sense on their side are sure that this is a sign of foul play and eager to get to the bottom and find the person or persons responsible especially as the death toll seems to climb up during the book. The second storyline involves Brooke - who is a medic and Noah - The team leader of the CGIS. Brooke is one of Noah's sister Gabby's best friends and has her stalker. She is convinced it is her ex-boyfriend Brodie, but when he has an alibi and the stalker turns to attempted murder. Noah must put on his investigative hat and take a look at Brooke's wider past and who has a grudge and wants her dead before she ends up another victim to evil. The Crushing Depths by Dani Pettrey was another great Christian Romantic Suspense mixed with the world of CGIS/NCIS which I loved as I am a fan of the TV series NCIS, NCIS: LA, and NCIS: New Orleans.", "timestamp": 1618028362106, "title": "Another great Christian Romantic Suspense - Deadly Curse or Foul Play ? You Decide?" }, { "asin": "0785228527", "rating": 3, "text": "Scrolling through my kindle in the weekend as I lay on my MIL's new seat swing, I was looking for something to read and came across Three Missing Days by Colleen Coble. I love the fact that this series can be read as standalones and are great Christian Romantic Suspense. In Three Missing Days, Chief Jane Hardy is settling back into life as the guy she loved and her son Will are back in Pelican Harbor after escaping life in a cult. Jane thought they were dead. Now though, just as life is settling down for Jane, Reed, and Will - Reed's ex-wife and the one who adopted Will when he was a baby - Lauren is back in town. Lauren vanished 8 years ago and had been declared legally dead, however, she isn't and wants Reed back and if she can't have him then she would love compensation and what she thinks she rightly deserves. If that wasn't bad enough, Gabriel- the cult leader where Jane and Reed first met is back in town and wants Jane dead as she knows something that could harm him. The thing though it occurred during three missing days that Jane can't recall. What happened with Jane and her mother during those three days and why is Lauren back in town? What's her agenda? Overall, if you are looking for a good romantic CF series to sink your teeth into with the feel of a small-town, then check out Colleen Coble's Pelican Harbor series today.", "timestamp": 1618129913627, "title": "Looking for a romantic CF suspense to sink your teeth into ?" }, { "asin": "B09HHFV8P2", "rating": 4, "text": "When I was asked to read and review this new book by Melinda Leigh, I wasn't sure whether it would be a quick read or a longer book, and turned out it was a novella story. Her Second Death is the introduction to Bree Taggert joining the Police force and introducing us to her new partner Dana Romero. They have been called to a scene of a drug buy gone wrong and when they notify the next of kin, they learn the daughter has also disappeared. The case gets a bit more complicated when they discover that the deceased's daughter Lena is a 5-year-old non-verbal autistic and now the race is on to not only solve Tyson's murder but also find Lena. This case gives Bree flashbacks to her childhood when she was around the same age and suffered a similar tragedy. As Her Second Death was a novella/ amazon short story it was a very quick read and only took about 30 mins to read as I read it in one sitting on my lunch break.<br />If you love murder mysteries and crime novels, then you will love Melinda Leigh as she is one of my favorite female mystery writers.", "timestamp": 1639468830589, "title": "One of the best female Mystery Writers and a Quick Read." } ]

[ { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 4, "text": "Enter Morgan Dane. Young widowed mom of 3 girls living with grandpa and attempting to move on with a promising new job with the DA.<br />Then everything changes. She dumps the job to defend her young neighbor whose charged with a brutal murder.<br />Enter Lance Kruger, ex cop, handsome, kind, and her high school boyfriend briefly. As the PI on her case he’s eager to help.<br />The two make a good investigative team, sparks still there and the case is complicated, townsfolk are already convinced Nick is guilty and they need to prove he isn’t.<br />Other cases, people, twists, turns and a good story woven well enough to hold your attention to the end when most will be surprised whodunit.<br />The first Morgan Dane novel. I’m on to the next one. Enjoy...", "timestamp": 1508861704729, "title": "Pretty good mystery" }, { "asin": "B00QXROAA0", "rating": 4, "text": "McLane seems to find drama and trouble if not from her crazy twin but just draw it in!<br />She’s pretty broken in this book. Callahan is doing the best he can and all the teams are desperate to find out why there are back to back mass shootings by seemingly normal kids.<br />I figured out the common thread and was quite pleased with myself! Very good series.", "timestamp": 1512005334764, "title": "Well don’t on book 3" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW5Q", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed the series and trying to figure out the crimes. I did figure out who the bad guy was in this one. I enjoyed the plot and the way the characters interacted.<br />I’m also sure the authors husband is thrilled she finally got zombies in her story! Lol", "timestamp": 1512093636578, "title": "Great series" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 4, "text": "Having read other books by Ms Elliot I looked forward to another series similar to the McLane & Callahan series. This was t a disappointment.<br />I enjoyed the information on the preppers and lifestyle information and the small town imagery. Good mysteries abound too!", "timestamp": 1512521620042, "title": "Well done first in series" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 4, "text": "As an avid reader of mystery and fast action books I love this series. I prefer series to stand alone novels. Getting to know characters and tagging along for several books is something I love. The characters in this series, a police chief in a rural town and his FBI girlfriend and all the people around them are good stories and well lived lives. Mercy and Truman have action packed adventures solving crimes and trying to stay understanding of the many preppers and people in the community. Just read them.", "timestamp": 1512617886568, "title": "This is a really good series! You should read it!" }, { "asin": "B06XGFQ23J", "rating": 4, "text": "But, very disturbing to have a totally psychopathic man do such horrible things to the young women he captured, imprisoned and murdered.<br />The man was a total monster. The families of victims realistically broken.<br />I did like the chapter switching to each person and their thoughts and actions either independent from the others or scenes with them.<br />Well written but very much a psychological soul baring of each of those affected by their losses.", "timestamp": 1516178135078, "title": "Very good mystery" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "This series is good! Wonderful characters and a mystery to unravel!<br />Mercy and Truman continue their relationship that intersects their personal and professional lives.<br />Murders to solve, guarded people in a rural town and wild woods with secrets few can unravel. Secrets that destroy. Good ones in this book!", "timestamp": 1516416665280, "title": "4th book is as good as the others" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 5, "text": "This was a great continuation of the previous books. We finally learn what happened to Lances dad.<br />No spoiler but the pieces come together and the truth unravels and is revealed.<br />Not without the usual chaos surrounding them of course.<br />Well done, again.", "timestamp": 1522646805724, "title": "Another good one and more answers!" }, { "asin": "B00LTBWMVO", "rating": 4, "text": "First one of this series I’ve read. Fast paced and lots of twists and turns. Bringing a family together in the face of tragedy. A sinister crime and no one wanting to wait for the police to do the job, of course!<br />Characters were well done and developed. My only complaint is the long drawn out “thoughts” of explanation and reflection of some of them which gets me bored and I find myself skimming over that to get to the meat of the progress in finding the culprit! Turns out there’s more than one! Read it, enjoy!", "timestamp": 1529463759822, "title": "Good mystery" }, { "asin": "B00QQYZYPK", "rating": 5, "text": "A very tense disturbing story. From the sex trafficking to brutal men hunting Hannah Barrett and the men’s brutal appetite for cruelty, disregard for human life is disturbing. And, tense describes the fear for everyone the evil men hunt and hurt.<br />The tender moments and developing relationship between Hannah and Brody McNamera were a godsend but you knew evil lurked to seek revenge!<br />Lots of players and characters enter and have their own place. It was good to see light shed on the horrific problem of sex trafficking in this country and the extent it has become.<br />Of course everything almost works out in the end. Well done second book in the series.", "timestamp": 1529647444945, "title": "Held my breath though most of it!" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW56", "rating": 5, "text": "The Barrett’s family saga continues. This book focuses on Mac. He reveals his true job once’s he’s almost killed before flying home to his father‘s deathbed. Tying up pent up emotions and helping Stella identify a seeming serial killer. Tense moments, sweet ones as the budding relationship between Mac and Stella continues. I’m not a fan of sex and romance but it was tolerable while I tried to figure out the criminal.", "timestamp": 1529815966705, "title": "Good who’s killing women novel" }, { "asin": "B0746L8G49", "rating": 5, "text": "The second Jessie Cole book is a continuation of the first. Reappearing is Ben Morrison, the crime reporter whose life is a mystery to him. Maybe it’s better he doesn’t remember his past. His twisted thoughts, flashes of horrible events. Are they pieces of crimes he reported on or pieces of his past?<br />Jessie has several cases she’s working on and surprisingly she enlists Zee to help out. She’s from the previous book and a strange and whimsical character. A woman with schizophrenia who has actually improved. She still hears voices, is still impulsive and adds a bit of flair and humor.<br />A sad and vindictive man begins killing for revenge. He wants to avenge his daughter by punishing a health insurance corporation. Jessie is hired to find him. As usual, more characters and events keep it interesting and you get pulled along.<br />I enjoy this style, the imagery and quick pace without boredom. So far, a good series to escape into.", "timestamp": 1536127850727, "title": "Very good mystery" }, { "asin": "B0799LVPKC", "rating": 5, "text": "I’ve really enjoyed the series. A bit macabre but hey, it’s creepy serial killers.<br />Jessie and Olivia are doing well but still struggling to make ends meet. Zee has really fit into her role at the PI agency and it looks like things with Jessie’s boyfriend are moving along.<br />Ben is still struggling with his missing past from his horrific abusive childhood he cannot remember.<br />The twists and turns are riveting and the story moves along fast paced and each character stays within their growing personalities. The descriptions and imagery are well developed.<br />Another winner!<br />Can’t wait for the next one in 2019.", "timestamp": 1541492171865, "title": "Well done and a good story to continue the lives of Jessie, Ben and Colin" } ]

[ { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 4, "text": "Enter Morgan Dane. Young widowed mom of 3 girls living with grandpa and attempting to move on with a promising new job with the DA.<br />Then everything changes. She dumps the job to defend her young neighbor whose charged with a brutal murder.<br />Enter Lance Kruger, ex cop, handsome, kind, and her high school boyfriend briefly. As the PI on her case he’s eager to help.<br />The two make a good investigative team, sparks still there and the case is complicated, townsfolk are already convinced Nick is guilty and they need to prove he isn’t.<br />Other cases, people, twists, turns and a good story woven well enough to hold your attention to the end when most will be surprised whodunit.<br />The first Morgan Dane novel. I’m on to the next one. Enjoy...", "timestamp": 1508861704729, "title": "Pretty good mystery" }, { "asin": "B00QXROAA0", "rating": 4, "text": "McLane seems to find drama and trouble if not from her crazy twin but just draw it in!<br />She’s pretty broken in this book. Callahan is doing the best he can and all the teams are desperate to find out why there are back to back mass shootings by seemingly normal kids.<br />I figured out the common thread and was quite pleased with myself! Very good series.", "timestamp": 1512005334764, "title": "Well don’t on book 3" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW5Q", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed the series and trying to figure out the crimes. I did figure out who the bad guy was in this one. I enjoyed the plot and the way the characters interacted.<br />I’m also sure the authors husband is thrilled she finally got zombies in her story! Lol", "timestamp": 1512093636578, "title": "Great series" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 4, "text": "Having read other books by Ms Elliot I looked forward to another series similar to the McLane & Callahan series. This was t a disappointment.<br />I enjoyed the information on the preppers and lifestyle information and the small town imagery. Good mysteries abound too!", "timestamp": 1512521620042, "title": "Well done first in series" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 4, "text": "As an avid reader of mystery and fast action books I love this series. I prefer series to stand alone novels. Getting to know characters and tagging along for several books is something I love. The characters in this series, a police chief in a rural town and his FBI girlfriend and all the people around them are good stories and well lived lives. Mercy and Truman have action packed adventures solving crimes and trying to stay understanding of the many preppers and people in the community. Just read them.", "timestamp": 1512617886568, "title": "This is a really good series! You should read it!" }, { "asin": "B06XGFQ23J", "rating": 4, "text": "But, very disturbing to have a totally psychopathic man do such horrible things to the young women he captured, imprisoned and murdered.<br />The man was a total monster. The families of victims realistically broken.<br />I did like the chapter switching to each person and their thoughts and actions either independent from the others or scenes with them.<br />Well written but very much a psychological soul baring of each of those affected by their losses.", "timestamp": 1516178135078, "title": "Very good mystery" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "This series is good! Wonderful characters and a mystery to unravel!<br />Mercy and Truman continue their relationship that intersects their personal and professional lives.<br />Murders to solve, guarded people in a rural town and wild woods with secrets few can unravel. Secrets that destroy. Good ones in this book!", "timestamp": 1516416665280, "title": "4th book is as good as the others" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 5, "text": "This was a great continuation of the previous books. We finally learn what happened to Lances dad.<br />No spoiler but the pieces come together and the truth unravels and is revealed.<br />Not without the usual chaos surrounding them of course.<br />Well done, again.", "timestamp": 1522646805724, "title": "Another good one and more answers!" }, { "asin": "B00LTBWMVO", "rating": 4, "text": "First one of this series I’ve read. Fast paced and lots of twists and turns. Bringing a family together in the face of tragedy. A sinister crime and no one wanting to wait for the police to do the job, of course!<br />Characters were well done and developed. My only complaint is the long drawn out “thoughts” of explanation and reflection of some of them which gets me bored and I find myself skimming over that to get to the meat of the progress in finding the culprit! Turns out there’s more than one! Read it, enjoy!", "timestamp": 1529463759822, "title": "Good mystery" }, { "asin": "B00QQYZYPK", "rating": 5, "text": "A very tense disturbing story. From the sex trafficking to brutal men hunting Hannah Barrett and the men’s brutal appetite for cruelty, disregard for human life is disturbing. And, tense describes the fear for everyone the evil men hunt and hurt.<br />The tender moments and developing relationship between Hannah and Brody McNamera were a godsend but you knew evil lurked to seek revenge!<br />Lots of players and characters enter and have their own place. It was good to see light shed on the horrific problem of sex trafficking in this country and the extent it has become.<br />Of course everything almost works out in the end. Well done second book in the series.", "timestamp": 1529647444945, "title": "Held my breath though most of it!" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW56", "rating": 5, "text": "The Barrett’s family saga continues. This book focuses on Mac. He reveals his true job once’s he’s almost killed before flying home to his father‘s deathbed. Tying up pent up emotions and helping Stella identify a seeming serial killer. Tense moments, sweet ones as the budding relationship between Mac and Stella continues. I’m not a fan of sex and romance but it was tolerable while I tried to figure out the criminal.", "timestamp": 1529815966705, "title": "Good who’s killing women novel" }, { "asin": "B0746L8G49", "rating": 5, "text": "The second Jessie Cole book is a continuation of the first. Reappearing is Ben Morrison, the crime reporter whose life is a mystery to him. Maybe it’s better he doesn’t remember his past. His twisted thoughts, flashes of horrible events. Are they pieces of crimes he reported on or pieces of his past?<br />Jessie has several cases she’s working on and surprisingly she enlists Zee to help out. She’s from the previous book and a strange and whimsical character. A woman with schizophrenia who has actually improved. She still hears voices, is still impulsive and adds a bit of flair and humor.<br />A sad and vindictive man begins killing for revenge. He wants to avenge his daughter by punishing a health insurance corporation. Jessie is hired to find him. As usual, more characters and events keep it interesting and you get pulled along.<br />I enjoy this style, the imagery and quick pace without boredom. So far, a good series to escape into.", "timestamp": 1536127850727, "title": "Very good mystery" }, { "asin": "B0799LVPKC", "rating": 5, "text": "I’ve really enjoyed the series. A bit macabre but hey, it’s creepy serial killers.<br />Jessie and Olivia are doing well but still struggling to make ends meet. Zee has really fit into her role at the PI agency and it looks like things with Jessie’s boyfriend are moving along.<br />Ben is still struggling with his missing past from his horrific abusive childhood he cannot remember.<br />The twists and turns are riveting and the story moves along fast paced and each character stays within their growing personalities. The descriptions and imagery are well developed.<br />Another winner!<br />Can’t wait for the next one in 2019.", "timestamp": 1541492171865, "title": "Well done and a good story to continue the lives of Jessie, Ben and Colin" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 5, "text": "I love when stories seem to pick up with the people from a previous novella leave off. The characters become more intimate, real and the reader anticipates the future interactions. This was a nice story even if there was murder involved. The trials and daily realistic problems of the characters along with their professional duties made it even better. The imagery of the island was beautifully written.<br />A nice quick read with great characters. And, by my favorite authors.", "timestamp": 1543603600873, "title": "Nice second installment novella" } ]

[ { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 4, "text": "Enter Morgan Dane. Young widowed mom of 3 girls living with grandpa and attempting to move on with a promising new job with the DA.<br />Then everything changes. She dumps the job to defend her young neighbor whose charged with a brutal murder.<br />Enter Lance Kruger, ex cop, handsome, kind, and her high school boyfriend briefly. As the PI on her case he’s eager to help.<br />The two make a good investigative team, sparks still there and the case is complicated, townsfolk are already convinced Nick is guilty and they need to prove he isn’t.<br />Other cases, people, twists, turns and a good story woven well enough to hold your attention to the end when most will be surprised whodunit.<br />The first Morgan Dane novel. I’m on to the next one. Enjoy...", "timestamp": 1508861704729, "title": "Pretty good mystery" }, { "asin": "B00QXROAA0", "rating": 4, "text": "McLane seems to find drama and trouble if not from her crazy twin but just draw it in!<br />She’s pretty broken in this book. Callahan is doing the best he can and all the teams are desperate to find out why there are back to back mass shootings by seemingly normal kids.<br />I figured out the common thread and was quite pleased with myself! Very good series.", "timestamp": 1512005334764, "title": "Well don’t on book 3" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW5Q", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed the series and trying to figure out the crimes. I did figure out who the bad guy was in this one. I enjoyed the plot and the way the characters interacted.<br />I’m also sure the authors husband is thrilled she finally got zombies in her story! Lol", "timestamp": 1512093636578, "title": "Great series" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 4, "text": "Having read other books by Ms Elliot I looked forward to another series similar to the McLane & Callahan series. This was t a disappointment.<br />I enjoyed the information on the preppers and lifestyle information and the small town imagery. Good mysteries abound too!", "timestamp": 1512521620042, "title": "Well done first in series" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 4, "text": "As an avid reader of mystery and fast action books I love this series. I prefer series to stand alone novels. Getting to know characters and tagging along for several books is something I love. The characters in this series, a police chief in a rural town and his FBI girlfriend and all the people around them are good stories and well lived lives. Mercy and Truman have action packed adventures solving crimes and trying to stay understanding of the many preppers and people in the community. Just read them.", "timestamp": 1512617886568, "title": "This is a really good series! You should read it!" }, { "asin": "B06XGFQ23J", "rating": 4, "text": "But, very disturbing to have a totally psychopathic man do such horrible things to the young women he captured, imprisoned and murdered.<br />The man was a total monster. The families of victims realistically broken.<br />I did like the chapter switching to each person and their thoughts and actions either independent from the others or scenes with them.<br />Well written but very much a psychological soul baring of each of those affected by their losses.", "timestamp": 1516178135078, "title": "Very good mystery" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "This series is good! Wonderful characters and a mystery to unravel!<br />Mercy and Truman continue their relationship that intersects their personal and professional lives.<br />Murders to solve, guarded people in a rural town and wild woods with secrets few can unravel. Secrets that destroy. Good ones in this book!", "timestamp": 1516416665280, "title": "4th book is as good as the others" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 5, "text": "This was a great continuation of the previous books. We finally learn what happened to Lances dad.<br />No spoiler but the pieces come together and the truth unravels and is revealed.<br />Not without the usual chaos surrounding them of course.<br />Well done, again.", "timestamp": 1522646805724, "title": "Another good one and more answers!" }, { "asin": "B00LTBWMVO", "rating": 4, "text": "First one of this series I’ve read. Fast paced and lots of twists and turns. Bringing a family together in the face of tragedy. A sinister crime and no one wanting to wait for the police to do the job, of course!<br />Characters were well done and developed. My only complaint is the long drawn out “thoughts” of explanation and reflection of some of them which gets me bored and I find myself skimming over that to get to the meat of the progress in finding the culprit! Turns out there’s more than one! Read it, enjoy!", "timestamp": 1529463759822, "title": "Good mystery" }, { "asin": "B00QQYZYPK", "rating": 5, "text": "A very tense disturbing story. From the sex trafficking to brutal men hunting Hannah Barrett and the men’s brutal appetite for cruelty, disregard for human life is disturbing. And, tense describes the fear for everyone the evil men hunt and hurt.<br />The tender moments and developing relationship between Hannah and Brody McNamera were a godsend but you knew evil lurked to seek revenge!<br />Lots of players and characters enter and have their own place. It was good to see light shed on the horrific problem of sex trafficking in this country and the extent it has become.<br />Of course everything almost works out in the end. Well done second book in the series.", "timestamp": 1529647444945, "title": "Held my breath though most of it!" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW56", "rating": 5, "text": "The Barrett’s family saga continues. This book focuses on Mac. He reveals his true job once’s he’s almost killed before flying home to his father‘s deathbed. Tying up pent up emotions and helping Stella identify a seeming serial killer. Tense moments, sweet ones as the budding relationship between Mac and Stella continues. I’m not a fan of sex and romance but it was tolerable while I tried to figure out the criminal.", "timestamp": 1529815966705, "title": "Good who’s killing women novel" }, { "asin": "B0746L8G49", "rating": 5, "text": "The second Jessie Cole book is a continuation of the first. Reappearing is Ben Morrison, the crime reporter whose life is a mystery to him. Maybe it’s better he doesn’t remember his past. His twisted thoughts, flashes of horrible events. Are they pieces of crimes he reported on or pieces of his past?<br />Jessie has several cases she’s working on and surprisingly she enlists Zee to help out. She’s from the previous book and a strange and whimsical character. A woman with schizophrenia who has actually improved. She still hears voices, is still impulsive and adds a bit of flair and humor.<br />A sad and vindictive man begins killing for revenge. He wants to avenge his daughter by punishing a health insurance corporation. Jessie is hired to find him. As usual, more characters and events keep it interesting and you get pulled along.<br />I enjoy this style, the imagery and quick pace without boredom. So far, a good series to escape into.", "timestamp": 1536127850727, "title": "Very good mystery" }, { "asin": "B0799LVPKC", "rating": 5, "text": "I’ve really enjoyed the series. A bit macabre but hey, it’s creepy serial killers.<br />Jessie and Olivia are doing well but still struggling to make ends meet. Zee has really fit into her role at the PI agency and it looks like things with Jessie’s boyfriend are moving along.<br />Ben is still struggling with his missing past from his horrific abusive childhood he cannot remember.<br />The twists and turns are riveting and the story moves along fast paced and each character stays within their growing personalities. The descriptions and imagery are well developed.<br />Another winner!<br />Can’t wait for the next one in 2019.", "timestamp": 1541492171865, "title": "Well done and a good story to continue the lives of Jessie, Ben and Colin" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 5, "text": "I love when stories seem to pick up with the people from a previous novella leave off. The characters become more intimate, real and the reader anticipates the future interactions. This was a nice story even if there was murder involved. The trials and daily realistic problems of the characters along with their professional duties made it even better. The imagery of the island was beautifully written.<br />A nice quick read with great characters. And, by my favorite authors.", "timestamp": 1543603600873, "title": "Nice second installment novella" }, { "asin": "B07C854RL5", "rating": 5, "text": "Book five is not a disappointment for this Mercy Kilpatrick fan! Another great mystery and all the wonderful characters from previous books are there to carry us along on a new journey. A 30 year old bank robbery revived when Ollie and his dog find human remains. Mercy and the FBI have a huge case to solve. It will involve many twists, betrayals and hidden secrets from the towns folks. But, that’s what Kendra Elliot does best. Enjoy!", "timestamp": 1548917002945, "title": "Long awaited #5 and a great read!" } ]

[ { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 4, "text": "Enter Morgan Dane. Young widowed mom of 3 girls living with grandpa and attempting to move on with a promising new job with the DA.<br />Then everything changes. She dumps the job to defend her young neighbor whose charged with a brutal murder.<br />Enter Lance Kruger, ex cop, handsome, kind, and her high school boyfriend briefly. As the PI on her case he’s eager to help.<br />The two make a good investigative team, sparks still there and the case is complicated, townsfolk are already convinced Nick is guilty and they need to prove he isn’t.<br />Other cases, people, twists, turns and a good story woven well enough to hold your attention to the end when most will be surprised whodunit.<br />The first Morgan Dane novel. I’m on to the next one. Enjoy...", "timestamp": 1508861704729, "title": "Pretty good mystery" }, { "asin": "B00QXROAA0", "rating": 4, "text": "McLane seems to find drama and trouble if not from her crazy twin but just draw it in!<br />She’s pretty broken in this book. Callahan is doing the best he can and all the teams are desperate to find out why there are back to back mass shootings by seemingly normal kids.<br />I figured out the common thread and was quite pleased with myself! Very good series.", "timestamp": 1512005334764, "title": "Well don’t on book 3" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW5Q", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed the series and trying to figure out the crimes. I did figure out who the bad guy was in this one. I enjoyed the plot and the way the characters interacted.<br />I’m also sure the authors husband is thrilled she finally got zombies in her story! Lol", "timestamp": 1512093636578, "title": "Great series" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 4, "text": "Having read other books by Ms Elliot I looked forward to another series similar to the McLane & Callahan series. This was t a disappointment.<br />I enjoyed the information on the preppers and lifestyle information and the small town imagery. Good mysteries abound too!", "timestamp": 1512521620042, "title": "Well done first in series" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 4, "text": "As an avid reader of mystery and fast action books I love this series. I prefer series to stand alone novels. Getting to know characters and tagging along for several books is something I love. The characters in this series, a police chief in a rural town and his FBI girlfriend and all the people around them are good stories and well lived lives. Mercy and Truman have action packed adventures solving crimes and trying to stay understanding of the many preppers and people in the community. Just read them.", "timestamp": 1512617886568, "title": "This is a really good series! You should read it!" }, { "asin": "B06XGFQ23J", "rating": 4, "text": "But, very disturbing to have a totally psychopathic man do such horrible things to the young women he captured, imprisoned and murdered.<br />The man was a total monster. The families of victims realistically broken.<br />I did like the chapter switching to each person and their thoughts and actions either independent from the others or scenes with them.<br />Well written but very much a psychological soul baring of each of those affected by their losses.", "timestamp": 1516178135078, "title": "Very good mystery" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "This series is good! Wonderful characters and a mystery to unravel!<br />Mercy and Truman continue their relationship that intersects their personal and professional lives.<br />Murders to solve, guarded people in a rural town and wild woods with secrets few can unravel. Secrets that destroy. Good ones in this book!", "timestamp": 1516416665280, "title": "4th book is as good as the others" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 5, "text": "This was a great continuation of the previous books. We finally learn what happened to Lances dad.<br />No spoiler but the pieces come together and the truth unravels and is revealed.<br />Not without the usual chaos surrounding them of course.<br />Well done, again.", "timestamp": 1522646805724, "title": "Another good one and more answers!" }, { "asin": "B00LTBWMVO", "rating": 4, "text": "First one of this series I’ve read. Fast paced and lots of twists and turns. Bringing a family together in the face of tragedy. A sinister crime and no one wanting to wait for the police to do the job, of course!<br />Characters were well done and developed. My only complaint is the long drawn out “thoughts” of explanation and reflection of some of them which gets me bored and I find myself skimming over that to get to the meat of the progress in finding the culprit! Turns out there’s more than one! Read it, enjoy!", "timestamp": 1529463759822, "title": "Good mystery" }, { "asin": "B00QQYZYPK", "rating": 5, "text": "A very tense disturbing story. From the sex trafficking to brutal men hunting Hannah Barrett and the men’s brutal appetite for cruelty, disregard for human life is disturbing. And, tense describes the fear for everyone the evil men hunt and hurt.<br />The tender moments and developing relationship between Hannah and Brody McNamera were a godsend but you knew evil lurked to seek revenge!<br />Lots of players and characters enter and have their own place. It was good to see light shed on the horrific problem of sex trafficking in this country and the extent it has become.<br />Of course everything almost works out in the end. Well done second book in the series.", "timestamp": 1529647444945, "title": "Held my breath though most of it!" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW56", "rating": 5, "text": "The Barrett’s family saga continues. This book focuses on Mac. He reveals his true job once’s he’s almost killed before flying home to his father‘s deathbed. Tying up pent up emotions and helping Stella identify a seeming serial killer. Tense moments, sweet ones as the budding relationship between Mac and Stella continues. I’m not a fan of sex and romance but it was tolerable while I tried to figure out the criminal.", "timestamp": 1529815966705, "title": "Good who’s killing women novel" }, { "asin": "B0746L8G49", "rating": 5, "text": "The second Jessie Cole book is a continuation of the first. Reappearing is Ben Morrison, the crime reporter whose life is a mystery to him. Maybe it’s better he doesn’t remember his past. His twisted thoughts, flashes of horrible events. Are they pieces of crimes he reported on or pieces of his past?<br />Jessie has several cases she’s working on and surprisingly she enlists Zee to help out. She’s from the previous book and a strange and whimsical character. A woman with schizophrenia who has actually improved. She still hears voices, is still impulsive and adds a bit of flair and humor.<br />A sad and vindictive man begins killing for revenge. He wants to avenge his daughter by punishing a health insurance corporation. Jessie is hired to find him. As usual, more characters and events keep it interesting and you get pulled along.<br />I enjoy this style, the imagery and quick pace without boredom. So far, a good series to escape into.", "timestamp": 1536127850727, "title": "Very good mystery" }, { "asin": "B0799LVPKC", "rating": 5, "text": "I’ve really enjoyed the series. A bit macabre but hey, it’s creepy serial killers.<br />Jessie and Olivia are doing well but still struggling to make ends meet. Zee has really fit into her role at the PI agency and it looks like things with Jessie’s boyfriend are moving along.<br />Ben is still struggling with his missing past from his horrific abusive childhood he cannot remember.<br />The twists and turns are riveting and the story moves along fast paced and each character stays within their growing personalities. The descriptions and imagery are well developed.<br />Another winner!<br />Can’t wait for the next one in 2019.", "timestamp": 1541492171865, "title": "Well done and a good story to continue the lives of Jessie, Ben and Colin" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 5, "text": "I love when stories seem to pick up with the people from a previous novella leave off. The characters become more intimate, real and the reader anticipates the future interactions. This was a nice story even if there was murder involved. The trials and daily realistic problems of the characters along with their professional duties made it even better. The imagery of the island was beautifully written.<br />A nice quick read with great characters. And, by my favorite authors.", "timestamp": 1543603600873, "title": "Nice second installment novella" }, { "asin": "B07C854RL5", "rating": 5, "text": "Book five is not a disappointment for this Mercy Kilpatrick fan! Another great mystery and all the wonderful characters from previous books are there to carry us along on a new journey. A 30 year old bank robbery revived when Ollie and his dog find human remains. Mercy and the FBI have a huge case to solve. It will involve many twists, betrayals and hidden secrets from the towns folks. But, that’s what Kendra Elliot does best. Enjoy!", "timestamp": 1548917002945, "title": "Long awaited #5 and a great read!" }, { "asin": "B0776S6YN6", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, this installment was incredible. I always seem to hold my breath with every predicament Gwen Proctor seems to get herself and family into! As much as she’d like to resume some sort of normalcy it never seems to happen. Her decision to go on a talk show is a disaster and then she and her family pay a steep price. Getting targeted again, dragging Sam into a dark confession, a woman whose daughter was one of Melvin’s victims and her horrific vow to destroy Gwen and her children. But that’s only half the story! Nonstop action, crooked police and entire towns.<br />Another fantastic volume to the Stillhouse Lake series.", "timestamp": 1560132923409, "title": "Filled with more action than a movie!" } ]

[ { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 4, "text": "Enter Morgan Dane. Young widowed mom of 3 girls living with grandpa and attempting to move on with a promising new job with the DA.<br />Then everything changes. She dumps the job to defend her young neighbor whose charged with a brutal murder.<br />Enter Lance Kruger, ex cop, handsome, kind, and her high school boyfriend briefly. As the PI on her case he’s eager to help.<br />The two make a good investigative team, sparks still there and the case is complicated, townsfolk are already convinced Nick is guilty and they need to prove he isn’t.<br />Other cases, people, twists, turns and a good story woven well enough to hold your attention to the end when most will be surprised whodunit.<br />The first Morgan Dane novel. I’m on to the next one. Enjoy...", "timestamp": 1508861704729, "title": "Pretty good mystery" }, { "asin": "B00QXROAA0", "rating": 4, "text": "McLane seems to find drama and trouble if not from her crazy twin but just draw it in!<br />She’s pretty broken in this book. Callahan is doing the best he can and all the teams are desperate to find out why there are back to back mass shootings by seemingly normal kids.<br />I figured out the common thread and was quite pleased with myself! Very good series.", "timestamp": 1512005334764, "title": "Well don’t on book 3" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW5Q", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed the series and trying to figure out the crimes. I did figure out who the bad guy was in this one. I enjoyed the plot and the way the characters interacted.<br />I’m also sure the authors husband is thrilled she finally got zombies in her story! Lol", "timestamp": 1512093636578, "title": "Great series" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 4, "text": "Having read other books by Ms Elliot I looked forward to another series similar to the McLane & Callahan series. This was t a disappointment.<br />I enjoyed the information on the preppers and lifestyle information and the small town imagery. Good mysteries abound too!", "timestamp": 1512521620042, "title": "Well done first in series" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 4, "text": "As an avid reader of mystery and fast action books I love this series. I prefer series to stand alone novels. Getting to know characters and tagging along for several books is something I love. The characters in this series, a police chief in a rural town and his FBI girlfriend and all the people around them are good stories and well lived lives. Mercy and Truman have action packed adventures solving crimes and trying to stay understanding of the many preppers and people in the community. Just read them.", "timestamp": 1512617886568, "title": "This is a really good series! You should read it!" }, { "asin": "B06XGFQ23J", "rating": 4, "text": "But, very disturbing to have a totally psychopathic man do such horrible things to the young women he captured, imprisoned and murdered.<br />The man was a total monster. The families of victims realistically broken.<br />I did like the chapter switching to each person and their thoughts and actions either independent from the others or scenes with them.<br />Well written but very much a psychological soul baring of each of those affected by their losses.", "timestamp": 1516178135078, "title": "Very good mystery" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "This series is good! Wonderful characters and a mystery to unravel!<br />Mercy and Truman continue their relationship that intersects their personal and professional lives.<br />Murders to solve, guarded people in a rural town and wild woods with secrets few can unravel. Secrets that destroy. Good ones in this book!", "timestamp": 1516416665280, "title": "4th book is as good as the others" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 5, "text": "This was a great continuation of the previous books. We finally learn what happened to Lances dad.<br />No spoiler but the pieces come together and the truth unravels and is revealed.<br />Not without the usual chaos surrounding them of course.<br />Well done, again.", "timestamp": 1522646805724, "title": "Another good one and more answers!" }, { "asin": "B00LTBWMVO", "rating": 4, "text": "First one of this series I’ve read. Fast paced and lots of twists and turns. Bringing a family together in the face of tragedy. A sinister crime and no one wanting to wait for the police to do the job, of course!<br />Characters were well done and developed. My only complaint is the long drawn out “thoughts” of explanation and reflection of some of them which gets me bored and I find myself skimming over that to get to the meat of the progress in finding the culprit! Turns out there’s more than one! Read it, enjoy!", "timestamp": 1529463759822, "title": "Good mystery" }, { "asin": "B00QQYZYPK", "rating": 5, "text": "A very tense disturbing story. From the sex trafficking to brutal men hunting Hannah Barrett and the men’s brutal appetite for cruelty, disregard for human life is disturbing. And, tense describes the fear for everyone the evil men hunt and hurt.<br />The tender moments and developing relationship between Hannah and Brody McNamera were a godsend but you knew evil lurked to seek revenge!<br />Lots of players and characters enter and have their own place. It was good to see light shed on the horrific problem of sex trafficking in this country and the extent it has become.<br />Of course everything almost works out in the end. Well done second book in the series.", "timestamp": 1529647444945, "title": "Held my breath though most of it!" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW56", "rating": 5, "text": "The Barrett’s family saga continues. This book focuses on Mac. He reveals his true job once’s he’s almost killed before flying home to his father‘s deathbed. Tying up pent up emotions and helping Stella identify a seeming serial killer. Tense moments, sweet ones as the budding relationship between Mac and Stella continues. I’m not a fan of sex and romance but it was tolerable while I tried to figure out the criminal.", "timestamp": 1529815966705, "title": "Good who’s killing women novel" }, { "asin": "B0746L8G49", "rating": 5, "text": "The second Jessie Cole book is a continuation of the first. Reappearing is Ben Morrison, the crime reporter whose life is a mystery to him. Maybe it’s better he doesn’t remember his past. His twisted thoughts, flashes of horrible events. Are they pieces of crimes he reported on or pieces of his past?<br />Jessie has several cases she’s working on and surprisingly she enlists Zee to help out. She’s from the previous book and a strange and whimsical character. A woman with schizophrenia who has actually improved. She still hears voices, is still impulsive and adds a bit of flair and humor.<br />A sad and vindictive man begins killing for revenge. He wants to avenge his daughter by punishing a health insurance corporation. Jessie is hired to find him. As usual, more characters and events keep it interesting and you get pulled along.<br />I enjoy this style, the imagery and quick pace without boredom. So far, a good series to escape into.", "timestamp": 1536127850727, "title": "Very good mystery" }, { "asin": "B0799LVPKC", "rating": 5, "text": "I’ve really enjoyed the series. A bit macabre but hey, it’s creepy serial killers.<br />Jessie and Olivia are doing well but still struggling to make ends meet. Zee has really fit into her role at the PI agency and it looks like things with Jessie’s boyfriend are moving along.<br />Ben is still struggling with his missing past from his horrific abusive childhood he cannot remember.<br />The twists and turns are riveting and the story moves along fast paced and each character stays within their growing personalities. The descriptions and imagery are well developed.<br />Another winner!<br />Can’t wait for the next one in 2019.", "timestamp": 1541492171865, "title": "Well done and a good story to continue the lives of Jessie, Ben and Colin" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 5, "text": "I love when stories seem to pick up with the people from a previous novella leave off. The characters become more intimate, real and the reader anticipates the future interactions. This was a nice story even if there was murder involved. The trials and daily realistic problems of the characters along with their professional duties made it even better. The imagery of the island was beautifully written.<br />A nice quick read with great characters. And, by my favorite authors.", "timestamp": 1543603600873, "title": "Nice second installment novella" }, { "asin": "B07C854RL5", "rating": 5, "text": "Book five is not a disappointment for this Mercy Kilpatrick fan! Another great mystery and all the wonderful characters from previous books are there to carry us along on a new journey. A 30 year old bank robbery revived when Ollie and his dog find human remains. Mercy and the FBI have a huge case to solve. It will involve many twists, betrayals and hidden secrets from the towns folks. But, that’s what Kendra Elliot does best. Enjoy!", "timestamp": 1548917002945, "title": "Long awaited #5 and a great read!" }, { "asin": "B0776S6YN6", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, this installment was incredible. I always seem to hold my breath with every predicament Gwen Proctor seems to get herself and family into! As much as she’d like to resume some sort of normalcy it never seems to happen. Her decision to go on a talk show is a disaster and then she and her family pay a steep price. Getting targeted again, dragging Sam into a dark confession, a woman whose daughter was one of Melvin’s victims and her horrific vow to destroy Gwen and her children. But that’s only half the story! Nonstop action, crooked police and entire towns.<br />Another fantastic volume to the Stillhouse Lake series.", "timestamp": 1560132923409, "title": "Filled with more action than a movie!" }, { "asin": "B07GDH8F26", "rating": 5, "text": "I’ve enjoyed the Jesse Cole series and the developing characters. Each of them has changed, grown and become more insightful, solved their own issues and tried to move forward.<br />Jesse is still great at her investigative hunches, feeling the true nature of people. Zee is trying but doesn’t always make good choices. Colin is working to pull this family together. Ben is the one who has finally figured out what he is and is coming to terms with it. Will it all come crashing down on him one day?", "timestamp": 1560755705727, "title": "Really great sequel" } ]

[ { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 4, "text": "Enter Morgan Dane. Young widowed mom of 3 girls living with grandpa and attempting to move on with a promising new job with the DA.<br />Then everything changes. She dumps the job to defend her young neighbor whose charged with a brutal murder.<br />Enter Lance Kruger, ex cop, handsome, kind, and her high school boyfriend briefly. As the PI on her case he’s eager to help.<br />The two make a good investigative team, sparks still there and the case is complicated, townsfolk are already convinced Nick is guilty and they need to prove he isn’t.<br />Other cases, people, twists, turns and a good story woven well enough to hold your attention to the end when most will be surprised whodunit.<br />The first Morgan Dane novel. I’m on to the next one. Enjoy...", "timestamp": 1508861704729, "title": "Pretty good mystery" }, { "asin": "B00QXROAA0", "rating": 4, "text": "McLane seems to find drama and trouble if not from her crazy twin but just draw it in!<br />She’s pretty broken in this book. Callahan is doing the best he can and all the teams are desperate to find out why there are back to back mass shootings by seemingly normal kids.<br />I figured out the common thread and was quite pleased with myself! Very good series.", "timestamp": 1512005334764, "title": "Well don’t on book 3" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW5Q", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed the series and trying to figure out the crimes. I did figure out who the bad guy was in this one. I enjoyed the plot and the way the characters interacted.<br />I’m also sure the authors husband is thrilled she finally got zombies in her story! Lol", "timestamp": 1512093636578, "title": "Great series" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 4, "text": "Having read other books by Ms Elliot I looked forward to another series similar to the McLane & Callahan series. This was t a disappointment.<br />I enjoyed the information on the preppers and lifestyle information and the small town imagery. Good mysteries abound too!", "timestamp": 1512521620042, "title": "Well done first in series" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 4, "text": "As an avid reader of mystery and fast action books I love this series. I prefer series to stand alone novels. Getting to know characters and tagging along for several books is something I love. The characters in this series, a police chief in a rural town and his FBI girlfriend and all the people around them are good stories and well lived lives. Mercy and Truman have action packed adventures solving crimes and trying to stay understanding of the many preppers and people in the community. Just read them.", "timestamp": 1512617886568, "title": "This is a really good series! You should read it!" }, { "asin": "B06XGFQ23J", "rating": 4, "text": "But, very disturbing to have a totally psychopathic man do such horrible things to the young women he captured, imprisoned and murdered.<br />The man was a total monster. The families of victims realistically broken.<br />I did like the chapter switching to each person and their thoughts and actions either independent from the others or scenes with them.<br />Well written but very much a psychological soul baring of each of those affected by their losses.", "timestamp": 1516178135078, "title": "Very good mystery" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "This series is good! Wonderful characters and a mystery to unravel!<br />Mercy and Truman continue their relationship that intersects their personal and professional lives.<br />Murders to solve, guarded people in a rural town and wild woods with secrets few can unravel. Secrets that destroy. Good ones in this book!", "timestamp": 1516416665280, "title": "4th book is as good as the others" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 5, "text": "This was a great continuation of the previous books. We finally learn what happened to Lances dad.<br />No spoiler but the pieces come together and the truth unravels and is revealed.<br />Not without the usual chaos surrounding them of course.<br />Well done, again.", "timestamp": 1522646805724, "title": "Another good one and more answers!" }, { "asin": "B00LTBWMVO", "rating": 4, "text": "First one of this series I’ve read. Fast paced and lots of twists and turns. Bringing a family together in the face of tragedy. A sinister crime and no one wanting to wait for the police to do the job, of course!<br />Characters were well done and developed. My only complaint is the long drawn out “thoughts” of explanation and reflection of some of them which gets me bored and I find myself skimming over that to get to the meat of the progress in finding the culprit! Turns out there’s more than one! Read it, enjoy!", "timestamp": 1529463759822, "title": "Good mystery" }, { "asin": "B00QQYZYPK", "rating": 5, "text": "A very tense disturbing story. From the sex trafficking to brutal men hunting Hannah Barrett and the men’s brutal appetite for cruelty, disregard for human life is disturbing. And, tense describes the fear for everyone the evil men hunt and hurt.<br />The tender moments and developing relationship between Hannah and Brody McNamera were a godsend but you knew evil lurked to seek revenge!<br />Lots of players and characters enter and have their own place. It was good to see light shed on the horrific problem of sex trafficking in this country and the extent it has become.<br />Of course everything almost works out in the end. Well done second book in the series.", "timestamp": 1529647444945, "title": "Held my breath though most of it!" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW56", "rating": 5, "text": "The Barrett’s family saga continues. This book focuses on Mac. He reveals his true job once’s he’s almost killed before flying home to his father‘s deathbed. Tying up pent up emotions and helping Stella identify a seeming serial killer. Tense moments, sweet ones as the budding relationship between Mac and Stella continues. I’m not a fan of sex and romance but it was tolerable while I tried to figure out the criminal.", "timestamp": 1529815966705, "title": "Good who’s killing women novel" }, { "asin": "B0746L8G49", "rating": 5, "text": "The second Jessie Cole book is a continuation of the first. Reappearing is Ben Morrison, the crime reporter whose life is a mystery to him. Maybe it’s better he doesn’t remember his past. His twisted thoughts, flashes of horrible events. Are they pieces of crimes he reported on or pieces of his past?<br />Jessie has several cases she’s working on and surprisingly she enlists Zee to help out. She’s from the previous book and a strange and whimsical character. A woman with schizophrenia who has actually improved. She still hears voices, is still impulsive and adds a bit of flair and humor.<br />A sad and vindictive man begins killing for revenge. He wants to avenge his daughter by punishing a health insurance corporation. Jessie is hired to find him. As usual, more characters and events keep it interesting and you get pulled along.<br />I enjoy this style, the imagery and quick pace without boredom. So far, a good series to escape into.", "timestamp": 1536127850727, "title": "Very good mystery" }, { "asin": "B0799LVPKC", "rating": 5, "text": "I’ve really enjoyed the series. A bit macabre but hey, it’s creepy serial killers.<br />Jessie and Olivia are doing well but still struggling to make ends meet. Zee has really fit into her role at the PI agency and it looks like things with Jessie’s boyfriend are moving along.<br />Ben is still struggling with his missing past from his horrific abusive childhood he cannot remember.<br />The twists and turns are riveting and the story moves along fast paced and each character stays within their growing personalities. The descriptions and imagery are well developed.<br />Another winner!<br />Can’t wait for the next one in 2019.", "timestamp": 1541492171865, "title": "Well done and a good story to continue the lives of Jessie, Ben and Colin" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 5, "text": "I love when stories seem to pick up with the people from a previous novella leave off. The characters become more intimate, real and the reader anticipates the future interactions. This was a nice story even if there was murder involved. The trials and daily realistic problems of the characters along with their professional duties made it even better. The imagery of the island was beautifully written.<br />A nice quick read with great characters. And, by my favorite authors.", "timestamp": 1543603600873, "title": "Nice second installment novella" }, { "asin": "B07C854RL5", "rating": 5, "text": "Book five is not a disappointment for this Mercy Kilpatrick fan! Another great mystery and all the wonderful characters from previous books are there to carry us along on a new journey. A 30 year old bank robbery revived when Ollie and his dog find human remains. Mercy and the FBI have a huge case to solve. It will involve many twists, betrayals and hidden secrets from the towns folks. But, that’s what Kendra Elliot does best. Enjoy!", "timestamp": 1548917002945, "title": "Long awaited #5 and a great read!" }, { "asin": "B0776S6YN6", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, this installment was incredible. I always seem to hold my breath with every predicament Gwen Proctor seems to get herself and family into! As much as she’d like to resume some sort of normalcy it never seems to happen. Her decision to go on a talk show is a disaster and then she and her family pay a steep price. Getting targeted again, dragging Sam into a dark confession, a woman whose daughter was one of Melvin’s victims and her horrific vow to destroy Gwen and her children. But that’s only half the story! Nonstop action, crooked police and entire towns.<br />Another fantastic volume to the Stillhouse Lake series.", "timestamp": 1560132923409, "title": "Filled with more action than a movie!" }, { "asin": "B07GDH8F26", "rating": 5, "text": "I’ve enjoyed the Jesse Cole series and the developing characters. Each of them has changed, grown and become more insightful, solved their own issues and tried to move forward.<br />Jesse is still great at her investigative hunches, feeling the true nature of people. Zee is trying but doesn’t always make good choices. Colin is working to pull this family together. Ben is the one who has finally figured out what he is and is coming to terms with it. Will it all come crashing down on him one day?", "timestamp": 1560755705727, "title": "Really great sequel" }, { "asin": "B015FMV3LW", "rating": 5, "text": "Yes, it’s a mystery but it’s also a stark reminder of the horrors of human trafficking that is a malignancy in the USA and around the world.<br />This is a page turner and one you’ll end up reading from cover to cover in one day so don’t make any plans once you’ve started it! Now on to Book 2.", "timestamp": 1570424841798, "title": "Excellent book on human trafficking" } ]

[ { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 4, "text": "Enter Morgan Dane. Young widowed mom of 3 girls living with grandpa and attempting to move on with a promising new job with the DA.<br />Then everything changes. She dumps the job to defend her young neighbor whose charged with a brutal murder.<br />Enter Lance Kruger, ex cop, handsome, kind, and her high school boyfriend briefly. As the PI on her case he’s eager to help.<br />The two make a good investigative team, sparks still there and the case is complicated, townsfolk are already convinced Nick is guilty and they need to prove he isn’t.<br />Other cases, people, twists, turns and a good story woven well enough to hold your attention to the end when most will be surprised whodunit.<br />The first Morgan Dane novel. I’m on to the next one. Enjoy...", "timestamp": 1508861704729, "title": "Pretty good mystery" }, { "asin": "B00QXROAA0", "rating": 4, "text": "McLane seems to find drama and trouble if not from her crazy twin but just draw it in!<br />She’s pretty broken in this book. Callahan is doing the best he can and all the teams are desperate to find out why there are back to back mass shootings by seemingly normal kids.<br />I figured out the common thread and was quite pleased with myself! Very good series.", "timestamp": 1512005334764, "title": "Well don’t on book 3" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW5Q", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed the series and trying to figure out the crimes. I did figure out who the bad guy was in this one. I enjoyed the plot and the way the characters interacted.<br />I’m also sure the authors husband is thrilled she finally got zombies in her story! Lol", "timestamp": 1512093636578, "title": "Great series" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 4, "text": "Having read other books by Ms Elliot I looked forward to another series similar to the McLane & Callahan series. This was t a disappointment.<br />I enjoyed the information on the preppers and lifestyle information and the small town imagery. Good mysteries abound too!", "timestamp": 1512521620042, "title": "Well done first in series" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 4, "text": "As an avid reader of mystery and fast action books I love this series. I prefer series to stand alone novels. Getting to know characters and tagging along for several books is something I love. The characters in this series, a police chief in a rural town and his FBI girlfriend and all the people around them are good stories and well lived lives. Mercy and Truman have action packed adventures solving crimes and trying to stay understanding of the many preppers and people in the community. Just read them.", "timestamp": 1512617886568, "title": "This is a really good series! You should read it!" }, { "asin": "B06XGFQ23J", "rating": 4, "text": "But, very disturbing to have a totally psychopathic man do such horrible things to the young women he captured, imprisoned and murdered.<br />The man was a total monster. The families of victims realistically broken.<br />I did like the chapter switching to each person and their thoughts and actions either independent from the others or scenes with them.<br />Well written but very much a psychological soul baring of each of those affected by their losses.", "timestamp": 1516178135078, "title": "Very good mystery" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "This series is good! Wonderful characters and a mystery to unravel!<br />Mercy and Truman continue their relationship that intersects their personal and professional lives.<br />Murders to solve, guarded people in a rural town and wild woods with secrets few can unravel. Secrets that destroy. Good ones in this book!", "timestamp": 1516416665280, "title": "4th book is as good as the others" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 5, "text": "This was a great continuation of the previous books. We finally learn what happened to Lances dad.<br />No spoiler but the pieces come together and the truth unravels and is revealed.<br />Not without the usual chaos surrounding them of course.<br />Well done, again.", "timestamp": 1522646805724, "title": "Another good one and more answers!" }, { "asin": "B00LTBWMVO", "rating": 4, "text": "First one of this series I’ve read. Fast paced and lots of twists and turns. Bringing a family together in the face of tragedy. A sinister crime and no one wanting to wait for the police to do the job, of course!<br />Characters were well done and developed. My only complaint is the long drawn out “thoughts” of explanation and reflection of some of them which gets me bored and I find myself skimming over that to get to the meat of the progress in finding the culprit! Turns out there’s more than one! Read it, enjoy!", "timestamp": 1529463759822, "title": "Good mystery" }, { "asin": "B00QQYZYPK", "rating": 5, "text": "A very tense disturbing story. From the sex trafficking to brutal men hunting Hannah Barrett and the men’s brutal appetite for cruelty, disregard for human life is disturbing. And, tense describes the fear for everyone the evil men hunt and hurt.<br />The tender moments and developing relationship between Hannah and Brody McNamera were a godsend but you knew evil lurked to seek revenge!<br />Lots of players and characters enter and have their own place. It was good to see light shed on the horrific problem of sex trafficking in this country and the extent it has become.<br />Of course everything almost works out in the end. Well done second book in the series.", "timestamp": 1529647444945, "title": "Held my breath though most of it!" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW56", "rating": 5, "text": "The Barrett’s family saga continues. This book focuses on Mac. He reveals his true job once’s he’s almost killed before flying home to his father‘s deathbed. Tying up pent up emotions and helping Stella identify a seeming serial killer. Tense moments, sweet ones as the budding relationship between Mac and Stella continues. I’m not a fan of sex and romance but it was tolerable while I tried to figure out the criminal.", "timestamp": 1529815966705, "title": "Good who’s killing women novel" }, { "asin": "B0746L8G49", "rating": 5, "text": "The second Jessie Cole book is a continuation of the first. Reappearing is Ben Morrison, the crime reporter whose life is a mystery to him. Maybe it’s better he doesn’t remember his past. His twisted thoughts, flashes of horrible events. Are they pieces of crimes he reported on or pieces of his past?<br />Jessie has several cases she’s working on and surprisingly she enlists Zee to help out. She’s from the previous book and a strange and whimsical character. A woman with schizophrenia who has actually improved. She still hears voices, is still impulsive and adds a bit of flair and humor.<br />A sad and vindictive man begins killing for revenge. He wants to avenge his daughter by punishing a health insurance corporation. Jessie is hired to find him. As usual, more characters and events keep it interesting and you get pulled along.<br />I enjoy this style, the imagery and quick pace without boredom. So far, a good series to escape into.", "timestamp": 1536127850727, "title": "Very good mystery" }, { "asin": "B0799LVPKC", "rating": 5, "text": "I’ve really enjoyed the series. A bit macabre but hey, it’s creepy serial killers.<br />Jessie and Olivia are doing well but still struggling to make ends meet. Zee has really fit into her role at the PI agency and it looks like things with Jessie’s boyfriend are moving along.<br />Ben is still struggling with his missing past from his horrific abusive childhood he cannot remember.<br />The twists and turns are riveting and the story moves along fast paced and each character stays within their growing personalities. The descriptions and imagery are well developed.<br />Another winner!<br />Can’t wait for the next one in 2019.", "timestamp": 1541492171865, "title": "Well done and a good story to continue the lives of Jessie, Ben and Colin" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 5, "text": "I love when stories seem to pick up with the people from a previous novella leave off. The characters become more intimate, real and the reader anticipates the future interactions. This was a nice story even if there was murder involved. The trials and daily realistic problems of the characters along with their professional duties made it even better. The imagery of the island was beautifully written.<br />A nice quick read with great characters. And, by my favorite authors.", "timestamp": 1543603600873, "title": "Nice second installment novella" }, { "asin": "B07C854RL5", "rating": 5, "text": "Book five is not a disappointment for this Mercy Kilpatrick fan! Another great mystery and all the wonderful characters from previous books are there to carry us along on a new journey. A 30 year old bank robbery revived when Ollie and his dog find human remains. Mercy and the FBI have a huge case to solve. It will involve many twists, betrayals and hidden secrets from the towns folks. But, that’s what Kendra Elliot does best. Enjoy!", "timestamp": 1548917002945, "title": "Long awaited #5 and a great read!" }, { "asin": "B0776S6YN6", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, this installment was incredible. I always seem to hold my breath with every predicament Gwen Proctor seems to get herself and family into! As much as she’d like to resume some sort of normalcy it never seems to happen. Her decision to go on a talk show is a disaster and then she and her family pay a steep price. Getting targeted again, dragging Sam into a dark confession, a woman whose daughter was one of Melvin’s victims and her horrific vow to destroy Gwen and her children. But that’s only half the story! Nonstop action, crooked police and entire towns.<br />Another fantastic volume to the Stillhouse Lake series.", "timestamp": 1560132923409, "title": "Filled with more action than a movie!" }, { "asin": "B07GDH8F26", "rating": 5, "text": "I’ve enjoyed the Jesse Cole series and the developing characters. Each of them has changed, grown and become more insightful, solved their own issues and tried to move forward.<br />Jesse is still great at her investigative hunches, feeling the true nature of people. Zee is trying but doesn’t always make good choices. Colin is working to pull this family together. Ben is the one who has finally figured out what he is and is coming to terms with it. Will it all come crashing down on him one day?", "timestamp": 1560755705727, "title": "Really great sequel" }, { "asin": "B015FMV3LW", "rating": 5, "text": "Yes, it’s a mystery but it’s also a stark reminder of the horrors of human trafficking that is a malignancy in the USA and around the world.<br />This is a page turner and one you’ll end up reading from cover to cover in one day so don’t make any plans once you’ve started it! Now on to Book 2.", "timestamp": 1570424841798, "title": "Excellent book on human trafficking" }, { "asin": "B01H3RO2TM", "rating": 5, "text": "This trilogy was difficult to read at times. It felt very real because it very well could be. Human trafficking, child slavery and abuse is real.<br />This family went through hell and back to find their children. It doesn’t always end happily.<br />But, the characters were just great. Faith, who true to her name, wasn’t giving up finding her kids. Russell and Lilly supportive parents and joining the hunt, Faith’s brother, sister and even neighbors. And, Beast, Rage and Vinnie true friends who join in to help. Wonderful, true, diligent and never giving up. It does give you hope.<br />I love anything by T. R. Ragan.", "timestamp": 1570604455265, "title": "Very stark subject. And dark" } ]

[ { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 4, "text": "Enter Morgan Dane. Young widowed mom of 3 girls living with grandpa and attempting to move on with a promising new job with the DA.<br />Then everything changes. She dumps the job to defend her young neighbor whose charged with a brutal murder.<br />Enter Lance Kruger, ex cop, handsome, kind, and her high school boyfriend briefly. As the PI on her case he’s eager to help.<br />The two make a good investigative team, sparks still there and the case is complicated, townsfolk are already convinced Nick is guilty and they need to prove he isn’t.<br />Other cases, people, twists, turns and a good story woven well enough to hold your attention to the end when most will be surprised whodunit.<br />The first Morgan Dane novel. I’m on to the next one. Enjoy...", "timestamp": 1508861704729, "title": "Pretty good mystery" }, { "asin": "B00QXROAA0", "rating": 4, "text": "McLane seems to find drama and trouble if not from her crazy twin but just draw it in!<br />She’s pretty broken in this book. Callahan is doing the best he can and all the teams are desperate to find out why there are back to back mass shootings by seemingly normal kids.<br />I figured out the common thread and was quite pleased with myself! Very good series.", "timestamp": 1512005334764, "title": "Well don’t on book 3" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW5Q", "rating": 4, "text": "I really enjoyed the series and trying to figure out the crimes. I did figure out who the bad guy was in this one. I enjoyed the plot and the way the characters interacted.<br />I’m also sure the authors husband is thrilled she finally got zombies in her story! Lol", "timestamp": 1512093636578, "title": "Great series" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 4, "text": "Having read other books by Ms Elliot I looked forward to another series similar to the McLane & Callahan series. This was t a disappointment.<br />I enjoyed the information on the preppers and lifestyle information and the small town imagery. Good mysteries abound too!", "timestamp": 1512521620042, "title": "Well done first in series" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 4, "text": "As an avid reader of mystery and fast action books I love this series. I prefer series to stand alone novels. Getting to know characters and tagging along for several books is something I love. The characters in this series, a police chief in a rural town and his FBI girlfriend and all the people around them are good stories and well lived lives. Mercy and Truman have action packed adventures solving crimes and trying to stay understanding of the many preppers and people in the community. Just read them.", "timestamp": 1512617886568, "title": "This is a really good series! You should read it!" }, { "asin": "B06XGFQ23J", "rating": 4, "text": "But, very disturbing to have a totally psychopathic man do such horrible things to the young women he captured, imprisoned and murdered.<br />The man was a total monster. The families of victims realistically broken.<br />I did like the chapter switching to each person and their thoughts and actions either independent from the others or scenes with them.<br />Well written but very much a psychological soul baring of each of those affected by their losses.", "timestamp": 1516178135078, "title": "Very good mystery" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "This series is good! Wonderful characters and a mystery to unravel!<br />Mercy and Truman continue their relationship that intersects their personal and professional lives.<br />Murders to solve, guarded people in a rural town and wild woods with secrets few can unravel. Secrets that destroy. Good ones in this book!", "timestamp": 1516416665280, "title": "4th book is as good as the others" }, { "asin": "B072QX6TG1", "rating": 5, "text": "This was a great continuation of the previous books. We finally learn what happened to Lances dad.<br />No spoiler but the pieces come together and the truth unravels and is revealed.<br />Not without the usual chaos surrounding them of course.<br />Well done, again.", "timestamp": 1522646805724, "title": "Another good one and more answers!" }, { "asin": "B00LTBWMVO", "rating": 4, "text": "First one of this series I’ve read. Fast paced and lots of twists and turns. Bringing a family together in the face of tragedy. A sinister crime and no one wanting to wait for the police to do the job, of course!<br />Characters were well done and developed. My only complaint is the long drawn out “thoughts” of explanation and reflection of some of them which gets me bored and I find myself skimming over that to get to the meat of the progress in finding the culprit! Turns out there’s more than one! Read it, enjoy!", "timestamp": 1529463759822, "title": "Good mystery" }, { "asin": "B00QQYZYPK", "rating": 5, "text": "A very tense disturbing story. From the sex trafficking to brutal men hunting Hannah Barrett and the men’s brutal appetite for cruelty, disregard for human life is disturbing. And, tense describes the fear for everyone the evil men hunt and hurt.<br />The tender moments and developing relationship between Hannah and Brody McNamera were a godsend but you knew evil lurked to seek revenge!<br />Lots of players and characters enter and have their own place. It was good to see light shed on the horrific problem of sex trafficking in this country and the extent it has become.<br />Of course everything almost works out in the end. Well done second book in the series.", "timestamp": 1529647444945, "title": "Held my breath though most of it!" }, { "asin": "B017IKQW56", "rating": 5, "text": "The Barrett’s family saga continues. This book focuses on Mac. He reveals his true job once’s he’s almost killed before flying home to his father‘s deathbed. Tying up pent up emotions and helping Stella identify a seeming serial killer. Tense moments, sweet ones as the budding relationship between Mac and Stella continues. I’m not a fan of sex and romance but it was tolerable while I tried to figure out the criminal.", "timestamp": 1529815966705, "title": "Good who’s killing women novel" }, { "asin": "B0746L8G49", "rating": 5, "text": "The second Jessie Cole book is a continuation of the first. Reappearing is Ben Morrison, the crime reporter whose life is a mystery to him. Maybe it’s better he doesn’t remember his past. His twisted thoughts, flashes of horrible events. Are they pieces of crimes he reported on or pieces of his past?<br />Jessie has several cases she’s working on and surprisingly she enlists Zee to help out. She’s from the previous book and a strange and whimsical character. A woman with schizophrenia who has actually improved. She still hears voices, is still impulsive and adds a bit of flair and humor.<br />A sad and vindictive man begins killing for revenge. He wants to avenge his daughter by punishing a health insurance corporation. Jessie is hired to find him. As usual, more characters and events keep it interesting and you get pulled along.<br />I enjoy this style, the imagery and quick pace without boredom. So far, a good series to escape into.", "timestamp": 1536127850727, "title": "Very good mystery" }, { "asin": "B0799LVPKC", "rating": 5, "text": "I’ve really enjoyed the series. A bit macabre but hey, it’s creepy serial killers.<br />Jessie and Olivia are doing well but still struggling to make ends meet. Zee has really fit into her role at the PI agency and it looks like things with Jessie’s boyfriend are moving along.<br />Ben is still struggling with his missing past from his horrific abusive childhood he cannot remember.<br />The twists and turns are riveting and the story moves along fast paced and each character stays within their growing personalities. The descriptions and imagery are well developed.<br />Another winner!<br />Can’t wait for the next one in 2019.", "timestamp": 1541492171865, "title": "Well done and a good story to continue the lives of Jessie, Ben and Colin" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 5, "text": "I love when stories seem to pick up with the people from a previous novella leave off. The characters become more intimate, real and the reader anticipates the future interactions. This was a nice story even if there was murder involved. The trials and daily realistic problems of the characters along with their professional duties made it even better. The imagery of the island was beautifully written.<br />A nice quick read with great characters. And, by my favorite authors.", "timestamp": 1543603600873, "title": "Nice second installment novella" }, { "asin": "B07C854RL5", "rating": 5, "text": "Book five is not a disappointment for this Mercy Kilpatrick fan! Another great mystery and all the wonderful characters from previous books are there to carry us along on a new journey. A 30 year old bank robbery revived when Ollie and his dog find human remains. Mercy and the FBI have a huge case to solve. It will involve many twists, betrayals and hidden secrets from the towns folks. But, that’s what Kendra Elliot does best. Enjoy!", "timestamp": 1548917002945, "title": "Long awaited #5 and a great read!" }, { "asin": "B0776S6YN6", "rating": 5, "text": "Wow, this installment was incredible. I always seem to hold my breath with every predicament Gwen Proctor seems to get herself and family into! As much as she’d like to resume some sort of normalcy it never seems to happen. Her decision to go on a talk show is a disaster and then she and her family pay a steep price. Getting targeted again, dragging Sam into a dark confession, a woman whose daughter was one of Melvin’s victims and her horrific vow to destroy Gwen and her children. But that’s only half the story! Nonstop action, crooked police and entire towns.<br />Another fantastic volume to the Stillhouse Lake series.", "timestamp": 1560132923409, "title": "Filled with more action than a movie!" }, { "asin": "B07GDH8F26", "rating": 5, "text": "I’ve enjoyed the Jesse Cole series and the developing characters. Each of them has changed, grown and become more insightful, solved their own issues and tried to move forward.<br />Jesse is still great at her investigative hunches, feeling the true nature of people. Zee is trying but doesn’t always make good choices. Colin is working to pull this family together. Ben is the one who has finally figured out what he is and is coming to terms with it. Will it all come crashing down on him one day?", "timestamp": 1560755705727, "title": "Really great sequel" }, { "asin": "B015FMV3LW", "rating": 5, "text": "Yes, it’s a mystery but it’s also a stark reminder of the horrors of human trafficking that is a malignancy in the USA and around the world.<br />This is a page turner and one you’ll end up reading from cover to cover in one day so don’t make any plans once you’ve started it! Now on to Book 2.", "timestamp": 1570424841798, "title": "Excellent book on human trafficking" }, { "asin": "B01H3RO2TM", "rating": 5, "text": "This trilogy was difficult to read at times. It felt very real because it very well could be. Human trafficking, child slavery and abuse is real.<br />This family went through hell and back to find their children. It doesn’t always end happily.<br />But, the characters were just great. Faith, who true to her name, wasn’t giving up finding her kids. Russell and Lilly supportive parents and joining the hunt, Faith’s brother, sister and even neighbors. And, Beast, Rage and Vinnie true friends who join in to help. Wonderful, true, diligent and never giving up. It does give you hope.<br />I love anything by T. R. Ragan.", "timestamp": 1570604455265, "title": "Very stark subject. And dark" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 5, "text": "The Widow’s Island books are gems! Of course I’m a huge Melinda Leigh fan and love most everything she’s written.<br />Tessa is a super strong female in so many ways. The daily life of the island is interrupted by murder and the small town speculation is always part of it. And, will Cate and Tessa get the answers they need in their high school friends disappearance.<br />Ready for book 4!", "timestamp": 1572671239026, "title": "I just love these novellas!" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764208659", "rating": 5, "text": "City On Our Knees written by TobyMac is one of these books I guarantee will make you think!<br /><br />Because of my limited (financial) resources I find myself not always able to help out others as much as I would love to. Like all of us, I need sometime to be shown the light!<br /><br />In his book, TobyMac reminds us about those many people across the world who do not just give financially but also time, talents, love and compassion, even experiences, all that God in His infinite wisdom has bestowed upon us.<br /><br />There is no doubt TobyMac's lyrics are uplifting so using his music, biblical passage and quotes of Christians past and present, he shows us how to meet the needs of those around us. In fact he uses incredible examples of how people serve God everywhere and how even the youngest amongst us can do His mighty work!<br /><br />City on our knees is an inspiring tome well written and warmly documented. Anytime you believe you are not doing enough for His Kingdom you will find within its pages just enough fuel to light up your fires and do God's work. I was glad of the opportunity to read this book and my family and I rated it 4 1/2 stars!<br /><br />If you gotta start somewhere why not here<br />If you gotta start sometime why not now<br />If we gotta start somewhere I say here<br />If we gotta start sometime I say now<br /><br />(From City On Our Knees lyrics by TobyMac)<br /><br />Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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.\"", "timestamp": 1287021327000, "title": "Inspiring and well written!" }, { "asin": "078523120X", "rating": 5, "text": "When Booksneeze offered the possibility to review this latest book of Andy Andrews I immediately acccepted.<br />I very much enjoyed The Heart mender which I also reviewed here.<br />The 11th of April (posting schedule) came and went and I will first tell you, this is one book not to be rushed.<br />Andy Andrews has this particular knack for involving the reader body and soul in his books!<br />The Final Summit was a hard one to put down and I was not disappointed: I very much enjoyed reading it!<br /><br />\"Many years have passed since David Ponder discovered the Seven Decisions during a divine journey through time. Now 74 years old, Ponder has lost the one thing that mattered to him most--his wife, Ellen. Despite his personal and professional success, he now sits alone at the top of his 55-story high-rise contemplating the unthinkable, just as he did 28 years ago.<br /><br />However, just as things are looking their darkest, Ponder is informed through divine channels that he is needed now more than ever. This is mankind's last chance. Millennia of avarice, pride, and hate have sent humanity hurtling toward inevitable disaster, and far from its original purpose. There is only one solution that can reset the compass and right the ship--and it is only two words. Ponder, along with a cast of famous historical figures, must work quickly to discover this solution. The fate of the world rests on their shoulders.\"<br /><br />This is a book I recommend you read slowly and ponder upon. Andy Andrews's faith and knowledge of History, his very definition of human tendency's to ignore certain signs and rewrite this history to make it easier to understand will make you think again upon what you thought you knew about our world!<br />\"What does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization?\"<br /><br />Here is the question: When Time is running out and you must decide what to do when you do not know what to do... Which of the Seven Decisions would you think the most important? (no hinting, you must read it and discovered for yourself!)<br /><br />But I will tell you however my favourite...From Union Colonel Joshua Chamberlain who hastily wrote the words, \"I am a person of action\" on a scrap of paper.<br />Clearly, this is a book you must \"experience\" and Andy Andrews has woven a well written story that will leave you indeed pondering. Each chapter will inspire you to involve yourself and add your name to the \"personal declaration\"!<br />Time travelling in itself is of course always enticing and meeting other travellers whom might find a way to change the world...Oh the Dreams...<br /><br />Finally I will recommend heartily the Author's notes and the reader's guide to help you of course to discover even more about other Travellers...Who knew?<br /><br />I give this one 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br /><br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1303409632000, "title": "So many questions...and the Dreams..." }, { "asin": "082543310X", "rating": 5, "text": "Publisher's description:<br /><br />Fifteen-year-old Julien Losier just wants to fit in. But after his family moves to a small village in central France in hopes of outrunning the Nazis, he is suddenly faced with bigger challenges than the taunting of local teens.<br />Nina Krenkel left her country to obey her father's dying command: Take your brother and leave Austria. Burn your papers. Tell no one you are Jews. Alone and on the run, she arrives in Tanieux, France, dangerously ill and in despair.<br />Thrown together by the chaos of war, Julien begins to feel the terrible weight of the looming conflict and Nina fights to survive. As France falls to the Nazis, Julien struggles with doing what is right, even if it is not enough-and wonders whether or not he really can save Nina from almost certain death.<br />Based on the true story of the town of Le Chambon-the only French town honored by Israel for rescuing Jews from the Holocaust-How Huge the Night is a compelling, coming-of-age drama that will keep teens turning the pages as it teaches them about a fascinating period of history and inspires them to think more deeply about their everyday choices.<br /><br />And now for my review:<br /><br />Since this book is based on actual events, I was compelled to read it as soon as I received the opportunity to review it. Three nights later I closed the book and held my hand upon its cover. There is something that draws you to certain subjects for one reason or another...This one is particularly close to my heart and I am thankful to Heather and Lydia Munn for writing such a heartwarming book.<br /><br />For many in Europe there is an undeniable hauntingness about the occupation. Much is still hush hushed about the ensuing period's deeds and thoughts. We see the invasion of countries most often through the eyes of adults. Through their stories we feel the loss of freedom and honour, we experience a hint of their helpleness as we learn of rationing and depravation, sometime imprisoning or disapearance...We remember the stories about the Resistance and whispers of good and bad deeds...<br /><br />Seen throught the eyes of this small French village and their youth we are shown a different aspect of war, one which involves not just the adults but its young people as well. This is a time of conflict and choices have to be made.Theirs is a story of survival!<br />There is no right or wrong, good or bad when your life is on the line. Hope is all your have, the determination to live another day and ultimately to obtain once again your freedom! None are safe, danger surrounds and decisions must be made. Your only comfort, God is listening! Or is He?<br /><br />Wonderfully researched, beautifully written, this is a story that will take your breath away. Honest, compelling, How Huge The Night is a book which you soon realize does not shy from the true aspects of occupation.<br />I found myself remembering an other time, harsh decisions and I will admit to having been near tears! War time occupation was nothing short of a difficult time to grow up!<br />Albeit geared to the younger generation I am told, I find this is a timeless story and I see no reason not to recommend to adults as well.<br />A perfect 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Litfuse as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1306102239000, "title": "Honour, Freedom, Survival are not just for adults!" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 4, "text": "Since this weekend was quiet enough to let me relax (after a week of feeling somewhat frazzled) I picked up \"Spring for Suzannah\" to enjoy along with a nice cuppa!<br />I was looking for something light to read but with a good solid plot, the kind of novel you immerse yourself into.<br /><br />This is a debut for Catherine Richmond but a few pages in the book I knew \"Spring for Suzannah\" would be a throughfully enjoyable read and I was not disappointed.<br />I think we all agree we like to read about these incredible frontier women who braved the wilderness, tamed the Wild West, raised families, often burying some of their loved ones, faced starvation, wildlife threats, and built a life for themselves along their mates.<br />Let's not forget their contributions in building schools, churches and developing entire towns whilst uphelding God's word!<br /><br />The setting for Catherine Richmond novel (written with the help of a few chocolates along the way - my kind of gal!) is the Dakota Territory, a few years after the end of the Civil War.<br />Suzannah travels outwest to meet her new husband, Jesse. Theirs is a marriage by proxy, not unusual at that time. What is unusual is that she brings uncommon skills to her new way of life.<br />Her new home is a soddy, barely large enough to contain her husband and herself. Her companion is a dog, her only friend is Martha, a Norvegian just learning the English language and she lives miles away. The prairie is everywhere, there are many dangers such as wildland fires and the often weather changes! To survive is a daily challenge, being caught unprepared could mean death. There are no church, no school, no doctor and loneliness has a way to pervade everything!<br /><br />Jesse is a hard worker farmer but also a loving husband who has seen much horror during the War yet believes in God implicitly. His comfortable relationship with the Lord at times is even funny!<br />Shy Suzannah is insecure and lives in fear her new husband will send her back East but with patience Jesse reaches her heart and they soon see their union blessed.<br />When tragedy happens however, Suzannah must deal with the pain and here as always we are reminded God is always by our side. Suzannah matures in a real pioneer woman when she realizes God has a plan for her after all!<br /><br />Catherine Richmond describes her characters as living a full life, theirs is a romance that blooms in a lonely often harsh world. She does not shy from describing their intimacy, reminding us God made all things beautiful and His love is constant.<br />I cannot say honestly I would recommend this as a read for young girls but again, this Christian novel was written with much care and faith and a more mature audience will truly enjoy following Jesse and Suzannah's story.<br />The author's careful details gives us yet again, a little window on these pioneers women who made a New World thus providing us with a bit of history, along with an afternoon of true relaxation.<br />Just what I was looking for!<br />Many thanks Catherine Richmond and I hope you will soon pen another story for us.<br /><br />I give this book 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Litfuse as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1308065127000, "title": "Great debut!" }, { "asin": "1595548246", "rating": 4, "text": "The Amish world described by Beth Wiseman is like an opened window on a world which Englishers such as ourselves find fascinating!<br />Seek me with all your heart is also the first book I read by Beth Wiseman and I found myself drawn to the story within a few pages.<br />Beautifully written, with an engaging plot developing steadily along the pages, this is a much more accurate insight on Amish life than anything else I might have read in the past! The author does not shy from describing hardships found even amongst the Amish. Yes life can be a struggle but Faith can work wonders!<br /><br />Her realistic characters are guaranteed to surprise you even at times! You will find yourself laughing also at references to the Englisher life whilst learning more about a world few know truly well and often misunderstood.<br />It is a particular skill of a good author to lead any reader on a path of discovery and Beth Wiseman reminds us that Faith will sustain us through ups and downs as long as we let God in our heart!<br /><br />Like those beautiful Amish patchwork quilts made of intricate and carefully stiched pieces life can become whole and rewarding if we trust in Him! Beth Wiseman's characters and their plies are carefully chosen to let you know He is always near if we just listen!<br />Seek me with all your heart is the first book in the series Land of Canaan and is certain to be a throughly enjoyable read for anyone who delights in learning more about Amish life.<br /><br />To learn more about Beth Wiseman's books please visit her website here<br /><br />I gave this book a heatwarming 4 stars!<br /><br />Just a quick reminder: I was not asked to review this book and all opinions are entirely my own!", "timestamp": 1308765825000, "title": "A realistic view of the Amish Community!" }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 5, "text": "In 'A Distant Melody' we met Walt, the first of the three Novak brothers, a B17 pilot with the US Eight Air Force (read review here) and in 'A Memory Between Us', the author introduced us to dashing brother Jack, also a pilot stationed in England (see review here). Each of the Novak brothers' characters brought to mind the very best of the many American (and British) pilots who flew countless dangerous missions over enemy territory to bring about peace during the WW2 years! Most of these brave men were barely in their twenties and many gave their life for God and Country!<br /><br />Ray Novak's courage and faith is not to be doubt for a moment. His job is to train B17 pilots stateside and unlike his brothers, all he ever wanted was to follow his father's footsteps and preach.<br /><br />Sarah Sundin's superb description of this quiet man's trials as well as the human frailty displayed by the woman he loves is what makes this historical novel certainly hard to put down but in the end, it is a story about faith and the courage to go on during incredible times of conflict!<br /><br />If Ray's decision to join a combat unit overseas is somehow expected it is however the description of his survival behind enemy lines that will touch you in more ways than one! It is in the little details Sarah Sundin shares with readers that you find yourself pulling for the heroes (and holding your breath literally!)<br /><br />This beautiful love story is about Ray and Helen, both survivors, each reaching out to God for the courage to face their demons. Ultimately, it is the story of people torn apart by circumstances who in the course of their duties, both overseas and on the home front, reminds us that with God at our side, anything is possible!<br />'Blue Skies Tomorrow' is the perfect ending for the 'Wings of Glory' series!<br /><br />This is nothing less than 5 stars material!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1314710699000, "title": "The perfect ending to the 'Wings of Glory' series!" }, { "asin": "1595547851", "rating": 3, "text": "Fairer than Morning is a fictional novel set in the 1820's and inspired by a well known family in the history of Westerville Ohio, the Hanbys.<br />Since I am familiar with this family's connection to the famous Otterbein College, I thought it to be an interesting subject and looked forward to discover this new writer.<br />In this first novel Rosslyn Elliott introduces us to the Saddler's legacy series and describes the humble beginnings of William Hanby, mainly his years in indentured service.<br />William Hanby and Ann Miller were real people who fell in love, married and had 8 children of whom composer Ben Hanby (Darling Nelly Gray) is probably the best known. The family was very active in the Underground Railway and harboured runaways both in Rushville and Westerville.<br /><br />Rosslyn Elliott has introduced some well known (at least in the Midwest) historical facts in this work of fiction and it is interesting to note her clear description of the runaways slaves is perhaps the highlight of this novel. Somehow the two main characters are a bit lost in her description, and I would be remiss if I did not point out that I found the whole story to be fragmented.<br /><br />Whilst we do not have as much information as we wish on William and Ann, their combined and formidable convictions regarding anti slaveryand their faith in particular are not enough reflected in this novel. The description of Ohio and Pensylvania in the 19th Century also could use a bit more elaboration. Historical societies in both states offer much more information than it is reflected here.<br />Finally the added characters brings little support to the whole story and I found it lacking in historical interest.<br />In such, I found the book to lack the vitality of the well known Ohio river life and the sentiments of stepping into history with the characters was just missing. Certain subjects also do not make this Christian material for younger ladies yet I would have labelled this novel to be for younger adults.<br /><br />I give this one 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1315509697000, "title": "Not everything I thought it would be!" }, { "asin": "0800719956", "rating": 5, "text": "I think there is nothing like Christmas and the incredible feeling it brings to all who believe in the birth of the Child Christ!<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher is the kind of writer whom readers know they can expect an excellent plot deftly written, a message of hope and a great deal of Amish wisdom along a good dose of humour!<br />One look at the cover (yes, I know you should not judge a book by its cover alone) and the author's name and I knew I would enjoy it. There is something wholesome about Suzanne Woods Fisher's stories and her acute knowledge of the Amish society always attracts!<br /><br />In 'A Lancaster County Christmas', we find both Englisher and Amish families sharing a few days during the Christmas season due to unexpected circumstances and I will readily admit it put me in the Christmas spirit immediately.<br />It is the true gift of a good author to be able to make any reader see the plain life of Amish families, feel the snow flakes on his/her face, the warmth of a love shared by people who truly care about each other, the anxiety experienced by someone who is once again disappointed by events they cannot control and most important the steadfastness of God's love for all!<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher is such an author!<br /><br />Even better in 'A Lancaster County Christmas' we learn about SAR (Search and Rescue) and the efficiency of a search well planned by equally well trained volunteers.<br />Life sometimes does follow some unexpected turns and it is up to us to learn to lean on our faith to find the strengh to go on. Christmas is a wonderful gift, a season of love, hope and joy! 'A Lancaster County Christmas' brings you all these feelings!<br /><br />I recommend picking up a copy of 'A Lancaster County Christmas' and let the spirit of the season surround you! In fact, pick up an additional copy for a loved one or a friend, a perfect gift to share with them!<br />P.S. I couldn't but laugh at the suggestion of Mr. September! Suzanne Woods Fisher feels like a friend and I guarantee you will enjoy this latest book!<br />How could I give anything but 5 stars for a book that had me laughing and crying?!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE PUBLICITY GROUP as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1316191766000, "title": "It will put you in the Christmas spirit!" }, { "asin": "1414335830", "rating": 5, "text": "This latest novel in the Precinct 11 series starts off slowly but you soon find the plot gripping and it is a hard one to put down. In true Jerry B. Jenkins fashion, 'The Betrayal' is a story with rapid fire action but as always reflecting many family values and this is why I like to read his books!<br /><br />Things are not looking good for Boone Drake. The injury he received whilst protecting former street gang boss Pascual Candelario, now turned good guy, will probably earn him early retirement but it is the last thing he wants right now. There is an informer amongst the Police department and it makes Boone all the more determined to remain on active duty. The more so since it jeopardizes his attempt to get Candelario to a secure location!<br /><br />Whilst CPD investigates this obvious leak, Boone's girlfriend becomes the prime suspect and it now it appears someone wants Boone out of the CPD for good.<br />Near exhaustion, Boone forces himself to find the source of this betrayal and the guilty party! His life and others depend on his survival skills!<br />Watch out for the climax!<br /><br />A Christian writer who never compromise his faith, Jenkins has a knack for appealing to all sorts of readers and in the end, you know good will triumph over evil!<br /><br />A perfect 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from TYNDALE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Adverting.", "timestamp": 1319215965000, "title": "Gripping!" }, { "asin": "0764209035", "rating": 5, "text": "A delightful historical novel and one of the best Christian fiction I have read in a while!<br />Anne Mateer's faith shines throughout this story and I am certain to be on the lookout for more of her work!<br /><br />'Wings of a dream' is reminiscent of Lucy Maud Montgomery, Catherine Marshall or Louisa May Alcott's style and you will feel a kindred spirit with the main character Rebekah Hendricks!<br /><br />WWI home front life in Texas with its shortages, the Spanish Lady (flu) epidemic as well as casualty reports are just one of the many descriptions you will find in Anne Mateer's novel!<br /><br />A true Christian story, this warmhearted tale of a nineteen year old faced with challenges few would not find daunting, 'Wings of a dream' is certain to delight readers! Not unlike a good recipe, this story has all the right ingredients but it is Anne Mateer's harmonious blend with the Great War's background that has you turning 'just one more page!'<br />A dreamer like many of us, Rebekah desires adventure and yet, faced with unexpected love she discovers God always leads the way! You will find yourself holding your breath towards the end I guarantee!<br /><br />I so enjoyed reading 'Wings of a dream' that I too had a hard time to put it down! Enjoy!<br /><br />I will gladly give it 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHING as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1320527918000, "title": "A kindred spirit!" }, { "asin": "076420498X", "rating": 5, "text": "'I was perfectly content with my life - that is, until the pages of my story were ripped out before I had a chance to live happily ever after.'<br />An excellent debut I felt as I was really looking for something relaxing to read and I have always believed in faery tales! This was just the right novel for a cold, blustery and rainy evening!<br />'Three days later, when Lillie was sure that Mack would live, she started planning his funeral.' is only the beginning of Chapter 8...I forgot the time and just kept on reading!<br /><br />Lynn Austin once again delivers an enticing story which is sure to have you alternate betwixt laughing bouts and tears!<br />There is something almost magical in Lynn Austin's writing and I have yet to read anything I did not like by this author so I will heartily recommend her novels.<br />Just short of spellbinding, each page of her Christian novels allows you to step in a different time frame and her characters beckons readers to immerse themselves in her stories.<br /><br />In her latest book we discover a little coal mining town in Kentucky during the Great Depression, a young librarian, a one hundred and one year old woman once a plantation slave, a writer and to top all this, there is a mysterious buried treasure...<br /><br />In Wonderland Creek we discover the harsh lives led by the proud mountain people of Kentucky whom with much determination survived the Great Depression. You find yourself almost envious of the simple lifestyle, the traditions, the intricate families connections and above all, the beauty of the surroundings!<br />As is customary with Lynn Austin's novels, you will find a marvelous balance betwixt history lessons, rich settings, amazing and often gripping characters and of course a good dose of Christian wisdom.<br /><br />When all is said and done, this is one author's writings worth every 5 stars give!<br /><br />Note to readers: I was not asked to review this novel and all opinions expressed are entirely my own!", "timestamp": 1325109623000, "title": "Happily-ever-after in the woods of Kentucky's during the Great Depression" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 4, "text": "'Where Wildflowers Bloom' is the first book in Ann Shorey's series called 'Sisters at Heart' and since I like a good Historical novel, wildflowers and dreaming, the perfect choice for a rainy day!<br /><br />Faith Lindberg lost her father and brother and lives with her Grandfather who owns a Mercantile shoppe. Faith hopes to sell the business, hopefully at a profit of course and move West. She dreams of starting afresh.<br />The story is set just after the end of the Civil War and I found the added characters of a field nurse as well as a scarred veteran just the right touch for this novel to be a little more than just a lovely romance.<br /><br />Ann Shorey pens an interesting portrait of a MidWest town, and takes us on a stroll around the dusty boardwalks to the shoppes, local eatery, blacksmith shop and livery, sheriff's office, clapboard houses and the little white church with its spiked roof, not unlike time traveling in your armchair.<br /><br />The mercantile shoppe comes to life with her detailed description of the stock with its many shelves of goods. I could almost feel the heroine's pain when she inadvertently drops the lovely china she'd hoped to sell and make a profit to boost sales. The fact that women rarely worked outside of home is once again the perfect detail to make this an interesting story!<br /><br />With just the right eloquence Ann Shorey infuses readers with a sense of what life was truly for the settlers who made their homes in places such as Noble Springs, Missouri and the gossiping and sometime meddling of a small town.<br />She does not stop there however and you discover the past is not to be shrugged off easily, especially for the men who came back from war, some broken, many scarred.<br />With a burglary and even mysteries, the entire story evolves in just the kind of entertainment you need to relax!<br /><br />A very nice story which earned 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1327628071000, "title": "Historical fiction decribing Yesterday's women and Today issues!" }, { "asin": "0800734599", "rating": 3, "text": "'Summer of Promise' offers an outlook on life in Wyoming in the 1880's and particularly for the families of soldiers stationed in remote areas such as Fort Laramie, many of them immigrants who joined in hope to make a better life for themselves. I can see why the author felt inspired to write a story after her trip (make that 3 trips and countless hours of Internet browsing).<br /><br />Abigail and Ethan's story is a light romance you might enjoy during a long winter evening but I felt it did not flow and it was not one I would describe as a page turner.<br />Tales of the Old West have always fascinated me but despite having learned a thing or two from Amanda Cabot's findings, I did not think the characters to be all they could be! Leah is one character for i.e. that could have been so much more!<br /><br />It seemed to be written with the very young in mind, nothing either inspiring or entertaining. I will caution animal lovers might find some of the tale upsetting. However true it might be, I found it had little reason to be added to the story personally.<br /><br />If this is an example of the upcoming stories in the Westward Wind series, I found Summer of Promise monotonous and a little tedious for my taste.<br /><br />I give it 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br /><br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1328382932000, "title": "Light romance and a little tedious!" }, { "asin": "1414364458", "rating": 5, "text": "Despite the promising resume I felt the beginning of this book might lead to just another tedious life lesson and very little entertainment. As the story unfolded however I discovered a real gem, each individual committee member' story revealing its own little touch of drama and very personal message.<br /><br />'The Search Committee' is the story of a medley of fellow Christians whose goal is to visit other churches. The committee includes a busybody, a young husband, a single mom and a handful of others all sharing the same hope, that to hire (steal) the perfect pastor for their own congregation.<br /><br />Tim Owens artfully weaves background and problem(s) faced by each member of the committee into a delightful and entertaining message for the reader.<br />Hard to put down, the story unfolds giving us the opportunity to find a little of ourselves in at least one of the committee characters, complete with its little quirks.<br /><br />You will find yourself chuckling at the delightful descriptions of this busy group traveling in an old church van (Outch! Those potholes!) and sneaking incognito into various churches and teary eyed a moment later.<br />It is warm, it is human and you will question if any of us truly know our neighbour in the pew next to us.<br /><br />So will the committee find this perfect man/woman for their own church? Well, I wouldn't want to spoil a good story and it is a VERY good story!<br />My suggestion is to grab this insightful book and enjoy a good time with the seah committee! Their quest will teach you a thing or two I daresay!<br /><br />A delightful first novel and worth at least 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from TYNDALE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1329174853000, "title": "Tim Owen's first novel is delightful gem!" }, { "asin": "0800720458", "rating": 5, "text": "The very first thing that comes to mind about 'Words Spoken True' is the raised lettering on the cover (a feature I dearly love and miss in the mass produced paperbacks published these days!) swiftly followed by the interesting historical note published in the forefront of the story! Once spotted, I was rubbing my hands together with glee. This is my kind of historical fiction!<br /><br />With a rich historical setting, enticing plot, flowing dialogues betwixt the protagonists, colourful descriptive and just the right amount of romance 'Words Spoken True' is sure to captivate readers!<br />Here is no amateurish historical fiction! Ann H. Gabhart is a well published author and she writes a warm story complete with romance, faith and intrigue about 'The Herald' and 'The Tribune', two warring newspapers in Louisville, Kentucky, circa 1850's.<br /><br />As the plot unravels you find yourself engrossed in its drama, and wishing with all your might for a great ending for both Adriane and Blake. Never fear, weaving her magic wand, Ann H.Gabhart will not disappoint and you will soon discover that no matter what, the press must go on!<br /><br />On a quick note, I was startled to learn the existence of the 'Know Nothings, and the dramatic events of Bloody Monday on 6 August 1855 which reflects in this story!<br /><br /> Readers should know this is a page turner...Hence warning to husband/children: Mum is certain to be so engrossed, dinner will soon be forgotten!<br /><br />A wonderful story certain to leave you daydreaming...<br />A big thank you to Ann H. Gabhart for her enduring writing skills!<br /><br />For sheer enjoyment, a 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330103697000, "title": "A wonderful story certain to leave you daydreaming..." }, { "asin": "1433673223", "rating": 4, "text": "With a little imagination 'The Guardian Duke' might very well be the most delightful story I have read in awhile! Nothing too serious, just a light tale about a charming ingenue and her elegant guardian complete with good historical notes, a good amount of faith and just the right amount of romance!<br /><br />Reminiscent of Barbara Cartland's writings, 'The Guardian Duke' has all the ingredients for a good, if a tad innocuous, tale. I was not looking for anything in particular when I started reading Jamie Carie's first book in the Forgotten Castles series but I was pleasantly surprised.<br /><br />Perhaps it was the romantic setting of Ireland with its mythical shores, the intriguing mystery revolving around some of the protagonists, the spirited ingenue dodging her guardian duke or the elegant Gabriel himself.<br />Lest I forget, credit should also be given to a colourful surrounding cast!<br /><br />Jaimie Carie also excelled at penning the lively correspondence betwixt the heroine and her soul mate. Do people really fall in love through letters? Let's hope the world has not become so jade that we cannot imagine for a short time that it can be so. Ah the dreams...<br /><br />I for one can only vouch for the innocent reading time I spend immersing myself into with this lively Christian tale. And if someone witnessed the sighs just before I turned off the lights, well...<br />All I can say is 'Thank you' Jaimie for a tasteful read certain to entertain teens and adults alike.<br /><br />Here is to wandering what happens in Iceland and thinking it was well worth 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from PROPELLER as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330567856000, "title": "Tasteful Christian romance for teens and adults alike!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 4, "text": "Heart's Safe Passage is book # 2 in The Midwives series and whilst I have yet to read book # 1 it is my hope the author will indulge us with more stories in this captivating chapter. The combination of the midwifery subject and the High seas set right after the conflict of 1812 was an appealing point for a history buff like me and the author did not disappoint!<br /><br />Obviously Laurie Alice Eakes has done well her research and I spent a relaxing evening reading this latest tale! Such are the rules of war that both nations would have not hesitate to try either protagonist as a traitor. Therefore to imagine a plot involving a midwife stranded against her will on an enemy ship was nothing but genial!<br /><br />A fervent admirer of C.S. Forrester and his tales of the high seas, I found Heart's Safe Passage all the most most intriguing as Laurie Alice Eakes demonstrates a thorough knowledge of seamanship I did not expect.<br />Historically the war of 1812 and the resulting strenuous diplomatic relations betwixt Colonials and Britishers was well documented. In turn the author's description of her characters allegiances reminds us that one could be deemed a traitor for just being at the wrong place at the wrong time.<br /><br />The spirited dialogues betwixt the Scottish privateer and the Colonial midwife have just the right enticement for readers to wonder who will win in the end and the supporting characters are endearing in their own ways.<br />Life at sea was far from being as romantic as Hollywood would have us believed but in Heart's Safe Passage there is just enough drama to keep it interesting and enough sparks for the romantic soul!<br /><br />Most of all the storyteller reminds us that God is the only one to steer our ship...<br /><br />I was also fascinated by the historical notes recording midwives written by a seventeenth century physician! Whilst some of it could be deemed humorous, it would appear being a midwife was hard and often a thankless task!<br /><br />Finally Laurie Alice Eakes' description of Captain Docherty was much more interesting than Errol Flynn in all his glory!<br /><br />For a most enjoyable evening, I find myself giving this historical romance 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330728429000, "title": "An intriguing romance betwixt a midwife and a privateer on the High seas!" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "Anyone familiar with the talented Brother Cadfael, the Welsh Benedictine monk so engagingly described by Ellis Peters will appreciate my interest in this book!<br />I first heard of it on a Publisher's website and felt compelled to pursue this title whose author I had yet to discover! I also hoped for something different and was not disappointed!<br /><br />'Unhallowed Ground' was my introduction to Mel Starr's and I immediately found his style to be unique and quite discerning! An impressive glossary allows curious minds like mine to discover words and terms the modern English language no longer use.<br /><br />Mel Starr skillfully weaves a tapestry of intrigue, false leads, adventure and danger rendered the more interesting by its many historical settings whilst leading the reader on a path of whodunit.<br />Within a few pages you are wondering who is friend, who is foe and yes, it is a page turner!<br /><br />The colourful but tasteful tale follows Hugh de Singleton, bailiff of Bampton Manor, as he is called to investigate the death of a local villager. Amongst his many talents Master Hugh is also noted as a medieval surgeon and a detective of sorts...<br />Is this a case of suicide or murder? Thus we are introduced to the ensuing intriguing plot!<br /><br />With its excellent penmanship, 'Unhallowed Ground' is just the sort of book you will read and feel replete!<br /><br />I give it 5 stars (and quickly found a little niche for it on our bookshelves!)<br /><br />On a note of worth, this book is the fourth chronicle of the series. The fifth chronicle 'The Tainted Coin' will soon be released!<br /><br />NOTE TO READERS: I was not asked to review this title and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1332627554000, "title": "Medieval mystery with the finest historical detailed background!" }, { "asin": "1595548874", "rating": 3, "text": "Best selling author Beth Wiseman has delighted her many fans with tales of the Amish world for years. Perhaps I was influenced by my daughter as she is a big fan but I have enjoyed her stories!<br /><br />This novel is however quite different and I will admit to some disappointment. A contemporary story is rarely my first choice of reading material. I much prefer historical fiction work which lets your imagination wonder, provides you with healthy entertainment and even gives you the incentive to delve into the subject by way of further research!<br /><br />Beth Wiseman introduces us to her latest writing by depicting a Texan family whom at first glance lives a perfectly well balanced life. They recently moved from a cosmopolitan area to live in an old farmhouse in a small town to raise their children in a much healthier environment.<br /><br />Reading the resume I caught the 'Special Needs Children' part and felt drawn to it thus the reason for this choice of review.<br /><br />Unfortunately whilst I allow any author's right to feel a need to branch out, this time I felt something was missing and I had a hard time to concentrate on the plot.<br />Perhaps it was the fact that special needs children had only a small part in this story, or that the neighbour's character just did not seem to fit in, or I was not prepared to comprehend the extent to which some teens go to please their family or when under peer pressure! I have since looked into it and it brought many shudders!<br />Even the locales were not eye catching and nothing really stands out.<br /><br />Despite the troubled teenager plight and a handful of supporting characters, the story mainly revolves around the attraction felt by two individuals and much like a soap opera is drawn out: lies, betrayals and sheer boredom!<br /><br />Somewhat fragmented, Needing you Now is the sort of Christian novel I feel you will only briefly remember and lacking the profound inspirational theme Beth Wiseman usually provides her readers.<br /><br />Needing you Now has surprised me and less you feel this is not a good book, I will remind you of course that I offer only my opinion!<br /><br />As such, I can only give it 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BOOKSNEEZE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1335569626000, "title": "Really not what I hoped for!" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 4, "text": "'A Love Forbidden', Book # 2 in Heart of the Rockies series reads like a Western with a powerful message: intolerance is the root of many evils!<br />Once again Baker Revell brings us an interesting author and I was pleasantly surprised in Kathleen Morgan's vivid descriptions of the 1800 Colorado Rockies!<br />There is so much History in the US, often misconstrued yet as rich as many older nations!<br />I love to discover yet another facet of the Old West and I believe I mentioned it before, the first novel I read in English was written by Louis l'Amour!<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan's tasteful description of Shiloh Wainwright and Jesse Blackwater's love story gives us a realistic outlook on frontier life in the 1800's Colorado and the Ute reservation.<br />As a teacher on the Indian reservation Shiloh hopes to help Indian children learn the White Man's ways whilst retaining their identity. Her task is not easy as she deals with narrow minded agencies and wary settlers.<br />Jesse Blackwater is the childhood friend she never forgot and caught betwixt both the White man's world and the Ute worlds, they find themselves caught in a maelstrom of emotions and conflicts, both internal and external.<br /><br />'A Love Forbidden' might have been just another Historical romance but Kathleen Morgan draws you in the story and you immerse yourself in it. The sum of a good novel, right?<br />It is always amazing to read lines which create such a vivid panoramic picture of times gone by and in turn creates such powerful emotions!<br />Amidst prejudice and growing political tension betwixt both the White and Indian world, you find yourself wondering if you would have the courage and wisdom to do what is right. In such circumstances, where would you stand as a Christian?<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan seems to breathe this time period and spares no details to entice us visually. Life on the frontier was often harsh, supplies limited, and communication slow due to long distances betwixt forts and settlements.<br />When one side fails to honour its word, the other decided to take action...<br /><br />Red headed Shiloh is as tenacious in her convictions as in her love for Jesse, whilst he sees the road ahead in a very realistic way. Will they be able to bridge both worlds and find love, acceptance, forgiveness and ultimately peace?<br /><br />Well depicted, this is a thought provoking story which illustrates the power of love and faith in a world often riddled with prejudice and ignorance.<br />In the end, you are in God's hands and given the chance, Shiloh and Jesse will come to realize nothing is impossible for them with His help.<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1338071156000, "title": "A thought provoking story about love and faith in the 1800's Colorado Rockies!" }, { "asin": "0764207962", "rating": 5, "text": "Siri Mitchell is definitively an author to reckon with: her latest novel 'The Messenger' is fast paced and scintillates with the kind of details any history buff will love. I found her notes and research to be very interesting!<br /><br />Set during the War of Independence (US), this is the story of an intrepid young Quaker named Hannah and a Continental Army spy named Jeremiah Jones. Each have need of the other and both parties joined forces but not without concerns for the ramifications involved. As a pacifist Hannah cannot abide violence but Jeremiah's plans ultimately will draw her in a conflict few will escape without scars.<br /><br />This is absolutely a story to enjoy without interruptions. I for one knew very little of Women spies during the Civil War (US) and did not give much thought to Women involvement during the 1776 Campaign.<br /><br />Prisoners conditions during this tumultuous conflict are rarely spoken of yet we know of the many hardships endured by the Colonial army, particularly during the winter campaign at Valley Forge.<br />Sad to say, many of the reenactments Siri Mitchell developed in her tale of faith and courage for our two courageous protagonists rang only too true! The ravages of war effects innocents everywhere yet we still fight!<br /><br />'The Messenger, reminds us of theologian Reinhold Neiburh's Serenity prayer:<br /><br />God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,<br />Courage to change the things I can,<br />And wisdom to know the difference.<br /><br />So fitting for this story!<br /><br />As to the Quaker faith, I have to thank Siri Mitchell for enlightening me: I never thought much about it!<br /><br />A story of bravery, of beliefs and God's path for each one of us!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1338499473000, "title": "A tale of courage and faith in the Revolutionary war!" }, { "asin": "1434764303", "rating": 3, "text": "'Glamorous Illusions', Book 1 of 'The Grand Tour' series has a most enticing front cover. One look at the lovely gown featured with the Eiffel Tower in the background will have you wish you too could be part of this Grand Tour. I was ready to be dazzled!<br /><br />Let me begin by saying Lisa T. Bergren is a seasoned author with over 35 books and sales of over 2 million copies but new to this reader.<br /><br />David C. Cook, the Publisher gives us in turn a tantalizing resume of 'Glamorous Illusions' starting with 'It's the summer of 1913...A fateful afternoon, a stranger comes to call, and Cora discover s a terrible secret about her past...invited to take the 'Grand Tour' of Europe, a trip intended to finish a person's education and solidify an understanding of refinement and ancient culture...<br /><br />I immersed myself in this fictional story turning page after page hoping to glimpse the wonders of a 20th Century trip abroad through the eyes of our young protagonist beginning with a portentous crossing aboard the Titanic sister-ship.<br />Grand Tours were scintillating events and much anticipated occasions for any well bred young lady or gentleman to acquire a certain polish and large amounts of monies were disbursed by generous parents to this effect.<br /><br />Breathtaking scenery along with ancient History and the discoveries of Music, Art, companions and fine culinary partaking provided the perfect ending to one's education. If one might find herself/himself an impoverished title in the bargain, families would look benignly and pride themselves in having acquired a touch of blue blood in the bargain.<br /><br />The idea of our heroine leaving her Montana struggling beet farm for a Grand Tour of Europe in the company of her newly discovered high society siblings has many hints of Cinderella. However Cora's journey of self discovery along this grand voyage is often confusing, her true sentiments hard to fathom! Even as I close the book I would be hard pressed to guess what she hoped to find.<br /><br />I could not picture any young lady destined to be a teacher to learn in one month how to move comfortably through the society throngs for example.<br />I found it also hard to believe the group described did not have at least one female chaperone (anything less would have been frowned upon in most societies and introductions near impossible), servants were unlikely to know what would be expected and therefore could not have advised.<br /><br />Illegitimacy was not more condoned in France than in England and therefore the courtship of Pierre de Richelieu hardly believable. Family pressures alone would have demanded he kept his distance. Accordingly the young lady would have been appraised his attentions were not honourable and very likely whisked away to the next stop of the Tour.<br /><br />Leaving these details aside, I felt none of the excitement or glimmer associated with such trip. One would hardly describe the wonders of the Eiffel Tower, Centuries old English manors, French chateaus or the wealth displayed at the Louvre for example in such a desultory way and hints at someone who trouped behind a guide (If this is Tuesday, it must be Belgium).<br />The elements are there but seen almost through a veil and does not impart the stimulating experiences for the reader's pleasure.<br /><br />Finally the end of this first novel in the series left me perplex. A hint or two leads me to believe there is more to the story but neither the romance nor the Grand Tour details provided much satisfaction.<br />One can only sigh and say: 'C'est la vie!'<br /><br />More of a Young Adult story, I give this one 3 stars.<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE AND DAVID C. COOK as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1340302218000, "title": "From Montana to the grand European metropolises..." }, { "asin": "0800720482", "rating": 5, "text": "I chose to feature the above synopsis instead of the one shown on the back of the cover for a personal reason. I admit I am only a student of the Gospels and for a moment as I read the cover's resume I thought there might be another Mary Magdalene!<br /><br />The imagination of storyteller Diana Wallis Taylor brings readers however a new dimension to the picture we might have of this amazing woman who followed Christ till the end.<br /><br />I found myself utterly enchanted by this author's narrative of a woman we know little of despite mentions in Luke, John and Acts.<br />We know Jesus cast off seven demons from her and that she was a close follower.<br />We also know she witnessed His mock trial and heard His sentence, she was present at His crucifixion and later amongst the women who find the empty tomb.<br /><br />In 'Mary Magdalene' Diana Wallis Taylor weaves a stirring profile of a gentle child who learned the Scriptures, growing up in Magdala, a coastal town off the Sea of Galilee with caring parents.<br />Following a tragic event, Mary Magdalene lives the next few years plagued by nightmares and yet amidst of all this, finds love and eventually will be healed.<br />She eventually follows Jesus and witnessed to the Messiah's glory for the remaining of her life.<br /><br />The author's rich historical and social details of Jewish life in Galilee in the time of Jesus interwoven with her chronicles of this amazing woman are most gripping!<br />A reader, young or old, will discover an emotional account of a woman we hardly knew and should remember first and foremost as one who was THERE.<br /><br />This is the sort of enriching fictional work perfect as a gift for any young woman coming of age. It has all the elements of a love story of the purest form!<br /><br />If I had a dozen copies, I would be passing them out right now!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1340473107000, "title": "A rich emotional description of Mary Magdalene!" }, { "asin": "0800734556", "rating": 4, "text": "As someone who knew absolutely nothing of the Shaker beliefs I have now a whole concept of their intricate history. In 'The Gifted' Kentucky born storyteller Ann H. Gabhart has definitively written an in depth story based on this cult! She actually lives near a Shaker village and was obviously inspired.<br /><br />The simplicity of the many designs we admire to this date were brought upon by these believers who worked as if they had a thousand years to accomplish their tasks or knowledge of their death on the morrow...They knew their place, rejoiced in knowing it, their hands hard at work, their hearts given to God...<br /><br />In 'The Gifted' our protagonist Jessamine is striving to find her place in this close knit world and when she is given a sweet outlook on the outside world questions her path...<br />We follow the young sister as she stumbles repeatedly despite her eagerness to please her elders. Sister Sophrena's diaries in particular allows us to understand the extant of those struggles and gives us a unique view of life in their community.<br />Harmony Hill village brothers and sisters live their faith as outlined by their leader, Mother Ann, from the working fields to the devotion meetings including the shaking and dancing. Their only contact with the outside world is due to their trading their wares such as rosewater, baskets, candles, furniture and so on.<br />Surprisingly, their fellowship is open to anyone, even outsiders just visiting. It is the only world Jessamine has known since she lost her Granny but like all good stories, this is only the beginning... Then there is also a mysterious letter which opened reveals surprising new developments...<br /><br />As usual Ann H.Gabhart leads us by the hand as we read on. I always found myself looking for clues to what comes next and I was not disappointed.<br />Richly described and perfectly timed, this is a story you will enjoy discovering as the author entices you to learn that all is not as it seems.<br />Like all good storytellers, Ann H. Gabhart tells you some dreams were meant to come true...You just have to believe!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1341675443000, "title": "Another great story by master storyteller Ann H. Gabhart!" }, { "asin": "1595547819", "rating": 4, "text": "'Tidewater Inn' has all the ingredients for the sort of book any reader will like! A great beach read, y Colleen Coble's novel enticed me to turn yet another page!<br />It has all the exciting elements a good writer instills in her/his storytelling and this author's imagination is fruitful! Wow! No time to get bored here!<br /><br />Mysteries, kidnapping, treasures, family intrigues and a beautiful old Inn in a breathtaking setting draws you in. The colourful characters revolving around this Hope Beach novel makes this a warm story and one that makes you wish you live there.<br />Living myself on a tiny island accessible only by ferry, I can understand well the appeal! Hope Beach however has one on us, they have restaurants, pizza parlour, library, fire department, postal service...Need I go on? I felt a tad jealous!<br /><br />It is however the references to God and His amazing work that makes this a most appealing story! Colleen Coble's characters know God, feels His love and meets His expectations no matter how they might fail at first try. Faith is part of her intricate story and you feel His presence throughout her novel! I like this most of all!<br /><br />I was intrigued at the extent to which a SAR (Search and Rescue) dog could trace a missing person. In this instance, 'Samson' follows a trace ON WATER, ocean water! Absolutely intriguing! Needless to say, I learned something yet again!<br /><br />A few loose ends however puzzled me...a rope around an ankle amongst others...I must mention this!<br /><br />I give it 4 stars none the less!<br />Watch Colleen Cobble next novel 'Rosemary Cottage' to be published in July 2013!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1344092313000, "title": "Upbeat!" }, { "asin": "0764208349", "rating": 3, "text": "As stories goes, 'Unending Devotion' is pleasant enough, harmless even, a tad sentimental but easily dismissed after a few chapters. I felt there was something missing from the moment I saw the novel's cover. Somehow the plot and its main characters just does not hook the reader. Even the sub characters were much more interesting!<br /><br />I struggled to feel the various emotions the author hinted at from the beginning and just had to accept this was just not my cup of tea so to speak.<br />Lily posing as a photographer's assistant with its implied paraphernalia should have been on the cover posing next to gruff Oren and perhaps a more thorough description of the lumber camps might have caught my attention. There is a striking amount of information on logging available including stunning photos even here in the Pacific North West!<br /><br />That said, I enjoyed the author's notes regarding the town of Harrison and its unsavoury residents. There is obviously a lot of historical facts recorded in the Michigan's past lumber era with the usual problems found in shanties such as alcoholism, violence, notwithstanding the origin of white slavery trade in the state, this being the most startling!<br /><br />All in all, I would recommend anyone going away this weekend to pack an extra book along unless like me, you find the historical portion enticing enough to browse internet and library files to find out more on the subjects of logging and white slavery in 1800's Michigan!<br />Interesting it was, entertaining it was not.<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1347628341000, "title": "Interesting facts about white slavery in Michigan 1883 did not make this novel any more entertaining!" }, { "asin": "0764206176", "rating": 4, "text": "I was more than ready to read a good western and 'Taming the Wind' was not a disappointment!<br />Book # 3 in the Land of the Lone Star series written by Tracie Peterson, this novel gives us a lot to reflect upon.<br />Tracie Peterson is after all a prolific writer with more than 95 novels to her credit and she writes passionately about the West. Her novels are always entertaining and clearly shows good research (loved the Longfellow poem addition!) but it also reflects her longstanding faith.<br />Each character has its definite personality: passionate, hopeful, tenacious, caring, angry, vengeful...<br />The Lone Star land is harsh, often unforgiving yet beautiful in its rawness. Homesteading was not for the faint soul!<br /><br />In her latest novel Tracie describes a little of the hardships endured by Southern sympathizers following the (US) Civil war. I for one had no idea land was confiscated simply because of allegiance.<br />Both sides lost much to the war and the resulting animosity was very much alive even after three years of peace as we see in Taming the Wind.<br />Cattle drives were dangerous enterprises, with countless obstacles including Native Americans raids, rustlers, stampedes and so on. Yet it also gave an opportunity for struggling ranchers to regain losses...<br /><br />Taming the Wind depicts not only the many facets of ranching but a sweet love story. Carissa and her little girl Gloria are both ready for better times and the young widow has not forgotten the young rancher who saved her life two years prior.<br />In turn Tyler has often thought of the young mother and child but stands to loose much if his confiscated ranch is not returned to him. He also cannot forgive the raid which took his father's life...<br /><br />Of course, God has a plan and with Tracie's flair for a good adventure, we learn love and forgiveness can be found even in these most challenging times!<br /><br />Note:<br />Just a suggestion of course: 'Chasing the Sun' and 'Touching the Sky' are pre sequels in the series well worth reading albeit the author gives a rundown in Book #3 for those of us who have not read these titles.<br />A good reason for reading more of this entertaining author!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1347987539000, "title": "Love, Forgiveness and Adventure in a Good Old Western!" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "After reading 'A Perfect Square', second book in the Shipshewana Amish Mysteries I am perfectly willing to find a special spot for any Vannetta Chapman's tomes on my bookshelves (or add another one...somewhere!)!<br />With Beth Wiseman's recommendation for this novel I knew I was in for a treat! I always like to hear an author praising another fellow writer, don't you?<br /><br />I discovered long ago the appeal of Amish genre literature but this was the first 'whodunit' for me and this one is truly a page turner! Not content with one single plot of 'whom, what , where, how and why', Vannetta Chapman blends two mysteries decades apart and links them to the present.<br /><br />With a lovely quilt shoppe tucked in the scenic background, we find Englisher and Amish living blessed lives in Shipshewana, Indiana to be as near to perfection as possible until that is, a body is found floating in a nearby pond...There is no clue to the young girl's identity.<br /><br />Callie is the owner of Daisy's Quilt, a shoppe inherited from her aunt and with canine Max is a recent transplant from Houston, Texas. Amish and Mennonite lifestyles still holds many mysteries for Callie but Amish friends Deborah, Esther and Melinda help her to adapted to her new life whilst teaching her a thing or two about quilting. With Max at her side (sporting a bandana matched to her clothing colour), Callie is definitively looking forward to her first winter in Indiana.<br /><br />When Reuben the owner of the pond is arrested for the murder by the local Chief of Police, Callie and her sleuth friends steps in to help out Reuben.<br />Meanwhile, an elderly Amish who suffers from dementia finds his way to Callie's shoppe and begs her to find his daughter who disappeared in 1965.<br />As the story develops, you find yourself experiencing many emotions as with unmistakable talent, Vannetta Chapman hones her writing skills in this novel.<br /><br />Praying Reuben's innocence will come to light despite his unwillingness to make a statement, his family and friends search for any clue to help the Amish farmer regain his freedom.<br /><br />Alternating mystery and emotional drama, and with just the slightest hint of romance in the air (including a few hilarious situations), this is a compelling book you will have a hard time to put down as each well written chapter gets better and better!<br />Vanetta's inspirational plots draws you in and reminds us that with God anything is possible! You just have to believe!<br /><br />With its excellent glossary and group questions for discussion, this makes an engaging novel to read, tucked in your favourite chair by the fireplace whilst sipping a cuppa!<br /><br />I received this book free from ZONDERVAN as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349390246000, "title": "I have become a fan of Vannetta Chapman's writing!" }, { "asin": "0800721322", "rating": 5, "text": "Absolutely delightful! 'Life with Lily', Book 1 in 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' should have been written years ago! Mary Ann and Suzanne have come up with a wonderful little gem!<br />Written primarily with younger children (ages 8-12) these are none the less stories which grown ups and children alike will love to discover! There is nothing better than reading out loud to a child and share a precious moment!<br /><br />There is an amazing amount of information betwixt these pages and I can't wait to share it with young friends. Seen through the eyes of lovely (and sometimes mischievous) 5 year old Lily, it has a fresh appeal for avid readers of Amish tales such as myself!<br /><br />We have learned much about the Amish world through wonderful stories told by such authors as Suzanne Woods Fisher herself but 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' is destined to be a favourite and best of all, one you can share with everyone!<br />Each chapter involves a new adventure in Lily's life involving family, friends, neighbours, livestock, school and so on...One look at the little face featured on the cover (for once, the cover is right on!) and your heart will be won over!<br /><br />There are of course lessons to be learned throughout it all! After all, Lily and other Amish children are in no way different from Englisher and yes, things can and will happen...I don't know if the 'cat' with the bushy tail found by Lily in the barn (priceless!) or her brother's Joseph attempt to fly will be your favourites but it certainly were mine!<br /><br />I whole heartily applaud this new series and I give it 5 stars!<br />I am looking forward to Book 2!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349636609000, "title": "Life with Lily', Book 1 in 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' should have been written years ago" }, { "asin": "0764204165", "rating": 3, "text": "After reading only the first chapter I knew I should emphazise 'Read the books in order!'. Live and learn!<br />Anyone who has read Book 1, might enjoy following 'the rest of the story' in 'Whispers In The Wind'. For once, this author however did not meet my expectations.<br /><br />The title was enticing but I struggled with the characters, some clearer than others and those were the sub characters! The actual plot was difficult to grasp despite a few 'recalled' memories and at times throughly confusing if not right down sluggish.<br />As the main character Cassie just does not grab the reader. There is plenty of action and a few interesting factors overall in the novel though (albeit I could have done without the step by step skinning/curing of an Elk for i.e.).<br /><br />As confusing as Cassie's feelings (should she?, should she not?), I found the whole story lacking 'a little je ne sais quoi'. As to any possible romantic attachment hinted at... No sparks there! (at least so far, but at the rate this story develops, it might take a few more books to find out what happens next...sigh...)<br /><br />Far from being the good Western I expected, I can only say you must a be fan of Lauraine Snelling's writing or wish to read the continuation of this story in the next installment (and the next...). I do not like loose ends but there was nothing in Book 2 that would entice me to read the rest ( I do not plan to hunt a Elk or stuff sausages anytime soon!).<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349714644000, "title": "It would be best for anyone to read Book 1 first!" }, { "asin": "1595548033", "rating": 5, "text": "'The Trouble with Cowboys' written by well known romanticist Denis Hunter and part of the 'Big Sky Romance' series will provide readers with just the sort of entertainment they might look for on a Autumnal afternoon! There is no doubt Denise Hunter gives her audience what she promised: an enjoyable alternative to the humdrum of everyday life.<br />I had the opportunity to read another of her novels (on a long layover in a faraway airport with little amenities!) called 'The Convenient Groom' and I will tell you she had me in stitches! Be sure to check her other titles!<br /><br />But back to The Trouble With Cowboys! This Christian author has a knack for the light but never fluffy sort of novel that you will gladly reach for along with a good mug of cocoa! Entertaining yet with a lesson or two (don't miss each chapter header!), a message tucked here and there and perfect to share with anyone including the younger generation!<br />Denise Hunter's books are wholesome and will win your heart!<br /><br />Montana born and raised Annie Wilkerson is an expert horse trainer, a loving sister and a great aunty. Life has dealt her a lot of responsibilities since her GrandPa died. Taking care of her wayward sister is not easy and she takes on her role of Mum seriously hoping to see her sister settle.<br />Annie does not trust cowboys: they are here today, gone tomorrow. The past has taught her to stay clear away from them.<br /><br />Easy going Dylan needs her help with his nearly blind horse and in turn, Annie could use his help with her latest assignment, a lovelorn column she feels is just not for her since she has never felt love before. So they make a deal: her equine expertise for his help with her column. Annie is struggling with financial responsibilities but promised her GrandPa she will take care of everyone and she is trying to ignore her qualms.<br />She cannot trust Dylan because he is a cowboy after all and will probably break her heart. Then again, is she judging him too quickly? Or should she let her heart and faith guide her?<br />After all, God is in charge, not Annie...<br /><br />I think we shall agree once you read this story: if Denise keeps on writing, we'll keep on reading!<br /><br />5 stars for all the good feelings this novel brought on (and a few sighs as well...)<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349901011000, "title": "This Christian author has a knack for the light but never fluffy sort of novel!" }, { "asin": "0800734173", "rating": 4, "text": "Book # 3 in the 'Winds of Change' series, 'A Love Surrendered' brings to readers the depression era and two families: The O'Connors and the Kennedys. Set in Boston in 1932, it is written with passion and will inspire all sorts of feelings. Julie Lessman knows how to grab her readers, proof that she is after all a very good author!<br /><br />Inspirational, intense and at times extremely romantic, it is none the less imperative for readers to remember the era this story draws its background from. The idea of 'me Jane, you Tarzan' might come across fiercefully at times. Let's remember that women at the time were viewed as having one place and that was in the kitchen (or bedroom and nursery). WWII soon changed this for many as they took their place in the work force in lieu of enlisted men.<br /><br />There is much to think over once you have finished reading the drama behind Annie and Steven's love story which incidentally is crisscrossed with countless O'Connor family members! I shall describe this as a clan, Irish to be exact, a large family with strong convictions and deep emotions, some volatile and quite impressive. I did not always agree with such forceful display but admit it was fitting for the era.<br />I found the setting of Ocean Pier and its boardwalk quite intriguing along with the Prohibition agents raids and speakeasies background.<br /><br />Finally, be prepared for a surprise or two towards the end (one I will admit I did not see coming!).<br />Julie Lessman is no newcomer to the writing world and she is a person of convictions herself. You soon realize her writing reflects her faith deeply. I felt she portrays her characters based on this and for that alone I highly recommend her novels to the younger generation. In a society where pressures have become too often the acceptable norm, let's applaud someone who offers deep passion with responsibility!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1350232545000, "title": "Inspirational, intense and at times extremely romantic..." }, { "asin": "1609366867", "rating": 4, "text": "The tragic sinking of the Titanic has held people's imagination worldwide particularly with Dr. Robert Ballard's discovery of the wreckage in September 1985.<br />2012 being the vessel's doomed maiden voyage's 100th anniversary produced yet again a lot of fascinating information. There is a certain mystic which surrounds the events of that dreadful day which many cannot resist and countless speculation.<br /><br />'Queen of the Waves', An American Tapestry proved to be an interesting fictional approach and I liked Janice Thompson's take on the launching of this spectacular ship as background for her novel. The author's dedication and 'In Memory of' are worth a moment of your time so I recommend you do not skip it! It set the mood for this reading and felt very much a part of all the mystery surrounding this particular moment in history.<br /><br />Janice Thompson weaves an interesting tale of fresh beginnings for two young women from very different backgrounds, (make that three in fact as you read the story) and the men who loved them. Her take on the lives entrusted on the vessel brings you an idea of the variety of its passengers and the gulf betwixt the social classes until the ship's tragic end.<br /><br />She also takes pains to describe the various emotions her characters feel as they board the Titanic giving readers a sense of witnessing for themselves a little of all its magnificence.<br />Queen of the Waves is a story of hope, love, the courage to reach out for newer and better things and faith that God will overlook the wrongs and bless the good!<br /><br />Set amidst the effervescent departure and subsequent sailing of the largest ship ever built by man, it shows a little of the amalgam of people who placed their hopes and dreams on its crossing.<br />Janice Thompson chose to introduce real people in her novel which makes it hauntingly vivid to her readers. Clearly, the sinking of the vessel will continue to fascinate people as we ponder at all its splendour and its very last moments before sinking in the depths of the cold Atlantic ocean.<br /><br />In Queen of the Waves we discover yet again the hand of the Almighty in all things! Standing on Titanic's deck and seeing the expanse of water ahead, a passenger ponders the only word that come to mind:<br /><br />\"The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.\"<br /><br />Fitting wouldn't you say?<br /><br />A shining example of Christian Fiction and worth 4 stars for its entertainment!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1350586429000, "title": "I liked Janice Thompson's take on the launching of this spectacular ship as background for her novel" }, { "asin": "0310335108", "rating": 5, "text": "'God has made you a unique design. Never forget that! Also know that God's made someone else to be your fit.'<br /><br />I think I have just read my favourite book from all of Tricia Goyer's novels and that is not an easy admission as she writes always with her heart!<br /><br />'The Memory Jar' is part of a series called 'Seven Brides For Seven Bachelors, and make no mistake, this is not 'one of those Amish stories yet again'! One distinction of Tricia Goyer's work is that everything she writes brings you something new to discover! The essence of a good writer?<br /><br />Sarah lives in Montana and works amongst Englishers as well as Amish in the West Kootenai Kraft & Grocery. Due to a tragic accident she carries a heavy burden on her shoulders and her memories are safely tucked in a little jar...Her memory jar.<br />An eventful mountain hiking trip reveals that shy Amish bachelor Jathan Scrock, is a friend she can trust and confided into. Both have unusual aspirations for their conservative community but their<br />dreams unites them in more ways than either ever hoped for.<br /><br />When Jathan is called back to the family farm in Ohio he finds his responsibilities overwhelming and fears their goal an impossible dream.<br /><br />God however has many plans for each of them and trusting Him leads to marvelous surprises!<br /><br />A beautiful story to remind you of childlike dreams and that when trusting your happiness in God's hands, the best is yet to come!<br /><br />Amish Proverb:<br /><br />'The grand essentials of happiness in this life is something to do, something to love and something to hope for.'<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1352138393000, "title": "I think I have just read my favourite book from all of Tricia Goyer's novels!" }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "What better way to put yourself in the Holiday mood than reading 'Christmas Roses' by Amanda Cabot?<br />Never insipid and always inspiring, this storyteller brings us a tale of love, hope and even a miracle set in Wyoming Territory in1882. Trust Amanda to know how to bring a little romance and a lot of faith in her readers lives!<br /><br />Celia Anderson welcomes a new boarder in her home and life suddenly takes a new turn. She might just change her mind about not remarrying but only if the man brings her something she treasures and at Christmas no less!<br /><br />With that thought in mind, I was hooked as I held this lovely hardback in my hands with its enchanting Currier & Ives illustration! You will find yourself chuckling at Mark's wincing when he is surrounded by all of Celia's treasured flowers and hold your breath as he surprises her with his carpenter's skills for a much needed gift for her home.<br /><br />The book in itself is a little treasure and you will soon be enchanted by Celia, her baby girl, the story behind Mark's wanderings in search of a missing relative and his hope to become worthy of the young widow's love!<br /><br />Be prepared for some surprises as faith demands total surrender!<br /><br />Combined with her minute attention to historical details as well as her romantic nature, Amanda Cabot brings us a warm tale of love and redemption just in time for this blessed Season!<br /><br />5 Stars and a lovely gift for the romantic on your Christmas gift list! This one is a keeper!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1353709893000, "title": "Trust Amanda to know how to bring a little romance and a lot of faith in her readers lives!" }, { "asin": "0764209787", "rating": 5, "text": "It is said that Beverly Lewis gave birth to the Amish genre in 1997 with 'The Shunning' so it will come to no surprise that her name is practically a household name! She is enduring and continually delights her readers with yet another wonderful story. 'The Bridesmaid' is no exception! The novel brings such clear imagery you will find yourself acutely a part of the plot!<br /><br />As an avid reader and an Amish genre aficionado, I found Joanna and Eben's story enticed any yearning for dreaming. Theirs is surely a match made in Heaven!<br />There is a decided attraction to learn yet another facet of Amish life and Beverly Lewis is sure to pen a lesson or two about faith and living amongst the Amish community (and Englisher!).<br />Inviting plots, attractive characters (and sub characters!) and the chance of reflecting on hopes and aspirations will delight as always.<br />Her warm heart stories are always amazing! They also make a perfect gift for anyone, young or old, on your list this Holiday Season!<br /><br />Second novel in the Hickory Hollow series, 'The Bridesmaid' tells us of a Pennsylvania alt Maidel who unbeknown to her family and community loves to write make believe stories. Joanna's attraction to Eben Troyer is warmly reciprocated but there is a glitch in their burgeoning courtship: Eben is needed on the family farm in Indiana whilst Joanna has vowed to remain part of her congregation leaving them with no choice but to part ways.<br /><br />With a lot of faith and a little help from an almost forgotten letter written by her namesake, Joanna finds that God listens and there are many blessings in her future after all.<br /><br />5 Stars as I found this story truly a joy!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1354320207000, "title": "Joanna and Eben's story enticed any yearning for dreaming!" }, { "asin": "0857212494", "rating": 5, "text": "Action packed 'Resurrect' is probably the finest Christian Science Fiction book I have read so far with David E. Stevens using his extensive military background to draw you in the suspense and leaving you wanting for more! (And for once, the cover in right on...<br /><br />Following his jet fighter crash Commander Josh Logan wakes up one year later with no knowledge of the previous year's events. Josh is no Christian but his subs conscience reveals a voice with a powerful message and what follows this entity's revelation is an amazing study of human emotions, love, compassion and determination to do the impossible.<br />You might be tempted to call it a cliff hanger as David E. Stevens' first novel is hard to put down!<br /><br />To engage the reader Stevens uses just the perfect blend of interesting personalities, intricate interactions and lively dialogues.<br />Book 1 in the Resurrect Trilogy is a novel you should not rush however allowing for the discovery of each event leading to its ultimate climax including a bit of romance. Enter Nurse Elizabeth who attends Josh during his recovery and becomes part of a team of scientists and military specialists with a sole mission, that of saving the world at any cost.<br />Who would think of a nurse with the ability of breaking into sophisticated computer systems?<br />There! Just enough information for lady readers to know there is a perfect balance in this plot allowing for interest by both sex!<br /><br />A great thriller for anyone on your Christmas list!<br /><br />5 Stars for gripping plot and technical skills!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1354634880000, "title": "A great thriller for anyone on your Christmas list!" }, { "asin": "0800719891", "rating": 5, "text": "M. K. Lapp is one of these vivid characters you find yourself hoping the author will continue to write about. She won readers' hearts in the first two books of Stoney Ridge Seasons with her mischievous ways, a delightful Amish sort of 'Anne of Green Gables', that's with an 'E' at the end of course!<br /><br />As a child you never knew what M. K. would come up with as she often act before she thought! I always felt Suzanne Woods Fisher found the perfect way to balance the lively ways of M. K. with her step Mum's Fern no nonsense approach to life, again not unlike Colleen Hurst I imagine!<br /><br />It was not surprising to discover Mary Kay Lapp, M. K. as we know her, is a favourite of Suzanne's readers. To find her grown up and yearning for adventure seemed to be just right on track and I am so glad Suzanne satisfied our curiosity! M. K. brought us such merriment with her impish ways!<br /><br />Imagine an Amish filing for a passport...Suzanne Woods Fisher has just the knack to surprise everyone! And this Amish now a bonafida bee keeper, loves to ride her little red scooter...literally running into people...first the school marm then in the mysterious Chris Yoder...When a local sheep farmer is found dead in a nearby field, M. K.'s imagination works by leaps and bounds.<br /><br />God works in mysterious ways it is said...Never more so than in M. K.'s life as we see in 'The Lesson'.<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher weaves a sweet story around the Lapp family and brings closure to some of the events we have uncovered in her other books in the series as well. I always find intriguing the entrenchment of English life into the Amish community and this author does it well.<br />And speaking of lessons, there is always something for us to learn, even the spirited new school marm...as you will see!<br /><br />Will M. K. find peace in her new direction and a touch of romance perhaps? Find out for yourself!<br /><br />5 stars for pure entertainment and looking forward to see what an older M. K. might bring us in the future!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358362470000, "title": "M. K. Lapp is one of these vivid characters you find yourself hoping the author will continue to write about." }, { "asin": "0800734602", "rating": 4, "text": "'Waiting For Spring' is Book 2 in the Westward Winds series and worth waiting for, no pun intended!<br />As we have learned to expect, Amanda Cabot brings us well researched history, warm romance, good solid faith whilst introducing yet another aspect of life challenges for a young widow in the 1800's Wyoming, that of caring for an handicapped child. She also balances her characters, main or sub characters, daily life routine, unexpected challenges and hardships thus giving us a great plot to enjoy. The heartfelt dedication of one mother who refuses to place her sight impaired toddler in an institution is guaranteed to reach out to anyone!<br /><br />'Summer of Promise' was the first chapter in Charlotte Harding Crowley's life, then living in Fort Laramie's Army outpost ( see review here) but I can attest this second book can easily be read on its own.<br />For those of us who have read however the first book, it is interesting to see where Amanda Cabot is taking her young protagonist, now a widow hiding in Cheyenne with her son from a past haunting her still.<br /><br />Charlotte has established a successful seamstress shoppe and is only too happy to find a helping hand in Rose, another young widow. Rose has a young daughter and can keep an eye on David and help in the shoppe as well.<br /><br />Whilst fitting a friend and customer Charlotte meets Barrett Landry a wealthy cattle baron who aspires to the world of politics, even becoming the next governor of Wyoming. It is soon apparent however neither one can deny their feelings for each other yet Barrett's successful future demands a wife and companion without a shady past and Charlotte is hiding from something or someone...<br /><br />Then again, perhaps politics is not a guarantee of Barrett's happiness..His cattle are facing a bitter winter and his heart is not in it.<br />Will each of the protagonists listen to his/her heart despite the rough road ahead?<br /><br />This is another historical romance you may recommend to any one, no matter the age! Amanda Cabot is certain to entertain any romantic soul or even the most skeptic of heart!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358546709000, "title": "'Waiting for Spring' was worth waiting for, no pun intended!" }, { "asin": "0800719867", "rating": 4, "text": "I anticipated this book for its subject, that of midwifing set in the 19th Century Appalachian mountains. 'Choices of the Heart' is book 3 in the Midwives series written by author Laurie Alice Eakes and a page turner for anyone interested in the past. She has proven herself an excellent researcher and never disappoints with her historical facts. There is still something intriguing in the profession of midwives and whilst having met with controversy often in the past, there is no doubt there is to date much of a demand for such skills.<br /><br />Laurie Alice Eakes' writing is full of life and there is no denying she brings to her readers a vivid image of the Appalachian people who moved to these mountains long ago, a large portion of them having crossed the Atlantic from the green hills of Ireland and the Highlands of Scotland. They brought with them little more than the clothes on their back and their amazing survival skills.<br />The richness of their music, folk tales, herbal doctoring and their legendary feuds still fascinates people to this day. This author found the ideal way to weave a good story amongst all these with 'Choices of the Heart'!<br /><br />Esther is the belle of Seabourne until a dreadful event occurs and she finds herself subject to shunning. Despite her family's heartfelt support, she seeks new beginnings and accepts a post as teacher to the youngest children of two families in the Mountains. Her task is to help them to fit in society befitting their newest financial status.<br />There however she meets two men, both attractive, yet her heart belongs to no one as her shame is a constant reminder of her past. Esther believes God has forsaken her and shies away from any physical contact with her admirers.<br /><br />For all that I was fascinated by the author's descriptions of this beautiful land and its inhabitants, their folklore and skills, the many period details, I was not so enamoured of her main protagonist. I felt something missing in this bittersweet story, too many characters however colourful and not enough consistency in the overall story line. At the end, I still had questions, to be answered in yet another chapter of the 'Midwives series', this one about a doctor perhaps?<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358634910000, "title": "Always well researched!" }, { "asin": "0800721330", "rating": 5, "text": "'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' series started with a resounding success as seen in 'Life With Lily' (see review here) so I was not surprised to see 'A New Home For Lily', Book two, my own 5 stars rating shared by many readers!<br /><br />Betwixt Suzanne Woods Fisher and Mary Ann Kinsinger there is a perfect chemistry to bring the Amish genre a young appeal! Let's hope those two talented authors will continue to treat us!<br /><br />One look at the lovely six years old featured on their book covers is enough to tantalize us in discovering what else the smiling little girl has come up with since the first book!<br />Albeit geared to the 8 to 12 years old audience, Lily introduces readers of all ages to a whole new way to see the Amish community! Her spontaneity is so refreshing, I can think of nothing else than to suggest you pick up your own copy!<br /><br />Through Lily's eyes we see what happens to her family as they move to another state to be nearer their closest relatives.<br />Lily no longer has her own bedroom, her bed now tucked in a corner in the hallway. Her new house has a sad olive green hue, the barn sorely needs repairs, her school mates includes a bully and her new community has a completely different set of rules!<br />Lily has to get used to her new life and does not like it much.<br /><br />On the other end, there is so much to explore and have fun with, including Grand Pa's lumber mill with its big sawdust pile to play in!<br />Her Dad acquires four goats to add to Jenny, Mum's lovely Swiss cow, her new teacher is very nice and Lilly's new baby brother Paul is so cute...<br /><br />It is the countless little details the two authors have included in their stories which gives it additional appeal such as when poor Lily hits her thumb with a hammer and Mum dissolves aspirin in water for her to soak her sore finger to relieve the pain or when Mum must sew a whole new set of clothes for everyone in the family as the new community has different rules than the previous one.<br /><br />What better way to introduce youngsters to the Amish way of life (and share some quality family time)!<br /><br />'A New Home For Lily' is sure to delight everyone, young and old! Ladies, we are looking forward to the next story!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1360363970000, "title": "A New Home For Lily' is sure to delight everyone, young and old!" }, { "asin": "0800720733", "rating": 5, "text": "Combining a dynamic plot with spirited characters, Ann Shorey gives us a lasting historical novel in 'When The Heart Heals', guaranteed to be enjoyed by her loyal fans.<br />This latest installment in her series 'Sisters At Heart' provides her readers with the perfect blend of romance and mystery, woven across a troubled historical background, the lean and hungry years following the Civil War.<br /><br />Rosemary Saxon joins the practice of Dr. Elijah Stewart in Noble Springs, Missouri in early 1867. Two years have gone by since the end of the Civil war but there are still many wounds to be healed, not all physical. Despite her experience caring for soldiers or perhaps because of it, Rosemary is seen as an outsider in the community and times are already hard for any woman alone.<br />Rosemary finds joy in nursing and despite his earlier misgivings about her skills in herbal lore, Dr. Stewart soon learns to rely on her. In turn, she remembers well the younger doctor who deeply cared about his patients in a time of grievous conflict.<br /><br />These days, Rosemary's sole family in town, consists of her brother Curt and his wife Fay, her constant companion her faithful dog Bodie. When others needs her help, she finds herself at a crossroad and choices must be made.<br />As a result Rosemary fears she might lose something very precious just as she found a measure of happiness. However she is not the only one with concealed secrets and when she becomes the object of threats, Rosemary must learn to trust again and ask for help.<br /><br />A beautiful story reflecting God's love and forgiveness for all, Ann Storey's second book in the series follows 'Where Wildflowers Bloom' (see review HERE), but can be read as a stand alone.<br />I now join her many fans in asking when will the next installment be published ?!<br /><br />Suitable for any age, 'When The Heart Heals' is worth 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1361319622000, "title": "Combining a dynamic plot with spirited characters here is another novel by Ann Shorey!" }, { "asin": "0800795547", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on the synopsis alone, I believe you will agree with me the title was well chosen: 'Outrageous Courage: What God Can Do with Raw Obedience & Radical Faith!<br />Kris and Jason Vallotton (Father and Son) write a dramatic story about a real life follower of Christ, following a compelling introduction of Kris' first meeting with Tracy Evans almost thirty years ago.<br /><br />A Christian Medical missionary Tracy Evans is indeed a remarkable person if you consider her exodus through 64 countries, from the tough streets of L.A. to North California's mountainous area, the Philippines, Kiribati and finally the Mozambique bush (see website @ iReachAfrica!) and always making a difference.<br /><br />But as remarkable as Tracy's story is, I cannot agree with the authors' suggestion we can become just like her 'with a little courage and belief'.<br />Just a reminder of course: Paul the Apostle teaches (1 Corinthians Chapter 12:8-10) not all of us display the same selfless abilities, and regardless of our courage and beliefs, not all of us can be as passionate as Tracy Evans in our quest to make a difference in the world!<br /><br />Never the less, this missionary's inspiring deeds are described in such a heartfelt way you know immediately this is a courageous person who systematically walks in Christ's footsteps no matter the hazards.<br />Kris and Jason Vallotton shows through this account Evans' work and how her unwavering faith has touched many and relieved suffering and poverty, always in His name.<br /><br />Understandingly at times sad but always hopeful, this real life account is perhaps not for everyone but worth at least 4 stars.<br /><br />Note to readers: Additional information on the Ministries of IReachAfrica can be found (HERE)<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1362695988000, "title": "Tracy Evans' compassionated deeds throughout the world." }, { "asin": "080072089X", "rating": 3, "text": "In 'Moonlight Masquerade' Lady Celine Wexham, leading member of London's Bon Ton and a widowed Countess of French origin, lives the life of most emigres in early 1800's. She holds intimate meetings in her boudoir and gives dinner parties and balls gathering any information she might be able to pass on to French Royalists to reinstate the rightful throne.<br />It is 1813 and Napoleon, facing a massive defeat in the harsh winter of Russia, orders a retreat of the Imperial army after losing thousands of French soldiers on the battlefield.<br />The Comte de Provence, brother to the late beheaded King Louis XVI is not the ideal choice for the Royal throne but better him than the self proclaimed Emperor.<br />Lady Celine, Valentine, her supercilious Abigail (slang aside, only an older servant would be allowed such an acerbic attitude) and Gaspard, her French Cook are part of a spy ring.<br />Rees, the object of Celine's interest is none other than her own Butler. An ambitious young man and a devoted Christian, recently pulled from an obscure department of the Home Office in part due to his linguistic talents, Rees' task is to spy on his mistress with the express purpose of implicating her in the conspiracy if such exists and report to his superior.<br /><br />Danger lurks and he soon finds himself battling his loyalties as Celine 'with her 'brandy hue irises' eyes touches his heart...Does anyone else remember Barbara Cartland's novels?<br />None of the characters are likely to provide much entertainment in this slow historical romance but if light, fluffy and harmless is your preferred choice, you will enjoy Moonlight Masquerade!<br />The portrayal of the Masquerade ball held at the Comte de Provence exiled court even defied my imagination with its lackluster details and the overall impression was soporific!<br /><br />Finally, I saw little of the 'witty, fast paced dialogue or infectious intrigue' mentioned in the synopsis and if this novel was in fact a music sheet, it would read as humming...It droned on and on... The few historical notes such as the mention of William Wilberforce as dinner guest at one of her lavish parties, or Voltaire's quotes, a man of note in himself, brings no relief to this plot.<br />I hardly think it necessary to dust my shelves for this novel!<br /><br />Regretfully, 3 (generous) stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1362863452000, "title": "If light, fluffy and harmless is your preferred choice, you will enjoy Moonlight Masquerade!" }, { "asin": "0800795520", "rating": 5, "text": "'Learning to Love' reflects a true love story, one that you will identify immediately with Jesus' love as shown in His earthly ministry! Make no mistake, Heidi and Rolland Baker are two exceptional people: nothing and I mean nothing will stop them from doing God's work, not even opposition from the world's evil side!<br /><br />As both husband and wife relate heartfelt stories, some humourous, some sad, each one compelling you to see God's work through them, you will feel their amazing love for their fellowmen.<br />Healing and faith pours out of them as they continually rescue babies, reach out in His name to help heal the blind, the deaf, and even hear the dumb speak.<br /><br />Co-founders of Iris Ministries, this incredible duo brings hope and care to thousands all over Mozambique, providing daily care for no less than 10,000 children. Their extended network includes over 10,000 churches, Bible schools, primary schools and remote outreach programs.<br />What a joy for them that many converts become ministers, lay preachers and teachers working all over the world!<br /><br />Their message:<br /><br />LOVE IS food and comfort to a ten year old amputee, abandoned on the side of the road.<br /><br />LOVE IS a new roof for an elderly widow installed before the rainy season.<br /><br />LOVE IS sharing hope with the homeless man on your street corner.<br /><br />'God is not just moving in distant lands and if you are willing, He will do amazing things through your love when you stop for the one in front of you, it is that simple!'<br /><br />A book to experience and reach out in HIS name to those who need YOU!<br /><br />5 Stars for its message, none better presented than today, the first of this Holy week!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS & CHOSEN BOOKS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1364252537000, "title": "This incredible duo brings hope and care to thousands all over Mozambique!" }, { "asin": "0764206192", "rating": 4, "text": "My first novel by Tracie Peterson was Book #3 in the 'Land of the Lone Star' series entitled 'Taming the Wind' (see review HERE), a good Western in itself and proof yet again this well published author has always something new up her sleeve!<br />Easy to read, entertaining and with just enough historical facts to give even this quickly bored reader something to ponder about, her novels reflect a wholesomeness and faith readers of any age will enjoy.<br /><br />The Icecutter's Daughter's jacket alone was eye catching: I love raised lettering and the image and colours were a strong pull in my choice for reading it, in fact as much as the resume (I know, I know, you should never judge a book by its cover but the series' name alone 'Land of Shining Water' was striking!).<br /><br />Icecutting was a vast industry in the US before machinery overtook this skilled art and I was curious to see what Tracie might have dug out when she wrote her historical fiction about two young people, destined to be together yet separated by lies and scandal.<br /><br />Merrill has always seen to the needs of her large, mostly male family and her German ancestry is as much a part of her life as Rurik's Swedish roots are his. Tracie weaves a convincing tale about their budding love amidst Nordic traditions and deep faith, wrongs to be righted and duties to their families.<br /><br />As always you may depend on this author's for the myriad of details which makes this tale a sweet read on these cold and rainy Spring evenings this Pacific NW coastline is known for!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS & CHOSEN BOOKS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1365702853000, "title": "Just the name of the series 'Land of Shining Water' was eye catching!" }, { "asin": "0824932463", "rating": 4, "text": "Sunflower Summer and Seaside Harmony, both novels part of the 'Postcards from Misty Harbor series', are drawn against the alluring scenery of quintessential Nantucket island. There we meet three sisters who purchase a dilapidated Victorian home with visions of restoring it to its original glory. The historical inn named the Misty Harbor Inn, soon opens its doors to guests as a B & B, a long time dream of their Mum now deceased.<br />Childhood memories emerge, hopes and dreams identifieds whilst the three sisters plunge into the renovation of the old place with all their heart.<br /><br />In their sixties, Caroline, Gracie and Sam bring each their own brand of talents to this endearing work of love and it is interesting to discover the three sisters individual personas as well as their perception of each other as they slowly bond again.<br /><br />Let's face it, we have all dreamed of owning such a place and arrange it lovingly whilst welcoming guests, have we not? Think of the fun of meeting people coming and going in your own inn?!<br />There is however a lot more to it than we might imagine and Evangeline Kelley (actually the pen name for 4 different authors) describes the bittersweet ups and downs of owning a piece of history, complete with mysteries, including a disappearance in the 1800's!<br /><br />With just the right amount of details to pique our interest the renovation comes to life and answers are found if sought. As we are often reminded, the good Lord has something in store for each of us and the sisters are discovering their true self in these adventures.<br /><br />Complete with interesting sub characters, a touch of sweet romance, a wonderful ol' Packard to transport guests and a delightful if mischievous Cocker Spagniel named Max, both easy to read novels are the perfect relaxing novels to tuck in your beach bag!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />Note to Readers: A confession must be made...This reader felt drawn immediately to Sunflower Summer's story and I would like to recommend you read the novels in order, with Seaside Harmony first!<br /><br />I received these books from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1367440928000, "title": "Relaxing novels set against quintessential Nantucket island!" }, { "asin": "1451692374", "rating": 5, "text": "Most readers will agree, some books just stand out and this one is definitively ranking in the top ten of my list of most entertaining. A keeper and one I would suggest to anyone looking for a gift!<br />Deanne's vivavious description of a sweet romance amidst the 1893's World Fair was the perfect enticement for some 'me' time. I was totally immersed in her descriptive of this period and credit the story of Della and Cullen with a few dreams of my own. Well done!<br /><br />A perfect combination of historical facts and fiction, It Happened At The Fair reflects the wealth of love and care this author puts in her writing. It also brings to readers a marvelous fountain of information and even photos of this world event!<br />Whilst she has taken a few liberties, all clearly acknowledge in the afterword, the author was undoubtdedly as stimulated by the fair as I was when I first heard of it. As a cultural and social event, the world fair of 1893 was a tremendous influence on the 20th Century and a complete success. With 6.8 millions visitors in attendance, the exposition located on the shores of Lake Michigan provided a template for other events and changed America forever with its astonishing legacy. Nothing ever compared to it as it gave new perspectives for the world of commerce and technology.<br /><br />Della and Cullen's story blends in this grandiose background yet gives an opportunity for readers to feel their touching romance. Obviously a true romantic at heart, Deanne describes Della's position as a teacher working with the Deaf at a time when too often a deaf person was ostrasized for signing. Cullen in turn is the young farmer turned inventor who is struggling with a hearing loss.<br /><br />Deanne Gist proved to be a superb historical fiction writer which coupled with her discernebly romantical temperament, gives readers a captivating love story you will not want to miss!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />I received this book from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1368144831000, "title": "Deanne's vivavious description of a sweet romance amidst the 1893's World Fair was the perfect enticement for some 'me' time." }, { "asin": "0764209795", "rating": 5, "text": "Leave it to the matriarch of the Amish genre to come up with yet another gem! Since she first began to entertain us with stories of this cloistered community, Beverly Lewis has repeatedly captivated fans and acquired many new readers with her insight into this mysterious world few of us has seen and understand.<br /><br />In 'Home To Hickory Hollow', Book # 3 'The Guardian' we discover a strong willed little Amish girl named Sarah and Jodi, the troubled young woman who finds the little darling when she tumbles out of her Mum's buggy and gets lost.<br /><br />Beverly Lewis systematically introduces us to many facets of the Old Order Amish community we know little or next to nothing such as intermarriages and deriving genetic disorders or their reluctance to involve the authorities even in the case of a missing child.<br />I was surprised at the 'no pets allowed in a household' preference but cannot but marvel at their strong sense of community and survival in an ever encroaching English world.<br />The concept of an outsider being not only accepted in such a tight community as a close friend but also hired to teach their children even on a temporary basis was definitively unexpected.<br /><br />Always at her best when she describes the ties that draw people together no matter their origins, Beverly Lewis approaches the subject of pain and loneliness which occurs after losing loved ones.<br />For Maryanna Esh, Joshua Peachey and Jodi Winfield, there is a lesson to be learned as long as they have faith!<br /><br />\"The soul yearns for tranquility but the only real peace comes from communing with God.\"<br /><br />Returning readers will enjoy meeting old friends such as Ella Mae the Wise Woman and her down to earth approach to life but never fear this 'Home To Hickory Hollow' story stands on its own!<br /><br />5 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1369505389000, "title": "Always at her best when she describes the ties that draw people together!" }, { "asin": "0764209663", "rating": 5, "text": "Karen Witemeyer packs a whole lot of punch in this fun Christian novel and brings readers a story guaranteed to make you dream about the Old West!<br />The very idea of a father going to such lenghs to please his daughter was genial! 'Stealing the Preacher is everything the synopsis promised and more!<br /><br />Karen Witemeyer's style is vivacious and the perfect antidote to hum drum evenings (Forget the telly, move over John Wayne!). Her novels gives you the opportunity to grasp a keen appreciation for the Old West, luxuriate in a little romance, relish in humour riddled dialogue and encounter a whole lot of faith. Not bad for 352 pages!<br /><br />'Stealing the Preacher' starts on a humourous note with the kidnapping of unsuspecting Crockett Archer, en route to what he hopes will be his first appointment as a full time parson! Silas and his bunch of grey hair, long in the tooth outlaws forcibly removes him from the train and unceremoniously drops him at daughter's Joanna' feet as her birthday gift!<br /><br />From the onset 'Stealing the Preacher' is a series of wholesome fortuity and a celebration of faith! Joanna and Crockett seemed destined to be together of course. That is if Joanna's father will set aside his differences with the Lord and allow true love to progress. Silas has been a honest rancher for the last 16 years but his past might just come back to haunt him.<br /><br />Sweet Joanna is everything Crockett needs at this time as a partner in his life as he breathes life in his new found congregation. Hired as a ranch hand, he hopes to earn Silas' approval and works harder than anyone. If he can bring Silas to the Lord, he might just be able to ask for Joanna's hand.<br /><br />A fast paced delightful novel to enjoy with your whole heart and soul! Kate Witemeyer is going on my list of favourite authors!<br /><br />I received this book from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1371328423000, "title": "'Stealing the Preacher is everything the synopsis promised and more!" }, { "asin": "0764209566", "rating": 4, "text": "'Love in Disguise' was my first novel by Carol Cox (see review HERE) and I looked forward to see what Carol had in store for her readers with 'Trouble in Store'.<br /><br />Clearly inspired by her beautiful surroundings - not unlike the one her protagonist finds upon her arrival out West - Carol Cox takes us this time from Marietta, Ohio Circa 1885 to Cedar Ridge, Arizona Territory. A mercantile store against this interesting backdrop becomes the setting of this new adventure!<br /><br />As is her custom, the author blends a good western with a little mystery rounded up with a bit of romance, just what most of us look for to discover in a Historical Fiction.<br /><br />Melanie Ross is nothing but determined to start afresh in Cedar Ridge as Caleb Nelson soon discovers both of them might very well be co-owners of the mercantile store he inherited from his Uncle.<br /><br />Caleb and his son Levi have only been four months in town but they are settling in and do not want to see the persistent young woman interfering in the running of the mercantile store. Melanie however is full of ideas to expend their inventory and create more sales.<br />When threats in the form of missives are discovered, Melanie first assumes Caleb is behind it all.<br /><br />In the meantime in an attempt to take things in hand, Caleb devises a plan to see Melanie married off, a sure way to not have her underfoot but the plan backfires when dozen of callers offers matrimony to the comely newcomer and she finds out who is behind it all.<br /><br />Entertaining if slightly predictable, 'Trouble in Store' has a lesson or two for us to uncover...including the danger in gossiping which in this case might endanger the lives of our characters! This is after all the West and bad news travels faster than a herd of spooked cattle!<br /><br />4 stars!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program and an Ebook version from BAKER PUBLISHING GROUP (through the Social Sharing Contest). I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1372111366000, "title": "As is her custom, the author blends a good western with a little mystery rounded up with a bit of romance!" }, { "asin": "1414349319", "rating": 5, "text": "Duty and Honour calls at any level and this latest Christian offering by TYNDALE PUBLISHERS is well worth a moment of your time!<br /><br />RENEGADE, Book 2 in the 'Called To Serve' series follows Pike Morgan, a maverick who has been in and out of trouble for many years. Growing up in the Foster Care system of course has not helped his rebellious side. When his best friend is killed by a gang, Pike agrees to testify and enters the Witness Protection program.<br />Now a Marine reservist called to active duty, Pike Morgan is sent to Afghanistan where his fighting skills proves him to be a survivor when a regular rescue mission turns grievously wrong and becomes the biggest challenge of his life.<br /><br />Mel Odom might have well written just another of those war novels if it was not for the fact he cleverly deals with duty and honour infused with a great amount of faith! There are some excellent Christian values in this plot particularly for single parent families, as we realize Pike's past haunts him and emotional ties scares him. No man is an island after all!<br /><br />Well worth reading, RENEGADE is packed with action most favoured by men but also the sort of 'feel good' times women relate to and as such, provides great material for family/group discussions.<br /><br />With over 140 books to his active in various genres, Mel Odom proves to be a versatile author certain to grab your attention and whilst this 2nd novel in the series starts rather slowly, the narration builds up steadily! The only negative might be that some of the (interesting) characters appeared to be left in limbo, material for a future novel perhaps?<br /><br />Finally, a word of caution: Understandably, the author could not escape the harsh realities of war so there is a certain amount of violence leading me to recommend this novel for mature readers only!<br /><br />5 Stars!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from TYNDALE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1372886624000, "title": "Mel Odom proves to be a versatile author certain to grab your attention!" }, { "asin": "0310730538", "rating": 5, "text": "An amazing recount of survival in horrendous conditions, Alone Yet Not Alone is an action packed book preteens and teens will appreciate for the dramatic events this courageous family encountered!<br />Life in 1755 was hardly easy for those living on the frontier bordering the mountains of Pennsylvania. For most, this represented however the only opportunity for freedom from indentured servitude or slow starvation in the old country.<br /><br />Based on true facts this tale recalls the story of a group of children captured by Indians and taken far into the wilderness to become members of their tribe.<br />But there is where this inspirational story truly begins! What sets Barbara and Regina apart are their unwavering faith in God and their belief in each other.<br /><br />Separated, each girl is inducted in the Allegheny tribe and continuously look for ways to escape. When eventually the right time emerges, theirs become the stuff of legend as they made their escape with other captives!<br /><br />Pursued by their captors unrelentlessly, these children eventually found their way back to their families. This is their story, an extraordinary tale of survival filled with Christian values and biblical teaching!<br /><br />Author's Tracy Leininger Craven love for History is immediately apparent in this debut novel you will not want to miss!<br /><br />Note to Readers: Be sure to read the acknowledgements (and find out about Tracy's first draft of this story at age 9!) and check out the Discussion/questions!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from FLYBY PROMOTIONS as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1377797046000, "title": "Their survival become the stuff of legend!" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764208659", "rating": 5, "text": "City On Our Knees written by TobyMac is one of these books I guarantee will make you think!<br /><br />Because of my limited (financial) resources I find myself not always able to help out others as much as I would love to. Like all of us, I need sometime to be shown the light!<br /><br />In his book, TobyMac reminds us about those many people across the world who do not just give financially but also time, talents, love and compassion, even experiences, all that God in His infinite wisdom has bestowed upon us.<br /><br />There is no doubt TobyMac's lyrics are uplifting so using his music, biblical passage and quotes of Christians past and present, he shows us how to meet the needs of those around us. In fact he uses incredible examples of how people serve God everywhere and how even the youngest amongst us can do His mighty work!<br /><br />City on our knees is an inspiring tome well written and warmly documented. Anytime you believe you are not doing enough for His Kingdom you will find within its pages just enough fuel to light up your fires and do God's work. I was glad of the opportunity to read this book and my family and I rated it 4 1/2 stars!<br /><br />If you gotta start somewhere why not here<br />If you gotta start sometime why not now<br />If we gotta start somewhere I say here<br />If we gotta start sometime I say now<br /><br />(From City On Our Knees lyrics by TobyMac)<br /><br />Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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.\"", "timestamp": 1287021327000, "title": "Inspiring and well written!" }, { "asin": "078523120X", "rating": 5, "text": "When Booksneeze offered the possibility to review this latest book of Andy Andrews I immediately acccepted.<br />I very much enjoyed The Heart mender which I also reviewed here.<br />The 11th of April (posting schedule) came and went and I will first tell you, this is one book not to be rushed.<br />Andy Andrews has this particular knack for involving the reader body and soul in his books!<br />The Final Summit was a hard one to put down and I was not disappointed: I very much enjoyed reading it!<br /><br />\"Many years have passed since David Ponder discovered the Seven Decisions during a divine journey through time. Now 74 years old, Ponder has lost the one thing that mattered to him most--his wife, Ellen. Despite his personal and professional success, he now sits alone at the top of his 55-story high-rise contemplating the unthinkable, just as he did 28 years ago.<br /><br />However, just as things are looking their darkest, Ponder is informed through divine channels that he is needed now more than ever. This is mankind's last chance. Millennia of avarice, pride, and hate have sent humanity hurtling toward inevitable disaster, and far from its original purpose. There is only one solution that can reset the compass and right the ship--and it is only two words. Ponder, along with a cast of famous historical figures, must work quickly to discover this solution. The fate of the world rests on their shoulders.\"<br /><br />This is a book I recommend you read slowly and ponder upon. Andy Andrews's faith and knowledge of History, his very definition of human tendency's to ignore certain signs and rewrite this history to make it easier to understand will make you think again upon what you thought you knew about our world!<br />\"What does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization?\"<br /><br />Here is the question: When Time is running out and you must decide what to do when you do not know what to do... Which of the Seven Decisions would you think the most important? (no hinting, you must read it and discovered for yourself!)<br /><br />But I will tell you however my favourite...From Union Colonel Joshua Chamberlain who hastily wrote the words, \"I am a person of action\" on a scrap of paper.<br />Clearly, this is a book you must \"experience\" and Andy Andrews has woven a well written story that will leave you indeed pondering. Each chapter will inspire you to involve yourself and add your name to the \"personal declaration\"!<br />Time travelling in itself is of course always enticing and meeting other travellers whom might find a way to change the world...Oh the Dreams...<br /><br />Finally I will recommend heartily the Author's notes and the reader's guide to help you of course to discover even more about other Travellers...Who knew?<br /><br />I give this one 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br /><br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1303409632000, "title": "So many questions...and the Dreams..." }, { "asin": "082543310X", "rating": 5, "text": "Publisher's description:<br /><br />Fifteen-year-old Julien Losier just wants to fit in. But after his family moves to a small village in central France in hopes of outrunning the Nazis, he is suddenly faced with bigger challenges than the taunting of local teens.<br />Nina Krenkel left her country to obey her father's dying command: Take your brother and leave Austria. Burn your papers. Tell no one you are Jews. Alone and on the run, she arrives in Tanieux, France, dangerously ill and in despair.<br />Thrown together by the chaos of war, Julien begins to feel the terrible weight of the looming conflict and Nina fights to survive. As France falls to the Nazis, Julien struggles with doing what is right, even if it is not enough-and wonders whether or not he really can save Nina from almost certain death.<br />Based on the true story of the town of Le Chambon-the only French town honored by Israel for rescuing Jews from the Holocaust-How Huge the Night is a compelling, coming-of-age drama that will keep teens turning the pages as it teaches them about a fascinating period of history and inspires them to think more deeply about their everyday choices.<br /><br />And now for my review:<br /><br />Since this book is based on actual events, I was compelled to read it as soon as I received the opportunity to review it. Three nights later I closed the book and held my hand upon its cover. There is something that draws you to certain subjects for one reason or another...This one is particularly close to my heart and I am thankful to Heather and Lydia Munn for writing such a heartwarming book.<br /><br />For many in Europe there is an undeniable hauntingness about the occupation. Much is still hush hushed about the ensuing period's deeds and thoughts. We see the invasion of countries most often through the eyes of adults. Through their stories we feel the loss of freedom and honour, we experience a hint of their helpleness as we learn of rationing and depravation, sometime imprisoning or disapearance...We remember the stories about the Resistance and whispers of good and bad deeds...<br /><br />Seen throught the eyes of this small French village and their youth we are shown a different aspect of war, one which involves not just the adults but its young people as well. This is a time of conflict and choices have to be made.Theirs is a story of survival!<br />There is no right or wrong, good or bad when your life is on the line. Hope is all your have, the determination to live another day and ultimately to obtain once again your freedom! None are safe, danger surrounds and decisions must be made. Your only comfort, God is listening! Or is He?<br /><br />Wonderfully researched, beautifully written, this is a story that will take your breath away. Honest, compelling, How Huge The Night is a book which you soon realize does not shy from the true aspects of occupation.<br />I found myself remembering an other time, harsh decisions and I will admit to having been near tears! War time occupation was nothing short of a difficult time to grow up!<br />Albeit geared to the younger generation I am told, I find this is a timeless story and I see no reason not to recommend to adults as well.<br />A perfect 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Litfuse as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1306102239000, "title": "Honour, Freedom, Survival are not just for adults!" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 4, "text": "Since this weekend was quiet enough to let me relax (after a week of feeling somewhat frazzled) I picked up \"Spring for Suzannah\" to enjoy along with a nice cuppa!<br />I was looking for something light to read but with a good solid plot, the kind of novel you immerse yourself into.<br /><br />This is a debut for Catherine Richmond but a few pages in the book I knew \"Spring for Suzannah\" would be a throughfully enjoyable read and I was not disappointed.<br />I think we all agree we like to read about these incredible frontier women who braved the wilderness, tamed the Wild West, raised families, often burying some of their loved ones, faced starvation, wildlife threats, and built a life for themselves along their mates.<br />Let's not forget their contributions in building schools, churches and developing entire towns whilst uphelding God's word!<br /><br />The setting for Catherine Richmond novel (written with the help of a few chocolates along the way - my kind of gal!) is the Dakota Territory, a few years after the end of the Civil War.<br />Suzannah travels outwest to meet her new husband, Jesse. Theirs is a marriage by proxy, not unusual at that time. What is unusual is that she brings uncommon skills to her new way of life.<br />Her new home is a soddy, barely large enough to contain her husband and herself. Her companion is a dog, her only friend is Martha, a Norvegian just learning the English language and she lives miles away. The prairie is everywhere, there are many dangers such as wildland fires and the often weather changes! To survive is a daily challenge, being caught unprepared could mean death. There are no church, no school, no doctor and loneliness has a way to pervade everything!<br /><br />Jesse is a hard worker farmer but also a loving husband who has seen much horror during the War yet believes in God implicitly. His comfortable relationship with the Lord at times is even funny!<br />Shy Suzannah is insecure and lives in fear her new husband will send her back East but with patience Jesse reaches her heart and they soon see their union blessed.<br />When tragedy happens however, Suzannah must deal with the pain and here as always we are reminded God is always by our side. Suzannah matures in a real pioneer woman when she realizes God has a plan for her after all!<br /><br />Catherine Richmond describes her characters as living a full life, theirs is a romance that blooms in a lonely often harsh world. She does not shy from describing their intimacy, reminding us God made all things beautiful and His love is constant.<br />I cannot say honestly I would recommend this as a read for young girls but again, this Christian novel was written with much care and faith and a more mature audience will truly enjoy following Jesse and Suzannah's story.<br />The author's careful details gives us yet again, a little window on these pioneers women who made a New World thus providing us with a bit of history, along with an afternoon of true relaxation.<br />Just what I was looking for!<br />Many thanks Catherine Richmond and I hope you will soon pen another story for us.<br /><br />I give this book 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Litfuse as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1308065127000, "title": "Great debut!" }, { "asin": "1595548246", "rating": 4, "text": "The Amish world described by Beth Wiseman is like an opened window on a world which Englishers such as ourselves find fascinating!<br />Seek me with all your heart is also the first book I read by Beth Wiseman and I found myself drawn to the story within a few pages.<br />Beautifully written, with an engaging plot developing steadily along the pages, this is a much more accurate insight on Amish life than anything else I might have read in the past! The author does not shy from describing hardships found even amongst the Amish. Yes life can be a struggle but Faith can work wonders!<br /><br />Her realistic characters are guaranteed to surprise you even at times! You will find yourself laughing also at references to the Englisher life whilst learning more about a world few know truly well and often misunderstood.<br />It is a particular skill of a good author to lead any reader on a path of discovery and Beth Wiseman reminds us that Faith will sustain us through ups and downs as long as we let God in our heart!<br /><br />Like those beautiful Amish patchwork quilts made of intricate and carefully stiched pieces life can become whole and rewarding if we trust in Him! Beth Wiseman's characters and their plies are carefully chosen to let you know He is always near if we just listen!<br />Seek me with all your heart is the first book in the series Land of Canaan and is certain to be a throughly enjoyable read for anyone who delights in learning more about Amish life.<br /><br />To learn more about Beth Wiseman's books please visit her website here<br /><br />I gave this book a heatwarming 4 stars!<br /><br />Just a quick reminder: I was not asked to review this book and all opinions are entirely my own!", "timestamp": 1308765825000, "title": "A realistic view of the Amish Community!" }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 5, "text": "In 'A Distant Melody' we met Walt, the first of the three Novak brothers, a B17 pilot with the US Eight Air Force (read review here) and in 'A Memory Between Us', the author introduced us to dashing brother Jack, also a pilot stationed in England (see review here). Each of the Novak brothers' characters brought to mind the very best of the many American (and British) pilots who flew countless dangerous missions over enemy territory to bring about peace during the WW2 years! Most of these brave men were barely in their twenties and many gave their life for God and Country!<br /><br />Ray Novak's courage and faith is not to be doubt for a moment. His job is to train B17 pilots stateside and unlike his brothers, all he ever wanted was to follow his father's footsteps and preach.<br /><br />Sarah Sundin's superb description of this quiet man's trials as well as the human frailty displayed by the woman he loves is what makes this historical novel certainly hard to put down but in the end, it is a story about faith and the courage to go on during incredible times of conflict!<br /><br />If Ray's decision to join a combat unit overseas is somehow expected it is however the description of his survival behind enemy lines that will touch you in more ways than one! It is in the little details Sarah Sundin shares with readers that you find yourself pulling for the heroes (and holding your breath literally!)<br /><br />This beautiful love story is about Ray and Helen, both survivors, each reaching out to God for the courage to face their demons. Ultimately, it is the story of people torn apart by circumstances who in the course of their duties, both overseas and on the home front, reminds us that with God at our side, anything is possible!<br />'Blue Skies Tomorrow' is the perfect ending for the 'Wings of Glory' series!<br /><br />This is nothing less than 5 stars material!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1314710699000, "title": "The perfect ending to the 'Wings of Glory' series!" }, { "asin": "1595547851", "rating": 3, "text": "Fairer than Morning is a fictional novel set in the 1820's and inspired by a well known family in the history of Westerville Ohio, the Hanbys.<br />Since I am familiar with this family's connection to the famous Otterbein College, I thought it to be an interesting subject and looked forward to discover this new writer.<br />In this first novel Rosslyn Elliott introduces us to the Saddler's legacy series and describes the humble beginnings of William Hanby, mainly his years in indentured service.<br />William Hanby and Ann Miller were real people who fell in love, married and had 8 children of whom composer Ben Hanby (Darling Nelly Gray) is probably the best known. The family was very active in the Underground Railway and harboured runaways both in Rushville and Westerville.<br /><br />Rosslyn Elliott has introduced some well known (at least in the Midwest) historical facts in this work of fiction and it is interesting to note her clear description of the runaways slaves is perhaps the highlight of this novel. Somehow the two main characters are a bit lost in her description, and I would be remiss if I did not point out that I found the whole story to be fragmented.<br /><br />Whilst we do not have as much information as we wish on William and Ann, their combined and formidable convictions regarding anti slaveryand their faith in particular are not enough reflected in this novel. The description of Ohio and Pensylvania in the 19th Century also could use a bit more elaboration. Historical societies in both states offer much more information than it is reflected here.<br />Finally the added characters brings little support to the whole story and I found it lacking in historical interest.<br />In such, I found the book to lack the vitality of the well known Ohio river life and the sentiments of stepping into history with the characters was just missing. Certain subjects also do not make this Christian material for younger ladies yet I would have labelled this novel to be for younger adults.<br /><br />I give this one 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1315509697000, "title": "Not everything I thought it would be!" }, { "asin": "0800719956", "rating": 5, "text": "I think there is nothing like Christmas and the incredible feeling it brings to all who believe in the birth of the Child Christ!<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher is the kind of writer whom readers know they can expect an excellent plot deftly written, a message of hope and a great deal of Amish wisdom along a good dose of humour!<br />One look at the cover (yes, I know you should not judge a book by its cover alone) and the author's name and I knew I would enjoy it. There is something wholesome about Suzanne Woods Fisher's stories and her acute knowledge of the Amish society always attracts!<br /><br />In 'A Lancaster County Christmas', we find both Englisher and Amish families sharing a few days during the Christmas season due to unexpected circumstances and I will readily admit it put me in the Christmas spirit immediately.<br />It is the true gift of a good author to be able to make any reader see the plain life of Amish families, feel the snow flakes on his/her face, the warmth of a love shared by people who truly care about each other, the anxiety experienced by someone who is once again disappointed by events they cannot control and most important the steadfastness of God's love for all!<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher is such an author!<br /><br />Even better in 'A Lancaster County Christmas' we learn about SAR (Search and Rescue) and the efficiency of a search well planned by equally well trained volunteers.<br />Life sometimes does follow some unexpected turns and it is up to us to learn to lean on our faith to find the strengh to go on. Christmas is a wonderful gift, a season of love, hope and joy! 'A Lancaster County Christmas' brings you all these feelings!<br /><br />I recommend picking up a copy of 'A Lancaster County Christmas' and let the spirit of the season surround you! In fact, pick up an additional copy for a loved one or a friend, a perfect gift to share with them!<br />P.S. I couldn't but laugh at the suggestion of Mr. September! Suzanne Woods Fisher feels like a friend and I guarantee you will enjoy this latest book!<br />How could I give anything but 5 stars for a book that had me laughing and crying?!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE PUBLICITY GROUP as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1316191766000, "title": "It will put you in the Christmas spirit!" }, { "asin": "1414335830", "rating": 5, "text": "This latest novel in the Precinct 11 series starts off slowly but you soon find the plot gripping and it is a hard one to put down. In true Jerry B. Jenkins fashion, 'The Betrayal' is a story with rapid fire action but as always reflecting many family values and this is why I like to read his books!<br /><br />Things are not looking good for Boone Drake. The injury he received whilst protecting former street gang boss Pascual Candelario, now turned good guy, will probably earn him early retirement but it is the last thing he wants right now. There is an informer amongst the Police department and it makes Boone all the more determined to remain on active duty. The more so since it jeopardizes his attempt to get Candelario to a secure location!<br /><br />Whilst CPD investigates this obvious leak, Boone's girlfriend becomes the prime suspect and it now it appears someone wants Boone out of the CPD for good.<br />Near exhaustion, Boone forces himself to find the source of this betrayal and the guilty party! His life and others depend on his survival skills!<br />Watch out for the climax!<br /><br />A Christian writer who never compromise his faith, Jenkins has a knack for appealing to all sorts of readers and in the end, you know good will triumph over evil!<br /><br />A perfect 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from TYNDALE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Adverting.", "timestamp": 1319215965000, "title": "Gripping!" }, { "asin": "0764209035", "rating": 5, "text": "A delightful historical novel and one of the best Christian fiction I have read in a while!<br />Anne Mateer's faith shines throughout this story and I am certain to be on the lookout for more of her work!<br /><br />'Wings of a dream' is reminiscent of Lucy Maud Montgomery, Catherine Marshall or Louisa May Alcott's style and you will feel a kindred spirit with the main character Rebekah Hendricks!<br /><br />WWI home front life in Texas with its shortages, the Spanish Lady (flu) epidemic as well as casualty reports are just one of the many descriptions you will find in Anne Mateer's novel!<br /><br />A true Christian story, this warmhearted tale of a nineteen year old faced with challenges few would not find daunting, 'Wings of a dream' is certain to delight readers! Not unlike a good recipe, this story has all the right ingredients but it is Anne Mateer's harmonious blend with the Great War's background that has you turning 'just one more page!'<br />A dreamer like many of us, Rebekah desires adventure and yet, faced with unexpected love she discovers God always leads the way! You will find yourself holding your breath towards the end I guarantee!<br /><br />I so enjoyed reading 'Wings of a dream' that I too had a hard time to put it down! Enjoy!<br /><br />I will gladly give it 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHING as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1320527918000, "title": "A kindred spirit!" }, { "asin": "076420498X", "rating": 5, "text": "'I was perfectly content with my life - that is, until the pages of my story were ripped out before I had a chance to live happily ever after.'<br />An excellent debut I felt as I was really looking for something relaxing to read and I have always believed in faery tales! This was just the right novel for a cold, blustery and rainy evening!<br />'Three days later, when Lillie was sure that Mack would live, she started planning his funeral.' is only the beginning of Chapter 8...I forgot the time and just kept on reading!<br /><br />Lynn Austin once again delivers an enticing story which is sure to have you alternate betwixt laughing bouts and tears!<br />There is something almost magical in Lynn Austin's writing and I have yet to read anything I did not like by this author so I will heartily recommend her novels.<br />Just short of spellbinding, each page of her Christian novels allows you to step in a different time frame and her characters beckons readers to immerse themselves in her stories.<br /><br />In her latest book we discover a little coal mining town in Kentucky during the Great Depression, a young librarian, a one hundred and one year old woman once a plantation slave, a writer and to top all this, there is a mysterious buried treasure...<br /><br />In Wonderland Creek we discover the harsh lives led by the proud mountain people of Kentucky whom with much determination survived the Great Depression. You find yourself almost envious of the simple lifestyle, the traditions, the intricate families connections and above all, the beauty of the surroundings!<br />As is customary with Lynn Austin's novels, you will find a marvelous balance betwixt history lessons, rich settings, amazing and often gripping characters and of course a good dose of Christian wisdom.<br /><br />When all is said and done, this is one author's writings worth every 5 stars give!<br /><br />Note to readers: I was not asked to review this novel and all opinions expressed are entirely my own!", "timestamp": 1325109623000, "title": "Happily-ever-after in the woods of Kentucky's during the Great Depression" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 4, "text": "'Where Wildflowers Bloom' is the first book in Ann Shorey's series called 'Sisters at Heart' and since I like a good Historical novel, wildflowers and dreaming, the perfect choice for a rainy day!<br /><br />Faith Lindberg lost her father and brother and lives with her Grandfather who owns a Mercantile shoppe. Faith hopes to sell the business, hopefully at a profit of course and move West. She dreams of starting afresh.<br />The story is set just after the end of the Civil War and I found the added characters of a field nurse as well as a scarred veteran just the right touch for this novel to be a little more than just a lovely romance.<br /><br />Ann Shorey pens an interesting portrait of a MidWest town, and takes us on a stroll around the dusty boardwalks to the shoppes, local eatery, blacksmith shop and livery, sheriff's office, clapboard houses and the little white church with its spiked roof, not unlike time traveling in your armchair.<br /><br />The mercantile shoppe comes to life with her detailed description of the stock with its many shelves of goods. I could almost feel the heroine's pain when she inadvertently drops the lovely china she'd hoped to sell and make a profit to boost sales. The fact that women rarely worked outside of home is once again the perfect detail to make this an interesting story!<br /><br />With just the right eloquence Ann Shorey infuses readers with a sense of what life was truly for the settlers who made their homes in places such as Noble Springs, Missouri and the gossiping and sometime meddling of a small town.<br />She does not stop there however and you discover the past is not to be shrugged off easily, especially for the men who came back from war, some broken, many scarred.<br />With a burglary and even mysteries, the entire story evolves in just the kind of entertainment you need to relax!<br /><br />A very nice story which earned 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1327628071000, "title": "Historical fiction decribing Yesterday's women and Today issues!" }, { "asin": "0800734599", "rating": 3, "text": "'Summer of Promise' offers an outlook on life in Wyoming in the 1880's and particularly for the families of soldiers stationed in remote areas such as Fort Laramie, many of them immigrants who joined in hope to make a better life for themselves. I can see why the author felt inspired to write a story after her trip (make that 3 trips and countless hours of Internet browsing).<br /><br />Abigail and Ethan's story is a light romance you might enjoy during a long winter evening but I felt it did not flow and it was not one I would describe as a page turner.<br />Tales of the Old West have always fascinated me but despite having learned a thing or two from Amanda Cabot's findings, I did not think the characters to be all they could be! Leah is one character for i.e. that could have been so much more!<br /><br />It seemed to be written with the very young in mind, nothing either inspiring or entertaining. I will caution animal lovers might find some of the tale upsetting. However true it might be, I found it had little reason to be added to the story personally.<br /><br />If this is an example of the upcoming stories in the Westward Wind series, I found Summer of Promise monotonous and a little tedious for my taste.<br /><br />I give it 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br /><br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1328382932000, "title": "Light romance and a little tedious!" }, { "asin": "1414364458", "rating": 5, "text": "Despite the promising resume I felt the beginning of this book might lead to just another tedious life lesson and very little entertainment. As the story unfolded however I discovered a real gem, each individual committee member' story revealing its own little touch of drama and very personal message.<br /><br />'The Search Committee' is the story of a medley of fellow Christians whose goal is to visit other churches. The committee includes a busybody, a young husband, a single mom and a handful of others all sharing the same hope, that to hire (steal) the perfect pastor for their own congregation.<br /><br />Tim Owens artfully weaves background and problem(s) faced by each member of the committee into a delightful and entertaining message for the reader.<br />Hard to put down, the story unfolds giving us the opportunity to find a little of ourselves in at least one of the committee characters, complete with its little quirks.<br /><br />You will find yourself chuckling at the delightful descriptions of this busy group traveling in an old church van (Outch! Those potholes!) and sneaking incognito into various churches and teary eyed a moment later.<br />It is warm, it is human and you will question if any of us truly know our neighbour in the pew next to us.<br /><br />So will the committee find this perfect man/woman for their own church? Well, I wouldn't want to spoil a good story and it is a VERY good story!<br />My suggestion is to grab this insightful book and enjoy a good time with the seah committee! Their quest will teach you a thing or two I daresay!<br /><br />A delightful first novel and worth at least 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from TYNDALE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1329174853000, "title": "Tim Owen's first novel is delightful gem!" }, { "asin": "0800720458", "rating": 5, "text": "The very first thing that comes to mind about 'Words Spoken True' is the raised lettering on the cover (a feature I dearly love and miss in the mass produced paperbacks published these days!) swiftly followed by the interesting historical note published in the forefront of the story! Once spotted, I was rubbing my hands together with glee. This is my kind of historical fiction!<br /><br />With a rich historical setting, enticing plot, flowing dialogues betwixt the protagonists, colourful descriptive and just the right amount of romance 'Words Spoken True' is sure to captivate readers!<br />Here is no amateurish historical fiction! Ann H. Gabhart is a well published author and she writes a warm story complete with romance, faith and intrigue about 'The Herald' and 'The Tribune', two warring newspapers in Louisville, Kentucky, circa 1850's.<br /><br />As the plot unravels you find yourself engrossed in its drama, and wishing with all your might for a great ending for both Adriane and Blake. Never fear, weaving her magic wand, Ann H.Gabhart will not disappoint and you will soon discover that no matter what, the press must go on!<br /><br />On a quick note, I was startled to learn the existence of the 'Know Nothings, and the dramatic events of Bloody Monday on 6 August 1855 which reflects in this story!<br /><br /> Readers should know this is a page turner...Hence warning to husband/children: Mum is certain to be so engrossed, dinner will soon be forgotten!<br /><br />A wonderful story certain to leave you daydreaming...<br />A big thank you to Ann H. Gabhart for her enduring writing skills!<br /><br />For sheer enjoyment, a 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330103697000, "title": "A wonderful story certain to leave you daydreaming..." }, { "asin": "1433673223", "rating": 4, "text": "With a little imagination 'The Guardian Duke' might very well be the most delightful story I have read in awhile! Nothing too serious, just a light tale about a charming ingenue and her elegant guardian complete with good historical notes, a good amount of faith and just the right amount of romance!<br /><br />Reminiscent of Barbara Cartland's writings, 'The Guardian Duke' has all the ingredients for a good, if a tad innocuous, tale. I was not looking for anything in particular when I started reading Jamie Carie's first book in the Forgotten Castles series but I was pleasantly surprised.<br /><br />Perhaps it was the romantic setting of Ireland with its mythical shores, the intriguing mystery revolving around some of the protagonists, the spirited ingenue dodging her guardian duke or the elegant Gabriel himself.<br />Lest I forget, credit should also be given to a colourful surrounding cast!<br /><br />Jaimie Carie also excelled at penning the lively correspondence betwixt the heroine and her soul mate. Do people really fall in love through letters? Let's hope the world has not become so jade that we cannot imagine for a short time that it can be so. Ah the dreams...<br /><br />I for one can only vouch for the innocent reading time I spend immersing myself into with this lively Christian tale. And if someone witnessed the sighs just before I turned off the lights, well...<br />All I can say is 'Thank you' Jaimie for a tasteful read certain to entertain teens and adults alike.<br /><br />Here is to wandering what happens in Iceland and thinking it was well worth 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from PROPELLER as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330567856000, "title": "Tasteful Christian romance for teens and adults alike!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 4, "text": "Heart's Safe Passage is book # 2 in The Midwives series and whilst I have yet to read book # 1 it is my hope the author will indulge us with more stories in this captivating chapter. The combination of the midwifery subject and the High seas set right after the conflict of 1812 was an appealing point for a history buff like me and the author did not disappoint!<br /><br />Obviously Laurie Alice Eakes has done well her research and I spent a relaxing evening reading this latest tale! Such are the rules of war that both nations would have not hesitate to try either protagonist as a traitor. Therefore to imagine a plot involving a midwife stranded against her will on an enemy ship was nothing but genial!<br /><br />A fervent admirer of C.S. Forrester and his tales of the high seas, I found Heart's Safe Passage all the most most intriguing as Laurie Alice Eakes demonstrates a thorough knowledge of seamanship I did not expect.<br />Historically the war of 1812 and the resulting strenuous diplomatic relations betwixt Colonials and Britishers was well documented. In turn the author's description of her characters allegiances reminds us that one could be deemed a traitor for just being at the wrong place at the wrong time.<br /><br />The spirited dialogues betwixt the Scottish privateer and the Colonial midwife have just the right enticement for readers to wonder who will win in the end and the supporting characters are endearing in their own ways.<br />Life at sea was far from being as romantic as Hollywood would have us believed but in Heart's Safe Passage there is just enough drama to keep it interesting and enough sparks for the romantic soul!<br /><br />Most of all the storyteller reminds us that God is the only one to steer our ship...<br /><br />I was also fascinated by the historical notes recording midwives written by a seventeenth century physician! Whilst some of it could be deemed humorous, it would appear being a midwife was hard and often a thankless task!<br /><br />Finally Laurie Alice Eakes' description of Captain Docherty was much more interesting than Errol Flynn in all his glory!<br /><br />For a most enjoyable evening, I find myself giving this historical romance 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330728429000, "title": "An intriguing romance betwixt a midwife and a privateer on the High seas!" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "Anyone familiar with the talented Brother Cadfael, the Welsh Benedictine monk so engagingly described by Ellis Peters will appreciate my interest in this book!<br />I first heard of it on a Publisher's website and felt compelled to pursue this title whose author I had yet to discover! I also hoped for something different and was not disappointed!<br /><br />'Unhallowed Ground' was my introduction to Mel Starr's and I immediately found his style to be unique and quite discerning! An impressive glossary allows curious minds like mine to discover words and terms the modern English language no longer use.<br /><br />Mel Starr skillfully weaves a tapestry of intrigue, false leads, adventure and danger rendered the more interesting by its many historical settings whilst leading the reader on a path of whodunit.<br />Within a few pages you are wondering who is friend, who is foe and yes, it is a page turner!<br /><br />The colourful but tasteful tale follows Hugh de Singleton, bailiff of Bampton Manor, as he is called to investigate the death of a local villager. Amongst his many talents Master Hugh is also noted as a medieval surgeon and a detective of sorts...<br />Is this a case of suicide or murder? Thus we are introduced to the ensuing intriguing plot!<br /><br />With its excellent penmanship, 'Unhallowed Ground' is just the sort of book you will read and feel replete!<br /><br />I give it 5 stars (and quickly found a little niche for it on our bookshelves!)<br /><br />On a note of worth, this book is the fourth chronicle of the series. The fifth chronicle 'The Tainted Coin' will soon be released!<br /><br />NOTE TO READERS: I was not asked to review this title and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1332627554000, "title": "Medieval mystery with the finest historical detailed background!" }, { "asin": "1595548874", "rating": 3, "text": "Best selling author Beth Wiseman has delighted her many fans with tales of the Amish world for years. Perhaps I was influenced by my daughter as she is a big fan but I have enjoyed her stories!<br /><br />This novel is however quite different and I will admit to some disappointment. A contemporary story is rarely my first choice of reading material. I much prefer historical fiction work which lets your imagination wonder, provides you with healthy entertainment and even gives you the incentive to delve into the subject by way of further research!<br /><br />Beth Wiseman introduces us to her latest writing by depicting a Texan family whom at first glance lives a perfectly well balanced life. They recently moved from a cosmopolitan area to live in an old farmhouse in a small town to raise their children in a much healthier environment.<br /><br />Reading the resume I caught the 'Special Needs Children' part and felt drawn to it thus the reason for this choice of review.<br /><br />Unfortunately whilst I allow any author's right to feel a need to branch out, this time I felt something was missing and I had a hard time to concentrate on the plot.<br />Perhaps it was the fact that special needs children had only a small part in this story, or that the neighbour's character just did not seem to fit in, or I was not prepared to comprehend the extent to which some teens go to please their family or when under peer pressure! I have since looked into it and it brought many shudders!<br />Even the locales were not eye catching and nothing really stands out.<br /><br />Despite the troubled teenager plight and a handful of supporting characters, the story mainly revolves around the attraction felt by two individuals and much like a soap opera is drawn out: lies, betrayals and sheer boredom!<br /><br />Somewhat fragmented, Needing you Now is the sort of Christian novel I feel you will only briefly remember and lacking the profound inspirational theme Beth Wiseman usually provides her readers.<br /><br />Needing you Now has surprised me and less you feel this is not a good book, I will remind you of course that I offer only my opinion!<br /><br />As such, I can only give it 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BOOKSNEEZE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1335569626000, "title": "Really not what I hoped for!" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 4, "text": "'A Love Forbidden', Book # 2 in Heart of the Rockies series reads like a Western with a powerful message: intolerance is the root of many evils!<br />Once again Baker Revell brings us an interesting author and I was pleasantly surprised in Kathleen Morgan's vivid descriptions of the 1800 Colorado Rockies!<br />There is so much History in the US, often misconstrued yet as rich as many older nations!<br />I love to discover yet another facet of the Old West and I believe I mentioned it before, the first novel I read in English was written by Louis l'Amour!<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan's tasteful description of Shiloh Wainwright and Jesse Blackwater's love story gives us a realistic outlook on frontier life in the 1800's Colorado and the Ute reservation.<br />As a teacher on the Indian reservation Shiloh hopes to help Indian children learn the White Man's ways whilst retaining their identity. Her task is not easy as she deals with narrow minded agencies and wary settlers.<br />Jesse Blackwater is the childhood friend she never forgot and caught betwixt both the White man's world and the Ute worlds, they find themselves caught in a maelstrom of emotions and conflicts, both internal and external.<br /><br />'A Love Forbidden' might have been just another Historical romance but Kathleen Morgan draws you in the story and you immerse yourself in it. The sum of a good novel, right?<br />It is always amazing to read lines which create such a vivid panoramic picture of times gone by and in turn creates such powerful emotions!<br />Amidst prejudice and growing political tension betwixt both the White and Indian world, you find yourself wondering if you would have the courage and wisdom to do what is right. In such circumstances, where would you stand as a Christian?<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan seems to breathe this time period and spares no details to entice us visually. Life on the frontier was often harsh, supplies limited, and communication slow due to long distances betwixt forts and settlements.<br />When one side fails to honour its word, the other decided to take action...<br /><br />Red headed Shiloh is as tenacious in her convictions as in her love for Jesse, whilst he sees the road ahead in a very realistic way. Will they be able to bridge both worlds and find love, acceptance, forgiveness and ultimately peace?<br /><br />Well depicted, this is a thought provoking story which illustrates the power of love and faith in a world often riddled with prejudice and ignorance.<br />In the end, you are in God's hands and given the chance, Shiloh and Jesse will come to realize nothing is impossible for them with His help.<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1338071156000, "title": "A thought provoking story about love and faith in the 1800's Colorado Rockies!" }, { "asin": "0764207962", "rating": 5, "text": "Siri Mitchell is definitively an author to reckon with: her latest novel 'The Messenger' is fast paced and scintillates with the kind of details any history buff will love. I found her notes and research to be very interesting!<br /><br />Set during the War of Independence (US), this is the story of an intrepid young Quaker named Hannah and a Continental Army spy named Jeremiah Jones. Each have need of the other and both parties joined forces but not without concerns for the ramifications involved. As a pacifist Hannah cannot abide violence but Jeremiah's plans ultimately will draw her in a conflict few will escape without scars.<br /><br />This is absolutely a story to enjoy without interruptions. I for one knew very little of Women spies during the Civil War (US) and did not give much thought to Women involvement during the 1776 Campaign.<br /><br />Prisoners conditions during this tumultuous conflict are rarely spoken of yet we know of the many hardships endured by the Colonial army, particularly during the winter campaign at Valley Forge.<br />Sad to say, many of the reenactments Siri Mitchell developed in her tale of faith and courage for our two courageous protagonists rang only too true! The ravages of war effects innocents everywhere yet we still fight!<br /><br />'The Messenger, reminds us of theologian Reinhold Neiburh's Serenity prayer:<br /><br />God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,<br />Courage to change the things I can,<br />And wisdom to know the difference.<br /><br />So fitting for this story!<br /><br />As to the Quaker faith, I have to thank Siri Mitchell for enlightening me: I never thought much about it!<br /><br />A story of bravery, of beliefs and God's path for each one of us!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1338499473000, "title": "A tale of courage and faith in the Revolutionary war!" }, { "asin": "1434764303", "rating": 3, "text": "'Glamorous Illusions', Book 1 of 'The Grand Tour' series has a most enticing front cover. One look at the lovely gown featured with the Eiffel Tower in the background will have you wish you too could be part of this Grand Tour. I was ready to be dazzled!<br /><br />Let me begin by saying Lisa T. Bergren is a seasoned author with over 35 books and sales of over 2 million copies but new to this reader.<br /><br />David C. Cook, the Publisher gives us in turn a tantalizing resume of 'Glamorous Illusions' starting with 'It's the summer of 1913...A fateful afternoon, a stranger comes to call, and Cora discover s a terrible secret about her past...invited to take the 'Grand Tour' of Europe, a trip intended to finish a person's education and solidify an understanding of refinement and ancient culture...<br /><br />I immersed myself in this fictional story turning page after page hoping to glimpse the wonders of a 20th Century trip abroad through the eyes of our young protagonist beginning with a portentous crossing aboard the Titanic sister-ship.<br />Grand Tours were scintillating events and much anticipated occasions for any well bred young lady or gentleman to acquire a certain polish and large amounts of monies were disbursed by generous parents to this effect.<br /><br />Breathtaking scenery along with ancient History and the discoveries of Music, Art, companions and fine culinary partaking provided the perfect ending to one's education. If one might find herself/himself an impoverished title in the bargain, families would look benignly and pride themselves in having acquired a touch of blue blood in the bargain.<br /><br />The idea of our heroine leaving her Montana struggling beet farm for a Grand Tour of Europe in the company of her newly discovered high society siblings has many hints of Cinderella. However Cora's journey of self discovery along this grand voyage is often confusing, her true sentiments hard to fathom! Even as I close the book I would be hard pressed to guess what she hoped to find.<br /><br />I could not picture any young lady destined to be a teacher to learn in one month how to move comfortably through the society throngs for example.<br />I found it also hard to believe the group described did not have at least one female chaperone (anything less would have been frowned upon in most societies and introductions near impossible), servants were unlikely to know what would be expected and therefore could not have advised.<br /><br />Illegitimacy was not more condoned in France than in England and therefore the courtship of Pierre de Richelieu hardly believable. Family pressures alone would have demanded he kept his distance. Accordingly the young lady would have been appraised his attentions were not honourable and very likely whisked away to the next stop of the Tour.<br /><br />Leaving these details aside, I felt none of the excitement or glimmer associated with such trip. One would hardly describe the wonders of the Eiffel Tower, Centuries old English manors, French chateaus or the wealth displayed at the Louvre for example in such a desultory way and hints at someone who trouped behind a guide (If this is Tuesday, it must be Belgium).<br />The elements are there but seen almost through a veil and does not impart the stimulating experiences for the reader's pleasure.<br /><br />Finally the end of this first novel in the series left me perplex. A hint or two leads me to believe there is more to the story but neither the romance nor the Grand Tour details provided much satisfaction.<br />One can only sigh and say: 'C'est la vie!'<br /><br />More of a Young Adult story, I give this one 3 stars.<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE AND DAVID C. COOK as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1340302218000, "title": "From Montana to the grand European metropolises..." }, { "asin": "0800720482", "rating": 5, "text": "I chose to feature the above synopsis instead of the one shown on the back of the cover for a personal reason. I admit I am only a student of the Gospels and for a moment as I read the cover's resume I thought there might be another Mary Magdalene!<br /><br />The imagination of storyteller Diana Wallis Taylor brings readers however a new dimension to the picture we might have of this amazing woman who followed Christ till the end.<br /><br />I found myself utterly enchanted by this author's narrative of a woman we know little of despite mentions in Luke, John and Acts.<br />We know Jesus cast off seven demons from her and that she was a close follower.<br />We also know she witnessed His mock trial and heard His sentence, she was present at His crucifixion and later amongst the women who find the empty tomb.<br /><br />In 'Mary Magdalene' Diana Wallis Taylor weaves a stirring profile of a gentle child who learned the Scriptures, growing up in Magdala, a coastal town off the Sea of Galilee with caring parents.<br />Following a tragic event, Mary Magdalene lives the next few years plagued by nightmares and yet amidst of all this, finds love and eventually will be healed.<br />She eventually follows Jesus and witnessed to the Messiah's glory for the remaining of her life.<br /><br />The author's rich historical and social details of Jewish life in Galilee in the time of Jesus interwoven with her chronicles of this amazing woman are most gripping!<br />A reader, young or old, will discover an emotional account of a woman we hardly knew and should remember first and foremost as one who was THERE.<br /><br />This is the sort of enriching fictional work perfect as a gift for any young woman coming of age. It has all the elements of a love story of the purest form!<br /><br />If I had a dozen copies, I would be passing them out right now!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1340473107000, "title": "A rich emotional description of Mary Magdalene!" }, { "asin": "0800734556", "rating": 4, "text": "As someone who knew absolutely nothing of the Shaker beliefs I have now a whole concept of their intricate history. In 'The Gifted' Kentucky born storyteller Ann H. Gabhart has definitively written an in depth story based on this cult! She actually lives near a Shaker village and was obviously inspired.<br /><br />The simplicity of the many designs we admire to this date were brought upon by these believers who worked as if they had a thousand years to accomplish their tasks or knowledge of their death on the morrow...They knew their place, rejoiced in knowing it, their hands hard at work, their hearts given to God...<br /><br />In 'The Gifted' our protagonist Jessamine is striving to find her place in this close knit world and when she is given a sweet outlook on the outside world questions her path...<br />We follow the young sister as she stumbles repeatedly despite her eagerness to please her elders. Sister Sophrena's diaries in particular allows us to understand the extant of those struggles and gives us a unique view of life in their community.<br />Harmony Hill village brothers and sisters live their faith as outlined by their leader, Mother Ann, from the working fields to the devotion meetings including the shaking and dancing. Their only contact with the outside world is due to their trading their wares such as rosewater, baskets, candles, furniture and so on.<br />Surprisingly, their fellowship is open to anyone, even outsiders just visiting. It is the only world Jessamine has known since she lost her Granny but like all good stories, this is only the beginning... Then there is also a mysterious letter which opened reveals surprising new developments...<br /><br />As usual Ann H.Gabhart leads us by the hand as we read on. I always found myself looking for clues to what comes next and I was not disappointed.<br />Richly described and perfectly timed, this is a story you will enjoy discovering as the author entices you to learn that all is not as it seems.<br />Like all good storytellers, Ann H. Gabhart tells you some dreams were meant to come true...You just have to believe!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1341675443000, "title": "Another great story by master storyteller Ann H. Gabhart!" }, { "asin": "1595547819", "rating": 4, "text": "'Tidewater Inn' has all the ingredients for the sort of book any reader will like! A great beach read, y Colleen Coble's novel enticed me to turn yet another page!<br />It has all the exciting elements a good writer instills in her/his storytelling and this author's imagination is fruitful! Wow! No time to get bored here!<br /><br />Mysteries, kidnapping, treasures, family intrigues and a beautiful old Inn in a breathtaking setting draws you in. The colourful characters revolving around this Hope Beach novel makes this a warm story and one that makes you wish you live there.<br />Living myself on a tiny island accessible only by ferry, I can understand well the appeal! Hope Beach however has one on us, they have restaurants, pizza parlour, library, fire department, postal service...Need I go on? I felt a tad jealous!<br /><br />It is however the references to God and His amazing work that makes this a most appealing story! Colleen Coble's characters know God, feels His love and meets His expectations no matter how they might fail at first try. Faith is part of her intricate story and you feel His presence throughout her novel! I like this most of all!<br /><br />I was intrigued at the extent to which a SAR (Search and Rescue) dog could trace a missing person. In this instance, 'Samson' follows a trace ON WATER, ocean water! Absolutely intriguing! Needless to say, I learned something yet again!<br /><br />A few loose ends however puzzled me...a rope around an ankle amongst others...I must mention this!<br /><br />I give it 4 stars none the less!<br />Watch Colleen Cobble next novel 'Rosemary Cottage' to be published in July 2013!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1344092313000, "title": "Upbeat!" }, { "asin": "0764208349", "rating": 3, "text": "As stories goes, 'Unending Devotion' is pleasant enough, harmless even, a tad sentimental but easily dismissed after a few chapters. I felt there was something missing from the moment I saw the novel's cover. Somehow the plot and its main characters just does not hook the reader. Even the sub characters were much more interesting!<br /><br />I struggled to feel the various emotions the author hinted at from the beginning and just had to accept this was just not my cup of tea so to speak.<br />Lily posing as a photographer's assistant with its implied paraphernalia should have been on the cover posing next to gruff Oren and perhaps a more thorough description of the lumber camps might have caught my attention. There is a striking amount of information on logging available including stunning photos even here in the Pacific North West!<br /><br />That said, I enjoyed the author's notes regarding the town of Harrison and its unsavoury residents. There is obviously a lot of historical facts recorded in the Michigan's past lumber era with the usual problems found in shanties such as alcoholism, violence, notwithstanding the origin of white slavery trade in the state, this being the most startling!<br /><br />All in all, I would recommend anyone going away this weekend to pack an extra book along unless like me, you find the historical portion enticing enough to browse internet and library files to find out more on the subjects of logging and white slavery in 1800's Michigan!<br />Interesting it was, entertaining it was not.<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1347628341000, "title": "Interesting facts about white slavery in Michigan 1883 did not make this novel any more entertaining!" }, { "asin": "0764206176", "rating": 4, "text": "I was more than ready to read a good western and 'Taming the Wind' was not a disappointment!<br />Book # 3 in the Land of the Lone Star series written by Tracie Peterson, this novel gives us a lot to reflect upon.<br />Tracie Peterson is after all a prolific writer with more than 95 novels to her credit and she writes passionately about the West. Her novels are always entertaining and clearly shows good research (loved the Longfellow poem addition!) but it also reflects her longstanding faith.<br />Each character has its definite personality: passionate, hopeful, tenacious, caring, angry, vengeful...<br />The Lone Star land is harsh, often unforgiving yet beautiful in its rawness. Homesteading was not for the faint soul!<br /><br />In her latest novel Tracie describes a little of the hardships endured by Southern sympathizers following the (US) Civil war. I for one had no idea land was confiscated simply because of allegiance.<br />Both sides lost much to the war and the resulting animosity was very much alive even after three years of peace as we see in Taming the Wind.<br />Cattle drives were dangerous enterprises, with countless obstacles including Native Americans raids, rustlers, stampedes and so on. Yet it also gave an opportunity for struggling ranchers to regain losses...<br /><br />Taming the Wind depicts not only the many facets of ranching but a sweet love story. Carissa and her little girl Gloria are both ready for better times and the young widow has not forgotten the young rancher who saved her life two years prior.<br />In turn Tyler has often thought of the young mother and child but stands to loose much if his confiscated ranch is not returned to him. He also cannot forgive the raid which took his father's life...<br /><br />Of course, God has a plan and with Tracie's flair for a good adventure, we learn love and forgiveness can be found even in these most challenging times!<br /><br />Note:<br />Just a suggestion of course: 'Chasing the Sun' and 'Touching the Sky' are pre sequels in the series well worth reading albeit the author gives a rundown in Book #3 for those of us who have not read these titles.<br />A good reason for reading more of this entertaining author!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1347987539000, "title": "Love, Forgiveness and Adventure in a Good Old Western!" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "After reading 'A Perfect Square', second book in the Shipshewana Amish Mysteries I am perfectly willing to find a special spot for any Vannetta Chapman's tomes on my bookshelves (or add another one...somewhere!)!<br />With Beth Wiseman's recommendation for this novel I knew I was in for a treat! I always like to hear an author praising another fellow writer, don't you?<br /><br />I discovered long ago the appeal of Amish genre literature but this was the first 'whodunit' for me and this one is truly a page turner! Not content with one single plot of 'whom, what , where, how and why', Vannetta Chapman blends two mysteries decades apart and links them to the present.<br /><br />With a lovely quilt shoppe tucked in the scenic background, we find Englisher and Amish living blessed lives in Shipshewana, Indiana to be as near to perfection as possible until that is, a body is found floating in a nearby pond...There is no clue to the young girl's identity.<br /><br />Callie is the owner of Daisy's Quilt, a shoppe inherited from her aunt and with canine Max is a recent transplant from Houston, Texas. Amish and Mennonite lifestyles still holds many mysteries for Callie but Amish friends Deborah, Esther and Melinda help her to adapted to her new life whilst teaching her a thing or two about quilting. With Max at her side (sporting a bandana matched to her clothing colour), Callie is definitively looking forward to her first winter in Indiana.<br /><br />When Reuben the owner of the pond is arrested for the murder by the local Chief of Police, Callie and her sleuth friends steps in to help out Reuben.<br />Meanwhile, an elderly Amish who suffers from dementia finds his way to Callie's shoppe and begs her to find his daughter who disappeared in 1965.<br />As the story develops, you find yourself experiencing many emotions as with unmistakable talent, Vannetta Chapman hones her writing skills in this novel.<br /><br />Praying Reuben's innocence will come to light despite his unwillingness to make a statement, his family and friends search for any clue to help the Amish farmer regain his freedom.<br /><br />Alternating mystery and emotional drama, and with just the slightest hint of romance in the air (including a few hilarious situations), this is a compelling book you will have a hard time to put down as each well written chapter gets better and better!<br />Vanetta's inspirational plots draws you in and reminds us that with God anything is possible! You just have to believe!<br /><br />With its excellent glossary and group questions for discussion, this makes an engaging novel to read, tucked in your favourite chair by the fireplace whilst sipping a cuppa!<br /><br />I received this book free from ZONDERVAN as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349390246000, "title": "I have become a fan of Vannetta Chapman's writing!" }, { "asin": "0800721322", "rating": 5, "text": "Absolutely delightful! 'Life with Lily', Book 1 in 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' should have been written years ago! Mary Ann and Suzanne have come up with a wonderful little gem!<br />Written primarily with younger children (ages 8-12) these are none the less stories which grown ups and children alike will love to discover! There is nothing better than reading out loud to a child and share a precious moment!<br /><br />There is an amazing amount of information betwixt these pages and I can't wait to share it with young friends. Seen through the eyes of lovely (and sometimes mischievous) 5 year old Lily, it has a fresh appeal for avid readers of Amish tales such as myself!<br /><br />We have learned much about the Amish world through wonderful stories told by such authors as Suzanne Woods Fisher herself but 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' is destined to be a favourite and best of all, one you can share with everyone!<br />Each chapter involves a new adventure in Lily's life involving family, friends, neighbours, livestock, school and so on...One look at the little face featured on the cover (for once, the cover is right on!) and your heart will be won over!<br /><br />There are of course lessons to be learned throughout it all! After all, Lily and other Amish children are in no way different from Englisher and yes, things can and will happen...I don't know if the 'cat' with the bushy tail found by Lily in the barn (priceless!) or her brother's Joseph attempt to fly will be your favourites but it certainly were mine!<br /><br />I whole heartily applaud this new series and I give it 5 stars!<br />I am looking forward to Book 2!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349636609000, "title": "Life with Lily', Book 1 in 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' should have been written years ago" }, { "asin": "0764204165", "rating": 3, "text": "After reading only the first chapter I knew I should emphazise 'Read the books in order!'. Live and learn!<br />Anyone who has read Book 1, might enjoy following 'the rest of the story' in 'Whispers In The Wind'. For once, this author however did not meet my expectations.<br /><br />The title was enticing but I struggled with the characters, some clearer than others and those were the sub characters! The actual plot was difficult to grasp despite a few 'recalled' memories and at times throughly confusing if not right down sluggish.<br />As the main character Cassie just does not grab the reader. There is plenty of action and a few interesting factors overall in the novel though (albeit I could have done without the step by step skinning/curing of an Elk for i.e.).<br /><br />As confusing as Cassie's feelings (should she?, should she not?), I found the whole story lacking 'a little je ne sais quoi'. As to any possible romantic attachment hinted at... No sparks there! (at least so far, but at the rate this story develops, it might take a few more books to find out what happens next...sigh...)<br /><br />Far from being the good Western I expected, I can only say you must a be fan of Lauraine Snelling's writing or wish to read the continuation of this story in the next installment (and the next...). I do not like loose ends but there was nothing in Book 2 that would entice me to read the rest ( I do not plan to hunt a Elk or stuff sausages anytime soon!).<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349714644000, "title": "It would be best for anyone to read Book 1 first!" }, { "asin": "1595548033", "rating": 5, "text": "'The Trouble with Cowboys' written by well known romanticist Denis Hunter and part of the 'Big Sky Romance' series will provide readers with just the sort of entertainment they might look for on a Autumnal afternoon! There is no doubt Denise Hunter gives her audience what she promised: an enjoyable alternative to the humdrum of everyday life.<br />I had the opportunity to read another of her novels (on a long layover in a faraway airport with little amenities!) called 'The Convenient Groom' and I will tell you she had me in stitches! Be sure to check her other titles!<br /><br />But back to The Trouble With Cowboys! This Christian author has a knack for the light but never fluffy sort of novel that you will gladly reach for along with a good mug of cocoa! Entertaining yet with a lesson or two (don't miss each chapter header!), a message tucked here and there and perfect to share with anyone including the younger generation!<br />Denise Hunter's books are wholesome and will win your heart!<br /><br />Montana born and raised Annie Wilkerson is an expert horse trainer, a loving sister and a great aunty. Life has dealt her a lot of responsibilities since her GrandPa died. Taking care of her wayward sister is not easy and she takes on her role of Mum seriously hoping to see her sister settle.<br />Annie does not trust cowboys: they are here today, gone tomorrow. The past has taught her to stay clear away from them.<br /><br />Easy going Dylan needs her help with his nearly blind horse and in turn, Annie could use his help with her latest assignment, a lovelorn column she feels is just not for her since she has never felt love before. So they make a deal: her equine expertise for his help with her column. Annie is struggling with financial responsibilities but promised her GrandPa she will take care of everyone and she is trying to ignore her qualms.<br />She cannot trust Dylan because he is a cowboy after all and will probably break her heart. Then again, is she judging him too quickly? Or should she let her heart and faith guide her?<br />After all, God is in charge, not Annie...<br /><br />I think we shall agree once you read this story: if Denise keeps on writing, we'll keep on reading!<br /><br />5 stars for all the good feelings this novel brought on (and a few sighs as well...)<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349901011000, "title": "This Christian author has a knack for the light but never fluffy sort of novel!" }, { "asin": "0800734173", "rating": 4, "text": "Book # 3 in the 'Winds of Change' series, 'A Love Surrendered' brings to readers the depression era and two families: The O'Connors and the Kennedys. Set in Boston in 1932, it is written with passion and will inspire all sorts of feelings. Julie Lessman knows how to grab her readers, proof that she is after all a very good author!<br /><br />Inspirational, intense and at times extremely romantic, it is none the less imperative for readers to remember the era this story draws its background from. The idea of 'me Jane, you Tarzan' might come across fiercefully at times. Let's remember that women at the time were viewed as having one place and that was in the kitchen (or bedroom and nursery). WWII soon changed this for many as they took their place in the work force in lieu of enlisted men.<br /><br />There is much to think over once you have finished reading the drama behind Annie and Steven's love story which incidentally is crisscrossed with countless O'Connor family members! I shall describe this as a clan, Irish to be exact, a large family with strong convictions and deep emotions, some volatile and quite impressive. I did not always agree with such forceful display but admit it was fitting for the era.<br />I found the setting of Ocean Pier and its boardwalk quite intriguing along with the Prohibition agents raids and speakeasies background.<br /><br />Finally, be prepared for a surprise or two towards the end (one I will admit I did not see coming!).<br />Julie Lessman is no newcomer to the writing world and she is a person of convictions herself. You soon realize her writing reflects her faith deeply. I felt she portrays her characters based on this and for that alone I highly recommend her novels to the younger generation. In a society where pressures have become too often the acceptable norm, let's applaud someone who offers deep passion with responsibility!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1350232545000, "title": "Inspirational, intense and at times extremely romantic..." }, { "asin": "1609366867", "rating": 4, "text": "The tragic sinking of the Titanic has held people's imagination worldwide particularly with Dr. Robert Ballard's discovery of the wreckage in September 1985.<br />2012 being the vessel's doomed maiden voyage's 100th anniversary produced yet again a lot of fascinating information. There is a certain mystic which surrounds the events of that dreadful day which many cannot resist and countless speculation.<br /><br />'Queen of the Waves', An American Tapestry proved to be an interesting fictional approach and I liked Janice Thompson's take on the launching of this spectacular ship as background for her novel. The author's dedication and 'In Memory of' are worth a moment of your time so I recommend you do not skip it! It set the mood for this reading and felt very much a part of all the mystery surrounding this particular moment in history.<br /><br />Janice Thompson weaves an interesting tale of fresh beginnings for two young women from very different backgrounds, (make that three in fact as you read the story) and the men who loved them. Her take on the lives entrusted on the vessel brings you an idea of the variety of its passengers and the gulf betwixt the social classes until the ship's tragic end.<br /><br />She also takes pains to describe the various emotions her characters feel as they board the Titanic giving readers a sense of witnessing for themselves a little of all its magnificence.<br />Queen of the Waves is a story of hope, love, the courage to reach out for newer and better things and faith that God will overlook the wrongs and bless the good!<br /><br />Set amidst the effervescent departure and subsequent sailing of the largest ship ever built by man, it shows a little of the amalgam of people who placed their hopes and dreams on its crossing.<br />Janice Thompson chose to introduce real people in her novel which makes it hauntingly vivid to her readers. Clearly, the sinking of the vessel will continue to fascinate people as we ponder at all its splendour and its very last moments before sinking in the depths of the cold Atlantic ocean.<br /><br />In Queen of the Waves we discover yet again the hand of the Almighty in all things! Standing on Titanic's deck and seeing the expanse of water ahead, a passenger ponders the only word that come to mind:<br /><br />\"The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.\"<br /><br />Fitting wouldn't you say?<br /><br />A shining example of Christian Fiction and worth 4 stars for its entertainment!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1350586429000, "title": "I liked Janice Thompson's take on the launching of this spectacular ship as background for her novel" }, { "asin": "0310335108", "rating": 5, "text": "'God has made you a unique design. Never forget that! Also know that God's made someone else to be your fit.'<br /><br />I think I have just read my favourite book from all of Tricia Goyer's novels and that is not an easy admission as she writes always with her heart!<br /><br />'The Memory Jar' is part of a series called 'Seven Brides For Seven Bachelors, and make no mistake, this is not 'one of those Amish stories yet again'! One distinction of Tricia Goyer's work is that everything she writes brings you something new to discover! The essence of a good writer?<br /><br />Sarah lives in Montana and works amongst Englishers as well as Amish in the West Kootenai Kraft & Grocery. Due to a tragic accident she carries a heavy burden on her shoulders and her memories are safely tucked in a little jar...Her memory jar.<br />An eventful mountain hiking trip reveals that shy Amish bachelor Jathan Scrock, is a friend she can trust and confided into. Both have unusual aspirations for their conservative community but their<br />dreams unites them in more ways than either ever hoped for.<br /><br />When Jathan is called back to the family farm in Ohio he finds his responsibilities overwhelming and fears their goal an impossible dream.<br /><br />God however has many plans for each of them and trusting Him leads to marvelous surprises!<br /><br />A beautiful story to remind you of childlike dreams and that when trusting your happiness in God's hands, the best is yet to come!<br /><br />Amish Proverb:<br /><br />'The grand essentials of happiness in this life is something to do, something to love and something to hope for.'<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1352138393000, "title": "I think I have just read my favourite book from all of Tricia Goyer's novels!" }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "What better way to put yourself in the Holiday mood than reading 'Christmas Roses' by Amanda Cabot?<br />Never insipid and always inspiring, this storyteller brings us a tale of love, hope and even a miracle set in Wyoming Territory in1882. Trust Amanda to know how to bring a little romance and a lot of faith in her readers lives!<br /><br />Celia Anderson welcomes a new boarder in her home and life suddenly takes a new turn. She might just change her mind about not remarrying but only if the man brings her something she treasures and at Christmas no less!<br /><br />With that thought in mind, I was hooked as I held this lovely hardback in my hands with its enchanting Currier & Ives illustration! You will find yourself chuckling at Mark's wincing when he is surrounded by all of Celia's treasured flowers and hold your breath as he surprises her with his carpenter's skills for a much needed gift for her home.<br /><br />The book in itself is a little treasure and you will soon be enchanted by Celia, her baby girl, the story behind Mark's wanderings in search of a missing relative and his hope to become worthy of the young widow's love!<br /><br />Be prepared for some surprises as faith demands total surrender!<br /><br />Combined with her minute attention to historical details as well as her romantic nature, Amanda Cabot brings us a warm tale of love and redemption just in time for this blessed Season!<br /><br />5 Stars and a lovely gift for the romantic on your Christmas gift list! This one is a keeper!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1353709893000, "title": "Trust Amanda to know how to bring a little romance and a lot of faith in her readers lives!" }, { "asin": "0764209787", "rating": 5, "text": "It is said that Beverly Lewis gave birth to the Amish genre in 1997 with 'The Shunning' so it will come to no surprise that her name is practically a household name! She is enduring and continually delights her readers with yet another wonderful story. 'The Bridesmaid' is no exception! The novel brings such clear imagery you will find yourself acutely a part of the plot!<br /><br />As an avid reader and an Amish genre aficionado, I found Joanna and Eben's story enticed any yearning for dreaming. Theirs is surely a match made in Heaven!<br />There is a decided attraction to learn yet another facet of Amish life and Beverly Lewis is sure to pen a lesson or two about faith and living amongst the Amish community (and Englisher!).<br />Inviting plots, attractive characters (and sub characters!) and the chance of reflecting on hopes and aspirations will delight as always.<br />Her warm heart stories are always amazing! They also make a perfect gift for anyone, young or old, on your list this Holiday Season!<br /><br />Second novel in the Hickory Hollow series, 'The Bridesmaid' tells us of a Pennsylvania alt Maidel who unbeknown to her family and community loves to write make believe stories. Joanna's attraction to Eben Troyer is warmly reciprocated but there is a glitch in their burgeoning courtship: Eben is needed on the family farm in Indiana whilst Joanna has vowed to remain part of her congregation leaving them with no choice but to part ways.<br /><br />With a lot of faith and a little help from an almost forgotten letter written by her namesake, Joanna finds that God listens and there are many blessings in her future after all.<br /><br />5 Stars as I found this story truly a joy!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1354320207000, "title": "Joanna and Eben's story enticed any yearning for dreaming!" }, { "asin": "0857212494", "rating": 5, "text": "Action packed 'Resurrect' is probably the finest Christian Science Fiction book I have read so far with David E. Stevens using his extensive military background to draw you in the suspense and leaving you wanting for more! (And for once, the cover in right on...<br /><br />Following his jet fighter crash Commander Josh Logan wakes up one year later with no knowledge of the previous year's events. Josh is no Christian but his subs conscience reveals a voice with a powerful message and what follows this entity's revelation is an amazing study of human emotions, love, compassion and determination to do the impossible.<br />You might be tempted to call it a cliff hanger as David E. Stevens' first novel is hard to put down!<br /><br />To engage the reader Stevens uses just the perfect blend of interesting personalities, intricate interactions and lively dialogues.<br />Book 1 in the Resurrect Trilogy is a novel you should not rush however allowing for the discovery of each event leading to its ultimate climax including a bit of romance. Enter Nurse Elizabeth who attends Josh during his recovery and becomes part of a team of scientists and military specialists with a sole mission, that of saving the world at any cost.<br />Who would think of a nurse with the ability of breaking into sophisticated computer systems?<br />There! Just enough information for lady readers to know there is a perfect balance in this plot allowing for interest by both sex!<br /><br />A great thriller for anyone on your Christmas list!<br /><br />5 Stars for gripping plot and technical skills!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1354634880000, "title": "A great thriller for anyone on your Christmas list!" }, { "asin": "0800719891", "rating": 5, "text": "M. K. Lapp is one of these vivid characters you find yourself hoping the author will continue to write about. She won readers' hearts in the first two books of Stoney Ridge Seasons with her mischievous ways, a delightful Amish sort of 'Anne of Green Gables', that's with an 'E' at the end of course!<br /><br />As a child you never knew what M. K. would come up with as she often act before she thought! I always felt Suzanne Woods Fisher found the perfect way to balance the lively ways of M. K. with her step Mum's Fern no nonsense approach to life, again not unlike Colleen Hurst I imagine!<br /><br />It was not surprising to discover Mary Kay Lapp, M. K. as we know her, is a favourite of Suzanne's readers. To find her grown up and yearning for adventure seemed to be just right on track and I am so glad Suzanne satisfied our curiosity! M. K. brought us such merriment with her impish ways!<br /><br />Imagine an Amish filing for a passport...Suzanne Woods Fisher has just the knack to surprise everyone! And this Amish now a bonafida bee keeper, loves to ride her little red scooter...literally running into people...first the school marm then in the mysterious Chris Yoder...When a local sheep farmer is found dead in a nearby field, M. K.'s imagination works by leaps and bounds.<br /><br />God works in mysterious ways it is said...Never more so than in M. K.'s life as we see in 'The Lesson'.<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher weaves a sweet story around the Lapp family and brings closure to some of the events we have uncovered in her other books in the series as well. I always find intriguing the entrenchment of English life into the Amish community and this author does it well.<br />And speaking of lessons, there is always something for us to learn, even the spirited new school marm...as you will see!<br /><br />Will M. K. find peace in her new direction and a touch of romance perhaps? Find out for yourself!<br /><br />5 stars for pure entertainment and looking forward to see what an older M. K. might bring us in the future!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358362470000, "title": "M. K. Lapp is one of these vivid characters you find yourself hoping the author will continue to write about." }, { "asin": "0800734602", "rating": 4, "text": "'Waiting For Spring' is Book 2 in the Westward Winds series and worth waiting for, no pun intended!<br />As we have learned to expect, Amanda Cabot brings us well researched history, warm romance, good solid faith whilst introducing yet another aspect of life challenges for a young widow in the 1800's Wyoming, that of caring for an handicapped child. She also balances her characters, main or sub characters, daily life routine, unexpected challenges and hardships thus giving us a great plot to enjoy. The heartfelt dedication of one mother who refuses to place her sight impaired toddler in an institution is guaranteed to reach out to anyone!<br /><br />'Summer of Promise' was the first chapter in Charlotte Harding Crowley's life, then living in Fort Laramie's Army outpost ( see review here) but I can attest this second book can easily be read on its own.<br />For those of us who have read however the first book, it is interesting to see where Amanda Cabot is taking her young protagonist, now a widow hiding in Cheyenne with her son from a past haunting her still.<br /><br />Charlotte has established a successful seamstress shoppe and is only too happy to find a helping hand in Rose, another young widow. Rose has a young daughter and can keep an eye on David and help in the shoppe as well.<br /><br />Whilst fitting a friend and customer Charlotte meets Barrett Landry a wealthy cattle baron who aspires to the world of politics, even becoming the next governor of Wyoming. It is soon apparent however neither one can deny their feelings for each other yet Barrett's successful future demands a wife and companion without a shady past and Charlotte is hiding from something or someone...<br /><br />Then again, perhaps politics is not a guarantee of Barrett's happiness..His cattle are facing a bitter winter and his heart is not in it.<br />Will each of the protagonists listen to his/her heart despite the rough road ahead?<br /><br />This is another historical romance you may recommend to any one, no matter the age! Amanda Cabot is certain to entertain any romantic soul or even the most skeptic of heart!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358546709000, "title": "'Waiting for Spring' was worth waiting for, no pun intended!" }, { "asin": "0800719867", "rating": 4, "text": "I anticipated this book for its subject, that of midwifing set in the 19th Century Appalachian mountains. 'Choices of the Heart' is book 3 in the Midwives series written by author Laurie Alice Eakes and a page turner for anyone interested in the past. She has proven herself an excellent researcher and never disappoints with her historical facts. There is still something intriguing in the profession of midwives and whilst having met with controversy often in the past, there is no doubt there is to date much of a demand for such skills.<br /><br />Laurie Alice Eakes' writing is full of life and there is no denying she brings to her readers a vivid image of the Appalachian people who moved to these mountains long ago, a large portion of them having crossed the Atlantic from the green hills of Ireland and the Highlands of Scotland. They brought with them little more than the clothes on their back and their amazing survival skills.<br />The richness of their music, folk tales, herbal doctoring and their legendary feuds still fascinates people to this day. This author found the ideal way to weave a good story amongst all these with 'Choices of the Heart'!<br /><br />Esther is the belle of Seabourne until a dreadful event occurs and she finds herself subject to shunning. Despite her family's heartfelt support, she seeks new beginnings and accepts a post as teacher to the youngest children of two families in the Mountains. Her task is to help them to fit in society befitting their newest financial status.<br />There however she meets two men, both attractive, yet her heart belongs to no one as her shame is a constant reminder of her past. Esther believes God has forsaken her and shies away from any physical contact with her admirers.<br /><br />For all that I was fascinated by the author's descriptions of this beautiful land and its inhabitants, their folklore and skills, the many period details, I was not so enamoured of her main protagonist. I felt something missing in this bittersweet story, too many characters however colourful and not enough consistency in the overall story line. At the end, I still had questions, to be answered in yet another chapter of the 'Midwives series', this one about a doctor perhaps?<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358634910000, "title": "Always well researched!" }, { "asin": "0800721330", "rating": 5, "text": "'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' series started with a resounding success as seen in 'Life With Lily' (see review here) so I was not surprised to see 'A New Home For Lily', Book two, my own 5 stars rating shared by many readers!<br /><br />Betwixt Suzanne Woods Fisher and Mary Ann Kinsinger there is a perfect chemistry to bring the Amish genre a young appeal! Let's hope those two talented authors will continue to treat us!<br /><br />One look at the lovely six years old featured on their book covers is enough to tantalize us in discovering what else the smiling little girl has come up with since the first book!<br />Albeit geared to the 8 to 12 years old audience, Lily introduces readers of all ages to a whole new way to see the Amish community! Her spontaneity is so refreshing, I can think of nothing else than to suggest you pick up your own copy!<br /><br />Through Lily's eyes we see what happens to her family as they move to another state to be nearer their closest relatives.<br />Lily no longer has her own bedroom, her bed now tucked in a corner in the hallway. Her new house has a sad olive green hue, the barn sorely needs repairs, her school mates includes a bully and her new community has a completely different set of rules!<br />Lily has to get used to her new life and does not like it much.<br /><br />On the other end, there is so much to explore and have fun with, including Grand Pa's lumber mill with its big sawdust pile to play in!<br />Her Dad acquires four goats to add to Jenny, Mum's lovely Swiss cow, her new teacher is very nice and Lilly's new baby brother Paul is so cute...<br /><br />It is the countless little details the two authors have included in their stories which gives it additional appeal such as when poor Lily hits her thumb with a hammer and Mum dissolves aspirin in water for her to soak her sore finger to relieve the pain or when Mum must sew a whole new set of clothes for everyone in the family as the new community has different rules than the previous one.<br /><br />What better way to introduce youngsters to the Amish way of life (and share some quality family time)!<br /><br />'A New Home For Lily' is sure to delight everyone, young and old! Ladies, we are looking forward to the next story!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1360363970000, "title": "A New Home For Lily' is sure to delight everyone, young and old!" }, { "asin": "0800720733", "rating": 5, "text": "Combining a dynamic plot with spirited characters, Ann Shorey gives us a lasting historical novel in 'When The Heart Heals', guaranteed to be enjoyed by her loyal fans.<br />This latest installment in her series 'Sisters At Heart' provides her readers with the perfect blend of romance and mystery, woven across a troubled historical background, the lean and hungry years following the Civil War.<br /><br />Rosemary Saxon joins the practice of Dr. Elijah Stewart in Noble Springs, Missouri in early 1867. Two years have gone by since the end of the Civil war but there are still many wounds to be healed, not all physical. Despite her experience caring for soldiers or perhaps because of it, Rosemary is seen as an outsider in the community and times are already hard for any woman alone.<br />Rosemary finds joy in nursing and despite his earlier misgivings about her skills in herbal lore, Dr. Stewart soon learns to rely on her. In turn, she remembers well the younger doctor who deeply cared about his patients in a time of grievous conflict.<br /><br />These days, Rosemary's sole family in town, consists of her brother Curt and his wife Fay, her constant companion her faithful dog Bodie. When others needs her help, she finds herself at a crossroad and choices must be made.<br />As a result Rosemary fears she might lose something very precious just as she found a measure of happiness. However she is not the only one with concealed secrets and when she becomes the object of threats, Rosemary must learn to trust again and ask for help.<br /><br />A beautiful story reflecting God's love and forgiveness for all, Ann Storey's second book in the series follows 'Where Wildflowers Bloom' (see review HERE), but can be read as a stand alone.<br />I now join her many fans in asking when will the next installment be published ?!<br /><br />Suitable for any age, 'When The Heart Heals' is worth 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1361319622000, "title": "Combining a dynamic plot with spirited characters here is another novel by Ann Shorey!" }, { "asin": "0800795547", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on the synopsis alone, I believe you will agree with me the title was well chosen: 'Outrageous Courage: What God Can Do with Raw Obedience & Radical Faith!<br />Kris and Jason Vallotton (Father and Son) write a dramatic story about a real life follower of Christ, following a compelling introduction of Kris' first meeting with Tracy Evans almost thirty years ago.<br /><br />A Christian Medical missionary Tracy Evans is indeed a remarkable person if you consider her exodus through 64 countries, from the tough streets of L.A. to North California's mountainous area, the Philippines, Kiribati and finally the Mozambique bush (see website @ iReachAfrica!) and always making a difference.<br /><br />But as remarkable as Tracy's story is, I cannot agree with the authors' suggestion we can become just like her 'with a little courage and belief'.<br />Just a reminder of course: Paul the Apostle teaches (1 Corinthians Chapter 12:8-10) not all of us display the same selfless abilities, and regardless of our courage and beliefs, not all of us can be as passionate as Tracy Evans in our quest to make a difference in the world!<br /><br />Never the less, this missionary's inspiring deeds are described in such a heartfelt way you know immediately this is a courageous person who systematically walks in Christ's footsteps no matter the hazards.<br />Kris and Jason Vallotton shows through this account Evans' work and how her unwavering faith has touched many and relieved suffering and poverty, always in His name.<br /><br />Understandingly at times sad but always hopeful, this real life account is perhaps not for everyone but worth at least 4 stars.<br /><br />Note to readers: Additional information on the Ministries of IReachAfrica can be found (HERE)<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1362695988000, "title": "Tracy Evans' compassionated deeds throughout the world." }, { "asin": "080072089X", "rating": 3, "text": "In 'Moonlight Masquerade' Lady Celine Wexham, leading member of London's Bon Ton and a widowed Countess of French origin, lives the life of most emigres in early 1800's. She holds intimate meetings in her boudoir and gives dinner parties and balls gathering any information she might be able to pass on to French Royalists to reinstate the rightful throne.<br />It is 1813 and Napoleon, facing a massive defeat in the harsh winter of Russia, orders a retreat of the Imperial army after losing thousands of French soldiers on the battlefield.<br />The Comte de Provence, brother to the late beheaded King Louis XVI is not the ideal choice for the Royal throne but better him than the self proclaimed Emperor.<br />Lady Celine, Valentine, her supercilious Abigail (slang aside, only an older servant would be allowed such an acerbic attitude) and Gaspard, her French Cook are part of a spy ring.<br />Rees, the object of Celine's interest is none other than her own Butler. An ambitious young man and a devoted Christian, recently pulled from an obscure department of the Home Office in part due to his linguistic talents, Rees' task is to spy on his mistress with the express purpose of implicating her in the conspiracy if such exists and report to his superior.<br /><br />Danger lurks and he soon finds himself battling his loyalties as Celine 'with her 'brandy hue irises' eyes touches his heart...Does anyone else remember Barbara Cartland's novels?<br />None of the characters are likely to provide much entertainment in this slow historical romance but if light, fluffy and harmless is your preferred choice, you will enjoy Moonlight Masquerade!<br />The portrayal of the Masquerade ball held at the Comte de Provence exiled court even defied my imagination with its lackluster details and the overall impression was soporific!<br /><br />Finally, I saw little of the 'witty, fast paced dialogue or infectious intrigue' mentioned in the synopsis and if this novel was in fact a music sheet, it would read as humming...It droned on and on... The few historical notes such as the mention of William Wilberforce as dinner guest at one of her lavish parties, or Voltaire's quotes, a man of note in himself, brings no relief to this plot.<br />I hardly think it necessary to dust my shelves for this novel!<br /><br />Regretfully, 3 (generous) stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1362863452000, "title": "If light, fluffy and harmless is your preferred choice, you will enjoy Moonlight Masquerade!" }, { "asin": "0800795520", "rating": 5, "text": "'Learning to Love' reflects a true love story, one that you will identify immediately with Jesus' love as shown in His earthly ministry! Make no mistake, Heidi and Rolland Baker are two exceptional people: nothing and I mean nothing will stop them from doing God's work, not even opposition from the world's evil side!<br /><br />As both husband and wife relate heartfelt stories, some humourous, some sad, each one compelling you to see God's work through them, you will feel their amazing love for their fellowmen.<br />Healing and faith pours out of them as they continually rescue babies, reach out in His name to help heal the blind, the deaf, and even hear the dumb speak.<br /><br />Co-founders of Iris Ministries, this incredible duo brings hope and care to thousands all over Mozambique, providing daily care for no less than 10,000 children. Their extended network includes over 10,000 churches, Bible schools, primary schools and remote outreach programs.<br />What a joy for them that many converts become ministers, lay preachers and teachers working all over the world!<br /><br />Their message:<br /><br />LOVE IS food and comfort to a ten year old amputee, abandoned on the side of the road.<br /><br />LOVE IS a new roof for an elderly widow installed before the rainy season.<br /><br />LOVE IS sharing hope with the homeless man on your street corner.<br /><br />'God is not just moving in distant lands and if you are willing, He will do amazing things through your love when you stop for the one in front of you, it is that simple!'<br /><br />A book to experience and reach out in HIS name to those who need YOU!<br /><br />5 Stars for its message, none better presented than today, the first of this Holy week!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS & CHOSEN BOOKS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1364252537000, "title": "This incredible duo brings hope and care to thousands all over Mozambique!" }, { "asin": "0764206192", "rating": 4, "text": "My first novel by Tracie Peterson was Book #3 in the 'Land of the Lone Star' series entitled 'Taming the Wind' (see review HERE), a good Western in itself and proof yet again this well published author has always something new up her sleeve!<br />Easy to read, entertaining and with just enough historical facts to give even this quickly bored reader something to ponder about, her novels reflect a wholesomeness and faith readers of any age will enjoy.<br /><br />The Icecutter's Daughter's jacket alone was eye catching: I love raised lettering and the image and colours were a strong pull in my choice for reading it, in fact as much as the resume (I know, I know, you should never judge a book by its cover but the series' name alone 'Land of Shining Water' was striking!).<br /><br />Icecutting was a vast industry in the US before machinery overtook this skilled art and I was curious to see what Tracie might have dug out when she wrote her historical fiction about two young people, destined to be together yet separated by lies and scandal.<br /><br />Merrill has always seen to the needs of her large, mostly male family and her German ancestry is as much a part of her life as Rurik's Swedish roots are his. Tracie weaves a convincing tale about their budding love amidst Nordic traditions and deep faith, wrongs to be righted and duties to their families.<br /><br />As always you may depend on this author's for the myriad of details which makes this tale a sweet read on these cold and rainy Spring evenings this Pacific NW coastline is known for!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS & CHOSEN BOOKS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1365702853000, "title": "Just the name of the series 'Land of Shining Water' was eye catching!" }, { "asin": "0824932463", "rating": 4, "text": "Sunflower Summer and Seaside Harmony, both novels part of the 'Postcards from Misty Harbor series', are drawn against the alluring scenery of quintessential Nantucket island. There we meet three sisters who purchase a dilapidated Victorian home with visions of restoring it to its original glory. The historical inn named the Misty Harbor Inn, soon opens its doors to guests as a B & B, a long time dream of their Mum now deceased.<br />Childhood memories emerge, hopes and dreams identifieds whilst the three sisters plunge into the renovation of the old place with all their heart.<br /><br />In their sixties, Caroline, Gracie and Sam bring each their own brand of talents to this endearing work of love and it is interesting to discover the three sisters individual personas as well as their perception of each other as they slowly bond again.<br /><br />Let's face it, we have all dreamed of owning such a place and arrange it lovingly whilst welcoming guests, have we not? Think of the fun of meeting people coming and going in your own inn?!<br />There is however a lot more to it than we might imagine and Evangeline Kelley (actually the pen name for 4 different authors) describes the bittersweet ups and downs of owning a piece of history, complete with mysteries, including a disappearance in the 1800's!<br /><br />With just the right amount of details to pique our interest the renovation comes to life and answers are found if sought. As we are often reminded, the good Lord has something in store for each of us and the sisters are discovering their true self in these adventures.<br /><br />Complete with interesting sub characters, a touch of sweet romance, a wonderful ol' Packard to transport guests and a delightful if mischievous Cocker Spagniel named Max, both easy to read novels are the perfect relaxing novels to tuck in your beach bag!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />Note to Readers: A confession must be made...This reader felt drawn immediately to Sunflower Summer's story and I would like to recommend you read the novels in order, with Seaside Harmony first!<br /><br />I received these books from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1367440928000, "title": "Relaxing novels set against quintessential Nantucket island!" }, { "asin": "1451692374", "rating": 5, "text": "Most readers will agree, some books just stand out and this one is definitively ranking in the top ten of my list of most entertaining. A keeper and one I would suggest to anyone looking for a gift!<br />Deanne's vivavious description of a sweet romance amidst the 1893's World Fair was the perfect enticement for some 'me' time. I was totally immersed in her descriptive of this period and credit the story of Della and Cullen with a few dreams of my own. Well done!<br /><br />A perfect combination of historical facts and fiction, It Happened At The Fair reflects the wealth of love and care this author puts in her writing. It also brings to readers a marvelous fountain of information and even photos of this world event!<br />Whilst she has taken a few liberties, all clearly acknowledge in the afterword, the author was undoubtdedly as stimulated by the fair as I was when I first heard of it. As a cultural and social event, the world fair of 1893 was a tremendous influence on the 20th Century and a complete success. With 6.8 millions visitors in attendance, the exposition located on the shores of Lake Michigan provided a template for other events and changed America forever with its astonishing legacy. Nothing ever compared to it as it gave new perspectives for the world of commerce and technology.<br /><br />Della and Cullen's story blends in this grandiose background yet gives an opportunity for readers to feel their touching romance. Obviously a true romantic at heart, Deanne describes Della's position as a teacher working with the Deaf at a time when too often a deaf person was ostrasized for signing. Cullen in turn is the young farmer turned inventor who is struggling with a hearing loss.<br /><br />Deanne Gist proved to be a superb historical fiction writer which coupled with her discernebly romantical temperament, gives readers a captivating love story you will not want to miss!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />I received this book from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1368144831000, "title": "Deanne's vivavious description of a sweet romance amidst the 1893's World Fair was the perfect enticement for some 'me' time." }, { "asin": "0764209795", "rating": 5, "text": "Leave it to the matriarch of the Amish genre to come up with yet another gem! Since she first began to entertain us with stories of this cloistered community, Beverly Lewis has repeatedly captivated fans and acquired many new readers with her insight into this mysterious world few of us has seen and understand.<br /><br />In 'Home To Hickory Hollow', Book # 3 'The Guardian' we discover a strong willed little Amish girl named Sarah and Jodi, the troubled young woman who finds the little darling when she tumbles out of her Mum's buggy and gets lost.<br /><br />Beverly Lewis systematically introduces us to many facets of the Old Order Amish community we know little or next to nothing such as intermarriages and deriving genetic disorders or their reluctance to involve the authorities even in the case of a missing child.<br />I was surprised at the 'no pets allowed in a household' preference but cannot but marvel at their strong sense of community and survival in an ever encroaching English world.<br />The concept of an outsider being not only accepted in such a tight community as a close friend but also hired to teach their children even on a temporary basis was definitively unexpected.<br /><br />Always at her best when she describes the ties that draw people together no matter their origins, Beverly Lewis approaches the subject of pain and loneliness which occurs after losing loved ones.<br />For Maryanna Esh, Joshua Peachey and Jodi Winfield, there is a lesson to be learned as long as they have faith!<br /><br />\"The soul yearns for tranquility but the only real peace comes from communing with God.\"<br /><br />Returning readers will enjoy meeting old friends such as Ella Mae the Wise Woman and her down to earth approach to life but never fear this 'Home To Hickory Hollow' story stands on its own!<br /><br />5 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1369505389000, "title": "Always at her best when she describes the ties that draw people together!" }, { "asin": "0764209663", "rating": 5, "text": "Karen Witemeyer packs a whole lot of punch in this fun Christian novel and brings readers a story guaranteed to make you dream about the Old West!<br />The very idea of a father going to such lenghs to please his daughter was genial! 'Stealing the Preacher is everything the synopsis promised and more!<br /><br />Karen Witemeyer's style is vivacious and the perfect antidote to hum drum evenings (Forget the telly, move over John Wayne!). Her novels gives you the opportunity to grasp a keen appreciation for the Old West, luxuriate in a little romance, relish in humour riddled dialogue and encounter a whole lot of faith. Not bad for 352 pages!<br /><br />'Stealing the Preacher' starts on a humourous note with the kidnapping of unsuspecting Crockett Archer, en route to what he hopes will be his first appointment as a full time parson! Silas and his bunch of grey hair, long in the tooth outlaws forcibly removes him from the train and unceremoniously drops him at daughter's Joanna' feet as her birthday gift!<br /><br />From the onset 'Stealing the Preacher' is a series of wholesome fortuity and a celebration of faith! Joanna and Crockett seemed destined to be together of course. That is if Joanna's father will set aside his differences with the Lord and allow true love to progress. Silas has been a honest rancher for the last 16 years but his past might just come back to haunt him.<br /><br />Sweet Joanna is everything Crockett needs at this time as a partner in his life as he breathes life in his new found congregation. Hired as a ranch hand, he hopes to earn Silas' approval and works harder than anyone. If he can bring Silas to the Lord, he might just be able to ask for Joanna's hand.<br /><br />A fast paced delightful novel to enjoy with your whole heart and soul! Kate Witemeyer is going on my list of favourite authors!<br /><br />I received this book from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1371328423000, "title": "'Stealing the Preacher is everything the synopsis promised and more!" }, { "asin": "0764209566", "rating": 4, "text": "'Love in Disguise' was my first novel by Carol Cox (see review HERE) and I looked forward to see what Carol had in store for her readers with 'Trouble in Store'.<br /><br />Clearly inspired by her beautiful surroundings - not unlike the one her protagonist finds upon her arrival out West - Carol Cox takes us this time from Marietta, Ohio Circa 1885 to Cedar Ridge, Arizona Territory. A mercantile store against this interesting backdrop becomes the setting of this new adventure!<br /><br />As is her custom, the author blends a good western with a little mystery rounded up with a bit of romance, just what most of us look for to discover in a Historical Fiction.<br /><br />Melanie Ross is nothing but determined to start afresh in Cedar Ridge as Caleb Nelson soon discovers both of them might very well be co-owners of the mercantile store he inherited from his Uncle.<br /><br />Caleb and his son Levi have only been four months in town but they are settling in and do not want to see the persistent young woman interfering in the running of the mercantile store. Melanie however is full of ideas to expend their inventory and create more sales.<br />When threats in the form of missives are discovered, Melanie first assumes Caleb is behind it all.<br /><br />In the meantime in an attempt to take things in hand, Caleb devises a plan to see Melanie married off, a sure way to not have her underfoot but the plan backfires when dozen of callers offers matrimony to the comely newcomer and she finds out who is behind it all.<br /><br />Entertaining if slightly predictable, 'Trouble in Store' has a lesson or two for us to uncover...including the danger in gossiping which in this case might endanger the lives of our characters! This is after all the West and bad news travels faster than a herd of spooked cattle!<br /><br />4 stars!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program and an Ebook version from BAKER PUBLISHING GROUP (through the Social Sharing Contest). I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1372111366000, "title": "As is her custom, the author blends a good western with a little mystery rounded up with a bit of romance!" }, { "asin": "1414349319", "rating": 5, "text": "Duty and Honour calls at any level and this latest Christian offering by TYNDALE PUBLISHERS is well worth a moment of your time!<br /><br />RENEGADE, Book 2 in the 'Called To Serve' series follows Pike Morgan, a maverick who has been in and out of trouble for many years. Growing up in the Foster Care system of course has not helped his rebellious side. When his best friend is killed by a gang, Pike agrees to testify and enters the Witness Protection program.<br />Now a Marine reservist called to active duty, Pike Morgan is sent to Afghanistan where his fighting skills proves him to be a survivor when a regular rescue mission turns grievously wrong and becomes the biggest challenge of his life.<br /><br />Mel Odom might have well written just another of those war novels if it was not for the fact he cleverly deals with duty and honour infused with a great amount of faith! There are some excellent Christian values in this plot particularly for single parent families, as we realize Pike's past haunts him and emotional ties scares him. No man is an island after all!<br /><br />Well worth reading, RENEGADE is packed with action most favoured by men but also the sort of 'feel good' times women relate to and as such, provides great material for family/group discussions.<br /><br />With over 140 books to his active in various genres, Mel Odom proves to be a versatile author certain to grab your attention and whilst this 2nd novel in the series starts rather slowly, the narration builds up steadily! The only negative might be that some of the (interesting) characters appeared to be left in limbo, material for a future novel perhaps?<br /><br />Finally, a word of caution: Understandably, the author could not escape the harsh realities of war so there is a certain amount of violence leading me to recommend this novel for mature readers only!<br /><br />5 Stars!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from TYNDALE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1372886624000, "title": "Mel Odom proves to be a versatile author certain to grab your attention!" }, { "asin": "0310730538", "rating": 5, "text": "An amazing recount of survival in horrendous conditions, Alone Yet Not Alone is an action packed book preteens and teens will appreciate for the dramatic events this courageous family encountered!<br />Life in 1755 was hardly easy for those living on the frontier bordering the mountains of Pennsylvania. For most, this represented however the only opportunity for freedom from indentured servitude or slow starvation in the old country.<br /><br />Based on true facts this tale recalls the story of a group of children captured by Indians and taken far into the wilderness to become members of their tribe.<br />But there is where this inspirational story truly begins! What sets Barbara and Regina apart are their unwavering faith in God and their belief in each other.<br /><br />Separated, each girl is inducted in the Allegheny tribe and continuously look for ways to escape. When eventually the right time emerges, theirs become the stuff of legend as they made their escape with other captives!<br /><br />Pursued by their captors unrelentlessly, these children eventually found their way back to their families. This is their story, an extraordinary tale of survival filled with Christian values and biblical teaching!<br /><br />Author's Tracy Leininger Craven love for History is immediately apparent in this debut novel you will not want to miss!<br /><br />Note to Readers: Be sure to read the acknowledgements (and find out about Tracy's first draft of this story at age 9!) and check out the Discussion/questions!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from FLYBY PROMOTIONS as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1377797046000, "title": "Their survival become the stuff of legend!" }, { "asin": "1433680459", "rating": 5, "text": "By far one of the most meaningful children stories I have read in a long time, AUDREY BUNNY reminded me immediately of another time, another little girl and her own bunny...This review is for us Dearest...<br /><br />Lovingly illustrated by talented Breezy Brookshire this story reminds us that whilst we might have some imperfections, we are all children of God and loved!<br /><br />AUDREY BUNNY will capture each child's imagination (Warning: as a direct result, parents might find themselves buying a soon to be much loved stuffed friend!) as we see that Caroline knew exactly what she wanted when stepping in the toy shoppe!<br />Loved at first sight, AUDREY BUNNY is so happy to be adopted by Caroline but very much afraid her own imperfection once discovered means she will be rejected.<br /><br />My favourite moment:<br />'Bunny peeked over the animals in the barrel. It was her! It was the same little girl from a few days ago. She straightened her ears as high as they would go and squeezed her eyes shut as the little girl walked in her direction. She was too nervous to look. Could today be the day she got picked?'<br /><br />Author Angie Smith finds just the right words to reassure little ones (and big ones) that we are special in our own way!<br /><br />An amazing work of love, geared for 4 to 8 years old, it is a story you will treasure and hopefully share with all your loved ones! This one Folks is meant to be on a special shelf to be read over and over!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />Note to Readers: Great news! Audrey Bunny is now #1 in Christian Children's Books at Amazon.com!<br /><br />I received a copy of this title from FLYBY PROMOTIONS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1383064676000, "title": "A story sure to be treasured for years to come!" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764208659", "rating": 5, "text": "City On Our Knees written by TobyMac is one of these books I guarantee will make you think!<br /><br />Because of my limited (financial) resources I find myself not always able to help out others as much as I would love to. Like all of us, I need sometime to be shown the light!<br /><br />In his book, TobyMac reminds us about those many people across the world who do not just give financially but also time, talents, love and compassion, even experiences, all that God in His infinite wisdom has bestowed upon us.<br /><br />There is no doubt TobyMac's lyrics are uplifting so using his music, biblical passage and quotes of Christians past and present, he shows us how to meet the needs of those around us. In fact he uses incredible examples of how people serve God everywhere and how even the youngest amongst us can do His mighty work!<br /><br />City on our knees is an inspiring tome well written and warmly documented. Anytime you believe you are not doing enough for His Kingdom you will find within its pages just enough fuel to light up your fires and do God's work. I was glad of the opportunity to read this book and my family and I rated it 4 1/2 stars!<br /><br />If you gotta start somewhere why not here<br />If you gotta start sometime why not now<br />If we gotta start somewhere I say here<br />If we gotta start sometime I say now<br /><br />(From City On Our Knees lyrics by TobyMac)<br /><br />Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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.\"", "timestamp": 1287021327000, "title": "Inspiring and well written!" }, { "asin": "078523120X", "rating": 5, "text": "When Booksneeze offered the possibility to review this latest book of Andy Andrews I immediately acccepted.<br />I very much enjoyed The Heart mender which I also reviewed here.<br />The 11th of April (posting schedule) came and went and I will first tell you, this is one book not to be rushed.<br />Andy Andrews has this particular knack for involving the reader body and soul in his books!<br />The Final Summit was a hard one to put down and I was not disappointed: I very much enjoyed reading it!<br /><br />\"Many years have passed since David Ponder discovered the Seven Decisions during a divine journey through time. Now 74 years old, Ponder has lost the one thing that mattered to him most--his wife, Ellen. Despite his personal and professional success, he now sits alone at the top of his 55-story high-rise contemplating the unthinkable, just as he did 28 years ago.<br /><br />However, just as things are looking their darkest, Ponder is informed through divine channels that he is needed now more than ever. This is mankind's last chance. Millennia of avarice, pride, and hate have sent humanity hurtling toward inevitable disaster, and far from its original purpose. There is only one solution that can reset the compass and right the ship--and it is only two words. Ponder, along with a cast of famous historical figures, must work quickly to discover this solution. The fate of the world rests on their shoulders.\"<br /><br />This is a book I recommend you read slowly and ponder upon. Andy Andrews's faith and knowledge of History, his very definition of human tendency's to ignore certain signs and rewrite this history to make it easier to understand will make you think again upon what you thought you knew about our world!<br />\"What does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization?\"<br /><br />Here is the question: When Time is running out and you must decide what to do when you do not know what to do... Which of the Seven Decisions would you think the most important? (no hinting, you must read it and discovered for yourself!)<br /><br />But I will tell you however my favourite...From Union Colonel Joshua Chamberlain who hastily wrote the words, \"I am a person of action\" on a scrap of paper.<br />Clearly, this is a book you must \"experience\" and Andy Andrews has woven a well written story that will leave you indeed pondering. Each chapter will inspire you to involve yourself and add your name to the \"personal declaration\"!<br />Time travelling in itself is of course always enticing and meeting other travellers whom might find a way to change the world...Oh the Dreams...<br /><br />Finally I will recommend heartily the Author's notes and the reader's guide to help you of course to discover even more about other Travellers...Who knew?<br /><br />I give this one 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br /><br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1303409632000, "title": "So many questions...and the Dreams..." }, { "asin": "082543310X", "rating": 5, "text": "Publisher's description:<br /><br />Fifteen-year-old Julien Losier just wants to fit in. But after his family moves to a small village in central France in hopes of outrunning the Nazis, he is suddenly faced with bigger challenges than the taunting of local teens.<br />Nina Krenkel left her country to obey her father's dying command: Take your brother and leave Austria. Burn your papers. Tell no one you are Jews. Alone and on the run, she arrives in Tanieux, France, dangerously ill and in despair.<br />Thrown together by the chaos of war, Julien begins to feel the terrible weight of the looming conflict and Nina fights to survive. As France falls to the Nazis, Julien struggles with doing what is right, even if it is not enough-and wonders whether or not he really can save Nina from almost certain death.<br />Based on the true story of the town of Le Chambon-the only French town honored by Israel for rescuing Jews from the Holocaust-How Huge the Night is a compelling, coming-of-age drama that will keep teens turning the pages as it teaches them about a fascinating period of history and inspires them to think more deeply about their everyday choices.<br /><br />And now for my review:<br /><br />Since this book is based on actual events, I was compelled to read it as soon as I received the opportunity to review it. Three nights later I closed the book and held my hand upon its cover. There is something that draws you to certain subjects for one reason or another...This one is particularly close to my heart and I am thankful to Heather and Lydia Munn for writing such a heartwarming book.<br /><br />For many in Europe there is an undeniable hauntingness about the occupation. Much is still hush hushed about the ensuing period's deeds and thoughts. We see the invasion of countries most often through the eyes of adults. Through their stories we feel the loss of freedom and honour, we experience a hint of their helpleness as we learn of rationing and depravation, sometime imprisoning or disapearance...We remember the stories about the Resistance and whispers of good and bad deeds...<br /><br />Seen throught the eyes of this small French village and their youth we are shown a different aspect of war, one which involves not just the adults but its young people as well. This is a time of conflict and choices have to be made.Theirs is a story of survival!<br />There is no right or wrong, good or bad when your life is on the line. Hope is all your have, the determination to live another day and ultimately to obtain once again your freedom! None are safe, danger surrounds and decisions must be made. Your only comfort, God is listening! Or is He?<br /><br />Wonderfully researched, beautifully written, this is a story that will take your breath away. Honest, compelling, How Huge The Night is a book which you soon realize does not shy from the true aspects of occupation.<br />I found myself remembering an other time, harsh decisions and I will admit to having been near tears! War time occupation was nothing short of a difficult time to grow up!<br />Albeit geared to the younger generation I am told, I find this is a timeless story and I see no reason not to recommend to adults as well.<br />A perfect 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Litfuse as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1306102239000, "title": "Honour, Freedom, Survival are not just for adults!" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 4, "text": "Since this weekend was quiet enough to let me relax (after a week of feeling somewhat frazzled) I picked up \"Spring for Suzannah\" to enjoy along with a nice cuppa!<br />I was looking for something light to read but with a good solid plot, the kind of novel you immerse yourself into.<br /><br />This is a debut for Catherine Richmond but a few pages in the book I knew \"Spring for Suzannah\" would be a throughfully enjoyable read and I was not disappointed.<br />I think we all agree we like to read about these incredible frontier women who braved the wilderness, tamed the Wild West, raised families, often burying some of their loved ones, faced starvation, wildlife threats, and built a life for themselves along their mates.<br />Let's not forget their contributions in building schools, churches and developing entire towns whilst uphelding God's word!<br /><br />The setting for Catherine Richmond novel (written with the help of a few chocolates along the way - my kind of gal!) is the Dakota Territory, a few years after the end of the Civil War.<br />Suzannah travels outwest to meet her new husband, Jesse. Theirs is a marriage by proxy, not unusual at that time. What is unusual is that she brings uncommon skills to her new way of life.<br />Her new home is a soddy, barely large enough to contain her husband and herself. Her companion is a dog, her only friend is Martha, a Norvegian just learning the English language and she lives miles away. The prairie is everywhere, there are many dangers such as wildland fires and the often weather changes! To survive is a daily challenge, being caught unprepared could mean death. There are no church, no school, no doctor and loneliness has a way to pervade everything!<br /><br />Jesse is a hard worker farmer but also a loving husband who has seen much horror during the War yet believes in God implicitly. His comfortable relationship with the Lord at times is even funny!<br />Shy Suzannah is insecure and lives in fear her new husband will send her back East but with patience Jesse reaches her heart and they soon see their union blessed.<br />When tragedy happens however, Suzannah must deal with the pain and here as always we are reminded God is always by our side. Suzannah matures in a real pioneer woman when she realizes God has a plan for her after all!<br /><br />Catherine Richmond describes her characters as living a full life, theirs is a romance that blooms in a lonely often harsh world. She does not shy from describing their intimacy, reminding us God made all things beautiful and His love is constant.<br />I cannot say honestly I would recommend this as a read for young girls but again, this Christian novel was written with much care and faith and a more mature audience will truly enjoy following Jesse and Suzannah's story.<br />The author's careful details gives us yet again, a little window on these pioneers women who made a New World thus providing us with a bit of history, along with an afternoon of true relaxation.<br />Just what I was looking for!<br />Many thanks Catherine Richmond and I hope you will soon pen another story for us.<br /><br />I give this book 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Litfuse as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1308065127000, "title": "Great debut!" }, { "asin": "1595548246", "rating": 4, "text": "The Amish world described by Beth Wiseman is like an opened window on a world which Englishers such as ourselves find fascinating!<br />Seek me with all your heart is also the first book I read by Beth Wiseman and I found myself drawn to the story within a few pages.<br />Beautifully written, with an engaging plot developing steadily along the pages, this is a much more accurate insight on Amish life than anything else I might have read in the past! The author does not shy from describing hardships found even amongst the Amish. Yes life can be a struggle but Faith can work wonders!<br /><br />Her realistic characters are guaranteed to surprise you even at times! You will find yourself laughing also at references to the Englisher life whilst learning more about a world few know truly well and often misunderstood.<br />It is a particular skill of a good author to lead any reader on a path of discovery and Beth Wiseman reminds us that Faith will sustain us through ups and downs as long as we let God in our heart!<br /><br />Like those beautiful Amish patchwork quilts made of intricate and carefully stiched pieces life can become whole and rewarding if we trust in Him! Beth Wiseman's characters and their plies are carefully chosen to let you know He is always near if we just listen!<br />Seek me with all your heart is the first book in the series Land of Canaan and is certain to be a throughly enjoyable read for anyone who delights in learning more about Amish life.<br /><br />To learn more about Beth Wiseman's books please visit her website here<br /><br />I gave this book a heatwarming 4 stars!<br /><br />Just a quick reminder: I was not asked to review this book and all opinions are entirely my own!", "timestamp": 1308765825000, "title": "A realistic view of the Amish Community!" }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 5, "text": "In 'A Distant Melody' we met Walt, the first of the three Novak brothers, a B17 pilot with the US Eight Air Force (read review here) and in 'A Memory Between Us', the author introduced us to dashing brother Jack, also a pilot stationed in England (see review here). Each of the Novak brothers' characters brought to mind the very best of the many American (and British) pilots who flew countless dangerous missions over enemy territory to bring about peace during the WW2 years! Most of these brave men were barely in their twenties and many gave their life for God and Country!<br /><br />Ray Novak's courage and faith is not to be doubt for a moment. His job is to train B17 pilots stateside and unlike his brothers, all he ever wanted was to follow his father's footsteps and preach.<br /><br />Sarah Sundin's superb description of this quiet man's trials as well as the human frailty displayed by the woman he loves is what makes this historical novel certainly hard to put down but in the end, it is a story about faith and the courage to go on during incredible times of conflict!<br /><br />If Ray's decision to join a combat unit overseas is somehow expected it is however the description of his survival behind enemy lines that will touch you in more ways than one! It is in the little details Sarah Sundin shares with readers that you find yourself pulling for the heroes (and holding your breath literally!)<br /><br />This beautiful love story is about Ray and Helen, both survivors, each reaching out to God for the courage to face their demons. Ultimately, it is the story of people torn apart by circumstances who in the course of their duties, both overseas and on the home front, reminds us that with God at our side, anything is possible!<br />'Blue Skies Tomorrow' is the perfect ending for the 'Wings of Glory' series!<br /><br />This is nothing less than 5 stars material!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1314710699000, "title": "The perfect ending to the 'Wings of Glory' series!" }, { "asin": "1595547851", "rating": 3, "text": "Fairer than Morning is a fictional novel set in the 1820's and inspired by a well known family in the history of Westerville Ohio, the Hanbys.<br />Since I am familiar with this family's connection to the famous Otterbein College, I thought it to be an interesting subject and looked forward to discover this new writer.<br />In this first novel Rosslyn Elliott introduces us to the Saddler's legacy series and describes the humble beginnings of William Hanby, mainly his years in indentured service.<br />William Hanby and Ann Miller were real people who fell in love, married and had 8 children of whom composer Ben Hanby (Darling Nelly Gray) is probably the best known. The family was very active in the Underground Railway and harboured runaways both in Rushville and Westerville.<br /><br />Rosslyn Elliott has introduced some well known (at least in the Midwest) historical facts in this work of fiction and it is interesting to note her clear description of the runaways slaves is perhaps the highlight of this novel. Somehow the two main characters are a bit lost in her description, and I would be remiss if I did not point out that I found the whole story to be fragmented.<br /><br />Whilst we do not have as much information as we wish on William and Ann, their combined and formidable convictions regarding anti slaveryand their faith in particular are not enough reflected in this novel. The description of Ohio and Pensylvania in the 19th Century also could use a bit more elaboration. Historical societies in both states offer much more information than it is reflected here.<br />Finally the added characters brings little support to the whole story and I found it lacking in historical interest.<br />In such, I found the book to lack the vitality of the well known Ohio river life and the sentiments of stepping into history with the characters was just missing. Certain subjects also do not make this Christian material for younger ladies yet I would have labelled this novel to be for younger adults.<br /><br />I give this one 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1315509697000, "title": "Not everything I thought it would be!" }, { "asin": "0800719956", "rating": 5, "text": "I think there is nothing like Christmas and the incredible feeling it brings to all who believe in the birth of the Child Christ!<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher is the kind of writer whom readers know they can expect an excellent plot deftly written, a message of hope and a great deal of Amish wisdom along a good dose of humour!<br />One look at the cover (yes, I know you should not judge a book by its cover alone) and the author's name and I knew I would enjoy it. There is something wholesome about Suzanne Woods Fisher's stories and her acute knowledge of the Amish society always attracts!<br /><br />In 'A Lancaster County Christmas', we find both Englisher and Amish families sharing a few days during the Christmas season due to unexpected circumstances and I will readily admit it put me in the Christmas spirit immediately.<br />It is the true gift of a good author to be able to make any reader see the plain life of Amish families, feel the snow flakes on his/her face, the warmth of a love shared by people who truly care about each other, the anxiety experienced by someone who is once again disappointed by events they cannot control and most important the steadfastness of God's love for all!<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher is such an author!<br /><br />Even better in 'A Lancaster County Christmas' we learn about SAR (Search and Rescue) and the efficiency of a search well planned by equally well trained volunteers.<br />Life sometimes does follow some unexpected turns and it is up to us to learn to lean on our faith to find the strengh to go on. Christmas is a wonderful gift, a season of love, hope and joy! 'A Lancaster County Christmas' brings you all these feelings!<br /><br />I recommend picking up a copy of 'A Lancaster County Christmas' and let the spirit of the season surround you! In fact, pick up an additional copy for a loved one or a friend, a perfect gift to share with them!<br />P.S. I couldn't but laugh at the suggestion of Mr. September! Suzanne Woods Fisher feels like a friend and I guarantee you will enjoy this latest book!<br />How could I give anything but 5 stars for a book that had me laughing and crying?!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE PUBLICITY GROUP as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1316191766000, "title": "It will put you in the Christmas spirit!" }, { "asin": "1414335830", "rating": 5, "text": "This latest novel in the Precinct 11 series starts off slowly but you soon find the plot gripping and it is a hard one to put down. In true Jerry B. Jenkins fashion, 'The Betrayal' is a story with rapid fire action but as always reflecting many family values and this is why I like to read his books!<br /><br />Things are not looking good for Boone Drake. The injury he received whilst protecting former street gang boss Pascual Candelario, now turned good guy, will probably earn him early retirement but it is the last thing he wants right now. There is an informer amongst the Police department and it makes Boone all the more determined to remain on active duty. The more so since it jeopardizes his attempt to get Candelario to a secure location!<br /><br />Whilst CPD investigates this obvious leak, Boone's girlfriend becomes the prime suspect and it now it appears someone wants Boone out of the CPD for good.<br />Near exhaustion, Boone forces himself to find the source of this betrayal and the guilty party! His life and others depend on his survival skills!<br />Watch out for the climax!<br /><br />A Christian writer who never compromise his faith, Jenkins has a knack for appealing to all sorts of readers and in the end, you know good will triumph over evil!<br /><br />A perfect 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from TYNDALE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Adverting.", "timestamp": 1319215965000, "title": "Gripping!" }, { "asin": "0764209035", "rating": 5, "text": "A delightful historical novel and one of the best Christian fiction I have read in a while!<br />Anne Mateer's faith shines throughout this story and I am certain to be on the lookout for more of her work!<br /><br />'Wings of a dream' is reminiscent of Lucy Maud Montgomery, Catherine Marshall or Louisa May Alcott's style and you will feel a kindred spirit with the main character Rebekah Hendricks!<br /><br />WWI home front life in Texas with its shortages, the Spanish Lady (flu) epidemic as well as casualty reports are just one of the many descriptions you will find in Anne Mateer's novel!<br /><br />A true Christian story, this warmhearted tale of a nineteen year old faced with challenges few would not find daunting, 'Wings of a dream' is certain to delight readers! Not unlike a good recipe, this story has all the right ingredients but it is Anne Mateer's harmonious blend with the Great War's background that has you turning 'just one more page!'<br />A dreamer like many of us, Rebekah desires adventure and yet, faced with unexpected love she discovers God always leads the way! You will find yourself holding your breath towards the end I guarantee!<br /><br />I so enjoyed reading 'Wings of a dream' that I too had a hard time to put it down! Enjoy!<br /><br />I will gladly give it 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHING as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1320527918000, "title": "A kindred spirit!" }, { "asin": "076420498X", "rating": 5, "text": "'I was perfectly content with my life - that is, until the pages of my story were ripped out before I had a chance to live happily ever after.'<br />An excellent debut I felt as I was really looking for something relaxing to read and I have always believed in faery tales! This was just the right novel for a cold, blustery and rainy evening!<br />'Three days later, when Lillie was sure that Mack would live, she started planning his funeral.' is only the beginning of Chapter 8...I forgot the time and just kept on reading!<br /><br />Lynn Austin once again delivers an enticing story which is sure to have you alternate betwixt laughing bouts and tears!<br />There is something almost magical in Lynn Austin's writing and I have yet to read anything I did not like by this author so I will heartily recommend her novels.<br />Just short of spellbinding, each page of her Christian novels allows you to step in a different time frame and her characters beckons readers to immerse themselves in her stories.<br /><br />In her latest book we discover a little coal mining town in Kentucky during the Great Depression, a young librarian, a one hundred and one year old woman once a plantation slave, a writer and to top all this, there is a mysterious buried treasure...<br /><br />In Wonderland Creek we discover the harsh lives led by the proud mountain people of Kentucky whom with much determination survived the Great Depression. You find yourself almost envious of the simple lifestyle, the traditions, the intricate families connections and above all, the beauty of the surroundings!<br />As is customary with Lynn Austin's novels, you will find a marvelous balance betwixt history lessons, rich settings, amazing and often gripping characters and of course a good dose of Christian wisdom.<br /><br />When all is said and done, this is one author's writings worth every 5 stars give!<br /><br />Note to readers: I was not asked to review this novel and all opinions expressed are entirely my own!", "timestamp": 1325109623000, "title": "Happily-ever-after in the woods of Kentucky's during the Great Depression" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 4, "text": "'Where Wildflowers Bloom' is the first book in Ann Shorey's series called 'Sisters at Heart' and since I like a good Historical novel, wildflowers and dreaming, the perfect choice for a rainy day!<br /><br />Faith Lindberg lost her father and brother and lives with her Grandfather who owns a Mercantile shoppe. Faith hopes to sell the business, hopefully at a profit of course and move West. She dreams of starting afresh.<br />The story is set just after the end of the Civil War and I found the added characters of a field nurse as well as a scarred veteran just the right touch for this novel to be a little more than just a lovely romance.<br /><br />Ann Shorey pens an interesting portrait of a MidWest town, and takes us on a stroll around the dusty boardwalks to the shoppes, local eatery, blacksmith shop and livery, sheriff's office, clapboard houses and the little white church with its spiked roof, not unlike time traveling in your armchair.<br /><br />The mercantile shoppe comes to life with her detailed description of the stock with its many shelves of goods. I could almost feel the heroine's pain when she inadvertently drops the lovely china she'd hoped to sell and make a profit to boost sales. The fact that women rarely worked outside of home is once again the perfect detail to make this an interesting story!<br /><br />With just the right eloquence Ann Shorey infuses readers with a sense of what life was truly for the settlers who made their homes in places such as Noble Springs, Missouri and the gossiping and sometime meddling of a small town.<br />She does not stop there however and you discover the past is not to be shrugged off easily, especially for the men who came back from war, some broken, many scarred.<br />With a burglary and even mysteries, the entire story evolves in just the kind of entertainment you need to relax!<br /><br />A very nice story which earned 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1327628071000, "title": "Historical fiction decribing Yesterday's women and Today issues!" }, { "asin": "0800734599", "rating": 3, "text": "'Summer of Promise' offers an outlook on life in Wyoming in the 1880's and particularly for the families of soldiers stationed in remote areas such as Fort Laramie, many of them immigrants who joined in hope to make a better life for themselves. I can see why the author felt inspired to write a story after her trip (make that 3 trips and countless hours of Internet browsing).<br /><br />Abigail and Ethan's story is a light romance you might enjoy during a long winter evening but I felt it did not flow and it was not one I would describe as a page turner.<br />Tales of the Old West have always fascinated me but despite having learned a thing or two from Amanda Cabot's findings, I did not think the characters to be all they could be! Leah is one character for i.e. that could have been so much more!<br /><br />It seemed to be written with the very young in mind, nothing either inspiring or entertaining. I will caution animal lovers might find some of the tale upsetting. However true it might be, I found it had little reason to be added to the story personally.<br /><br />If this is an example of the upcoming stories in the Westward Wind series, I found Summer of Promise monotonous and a little tedious for my taste.<br /><br />I give it 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br /><br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1328382932000, "title": "Light romance and a little tedious!" }, { "asin": "1414364458", "rating": 5, "text": "Despite the promising resume I felt the beginning of this book might lead to just another tedious life lesson and very little entertainment. As the story unfolded however I discovered a real gem, each individual committee member' story revealing its own little touch of drama and very personal message.<br /><br />'The Search Committee' is the story of a medley of fellow Christians whose goal is to visit other churches. The committee includes a busybody, a young husband, a single mom and a handful of others all sharing the same hope, that to hire (steal) the perfect pastor for their own congregation.<br /><br />Tim Owens artfully weaves background and problem(s) faced by each member of the committee into a delightful and entertaining message for the reader.<br />Hard to put down, the story unfolds giving us the opportunity to find a little of ourselves in at least one of the committee characters, complete with its little quirks.<br /><br />You will find yourself chuckling at the delightful descriptions of this busy group traveling in an old church van (Outch! Those potholes!) and sneaking incognito into various churches and teary eyed a moment later.<br />It is warm, it is human and you will question if any of us truly know our neighbour in the pew next to us.<br /><br />So will the committee find this perfect man/woman for their own church? Well, I wouldn't want to spoil a good story and it is a VERY good story!<br />My suggestion is to grab this insightful book and enjoy a good time with the seah committee! Their quest will teach you a thing or two I daresay!<br /><br />A delightful first novel and worth at least 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from TYNDALE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1329174853000, "title": "Tim Owen's first novel is delightful gem!" }, { "asin": "0800720458", "rating": 5, "text": "The very first thing that comes to mind about 'Words Spoken True' is the raised lettering on the cover (a feature I dearly love and miss in the mass produced paperbacks published these days!) swiftly followed by the interesting historical note published in the forefront of the story! Once spotted, I was rubbing my hands together with glee. This is my kind of historical fiction!<br /><br />With a rich historical setting, enticing plot, flowing dialogues betwixt the protagonists, colourful descriptive and just the right amount of romance 'Words Spoken True' is sure to captivate readers!<br />Here is no amateurish historical fiction! Ann H. Gabhart is a well published author and she writes a warm story complete with romance, faith and intrigue about 'The Herald' and 'The Tribune', two warring newspapers in Louisville, Kentucky, circa 1850's.<br /><br />As the plot unravels you find yourself engrossed in its drama, and wishing with all your might for a great ending for both Adriane and Blake. Never fear, weaving her magic wand, Ann H.Gabhart will not disappoint and you will soon discover that no matter what, the press must go on!<br /><br />On a quick note, I was startled to learn the existence of the 'Know Nothings, and the dramatic events of Bloody Monday on 6 August 1855 which reflects in this story!<br /><br /> Readers should know this is a page turner...Hence warning to husband/children: Mum is certain to be so engrossed, dinner will soon be forgotten!<br /><br />A wonderful story certain to leave you daydreaming...<br />A big thank you to Ann H. Gabhart for her enduring writing skills!<br /><br />For sheer enjoyment, a 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330103697000, "title": "A wonderful story certain to leave you daydreaming..." }, { "asin": "1433673223", "rating": 4, "text": "With a little imagination 'The Guardian Duke' might very well be the most delightful story I have read in awhile! Nothing too serious, just a light tale about a charming ingenue and her elegant guardian complete with good historical notes, a good amount of faith and just the right amount of romance!<br /><br />Reminiscent of Barbara Cartland's writings, 'The Guardian Duke' has all the ingredients for a good, if a tad innocuous, tale. I was not looking for anything in particular when I started reading Jamie Carie's first book in the Forgotten Castles series but I was pleasantly surprised.<br /><br />Perhaps it was the romantic setting of Ireland with its mythical shores, the intriguing mystery revolving around some of the protagonists, the spirited ingenue dodging her guardian duke or the elegant Gabriel himself.<br />Lest I forget, credit should also be given to a colourful surrounding cast!<br /><br />Jaimie Carie also excelled at penning the lively correspondence betwixt the heroine and her soul mate. Do people really fall in love through letters? Let's hope the world has not become so jade that we cannot imagine for a short time that it can be so. Ah the dreams...<br /><br />I for one can only vouch for the innocent reading time I spend immersing myself into with this lively Christian tale. And if someone witnessed the sighs just before I turned off the lights, well...<br />All I can say is 'Thank you' Jaimie for a tasteful read certain to entertain teens and adults alike.<br /><br />Here is to wandering what happens in Iceland and thinking it was well worth 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from PROPELLER as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330567856000, "title": "Tasteful Christian romance for teens and adults alike!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 4, "text": "Heart's Safe Passage is book # 2 in The Midwives series and whilst I have yet to read book # 1 it is my hope the author will indulge us with more stories in this captivating chapter. The combination of the midwifery subject and the High seas set right after the conflict of 1812 was an appealing point for a history buff like me and the author did not disappoint!<br /><br />Obviously Laurie Alice Eakes has done well her research and I spent a relaxing evening reading this latest tale! Such are the rules of war that both nations would have not hesitate to try either protagonist as a traitor. Therefore to imagine a plot involving a midwife stranded against her will on an enemy ship was nothing but genial!<br /><br />A fervent admirer of C.S. Forrester and his tales of the high seas, I found Heart's Safe Passage all the most most intriguing as Laurie Alice Eakes demonstrates a thorough knowledge of seamanship I did not expect.<br />Historically the war of 1812 and the resulting strenuous diplomatic relations betwixt Colonials and Britishers was well documented. In turn the author's description of her characters allegiances reminds us that one could be deemed a traitor for just being at the wrong place at the wrong time.<br /><br />The spirited dialogues betwixt the Scottish privateer and the Colonial midwife have just the right enticement for readers to wonder who will win in the end and the supporting characters are endearing in their own ways.<br />Life at sea was far from being as romantic as Hollywood would have us believed but in Heart's Safe Passage there is just enough drama to keep it interesting and enough sparks for the romantic soul!<br /><br />Most of all the storyteller reminds us that God is the only one to steer our ship...<br /><br />I was also fascinated by the historical notes recording midwives written by a seventeenth century physician! Whilst some of it could be deemed humorous, it would appear being a midwife was hard and often a thankless task!<br /><br />Finally Laurie Alice Eakes' description of Captain Docherty was much more interesting than Errol Flynn in all his glory!<br /><br />For a most enjoyable evening, I find myself giving this historical romance 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330728429000, "title": "An intriguing romance betwixt a midwife and a privateer on the High seas!" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "Anyone familiar with the talented Brother Cadfael, the Welsh Benedictine monk so engagingly described by Ellis Peters will appreciate my interest in this book!<br />I first heard of it on a Publisher's website and felt compelled to pursue this title whose author I had yet to discover! I also hoped for something different and was not disappointed!<br /><br />'Unhallowed Ground' was my introduction to Mel Starr's and I immediately found his style to be unique and quite discerning! An impressive glossary allows curious minds like mine to discover words and terms the modern English language no longer use.<br /><br />Mel Starr skillfully weaves a tapestry of intrigue, false leads, adventure and danger rendered the more interesting by its many historical settings whilst leading the reader on a path of whodunit.<br />Within a few pages you are wondering who is friend, who is foe and yes, it is a page turner!<br /><br />The colourful but tasteful tale follows Hugh de Singleton, bailiff of Bampton Manor, as he is called to investigate the death of a local villager. Amongst his many talents Master Hugh is also noted as a medieval surgeon and a detective of sorts...<br />Is this a case of suicide or murder? Thus we are introduced to the ensuing intriguing plot!<br /><br />With its excellent penmanship, 'Unhallowed Ground' is just the sort of book you will read and feel replete!<br /><br />I give it 5 stars (and quickly found a little niche for it on our bookshelves!)<br /><br />On a note of worth, this book is the fourth chronicle of the series. The fifth chronicle 'The Tainted Coin' will soon be released!<br /><br />NOTE TO READERS: I was not asked to review this title and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1332627554000, "title": "Medieval mystery with the finest historical detailed background!" }, { "asin": "1595548874", "rating": 3, "text": "Best selling author Beth Wiseman has delighted her many fans with tales of the Amish world for years. Perhaps I was influenced by my daughter as she is a big fan but I have enjoyed her stories!<br /><br />This novel is however quite different and I will admit to some disappointment. A contemporary story is rarely my first choice of reading material. I much prefer historical fiction work which lets your imagination wonder, provides you with healthy entertainment and even gives you the incentive to delve into the subject by way of further research!<br /><br />Beth Wiseman introduces us to her latest writing by depicting a Texan family whom at first glance lives a perfectly well balanced life. They recently moved from a cosmopolitan area to live in an old farmhouse in a small town to raise their children in a much healthier environment.<br /><br />Reading the resume I caught the 'Special Needs Children' part and felt drawn to it thus the reason for this choice of review.<br /><br />Unfortunately whilst I allow any author's right to feel a need to branch out, this time I felt something was missing and I had a hard time to concentrate on the plot.<br />Perhaps it was the fact that special needs children had only a small part in this story, or that the neighbour's character just did not seem to fit in, or I was not prepared to comprehend the extent to which some teens go to please their family or when under peer pressure! I have since looked into it and it brought many shudders!<br />Even the locales were not eye catching and nothing really stands out.<br /><br />Despite the troubled teenager plight and a handful of supporting characters, the story mainly revolves around the attraction felt by two individuals and much like a soap opera is drawn out: lies, betrayals and sheer boredom!<br /><br />Somewhat fragmented, Needing you Now is the sort of Christian novel I feel you will only briefly remember and lacking the profound inspirational theme Beth Wiseman usually provides her readers.<br /><br />Needing you Now has surprised me and less you feel this is not a good book, I will remind you of course that I offer only my opinion!<br /><br />As such, I can only give it 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BOOKSNEEZE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1335569626000, "title": "Really not what I hoped for!" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 4, "text": "'A Love Forbidden', Book # 2 in Heart of the Rockies series reads like a Western with a powerful message: intolerance is the root of many evils!<br />Once again Baker Revell brings us an interesting author and I was pleasantly surprised in Kathleen Morgan's vivid descriptions of the 1800 Colorado Rockies!<br />There is so much History in the US, often misconstrued yet as rich as many older nations!<br />I love to discover yet another facet of the Old West and I believe I mentioned it before, the first novel I read in English was written by Louis l'Amour!<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan's tasteful description of Shiloh Wainwright and Jesse Blackwater's love story gives us a realistic outlook on frontier life in the 1800's Colorado and the Ute reservation.<br />As a teacher on the Indian reservation Shiloh hopes to help Indian children learn the White Man's ways whilst retaining their identity. Her task is not easy as she deals with narrow minded agencies and wary settlers.<br />Jesse Blackwater is the childhood friend she never forgot and caught betwixt both the White man's world and the Ute worlds, they find themselves caught in a maelstrom of emotions and conflicts, both internal and external.<br /><br />'A Love Forbidden' might have been just another Historical romance but Kathleen Morgan draws you in the story and you immerse yourself in it. The sum of a good novel, right?<br />It is always amazing to read lines which create such a vivid panoramic picture of times gone by and in turn creates such powerful emotions!<br />Amidst prejudice and growing political tension betwixt both the White and Indian world, you find yourself wondering if you would have the courage and wisdom to do what is right. In such circumstances, where would you stand as a Christian?<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan seems to breathe this time period and spares no details to entice us visually. Life on the frontier was often harsh, supplies limited, and communication slow due to long distances betwixt forts and settlements.<br />When one side fails to honour its word, the other decided to take action...<br /><br />Red headed Shiloh is as tenacious in her convictions as in her love for Jesse, whilst he sees the road ahead in a very realistic way. Will they be able to bridge both worlds and find love, acceptance, forgiveness and ultimately peace?<br /><br />Well depicted, this is a thought provoking story which illustrates the power of love and faith in a world often riddled with prejudice and ignorance.<br />In the end, you are in God's hands and given the chance, Shiloh and Jesse will come to realize nothing is impossible for them with His help.<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1338071156000, "title": "A thought provoking story about love and faith in the 1800's Colorado Rockies!" }, { "asin": "0764207962", "rating": 5, "text": "Siri Mitchell is definitively an author to reckon with: her latest novel 'The Messenger' is fast paced and scintillates with the kind of details any history buff will love. I found her notes and research to be very interesting!<br /><br />Set during the War of Independence (US), this is the story of an intrepid young Quaker named Hannah and a Continental Army spy named Jeremiah Jones. Each have need of the other and both parties joined forces but not without concerns for the ramifications involved. As a pacifist Hannah cannot abide violence but Jeremiah's plans ultimately will draw her in a conflict few will escape without scars.<br /><br />This is absolutely a story to enjoy without interruptions. I for one knew very little of Women spies during the Civil War (US) and did not give much thought to Women involvement during the 1776 Campaign.<br /><br />Prisoners conditions during this tumultuous conflict are rarely spoken of yet we know of the many hardships endured by the Colonial army, particularly during the winter campaign at Valley Forge.<br />Sad to say, many of the reenactments Siri Mitchell developed in her tale of faith and courage for our two courageous protagonists rang only too true! The ravages of war effects innocents everywhere yet we still fight!<br /><br />'The Messenger, reminds us of theologian Reinhold Neiburh's Serenity prayer:<br /><br />God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,<br />Courage to change the things I can,<br />And wisdom to know the difference.<br /><br />So fitting for this story!<br /><br />As to the Quaker faith, I have to thank Siri Mitchell for enlightening me: I never thought much about it!<br /><br />A story of bravery, of beliefs and God's path for each one of us!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1338499473000, "title": "A tale of courage and faith in the Revolutionary war!" }, { "asin": "1434764303", "rating": 3, "text": "'Glamorous Illusions', Book 1 of 'The Grand Tour' series has a most enticing front cover. One look at the lovely gown featured with the Eiffel Tower in the background will have you wish you too could be part of this Grand Tour. I was ready to be dazzled!<br /><br />Let me begin by saying Lisa T. Bergren is a seasoned author with over 35 books and sales of over 2 million copies but new to this reader.<br /><br />David C. Cook, the Publisher gives us in turn a tantalizing resume of 'Glamorous Illusions' starting with 'It's the summer of 1913...A fateful afternoon, a stranger comes to call, and Cora discover s a terrible secret about her past...invited to take the 'Grand Tour' of Europe, a trip intended to finish a person's education and solidify an understanding of refinement and ancient culture...<br /><br />I immersed myself in this fictional story turning page after page hoping to glimpse the wonders of a 20th Century trip abroad through the eyes of our young protagonist beginning with a portentous crossing aboard the Titanic sister-ship.<br />Grand Tours were scintillating events and much anticipated occasions for any well bred young lady or gentleman to acquire a certain polish and large amounts of monies were disbursed by generous parents to this effect.<br /><br />Breathtaking scenery along with ancient History and the discoveries of Music, Art, companions and fine culinary partaking provided the perfect ending to one's education. If one might find herself/himself an impoverished title in the bargain, families would look benignly and pride themselves in having acquired a touch of blue blood in the bargain.<br /><br />The idea of our heroine leaving her Montana struggling beet farm for a Grand Tour of Europe in the company of her newly discovered high society siblings has many hints of Cinderella. However Cora's journey of self discovery along this grand voyage is often confusing, her true sentiments hard to fathom! Even as I close the book I would be hard pressed to guess what she hoped to find.<br /><br />I could not picture any young lady destined to be a teacher to learn in one month how to move comfortably through the society throngs for example.<br />I found it also hard to believe the group described did not have at least one female chaperone (anything less would have been frowned upon in most societies and introductions near impossible), servants were unlikely to know what would be expected and therefore could not have advised.<br /><br />Illegitimacy was not more condoned in France than in England and therefore the courtship of Pierre de Richelieu hardly believable. Family pressures alone would have demanded he kept his distance. Accordingly the young lady would have been appraised his attentions were not honourable and very likely whisked away to the next stop of the Tour.<br /><br />Leaving these details aside, I felt none of the excitement or glimmer associated with such trip. One would hardly describe the wonders of the Eiffel Tower, Centuries old English manors, French chateaus or the wealth displayed at the Louvre for example in such a desultory way and hints at someone who trouped behind a guide (If this is Tuesday, it must be Belgium).<br />The elements are there but seen almost through a veil and does not impart the stimulating experiences for the reader's pleasure.<br /><br />Finally the end of this first novel in the series left me perplex. A hint or two leads me to believe there is more to the story but neither the romance nor the Grand Tour details provided much satisfaction.<br />One can only sigh and say: 'C'est la vie!'<br /><br />More of a Young Adult story, I give this one 3 stars.<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE AND DAVID C. COOK as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1340302218000, "title": "From Montana to the grand European metropolises..." }, { "asin": "0800720482", "rating": 5, "text": "I chose to feature the above synopsis instead of the one shown on the back of the cover for a personal reason. I admit I am only a student of the Gospels and for a moment as I read the cover's resume I thought there might be another Mary Magdalene!<br /><br />The imagination of storyteller Diana Wallis Taylor brings readers however a new dimension to the picture we might have of this amazing woman who followed Christ till the end.<br /><br />I found myself utterly enchanted by this author's narrative of a woman we know little of despite mentions in Luke, John and Acts.<br />We know Jesus cast off seven demons from her and that she was a close follower.<br />We also know she witnessed His mock trial and heard His sentence, she was present at His crucifixion and later amongst the women who find the empty tomb.<br /><br />In 'Mary Magdalene' Diana Wallis Taylor weaves a stirring profile of a gentle child who learned the Scriptures, growing up in Magdala, a coastal town off the Sea of Galilee with caring parents.<br />Following a tragic event, Mary Magdalene lives the next few years plagued by nightmares and yet amidst of all this, finds love and eventually will be healed.<br />She eventually follows Jesus and witnessed to the Messiah's glory for the remaining of her life.<br /><br />The author's rich historical and social details of Jewish life in Galilee in the time of Jesus interwoven with her chronicles of this amazing woman are most gripping!<br />A reader, young or old, will discover an emotional account of a woman we hardly knew and should remember first and foremost as one who was THERE.<br /><br />This is the sort of enriching fictional work perfect as a gift for any young woman coming of age. It has all the elements of a love story of the purest form!<br /><br />If I had a dozen copies, I would be passing them out right now!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1340473107000, "title": "A rich emotional description of Mary Magdalene!" }, { "asin": "0800734556", "rating": 4, "text": "As someone who knew absolutely nothing of the Shaker beliefs I have now a whole concept of their intricate history. In 'The Gifted' Kentucky born storyteller Ann H. Gabhart has definitively written an in depth story based on this cult! She actually lives near a Shaker village and was obviously inspired.<br /><br />The simplicity of the many designs we admire to this date were brought upon by these believers who worked as if they had a thousand years to accomplish their tasks or knowledge of their death on the morrow...They knew their place, rejoiced in knowing it, their hands hard at work, their hearts given to God...<br /><br />In 'The Gifted' our protagonist Jessamine is striving to find her place in this close knit world and when she is given a sweet outlook on the outside world questions her path...<br />We follow the young sister as she stumbles repeatedly despite her eagerness to please her elders. Sister Sophrena's diaries in particular allows us to understand the extant of those struggles and gives us a unique view of life in their community.<br />Harmony Hill village brothers and sisters live their faith as outlined by their leader, Mother Ann, from the working fields to the devotion meetings including the shaking and dancing. Their only contact with the outside world is due to their trading their wares such as rosewater, baskets, candles, furniture and so on.<br />Surprisingly, their fellowship is open to anyone, even outsiders just visiting. It is the only world Jessamine has known since she lost her Granny but like all good stories, this is only the beginning... Then there is also a mysterious letter which opened reveals surprising new developments...<br /><br />As usual Ann H.Gabhart leads us by the hand as we read on. I always found myself looking for clues to what comes next and I was not disappointed.<br />Richly described and perfectly timed, this is a story you will enjoy discovering as the author entices you to learn that all is not as it seems.<br />Like all good storytellers, Ann H. Gabhart tells you some dreams were meant to come true...You just have to believe!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1341675443000, "title": "Another great story by master storyteller Ann H. Gabhart!" }, { "asin": "1595547819", "rating": 4, "text": "'Tidewater Inn' has all the ingredients for the sort of book any reader will like! A great beach read, y Colleen Coble's novel enticed me to turn yet another page!<br />It has all the exciting elements a good writer instills in her/his storytelling and this author's imagination is fruitful! Wow! No time to get bored here!<br /><br />Mysteries, kidnapping, treasures, family intrigues and a beautiful old Inn in a breathtaking setting draws you in. The colourful characters revolving around this Hope Beach novel makes this a warm story and one that makes you wish you live there.<br />Living myself on a tiny island accessible only by ferry, I can understand well the appeal! Hope Beach however has one on us, they have restaurants, pizza parlour, library, fire department, postal service...Need I go on? I felt a tad jealous!<br /><br />It is however the references to God and His amazing work that makes this a most appealing story! Colleen Coble's characters know God, feels His love and meets His expectations no matter how they might fail at first try. Faith is part of her intricate story and you feel His presence throughout her novel! I like this most of all!<br /><br />I was intrigued at the extent to which a SAR (Search and Rescue) dog could trace a missing person. In this instance, 'Samson' follows a trace ON WATER, ocean water! Absolutely intriguing! Needless to say, I learned something yet again!<br /><br />A few loose ends however puzzled me...a rope around an ankle amongst others...I must mention this!<br /><br />I give it 4 stars none the less!<br />Watch Colleen Cobble next novel 'Rosemary Cottage' to be published in July 2013!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1344092313000, "title": "Upbeat!" }, { "asin": "0764208349", "rating": 3, "text": "As stories goes, 'Unending Devotion' is pleasant enough, harmless even, a tad sentimental but easily dismissed after a few chapters. I felt there was something missing from the moment I saw the novel's cover. Somehow the plot and its main characters just does not hook the reader. Even the sub characters were much more interesting!<br /><br />I struggled to feel the various emotions the author hinted at from the beginning and just had to accept this was just not my cup of tea so to speak.<br />Lily posing as a photographer's assistant with its implied paraphernalia should have been on the cover posing next to gruff Oren and perhaps a more thorough description of the lumber camps might have caught my attention. There is a striking amount of information on logging available including stunning photos even here in the Pacific North West!<br /><br />That said, I enjoyed the author's notes regarding the town of Harrison and its unsavoury residents. There is obviously a lot of historical facts recorded in the Michigan's past lumber era with the usual problems found in shanties such as alcoholism, violence, notwithstanding the origin of white slavery trade in the state, this being the most startling!<br /><br />All in all, I would recommend anyone going away this weekend to pack an extra book along unless like me, you find the historical portion enticing enough to browse internet and library files to find out more on the subjects of logging and white slavery in 1800's Michigan!<br />Interesting it was, entertaining it was not.<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1347628341000, "title": "Interesting facts about white slavery in Michigan 1883 did not make this novel any more entertaining!" }, { "asin": "0764206176", "rating": 4, "text": "I was more than ready to read a good western and 'Taming the Wind' was not a disappointment!<br />Book # 3 in the Land of the Lone Star series written by Tracie Peterson, this novel gives us a lot to reflect upon.<br />Tracie Peterson is after all a prolific writer with more than 95 novels to her credit and she writes passionately about the West. Her novels are always entertaining and clearly shows good research (loved the Longfellow poem addition!) but it also reflects her longstanding faith.<br />Each character has its definite personality: passionate, hopeful, tenacious, caring, angry, vengeful...<br />The Lone Star land is harsh, often unforgiving yet beautiful in its rawness. Homesteading was not for the faint soul!<br /><br />In her latest novel Tracie describes a little of the hardships endured by Southern sympathizers following the (US) Civil war. I for one had no idea land was confiscated simply because of allegiance.<br />Both sides lost much to the war and the resulting animosity was very much alive even after three years of peace as we see in Taming the Wind.<br />Cattle drives were dangerous enterprises, with countless obstacles including Native Americans raids, rustlers, stampedes and so on. Yet it also gave an opportunity for struggling ranchers to regain losses...<br /><br />Taming the Wind depicts not only the many facets of ranching but a sweet love story. Carissa and her little girl Gloria are both ready for better times and the young widow has not forgotten the young rancher who saved her life two years prior.<br />In turn Tyler has often thought of the young mother and child but stands to loose much if his confiscated ranch is not returned to him. He also cannot forgive the raid which took his father's life...<br /><br />Of course, God has a plan and with Tracie's flair for a good adventure, we learn love and forgiveness can be found even in these most challenging times!<br /><br />Note:<br />Just a suggestion of course: 'Chasing the Sun' and 'Touching the Sky' are pre sequels in the series well worth reading albeit the author gives a rundown in Book #3 for those of us who have not read these titles.<br />A good reason for reading more of this entertaining author!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1347987539000, "title": "Love, Forgiveness and Adventure in a Good Old Western!" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "After reading 'A Perfect Square', second book in the Shipshewana Amish Mysteries I am perfectly willing to find a special spot for any Vannetta Chapman's tomes on my bookshelves (or add another one...somewhere!)!<br />With Beth Wiseman's recommendation for this novel I knew I was in for a treat! I always like to hear an author praising another fellow writer, don't you?<br /><br />I discovered long ago the appeal of Amish genre literature but this was the first 'whodunit' for me and this one is truly a page turner! Not content with one single plot of 'whom, what , where, how and why', Vannetta Chapman blends two mysteries decades apart and links them to the present.<br /><br />With a lovely quilt shoppe tucked in the scenic background, we find Englisher and Amish living blessed lives in Shipshewana, Indiana to be as near to perfection as possible until that is, a body is found floating in a nearby pond...There is no clue to the young girl's identity.<br /><br />Callie is the owner of Daisy's Quilt, a shoppe inherited from her aunt and with canine Max is a recent transplant from Houston, Texas. Amish and Mennonite lifestyles still holds many mysteries for Callie but Amish friends Deborah, Esther and Melinda help her to adapted to her new life whilst teaching her a thing or two about quilting. With Max at her side (sporting a bandana matched to her clothing colour), Callie is definitively looking forward to her first winter in Indiana.<br /><br />When Reuben the owner of the pond is arrested for the murder by the local Chief of Police, Callie and her sleuth friends steps in to help out Reuben.<br />Meanwhile, an elderly Amish who suffers from dementia finds his way to Callie's shoppe and begs her to find his daughter who disappeared in 1965.<br />As the story develops, you find yourself experiencing many emotions as with unmistakable talent, Vannetta Chapman hones her writing skills in this novel.<br /><br />Praying Reuben's innocence will come to light despite his unwillingness to make a statement, his family and friends search for any clue to help the Amish farmer regain his freedom.<br /><br />Alternating mystery and emotional drama, and with just the slightest hint of romance in the air (including a few hilarious situations), this is a compelling book you will have a hard time to put down as each well written chapter gets better and better!<br />Vanetta's inspirational plots draws you in and reminds us that with God anything is possible! You just have to believe!<br /><br />With its excellent glossary and group questions for discussion, this makes an engaging novel to read, tucked in your favourite chair by the fireplace whilst sipping a cuppa!<br /><br />I received this book free from ZONDERVAN as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349390246000, "title": "I have become a fan of Vannetta Chapman's writing!" }, { "asin": "0800721322", "rating": 5, "text": "Absolutely delightful! 'Life with Lily', Book 1 in 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' should have been written years ago! Mary Ann and Suzanne have come up with a wonderful little gem!<br />Written primarily with younger children (ages 8-12) these are none the less stories which grown ups and children alike will love to discover! There is nothing better than reading out loud to a child and share a precious moment!<br /><br />There is an amazing amount of information betwixt these pages and I can't wait to share it with young friends. Seen through the eyes of lovely (and sometimes mischievous) 5 year old Lily, it has a fresh appeal for avid readers of Amish tales such as myself!<br /><br />We have learned much about the Amish world through wonderful stories told by such authors as Suzanne Woods Fisher herself but 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' is destined to be a favourite and best of all, one you can share with everyone!<br />Each chapter involves a new adventure in Lily's life involving family, friends, neighbours, livestock, school and so on...One look at the little face featured on the cover (for once, the cover is right on!) and your heart will be won over!<br /><br />There are of course lessons to be learned throughout it all! After all, Lily and other Amish children are in no way different from Englisher and yes, things can and will happen...I don't know if the 'cat' with the bushy tail found by Lily in the barn (priceless!) or her brother's Joseph attempt to fly will be your favourites but it certainly were mine!<br /><br />I whole heartily applaud this new series and I give it 5 stars!<br />I am looking forward to Book 2!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349636609000, "title": "Life with Lily', Book 1 in 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' should have been written years ago" }, { "asin": "0764204165", "rating": 3, "text": "After reading only the first chapter I knew I should emphazise 'Read the books in order!'. Live and learn!<br />Anyone who has read Book 1, might enjoy following 'the rest of the story' in 'Whispers In The Wind'. For once, this author however did not meet my expectations.<br /><br />The title was enticing but I struggled with the characters, some clearer than others and those were the sub characters! The actual plot was difficult to grasp despite a few 'recalled' memories and at times throughly confusing if not right down sluggish.<br />As the main character Cassie just does not grab the reader. There is plenty of action and a few interesting factors overall in the novel though (albeit I could have done without the step by step skinning/curing of an Elk for i.e.).<br /><br />As confusing as Cassie's feelings (should she?, should she not?), I found the whole story lacking 'a little je ne sais quoi'. As to any possible romantic attachment hinted at... No sparks there! (at least so far, but at the rate this story develops, it might take a few more books to find out what happens next...sigh...)<br /><br />Far from being the good Western I expected, I can only say you must a be fan of Lauraine Snelling's writing or wish to read the continuation of this story in the next installment (and the next...). I do not like loose ends but there was nothing in Book 2 that would entice me to read the rest ( I do not plan to hunt a Elk or stuff sausages anytime soon!).<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349714644000, "title": "It would be best for anyone to read Book 1 first!" }, { "asin": "1595548033", "rating": 5, "text": "'The Trouble with Cowboys' written by well known romanticist Denis Hunter and part of the 'Big Sky Romance' series will provide readers with just the sort of entertainment they might look for on a Autumnal afternoon! There is no doubt Denise Hunter gives her audience what she promised: an enjoyable alternative to the humdrum of everyday life.<br />I had the opportunity to read another of her novels (on a long layover in a faraway airport with little amenities!) called 'The Convenient Groom' and I will tell you she had me in stitches! Be sure to check her other titles!<br /><br />But back to The Trouble With Cowboys! This Christian author has a knack for the light but never fluffy sort of novel that you will gladly reach for along with a good mug of cocoa! Entertaining yet with a lesson or two (don't miss each chapter header!), a message tucked here and there and perfect to share with anyone including the younger generation!<br />Denise Hunter's books are wholesome and will win your heart!<br /><br />Montana born and raised Annie Wilkerson is an expert horse trainer, a loving sister and a great aunty. Life has dealt her a lot of responsibilities since her GrandPa died. Taking care of her wayward sister is not easy and she takes on her role of Mum seriously hoping to see her sister settle.<br />Annie does not trust cowboys: they are here today, gone tomorrow. The past has taught her to stay clear away from them.<br /><br />Easy going Dylan needs her help with his nearly blind horse and in turn, Annie could use his help with her latest assignment, a lovelorn column she feels is just not for her since she has never felt love before. So they make a deal: her equine expertise for his help with her column. Annie is struggling with financial responsibilities but promised her GrandPa she will take care of everyone and she is trying to ignore her qualms.<br />She cannot trust Dylan because he is a cowboy after all and will probably break her heart. Then again, is she judging him too quickly? Or should she let her heart and faith guide her?<br />After all, God is in charge, not Annie...<br /><br />I think we shall agree once you read this story: if Denise keeps on writing, we'll keep on reading!<br /><br />5 stars for all the good feelings this novel brought on (and a few sighs as well...)<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349901011000, "title": "This Christian author has a knack for the light but never fluffy sort of novel!" }, { "asin": "0800734173", "rating": 4, "text": "Book # 3 in the 'Winds of Change' series, 'A Love Surrendered' brings to readers the depression era and two families: The O'Connors and the Kennedys. Set in Boston in 1932, it is written with passion and will inspire all sorts of feelings. Julie Lessman knows how to grab her readers, proof that she is after all a very good author!<br /><br />Inspirational, intense and at times extremely romantic, it is none the less imperative for readers to remember the era this story draws its background from. The idea of 'me Jane, you Tarzan' might come across fiercefully at times. Let's remember that women at the time were viewed as having one place and that was in the kitchen (or bedroom and nursery). WWII soon changed this for many as they took their place in the work force in lieu of enlisted men.<br /><br />There is much to think over once you have finished reading the drama behind Annie and Steven's love story which incidentally is crisscrossed with countless O'Connor family members! I shall describe this as a clan, Irish to be exact, a large family with strong convictions and deep emotions, some volatile and quite impressive. I did not always agree with such forceful display but admit it was fitting for the era.<br />I found the setting of Ocean Pier and its boardwalk quite intriguing along with the Prohibition agents raids and speakeasies background.<br /><br />Finally, be prepared for a surprise or two towards the end (one I will admit I did not see coming!).<br />Julie Lessman is no newcomer to the writing world and she is a person of convictions herself. You soon realize her writing reflects her faith deeply. I felt she portrays her characters based on this and for that alone I highly recommend her novels to the younger generation. In a society where pressures have become too often the acceptable norm, let's applaud someone who offers deep passion with responsibility!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1350232545000, "title": "Inspirational, intense and at times extremely romantic..." }, { "asin": "1609366867", "rating": 4, "text": "The tragic sinking of the Titanic has held people's imagination worldwide particularly with Dr. Robert Ballard's discovery of the wreckage in September 1985.<br />2012 being the vessel's doomed maiden voyage's 100th anniversary produced yet again a lot of fascinating information. There is a certain mystic which surrounds the events of that dreadful day which many cannot resist and countless speculation.<br /><br />'Queen of the Waves', An American Tapestry proved to be an interesting fictional approach and I liked Janice Thompson's take on the launching of this spectacular ship as background for her novel. The author's dedication and 'In Memory of' are worth a moment of your time so I recommend you do not skip it! It set the mood for this reading and felt very much a part of all the mystery surrounding this particular moment in history.<br /><br />Janice Thompson weaves an interesting tale of fresh beginnings for two young women from very different backgrounds, (make that three in fact as you read the story) and the men who loved them. Her take on the lives entrusted on the vessel brings you an idea of the variety of its passengers and the gulf betwixt the social classes until the ship's tragic end.<br /><br />She also takes pains to describe the various emotions her characters feel as they board the Titanic giving readers a sense of witnessing for themselves a little of all its magnificence.<br />Queen of the Waves is a story of hope, love, the courage to reach out for newer and better things and faith that God will overlook the wrongs and bless the good!<br /><br />Set amidst the effervescent departure and subsequent sailing of the largest ship ever built by man, it shows a little of the amalgam of people who placed their hopes and dreams on its crossing.<br />Janice Thompson chose to introduce real people in her novel which makes it hauntingly vivid to her readers. Clearly, the sinking of the vessel will continue to fascinate people as we ponder at all its splendour and its very last moments before sinking in the depths of the cold Atlantic ocean.<br /><br />In Queen of the Waves we discover yet again the hand of the Almighty in all things! Standing on Titanic's deck and seeing the expanse of water ahead, a passenger ponders the only word that come to mind:<br /><br />\"The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.\"<br /><br />Fitting wouldn't you say?<br /><br />A shining example of Christian Fiction and worth 4 stars for its entertainment!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1350586429000, "title": "I liked Janice Thompson's take on the launching of this spectacular ship as background for her novel" }, { "asin": "0310335108", "rating": 5, "text": "'God has made you a unique design. Never forget that! Also know that God's made someone else to be your fit.'<br /><br />I think I have just read my favourite book from all of Tricia Goyer's novels and that is not an easy admission as she writes always with her heart!<br /><br />'The Memory Jar' is part of a series called 'Seven Brides For Seven Bachelors, and make no mistake, this is not 'one of those Amish stories yet again'! One distinction of Tricia Goyer's work is that everything she writes brings you something new to discover! The essence of a good writer?<br /><br />Sarah lives in Montana and works amongst Englishers as well as Amish in the West Kootenai Kraft & Grocery. Due to a tragic accident she carries a heavy burden on her shoulders and her memories are safely tucked in a little jar...Her memory jar.<br />An eventful mountain hiking trip reveals that shy Amish bachelor Jathan Scrock, is a friend she can trust and confided into. Both have unusual aspirations for their conservative community but their<br />dreams unites them in more ways than either ever hoped for.<br /><br />When Jathan is called back to the family farm in Ohio he finds his responsibilities overwhelming and fears their goal an impossible dream.<br /><br />God however has many plans for each of them and trusting Him leads to marvelous surprises!<br /><br />A beautiful story to remind you of childlike dreams and that when trusting your happiness in God's hands, the best is yet to come!<br /><br />Amish Proverb:<br /><br />'The grand essentials of happiness in this life is something to do, something to love and something to hope for.'<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1352138393000, "title": "I think I have just read my favourite book from all of Tricia Goyer's novels!" }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "What better way to put yourself in the Holiday mood than reading 'Christmas Roses' by Amanda Cabot?<br />Never insipid and always inspiring, this storyteller brings us a tale of love, hope and even a miracle set in Wyoming Territory in1882. Trust Amanda to know how to bring a little romance and a lot of faith in her readers lives!<br /><br />Celia Anderson welcomes a new boarder in her home and life suddenly takes a new turn. She might just change her mind about not remarrying but only if the man brings her something she treasures and at Christmas no less!<br /><br />With that thought in mind, I was hooked as I held this lovely hardback in my hands with its enchanting Currier & Ives illustration! You will find yourself chuckling at Mark's wincing when he is surrounded by all of Celia's treasured flowers and hold your breath as he surprises her with his carpenter's skills for a much needed gift for her home.<br /><br />The book in itself is a little treasure and you will soon be enchanted by Celia, her baby girl, the story behind Mark's wanderings in search of a missing relative and his hope to become worthy of the young widow's love!<br /><br />Be prepared for some surprises as faith demands total surrender!<br /><br />Combined with her minute attention to historical details as well as her romantic nature, Amanda Cabot brings us a warm tale of love and redemption just in time for this blessed Season!<br /><br />5 Stars and a lovely gift for the romantic on your Christmas gift list! This one is a keeper!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1353709893000, "title": "Trust Amanda to know how to bring a little romance and a lot of faith in her readers lives!" }, { "asin": "0764209787", "rating": 5, "text": "It is said that Beverly Lewis gave birth to the Amish genre in 1997 with 'The Shunning' so it will come to no surprise that her name is practically a household name! She is enduring and continually delights her readers with yet another wonderful story. 'The Bridesmaid' is no exception! The novel brings such clear imagery you will find yourself acutely a part of the plot!<br /><br />As an avid reader and an Amish genre aficionado, I found Joanna and Eben's story enticed any yearning for dreaming. Theirs is surely a match made in Heaven!<br />There is a decided attraction to learn yet another facet of Amish life and Beverly Lewis is sure to pen a lesson or two about faith and living amongst the Amish community (and Englisher!).<br />Inviting plots, attractive characters (and sub characters!) and the chance of reflecting on hopes and aspirations will delight as always.<br />Her warm heart stories are always amazing! They also make a perfect gift for anyone, young or old, on your list this Holiday Season!<br /><br />Second novel in the Hickory Hollow series, 'The Bridesmaid' tells us of a Pennsylvania alt Maidel who unbeknown to her family and community loves to write make believe stories. Joanna's attraction to Eben Troyer is warmly reciprocated but there is a glitch in their burgeoning courtship: Eben is needed on the family farm in Indiana whilst Joanna has vowed to remain part of her congregation leaving them with no choice but to part ways.<br /><br />With a lot of faith and a little help from an almost forgotten letter written by her namesake, Joanna finds that God listens and there are many blessings in her future after all.<br /><br />5 Stars as I found this story truly a joy!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1354320207000, "title": "Joanna and Eben's story enticed any yearning for dreaming!" }, { "asin": "0857212494", "rating": 5, "text": "Action packed 'Resurrect' is probably the finest Christian Science Fiction book I have read so far with David E. Stevens using his extensive military background to draw you in the suspense and leaving you wanting for more! (And for once, the cover in right on...<br /><br />Following his jet fighter crash Commander Josh Logan wakes up one year later with no knowledge of the previous year's events. Josh is no Christian but his subs conscience reveals a voice with a powerful message and what follows this entity's revelation is an amazing study of human emotions, love, compassion and determination to do the impossible.<br />You might be tempted to call it a cliff hanger as David E. Stevens' first novel is hard to put down!<br /><br />To engage the reader Stevens uses just the perfect blend of interesting personalities, intricate interactions and lively dialogues.<br />Book 1 in the Resurrect Trilogy is a novel you should not rush however allowing for the discovery of each event leading to its ultimate climax including a bit of romance. Enter Nurse Elizabeth who attends Josh during his recovery and becomes part of a team of scientists and military specialists with a sole mission, that of saving the world at any cost.<br />Who would think of a nurse with the ability of breaking into sophisticated computer systems?<br />There! Just enough information for lady readers to know there is a perfect balance in this plot allowing for interest by both sex!<br /><br />A great thriller for anyone on your Christmas list!<br /><br />5 Stars for gripping plot and technical skills!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1354634880000, "title": "A great thriller for anyone on your Christmas list!" }, { "asin": "0800719891", "rating": 5, "text": "M. K. Lapp is one of these vivid characters you find yourself hoping the author will continue to write about. She won readers' hearts in the first two books of Stoney Ridge Seasons with her mischievous ways, a delightful Amish sort of 'Anne of Green Gables', that's with an 'E' at the end of course!<br /><br />As a child you never knew what M. K. would come up with as she often act before she thought! I always felt Suzanne Woods Fisher found the perfect way to balance the lively ways of M. K. with her step Mum's Fern no nonsense approach to life, again not unlike Colleen Hurst I imagine!<br /><br />It was not surprising to discover Mary Kay Lapp, M. K. as we know her, is a favourite of Suzanne's readers. To find her grown up and yearning for adventure seemed to be just right on track and I am so glad Suzanne satisfied our curiosity! M. K. brought us such merriment with her impish ways!<br /><br />Imagine an Amish filing for a passport...Suzanne Woods Fisher has just the knack to surprise everyone! And this Amish now a bonafida bee keeper, loves to ride her little red scooter...literally running into people...first the school marm then in the mysterious Chris Yoder...When a local sheep farmer is found dead in a nearby field, M. K.'s imagination works by leaps and bounds.<br /><br />God works in mysterious ways it is said...Never more so than in M. K.'s life as we see in 'The Lesson'.<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher weaves a sweet story around the Lapp family and brings closure to some of the events we have uncovered in her other books in the series as well. I always find intriguing the entrenchment of English life into the Amish community and this author does it well.<br />And speaking of lessons, there is always something for us to learn, even the spirited new school marm...as you will see!<br /><br />Will M. K. find peace in her new direction and a touch of romance perhaps? Find out for yourself!<br /><br />5 stars for pure entertainment and looking forward to see what an older M. K. might bring us in the future!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358362470000, "title": "M. K. Lapp is one of these vivid characters you find yourself hoping the author will continue to write about." }, { "asin": "0800734602", "rating": 4, "text": "'Waiting For Spring' is Book 2 in the Westward Winds series and worth waiting for, no pun intended!<br />As we have learned to expect, Amanda Cabot brings us well researched history, warm romance, good solid faith whilst introducing yet another aspect of life challenges for a young widow in the 1800's Wyoming, that of caring for an handicapped child. She also balances her characters, main or sub characters, daily life routine, unexpected challenges and hardships thus giving us a great plot to enjoy. The heartfelt dedication of one mother who refuses to place her sight impaired toddler in an institution is guaranteed to reach out to anyone!<br /><br />'Summer of Promise' was the first chapter in Charlotte Harding Crowley's life, then living in Fort Laramie's Army outpost ( see review here) but I can attest this second book can easily be read on its own.<br />For those of us who have read however the first book, it is interesting to see where Amanda Cabot is taking her young protagonist, now a widow hiding in Cheyenne with her son from a past haunting her still.<br /><br />Charlotte has established a successful seamstress shoppe and is only too happy to find a helping hand in Rose, another young widow. Rose has a young daughter and can keep an eye on David and help in the shoppe as well.<br /><br />Whilst fitting a friend and customer Charlotte meets Barrett Landry a wealthy cattle baron who aspires to the world of politics, even becoming the next governor of Wyoming. It is soon apparent however neither one can deny their feelings for each other yet Barrett's successful future demands a wife and companion without a shady past and Charlotte is hiding from something or someone...<br /><br />Then again, perhaps politics is not a guarantee of Barrett's happiness..His cattle are facing a bitter winter and his heart is not in it.<br />Will each of the protagonists listen to his/her heart despite the rough road ahead?<br /><br />This is another historical romance you may recommend to any one, no matter the age! Amanda Cabot is certain to entertain any romantic soul or even the most skeptic of heart!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358546709000, "title": "'Waiting for Spring' was worth waiting for, no pun intended!" }, { "asin": "0800719867", "rating": 4, "text": "I anticipated this book for its subject, that of midwifing set in the 19th Century Appalachian mountains. 'Choices of the Heart' is book 3 in the Midwives series written by author Laurie Alice Eakes and a page turner for anyone interested in the past. She has proven herself an excellent researcher and never disappoints with her historical facts. There is still something intriguing in the profession of midwives and whilst having met with controversy often in the past, there is no doubt there is to date much of a demand for such skills.<br /><br />Laurie Alice Eakes' writing is full of life and there is no denying she brings to her readers a vivid image of the Appalachian people who moved to these mountains long ago, a large portion of them having crossed the Atlantic from the green hills of Ireland and the Highlands of Scotland. They brought with them little more than the clothes on their back and their amazing survival skills.<br />The richness of their music, folk tales, herbal doctoring and their legendary feuds still fascinates people to this day. This author found the ideal way to weave a good story amongst all these with 'Choices of the Heart'!<br /><br />Esther is the belle of Seabourne until a dreadful event occurs and she finds herself subject to shunning. Despite her family's heartfelt support, she seeks new beginnings and accepts a post as teacher to the youngest children of two families in the Mountains. Her task is to help them to fit in society befitting their newest financial status.<br />There however she meets two men, both attractive, yet her heart belongs to no one as her shame is a constant reminder of her past. Esther believes God has forsaken her and shies away from any physical contact with her admirers.<br /><br />For all that I was fascinated by the author's descriptions of this beautiful land and its inhabitants, their folklore and skills, the many period details, I was not so enamoured of her main protagonist. I felt something missing in this bittersweet story, too many characters however colourful and not enough consistency in the overall story line. At the end, I still had questions, to be answered in yet another chapter of the 'Midwives series', this one about a doctor perhaps?<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358634910000, "title": "Always well researched!" }, { "asin": "0800721330", "rating": 5, "text": "'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' series started with a resounding success as seen in 'Life With Lily' (see review here) so I was not surprised to see 'A New Home For Lily', Book two, my own 5 stars rating shared by many readers!<br /><br />Betwixt Suzanne Woods Fisher and Mary Ann Kinsinger there is a perfect chemistry to bring the Amish genre a young appeal! Let's hope those two talented authors will continue to treat us!<br /><br />One look at the lovely six years old featured on their book covers is enough to tantalize us in discovering what else the smiling little girl has come up with since the first book!<br />Albeit geared to the 8 to 12 years old audience, Lily introduces readers of all ages to a whole new way to see the Amish community! Her spontaneity is so refreshing, I can think of nothing else than to suggest you pick up your own copy!<br /><br />Through Lily's eyes we see what happens to her family as they move to another state to be nearer their closest relatives.<br />Lily no longer has her own bedroom, her bed now tucked in a corner in the hallway. Her new house has a sad olive green hue, the barn sorely needs repairs, her school mates includes a bully and her new community has a completely different set of rules!<br />Lily has to get used to her new life and does not like it much.<br /><br />On the other end, there is so much to explore and have fun with, including Grand Pa's lumber mill with its big sawdust pile to play in!<br />Her Dad acquires four goats to add to Jenny, Mum's lovely Swiss cow, her new teacher is very nice and Lilly's new baby brother Paul is so cute...<br /><br />It is the countless little details the two authors have included in their stories which gives it additional appeal such as when poor Lily hits her thumb with a hammer and Mum dissolves aspirin in water for her to soak her sore finger to relieve the pain or when Mum must sew a whole new set of clothes for everyone in the family as the new community has different rules than the previous one.<br /><br />What better way to introduce youngsters to the Amish way of life (and share some quality family time)!<br /><br />'A New Home For Lily' is sure to delight everyone, young and old! Ladies, we are looking forward to the next story!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1360363970000, "title": "A New Home For Lily' is sure to delight everyone, young and old!" }, { "asin": "0800720733", "rating": 5, "text": "Combining a dynamic plot with spirited characters, Ann Shorey gives us a lasting historical novel in 'When The Heart Heals', guaranteed to be enjoyed by her loyal fans.<br />This latest installment in her series 'Sisters At Heart' provides her readers with the perfect blend of romance and mystery, woven across a troubled historical background, the lean and hungry years following the Civil War.<br /><br />Rosemary Saxon joins the practice of Dr. Elijah Stewart in Noble Springs, Missouri in early 1867. Two years have gone by since the end of the Civil war but there are still many wounds to be healed, not all physical. Despite her experience caring for soldiers or perhaps because of it, Rosemary is seen as an outsider in the community and times are already hard for any woman alone.<br />Rosemary finds joy in nursing and despite his earlier misgivings about her skills in herbal lore, Dr. Stewart soon learns to rely on her. In turn, she remembers well the younger doctor who deeply cared about his patients in a time of grievous conflict.<br /><br />These days, Rosemary's sole family in town, consists of her brother Curt and his wife Fay, her constant companion her faithful dog Bodie. When others needs her help, she finds herself at a crossroad and choices must be made.<br />As a result Rosemary fears she might lose something very precious just as she found a measure of happiness. However she is not the only one with concealed secrets and when she becomes the object of threats, Rosemary must learn to trust again and ask for help.<br /><br />A beautiful story reflecting God's love and forgiveness for all, Ann Storey's second book in the series follows 'Where Wildflowers Bloom' (see review HERE), but can be read as a stand alone.<br />I now join her many fans in asking when will the next installment be published ?!<br /><br />Suitable for any age, 'When The Heart Heals' is worth 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1361319622000, "title": "Combining a dynamic plot with spirited characters here is another novel by Ann Shorey!" }, { "asin": "0800795547", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on the synopsis alone, I believe you will agree with me the title was well chosen: 'Outrageous Courage: What God Can Do with Raw Obedience & Radical Faith!<br />Kris and Jason Vallotton (Father and Son) write a dramatic story about a real life follower of Christ, following a compelling introduction of Kris' first meeting with Tracy Evans almost thirty years ago.<br /><br />A Christian Medical missionary Tracy Evans is indeed a remarkable person if you consider her exodus through 64 countries, from the tough streets of L.A. to North California's mountainous area, the Philippines, Kiribati and finally the Mozambique bush (see website @ iReachAfrica!) and always making a difference.<br /><br />But as remarkable as Tracy's story is, I cannot agree with the authors' suggestion we can become just like her 'with a little courage and belief'.<br />Just a reminder of course: Paul the Apostle teaches (1 Corinthians Chapter 12:8-10) not all of us display the same selfless abilities, and regardless of our courage and beliefs, not all of us can be as passionate as Tracy Evans in our quest to make a difference in the world!<br /><br />Never the less, this missionary's inspiring deeds are described in such a heartfelt way you know immediately this is a courageous person who systematically walks in Christ's footsteps no matter the hazards.<br />Kris and Jason Vallotton shows through this account Evans' work and how her unwavering faith has touched many and relieved suffering and poverty, always in His name.<br /><br />Understandingly at times sad but always hopeful, this real life account is perhaps not for everyone but worth at least 4 stars.<br /><br />Note to readers: Additional information on the Ministries of IReachAfrica can be found (HERE)<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1362695988000, "title": "Tracy Evans' compassionated deeds throughout the world." }, { "asin": "080072089X", "rating": 3, "text": "In 'Moonlight Masquerade' Lady Celine Wexham, leading member of London's Bon Ton and a widowed Countess of French origin, lives the life of most emigres in early 1800's. She holds intimate meetings in her boudoir and gives dinner parties and balls gathering any information she might be able to pass on to French Royalists to reinstate the rightful throne.<br />It is 1813 and Napoleon, facing a massive defeat in the harsh winter of Russia, orders a retreat of the Imperial army after losing thousands of French soldiers on the battlefield.<br />The Comte de Provence, brother to the late beheaded King Louis XVI is not the ideal choice for the Royal throne but better him than the self proclaimed Emperor.<br />Lady Celine, Valentine, her supercilious Abigail (slang aside, only an older servant would be allowed such an acerbic attitude) and Gaspard, her French Cook are part of a spy ring.<br />Rees, the object of Celine's interest is none other than her own Butler. An ambitious young man and a devoted Christian, recently pulled from an obscure department of the Home Office in part due to his linguistic talents, Rees' task is to spy on his mistress with the express purpose of implicating her in the conspiracy if such exists and report to his superior.<br /><br />Danger lurks and he soon finds himself battling his loyalties as Celine 'with her 'brandy hue irises' eyes touches his heart...Does anyone else remember Barbara Cartland's novels?<br />None of the characters are likely to provide much entertainment in this slow historical romance but if light, fluffy and harmless is your preferred choice, you will enjoy Moonlight Masquerade!<br />The portrayal of the Masquerade ball held at the Comte de Provence exiled court even defied my imagination with its lackluster details and the overall impression was soporific!<br /><br />Finally, I saw little of the 'witty, fast paced dialogue or infectious intrigue' mentioned in the synopsis and if this novel was in fact a music sheet, it would read as humming...It droned on and on... The few historical notes such as the mention of William Wilberforce as dinner guest at one of her lavish parties, or Voltaire's quotes, a man of note in himself, brings no relief to this plot.<br />I hardly think it necessary to dust my shelves for this novel!<br /><br />Regretfully, 3 (generous) stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1362863452000, "title": "If light, fluffy and harmless is your preferred choice, you will enjoy Moonlight Masquerade!" }, { "asin": "0800795520", "rating": 5, "text": "'Learning to Love' reflects a true love story, one that you will identify immediately with Jesus' love as shown in His earthly ministry! Make no mistake, Heidi and Rolland Baker are two exceptional people: nothing and I mean nothing will stop them from doing God's work, not even opposition from the world's evil side!<br /><br />As both husband and wife relate heartfelt stories, some humourous, some sad, each one compelling you to see God's work through them, you will feel their amazing love for their fellowmen.<br />Healing and faith pours out of them as they continually rescue babies, reach out in His name to help heal the blind, the deaf, and even hear the dumb speak.<br /><br />Co-founders of Iris Ministries, this incredible duo brings hope and care to thousands all over Mozambique, providing daily care for no less than 10,000 children. Their extended network includes over 10,000 churches, Bible schools, primary schools and remote outreach programs.<br />What a joy for them that many converts become ministers, lay preachers and teachers working all over the world!<br /><br />Their message:<br /><br />LOVE IS food and comfort to a ten year old amputee, abandoned on the side of the road.<br /><br />LOVE IS a new roof for an elderly widow installed before the rainy season.<br /><br />LOVE IS sharing hope with the homeless man on your street corner.<br /><br />'God is not just moving in distant lands and if you are willing, He will do amazing things through your love when you stop for the one in front of you, it is that simple!'<br /><br />A book to experience and reach out in HIS name to those who need YOU!<br /><br />5 Stars for its message, none better presented than today, the first of this Holy week!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS & CHOSEN BOOKS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1364252537000, "title": "This incredible duo brings hope and care to thousands all over Mozambique!" }, { "asin": "0764206192", "rating": 4, "text": "My first novel by Tracie Peterson was Book #3 in the 'Land of the Lone Star' series entitled 'Taming the Wind' (see review HERE), a good Western in itself and proof yet again this well published author has always something new up her sleeve!<br />Easy to read, entertaining and with just enough historical facts to give even this quickly bored reader something to ponder about, her novels reflect a wholesomeness and faith readers of any age will enjoy.<br /><br />The Icecutter's Daughter's jacket alone was eye catching: I love raised lettering and the image and colours were a strong pull in my choice for reading it, in fact as much as the resume (I know, I know, you should never judge a book by its cover but the series' name alone 'Land of Shining Water' was striking!).<br /><br />Icecutting was a vast industry in the US before machinery overtook this skilled art and I was curious to see what Tracie might have dug out when she wrote her historical fiction about two young people, destined to be together yet separated by lies and scandal.<br /><br />Merrill has always seen to the needs of her large, mostly male family and her German ancestry is as much a part of her life as Rurik's Swedish roots are his. Tracie weaves a convincing tale about their budding love amidst Nordic traditions and deep faith, wrongs to be righted and duties to their families.<br /><br />As always you may depend on this author's for the myriad of details which makes this tale a sweet read on these cold and rainy Spring evenings this Pacific NW coastline is known for!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS & CHOSEN BOOKS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1365702853000, "title": "Just the name of the series 'Land of Shining Water' was eye catching!" }, { "asin": "0824932463", "rating": 4, "text": "Sunflower Summer and Seaside Harmony, both novels part of the 'Postcards from Misty Harbor series', are drawn against the alluring scenery of quintessential Nantucket island. There we meet three sisters who purchase a dilapidated Victorian home with visions of restoring it to its original glory. The historical inn named the Misty Harbor Inn, soon opens its doors to guests as a B & B, a long time dream of their Mum now deceased.<br />Childhood memories emerge, hopes and dreams identifieds whilst the three sisters plunge into the renovation of the old place with all their heart.<br /><br />In their sixties, Caroline, Gracie and Sam bring each their own brand of talents to this endearing work of love and it is interesting to discover the three sisters individual personas as well as their perception of each other as they slowly bond again.<br /><br />Let's face it, we have all dreamed of owning such a place and arrange it lovingly whilst welcoming guests, have we not? Think of the fun of meeting people coming and going in your own inn?!<br />There is however a lot more to it than we might imagine and Evangeline Kelley (actually the pen name for 4 different authors) describes the bittersweet ups and downs of owning a piece of history, complete with mysteries, including a disappearance in the 1800's!<br /><br />With just the right amount of details to pique our interest the renovation comes to life and answers are found if sought. As we are often reminded, the good Lord has something in store for each of us and the sisters are discovering their true self in these adventures.<br /><br />Complete with interesting sub characters, a touch of sweet romance, a wonderful ol' Packard to transport guests and a delightful if mischievous Cocker Spagniel named Max, both easy to read novels are the perfect relaxing novels to tuck in your beach bag!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />Note to Readers: A confession must be made...This reader felt drawn immediately to Sunflower Summer's story and I would like to recommend you read the novels in order, with Seaside Harmony first!<br /><br />I received these books from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1367440928000, "title": "Relaxing novels set against quintessential Nantucket island!" }, { "asin": "1451692374", "rating": 5, "text": "Most readers will agree, some books just stand out and this one is definitively ranking in the top ten of my list of most entertaining. A keeper and one I would suggest to anyone looking for a gift!<br />Deanne's vivavious description of a sweet romance amidst the 1893's World Fair was the perfect enticement for some 'me' time. I was totally immersed in her descriptive of this period and credit the story of Della and Cullen with a few dreams of my own. Well done!<br /><br />A perfect combination of historical facts and fiction, It Happened At The Fair reflects the wealth of love and care this author puts in her writing. It also brings to readers a marvelous fountain of information and even photos of this world event!<br />Whilst she has taken a few liberties, all clearly acknowledge in the afterword, the author was undoubtdedly as stimulated by the fair as I was when I first heard of it. As a cultural and social event, the world fair of 1893 was a tremendous influence on the 20th Century and a complete success. With 6.8 millions visitors in attendance, the exposition located on the shores of Lake Michigan provided a template for other events and changed America forever with its astonishing legacy. Nothing ever compared to it as it gave new perspectives for the world of commerce and technology.<br /><br />Della and Cullen's story blends in this grandiose background yet gives an opportunity for readers to feel their touching romance. Obviously a true romantic at heart, Deanne describes Della's position as a teacher working with the Deaf at a time when too often a deaf person was ostrasized for signing. Cullen in turn is the young farmer turned inventor who is struggling with a hearing loss.<br /><br />Deanne Gist proved to be a superb historical fiction writer which coupled with her discernebly romantical temperament, gives readers a captivating love story you will not want to miss!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />I received this book from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1368144831000, "title": "Deanne's vivavious description of a sweet romance amidst the 1893's World Fair was the perfect enticement for some 'me' time." }, { "asin": "0764209795", "rating": 5, "text": "Leave it to the matriarch of the Amish genre to come up with yet another gem! Since she first began to entertain us with stories of this cloistered community, Beverly Lewis has repeatedly captivated fans and acquired many new readers with her insight into this mysterious world few of us has seen and understand.<br /><br />In 'Home To Hickory Hollow', Book # 3 'The Guardian' we discover a strong willed little Amish girl named Sarah and Jodi, the troubled young woman who finds the little darling when she tumbles out of her Mum's buggy and gets lost.<br /><br />Beverly Lewis systematically introduces us to many facets of the Old Order Amish community we know little or next to nothing such as intermarriages and deriving genetic disorders or their reluctance to involve the authorities even in the case of a missing child.<br />I was surprised at the 'no pets allowed in a household' preference but cannot but marvel at their strong sense of community and survival in an ever encroaching English world.<br />The concept of an outsider being not only accepted in such a tight community as a close friend but also hired to teach their children even on a temporary basis was definitively unexpected.<br /><br />Always at her best when she describes the ties that draw people together no matter their origins, Beverly Lewis approaches the subject of pain and loneliness which occurs after losing loved ones.<br />For Maryanna Esh, Joshua Peachey and Jodi Winfield, there is a lesson to be learned as long as they have faith!<br /><br />\"The soul yearns for tranquility but the only real peace comes from communing with God.\"<br /><br />Returning readers will enjoy meeting old friends such as Ella Mae the Wise Woman and her down to earth approach to life but never fear this 'Home To Hickory Hollow' story stands on its own!<br /><br />5 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1369505389000, "title": "Always at her best when she describes the ties that draw people together!" }, { "asin": "0764209663", "rating": 5, "text": "Karen Witemeyer packs a whole lot of punch in this fun Christian novel and brings readers a story guaranteed to make you dream about the Old West!<br />The very idea of a father going to such lenghs to please his daughter was genial! 'Stealing the Preacher is everything the synopsis promised and more!<br /><br />Karen Witemeyer's style is vivacious and the perfect antidote to hum drum evenings (Forget the telly, move over John Wayne!). Her novels gives you the opportunity to grasp a keen appreciation for the Old West, luxuriate in a little romance, relish in humour riddled dialogue and encounter a whole lot of faith. Not bad for 352 pages!<br /><br />'Stealing the Preacher' starts on a humourous note with the kidnapping of unsuspecting Crockett Archer, en route to what he hopes will be his first appointment as a full time parson! Silas and his bunch of grey hair, long in the tooth outlaws forcibly removes him from the train and unceremoniously drops him at daughter's Joanna' feet as her birthday gift!<br /><br />From the onset 'Stealing the Preacher' is a series of wholesome fortuity and a celebration of faith! Joanna and Crockett seemed destined to be together of course. That is if Joanna's father will set aside his differences with the Lord and allow true love to progress. Silas has been a honest rancher for the last 16 years but his past might just come back to haunt him.<br /><br />Sweet Joanna is everything Crockett needs at this time as a partner in his life as he breathes life in his new found congregation. Hired as a ranch hand, he hopes to earn Silas' approval and works harder than anyone. If he can bring Silas to the Lord, he might just be able to ask for Joanna's hand.<br /><br />A fast paced delightful novel to enjoy with your whole heart and soul! Kate Witemeyer is going on my list of favourite authors!<br /><br />I received this book from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1371328423000, "title": "'Stealing the Preacher is everything the synopsis promised and more!" }, { "asin": "0764209566", "rating": 4, "text": "'Love in Disguise' was my first novel by Carol Cox (see review HERE) and I looked forward to see what Carol had in store for her readers with 'Trouble in Store'.<br /><br />Clearly inspired by her beautiful surroundings - not unlike the one her protagonist finds upon her arrival out West - Carol Cox takes us this time from Marietta, Ohio Circa 1885 to Cedar Ridge, Arizona Territory. A mercantile store against this interesting backdrop becomes the setting of this new adventure!<br /><br />As is her custom, the author blends a good western with a little mystery rounded up with a bit of romance, just what most of us look for to discover in a Historical Fiction.<br /><br />Melanie Ross is nothing but determined to start afresh in Cedar Ridge as Caleb Nelson soon discovers both of them might very well be co-owners of the mercantile store he inherited from his Uncle.<br /><br />Caleb and his son Levi have only been four months in town but they are settling in and do not want to see the persistent young woman interfering in the running of the mercantile store. Melanie however is full of ideas to expend their inventory and create more sales.<br />When threats in the form of missives are discovered, Melanie first assumes Caleb is behind it all.<br /><br />In the meantime in an attempt to take things in hand, Caleb devises a plan to see Melanie married off, a sure way to not have her underfoot but the plan backfires when dozen of callers offers matrimony to the comely newcomer and she finds out who is behind it all.<br /><br />Entertaining if slightly predictable, 'Trouble in Store' has a lesson or two for us to uncover...including the danger in gossiping which in this case might endanger the lives of our characters! This is after all the West and bad news travels faster than a herd of spooked cattle!<br /><br />4 stars!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program and an Ebook version from BAKER PUBLISHING GROUP (through the Social Sharing Contest). I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1372111366000, "title": "As is her custom, the author blends a good western with a little mystery rounded up with a bit of romance!" }, { "asin": "1414349319", "rating": 5, "text": "Duty and Honour calls at any level and this latest Christian offering by TYNDALE PUBLISHERS is well worth a moment of your time!<br /><br />RENEGADE, Book 2 in the 'Called To Serve' series follows Pike Morgan, a maverick who has been in and out of trouble for many years. Growing up in the Foster Care system of course has not helped his rebellious side. When his best friend is killed by a gang, Pike agrees to testify and enters the Witness Protection program.<br />Now a Marine reservist called to active duty, Pike Morgan is sent to Afghanistan where his fighting skills proves him to be a survivor when a regular rescue mission turns grievously wrong and becomes the biggest challenge of his life.<br /><br />Mel Odom might have well written just another of those war novels if it was not for the fact he cleverly deals with duty and honour infused with a great amount of faith! There are some excellent Christian values in this plot particularly for single parent families, as we realize Pike's past haunts him and emotional ties scares him. No man is an island after all!<br /><br />Well worth reading, RENEGADE is packed with action most favoured by men but also the sort of 'feel good' times women relate to and as such, provides great material for family/group discussions.<br /><br />With over 140 books to his active in various genres, Mel Odom proves to be a versatile author certain to grab your attention and whilst this 2nd novel in the series starts rather slowly, the narration builds up steadily! The only negative might be that some of the (interesting) characters appeared to be left in limbo, material for a future novel perhaps?<br /><br />Finally, a word of caution: Understandably, the author could not escape the harsh realities of war so there is a certain amount of violence leading me to recommend this novel for mature readers only!<br /><br />5 Stars!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from TYNDALE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1372886624000, "title": "Mel Odom proves to be a versatile author certain to grab your attention!" }, { "asin": "0310730538", "rating": 5, "text": "An amazing recount of survival in horrendous conditions, Alone Yet Not Alone is an action packed book preteens and teens will appreciate for the dramatic events this courageous family encountered!<br />Life in 1755 was hardly easy for those living on the frontier bordering the mountains of Pennsylvania. For most, this represented however the only opportunity for freedom from indentured servitude or slow starvation in the old country.<br /><br />Based on true facts this tale recalls the story of a group of children captured by Indians and taken far into the wilderness to become members of their tribe.<br />But there is where this inspirational story truly begins! What sets Barbara and Regina apart are their unwavering faith in God and their belief in each other.<br /><br />Separated, each girl is inducted in the Allegheny tribe and continuously look for ways to escape. When eventually the right time emerges, theirs become the stuff of legend as they made their escape with other captives!<br /><br />Pursued by their captors unrelentlessly, these children eventually found their way back to their families. This is their story, an extraordinary tale of survival filled with Christian values and biblical teaching!<br /><br />Author's Tracy Leininger Craven love for History is immediately apparent in this debut novel you will not want to miss!<br /><br />Note to Readers: Be sure to read the acknowledgements (and find out about Tracy's first draft of this story at age 9!) and check out the Discussion/questions!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from FLYBY PROMOTIONS as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1377797046000, "title": "Their survival become the stuff of legend!" }, { "asin": "1433680459", "rating": 5, "text": "By far one of the most meaningful children stories I have read in a long time, AUDREY BUNNY reminded me immediately of another time, another little girl and her own bunny...This review is for us Dearest...<br /><br />Lovingly illustrated by talented Breezy Brookshire this story reminds us that whilst we might have some imperfections, we are all children of God and loved!<br /><br />AUDREY BUNNY will capture each child's imagination (Warning: as a direct result, parents might find themselves buying a soon to be much loved stuffed friend!) as we see that Caroline knew exactly what she wanted when stepping in the toy shoppe!<br />Loved at first sight, AUDREY BUNNY is so happy to be adopted by Caroline but very much afraid her own imperfection once discovered means she will be rejected.<br /><br />My favourite moment:<br />'Bunny peeked over the animals in the barrel. It was her! It was the same little girl from a few days ago. She straightened her ears as high as they would go and squeezed her eyes shut as the little girl walked in her direction. She was too nervous to look. Could today be the day she got picked?'<br /><br />Author Angie Smith finds just the right words to reassure little ones (and big ones) that we are special in our own way!<br /><br />An amazing work of love, geared for 4 to 8 years old, it is a story you will treasure and hopefully share with all your loved ones! This one Folks is meant to be on a special shelf to be read over and over!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />Note to Readers: Great news! Audrey Bunny is now #1 in Christian Children's Books at Amazon.com!<br /><br />I received a copy of this title from FLYBY PROMOTIONS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1383064676000, "title": "A story sure to be treasured for years to come!" }, { "asin": "0824956478", "rating": 5, "text": "Beautifully illustrated by talented Christine Kornacki (Remember The First Christmas Night?) The Sparkle Box is a marvelous story to teach little ones (and old ones) the true meaning of Christmas!<br /><br />In this heartfelt message storyteller Jill Hardie brings us a delightful story sure to become a tradition in this upcoming Holiday Season.<br /><br />Beginning with the message: &#34;You are the light of the world -- Make it sparkle!&#34;, this book includes a pop up sparkle box for young readers to fill in with little slips of papers highlighting their 'gifts' as they share with others in His name!<br /><br />The unfolding story focuses on random acts of kindness, what we can give instead of what we receive thus allowing even the smallest child of understanding the joy involved in helping others.<br /><br />Be ready though for a lot of questions arising from the story such as being homeless and hungry. Each unique illustration and the accompanying wording will bring a new subject to discuss with your family!<br /><br />A book to treasure and rediscover year after year!<br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />Note to Readers:<br /><br />This review was not requested and reflects my opinion only!", "timestamp": 1385855900000, "title": "The Sparkle Box is a marvelous story to teach little ones (and old ones) the true meaning of Christmas!" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764208659", "rating": 5, "text": "City On Our Knees written by TobyMac is one of these books I guarantee will make you think!<br /><br />Because of my limited (financial) resources I find myself not always able to help out others as much as I would love to. Like all of us, I need sometime to be shown the light!<br /><br />In his book, TobyMac reminds us about those many people across the world who do not just give financially but also time, talents, love and compassion, even experiences, all that God in His infinite wisdom has bestowed upon us.<br /><br />There is no doubt TobyMac's lyrics are uplifting so using his music, biblical passage and quotes of Christians past and present, he shows us how to meet the needs of those around us. In fact he uses incredible examples of how people serve God everywhere and how even the youngest amongst us can do His mighty work!<br /><br />City on our knees is an inspiring tome well written and warmly documented. Anytime you believe you are not doing enough for His Kingdom you will find within its pages just enough fuel to light up your fires and do God's work. I was glad of the opportunity to read this book and my family and I rated it 4 1/2 stars!<br /><br />If you gotta start somewhere why not here<br />If you gotta start sometime why not now<br />If we gotta start somewhere I say here<br />If we gotta start sometime I say now<br /><br />(From City On Our Knees lyrics by TobyMac)<br /><br />Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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.\"", "timestamp": 1287021327000, "title": "Inspiring and well written!" }, { "asin": "078523120X", "rating": 5, "text": "When Booksneeze offered the possibility to review this latest book of Andy Andrews I immediately acccepted.<br />I very much enjoyed The Heart mender which I also reviewed here.<br />The 11th of April (posting schedule) came and went and I will first tell you, this is one book not to be rushed.<br />Andy Andrews has this particular knack for involving the reader body and soul in his books!<br />The Final Summit was a hard one to put down and I was not disappointed: I very much enjoyed reading it!<br /><br />\"Many years have passed since David Ponder discovered the Seven Decisions during a divine journey through time. Now 74 years old, Ponder has lost the one thing that mattered to him most--his wife, Ellen. Despite his personal and professional success, he now sits alone at the top of his 55-story high-rise contemplating the unthinkable, just as he did 28 years ago.<br /><br />However, just as things are looking their darkest, Ponder is informed through divine channels that he is needed now more than ever. This is mankind's last chance. Millennia of avarice, pride, and hate have sent humanity hurtling toward inevitable disaster, and far from its original purpose. There is only one solution that can reset the compass and right the ship--and it is only two words. Ponder, along with a cast of famous historical figures, must work quickly to discover this solution. The fate of the world rests on their shoulders.\"<br /><br />This is a book I recommend you read slowly and ponder upon. Andy Andrews's faith and knowledge of History, his very definition of human tendency's to ignore certain signs and rewrite this history to make it easier to understand will make you think again upon what you thought you knew about our world!<br />\"What does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization?\"<br /><br />Here is the question: When Time is running out and you must decide what to do when you do not know what to do... Which of the Seven Decisions would you think the most important? (no hinting, you must read it and discovered for yourself!)<br /><br />But I will tell you however my favourite...From Union Colonel Joshua Chamberlain who hastily wrote the words, \"I am a person of action\" on a scrap of paper.<br />Clearly, this is a book you must \"experience\" and Andy Andrews has woven a well written story that will leave you indeed pondering. Each chapter will inspire you to involve yourself and add your name to the \"personal declaration\"!<br />Time travelling in itself is of course always enticing and meeting other travellers whom might find a way to change the world...Oh the Dreams...<br /><br />Finally I will recommend heartily the Author's notes and the reader's guide to help you of course to discover even more about other Travellers...Who knew?<br /><br />I give this one 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br /><br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1303409632000, "title": "So many questions...and the Dreams..." }, { "asin": "082543310X", "rating": 5, "text": "Publisher's description:<br /><br />Fifteen-year-old Julien Losier just wants to fit in. But after his family moves to a small village in central France in hopes of outrunning the Nazis, he is suddenly faced with bigger challenges than the taunting of local teens.<br />Nina Krenkel left her country to obey her father's dying command: Take your brother and leave Austria. Burn your papers. Tell no one you are Jews. Alone and on the run, she arrives in Tanieux, France, dangerously ill and in despair.<br />Thrown together by the chaos of war, Julien begins to feel the terrible weight of the looming conflict and Nina fights to survive. As France falls to the Nazis, Julien struggles with doing what is right, even if it is not enough-and wonders whether or not he really can save Nina from almost certain death.<br />Based on the true story of the town of Le Chambon-the only French town honored by Israel for rescuing Jews from the Holocaust-How Huge the Night is a compelling, coming-of-age drama that will keep teens turning the pages as it teaches them about a fascinating period of history and inspires them to think more deeply about their everyday choices.<br /><br />And now for my review:<br /><br />Since this book is based on actual events, I was compelled to read it as soon as I received the opportunity to review it. Three nights later I closed the book and held my hand upon its cover. There is something that draws you to certain subjects for one reason or another...This one is particularly close to my heart and I am thankful to Heather and Lydia Munn for writing such a heartwarming book.<br /><br />For many in Europe there is an undeniable hauntingness about the occupation. Much is still hush hushed about the ensuing period's deeds and thoughts. We see the invasion of countries most often through the eyes of adults. Through their stories we feel the loss of freedom and honour, we experience a hint of their helpleness as we learn of rationing and depravation, sometime imprisoning or disapearance...We remember the stories about the Resistance and whispers of good and bad deeds...<br /><br />Seen throught the eyes of this small French village and their youth we are shown a different aspect of war, one which involves not just the adults but its young people as well. This is a time of conflict and choices have to be made.Theirs is a story of survival!<br />There is no right or wrong, good or bad when your life is on the line. Hope is all your have, the determination to live another day and ultimately to obtain once again your freedom! None are safe, danger surrounds and decisions must be made. Your only comfort, God is listening! Or is He?<br /><br />Wonderfully researched, beautifully written, this is a story that will take your breath away. Honest, compelling, How Huge The Night is a book which you soon realize does not shy from the true aspects of occupation.<br />I found myself remembering an other time, harsh decisions and I will admit to having been near tears! War time occupation was nothing short of a difficult time to grow up!<br />Albeit geared to the younger generation I am told, I find this is a timeless story and I see no reason not to recommend to adults as well.<br />A perfect 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Litfuse as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1306102239000, "title": "Honour, Freedom, Survival are not just for adults!" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 4, "text": "Since this weekend was quiet enough to let me relax (after a week of feeling somewhat frazzled) I picked up \"Spring for Suzannah\" to enjoy along with a nice cuppa!<br />I was looking for something light to read but with a good solid plot, the kind of novel you immerse yourself into.<br /><br />This is a debut for Catherine Richmond but a few pages in the book I knew \"Spring for Suzannah\" would be a throughfully enjoyable read and I was not disappointed.<br />I think we all agree we like to read about these incredible frontier women who braved the wilderness, tamed the Wild West, raised families, often burying some of their loved ones, faced starvation, wildlife threats, and built a life for themselves along their mates.<br />Let's not forget their contributions in building schools, churches and developing entire towns whilst uphelding God's word!<br /><br />The setting for Catherine Richmond novel (written with the help of a few chocolates along the way - my kind of gal!) is the Dakota Territory, a few years after the end of the Civil War.<br />Suzannah travels outwest to meet her new husband, Jesse. Theirs is a marriage by proxy, not unusual at that time. What is unusual is that she brings uncommon skills to her new way of life.<br />Her new home is a soddy, barely large enough to contain her husband and herself. Her companion is a dog, her only friend is Martha, a Norvegian just learning the English language and she lives miles away. The prairie is everywhere, there are many dangers such as wildland fires and the often weather changes! To survive is a daily challenge, being caught unprepared could mean death. There are no church, no school, no doctor and loneliness has a way to pervade everything!<br /><br />Jesse is a hard worker farmer but also a loving husband who has seen much horror during the War yet believes in God implicitly. His comfortable relationship with the Lord at times is even funny!<br />Shy Suzannah is insecure and lives in fear her new husband will send her back East but with patience Jesse reaches her heart and they soon see their union blessed.<br />When tragedy happens however, Suzannah must deal with the pain and here as always we are reminded God is always by our side. Suzannah matures in a real pioneer woman when she realizes God has a plan for her after all!<br /><br />Catherine Richmond describes her characters as living a full life, theirs is a romance that blooms in a lonely often harsh world. She does not shy from describing their intimacy, reminding us God made all things beautiful and His love is constant.<br />I cannot say honestly I would recommend this as a read for young girls but again, this Christian novel was written with much care and faith and a more mature audience will truly enjoy following Jesse and Suzannah's story.<br />The author's careful details gives us yet again, a little window on these pioneers women who made a New World thus providing us with a bit of history, along with an afternoon of true relaxation.<br />Just what I was looking for!<br />Many thanks Catherine Richmond and I hope you will soon pen another story for us.<br /><br />I give this book 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Litfuse as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1308065127000, "title": "Great debut!" }, { "asin": "1595548246", "rating": 4, "text": "The Amish world described by Beth Wiseman is like an opened window on a world which Englishers such as ourselves find fascinating!<br />Seek me with all your heart is also the first book I read by Beth Wiseman and I found myself drawn to the story within a few pages.<br />Beautifully written, with an engaging plot developing steadily along the pages, this is a much more accurate insight on Amish life than anything else I might have read in the past! The author does not shy from describing hardships found even amongst the Amish. Yes life can be a struggle but Faith can work wonders!<br /><br />Her realistic characters are guaranteed to surprise you even at times! You will find yourself laughing also at references to the Englisher life whilst learning more about a world few know truly well and often misunderstood.<br />It is a particular skill of a good author to lead any reader on a path of discovery and Beth Wiseman reminds us that Faith will sustain us through ups and downs as long as we let God in our heart!<br /><br />Like those beautiful Amish patchwork quilts made of intricate and carefully stiched pieces life can become whole and rewarding if we trust in Him! Beth Wiseman's characters and their plies are carefully chosen to let you know He is always near if we just listen!<br />Seek me with all your heart is the first book in the series Land of Canaan and is certain to be a throughly enjoyable read for anyone who delights in learning more about Amish life.<br /><br />To learn more about Beth Wiseman's books please visit her website here<br /><br />I gave this book a heatwarming 4 stars!<br /><br />Just a quick reminder: I was not asked to review this book and all opinions are entirely my own!", "timestamp": 1308765825000, "title": "A realistic view of the Amish Community!" }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 5, "text": "In 'A Distant Melody' we met Walt, the first of the three Novak brothers, a B17 pilot with the US Eight Air Force (read review here) and in 'A Memory Between Us', the author introduced us to dashing brother Jack, also a pilot stationed in England (see review here). Each of the Novak brothers' characters brought to mind the very best of the many American (and British) pilots who flew countless dangerous missions over enemy territory to bring about peace during the WW2 years! Most of these brave men were barely in their twenties and many gave their life for God and Country!<br /><br />Ray Novak's courage and faith is not to be doubt for a moment. His job is to train B17 pilots stateside and unlike his brothers, all he ever wanted was to follow his father's footsteps and preach.<br /><br />Sarah Sundin's superb description of this quiet man's trials as well as the human frailty displayed by the woman he loves is what makes this historical novel certainly hard to put down but in the end, it is a story about faith and the courage to go on during incredible times of conflict!<br /><br />If Ray's decision to join a combat unit overseas is somehow expected it is however the description of his survival behind enemy lines that will touch you in more ways than one! It is in the little details Sarah Sundin shares with readers that you find yourself pulling for the heroes (and holding your breath literally!)<br /><br />This beautiful love story is about Ray and Helen, both survivors, each reaching out to God for the courage to face their demons. Ultimately, it is the story of people torn apart by circumstances who in the course of their duties, both overseas and on the home front, reminds us that with God at our side, anything is possible!<br />'Blue Skies Tomorrow' is the perfect ending for the 'Wings of Glory' series!<br /><br />This is nothing less than 5 stars material!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1314710699000, "title": "The perfect ending to the 'Wings of Glory' series!" }, { "asin": "1595547851", "rating": 3, "text": "Fairer than Morning is a fictional novel set in the 1820's and inspired by a well known family in the history of Westerville Ohio, the Hanbys.<br />Since I am familiar with this family's connection to the famous Otterbein College, I thought it to be an interesting subject and looked forward to discover this new writer.<br />In this first novel Rosslyn Elliott introduces us to the Saddler's legacy series and describes the humble beginnings of William Hanby, mainly his years in indentured service.<br />William Hanby and Ann Miller were real people who fell in love, married and had 8 children of whom composer Ben Hanby (Darling Nelly Gray) is probably the best known. The family was very active in the Underground Railway and harboured runaways both in Rushville and Westerville.<br /><br />Rosslyn Elliott has introduced some well known (at least in the Midwest) historical facts in this work of fiction and it is interesting to note her clear description of the runaways slaves is perhaps the highlight of this novel. Somehow the two main characters are a bit lost in her description, and I would be remiss if I did not point out that I found the whole story to be fragmented.<br /><br />Whilst we do not have as much information as we wish on William and Ann, their combined and formidable convictions regarding anti slaveryand their faith in particular are not enough reflected in this novel. The description of Ohio and Pensylvania in the 19th Century also could use a bit more elaboration. Historical societies in both states offer much more information than it is reflected here.<br />Finally the added characters brings little support to the whole story and I found it lacking in historical interest.<br />In such, I found the book to lack the vitality of the well known Ohio river life and the sentiments of stepping into history with the characters was just missing. Certain subjects also do not make this Christian material for younger ladies yet I would have labelled this novel to be for younger adults.<br /><br />I give this one 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1315509697000, "title": "Not everything I thought it would be!" }, { "asin": "0800719956", "rating": 5, "text": "I think there is nothing like Christmas and the incredible feeling it brings to all who believe in the birth of the Child Christ!<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher is the kind of writer whom readers know they can expect an excellent plot deftly written, a message of hope and a great deal of Amish wisdom along a good dose of humour!<br />One look at the cover (yes, I know you should not judge a book by its cover alone) and the author's name and I knew I would enjoy it. There is something wholesome about Suzanne Woods Fisher's stories and her acute knowledge of the Amish society always attracts!<br /><br />In 'A Lancaster County Christmas', we find both Englisher and Amish families sharing a few days during the Christmas season due to unexpected circumstances and I will readily admit it put me in the Christmas spirit immediately.<br />It is the true gift of a good author to be able to make any reader see the plain life of Amish families, feel the snow flakes on his/her face, the warmth of a love shared by people who truly care about each other, the anxiety experienced by someone who is once again disappointed by events they cannot control and most important the steadfastness of God's love for all!<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher is such an author!<br /><br />Even better in 'A Lancaster County Christmas' we learn about SAR (Search and Rescue) and the efficiency of a search well planned by equally well trained volunteers.<br />Life sometimes does follow some unexpected turns and it is up to us to learn to lean on our faith to find the strengh to go on. Christmas is a wonderful gift, a season of love, hope and joy! 'A Lancaster County Christmas' brings you all these feelings!<br /><br />I recommend picking up a copy of 'A Lancaster County Christmas' and let the spirit of the season surround you! In fact, pick up an additional copy for a loved one or a friend, a perfect gift to share with them!<br />P.S. I couldn't but laugh at the suggestion of Mr. September! Suzanne Woods Fisher feels like a friend and I guarantee you will enjoy this latest book!<br />How could I give anything but 5 stars for a book that had me laughing and crying?!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE PUBLICITY GROUP as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1316191766000, "title": "It will put you in the Christmas spirit!" }, { "asin": "1414335830", "rating": 5, "text": "This latest novel in the Precinct 11 series starts off slowly but you soon find the plot gripping and it is a hard one to put down. In true Jerry B. Jenkins fashion, 'The Betrayal' is a story with rapid fire action but as always reflecting many family values and this is why I like to read his books!<br /><br />Things are not looking good for Boone Drake. The injury he received whilst protecting former street gang boss Pascual Candelario, now turned good guy, will probably earn him early retirement but it is the last thing he wants right now. There is an informer amongst the Police department and it makes Boone all the more determined to remain on active duty. The more so since it jeopardizes his attempt to get Candelario to a secure location!<br /><br />Whilst CPD investigates this obvious leak, Boone's girlfriend becomes the prime suspect and it now it appears someone wants Boone out of the CPD for good.<br />Near exhaustion, Boone forces himself to find the source of this betrayal and the guilty party! His life and others depend on his survival skills!<br />Watch out for the climax!<br /><br />A Christian writer who never compromise his faith, Jenkins has a knack for appealing to all sorts of readers and in the end, you know good will triumph over evil!<br /><br />A perfect 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from TYNDALE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Adverting.", "timestamp": 1319215965000, "title": "Gripping!" }, { "asin": "0764209035", "rating": 5, "text": "A delightful historical novel and one of the best Christian fiction I have read in a while!<br />Anne Mateer's faith shines throughout this story and I am certain to be on the lookout for more of her work!<br /><br />'Wings of a dream' is reminiscent of Lucy Maud Montgomery, Catherine Marshall or Louisa May Alcott's style and you will feel a kindred spirit with the main character Rebekah Hendricks!<br /><br />WWI home front life in Texas with its shortages, the Spanish Lady (flu) epidemic as well as casualty reports are just one of the many descriptions you will find in Anne Mateer's novel!<br /><br />A true Christian story, this warmhearted tale of a nineteen year old faced with challenges few would not find daunting, 'Wings of a dream' is certain to delight readers! Not unlike a good recipe, this story has all the right ingredients but it is Anne Mateer's harmonious blend with the Great War's background that has you turning 'just one more page!'<br />A dreamer like many of us, Rebekah desires adventure and yet, faced with unexpected love she discovers God always leads the way! You will find yourself holding your breath towards the end I guarantee!<br /><br />I so enjoyed reading 'Wings of a dream' that I too had a hard time to put it down! Enjoy!<br /><br />I will gladly give it 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHING as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1320527918000, "title": "A kindred spirit!" }, { "asin": "076420498X", "rating": 5, "text": "'I was perfectly content with my life - that is, until the pages of my story were ripped out before I had a chance to live happily ever after.'<br />An excellent debut I felt as I was really looking for something relaxing to read and I have always believed in faery tales! This was just the right novel for a cold, blustery and rainy evening!<br />'Three days later, when Lillie was sure that Mack would live, she started planning his funeral.' is only the beginning of Chapter 8...I forgot the time and just kept on reading!<br /><br />Lynn Austin once again delivers an enticing story which is sure to have you alternate betwixt laughing bouts and tears!<br />There is something almost magical in Lynn Austin's writing and I have yet to read anything I did not like by this author so I will heartily recommend her novels.<br />Just short of spellbinding, each page of her Christian novels allows you to step in a different time frame and her characters beckons readers to immerse themselves in her stories.<br /><br />In her latest book we discover a little coal mining town in Kentucky during the Great Depression, a young librarian, a one hundred and one year old woman once a plantation slave, a writer and to top all this, there is a mysterious buried treasure...<br /><br />In Wonderland Creek we discover the harsh lives led by the proud mountain people of Kentucky whom with much determination survived the Great Depression. You find yourself almost envious of the simple lifestyle, the traditions, the intricate families connections and above all, the beauty of the surroundings!<br />As is customary with Lynn Austin's novels, you will find a marvelous balance betwixt history lessons, rich settings, amazing and often gripping characters and of course a good dose of Christian wisdom.<br /><br />When all is said and done, this is one author's writings worth every 5 stars give!<br /><br />Note to readers: I was not asked to review this novel and all opinions expressed are entirely my own!", "timestamp": 1325109623000, "title": "Happily-ever-after in the woods of Kentucky's during the Great Depression" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 4, "text": "'Where Wildflowers Bloom' is the first book in Ann Shorey's series called 'Sisters at Heart' and since I like a good Historical novel, wildflowers and dreaming, the perfect choice for a rainy day!<br /><br />Faith Lindberg lost her father and brother and lives with her Grandfather who owns a Mercantile shoppe. Faith hopes to sell the business, hopefully at a profit of course and move West. She dreams of starting afresh.<br />The story is set just after the end of the Civil War and I found the added characters of a field nurse as well as a scarred veteran just the right touch for this novel to be a little more than just a lovely romance.<br /><br />Ann Shorey pens an interesting portrait of a MidWest town, and takes us on a stroll around the dusty boardwalks to the shoppes, local eatery, blacksmith shop and livery, sheriff's office, clapboard houses and the little white church with its spiked roof, not unlike time traveling in your armchair.<br /><br />The mercantile shoppe comes to life with her detailed description of the stock with its many shelves of goods. I could almost feel the heroine's pain when she inadvertently drops the lovely china she'd hoped to sell and make a profit to boost sales. The fact that women rarely worked outside of home is once again the perfect detail to make this an interesting story!<br /><br />With just the right eloquence Ann Shorey infuses readers with a sense of what life was truly for the settlers who made their homes in places such as Noble Springs, Missouri and the gossiping and sometime meddling of a small town.<br />She does not stop there however and you discover the past is not to be shrugged off easily, especially for the men who came back from war, some broken, many scarred.<br />With a burglary and even mysteries, the entire story evolves in just the kind of entertainment you need to relax!<br /><br />A very nice story which earned 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1327628071000, "title": "Historical fiction decribing Yesterday's women and Today issues!" }, { "asin": "0800734599", "rating": 3, "text": "'Summer of Promise' offers an outlook on life in Wyoming in the 1880's and particularly for the families of soldiers stationed in remote areas such as Fort Laramie, many of them immigrants who joined in hope to make a better life for themselves. I can see why the author felt inspired to write a story after her trip (make that 3 trips and countless hours of Internet browsing).<br /><br />Abigail and Ethan's story is a light romance you might enjoy during a long winter evening but I felt it did not flow and it was not one I would describe as a page turner.<br />Tales of the Old West have always fascinated me but despite having learned a thing or two from Amanda Cabot's findings, I did not think the characters to be all they could be! Leah is one character for i.e. that could have been so much more!<br /><br />It seemed to be written with the very young in mind, nothing either inspiring or entertaining. I will caution animal lovers might find some of the tale upsetting. However true it might be, I found it had little reason to be added to the story personally.<br /><br />If this is an example of the upcoming stories in the Westward Wind series, I found Summer of Promise monotonous and a little tedious for my taste.<br /><br />I give it 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br /><br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1328382932000, "title": "Light romance and a little tedious!" }, { "asin": "1414364458", "rating": 5, "text": "Despite the promising resume I felt the beginning of this book might lead to just another tedious life lesson and very little entertainment. As the story unfolded however I discovered a real gem, each individual committee member' story revealing its own little touch of drama and very personal message.<br /><br />'The Search Committee' is the story of a medley of fellow Christians whose goal is to visit other churches. The committee includes a busybody, a young husband, a single mom and a handful of others all sharing the same hope, that to hire (steal) the perfect pastor for their own congregation.<br /><br />Tim Owens artfully weaves background and problem(s) faced by each member of the committee into a delightful and entertaining message for the reader.<br />Hard to put down, the story unfolds giving us the opportunity to find a little of ourselves in at least one of the committee characters, complete with its little quirks.<br /><br />You will find yourself chuckling at the delightful descriptions of this busy group traveling in an old church van (Outch! Those potholes!) and sneaking incognito into various churches and teary eyed a moment later.<br />It is warm, it is human and you will question if any of us truly know our neighbour in the pew next to us.<br /><br />So will the committee find this perfect man/woman for their own church? Well, I wouldn't want to spoil a good story and it is a VERY good story!<br />My suggestion is to grab this insightful book and enjoy a good time with the seah committee! Their quest will teach you a thing or two I daresay!<br /><br />A delightful first novel and worth at least 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from TYNDALE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1329174853000, "title": "Tim Owen's first novel is delightful gem!" }, { "asin": "0800720458", "rating": 5, "text": "The very first thing that comes to mind about 'Words Spoken True' is the raised lettering on the cover (a feature I dearly love and miss in the mass produced paperbacks published these days!) swiftly followed by the interesting historical note published in the forefront of the story! Once spotted, I was rubbing my hands together with glee. This is my kind of historical fiction!<br /><br />With a rich historical setting, enticing plot, flowing dialogues betwixt the protagonists, colourful descriptive and just the right amount of romance 'Words Spoken True' is sure to captivate readers!<br />Here is no amateurish historical fiction! Ann H. Gabhart is a well published author and she writes a warm story complete with romance, faith and intrigue about 'The Herald' and 'The Tribune', two warring newspapers in Louisville, Kentucky, circa 1850's.<br /><br />As the plot unravels you find yourself engrossed in its drama, and wishing with all your might for a great ending for both Adriane and Blake. Never fear, weaving her magic wand, Ann H.Gabhart will not disappoint and you will soon discover that no matter what, the press must go on!<br /><br />On a quick note, I was startled to learn the existence of the 'Know Nothings, and the dramatic events of Bloody Monday on 6 August 1855 which reflects in this story!<br /><br /> Readers should know this is a page turner...Hence warning to husband/children: Mum is certain to be so engrossed, dinner will soon be forgotten!<br /><br />A wonderful story certain to leave you daydreaming...<br />A big thank you to Ann H. Gabhart for her enduring writing skills!<br /><br />For sheer enjoyment, a 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330103697000, "title": "A wonderful story certain to leave you daydreaming..." }, { "asin": "1433673223", "rating": 4, "text": "With a little imagination 'The Guardian Duke' might very well be the most delightful story I have read in awhile! Nothing too serious, just a light tale about a charming ingenue and her elegant guardian complete with good historical notes, a good amount of faith and just the right amount of romance!<br /><br />Reminiscent of Barbara Cartland's writings, 'The Guardian Duke' has all the ingredients for a good, if a tad innocuous, tale. I was not looking for anything in particular when I started reading Jamie Carie's first book in the Forgotten Castles series but I was pleasantly surprised.<br /><br />Perhaps it was the romantic setting of Ireland with its mythical shores, the intriguing mystery revolving around some of the protagonists, the spirited ingenue dodging her guardian duke or the elegant Gabriel himself.<br />Lest I forget, credit should also be given to a colourful surrounding cast!<br /><br />Jaimie Carie also excelled at penning the lively correspondence betwixt the heroine and her soul mate. Do people really fall in love through letters? Let's hope the world has not become so jade that we cannot imagine for a short time that it can be so. Ah the dreams...<br /><br />I for one can only vouch for the innocent reading time I spend immersing myself into with this lively Christian tale. And if someone witnessed the sighs just before I turned off the lights, well...<br />All I can say is 'Thank you' Jaimie for a tasteful read certain to entertain teens and adults alike.<br /><br />Here is to wandering what happens in Iceland and thinking it was well worth 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from PROPELLER as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330567856000, "title": "Tasteful Christian romance for teens and adults alike!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 4, "text": "Heart's Safe Passage is book # 2 in The Midwives series and whilst I have yet to read book # 1 it is my hope the author will indulge us with more stories in this captivating chapter. The combination of the midwifery subject and the High seas set right after the conflict of 1812 was an appealing point for a history buff like me and the author did not disappoint!<br /><br />Obviously Laurie Alice Eakes has done well her research and I spent a relaxing evening reading this latest tale! Such are the rules of war that both nations would have not hesitate to try either protagonist as a traitor. Therefore to imagine a plot involving a midwife stranded against her will on an enemy ship was nothing but genial!<br /><br />A fervent admirer of C.S. Forrester and his tales of the high seas, I found Heart's Safe Passage all the most most intriguing as Laurie Alice Eakes demonstrates a thorough knowledge of seamanship I did not expect.<br />Historically the war of 1812 and the resulting strenuous diplomatic relations betwixt Colonials and Britishers was well documented. In turn the author's description of her characters allegiances reminds us that one could be deemed a traitor for just being at the wrong place at the wrong time.<br /><br />The spirited dialogues betwixt the Scottish privateer and the Colonial midwife have just the right enticement for readers to wonder who will win in the end and the supporting characters are endearing in their own ways.<br />Life at sea was far from being as romantic as Hollywood would have us believed but in Heart's Safe Passage there is just enough drama to keep it interesting and enough sparks for the romantic soul!<br /><br />Most of all the storyteller reminds us that God is the only one to steer our ship...<br /><br />I was also fascinated by the historical notes recording midwives written by a seventeenth century physician! Whilst some of it could be deemed humorous, it would appear being a midwife was hard and often a thankless task!<br /><br />Finally Laurie Alice Eakes' description of Captain Docherty was much more interesting than Errol Flynn in all his glory!<br /><br />For a most enjoyable evening, I find myself giving this historical romance 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330728429000, "title": "An intriguing romance betwixt a midwife and a privateer on the High seas!" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "Anyone familiar with the talented Brother Cadfael, the Welsh Benedictine monk so engagingly described by Ellis Peters will appreciate my interest in this book!<br />I first heard of it on a Publisher's website and felt compelled to pursue this title whose author I had yet to discover! I also hoped for something different and was not disappointed!<br /><br />'Unhallowed Ground' was my introduction to Mel Starr's and I immediately found his style to be unique and quite discerning! An impressive glossary allows curious minds like mine to discover words and terms the modern English language no longer use.<br /><br />Mel Starr skillfully weaves a tapestry of intrigue, false leads, adventure and danger rendered the more interesting by its many historical settings whilst leading the reader on a path of whodunit.<br />Within a few pages you are wondering who is friend, who is foe and yes, it is a page turner!<br /><br />The colourful but tasteful tale follows Hugh de Singleton, bailiff of Bampton Manor, as he is called to investigate the death of a local villager. Amongst his many talents Master Hugh is also noted as a medieval surgeon and a detective of sorts...<br />Is this a case of suicide or murder? Thus we are introduced to the ensuing intriguing plot!<br /><br />With its excellent penmanship, 'Unhallowed Ground' is just the sort of book you will read and feel replete!<br /><br />I give it 5 stars (and quickly found a little niche for it on our bookshelves!)<br /><br />On a note of worth, this book is the fourth chronicle of the series. The fifth chronicle 'The Tainted Coin' will soon be released!<br /><br />NOTE TO READERS: I was not asked to review this title and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1332627554000, "title": "Medieval mystery with the finest historical detailed background!" }, { "asin": "1595548874", "rating": 3, "text": "Best selling author Beth Wiseman has delighted her many fans with tales of the Amish world for years. Perhaps I was influenced by my daughter as she is a big fan but I have enjoyed her stories!<br /><br />This novel is however quite different and I will admit to some disappointment. A contemporary story is rarely my first choice of reading material. I much prefer historical fiction work which lets your imagination wonder, provides you with healthy entertainment and even gives you the incentive to delve into the subject by way of further research!<br /><br />Beth Wiseman introduces us to her latest writing by depicting a Texan family whom at first glance lives a perfectly well balanced life. They recently moved from a cosmopolitan area to live in an old farmhouse in a small town to raise their children in a much healthier environment.<br /><br />Reading the resume I caught the 'Special Needs Children' part and felt drawn to it thus the reason for this choice of review.<br /><br />Unfortunately whilst I allow any author's right to feel a need to branch out, this time I felt something was missing and I had a hard time to concentrate on the plot.<br />Perhaps it was the fact that special needs children had only a small part in this story, or that the neighbour's character just did not seem to fit in, or I was not prepared to comprehend the extent to which some teens go to please their family or when under peer pressure! I have since looked into it and it brought many shudders!<br />Even the locales were not eye catching and nothing really stands out.<br /><br />Despite the troubled teenager plight and a handful of supporting characters, the story mainly revolves around the attraction felt by two individuals and much like a soap opera is drawn out: lies, betrayals and sheer boredom!<br /><br />Somewhat fragmented, Needing you Now is the sort of Christian novel I feel you will only briefly remember and lacking the profound inspirational theme Beth Wiseman usually provides her readers.<br /><br />Needing you Now has surprised me and less you feel this is not a good book, I will remind you of course that I offer only my opinion!<br /><br />As such, I can only give it 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BOOKSNEEZE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1335569626000, "title": "Really not what I hoped for!" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 4, "text": "'A Love Forbidden', Book # 2 in Heart of the Rockies series reads like a Western with a powerful message: intolerance is the root of many evils!<br />Once again Baker Revell brings us an interesting author and I was pleasantly surprised in Kathleen Morgan's vivid descriptions of the 1800 Colorado Rockies!<br />There is so much History in the US, often misconstrued yet as rich as many older nations!<br />I love to discover yet another facet of the Old West and I believe I mentioned it before, the first novel I read in English was written by Louis l'Amour!<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan's tasteful description of Shiloh Wainwright and Jesse Blackwater's love story gives us a realistic outlook on frontier life in the 1800's Colorado and the Ute reservation.<br />As a teacher on the Indian reservation Shiloh hopes to help Indian children learn the White Man's ways whilst retaining their identity. Her task is not easy as she deals with narrow minded agencies and wary settlers.<br />Jesse Blackwater is the childhood friend she never forgot and caught betwixt both the White man's world and the Ute worlds, they find themselves caught in a maelstrom of emotions and conflicts, both internal and external.<br /><br />'A Love Forbidden' might have been just another Historical romance but Kathleen Morgan draws you in the story and you immerse yourself in it. The sum of a good novel, right?<br />It is always amazing to read lines which create such a vivid panoramic picture of times gone by and in turn creates such powerful emotions!<br />Amidst prejudice and growing political tension betwixt both the White and Indian world, you find yourself wondering if you would have the courage and wisdom to do what is right. In such circumstances, where would you stand as a Christian?<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan seems to breathe this time period and spares no details to entice us visually. Life on the frontier was often harsh, supplies limited, and communication slow due to long distances betwixt forts and settlements.<br />When one side fails to honour its word, the other decided to take action...<br /><br />Red headed Shiloh is as tenacious in her convictions as in her love for Jesse, whilst he sees the road ahead in a very realistic way. Will they be able to bridge both worlds and find love, acceptance, forgiveness and ultimately peace?<br /><br />Well depicted, this is a thought provoking story which illustrates the power of love and faith in a world often riddled with prejudice and ignorance.<br />In the end, you are in God's hands and given the chance, Shiloh and Jesse will come to realize nothing is impossible for them with His help.<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1338071156000, "title": "A thought provoking story about love and faith in the 1800's Colorado Rockies!" }, { "asin": "0764207962", "rating": 5, "text": "Siri Mitchell is definitively an author to reckon with: her latest novel 'The Messenger' is fast paced and scintillates with the kind of details any history buff will love. I found her notes and research to be very interesting!<br /><br />Set during the War of Independence (US), this is the story of an intrepid young Quaker named Hannah and a Continental Army spy named Jeremiah Jones. Each have need of the other and both parties joined forces but not without concerns for the ramifications involved. As a pacifist Hannah cannot abide violence but Jeremiah's plans ultimately will draw her in a conflict few will escape without scars.<br /><br />This is absolutely a story to enjoy without interruptions. I for one knew very little of Women spies during the Civil War (US) and did not give much thought to Women involvement during the 1776 Campaign.<br /><br />Prisoners conditions during this tumultuous conflict are rarely spoken of yet we know of the many hardships endured by the Colonial army, particularly during the winter campaign at Valley Forge.<br />Sad to say, many of the reenactments Siri Mitchell developed in her tale of faith and courage for our two courageous protagonists rang only too true! The ravages of war effects innocents everywhere yet we still fight!<br /><br />'The Messenger, reminds us of theologian Reinhold Neiburh's Serenity prayer:<br /><br />God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,<br />Courage to change the things I can,<br />And wisdom to know the difference.<br /><br />So fitting for this story!<br /><br />As to the Quaker faith, I have to thank Siri Mitchell for enlightening me: I never thought much about it!<br /><br />A story of bravery, of beliefs and God's path for each one of us!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1338499473000, "title": "A tale of courage and faith in the Revolutionary war!" }, { "asin": "1434764303", "rating": 3, "text": "'Glamorous Illusions', Book 1 of 'The Grand Tour' series has a most enticing front cover. One look at the lovely gown featured with the Eiffel Tower in the background will have you wish you too could be part of this Grand Tour. I was ready to be dazzled!<br /><br />Let me begin by saying Lisa T. Bergren is a seasoned author with over 35 books and sales of over 2 million copies but new to this reader.<br /><br />David C. Cook, the Publisher gives us in turn a tantalizing resume of 'Glamorous Illusions' starting with 'It's the summer of 1913...A fateful afternoon, a stranger comes to call, and Cora discover s a terrible secret about her past...invited to take the 'Grand Tour' of Europe, a trip intended to finish a person's education and solidify an understanding of refinement and ancient culture...<br /><br />I immersed myself in this fictional story turning page after page hoping to glimpse the wonders of a 20th Century trip abroad through the eyes of our young protagonist beginning with a portentous crossing aboard the Titanic sister-ship.<br />Grand Tours were scintillating events and much anticipated occasions for any well bred young lady or gentleman to acquire a certain polish and large amounts of monies were disbursed by generous parents to this effect.<br /><br />Breathtaking scenery along with ancient History and the discoveries of Music, Art, companions and fine culinary partaking provided the perfect ending to one's education. If one might find herself/himself an impoverished title in the bargain, families would look benignly and pride themselves in having acquired a touch of blue blood in the bargain.<br /><br />The idea of our heroine leaving her Montana struggling beet farm for a Grand Tour of Europe in the company of her newly discovered high society siblings has many hints of Cinderella. However Cora's journey of self discovery along this grand voyage is often confusing, her true sentiments hard to fathom! Even as I close the book I would be hard pressed to guess what she hoped to find.<br /><br />I could not picture any young lady destined to be a teacher to learn in one month how to move comfortably through the society throngs for example.<br />I found it also hard to believe the group described did not have at least one female chaperone (anything less would have been frowned upon in most societies and introductions near impossible), servants were unlikely to know what would be expected and therefore could not have advised.<br /><br />Illegitimacy was not more condoned in France than in England and therefore the courtship of Pierre de Richelieu hardly believable. Family pressures alone would have demanded he kept his distance. Accordingly the young lady would have been appraised his attentions were not honourable and very likely whisked away to the next stop of the Tour.<br /><br />Leaving these details aside, I felt none of the excitement or glimmer associated with such trip. One would hardly describe the wonders of the Eiffel Tower, Centuries old English manors, French chateaus or the wealth displayed at the Louvre for example in such a desultory way and hints at someone who trouped behind a guide (If this is Tuesday, it must be Belgium).<br />The elements are there but seen almost through a veil and does not impart the stimulating experiences for the reader's pleasure.<br /><br />Finally the end of this first novel in the series left me perplex. A hint or two leads me to believe there is more to the story but neither the romance nor the Grand Tour details provided much satisfaction.<br />One can only sigh and say: 'C'est la vie!'<br /><br />More of a Young Adult story, I give this one 3 stars.<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE AND DAVID C. COOK as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1340302218000, "title": "From Montana to the grand European metropolises..." }, { "asin": "0800720482", "rating": 5, "text": "I chose to feature the above synopsis instead of the one shown on the back of the cover for a personal reason. I admit I am only a student of the Gospels and for a moment as I read the cover's resume I thought there might be another Mary Magdalene!<br /><br />The imagination of storyteller Diana Wallis Taylor brings readers however a new dimension to the picture we might have of this amazing woman who followed Christ till the end.<br /><br />I found myself utterly enchanted by this author's narrative of a woman we know little of despite mentions in Luke, John and Acts.<br />We know Jesus cast off seven demons from her and that she was a close follower.<br />We also know she witnessed His mock trial and heard His sentence, she was present at His crucifixion and later amongst the women who find the empty tomb.<br /><br />In 'Mary Magdalene' Diana Wallis Taylor weaves a stirring profile of a gentle child who learned the Scriptures, growing up in Magdala, a coastal town off the Sea of Galilee with caring parents.<br />Following a tragic event, Mary Magdalene lives the next few years plagued by nightmares and yet amidst of all this, finds love and eventually will be healed.<br />She eventually follows Jesus and witnessed to the Messiah's glory for the remaining of her life.<br /><br />The author's rich historical and social details of Jewish life in Galilee in the time of Jesus interwoven with her chronicles of this amazing woman are most gripping!<br />A reader, young or old, will discover an emotional account of a woman we hardly knew and should remember first and foremost as one who was THERE.<br /><br />This is the sort of enriching fictional work perfect as a gift for any young woman coming of age. It has all the elements of a love story of the purest form!<br /><br />If I had a dozen copies, I would be passing them out right now!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1340473107000, "title": "A rich emotional description of Mary Magdalene!" }, { "asin": "0800734556", "rating": 4, "text": "As someone who knew absolutely nothing of the Shaker beliefs I have now a whole concept of their intricate history. In 'The Gifted' Kentucky born storyteller Ann H. Gabhart has definitively written an in depth story based on this cult! She actually lives near a Shaker village and was obviously inspired.<br /><br />The simplicity of the many designs we admire to this date were brought upon by these believers who worked as if they had a thousand years to accomplish their tasks or knowledge of their death on the morrow...They knew their place, rejoiced in knowing it, their hands hard at work, their hearts given to God...<br /><br />In 'The Gifted' our protagonist Jessamine is striving to find her place in this close knit world and when she is given a sweet outlook on the outside world questions her path...<br />We follow the young sister as she stumbles repeatedly despite her eagerness to please her elders. Sister Sophrena's diaries in particular allows us to understand the extant of those struggles and gives us a unique view of life in their community.<br />Harmony Hill village brothers and sisters live their faith as outlined by their leader, Mother Ann, from the working fields to the devotion meetings including the shaking and dancing. Their only contact with the outside world is due to their trading their wares such as rosewater, baskets, candles, furniture and so on.<br />Surprisingly, their fellowship is open to anyone, even outsiders just visiting. It is the only world Jessamine has known since she lost her Granny but like all good stories, this is only the beginning... Then there is also a mysterious letter which opened reveals surprising new developments...<br /><br />As usual Ann H.Gabhart leads us by the hand as we read on. I always found myself looking for clues to what comes next and I was not disappointed.<br />Richly described and perfectly timed, this is a story you will enjoy discovering as the author entices you to learn that all is not as it seems.<br />Like all good storytellers, Ann H. Gabhart tells you some dreams were meant to come true...You just have to believe!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1341675443000, "title": "Another great story by master storyteller Ann H. Gabhart!" }, { "asin": "1595547819", "rating": 4, "text": "'Tidewater Inn' has all the ingredients for the sort of book any reader will like! A great beach read, y Colleen Coble's novel enticed me to turn yet another page!<br />It has all the exciting elements a good writer instills in her/his storytelling and this author's imagination is fruitful! Wow! No time to get bored here!<br /><br />Mysteries, kidnapping, treasures, family intrigues and a beautiful old Inn in a breathtaking setting draws you in. The colourful characters revolving around this Hope Beach novel makes this a warm story and one that makes you wish you live there.<br />Living myself on a tiny island accessible only by ferry, I can understand well the appeal! Hope Beach however has one on us, they have restaurants, pizza parlour, library, fire department, postal service...Need I go on? I felt a tad jealous!<br /><br />It is however the references to God and His amazing work that makes this a most appealing story! Colleen Coble's characters know God, feels His love and meets His expectations no matter how they might fail at first try. Faith is part of her intricate story and you feel His presence throughout her novel! I like this most of all!<br /><br />I was intrigued at the extent to which a SAR (Search and Rescue) dog could trace a missing person. In this instance, 'Samson' follows a trace ON WATER, ocean water! Absolutely intriguing! Needless to say, I learned something yet again!<br /><br />A few loose ends however puzzled me...a rope around an ankle amongst others...I must mention this!<br /><br />I give it 4 stars none the less!<br />Watch Colleen Cobble next novel 'Rosemary Cottage' to be published in July 2013!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1344092313000, "title": "Upbeat!" }, { "asin": "0764208349", "rating": 3, "text": "As stories goes, 'Unending Devotion' is pleasant enough, harmless even, a tad sentimental but easily dismissed after a few chapters. I felt there was something missing from the moment I saw the novel's cover. Somehow the plot and its main characters just does not hook the reader. Even the sub characters were much more interesting!<br /><br />I struggled to feel the various emotions the author hinted at from the beginning and just had to accept this was just not my cup of tea so to speak.<br />Lily posing as a photographer's assistant with its implied paraphernalia should have been on the cover posing next to gruff Oren and perhaps a more thorough description of the lumber camps might have caught my attention. There is a striking amount of information on logging available including stunning photos even here in the Pacific North West!<br /><br />That said, I enjoyed the author's notes regarding the town of Harrison and its unsavoury residents. There is obviously a lot of historical facts recorded in the Michigan's past lumber era with the usual problems found in shanties such as alcoholism, violence, notwithstanding the origin of white slavery trade in the state, this being the most startling!<br /><br />All in all, I would recommend anyone going away this weekend to pack an extra book along unless like me, you find the historical portion enticing enough to browse internet and library files to find out more on the subjects of logging and white slavery in 1800's Michigan!<br />Interesting it was, entertaining it was not.<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1347628341000, "title": "Interesting facts about white slavery in Michigan 1883 did not make this novel any more entertaining!" }, { "asin": "0764206176", "rating": 4, "text": "I was more than ready to read a good western and 'Taming the Wind' was not a disappointment!<br />Book # 3 in the Land of the Lone Star series written by Tracie Peterson, this novel gives us a lot to reflect upon.<br />Tracie Peterson is after all a prolific writer with more than 95 novels to her credit and she writes passionately about the West. Her novels are always entertaining and clearly shows good research (loved the Longfellow poem addition!) but it also reflects her longstanding faith.<br />Each character has its definite personality: passionate, hopeful, tenacious, caring, angry, vengeful...<br />The Lone Star land is harsh, often unforgiving yet beautiful in its rawness. Homesteading was not for the faint soul!<br /><br />In her latest novel Tracie describes a little of the hardships endured by Southern sympathizers following the (US) Civil war. I for one had no idea land was confiscated simply because of allegiance.<br />Both sides lost much to the war and the resulting animosity was very much alive even after three years of peace as we see in Taming the Wind.<br />Cattle drives were dangerous enterprises, with countless obstacles including Native Americans raids, rustlers, stampedes and so on. Yet it also gave an opportunity for struggling ranchers to regain losses...<br /><br />Taming the Wind depicts not only the many facets of ranching but a sweet love story. Carissa and her little girl Gloria are both ready for better times and the young widow has not forgotten the young rancher who saved her life two years prior.<br />In turn Tyler has often thought of the young mother and child but stands to loose much if his confiscated ranch is not returned to him. He also cannot forgive the raid which took his father's life...<br /><br />Of course, God has a plan and with Tracie's flair for a good adventure, we learn love and forgiveness can be found even in these most challenging times!<br /><br />Note:<br />Just a suggestion of course: 'Chasing the Sun' and 'Touching the Sky' are pre sequels in the series well worth reading albeit the author gives a rundown in Book #3 for those of us who have not read these titles.<br />A good reason for reading more of this entertaining author!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1347987539000, "title": "Love, Forgiveness and Adventure in a Good Old Western!" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "After reading 'A Perfect Square', second book in the Shipshewana Amish Mysteries I am perfectly willing to find a special spot for any Vannetta Chapman's tomes on my bookshelves (or add another one...somewhere!)!<br />With Beth Wiseman's recommendation for this novel I knew I was in for a treat! I always like to hear an author praising another fellow writer, don't you?<br /><br />I discovered long ago the appeal of Amish genre literature but this was the first 'whodunit' for me and this one is truly a page turner! Not content with one single plot of 'whom, what , where, how and why', Vannetta Chapman blends two mysteries decades apart and links them to the present.<br /><br />With a lovely quilt shoppe tucked in the scenic background, we find Englisher and Amish living blessed lives in Shipshewana, Indiana to be as near to perfection as possible until that is, a body is found floating in a nearby pond...There is no clue to the young girl's identity.<br /><br />Callie is the owner of Daisy's Quilt, a shoppe inherited from her aunt and with canine Max is a recent transplant from Houston, Texas. Amish and Mennonite lifestyles still holds many mysteries for Callie but Amish friends Deborah, Esther and Melinda help her to adapted to her new life whilst teaching her a thing or two about quilting. With Max at her side (sporting a bandana matched to her clothing colour), Callie is definitively looking forward to her first winter in Indiana.<br /><br />When Reuben the owner of the pond is arrested for the murder by the local Chief of Police, Callie and her sleuth friends steps in to help out Reuben.<br />Meanwhile, an elderly Amish who suffers from dementia finds his way to Callie's shoppe and begs her to find his daughter who disappeared in 1965.<br />As the story develops, you find yourself experiencing many emotions as with unmistakable talent, Vannetta Chapman hones her writing skills in this novel.<br /><br />Praying Reuben's innocence will come to light despite his unwillingness to make a statement, his family and friends search for any clue to help the Amish farmer regain his freedom.<br /><br />Alternating mystery and emotional drama, and with just the slightest hint of romance in the air (including a few hilarious situations), this is a compelling book you will have a hard time to put down as each well written chapter gets better and better!<br />Vanetta's inspirational plots draws you in and reminds us that with God anything is possible! You just have to believe!<br /><br />With its excellent glossary and group questions for discussion, this makes an engaging novel to read, tucked in your favourite chair by the fireplace whilst sipping a cuppa!<br /><br />I received this book free from ZONDERVAN as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349390246000, "title": "I have become a fan of Vannetta Chapman's writing!" }, { "asin": "0800721322", "rating": 5, "text": "Absolutely delightful! 'Life with Lily', Book 1 in 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' should have been written years ago! Mary Ann and Suzanne have come up with a wonderful little gem!<br />Written primarily with younger children (ages 8-12) these are none the less stories which grown ups and children alike will love to discover! There is nothing better than reading out loud to a child and share a precious moment!<br /><br />There is an amazing amount of information betwixt these pages and I can't wait to share it with young friends. Seen through the eyes of lovely (and sometimes mischievous) 5 year old Lily, it has a fresh appeal for avid readers of Amish tales such as myself!<br /><br />We have learned much about the Amish world through wonderful stories told by such authors as Suzanne Woods Fisher herself but 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' is destined to be a favourite and best of all, one you can share with everyone!<br />Each chapter involves a new adventure in Lily's life involving family, friends, neighbours, livestock, school and so on...One look at the little face featured on the cover (for once, the cover is right on!) and your heart will be won over!<br /><br />There are of course lessons to be learned throughout it all! After all, Lily and other Amish children are in no way different from Englisher and yes, things can and will happen...I don't know if the 'cat' with the bushy tail found by Lily in the barn (priceless!) or her brother's Joseph attempt to fly will be your favourites but it certainly were mine!<br /><br />I whole heartily applaud this new series and I give it 5 stars!<br />I am looking forward to Book 2!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349636609000, "title": "Life with Lily', Book 1 in 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' should have been written years ago" }, { "asin": "0764204165", "rating": 3, "text": "After reading only the first chapter I knew I should emphazise 'Read the books in order!'. Live and learn!<br />Anyone who has read Book 1, might enjoy following 'the rest of the story' in 'Whispers In The Wind'. For once, this author however did not meet my expectations.<br /><br />The title was enticing but I struggled with the characters, some clearer than others and those were the sub characters! The actual plot was difficult to grasp despite a few 'recalled' memories and at times throughly confusing if not right down sluggish.<br />As the main character Cassie just does not grab the reader. There is plenty of action and a few interesting factors overall in the novel though (albeit I could have done without the step by step skinning/curing of an Elk for i.e.).<br /><br />As confusing as Cassie's feelings (should she?, should she not?), I found the whole story lacking 'a little je ne sais quoi'. As to any possible romantic attachment hinted at... No sparks there! (at least so far, but at the rate this story develops, it might take a few more books to find out what happens next...sigh...)<br /><br />Far from being the good Western I expected, I can only say you must a be fan of Lauraine Snelling's writing or wish to read the continuation of this story in the next installment (and the next...). I do not like loose ends but there was nothing in Book 2 that would entice me to read the rest ( I do not plan to hunt a Elk or stuff sausages anytime soon!).<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349714644000, "title": "It would be best for anyone to read Book 1 first!" }, { "asin": "1595548033", "rating": 5, "text": "'The Trouble with Cowboys' written by well known romanticist Denis Hunter and part of the 'Big Sky Romance' series will provide readers with just the sort of entertainment they might look for on a Autumnal afternoon! There is no doubt Denise Hunter gives her audience what she promised: an enjoyable alternative to the humdrum of everyday life.<br />I had the opportunity to read another of her novels (on a long layover in a faraway airport with little amenities!) called 'The Convenient Groom' and I will tell you she had me in stitches! Be sure to check her other titles!<br /><br />But back to The Trouble With Cowboys! This Christian author has a knack for the light but never fluffy sort of novel that you will gladly reach for along with a good mug of cocoa! Entertaining yet with a lesson or two (don't miss each chapter header!), a message tucked here and there and perfect to share with anyone including the younger generation!<br />Denise Hunter's books are wholesome and will win your heart!<br /><br />Montana born and raised Annie Wilkerson is an expert horse trainer, a loving sister and a great aunty. Life has dealt her a lot of responsibilities since her GrandPa died. Taking care of her wayward sister is not easy and she takes on her role of Mum seriously hoping to see her sister settle.<br />Annie does not trust cowboys: they are here today, gone tomorrow. The past has taught her to stay clear away from them.<br /><br />Easy going Dylan needs her help with his nearly blind horse and in turn, Annie could use his help with her latest assignment, a lovelorn column she feels is just not for her since she has never felt love before. So they make a deal: her equine expertise for his help with her column. Annie is struggling with financial responsibilities but promised her GrandPa she will take care of everyone and she is trying to ignore her qualms.<br />She cannot trust Dylan because he is a cowboy after all and will probably break her heart. Then again, is she judging him too quickly? Or should she let her heart and faith guide her?<br />After all, God is in charge, not Annie...<br /><br />I think we shall agree once you read this story: if Denise keeps on writing, we'll keep on reading!<br /><br />5 stars for all the good feelings this novel brought on (and a few sighs as well...)<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349901011000, "title": "This Christian author has a knack for the light but never fluffy sort of novel!" }, { "asin": "0800734173", "rating": 4, "text": "Book # 3 in the 'Winds of Change' series, 'A Love Surrendered' brings to readers the depression era and two families: The O'Connors and the Kennedys. Set in Boston in 1932, it is written with passion and will inspire all sorts of feelings. Julie Lessman knows how to grab her readers, proof that she is after all a very good author!<br /><br />Inspirational, intense and at times extremely romantic, it is none the less imperative for readers to remember the era this story draws its background from. The idea of 'me Jane, you Tarzan' might come across fiercefully at times. Let's remember that women at the time were viewed as having one place and that was in the kitchen (or bedroom and nursery). WWII soon changed this for many as they took their place in the work force in lieu of enlisted men.<br /><br />There is much to think over once you have finished reading the drama behind Annie and Steven's love story which incidentally is crisscrossed with countless O'Connor family members! I shall describe this as a clan, Irish to be exact, a large family with strong convictions and deep emotions, some volatile and quite impressive. I did not always agree with such forceful display but admit it was fitting for the era.<br />I found the setting of Ocean Pier and its boardwalk quite intriguing along with the Prohibition agents raids and speakeasies background.<br /><br />Finally, be prepared for a surprise or two towards the end (one I will admit I did not see coming!).<br />Julie Lessman is no newcomer to the writing world and she is a person of convictions herself. You soon realize her writing reflects her faith deeply. I felt she portrays her characters based on this and for that alone I highly recommend her novels to the younger generation. In a society where pressures have become too often the acceptable norm, let's applaud someone who offers deep passion with responsibility!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1350232545000, "title": "Inspirational, intense and at times extremely romantic..." }, { "asin": "1609366867", "rating": 4, "text": "The tragic sinking of the Titanic has held people's imagination worldwide particularly with Dr. Robert Ballard's discovery of the wreckage in September 1985.<br />2012 being the vessel's doomed maiden voyage's 100th anniversary produced yet again a lot of fascinating information. There is a certain mystic which surrounds the events of that dreadful day which many cannot resist and countless speculation.<br /><br />'Queen of the Waves', An American Tapestry proved to be an interesting fictional approach and I liked Janice Thompson's take on the launching of this spectacular ship as background for her novel. The author's dedication and 'In Memory of' are worth a moment of your time so I recommend you do not skip it! It set the mood for this reading and felt very much a part of all the mystery surrounding this particular moment in history.<br /><br />Janice Thompson weaves an interesting tale of fresh beginnings for two young women from very different backgrounds, (make that three in fact as you read the story) and the men who loved them. Her take on the lives entrusted on the vessel brings you an idea of the variety of its passengers and the gulf betwixt the social classes until the ship's tragic end.<br /><br />She also takes pains to describe the various emotions her characters feel as they board the Titanic giving readers a sense of witnessing for themselves a little of all its magnificence.<br />Queen of the Waves is a story of hope, love, the courage to reach out for newer and better things and faith that God will overlook the wrongs and bless the good!<br /><br />Set amidst the effervescent departure and subsequent sailing of the largest ship ever built by man, it shows a little of the amalgam of people who placed their hopes and dreams on its crossing.<br />Janice Thompson chose to introduce real people in her novel which makes it hauntingly vivid to her readers. Clearly, the sinking of the vessel will continue to fascinate people as we ponder at all its splendour and its very last moments before sinking in the depths of the cold Atlantic ocean.<br /><br />In Queen of the Waves we discover yet again the hand of the Almighty in all things! Standing on Titanic's deck and seeing the expanse of water ahead, a passenger ponders the only word that come to mind:<br /><br />\"The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.\"<br /><br />Fitting wouldn't you say?<br /><br />A shining example of Christian Fiction and worth 4 stars for its entertainment!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1350586429000, "title": "I liked Janice Thompson's take on the launching of this spectacular ship as background for her novel" }, { "asin": "0310335108", "rating": 5, "text": "'God has made you a unique design. Never forget that! Also know that God's made someone else to be your fit.'<br /><br />I think I have just read my favourite book from all of Tricia Goyer's novels and that is not an easy admission as she writes always with her heart!<br /><br />'The Memory Jar' is part of a series called 'Seven Brides For Seven Bachelors, and make no mistake, this is not 'one of those Amish stories yet again'! One distinction of Tricia Goyer's work is that everything she writes brings you something new to discover! The essence of a good writer?<br /><br />Sarah lives in Montana and works amongst Englishers as well as Amish in the West Kootenai Kraft & Grocery. Due to a tragic accident she carries a heavy burden on her shoulders and her memories are safely tucked in a little jar...Her memory jar.<br />An eventful mountain hiking trip reveals that shy Amish bachelor Jathan Scrock, is a friend she can trust and confided into. Both have unusual aspirations for their conservative community but their<br />dreams unites them in more ways than either ever hoped for.<br /><br />When Jathan is called back to the family farm in Ohio he finds his responsibilities overwhelming and fears their goal an impossible dream.<br /><br />God however has many plans for each of them and trusting Him leads to marvelous surprises!<br /><br />A beautiful story to remind you of childlike dreams and that when trusting your happiness in God's hands, the best is yet to come!<br /><br />Amish Proverb:<br /><br />'The grand essentials of happiness in this life is something to do, something to love and something to hope for.'<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1352138393000, "title": "I think I have just read my favourite book from all of Tricia Goyer's novels!" }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "What better way to put yourself in the Holiday mood than reading 'Christmas Roses' by Amanda Cabot?<br />Never insipid and always inspiring, this storyteller brings us a tale of love, hope and even a miracle set in Wyoming Territory in1882. Trust Amanda to know how to bring a little romance and a lot of faith in her readers lives!<br /><br />Celia Anderson welcomes a new boarder in her home and life suddenly takes a new turn. She might just change her mind about not remarrying but only if the man brings her something she treasures and at Christmas no less!<br /><br />With that thought in mind, I was hooked as I held this lovely hardback in my hands with its enchanting Currier & Ives illustration! You will find yourself chuckling at Mark's wincing when he is surrounded by all of Celia's treasured flowers and hold your breath as he surprises her with his carpenter's skills for a much needed gift for her home.<br /><br />The book in itself is a little treasure and you will soon be enchanted by Celia, her baby girl, the story behind Mark's wanderings in search of a missing relative and his hope to become worthy of the young widow's love!<br /><br />Be prepared for some surprises as faith demands total surrender!<br /><br />Combined with her minute attention to historical details as well as her romantic nature, Amanda Cabot brings us a warm tale of love and redemption just in time for this blessed Season!<br /><br />5 Stars and a lovely gift for the romantic on your Christmas gift list! This one is a keeper!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1353709893000, "title": "Trust Amanda to know how to bring a little romance and a lot of faith in her readers lives!" }, { "asin": "0764209787", "rating": 5, "text": "It is said that Beverly Lewis gave birth to the Amish genre in 1997 with 'The Shunning' so it will come to no surprise that her name is practically a household name! She is enduring and continually delights her readers with yet another wonderful story. 'The Bridesmaid' is no exception! The novel brings such clear imagery you will find yourself acutely a part of the plot!<br /><br />As an avid reader and an Amish genre aficionado, I found Joanna and Eben's story enticed any yearning for dreaming. Theirs is surely a match made in Heaven!<br />There is a decided attraction to learn yet another facet of Amish life and Beverly Lewis is sure to pen a lesson or two about faith and living amongst the Amish community (and Englisher!).<br />Inviting plots, attractive characters (and sub characters!) and the chance of reflecting on hopes and aspirations will delight as always.<br />Her warm heart stories are always amazing! They also make a perfect gift for anyone, young or old, on your list this Holiday Season!<br /><br />Second novel in the Hickory Hollow series, 'The Bridesmaid' tells us of a Pennsylvania alt Maidel who unbeknown to her family and community loves to write make believe stories. Joanna's attraction to Eben Troyer is warmly reciprocated but there is a glitch in their burgeoning courtship: Eben is needed on the family farm in Indiana whilst Joanna has vowed to remain part of her congregation leaving them with no choice but to part ways.<br /><br />With a lot of faith and a little help from an almost forgotten letter written by her namesake, Joanna finds that God listens and there are many blessings in her future after all.<br /><br />5 Stars as I found this story truly a joy!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1354320207000, "title": "Joanna and Eben's story enticed any yearning for dreaming!" }, { "asin": "0857212494", "rating": 5, "text": "Action packed 'Resurrect' is probably the finest Christian Science Fiction book I have read so far with David E. Stevens using his extensive military background to draw you in the suspense and leaving you wanting for more! (And for once, the cover in right on...<br /><br />Following his jet fighter crash Commander Josh Logan wakes up one year later with no knowledge of the previous year's events. Josh is no Christian but his subs conscience reveals a voice with a powerful message and what follows this entity's revelation is an amazing study of human emotions, love, compassion and determination to do the impossible.<br />You might be tempted to call it a cliff hanger as David E. Stevens' first novel is hard to put down!<br /><br />To engage the reader Stevens uses just the perfect blend of interesting personalities, intricate interactions and lively dialogues.<br />Book 1 in the Resurrect Trilogy is a novel you should not rush however allowing for the discovery of each event leading to its ultimate climax including a bit of romance. Enter Nurse Elizabeth who attends Josh during his recovery and becomes part of a team of scientists and military specialists with a sole mission, that of saving the world at any cost.<br />Who would think of a nurse with the ability of breaking into sophisticated computer systems?<br />There! Just enough information for lady readers to know there is a perfect balance in this plot allowing for interest by both sex!<br /><br />A great thriller for anyone on your Christmas list!<br /><br />5 Stars for gripping plot and technical skills!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1354634880000, "title": "A great thriller for anyone on your Christmas list!" }, { "asin": "0800719891", "rating": 5, "text": "M. K. Lapp is one of these vivid characters you find yourself hoping the author will continue to write about. She won readers' hearts in the first two books of Stoney Ridge Seasons with her mischievous ways, a delightful Amish sort of 'Anne of Green Gables', that's with an 'E' at the end of course!<br /><br />As a child you never knew what M. K. would come up with as she often act before she thought! I always felt Suzanne Woods Fisher found the perfect way to balance the lively ways of M. K. with her step Mum's Fern no nonsense approach to life, again not unlike Colleen Hurst I imagine!<br /><br />It was not surprising to discover Mary Kay Lapp, M. K. as we know her, is a favourite of Suzanne's readers. To find her grown up and yearning for adventure seemed to be just right on track and I am so glad Suzanne satisfied our curiosity! M. K. brought us such merriment with her impish ways!<br /><br />Imagine an Amish filing for a passport...Suzanne Woods Fisher has just the knack to surprise everyone! And this Amish now a bonafida bee keeper, loves to ride her little red scooter...literally running into people...first the school marm then in the mysterious Chris Yoder...When a local sheep farmer is found dead in a nearby field, M. K.'s imagination works by leaps and bounds.<br /><br />God works in mysterious ways it is said...Never more so than in M. K.'s life as we see in 'The Lesson'.<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher weaves a sweet story around the Lapp family and brings closure to some of the events we have uncovered in her other books in the series as well. I always find intriguing the entrenchment of English life into the Amish community and this author does it well.<br />And speaking of lessons, there is always something for us to learn, even the spirited new school marm...as you will see!<br /><br />Will M. K. find peace in her new direction and a touch of romance perhaps? Find out for yourself!<br /><br />5 stars for pure entertainment and looking forward to see what an older M. K. might bring us in the future!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358362470000, "title": "M. K. Lapp is one of these vivid characters you find yourself hoping the author will continue to write about." }, { "asin": "0800734602", "rating": 4, "text": "'Waiting For Spring' is Book 2 in the Westward Winds series and worth waiting for, no pun intended!<br />As we have learned to expect, Amanda Cabot brings us well researched history, warm romance, good solid faith whilst introducing yet another aspect of life challenges for a young widow in the 1800's Wyoming, that of caring for an handicapped child. She also balances her characters, main or sub characters, daily life routine, unexpected challenges and hardships thus giving us a great plot to enjoy. The heartfelt dedication of one mother who refuses to place her sight impaired toddler in an institution is guaranteed to reach out to anyone!<br /><br />'Summer of Promise' was the first chapter in Charlotte Harding Crowley's life, then living in Fort Laramie's Army outpost ( see review here) but I can attest this second book can easily be read on its own.<br />For those of us who have read however the first book, it is interesting to see where Amanda Cabot is taking her young protagonist, now a widow hiding in Cheyenne with her son from a past haunting her still.<br /><br />Charlotte has established a successful seamstress shoppe and is only too happy to find a helping hand in Rose, another young widow. Rose has a young daughter and can keep an eye on David and help in the shoppe as well.<br /><br />Whilst fitting a friend and customer Charlotte meets Barrett Landry a wealthy cattle baron who aspires to the world of politics, even becoming the next governor of Wyoming. It is soon apparent however neither one can deny their feelings for each other yet Barrett's successful future demands a wife and companion without a shady past and Charlotte is hiding from something or someone...<br /><br />Then again, perhaps politics is not a guarantee of Barrett's happiness..His cattle are facing a bitter winter and his heart is not in it.<br />Will each of the protagonists listen to his/her heart despite the rough road ahead?<br /><br />This is another historical romance you may recommend to any one, no matter the age! Amanda Cabot is certain to entertain any romantic soul or even the most skeptic of heart!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358546709000, "title": "'Waiting for Spring' was worth waiting for, no pun intended!" }, { "asin": "0800719867", "rating": 4, "text": "I anticipated this book for its subject, that of midwifing set in the 19th Century Appalachian mountains. 'Choices of the Heart' is book 3 in the Midwives series written by author Laurie Alice Eakes and a page turner for anyone interested in the past. She has proven herself an excellent researcher and never disappoints with her historical facts. There is still something intriguing in the profession of midwives and whilst having met with controversy often in the past, there is no doubt there is to date much of a demand for such skills.<br /><br />Laurie Alice Eakes' writing is full of life and there is no denying she brings to her readers a vivid image of the Appalachian people who moved to these mountains long ago, a large portion of them having crossed the Atlantic from the green hills of Ireland and the Highlands of Scotland. They brought with them little more than the clothes on their back and their amazing survival skills.<br />The richness of their music, folk tales, herbal doctoring and their legendary feuds still fascinates people to this day. This author found the ideal way to weave a good story amongst all these with 'Choices of the Heart'!<br /><br />Esther is the belle of Seabourne until a dreadful event occurs and she finds herself subject to shunning. Despite her family's heartfelt support, she seeks new beginnings and accepts a post as teacher to the youngest children of two families in the Mountains. Her task is to help them to fit in society befitting their newest financial status.<br />There however she meets two men, both attractive, yet her heart belongs to no one as her shame is a constant reminder of her past. Esther believes God has forsaken her and shies away from any physical contact with her admirers.<br /><br />For all that I was fascinated by the author's descriptions of this beautiful land and its inhabitants, their folklore and skills, the many period details, I was not so enamoured of her main protagonist. I felt something missing in this bittersweet story, too many characters however colourful and not enough consistency in the overall story line. At the end, I still had questions, to be answered in yet another chapter of the 'Midwives series', this one about a doctor perhaps?<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358634910000, "title": "Always well researched!" }, { "asin": "0800721330", "rating": 5, "text": "'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' series started with a resounding success as seen in 'Life With Lily' (see review here) so I was not surprised to see 'A New Home For Lily', Book two, my own 5 stars rating shared by many readers!<br /><br />Betwixt Suzanne Woods Fisher and Mary Ann Kinsinger there is a perfect chemistry to bring the Amish genre a young appeal! Let's hope those two talented authors will continue to treat us!<br /><br />One look at the lovely six years old featured on their book covers is enough to tantalize us in discovering what else the smiling little girl has come up with since the first book!<br />Albeit geared to the 8 to 12 years old audience, Lily introduces readers of all ages to a whole new way to see the Amish community! Her spontaneity is so refreshing, I can think of nothing else than to suggest you pick up your own copy!<br /><br />Through Lily's eyes we see what happens to her family as they move to another state to be nearer their closest relatives.<br />Lily no longer has her own bedroom, her bed now tucked in a corner in the hallway. Her new house has a sad olive green hue, the barn sorely needs repairs, her school mates includes a bully and her new community has a completely different set of rules!<br />Lily has to get used to her new life and does not like it much.<br /><br />On the other end, there is so much to explore and have fun with, including Grand Pa's lumber mill with its big sawdust pile to play in!<br />Her Dad acquires four goats to add to Jenny, Mum's lovely Swiss cow, her new teacher is very nice and Lilly's new baby brother Paul is so cute...<br /><br />It is the countless little details the two authors have included in their stories which gives it additional appeal such as when poor Lily hits her thumb with a hammer and Mum dissolves aspirin in water for her to soak her sore finger to relieve the pain or when Mum must sew a whole new set of clothes for everyone in the family as the new community has different rules than the previous one.<br /><br />What better way to introduce youngsters to the Amish way of life (and share some quality family time)!<br /><br />'A New Home For Lily' is sure to delight everyone, young and old! Ladies, we are looking forward to the next story!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1360363970000, "title": "A New Home For Lily' is sure to delight everyone, young and old!" }, { "asin": "0800720733", "rating": 5, "text": "Combining a dynamic plot with spirited characters, Ann Shorey gives us a lasting historical novel in 'When The Heart Heals', guaranteed to be enjoyed by her loyal fans.<br />This latest installment in her series 'Sisters At Heart' provides her readers with the perfect blend of romance and mystery, woven across a troubled historical background, the lean and hungry years following the Civil War.<br /><br />Rosemary Saxon joins the practice of Dr. Elijah Stewart in Noble Springs, Missouri in early 1867. Two years have gone by since the end of the Civil war but there are still many wounds to be healed, not all physical. Despite her experience caring for soldiers or perhaps because of it, Rosemary is seen as an outsider in the community and times are already hard for any woman alone.<br />Rosemary finds joy in nursing and despite his earlier misgivings about her skills in herbal lore, Dr. Stewart soon learns to rely on her. In turn, she remembers well the younger doctor who deeply cared about his patients in a time of grievous conflict.<br /><br />These days, Rosemary's sole family in town, consists of her brother Curt and his wife Fay, her constant companion her faithful dog Bodie. When others needs her help, she finds herself at a crossroad and choices must be made.<br />As a result Rosemary fears she might lose something very precious just as she found a measure of happiness. However she is not the only one with concealed secrets and when she becomes the object of threats, Rosemary must learn to trust again and ask for help.<br /><br />A beautiful story reflecting God's love and forgiveness for all, Ann Storey's second book in the series follows 'Where Wildflowers Bloom' (see review HERE), but can be read as a stand alone.<br />I now join her many fans in asking when will the next installment be published ?!<br /><br />Suitable for any age, 'When The Heart Heals' is worth 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1361319622000, "title": "Combining a dynamic plot with spirited characters here is another novel by Ann Shorey!" }, { "asin": "0800795547", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on the synopsis alone, I believe you will agree with me the title was well chosen: 'Outrageous Courage: What God Can Do with Raw Obedience & Radical Faith!<br />Kris and Jason Vallotton (Father and Son) write a dramatic story about a real life follower of Christ, following a compelling introduction of Kris' first meeting with Tracy Evans almost thirty years ago.<br /><br />A Christian Medical missionary Tracy Evans is indeed a remarkable person if you consider her exodus through 64 countries, from the tough streets of L.A. to North California's mountainous area, the Philippines, Kiribati and finally the Mozambique bush (see website @ iReachAfrica!) and always making a difference.<br /><br />But as remarkable as Tracy's story is, I cannot agree with the authors' suggestion we can become just like her 'with a little courage and belief'.<br />Just a reminder of course: Paul the Apostle teaches (1 Corinthians Chapter 12:8-10) not all of us display the same selfless abilities, and regardless of our courage and beliefs, not all of us can be as passionate as Tracy Evans in our quest to make a difference in the world!<br /><br />Never the less, this missionary's inspiring deeds are described in such a heartfelt way you know immediately this is a courageous person who systematically walks in Christ's footsteps no matter the hazards.<br />Kris and Jason Vallotton shows through this account Evans' work and how her unwavering faith has touched many and relieved suffering and poverty, always in His name.<br /><br />Understandingly at times sad but always hopeful, this real life account is perhaps not for everyone but worth at least 4 stars.<br /><br />Note to readers: Additional information on the Ministries of IReachAfrica can be found (HERE)<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1362695988000, "title": "Tracy Evans' compassionated deeds throughout the world." }, { "asin": "080072089X", "rating": 3, "text": "In 'Moonlight Masquerade' Lady Celine Wexham, leading member of London's Bon Ton and a widowed Countess of French origin, lives the life of most emigres in early 1800's. She holds intimate meetings in her boudoir and gives dinner parties and balls gathering any information she might be able to pass on to French Royalists to reinstate the rightful throne.<br />It is 1813 and Napoleon, facing a massive defeat in the harsh winter of Russia, orders a retreat of the Imperial army after losing thousands of French soldiers on the battlefield.<br />The Comte de Provence, brother to the late beheaded King Louis XVI is not the ideal choice for the Royal throne but better him than the self proclaimed Emperor.<br />Lady Celine, Valentine, her supercilious Abigail (slang aside, only an older servant would be allowed such an acerbic attitude) and Gaspard, her French Cook are part of a spy ring.<br />Rees, the object of Celine's interest is none other than her own Butler. An ambitious young man and a devoted Christian, recently pulled from an obscure department of the Home Office in part due to his linguistic talents, Rees' task is to spy on his mistress with the express purpose of implicating her in the conspiracy if such exists and report to his superior.<br /><br />Danger lurks and he soon finds himself battling his loyalties as Celine 'with her 'brandy hue irises' eyes touches his heart...Does anyone else remember Barbara Cartland's novels?<br />None of the characters are likely to provide much entertainment in this slow historical romance but if light, fluffy and harmless is your preferred choice, you will enjoy Moonlight Masquerade!<br />The portrayal of the Masquerade ball held at the Comte de Provence exiled court even defied my imagination with its lackluster details and the overall impression was soporific!<br /><br />Finally, I saw little of the 'witty, fast paced dialogue or infectious intrigue' mentioned in the synopsis and if this novel was in fact a music sheet, it would read as humming...It droned on and on... The few historical notes such as the mention of William Wilberforce as dinner guest at one of her lavish parties, or Voltaire's quotes, a man of note in himself, brings no relief to this plot.<br />I hardly think it necessary to dust my shelves for this novel!<br /><br />Regretfully, 3 (generous) stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1362863452000, "title": "If light, fluffy and harmless is your preferred choice, you will enjoy Moonlight Masquerade!" }, { "asin": "0800795520", "rating": 5, "text": "'Learning to Love' reflects a true love story, one that you will identify immediately with Jesus' love as shown in His earthly ministry! Make no mistake, Heidi and Rolland Baker are two exceptional people: nothing and I mean nothing will stop them from doing God's work, not even opposition from the world's evil side!<br /><br />As both husband and wife relate heartfelt stories, some humourous, some sad, each one compelling you to see God's work through them, you will feel their amazing love for their fellowmen.<br />Healing and faith pours out of them as they continually rescue babies, reach out in His name to help heal the blind, the deaf, and even hear the dumb speak.<br /><br />Co-founders of Iris Ministries, this incredible duo brings hope and care to thousands all over Mozambique, providing daily care for no less than 10,000 children. Their extended network includes over 10,000 churches, Bible schools, primary schools and remote outreach programs.<br />What a joy for them that many converts become ministers, lay preachers and teachers working all over the world!<br /><br />Their message:<br /><br />LOVE IS food and comfort to a ten year old amputee, abandoned on the side of the road.<br /><br />LOVE IS a new roof for an elderly widow installed before the rainy season.<br /><br />LOVE IS sharing hope with the homeless man on your street corner.<br /><br />'God is not just moving in distant lands and if you are willing, He will do amazing things through your love when you stop for the one in front of you, it is that simple!'<br /><br />A book to experience and reach out in HIS name to those who need YOU!<br /><br />5 Stars for its message, none better presented than today, the first of this Holy week!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS & CHOSEN BOOKS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1364252537000, "title": "This incredible duo brings hope and care to thousands all over Mozambique!" }, { "asin": "0764206192", "rating": 4, "text": "My first novel by Tracie Peterson was Book #3 in the 'Land of the Lone Star' series entitled 'Taming the Wind' (see review HERE), a good Western in itself and proof yet again this well published author has always something new up her sleeve!<br />Easy to read, entertaining and with just enough historical facts to give even this quickly bored reader something to ponder about, her novels reflect a wholesomeness and faith readers of any age will enjoy.<br /><br />The Icecutter's Daughter's jacket alone was eye catching: I love raised lettering and the image and colours were a strong pull in my choice for reading it, in fact as much as the resume (I know, I know, you should never judge a book by its cover but the series' name alone 'Land of Shining Water' was striking!).<br /><br />Icecutting was a vast industry in the US before machinery overtook this skilled art and I was curious to see what Tracie might have dug out when she wrote her historical fiction about two young people, destined to be together yet separated by lies and scandal.<br /><br />Merrill has always seen to the needs of her large, mostly male family and her German ancestry is as much a part of her life as Rurik's Swedish roots are his. Tracie weaves a convincing tale about their budding love amidst Nordic traditions and deep faith, wrongs to be righted and duties to their families.<br /><br />As always you may depend on this author's for the myriad of details which makes this tale a sweet read on these cold and rainy Spring evenings this Pacific NW coastline is known for!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS & CHOSEN BOOKS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1365702853000, "title": "Just the name of the series 'Land of Shining Water' was eye catching!" }, { "asin": "0824932463", "rating": 4, "text": "Sunflower Summer and Seaside Harmony, both novels part of the 'Postcards from Misty Harbor series', are drawn against the alluring scenery of quintessential Nantucket island. There we meet three sisters who purchase a dilapidated Victorian home with visions of restoring it to its original glory. The historical inn named the Misty Harbor Inn, soon opens its doors to guests as a B & B, a long time dream of their Mum now deceased.<br />Childhood memories emerge, hopes and dreams identifieds whilst the three sisters plunge into the renovation of the old place with all their heart.<br /><br />In their sixties, Caroline, Gracie and Sam bring each their own brand of talents to this endearing work of love and it is interesting to discover the three sisters individual personas as well as their perception of each other as they slowly bond again.<br /><br />Let's face it, we have all dreamed of owning such a place and arrange it lovingly whilst welcoming guests, have we not? Think of the fun of meeting people coming and going in your own inn?!<br />There is however a lot more to it than we might imagine and Evangeline Kelley (actually the pen name for 4 different authors) describes the bittersweet ups and downs of owning a piece of history, complete with mysteries, including a disappearance in the 1800's!<br /><br />With just the right amount of details to pique our interest the renovation comes to life and answers are found if sought. As we are often reminded, the good Lord has something in store for each of us and the sisters are discovering their true self in these adventures.<br /><br />Complete with interesting sub characters, a touch of sweet romance, a wonderful ol' Packard to transport guests and a delightful if mischievous Cocker Spagniel named Max, both easy to read novels are the perfect relaxing novels to tuck in your beach bag!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />Note to Readers: A confession must be made...This reader felt drawn immediately to Sunflower Summer's story and I would like to recommend you read the novels in order, with Seaside Harmony first!<br /><br />I received these books from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1367440928000, "title": "Relaxing novels set against quintessential Nantucket island!" }, { "asin": "1451692374", "rating": 5, "text": "Most readers will agree, some books just stand out and this one is definitively ranking in the top ten of my list of most entertaining. A keeper and one I would suggest to anyone looking for a gift!<br />Deanne's vivavious description of a sweet romance amidst the 1893's World Fair was the perfect enticement for some 'me' time. I was totally immersed in her descriptive of this period and credit the story of Della and Cullen with a few dreams of my own. Well done!<br /><br />A perfect combination of historical facts and fiction, It Happened At The Fair reflects the wealth of love and care this author puts in her writing. It also brings to readers a marvelous fountain of information and even photos of this world event!<br />Whilst she has taken a few liberties, all clearly acknowledge in the afterword, the author was undoubtdedly as stimulated by the fair as I was when I first heard of it. As a cultural and social event, the world fair of 1893 was a tremendous influence on the 20th Century and a complete success. With 6.8 millions visitors in attendance, the exposition located on the shores of Lake Michigan provided a template for other events and changed America forever with its astonishing legacy. Nothing ever compared to it as it gave new perspectives for the world of commerce and technology.<br /><br />Della and Cullen's story blends in this grandiose background yet gives an opportunity for readers to feel their touching romance. Obviously a true romantic at heart, Deanne describes Della's position as a teacher working with the Deaf at a time when too often a deaf person was ostrasized for signing. Cullen in turn is the young farmer turned inventor who is struggling with a hearing loss.<br /><br />Deanne Gist proved to be a superb historical fiction writer which coupled with her discernebly romantical temperament, gives readers a captivating love story you will not want to miss!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />I received this book from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1368144831000, "title": "Deanne's vivavious description of a sweet romance amidst the 1893's World Fair was the perfect enticement for some 'me' time." }, { "asin": "0764209795", "rating": 5, "text": "Leave it to the matriarch of the Amish genre to come up with yet another gem! Since she first began to entertain us with stories of this cloistered community, Beverly Lewis has repeatedly captivated fans and acquired many new readers with her insight into this mysterious world few of us has seen and understand.<br /><br />In 'Home To Hickory Hollow', Book # 3 'The Guardian' we discover a strong willed little Amish girl named Sarah and Jodi, the troubled young woman who finds the little darling when she tumbles out of her Mum's buggy and gets lost.<br /><br />Beverly Lewis systematically introduces us to many facets of the Old Order Amish community we know little or next to nothing such as intermarriages and deriving genetic disorders or their reluctance to involve the authorities even in the case of a missing child.<br />I was surprised at the 'no pets allowed in a household' preference but cannot but marvel at their strong sense of community and survival in an ever encroaching English world.<br />The concept of an outsider being not only accepted in such a tight community as a close friend but also hired to teach their children even on a temporary basis was definitively unexpected.<br /><br />Always at her best when she describes the ties that draw people together no matter their origins, Beverly Lewis approaches the subject of pain and loneliness which occurs after losing loved ones.<br />For Maryanna Esh, Joshua Peachey and Jodi Winfield, there is a lesson to be learned as long as they have faith!<br /><br />\"The soul yearns for tranquility but the only real peace comes from communing with God.\"<br /><br />Returning readers will enjoy meeting old friends such as Ella Mae the Wise Woman and her down to earth approach to life but never fear this 'Home To Hickory Hollow' story stands on its own!<br /><br />5 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1369505389000, "title": "Always at her best when she describes the ties that draw people together!" }, { "asin": "0764209663", "rating": 5, "text": "Karen Witemeyer packs a whole lot of punch in this fun Christian novel and brings readers a story guaranteed to make you dream about the Old West!<br />The very idea of a father going to such lenghs to please his daughter was genial! 'Stealing the Preacher is everything the synopsis promised and more!<br /><br />Karen Witemeyer's style is vivacious and the perfect antidote to hum drum evenings (Forget the telly, move over John Wayne!). Her novels gives you the opportunity to grasp a keen appreciation for the Old West, luxuriate in a little romance, relish in humour riddled dialogue and encounter a whole lot of faith. Not bad for 352 pages!<br /><br />'Stealing the Preacher' starts on a humourous note with the kidnapping of unsuspecting Crockett Archer, en route to what he hopes will be his first appointment as a full time parson! Silas and his bunch of grey hair, long in the tooth outlaws forcibly removes him from the train and unceremoniously drops him at daughter's Joanna' feet as her birthday gift!<br /><br />From the onset 'Stealing the Preacher' is a series of wholesome fortuity and a celebration of faith! Joanna and Crockett seemed destined to be together of course. That is if Joanna's father will set aside his differences with the Lord and allow true love to progress. Silas has been a honest rancher for the last 16 years but his past might just come back to haunt him.<br /><br />Sweet Joanna is everything Crockett needs at this time as a partner in his life as he breathes life in his new found congregation. Hired as a ranch hand, he hopes to earn Silas' approval and works harder than anyone. If he can bring Silas to the Lord, he might just be able to ask for Joanna's hand.<br /><br />A fast paced delightful novel to enjoy with your whole heart and soul! Kate Witemeyer is going on my list of favourite authors!<br /><br />I received this book from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1371328423000, "title": "'Stealing the Preacher is everything the synopsis promised and more!" }, { "asin": "0764209566", "rating": 4, "text": "'Love in Disguise' was my first novel by Carol Cox (see review HERE) and I looked forward to see what Carol had in store for her readers with 'Trouble in Store'.<br /><br />Clearly inspired by her beautiful surroundings - not unlike the one her protagonist finds upon her arrival out West - Carol Cox takes us this time from Marietta, Ohio Circa 1885 to Cedar Ridge, Arizona Territory. A mercantile store against this interesting backdrop becomes the setting of this new adventure!<br /><br />As is her custom, the author blends a good western with a little mystery rounded up with a bit of romance, just what most of us look for to discover in a Historical Fiction.<br /><br />Melanie Ross is nothing but determined to start afresh in Cedar Ridge as Caleb Nelson soon discovers both of them might very well be co-owners of the mercantile store he inherited from his Uncle.<br /><br />Caleb and his son Levi have only been four months in town but they are settling in and do not want to see the persistent young woman interfering in the running of the mercantile store. Melanie however is full of ideas to expend their inventory and create more sales.<br />When threats in the form of missives are discovered, Melanie first assumes Caleb is behind it all.<br /><br />In the meantime in an attempt to take things in hand, Caleb devises a plan to see Melanie married off, a sure way to not have her underfoot but the plan backfires when dozen of callers offers matrimony to the comely newcomer and she finds out who is behind it all.<br /><br />Entertaining if slightly predictable, 'Trouble in Store' has a lesson or two for us to uncover...including the danger in gossiping which in this case might endanger the lives of our characters! This is after all the West and bad news travels faster than a herd of spooked cattle!<br /><br />4 stars!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program and an Ebook version from BAKER PUBLISHING GROUP (through the Social Sharing Contest). I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1372111366000, "title": "As is her custom, the author blends a good western with a little mystery rounded up with a bit of romance!" }, { "asin": "1414349319", "rating": 5, "text": "Duty and Honour calls at any level and this latest Christian offering by TYNDALE PUBLISHERS is well worth a moment of your time!<br /><br />RENEGADE, Book 2 in the 'Called To Serve' series follows Pike Morgan, a maverick who has been in and out of trouble for many years. Growing up in the Foster Care system of course has not helped his rebellious side. When his best friend is killed by a gang, Pike agrees to testify and enters the Witness Protection program.<br />Now a Marine reservist called to active duty, Pike Morgan is sent to Afghanistan where his fighting skills proves him to be a survivor when a regular rescue mission turns grievously wrong and becomes the biggest challenge of his life.<br /><br />Mel Odom might have well written just another of those war novels if it was not for the fact he cleverly deals with duty and honour infused with a great amount of faith! There are some excellent Christian values in this plot particularly for single parent families, as we realize Pike's past haunts him and emotional ties scares him. No man is an island after all!<br /><br />Well worth reading, RENEGADE is packed with action most favoured by men but also the sort of 'feel good' times women relate to and as such, provides great material for family/group discussions.<br /><br />With over 140 books to his active in various genres, Mel Odom proves to be a versatile author certain to grab your attention and whilst this 2nd novel in the series starts rather slowly, the narration builds up steadily! The only negative might be that some of the (interesting) characters appeared to be left in limbo, material for a future novel perhaps?<br /><br />Finally, a word of caution: Understandably, the author could not escape the harsh realities of war so there is a certain amount of violence leading me to recommend this novel for mature readers only!<br /><br />5 Stars!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from TYNDALE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1372886624000, "title": "Mel Odom proves to be a versatile author certain to grab your attention!" }, { "asin": "0310730538", "rating": 5, "text": "An amazing recount of survival in horrendous conditions, Alone Yet Not Alone is an action packed book preteens and teens will appreciate for the dramatic events this courageous family encountered!<br />Life in 1755 was hardly easy for those living on the frontier bordering the mountains of Pennsylvania. For most, this represented however the only opportunity for freedom from indentured servitude or slow starvation in the old country.<br /><br />Based on true facts this tale recalls the story of a group of children captured by Indians and taken far into the wilderness to become members of their tribe.<br />But there is where this inspirational story truly begins! What sets Barbara and Regina apart are their unwavering faith in God and their belief in each other.<br /><br />Separated, each girl is inducted in the Allegheny tribe and continuously look for ways to escape. When eventually the right time emerges, theirs become the stuff of legend as they made their escape with other captives!<br /><br />Pursued by their captors unrelentlessly, these children eventually found their way back to their families. This is their story, an extraordinary tale of survival filled with Christian values and biblical teaching!<br /><br />Author's Tracy Leininger Craven love for History is immediately apparent in this debut novel you will not want to miss!<br /><br />Note to Readers: Be sure to read the acknowledgements (and find out about Tracy's first draft of this story at age 9!) and check out the Discussion/questions!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from FLYBY PROMOTIONS as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1377797046000, "title": "Their survival become the stuff of legend!" }, { "asin": "1433680459", "rating": 5, "text": "By far one of the most meaningful children stories I have read in a long time, AUDREY BUNNY reminded me immediately of another time, another little girl and her own bunny...This review is for us Dearest...<br /><br />Lovingly illustrated by talented Breezy Brookshire this story reminds us that whilst we might have some imperfections, we are all children of God and loved!<br /><br />AUDREY BUNNY will capture each child's imagination (Warning: as a direct result, parents might find themselves buying a soon to be much loved stuffed friend!) as we see that Caroline knew exactly what she wanted when stepping in the toy shoppe!<br />Loved at first sight, AUDREY BUNNY is so happy to be adopted by Caroline but very much afraid her own imperfection once discovered means she will be rejected.<br /><br />My favourite moment:<br />'Bunny peeked over the animals in the barrel. It was her! It was the same little girl from a few days ago. She straightened her ears as high as they would go and squeezed her eyes shut as the little girl walked in her direction. She was too nervous to look. Could today be the day she got picked?'<br /><br />Author Angie Smith finds just the right words to reassure little ones (and big ones) that we are special in our own way!<br /><br />An amazing work of love, geared for 4 to 8 years old, it is a story you will treasure and hopefully share with all your loved ones! This one Folks is meant to be on a special shelf to be read over and over!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />Note to Readers: Great news! Audrey Bunny is now #1 in Christian Children's Books at Amazon.com!<br /><br />I received a copy of this title from FLYBY PROMOTIONS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1383064676000, "title": "A story sure to be treasured for years to come!" }, { "asin": "0824956478", "rating": 5, "text": "Beautifully illustrated by talented Christine Kornacki (Remember The First Christmas Night?) The Sparkle Box is a marvelous story to teach little ones (and old ones) the true meaning of Christmas!<br /><br />In this heartfelt message storyteller Jill Hardie brings us a delightful story sure to become a tradition in this upcoming Holiday Season.<br /><br />Beginning with the message: &#34;You are the light of the world -- Make it sparkle!&#34;, this book includes a pop up sparkle box for young readers to fill in with little slips of papers highlighting their 'gifts' as they share with others in His name!<br /><br />The unfolding story focuses on random acts of kindness, what we can give instead of what we receive thus allowing even the smallest child of understanding the joy involved in helping others.<br /><br />Be ready though for a lot of questions arising from the story such as being homeless and hungry. Each unique illustration and the accompanying wording will bring a new subject to discuss with your family!<br /><br />A book to treasure and rediscover year after year!<br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />Note to Readers:<br /><br />This review was not requested and reflects my opinion only!", "timestamp": 1385855900000, "title": "The Sparkle Box is a marvelous story to teach little ones (and old ones) the true meaning of Christmas!" }, { "asin": "140168968X", "rating": 4, "text": "We all have favourites in literature and Mr. Knightley happens to be the leading Austen male character I like best.<br />I was intrigued by the title of Dear Mr. Knightley (more than the bromidic cover) and the format of the novel: letters written to a sponsor willing to give a chance to someone who most needed a friend!<br /><br />Katherine Reay's first novel is impressive! Her plotline is faultless and I loved to discover the letters Sam is writing in which she reveals so much of herself.<br />I think most reviewers will agree it was easy to identify the benevolent sponsor but it was intriguing to see how far the author would lead her main character without revealing his/her identity!<br /><br />An enjoyable read which includes bonus material perfect for group readers.<br />If you are looking for a good romance to bestow on a favourite friend or family member, here is the ticket!<br /><br />4 Stars!", "timestamp": 1386187174000, "title": "A good romance to bestow on a favourite friend or family member this Holiday Season!" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764208659", "rating": 5, "text": "City On Our Knees written by TobyMac is one of these books I guarantee will make you think!<br /><br />Because of my limited (financial) resources I find myself not always able to help out others as much as I would love to. Like all of us, I need sometime to be shown the light!<br /><br />In his book, TobyMac reminds us about those many people across the world who do not just give financially but also time, talents, love and compassion, even experiences, all that God in His infinite wisdom has bestowed upon us.<br /><br />There is no doubt TobyMac's lyrics are uplifting so using his music, biblical passage and quotes of Christians past and present, he shows us how to meet the needs of those around us. In fact he uses incredible examples of how people serve God everywhere and how even the youngest amongst us can do His mighty work!<br /><br />City on our knees is an inspiring tome well written and warmly documented. Anytime you believe you are not doing enough for His Kingdom you will find within its pages just enough fuel to light up your fires and do God's work. I was glad of the opportunity to read this book and my family and I rated it 4 1/2 stars!<br /><br />If you gotta start somewhere why not here<br />If you gotta start sometime why not now<br />If we gotta start somewhere I say here<br />If we gotta start sometime I say now<br /><br />(From City On Our Knees lyrics by TobyMac)<br /><br />Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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.\"", "timestamp": 1287021327000, "title": "Inspiring and well written!" }, { "asin": "078523120X", "rating": 5, "text": "When Booksneeze offered the possibility to review this latest book of Andy Andrews I immediately acccepted.<br />I very much enjoyed The Heart mender which I also reviewed here.<br />The 11th of April (posting schedule) came and went and I will first tell you, this is one book not to be rushed.<br />Andy Andrews has this particular knack for involving the reader body and soul in his books!<br />The Final Summit was a hard one to put down and I was not disappointed: I very much enjoyed reading it!<br /><br />\"Many years have passed since David Ponder discovered the Seven Decisions during a divine journey through time. Now 74 years old, Ponder has lost the one thing that mattered to him most--his wife, Ellen. Despite his personal and professional success, he now sits alone at the top of his 55-story high-rise contemplating the unthinkable, just as he did 28 years ago.<br /><br />However, just as things are looking their darkest, Ponder is informed through divine channels that he is needed now more than ever. This is mankind's last chance. Millennia of avarice, pride, and hate have sent humanity hurtling toward inevitable disaster, and far from its original purpose. There is only one solution that can reset the compass and right the ship--and it is only two words. Ponder, along with a cast of famous historical figures, must work quickly to discover this solution. The fate of the world rests on their shoulders.\"<br /><br />This is a book I recommend you read slowly and ponder upon. Andy Andrews's faith and knowledge of History, his very definition of human tendency's to ignore certain signs and rewrite this history to make it easier to understand will make you think again upon what you thought you knew about our world!<br />\"What does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization?\"<br /><br />Here is the question: When Time is running out and you must decide what to do when you do not know what to do... Which of the Seven Decisions would you think the most important? (no hinting, you must read it and discovered for yourself!)<br /><br />But I will tell you however my favourite...From Union Colonel Joshua Chamberlain who hastily wrote the words, \"I am a person of action\" on a scrap of paper.<br />Clearly, this is a book you must \"experience\" and Andy Andrews has woven a well written story that will leave you indeed pondering. Each chapter will inspire you to involve yourself and add your name to the \"personal declaration\"!<br />Time travelling in itself is of course always enticing and meeting other travellers whom might find a way to change the world...Oh the Dreams...<br /><br />Finally I will recommend heartily the Author's notes and the reader's guide to help you of course to discover even more about other Travellers...Who knew?<br /><br />I give this one 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br /><br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1303409632000, "title": "So many questions...and the Dreams..." }, { "asin": "082543310X", "rating": 5, "text": "Publisher's description:<br /><br />Fifteen-year-old Julien Losier just wants to fit in. But after his family moves to a small village in central France in hopes of outrunning the Nazis, he is suddenly faced with bigger challenges than the taunting of local teens.<br />Nina Krenkel left her country to obey her father's dying command: Take your brother and leave Austria. Burn your papers. Tell no one you are Jews. Alone and on the run, she arrives in Tanieux, France, dangerously ill and in despair.<br />Thrown together by the chaos of war, Julien begins to feel the terrible weight of the looming conflict and Nina fights to survive. As France falls to the Nazis, Julien struggles with doing what is right, even if it is not enough-and wonders whether or not he really can save Nina from almost certain death.<br />Based on the true story of the town of Le Chambon-the only French town honored by Israel for rescuing Jews from the Holocaust-How Huge the Night is a compelling, coming-of-age drama that will keep teens turning the pages as it teaches them about a fascinating period of history and inspires them to think more deeply about their everyday choices.<br /><br />And now for my review:<br /><br />Since this book is based on actual events, I was compelled to read it as soon as I received the opportunity to review it. Three nights later I closed the book and held my hand upon its cover. There is something that draws you to certain subjects for one reason or another...This one is particularly close to my heart and I am thankful to Heather and Lydia Munn for writing such a heartwarming book.<br /><br />For many in Europe there is an undeniable hauntingness about the occupation. Much is still hush hushed about the ensuing period's deeds and thoughts. We see the invasion of countries most often through the eyes of adults. Through their stories we feel the loss of freedom and honour, we experience a hint of their helpleness as we learn of rationing and depravation, sometime imprisoning or disapearance...We remember the stories about the Resistance and whispers of good and bad deeds...<br /><br />Seen throught the eyes of this small French village and their youth we are shown a different aspect of war, one which involves not just the adults but its young people as well. This is a time of conflict and choices have to be made.Theirs is a story of survival!<br />There is no right or wrong, good or bad when your life is on the line. Hope is all your have, the determination to live another day and ultimately to obtain once again your freedom! None are safe, danger surrounds and decisions must be made. Your only comfort, God is listening! Or is He?<br /><br />Wonderfully researched, beautifully written, this is a story that will take your breath away. Honest, compelling, How Huge The Night is a book which you soon realize does not shy from the true aspects of occupation.<br />I found myself remembering an other time, harsh decisions and I will admit to having been near tears! War time occupation was nothing short of a difficult time to grow up!<br />Albeit geared to the younger generation I am told, I find this is a timeless story and I see no reason not to recommend to adults as well.<br />A perfect 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Litfuse as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1306102239000, "title": "Honour, Freedom, Survival are not just for adults!" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 4, "text": "Since this weekend was quiet enough to let me relax (after a week of feeling somewhat frazzled) I picked up \"Spring for Suzannah\" to enjoy along with a nice cuppa!<br />I was looking for something light to read but with a good solid plot, the kind of novel you immerse yourself into.<br /><br />This is a debut for Catherine Richmond but a few pages in the book I knew \"Spring for Suzannah\" would be a throughfully enjoyable read and I was not disappointed.<br />I think we all agree we like to read about these incredible frontier women who braved the wilderness, tamed the Wild West, raised families, often burying some of their loved ones, faced starvation, wildlife threats, and built a life for themselves along their mates.<br />Let's not forget their contributions in building schools, churches and developing entire towns whilst uphelding God's word!<br /><br />The setting for Catherine Richmond novel (written with the help of a few chocolates along the way - my kind of gal!) is the Dakota Territory, a few years after the end of the Civil War.<br />Suzannah travels outwest to meet her new husband, Jesse. Theirs is a marriage by proxy, not unusual at that time. What is unusual is that she brings uncommon skills to her new way of life.<br />Her new home is a soddy, barely large enough to contain her husband and herself. Her companion is a dog, her only friend is Martha, a Norvegian just learning the English language and she lives miles away. The prairie is everywhere, there are many dangers such as wildland fires and the often weather changes! To survive is a daily challenge, being caught unprepared could mean death. There are no church, no school, no doctor and loneliness has a way to pervade everything!<br /><br />Jesse is a hard worker farmer but also a loving husband who has seen much horror during the War yet believes in God implicitly. His comfortable relationship with the Lord at times is even funny!<br />Shy Suzannah is insecure and lives in fear her new husband will send her back East but with patience Jesse reaches her heart and they soon see their union blessed.<br />When tragedy happens however, Suzannah must deal with the pain and here as always we are reminded God is always by our side. Suzannah matures in a real pioneer woman when she realizes God has a plan for her after all!<br /><br />Catherine Richmond describes her characters as living a full life, theirs is a romance that blooms in a lonely often harsh world. She does not shy from describing their intimacy, reminding us God made all things beautiful and His love is constant.<br />I cannot say honestly I would recommend this as a read for young girls but again, this Christian novel was written with much care and faith and a more mature audience will truly enjoy following Jesse and Suzannah's story.<br />The author's careful details gives us yet again, a little window on these pioneers women who made a New World thus providing us with a bit of history, along with an afternoon of true relaxation.<br />Just what I was looking for!<br />Many thanks Catherine Richmond and I hope you will soon pen another story for us.<br /><br />I give this book 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Litfuse as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1308065127000, "title": "Great debut!" }, { "asin": "1595548246", "rating": 4, "text": "The Amish world described by Beth Wiseman is like an opened window on a world which Englishers such as ourselves find fascinating!<br />Seek me with all your heart is also the first book I read by Beth Wiseman and I found myself drawn to the story within a few pages.<br />Beautifully written, with an engaging plot developing steadily along the pages, this is a much more accurate insight on Amish life than anything else I might have read in the past! The author does not shy from describing hardships found even amongst the Amish. Yes life can be a struggle but Faith can work wonders!<br /><br />Her realistic characters are guaranteed to surprise you even at times! You will find yourself laughing also at references to the Englisher life whilst learning more about a world few know truly well and often misunderstood.<br />It is a particular skill of a good author to lead any reader on a path of discovery and Beth Wiseman reminds us that Faith will sustain us through ups and downs as long as we let God in our heart!<br /><br />Like those beautiful Amish patchwork quilts made of intricate and carefully stiched pieces life can become whole and rewarding if we trust in Him! Beth Wiseman's characters and their plies are carefully chosen to let you know He is always near if we just listen!<br />Seek me with all your heart is the first book in the series Land of Canaan and is certain to be a throughly enjoyable read for anyone who delights in learning more about Amish life.<br /><br />To learn more about Beth Wiseman's books please visit her website here<br /><br />I gave this book a heatwarming 4 stars!<br /><br />Just a quick reminder: I was not asked to review this book and all opinions are entirely my own!", "timestamp": 1308765825000, "title": "A realistic view of the Amish Community!" }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 5, "text": "In 'A Distant Melody' we met Walt, the first of the three Novak brothers, a B17 pilot with the US Eight Air Force (read review here) and in 'A Memory Between Us', the author introduced us to dashing brother Jack, also a pilot stationed in England (see review here). Each of the Novak brothers' characters brought to mind the very best of the many American (and British) pilots who flew countless dangerous missions over enemy territory to bring about peace during the WW2 years! Most of these brave men were barely in their twenties and many gave their life for God and Country!<br /><br />Ray Novak's courage and faith is not to be doubt for a moment. His job is to train B17 pilots stateside and unlike his brothers, all he ever wanted was to follow his father's footsteps and preach.<br /><br />Sarah Sundin's superb description of this quiet man's trials as well as the human frailty displayed by the woman he loves is what makes this historical novel certainly hard to put down but in the end, it is a story about faith and the courage to go on during incredible times of conflict!<br /><br />If Ray's decision to join a combat unit overseas is somehow expected it is however the description of his survival behind enemy lines that will touch you in more ways than one! It is in the little details Sarah Sundin shares with readers that you find yourself pulling for the heroes (and holding your breath literally!)<br /><br />This beautiful love story is about Ray and Helen, both survivors, each reaching out to God for the courage to face their demons. Ultimately, it is the story of people torn apart by circumstances who in the course of their duties, both overseas and on the home front, reminds us that with God at our side, anything is possible!<br />'Blue Skies Tomorrow' is the perfect ending for the 'Wings of Glory' series!<br /><br />This is nothing less than 5 stars material!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1314710699000, "title": "The perfect ending to the 'Wings of Glory' series!" }, { "asin": "1595547851", "rating": 3, "text": "Fairer than Morning is a fictional novel set in the 1820's and inspired by a well known family in the history of Westerville Ohio, the Hanbys.<br />Since I am familiar with this family's connection to the famous Otterbein College, I thought it to be an interesting subject and looked forward to discover this new writer.<br />In this first novel Rosslyn Elliott introduces us to the Saddler's legacy series and describes the humble beginnings of William Hanby, mainly his years in indentured service.<br />William Hanby and Ann Miller were real people who fell in love, married and had 8 children of whom composer Ben Hanby (Darling Nelly Gray) is probably the best known. The family was very active in the Underground Railway and harboured runaways both in Rushville and Westerville.<br /><br />Rosslyn Elliott has introduced some well known (at least in the Midwest) historical facts in this work of fiction and it is interesting to note her clear description of the runaways slaves is perhaps the highlight of this novel. Somehow the two main characters are a bit lost in her description, and I would be remiss if I did not point out that I found the whole story to be fragmented.<br /><br />Whilst we do not have as much information as we wish on William and Ann, their combined and formidable convictions regarding anti slaveryand their faith in particular are not enough reflected in this novel. The description of Ohio and Pensylvania in the 19th Century also could use a bit more elaboration. Historical societies in both states offer much more information than it is reflected here.<br />Finally the added characters brings little support to the whole story and I found it lacking in historical interest.<br />In such, I found the book to lack the vitality of the well known Ohio river life and the sentiments of stepping into history with the characters was just missing. Certain subjects also do not make this Christian material for younger ladies yet I would have labelled this novel to be for younger adults.<br /><br />I give this one 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1315509697000, "title": "Not everything I thought it would be!" }, { "asin": "0800719956", "rating": 5, "text": "I think there is nothing like Christmas and the incredible feeling it brings to all who believe in the birth of the Child Christ!<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher is the kind of writer whom readers know they can expect an excellent plot deftly written, a message of hope and a great deal of Amish wisdom along a good dose of humour!<br />One look at the cover (yes, I know you should not judge a book by its cover alone) and the author's name and I knew I would enjoy it. There is something wholesome about Suzanne Woods Fisher's stories and her acute knowledge of the Amish society always attracts!<br /><br />In 'A Lancaster County Christmas', we find both Englisher and Amish families sharing a few days during the Christmas season due to unexpected circumstances and I will readily admit it put me in the Christmas spirit immediately.<br />It is the true gift of a good author to be able to make any reader see the plain life of Amish families, feel the snow flakes on his/her face, the warmth of a love shared by people who truly care about each other, the anxiety experienced by someone who is once again disappointed by events they cannot control and most important the steadfastness of God's love for all!<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher is such an author!<br /><br />Even better in 'A Lancaster County Christmas' we learn about SAR (Search and Rescue) and the efficiency of a search well planned by equally well trained volunteers.<br />Life sometimes does follow some unexpected turns and it is up to us to learn to lean on our faith to find the strengh to go on. Christmas is a wonderful gift, a season of love, hope and joy! 'A Lancaster County Christmas' brings you all these feelings!<br /><br />I recommend picking up a copy of 'A Lancaster County Christmas' and let the spirit of the season surround you! In fact, pick up an additional copy for a loved one or a friend, a perfect gift to share with them!<br />P.S. I couldn't but laugh at the suggestion of Mr. September! Suzanne Woods Fisher feels like a friend and I guarantee you will enjoy this latest book!<br />How could I give anything but 5 stars for a book that had me laughing and crying?!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE PUBLICITY GROUP as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1316191766000, "title": "It will put you in the Christmas spirit!" }, { "asin": "1414335830", "rating": 5, "text": "This latest novel in the Precinct 11 series starts off slowly but you soon find the plot gripping and it is a hard one to put down. In true Jerry B. Jenkins fashion, 'The Betrayal' is a story with rapid fire action but as always reflecting many family values and this is why I like to read his books!<br /><br />Things are not looking good for Boone Drake. The injury he received whilst protecting former street gang boss Pascual Candelario, now turned good guy, will probably earn him early retirement but it is the last thing he wants right now. There is an informer amongst the Police department and it makes Boone all the more determined to remain on active duty. The more so since it jeopardizes his attempt to get Candelario to a secure location!<br /><br />Whilst CPD investigates this obvious leak, Boone's girlfriend becomes the prime suspect and it now it appears someone wants Boone out of the CPD for good.<br />Near exhaustion, Boone forces himself to find the source of this betrayal and the guilty party! His life and others depend on his survival skills!<br />Watch out for the climax!<br /><br />A Christian writer who never compromise his faith, Jenkins has a knack for appealing to all sorts of readers and in the end, you know good will triumph over evil!<br /><br />A perfect 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from TYNDALE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Adverting.", "timestamp": 1319215965000, "title": "Gripping!" }, { "asin": "0764209035", "rating": 5, "text": "A delightful historical novel and one of the best Christian fiction I have read in a while!<br />Anne Mateer's faith shines throughout this story and I am certain to be on the lookout for more of her work!<br /><br />'Wings of a dream' is reminiscent of Lucy Maud Montgomery, Catherine Marshall or Louisa May Alcott's style and you will feel a kindred spirit with the main character Rebekah Hendricks!<br /><br />WWI home front life in Texas with its shortages, the Spanish Lady (flu) epidemic as well as casualty reports are just one of the many descriptions you will find in Anne Mateer's novel!<br /><br />A true Christian story, this warmhearted tale of a nineteen year old faced with challenges few would not find daunting, 'Wings of a dream' is certain to delight readers! Not unlike a good recipe, this story has all the right ingredients but it is Anne Mateer's harmonious blend with the Great War's background that has you turning 'just one more page!'<br />A dreamer like many of us, Rebekah desires adventure and yet, faced with unexpected love she discovers God always leads the way! You will find yourself holding your breath towards the end I guarantee!<br /><br />I so enjoyed reading 'Wings of a dream' that I too had a hard time to put it down! Enjoy!<br /><br />I will gladly give it 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHING as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1320527918000, "title": "A kindred spirit!" }, { "asin": "076420498X", "rating": 5, "text": "'I was perfectly content with my life - that is, until the pages of my story were ripped out before I had a chance to live happily ever after.'<br />An excellent debut I felt as I was really looking for something relaxing to read and I have always believed in faery tales! This was just the right novel for a cold, blustery and rainy evening!<br />'Three days later, when Lillie was sure that Mack would live, she started planning his funeral.' is only the beginning of Chapter 8...I forgot the time and just kept on reading!<br /><br />Lynn Austin once again delivers an enticing story which is sure to have you alternate betwixt laughing bouts and tears!<br />There is something almost magical in Lynn Austin's writing and I have yet to read anything I did not like by this author so I will heartily recommend her novels.<br />Just short of spellbinding, each page of her Christian novels allows you to step in a different time frame and her characters beckons readers to immerse themselves in her stories.<br /><br />In her latest book we discover a little coal mining town in Kentucky during the Great Depression, a young librarian, a one hundred and one year old woman once a plantation slave, a writer and to top all this, there is a mysterious buried treasure...<br /><br />In Wonderland Creek we discover the harsh lives led by the proud mountain people of Kentucky whom with much determination survived the Great Depression. You find yourself almost envious of the simple lifestyle, the traditions, the intricate families connections and above all, the beauty of the surroundings!<br />As is customary with Lynn Austin's novels, you will find a marvelous balance betwixt history lessons, rich settings, amazing and often gripping characters and of course a good dose of Christian wisdom.<br /><br />When all is said and done, this is one author's writings worth every 5 stars give!<br /><br />Note to readers: I was not asked to review this novel and all opinions expressed are entirely my own!", "timestamp": 1325109623000, "title": "Happily-ever-after in the woods of Kentucky's during the Great Depression" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 4, "text": "'Where Wildflowers Bloom' is the first book in Ann Shorey's series called 'Sisters at Heart' and since I like a good Historical novel, wildflowers and dreaming, the perfect choice for a rainy day!<br /><br />Faith Lindberg lost her father and brother and lives with her Grandfather who owns a Mercantile shoppe. Faith hopes to sell the business, hopefully at a profit of course and move West. She dreams of starting afresh.<br />The story is set just after the end of the Civil War and I found the added characters of a field nurse as well as a scarred veteran just the right touch for this novel to be a little more than just a lovely romance.<br /><br />Ann Shorey pens an interesting portrait of a MidWest town, and takes us on a stroll around the dusty boardwalks to the shoppes, local eatery, blacksmith shop and livery, sheriff's office, clapboard houses and the little white church with its spiked roof, not unlike time traveling in your armchair.<br /><br />The mercantile shoppe comes to life with her detailed description of the stock with its many shelves of goods. I could almost feel the heroine's pain when she inadvertently drops the lovely china she'd hoped to sell and make a profit to boost sales. The fact that women rarely worked outside of home is once again the perfect detail to make this an interesting story!<br /><br />With just the right eloquence Ann Shorey infuses readers with a sense of what life was truly for the settlers who made their homes in places such as Noble Springs, Missouri and the gossiping and sometime meddling of a small town.<br />She does not stop there however and you discover the past is not to be shrugged off easily, especially for the men who came back from war, some broken, many scarred.<br />With a burglary and even mysteries, the entire story evolves in just the kind of entertainment you need to relax!<br /><br />A very nice story which earned 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1327628071000, "title": "Historical fiction decribing Yesterday's women and Today issues!" }, { "asin": "0800734599", "rating": 3, "text": "'Summer of Promise' offers an outlook on life in Wyoming in the 1880's and particularly for the families of soldiers stationed in remote areas such as Fort Laramie, many of them immigrants who joined in hope to make a better life for themselves. I can see why the author felt inspired to write a story after her trip (make that 3 trips and countless hours of Internet browsing).<br /><br />Abigail and Ethan's story is a light romance you might enjoy during a long winter evening but I felt it did not flow and it was not one I would describe as a page turner.<br />Tales of the Old West have always fascinated me but despite having learned a thing or two from Amanda Cabot's findings, I did not think the characters to be all they could be! Leah is one character for i.e. that could have been so much more!<br /><br />It seemed to be written with the very young in mind, nothing either inspiring or entertaining. I will caution animal lovers might find some of the tale upsetting. However true it might be, I found it had little reason to be added to the story personally.<br /><br />If this is an example of the upcoming stories in the Westward Wind series, I found Summer of Promise monotonous and a little tedious for my taste.<br /><br />I give it 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br /><br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1328382932000, "title": "Light romance and a little tedious!" }, { "asin": "1414364458", "rating": 5, "text": "Despite the promising resume I felt the beginning of this book might lead to just another tedious life lesson and very little entertainment. As the story unfolded however I discovered a real gem, each individual committee member' story revealing its own little touch of drama and very personal message.<br /><br />'The Search Committee' is the story of a medley of fellow Christians whose goal is to visit other churches. The committee includes a busybody, a young husband, a single mom and a handful of others all sharing the same hope, that to hire (steal) the perfect pastor for their own congregation.<br /><br />Tim Owens artfully weaves background and problem(s) faced by each member of the committee into a delightful and entertaining message for the reader.<br />Hard to put down, the story unfolds giving us the opportunity to find a little of ourselves in at least one of the committee characters, complete with its little quirks.<br /><br />You will find yourself chuckling at the delightful descriptions of this busy group traveling in an old church van (Outch! Those potholes!) and sneaking incognito into various churches and teary eyed a moment later.<br />It is warm, it is human and you will question if any of us truly know our neighbour in the pew next to us.<br /><br />So will the committee find this perfect man/woman for their own church? Well, I wouldn't want to spoil a good story and it is a VERY good story!<br />My suggestion is to grab this insightful book and enjoy a good time with the seah committee! Their quest will teach you a thing or two I daresay!<br /><br />A delightful first novel and worth at least 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from TYNDALE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1329174853000, "title": "Tim Owen's first novel is delightful gem!" }, { "asin": "0800720458", "rating": 5, "text": "The very first thing that comes to mind about 'Words Spoken True' is the raised lettering on the cover (a feature I dearly love and miss in the mass produced paperbacks published these days!) swiftly followed by the interesting historical note published in the forefront of the story! Once spotted, I was rubbing my hands together with glee. This is my kind of historical fiction!<br /><br />With a rich historical setting, enticing plot, flowing dialogues betwixt the protagonists, colourful descriptive and just the right amount of romance 'Words Spoken True' is sure to captivate readers!<br />Here is no amateurish historical fiction! Ann H. Gabhart is a well published author and she writes a warm story complete with romance, faith and intrigue about 'The Herald' and 'The Tribune', two warring newspapers in Louisville, Kentucky, circa 1850's.<br /><br />As the plot unravels you find yourself engrossed in its drama, and wishing with all your might for a great ending for both Adriane and Blake. Never fear, weaving her magic wand, Ann H.Gabhart will not disappoint and you will soon discover that no matter what, the press must go on!<br /><br />On a quick note, I was startled to learn the existence of the 'Know Nothings, and the dramatic events of Bloody Monday on 6 August 1855 which reflects in this story!<br /><br /> Readers should know this is a page turner...Hence warning to husband/children: Mum is certain to be so engrossed, dinner will soon be forgotten!<br /><br />A wonderful story certain to leave you daydreaming...<br />A big thank you to Ann H. Gabhart for her enduring writing skills!<br /><br />For sheer enjoyment, a 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330103697000, "title": "A wonderful story certain to leave you daydreaming..." }, { "asin": "1433673223", "rating": 4, "text": "With a little imagination 'The Guardian Duke' might very well be the most delightful story I have read in awhile! Nothing too serious, just a light tale about a charming ingenue and her elegant guardian complete with good historical notes, a good amount of faith and just the right amount of romance!<br /><br />Reminiscent of Barbara Cartland's writings, 'The Guardian Duke' has all the ingredients for a good, if a tad innocuous, tale. I was not looking for anything in particular when I started reading Jamie Carie's first book in the Forgotten Castles series but I was pleasantly surprised.<br /><br />Perhaps it was the romantic setting of Ireland with its mythical shores, the intriguing mystery revolving around some of the protagonists, the spirited ingenue dodging her guardian duke or the elegant Gabriel himself.<br />Lest I forget, credit should also be given to a colourful surrounding cast!<br /><br />Jaimie Carie also excelled at penning the lively correspondence betwixt the heroine and her soul mate. Do people really fall in love through letters? Let's hope the world has not become so jade that we cannot imagine for a short time that it can be so. Ah the dreams...<br /><br />I for one can only vouch for the innocent reading time I spend immersing myself into with this lively Christian tale. And if someone witnessed the sighs just before I turned off the lights, well...<br />All I can say is 'Thank you' Jaimie for a tasteful read certain to entertain teens and adults alike.<br /><br />Here is to wandering what happens in Iceland and thinking it was well worth 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from PROPELLER as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330567856000, "title": "Tasteful Christian romance for teens and adults alike!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 4, "text": "Heart's Safe Passage is book # 2 in The Midwives series and whilst I have yet to read book # 1 it is my hope the author will indulge us with more stories in this captivating chapter. The combination of the midwifery subject and the High seas set right after the conflict of 1812 was an appealing point for a history buff like me and the author did not disappoint!<br /><br />Obviously Laurie Alice Eakes has done well her research and I spent a relaxing evening reading this latest tale! Such are the rules of war that both nations would have not hesitate to try either protagonist as a traitor. Therefore to imagine a plot involving a midwife stranded against her will on an enemy ship was nothing but genial!<br /><br />A fervent admirer of C.S. Forrester and his tales of the high seas, I found Heart's Safe Passage all the most most intriguing as Laurie Alice Eakes demonstrates a thorough knowledge of seamanship I did not expect.<br />Historically the war of 1812 and the resulting strenuous diplomatic relations betwixt Colonials and Britishers was well documented. In turn the author's description of her characters allegiances reminds us that one could be deemed a traitor for just being at the wrong place at the wrong time.<br /><br />The spirited dialogues betwixt the Scottish privateer and the Colonial midwife have just the right enticement for readers to wonder who will win in the end and the supporting characters are endearing in their own ways.<br />Life at sea was far from being as romantic as Hollywood would have us believed but in Heart's Safe Passage there is just enough drama to keep it interesting and enough sparks for the romantic soul!<br /><br />Most of all the storyteller reminds us that God is the only one to steer our ship...<br /><br />I was also fascinated by the historical notes recording midwives written by a seventeenth century physician! Whilst some of it could be deemed humorous, it would appear being a midwife was hard and often a thankless task!<br /><br />Finally Laurie Alice Eakes' description of Captain Docherty was much more interesting than Errol Flynn in all his glory!<br /><br />For a most enjoyable evening, I find myself giving this historical romance 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330728429000, "title": "An intriguing romance betwixt a midwife and a privateer on the High seas!" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "Anyone familiar with the talented Brother Cadfael, the Welsh Benedictine monk so engagingly described by Ellis Peters will appreciate my interest in this book!<br />I first heard of it on a Publisher's website and felt compelled to pursue this title whose author I had yet to discover! I also hoped for something different and was not disappointed!<br /><br />'Unhallowed Ground' was my introduction to Mel Starr's and I immediately found his style to be unique and quite discerning! An impressive glossary allows curious minds like mine to discover words and terms the modern English language no longer use.<br /><br />Mel Starr skillfully weaves a tapestry of intrigue, false leads, adventure and danger rendered the more interesting by its many historical settings whilst leading the reader on a path of whodunit.<br />Within a few pages you are wondering who is friend, who is foe and yes, it is a page turner!<br /><br />The colourful but tasteful tale follows Hugh de Singleton, bailiff of Bampton Manor, as he is called to investigate the death of a local villager. Amongst his many talents Master Hugh is also noted as a medieval surgeon and a detective of sorts...<br />Is this a case of suicide or murder? Thus we are introduced to the ensuing intriguing plot!<br /><br />With its excellent penmanship, 'Unhallowed Ground' is just the sort of book you will read and feel replete!<br /><br />I give it 5 stars (and quickly found a little niche for it on our bookshelves!)<br /><br />On a note of worth, this book is the fourth chronicle of the series. The fifth chronicle 'The Tainted Coin' will soon be released!<br /><br />NOTE TO READERS: I was not asked to review this title and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1332627554000, "title": "Medieval mystery with the finest historical detailed background!" }, { "asin": "1595548874", "rating": 3, "text": "Best selling author Beth Wiseman has delighted her many fans with tales of the Amish world for years. Perhaps I was influenced by my daughter as she is a big fan but I have enjoyed her stories!<br /><br />This novel is however quite different and I will admit to some disappointment. A contemporary story is rarely my first choice of reading material. I much prefer historical fiction work which lets your imagination wonder, provides you with healthy entertainment and even gives you the incentive to delve into the subject by way of further research!<br /><br />Beth Wiseman introduces us to her latest writing by depicting a Texan family whom at first glance lives a perfectly well balanced life. They recently moved from a cosmopolitan area to live in an old farmhouse in a small town to raise their children in a much healthier environment.<br /><br />Reading the resume I caught the 'Special Needs Children' part and felt drawn to it thus the reason for this choice of review.<br /><br />Unfortunately whilst I allow any author's right to feel a need to branch out, this time I felt something was missing and I had a hard time to concentrate on the plot.<br />Perhaps it was the fact that special needs children had only a small part in this story, or that the neighbour's character just did not seem to fit in, or I was not prepared to comprehend the extent to which some teens go to please their family or when under peer pressure! I have since looked into it and it brought many shudders!<br />Even the locales were not eye catching and nothing really stands out.<br /><br />Despite the troubled teenager plight and a handful of supporting characters, the story mainly revolves around the attraction felt by two individuals and much like a soap opera is drawn out: lies, betrayals and sheer boredom!<br /><br />Somewhat fragmented, Needing you Now is the sort of Christian novel I feel you will only briefly remember and lacking the profound inspirational theme Beth Wiseman usually provides her readers.<br /><br />Needing you Now has surprised me and less you feel this is not a good book, I will remind you of course that I offer only my opinion!<br /><br />As such, I can only give it 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BOOKSNEEZE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1335569626000, "title": "Really not what I hoped for!" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 4, "text": "'A Love Forbidden', Book # 2 in Heart of the Rockies series reads like a Western with a powerful message: intolerance is the root of many evils!<br />Once again Baker Revell brings us an interesting author and I was pleasantly surprised in Kathleen Morgan's vivid descriptions of the 1800 Colorado Rockies!<br />There is so much History in the US, often misconstrued yet as rich as many older nations!<br />I love to discover yet another facet of the Old West and I believe I mentioned it before, the first novel I read in English was written by Louis l'Amour!<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan's tasteful description of Shiloh Wainwright and Jesse Blackwater's love story gives us a realistic outlook on frontier life in the 1800's Colorado and the Ute reservation.<br />As a teacher on the Indian reservation Shiloh hopes to help Indian children learn the White Man's ways whilst retaining their identity. Her task is not easy as she deals with narrow minded agencies and wary settlers.<br />Jesse Blackwater is the childhood friend she never forgot and caught betwixt both the White man's world and the Ute worlds, they find themselves caught in a maelstrom of emotions and conflicts, both internal and external.<br /><br />'A Love Forbidden' might have been just another Historical romance but Kathleen Morgan draws you in the story and you immerse yourself in it. The sum of a good novel, right?<br />It is always amazing to read lines which create such a vivid panoramic picture of times gone by and in turn creates such powerful emotions!<br />Amidst prejudice and growing political tension betwixt both the White and Indian world, you find yourself wondering if you would have the courage and wisdom to do what is right. In such circumstances, where would you stand as a Christian?<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan seems to breathe this time period and spares no details to entice us visually. Life on the frontier was often harsh, supplies limited, and communication slow due to long distances betwixt forts and settlements.<br />When one side fails to honour its word, the other decided to take action...<br /><br />Red headed Shiloh is as tenacious in her convictions as in her love for Jesse, whilst he sees the road ahead in a very realistic way. Will they be able to bridge both worlds and find love, acceptance, forgiveness and ultimately peace?<br /><br />Well depicted, this is a thought provoking story which illustrates the power of love and faith in a world often riddled with prejudice and ignorance.<br />In the end, you are in God's hands and given the chance, Shiloh and Jesse will come to realize nothing is impossible for them with His help.<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1338071156000, "title": "A thought provoking story about love and faith in the 1800's Colorado Rockies!" }, { "asin": "0764207962", "rating": 5, "text": "Siri Mitchell is definitively an author to reckon with: her latest novel 'The Messenger' is fast paced and scintillates with the kind of details any history buff will love. I found her notes and research to be very interesting!<br /><br />Set during the War of Independence (US), this is the story of an intrepid young Quaker named Hannah and a Continental Army spy named Jeremiah Jones. Each have need of the other and both parties joined forces but not without concerns for the ramifications involved. As a pacifist Hannah cannot abide violence but Jeremiah's plans ultimately will draw her in a conflict few will escape without scars.<br /><br />This is absolutely a story to enjoy without interruptions. I for one knew very little of Women spies during the Civil War (US) and did not give much thought to Women involvement during the 1776 Campaign.<br /><br />Prisoners conditions during this tumultuous conflict are rarely spoken of yet we know of the many hardships endured by the Colonial army, particularly during the winter campaign at Valley Forge.<br />Sad to say, many of the reenactments Siri Mitchell developed in her tale of faith and courage for our two courageous protagonists rang only too true! The ravages of war effects innocents everywhere yet we still fight!<br /><br />'The Messenger, reminds us of theologian Reinhold Neiburh's Serenity prayer:<br /><br />God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,<br />Courage to change the things I can,<br />And wisdom to know the difference.<br /><br />So fitting for this story!<br /><br />As to the Quaker faith, I have to thank Siri Mitchell for enlightening me: I never thought much about it!<br /><br />A story of bravery, of beliefs and God's path for each one of us!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1338499473000, "title": "A tale of courage and faith in the Revolutionary war!" }, { "asin": "1434764303", "rating": 3, "text": "'Glamorous Illusions', Book 1 of 'The Grand Tour' series has a most enticing front cover. One look at the lovely gown featured with the Eiffel Tower in the background will have you wish you too could be part of this Grand Tour. I was ready to be dazzled!<br /><br />Let me begin by saying Lisa T. Bergren is a seasoned author with over 35 books and sales of over 2 million copies but new to this reader.<br /><br />David C. Cook, the Publisher gives us in turn a tantalizing resume of 'Glamorous Illusions' starting with 'It's the summer of 1913...A fateful afternoon, a stranger comes to call, and Cora discover s a terrible secret about her past...invited to take the 'Grand Tour' of Europe, a trip intended to finish a person's education and solidify an understanding of refinement and ancient culture...<br /><br />I immersed myself in this fictional story turning page after page hoping to glimpse the wonders of a 20th Century trip abroad through the eyes of our young protagonist beginning with a portentous crossing aboard the Titanic sister-ship.<br />Grand Tours were scintillating events and much anticipated occasions for any well bred young lady or gentleman to acquire a certain polish and large amounts of monies were disbursed by generous parents to this effect.<br /><br />Breathtaking scenery along with ancient History and the discoveries of Music, Art, companions and fine culinary partaking provided the perfect ending to one's education. If one might find herself/himself an impoverished title in the bargain, families would look benignly and pride themselves in having acquired a touch of blue blood in the bargain.<br /><br />The idea of our heroine leaving her Montana struggling beet farm for a Grand Tour of Europe in the company of her newly discovered high society siblings has many hints of Cinderella. However Cora's journey of self discovery along this grand voyage is often confusing, her true sentiments hard to fathom! Even as I close the book I would be hard pressed to guess what she hoped to find.<br /><br />I could not picture any young lady destined to be a teacher to learn in one month how to move comfortably through the society throngs for example.<br />I found it also hard to believe the group described did not have at least one female chaperone (anything less would have been frowned upon in most societies and introductions near impossible), servants were unlikely to know what would be expected and therefore could not have advised.<br /><br />Illegitimacy was not more condoned in France than in England and therefore the courtship of Pierre de Richelieu hardly believable. Family pressures alone would have demanded he kept his distance. Accordingly the young lady would have been appraised his attentions were not honourable and very likely whisked away to the next stop of the Tour.<br /><br />Leaving these details aside, I felt none of the excitement or glimmer associated with such trip. One would hardly describe the wonders of the Eiffel Tower, Centuries old English manors, French chateaus or the wealth displayed at the Louvre for example in such a desultory way and hints at someone who trouped behind a guide (If this is Tuesday, it must be Belgium).<br />The elements are there but seen almost through a veil and does not impart the stimulating experiences for the reader's pleasure.<br /><br />Finally the end of this first novel in the series left me perplex. A hint or two leads me to believe there is more to the story but neither the romance nor the Grand Tour details provided much satisfaction.<br />One can only sigh and say: 'C'est la vie!'<br /><br />More of a Young Adult story, I give this one 3 stars.<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE AND DAVID C. COOK as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1340302218000, "title": "From Montana to the grand European metropolises..." }, { "asin": "0800720482", "rating": 5, "text": "I chose to feature the above synopsis instead of the one shown on the back of the cover for a personal reason. I admit I am only a student of the Gospels and for a moment as I read the cover's resume I thought there might be another Mary Magdalene!<br /><br />The imagination of storyteller Diana Wallis Taylor brings readers however a new dimension to the picture we might have of this amazing woman who followed Christ till the end.<br /><br />I found myself utterly enchanted by this author's narrative of a woman we know little of despite mentions in Luke, John and Acts.<br />We know Jesus cast off seven demons from her and that she was a close follower.<br />We also know she witnessed His mock trial and heard His sentence, she was present at His crucifixion and later amongst the women who find the empty tomb.<br /><br />In 'Mary Magdalene' Diana Wallis Taylor weaves a stirring profile of a gentle child who learned the Scriptures, growing up in Magdala, a coastal town off the Sea of Galilee with caring parents.<br />Following a tragic event, Mary Magdalene lives the next few years plagued by nightmares and yet amidst of all this, finds love and eventually will be healed.<br />She eventually follows Jesus and witnessed to the Messiah's glory for the remaining of her life.<br /><br />The author's rich historical and social details of Jewish life in Galilee in the time of Jesus interwoven with her chronicles of this amazing woman are most gripping!<br />A reader, young or old, will discover an emotional account of a woman we hardly knew and should remember first and foremost as one who was THERE.<br /><br />This is the sort of enriching fictional work perfect as a gift for any young woman coming of age. It has all the elements of a love story of the purest form!<br /><br />If I had a dozen copies, I would be passing them out right now!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1340473107000, "title": "A rich emotional description of Mary Magdalene!" }, { "asin": "0800734556", "rating": 4, "text": "As someone who knew absolutely nothing of the Shaker beliefs I have now a whole concept of their intricate history. In 'The Gifted' Kentucky born storyteller Ann H. Gabhart has definitively written an in depth story based on this cult! She actually lives near a Shaker village and was obviously inspired.<br /><br />The simplicity of the many designs we admire to this date were brought upon by these believers who worked as if they had a thousand years to accomplish their tasks or knowledge of their death on the morrow...They knew their place, rejoiced in knowing it, their hands hard at work, their hearts given to God...<br /><br />In 'The Gifted' our protagonist Jessamine is striving to find her place in this close knit world and when she is given a sweet outlook on the outside world questions her path...<br />We follow the young sister as she stumbles repeatedly despite her eagerness to please her elders. Sister Sophrena's diaries in particular allows us to understand the extant of those struggles and gives us a unique view of life in their community.<br />Harmony Hill village brothers and sisters live their faith as outlined by their leader, Mother Ann, from the working fields to the devotion meetings including the shaking and dancing. Their only contact with the outside world is due to their trading their wares such as rosewater, baskets, candles, furniture and so on.<br />Surprisingly, their fellowship is open to anyone, even outsiders just visiting. It is the only world Jessamine has known since she lost her Granny but like all good stories, this is only the beginning... Then there is also a mysterious letter which opened reveals surprising new developments...<br /><br />As usual Ann H.Gabhart leads us by the hand as we read on. I always found myself looking for clues to what comes next and I was not disappointed.<br />Richly described and perfectly timed, this is a story you will enjoy discovering as the author entices you to learn that all is not as it seems.<br />Like all good storytellers, Ann H. Gabhart tells you some dreams were meant to come true...You just have to believe!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1341675443000, "title": "Another great story by master storyteller Ann H. Gabhart!" }, { "asin": "1595547819", "rating": 4, "text": "'Tidewater Inn' has all the ingredients for the sort of book any reader will like! A great beach read, y Colleen Coble's novel enticed me to turn yet another page!<br />It has all the exciting elements a good writer instills in her/his storytelling and this author's imagination is fruitful! Wow! No time to get bored here!<br /><br />Mysteries, kidnapping, treasures, family intrigues and a beautiful old Inn in a breathtaking setting draws you in. The colourful characters revolving around this Hope Beach novel makes this a warm story and one that makes you wish you live there.<br />Living myself on a tiny island accessible only by ferry, I can understand well the appeal! Hope Beach however has one on us, they have restaurants, pizza parlour, library, fire department, postal service...Need I go on? I felt a tad jealous!<br /><br />It is however the references to God and His amazing work that makes this a most appealing story! Colleen Coble's characters know God, feels His love and meets His expectations no matter how they might fail at first try. Faith is part of her intricate story and you feel His presence throughout her novel! I like this most of all!<br /><br />I was intrigued at the extent to which a SAR (Search and Rescue) dog could trace a missing person. In this instance, 'Samson' follows a trace ON WATER, ocean water! Absolutely intriguing! Needless to say, I learned something yet again!<br /><br />A few loose ends however puzzled me...a rope around an ankle amongst others...I must mention this!<br /><br />I give it 4 stars none the less!<br />Watch Colleen Cobble next novel 'Rosemary Cottage' to be published in July 2013!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1344092313000, "title": "Upbeat!" }, { "asin": "0764208349", "rating": 3, "text": "As stories goes, 'Unending Devotion' is pleasant enough, harmless even, a tad sentimental but easily dismissed after a few chapters. I felt there was something missing from the moment I saw the novel's cover. Somehow the plot and its main characters just does not hook the reader. Even the sub characters were much more interesting!<br /><br />I struggled to feel the various emotions the author hinted at from the beginning and just had to accept this was just not my cup of tea so to speak.<br />Lily posing as a photographer's assistant with its implied paraphernalia should have been on the cover posing next to gruff Oren and perhaps a more thorough description of the lumber camps might have caught my attention. There is a striking amount of information on logging available including stunning photos even here in the Pacific North West!<br /><br />That said, I enjoyed the author's notes regarding the town of Harrison and its unsavoury residents. There is obviously a lot of historical facts recorded in the Michigan's past lumber era with the usual problems found in shanties such as alcoholism, violence, notwithstanding the origin of white slavery trade in the state, this being the most startling!<br /><br />All in all, I would recommend anyone going away this weekend to pack an extra book along unless like me, you find the historical portion enticing enough to browse internet and library files to find out more on the subjects of logging and white slavery in 1800's Michigan!<br />Interesting it was, entertaining it was not.<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1347628341000, "title": "Interesting facts about white slavery in Michigan 1883 did not make this novel any more entertaining!" }, { "asin": "0764206176", "rating": 4, "text": "I was more than ready to read a good western and 'Taming the Wind' was not a disappointment!<br />Book # 3 in the Land of the Lone Star series written by Tracie Peterson, this novel gives us a lot to reflect upon.<br />Tracie Peterson is after all a prolific writer with more than 95 novels to her credit and she writes passionately about the West. Her novels are always entertaining and clearly shows good research (loved the Longfellow poem addition!) but it also reflects her longstanding faith.<br />Each character has its definite personality: passionate, hopeful, tenacious, caring, angry, vengeful...<br />The Lone Star land is harsh, often unforgiving yet beautiful in its rawness. Homesteading was not for the faint soul!<br /><br />In her latest novel Tracie describes a little of the hardships endured by Southern sympathizers following the (US) Civil war. I for one had no idea land was confiscated simply because of allegiance.<br />Both sides lost much to the war and the resulting animosity was very much alive even after three years of peace as we see in Taming the Wind.<br />Cattle drives were dangerous enterprises, with countless obstacles including Native Americans raids, rustlers, stampedes and so on. Yet it also gave an opportunity for struggling ranchers to regain losses...<br /><br />Taming the Wind depicts not only the many facets of ranching but a sweet love story. Carissa and her little girl Gloria are both ready for better times and the young widow has not forgotten the young rancher who saved her life two years prior.<br />In turn Tyler has often thought of the young mother and child but stands to loose much if his confiscated ranch is not returned to him. He also cannot forgive the raid which took his father's life...<br /><br />Of course, God has a plan and with Tracie's flair for a good adventure, we learn love and forgiveness can be found even in these most challenging times!<br /><br />Note:<br />Just a suggestion of course: 'Chasing the Sun' and 'Touching the Sky' are pre sequels in the series well worth reading albeit the author gives a rundown in Book #3 for those of us who have not read these titles.<br />A good reason for reading more of this entertaining author!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1347987539000, "title": "Love, Forgiveness and Adventure in a Good Old Western!" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "After reading 'A Perfect Square', second book in the Shipshewana Amish Mysteries I am perfectly willing to find a special spot for any Vannetta Chapman's tomes on my bookshelves (or add another one...somewhere!)!<br />With Beth Wiseman's recommendation for this novel I knew I was in for a treat! I always like to hear an author praising another fellow writer, don't you?<br /><br />I discovered long ago the appeal of Amish genre literature but this was the first 'whodunit' for me and this one is truly a page turner! Not content with one single plot of 'whom, what , where, how and why', Vannetta Chapman blends two mysteries decades apart and links them to the present.<br /><br />With a lovely quilt shoppe tucked in the scenic background, we find Englisher and Amish living blessed lives in Shipshewana, Indiana to be as near to perfection as possible until that is, a body is found floating in a nearby pond...There is no clue to the young girl's identity.<br /><br />Callie is the owner of Daisy's Quilt, a shoppe inherited from her aunt and with canine Max is a recent transplant from Houston, Texas. Amish and Mennonite lifestyles still holds many mysteries for Callie but Amish friends Deborah, Esther and Melinda help her to adapted to her new life whilst teaching her a thing or two about quilting. With Max at her side (sporting a bandana matched to her clothing colour), Callie is definitively looking forward to her first winter in Indiana.<br /><br />When Reuben the owner of the pond is arrested for the murder by the local Chief of Police, Callie and her sleuth friends steps in to help out Reuben.<br />Meanwhile, an elderly Amish who suffers from dementia finds his way to Callie's shoppe and begs her to find his daughter who disappeared in 1965.<br />As the story develops, you find yourself experiencing many emotions as with unmistakable talent, Vannetta Chapman hones her writing skills in this novel.<br /><br />Praying Reuben's innocence will come to light despite his unwillingness to make a statement, his family and friends search for any clue to help the Amish farmer regain his freedom.<br /><br />Alternating mystery and emotional drama, and with just the slightest hint of romance in the air (including a few hilarious situations), this is a compelling book you will have a hard time to put down as each well written chapter gets better and better!<br />Vanetta's inspirational plots draws you in and reminds us that with God anything is possible! You just have to believe!<br /><br />With its excellent glossary and group questions for discussion, this makes an engaging novel to read, tucked in your favourite chair by the fireplace whilst sipping a cuppa!<br /><br />I received this book free from ZONDERVAN as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349390246000, "title": "I have become a fan of Vannetta Chapman's writing!" }, { "asin": "0800721322", "rating": 5, "text": "Absolutely delightful! 'Life with Lily', Book 1 in 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' should have been written years ago! Mary Ann and Suzanne have come up with a wonderful little gem!<br />Written primarily with younger children (ages 8-12) these are none the less stories which grown ups and children alike will love to discover! There is nothing better than reading out loud to a child and share a precious moment!<br /><br />There is an amazing amount of information betwixt these pages and I can't wait to share it with young friends. Seen through the eyes of lovely (and sometimes mischievous) 5 year old Lily, it has a fresh appeal for avid readers of Amish tales such as myself!<br /><br />We have learned much about the Amish world through wonderful stories told by such authors as Suzanne Woods Fisher herself but 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' is destined to be a favourite and best of all, one you can share with everyone!<br />Each chapter involves a new adventure in Lily's life involving family, friends, neighbours, livestock, school and so on...One look at the little face featured on the cover (for once, the cover is right on!) and your heart will be won over!<br /><br />There are of course lessons to be learned throughout it all! After all, Lily and other Amish children are in no way different from Englisher and yes, things can and will happen...I don't know if the 'cat' with the bushy tail found by Lily in the barn (priceless!) or her brother's Joseph attempt to fly will be your favourites but it certainly were mine!<br /><br />I whole heartily applaud this new series and I give it 5 stars!<br />I am looking forward to Book 2!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349636609000, "title": "Life with Lily', Book 1 in 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' should have been written years ago" }, { "asin": "0764204165", "rating": 3, "text": "After reading only the first chapter I knew I should emphazise 'Read the books in order!'. Live and learn!<br />Anyone who has read Book 1, might enjoy following 'the rest of the story' in 'Whispers In The Wind'. For once, this author however did not meet my expectations.<br /><br />The title was enticing but I struggled with the characters, some clearer than others and those were the sub characters! The actual plot was difficult to grasp despite a few 'recalled' memories and at times throughly confusing if not right down sluggish.<br />As the main character Cassie just does not grab the reader. There is plenty of action and a few interesting factors overall in the novel though (albeit I could have done without the step by step skinning/curing of an Elk for i.e.).<br /><br />As confusing as Cassie's feelings (should she?, should she not?), I found the whole story lacking 'a little je ne sais quoi'. As to any possible romantic attachment hinted at... No sparks there! (at least so far, but at the rate this story develops, it might take a few more books to find out what happens next...sigh...)<br /><br />Far from being the good Western I expected, I can only say you must a be fan of Lauraine Snelling's writing or wish to read the continuation of this story in the next installment (and the next...). I do not like loose ends but there was nothing in Book 2 that would entice me to read the rest ( I do not plan to hunt a Elk or stuff sausages anytime soon!).<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349714644000, "title": "It would be best for anyone to read Book 1 first!" }, { "asin": "1595548033", "rating": 5, "text": "'The Trouble with Cowboys' written by well known romanticist Denis Hunter and part of the 'Big Sky Romance' series will provide readers with just the sort of entertainment they might look for on a Autumnal afternoon! There is no doubt Denise Hunter gives her audience what she promised: an enjoyable alternative to the humdrum of everyday life.<br />I had the opportunity to read another of her novels (on a long layover in a faraway airport with little amenities!) called 'The Convenient Groom' and I will tell you she had me in stitches! Be sure to check her other titles!<br /><br />But back to The Trouble With Cowboys! This Christian author has a knack for the light but never fluffy sort of novel that you will gladly reach for along with a good mug of cocoa! Entertaining yet with a lesson or two (don't miss each chapter header!), a message tucked here and there and perfect to share with anyone including the younger generation!<br />Denise Hunter's books are wholesome and will win your heart!<br /><br />Montana born and raised Annie Wilkerson is an expert horse trainer, a loving sister and a great aunty. Life has dealt her a lot of responsibilities since her GrandPa died. Taking care of her wayward sister is not easy and she takes on her role of Mum seriously hoping to see her sister settle.<br />Annie does not trust cowboys: they are here today, gone tomorrow. The past has taught her to stay clear away from them.<br /><br />Easy going Dylan needs her help with his nearly blind horse and in turn, Annie could use his help with her latest assignment, a lovelorn column she feels is just not for her since she has never felt love before. So they make a deal: her equine expertise for his help with her column. Annie is struggling with financial responsibilities but promised her GrandPa she will take care of everyone and she is trying to ignore her qualms.<br />She cannot trust Dylan because he is a cowboy after all and will probably break her heart. Then again, is she judging him too quickly? Or should she let her heart and faith guide her?<br />After all, God is in charge, not Annie...<br /><br />I think we shall agree once you read this story: if Denise keeps on writing, we'll keep on reading!<br /><br />5 stars for all the good feelings this novel brought on (and a few sighs as well...)<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349901011000, "title": "This Christian author has a knack for the light but never fluffy sort of novel!" }, { "asin": "0800734173", "rating": 4, "text": "Book # 3 in the 'Winds of Change' series, 'A Love Surrendered' brings to readers the depression era and two families: The O'Connors and the Kennedys. Set in Boston in 1932, it is written with passion and will inspire all sorts of feelings. Julie Lessman knows how to grab her readers, proof that she is after all a very good author!<br /><br />Inspirational, intense and at times extremely romantic, it is none the less imperative for readers to remember the era this story draws its background from. The idea of 'me Jane, you Tarzan' might come across fiercefully at times. Let's remember that women at the time were viewed as having one place and that was in the kitchen (or bedroom and nursery). WWII soon changed this for many as they took their place in the work force in lieu of enlisted men.<br /><br />There is much to think over once you have finished reading the drama behind Annie and Steven's love story which incidentally is crisscrossed with countless O'Connor family members! I shall describe this as a clan, Irish to be exact, a large family with strong convictions and deep emotions, some volatile and quite impressive. I did not always agree with such forceful display but admit it was fitting for the era.<br />I found the setting of Ocean Pier and its boardwalk quite intriguing along with the Prohibition agents raids and speakeasies background.<br /><br />Finally, be prepared for a surprise or two towards the end (one I will admit I did not see coming!).<br />Julie Lessman is no newcomer to the writing world and she is a person of convictions herself. You soon realize her writing reflects her faith deeply. I felt she portrays her characters based on this and for that alone I highly recommend her novels to the younger generation. In a society where pressures have become too often the acceptable norm, let's applaud someone who offers deep passion with responsibility!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1350232545000, "title": "Inspirational, intense and at times extremely romantic..." }, { "asin": "1609366867", "rating": 4, "text": "The tragic sinking of the Titanic has held people's imagination worldwide particularly with Dr. Robert Ballard's discovery of the wreckage in September 1985.<br />2012 being the vessel's doomed maiden voyage's 100th anniversary produced yet again a lot of fascinating information. There is a certain mystic which surrounds the events of that dreadful day which many cannot resist and countless speculation.<br /><br />'Queen of the Waves', An American Tapestry proved to be an interesting fictional approach and I liked Janice Thompson's take on the launching of this spectacular ship as background for her novel. The author's dedication and 'In Memory of' are worth a moment of your time so I recommend you do not skip it! It set the mood for this reading and felt very much a part of all the mystery surrounding this particular moment in history.<br /><br />Janice Thompson weaves an interesting tale of fresh beginnings for two young women from very different backgrounds, (make that three in fact as you read the story) and the men who loved them. Her take on the lives entrusted on the vessel brings you an idea of the variety of its passengers and the gulf betwixt the social classes until the ship's tragic end.<br /><br />She also takes pains to describe the various emotions her characters feel as they board the Titanic giving readers a sense of witnessing for themselves a little of all its magnificence.<br />Queen of the Waves is a story of hope, love, the courage to reach out for newer and better things and faith that God will overlook the wrongs and bless the good!<br /><br />Set amidst the effervescent departure and subsequent sailing of the largest ship ever built by man, it shows a little of the amalgam of people who placed their hopes and dreams on its crossing.<br />Janice Thompson chose to introduce real people in her novel which makes it hauntingly vivid to her readers. Clearly, the sinking of the vessel will continue to fascinate people as we ponder at all its splendour and its very last moments before sinking in the depths of the cold Atlantic ocean.<br /><br />In Queen of the Waves we discover yet again the hand of the Almighty in all things! Standing on Titanic's deck and seeing the expanse of water ahead, a passenger ponders the only word that come to mind:<br /><br />\"The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.\"<br /><br />Fitting wouldn't you say?<br /><br />A shining example of Christian Fiction and worth 4 stars for its entertainment!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1350586429000, "title": "I liked Janice Thompson's take on the launching of this spectacular ship as background for her novel" }, { "asin": "0310335108", "rating": 5, "text": "'God has made you a unique design. Never forget that! Also know that God's made someone else to be your fit.'<br /><br />I think I have just read my favourite book from all of Tricia Goyer's novels and that is not an easy admission as she writes always with her heart!<br /><br />'The Memory Jar' is part of a series called 'Seven Brides For Seven Bachelors, and make no mistake, this is not 'one of those Amish stories yet again'! One distinction of Tricia Goyer's work is that everything she writes brings you something new to discover! The essence of a good writer?<br /><br />Sarah lives in Montana and works amongst Englishers as well as Amish in the West Kootenai Kraft & Grocery. Due to a tragic accident she carries a heavy burden on her shoulders and her memories are safely tucked in a little jar...Her memory jar.<br />An eventful mountain hiking trip reveals that shy Amish bachelor Jathan Scrock, is a friend she can trust and confided into. Both have unusual aspirations for their conservative community but their<br />dreams unites them in more ways than either ever hoped for.<br /><br />When Jathan is called back to the family farm in Ohio he finds his responsibilities overwhelming and fears their goal an impossible dream.<br /><br />God however has many plans for each of them and trusting Him leads to marvelous surprises!<br /><br />A beautiful story to remind you of childlike dreams and that when trusting your happiness in God's hands, the best is yet to come!<br /><br />Amish Proverb:<br /><br />'The grand essentials of happiness in this life is something to do, something to love and something to hope for.'<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1352138393000, "title": "I think I have just read my favourite book from all of Tricia Goyer's novels!" }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "What better way to put yourself in the Holiday mood than reading 'Christmas Roses' by Amanda Cabot?<br />Never insipid and always inspiring, this storyteller brings us a tale of love, hope and even a miracle set in Wyoming Territory in1882. Trust Amanda to know how to bring a little romance and a lot of faith in her readers lives!<br /><br />Celia Anderson welcomes a new boarder in her home and life suddenly takes a new turn. She might just change her mind about not remarrying but only if the man brings her something she treasures and at Christmas no less!<br /><br />With that thought in mind, I was hooked as I held this lovely hardback in my hands with its enchanting Currier & Ives illustration! You will find yourself chuckling at Mark's wincing when he is surrounded by all of Celia's treasured flowers and hold your breath as he surprises her with his carpenter's skills for a much needed gift for her home.<br /><br />The book in itself is a little treasure and you will soon be enchanted by Celia, her baby girl, the story behind Mark's wanderings in search of a missing relative and his hope to become worthy of the young widow's love!<br /><br />Be prepared for some surprises as faith demands total surrender!<br /><br />Combined with her minute attention to historical details as well as her romantic nature, Amanda Cabot brings us a warm tale of love and redemption just in time for this blessed Season!<br /><br />5 Stars and a lovely gift for the romantic on your Christmas gift list! This one is a keeper!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1353709893000, "title": "Trust Amanda to know how to bring a little romance and a lot of faith in her readers lives!" }, { "asin": "0764209787", "rating": 5, "text": "It is said that Beverly Lewis gave birth to the Amish genre in 1997 with 'The Shunning' so it will come to no surprise that her name is practically a household name! She is enduring and continually delights her readers with yet another wonderful story. 'The Bridesmaid' is no exception! The novel brings such clear imagery you will find yourself acutely a part of the plot!<br /><br />As an avid reader and an Amish genre aficionado, I found Joanna and Eben's story enticed any yearning for dreaming. Theirs is surely a match made in Heaven!<br />There is a decided attraction to learn yet another facet of Amish life and Beverly Lewis is sure to pen a lesson or two about faith and living amongst the Amish community (and Englisher!).<br />Inviting plots, attractive characters (and sub characters!) and the chance of reflecting on hopes and aspirations will delight as always.<br />Her warm heart stories are always amazing! They also make a perfect gift for anyone, young or old, on your list this Holiday Season!<br /><br />Second novel in the Hickory Hollow series, 'The Bridesmaid' tells us of a Pennsylvania alt Maidel who unbeknown to her family and community loves to write make believe stories. Joanna's attraction to Eben Troyer is warmly reciprocated but there is a glitch in their burgeoning courtship: Eben is needed on the family farm in Indiana whilst Joanna has vowed to remain part of her congregation leaving them with no choice but to part ways.<br /><br />With a lot of faith and a little help from an almost forgotten letter written by her namesake, Joanna finds that God listens and there are many blessings in her future after all.<br /><br />5 Stars as I found this story truly a joy!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1354320207000, "title": "Joanna and Eben's story enticed any yearning for dreaming!" }, { "asin": "0857212494", "rating": 5, "text": "Action packed 'Resurrect' is probably the finest Christian Science Fiction book I have read so far with David E. Stevens using his extensive military background to draw you in the suspense and leaving you wanting for more! (And for once, the cover in right on...<br /><br />Following his jet fighter crash Commander Josh Logan wakes up one year later with no knowledge of the previous year's events. Josh is no Christian but his subs conscience reveals a voice with a powerful message and what follows this entity's revelation is an amazing study of human emotions, love, compassion and determination to do the impossible.<br />You might be tempted to call it a cliff hanger as David E. Stevens' first novel is hard to put down!<br /><br />To engage the reader Stevens uses just the perfect blend of interesting personalities, intricate interactions and lively dialogues.<br />Book 1 in the Resurrect Trilogy is a novel you should not rush however allowing for the discovery of each event leading to its ultimate climax including a bit of romance. Enter Nurse Elizabeth who attends Josh during his recovery and becomes part of a team of scientists and military specialists with a sole mission, that of saving the world at any cost.<br />Who would think of a nurse with the ability of breaking into sophisticated computer systems?<br />There! Just enough information for lady readers to know there is a perfect balance in this plot allowing for interest by both sex!<br /><br />A great thriller for anyone on your Christmas list!<br /><br />5 Stars for gripping plot and technical skills!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1354634880000, "title": "A great thriller for anyone on your Christmas list!" }, { "asin": "0800719891", "rating": 5, "text": "M. K. Lapp is one of these vivid characters you find yourself hoping the author will continue to write about. She won readers' hearts in the first two books of Stoney Ridge Seasons with her mischievous ways, a delightful Amish sort of 'Anne of Green Gables', that's with an 'E' at the end of course!<br /><br />As a child you never knew what M. K. would come up with as she often act before she thought! I always felt Suzanne Woods Fisher found the perfect way to balance the lively ways of M. K. with her step Mum's Fern no nonsense approach to life, again not unlike Colleen Hurst I imagine!<br /><br />It was not surprising to discover Mary Kay Lapp, M. K. as we know her, is a favourite of Suzanne's readers. To find her grown up and yearning for adventure seemed to be just right on track and I am so glad Suzanne satisfied our curiosity! M. K. brought us such merriment with her impish ways!<br /><br />Imagine an Amish filing for a passport...Suzanne Woods Fisher has just the knack to surprise everyone! And this Amish now a bonafida bee keeper, loves to ride her little red scooter...literally running into people...first the school marm then in the mysterious Chris Yoder...When a local sheep farmer is found dead in a nearby field, M. K.'s imagination works by leaps and bounds.<br /><br />God works in mysterious ways it is said...Never more so than in M. K.'s life as we see in 'The Lesson'.<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher weaves a sweet story around the Lapp family and brings closure to some of the events we have uncovered in her other books in the series as well. I always find intriguing the entrenchment of English life into the Amish community and this author does it well.<br />And speaking of lessons, there is always something for us to learn, even the spirited new school marm...as you will see!<br /><br />Will M. K. find peace in her new direction and a touch of romance perhaps? Find out for yourself!<br /><br />5 stars for pure entertainment and looking forward to see what an older M. K. might bring us in the future!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358362470000, "title": "M. K. Lapp is one of these vivid characters you find yourself hoping the author will continue to write about." }, { "asin": "0800734602", "rating": 4, "text": "'Waiting For Spring' is Book 2 in the Westward Winds series and worth waiting for, no pun intended!<br />As we have learned to expect, Amanda Cabot brings us well researched history, warm romance, good solid faith whilst introducing yet another aspect of life challenges for a young widow in the 1800's Wyoming, that of caring for an handicapped child. She also balances her characters, main or sub characters, daily life routine, unexpected challenges and hardships thus giving us a great plot to enjoy. The heartfelt dedication of one mother who refuses to place her sight impaired toddler in an institution is guaranteed to reach out to anyone!<br /><br />'Summer of Promise' was the first chapter in Charlotte Harding Crowley's life, then living in Fort Laramie's Army outpost ( see review here) but I can attest this second book can easily be read on its own.<br />For those of us who have read however the first book, it is interesting to see where Amanda Cabot is taking her young protagonist, now a widow hiding in Cheyenne with her son from a past haunting her still.<br /><br />Charlotte has established a successful seamstress shoppe and is only too happy to find a helping hand in Rose, another young widow. Rose has a young daughter and can keep an eye on David and help in the shoppe as well.<br /><br />Whilst fitting a friend and customer Charlotte meets Barrett Landry a wealthy cattle baron who aspires to the world of politics, even becoming the next governor of Wyoming. It is soon apparent however neither one can deny their feelings for each other yet Barrett's successful future demands a wife and companion without a shady past and Charlotte is hiding from something or someone...<br /><br />Then again, perhaps politics is not a guarantee of Barrett's happiness..His cattle are facing a bitter winter and his heart is not in it.<br />Will each of the protagonists listen to his/her heart despite the rough road ahead?<br /><br />This is another historical romance you may recommend to any one, no matter the age! Amanda Cabot is certain to entertain any romantic soul or even the most skeptic of heart!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358546709000, "title": "'Waiting for Spring' was worth waiting for, no pun intended!" }, { "asin": "0800719867", "rating": 4, "text": "I anticipated this book for its subject, that of midwifing set in the 19th Century Appalachian mountains. 'Choices of the Heart' is book 3 in the Midwives series written by author Laurie Alice Eakes and a page turner for anyone interested in the past. She has proven herself an excellent researcher and never disappoints with her historical facts. There is still something intriguing in the profession of midwives and whilst having met with controversy often in the past, there is no doubt there is to date much of a demand for such skills.<br /><br />Laurie Alice Eakes' writing is full of life and there is no denying she brings to her readers a vivid image of the Appalachian people who moved to these mountains long ago, a large portion of them having crossed the Atlantic from the green hills of Ireland and the Highlands of Scotland. They brought with them little more than the clothes on their back and their amazing survival skills.<br />The richness of their music, folk tales, herbal doctoring and their legendary feuds still fascinates people to this day. This author found the ideal way to weave a good story amongst all these with 'Choices of the Heart'!<br /><br />Esther is the belle of Seabourne until a dreadful event occurs and she finds herself subject to shunning. Despite her family's heartfelt support, she seeks new beginnings and accepts a post as teacher to the youngest children of two families in the Mountains. Her task is to help them to fit in society befitting their newest financial status.<br />There however she meets two men, both attractive, yet her heart belongs to no one as her shame is a constant reminder of her past. Esther believes God has forsaken her and shies away from any physical contact with her admirers.<br /><br />For all that I was fascinated by the author's descriptions of this beautiful land and its inhabitants, their folklore and skills, the many period details, I was not so enamoured of her main protagonist. I felt something missing in this bittersweet story, too many characters however colourful and not enough consistency in the overall story line. At the end, I still had questions, to be answered in yet another chapter of the 'Midwives series', this one about a doctor perhaps?<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358634910000, "title": "Always well researched!" }, { "asin": "0800721330", "rating": 5, "text": "'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' series started with a resounding success as seen in 'Life With Lily' (see review here) so I was not surprised to see 'A New Home For Lily', Book two, my own 5 stars rating shared by many readers!<br /><br />Betwixt Suzanne Woods Fisher and Mary Ann Kinsinger there is a perfect chemistry to bring the Amish genre a young appeal! Let's hope those two talented authors will continue to treat us!<br /><br />One look at the lovely six years old featured on their book covers is enough to tantalize us in discovering what else the smiling little girl has come up with since the first book!<br />Albeit geared to the 8 to 12 years old audience, Lily introduces readers of all ages to a whole new way to see the Amish community! Her spontaneity is so refreshing, I can think of nothing else than to suggest you pick up your own copy!<br /><br />Through Lily's eyes we see what happens to her family as they move to another state to be nearer their closest relatives.<br />Lily no longer has her own bedroom, her bed now tucked in a corner in the hallway. Her new house has a sad olive green hue, the barn sorely needs repairs, her school mates includes a bully and her new community has a completely different set of rules!<br />Lily has to get used to her new life and does not like it much.<br /><br />On the other end, there is so much to explore and have fun with, including Grand Pa's lumber mill with its big sawdust pile to play in!<br />Her Dad acquires four goats to add to Jenny, Mum's lovely Swiss cow, her new teacher is very nice and Lilly's new baby brother Paul is so cute...<br /><br />It is the countless little details the two authors have included in their stories which gives it additional appeal such as when poor Lily hits her thumb with a hammer and Mum dissolves aspirin in water for her to soak her sore finger to relieve the pain or when Mum must sew a whole new set of clothes for everyone in the family as the new community has different rules than the previous one.<br /><br />What better way to introduce youngsters to the Amish way of life (and share some quality family time)!<br /><br />'A New Home For Lily' is sure to delight everyone, young and old! Ladies, we are looking forward to the next story!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1360363970000, "title": "A New Home For Lily' is sure to delight everyone, young and old!" }, { "asin": "0800720733", "rating": 5, "text": "Combining a dynamic plot with spirited characters, Ann Shorey gives us a lasting historical novel in 'When The Heart Heals', guaranteed to be enjoyed by her loyal fans.<br />This latest installment in her series 'Sisters At Heart' provides her readers with the perfect blend of romance and mystery, woven across a troubled historical background, the lean and hungry years following the Civil War.<br /><br />Rosemary Saxon joins the practice of Dr. Elijah Stewart in Noble Springs, Missouri in early 1867. Two years have gone by since the end of the Civil war but there are still many wounds to be healed, not all physical. Despite her experience caring for soldiers or perhaps because of it, Rosemary is seen as an outsider in the community and times are already hard for any woman alone.<br />Rosemary finds joy in nursing and despite his earlier misgivings about her skills in herbal lore, Dr. Stewart soon learns to rely on her. In turn, she remembers well the younger doctor who deeply cared about his patients in a time of grievous conflict.<br /><br />These days, Rosemary's sole family in town, consists of her brother Curt and his wife Fay, her constant companion her faithful dog Bodie. When others needs her help, she finds herself at a crossroad and choices must be made.<br />As a result Rosemary fears she might lose something very precious just as she found a measure of happiness. However she is not the only one with concealed secrets and when she becomes the object of threats, Rosemary must learn to trust again and ask for help.<br /><br />A beautiful story reflecting God's love and forgiveness for all, Ann Storey's second book in the series follows 'Where Wildflowers Bloom' (see review HERE), but can be read as a stand alone.<br />I now join her many fans in asking when will the next installment be published ?!<br /><br />Suitable for any age, 'When The Heart Heals' is worth 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1361319622000, "title": "Combining a dynamic plot with spirited characters here is another novel by Ann Shorey!" }, { "asin": "0800795547", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on the synopsis alone, I believe you will agree with me the title was well chosen: 'Outrageous Courage: What God Can Do with Raw Obedience & Radical Faith!<br />Kris and Jason Vallotton (Father and Son) write a dramatic story about a real life follower of Christ, following a compelling introduction of Kris' first meeting with Tracy Evans almost thirty years ago.<br /><br />A Christian Medical missionary Tracy Evans is indeed a remarkable person if you consider her exodus through 64 countries, from the tough streets of L.A. to North California's mountainous area, the Philippines, Kiribati and finally the Mozambique bush (see website @ iReachAfrica!) and always making a difference.<br /><br />But as remarkable as Tracy's story is, I cannot agree with the authors' suggestion we can become just like her 'with a little courage and belief'.<br />Just a reminder of course: Paul the Apostle teaches (1 Corinthians Chapter 12:8-10) not all of us display the same selfless abilities, and regardless of our courage and beliefs, not all of us can be as passionate as Tracy Evans in our quest to make a difference in the world!<br /><br />Never the less, this missionary's inspiring deeds are described in such a heartfelt way you know immediately this is a courageous person who systematically walks in Christ's footsteps no matter the hazards.<br />Kris and Jason Vallotton shows through this account Evans' work and how her unwavering faith has touched many and relieved suffering and poverty, always in His name.<br /><br />Understandingly at times sad but always hopeful, this real life account is perhaps not for everyone but worth at least 4 stars.<br /><br />Note to readers: Additional information on the Ministries of IReachAfrica can be found (HERE)<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1362695988000, "title": "Tracy Evans' compassionated deeds throughout the world." }, { "asin": "080072089X", "rating": 3, "text": "In 'Moonlight Masquerade' Lady Celine Wexham, leading member of London's Bon Ton and a widowed Countess of French origin, lives the life of most emigres in early 1800's. She holds intimate meetings in her boudoir and gives dinner parties and balls gathering any information she might be able to pass on to French Royalists to reinstate the rightful throne.<br />It is 1813 and Napoleon, facing a massive defeat in the harsh winter of Russia, orders a retreat of the Imperial army after losing thousands of French soldiers on the battlefield.<br />The Comte de Provence, brother to the late beheaded King Louis XVI is not the ideal choice for the Royal throne but better him than the self proclaimed Emperor.<br />Lady Celine, Valentine, her supercilious Abigail (slang aside, only an older servant would be allowed such an acerbic attitude) and Gaspard, her French Cook are part of a spy ring.<br />Rees, the object of Celine's interest is none other than her own Butler. An ambitious young man and a devoted Christian, recently pulled from an obscure department of the Home Office in part due to his linguistic talents, Rees' task is to spy on his mistress with the express purpose of implicating her in the conspiracy if such exists and report to his superior.<br /><br />Danger lurks and he soon finds himself battling his loyalties as Celine 'with her 'brandy hue irises' eyes touches his heart...Does anyone else remember Barbara Cartland's novels?<br />None of the characters are likely to provide much entertainment in this slow historical romance but if light, fluffy and harmless is your preferred choice, you will enjoy Moonlight Masquerade!<br />The portrayal of the Masquerade ball held at the Comte de Provence exiled court even defied my imagination with its lackluster details and the overall impression was soporific!<br /><br />Finally, I saw little of the 'witty, fast paced dialogue or infectious intrigue' mentioned in the synopsis and if this novel was in fact a music sheet, it would read as humming...It droned on and on... The few historical notes such as the mention of William Wilberforce as dinner guest at one of her lavish parties, or Voltaire's quotes, a man of note in himself, brings no relief to this plot.<br />I hardly think it necessary to dust my shelves for this novel!<br /><br />Regretfully, 3 (generous) stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1362863452000, "title": "If light, fluffy and harmless is your preferred choice, you will enjoy Moonlight Masquerade!" }, { "asin": "0800795520", "rating": 5, "text": "'Learning to Love' reflects a true love story, one that you will identify immediately with Jesus' love as shown in His earthly ministry! Make no mistake, Heidi and Rolland Baker are two exceptional people: nothing and I mean nothing will stop them from doing God's work, not even opposition from the world's evil side!<br /><br />As both husband and wife relate heartfelt stories, some humourous, some sad, each one compelling you to see God's work through them, you will feel their amazing love for their fellowmen.<br />Healing and faith pours out of them as they continually rescue babies, reach out in His name to help heal the blind, the deaf, and even hear the dumb speak.<br /><br />Co-founders of Iris Ministries, this incredible duo brings hope and care to thousands all over Mozambique, providing daily care for no less than 10,000 children. Their extended network includes over 10,000 churches, Bible schools, primary schools and remote outreach programs.<br />What a joy for them that many converts become ministers, lay preachers and teachers working all over the world!<br /><br />Their message:<br /><br />LOVE IS food and comfort to a ten year old amputee, abandoned on the side of the road.<br /><br />LOVE IS a new roof for an elderly widow installed before the rainy season.<br /><br />LOVE IS sharing hope with the homeless man on your street corner.<br /><br />'God is not just moving in distant lands and if you are willing, He will do amazing things through your love when you stop for the one in front of you, it is that simple!'<br /><br />A book to experience and reach out in HIS name to those who need YOU!<br /><br />5 Stars for its message, none better presented than today, the first of this Holy week!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS & CHOSEN BOOKS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1364252537000, "title": "This incredible duo brings hope and care to thousands all over Mozambique!" }, { "asin": "0764206192", "rating": 4, "text": "My first novel by Tracie Peterson was Book #3 in the 'Land of the Lone Star' series entitled 'Taming the Wind' (see review HERE), a good Western in itself and proof yet again this well published author has always something new up her sleeve!<br />Easy to read, entertaining and with just enough historical facts to give even this quickly bored reader something to ponder about, her novels reflect a wholesomeness and faith readers of any age will enjoy.<br /><br />The Icecutter's Daughter's jacket alone was eye catching: I love raised lettering and the image and colours were a strong pull in my choice for reading it, in fact as much as the resume (I know, I know, you should never judge a book by its cover but the series' name alone 'Land of Shining Water' was striking!).<br /><br />Icecutting was a vast industry in the US before machinery overtook this skilled art and I was curious to see what Tracie might have dug out when she wrote her historical fiction about two young people, destined to be together yet separated by lies and scandal.<br /><br />Merrill has always seen to the needs of her large, mostly male family and her German ancestry is as much a part of her life as Rurik's Swedish roots are his. Tracie weaves a convincing tale about their budding love amidst Nordic traditions and deep faith, wrongs to be righted and duties to their families.<br /><br />As always you may depend on this author's for the myriad of details which makes this tale a sweet read on these cold and rainy Spring evenings this Pacific NW coastline is known for!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS & CHOSEN BOOKS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1365702853000, "title": "Just the name of the series 'Land of Shining Water' was eye catching!" }, { "asin": "0824932463", "rating": 4, "text": "Sunflower Summer and Seaside Harmony, both novels part of the 'Postcards from Misty Harbor series', are drawn against the alluring scenery of quintessential Nantucket island. There we meet three sisters who purchase a dilapidated Victorian home with visions of restoring it to its original glory. The historical inn named the Misty Harbor Inn, soon opens its doors to guests as a B & B, a long time dream of their Mum now deceased.<br />Childhood memories emerge, hopes and dreams identifieds whilst the three sisters plunge into the renovation of the old place with all their heart.<br /><br />In their sixties, Caroline, Gracie and Sam bring each their own brand of talents to this endearing work of love and it is interesting to discover the three sisters individual personas as well as their perception of each other as they slowly bond again.<br /><br />Let's face it, we have all dreamed of owning such a place and arrange it lovingly whilst welcoming guests, have we not? Think of the fun of meeting people coming and going in your own inn?!<br />There is however a lot more to it than we might imagine and Evangeline Kelley (actually the pen name for 4 different authors) describes the bittersweet ups and downs of owning a piece of history, complete with mysteries, including a disappearance in the 1800's!<br /><br />With just the right amount of details to pique our interest the renovation comes to life and answers are found if sought. As we are often reminded, the good Lord has something in store for each of us and the sisters are discovering their true self in these adventures.<br /><br />Complete with interesting sub characters, a touch of sweet romance, a wonderful ol' Packard to transport guests and a delightful if mischievous Cocker Spagniel named Max, both easy to read novels are the perfect relaxing novels to tuck in your beach bag!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />Note to Readers: A confession must be made...This reader felt drawn immediately to Sunflower Summer's story and I would like to recommend you read the novels in order, with Seaside Harmony first!<br /><br />I received these books from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1367440928000, "title": "Relaxing novels set against quintessential Nantucket island!" }, { "asin": "1451692374", "rating": 5, "text": "Most readers will agree, some books just stand out and this one is definitively ranking in the top ten of my list of most entertaining. A keeper and one I would suggest to anyone looking for a gift!<br />Deanne's vivavious description of a sweet romance amidst the 1893's World Fair was the perfect enticement for some 'me' time. I was totally immersed in her descriptive of this period and credit the story of Della and Cullen with a few dreams of my own. Well done!<br /><br />A perfect combination of historical facts and fiction, It Happened At The Fair reflects the wealth of love and care this author puts in her writing. It also brings to readers a marvelous fountain of information and even photos of this world event!<br />Whilst she has taken a few liberties, all clearly acknowledge in the afterword, the author was undoubtdedly as stimulated by the fair as I was when I first heard of it. As a cultural and social event, the world fair of 1893 was a tremendous influence on the 20th Century and a complete success. With 6.8 millions visitors in attendance, the exposition located on the shores of Lake Michigan provided a template for other events and changed America forever with its astonishing legacy. Nothing ever compared to it as it gave new perspectives for the world of commerce and technology.<br /><br />Della and Cullen's story blends in this grandiose background yet gives an opportunity for readers to feel their touching romance. Obviously a true romantic at heart, Deanne describes Della's position as a teacher working with the Deaf at a time when too often a deaf person was ostrasized for signing. Cullen in turn is the young farmer turned inventor who is struggling with a hearing loss.<br /><br />Deanne Gist proved to be a superb historical fiction writer which coupled with her discernebly romantical temperament, gives readers a captivating love story you will not want to miss!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />I received this book from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1368144831000, "title": "Deanne's vivavious description of a sweet romance amidst the 1893's World Fair was the perfect enticement for some 'me' time." }, { "asin": "0764209795", "rating": 5, "text": "Leave it to the matriarch of the Amish genre to come up with yet another gem! Since she first began to entertain us with stories of this cloistered community, Beverly Lewis has repeatedly captivated fans and acquired many new readers with her insight into this mysterious world few of us has seen and understand.<br /><br />In 'Home To Hickory Hollow', Book # 3 'The Guardian' we discover a strong willed little Amish girl named Sarah and Jodi, the troubled young woman who finds the little darling when she tumbles out of her Mum's buggy and gets lost.<br /><br />Beverly Lewis systematically introduces us to many facets of the Old Order Amish community we know little or next to nothing such as intermarriages and deriving genetic disorders or their reluctance to involve the authorities even in the case of a missing child.<br />I was surprised at the 'no pets allowed in a household' preference but cannot but marvel at their strong sense of community and survival in an ever encroaching English world.<br />The concept of an outsider being not only accepted in such a tight community as a close friend but also hired to teach their children even on a temporary basis was definitively unexpected.<br /><br />Always at her best when she describes the ties that draw people together no matter their origins, Beverly Lewis approaches the subject of pain and loneliness which occurs after losing loved ones.<br />For Maryanna Esh, Joshua Peachey and Jodi Winfield, there is a lesson to be learned as long as they have faith!<br /><br />\"The soul yearns for tranquility but the only real peace comes from communing with God.\"<br /><br />Returning readers will enjoy meeting old friends such as Ella Mae the Wise Woman and her down to earth approach to life but never fear this 'Home To Hickory Hollow' story stands on its own!<br /><br />5 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1369505389000, "title": "Always at her best when she describes the ties that draw people together!" }, { "asin": "0764209663", "rating": 5, "text": "Karen Witemeyer packs a whole lot of punch in this fun Christian novel and brings readers a story guaranteed to make you dream about the Old West!<br />The very idea of a father going to such lenghs to please his daughter was genial! 'Stealing the Preacher is everything the synopsis promised and more!<br /><br />Karen Witemeyer's style is vivacious and the perfect antidote to hum drum evenings (Forget the telly, move over John Wayne!). Her novels gives you the opportunity to grasp a keen appreciation for the Old West, luxuriate in a little romance, relish in humour riddled dialogue and encounter a whole lot of faith. Not bad for 352 pages!<br /><br />'Stealing the Preacher' starts on a humourous note with the kidnapping of unsuspecting Crockett Archer, en route to what he hopes will be his first appointment as a full time parson! Silas and his bunch of grey hair, long in the tooth outlaws forcibly removes him from the train and unceremoniously drops him at daughter's Joanna' feet as her birthday gift!<br /><br />From the onset 'Stealing the Preacher' is a series of wholesome fortuity and a celebration of faith! Joanna and Crockett seemed destined to be together of course. That is if Joanna's father will set aside his differences with the Lord and allow true love to progress. Silas has been a honest rancher for the last 16 years but his past might just come back to haunt him.<br /><br />Sweet Joanna is everything Crockett needs at this time as a partner in his life as he breathes life in his new found congregation. Hired as a ranch hand, he hopes to earn Silas' approval and works harder than anyone. If he can bring Silas to the Lord, he might just be able to ask for Joanna's hand.<br /><br />A fast paced delightful novel to enjoy with your whole heart and soul! Kate Witemeyer is going on my list of favourite authors!<br /><br />I received this book from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1371328423000, "title": "'Stealing the Preacher is everything the synopsis promised and more!" }, { "asin": "0764209566", "rating": 4, "text": "'Love in Disguise' was my first novel by Carol Cox (see review HERE) and I looked forward to see what Carol had in store for her readers with 'Trouble in Store'.<br /><br />Clearly inspired by her beautiful surroundings - not unlike the one her protagonist finds upon her arrival out West - Carol Cox takes us this time from Marietta, Ohio Circa 1885 to Cedar Ridge, Arizona Territory. A mercantile store against this interesting backdrop becomes the setting of this new adventure!<br /><br />As is her custom, the author blends a good western with a little mystery rounded up with a bit of romance, just what most of us look for to discover in a Historical Fiction.<br /><br />Melanie Ross is nothing but determined to start afresh in Cedar Ridge as Caleb Nelson soon discovers both of them might very well be co-owners of the mercantile store he inherited from his Uncle.<br /><br />Caleb and his son Levi have only been four months in town but they are settling in and do not want to see the persistent young woman interfering in the running of the mercantile store. Melanie however is full of ideas to expend their inventory and create more sales.<br />When threats in the form of missives are discovered, Melanie first assumes Caleb is behind it all.<br /><br />In the meantime in an attempt to take things in hand, Caleb devises a plan to see Melanie married off, a sure way to not have her underfoot but the plan backfires when dozen of callers offers matrimony to the comely newcomer and she finds out who is behind it all.<br /><br />Entertaining if slightly predictable, 'Trouble in Store' has a lesson or two for us to uncover...including the danger in gossiping which in this case might endanger the lives of our characters! This is after all the West and bad news travels faster than a herd of spooked cattle!<br /><br />4 stars!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program and an Ebook version from BAKER PUBLISHING GROUP (through the Social Sharing Contest). I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1372111366000, "title": "As is her custom, the author blends a good western with a little mystery rounded up with a bit of romance!" }, { "asin": "1414349319", "rating": 5, "text": "Duty and Honour calls at any level and this latest Christian offering by TYNDALE PUBLISHERS is well worth a moment of your time!<br /><br />RENEGADE, Book 2 in the 'Called To Serve' series follows Pike Morgan, a maverick who has been in and out of trouble for many years. Growing up in the Foster Care system of course has not helped his rebellious side. When his best friend is killed by a gang, Pike agrees to testify and enters the Witness Protection program.<br />Now a Marine reservist called to active duty, Pike Morgan is sent to Afghanistan where his fighting skills proves him to be a survivor when a regular rescue mission turns grievously wrong and becomes the biggest challenge of his life.<br /><br />Mel Odom might have well written just another of those war novels if it was not for the fact he cleverly deals with duty and honour infused with a great amount of faith! There are some excellent Christian values in this plot particularly for single parent families, as we realize Pike's past haunts him and emotional ties scares him. No man is an island after all!<br /><br />Well worth reading, RENEGADE is packed with action most favoured by men but also the sort of 'feel good' times women relate to and as such, provides great material for family/group discussions.<br /><br />With over 140 books to his active in various genres, Mel Odom proves to be a versatile author certain to grab your attention and whilst this 2nd novel in the series starts rather slowly, the narration builds up steadily! The only negative might be that some of the (interesting) characters appeared to be left in limbo, material for a future novel perhaps?<br /><br />Finally, a word of caution: Understandably, the author could not escape the harsh realities of war so there is a certain amount of violence leading me to recommend this novel for mature readers only!<br /><br />5 Stars!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from TYNDALE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1372886624000, "title": "Mel Odom proves to be a versatile author certain to grab your attention!" }, { "asin": "0310730538", "rating": 5, "text": "An amazing recount of survival in horrendous conditions, Alone Yet Not Alone is an action packed book preteens and teens will appreciate for the dramatic events this courageous family encountered!<br />Life in 1755 was hardly easy for those living on the frontier bordering the mountains of Pennsylvania. For most, this represented however the only opportunity for freedom from indentured servitude or slow starvation in the old country.<br /><br />Based on true facts this tale recalls the story of a group of children captured by Indians and taken far into the wilderness to become members of their tribe.<br />But there is where this inspirational story truly begins! What sets Barbara and Regina apart are their unwavering faith in God and their belief in each other.<br /><br />Separated, each girl is inducted in the Allegheny tribe and continuously look for ways to escape. When eventually the right time emerges, theirs become the stuff of legend as they made their escape with other captives!<br /><br />Pursued by their captors unrelentlessly, these children eventually found their way back to their families. This is their story, an extraordinary tale of survival filled with Christian values and biblical teaching!<br /><br />Author's Tracy Leininger Craven love for History is immediately apparent in this debut novel you will not want to miss!<br /><br />Note to Readers: Be sure to read the acknowledgements (and find out about Tracy's first draft of this story at age 9!) and check out the Discussion/questions!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from FLYBY PROMOTIONS as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1377797046000, "title": "Their survival become the stuff of legend!" }, { "asin": "1433680459", "rating": 5, "text": "By far one of the most meaningful children stories I have read in a long time, AUDREY BUNNY reminded me immediately of another time, another little girl and her own bunny...This review is for us Dearest...<br /><br />Lovingly illustrated by talented Breezy Brookshire this story reminds us that whilst we might have some imperfections, we are all children of God and loved!<br /><br />AUDREY BUNNY will capture each child's imagination (Warning: as a direct result, parents might find themselves buying a soon to be much loved stuffed friend!) as we see that Caroline knew exactly what she wanted when stepping in the toy shoppe!<br />Loved at first sight, AUDREY BUNNY is so happy to be adopted by Caroline but very much afraid her own imperfection once discovered means she will be rejected.<br /><br />My favourite moment:<br />'Bunny peeked over the animals in the barrel. It was her! It was the same little girl from a few days ago. She straightened her ears as high as they would go and squeezed her eyes shut as the little girl walked in her direction. She was too nervous to look. Could today be the day she got picked?'<br /><br />Author Angie Smith finds just the right words to reassure little ones (and big ones) that we are special in our own way!<br /><br />An amazing work of love, geared for 4 to 8 years old, it is a story you will treasure and hopefully share with all your loved ones! This one Folks is meant to be on a special shelf to be read over and over!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />Note to Readers: Great news! Audrey Bunny is now #1 in Christian Children's Books at Amazon.com!<br /><br />I received a copy of this title from FLYBY PROMOTIONS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1383064676000, "title": "A story sure to be treasured for years to come!" }, { "asin": "0824956478", "rating": 5, "text": "Beautifully illustrated by talented Christine Kornacki (Remember The First Christmas Night?) The Sparkle Box is a marvelous story to teach little ones (and old ones) the true meaning of Christmas!<br /><br />In this heartfelt message storyteller Jill Hardie brings us a delightful story sure to become a tradition in this upcoming Holiday Season.<br /><br />Beginning with the message: &#34;You are the light of the world -- Make it sparkle!&#34;, this book includes a pop up sparkle box for young readers to fill in with little slips of papers highlighting their 'gifts' as they share with others in His name!<br /><br />The unfolding story focuses on random acts of kindness, what we can give instead of what we receive thus allowing even the smallest child of understanding the joy involved in helping others.<br /><br />Be ready though for a lot of questions arising from the story such as being homeless and hungry. Each unique illustration and the accompanying wording will bring a new subject to discuss with your family!<br /><br />A book to treasure and rediscover year after year!<br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />Note to Readers:<br /><br />This review was not requested and reflects my opinion only!", "timestamp": 1385855900000, "title": "The Sparkle Box is a marvelous story to teach little ones (and old ones) the true meaning of Christmas!" }, { "asin": "140168968X", "rating": 4, "text": "We all have favourites in literature and Mr. Knightley happens to be the leading Austen male character I like best.<br />I was intrigued by the title of Dear Mr. Knightley (more than the bromidic cover) and the format of the novel: letters written to a sponsor willing to give a chance to someone who most needed a friend!<br /><br />Katherine Reay's first novel is impressive! Her plotline is faultless and I loved to discover the letters Sam is writing in which she reveals so much of herself.<br />I think most reviewers will agree it was easy to identify the benevolent sponsor but it was intriguing to see how far the author would lead her main character without revealing his/her identity!<br /><br />An enjoyable read which includes bonus material perfect for group readers.<br />If you are looking for a good romance to bestow on a favourite friend or family member, here is the ticket!<br /><br />4 Stars!", "timestamp": 1386187174000, "title": "A good romance to bestow on a favourite friend or family member this Holiday Season!" }, { "asin": "0890517908", "rating": 5, "text": "I can almost hear the comments...&#34;Here we go again!&#34;...&#34;Must be the season?!&#34; &#34;Blah, Blah, Blah&#34; etc...<br />But seriously Folks, did you ever wonder if 25 December was in fact Christ's actual birth day or if He was truly laid in a manger or perhaps if Christmas is in fact based on a Pagan holiday? If you have asked yourself any or all of these questions and a myriad more - and found little no answers -, this book is for you! Here is the Christian response to a world often warring traditions and the Bible!<br /><br />To have a better understanding of the real Christmas, its traditions and often misconceptions, this compilation by General Editor Bodie Hodge is going to be just what you have been looking for!<br /><br />Personally I have always wonder at the star leading the wise men from the East to the exact spot in the little town of Bethlehem where our Saviour was born...Then there is the significance of Jesus' name, even the X in Xmas is detailed as well as an explanation of the virgin birth...<br /><br />THE WAR ON CHRISTMAS includes twenty three chapters, beautifully illustrated and packed with all sorts of revelations, including end notes and references making it a true Christmas encyclopedia!<br /><br />The perfect gift for any parent, youth instructor or church library and well worth 5 stars!<br /><br />I received a copy of this title from HANDLEBAR to review . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1387236636000, "title": "Excellent references making it a true Christmas encyclopedia!" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764208659", "rating": 5, "text": "City On Our Knees written by TobyMac is one of these books I guarantee will make you think!<br /><br />Because of my limited (financial) resources I find myself not always able to help out others as much as I would love to. Like all of us, I need sometime to be shown the light!<br /><br />In his book, TobyMac reminds us about those many people across the world who do not just give financially but also time, talents, love and compassion, even experiences, all that God in His infinite wisdom has bestowed upon us.<br /><br />There is no doubt TobyMac's lyrics are uplifting so using his music, biblical passage and quotes of Christians past and present, he shows us how to meet the needs of those around us. In fact he uses incredible examples of how people serve God everywhere and how even the youngest amongst us can do His mighty work!<br /><br />City on our knees is an inspiring tome well written and warmly documented. Anytime you believe you are not doing enough for His Kingdom you will find within its pages just enough fuel to light up your fires and do God's work. I was glad of the opportunity to read this book and my family and I rated it 4 1/2 stars!<br /><br />If you gotta start somewhere why not here<br />If you gotta start sometime why not now<br />If we gotta start somewhere I say here<br />If we gotta start sometime I say now<br /><br />(From City On Our Knees lyrics by TobyMac)<br /><br />Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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.\"", "timestamp": 1287021327000, "title": "Inspiring and well written!" }, { "asin": "078523120X", "rating": 5, "text": "When Booksneeze offered the possibility to review this latest book of Andy Andrews I immediately acccepted.<br />I very much enjoyed The Heart mender which I also reviewed here.<br />The 11th of April (posting schedule) came and went and I will first tell you, this is one book not to be rushed.<br />Andy Andrews has this particular knack for involving the reader body and soul in his books!<br />The Final Summit was a hard one to put down and I was not disappointed: I very much enjoyed reading it!<br /><br />\"Many years have passed since David Ponder discovered the Seven Decisions during a divine journey through time. Now 74 years old, Ponder has lost the one thing that mattered to him most--his wife, Ellen. Despite his personal and professional success, he now sits alone at the top of his 55-story high-rise contemplating the unthinkable, just as he did 28 years ago.<br /><br />However, just as things are looking their darkest, Ponder is informed through divine channels that he is needed now more than ever. This is mankind's last chance. Millennia of avarice, pride, and hate have sent humanity hurtling toward inevitable disaster, and far from its original purpose. There is only one solution that can reset the compass and right the ship--and it is only two words. Ponder, along with a cast of famous historical figures, must work quickly to discover this solution. The fate of the world rests on their shoulders.\"<br /><br />This is a book I recommend you read slowly and ponder upon. Andy Andrews's faith and knowledge of History, his very definition of human tendency's to ignore certain signs and rewrite this history to make it easier to understand will make you think again upon what you thought you knew about our world!<br />\"What does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization?\"<br /><br />Here is the question: When Time is running out and you must decide what to do when you do not know what to do... Which of the Seven Decisions would you think the most important? (no hinting, you must read it and discovered for yourself!)<br /><br />But I will tell you however my favourite...From Union Colonel Joshua Chamberlain who hastily wrote the words, \"I am a person of action\" on a scrap of paper.<br />Clearly, this is a book you must \"experience\" and Andy Andrews has woven a well written story that will leave you indeed pondering. Each chapter will inspire you to involve yourself and add your name to the \"personal declaration\"!<br />Time travelling in itself is of course always enticing and meeting other travellers whom might find a way to change the world...Oh the Dreams...<br /><br />Finally I will recommend heartily the Author's notes and the reader's guide to help you of course to discover even more about other Travellers...Who knew?<br /><br />I give this one 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br /><br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1303409632000, "title": "So many questions...and the Dreams..." }, { "asin": "082543310X", "rating": 5, "text": "Publisher's description:<br /><br />Fifteen-year-old Julien Losier just wants to fit in. But after his family moves to a small village in central France in hopes of outrunning the Nazis, he is suddenly faced with bigger challenges than the taunting of local teens.<br />Nina Krenkel left her country to obey her father's dying command: Take your brother and leave Austria. Burn your papers. Tell no one you are Jews. Alone and on the run, she arrives in Tanieux, France, dangerously ill and in despair.<br />Thrown together by the chaos of war, Julien begins to feel the terrible weight of the looming conflict and Nina fights to survive. As France falls to the Nazis, Julien struggles with doing what is right, even if it is not enough-and wonders whether or not he really can save Nina from almost certain death.<br />Based on the true story of the town of Le Chambon-the only French town honored by Israel for rescuing Jews from the Holocaust-How Huge the Night is a compelling, coming-of-age drama that will keep teens turning the pages as it teaches them about a fascinating period of history and inspires them to think more deeply about their everyday choices.<br /><br />And now for my review:<br /><br />Since this book is based on actual events, I was compelled to read it as soon as I received the opportunity to review it. Three nights later I closed the book and held my hand upon its cover. There is something that draws you to certain subjects for one reason or another...This one is particularly close to my heart and I am thankful to Heather and Lydia Munn for writing such a heartwarming book.<br /><br />For many in Europe there is an undeniable hauntingness about the occupation. Much is still hush hushed about the ensuing period's deeds and thoughts. We see the invasion of countries most often through the eyes of adults. Through their stories we feel the loss of freedom and honour, we experience a hint of their helpleness as we learn of rationing and depravation, sometime imprisoning or disapearance...We remember the stories about the Resistance and whispers of good and bad deeds...<br /><br />Seen throught the eyes of this small French village and their youth we are shown a different aspect of war, one which involves not just the adults but its young people as well. This is a time of conflict and choices have to be made.Theirs is a story of survival!<br />There is no right or wrong, good or bad when your life is on the line. Hope is all your have, the determination to live another day and ultimately to obtain once again your freedom! None are safe, danger surrounds and decisions must be made. Your only comfort, God is listening! Or is He?<br /><br />Wonderfully researched, beautifully written, this is a story that will take your breath away. Honest, compelling, How Huge The Night is a book which you soon realize does not shy from the true aspects of occupation.<br />I found myself remembering an other time, harsh decisions and I will admit to having been near tears! War time occupation was nothing short of a difficult time to grow up!<br />Albeit geared to the younger generation I am told, I find this is a timeless story and I see no reason not to recommend to adults as well.<br />A perfect 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Litfuse as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1306102239000, "title": "Honour, Freedom, Survival are not just for adults!" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 4, "text": "Since this weekend was quiet enough to let me relax (after a week of feeling somewhat frazzled) I picked up \"Spring for Suzannah\" to enjoy along with a nice cuppa!<br />I was looking for something light to read but with a good solid plot, the kind of novel you immerse yourself into.<br /><br />This is a debut for Catherine Richmond but a few pages in the book I knew \"Spring for Suzannah\" would be a throughfully enjoyable read and I was not disappointed.<br />I think we all agree we like to read about these incredible frontier women who braved the wilderness, tamed the Wild West, raised families, often burying some of their loved ones, faced starvation, wildlife threats, and built a life for themselves along their mates.<br />Let's not forget their contributions in building schools, churches and developing entire towns whilst uphelding God's word!<br /><br />The setting for Catherine Richmond novel (written with the help of a few chocolates along the way - my kind of gal!) is the Dakota Territory, a few years after the end of the Civil War.<br />Suzannah travels outwest to meet her new husband, Jesse. Theirs is a marriage by proxy, not unusual at that time. What is unusual is that she brings uncommon skills to her new way of life.<br />Her new home is a soddy, barely large enough to contain her husband and herself. Her companion is a dog, her only friend is Martha, a Norvegian just learning the English language and she lives miles away. The prairie is everywhere, there are many dangers such as wildland fires and the often weather changes! To survive is a daily challenge, being caught unprepared could mean death. There are no church, no school, no doctor and loneliness has a way to pervade everything!<br /><br />Jesse is a hard worker farmer but also a loving husband who has seen much horror during the War yet believes in God implicitly. His comfortable relationship with the Lord at times is even funny!<br />Shy Suzannah is insecure and lives in fear her new husband will send her back East but with patience Jesse reaches her heart and they soon see their union blessed.<br />When tragedy happens however, Suzannah must deal with the pain and here as always we are reminded God is always by our side. Suzannah matures in a real pioneer woman when she realizes God has a plan for her after all!<br /><br />Catherine Richmond describes her characters as living a full life, theirs is a romance that blooms in a lonely often harsh world. She does not shy from describing their intimacy, reminding us God made all things beautiful and His love is constant.<br />I cannot say honestly I would recommend this as a read for young girls but again, this Christian novel was written with much care and faith and a more mature audience will truly enjoy following Jesse and Suzannah's story.<br />The author's careful details gives us yet again, a little window on these pioneers women who made a New World thus providing us with a bit of history, along with an afternoon of true relaxation.<br />Just what I was looking for!<br />Many thanks Catherine Richmond and I hope you will soon pen another story for us.<br /><br />I give this book 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Litfuse as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1308065127000, "title": "Great debut!" }, { "asin": "1595548246", "rating": 4, "text": "The Amish world described by Beth Wiseman is like an opened window on a world which Englishers such as ourselves find fascinating!<br />Seek me with all your heart is also the first book I read by Beth Wiseman and I found myself drawn to the story within a few pages.<br />Beautifully written, with an engaging plot developing steadily along the pages, this is a much more accurate insight on Amish life than anything else I might have read in the past! The author does not shy from describing hardships found even amongst the Amish. Yes life can be a struggle but Faith can work wonders!<br /><br />Her realistic characters are guaranteed to surprise you even at times! You will find yourself laughing also at references to the Englisher life whilst learning more about a world few know truly well and often misunderstood.<br />It is a particular skill of a good author to lead any reader on a path of discovery and Beth Wiseman reminds us that Faith will sustain us through ups and downs as long as we let God in our heart!<br /><br />Like those beautiful Amish patchwork quilts made of intricate and carefully stiched pieces life can become whole and rewarding if we trust in Him! Beth Wiseman's characters and their plies are carefully chosen to let you know He is always near if we just listen!<br />Seek me with all your heart is the first book in the series Land of Canaan and is certain to be a throughly enjoyable read for anyone who delights in learning more about Amish life.<br /><br />To learn more about Beth Wiseman's books please visit her website here<br /><br />I gave this book a heatwarming 4 stars!<br /><br />Just a quick reminder: I was not asked to review this book and all opinions are entirely my own!", "timestamp": 1308765825000, "title": "A realistic view of the Amish Community!" }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 5, "text": "In 'A Distant Melody' we met Walt, the first of the three Novak brothers, a B17 pilot with the US Eight Air Force (read review here) and in 'A Memory Between Us', the author introduced us to dashing brother Jack, also a pilot stationed in England (see review here). Each of the Novak brothers' characters brought to mind the very best of the many American (and British) pilots who flew countless dangerous missions over enemy territory to bring about peace during the WW2 years! Most of these brave men were barely in their twenties and many gave their life for God and Country!<br /><br />Ray Novak's courage and faith is not to be doubt for a moment. His job is to train B17 pilots stateside and unlike his brothers, all he ever wanted was to follow his father's footsteps and preach.<br /><br />Sarah Sundin's superb description of this quiet man's trials as well as the human frailty displayed by the woman he loves is what makes this historical novel certainly hard to put down but in the end, it is a story about faith and the courage to go on during incredible times of conflict!<br /><br />If Ray's decision to join a combat unit overseas is somehow expected it is however the description of his survival behind enemy lines that will touch you in more ways than one! It is in the little details Sarah Sundin shares with readers that you find yourself pulling for the heroes (and holding your breath literally!)<br /><br />This beautiful love story is about Ray and Helen, both survivors, each reaching out to God for the courage to face their demons. Ultimately, it is the story of people torn apart by circumstances who in the course of their duties, both overseas and on the home front, reminds us that with God at our side, anything is possible!<br />'Blue Skies Tomorrow' is the perfect ending for the 'Wings of Glory' series!<br /><br />This is nothing less than 5 stars material!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1314710699000, "title": "The perfect ending to the 'Wings of Glory' series!" }, { "asin": "1595547851", "rating": 3, "text": "Fairer than Morning is a fictional novel set in the 1820's and inspired by a well known family in the history of Westerville Ohio, the Hanbys.<br />Since I am familiar with this family's connection to the famous Otterbein College, I thought it to be an interesting subject and looked forward to discover this new writer.<br />In this first novel Rosslyn Elliott introduces us to the Saddler's legacy series and describes the humble beginnings of William Hanby, mainly his years in indentured service.<br />William Hanby and Ann Miller were real people who fell in love, married and had 8 children of whom composer Ben Hanby (Darling Nelly Gray) is probably the best known. The family was very active in the Underground Railway and harboured runaways both in Rushville and Westerville.<br /><br />Rosslyn Elliott has introduced some well known (at least in the Midwest) historical facts in this work of fiction and it is interesting to note her clear description of the runaways slaves is perhaps the highlight of this novel. Somehow the two main characters are a bit lost in her description, and I would be remiss if I did not point out that I found the whole story to be fragmented.<br /><br />Whilst we do not have as much information as we wish on William and Ann, their combined and formidable convictions regarding anti slaveryand their faith in particular are not enough reflected in this novel. The description of Ohio and Pensylvania in the 19th Century also could use a bit more elaboration. Historical societies in both states offer much more information than it is reflected here.<br />Finally the added characters brings little support to the whole story and I found it lacking in historical interest.<br />In such, I found the book to lack the vitality of the well known Ohio river life and the sentiments of stepping into history with the characters was just missing. Certain subjects also do not make this Christian material for younger ladies yet I would have labelled this novel to be for younger adults.<br /><br />I give this one 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1315509697000, "title": "Not everything I thought it would be!" }, { "asin": "0800719956", "rating": 5, "text": "I think there is nothing like Christmas and the incredible feeling it brings to all who believe in the birth of the Child Christ!<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher is the kind of writer whom readers know they can expect an excellent plot deftly written, a message of hope and a great deal of Amish wisdom along a good dose of humour!<br />One look at the cover (yes, I know you should not judge a book by its cover alone) and the author's name and I knew I would enjoy it. There is something wholesome about Suzanne Woods Fisher's stories and her acute knowledge of the Amish society always attracts!<br /><br />In 'A Lancaster County Christmas', we find both Englisher and Amish families sharing a few days during the Christmas season due to unexpected circumstances and I will readily admit it put me in the Christmas spirit immediately.<br />It is the true gift of a good author to be able to make any reader see the plain life of Amish families, feel the snow flakes on his/her face, the warmth of a love shared by people who truly care about each other, the anxiety experienced by someone who is once again disappointed by events they cannot control and most important the steadfastness of God's love for all!<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher is such an author!<br /><br />Even better in 'A Lancaster County Christmas' we learn about SAR (Search and Rescue) and the efficiency of a search well planned by equally well trained volunteers.<br />Life sometimes does follow some unexpected turns and it is up to us to learn to lean on our faith to find the strengh to go on. Christmas is a wonderful gift, a season of love, hope and joy! 'A Lancaster County Christmas' brings you all these feelings!<br /><br />I recommend picking up a copy of 'A Lancaster County Christmas' and let the spirit of the season surround you! In fact, pick up an additional copy for a loved one or a friend, a perfect gift to share with them!<br />P.S. I couldn't but laugh at the suggestion of Mr. September! Suzanne Woods Fisher feels like a friend and I guarantee you will enjoy this latest book!<br />How could I give anything but 5 stars for a book that had me laughing and crying?!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE PUBLICITY GROUP as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1316191766000, "title": "It will put you in the Christmas spirit!" }, { "asin": "1414335830", "rating": 5, "text": "This latest novel in the Precinct 11 series starts off slowly but you soon find the plot gripping and it is a hard one to put down. In true Jerry B. Jenkins fashion, 'The Betrayal' is a story with rapid fire action but as always reflecting many family values and this is why I like to read his books!<br /><br />Things are not looking good for Boone Drake. The injury he received whilst protecting former street gang boss Pascual Candelario, now turned good guy, will probably earn him early retirement but it is the last thing he wants right now. There is an informer amongst the Police department and it makes Boone all the more determined to remain on active duty. The more so since it jeopardizes his attempt to get Candelario to a secure location!<br /><br />Whilst CPD investigates this obvious leak, Boone's girlfriend becomes the prime suspect and it now it appears someone wants Boone out of the CPD for good.<br />Near exhaustion, Boone forces himself to find the source of this betrayal and the guilty party! His life and others depend on his survival skills!<br />Watch out for the climax!<br /><br />A Christian writer who never compromise his faith, Jenkins has a knack for appealing to all sorts of readers and in the end, you know good will triumph over evil!<br /><br />A perfect 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from TYNDALE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Adverting.", "timestamp": 1319215965000, "title": "Gripping!" }, { "asin": "0764209035", "rating": 5, "text": "A delightful historical novel and one of the best Christian fiction I have read in a while!<br />Anne Mateer's faith shines throughout this story and I am certain to be on the lookout for more of her work!<br /><br />'Wings of a dream' is reminiscent of Lucy Maud Montgomery, Catherine Marshall or Louisa May Alcott's style and you will feel a kindred spirit with the main character Rebekah Hendricks!<br /><br />WWI home front life in Texas with its shortages, the Spanish Lady (flu) epidemic as well as casualty reports are just one of the many descriptions you will find in Anne Mateer's novel!<br /><br />A true Christian story, this warmhearted tale of a nineteen year old faced with challenges few would not find daunting, 'Wings of a dream' is certain to delight readers! Not unlike a good recipe, this story has all the right ingredients but it is Anne Mateer's harmonious blend with the Great War's background that has you turning 'just one more page!'<br />A dreamer like many of us, Rebekah desires adventure and yet, faced with unexpected love she discovers God always leads the way! You will find yourself holding your breath towards the end I guarantee!<br /><br />I so enjoyed reading 'Wings of a dream' that I too had a hard time to put it down! Enjoy!<br /><br />I will gladly give it 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHING as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1320527918000, "title": "A kindred spirit!" }, { "asin": "076420498X", "rating": 5, "text": "'I was perfectly content with my life - that is, until the pages of my story were ripped out before I had a chance to live happily ever after.'<br />An excellent debut I felt as I was really looking for something relaxing to read and I have always believed in faery tales! This was just the right novel for a cold, blustery and rainy evening!<br />'Three days later, when Lillie was sure that Mack would live, she started planning his funeral.' is only the beginning of Chapter 8...I forgot the time and just kept on reading!<br /><br />Lynn Austin once again delivers an enticing story which is sure to have you alternate betwixt laughing bouts and tears!<br />There is something almost magical in Lynn Austin's writing and I have yet to read anything I did not like by this author so I will heartily recommend her novels.<br />Just short of spellbinding, each page of her Christian novels allows you to step in a different time frame and her characters beckons readers to immerse themselves in her stories.<br /><br />In her latest book we discover a little coal mining town in Kentucky during the Great Depression, a young librarian, a one hundred and one year old woman once a plantation slave, a writer and to top all this, there is a mysterious buried treasure...<br /><br />In Wonderland Creek we discover the harsh lives led by the proud mountain people of Kentucky whom with much determination survived the Great Depression. You find yourself almost envious of the simple lifestyle, the traditions, the intricate families connections and above all, the beauty of the surroundings!<br />As is customary with Lynn Austin's novels, you will find a marvelous balance betwixt history lessons, rich settings, amazing and often gripping characters and of course a good dose of Christian wisdom.<br /><br />When all is said and done, this is one author's writings worth every 5 stars give!<br /><br />Note to readers: I was not asked to review this novel and all opinions expressed are entirely my own!", "timestamp": 1325109623000, "title": "Happily-ever-after in the woods of Kentucky's during the Great Depression" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 4, "text": "'Where Wildflowers Bloom' is the first book in Ann Shorey's series called 'Sisters at Heart' and since I like a good Historical novel, wildflowers and dreaming, the perfect choice for a rainy day!<br /><br />Faith Lindberg lost her father and brother and lives with her Grandfather who owns a Mercantile shoppe. Faith hopes to sell the business, hopefully at a profit of course and move West. She dreams of starting afresh.<br />The story is set just after the end of the Civil War and I found the added characters of a field nurse as well as a scarred veteran just the right touch for this novel to be a little more than just a lovely romance.<br /><br />Ann Shorey pens an interesting portrait of a MidWest town, and takes us on a stroll around the dusty boardwalks to the shoppes, local eatery, blacksmith shop and livery, sheriff's office, clapboard houses and the little white church with its spiked roof, not unlike time traveling in your armchair.<br /><br />The mercantile shoppe comes to life with her detailed description of the stock with its many shelves of goods. I could almost feel the heroine's pain when she inadvertently drops the lovely china she'd hoped to sell and make a profit to boost sales. The fact that women rarely worked outside of home is once again the perfect detail to make this an interesting story!<br /><br />With just the right eloquence Ann Shorey infuses readers with a sense of what life was truly for the settlers who made their homes in places such as Noble Springs, Missouri and the gossiping and sometime meddling of a small town.<br />She does not stop there however and you discover the past is not to be shrugged off easily, especially for the men who came back from war, some broken, many scarred.<br />With a burglary and even mysteries, the entire story evolves in just the kind of entertainment you need to relax!<br /><br />A very nice story which earned 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1327628071000, "title": "Historical fiction decribing Yesterday's women and Today issues!" }, { "asin": "0800734599", "rating": 3, "text": "'Summer of Promise' offers an outlook on life in Wyoming in the 1880's and particularly for the families of soldiers stationed in remote areas such as Fort Laramie, many of them immigrants who joined in hope to make a better life for themselves. I can see why the author felt inspired to write a story after her trip (make that 3 trips and countless hours of Internet browsing).<br /><br />Abigail and Ethan's story is a light romance you might enjoy during a long winter evening but I felt it did not flow and it was not one I would describe as a page turner.<br />Tales of the Old West have always fascinated me but despite having learned a thing or two from Amanda Cabot's findings, I did not think the characters to be all they could be! Leah is one character for i.e. that could have been so much more!<br /><br />It seemed to be written with the very young in mind, nothing either inspiring or entertaining. I will caution animal lovers might find some of the tale upsetting. However true it might be, I found it had little reason to be added to the story personally.<br /><br />If this is an example of the upcoming stories in the Westward Wind series, I found Summer of Promise monotonous and a little tedious for my taste.<br /><br />I give it 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br /><br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1328382932000, "title": "Light romance and a little tedious!" }, { "asin": "1414364458", "rating": 5, "text": "Despite the promising resume I felt the beginning of this book might lead to just another tedious life lesson and very little entertainment. As the story unfolded however I discovered a real gem, each individual committee member' story revealing its own little touch of drama and very personal message.<br /><br />'The Search Committee' is the story of a medley of fellow Christians whose goal is to visit other churches. The committee includes a busybody, a young husband, a single mom and a handful of others all sharing the same hope, that to hire (steal) the perfect pastor for their own congregation.<br /><br />Tim Owens artfully weaves background and problem(s) faced by each member of the committee into a delightful and entertaining message for the reader.<br />Hard to put down, the story unfolds giving us the opportunity to find a little of ourselves in at least one of the committee characters, complete with its little quirks.<br /><br />You will find yourself chuckling at the delightful descriptions of this busy group traveling in an old church van (Outch! Those potholes!) and sneaking incognito into various churches and teary eyed a moment later.<br />It is warm, it is human and you will question if any of us truly know our neighbour in the pew next to us.<br /><br />So will the committee find this perfect man/woman for their own church? Well, I wouldn't want to spoil a good story and it is a VERY good story!<br />My suggestion is to grab this insightful book and enjoy a good time with the seah committee! Their quest will teach you a thing or two I daresay!<br /><br />A delightful first novel and worth at least 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from TYNDALE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1329174853000, "title": "Tim Owen's first novel is delightful gem!" }, { "asin": "0800720458", "rating": 5, "text": "The very first thing that comes to mind about 'Words Spoken True' is the raised lettering on the cover (a feature I dearly love and miss in the mass produced paperbacks published these days!) swiftly followed by the interesting historical note published in the forefront of the story! Once spotted, I was rubbing my hands together with glee. This is my kind of historical fiction!<br /><br />With a rich historical setting, enticing plot, flowing dialogues betwixt the protagonists, colourful descriptive and just the right amount of romance 'Words Spoken True' is sure to captivate readers!<br />Here is no amateurish historical fiction! Ann H. Gabhart is a well published author and she writes a warm story complete with romance, faith and intrigue about 'The Herald' and 'The Tribune', two warring newspapers in Louisville, Kentucky, circa 1850's.<br /><br />As the plot unravels you find yourself engrossed in its drama, and wishing with all your might for a great ending for both Adriane and Blake. Never fear, weaving her magic wand, Ann H.Gabhart will not disappoint and you will soon discover that no matter what, the press must go on!<br /><br />On a quick note, I was startled to learn the existence of the 'Know Nothings, and the dramatic events of Bloody Monday on 6 August 1855 which reflects in this story!<br /><br /> Readers should know this is a page turner...Hence warning to husband/children: Mum is certain to be so engrossed, dinner will soon be forgotten!<br /><br />A wonderful story certain to leave you daydreaming...<br />A big thank you to Ann H. Gabhart for her enduring writing skills!<br /><br />For sheer enjoyment, a 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330103697000, "title": "A wonderful story certain to leave you daydreaming..." }, { "asin": "1433673223", "rating": 4, "text": "With a little imagination 'The Guardian Duke' might very well be the most delightful story I have read in awhile! Nothing too serious, just a light tale about a charming ingenue and her elegant guardian complete with good historical notes, a good amount of faith and just the right amount of romance!<br /><br />Reminiscent of Barbara Cartland's writings, 'The Guardian Duke' has all the ingredients for a good, if a tad innocuous, tale. I was not looking for anything in particular when I started reading Jamie Carie's first book in the Forgotten Castles series but I was pleasantly surprised.<br /><br />Perhaps it was the romantic setting of Ireland with its mythical shores, the intriguing mystery revolving around some of the protagonists, the spirited ingenue dodging her guardian duke or the elegant Gabriel himself.<br />Lest I forget, credit should also be given to a colourful surrounding cast!<br /><br />Jaimie Carie also excelled at penning the lively correspondence betwixt the heroine and her soul mate. Do people really fall in love through letters? Let's hope the world has not become so jade that we cannot imagine for a short time that it can be so. Ah the dreams...<br /><br />I for one can only vouch for the innocent reading time I spend immersing myself into with this lively Christian tale. And if someone witnessed the sighs just before I turned off the lights, well...<br />All I can say is 'Thank you' Jaimie for a tasteful read certain to entertain teens and adults alike.<br /><br />Here is to wandering what happens in Iceland and thinking it was well worth 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from PROPELLER as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330567856000, "title": "Tasteful Christian romance for teens and adults alike!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 4, "text": "Heart's Safe Passage is book # 2 in The Midwives series and whilst I have yet to read book # 1 it is my hope the author will indulge us with more stories in this captivating chapter. The combination of the midwifery subject and the High seas set right after the conflict of 1812 was an appealing point for a history buff like me and the author did not disappoint!<br /><br />Obviously Laurie Alice Eakes has done well her research and I spent a relaxing evening reading this latest tale! Such are the rules of war that both nations would have not hesitate to try either protagonist as a traitor. Therefore to imagine a plot involving a midwife stranded against her will on an enemy ship was nothing but genial!<br /><br />A fervent admirer of C.S. Forrester and his tales of the high seas, I found Heart's Safe Passage all the most most intriguing as Laurie Alice Eakes demonstrates a thorough knowledge of seamanship I did not expect.<br />Historically the war of 1812 and the resulting strenuous diplomatic relations betwixt Colonials and Britishers was well documented. In turn the author's description of her characters allegiances reminds us that one could be deemed a traitor for just being at the wrong place at the wrong time.<br /><br />The spirited dialogues betwixt the Scottish privateer and the Colonial midwife have just the right enticement for readers to wonder who will win in the end and the supporting characters are endearing in their own ways.<br />Life at sea was far from being as romantic as Hollywood would have us believed but in Heart's Safe Passage there is just enough drama to keep it interesting and enough sparks for the romantic soul!<br /><br />Most of all the storyteller reminds us that God is the only one to steer our ship...<br /><br />I was also fascinated by the historical notes recording midwives written by a seventeenth century physician! Whilst some of it could be deemed humorous, it would appear being a midwife was hard and often a thankless task!<br /><br />Finally Laurie Alice Eakes' description of Captain Docherty was much more interesting than Errol Flynn in all his glory!<br /><br />For a most enjoyable evening, I find myself giving this historical romance 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330728429000, "title": "An intriguing romance betwixt a midwife and a privateer on the High seas!" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "Anyone familiar with the talented Brother Cadfael, the Welsh Benedictine monk so engagingly described by Ellis Peters will appreciate my interest in this book!<br />I first heard of it on a Publisher's website and felt compelled to pursue this title whose author I had yet to discover! I also hoped for something different and was not disappointed!<br /><br />'Unhallowed Ground' was my introduction to Mel Starr's and I immediately found his style to be unique and quite discerning! An impressive glossary allows curious minds like mine to discover words and terms the modern English language no longer use.<br /><br />Mel Starr skillfully weaves a tapestry of intrigue, false leads, adventure and danger rendered the more interesting by its many historical settings whilst leading the reader on a path of whodunit.<br />Within a few pages you are wondering who is friend, who is foe and yes, it is a page turner!<br /><br />The colourful but tasteful tale follows Hugh de Singleton, bailiff of Bampton Manor, as he is called to investigate the death of a local villager. Amongst his many talents Master Hugh is also noted as a medieval surgeon and a detective of sorts...<br />Is this a case of suicide or murder? Thus we are introduced to the ensuing intriguing plot!<br /><br />With its excellent penmanship, 'Unhallowed Ground' is just the sort of book you will read and feel replete!<br /><br />I give it 5 stars (and quickly found a little niche for it on our bookshelves!)<br /><br />On a note of worth, this book is the fourth chronicle of the series. The fifth chronicle 'The Tainted Coin' will soon be released!<br /><br />NOTE TO READERS: I was not asked to review this title and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1332627554000, "title": "Medieval mystery with the finest historical detailed background!" }, { "asin": "1595548874", "rating": 3, "text": "Best selling author Beth Wiseman has delighted her many fans with tales of the Amish world for years. Perhaps I was influenced by my daughter as she is a big fan but I have enjoyed her stories!<br /><br />This novel is however quite different and I will admit to some disappointment. A contemporary story is rarely my first choice of reading material. I much prefer historical fiction work which lets your imagination wonder, provides you with healthy entertainment and even gives you the incentive to delve into the subject by way of further research!<br /><br />Beth Wiseman introduces us to her latest writing by depicting a Texan family whom at first glance lives a perfectly well balanced life. They recently moved from a cosmopolitan area to live in an old farmhouse in a small town to raise their children in a much healthier environment.<br /><br />Reading the resume I caught the 'Special Needs Children' part and felt drawn to it thus the reason for this choice of review.<br /><br />Unfortunately whilst I allow any author's right to feel a need to branch out, this time I felt something was missing and I had a hard time to concentrate on the plot.<br />Perhaps it was the fact that special needs children had only a small part in this story, or that the neighbour's character just did not seem to fit in, or I was not prepared to comprehend the extent to which some teens go to please their family or when under peer pressure! I have since looked into it and it brought many shudders!<br />Even the locales were not eye catching and nothing really stands out.<br /><br />Despite the troubled teenager plight and a handful of supporting characters, the story mainly revolves around the attraction felt by two individuals and much like a soap opera is drawn out: lies, betrayals and sheer boredom!<br /><br />Somewhat fragmented, Needing you Now is the sort of Christian novel I feel you will only briefly remember and lacking the profound inspirational theme Beth Wiseman usually provides her readers.<br /><br />Needing you Now has surprised me and less you feel this is not a good book, I will remind you of course that I offer only my opinion!<br /><br />As such, I can only give it 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BOOKSNEEZE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1335569626000, "title": "Really not what I hoped for!" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 4, "text": "'A Love Forbidden', Book # 2 in Heart of the Rockies series reads like a Western with a powerful message: intolerance is the root of many evils!<br />Once again Baker Revell brings us an interesting author and I was pleasantly surprised in Kathleen Morgan's vivid descriptions of the 1800 Colorado Rockies!<br />There is so much History in the US, often misconstrued yet as rich as many older nations!<br />I love to discover yet another facet of the Old West and I believe I mentioned it before, the first novel I read in English was written by Louis l'Amour!<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan's tasteful description of Shiloh Wainwright and Jesse Blackwater's love story gives us a realistic outlook on frontier life in the 1800's Colorado and the Ute reservation.<br />As a teacher on the Indian reservation Shiloh hopes to help Indian children learn the White Man's ways whilst retaining their identity. Her task is not easy as she deals with narrow minded agencies and wary settlers.<br />Jesse Blackwater is the childhood friend she never forgot and caught betwixt both the White man's world and the Ute worlds, they find themselves caught in a maelstrom of emotions and conflicts, both internal and external.<br /><br />'A Love Forbidden' might have been just another Historical romance but Kathleen Morgan draws you in the story and you immerse yourself in it. The sum of a good novel, right?<br />It is always amazing to read lines which create such a vivid panoramic picture of times gone by and in turn creates such powerful emotions!<br />Amidst prejudice and growing political tension betwixt both the White and Indian world, you find yourself wondering if you would have the courage and wisdom to do what is right. In such circumstances, where would you stand as a Christian?<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan seems to breathe this time period and spares no details to entice us visually. Life on the frontier was often harsh, supplies limited, and communication slow due to long distances betwixt forts and settlements.<br />When one side fails to honour its word, the other decided to take action...<br /><br />Red headed Shiloh is as tenacious in her convictions as in her love for Jesse, whilst he sees the road ahead in a very realistic way. Will they be able to bridge both worlds and find love, acceptance, forgiveness and ultimately peace?<br /><br />Well depicted, this is a thought provoking story which illustrates the power of love and faith in a world often riddled with prejudice and ignorance.<br />In the end, you are in God's hands and given the chance, Shiloh and Jesse will come to realize nothing is impossible for them with His help.<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1338071156000, "title": "A thought provoking story about love and faith in the 1800's Colorado Rockies!" }, { "asin": "0764207962", "rating": 5, "text": "Siri Mitchell is definitively an author to reckon with: her latest novel 'The Messenger' is fast paced and scintillates with the kind of details any history buff will love. I found her notes and research to be very interesting!<br /><br />Set during the War of Independence (US), this is the story of an intrepid young Quaker named Hannah and a Continental Army spy named Jeremiah Jones. Each have need of the other and both parties joined forces but not without concerns for the ramifications involved. As a pacifist Hannah cannot abide violence but Jeremiah's plans ultimately will draw her in a conflict few will escape without scars.<br /><br />This is absolutely a story to enjoy without interruptions. I for one knew very little of Women spies during the Civil War (US) and did not give much thought to Women involvement during the 1776 Campaign.<br /><br />Prisoners conditions during this tumultuous conflict are rarely spoken of yet we know of the many hardships endured by the Colonial army, particularly during the winter campaign at Valley Forge.<br />Sad to say, many of the reenactments Siri Mitchell developed in her tale of faith and courage for our two courageous protagonists rang only too true! The ravages of war effects innocents everywhere yet we still fight!<br /><br />'The Messenger, reminds us of theologian Reinhold Neiburh's Serenity prayer:<br /><br />God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,<br />Courage to change the things I can,<br />And wisdom to know the difference.<br /><br />So fitting for this story!<br /><br />As to the Quaker faith, I have to thank Siri Mitchell for enlightening me: I never thought much about it!<br /><br />A story of bravery, of beliefs and God's path for each one of us!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1338499473000, "title": "A tale of courage and faith in the Revolutionary war!" }, { "asin": "1434764303", "rating": 3, "text": "'Glamorous Illusions', Book 1 of 'The Grand Tour' series has a most enticing front cover. One look at the lovely gown featured with the Eiffel Tower in the background will have you wish you too could be part of this Grand Tour. I was ready to be dazzled!<br /><br />Let me begin by saying Lisa T. Bergren is a seasoned author with over 35 books and sales of over 2 million copies but new to this reader.<br /><br />David C. Cook, the Publisher gives us in turn a tantalizing resume of 'Glamorous Illusions' starting with 'It's the summer of 1913...A fateful afternoon, a stranger comes to call, and Cora discover s a terrible secret about her past...invited to take the 'Grand Tour' of Europe, a trip intended to finish a person's education and solidify an understanding of refinement and ancient culture...<br /><br />I immersed myself in this fictional story turning page after page hoping to glimpse the wonders of a 20th Century trip abroad through the eyes of our young protagonist beginning with a portentous crossing aboard the Titanic sister-ship.<br />Grand Tours were scintillating events and much anticipated occasions for any well bred young lady or gentleman to acquire a certain polish and large amounts of monies were disbursed by generous parents to this effect.<br /><br />Breathtaking scenery along with ancient History and the discoveries of Music, Art, companions and fine culinary partaking provided the perfect ending to one's education. If one might find herself/himself an impoverished title in the bargain, families would look benignly and pride themselves in having acquired a touch of blue blood in the bargain.<br /><br />The idea of our heroine leaving her Montana struggling beet farm for a Grand Tour of Europe in the company of her newly discovered high society siblings has many hints of Cinderella. However Cora's journey of self discovery along this grand voyage is often confusing, her true sentiments hard to fathom! Even as I close the book I would be hard pressed to guess what she hoped to find.<br /><br />I could not picture any young lady destined to be a teacher to learn in one month how to move comfortably through the society throngs for example.<br />I found it also hard to believe the group described did not have at least one female chaperone (anything less would have been frowned upon in most societies and introductions near impossible), servants were unlikely to know what would be expected and therefore could not have advised.<br /><br />Illegitimacy was not more condoned in France than in England and therefore the courtship of Pierre de Richelieu hardly believable. Family pressures alone would have demanded he kept his distance. Accordingly the young lady would have been appraised his attentions were not honourable and very likely whisked away to the next stop of the Tour.<br /><br />Leaving these details aside, I felt none of the excitement or glimmer associated with such trip. One would hardly describe the wonders of the Eiffel Tower, Centuries old English manors, French chateaus or the wealth displayed at the Louvre for example in such a desultory way and hints at someone who trouped behind a guide (If this is Tuesday, it must be Belgium).<br />The elements are there but seen almost through a veil and does not impart the stimulating experiences for the reader's pleasure.<br /><br />Finally the end of this first novel in the series left me perplex. A hint or two leads me to believe there is more to the story but neither the romance nor the Grand Tour details provided much satisfaction.<br />One can only sigh and say: 'C'est la vie!'<br /><br />More of a Young Adult story, I give this one 3 stars.<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE AND DAVID C. COOK as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1340302218000, "title": "From Montana to the grand European metropolises..." }, { "asin": "0800720482", "rating": 5, "text": "I chose to feature the above synopsis instead of the one shown on the back of the cover for a personal reason. I admit I am only a student of the Gospels and for a moment as I read the cover's resume I thought there might be another Mary Magdalene!<br /><br />The imagination of storyteller Diana Wallis Taylor brings readers however a new dimension to the picture we might have of this amazing woman who followed Christ till the end.<br /><br />I found myself utterly enchanted by this author's narrative of a woman we know little of despite mentions in Luke, John and Acts.<br />We know Jesus cast off seven demons from her and that she was a close follower.<br />We also know she witnessed His mock trial and heard His sentence, she was present at His crucifixion and later amongst the women who find the empty tomb.<br /><br />In 'Mary Magdalene' Diana Wallis Taylor weaves a stirring profile of a gentle child who learned the Scriptures, growing up in Magdala, a coastal town off the Sea of Galilee with caring parents.<br />Following a tragic event, Mary Magdalene lives the next few years plagued by nightmares and yet amidst of all this, finds love and eventually will be healed.<br />She eventually follows Jesus and witnessed to the Messiah's glory for the remaining of her life.<br /><br />The author's rich historical and social details of Jewish life in Galilee in the time of Jesus interwoven with her chronicles of this amazing woman are most gripping!<br />A reader, young or old, will discover an emotional account of a woman we hardly knew and should remember first and foremost as one who was THERE.<br /><br />This is the sort of enriching fictional work perfect as a gift for any young woman coming of age. It has all the elements of a love story of the purest form!<br /><br />If I had a dozen copies, I would be passing them out right now!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1340473107000, "title": "A rich emotional description of Mary Magdalene!" }, { "asin": "0800734556", "rating": 4, "text": "As someone who knew absolutely nothing of the Shaker beliefs I have now a whole concept of their intricate history. In 'The Gifted' Kentucky born storyteller Ann H. Gabhart has definitively written an in depth story based on this cult! She actually lives near a Shaker village and was obviously inspired.<br /><br />The simplicity of the many designs we admire to this date were brought upon by these believers who worked as if they had a thousand years to accomplish their tasks or knowledge of their death on the morrow...They knew their place, rejoiced in knowing it, their hands hard at work, their hearts given to God...<br /><br />In 'The Gifted' our protagonist Jessamine is striving to find her place in this close knit world and when she is given a sweet outlook on the outside world questions her path...<br />We follow the young sister as she stumbles repeatedly despite her eagerness to please her elders. Sister Sophrena's diaries in particular allows us to understand the extant of those struggles and gives us a unique view of life in their community.<br />Harmony Hill village brothers and sisters live their faith as outlined by their leader, Mother Ann, from the working fields to the devotion meetings including the shaking and dancing. Their only contact with the outside world is due to their trading their wares such as rosewater, baskets, candles, furniture and so on.<br />Surprisingly, their fellowship is open to anyone, even outsiders just visiting. It is the only world Jessamine has known since she lost her Granny but like all good stories, this is only the beginning... Then there is also a mysterious letter which opened reveals surprising new developments...<br /><br />As usual Ann H.Gabhart leads us by the hand as we read on. I always found myself looking for clues to what comes next and I was not disappointed.<br />Richly described and perfectly timed, this is a story you will enjoy discovering as the author entices you to learn that all is not as it seems.<br />Like all good storytellers, Ann H. Gabhart tells you some dreams were meant to come true...You just have to believe!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1341675443000, "title": "Another great story by master storyteller Ann H. Gabhart!" }, { "asin": "1595547819", "rating": 4, "text": "'Tidewater Inn' has all the ingredients for the sort of book any reader will like! A great beach read, y Colleen Coble's novel enticed me to turn yet another page!<br />It has all the exciting elements a good writer instills in her/his storytelling and this author's imagination is fruitful! Wow! No time to get bored here!<br /><br />Mysteries, kidnapping, treasures, family intrigues and a beautiful old Inn in a breathtaking setting draws you in. The colourful characters revolving around this Hope Beach novel makes this a warm story and one that makes you wish you live there.<br />Living myself on a tiny island accessible only by ferry, I can understand well the appeal! Hope Beach however has one on us, they have restaurants, pizza parlour, library, fire department, postal service...Need I go on? I felt a tad jealous!<br /><br />It is however the references to God and His amazing work that makes this a most appealing story! Colleen Coble's characters know God, feels His love and meets His expectations no matter how they might fail at first try. Faith is part of her intricate story and you feel His presence throughout her novel! I like this most of all!<br /><br />I was intrigued at the extent to which a SAR (Search and Rescue) dog could trace a missing person. In this instance, 'Samson' follows a trace ON WATER, ocean water! Absolutely intriguing! Needless to say, I learned something yet again!<br /><br />A few loose ends however puzzled me...a rope around an ankle amongst others...I must mention this!<br /><br />I give it 4 stars none the less!<br />Watch Colleen Cobble next novel 'Rosemary Cottage' to be published in July 2013!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1344092313000, "title": "Upbeat!" }, { "asin": "0764208349", "rating": 3, "text": "As stories goes, 'Unending Devotion' is pleasant enough, harmless even, a tad sentimental but easily dismissed after a few chapters. I felt there was something missing from the moment I saw the novel's cover. Somehow the plot and its main characters just does not hook the reader. Even the sub characters were much more interesting!<br /><br />I struggled to feel the various emotions the author hinted at from the beginning and just had to accept this was just not my cup of tea so to speak.<br />Lily posing as a photographer's assistant with its implied paraphernalia should have been on the cover posing next to gruff Oren and perhaps a more thorough description of the lumber camps might have caught my attention. There is a striking amount of information on logging available including stunning photos even here in the Pacific North West!<br /><br />That said, I enjoyed the author's notes regarding the town of Harrison and its unsavoury residents. There is obviously a lot of historical facts recorded in the Michigan's past lumber era with the usual problems found in shanties such as alcoholism, violence, notwithstanding the origin of white slavery trade in the state, this being the most startling!<br /><br />All in all, I would recommend anyone going away this weekend to pack an extra book along unless like me, you find the historical portion enticing enough to browse internet and library files to find out more on the subjects of logging and white slavery in 1800's Michigan!<br />Interesting it was, entertaining it was not.<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1347628341000, "title": "Interesting facts about white slavery in Michigan 1883 did not make this novel any more entertaining!" }, { "asin": "0764206176", "rating": 4, "text": "I was more than ready to read a good western and 'Taming the Wind' was not a disappointment!<br />Book # 3 in the Land of the Lone Star series written by Tracie Peterson, this novel gives us a lot to reflect upon.<br />Tracie Peterson is after all a prolific writer with more than 95 novels to her credit and she writes passionately about the West. Her novels are always entertaining and clearly shows good research (loved the Longfellow poem addition!) but it also reflects her longstanding faith.<br />Each character has its definite personality: passionate, hopeful, tenacious, caring, angry, vengeful...<br />The Lone Star land is harsh, often unforgiving yet beautiful in its rawness. Homesteading was not for the faint soul!<br /><br />In her latest novel Tracie describes a little of the hardships endured by Southern sympathizers following the (US) Civil war. I for one had no idea land was confiscated simply because of allegiance.<br />Both sides lost much to the war and the resulting animosity was very much alive even after three years of peace as we see in Taming the Wind.<br />Cattle drives were dangerous enterprises, with countless obstacles including Native Americans raids, rustlers, stampedes and so on. Yet it also gave an opportunity for struggling ranchers to regain losses...<br /><br />Taming the Wind depicts not only the many facets of ranching but a sweet love story. Carissa and her little girl Gloria are both ready for better times and the young widow has not forgotten the young rancher who saved her life two years prior.<br />In turn Tyler has often thought of the young mother and child but stands to loose much if his confiscated ranch is not returned to him. He also cannot forgive the raid which took his father's life...<br /><br />Of course, God has a plan and with Tracie's flair for a good adventure, we learn love and forgiveness can be found even in these most challenging times!<br /><br />Note:<br />Just a suggestion of course: 'Chasing the Sun' and 'Touching the Sky' are pre sequels in the series well worth reading albeit the author gives a rundown in Book #3 for those of us who have not read these titles.<br />A good reason for reading more of this entertaining author!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1347987539000, "title": "Love, Forgiveness and Adventure in a Good Old Western!" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "After reading 'A Perfect Square', second book in the Shipshewana Amish Mysteries I am perfectly willing to find a special spot for any Vannetta Chapman's tomes on my bookshelves (or add another one...somewhere!)!<br />With Beth Wiseman's recommendation for this novel I knew I was in for a treat! I always like to hear an author praising another fellow writer, don't you?<br /><br />I discovered long ago the appeal of Amish genre literature but this was the first 'whodunit' for me and this one is truly a page turner! Not content with one single plot of 'whom, what , where, how and why', Vannetta Chapman blends two mysteries decades apart and links them to the present.<br /><br />With a lovely quilt shoppe tucked in the scenic background, we find Englisher and Amish living blessed lives in Shipshewana, Indiana to be as near to perfection as possible until that is, a body is found floating in a nearby pond...There is no clue to the young girl's identity.<br /><br />Callie is the owner of Daisy's Quilt, a shoppe inherited from her aunt and with canine Max is a recent transplant from Houston, Texas. Amish and Mennonite lifestyles still holds many mysteries for Callie but Amish friends Deborah, Esther and Melinda help her to adapted to her new life whilst teaching her a thing or two about quilting. With Max at her side (sporting a bandana matched to her clothing colour), Callie is definitively looking forward to her first winter in Indiana.<br /><br />When Reuben the owner of the pond is arrested for the murder by the local Chief of Police, Callie and her sleuth friends steps in to help out Reuben.<br />Meanwhile, an elderly Amish who suffers from dementia finds his way to Callie's shoppe and begs her to find his daughter who disappeared in 1965.<br />As the story develops, you find yourself experiencing many emotions as with unmistakable talent, Vannetta Chapman hones her writing skills in this novel.<br /><br />Praying Reuben's innocence will come to light despite his unwillingness to make a statement, his family and friends search for any clue to help the Amish farmer regain his freedom.<br /><br />Alternating mystery and emotional drama, and with just the slightest hint of romance in the air (including a few hilarious situations), this is a compelling book you will have a hard time to put down as each well written chapter gets better and better!<br />Vanetta's inspirational plots draws you in and reminds us that with God anything is possible! You just have to believe!<br /><br />With its excellent glossary and group questions for discussion, this makes an engaging novel to read, tucked in your favourite chair by the fireplace whilst sipping a cuppa!<br /><br />I received this book free from ZONDERVAN as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349390246000, "title": "I have become a fan of Vannetta Chapman's writing!" }, { "asin": "0800721322", "rating": 5, "text": "Absolutely delightful! 'Life with Lily', Book 1 in 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' should have been written years ago! Mary Ann and Suzanne have come up with a wonderful little gem!<br />Written primarily with younger children (ages 8-12) these are none the less stories which grown ups and children alike will love to discover! There is nothing better than reading out loud to a child and share a precious moment!<br /><br />There is an amazing amount of information betwixt these pages and I can't wait to share it with young friends. Seen through the eyes of lovely (and sometimes mischievous) 5 year old Lily, it has a fresh appeal for avid readers of Amish tales such as myself!<br /><br />We have learned much about the Amish world through wonderful stories told by such authors as Suzanne Woods Fisher herself but 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' is destined to be a favourite and best of all, one you can share with everyone!<br />Each chapter involves a new adventure in Lily's life involving family, friends, neighbours, livestock, school and so on...One look at the little face featured on the cover (for once, the cover is right on!) and your heart will be won over!<br /><br />There are of course lessons to be learned throughout it all! After all, Lily and other Amish children are in no way different from Englisher and yes, things can and will happen...I don't know if the 'cat' with the bushy tail found by Lily in the barn (priceless!) or her brother's Joseph attempt to fly will be your favourites but it certainly were mine!<br /><br />I whole heartily applaud this new series and I give it 5 stars!<br />I am looking forward to Book 2!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349636609000, "title": "Life with Lily', Book 1 in 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' should have been written years ago" }, { "asin": "0764204165", "rating": 3, "text": "After reading only the first chapter I knew I should emphazise 'Read the books in order!'. Live and learn!<br />Anyone who has read Book 1, might enjoy following 'the rest of the story' in 'Whispers In The Wind'. For once, this author however did not meet my expectations.<br /><br />The title was enticing but I struggled with the characters, some clearer than others and those were the sub characters! The actual plot was difficult to grasp despite a few 'recalled' memories and at times throughly confusing if not right down sluggish.<br />As the main character Cassie just does not grab the reader. There is plenty of action and a few interesting factors overall in the novel though (albeit I could have done without the step by step skinning/curing of an Elk for i.e.).<br /><br />As confusing as Cassie's feelings (should she?, should she not?), I found the whole story lacking 'a little je ne sais quoi'. As to any possible romantic attachment hinted at... No sparks there! (at least so far, but at the rate this story develops, it might take a few more books to find out what happens next...sigh...)<br /><br />Far from being the good Western I expected, I can only say you must a be fan of Lauraine Snelling's writing or wish to read the continuation of this story in the next installment (and the next...). I do not like loose ends but there was nothing in Book 2 that would entice me to read the rest ( I do not plan to hunt a Elk or stuff sausages anytime soon!).<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349714644000, "title": "It would be best for anyone to read Book 1 first!" }, { "asin": "1595548033", "rating": 5, "text": "'The Trouble with Cowboys' written by well known romanticist Denis Hunter and part of the 'Big Sky Romance' series will provide readers with just the sort of entertainment they might look for on a Autumnal afternoon! There is no doubt Denise Hunter gives her audience what she promised: an enjoyable alternative to the humdrum of everyday life.<br />I had the opportunity to read another of her novels (on a long layover in a faraway airport with little amenities!) called 'The Convenient Groom' and I will tell you she had me in stitches! Be sure to check her other titles!<br /><br />But back to The Trouble With Cowboys! This Christian author has a knack for the light but never fluffy sort of novel that you will gladly reach for along with a good mug of cocoa! Entertaining yet with a lesson or two (don't miss each chapter header!), a message tucked here and there and perfect to share with anyone including the younger generation!<br />Denise Hunter's books are wholesome and will win your heart!<br /><br />Montana born and raised Annie Wilkerson is an expert horse trainer, a loving sister and a great aunty. Life has dealt her a lot of responsibilities since her GrandPa died. Taking care of her wayward sister is not easy and she takes on her role of Mum seriously hoping to see her sister settle.<br />Annie does not trust cowboys: they are here today, gone tomorrow. The past has taught her to stay clear away from them.<br /><br />Easy going Dylan needs her help with his nearly blind horse and in turn, Annie could use his help with her latest assignment, a lovelorn column she feels is just not for her since she has never felt love before. So they make a deal: her equine expertise for his help with her column. Annie is struggling with financial responsibilities but promised her GrandPa she will take care of everyone and she is trying to ignore her qualms.<br />She cannot trust Dylan because he is a cowboy after all and will probably break her heart. Then again, is she judging him too quickly? Or should she let her heart and faith guide her?<br />After all, God is in charge, not Annie...<br /><br />I think we shall agree once you read this story: if Denise keeps on writing, we'll keep on reading!<br /><br />5 stars for all the good feelings this novel brought on (and a few sighs as well...)<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349901011000, "title": "This Christian author has a knack for the light but never fluffy sort of novel!" }, { "asin": "0800734173", "rating": 4, "text": "Book # 3 in the 'Winds of Change' series, 'A Love Surrendered' brings to readers the depression era and two families: The O'Connors and the Kennedys. Set in Boston in 1932, it is written with passion and will inspire all sorts of feelings. Julie Lessman knows how to grab her readers, proof that she is after all a very good author!<br /><br />Inspirational, intense and at times extremely romantic, it is none the less imperative for readers to remember the era this story draws its background from. The idea of 'me Jane, you Tarzan' might come across fiercefully at times. Let's remember that women at the time were viewed as having one place and that was in the kitchen (or bedroom and nursery). WWII soon changed this for many as they took their place in the work force in lieu of enlisted men.<br /><br />There is much to think over once you have finished reading the drama behind Annie and Steven's love story which incidentally is crisscrossed with countless O'Connor family members! I shall describe this as a clan, Irish to be exact, a large family with strong convictions and deep emotions, some volatile and quite impressive. I did not always agree with such forceful display but admit it was fitting for the era.<br />I found the setting of Ocean Pier and its boardwalk quite intriguing along with the Prohibition agents raids and speakeasies background.<br /><br />Finally, be prepared for a surprise or two towards the end (one I will admit I did not see coming!).<br />Julie Lessman is no newcomer to the writing world and she is a person of convictions herself. You soon realize her writing reflects her faith deeply. I felt she portrays her characters based on this and for that alone I highly recommend her novels to the younger generation. In a society where pressures have become too often the acceptable norm, let's applaud someone who offers deep passion with responsibility!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1350232545000, "title": "Inspirational, intense and at times extremely romantic..." }, { "asin": "1609366867", "rating": 4, "text": "The tragic sinking of the Titanic has held people's imagination worldwide particularly with Dr. Robert Ballard's discovery of the wreckage in September 1985.<br />2012 being the vessel's doomed maiden voyage's 100th anniversary produced yet again a lot of fascinating information. There is a certain mystic which surrounds the events of that dreadful day which many cannot resist and countless speculation.<br /><br />'Queen of the Waves', An American Tapestry proved to be an interesting fictional approach and I liked Janice Thompson's take on the launching of this spectacular ship as background for her novel. The author's dedication and 'In Memory of' are worth a moment of your time so I recommend you do not skip it! It set the mood for this reading and felt very much a part of all the mystery surrounding this particular moment in history.<br /><br />Janice Thompson weaves an interesting tale of fresh beginnings for two young women from very different backgrounds, (make that three in fact as you read the story) and the men who loved them. Her take on the lives entrusted on the vessel brings you an idea of the variety of its passengers and the gulf betwixt the social classes until the ship's tragic end.<br /><br />She also takes pains to describe the various emotions her characters feel as they board the Titanic giving readers a sense of witnessing for themselves a little of all its magnificence.<br />Queen of the Waves is a story of hope, love, the courage to reach out for newer and better things and faith that God will overlook the wrongs and bless the good!<br /><br />Set amidst the effervescent departure and subsequent sailing of the largest ship ever built by man, it shows a little of the amalgam of people who placed their hopes and dreams on its crossing.<br />Janice Thompson chose to introduce real people in her novel which makes it hauntingly vivid to her readers. Clearly, the sinking of the vessel will continue to fascinate people as we ponder at all its splendour and its very last moments before sinking in the depths of the cold Atlantic ocean.<br /><br />In Queen of the Waves we discover yet again the hand of the Almighty in all things! Standing on Titanic's deck and seeing the expanse of water ahead, a passenger ponders the only word that come to mind:<br /><br />\"The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.\"<br /><br />Fitting wouldn't you say?<br /><br />A shining example of Christian Fiction and worth 4 stars for its entertainment!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1350586429000, "title": "I liked Janice Thompson's take on the launching of this spectacular ship as background for her novel" }, { "asin": "0310335108", "rating": 5, "text": "'God has made you a unique design. Never forget that! Also know that God's made someone else to be your fit.'<br /><br />I think I have just read my favourite book from all of Tricia Goyer's novels and that is not an easy admission as she writes always with her heart!<br /><br />'The Memory Jar' is part of a series called 'Seven Brides For Seven Bachelors, and make no mistake, this is not 'one of those Amish stories yet again'! One distinction of Tricia Goyer's work is that everything she writes brings you something new to discover! The essence of a good writer?<br /><br />Sarah lives in Montana and works amongst Englishers as well as Amish in the West Kootenai Kraft & Grocery. Due to a tragic accident she carries a heavy burden on her shoulders and her memories are safely tucked in a little jar...Her memory jar.<br />An eventful mountain hiking trip reveals that shy Amish bachelor Jathan Scrock, is a friend she can trust and confided into. Both have unusual aspirations for their conservative community but their<br />dreams unites them in more ways than either ever hoped for.<br /><br />When Jathan is called back to the family farm in Ohio he finds his responsibilities overwhelming and fears their goal an impossible dream.<br /><br />God however has many plans for each of them and trusting Him leads to marvelous surprises!<br /><br />A beautiful story to remind you of childlike dreams and that when trusting your happiness in God's hands, the best is yet to come!<br /><br />Amish Proverb:<br /><br />'The grand essentials of happiness in this life is something to do, something to love and something to hope for.'<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1352138393000, "title": "I think I have just read my favourite book from all of Tricia Goyer's novels!" }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "What better way to put yourself in the Holiday mood than reading 'Christmas Roses' by Amanda Cabot?<br />Never insipid and always inspiring, this storyteller brings us a tale of love, hope and even a miracle set in Wyoming Territory in1882. Trust Amanda to know how to bring a little romance and a lot of faith in her readers lives!<br /><br />Celia Anderson welcomes a new boarder in her home and life suddenly takes a new turn. She might just change her mind about not remarrying but only if the man brings her something she treasures and at Christmas no less!<br /><br />With that thought in mind, I was hooked as I held this lovely hardback in my hands with its enchanting Currier & Ives illustration! You will find yourself chuckling at Mark's wincing when he is surrounded by all of Celia's treasured flowers and hold your breath as he surprises her with his carpenter's skills for a much needed gift for her home.<br /><br />The book in itself is a little treasure and you will soon be enchanted by Celia, her baby girl, the story behind Mark's wanderings in search of a missing relative and his hope to become worthy of the young widow's love!<br /><br />Be prepared for some surprises as faith demands total surrender!<br /><br />Combined with her minute attention to historical details as well as her romantic nature, Amanda Cabot brings us a warm tale of love and redemption just in time for this blessed Season!<br /><br />5 Stars and a lovely gift for the romantic on your Christmas gift list! This one is a keeper!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1353709893000, "title": "Trust Amanda to know how to bring a little romance and a lot of faith in her readers lives!" }, { "asin": "0764209787", "rating": 5, "text": "It is said that Beverly Lewis gave birth to the Amish genre in 1997 with 'The Shunning' so it will come to no surprise that her name is practically a household name! She is enduring and continually delights her readers with yet another wonderful story. 'The Bridesmaid' is no exception! The novel brings such clear imagery you will find yourself acutely a part of the plot!<br /><br />As an avid reader and an Amish genre aficionado, I found Joanna and Eben's story enticed any yearning for dreaming. Theirs is surely a match made in Heaven!<br />There is a decided attraction to learn yet another facet of Amish life and Beverly Lewis is sure to pen a lesson or two about faith and living amongst the Amish community (and Englisher!).<br />Inviting plots, attractive characters (and sub characters!) and the chance of reflecting on hopes and aspirations will delight as always.<br />Her warm heart stories are always amazing! They also make a perfect gift for anyone, young or old, on your list this Holiday Season!<br /><br />Second novel in the Hickory Hollow series, 'The Bridesmaid' tells us of a Pennsylvania alt Maidel who unbeknown to her family and community loves to write make believe stories. Joanna's attraction to Eben Troyer is warmly reciprocated but there is a glitch in their burgeoning courtship: Eben is needed on the family farm in Indiana whilst Joanna has vowed to remain part of her congregation leaving them with no choice but to part ways.<br /><br />With a lot of faith and a little help from an almost forgotten letter written by her namesake, Joanna finds that God listens and there are many blessings in her future after all.<br /><br />5 Stars as I found this story truly a joy!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1354320207000, "title": "Joanna and Eben's story enticed any yearning for dreaming!" }, { "asin": "0857212494", "rating": 5, "text": "Action packed 'Resurrect' is probably the finest Christian Science Fiction book I have read so far with David E. Stevens using his extensive military background to draw you in the suspense and leaving you wanting for more! (And for once, the cover in right on...<br /><br />Following his jet fighter crash Commander Josh Logan wakes up one year later with no knowledge of the previous year's events. Josh is no Christian but his subs conscience reveals a voice with a powerful message and what follows this entity's revelation is an amazing study of human emotions, love, compassion and determination to do the impossible.<br />You might be tempted to call it a cliff hanger as David E. Stevens' first novel is hard to put down!<br /><br />To engage the reader Stevens uses just the perfect blend of interesting personalities, intricate interactions and lively dialogues.<br />Book 1 in the Resurrect Trilogy is a novel you should not rush however allowing for the discovery of each event leading to its ultimate climax including a bit of romance. Enter Nurse Elizabeth who attends Josh during his recovery and becomes part of a team of scientists and military specialists with a sole mission, that of saving the world at any cost.<br />Who would think of a nurse with the ability of breaking into sophisticated computer systems?<br />There! Just enough information for lady readers to know there is a perfect balance in this plot allowing for interest by both sex!<br /><br />A great thriller for anyone on your Christmas list!<br /><br />5 Stars for gripping plot and technical skills!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1354634880000, "title": "A great thriller for anyone on your Christmas list!" }, { "asin": "0800719891", "rating": 5, "text": "M. K. Lapp is one of these vivid characters you find yourself hoping the author will continue to write about. She won readers' hearts in the first two books of Stoney Ridge Seasons with her mischievous ways, a delightful Amish sort of 'Anne of Green Gables', that's with an 'E' at the end of course!<br /><br />As a child you never knew what M. K. would come up with as she often act before she thought! I always felt Suzanne Woods Fisher found the perfect way to balance the lively ways of M. K. with her step Mum's Fern no nonsense approach to life, again not unlike Colleen Hurst I imagine!<br /><br />It was not surprising to discover Mary Kay Lapp, M. K. as we know her, is a favourite of Suzanne's readers. To find her grown up and yearning for adventure seemed to be just right on track and I am so glad Suzanne satisfied our curiosity! M. K. brought us such merriment with her impish ways!<br /><br />Imagine an Amish filing for a passport...Suzanne Woods Fisher has just the knack to surprise everyone! And this Amish now a bonafida bee keeper, loves to ride her little red scooter...literally running into people...first the school marm then in the mysterious Chris Yoder...When a local sheep farmer is found dead in a nearby field, M. K.'s imagination works by leaps and bounds.<br /><br />God works in mysterious ways it is said...Never more so than in M. K.'s life as we see in 'The Lesson'.<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher weaves a sweet story around the Lapp family and brings closure to some of the events we have uncovered in her other books in the series as well. I always find intriguing the entrenchment of English life into the Amish community and this author does it well.<br />And speaking of lessons, there is always something for us to learn, even the spirited new school marm...as you will see!<br /><br />Will M. K. find peace in her new direction and a touch of romance perhaps? Find out for yourself!<br /><br />5 stars for pure entertainment and looking forward to see what an older M. K. might bring us in the future!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358362470000, "title": "M. K. Lapp is one of these vivid characters you find yourself hoping the author will continue to write about." }, { "asin": "0800734602", "rating": 4, "text": "'Waiting For Spring' is Book 2 in the Westward Winds series and worth waiting for, no pun intended!<br />As we have learned to expect, Amanda Cabot brings us well researched history, warm romance, good solid faith whilst introducing yet another aspect of life challenges for a young widow in the 1800's Wyoming, that of caring for an handicapped child. She also balances her characters, main or sub characters, daily life routine, unexpected challenges and hardships thus giving us a great plot to enjoy. The heartfelt dedication of one mother who refuses to place her sight impaired toddler in an institution is guaranteed to reach out to anyone!<br /><br />'Summer of Promise' was the first chapter in Charlotte Harding Crowley's life, then living in Fort Laramie's Army outpost ( see review here) but I can attest this second book can easily be read on its own.<br />For those of us who have read however the first book, it is interesting to see where Amanda Cabot is taking her young protagonist, now a widow hiding in Cheyenne with her son from a past haunting her still.<br /><br />Charlotte has established a successful seamstress shoppe and is only too happy to find a helping hand in Rose, another young widow. Rose has a young daughter and can keep an eye on David and help in the shoppe as well.<br /><br />Whilst fitting a friend and customer Charlotte meets Barrett Landry a wealthy cattle baron who aspires to the world of politics, even becoming the next governor of Wyoming. It is soon apparent however neither one can deny their feelings for each other yet Barrett's successful future demands a wife and companion without a shady past and Charlotte is hiding from something or someone...<br /><br />Then again, perhaps politics is not a guarantee of Barrett's happiness..His cattle are facing a bitter winter and his heart is not in it.<br />Will each of the protagonists listen to his/her heart despite the rough road ahead?<br /><br />This is another historical romance you may recommend to any one, no matter the age! Amanda Cabot is certain to entertain any romantic soul or even the most skeptic of heart!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358546709000, "title": "'Waiting for Spring' was worth waiting for, no pun intended!" }, { "asin": "0800719867", "rating": 4, "text": "I anticipated this book for its subject, that of midwifing set in the 19th Century Appalachian mountains. 'Choices of the Heart' is book 3 in the Midwives series written by author Laurie Alice Eakes and a page turner for anyone interested in the past. She has proven herself an excellent researcher and never disappoints with her historical facts. There is still something intriguing in the profession of midwives and whilst having met with controversy often in the past, there is no doubt there is to date much of a demand for such skills.<br /><br />Laurie Alice Eakes' writing is full of life and there is no denying she brings to her readers a vivid image of the Appalachian people who moved to these mountains long ago, a large portion of them having crossed the Atlantic from the green hills of Ireland and the Highlands of Scotland. They brought with them little more than the clothes on their back and their amazing survival skills.<br />The richness of their music, folk tales, herbal doctoring and their legendary feuds still fascinates people to this day. This author found the ideal way to weave a good story amongst all these with 'Choices of the Heart'!<br /><br />Esther is the belle of Seabourne until a dreadful event occurs and she finds herself subject to shunning. Despite her family's heartfelt support, she seeks new beginnings and accepts a post as teacher to the youngest children of two families in the Mountains. Her task is to help them to fit in society befitting their newest financial status.<br />There however she meets two men, both attractive, yet her heart belongs to no one as her shame is a constant reminder of her past. Esther believes God has forsaken her and shies away from any physical contact with her admirers.<br /><br />For all that I was fascinated by the author's descriptions of this beautiful land and its inhabitants, their folklore and skills, the many period details, I was not so enamoured of her main protagonist. I felt something missing in this bittersweet story, too many characters however colourful and not enough consistency in the overall story line. At the end, I still had questions, to be answered in yet another chapter of the 'Midwives series', this one about a doctor perhaps?<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358634910000, "title": "Always well researched!" }, { "asin": "0800721330", "rating": 5, "text": "'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' series started with a resounding success as seen in 'Life With Lily' (see review here) so I was not surprised to see 'A New Home For Lily', Book two, my own 5 stars rating shared by many readers!<br /><br />Betwixt Suzanne Woods Fisher and Mary Ann Kinsinger there is a perfect chemistry to bring the Amish genre a young appeal! Let's hope those two talented authors will continue to treat us!<br /><br />One look at the lovely six years old featured on their book covers is enough to tantalize us in discovering what else the smiling little girl has come up with since the first book!<br />Albeit geared to the 8 to 12 years old audience, Lily introduces readers of all ages to a whole new way to see the Amish community! Her spontaneity is so refreshing, I can think of nothing else than to suggest you pick up your own copy!<br /><br />Through Lily's eyes we see what happens to her family as they move to another state to be nearer their closest relatives.<br />Lily no longer has her own bedroom, her bed now tucked in a corner in the hallway. Her new house has a sad olive green hue, the barn sorely needs repairs, her school mates includes a bully and her new community has a completely different set of rules!<br />Lily has to get used to her new life and does not like it much.<br /><br />On the other end, there is so much to explore and have fun with, including Grand Pa's lumber mill with its big sawdust pile to play in!<br />Her Dad acquires four goats to add to Jenny, Mum's lovely Swiss cow, her new teacher is very nice and Lilly's new baby brother Paul is so cute...<br /><br />It is the countless little details the two authors have included in their stories which gives it additional appeal such as when poor Lily hits her thumb with a hammer and Mum dissolves aspirin in water for her to soak her sore finger to relieve the pain or when Mum must sew a whole new set of clothes for everyone in the family as the new community has different rules than the previous one.<br /><br />What better way to introduce youngsters to the Amish way of life (and share some quality family time)!<br /><br />'A New Home For Lily' is sure to delight everyone, young and old! Ladies, we are looking forward to the next story!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1360363970000, "title": "A New Home For Lily' is sure to delight everyone, young and old!" }, { "asin": "0800720733", "rating": 5, "text": "Combining a dynamic plot with spirited characters, Ann Shorey gives us a lasting historical novel in 'When The Heart Heals', guaranteed to be enjoyed by her loyal fans.<br />This latest installment in her series 'Sisters At Heart' provides her readers with the perfect blend of romance and mystery, woven across a troubled historical background, the lean and hungry years following the Civil War.<br /><br />Rosemary Saxon joins the practice of Dr. Elijah Stewart in Noble Springs, Missouri in early 1867. Two years have gone by since the end of the Civil war but there are still many wounds to be healed, not all physical. Despite her experience caring for soldiers or perhaps because of it, Rosemary is seen as an outsider in the community and times are already hard for any woman alone.<br />Rosemary finds joy in nursing and despite his earlier misgivings about her skills in herbal lore, Dr. Stewart soon learns to rely on her. In turn, she remembers well the younger doctor who deeply cared about his patients in a time of grievous conflict.<br /><br />These days, Rosemary's sole family in town, consists of her brother Curt and his wife Fay, her constant companion her faithful dog Bodie. When others needs her help, she finds herself at a crossroad and choices must be made.<br />As a result Rosemary fears she might lose something very precious just as she found a measure of happiness. However she is not the only one with concealed secrets and when she becomes the object of threats, Rosemary must learn to trust again and ask for help.<br /><br />A beautiful story reflecting God's love and forgiveness for all, Ann Storey's second book in the series follows 'Where Wildflowers Bloom' (see review HERE), but can be read as a stand alone.<br />I now join her many fans in asking when will the next installment be published ?!<br /><br />Suitable for any age, 'When The Heart Heals' is worth 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1361319622000, "title": "Combining a dynamic plot with spirited characters here is another novel by Ann Shorey!" }, { "asin": "0800795547", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on the synopsis alone, I believe you will agree with me the title was well chosen: 'Outrageous Courage: What God Can Do with Raw Obedience & Radical Faith!<br />Kris and Jason Vallotton (Father and Son) write a dramatic story about a real life follower of Christ, following a compelling introduction of Kris' first meeting with Tracy Evans almost thirty years ago.<br /><br />A Christian Medical missionary Tracy Evans is indeed a remarkable person if you consider her exodus through 64 countries, from the tough streets of L.A. to North California's mountainous area, the Philippines, Kiribati and finally the Mozambique bush (see website @ iReachAfrica!) and always making a difference.<br /><br />But as remarkable as Tracy's story is, I cannot agree with the authors' suggestion we can become just like her 'with a little courage and belief'.<br />Just a reminder of course: Paul the Apostle teaches (1 Corinthians Chapter 12:8-10) not all of us display the same selfless abilities, and regardless of our courage and beliefs, not all of us can be as passionate as Tracy Evans in our quest to make a difference in the world!<br /><br />Never the less, this missionary's inspiring deeds are described in such a heartfelt way you know immediately this is a courageous person who systematically walks in Christ's footsteps no matter the hazards.<br />Kris and Jason Vallotton shows through this account Evans' work and how her unwavering faith has touched many and relieved suffering and poverty, always in His name.<br /><br />Understandingly at times sad but always hopeful, this real life account is perhaps not for everyone but worth at least 4 stars.<br /><br />Note to readers: Additional information on the Ministries of IReachAfrica can be found (HERE)<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1362695988000, "title": "Tracy Evans' compassionated deeds throughout the world." }, { "asin": "080072089X", "rating": 3, "text": "In 'Moonlight Masquerade' Lady Celine Wexham, leading member of London's Bon Ton and a widowed Countess of French origin, lives the life of most emigres in early 1800's. She holds intimate meetings in her boudoir and gives dinner parties and balls gathering any information she might be able to pass on to French Royalists to reinstate the rightful throne.<br />It is 1813 and Napoleon, facing a massive defeat in the harsh winter of Russia, orders a retreat of the Imperial army after losing thousands of French soldiers on the battlefield.<br />The Comte de Provence, brother to the late beheaded King Louis XVI is not the ideal choice for the Royal throne but better him than the self proclaimed Emperor.<br />Lady Celine, Valentine, her supercilious Abigail (slang aside, only an older servant would be allowed such an acerbic attitude) and Gaspard, her French Cook are part of a spy ring.<br />Rees, the object of Celine's interest is none other than her own Butler. An ambitious young man and a devoted Christian, recently pulled from an obscure department of the Home Office in part due to his linguistic talents, Rees' task is to spy on his mistress with the express purpose of implicating her in the conspiracy if such exists and report to his superior.<br /><br />Danger lurks and he soon finds himself battling his loyalties as Celine 'with her 'brandy hue irises' eyes touches his heart...Does anyone else remember Barbara Cartland's novels?<br />None of the characters are likely to provide much entertainment in this slow historical romance but if light, fluffy and harmless is your preferred choice, you will enjoy Moonlight Masquerade!<br />The portrayal of the Masquerade ball held at the Comte de Provence exiled court even defied my imagination with its lackluster details and the overall impression was soporific!<br /><br />Finally, I saw little of the 'witty, fast paced dialogue or infectious intrigue' mentioned in the synopsis and if this novel was in fact a music sheet, it would read as humming...It droned on and on... The few historical notes such as the mention of William Wilberforce as dinner guest at one of her lavish parties, or Voltaire's quotes, a man of note in himself, brings no relief to this plot.<br />I hardly think it necessary to dust my shelves for this novel!<br /><br />Regretfully, 3 (generous) stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1362863452000, "title": "If light, fluffy and harmless is your preferred choice, you will enjoy Moonlight Masquerade!" }, { "asin": "0800795520", "rating": 5, "text": "'Learning to Love' reflects a true love story, one that you will identify immediately with Jesus' love as shown in His earthly ministry! Make no mistake, Heidi and Rolland Baker are two exceptional people: nothing and I mean nothing will stop them from doing God's work, not even opposition from the world's evil side!<br /><br />As both husband and wife relate heartfelt stories, some humourous, some sad, each one compelling you to see God's work through them, you will feel their amazing love for their fellowmen.<br />Healing and faith pours out of them as they continually rescue babies, reach out in His name to help heal the blind, the deaf, and even hear the dumb speak.<br /><br />Co-founders of Iris Ministries, this incredible duo brings hope and care to thousands all over Mozambique, providing daily care for no less than 10,000 children. Their extended network includes over 10,000 churches, Bible schools, primary schools and remote outreach programs.<br />What a joy for them that many converts become ministers, lay preachers and teachers working all over the world!<br /><br />Their message:<br /><br />LOVE IS food and comfort to a ten year old amputee, abandoned on the side of the road.<br /><br />LOVE IS a new roof for an elderly widow installed before the rainy season.<br /><br />LOVE IS sharing hope with the homeless man on your street corner.<br /><br />'God is not just moving in distant lands and if you are willing, He will do amazing things through your love when you stop for the one in front of you, it is that simple!'<br /><br />A book to experience and reach out in HIS name to those who need YOU!<br /><br />5 Stars for its message, none better presented than today, the first of this Holy week!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS & CHOSEN BOOKS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1364252537000, "title": "This incredible duo brings hope and care to thousands all over Mozambique!" }, { "asin": "0764206192", "rating": 4, "text": "My first novel by Tracie Peterson was Book #3 in the 'Land of the Lone Star' series entitled 'Taming the Wind' (see review HERE), a good Western in itself and proof yet again this well published author has always something new up her sleeve!<br />Easy to read, entertaining and with just enough historical facts to give even this quickly bored reader something to ponder about, her novels reflect a wholesomeness and faith readers of any age will enjoy.<br /><br />The Icecutter's Daughter's jacket alone was eye catching: I love raised lettering and the image and colours were a strong pull in my choice for reading it, in fact as much as the resume (I know, I know, you should never judge a book by its cover but the series' name alone 'Land of Shining Water' was striking!).<br /><br />Icecutting was a vast industry in the US before machinery overtook this skilled art and I was curious to see what Tracie might have dug out when she wrote her historical fiction about two young people, destined to be together yet separated by lies and scandal.<br /><br />Merrill has always seen to the needs of her large, mostly male family and her German ancestry is as much a part of her life as Rurik's Swedish roots are his. Tracie weaves a convincing tale about their budding love amidst Nordic traditions and deep faith, wrongs to be righted and duties to their families.<br /><br />As always you may depend on this author's for the myriad of details which makes this tale a sweet read on these cold and rainy Spring evenings this Pacific NW coastline is known for!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS & CHOSEN BOOKS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1365702853000, "title": "Just the name of the series 'Land of Shining Water' was eye catching!" }, { "asin": "0824932463", "rating": 4, "text": "Sunflower Summer and Seaside Harmony, both novels part of the 'Postcards from Misty Harbor series', are drawn against the alluring scenery of quintessential Nantucket island. There we meet three sisters who purchase a dilapidated Victorian home with visions of restoring it to its original glory. The historical inn named the Misty Harbor Inn, soon opens its doors to guests as a B & B, a long time dream of their Mum now deceased.<br />Childhood memories emerge, hopes and dreams identifieds whilst the three sisters plunge into the renovation of the old place with all their heart.<br /><br />In their sixties, Caroline, Gracie and Sam bring each their own brand of talents to this endearing work of love and it is interesting to discover the three sisters individual personas as well as their perception of each other as they slowly bond again.<br /><br />Let's face it, we have all dreamed of owning such a place and arrange it lovingly whilst welcoming guests, have we not? Think of the fun of meeting people coming and going in your own inn?!<br />There is however a lot more to it than we might imagine and Evangeline Kelley (actually the pen name for 4 different authors) describes the bittersweet ups and downs of owning a piece of history, complete with mysteries, including a disappearance in the 1800's!<br /><br />With just the right amount of details to pique our interest the renovation comes to life and answers are found if sought. As we are often reminded, the good Lord has something in store for each of us and the sisters are discovering their true self in these adventures.<br /><br />Complete with interesting sub characters, a touch of sweet romance, a wonderful ol' Packard to transport guests and a delightful if mischievous Cocker Spagniel named Max, both easy to read novels are the perfect relaxing novels to tuck in your beach bag!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />Note to Readers: A confession must be made...This reader felt drawn immediately to Sunflower Summer's story and I would like to recommend you read the novels in order, with Seaside Harmony first!<br /><br />I received these books from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1367440928000, "title": "Relaxing novels set against quintessential Nantucket island!" }, { "asin": "1451692374", "rating": 5, "text": "Most readers will agree, some books just stand out and this one is definitively ranking in the top ten of my list of most entertaining. A keeper and one I would suggest to anyone looking for a gift!<br />Deanne's vivavious description of a sweet romance amidst the 1893's World Fair was the perfect enticement for some 'me' time. I was totally immersed in her descriptive of this period and credit the story of Della and Cullen with a few dreams of my own. Well done!<br /><br />A perfect combination of historical facts and fiction, It Happened At The Fair reflects the wealth of love and care this author puts in her writing. It also brings to readers a marvelous fountain of information and even photos of this world event!<br />Whilst she has taken a few liberties, all clearly acknowledge in the afterword, the author was undoubtdedly as stimulated by the fair as I was when I first heard of it. As a cultural and social event, the world fair of 1893 was a tremendous influence on the 20th Century and a complete success. With 6.8 millions visitors in attendance, the exposition located on the shores of Lake Michigan provided a template for other events and changed America forever with its astonishing legacy. Nothing ever compared to it as it gave new perspectives for the world of commerce and technology.<br /><br />Della and Cullen's story blends in this grandiose background yet gives an opportunity for readers to feel their touching romance. Obviously a true romantic at heart, Deanne describes Della's position as a teacher working with the Deaf at a time when too often a deaf person was ostrasized for signing. Cullen in turn is the young farmer turned inventor who is struggling with a hearing loss.<br /><br />Deanne Gist proved to be a superb historical fiction writer which coupled with her discernebly romantical temperament, gives readers a captivating love story you will not want to miss!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />I received this book from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1368144831000, "title": "Deanne's vivavious description of a sweet romance amidst the 1893's World Fair was the perfect enticement for some 'me' time." }, { "asin": "0764209795", "rating": 5, "text": "Leave it to the matriarch of the Amish genre to come up with yet another gem! Since she first began to entertain us with stories of this cloistered community, Beverly Lewis has repeatedly captivated fans and acquired many new readers with her insight into this mysterious world few of us has seen and understand.<br /><br />In 'Home To Hickory Hollow', Book # 3 'The Guardian' we discover a strong willed little Amish girl named Sarah and Jodi, the troubled young woman who finds the little darling when she tumbles out of her Mum's buggy and gets lost.<br /><br />Beverly Lewis systematically introduces us to many facets of the Old Order Amish community we know little or next to nothing such as intermarriages and deriving genetic disorders or their reluctance to involve the authorities even in the case of a missing child.<br />I was surprised at the 'no pets allowed in a household' preference but cannot but marvel at their strong sense of community and survival in an ever encroaching English world.<br />The concept of an outsider being not only accepted in such a tight community as a close friend but also hired to teach their children even on a temporary basis was definitively unexpected.<br /><br />Always at her best when she describes the ties that draw people together no matter their origins, Beverly Lewis approaches the subject of pain and loneliness which occurs after losing loved ones.<br />For Maryanna Esh, Joshua Peachey and Jodi Winfield, there is a lesson to be learned as long as they have faith!<br /><br />\"The soul yearns for tranquility but the only real peace comes from communing with God.\"<br /><br />Returning readers will enjoy meeting old friends such as Ella Mae the Wise Woman and her down to earth approach to life but never fear this 'Home To Hickory Hollow' story stands on its own!<br /><br />5 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1369505389000, "title": "Always at her best when she describes the ties that draw people together!" }, { "asin": "0764209663", "rating": 5, "text": "Karen Witemeyer packs a whole lot of punch in this fun Christian novel and brings readers a story guaranteed to make you dream about the Old West!<br />The very idea of a father going to such lenghs to please his daughter was genial! 'Stealing the Preacher is everything the synopsis promised and more!<br /><br />Karen Witemeyer's style is vivacious and the perfect antidote to hum drum evenings (Forget the telly, move over John Wayne!). Her novels gives you the opportunity to grasp a keen appreciation for the Old West, luxuriate in a little romance, relish in humour riddled dialogue and encounter a whole lot of faith. Not bad for 352 pages!<br /><br />'Stealing the Preacher' starts on a humourous note with the kidnapping of unsuspecting Crockett Archer, en route to what he hopes will be his first appointment as a full time parson! Silas and his bunch of grey hair, long in the tooth outlaws forcibly removes him from the train and unceremoniously drops him at daughter's Joanna' feet as her birthday gift!<br /><br />From the onset 'Stealing the Preacher' is a series of wholesome fortuity and a celebration of faith! Joanna and Crockett seemed destined to be together of course. That is if Joanna's father will set aside his differences with the Lord and allow true love to progress. Silas has been a honest rancher for the last 16 years but his past might just come back to haunt him.<br /><br />Sweet Joanna is everything Crockett needs at this time as a partner in his life as he breathes life in his new found congregation. Hired as a ranch hand, he hopes to earn Silas' approval and works harder than anyone. If he can bring Silas to the Lord, he might just be able to ask for Joanna's hand.<br /><br />A fast paced delightful novel to enjoy with your whole heart and soul! Kate Witemeyer is going on my list of favourite authors!<br /><br />I received this book from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1371328423000, "title": "'Stealing the Preacher is everything the synopsis promised and more!" }, { "asin": "0764209566", "rating": 4, "text": "'Love in Disguise' was my first novel by Carol Cox (see review HERE) and I looked forward to see what Carol had in store for her readers with 'Trouble in Store'.<br /><br />Clearly inspired by her beautiful surroundings - not unlike the one her protagonist finds upon her arrival out West - Carol Cox takes us this time from Marietta, Ohio Circa 1885 to Cedar Ridge, Arizona Territory. A mercantile store against this interesting backdrop becomes the setting of this new adventure!<br /><br />As is her custom, the author blends a good western with a little mystery rounded up with a bit of romance, just what most of us look for to discover in a Historical Fiction.<br /><br />Melanie Ross is nothing but determined to start afresh in Cedar Ridge as Caleb Nelson soon discovers both of them might very well be co-owners of the mercantile store he inherited from his Uncle.<br /><br />Caleb and his son Levi have only been four months in town but they are settling in and do not want to see the persistent young woman interfering in the running of the mercantile store. Melanie however is full of ideas to expend their inventory and create more sales.<br />When threats in the form of missives are discovered, Melanie first assumes Caleb is behind it all.<br /><br />In the meantime in an attempt to take things in hand, Caleb devises a plan to see Melanie married off, a sure way to not have her underfoot but the plan backfires when dozen of callers offers matrimony to the comely newcomer and she finds out who is behind it all.<br /><br />Entertaining if slightly predictable, 'Trouble in Store' has a lesson or two for us to uncover...including the danger in gossiping which in this case might endanger the lives of our characters! This is after all the West and bad news travels faster than a herd of spooked cattle!<br /><br />4 stars!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program and an Ebook version from BAKER PUBLISHING GROUP (through the Social Sharing Contest). I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1372111366000, "title": "As is her custom, the author blends a good western with a little mystery rounded up with a bit of romance!" }, { "asin": "1414349319", "rating": 5, "text": "Duty and Honour calls at any level and this latest Christian offering by TYNDALE PUBLISHERS is well worth a moment of your time!<br /><br />RENEGADE, Book 2 in the 'Called To Serve' series follows Pike Morgan, a maverick who has been in and out of trouble for many years. Growing up in the Foster Care system of course has not helped his rebellious side. When his best friend is killed by a gang, Pike agrees to testify and enters the Witness Protection program.<br />Now a Marine reservist called to active duty, Pike Morgan is sent to Afghanistan where his fighting skills proves him to be a survivor when a regular rescue mission turns grievously wrong and becomes the biggest challenge of his life.<br /><br />Mel Odom might have well written just another of those war novels if it was not for the fact he cleverly deals with duty and honour infused with a great amount of faith! There are some excellent Christian values in this plot particularly for single parent families, as we realize Pike's past haunts him and emotional ties scares him. No man is an island after all!<br /><br />Well worth reading, RENEGADE is packed with action most favoured by men but also the sort of 'feel good' times women relate to and as such, provides great material for family/group discussions.<br /><br />With over 140 books to his active in various genres, Mel Odom proves to be a versatile author certain to grab your attention and whilst this 2nd novel in the series starts rather slowly, the narration builds up steadily! The only negative might be that some of the (interesting) characters appeared to be left in limbo, material for a future novel perhaps?<br /><br />Finally, a word of caution: Understandably, the author could not escape the harsh realities of war so there is a certain amount of violence leading me to recommend this novel for mature readers only!<br /><br />5 Stars!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from TYNDALE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1372886624000, "title": "Mel Odom proves to be a versatile author certain to grab your attention!" }, { "asin": "0310730538", "rating": 5, "text": "An amazing recount of survival in horrendous conditions, Alone Yet Not Alone is an action packed book preteens and teens will appreciate for the dramatic events this courageous family encountered!<br />Life in 1755 was hardly easy for those living on the frontier bordering the mountains of Pennsylvania. For most, this represented however the only opportunity for freedom from indentured servitude or slow starvation in the old country.<br /><br />Based on true facts this tale recalls the story of a group of children captured by Indians and taken far into the wilderness to become members of their tribe.<br />But there is where this inspirational story truly begins! What sets Barbara and Regina apart are their unwavering faith in God and their belief in each other.<br /><br />Separated, each girl is inducted in the Allegheny tribe and continuously look for ways to escape. When eventually the right time emerges, theirs become the stuff of legend as they made their escape with other captives!<br /><br />Pursued by their captors unrelentlessly, these children eventually found their way back to their families. This is their story, an extraordinary tale of survival filled with Christian values and biblical teaching!<br /><br />Author's Tracy Leininger Craven love for History is immediately apparent in this debut novel you will not want to miss!<br /><br />Note to Readers: Be sure to read the acknowledgements (and find out about Tracy's first draft of this story at age 9!) and check out the Discussion/questions!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from FLYBY PROMOTIONS as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1377797046000, "title": "Their survival become the stuff of legend!" }, { "asin": "1433680459", "rating": 5, "text": "By far one of the most meaningful children stories I have read in a long time, AUDREY BUNNY reminded me immediately of another time, another little girl and her own bunny...This review is for us Dearest...<br /><br />Lovingly illustrated by talented Breezy Brookshire this story reminds us that whilst we might have some imperfections, we are all children of God and loved!<br /><br />AUDREY BUNNY will capture each child's imagination (Warning: as a direct result, parents might find themselves buying a soon to be much loved stuffed friend!) as we see that Caroline knew exactly what she wanted when stepping in the toy shoppe!<br />Loved at first sight, AUDREY BUNNY is so happy to be adopted by Caroline but very much afraid her own imperfection once discovered means she will be rejected.<br /><br />My favourite moment:<br />'Bunny peeked over the animals in the barrel. It was her! It was the same little girl from a few days ago. She straightened her ears as high as they would go and squeezed her eyes shut as the little girl walked in her direction. She was too nervous to look. Could today be the day she got picked?'<br /><br />Author Angie Smith finds just the right words to reassure little ones (and big ones) that we are special in our own way!<br /><br />An amazing work of love, geared for 4 to 8 years old, it is a story you will treasure and hopefully share with all your loved ones! This one Folks is meant to be on a special shelf to be read over and over!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />Note to Readers: Great news! Audrey Bunny is now #1 in Christian Children's Books at Amazon.com!<br /><br />I received a copy of this title from FLYBY PROMOTIONS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1383064676000, "title": "A story sure to be treasured for years to come!" }, { "asin": "0824956478", "rating": 5, "text": "Beautifully illustrated by talented Christine Kornacki (Remember The First Christmas Night?) The Sparkle Box is a marvelous story to teach little ones (and old ones) the true meaning of Christmas!<br /><br />In this heartfelt message storyteller Jill Hardie brings us a delightful story sure to become a tradition in this upcoming Holiday Season.<br /><br />Beginning with the message: &#34;You are the light of the world -- Make it sparkle!&#34;, this book includes a pop up sparkle box for young readers to fill in with little slips of papers highlighting their 'gifts' as they share with others in His name!<br /><br />The unfolding story focuses on random acts of kindness, what we can give instead of what we receive thus allowing even the smallest child of understanding the joy involved in helping others.<br /><br />Be ready though for a lot of questions arising from the story such as being homeless and hungry. Each unique illustration and the accompanying wording will bring a new subject to discuss with your family!<br /><br />A book to treasure and rediscover year after year!<br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />Note to Readers:<br /><br />This review was not requested and reflects my opinion only!", "timestamp": 1385855900000, "title": "The Sparkle Box is a marvelous story to teach little ones (and old ones) the true meaning of Christmas!" }, { "asin": "140168968X", "rating": 4, "text": "We all have favourites in literature and Mr. Knightley happens to be the leading Austen male character I like best.<br />I was intrigued by the title of Dear Mr. Knightley (more than the bromidic cover) and the format of the novel: letters written to a sponsor willing to give a chance to someone who most needed a friend!<br /><br />Katherine Reay's first novel is impressive! Her plotline is faultless and I loved to discover the letters Sam is writing in which she reveals so much of herself.<br />I think most reviewers will agree it was easy to identify the benevolent sponsor but it was intriguing to see how far the author would lead her main character without revealing his/her identity!<br /><br />An enjoyable read which includes bonus material perfect for group readers.<br />If you are looking for a good romance to bestow on a favourite friend or family member, here is the ticket!<br /><br />4 Stars!", "timestamp": 1386187174000, "title": "A good romance to bestow on a favourite friend or family member this Holiday Season!" }, { "asin": "0890517908", "rating": 5, "text": "I can almost hear the comments...&#34;Here we go again!&#34;...&#34;Must be the season?!&#34; &#34;Blah, Blah, Blah&#34; etc...<br />But seriously Folks, did you ever wonder if 25 December was in fact Christ's actual birth day or if He was truly laid in a manger or perhaps if Christmas is in fact based on a Pagan holiday? If you have asked yourself any or all of these questions and a myriad more - and found little no answers -, this book is for you! Here is the Christian response to a world often warring traditions and the Bible!<br /><br />To have a better understanding of the real Christmas, its traditions and often misconceptions, this compilation by General Editor Bodie Hodge is going to be just what you have been looking for!<br /><br />Personally I have always wonder at the star leading the wise men from the East to the exact spot in the little town of Bethlehem where our Saviour was born...Then there is the significance of Jesus' name, even the X in Xmas is detailed as well as an explanation of the virgin birth...<br /><br />THE WAR ON CHRISTMAS includes twenty three chapters, beautifully illustrated and packed with all sorts of revelations, including end notes and references making it a true Christmas encyclopedia!<br /><br />The perfect gift for any parent, youth instructor or church library and well worth 5 stars!<br /><br />I received a copy of this title from HANDLEBAR to review . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1387236636000, "title": "Excellent references making it a true Christmas encyclopedia!" }, { "asin": "1414389752", "rating": 4, "text": "Pam Hillman's affinity for the Old West is felt from the very beginning of Claiming Mariah.<br />I always enjoy a good story about life in the West by such as Louis L'Amour and Zane Grey but this book negate the adage that writing westerns is solely a man's world, Pam Hillman's second novel is certainly proof of that!<br /><br />The heart warming introduction by the author is one that will set your imagination to run:<br /><br />'I originally wrote Slade to be larger than life, but first readers scoffed at his amazing broad shoulders, a 6 ft 4&#34; frame, gorgeous green eyes, large hands that can soothe a small child, manhandle an ornery cow or bring a newborn calf in the world but I know the truth....That man does exit, I married him.'<br /><br />Set in the state of Wyoming in the Spring of 1882 the arresting plot line has just the right ingredients to satisfy any reader: adventure, mystery, revenge, love and a good dose of solid faith, the sort you need to get through even the toughest days. It also portrays the kind of men and women who built this country despite or perhaps because of the odds!<br /><br />Seth Malone and Jack Donovan were once mates but treachery separated the men. Now that both have passed away, Malone's daughter Mariah and Slade, Jack's son are left to see that justice is met.<br /><br />Claiming Mariah brings to life the best and the worst of a wild west, a lawless epoch where a man and a woman defined riches through the land they owned and fought to defend it and their loved ones no matter the cost!<br /><br />Great entertainment and earning 4 stars!<br /><br />Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book courtesy of LITFUSE as part of this book promotion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1397770027000, "title": "This book negate the adage that writing westerns is solely a man's world!" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764208659", "rating": 5, "text": "City On Our Knees written by TobyMac is one of these books I guarantee will make you think!<br /><br />Because of my limited (financial) resources I find myself not always able to help out others as much as I would love to. Like all of us, I need sometime to be shown the light!<br /><br />In his book, TobyMac reminds us about those many people across the world who do not just give financially but also time, talents, love and compassion, even experiences, all that God in His infinite wisdom has bestowed upon us.<br /><br />There is no doubt TobyMac's lyrics are uplifting so using his music, biblical passage and quotes of Christians past and present, he shows us how to meet the needs of those around us. In fact he uses incredible examples of how people serve God everywhere and how even the youngest amongst us can do His mighty work!<br /><br />City on our knees is an inspiring tome well written and warmly documented. Anytime you believe you are not doing enough for His Kingdom you will find within its pages just enough fuel to light up your fires and do God's work. I was glad of the opportunity to read this book and my family and I rated it 4 1/2 stars!<br /><br />If you gotta start somewhere why not here<br />If you gotta start sometime why not now<br />If we gotta start somewhere I say here<br />If we gotta start sometime I say now<br /><br />(From City On Our Knees lyrics by TobyMac)<br /><br />Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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.\"", "timestamp": 1287021327000, "title": "Inspiring and well written!" }, { "asin": "078523120X", "rating": 5, "text": "When Booksneeze offered the possibility to review this latest book of Andy Andrews I immediately acccepted.<br />I very much enjoyed The Heart mender which I also reviewed here.<br />The 11th of April (posting schedule) came and went and I will first tell you, this is one book not to be rushed.<br />Andy Andrews has this particular knack for involving the reader body and soul in his books!<br />The Final Summit was a hard one to put down and I was not disappointed: I very much enjoyed reading it!<br /><br />\"Many years have passed since David Ponder discovered the Seven Decisions during a divine journey through time. Now 74 years old, Ponder has lost the one thing that mattered to him most--his wife, Ellen. Despite his personal and professional success, he now sits alone at the top of his 55-story high-rise contemplating the unthinkable, just as he did 28 years ago.<br /><br />However, just as things are looking their darkest, Ponder is informed through divine channels that he is needed now more than ever. This is mankind's last chance. Millennia of avarice, pride, and hate have sent humanity hurtling toward inevitable disaster, and far from its original purpose. There is only one solution that can reset the compass and right the ship--and it is only two words. Ponder, along with a cast of famous historical figures, must work quickly to discover this solution. The fate of the world rests on their shoulders.\"<br /><br />This is a book I recommend you read slowly and ponder upon. Andy Andrews's faith and knowledge of History, his very definition of human tendency's to ignore certain signs and rewrite this history to make it easier to understand will make you think again upon what you thought you knew about our world!<br />\"What does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization?\"<br /><br />Here is the question: When Time is running out and you must decide what to do when you do not know what to do... Which of the Seven Decisions would you think the most important? (no hinting, you must read it and discovered for yourself!)<br /><br />But I will tell you however my favourite...From Union Colonel Joshua Chamberlain who hastily wrote the words, \"I am a person of action\" on a scrap of paper.<br />Clearly, this is a book you must \"experience\" and Andy Andrews has woven a well written story that will leave you indeed pondering. Each chapter will inspire you to involve yourself and add your name to the \"personal declaration\"!<br />Time travelling in itself is of course always enticing and meeting other travellers whom might find a way to change the world...Oh the Dreams...<br /><br />Finally I will recommend heartily the Author's notes and the reader's guide to help you of course to discover even more about other Travellers...Who knew?<br /><br />I give this one 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br /><br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1303409632000, "title": "So many questions...and the Dreams..." }, { "asin": "082543310X", "rating": 5, "text": "Publisher's description:<br /><br />Fifteen-year-old Julien Losier just wants to fit in. But after his family moves to a small village in central France in hopes of outrunning the Nazis, he is suddenly faced with bigger challenges than the taunting of local teens.<br />Nina Krenkel left her country to obey her father's dying command: Take your brother and leave Austria. Burn your papers. Tell no one you are Jews. Alone and on the run, she arrives in Tanieux, France, dangerously ill and in despair.<br />Thrown together by the chaos of war, Julien begins to feel the terrible weight of the looming conflict and Nina fights to survive. As France falls to the Nazis, Julien struggles with doing what is right, even if it is not enough-and wonders whether or not he really can save Nina from almost certain death.<br />Based on the true story of the town of Le Chambon-the only French town honored by Israel for rescuing Jews from the Holocaust-How Huge the Night is a compelling, coming-of-age drama that will keep teens turning the pages as it teaches them about a fascinating period of history and inspires them to think more deeply about their everyday choices.<br /><br />And now for my review:<br /><br />Since this book is based on actual events, I was compelled to read it as soon as I received the opportunity to review it. Three nights later I closed the book and held my hand upon its cover. There is something that draws you to certain subjects for one reason or another...This one is particularly close to my heart and I am thankful to Heather and Lydia Munn for writing such a heartwarming book.<br /><br />For many in Europe there is an undeniable hauntingness about the occupation. Much is still hush hushed about the ensuing period's deeds and thoughts. We see the invasion of countries most often through the eyes of adults. Through their stories we feel the loss of freedom and honour, we experience a hint of their helpleness as we learn of rationing and depravation, sometime imprisoning or disapearance...We remember the stories about the Resistance and whispers of good and bad deeds...<br /><br />Seen throught the eyes of this small French village and their youth we are shown a different aspect of war, one which involves not just the adults but its young people as well. This is a time of conflict and choices have to be made.Theirs is a story of survival!<br />There is no right or wrong, good or bad when your life is on the line. Hope is all your have, the determination to live another day and ultimately to obtain once again your freedom! None are safe, danger surrounds and decisions must be made. Your only comfort, God is listening! Or is He?<br /><br />Wonderfully researched, beautifully written, this is a story that will take your breath away. Honest, compelling, How Huge The Night is a book which you soon realize does not shy from the true aspects of occupation.<br />I found myself remembering an other time, harsh decisions and I will admit to having been near tears! War time occupation was nothing short of a difficult time to grow up!<br />Albeit geared to the younger generation I am told, I find this is a timeless story and I see no reason not to recommend to adults as well.<br />A perfect 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Litfuse as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1306102239000, "title": "Honour, Freedom, Survival are not just for adults!" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 4, "text": "Since this weekend was quiet enough to let me relax (after a week of feeling somewhat frazzled) I picked up \"Spring for Suzannah\" to enjoy along with a nice cuppa!<br />I was looking for something light to read but with a good solid plot, the kind of novel you immerse yourself into.<br /><br />This is a debut for Catherine Richmond but a few pages in the book I knew \"Spring for Suzannah\" would be a throughfully enjoyable read and I was not disappointed.<br />I think we all agree we like to read about these incredible frontier women who braved the wilderness, tamed the Wild West, raised families, often burying some of their loved ones, faced starvation, wildlife threats, and built a life for themselves along their mates.<br />Let's not forget their contributions in building schools, churches and developing entire towns whilst uphelding God's word!<br /><br />The setting for Catherine Richmond novel (written with the help of a few chocolates along the way - my kind of gal!) is the Dakota Territory, a few years after the end of the Civil War.<br />Suzannah travels outwest to meet her new husband, Jesse. Theirs is a marriage by proxy, not unusual at that time. What is unusual is that she brings uncommon skills to her new way of life.<br />Her new home is a soddy, barely large enough to contain her husband and herself. Her companion is a dog, her only friend is Martha, a Norvegian just learning the English language and she lives miles away. The prairie is everywhere, there are many dangers such as wildland fires and the often weather changes! To survive is a daily challenge, being caught unprepared could mean death. There are no church, no school, no doctor and loneliness has a way to pervade everything!<br /><br />Jesse is a hard worker farmer but also a loving husband who has seen much horror during the War yet believes in God implicitly. His comfortable relationship with the Lord at times is even funny!<br />Shy Suzannah is insecure and lives in fear her new husband will send her back East but with patience Jesse reaches her heart and they soon see their union blessed.<br />When tragedy happens however, Suzannah must deal with the pain and here as always we are reminded God is always by our side. Suzannah matures in a real pioneer woman when she realizes God has a plan for her after all!<br /><br />Catherine Richmond describes her characters as living a full life, theirs is a romance that blooms in a lonely often harsh world. She does not shy from describing their intimacy, reminding us God made all things beautiful and His love is constant.<br />I cannot say honestly I would recommend this as a read for young girls but again, this Christian novel was written with much care and faith and a more mature audience will truly enjoy following Jesse and Suzannah's story.<br />The author's careful details gives us yet again, a little window on these pioneers women who made a New World thus providing us with a bit of history, along with an afternoon of true relaxation.<br />Just what I was looking for!<br />Many thanks Catherine Richmond and I hope you will soon pen another story for us.<br /><br />I give this book 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Litfuse as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1308065127000, "title": "Great debut!" }, { "asin": "1595548246", "rating": 4, "text": "The Amish world described by Beth Wiseman is like an opened window on a world which Englishers such as ourselves find fascinating!<br />Seek me with all your heart is also the first book I read by Beth Wiseman and I found myself drawn to the story within a few pages.<br />Beautifully written, with an engaging plot developing steadily along the pages, this is a much more accurate insight on Amish life than anything else I might have read in the past! The author does not shy from describing hardships found even amongst the Amish. Yes life can be a struggle but Faith can work wonders!<br /><br />Her realistic characters are guaranteed to surprise you even at times! You will find yourself laughing also at references to the Englisher life whilst learning more about a world few know truly well and often misunderstood.<br />It is a particular skill of a good author to lead any reader on a path of discovery and Beth Wiseman reminds us that Faith will sustain us through ups and downs as long as we let God in our heart!<br /><br />Like those beautiful Amish patchwork quilts made of intricate and carefully stiched pieces life can become whole and rewarding if we trust in Him! Beth Wiseman's characters and their plies are carefully chosen to let you know He is always near if we just listen!<br />Seek me with all your heart is the first book in the series Land of Canaan and is certain to be a throughly enjoyable read for anyone who delights in learning more about Amish life.<br /><br />To learn more about Beth Wiseman's books please visit her website here<br /><br />I gave this book a heatwarming 4 stars!<br /><br />Just a quick reminder: I was not asked to review this book and all opinions are entirely my own!", "timestamp": 1308765825000, "title": "A realistic view of the Amish Community!" }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 5, "text": "In 'A Distant Melody' we met Walt, the first of the three Novak brothers, a B17 pilot with the US Eight Air Force (read review here) and in 'A Memory Between Us', the author introduced us to dashing brother Jack, also a pilot stationed in England (see review here). Each of the Novak brothers' characters brought to mind the very best of the many American (and British) pilots who flew countless dangerous missions over enemy territory to bring about peace during the WW2 years! Most of these brave men were barely in their twenties and many gave their life for God and Country!<br /><br />Ray Novak's courage and faith is not to be doubt for a moment. His job is to train B17 pilots stateside and unlike his brothers, all he ever wanted was to follow his father's footsteps and preach.<br /><br />Sarah Sundin's superb description of this quiet man's trials as well as the human frailty displayed by the woman he loves is what makes this historical novel certainly hard to put down but in the end, it is a story about faith and the courage to go on during incredible times of conflict!<br /><br />If Ray's decision to join a combat unit overseas is somehow expected it is however the description of his survival behind enemy lines that will touch you in more ways than one! It is in the little details Sarah Sundin shares with readers that you find yourself pulling for the heroes (and holding your breath literally!)<br /><br />This beautiful love story is about Ray and Helen, both survivors, each reaching out to God for the courage to face their demons. Ultimately, it is the story of people torn apart by circumstances who in the course of their duties, both overseas and on the home front, reminds us that with God at our side, anything is possible!<br />'Blue Skies Tomorrow' is the perfect ending for the 'Wings of Glory' series!<br /><br />This is nothing less than 5 stars material!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1314710699000, "title": "The perfect ending to the 'Wings of Glory' series!" }, { "asin": "1595547851", "rating": 3, "text": "Fairer than Morning is a fictional novel set in the 1820's and inspired by a well known family in the history of Westerville Ohio, the Hanbys.<br />Since I am familiar with this family's connection to the famous Otterbein College, I thought it to be an interesting subject and looked forward to discover this new writer.<br />In this first novel Rosslyn Elliott introduces us to the Saddler's legacy series and describes the humble beginnings of William Hanby, mainly his years in indentured service.<br />William Hanby and Ann Miller were real people who fell in love, married and had 8 children of whom composer Ben Hanby (Darling Nelly Gray) is probably the best known. The family was very active in the Underground Railway and harboured runaways both in Rushville and Westerville.<br /><br />Rosslyn Elliott has introduced some well known (at least in the Midwest) historical facts in this work of fiction and it is interesting to note her clear description of the runaways slaves is perhaps the highlight of this novel. Somehow the two main characters are a bit lost in her description, and I would be remiss if I did not point out that I found the whole story to be fragmented.<br /><br />Whilst we do not have as much information as we wish on William and Ann, their combined and formidable convictions regarding anti slaveryand their faith in particular are not enough reflected in this novel. The description of Ohio and Pensylvania in the 19th Century also could use a bit more elaboration. Historical societies in both states offer much more information than it is reflected here.<br />Finally the added characters brings little support to the whole story and I found it lacking in historical interest.<br />In such, I found the book to lack the vitality of the well known Ohio river life and the sentiments of stepping into history with the characters was just missing. Certain subjects also do not make this Christian material for younger ladies yet I would have labelled this novel to be for younger adults.<br /><br />I give this one 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1315509697000, "title": "Not everything I thought it would be!" }, { "asin": "0800719956", "rating": 5, "text": "I think there is nothing like Christmas and the incredible feeling it brings to all who believe in the birth of the Child Christ!<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher is the kind of writer whom readers know they can expect an excellent plot deftly written, a message of hope and a great deal of Amish wisdom along a good dose of humour!<br />One look at the cover (yes, I know you should not judge a book by its cover alone) and the author's name and I knew I would enjoy it. There is something wholesome about Suzanne Woods Fisher's stories and her acute knowledge of the Amish society always attracts!<br /><br />In 'A Lancaster County Christmas', we find both Englisher and Amish families sharing a few days during the Christmas season due to unexpected circumstances and I will readily admit it put me in the Christmas spirit immediately.<br />It is the true gift of a good author to be able to make any reader see the plain life of Amish families, feel the snow flakes on his/her face, the warmth of a love shared by people who truly care about each other, the anxiety experienced by someone who is once again disappointed by events they cannot control and most important the steadfastness of God's love for all!<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher is such an author!<br /><br />Even better in 'A Lancaster County Christmas' we learn about SAR (Search and Rescue) and the efficiency of a search well planned by equally well trained volunteers.<br />Life sometimes does follow some unexpected turns and it is up to us to learn to lean on our faith to find the strengh to go on. Christmas is a wonderful gift, a season of love, hope and joy! 'A Lancaster County Christmas' brings you all these feelings!<br /><br />I recommend picking up a copy of 'A Lancaster County Christmas' and let the spirit of the season surround you! In fact, pick up an additional copy for a loved one or a friend, a perfect gift to share with them!<br />P.S. I couldn't but laugh at the suggestion of Mr. September! Suzanne Woods Fisher feels like a friend and I guarantee you will enjoy this latest book!<br />How could I give anything but 5 stars for a book that had me laughing and crying?!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE PUBLICITY GROUP as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1316191766000, "title": "It will put you in the Christmas spirit!" }, { "asin": "1414335830", "rating": 5, "text": "This latest novel in the Precinct 11 series starts off slowly but you soon find the plot gripping and it is a hard one to put down. In true Jerry B. Jenkins fashion, 'The Betrayal' is a story with rapid fire action but as always reflecting many family values and this is why I like to read his books!<br /><br />Things are not looking good for Boone Drake. The injury he received whilst protecting former street gang boss Pascual Candelario, now turned good guy, will probably earn him early retirement but it is the last thing he wants right now. There is an informer amongst the Police department and it makes Boone all the more determined to remain on active duty. The more so since it jeopardizes his attempt to get Candelario to a secure location!<br /><br />Whilst CPD investigates this obvious leak, Boone's girlfriend becomes the prime suspect and it now it appears someone wants Boone out of the CPD for good.<br />Near exhaustion, Boone forces himself to find the source of this betrayal and the guilty party! His life and others depend on his survival skills!<br />Watch out for the climax!<br /><br />A Christian writer who never compromise his faith, Jenkins has a knack for appealing to all sorts of readers and in the end, you know good will triumph over evil!<br /><br />A perfect 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from TYNDALE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Adverting.", "timestamp": 1319215965000, "title": "Gripping!" }, { "asin": "0764209035", "rating": 5, "text": "A delightful historical novel and one of the best Christian fiction I have read in a while!<br />Anne Mateer's faith shines throughout this story and I am certain to be on the lookout for more of her work!<br /><br />'Wings of a dream' is reminiscent of Lucy Maud Montgomery, Catherine Marshall or Louisa May Alcott's style and you will feel a kindred spirit with the main character Rebekah Hendricks!<br /><br />WWI home front life in Texas with its shortages, the Spanish Lady (flu) epidemic as well as casualty reports are just one of the many descriptions you will find in Anne Mateer's novel!<br /><br />A true Christian story, this warmhearted tale of a nineteen year old faced with challenges few would not find daunting, 'Wings of a dream' is certain to delight readers! Not unlike a good recipe, this story has all the right ingredients but it is Anne Mateer's harmonious blend with the Great War's background that has you turning 'just one more page!'<br />A dreamer like many of us, Rebekah desires adventure and yet, faced with unexpected love she discovers God always leads the way! You will find yourself holding your breath towards the end I guarantee!<br /><br />I so enjoyed reading 'Wings of a dream' that I too had a hard time to put it down! Enjoy!<br /><br />I will gladly give it 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHING as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1320527918000, "title": "A kindred spirit!" }, { "asin": "076420498X", "rating": 5, "text": "'I was perfectly content with my life - that is, until the pages of my story were ripped out before I had a chance to live happily ever after.'<br />An excellent debut I felt as I was really looking for something relaxing to read and I have always believed in faery tales! This was just the right novel for a cold, blustery and rainy evening!<br />'Three days later, when Lillie was sure that Mack would live, she started planning his funeral.' is only the beginning of Chapter 8...I forgot the time and just kept on reading!<br /><br />Lynn Austin once again delivers an enticing story which is sure to have you alternate betwixt laughing bouts and tears!<br />There is something almost magical in Lynn Austin's writing and I have yet to read anything I did not like by this author so I will heartily recommend her novels.<br />Just short of spellbinding, each page of her Christian novels allows you to step in a different time frame and her characters beckons readers to immerse themselves in her stories.<br /><br />In her latest book we discover a little coal mining town in Kentucky during the Great Depression, a young librarian, a one hundred and one year old woman once a plantation slave, a writer and to top all this, there is a mysterious buried treasure...<br /><br />In Wonderland Creek we discover the harsh lives led by the proud mountain people of Kentucky whom with much determination survived the Great Depression. You find yourself almost envious of the simple lifestyle, the traditions, the intricate families connections and above all, the beauty of the surroundings!<br />As is customary with Lynn Austin's novels, you will find a marvelous balance betwixt history lessons, rich settings, amazing and often gripping characters and of course a good dose of Christian wisdom.<br /><br />When all is said and done, this is one author's writings worth every 5 stars give!<br /><br />Note to readers: I was not asked to review this novel and all opinions expressed are entirely my own!", "timestamp": 1325109623000, "title": "Happily-ever-after in the woods of Kentucky's during the Great Depression" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 4, "text": "'Where Wildflowers Bloom' is the first book in Ann Shorey's series called 'Sisters at Heart' and since I like a good Historical novel, wildflowers and dreaming, the perfect choice for a rainy day!<br /><br />Faith Lindberg lost her father and brother and lives with her Grandfather who owns a Mercantile shoppe. Faith hopes to sell the business, hopefully at a profit of course and move West. She dreams of starting afresh.<br />The story is set just after the end of the Civil War and I found the added characters of a field nurse as well as a scarred veteran just the right touch for this novel to be a little more than just a lovely romance.<br /><br />Ann Shorey pens an interesting portrait of a MidWest town, and takes us on a stroll around the dusty boardwalks to the shoppes, local eatery, blacksmith shop and livery, sheriff's office, clapboard houses and the little white church with its spiked roof, not unlike time traveling in your armchair.<br /><br />The mercantile shoppe comes to life with her detailed description of the stock with its many shelves of goods. I could almost feel the heroine's pain when she inadvertently drops the lovely china she'd hoped to sell and make a profit to boost sales. The fact that women rarely worked outside of home is once again the perfect detail to make this an interesting story!<br /><br />With just the right eloquence Ann Shorey infuses readers with a sense of what life was truly for the settlers who made their homes in places such as Noble Springs, Missouri and the gossiping and sometime meddling of a small town.<br />She does not stop there however and you discover the past is not to be shrugged off easily, especially for the men who came back from war, some broken, many scarred.<br />With a burglary and even mysteries, the entire story evolves in just the kind of entertainment you need to relax!<br /><br />A very nice story which earned 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1327628071000, "title": "Historical fiction decribing Yesterday's women and Today issues!" }, { "asin": "0800734599", "rating": 3, "text": "'Summer of Promise' offers an outlook on life in Wyoming in the 1880's and particularly for the families of soldiers stationed in remote areas such as Fort Laramie, many of them immigrants who joined in hope to make a better life for themselves. I can see why the author felt inspired to write a story after her trip (make that 3 trips and countless hours of Internet browsing).<br /><br />Abigail and Ethan's story is a light romance you might enjoy during a long winter evening but I felt it did not flow and it was not one I would describe as a page turner.<br />Tales of the Old West have always fascinated me but despite having learned a thing or two from Amanda Cabot's findings, I did not think the characters to be all they could be! Leah is one character for i.e. that could have been so much more!<br /><br />It seemed to be written with the very young in mind, nothing either inspiring or entertaining. I will caution animal lovers might find some of the tale upsetting. However true it might be, I found it had little reason to be added to the story personally.<br /><br />If this is an example of the upcoming stories in the Westward Wind series, I found Summer of Promise monotonous and a little tedious for my taste.<br /><br />I give it 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br /><br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1328382932000, "title": "Light romance and a little tedious!" }, { "asin": "1414364458", "rating": 5, "text": "Despite the promising resume I felt the beginning of this book might lead to just another tedious life lesson and very little entertainment. As the story unfolded however I discovered a real gem, each individual committee member' story revealing its own little touch of drama and very personal message.<br /><br />'The Search Committee' is the story of a medley of fellow Christians whose goal is to visit other churches. The committee includes a busybody, a young husband, a single mom and a handful of others all sharing the same hope, that to hire (steal) the perfect pastor for their own congregation.<br /><br />Tim Owens artfully weaves background and problem(s) faced by each member of the committee into a delightful and entertaining message for the reader.<br />Hard to put down, the story unfolds giving us the opportunity to find a little of ourselves in at least one of the committee characters, complete with its little quirks.<br /><br />You will find yourself chuckling at the delightful descriptions of this busy group traveling in an old church van (Outch! Those potholes!) and sneaking incognito into various churches and teary eyed a moment later.<br />It is warm, it is human and you will question if any of us truly know our neighbour in the pew next to us.<br /><br />So will the committee find this perfect man/woman for their own church? Well, I wouldn't want to spoil a good story and it is a VERY good story!<br />My suggestion is to grab this insightful book and enjoy a good time with the seah committee! Their quest will teach you a thing or two I daresay!<br /><br />A delightful first novel and worth at least 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from TYNDALE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1329174853000, "title": "Tim Owen's first novel is delightful gem!" }, { "asin": "0800720458", "rating": 5, "text": "The very first thing that comes to mind about 'Words Spoken True' is the raised lettering on the cover (a feature I dearly love and miss in the mass produced paperbacks published these days!) swiftly followed by the interesting historical note published in the forefront of the story! Once spotted, I was rubbing my hands together with glee. This is my kind of historical fiction!<br /><br />With a rich historical setting, enticing plot, flowing dialogues betwixt the protagonists, colourful descriptive and just the right amount of romance 'Words Spoken True' is sure to captivate readers!<br />Here is no amateurish historical fiction! Ann H. Gabhart is a well published author and she writes a warm story complete with romance, faith and intrigue about 'The Herald' and 'The Tribune', two warring newspapers in Louisville, Kentucky, circa 1850's.<br /><br />As the plot unravels you find yourself engrossed in its drama, and wishing with all your might for a great ending for both Adriane and Blake. Never fear, weaving her magic wand, Ann H.Gabhart will not disappoint and you will soon discover that no matter what, the press must go on!<br /><br />On a quick note, I was startled to learn the existence of the 'Know Nothings, and the dramatic events of Bloody Monday on 6 August 1855 which reflects in this story!<br /><br /> Readers should know this is a page turner...Hence warning to husband/children: Mum is certain to be so engrossed, dinner will soon be forgotten!<br /><br />A wonderful story certain to leave you daydreaming...<br />A big thank you to Ann H. Gabhart for her enduring writing skills!<br /><br />For sheer enjoyment, a 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330103697000, "title": "A wonderful story certain to leave you daydreaming..." }, { "asin": "1433673223", "rating": 4, "text": "With a little imagination 'The Guardian Duke' might very well be the most delightful story I have read in awhile! Nothing too serious, just a light tale about a charming ingenue and her elegant guardian complete with good historical notes, a good amount of faith and just the right amount of romance!<br /><br />Reminiscent of Barbara Cartland's writings, 'The Guardian Duke' has all the ingredients for a good, if a tad innocuous, tale. I was not looking for anything in particular when I started reading Jamie Carie's first book in the Forgotten Castles series but I was pleasantly surprised.<br /><br />Perhaps it was the romantic setting of Ireland with its mythical shores, the intriguing mystery revolving around some of the protagonists, the spirited ingenue dodging her guardian duke or the elegant Gabriel himself.<br />Lest I forget, credit should also be given to a colourful surrounding cast!<br /><br />Jaimie Carie also excelled at penning the lively correspondence betwixt the heroine and her soul mate. Do people really fall in love through letters? Let's hope the world has not become so jade that we cannot imagine for a short time that it can be so. Ah the dreams...<br /><br />I for one can only vouch for the innocent reading time I spend immersing myself into with this lively Christian tale. And if someone witnessed the sighs just before I turned off the lights, well...<br />All I can say is 'Thank you' Jaimie for a tasteful read certain to entertain teens and adults alike.<br /><br />Here is to wandering what happens in Iceland and thinking it was well worth 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from PROPELLER as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330567856000, "title": "Tasteful Christian romance for teens and adults alike!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 4, "text": "Heart's Safe Passage is book # 2 in The Midwives series and whilst I have yet to read book # 1 it is my hope the author will indulge us with more stories in this captivating chapter. The combination of the midwifery subject and the High seas set right after the conflict of 1812 was an appealing point for a history buff like me and the author did not disappoint!<br /><br />Obviously Laurie Alice Eakes has done well her research and I spent a relaxing evening reading this latest tale! Such are the rules of war that both nations would have not hesitate to try either protagonist as a traitor. Therefore to imagine a plot involving a midwife stranded against her will on an enemy ship was nothing but genial!<br /><br />A fervent admirer of C.S. Forrester and his tales of the high seas, I found Heart's Safe Passage all the most most intriguing as Laurie Alice Eakes demonstrates a thorough knowledge of seamanship I did not expect.<br />Historically the war of 1812 and the resulting strenuous diplomatic relations betwixt Colonials and Britishers was well documented. In turn the author's description of her characters allegiances reminds us that one could be deemed a traitor for just being at the wrong place at the wrong time.<br /><br />The spirited dialogues betwixt the Scottish privateer and the Colonial midwife have just the right enticement for readers to wonder who will win in the end and the supporting characters are endearing in their own ways.<br />Life at sea was far from being as romantic as Hollywood would have us believed but in Heart's Safe Passage there is just enough drama to keep it interesting and enough sparks for the romantic soul!<br /><br />Most of all the storyteller reminds us that God is the only one to steer our ship...<br /><br />I was also fascinated by the historical notes recording midwives written by a seventeenth century physician! Whilst some of it could be deemed humorous, it would appear being a midwife was hard and often a thankless task!<br /><br />Finally Laurie Alice Eakes' description of Captain Docherty was much more interesting than Errol Flynn in all his glory!<br /><br />For a most enjoyable evening, I find myself giving this historical romance 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330728429000, "title": "An intriguing romance betwixt a midwife and a privateer on the High seas!" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "Anyone familiar with the talented Brother Cadfael, the Welsh Benedictine monk so engagingly described by Ellis Peters will appreciate my interest in this book!<br />I first heard of it on a Publisher's website and felt compelled to pursue this title whose author I had yet to discover! I also hoped for something different and was not disappointed!<br /><br />'Unhallowed Ground' was my introduction to Mel Starr's and I immediately found his style to be unique and quite discerning! An impressive glossary allows curious minds like mine to discover words and terms the modern English language no longer use.<br /><br />Mel Starr skillfully weaves a tapestry of intrigue, false leads, adventure and danger rendered the more interesting by its many historical settings whilst leading the reader on a path of whodunit.<br />Within a few pages you are wondering who is friend, who is foe and yes, it is a page turner!<br /><br />The colourful but tasteful tale follows Hugh de Singleton, bailiff of Bampton Manor, as he is called to investigate the death of a local villager. Amongst his many talents Master Hugh is also noted as a medieval surgeon and a detective of sorts...<br />Is this a case of suicide or murder? Thus we are introduced to the ensuing intriguing plot!<br /><br />With its excellent penmanship, 'Unhallowed Ground' is just the sort of book you will read and feel replete!<br /><br />I give it 5 stars (and quickly found a little niche for it on our bookshelves!)<br /><br />On a note of worth, this book is the fourth chronicle of the series. The fifth chronicle 'The Tainted Coin' will soon be released!<br /><br />NOTE TO READERS: I was not asked to review this title and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1332627554000, "title": "Medieval mystery with the finest historical detailed background!" }, { "asin": "1595548874", "rating": 3, "text": "Best selling author Beth Wiseman has delighted her many fans with tales of the Amish world for years. Perhaps I was influenced by my daughter as she is a big fan but I have enjoyed her stories!<br /><br />This novel is however quite different and I will admit to some disappointment. A contemporary story is rarely my first choice of reading material. I much prefer historical fiction work which lets your imagination wonder, provides you with healthy entertainment and even gives you the incentive to delve into the subject by way of further research!<br /><br />Beth Wiseman introduces us to her latest writing by depicting a Texan family whom at first glance lives a perfectly well balanced life. They recently moved from a cosmopolitan area to live in an old farmhouse in a small town to raise their children in a much healthier environment.<br /><br />Reading the resume I caught the 'Special Needs Children' part and felt drawn to it thus the reason for this choice of review.<br /><br />Unfortunately whilst I allow any author's right to feel a need to branch out, this time I felt something was missing and I had a hard time to concentrate on the plot.<br />Perhaps it was the fact that special needs children had only a small part in this story, or that the neighbour's character just did not seem to fit in, or I was not prepared to comprehend the extent to which some teens go to please their family or when under peer pressure! I have since looked into it and it brought many shudders!<br />Even the locales were not eye catching and nothing really stands out.<br /><br />Despite the troubled teenager plight and a handful of supporting characters, the story mainly revolves around the attraction felt by two individuals and much like a soap opera is drawn out: lies, betrayals and sheer boredom!<br /><br />Somewhat fragmented, Needing you Now is the sort of Christian novel I feel you will only briefly remember and lacking the profound inspirational theme Beth Wiseman usually provides her readers.<br /><br />Needing you Now has surprised me and less you feel this is not a good book, I will remind you of course that I offer only my opinion!<br /><br />As such, I can only give it 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BOOKSNEEZE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1335569626000, "title": "Really not what I hoped for!" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 4, "text": "'A Love Forbidden', Book # 2 in Heart of the Rockies series reads like a Western with a powerful message: intolerance is the root of many evils!<br />Once again Baker Revell brings us an interesting author and I was pleasantly surprised in Kathleen Morgan's vivid descriptions of the 1800 Colorado Rockies!<br />There is so much History in the US, often misconstrued yet as rich as many older nations!<br />I love to discover yet another facet of the Old West and I believe I mentioned it before, the first novel I read in English was written by Louis l'Amour!<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan's tasteful description of Shiloh Wainwright and Jesse Blackwater's love story gives us a realistic outlook on frontier life in the 1800's Colorado and the Ute reservation.<br />As a teacher on the Indian reservation Shiloh hopes to help Indian children learn the White Man's ways whilst retaining their identity. Her task is not easy as she deals with narrow minded agencies and wary settlers.<br />Jesse Blackwater is the childhood friend she never forgot and caught betwixt both the White man's world and the Ute worlds, they find themselves caught in a maelstrom of emotions and conflicts, both internal and external.<br /><br />'A Love Forbidden' might have been just another Historical romance but Kathleen Morgan draws you in the story and you immerse yourself in it. The sum of a good novel, right?<br />It is always amazing to read lines which create such a vivid panoramic picture of times gone by and in turn creates such powerful emotions!<br />Amidst prejudice and growing political tension betwixt both the White and Indian world, you find yourself wondering if you would have the courage and wisdom to do what is right. In such circumstances, where would you stand as a Christian?<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan seems to breathe this time period and spares no details to entice us visually. Life on the frontier was often harsh, supplies limited, and communication slow due to long distances betwixt forts and settlements.<br />When one side fails to honour its word, the other decided to take action...<br /><br />Red headed Shiloh is as tenacious in her convictions as in her love for Jesse, whilst he sees the road ahead in a very realistic way. Will they be able to bridge both worlds and find love, acceptance, forgiveness and ultimately peace?<br /><br />Well depicted, this is a thought provoking story which illustrates the power of love and faith in a world often riddled with prejudice and ignorance.<br />In the end, you are in God's hands and given the chance, Shiloh and Jesse will come to realize nothing is impossible for them with His help.<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1338071156000, "title": "A thought provoking story about love and faith in the 1800's Colorado Rockies!" }, { "asin": "0764207962", "rating": 5, "text": "Siri Mitchell is definitively an author to reckon with: her latest novel 'The Messenger' is fast paced and scintillates with the kind of details any history buff will love. I found her notes and research to be very interesting!<br /><br />Set during the War of Independence (US), this is the story of an intrepid young Quaker named Hannah and a Continental Army spy named Jeremiah Jones. Each have need of the other and both parties joined forces but not without concerns for the ramifications involved. As a pacifist Hannah cannot abide violence but Jeremiah's plans ultimately will draw her in a conflict few will escape without scars.<br /><br />This is absolutely a story to enjoy without interruptions. I for one knew very little of Women spies during the Civil War (US) and did not give much thought to Women involvement during the 1776 Campaign.<br /><br />Prisoners conditions during this tumultuous conflict are rarely spoken of yet we know of the many hardships endured by the Colonial army, particularly during the winter campaign at Valley Forge.<br />Sad to say, many of the reenactments Siri Mitchell developed in her tale of faith and courage for our two courageous protagonists rang only too true! The ravages of war effects innocents everywhere yet we still fight!<br /><br />'The Messenger, reminds us of theologian Reinhold Neiburh's Serenity prayer:<br /><br />God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,<br />Courage to change the things I can,<br />And wisdom to know the difference.<br /><br />So fitting for this story!<br /><br />As to the Quaker faith, I have to thank Siri Mitchell for enlightening me: I never thought much about it!<br /><br />A story of bravery, of beliefs and God's path for each one of us!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1338499473000, "title": "A tale of courage and faith in the Revolutionary war!" }, { "asin": "1434764303", "rating": 3, "text": "'Glamorous Illusions', Book 1 of 'The Grand Tour' series has a most enticing front cover. One look at the lovely gown featured with the Eiffel Tower in the background will have you wish you too could be part of this Grand Tour. I was ready to be dazzled!<br /><br />Let me begin by saying Lisa T. Bergren is a seasoned author with over 35 books and sales of over 2 million copies but new to this reader.<br /><br />David C. Cook, the Publisher gives us in turn a tantalizing resume of 'Glamorous Illusions' starting with 'It's the summer of 1913...A fateful afternoon, a stranger comes to call, and Cora discover s a terrible secret about her past...invited to take the 'Grand Tour' of Europe, a trip intended to finish a person's education and solidify an understanding of refinement and ancient culture...<br /><br />I immersed myself in this fictional story turning page after page hoping to glimpse the wonders of a 20th Century trip abroad through the eyes of our young protagonist beginning with a portentous crossing aboard the Titanic sister-ship.<br />Grand Tours were scintillating events and much anticipated occasions for any well bred young lady or gentleman to acquire a certain polish and large amounts of monies were disbursed by generous parents to this effect.<br /><br />Breathtaking scenery along with ancient History and the discoveries of Music, Art, companions and fine culinary partaking provided the perfect ending to one's education. If one might find herself/himself an impoverished title in the bargain, families would look benignly and pride themselves in having acquired a touch of blue blood in the bargain.<br /><br />The idea of our heroine leaving her Montana struggling beet farm for a Grand Tour of Europe in the company of her newly discovered high society siblings has many hints of Cinderella. However Cora's journey of self discovery along this grand voyage is often confusing, her true sentiments hard to fathom! Even as I close the book I would be hard pressed to guess what she hoped to find.<br /><br />I could not picture any young lady destined to be a teacher to learn in one month how to move comfortably through the society throngs for example.<br />I found it also hard to believe the group described did not have at least one female chaperone (anything less would have been frowned upon in most societies and introductions near impossible), servants were unlikely to know what would be expected and therefore could not have advised.<br /><br />Illegitimacy was not more condoned in France than in England and therefore the courtship of Pierre de Richelieu hardly believable. Family pressures alone would have demanded he kept his distance. Accordingly the young lady would have been appraised his attentions were not honourable and very likely whisked away to the next stop of the Tour.<br /><br />Leaving these details aside, I felt none of the excitement or glimmer associated with such trip. One would hardly describe the wonders of the Eiffel Tower, Centuries old English manors, French chateaus or the wealth displayed at the Louvre for example in such a desultory way and hints at someone who trouped behind a guide (If this is Tuesday, it must be Belgium).<br />The elements are there but seen almost through a veil and does not impart the stimulating experiences for the reader's pleasure.<br /><br />Finally the end of this first novel in the series left me perplex. A hint or two leads me to believe there is more to the story but neither the romance nor the Grand Tour details provided much satisfaction.<br />One can only sigh and say: 'C'est la vie!'<br /><br />More of a Young Adult story, I give this one 3 stars.<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE AND DAVID C. COOK as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1340302218000, "title": "From Montana to the grand European metropolises..." }, { "asin": "0800720482", "rating": 5, "text": "I chose to feature the above synopsis instead of the one shown on the back of the cover for a personal reason. I admit I am only a student of the Gospels and for a moment as I read the cover's resume I thought there might be another Mary Magdalene!<br /><br />The imagination of storyteller Diana Wallis Taylor brings readers however a new dimension to the picture we might have of this amazing woman who followed Christ till the end.<br /><br />I found myself utterly enchanted by this author's narrative of a woman we know little of despite mentions in Luke, John and Acts.<br />We know Jesus cast off seven demons from her and that she was a close follower.<br />We also know she witnessed His mock trial and heard His sentence, she was present at His crucifixion and later amongst the women who find the empty tomb.<br /><br />In 'Mary Magdalene' Diana Wallis Taylor weaves a stirring profile of a gentle child who learned the Scriptures, growing up in Magdala, a coastal town off the Sea of Galilee with caring parents.<br />Following a tragic event, Mary Magdalene lives the next few years plagued by nightmares and yet amidst of all this, finds love and eventually will be healed.<br />She eventually follows Jesus and witnessed to the Messiah's glory for the remaining of her life.<br /><br />The author's rich historical and social details of Jewish life in Galilee in the time of Jesus interwoven with her chronicles of this amazing woman are most gripping!<br />A reader, young or old, will discover an emotional account of a woman we hardly knew and should remember first and foremost as one who was THERE.<br /><br />This is the sort of enriching fictional work perfect as a gift for any young woman coming of age. It has all the elements of a love story of the purest form!<br /><br />If I had a dozen copies, I would be passing them out right now!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1340473107000, "title": "A rich emotional description of Mary Magdalene!" }, { "asin": "0800734556", "rating": 4, "text": "As someone who knew absolutely nothing of the Shaker beliefs I have now a whole concept of their intricate history. In 'The Gifted' Kentucky born storyteller Ann H. Gabhart has definitively written an in depth story based on this cult! She actually lives near a Shaker village and was obviously inspired.<br /><br />The simplicity of the many designs we admire to this date were brought upon by these believers who worked as if they had a thousand years to accomplish their tasks or knowledge of their death on the morrow...They knew their place, rejoiced in knowing it, their hands hard at work, their hearts given to God...<br /><br />In 'The Gifted' our protagonist Jessamine is striving to find her place in this close knit world and when she is given a sweet outlook on the outside world questions her path...<br />We follow the young sister as she stumbles repeatedly despite her eagerness to please her elders. Sister Sophrena's diaries in particular allows us to understand the extant of those struggles and gives us a unique view of life in their community.<br />Harmony Hill village brothers and sisters live their faith as outlined by their leader, Mother Ann, from the working fields to the devotion meetings including the shaking and dancing. Their only contact with the outside world is due to their trading their wares such as rosewater, baskets, candles, furniture and so on.<br />Surprisingly, their fellowship is open to anyone, even outsiders just visiting. It is the only world Jessamine has known since she lost her Granny but like all good stories, this is only the beginning... Then there is also a mysterious letter which opened reveals surprising new developments...<br /><br />As usual Ann H.Gabhart leads us by the hand as we read on. I always found myself looking for clues to what comes next and I was not disappointed.<br />Richly described and perfectly timed, this is a story you will enjoy discovering as the author entices you to learn that all is not as it seems.<br />Like all good storytellers, Ann H. Gabhart tells you some dreams were meant to come true...You just have to believe!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1341675443000, "title": "Another great story by master storyteller Ann H. Gabhart!" }, { "asin": "1595547819", "rating": 4, "text": "'Tidewater Inn' has all the ingredients for the sort of book any reader will like! A great beach read, y Colleen Coble's novel enticed me to turn yet another page!<br />It has all the exciting elements a good writer instills in her/his storytelling and this author's imagination is fruitful! Wow! No time to get bored here!<br /><br />Mysteries, kidnapping, treasures, family intrigues and a beautiful old Inn in a breathtaking setting draws you in. The colourful characters revolving around this Hope Beach novel makes this a warm story and one that makes you wish you live there.<br />Living myself on a tiny island accessible only by ferry, I can understand well the appeal! Hope Beach however has one on us, they have restaurants, pizza parlour, library, fire department, postal service...Need I go on? I felt a tad jealous!<br /><br />It is however the references to God and His amazing work that makes this a most appealing story! Colleen Coble's characters know God, feels His love and meets His expectations no matter how they might fail at first try. Faith is part of her intricate story and you feel His presence throughout her novel! I like this most of all!<br /><br />I was intrigued at the extent to which a SAR (Search and Rescue) dog could trace a missing person. In this instance, 'Samson' follows a trace ON WATER, ocean water! Absolutely intriguing! Needless to say, I learned something yet again!<br /><br />A few loose ends however puzzled me...a rope around an ankle amongst others...I must mention this!<br /><br />I give it 4 stars none the less!<br />Watch Colleen Cobble next novel 'Rosemary Cottage' to be published in July 2013!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1344092313000, "title": "Upbeat!" }, { "asin": "0764208349", "rating": 3, "text": "As stories goes, 'Unending Devotion' is pleasant enough, harmless even, a tad sentimental but easily dismissed after a few chapters. I felt there was something missing from the moment I saw the novel's cover. Somehow the plot and its main characters just does not hook the reader. Even the sub characters were much more interesting!<br /><br />I struggled to feel the various emotions the author hinted at from the beginning and just had to accept this was just not my cup of tea so to speak.<br />Lily posing as a photographer's assistant with its implied paraphernalia should have been on the cover posing next to gruff Oren and perhaps a more thorough description of the lumber camps might have caught my attention. There is a striking amount of information on logging available including stunning photos even here in the Pacific North West!<br /><br />That said, I enjoyed the author's notes regarding the town of Harrison and its unsavoury residents. There is obviously a lot of historical facts recorded in the Michigan's past lumber era with the usual problems found in shanties such as alcoholism, violence, notwithstanding the origin of white slavery trade in the state, this being the most startling!<br /><br />All in all, I would recommend anyone going away this weekend to pack an extra book along unless like me, you find the historical portion enticing enough to browse internet and library files to find out more on the subjects of logging and white slavery in 1800's Michigan!<br />Interesting it was, entertaining it was not.<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1347628341000, "title": "Interesting facts about white slavery in Michigan 1883 did not make this novel any more entertaining!" }, { "asin": "0764206176", "rating": 4, "text": "I was more than ready to read a good western and 'Taming the Wind' was not a disappointment!<br />Book # 3 in the Land of the Lone Star series written by Tracie Peterson, this novel gives us a lot to reflect upon.<br />Tracie Peterson is after all a prolific writer with more than 95 novels to her credit and she writes passionately about the West. Her novels are always entertaining and clearly shows good research (loved the Longfellow poem addition!) but it also reflects her longstanding faith.<br />Each character has its definite personality: passionate, hopeful, tenacious, caring, angry, vengeful...<br />The Lone Star land is harsh, often unforgiving yet beautiful in its rawness. Homesteading was not for the faint soul!<br /><br />In her latest novel Tracie describes a little of the hardships endured by Southern sympathizers following the (US) Civil war. I for one had no idea land was confiscated simply because of allegiance.<br />Both sides lost much to the war and the resulting animosity was very much alive even after three years of peace as we see in Taming the Wind.<br />Cattle drives were dangerous enterprises, with countless obstacles including Native Americans raids, rustlers, stampedes and so on. Yet it also gave an opportunity for struggling ranchers to regain losses...<br /><br />Taming the Wind depicts not only the many facets of ranching but a sweet love story. Carissa and her little girl Gloria are both ready for better times and the young widow has not forgotten the young rancher who saved her life two years prior.<br />In turn Tyler has often thought of the young mother and child but stands to loose much if his confiscated ranch is not returned to him. He also cannot forgive the raid which took his father's life...<br /><br />Of course, God has a plan and with Tracie's flair for a good adventure, we learn love and forgiveness can be found even in these most challenging times!<br /><br />Note:<br />Just a suggestion of course: 'Chasing the Sun' and 'Touching the Sky' are pre sequels in the series well worth reading albeit the author gives a rundown in Book #3 for those of us who have not read these titles.<br />A good reason for reading more of this entertaining author!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1347987539000, "title": "Love, Forgiveness and Adventure in a Good Old Western!" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "After reading 'A Perfect Square', second book in the Shipshewana Amish Mysteries I am perfectly willing to find a special spot for any Vannetta Chapman's tomes on my bookshelves (or add another one...somewhere!)!<br />With Beth Wiseman's recommendation for this novel I knew I was in for a treat! I always like to hear an author praising another fellow writer, don't you?<br /><br />I discovered long ago the appeal of Amish genre literature but this was the first 'whodunit' for me and this one is truly a page turner! Not content with one single plot of 'whom, what , where, how and why', Vannetta Chapman blends two mysteries decades apart and links them to the present.<br /><br />With a lovely quilt shoppe tucked in the scenic background, we find Englisher and Amish living blessed lives in Shipshewana, Indiana to be as near to perfection as possible until that is, a body is found floating in a nearby pond...There is no clue to the young girl's identity.<br /><br />Callie is the owner of Daisy's Quilt, a shoppe inherited from her aunt and with canine Max is a recent transplant from Houston, Texas. Amish and Mennonite lifestyles still holds many mysteries for Callie but Amish friends Deborah, Esther and Melinda help her to adapted to her new life whilst teaching her a thing or two about quilting. With Max at her side (sporting a bandana matched to her clothing colour), Callie is definitively looking forward to her first winter in Indiana.<br /><br />When Reuben the owner of the pond is arrested for the murder by the local Chief of Police, Callie and her sleuth friends steps in to help out Reuben.<br />Meanwhile, an elderly Amish who suffers from dementia finds his way to Callie's shoppe and begs her to find his daughter who disappeared in 1965.<br />As the story develops, you find yourself experiencing many emotions as with unmistakable talent, Vannetta Chapman hones her writing skills in this novel.<br /><br />Praying Reuben's innocence will come to light despite his unwillingness to make a statement, his family and friends search for any clue to help the Amish farmer regain his freedom.<br /><br />Alternating mystery and emotional drama, and with just the slightest hint of romance in the air (including a few hilarious situations), this is a compelling book you will have a hard time to put down as each well written chapter gets better and better!<br />Vanetta's inspirational plots draws you in and reminds us that with God anything is possible! You just have to believe!<br /><br />With its excellent glossary and group questions for discussion, this makes an engaging novel to read, tucked in your favourite chair by the fireplace whilst sipping a cuppa!<br /><br />I received this book free from ZONDERVAN as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349390246000, "title": "I have become a fan of Vannetta Chapman's writing!" }, { "asin": "0800721322", "rating": 5, "text": "Absolutely delightful! 'Life with Lily', Book 1 in 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' should have been written years ago! Mary Ann and Suzanne have come up with a wonderful little gem!<br />Written primarily with younger children (ages 8-12) these are none the less stories which grown ups and children alike will love to discover! There is nothing better than reading out loud to a child and share a precious moment!<br /><br />There is an amazing amount of information betwixt these pages and I can't wait to share it with young friends. Seen through the eyes of lovely (and sometimes mischievous) 5 year old Lily, it has a fresh appeal for avid readers of Amish tales such as myself!<br /><br />We have learned much about the Amish world through wonderful stories told by such authors as Suzanne Woods Fisher herself but 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' is destined to be a favourite and best of all, one you can share with everyone!<br />Each chapter involves a new adventure in Lily's life involving family, friends, neighbours, livestock, school and so on...One look at the little face featured on the cover (for once, the cover is right on!) and your heart will be won over!<br /><br />There are of course lessons to be learned throughout it all! After all, Lily and other Amish children are in no way different from Englisher and yes, things can and will happen...I don't know if the 'cat' with the bushy tail found by Lily in the barn (priceless!) or her brother's Joseph attempt to fly will be your favourites but it certainly were mine!<br /><br />I whole heartily applaud this new series and I give it 5 stars!<br />I am looking forward to Book 2!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349636609000, "title": "Life with Lily', Book 1 in 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' should have been written years ago" }, { "asin": "0764204165", "rating": 3, "text": "After reading only the first chapter I knew I should emphazise 'Read the books in order!'. Live and learn!<br />Anyone who has read Book 1, might enjoy following 'the rest of the story' in 'Whispers In The Wind'. For once, this author however did not meet my expectations.<br /><br />The title was enticing but I struggled with the characters, some clearer than others and those were the sub characters! The actual plot was difficult to grasp despite a few 'recalled' memories and at times throughly confusing if not right down sluggish.<br />As the main character Cassie just does not grab the reader. There is plenty of action and a few interesting factors overall in the novel though (albeit I could have done without the step by step skinning/curing of an Elk for i.e.).<br /><br />As confusing as Cassie's feelings (should she?, should she not?), I found the whole story lacking 'a little je ne sais quoi'. As to any possible romantic attachment hinted at... No sparks there! (at least so far, but at the rate this story develops, it might take a few more books to find out what happens next...sigh...)<br /><br />Far from being the good Western I expected, I can only say you must a be fan of Lauraine Snelling's writing or wish to read the continuation of this story in the next installment (and the next...). I do not like loose ends but there was nothing in Book 2 that would entice me to read the rest ( I do not plan to hunt a Elk or stuff sausages anytime soon!).<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349714644000, "title": "It would be best for anyone to read Book 1 first!" }, { "asin": "1595548033", "rating": 5, "text": "'The Trouble with Cowboys' written by well known romanticist Denis Hunter and part of the 'Big Sky Romance' series will provide readers with just the sort of entertainment they might look for on a Autumnal afternoon! There is no doubt Denise Hunter gives her audience what she promised: an enjoyable alternative to the humdrum of everyday life.<br />I had the opportunity to read another of her novels (on a long layover in a faraway airport with little amenities!) called 'The Convenient Groom' and I will tell you she had me in stitches! Be sure to check her other titles!<br /><br />But back to The Trouble With Cowboys! This Christian author has a knack for the light but never fluffy sort of novel that you will gladly reach for along with a good mug of cocoa! Entertaining yet with a lesson or two (don't miss each chapter header!), a message tucked here and there and perfect to share with anyone including the younger generation!<br />Denise Hunter's books are wholesome and will win your heart!<br /><br />Montana born and raised Annie Wilkerson is an expert horse trainer, a loving sister and a great aunty. Life has dealt her a lot of responsibilities since her GrandPa died. Taking care of her wayward sister is not easy and she takes on her role of Mum seriously hoping to see her sister settle.<br />Annie does not trust cowboys: they are here today, gone tomorrow. The past has taught her to stay clear away from them.<br /><br />Easy going Dylan needs her help with his nearly blind horse and in turn, Annie could use his help with her latest assignment, a lovelorn column she feels is just not for her since she has never felt love before. So they make a deal: her equine expertise for his help with her column. Annie is struggling with financial responsibilities but promised her GrandPa she will take care of everyone and she is trying to ignore her qualms.<br />She cannot trust Dylan because he is a cowboy after all and will probably break her heart. Then again, is she judging him too quickly? Or should she let her heart and faith guide her?<br />After all, God is in charge, not Annie...<br /><br />I think we shall agree once you read this story: if Denise keeps on writing, we'll keep on reading!<br /><br />5 stars for all the good feelings this novel brought on (and a few sighs as well...)<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349901011000, "title": "This Christian author has a knack for the light but never fluffy sort of novel!" }, { "asin": "0800734173", "rating": 4, "text": "Book # 3 in the 'Winds of Change' series, 'A Love Surrendered' brings to readers the depression era and two families: The O'Connors and the Kennedys. Set in Boston in 1932, it is written with passion and will inspire all sorts of feelings. Julie Lessman knows how to grab her readers, proof that she is after all a very good author!<br /><br />Inspirational, intense and at times extremely romantic, it is none the less imperative for readers to remember the era this story draws its background from. The idea of 'me Jane, you Tarzan' might come across fiercefully at times. Let's remember that women at the time were viewed as having one place and that was in the kitchen (or bedroom and nursery). WWII soon changed this for many as they took their place in the work force in lieu of enlisted men.<br /><br />There is much to think over once you have finished reading the drama behind Annie and Steven's love story which incidentally is crisscrossed with countless O'Connor family members! I shall describe this as a clan, Irish to be exact, a large family with strong convictions and deep emotions, some volatile and quite impressive. I did not always agree with such forceful display but admit it was fitting for the era.<br />I found the setting of Ocean Pier and its boardwalk quite intriguing along with the Prohibition agents raids and speakeasies background.<br /><br />Finally, be prepared for a surprise or two towards the end (one I will admit I did not see coming!).<br />Julie Lessman is no newcomer to the writing world and she is a person of convictions herself. You soon realize her writing reflects her faith deeply. I felt she portrays her characters based on this and for that alone I highly recommend her novels to the younger generation. In a society where pressures have become too often the acceptable norm, let's applaud someone who offers deep passion with responsibility!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1350232545000, "title": "Inspirational, intense and at times extremely romantic..." }, { "asin": "1609366867", "rating": 4, "text": "The tragic sinking of the Titanic has held people's imagination worldwide particularly with Dr. Robert Ballard's discovery of the wreckage in September 1985.<br />2012 being the vessel's doomed maiden voyage's 100th anniversary produced yet again a lot of fascinating information. There is a certain mystic which surrounds the events of that dreadful day which many cannot resist and countless speculation.<br /><br />'Queen of the Waves', An American Tapestry proved to be an interesting fictional approach and I liked Janice Thompson's take on the launching of this spectacular ship as background for her novel. The author's dedication and 'In Memory of' are worth a moment of your time so I recommend you do not skip it! It set the mood for this reading and felt very much a part of all the mystery surrounding this particular moment in history.<br /><br />Janice Thompson weaves an interesting tale of fresh beginnings for two young women from very different backgrounds, (make that three in fact as you read the story) and the men who loved them. Her take on the lives entrusted on the vessel brings you an idea of the variety of its passengers and the gulf betwixt the social classes until the ship's tragic end.<br /><br />She also takes pains to describe the various emotions her characters feel as they board the Titanic giving readers a sense of witnessing for themselves a little of all its magnificence.<br />Queen of the Waves is a story of hope, love, the courage to reach out for newer and better things and faith that God will overlook the wrongs and bless the good!<br /><br />Set amidst the effervescent departure and subsequent sailing of the largest ship ever built by man, it shows a little of the amalgam of people who placed their hopes and dreams on its crossing.<br />Janice Thompson chose to introduce real people in her novel which makes it hauntingly vivid to her readers. Clearly, the sinking of the vessel will continue to fascinate people as we ponder at all its splendour and its very last moments before sinking in the depths of the cold Atlantic ocean.<br /><br />In Queen of the Waves we discover yet again the hand of the Almighty in all things! Standing on Titanic's deck and seeing the expanse of water ahead, a passenger ponders the only word that come to mind:<br /><br />\"The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.\"<br /><br />Fitting wouldn't you say?<br /><br />A shining example of Christian Fiction and worth 4 stars for its entertainment!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1350586429000, "title": "I liked Janice Thompson's take on the launching of this spectacular ship as background for her novel" }, { "asin": "0310335108", "rating": 5, "text": "'God has made you a unique design. Never forget that! Also know that God's made someone else to be your fit.'<br /><br />I think I have just read my favourite book from all of Tricia Goyer's novels and that is not an easy admission as she writes always with her heart!<br /><br />'The Memory Jar' is part of a series called 'Seven Brides For Seven Bachelors, and make no mistake, this is not 'one of those Amish stories yet again'! One distinction of Tricia Goyer's work is that everything she writes brings you something new to discover! The essence of a good writer?<br /><br />Sarah lives in Montana and works amongst Englishers as well as Amish in the West Kootenai Kraft & Grocery. Due to a tragic accident she carries a heavy burden on her shoulders and her memories are safely tucked in a little jar...Her memory jar.<br />An eventful mountain hiking trip reveals that shy Amish bachelor Jathan Scrock, is a friend she can trust and confided into. Both have unusual aspirations for their conservative community but their<br />dreams unites them in more ways than either ever hoped for.<br /><br />When Jathan is called back to the family farm in Ohio he finds his responsibilities overwhelming and fears their goal an impossible dream.<br /><br />God however has many plans for each of them and trusting Him leads to marvelous surprises!<br /><br />A beautiful story to remind you of childlike dreams and that when trusting your happiness in God's hands, the best is yet to come!<br /><br />Amish Proverb:<br /><br />'The grand essentials of happiness in this life is something to do, something to love and something to hope for.'<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1352138393000, "title": "I think I have just read my favourite book from all of Tricia Goyer's novels!" }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "What better way to put yourself in the Holiday mood than reading 'Christmas Roses' by Amanda Cabot?<br />Never insipid and always inspiring, this storyteller brings us a tale of love, hope and even a miracle set in Wyoming Territory in1882. Trust Amanda to know how to bring a little romance and a lot of faith in her readers lives!<br /><br />Celia Anderson welcomes a new boarder in her home and life suddenly takes a new turn. She might just change her mind about not remarrying but only if the man brings her something she treasures and at Christmas no less!<br /><br />With that thought in mind, I was hooked as I held this lovely hardback in my hands with its enchanting Currier & Ives illustration! You will find yourself chuckling at Mark's wincing when he is surrounded by all of Celia's treasured flowers and hold your breath as he surprises her with his carpenter's skills for a much needed gift for her home.<br /><br />The book in itself is a little treasure and you will soon be enchanted by Celia, her baby girl, the story behind Mark's wanderings in search of a missing relative and his hope to become worthy of the young widow's love!<br /><br />Be prepared for some surprises as faith demands total surrender!<br /><br />Combined with her minute attention to historical details as well as her romantic nature, Amanda Cabot brings us a warm tale of love and redemption just in time for this blessed Season!<br /><br />5 Stars and a lovely gift for the romantic on your Christmas gift list! This one is a keeper!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1353709893000, "title": "Trust Amanda to know how to bring a little romance and a lot of faith in her readers lives!" }, { "asin": "0764209787", "rating": 5, "text": "It is said that Beverly Lewis gave birth to the Amish genre in 1997 with 'The Shunning' so it will come to no surprise that her name is practically a household name! She is enduring and continually delights her readers with yet another wonderful story. 'The Bridesmaid' is no exception! The novel brings such clear imagery you will find yourself acutely a part of the plot!<br /><br />As an avid reader and an Amish genre aficionado, I found Joanna and Eben's story enticed any yearning for dreaming. Theirs is surely a match made in Heaven!<br />There is a decided attraction to learn yet another facet of Amish life and Beverly Lewis is sure to pen a lesson or two about faith and living amongst the Amish community (and Englisher!).<br />Inviting plots, attractive characters (and sub characters!) and the chance of reflecting on hopes and aspirations will delight as always.<br />Her warm heart stories are always amazing! They also make a perfect gift for anyone, young or old, on your list this Holiday Season!<br /><br />Second novel in the Hickory Hollow series, 'The Bridesmaid' tells us of a Pennsylvania alt Maidel who unbeknown to her family and community loves to write make believe stories. Joanna's attraction to Eben Troyer is warmly reciprocated but there is a glitch in their burgeoning courtship: Eben is needed on the family farm in Indiana whilst Joanna has vowed to remain part of her congregation leaving them with no choice but to part ways.<br /><br />With a lot of faith and a little help from an almost forgotten letter written by her namesake, Joanna finds that God listens and there are many blessings in her future after all.<br /><br />5 Stars as I found this story truly a joy!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1354320207000, "title": "Joanna and Eben's story enticed any yearning for dreaming!" }, { "asin": "0857212494", "rating": 5, "text": "Action packed 'Resurrect' is probably the finest Christian Science Fiction book I have read so far with David E. Stevens using his extensive military background to draw you in the suspense and leaving you wanting for more! (And for once, the cover in right on...<br /><br />Following his jet fighter crash Commander Josh Logan wakes up one year later with no knowledge of the previous year's events. Josh is no Christian but his subs conscience reveals a voice with a powerful message and what follows this entity's revelation is an amazing study of human emotions, love, compassion and determination to do the impossible.<br />You might be tempted to call it a cliff hanger as David E. Stevens' first novel is hard to put down!<br /><br />To engage the reader Stevens uses just the perfect blend of interesting personalities, intricate interactions and lively dialogues.<br />Book 1 in the Resurrect Trilogy is a novel you should not rush however allowing for the discovery of each event leading to its ultimate climax including a bit of romance. Enter Nurse Elizabeth who attends Josh during his recovery and becomes part of a team of scientists and military specialists with a sole mission, that of saving the world at any cost.<br />Who would think of a nurse with the ability of breaking into sophisticated computer systems?<br />There! Just enough information for lady readers to know there is a perfect balance in this plot allowing for interest by both sex!<br /><br />A great thriller for anyone on your Christmas list!<br /><br />5 Stars for gripping plot and technical skills!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1354634880000, "title": "A great thriller for anyone on your Christmas list!" }, { "asin": "0800719891", "rating": 5, "text": "M. K. Lapp is one of these vivid characters you find yourself hoping the author will continue to write about. She won readers' hearts in the first two books of Stoney Ridge Seasons with her mischievous ways, a delightful Amish sort of 'Anne of Green Gables', that's with an 'E' at the end of course!<br /><br />As a child you never knew what M. K. would come up with as she often act before she thought! I always felt Suzanne Woods Fisher found the perfect way to balance the lively ways of M. K. with her step Mum's Fern no nonsense approach to life, again not unlike Colleen Hurst I imagine!<br /><br />It was not surprising to discover Mary Kay Lapp, M. K. as we know her, is a favourite of Suzanne's readers. To find her grown up and yearning for adventure seemed to be just right on track and I am so glad Suzanne satisfied our curiosity! M. K. brought us such merriment with her impish ways!<br /><br />Imagine an Amish filing for a passport...Suzanne Woods Fisher has just the knack to surprise everyone! And this Amish now a bonafida bee keeper, loves to ride her little red scooter...literally running into people...first the school marm then in the mysterious Chris Yoder...When a local sheep farmer is found dead in a nearby field, M. K.'s imagination works by leaps and bounds.<br /><br />God works in mysterious ways it is said...Never more so than in M. K.'s life as we see in 'The Lesson'.<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher weaves a sweet story around the Lapp family and brings closure to some of the events we have uncovered in her other books in the series as well. I always find intriguing the entrenchment of English life into the Amish community and this author does it well.<br />And speaking of lessons, there is always something for us to learn, even the spirited new school marm...as you will see!<br /><br />Will M. K. find peace in her new direction and a touch of romance perhaps? Find out for yourself!<br /><br />5 stars for pure entertainment and looking forward to see what an older M. K. might bring us in the future!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358362470000, "title": "M. K. Lapp is one of these vivid characters you find yourself hoping the author will continue to write about." }, { "asin": "0800734602", "rating": 4, "text": "'Waiting For Spring' is Book 2 in the Westward Winds series and worth waiting for, no pun intended!<br />As we have learned to expect, Amanda Cabot brings us well researched history, warm romance, good solid faith whilst introducing yet another aspect of life challenges for a young widow in the 1800's Wyoming, that of caring for an handicapped child. She also balances her characters, main or sub characters, daily life routine, unexpected challenges and hardships thus giving us a great plot to enjoy. The heartfelt dedication of one mother who refuses to place her sight impaired toddler in an institution is guaranteed to reach out to anyone!<br /><br />'Summer of Promise' was the first chapter in Charlotte Harding Crowley's life, then living in Fort Laramie's Army outpost ( see review here) but I can attest this second book can easily be read on its own.<br />For those of us who have read however the first book, it is interesting to see where Amanda Cabot is taking her young protagonist, now a widow hiding in Cheyenne with her son from a past haunting her still.<br /><br />Charlotte has established a successful seamstress shoppe and is only too happy to find a helping hand in Rose, another young widow. Rose has a young daughter and can keep an eye on David and help in the shoppe as well.<br /><br />Whilst fitting a friend and customer Charlotte meets Barrett Landry a wealthy cattle baron who aspires to the world of politics, even becoming the next governor of Wyoming. It is soon apparent however neither one can deny their feelings for each other yet Barrett's successful future demands a wife and companion without a shady past and Charlotte is hiding from something or someone...<br /><br />Then again, perhaps politics is not a guarantee of Barrett's happiness..His cattle are facing a bitter winter and his heart is not in it.<br />Will each of the protagonists listen to his/her heart despite the rough road ahead?<br /><br />This is another historical romance you may recommend to any one, no matter the age! Amanda Cabot is certain to entertain any romantic soul or even the most skeptic of heart!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358546709000, "title": "'Waiting for Spring' was worth waiting for, no pun intended!" }, { "asin": "0800719867", "rating": 4, "text": "I anticipated this book for its subject, that of midwifing set in the 19th Century Appalachian mountains. 'Choices of the Heart' is book 3 in the Midwives series written by author Laurie Alice Eakes and a page turner for anyone interested in the past. She has proven herself an excellent researcher and never disappoints with her historical facts. There is still something intriguing in the profession of midwives and whilst having met with controversy often in the past, there is no doubt there is to date much of a demand for such skills.<br /><br />Laurie Alice Eakes' writing is full of life and there is no denying she brings to her readers a vivid image of the Appalachian people who moved to these mountains long ago, a large portion of them having crossed the Atlantic from the green hills of Ireland and the Highlands of Scotland. They brought with them little more than the clothes on their back and their amazing survival skills.<br />The richness of their music, folk tales, herbal doctoring and their legendary feuds still fascinates people to this day. This author found the ideal way to weave a good story amongst all these with 'Choices of the Heart'!<br /><br />Esther is the belle of Seabourne until a dreadful event occurs and she finds herself subject to shunning. Despite her family's heartfelt support, she seeks new beginnings and accepts a post as teacher to the youngest children of two families in the Mountains. Her task is to help them to fit in society befitting their newest financial status.<br />There however she meets two men, both attractive, yet her heart belongs to no one as her shame is a constant reminder of her past. Esther believes God has forsaken her and shies away from any physical contact with her admirers.<br /><br />For all that I was fascinated by the author's descriptions of this beautiful land and its inhabitants, their folklore and skills, the many period details, I was not so enamoured of her main protagonist. I felt something missing in this bittersweet story, too many characters however colourful and not enough consistency in the overall story line. At the end, I still had questions, to be answered in yet another chapter of the 'Midwives series', this one about a doctor perhaps?<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358634910000, "title": "Always well researched!" }, { "asin": "0800721330", "rating": 5, "text": "'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' series started with a resounding success as seen in 'Life With Lily' (see review here) so I was not surprised to see 'A New Home For Lily', Book two, my own 5 stars rating shared by many readers!<br /><br />Betwixt Suzanne Woods Fisher and Mary Ann Kinsinger there is a perfect chemistry to bring the Amish genre a young appeal! Let's hope those two talented authors will continue to treat us!<br /><br />One look at the lovely six years old featured on their book covers is enough to tantalize us in discovering what else the smiling little girl has come up with since the first book!<br />Albeit geared to the 8 to 12 years old audience, Lily introduces readers of all ages to a whole new way to see the Amish community! Her spontaneity is so refreshing, I can think of nothing else than to suggest you pick up your own copy!<br /><br />Through Lily's eyes we see what happens to her family as they move to another state to be nearer their closest relatives.<br />Lily no longer has her own bedroom, her bed now tucked in a corner in the hallway. Her new house has a sad olive green hue, the barn sorely needs repairs, her school mates includes a bully and her new community has a completely different set of rules!<br />Lily has to get used to her new life and does not like it much.<br /><br />On the other end, there is so much to explore and have fun with, including Grand Pa's lumber mill with its big sawdust pile to play in!<br />Her Dad acquires four goats to add to Jenny, Mum's lovely Swiss cow, her new teacher is very nice and Lilly's new baby brother Paul is so cute...<br /><br />It is the countless little details the two authors have included in their stories which gives it additional appeal such as when poor Lily hits her thumb with a hammer and Mum dissolves aspirin in water for her to soak her sore finger to relieve the pain or when Mum must sew a whole new set of clothes for everyone in the family as the new community has different rules than the previous one.<br /><br />What better way to introduce youngsters to the Amish way of life (and share some quality family time)!<br /><br />'A New Home For Lily' is sure to delight everyone, young and old! Ladies, we are looking forward to the next story!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1360363970000, "title": "A New Home For Lily' is sure to delight everyone, young and old!" }, { "asin": "0800720733", "rating": 5, "text": "Combining a dynamic plot with spirited characters, Ann Shorey gives us a lasting historical novel in 'When The Heart Heals', guaranteed to be enjoyed by her loyal fans.<br />This latest installment in her series 'Sisters At Heart' provides her readers with the perfect blend of romance and mystery, woven across a troubled historical background, the lean and hungry years following the Civil War.<br /><br />Rosemary Saxon joins the practice of Dr. Elijah Stewart in Noble Springs, Missouri in early 1867. Two years have gone by since the end of the Civil war but there are still many wounds to be healed, not all physical. Despite her experience caring for soldiers or perhaps because of it, Rosemary is seen as an outsider in the community and times are already hard for any woman alone.<br />Rosemary finds joy in nursing and despite his earlier misgivings about her skills in herbal lore, Dr. Stewart soon learns to rely on her. In turn, she remembers well the younger doctor who deeply cared about his patients in a time of grievous conflict.<br /><br />These days, Rosemary's sole family in town, consists of her brother Curt and his wife Fay, her constant companion her faithful dog Bodie. When others needs her help, she finds herself at a crossroad and choices must be made.<br />As a result Rosemary fears she might lose something very precious just as she found a measure of happiness. However she is not the only one with concealed secrets and when she becomes the object of threats, Rosemary must learn to trust again and ask for help.<br /><br />A beautiful story reflecting God's love and forgiveness for all, Ann Storey's second book in the series follows 'Where Wildflowers Bloom' (see review HERE), but can be read as a stand alone.<br />I now join her many fans in asking when will the next installment be published ?!<br /><br />Suitable for any age, 'When The Heart Heals' is worth 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1361319622000, "title": "Combining a dynamic plot with spirited characters here is another novel by Ann Shorey!" }, { "asin": "0800795547", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on the synopsis alone, I believe you will agree with me the title was well chosen: 'Outrageous Courage: What God Can Do with Raw Obedience & Radical Faith!<br />Kris and Jason Vallotton (Father and Son) write a dramatic story about a real life follower of Christ, following a compelling introduction of Kris' first meeting with Tracy Evans almost thirty years ago.<br /><br />A Christian Medical missionary Tracy Evans is indeed a remarkable person if you consider her exodus through 64 countries, from the tough streets of L.A. to North California's mountainous area, the Philippines, Kiribati and finally the Mozambique bush (see website @ iReachAfrica!) and always making a difference.<br /><br />But as remarkable as Tracy's story is, I cannot agree with the authors' suggestion we can become just like her 'with a little courage and belief'.<br />Just a reminder of course: Paul the Apostle teaches (1 Corinthians Chapter 12:8-10) not all of us display the same selfless abilities, and regardless of our courage and beliefs, not all of us can be as passionate as Tracy Evans in our quest to make a difference in the world!<br /><br />Never the less, this missionary's inspiring deeds are described in such a heartfelt way you know immediately this is a courageous person who systematically walks in Christ's footsteps no matter the hazards.<br />Kris and Jason Vallotton shows through this account Evans' work and how her unwavering faith has touched many and relieved suffering and poverty, always in His name.<br /><br />Understandingly at times sad but always hopeful, this real life account is perhaps not for everyone but worth at least 4 stars.<br /><br />Note to readers: Additional information on the Ministries of IReachAfrica can be found (HERE)<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1362695988000, "title": "Tracy Evans' compassionated deeds throughout the world." }, { "asin": "080072089X", "rating": 3, "text": "In 'Moonlight Masquerade' Lady Celine Wexham, leading member of London's Bon Ton and a widowed Countess of French origin, lives the life of most emigres in early 1800's. She holds intimate meetings in her boudoir and gives dinner parties and balls gathering any information she might be able to pass on to French Royalists to reinstate the rightful throne.<br />It is 1813 and Napoleon, facing a massive defeat in the harsh winter of Russia, orders a retreat of the Imperial army after losing thousands of French soldiers on the battlefield.<br />The Comte de Provence, brother to the late beheaded King Louis XVI is not the ideal choice for the Royal throne but better him than the self proclaimed Emperor.<br />Lady Celine, Valentine, her supercilious Abigail (slang aside, only an older servant would be allowed such an acerbic attitude) and Gaspard, her French Cook are part of a spy ring.<br />Rees, the object of Celine's interest is none other than her own Butler. An ambitious young man and a devoted Christian, recently pulled from an obscure department of the Home Office in part due to his linguistic talents, Rees' task is to spy on his mistress with the express purpose of implicating her in the conspiracy if such exists and report to his superior.<br /><br />Danger lurks and he soon finds himself battling his loyalties as Celine 'with her 'brandy hue irises' eyes touches his heart...Does anyone else remember Barbara Cartland's novels?<br />None of the characters are likely to provide much entertainment in this slow historical romance but if light, fluffy and harmless is your preferred choice, you will enjoy Moonlight Masquerade!<br />The portrayal of the Masquerade ball held at the Comte de Provence exiled court even defied my imagination with its lackluster details and the overall impression was soporific!<br /><br />Finally, I saw little of the 'witty, fast paced dialogue or infectious intrigue' mentioned in the synopsis and if this novel was in fact a music sheet, it would read as humming...It droned on and on... The few historical notes such as the mention of William Wilberforce as dinner guest at one of her lavish parties, or Voltaire's quotes, a man of note in himself, brings no relief to this plot.<br />I hardly think it necessary to dust my shelves for this novel!<br /><br />Regretfully, 3 (generous) stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1362863452000, "title": "If light, fluffy and harmless is your preferred choice, you will enjoy Moonlight Masquerade!" }, { "asin": "0800795520", "rating": 5, "text": "'Learning to Love' reflects a true love story, one that you will identify immediately with Jesus' love as shown in His earthly ministry! Make no mistake, Heidi and Rolland Baker are two exceptional people: nothing and I mean nothing will stop them from doing God's work, not even opposition from the world's evil side!<br /><br />As both husband and wife relate heartfelt stories, some humourous, some sad, each one compelling you to see God's work through them, you will feel their amazing love for their fellowmen.<br />Healing and faith pours out of them as they continually rescue babies, reach out in His name to help heal the blind, the deaf, and even hear the dumb speak.<br /><br />Co-founders of Iris Ministries, this incredible duo brings hope and care to thousands all over Mozambique, providing daily care for no less than 10,000 children. Their extended network includes over 10,000 churches, Bible schools, primary schools and remote outreach programs.<br />What a joy for them that many converts become ministers, lay preachers and teachers working all over the world!<br /><br />Their message:<br /><br />LOVE IS food and comfort to a ten year old amputee, abandoned on the side of the road.<br /><br />LOVE IS a new roof for an elderly widow installed before the rainy season.<br /><br />LOVE IS sharing hope with the homeless man on your street corner.<br /><br />'God is not just moving in distant lands and if you are willing, He will do amazing things through your love when you stop for the one in front of you, it is that simple!'<br /><br />A book to experience and reach out in HIS name to those who need YOU!<br /><br />5 Stars for its message, none better presented than today, the first of this Holy week!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS & CHOSEN BOOKS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1364252537000, "title": "This incredible duo brings hope and care to thousands all over Mozambique!" }, { "asin": "0764206192", "rating": 4, "text": "My first novel by Tracie Peterson was Book #3 in the 'Land of the Lone Star' series entitled 'Taming the Wind' (see review HERE), a good Western in itself and proof yet again this well published author has always something new up her sleeve!<br />Easy to read, entertaining and with just enough historical facts to give even this quickly bored reader something to ponder about, her novels reflect a wholesomeness and faith readers of any age will enjoy.<br /><br />The Icecutter's Daughter's jacket alone was eye catching: I love raised lettering and the image and colours were a strong pull in my choice for reading it, in fact as much as the resume (I know, I know, you should never judge a book by its cover but the series' name alone 'Land of Shining Water' was striking!).<br /><br />Icecutting was a vast industry in the US before machinery overtook this skilled art and I was curious to see what Tracie might have dug out when she wrote her historical fiction about two young people, destined to be together yet separated by lies and scandal.<br /><br />Merrill has always seen to the needs of her large, mostly male family and her German ancestry is as much a part of her life as Rurik's Swedish roots are his. Tracie weaves a convincing tale about their budding love amidst Nordic traditions and deep faith, wrongs to be righted and duties to their families.<br /><br />As always you may depend on this author's for the myriad of details which makes this tale a sweet read on these cold and rainy Spring evenings this Pacific NW coastline is known for!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS & CHOSEN BOOKS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1365702853000, "title": "Just the name of the series 'Land of Shining Water' was eye catching!" }, { "asin": "0824932463", "rating": 4, "text": "Sunflower Summer and Seaside Harmony, both novels part of the 'Postcards from Misty Harbor series', are drawn against the alluring scenery of quintessential Nantucket island. There we meet three sisters who purchase a dilapidated Victorian home with visions of restoring it to its original glory. The historical inn named the Misty Harbor Inn, soon opens its doors to guests as a B & B, a long time dream of their Mum now deceased.<br />Childhood memories emerge, hopes and dreams identifieds whilst the three sisters plunge into the renovation of the old place with all their heart.<br /><br />In their sixties, Caroline, Gracie and Sam bring each their own brand of talents to this endearing work of love and it is interesting to discover the three sisters individual personas as well as their perception of each other as they slowly bond again.<br /><br />Let's face it, we have all dreamed of owning such a place and arrange it lovingly whilst welcoming guests, have we not? Think of the fun of meeting people coming and going in your own inn?!<br />There is however a lot more to it than we might imagine and Evangeline Kelley (actually the pen name for 4 different authors) describes the bittersweet ups and downs of owning a piece of history, complete with mysteries, including a disappearance in the 1800's!<br /><br />With just the right amount of details to pique our interest the renovation comes to life and answers are found if sought. As we are often reminded, the good Lord has something in store for each of us and the sisters are discovering their true self in these adventures.<br /><br />Complete with interesting sub characters, a touch of sweet romance, a wonderful ol' Packard to transport guests and a delightful if mischievous Cocker Spagniel named Max, both easy to read novels are the perfect relaxing novels to tuck in your beach bag!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />Note to Readers: A confession must be made...This reader felt drawn immediately to Sunflower Summer's story and I would like to recommend you read the novels in order, with Seaside Harmony first!<br /><br />I received these books from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1367440928000, "title": "Relaxing novels set against quintessential Nantucket island!" }, { "asin": "1451692374", "rating": 5, "text": "Most readers will agree, some books just stand out and this one is definitively ranking in the top ten of my list of most entertaining. A keeper and one I would suggest to anyone looking for a gift!<br />Deanne's vivavious description of a sweet romance amidst the 1893's World Fair was the perfect enticement for some 'me' time. I was totally immersed in her descriptive of this period and credit the story of Della and Cullen with a few dreams of my own. Well done!<br /><br />A perfect combination of historical facts and fiction, It Happened At The Fair reflects the wealth of love and care this author puts in her writing. It also brings to readers a marvelous fountain of information and even photos of this world event!<br />Whilst she has taken a few liberties, all clearly acknowledge in the afterword, the author was undoubtdedly as stimulated by the fair as I was when I first heard of it. As a cultural and social event, the world fair of 1893 was a tremendous influence on the 20th Century and a complete success. With 6.8 millions visitors in attendance, the exposition located on the shores of Lake Michigan provided a template for other events and changed America forever with its astonishing legacy. Nothing ever compared to it as it gave new perspectives for the world of commerce and technology.<br /><br />Della and Cullen's story blends in this grandiose background yet gives an opportunity for readers to feel their touching romance. Obviously a true romantic at heart, Deanne describes Della's position as a teacher working with the Deaf at a time when too often a deaf person was ostrasized for signing. Cullen in turn is the young farmer turned inventor who is struggling with a hearing loss.<br /><br />Deanne Gist proved to be a superb historical fiction writer which coupled with her discernebly romantical temperament, gives readers a captivating love story you will not want to miss!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />I received this book from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1368144831000, "title": "Deanne's vivavious description of a sweet romance amidst the 1893's World Fair was the perfect enticement for some 'me' time." }, { "asin": "0764209795", "rating": 5, "text": "Leave it to the matriarch of the Amish genre to come up with yet another gem! Since she first began to entertain us with stories of this cloistered community, Beverly Lewis has repeatedly captivated fans and acquired many new readers with her insight into this mysterious world few of us has seen and understand.<br /><br />In 'Home To Hickory Hollow', Book # 3 'The Guardian' we discover a strong willed little Amish girl named Sarah and Jodi, the troubled young woman who finds the little darling when she tumbles out of her Mum's buggy and gets lost.<br /><br />Beverly Lewis systematically introduces us to many facets of the Old Order Amish community we know little or next to nothing such as intermarriages and deriving genetic disorders or their reluctance to involve the authorities even in the case of a missing child.<br />I was surprised at the 'no pets allowed in a household' preference but cannot but marvel at their strong sense of community and survival in an ever encroaching English world.<br />The concept of an outsider being not only accepted in such a tight community as a close friend but also hired to teach their children even on a temporary basis was definitively unexpected.<br /><br />Always at her best when she describes the ties that draw people together no matter their origins, Beverly Lewis approaches the subject of pain and loneliness which occurs after losing loved ones.<br />For Maryanna Esh, Joshua Peachey and Jodi Winfield, there is a lesson to be learned as long as they have faith!<br /><br />\"The soul yearns for tranquility but the only real peace comes from communing with God.\"<br /><br />Returning readers will enjoy meeting old friends such as Ella Mae the Wise Woman and her down to earth approach to life but never fear this 'Home To Hickory Hollow' story stands on its own!<br /><br />5 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1369505389000, "title": "Always at her best when she describes the ties that draw people together!" }, { "asin": "0764209663", "rating": 5, "text": "Karen Witemeyer packs a whole lot of punch in this fun Christian novel and brings readers a story guaranteed to make you dream about the Old West!<br />The very idea of a father going to such lenghs to please his daughter was genial! 'Stealing the Preacher is everything the synopsis promised and more!<br /><br />Karen Witemeyer's style is vivacious and the perfect antidote to hum drum evenings (Forget the telly, move over John Wayne!). Her novels gives you the opportunity to grasp a keen appreciation for the Old West, luxuriate in a little romance, relish in humour riddled dialogue and encounter a whole lot of faith. Not bad for 352 pages!<br /><br />'Stealing the Preacher' starts on a humourous note with the kidnapping of unsuspecting Crockett Archer, en route to what he hopes will be his first appointment as a full time parson! Silas and his bunch of grey hair, long in the tooth outlaws forcibly removes him from the train and unceremoniously drops him at daughter's Joanna' feet as her birthday gift!<br /><br />From the onset 'Stealing the Preacher' is a series of wholesome fortuity and a celebration of faith! Joanna and Crockett seemed destined to be together of course. That is if Joanna's father will set aside his differences with the Lord and allow true love to progress. Silas has been a honest rancher for the last 16 years but his past might just come back to haunt him.<br /><br />Sweet Joanna is everything Crockett needs at this time as a partner in his life as he breathes life in his new found congregation. Hired as a ranch hand, he hopes to earn Silas' approval and works harder than anyone. If he can bring Silas to the Lord, he might just be able to ask for Joanna's hand.<br /><br />A fast paced delightful novel to enjoy with your whole heart and soul! Kate Witemeyer is going on my list of favourite authors!<br /><br />I received this book from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1371328423000, "title": "'Stealing the Preacher is everything the synopsis promised and more!" }, { "asin": "0764209566", "rating": 4, "text": "'Love in Disguise' was my first novel by Carol Cox (see review HERE) and I looked forward to see what Carol had in store for her readers with 'Trouble in Store'.<br /><br />Clearly inspired by her beautiful surroundings - not unlike the one her protagonist finds upon her arrival out West - Carol Cox takes us this time from Marietta, Ohio Circa 1885 to Cedar Ridge, Arizona Territory. A mercantile store against this interesting backdrop becomes the setting of this new adventure!<br /><br />As is her custom, the author blends a good western with a little mystery rounded up with a bit of romance, just what most of us look for to discover in a Historical Fiction.<br /><br />Melanie Ross is nothing but determined to start afresh in Cedar Ridge as Caleb Nelson soon discovers both of them might very well be co-owners of the mercantile store he inherited from his Uncle.<br /><br />Caleb and his son Levi have only been four months in town but they are settling in and do not want to see the persistent young woman interfering in the running of the mercantile store. Melanie however is full of ideas to expend their inventory and create more sales.<br />When threats in the form of missives are discovered, Melanie first assumes Caleb is behind it all.<br /><br />In the meantime in an attempt to take things in hand, Caleb devises a plan to see Melanie married off, a sure way to not have her underfoot but the plan backfires when dozen of callers offers matrimony to the comely newcomer and she finds out who is behind it all.<br /><br />Entertaining if slightly predictable, 'Trouble in Store' has a lesson or two for us to uncover...including the danger in gossiping which in this case might endanger the lives of our characters! This is after all the West and bad news travels faster than a herd of spooked cattle!<br /><br />4 stars!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program and an Ebook version from BAKER PUBLISHING GROUP (through the Social Sharing Contest). I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1372111366000, "title": "As is her custom, the author blends a good western with a little mystery rounded up with a bit of romance!" }, { "asin": "1414349319", "rating": 5, "text": "Duty and Honour calls at any level and this latest Christian offering by TYNDALE PUBLISHERS is well worth a moment of your time!<br /><br />RENEGADE, Book 2 in the 'Called To Serve' series follows Pike Morgan, a maverick who has been in and out of trouble for many years. Growing up in the Foster Care system of course has not helped his rebellious side. When his best friend is killed by a gang, Pike agrees to testify and enters the Witness Protection program.<br />Now a Marine reservist called to active duty, Pike Morgan is sent to Afghanistan where his fighting skills proves him to be a survivor when a regular rescue mission turns grievously wrong and becomes the biggest challenge of his life.<br /><br />Mel Odom might have well written just another of those war novels if it was not for the fact he cleverly deals with duty and honour infused with a great amount of faith! There are some excellent Christian values in this plot particularly for single parent families, as we realize Pike's past haunts him and emotional ties scares him. No man is an island after all!<br /><br />Well worth reading, RENEGADE is packed with action most favoured by men but also the sort of 'feel good' times women relate to and as such, provides great material for family/group discussions.<br /><br />With over 140 books to his active in various genres, Mel Odom proves to be a versatile author certain to grab your attention and whilst this 2nd novel in the series starts rather slowly, the narration builds up steadily! The only negative might be that some of the (interesting) characters appeared to be left in limbo, material for a future novel perhaps?<br /><br />Finally, a word of caution: Understandably, the author could not escape the harsh realities of war so there is a certain amount of violence leading me to recommend this novel for mature readers only!<br /><br />5 Stars!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from TYNDALE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1372886624000, "title": "Mel Odom proves to be a versatile author certain to grab your attention!" }, { "asin": "0310730538", "rating": 5, "text": "An amazing recount of survival in horrendous conditions, Alone Yet Not Alone is an action packed book preteens and teens will appreciate for the dramatic events this courageous family encountered!<br />Life in 1755 was hardly easy for those living on the frontier bordering the mountains of Pennsylvania. For most, this represented however the only opportunity for freedom from indentured servitude or slow starvation in the old country.<br /><br />Based on true facts this tale recalls the story of a group of children captured by Indians and taken far into the wilderness to become members of their tribe.<br />But there is where this inspirational story truly begins! What sets Barbara and Regina apart are their unwavering faith in God and their belief in each other.<br /><br />Separated, each girl is inducted in the Allegheny tribe and continuously look for ways to escape. When eventually the right time emerges, theirs become the stuff of legend as they made their escape with other captives!<br /><br />Pursued by their captors unrelentlessly, these children eventually found their way back to their families. This is their story, an extraordinary tale of survival filled with Christian values and biblical teaching!<br /><br />Author's Tracy Leininger Craven love for History is immediately apparent in this debut novel you will not want to miss!<br /><br />Note to Readers: Be sure to read the acknowledgements (and find out about Tracy's first draft of this story at age 9!) and check out the Discussion/questions!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from FLYBY PROMOTIONS as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1377797046000, "title": "Their survival become the stuff of legend!" }, { "asin": "1433680459", "rating": 5, "text": "By far one of the most meaningful children stories I have read in a long time, AUDREY BUNNY reminded me immediately of another time, another little girl and her own bunny...This review is for us Dearest...<br /><br />Lovingly illustrated by talented Breezy Brookshire this story reminds us that whilst we might have some imperfections, we are all children of God and loved!<br /><br />AUDREY BUNNY will capture each child's imagination (Warning: as a direct result, parents might find themselves buying a soon to be much loved stuffed friend!) as we see that Caroline knew exactly what she wanted when stepping in the toy shoppe!<br />Loved at first sight, AUDREY BUNNY is so happy to be adopted by Caroline but very much afraid her own imperfection once discovered means she will be rejected.<br /><br />My favourite moment:<br />'Bunny peeked over the animals in the barrel. It was her! It was the same little girl from a few days ago. She straightened her ears as high as they would go and squeezed her eyes shut as the little girl walked in her direction. She was too nervous to look. Could today be the day she got picked?'<br /><br />Author Angie Smith finds just the right words to reassure little ones (and big ones) that we are special in our own way!<br /><br />An amazing work of love, geared for 4 to 8 years old, it is a story you will treasure and hopefully share with all your loved ones! This one Folks is meant to be on a special shelf to be read over and over!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />Note to Readers: Great news! Audrey Bunny is now #1 in Christian Children's Books at Amazon.com!<br /><br />I received a copy of this title from FLYBY PROMOTIONS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1383064676000, "title": "A story sure to be treasured for years to come!" }, { "asin": "0824956478", "rating": 5, "text": "Beautifully illustrated by talented Christine Kornacki (Remember The First Christmas Night?) The Sparkle Box is a marvelous story to teach little ones (and old ones) the true meaning of Christmas!<br /><br />In this heartfelt message storyteller Jill Hardie brings us a delightful story sure to become a tradition in this upcoming Holiday Season.<br /><br />Beginning with the message: &#34;You are the light of the world -- Make it sparkle!&#34;, this book includes a pop up sparkle box for young readers to fill in with little slips of papers highlighting their 'gifts' as they share with others in His name!<br /><br />The unfolding story focuses on random acts of kindness, what we can give instead of what we receive thus allowing even the smallest child of understanding the joy involved in helping others.<br /><br />Be ready though for a lot of questions arising from the story such as being homeless and hungry. Each unique illustration and the accompanying wording will bring a new subject to discuss with your family!<br /><br />A book to treasure and rediscover year after year!<br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />Note to Readers:<br /><br />This review was not requested and reflects my opinion only!", "timestamp": 1385855900000, "title": "The Sparkle Box is a marvelous story to teach little ones (and old ones) the true meaning of Christmas!" }, { "asin": "140168968X", "rating": 4, "text": "We all have favourites in literature and Mr. Knightley happens to be the leading Austen male character I like best.<br />I was intrigued by the title of Dear Mr. Knightley (more than the bromidic cover) and the format of the novel: letters written to a sponsor willing to give a chance to someone who most needed a friend!<br /><br />Katherine Reay's first novel is impressive! Her plotline is faultless and I loved to discover the letters Sam is writing in which she reveals so much of herself.<br />I think most reviewers will agree it was easy to identify the benevolent sponsor but it was intriguing to see how far the author would lead her main character without revealing his/her identity!<br /><br />An enjoyable read which includes bonus material perfect for group readers.<br />If you are looking for a good romance to bestow on a favourite friend or family member, here is the ticket!<br /><br />4 Stars!", "timestamp": 1386187174000, "title": "A good romance to bestow on a favourite friend or family member this Holiday Season!" }, { "asin": "0890517908", "rating": 5, "text": "I can almost hear the comments...&#34;Here we go again!&#34;...&#34;Must be the season?!&#34; &#34;Blah, Blah, Blah&#34; etc...<br />But seriously Folks, did you ever wonder if 25 December was in fact Christ's actual birth day or if He was truly laid in a manger or perhaps if Christmas is in fact based on a Pagan holiday? If you have asked yourself any or all of these questions and a myriad more - and found little no answers -, this book is for you! Here is the Christian response to a world often warring traditions and the Bible!<br /><br />To have a better understanding of the real Christmas, its traditions and often misconceptions, this compilation by General Editor Bodie Hodge is going to be just what you have been looking for!<br /><br />Personally I have always wonder at the star leading the wise men from the East to the exact spot in the little town of Bethlehem where our Saviour was born...Then there is the significance of Jesus' name, even the X in Xmas is detailed as well as an explanation of the virgin birth...<br /><br />THE WAR ON CHRISTMAS includes twenty three chapters, beautifully illustrated and packed with all sorts of revelations, including end notes and references making it a true Christmas encyclopedia!<br /><br />The perfect gift for any parent, youth instructor or church library and well worth 5 stars!<br /><br />I received a copy of this title from HANDLEBAR to review . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1387236636000, "title": "Excellent references making it a true Christmas encyclopedia!" }, { "asin": "1414389752", "rating": 4, "text": "Pam Hillman's affinity for the Old West is felt from the very beginning of Claiming Mariah.<br />I always enjoy a good story about life in the West by such as Louis L'Amour and Zane Grey but this book negate the adage that writing westerns is solely a man's world, Pam Hillman's second novel is certainly proof of that!<br /><br />The heart warming introduction by the author is one that will set your imagination to run:<br /><br />'I originally wrote Slade to be larger than life, but first readers scoffed at his amazing broad shoulders, a 6 ft 4&#34; frame, gorgeous green eyes, large hands that can soothe a small child, manhandle an ornery cow or bring a newborn calf in the world but I know the truth....That man does exit, I married him.'<br /><br />Set in the state of Wyoming in the Spring of 1882 the arresting plot line has just the right ingredients to satisfy any reader: adventure, mystery, revenge, love and a good dose of solid faith, the sort you need to get through even the toughest days. It also portrays the kind of men and women who built this country despite or perhaps because of the odds!<br /><br />Seth Malone and Jack Donovan were once mates but treachery separated the men. Now that both have passed away, Malone's daughter Mariah and Slade, Jack's son are left to see that justice is met.<br /><br />Claiming Mariah brings to life the best and the worst of a wild west, a lawless epoch where a man and a woman defined riches through the land they owned and fought to defend it and their loved ones no matter the cost!<br /><br />Great entertainment and earning 4 stars!<br /><br />Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book courtesy of LITFUSE as part of this book promotion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1397770027000, "title": "This book negate the adage that writing westerns is solely a man's world!" }, { "asin": "1401689124", "rating": 5, "text": "Inspired by real events and accounts by two survivors of Berlin's brutal occupation of the Red Army, Daisies Are Forever is a story of sheer tenacity and faith that will grasp you with good historical research and a breathtaking plot line.<br /><br />Gisela yearns for the life she had in the US before her parents moved back to Germany. It is now 1945 and she has no idea if her family still lives. The Russians will reach their town in a matter of days if not hours when her cousin Ella entrusts her with her two young daughters, leaving Ella to care for their Grandfather. Gisela joins other refugees on the road hoping to reach Berlin only to make the most unlikely encounter as she meets two escaped POW's.<br /><br />The author leaves nothing unsaid and gives the facts as there were witnessed. Spring of 1945 brought unrelenting Allied bombardments over Germany, rationing was near starvation and the German army yielded no mercy to deserters and their families.<br />With the Russians unleashing terrible revenge on the population, Germans felt completely abandoned and fearing the invaders' assaults, women and young girls resolved to commit suicide.<br />Nothing but rubble remains of Berlin but Gisela and her little family of refugees fight to survive, their fate in God's hands as the guns and Stalinorgels continue to be heard.<br /><br />Liz Tolsma 'Snow on the Tulips' has proven she has a solid writing style and with Daisies are Forever, we can assume she will continue to provide her readers with interesting Christian historical fiction.<br /><br />This is a story of survival in a world gone mad, where every breath might be your last, where nothing makes sense anymore and no one can be trusted. It is also a time of a daring last ditch effort to save those dearest to your heart and where only God hears fervent prayers.<br /><br />5 Stars!<br /><br />Note: Due to thematic material, more suitable to older teens and mature readers.<br /><br />Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book courtesy of LITFUSE as part of its promotion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1400607118000, "title": "With 'Snow on the Tulips' and 'Daisies Are Forever', Tolsma proved she has a solid writing style!" } ]

[ { "asin": "0764208659", "rating": 5, "text": "City On Our Knees written by TobyMac is one of these books I guarantee will make you think!<br /><br />Because of my limited (financial) resources I find myself not always able to help out others as much as I would love to. Like all of us, I need sometime to be shown the light!<br /><br />In his book, TobyMac reminds us about those many people across the world who do not just give financially but also time, talents, love and compassion, even experiences, all that God in His infinite wisdom has bestowed upon us.<br /><br />There is no doubt TobyMac's lyrics are uplifting so using his music, biblical passage and quotes of Christians past and present, he shows us how to meet the needs of those around us. In fact he uses incredible examples of how people serve God everywhere and how even the youngest amongst us can do His mighty work!<br /><br />City on our knees is an inspiring tome well written and warmly documented. Anytime you believe you are not doing enough for His Kingdom you will find within its pages just enough fuel to light up your fires and do God's work. I was glad of the opportunity to read this book and my family and I rated it 4 1/2 stars!<br /><br />If you gotta start somewhere why not here<br />If you gotta start sometime why not now<br />If we gotta start somewhere I say here<br />If we gotta start sometime I say now<br /><br />(From City On Our Knees lyrics by TobyMac)<br /><br />Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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.\"", "timestamp": 1287021327000, "title": "Inspiring and well written!" }, { "asin": "078523120X", "rating": 5, "text": "When Booksneeze offered the possibility to review this latest book of Andy Andrews I immediately acccepted.<br />I very much enjoyed The Heart mender which I also reviewed here.<br />The 11th of April (posting schedule) came and went and I will first tell you, this is one book not to be rushed.<br />Andy Andrews has this particular knack for involving the reader body and soul in his books!<br />The Final Summit was a hard one to put down and I was not disappointed: I very much enjoyed reading it!<br /><br />\"Many years have passed since David Ponder discovered the Seven Decisions during a divine journey through time. Now 74 years old, Ponder has lost the one thing that mattered to him most--his wife, Ellen. Despite his personal and professional success, he now sits alone at the top of his 55-story high-rise contemplating the unthinkable, just as he did 28 years ago.<br /><br />However, just as things are looking their darkest, Ponder is informed through divine channels that he is needed now more than ever. This is mankind's last chance. Millennia of avarice, pride, and hate have sent humanity hurtling toward inevitable disaster, and far from its original purpose. There is only one solution that can reset the compass and right the ship--and it is only two words. Ponder, along with a cast of famous historical figures, must work quickly to discover this solution. The fate of the world rests on their shoulders.\"<br /><br />This is a book I recommend you read slowly and ponder upon. Andy Andrews's faith and knowledge of History, his very definition of human tendency's to ignore certain signs and rewrite this history to make it easier to understand will make you think again upon what you thought you knew about our world!<br />\"What does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization?\"<br /><br />Here is the question: When Time is running out and you must decide what to do when you do not know what to do... Which of the Seven Decisions would you think the most important? (no hinting, you must read it and discovered for yourself!)<br /><br />But I will tell you however my favourite...From Union Colonel Joshua Chamberlain who hastily wrote the words, \"I am a person of action\" on a scrap of paper.<br />Clearly, this is a book you must \"experience\" and Andy Andrews has woven a well written story that will leave you indeed pondering. Each chapter will inspire you to involve yourself and add your name to the \"personal declaration\"!<br />Time travelling in itself is of course always enticing and meeting other travellers whom might find a way to change the world...Oh the Dreams...<br /><br />Finally I will recommend heartily the Author's notes and the reader's guide to help you of course to discover even more about other Travellers...Who knew?<br /><br />I give this one 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Booksneeze as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br /><br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1303409632000, "title": "So many questions...and the Dreams..." }, { "asin": "082543310X", "rating": 5, "text": "Publisher's description:<br /><br />Fifteen-year-old Julien Losier just wants to fit in. But after his family moves to a small village in central France in hopes of outrunning the Nazis, he is suddenly faced with bigger challenges than the taunting of local teens.<br />Nina Krenkel left her country to obey her father's dying command: Take your brother and leave Austria. Burn your papers. Tell no one you are Jews. Alone and on the run, she arrives in Tanieux, France, dangerously ill and in despair.<br />Thrown together by the chaos of war, Julien begins to feel the terrible weight of the looming conflict and Nina fights to survive. As France falls to the Nazis, Julien struggles with doing what is right, even if it is not enough-and wonders whether or not he really can save Nina from almost certain death.<br />Based on the true story of the town of Le Chambon-the only French town honored by Israel for rescuing Jews from the Holocaust-How Huge the Night is a compelling, coming-of-age drama that will keep teens turning the pages as it teaches them about a fascinating period of history and inspires them to think more deeply about their everyday choices.<br /><br />And now for my review:<br /><br />Since this book is based on actual events, I was compelled to read it as soon as I received the opportunity to review it. Three nights later I closed the book and held my hand upon its cover. There is something that draws you to certain subjects for one reason or another...This one is particularly close to my heart and I am thankful to Heather and Lydia Munn for writing such a heartwarming book.<br /><br />For many in Europe there is an undeniable hauntingness about the occupation. Much is still hush hushed about the ensuing period's deeds and thoughts. We see the invasion of countries most often through the eyes of adults. Through their stories we feel the loss of freedom and honour, we experience a hint of their helpleness as we learn of rationing and depravation, sometime imprisoning or disapearance...We remember the stories about the Resistance and whispers of good and bad deeds...<br /><br />Seen throught the eyes of this small French village and their youth we are shown a different aspect of war, one which involves not just the adults but its young people as well. This is a time of conflict and choices have to be made.Theirs is a story of survival!<br />There is no right or wrong, good or bad when your life is on the line. Hope is all your have, the determination to live another day and ultimately to obtain once again your freedom! None are safe, danger surrounds and decisions must be made. Your only comfort, God is listening! Or is He?<br /><br />Wonderfully researched, beautifully written, this is a story that will take your breath away. Honest, compelling, How Huge The Night is a book which you soon realize does not shy from the true aspects of occupation.<br />I found myself remembering an other time, harsh decisions and I will admit to having been near tears! War time occupation was nothing short of a difficult time to grow up!<br />Albeit geared to the younger generation I am told, I find this is a timeless story and I see no reason not to recommend to adults as well.<br />A perfect 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Litfuse as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1306102239000, "title": "Honour, Freedom, Survival are not just for adults!" }, { "asin": "1595549242", "rating": 4, "text": "Since this weekend was quiet enough to let me relax (after a week of feeling somewhat frazzled) I picked up \"Spring for Suzannah\" to enjoy along with a nice cuppa!<br />I was looking for something light to read but with a good solid plot, the kind of novel you immerse yourself into.<br /><br />This is a debut for Catherine Richmond but a few pages in the book I knew \"Spring for Suzannah\" would be a throughfully enjoyable read and I was not disappointed.<br />I think we all agree we like to read about these incredible frontier women who braved the wilderness, tamed the Wild West, raised families, often burying some of their loved ones, faced starvation, wildlife threats, and built a life for themselves along their mates.<br />Let's not forget their contributions in building schools, churches and developing entire towns whilst uphelding God's word!<br /><br />The setting for Catherine Richmond novel (written with the help of a few chocolates along the way - my kind of gal!) is the Dakota Territory, a few years after the end of the Civil War.<br />Suzannah travels outwest to meet her new husband, Jesse. Theirs is a marriage by proxy, not unusual at that time. What is unusual is that she brings uncommon skills to her new way of life.<br />Her new home is a soddy, barely large enough to contain her husband and herself. Her companion is a dog, her only friend is Martha, a Norvegian just learning the English language and she lives miles away. The prairie is everywhere, there are many dangers such as wildland fires and the often weather changes! To survive is a daily challenge, being caught unprepared could mean death. There are no church, no school, no doctor and loneliness has a way to pervade everything!<br /><br />Jesse is a hard worker farmer but also a loving husband who has seen much horror during the War yet believes in God implicitly. His comfortable relationship with the Lord at times is even funny!<br />Shy Suzannah is insecure and lives in fear her new husband will send her back East but with patience Jesse reaches her heart and they soon see their union blessed.<br />When tragedy happens however, Suzannah must deal with the pain and here as always we are reminded God is always by our side. Suzannah matures in a real pioneer woman when she realizes God has a plan for her after all!<br /><br />Catherine Richmond describes her characters as living a full life, theirs is a romance that blooms in a lonely often harsh world. She does not shy from describing their intimacy, reminding us God made all things beautiful and His love is constant.<br />I cannot say honestly I would recommend this as a read for young girls but again, this Christian novel was written with much care and faith and a more mature audience will truly enjoy following Jesse and Suzannah's story.<br />The author's careful details gives us yet again, a little window on these pioneers women who made a New World thus providing us with a bit of history, along with an afternoon of true relaxation.<br />Just what I was looking for!<br />Many thanks Catherine Richmond and I hope you will soon pen another story for us.<br /><br />I give this book 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from Litfuse as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1308065127000, "title": "Great debut!" }, { "asin": "1595548246", "rating": 4, "text": "The Amish world described by Beth Wiseman is like an opened window on a world which Englishers such as ourselves find fascinating!<br />Seek me with all your heart is also the first book I read by Beth Wiseman and I found myself drawn to the story within a few pages.<br />Beautifully written, with an engaging plot developing steadily along the pages, this is a much more accurate insight on Amish life than anything else I might have read in the past! The author does not shy from describing hardships found even amongst the Amish. Yes life can be a struggle but Faith can work wonders!<br /><br />Her realistic characters are guaranteed to surprise you even at times! You will find yourself laughing also at references to the Englisher life whilst learning more about a world few know truly well and often misunderstood.<br />It is a particular skill of a good author to lead any reader on a path of discovery and Beth Wiseman reminds us that Faith will sustain us through ups and downs as long as we let God in our heart!<br /><br />Like those beautiful Amish patchwork quilts made of intricate and carefully stiched pieces life can become whole and rewarding if we trust in Him! Beth Wiseman's characters and their plies are carefully chosen to let you know He is always near if we just listen!<br />Seek me with all your heart is the first book in the series Land of Canaan and is certain to be a throughly enjoyable read for anyone who delights in learning more about Amish life.<br /><br />To learn more about Beth Wiseman's books please visit her website here<br /><br />I gave this book a heatwarming 4 stars!<br /><br />Just a quick reminder: I was not asked to review this book and all opinions are entirely my own!", "timestamp": 1308765825000, "title": "A realistic view of the Amish Community!" }, { "asin": "0800734238", "rating": 5, "text": "In 'A Distant Melody' we met Walt, the first of the three Novak brothers, a B17 pilot with the US Eight Air Force (read review here) and in 'A Memory Between Us', the author introduced us to dashing brother Jack, also a pilot stationed in England (see review here). Each of the Novak brothers' characters brought to mind the very best of the many American (and British) pilots who flew countless dangerous missions over enemy territory to bring about peace during the WW2 years! Most of these brave men were barely in their twenties and many gave their life for God and Country!<br /><br />Ray Novak's courage and faith is not to be doubt for a moment. His job is to train B17 pilots stateside and unlike his brothers, all he ever wanted was to follow his father's footsteps and preach.<br /><br />Sarah Sundin's superb description of this quiet man's trials as well as the human frailty displayed by the woman he loves is what makes this historical novel certainly hard to put down but in the end, it is a story about faith and the courage to go on during incredible times of conflict!<br /><br />If Ray's decision to join a combat unit overseas is somehow expected it is however the description of his survival behind enemy lines that will touch you in more ways than one! It is in the little details Sarah Sundin shares with readers that you find yourself pulling for the heroes (and holding your breath literally!)<br /><br />This beautiful love story is about Ray and Helen, both survivors, each reaching out to God for the courage to face their demons. Ultimately, it is the story of people torn apart by circumstances who in the course of their duties, both overseas and on the home front, reminds us that with God at our side, anything is possible!<br />'Blue Skies Tomorrow' is the perfect ending for the 'Wings of Glory' series!<br /><br />This is nothing less than 5 stars material!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1314710699000, "title": "The perfect ending to the 'Wings of Glory' series!" }, { "asin": "1595547851", "rating": 3, "text": "Fairer than Morning is a fictional novel set in the 1820's and inspired by a well known family in the history of Westerville Ohio, the Hanbys.<br />Since I am familiar with this family's connection to the famous Otterbein College, I thought it to be an interesting subject and looked forward to discover this new writer.<br />In this first novel Rosslyn Elliott introduces us to the Saddler's legacy series and describes the humble beginnings of William Hanby, mainly his years in indentured service.<br />William Hanby and Ann Miller were real people who fell in love, married and had 8 children of whom composer Ben Hanby (Darling Nelly Gray) is probably the best known. The family was very active in the Underground Railway and harboured runaways both in Rushville and Westerville.<br /><br />Rosslyn Elliott has introduced some well known (at least in the Midwest) historical facts in this work of fiction and it is interesting to note her clear description of the runaways slaves is perhaps the highlight of this novel. Somehow the two main characters are a bit lost in her description, and I would be remiss if I did not point out that I found the whole story to be fragmented.<br /><br />Whilst we do not have as much information as we wish on William and Ann, their combined and formidable convictions regarding anti slaveryand their faith in particular are not enough reflected in this novel. The description of Ohio and Pensylvania in the 19th Century also could use a bit more elaboration. Historical societies in both states offer much more information than it is reflected here.<br />Finally the added characters brings little support to the whole story and I found it lacking in historical interest.<br />In such, I found the book to lack the vitality of the well known Ohio river life and the sentiments of stepping into history with the characters was just missing. Certain subjects also do not make this Christian material for younger ladies yet I would have labelled this novel to be for younger adults.<br /><br />I give this one 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1315509697000, "title": "Not everything I thought it would be!" }, { "asin": "0800719956", "rating": 5, "text": "I think there is nothing like Christmas and the incredible feeling it brings to all who believe in the birth of the Child Christ!<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher is the kind of writer whom readers know they can expect an excellent plot deftly written, a message of hope and a great deal of Amish wisdom along a good dose of humour!<br />One look at the cover (yes, I know you should not judge a book by its cover alone) and the author's name and I knew I would enjoy it. There is something wholesome about Suzanne Woods Fisher's stories and her acute knowledge of the Amish society always attracts!<br /><br />In 'A Lancaster County Christmas', we find both Englisher and Amish families sharing a few days during the Christmas season due to unexpected circumstances and I will readily admit it put me in the Christmas spirit immediately.<br />It is the true gift of a good author to be able to make any reader see the plain life of Amish families, feel the snow flakes on his/her face, the warmth of a love shared by people who truly care about each other, the anxiety experienced by someone who is once again disappointed by events they cannot control and most important the steadfastness of God's love for all!<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher is such an author!<br /><br />Even better in 'A Lancaster County Christmas' we learn about SAR (Search and Rescue) and the efficiency of a search well planned by equally well trained volunteers.<br />Life sometimes does follow some unexpected turns and it is up to us to learn to lean on our faith to find the strengh to go on. Christmas is a wonderful gift, a season of love, hope and joy! 'A Lancaster County Christmas' brings you all these feelings!<br /><br />I recommend picking up a copy of 'A Lancaster County Christmas' and let the spirit of the season surround you! In fact, pick up an additional copy for a loved one or a friend, a perfect gift to share with them!<br />P.S. I couldn't but laugh at the suggestion of Mr. September! Suzanne Woods Fisher feels like a friend and I guarantee you will enjoy this latest book!<br />How could I give anything but 5 stars for a book that had me laughing and crying?!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE PUBLICITY GROUP as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1316191766000, "title": "It will put you in the Christmas spirit!" }, { "asin": "1414335830", "rating": 5, "text": "This latest novel in the Precinct 11 series starts off slowly but you soon find the plot gripping and it is a hard one to put down. In true Jerry B. Jenkins fashion, 'The Betrayal' is a story with rapid fire action but as always reflecting many family values and this is why I like to read his books!<br /><br />Things are not looking good for Boone Drake. The injury he received whilst protecting former street gang boss Pascual Candelario, now turned good guy, will probably earn him early retirement but it is the last thing he wants right now. There is an informer amongst the Police department and it makes Boone all the more determined to remain on active duty. The more so since it jeopardizes his attempt to get Candelario to a secure location!<br /><br />Whilst CPD investigates this obvious leak, Boone's girlfriend becomes the prime suspect and it now it appears someone wants Boone out of the CPD for good.<br />Near exhaustion, Boone forces himself to find the source of this betrayal and the guilty party! His life and others depend on his survival skills!<br />Watch out for the climax!<br /><br />A Christian writer who never compromise his faith, Jenkins has a knack for appealing to all sorts of readers and in the end, you know good will triumph over evil!<br /><br />A perfect 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from TYNDALE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Adverting.", "timestamp": 1319215965000, "title": "Gripping!" }, { "asin": "0764209035", "rating": 5, "text": "A delightful historical novel and one of the best Christian fiction I have read in a while!<br />Anne Mateer's faith shines throughout this story and I am certain to be on the lookout for more of her work!<br /><br />'Wings of a dream' is reminiscent of Lucy Maud Montgomery, Catherine Marshall or Louisa May Alcott's style and you will feel a kindred spirit with the main character Rebekah Hendricks!<br /><br />WWI home front life in Texas with its shortages, the Spanish Lady (flu) epidemic as well as casualty reports are just one of the many descriptions you will find in Anne Mateer's novel!<br /><br />A true Christian story, this warmhearted tale of a nineteen year old faced with challenges few would not find daunting, 'Wings of a dream' is certain to delight readers! Not unlike a good recipe, this story has all the right ingredients but it is Anne Mateer's harmonious blend with the Great War's background that has you turning 'just one more page!'<br />A dreamer like many of us, Rebekah desires adventure and yet, faced with unexpected love she discovers God always leads the way! You will find yourself holding your breath towards the end I guarantee!<br /><br />I so enjoyed reading 'Wings of a dream' that I too had a hard time to put it down! Enjoy!<br /><br />I will gladly give it 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHING as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1320527918000, "title": "A kindred spirit!" }, { "asin": "076420498X", "rating": 5, "text": "'I was perfectly content with my life - that is, until the pages of my story were ripped out before I had a chance to live happily ever after.'<br />An excellent debut I felt as I was really looking for something relaxing to read and I have always believed in faery tales! This was just the right novel for a cold, blustery and rainy evening!<br />'Three days later, when Lillie was sure that Mack would live, she started planning his funeral.' is only the beginning of Chapter 8...I forgot the time and just kept on reading!<br /><br />Lynn Austin once again delivers an enticing story which is sure to have you alternate betwixt laughing bouts and tears!<br />There is something almost magical in Lynn Austin's writing and I have yet to read anything I did not like by this author so I will heartily recommend her novels.<br />Just short of spellbinding, each page of her Christian novels allows you to step in a different time frame and her characters beckons readers to immerse themselves in her stories.<br /><br />In her latest book we discover a little coal mining town in Kentucky during the Great Depression, a young librarian, a one hundred and one year old woman once a plantation slave, a writer and to top all this, there is a mysterious buried treasure...<br /><br />In Wonderland Creek we discover the harsh lives led by the proud mountain people of Kentucky whom with much determination survived the Great Depression. You find yourself almost envious of the simple lifestyle, the traditions, the intricate families connections and above all, the beauty of the surroundings!<br />As is customary with Lynn Austin's novels, you will find a marvelous balance betwixt history lessons, rich settings, amazing and often gripping characters and of course a good dose of Christian wisdom.<br /><br />When all is said and done, this is one author's writings worth every 5 stars give!<br /><br />Note to readers: I was not asked to review this novel and all opinions expressed are entirely my own!", "timestamp": 1325109623000, "title": "Happily-ever-after in the woods of Kentucky's during the Great Depression" }, { "asin": "0800720741", "rating": 4, "text": "'Where Wildflowers Bloom' is the first book in Ann Shorey's series called 'Sisters at Heart' and since I like a good Historical novel, wildflowers and dreaming, the perfect choice for a rainy day!<br /><br />Faith Lindberg lost her father and brother and lives with her Grandfather who owns a Mercantile shoppe. Faith hopes to sell the business, hopefully at a profit of course and move West. She dreams of starting afresh.<br />The story is set just after the end of the Civil War and I found the added characters of a field nurse as well as a scarred veteran just the right touch for this novel to be a little more than just a lovely romance.<br /><br />Ann Shorey pens an interesting portrait of a MidWest town, and takes us on a stroll around the dusty boardwalks to the shoppes, local eatery, blacksmith shop and livery, sheriff's office, clapboard houses and the little white church with its spiked roof, not unlike time traveling in your armchair.<br /><br />The mercantile shoppe comes to life with her detailed description of the stock with its many shelves of goods. I could almost feel the heroine's pain when she inadvertently drops the lovely china she'd hoped to sell and make a profit to boost sales. The fact that women rarely worked outside of home is once again the perfect detail to make this an interesting story!<br /><br />With just the right eloquence Ann Shorey infuses readers with a sense of what life was truly for the settlers who made their homes in places such as Noble Springs, Missouri and the gossiping and sometime meddling of a small town.<br />She does not stop there however and you discover the past is not to be shrugged off easily, especially for the men who came back from war, some broken, many scarred.<br />With a burglary and even mysteries, the entire story evolves in just the kind of entertainment you need to relax!<br /><br />A very nice story which earned 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1327628071000, "title": "Historical fiction decribing Yesterday's women and Today issues!" }, { "asin": "0800734599", "rating": 3, "text": "'Summer of Promise' offers an outlook on life in Wyoming in the 1880's and particularly for the families of soldiers stationed in remote areas such as Fort Laramie, many of them immigrants who joined in hope to make a better life for themselves. I can see why the author felt inspired to write a story after her trip (make that 3 trips and countless hours of Internet browsing).<br /><br />Abigail and Ethan's story is a light romance you might enjoy during a long winter evening but I felt it did not flow and it was not one I would describe as a page turner.<br />Tales of the Old West have always fascinated me but despite having learned a thing or two from Amanda Cabot's findings, I did not think the characters to be all they could be! Leah is one character for i.e. that could have been so much more!<br /><br />It seemed to be written with the very young in mind, nothing either inspiring or entertaining. I will caution animal lovers might find some of the tale upsetting. However true it might be, I found it had little reason to be added to the story personally.<br /><br />If this is an example of the upcoming stories in the Westward Wind series, I found Summer of Promise monotonous and a little tedious for my taste.<br /><br />I give it 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br /><br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1328382932000, "title": "Light romance and a little tedious!" }, { "asin": "1414364458", "rating": 5, "text": "Despite the promising resume I felt the beginning of this book might lead to just another tedious life lesson and very little entertainment. As the story unfolded however I discovered a real gem, each individual committee member' story revealing its own little touch of drama and very personal message.<br /><br />'The Search Committee' is the story of a medley of fellow Christians whose goal is to visit other churches. The committee includes a busybody, a young husband, a single mom and a handful of others all sharing the same hope, that to hire (steal) the perfect pastor for their own congregation.<br /><br />Tim Owens artfully weaves background and problem(s) faced by each member of the committee into a delightful and entertaining message for the reader.<br />Hard to put down, the story unfolds giving us the opportunity to find a little of ourselves in at least one of the committee characters, complete with its little quirks.<br /><br />You will find yourself chuckling at the delightful descriptions of this busy group traveling in an old church van (Outch! Those potholes!) and sneaking incognito into various churches and teary eyed a moment later.<br />It is warm, it is human and you will question if any of us truly know our neighbour in the pew next to us.<br /><br />So will the committee find this perfect man/woman for their own church? Well, I wouldn't want to spoil a good story and it is a VERY good story!<br />My suggestion is to grab this insightful book and enjoy a good time with the seah committee! Their quest will teach you a thing or two I daresay!<br /><br />A delightful first novel and worth at least 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from TYNDALE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1329174853000, "title": "Tim Owen's first novel is delightful gem!" }, { "asin": "0800720458", "rating": 5, "text": "The very first thing that comes to mind about 'Words Spoken True' is the raised lettering on the cover (a feature I dearly love and miss in the mass produced paperbacks published these days!) swiftly followed by the interesting historical note published in the forefront of the story! Once spotted, I was rubbing my hands together with glee. This is my kind of historical fiction!<br /><br />With a rich historical setting, enticing plot, flowing dialogues betwixt the protagonists, colourful descriptive and just the right amount of romance 'Words Spoken True' is sure to captivate readers!<br />Here is no amateurish historical fiction! Ann H. Gabhart is a well published author and she writes a warm story complete with romance, faith and intrigue about 'The Herald' and 'The Tribune', two warring newspapers in Louisville, Kentucky, circa 1850's.<br /><br />As the plot unravels you find yourself engrossed in its drama, and wishing with all your might for a great ending for both Adriane and Blake. Never fear, weaving her magic wand, Ann H.Gabhart will not disappoint and you will soon discover that no matter what, the press must go on!<br /><br />On a quick note, I was startled to learn the existence of the 'Know Nothings, and the dramatic events of Bloody Monday on 6 August 1855 which reflects in this story!<br /><br /> Readers should know this is a page turner...Hence warning to husband/children: Mum is certain to be so engrossed, dinner will soon be forgotten!<br /><br />A wonderful story certain to leave you daydreaming...<br />A big thank you to Ann H. Gabhart for her enduring writing skills!<br /><br />For sheer enjoyment, a 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330103697000, "title": "A wonderful story certain to leave you daydreaming..." }, { "asin": "1433673223", "rating": 4, "text": "With a little imagination 'The Guardian Duke' might very well be the most delightful story I have read in awhile! Nothing too serious, just a light tale about a charming ingenue and her elegant guardian complete with good historical notes, a good amount of faith and just the right amount of romance!<br /><br />Reminiscent of Barbara Cartland's writings, 'The Guardian Duke' has all the ingredients for a good, if a tad innocuous, tale. I was not looking for anything in particular when I started reading Jamie Carie's first book in the Forgotten Castles series but I was pleasantly surprised.<br /><br />Perhaps it was the romantic setting of Ireland with its mythical shores, the intriguing mystery revolving around some of the protagonists, the spirited ingenue dodging her guardian duke or the elegant Gabriel himself.<br />Lest I forget, credit should also be given to a colourful surrounding cast!<br /><br />Jaimie Carie also excelled at penning the lively correspondence betwixt the heroine and her soul mate. Do people really fall in love through letters? Let's hope the world has not become so jade that we cannot imagine for a short time that it can be so. Ah the dreams...<br /><br />I for one can only vouch for the innocent reading time I spend immersing myself into with this lively Christian tale. And if someone witnessed the sighs just before I turned off the lights, well...<br />All I can say is 'Thank you' Jaimie for a tasteful read certain to entertain teens and adults alike.<br /><br />Here is to wandering what happens in Iceland and thinking it was well worth 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from PROPELLER as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330567856000, "title": "Tasteful Christian romance for teens and adults alike!" }, { "asin": "0800719859", "rating": 4, "text": "Heart's Safe Passage is book # 2 in The Midwives series and whilst I have yet to read book # 1 it is my hope the author will indulge us with more stories in this captivating chapter. The combination of the midwifery subject and the High seas set right after the conflict of 1812 was an appealing point for a history buff like me and the author did not disappoint!<br /><br />Obviously Laurie Alice Eakes has done well her research and I spent a relaxing evening reading this latest tale! Such are the rules of war that both nations would have not hesitate to try either protagonist as a traitor. Therefore to imagine a plot involving a midwife stranded against her will on an enemy ship was nothing but genial!<br /><br />A fervent admirer of C.S. Forrester and his tales of the high seas, I found Heart's Safe Passage all the most most intriguing as Laurie Alice Eakes demonstrates a thorough knowledge of seamanship I did not expect.<br />Historically the war of 1812 and the resulting strenuous diplomatic relations betwixt Colonials and Britishers was well documented. In turn the author's description of her characters allegiances reminds us that one could be deemed a traitor for just being at the wrong place at the wrong time.<br /><br />The spirited dialogues betwixt the Scottish privateer and the Colonial midwife have just the right enticement for readers to wonder who will win in the end and the supporting characters are endearing in their own ways.<br />Life at sea was far from being as romantic as Hollywood would have us believed but in Heart's Safe Passage there is just enough drama to keep it interesting and enough sparks for the romantic soul!<br /><br />Most of all the storyteller reminds us that God is the only one to steer our ship...<br /><br />I was also fascinated by the historical notes recording midwives written by a seventeenth century physician! Whilst some of it could be deemed humorous, it would appear being a midwife was hard and often a thankless task!<br /><br />Finally Laurie Alice Eakes' description of Captain Docherty was much more interesting than Errol Flynn in all his glory!<br /><br />For a most enjoyable evening, I find myself giving this historical romance 4 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: \"Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.", "timestamp": 1330728429000, "title": "An intriguing romance betwixt a midwife and a privateer on the High seas!" }, { "asin": "0857210580", "rating": 5, "text": "Anyone familiar with the talented Brother Cadfael, the Welsh Benedictine monk so engagingly described by Ellis Peters will appreciate my interest in this book!<br />I first heard of it on a Publisher's website and felt compelled to pursue this title whose author I had yet to discover! I also hoped for something different and was not disappointed!<br /><br />'Unhallowed Ground' was my introduction to Mel Starr's and I immediately found his style to be unique and quite discerning! An impressive glossary allows curious minds like mine to discover words and terms the modern English language no longer use.<br /><br />Mel Starr skillfully weaves a tapestry of intrigue, false leads, adventure and danger rendered the more interesting by its many historical settings whilst leading the reader on a path of whodunit.<br />Within a few pages you are wondering who is friend, who is foe and yes, it is a page turner!<br /><br />The colourful but tasteful tale follows Hugh de Singleton, bailiff of Bampton Manor, as he is called to investigate the death of a local villager. Amongst his many talents Master Hugh is also noted as a medieval surgeon and a detective of sorts...<br />Is this a case of suicide or murder? Thus we are introduced to the ensuing intriguing plot!<br /><br />With its excellent penmanship, 'Unhallowed Ground' is just the sort of book you will read and feel replete!<br /><br />I give it 5 stars (and quickly found a little niche for it on our bookshelves!)<br /><br />On a note of worth, this book is the fourth chronicle of the series. The fifth chronicle 'The Tainted Coin' will soon be released!<br /><br />NOTE TO READERS: I was not asked to review this title and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1332627554000, "title": "Medieval mystery with the finest historical detailed background!" }, { "asin": "1595548874", "rating": 3, "text": "Best selling author Beth Wiseman has delighted her many fans with tales of the Amish world for years. Perhaps I was influenced by my daughter as she is a big fan but I have enjoyed her stories!<br /><br />This novel is however quite different and I will admit to some disappointment. A contemporary story is rarely my first choice of reading material. I much prefer historical fiction work which lets your imagination wonder, provides you with healthy entertainment and even gives you the incentive to delve into the subject by way of further research!<br /><br />Beth Wiseman introduces us to her latest writing by depicting a Texan family whom at first glance lives a perfectly well balanced life. They recently moved from a cosmopolitan area to live in an old farmhouse in a small town to raise their children in a much healthier environment.<br /><br />Reading the resume I caught the 'Special Needs Children' part and felt drawn to it thus the reason for this choice of review.<br /><br />Unfortunately whilst I allow any author's right to feel a need to branch out, this time I felt something was missing and I had a hard time to concentrate on the plot.<br />Perhaps it was the fact that special needs children had only a small part in this story, or that the neighbour's character just did not seem to fit in, or I was not prepared to comprehend the extent to which some teens go to please their family or when under peer pressure! I have since looked into it and it brought many shudders!<br />Even the locales were not eye catching and nothing really stands out.<br /><br />Despite the troubled teenager plight and a handful of supporting characters, the story mainly revolves around the attraction felt by two individuals and much like a soap opera is drawn out: lies, betrayals and sheer boredom!<br /><br />Somewhat fragmented, Needing you Now is the sort of Christian novel I feel you will only briefly remember and lacking the profound inspirational theme Beth Wiseman usually provides her readers.<br /><br />Needing you Now has surprised me and less you feel this is not a good book, I will remind you of course that I offer only my opinion!<br /><br />As such, I can only give it 3 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BOOKSNEEZE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1335569626000, "title": "Really not what I hoped for!" }, { "asin": "0800719719", "rating": 4, "text": "'A Love Forbidden', Book # 2 in Heart of the Rockies series reads like a Western with a powerful message: intolerance is the root of many evils!<br />Once again Baker Revell brings us an interesting author and I was pleasantly surprised in Kathleen Morgan's vivid descriptions of the 1800 Colorado Rockies!<br />There is so much History in the US, often misconstrued yet as rich as many older nations!<br />I love to discover yet another facet of the Old West and I believe I mentioned it before, the first novel I read in English was written by Louis l'Amour!<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan's tasteful description of Shiloh Wainwright and Jesse Blackwater's love story gives us a realistic outlook on frontier life in the 1800's Colorado and the Ute reservation.<br />As a teacher on the Indian reservation Shiloh hopes to help Indian children learn the White Man's ways whilst retaining their identity. Her task is not easy as she deals with narrow minded agencies and wary settlers.<br />Jesse Blackwater is the childhood friend she never forgot and caught betwixt both the White man's world and the Ute worlds, they find themselves caught in a maelstrom of emotions and conflicts, both internal and external.<br /><br />'A Love Forbidden' might have been just another Historical romance but Kathleen Morgan draws you in the story and you immerse yourself in it. The sum of a good novel, right?<br />It is always amazing to read lines which create such a vivid panoramic picture of times gone by and in turn creates such powerful emotions!<br />Amidst prejudice and growing political tension betwixt both the White and Indian world, you find yourself wondering if you would have the courage and wisdom to do what is right. In such circumstances, where would you stand as a Christian?<br /><br />Kathleen Morgan seems to breathe this time period and spares no details to entice us visually. Life on the frontier was often harsh, supplies limited, and communication slow due to long distances betwixt forts and settlements.<br />When one side fails to honour its word, the other decided to take action...<br /><br />Red headed Shiloh is as tenacious in her convictions as in her love for Jesse, whilst he sees the road ahead in a very realistic way. Will they be able to bridge both worlds and find love, acceptance, forgiveness and ultimately peace?<br /><br />Well depicted, this is a thought provoking story which illustrates the power of love and faith in a world often riddled with prejudice and ignorance.<br />In the end, you are in God's hands and given the chance, Shiloh and Jesse will come to realize nothing is impossible for them with His help.<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1338071156000, "title": "A thought provoking story about love and faith in the 1800's Colorado Rockies!" }, { "asin": "0764207962", "rating": 5, "text": "Siri Mitchell is definitively an author to reckon with: her latest novel 'The Messenger' is fast paced and scintillates with the kind of details any history buff will love. I found her notes and research to be very interesting!<br /><br />Set during the War of Independence (US), this is the story of an intrepid young Quaker named Hannah and a Continental Army spy named Jeremiah Jones. Each have need of the other and both parties joined forces but not without concerns for the ramifications involved. As a pacifist Hannah cannot abide violence but Jeremiah's plans ultimately will draw her in a conflict few will escape without scars.<br /><br />This is absolutely a story to enjoy without interruptions. I for one knew very little of Women spies during the Civil War (US) and did not give much thought to Women involvement during the 1776 Campaign.<br /><br />Prisoners conditions during this tumultuous conflict are rarely spoken of yet we know of the many hardships endured by the Colonial army, particularly during the winter campaign at Valley Forge.<br />Sad to say, many of the reenactments Siri Mitchell developed in her tale of faith and courage for our two courageous protagonists rang only too true! The ravages of war effects innocents everywhere yet we still fight!<br /><br />'The Messenger, reminds us of theologian Reinhold Neiburh's Serenity prayer:<br /><br />God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,<br />Courage to change the things I can,<br />And wisdom to know the difference.<br /><br />So fitting for this story!<br /><br />As to the Quaker faith, I have to thank Siri Mitchell for enlightening me: I never thought much about it!<br /><br />A story of bravery, of beliefs and God's path for each one of us!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1338499473000, "title": "A tale of courage and faith in the Revolutionary war!" }, { "asin": "1434764303", "rating": 3, "text": "'Glamorous Illusions', Book 1 of 'The Grand Tour' series has a most enticing front cover. One look at the lovely gown featured with the Eiffel Tower in the background will have you wish you too could be part of this Grand Tour. I was ready to be dazzled!<br /><br />Let me begin by saying Lisa T. Bergren is a seasoned author with over 35 books and sales of over 2 million copies but new to this reader.<br /><br />David C. Cook, the Publisher gives us in turn a tantalizing resume of 'Glamorous Illusions' starting with 'It's the summer of 1913...A fateful afternoon, a stranger comes to call, and Cora discover s a terrible secret about her past...invited to take the 'Grand Tour' of Europe, a trip intended to finish a person's education and solidify an understanding of refinement and ancient culture...<br /><br />I immersed myself in this fictional story turning page after page hoping to glimpse the wonders of a 20th Century trip abroad through the eyes of our young protagonist beginning with a portentous crossing aboard the Titanic sister-ship.<br />Grand Tours were scintillating events and much anticipated occasions for any well bred young lady or gentleman to acquire a certain polish and large amounts of monies were disbursed by generous parents to this effect.<br /><br />Breathtaking scenery along with ancient History and the discoveries of Music, Art, companions and fine culinary partaking provided the perfect ending to one's education. If one might find herself/himself an impoverished title in the bargain, families would look benignly and pride themselves in having acquired a touch of blue blood in the bargain.<br /><br />The idea of our heroine leaving her Montana struggling beet farm for a Grand Tour of Europe in the company of her newly discovered high society siblings has many hints of Cinderella. However Cora's journey of self discovery along this grand voyage is often confusing, her true sentiments hard to fathom! Even as I close the book I would be hard pressed to guess what she hoped to find.<br /><br />I could not picture any young lady destined to be a teacher to learn in one month how to move comfortably through the society throngs for example.<br />I found it also hard to believe the group described did not have at least one female chaperone (anything less would have been frowned upon in most societies and introductions near impossible), servants were unlikely to know what would be expected and therefore could not have advised.<br /><br />Illegitimacy was not more condoned in France than in England and therefore the courtship of Pierre de Richelieu hardly believable. Family pressures alone would have demanded he kept his distance. Accordingly the young lady would have been appraised his attentions were not honourable and very likely whisked away to the next stop of the Tour.<br /><br />Leaving these details aside, I felt none of the excitement or glimmer associated with such trip. One would hardly describe the wonders of the Eiffel Tower, Centuries old English manors, French chateaus or the wealth displayed at the Louvre for example in such a desultory way and hints at someone who trouped behind a guide (If this is Tuesday, it must be Belgium).<br />The elements are there but seen almost through a veil and does not impart the stimulating experiences for the reader's pleasure.<br /><br />Finally the end of this first novel in the series left me perplex. A hint or two leads me to believe there is more to the story but neither the romance nor the Grand Tour details provided much satisfaction.<br />One can only sigh and say: 'C'est la vie!'<br /><br />More of a Young Adult story, I give this one 3 stars.<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE AND DAVID C. COOK as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1340302218000, "title": "From Montana to the grand European metropolises..." }, { "asin": "0800720482", "rating": 5, "text": "I chose to feature the above synopsis instead of the one shown on the back of the cover for a personal reason. I admit I am only a student of the Gospels and for a moment as I read the cover's resume I thought there might be another Mary Magdalene!<br /><br />The imagination of storyteller Diana Wallis Taylor brings readers however a new dimension to the picture we might have of this amazing woman who followed Christ till the end.<br /><br />I found myself utterly enchanted by this author's narrative of a woman we know little of despite mentions in Luke, John and Acts.<br />We know Jesus cast off seven demons from her and that she was a close follower.<br />We also know she witnessed His mock trial and heard His sentence, she was present at His crucifixion and later amongst the women who find the empty tomb.<br /><br />In 'Mary Magdalene' Diana Wallis Taylor weaves a stirring profile of a gentle child who learned the Scriptures, growing up in Magdala, a coastal town off the Sea of Galilee with caring parents.<br />Following a tragic event, Mary Magdalene lives the next few years plagued by nightmares and yet amidst of all this, finds love and eventually will be healed.<br />She eventually follows Jesus and witnessed to the Messiah's glory for the remaining of her life.<br /><br />The author's rich historical and social details of Jewish life in Galilee in the time of Jesus interwoven with her chronicles of this amazing woman are most gripping!<br />A reader, young or old, will discover an emotional account of a woman we hardly knew and should remember first and foremost as one who was THERE.<br /><br />This is the sort of enriching fictional work perfect as a gift for any young woman coming of age. It has all the elements of a love story of the purest form!<br /><br />If I had a dozen copies, I would be passing them out right now!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1340473107000, "title": "A rich emotional description of Mary Magdalene!" }, { "asin": "0800734556", "rating": 4, "text": "As someone who knew absolutely nothing of the Shaker beliefs I have now a whole concept of their intricate history. In 'The Gifted' Kentucky born storyteller Ann H. Gabhart has definitively written an in depth story based on this cult! She actually lives near a Shaker village and was obviously inspired.<br /><br />The simplicity of the many designs we admire to this date were brought upon by these believers who worked as if they had a thousand years to accomplish their tasks or knowledge of their death on the morrow...They knew their place, rejoiced in knowing it, their hands hard at work, their hearts given to God...<br /><br />In 'The Gifted' our protagonist Jessamine is striving to find her place in this close knit world and when she is given a sweet outlook on the outside world questions her path...<br />We follow the young sister as she stumbles repeatedly despite her eagerness to please her elders. Sister Sophrena's diaries in particular allows us to understand the extant of those struggles and gives us a unique view of life in their community.<br />Harmony Hill village brothers and sisters live their faith as outlined by their leader, Mother Ann, from the working fields to the devotion meetings including the shaking and dancing. Their only contact with the outside world is due to their trading their wares such as rosewater, baskets, candles, furniture and so on.<br />Surprisingly, their fellowship is open to anyone, even outsiders just visiting. It is the only world Jessamine has known since she lost her Granny but like all good stories, this is only the beginning... Then there is also a mysterious letter which opened reveals surprising new developments...<br /><br />As usual Ann H.Gabhart leads us by the hand as we read on. I always found myself looking for clues to what comes next and I was not disappointed.<br />Richly described and perfectly timed, this is a story you will enjoy discovering as the author entices you to learn that all is not as it seems.<br />Like all good storytellers, Ann H. Gabhart tells you some dreams were meant to come true...You just have to believe!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1341675443000, "title": "Another great story by master storyteller Ann H. Gabhart!" }, { "asin": "1595547819", "rating": 4, "text": "'Tidewater Inn' has all the ingredients for the sort of book any reader will like! A great beach read, y Colleen Coble's novel enticed me to turn yet another page!<br />It has all the exciting elements a good writer instills in her/his storytelling and this author's imagination is fruitful! Wow! No time to get bored here!<br /><br />Mysteries, kidnapping, treasures, family intrigues and a beautiful old Inn in a breathtaking setting draws you in. The colourful characters revolving around this Hope Beach novel makes this a warm story and one that makes you wish you live there.<br />Living myself on a tiny island accessible only by ferry, I can understand well the appeal! Hope Beach however has one on us, they have restaurants, pizza parlour, library, fire department, postal service...Need I go on? I felt a tad jealous!<br /><br />It is however the references to God and His amazing work that makes this a most appealing story! Colleen Coble's characters know God, feels His love and meets His expectations no matter how they might fail at first try. Faith is part of her intricate story and you feel His presence throughout her novel! I like this most of all!<br /><br />I was intrigued at the extent to which a SAR (Search and Rescue) dog could trace a missing person. In this instance, 'Samson' follows a trace ON WATER, ocean water! Absolutely intriguing! Needless to say, I learned something yet again!<br /><br />A few loose ends however puzzled me...a rope around an ankle amongst others...I must mention this!<br /><br />I give it 4 stars none the less!<br />Watch Colleen Cobble next novel 'Rosemary Cottage' to be published in July 2013!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1344092313000, "title": "Upbeat!" }, { "asin": "0764208349", "rating": 3, "text": "As stories goes, 'Unending Devotion' is pleasant enough, harmless even, a tad sentimental but easily dismissed after a few chapters. I felt there was something missing from the moment I saw the novel's cover. Somehow the plot and its main characters just does not hook the reader. Even the sub characters were much more interesting!<br /><br />I struggled to feel the various emotions the author hinted at from the beginning and just had to accept this was just not my cup of tea so to speak.<br />Lily posing as a photographer's assistant with its implied paraphernalia should have been on the cover posing next to gruff Oren and perhaps a more thorough description of the lumber camps might have caught my attention. There is a striking amount of information on logging available including stunning photos even here in the Pacific North West!<br /><br />That said, I enjoyed the author's notes regarding the town of Harrison and its unsavoury residents. There is obviously a lot of historical facts recorded in the Michigan's past lumber era with the usual problems found in shanties such as alcoholism, violence, notwithstanding the origin of white slavery trade in the state, this being the most startling!<br /><br />All in all, I would recommend anyone going away this weekend to pack an extra book along unless like me, you find the historical portion enticing enough to browse internet and library files to find out more on the subjects of logging and white slavery in 1800's Michigan!<br />Interesting it was, entertaining it was not.<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1347628341000, "title": "Interesting facts about white slavery in Michigan 1883 did not make this novel any more entertaining!" }, { "asin": "0764206176", "rating": 4, "text": "I was more than ready to read a good western and 'Taming the Wind' was not a disappointment!<br />Book # 3 in the Land of the Lone Star series written by Tracie Peterson, this novel gives us a lot to reflect upon.<br />Tracie Peterson is after all a prolific writer with more than 95 novels to her credit and she writes passionately about the West. Her novels are always entertaining and clearly shows good research (loved the Longfellow poem addition!) but it also reflects her longstanding faith.<br />Each character has its definite personality: passionate, hopeful, tenacious, caring, angry, vengeful...<br />The Lone Star land is harsh, often unforgiving yet beautiful in its rawness. Homesteading was not for the faint soul!<br /><br />In her latest novel Tracie describes a little of the hardships endured by Southern sympathizers following the (US) Civil war. I for one had no idea land was confiscated simply because of allegiance.<br />Both sides lost much to the war and the resulting animosity was very much alive even after three years of peace as we see in Taming the Wind.<br />Cattle drives were dangerous enterprises, with countless obstacles including Native Americans raids, rustlers, stampedes and so on. Yet it also gave an opportunity for struggling ranchers to regain losses...<br /><br />Taming the Wind depicts not only the many facets of ranching but a sweet love story. Carissa and her little girl Gloria are both ready for better times and the young widow has not forgotten the young rancher who saved her life two years prior.<br />In turn Tyler has often thought of the young mother and child but stands to loose much if his confiscated ranch is not returned to him. He also cannot forgive the raid which took his father's life...<br /><br />Of course, God has a plan and with Tracie's flair for a good adventure, we learn love and forgiveness can be found even in these most challenging times!<br /><br />Note:<br />Just a suggestion of course: 'Chasing the Sun' and 'Touching the Sky' are pre sequels in the series well worth reading albeit the author gives a rundown in Book #3 for those of us who have not read these titles.<br />A good reason for reading more of this entertaining author!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1347987539000, "title": "Love, Forgiveness and Adventure in a Good Old Western!" }, { "asin": "0310330440", "rating": 5, "text": "After reading 'A Perfect Square', second book in the Shipshewana Amish Mysteries I am perfectly willing to find a special spot for any Vannetta Chapman's tomes on my bookshelves (or add another one...somewhere!)!<br />With Beth Wiseman's recommendation for this novel I knew I was in for a treat! I always like to hear an author praising another fellow writer, don't you?<br /><br />I discovered long ago the appeal of Amish genre literature but this was the first 'whodunit' for me and this one is truly a page turner! Not content with one single plot of 'whom, what , where, how and why', Vannetta Chapman blends two mysteries decades apart and links them to the present.<br /><br />With a lovely quilt shoppe tucked in the scenic background, we find Englisher and Amish living blessed lives in Shipshewana, Indiana to be as near to perfection as possible until that is, a body is found floating in a nearby pond...There is no clue to the young girl's identity.<br /><br />Callie is the owner of Daisy's Quilt, a shoppe inherited from her aunt and with canine Max is a recent transplant from Houston, Texas. Amish and Mennonite lifestyles still holds many mysteries for Callie but Amish friends Deborah, Esther and Melinda help her to adapted to her new life whilst teaching her a thing or two about quilting. With Max at her side (sporting a bandana matched to her clothing colour), Callie is definitively looking forward to her first winter in Indiana.<br /><br />When Reuben the owner of the pond is arrested for the murder by the local Chief of Police, Callie and her sleuth friends steps in to help out Reuben.<br />Meanwhile, an elderly Amish who suffers from dementia finds his way to Callie's shoppe and begs her to find his daughter who disappeared in 1965.<br />As the story develops, you find yourself experiencing many emotions as with unmistakable talent, Vannetta Chapman hones her writing skills in this novel.<br /><br />Praying Reuben's innocence will come to light despite his unwillingness to make a statement, his family and friends search for any clue to help the Amish farmer regain his freedom.<br /><br />Alternating mystery and emotional drama, and with just the slightest hint of romance in the air (including a few hilarious situations), this is a compelling book you will have a hard time to put down as each well written chapter gets better and better!<br />Vanetta's inspirational plots draws you in and reminds us that with God anything is possible! You just have to believe!<br /><br />With its excellent glossary and group questions for discussion, this makes an engaging novel to read, tucked in your favourite chair by the fireplace whilst sipping a cuppa!<br /><br />I received this book free from ZONDERVAN as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349390246000, "title": "I have become a fan of Vannetta Chapman's writing!" }, { "asin": "0800721322", "rating": 5, "text": "Absolutely delightful! 'Life with Lily', Book 1 in 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' should have been written years ago! Mary Ann and Suzanne have come up with a wonderful little gem!<br />Written primarily with younger children (ages 8-12) these are none the less stories which grown ups and children alike will love to discover! There is nothing better than reading out loud to a child and share a precious moment!<br /><br />There is an amazing amount of information betwixt these pages and I can't wait to share it with young friends. Seen through the eyes of lovely (and sometimes mischievous) 5 year old Lily, it has a fresh appeal for avid readers of Amish tales such as myself!<br /><br />We have learned much about the Amish world through wonderful stories told by such authors as Suzanne Woods Fisher herself but 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' is destined to be a favourite and best of all, one you can share with everyone!<br />Each chapter involves a new adventure in Lily's life involving family, friends, neighbours, livestock, school and so on...One look at the little face featured on the cover (for once, the cover is right on!) and your heart will be won over!<br /><br />There are of course lessons to be learned throughout it all! After all, Lily and other Amish children are in no way different from Englisher and yes, things can and will happen...I don't know if the 'cat' with the bushy tail found by Lily in the barn (priceless!) or her brother's Joseph attempt to fly will be your favourites but it certainly were mine!<br /><br />I whole heartily applaud this new series and I give it 5 stars!<br />I am looking forward to Book 2!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349636609000, "title": "Life with Lily', Book 1 in 'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' should have been written years ago" }, { "asin": "0764204165", "rating": 3, "text": "After reading only the first chapter I knew I should emphazise 'Read the books in order!'. Live and learn!<br />Anyone who has read Book 1, might enjoy following 'the rest of the story' in 'Whispers In The Wind'. For once, this author however did not meet my expectations.<br /><br />The title was enticing but I struggled with the characters, some clearer than others and those were the sub characters! The actual plot was difficult to grasp despite a few 'recalled' memories and at times throughly confusing if not right down sluggish.<br />As the main character Cassie just does not grab the reader. There is plenty of action and a few interesting factors overall in the novel though (albeit I could have done without the step by step skinning/curing of an Elk for i.e.).<br /><br />As confusing as Cassie's feelings (should she?, should she not?), I found the whole story lacking 'a little je ne sais quoi'. As to any possible romantic attachment hinted at... No sparks there! (at least so far, but at the rate this story develops, it might take a few more books to find out what happens next...sigh...)<br /><br />Far from being the good Western I expected, I can only say you must a be fan of Lauraine Snelling's writing or wish to read the continuation of this story in the next installment (and the next...). I do not like loose ends but there was nothing in Book 2 that would entice me to read the rest ( I do not plan to hunt a Elk or stuff sausages anytime soon!).<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349714644000, "title": "It would be best for anyone to read Book 1 first!" }, { "asin": "1595548033", "rating": 5, "text": "'The Trouble with Cowboys' written by well known romanticist Denis Hunter and part of the 'Big Sky Romance' series will provide readers with just the sort of entertainment they might look for on a Autumnal afternoon! There is no doubt Denise Hunter gives her audience what she promised: an enjoyable alternative to the humdrum of everyday life.<br />I had the opportunity to read another of her novels (on a long layover in a faraway airport with little amenities!) called 'The Convenient Groom' and I will tell you she had me in stitches! Be sure to check her other titles!<br /><br />But back to The Trouble With Cowboys! This Christian author has a knack for the light but never fluffy sort of novel that you will gladly reach for along with a good mug of cocoa! Entertaining yet with a lesson or two (don't miss each chapter header!), a message tucked here and there and perfect to share with anyone including the younger generation!<br />Denise Hunter's books are wholesome and will win your heart!<br /><br />Montana born and raised Annie Wilkerson is an expert horse trainer, a loving sister and a great aunty. Life has dealt her a lot of responsibilities since her GrandPa died. Taking care of her wayward sister is not easy and she takes on her role of Mum seriously hoping to see her sister settle.<br />Annie does not trust cowboys: they are here today, gone tomorrow. The past has taught her to stay clear away from them.<br /><br />Easy going Dylan needs her help with his nearly blind horse and in turn, Annie could use his help with her latest assignment, a lovelorn column she feels is just not for her since she has never felt love before. So they make a deal: her equine expertise for his help with her column. Annie is struggling with financial responsibilities but promised her GrandPa she will take care of everyone and she is trying to ignore her qualms.<br />She cannot trust Dylan because he is a cowboy after all and will probably break her heart. Then again, is she judging him too quickly? Or should she let her heart and faith guide her?<br />After all, God is in charge, not Annie...<br /><br />I think we shall agree once you read this story: if Denise keeps on writing, we'll keep on reading!<br /><br />5 stars for all the good feelings this novel brought on (and a few sighs as well...)<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1349901011000, "title": "This Christian author has a knack for the light but never fluffy sort of novel!" }, { "asin": "0800734173", "rating": 4, "text": "Book # 3 in the 'Winds of Change' series, 'A Love Surrendered' brings to readers the depression era and two families: The O'Connors and the Kennedys. Set in Boston in 1932, it is written with passion and will inspire all sorts of feelings. Julie Lessman knows how to grab her readers, proof that she is after all a very good author!<br /><br />Inspirational, intense and at times extremely romantic, it is none the less imperative for readers to remember the era this story draws its background from. The idea of 'me Jane, you Tarzan' might come across fiercefully at times. Let's remember that women at the time were viewed as having one place and that was in the kitchen (or bedroom and nursery). WWII soon changed this for many as they took their place in the work force in lieu of enlisted men.<br /><br />There is much to think over once you have finished reading the drama behind Annie and Steven's love story which incidentally is crisscrossed with countless O'Connor family members! I shall describe this as a clan, Irish to be exact, a large family with strong convictions and deep emotions, some volatile and quite impressive. I did not always agree with such forceful display but admit it was fitting for the era.<br />I found the setting of Ocean Pier and its boardwalk quite intriguing along with the Prohibition agents raids and speakeasies background.<br /><br />Finally, be prepared for a surprise or two towards the end (one I will admit I did not see coming!).<br />Julie Lessman is no newcomer to the writing world and she is a person of convictions herself. You soon realize her writing reflects her faith deeply. I felt she portrays her characters based on this and for that alone I highly recommend her novels to the younger generation. In a society where pressures have become too often the acceptable norm, let's applaud someone who offers deep passion with responsibility!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1350232545000, "title": "Inspirational, intense and at times extremely romantic..." }, { "asin": "1609366867", "rating": 4, "text": "The tragic sinking of the Titanic has held people's imagination worldwide particularly with Dr. Robert Ballard's discovery of the wreckage in September 1985.<br />2012 being the vessel's doomed maiden voyage's 100th anniversary produced yet again a lot of fascinating information. There is a certain mystic which surrounds the events of that dreadful day which many cannot resist and countless speculation.<br /><br />'Queen of the Waves', An American Tapestry proved to be an interesting fictional approach and I liked Janice Thompson's take on the launching of this spectacular ship as background for her novel. The author's dedication and 'In Memory of' are worth a moment of your time so I recommend you do not skip it! It set the mood for this reading and felt very much a part of all the mystery surrounding this particular moment in history.<br /><br />Janice Thompson weaves an interesting tale of fresh beginnings for two young women from very different backgrounds, (make that three in fact as you read the story) and the men who loved them. Her take on the lives entrusted on the vessel brings you an idea of the variety of its passengers and the gulf betwixt the social classes until the ship's tragic end.<br /><br />She also takes pains to describe the various emotions her characters feel as they board the Titanic giving readers a sense of witnessing for themselves a little of all its magnificence.<br />Queen of the Waves is a story of hope, love, the courage to reach out for newer and better things and faith that God will overlook the wrongs and bless the good!<br /><br />Set amidst the effervescent departure and subsequent sailing of the largest ship ever built by man, it shows a little of the amalgam of people who placed their hopes and dreams on its crossing.<br />Janice Thompson chose to introduce real people in her novel which makes it hauntingly vivid to her readers. Clearly, the sinking of the vessel will continue to fascinate people as we ponder at all its splendour and its very last moments before sinking in the depths of the cold Atlantic ocean.<br /><br />In Queen of the Waves we discover yet again the hand of the Almighty in all things! Standing on Titanic's deck and seeing the expanse of water ahead, a passenger ponders the only word that come to mind:<br /><br />\"The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.\"<br /><br />Fitting wouldn't you say?<br /><br />A shining example of Christian Fiction and worth 4 stars for its entertainment!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1350586429000, "title": "I liked Janice Thompson's take on the launching of this spectacular ship as background for her novel" }, { "asin": "0310335108", "rating": 5, "text": "'God has made you a unique design. Never forget that! Also know that God's made someone else to be your fit.'<br /><br />I think I have just read my favourite book from all of Tricia Goyer's novels and that is not an easy admission as she writes always with her heart!<br /><br />'The Memory Jar' is part of a series called 'Seven Brides For Seven Bachelors, and make no mistake, this is not 'one of those Amish stories yet again'! One distinction of Tricia Goyer's work is that everything she writes brings you something new to discover! The essence of a good writer?<br /><br />Sarah lives in Montana and works amongst Englishers as well as Amish in the West Kootenai Kraft & Grocery. Due to a tragic accident she carries a heavy burden on her shoulders and her memories are safely tucked in a little jar...Her memory jar.<br />An eventful mountain hiking trip reveals that shy Amish bachelor Jathan Scrock, is a friend she can trust and confided into. Both have unusual aspirations for their conservative community but their<br />dreams unites them in more ways than either ever hoped for.<br /><br />When Jathan is called back to the family farm in Ohio he finds his responsibilities overwhelming and fears their goal an impossible dream.<br /><br />God however has many plans for each of them and trusting Him leads to marvelous surprises!<br /><br />A beautiful story to remind you of childlike dreams and that when trusting your happiness in God's hands, the best is yet to come!<br /><br />Amish Proverb:<br /><br />'The grand essentials of happiness in this life is something to do, something to love and something to hope for.'<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1352138393000, "title": "I think I have just read my favourite book from all of Tricia Goyer's novels!" }, { "asin": "0800720040", "rating": 5, "text": "What better way to put yourself in the Holiday mood than reading 'Christmas Roses' by Amanda Cabot?<br />Never insipid and always inspiring, this storyteller brings us a tale of love, hope and even a miracle set in Wyoming Territory in1882. Trust Amanda to know how to bring a little romance and a lot of faith in her readers lives!<br /><br />Celia Anderson welcomes a new boarder in her home and life suddenly takes a new turn. She might just change her mind about not remarrying but only if the man brings her something she treasures and at Christmas no less!<br /><br />With that thought in mind, I was hooked as I held this lovely hardback in my hands with its enchanting Currier & Ives illustration! You will find yourself chuckling at Mark's wincing when he is surrounded by all of Celia's treasured flowers and hold your breath as he surprises her with his carpenter's skills for a much needed gift for her home.<br /><br />The book in itself is a little treasure and you will soon be enchanted by Celia, her baby girl, the story behind Mark's wanderings in search of a missing relative and his hope to become worthy of the young widow's love!<br /><br />Be prepared for some surprises as faith demands total surrender!<br /><br />Combined with her minute attention to historical details as well as her romantic nature, Amanda Cabot brings us a warm tale of love and redemption just in time for this blessed Season!<br /><br />5 Stars and a lovely gift for the romantic on your Christmas gift list! This one is a keeper!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1353709893000, "title": "Trust Amanda to know how to bring a little romance and a lot of faith in her readers lives!" }, { "asin": "0764209787", "rating": 5, "text": "It is said that Beverly Lewis gave birth to the Amish genre in 1997 with 'The Shunning' so it will come to no surprise that her name is practically a household name! She is enduring and continually delights her readers with yet another wonderful story. 'The Bridesmaid' is no exception! The novel brings such clear imagery you will find yourself acutely a part of the plot!<br /><br />As an avid reader and an Amish genre aficionado, I found Joanna and Eben's story enticed any yearning for dreaming. Theirs is surely a match made in Heaven!<br />There is a decided attraction to learn yet another facet of Amish life and Beverly Lewis is sure to pen a lesson or two about faith and living amongst the Amish community (and Englisher!).<br />Inviting plots, attractive characters (and sub characters!) and the chance of reflecting on hopes and aspirations will delight as always.<br />Her warm heart stories are always amazing! They also make a perfect gift for anyone, young or old, on your list this Holiday Season!<br /><br />Second novel in the Hickory Hollow series, 'The Bridesmaid' tells us of a Pennsylvania alt Maidel who unbeknown to her family and community loves to write make believe stories. Joanna's attraction to Eben Troyer is warmly reciprocated but there is a glitch in their burgeoning courtship: Eben is needed on the family farm in Indiana whilst Joanna has vowed to remain part of her congregation leaving them with no choice but to part ways.<br /><br />With a lot of faith and a little help from an almost forgotten letter written by her namesake, Joanna finds that God listens and there are many blessings in her future after all.<br /><br />5 Stars as I found this story truly a joy!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1354320207000, "title": "Joanna and Eben's story enticed any yearning for dreaming!" }, { "asin": "0857212494", "rating": 5, "text": "Action packed 'Resurrect' is probably the finest Christian Science Fiction book I have read so far with David E. Stevens using his extensive military background to draw you in the suspense and leaving you wanting for more! (And for once, the cover in right on...<br /><br />Following his jet fighter crash Commander Josh Logan wakes up one year later with no knowledge of the previous year's events. Josh is no Christian but his subs conscience reveals a voice with a powerful message and what follows this entity's revelation is an amazing study of human emotions, love, compassion and determination to do the impossible.<br />You might be tempted to call it a cliff hanger as David E. Stevens' first novel is hard to put down!<br /><br />To engage the reader Stevens uses just the perfect blend of interesting personalities, intricate interactions and lively dialogues.<br />Book 1 in the Resurrect Trilogy is a novel you should not rush however allowing for the discovery of each event leading to its ultimate climax including a bit of romance. Enter Nurse Elizabeth who attends Josh during his recovery and becomes part of a team of scientists and military specialists with a sole mission, that of saving the world at any cost.<br />Who would think of a nurse with the ability of breaking into sophisticated computer systems?<br />There! Just enough information for lady readers to know there is a perfect balance in this plot allowing for interest by both sex!<br /><br />A great thriller for anyone on your Christmas list!<br /><br />5 Stars for gripping plot and technical skills!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1354634880000, "title": "A great thriller for anyone on your Christmas list!" }, { "asin": "0800719891", "rating": 5, "text": "M. K. Lapp is one of these vivid characters you find yourself hoping the author will continue to write about. She won readers' hearts in the first two books of Stoney Ridge Seasons with her mischievous ways, a delightful Amish sort of 'Anne of Green Gables', that's with an 'E' at the end of course!<br /><br />As a child you never knew what M. K. would come up with as she often act before she thought! I always felt Suzanne Woods Fisher found the perfect way to balance the lively ways of M. K. with her step Mum's Fern no nonsense approach to life, again not unlike Colleen Hurst I imagine!<br /><br />It was not surprising to discover Mary Kay Lapp, M. K. as we know her, is a favourite of Suzanne's readers. To find her grown up and yearning for adventure seemed to be just right on track and I am so glad Suzanne satisfied our curiosity! M. K. brought us such merriment with her impish ways!<br /><br />Imagine an Amish filing for a passport...Suzanne Woods Fisher has just the knack to surprise everyone! And this Amish now a bonafida bee keeper, loves to ride her little red scooter...literally running into people...first the school marm then in the mysterious Chris Yoder...When a local sheep farmer is found dead in a nearby field, M. K.'s imagination works by leaps and bounds.<br /><br />God works in mysterious ways it is said...Never more so than in M. K.'s life as we see in 'The Lesson'.<br />Suzanne Woods Fisher weaves a sweet story around the Lapp family and brings closure to some of the events we have uncovered in her other books in the series as well. I always find intriguing the entrenchment of English life into the Amish community and this author does it well.<br />And speaking of lessons, there is always something for us to learn, even the spirited new school marm...as you will see!<br /><br />Will M. K. find peace in her new direction and a touch of romance perhaps? Find out for yourself!<br /><br />5 stars for pure entertainment and looking forward to see what an older M. K. might bring us in the future!<br /><br />I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.<br />I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358362470000, "title": "M. K. Lapp is one of these vivid characters you find yourself hoping the author will continue to write about." }, { "asin": "0800734602", "rating": 4, "text": "'Waiting For Spring' is Book 2 in the Westward Winds series and worth waiting for, no pun intended!<br />As we have learned to expect, Amanda Cabot brings us well researched history, warm romance, good solid faith whilst introducing yet another aspect of life challenges for a young widow in the 1800's Wyoming, that of caring for an handicapped child. She also balances her characters, main or sub characters, daily life routine, unexpected challenges and hardships thus giving us a great plot to enjoy. The heartfelt dedication of one mother who refuses to place her sight impaired toddler in an institution is guaranteed to reach out to anyone!<br /><br />'Summer of Promise' was the first chapter in Charlotte Harding Crowley's life, then living in Fort Laramie's Army outpost ( see review here) but I can attest this second book can easily be read on its own.<br />For those of us who have read however the first book, it is interesting to see where Amanda Cabot is taking her young protagonist, now a widow hiding in Cheyenne with her son from a past haunting her still.<br /><br />Charlotte has established a successful seamstress shoppe and is only too happy to find a helping hand in Rose, another young widow. Rose has a young daughter and can keep an eye on David and help in the shoppe as well.<br /><br />Whilst fitting a friend and customer Charlotte meets Barrett Landry a wealthy cattle baron who aspires to the world of politics, even becoming the next governor of Wyoming. It is soon apparent however neither one can deny their feelings for each other yet Barrett's successful future demands a wife and companion without a shady past and Charlotte is hiding from something or someone...<br /><br />Then again, perhaps politics is not a guarantee of Barrett's happiness..His cattle are facing a bitter winter and his heart is not in it.<br />Will each of the protagonists listen to his/her heart despite the rough road ahead?<br /><br />This is another historical romance you may recommend to any one, no matter the age! Amanda Cabot is certain to entertain any romantic soul or even the most skeptic of heart!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358546709000, "title": "'Waiting for Spring' was worth waiting for, no pun intended!" }, { "asin": "0800719867", "rating": 4, "text": "I anticipated this book for its subject, that of midwifing set in the 19th Century Appalachian mountains. 'Choices of the Heart' is book 3 in the Midwives series written by author Laurie Alice Eakes and a page turner for anyone interested in the past. She has proven herself an excellent researcher and never disappoints with her historical facts. There is still something intriguing in the profession of midwives and whilst having met with controversy often in the past, there is no doubt there is to date much of a demand for such skills.<br /><br />Laurie Alice Eakes' writing is full of life and there is no denying she brings to her readers a vivid image of the Appalachian people who moved to these mountains long ago, a large portion of them having crossed the Atlantic from the green hills of Ireland and the Highlands of Scotland. They brought with them little more than the clothes on their back and their amazing survival skills.<br />The richness of their music, folk tales, herbal doctoring and their legendary feuds still fascinates people to this day. This author found the ideal way to weave a good story amongst all these with 'Choices of the Heart'!<br /><br />Esther is the belle of Seabourne until a dreadful event occurs and she finds herself subject to shunning. Despite her family's heartfelt support, she seeks new beginnings and accepts a post as teacher to the youngest children of two families in the Mountains. Her task is to help them to fit in society befitting their newest financial status.<br />There however she meets two men, both attractive, yet her heart belongs to no one as her shame is a constant reminder of her past. Esther believes God has forsaken her and shies away from any physical contact with her admirers.<br /><br />For all that I was fascinated by the author's descriptions of this beautiful land and its inhabitants, their folklore and skills, the many period details, I was not so enamoured of her main protagonist. I felt something missing in this bittersweet story, too many characters however colourful and not enough consistency in the overall story line. At the end, I still had questions, to be answered in yet another chapter of the 'Midwives series', this one about a doctor perhaps?<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1358634910000, "title": "Always well researched!" }, { "asin": "0800721330", "rating": 5, "text": "'The Adventures of Lily Lapp' series started with a resounding success as seen in 'Life With Lily' (see review here) so I was not surprised to see 'A New Home For Lily', Book two, my own 5 stars rating shared by many readers!<br /><br />Betwixt Suzanne Woods Fisher and Mary Ann Kinsinger there is a perfect chemistry to bring the Amish genre a young appeal! Let's hope those two talented authors will continue to treat us!<br /><br />One look at the lovely six years old featured on their book covers is enough to tantalize us in discovering what else the smiling little girl has come up with since the first book!<br />Albeit geared to the 8 to 12 years old audience, Lily introduces readers of all ages to a whole new way to see the Amish community! Her spontaneity is so refreshing, I can think of nothing else than to suggest you pick up your own copy!<br /><br />Through Lily's eyes we see what happens to her family as they move to another state to be nearer their closest relatives.<br />Lily no longer has her own bedroom, her bed now tucked in a corner in the hallway. Her new house has a sad olive green hue, the barn sorely needs repairs, her school mates includes a bully and her new community has a completely different set of rules!<br />Lily has to get used to her new life and does not like it much.<br /><br />On the other end, there is so much to explore and have fun with, including Grand Pa's lumber mill with its big sawdust pile to play in!<br />Her Dad acquires four goats to add to Jenny, Mum's lovely Swiss cow, her new teacher is very nice and Lilly's new baby brother Paul is so cute...<br /><br />It is the countless little details the two authors have included in their stories which gives it additional appeal such as when poor Lily hits her thumb with a hammer and Mum dissolves aspirin in water for her to soak her sore finger to relieve the pain or when Mum must sew a whole new set of clothes for everyone in the family as the new community has different rules than the previous one.<br /><br />What better way to introduce youngsters to the Amish way of life (and share some quality family time)!<br /><br />'A New Home For Lily' is sure to delight everyone, young and old! Ladies, we are looking forward to the next story!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1360363970000, "title": "A New Home For Lily' is sure to delight everyone, young and old!" }, { "asin": "0800720733", "rating": 5, "text": "Combining a dynamic plot with spirited characters, Ann Shorey gives us a lasting historical novel in 'When The Heart Heals', guaranteed to be enjoyed by her loyal fans.<br />This latest installment in her series 'Sisters At Heart' provides her readers with the perfect blend of romance and mystery, woven across a troubled historical background, the lean and hungry years following the Civil War.<br /><br />Rosemary Saxon joins the practice of Dr. Elijah Stewart in Noble Springs, Missouri in early 1867. Two years have gone by since the end of the Civil war but there are still many wounds to be healed, not all physical. Despite her experience caring for soldiers or perhaps because of it, Rosemary is seen as an outsider in the community and times are already hard for any woman alone.<br />Rosemary finds joy in nursing and despite his earlier misgivings about her skills in herbal lore, Dr. Stewart soon learns to rely on her. In turn, she remembers well the younger doctor who deeply cared about his patients in a time of grievous conflict.<br /><br />These days, Rosemary's sole family in town, consists of her brother Curt and his wife Fay, her constant companion her faithful dog Bodie. When others needs her help, she finds herself at a crossroad and choices must be made.<br />As a result Rosemary fears she might lose something very precious just as she found a measure of happiness. However she is not the only one with concealed secrets and when she becomes the object of threats, Rosemary must learn to trust again and ask for help.<br /><br />A beautiful story reflecting God's love and forgiveness for all, Ann Storey's second book in the series follows 'Where Wildflowers Bloom' (see review HERE), but can be read as a stand alone.<br />I now join her many fans in asking when will the next installment be published ?!<br /><br />Suitable for any age, 'When The Heart Heals' is worth 5 stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1361319622000, "title": "Combining a dynamic plot with spirited characters here is another novel by Ann Shorey!" }, { "asin": "0800795547", "rating": 4, "text": "Based on the synopsis alone, I believe you will agree with me the title was well chosen: 'Outrageous Courage: What God Can Do with Raw Obedience & Radical Faith!<br />Kris and Jason Vallotton (Father and Son) write a dramatic story about a real life follower of Christ, following a compelling introduction of Kris' first meeting with Tracy Evans almost thirty years ago.<br /><br />A Christian Medical missionary Tracy Evans is indeed a remarkable person if you consider her exodus through 64 countries, from the tough streets of L.A. to North California's mountainous area, the Philippines, Kiribati and finally the Mozambique bush (see website @ iReachAfrica!) and always making a difference.<br /><br />But as remarkable as Tracy's story is, I cannot agree with the authors' suggestion we can become just like her 'with a little courage and belief'.<br />Just a reminder of course: Paul the Apostle teaches (1 Corinthians Chapter 12:8-10) not all of us display the same selfless abilities, and regardless of our courage and beliefs, not all of us can be as passionate as Tracy Evans in our quest to make a difference in the world!<br /><br />Never the less, this missionary's inspiring deeds are described in such a heartfelt way you know immediately this is a courageous person who systematically walks in Christ's footsteps no matter the hazards.<br />Kris and Jason Vallotton shows through this account Evans' work and how her unwavering faith has touched many and relieved suffering and poverty, always in His name.<br /><br />Understandingly at times sad but always hopeful, this real life account is perhaps not for everyone but worth at least 4 stars.<br /><br />Note to readers: Additional information on the Ministries of IReachAfrica can be found (HERE)<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1362695988000, "title": "Tracy Evans' compassionated deeds throughout the world." }, { "asin": "080072089X", "rating": 3, "text": "In 'Moonlight Masquerade' Lady Celine Wexham, leading member of London's Bon Ton and a widowed Countess of French origin, lives the life of most emigres in early 1800's. She holds intimate meetings in her boudoir and gives dinner parties and balls gathering any information she might be able to pass on to French Royalists to reinstate the rightful throne.<br />It is 1813 and Napoleon, facing a massive defeat in the harsh winter of Russia, orders a retreat of the Imperial army after losing thousands of French soldiers on the battlefield.<br />The Comte de Provence, brother to the late beheaded King Louis XVI is not the ideal choice for the Royal throne but better him than the self proclaimed Emperor.<br />Lady Celine, Valentine, her supercilious Abigail (slang aside, only an older servant would be allowed such an acerbic attitude) and Gaspard, her French Cook are part of a spy ring.<br />Rees, the object of Celine's interest is none other than her own Butler. An ambitious young man and a devoted Christian, recently pulled from an obscure department of the Home Office in part due to his linguistic talents, Rees' task is to spy on his mistress with the express purpose of implicating her in the conspiracy if such exists and report to his superior.<br /><br />Danger lurks and he soon finds himself battling his loyalties as Celine 'with her 'brandy hue irises' eyes touches his heart...Does anyone else remember Barbara Cartland's novels?<br />None of the characters are likely to provide much entertainment in this slow historical romance but if light, fluffy and harmless is your preferred choice, you will enjoy Moonlight Masquerade!<br />The portrayal of the Masquerade ball held at the Comte de Provence exiled court even defied my imagination with its lackluster details and the overall impression was soporific!<br /><br />Finally, I saw little of the 'witty, fast paced dialogue or infectious intrigue' mentioned in the synopsis and if this novel was in fact a music sheet, it would read as humming...It droned on and on... The few historical notes such as the mention of William Wilberforce as dinner guest at one of her lavish parties, or Voltaire's quotes, a man of note in himself, brings no relief to this plot.<br />I hardly think it necessary to dust my shelves for this novel!<br /><br />Regretfully, 3 (generous) stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BAKER REVELL as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1362863452000, "title": "If light, fluffy and harmless is your preferred choice, you will enjoy Moonlight Masquerade!" }, { "asin": "0800795520", "rating": 5, "text": "'Learning to Love' reflects a true love story, one that you will identify immediately with Jesus' love as shown in His earthly ministry! Make no mistake, Heidi and Rolland Baker are two exceptional people: nothing and I mean nothing will stop them from doing God's work, not even opposition from the world's evil side!<br /><br />As both husband and wife relate heartfelt stories, some humourous, some sad, each one compelling you to see God's work through them, you will feel their amazing love for their fellowmen.<br />Healing and faith pours out of them as they continually rescue babies, reach out in His name to help heal the blind, the deaf, and even hear the dumb speak.<br /><br />Co-founders of Iris Ministries, this incredible duo brings hope and care to thousands all over Mozambique, providing daily care for no less than 10,000 children. Their extended network includes over 10,000 churches, Bible schools, primary schools and remote outreach programs.<br />What a joy for them that many converts become ministers, lay preachers and teachers working all over the world!<br /><br />Their message:<br /><br />LOVE IS food and comfort to a ten year old amputee, abandoned on the side of the road.<br /><br />LOVE IS a new roof for an elderly widow installed before the rainy season.<br /><br />LOVE IS sharing hope with the homeless man on your street corner.<br /><br />'God is not just moving in distant lands and if you are willing, He will do amazing things through your love when you stop for the one in front of you, it is that simple!'<br /><br />A book to experience and reach out in HIS name to those who need YOU!<br /><br />5 Stars for its message, none better presented than today, the first of this Holy week!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS & CHOSEN BOOKS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1364252537000, "title": "This incredible duo brings hope and care to thousands all over Mozambique!" }, { "asin": "0764206192", "rating": 4, "text": "My first novel by Tracie Peterson was Book #3 in the 'Land of the Lone Star' series entitled 'Taming the Wind' (see review HERE), a good Western in itself and proof yet again this well published author has always something new up her sleeve!<br />Easy to read, entertaining and with just enough historical facts to give even this quickly bored reader something to ponder about, her novels reflect a wholesomeness and faith readers of any age will enjoy.<br /><br />The Icecutter's Daughter's jacket alone was eye catching: I love raised lettering and the image and colours were a strong pull in my choice for reading it, in fact as much as the resume (I know, I know, you should never judge a book by its cover but the series' name alone 'Land of Shining Water' was striking!).<br /><br />Icecutting was a vast industry in the US before machinery overtook this skilled art and I was curious to see what Tracie might have dug out when she wrote her historical fiction about two young people, destined to be together yet separated by lies and scandal.<br /><br />Merrill has always seen to the needs of her large, mostly male family and her German ancestry is as much a part of her life as Rurik's Swedish roots are his. Tracie weaves a convincing tale about their budding love amidst Nordic traditions and deep faith, wrongs to be righted and duties to their families.<br /><br />As always you may depend on this author's for the myriad of details which makes this tale a sweet read on these cold and rainy Spring evenings this Pacific NW coastline is known for!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS & CHOSEN BOOKS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1365702853000, "title": "Just the name of the series 'Land of Shining Water' was eye catching!" }, { "asin": "0824932463", "rating": 4, "text": "Sunflower Summer and Seaside Harmony, both novels part of the 'Postcards from Misty Harbor series', are drawn against the alluring scenery of quintessential Nantucket island. There we meet three sisters who purchase a dilapidated Victorian home with visions of restoring it to its original glory. The historical inn named the Misty Harbor Inn, soon opens its doors to guests as a B & B, a long time dream of their Mum now deceased.<br />Childhood memories emerge, hopes and dreams identifieds whilst the three sisters plunge into the renovation of the old place with all their heart.<br /><br />In their sixties, Caroline, Gracie and Sam bring each their own brand of talents to this endearing work of love and it is interesting to discover the three sisters individual personas as well as their perception of each other as they slowly bond again.<br /><br />Let's face it, we have all dreamed of owning such a place and arrange it lovingly whilst welcoming guests, have we not? Think of the fun of meeting people coming and going in your own inn?!<br />There is however a lot more to it than we might imagine and Evangeline Kelley (actually the pen name for 4 different authors) describes the bittersweet ups and downs of owning a piece of history, complete with mysteries, including a disappearance in the 1800's!<br /><br />With just the right amount of details to pique our interest the renovation comes to life and answers are found if sought. As we are often reminded, the good Lord has something in store for each of us and the sisters are discovering their true self in these adventures.<br /><br />Complete with interesting sub characters, a touch of sweet romance, a wonderful ol' Packard to transport guests and a delightful if mischievous Cocker Spagniel named Max, both easy to read novels are the perfect relaxing novels to tuck in your beach bag!<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />Note to Readers: A confession must be made...This reader felt drawn immediately to Sunflower Summer's story and I would like to recommend you read the novels in order, with Seaside Harmony first!<br /><br />I received these books from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1367440928000, "title": "Relaxing novels set against quintessential Nantucket island!" }, { "asin": "1451692374", "rating": 5, "text": "Most readers will agree, some books just stand out and this one is definitively ranking in the top ten of my list of most entertaining. A keeper and one I would suggest to anyone looking for a gift!<br />Deanne's vivavious description of a sweet romance amidst the 1893's World Fair was the perfect enticement for some 'me' time. I was totally immersed in her descriptive of this period and credit the story of Della and Cullen with a few dreams of my own. Well done!<br /><br />A perfect combination of historical facts and fiction, It Happened At The Fair reflects the wealth of love and care this author puts in her writing. It also brings to readers a marvelous fountain of information and even photos of this world event!<br />Whilst she has taken a few liberties, all clearly acknowledge in the afterword, the author was undoubtdedly as stimulated by the fair as I was when I first heard of it. As a cultural and social event, the world fair of 1893 was a tremendous influence on the 20th Century and a complete success. With 6.8 millions visitors in attendance, the exposition located on the shores of Lake Michigan provided a template for other events and changed America forever with its astonishing legacy. Nothing ever compared to it as it gave new perspectives for the world of commerce and technology.<br /><br />Della and Cullen's story blends in this grandiose background yet gives an opportunity for readers to feel their touching romance. Obviously a true romantic at heart, Deanne describes Della's position as a teacher working with the Deaf at a time when too often a deaf person was ostrasized for signing. Cullen in turn is the young farmer turned inventor who is struggling with a hearing loss.<br /><br />Deanne Gist proved to be a superb historical fiction writer which coupled with her discernebly romantical temperament, gives readers a captivating love story you will not want to miss!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />I received this book from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1368144831000, "title": "Deanne's vivavious description of a sweet romance amidst the 1893's World Fair was the perfect enticement for some 'me' time." }, { "asin": "0764209795", "rating": 5, "text": "Leave it to the matriarch of the Amish genre to come up with yet another gem! Since she first began to entertain us with stories of this cloistered community, Beverly Lewis has repeatedly captivated fans and acquired many new readers with her insight into this mysterious world few of us has seen and understand.<br /><br />In 'Home To Hickory Hollow', Book # 3 'The Guardian' we discover a strong willed little Amish girl named Sarah and Jodi, the troubled young woman who finds the little darling when she tumbles out of her Mum's buggy and gets lost.<br /><br />Beverly Lewis systematically introduces us to many facets of the Old Order Amish community we know little or next to nothing such as intermarriages and deriving genetic disorders or their reluctance to involve the authorities even in the case of a missing child.<br />I was surprised at the 'no pets allowed in a household' preference but cannot but marvel at their strong sense of community and survival in an ever encroaching English world.<br />The concept of an outsider being not only accepted in such a tight community as a close friend but also hired to teach their children even on a temporary basis was definitively unexpected.<br /><br />Always at her best when she describes the ties that draw people together no matter their origins, Beverly Lewis approaches the subject of pain and loneliness which occurs after losing loved ones.<br />For Maryanna Esh, Joshua Peachey and Jodi Winfield, there is a lesson to be learned as long as they have faith!<br /><br />\"The soul yearns for tranquility but the only real peace comes from communing with God.\"<br /><br />Returning readers will enjoy meeting old friends such as Ella Mae the Wise Woman and her down to earth approach to life but never fear this 'Home To Hickory Hollow' story stands on its own!<br /><br />5 Stars!<br /><br />I received this book from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1369505389000, "title": "Always at her best when she describes the ties that draw people together!" }, { "asin": "0764209663", "rating": 5, "text": "Karen Witemeyer packs a whole lot of punch in this fun Christian novel and brings readers a story guaranteed to make you dream about the Old West!<br />The very idea of a father going to such lenghs to please his daughter was genial! 'Stealing the Preacher is everything the synopsis promised and more!<br /><br />Karen Witemeyer's style is vivacious and the perfect antidote to hum drum evenings (Forget the telly, move over John Wayne!). Her novels gives you the opportunity to grasp a keen appreciation for the Old West, luxuriate in a little romance, relish in humour riddled dialogue and encounter a whole lot of faith. Not bad for 352 pages!<br /><br />'Stealing the Preacher' starts on a humourous note with the kidnapping of unsuspecting Crockett Archer, en route to what he hopes will be his first appointment as a full time parson! Silas and his bunch of grey hair, long in the tooth outlaws forcibly removes him from the train and unceremoniously drops him at daughter's Joanna' feet as her birthday gift!<br /><br />From the onset 'Stealing the Preacher' is a series of wholesome fortuity and a celebration of faith! Joanna and Crockett seemed destined to be together of course. That is if Joanna's father will set aside his differences with the Lord and allow true love to progress. Silas has been a honest rancher for the last 16 years but his past might just come back to haunt him.<br /><br />Sweet Joanna is everything Crockett needs at this time as a partner in his life as he breathes life in his new found congregation. Hired as a ranch hand, he hopes to earn Silas' approval and works harder than anyone. If he can bring Silas to the Lord, he might just be able to ask for Joanna's hand.<br /><br />A fast paced delightful novel to enjoy with your whole heart and soul! Kate Witemeyer is going on my list of favourite authors!<br /><br />I received this book from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1371328423000, "title": "'Stealing the Preacher is everything the synopsis promised and more!" }, { "asin": "0764209566", "rating": 4, "text": "'Love in Disguise' was my first novel by Carol Cox (see review HERE) and I looked forward to see what Carol had in store for her readers with 'Trouble in Store'.<br /><br />Clearly inspired by her beautiful surroundings - not unlike the one her protagonist finds upon her arrival out West - Carol Cox takes us this time from Marietta, Ohio Circa 1885 to Cedar Ridge, Arizona Territory. A mercantile store against this interesting backdrop becomes the setting of this new adventure!<br /><br />As is her custom, the author blends a good western with a little mystery rounded up with a bit of romance, just what most of us look for to discover in a Historical Fiction.<br /><br />Melanie Ross is nothing but determined to start afresh in Cedar Ridge as Caleb Nelson soon discovers both of them might very well be co-owners of the mercantile store he inherited from his Uncle.<br /><br />Caleb and his son Levi have only been four months in town but they are settling in and do not want to see the persistent young woman interfering in the running of the mercantile store. Melanie however is full of ideas to expend their inventory and create more sales.<br />When threats in the form of missives are discovered, Melanie first assumes Caleb is behind it all.<br /><br />In the meantime in an attempt to take things in hand, Caleb devises a plan to see Melanie married off, a sure way to not have her underfoot but the plan backfires when dozen of callers offers matrimony to the comely newcomer and she finds out who is behind it all.<br /><br />Entertaining if slightly predictable, 'Trouble in Store' has a lesson or two for us to uncover...including the danger in gossiping which in this case might endanger the lives of our characters! This is after all the West and bad news travels faster than a herd of spooked cattle!<br /><br />4 stars!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program and an Ebook version from BAKER PUBLISHING GROUP (through the Social Sharing Contest). I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1372111366000, "title": "As is her custom, the author blends a good western with a little mystery rounded up with a bit of romance!" }, { "asin": "1414349319", "rating": 5, "text": "Duty and Honour calls at any level and this latest Christian offering by TYNDALE PUBLISHERS is well worth a moment of your time!<br /><br />RENEGADE, Book 2 in the 'Called To Serve' series follows Pike Morgan, a maverick who has been in and out of trouble for many years. Growing up in the Foster Care system of course has not helped his rebellious side. When his best friend is killed by a gang, Pike agrees to testify and enters the Witness Protection program.<br />Now a Marine reservist called to active duty, Pike Morgan is sent to Afghanistan where his fighting skills proves him to be a survivor when a regular rescue mission turns grievously wrong and becomes the biggest challenge of his life.<br /><br />Mel Odom might have well written just another of those war novels if it was not for the fact he cleverly deals with duty and honour infused with a great amount of faith! There are some excellent Christian values in this plot particularly for single parent families, as we realize Pike's past haunts him and emotional ties scares him. No man is an island after all!<br /><br />Well worth reading, RENEGADE is packed with action most favoured by men but also the sort of 'feel good' times women relate to and as such, provides great material for family/group discussions.<br /><br />With over 140 books to his active in various genres, Mel Odom proves to be a versatile author certain to grab your attention and whilst this 2nd novel in the series starts rather slowly, the narration builds up steadily! The only negative might be that some of the (interesting) characters appeared to be left in limbo, material for a future novel perhaps?<br /><br />Finally, a word of caution: Understandably, the author could not escape the harsh realities of war so there is a certain amount of violence leading me to recommend this novel for mature readers only!<br /><br />5 Stars!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from TYNDALE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1372886624000, "title": "Mel Odom proves to be a versatile author certain to grab your attention!" }, { "asin": "0310730538", "rating": 5, "text": "An amazing recount of survival in horrendous conditions, Alone Yet Not Alone is an action packed book preteens and teens will appreciate for the dramatic events this courageous family encountered!<br />Life in 1755 was hardly easy for those living on the frontier bordering the mountains of Pennsylvania. For most, this represented however the only opportunity for freedom from indentured servitude or slow starvation in the old country.<br /><br />Based on true facts this tale recalls the story of a group of children captured by Indians and taken far into the wilderness to become members of their tribe.<br />But there is where this inspirational story truly begins! What sets Barbara and Regina apart are their unwavering faith in God and their belief in each other.<br /><br />Separated, each girl is inducted in the Allegheny tribe and continuously look for ways to escape. When eventually the right time emerges, theirs become the stuff of legend as they made their escape with other captives!<br /><br />Pursued by their captors unrelentlessly, these children eventually found their way back to their families. This is their story, an extraordinary tale of survival filled with Christian values and biblical teaching!<br /><br />Author's Tracy Leininger Craven love for History is immediately apparent in this debut novel you will not want to miss!<br /><br />Note to Readers: Be sure to read the acknowledgements (and find out about Tracy's first draft of this story at age 9!) and check out the Discussion/questions!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />I received a paperback copy of this title from FLYBY PROMOTIONS as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1377797046000, "title": "Their survival become the stuff of legend!" }, { "asin": "1433680459", "rating": 5, "text": "By far one of the most meaningful children stories I have read in a long time, AUDREY BUNNY reminded me immediately of another time, another little girl and her own bunny...This review is for us Dearest...<br /><br />Lovingly illustrated by talented Breezy Brookshire this story reminds us that whilst we might have some imperfections, we are all children of God and loved!<br /><br />AUDREY BUNNY will capture each child's imagination (Warning: as a direct result, parents might find themselves buying a soon to be much loved stuffed friend!) as we see that Caroline knew exactly what she wanted when stepping in the toy shoppe!<br />Loved at first sight, AUDREY BUNNY is so happy to be adopted by Caroline but very much afraid her own imperfection once discovered means she will be rejected.<br /><br />My favourite moment:<br />'Bunny peeked over the animals in the barrel. It was her! It was the same little girl from a few days ago. She straightened her ears as high as they would go and squeezed her eyes shut as the little girl walked in her direction. She was too nervous to look. Could today be the day she got picked?'<br /><br />Author Angie Smith finds just the right words to reassure little ones (and big ones) that we are special in our own way!<br /><br />An amazing work of love, geared for 4 to 8 years old, it is a story you will treasure and hopefully share with all your loved ones! This one Folks is meant to be on a special shelf to be read over and over!<br /><br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />Note to Readers: Great news! Audrey Bunny is now #1 in Christian Children's Books at Amazon.com!<br /><br />I received a copy of this title from FLYBY PROMOTIONS as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1383064676000, "title": "A story sure to be treasured for years to come!" }, { "asin": "0824956478", "rating": 5, "text": "Beautifully illustrated by talented Christine Kornacki (Remember The First Christmas Night?) The Sparkle Box is a marvelous story to teach little ones (and old ones) the true meaning of Christmas!<br /><br />In this heartfelt message storyteller Jill Hardie brings us a delightful story sure to become a tradition in this upcoming Holiday Season.<br /><br />Beginning with the message: &#34;You are the light of the world -- Make it sparkle!&#34;, this book includes a pop up sparkle box for young readers to fill in with little slips of papers highlighting their 'gifts' as they share with others in His name!<br /><br />The unfolding story focuses on random acts of kindness, what we can give instead of what we receive thus allowing even the smallest child of understanding the joy involved in helping others.<br /><br />Be ready though for a lot of questions arising from the story such as being homeless and hungry. Each unique illustration and the accompanying wording will bring a new subject to discuss with your family!<br /><br />A book to treasure and rediscover year after year!<br />5 Stars!!<br /><br />Note to Readers:<br /><br />This review was not requested and reflects my opinion only!", "timestamp": 1385855900000, "title": "The Sparkle Box is a marvelous story to teach little ones (and old ones) the true meaning of Christmas!" }, { "asin": "140168968X", "rating": 4, "text": "We all have favourites in literature and Mr. Knightley happens to be the leading Austen male character I like best.<br />I was intrigued by the title of Dear Mr. Knightley (more than the bromidic cover) and the format of the novel: letters written to a sponsor willing to give a chance to someone who most needed a friend!<br /><br />Katherine Reay's first novel is impressive! Her plotline is faultless and I loved to discover the letters Sam is writing in which she reveals so much of herself.<br />I think most reviewers will agree it was easy to identify the benevolent sponsor but it was intriguing to see how far the author would lead her main character without revealing his/her identity!<br /><br />An enjoyable read which includes bonus material perfect for group readers.<br />If you are looking for a good romance to bestow on a favourite friend or family member, here is the ticket!<br /><br />4 Stars!", "timestamp": 1386187174000, "title": "A good romance to bestow on a favourite friend or family member this Holiday Season!" }, { "asin": "0890517908", "rating": 5, "text": "I can almost hear the comments...&#34;Here we go again!&#34;...&#34;Must be the season?!&#34; &#34;Blah, Blah, Blah&#34; etc...<br />But seriously Folks, did you ever wonder if 25 December was in fact Christ's actual birth day or if He was truly laid in a manger or perhaps if Christmas is in fact based on a Pagan holiday? If you have asked yourself any or all of these questions and a myriad more - and found little no answers -, this book is for you! Here is the Christian response to a world often warring traditions and the Bible!<br /><br />To have a better understanding of the real Christmas, its traditions and often misconceptions, this compilation by General Editor Bodie Hodge is going to be just what you have been looking for!<br /><br />Personally I have always wonder at the star leading the wise men from the East to the exact spot in the little town of Bethlehem where our Saviour was born...Then there is the significance of Jesus' name, even the X in Xmas is detailed as well as an explanation of the virgin birth...<br /><br />THE WAR ON CHRISTMAS includes twenty three chapters, beautifully illustrated and packed with all sorts of revelations, including end notes and references making it a true Christmas encyclopedia!<br /><br />The perfect gift for any parent, youth instructor or church library and well worth 5 stars!<br /><br />I received a copy of this title from HANDLEBAR to review . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1387236636000, "title": "Excellent references making it a true Christmas encyclopedia!" }, { "asin": "1414389752", "rating": 4, "text": "Pam Hillman's affinity for the Old West is felt from the very beginning of Claiming Mariah.<br />I always enjoy a good story about life in the West by such as Louis L'Amour and Zane Grey but this book negate the adage that writing westerns is solely a man's world, Pam Hillman's second novel is certainly proof of that!<br /><br />The heart warming introduction by the author is one that will set your imagination to run:<br /><br />'I originally wrote Slade to be larger than life, but first readers scoffed at his amazing broad shoulders, a 6 ft 4&#34; frame, gorgeous green eyes, large hands that can soothe a small child, manhandle an ornery cow or bring a newborn calf in the world but I know the truth....That man does exit, I married him.'<br /><br />Set in the state of Wyoming in the Spring of 1882 the arresting plot line has just the right ingredients to satisfy any reader: adventure, mystery, revenge, love and a good dose of solid faith, the sort you need to get through even the toughest days. It also portrays the kind of men and women who built this country despite or perhaps because of the odds!<br /><br />Seth Malone and Jack Donovan were once mates but treachery separated the men. Now that both have passed away, Malone's daughter Mariah and Slade, Jack's son are left to see that justice is met.<br /><br />Claiming Mariah brings to life the best and the worst of a wild west, a lawless epoch where a man and a woman defined riches through the land they owned and fought to defend it and their loved ones no matter the cost!<br /><br />Great entertainment and earning 4 stars!<br /><br />Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book courtesy of LITFUSE as part of this book promotion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1397770027000, "title": "This book negate the adage that writing westerns is solely a man's world!" }, { "asin": "1401689124", "rating": 5, "text": "Inspired by real events and accounts by two survivors of Berlin's brutal occupation of the Red Army, Daisies Are Forever is a story of sheer tenacity and faith that will grasp you with good historical research and a breathtaking plot line.<br /><br />Gisela yearns for the life she had in the US before her parents moved back to Germany. It is now 1945 and she has no idea if her family still lives. The Russians will reach their town in a matter of days if not hours when her cousin Ella entrusts her with her two young daughters, leaving Ella to care for their Grandfather. Gisela joins other refugees on the road hoping to reach Berlin only to make the most unlikely encounter as she meets two escaped POW's.<br /><br />The author leaves nothing unsaid and gives the facts as there were witnessed. Spring of 1945 brought unrelenting Allied bombardments over Germany, rationing was near starvation and the German army yielded no mercy to deserters and their families.<br />With the Russians unleashing terrible revenge on the population, Germans felt completely abandoned and fearing the invaders' assaults, women and young girls resolved to commit suicide.<br />Nothing but rubble remains of Berlin but Gisela and her little family of refugees fight to survive, their fate in God's hands as the guns and Stalinorgels continue to be heard.<br /><br />Liz Tolsma 'Snow on the Tulips' has proven she has a solid writing style and with Daisies are Forever, we can assume she will continue to provide her readers with interesting Christian historical fiction.<br /><br />This is a story of survival in a world gone mad, where every breath might be your last, where nothing makes sense anymore and no one can be trusted. It is also a time of a daring last ditch effort to save those dearest to your heart and where only God hears fervent prayers.<br /><br />5 Stars!<br /><br />Note: Due to thematic material, more suitable to older teens and mature readers.<br /><br />Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book courtesy of LITFUSE as part of its promotion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1400607118000, "title": "With 'Snow on the Tulips' and 'Daisies Are Forever', Tolsma proved she has a solid writing style!" }, { "asin": "0764212435", "rating": 4, "text": "An amalgam of adventure, love and an inspiring journey in Faith and personal growth! Dee Henderson is either a gifted author with an amazing imagination or has genially retained savvy technical advisers!<br />Either way, UNDETECTED is another hard book to put down (particularly as Naval Base Kitsap - Bangor is so near to us).<br /><br />Henderson stages her action packed 19th novel aboard the USS Nevada, a ballistic submarine headed by Commander Mark Bishop. Bishop's best friend Jeff, another Navy sub commander, happens to have a sister named Gina, something of a genius in undersea technology and as you can guess, the plot line brings these protagonists together as potentially catastrophic world events develops. Gina is on the brink of a major breakthrough and if she is right, submarine warfare is about to change forever!<br /><br />Along comes sonar 'Techy' Daniel, all together a very nice guy, and so develops a love triangle mingled with high drama: a Chinese sub goes missing during crisis maneuvers, and our heroes must find a way to stop another world war. Henderson features a surprising amount of technical information in her novel enhancing the real possibilities in this 'what if?' However she knows how to balance her stories by reminding us of human frailty as well and our need, more than ever, for a strong faith in the face of adversity.<br /><br />It is fair also to say rating Dee Henderson' stories is never easy as they are all satisfying but UNDETECTED was perhaps not of the same caliber as her previous military novels.<br /><br />4 Stars!<br /><br />Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from BETHANY HOUSE Publishing as part of it's promotion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.", "timestamp": 1403125174000, "title": "Adventure, love and an inspiring journey in Faith and personal growth!" } ]

[ { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 5, "text": "Love this series! The characters carry over from the first book except for the villians.<br />Bree is now Sheriff. Matt & Brody, the family and twist and turns of Melinda Leigh's story telling.<br />She gets right too it. Not a lot of flowerly word to distract you from the storyline.<br />She tells the tale well.<br />This book I didn't know who the murderer was until he was presented.<br />Usually I can guess.<br />Good read and she leaves you wanting more.<br />On to the third book. Excited to see where Melinda goes from here.", "timestamp": 1649795214568, "title": "Fast paced mystery of murder!" }, { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 5, "text": "Quite a few characters in this book. The victim, Sheriff office, private detective, lawyer and her family, variety of young adults, neighbors and the dog!<br />Not to hard to follow or keep up with all that's going on.<br />Get the audio which makes it easier to switch back and forth.<br />I also joined Kindle Unlimited.<br />For the money, it cost less.<br />Especially if you want to read, the Morgan Dane series.<br />Melinda Leigh's does a good job laying her story's out, without all the unnecessary descriptive words.<br />I for one, am ready to read book 2.<br />With all that's going on, she surely keeps you guessing as to whom, committed the murder.", "timestamp": 1650563594873, "title": "Very good murder mystery!" }, { "asin": "B06ZZW7G42", "rating": 4, "text": "This was a truly horrific case that unraveled, as you read.<br />So gruesome, that I put this book down for a few days.<br />She tells this story, which could be,<br /> \" Ripped from the Headlines\" on CVU.<br />Lots of twists and turns.<br />Glad I made it through. Ready to see what book 3 brings.<br />Liking the Morgan Dane series.", "timestamp": 1650671759233, "title": "Not for the faint of heart!" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CE", "rating": 5, "text": "Riveting! So many twist and turns.<br />Leigh does not give this one away at all.<br />Quite the tale. This madman is on a killing spree, and once again, the beloved characters are all mixed up in it.<br />Enjoyed reading. Do recommend you finish the series. Plus it has the same feel good ending. Well done.", "timestamp": 1652212209424, "title": "Book 4! Great way to end the series!" }, { "asin": "B00XXYGNJC", "rating": 5, "text": "Some how I started with book 5 of this series. Not knowing all the characters, didn't really seem to matter.<br />As with all her books, it's a complete well told story.<br />Always enjoy her feel good ending.<br />I do however, recommend you start with book one in the Series.<br />Good read. Like it very much!", "timestamp": 1652303683860, "title": "Good Title, fits perfectly!" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 5, "text": "Fast entertaining story. Around 120+ pages. A island story. Haven't read many of those.<br />When the ferry is down, well your stuck there.<br />New doc in town. Injured FBI gal and the local police gal as, life long friends, but their other friend has gone missing.<br />It's their story and I liked it.<br />Leaves you with happiness in your heart.<br />Two book series, and I will read the next one.", "timestamp": 1652876392918, "title": "Short story. Feel good story!" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 5, "text": "Kept me entertained.<br />Mostly who killed the local artist, that's painting portraits of the towns women, and where's Mama?<br />A fast read. Only 100+ words, and definitely word the listen with Kindle Unlimited.", "timestamp": 1652947290813, "title": "Who killed the local artist?" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 5, "text": "This series has held me captive. The book moves along with its mystery.<br />Love all the main characters.<br />As Melinda tell you their story, one can relate to much that is going on.<br />I don't like to give away the blot, but if you have read book one and two, you will surely read three.<br />Love her feel good endings, and will read the next.", "timestamp": 1653067458413, "title": "Murder and a new clue!" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 5, "text": "Really good mystery here. Two storyline coming together. All the beloved characters and the clue from book 3 comes into play. As always the feel good ending that we come to expect from Kendra Elliot.<br />Short story and she really packs it in.<br />Enjoyed this book very much.<br />Great rainy day reading.", "timestamp": 1653082940426, "title": "Grabs you from the jump!" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 5, "text": "A very good murder mystery.<br />Has everything you come to expect from a Kendra Elliott book.<br />Vivid imagination for the scenery of Oregon.<br />Liked the character of Mercy Kilpatrick.<br />Always a feel good ending.<br />Read it.<br />Best part it's a series.", "timestamp": 1653604147595, "title": "Thrilling!" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 5, "text": "What can be better. The Chief, the FBI and romance all rolled into one.<br />A riveting book you can't put down.<br />After getting invested with the characters in book one. Book 2 just keeps giving.<br />And as always, with Kendra Elliott's books.<br />Another feel good ending.<br />I'm ready for book 3.", "timestamp": 1653687714858, "title": "Murder, mystery and the Law!" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "This book was thrilling! Grabs you and you won't want to put it down.<br />I didn't. Really good mystery as to who the killer is and she hid it well.<br />A lot of twists and turns with the characters we've come to like.<br />As always, Kendra wraps it up with her feel good ending!", "timestamp": 1653775238474, "title": "Action packed! Mystery, Murder and Romance !" } ]

[ { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 5, "text": "Love this series! The characters carry over from the first book except for the villians.<br />Bree is now Sheriff. Matt & Brody, the family and twist and turns of Melinda Leigh's story telling.<br />She gets right too it. Not a lot of flowerly word to distract you from the storyline.<br />She tells the tale well.<br />This book I didn't know who the murderer was until he was presented.<br />Usually I can guess.<br />Good read and she leaves you wanting more.<br />On to the third book. Excited to see where Melinda goes from here.", "timestamp": 1649795214568, "title": "Fast paced mystery of murder!" }, { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 5, "text": "Quite a few characters in this book. The victim, Sheriff office, private detective, lawyer and her family, variety of young adults, neighbors and the dog!<br />Not to hard to follow or keep up with all that's going on.<br />Get the audio which makes it easier to switch back and forth.<br />I also joined Kindle Unlimited.<br />For the money, it cost less.<br />Especially if you want to read, the Morgan Dane series.<br />Melinda Leigh's does a good job laying her story's out, without all the unnecessary descriptive words.<br />I for one, am ready to read book 2.<br />With all that's going on, she surely keeps you guessing as to whom, committed the murder.", "timestamp": 1650563594873, "title": "Very good murder mystery!" }, { "asin": "B06ZZW7G42", "rating": 4, "text": "This was a truly horrific case that unraveled, as you read.<br />So gruesome, that I put this book down for a few days.<br />She tells this story, which could be,<br /> \" Ripped from the Headlines\" on CVU.<br />Lots of twists and turns.<br />Glad I made it through. Ready to see what book 3 brings.<br />Liking the Morgan Dane series.", "timestamp": 1650671759233, "title": "Not for the faint of heart!" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CE", "rating": 5, "text": "Riveting! So many twist and turns.<br />Leigh does not give this one away at all.<br />Quite the tale. This madman is on a killing spree, and once again, the beloved characters are all mixed up in it.<br />Enjoyed reading. Do recommend you finish the series. Plus it has the same feel good ending. Well done.", "timestamp": 1652212209424, "title": "Book 4! Great way to end the series!" }, { "asin": "B00XXYGNJC", "rating": 5, "text": "Some how I started with book 5 of this series. Not knowing all the characters, didn't really seem to matter.<br />As with all her books, it's a complete well told story.<br />Always enjoy her feel good ending.<br />I do however, recommend you start with book one in the Series.<br />Good read. Like it very much!", "timestamp": 1652303683860, "title": "Good Title, fits perfectly!" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 5, "text": "Fast entertaining story. Around 120+ pages. A island story. Haven't read many of those.<br />When the ferry is down, well your stuck there.<br />New doc in town. Injured FBI gal and the local police gal as, life long friends, but their other friend has gone missing.<br />It's their story and I liked it.<br />Leaves you with happiness in your heart.<br />Two book series, and I will read the next one.", "timestamp": 1652876392918, "title": "Short story. Feel good story!" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 5, "text": "Kept me entertained.<br />Mostly who killed the local artist, that's painting portraits of the towns women, and where's Mama?<br />A fast read. Only 100+ words, and definitely word the listen with Kindle Unlimited.", "timestamp": 1652947290813, "title": "Who killed the local artist?" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 5, "text": "This series has held me captive. The book moves along with its mystery.<br />Love all the main characters.<br />As Melinda tell you their story, one can relate to much that is going on.<br />I don't like to give away the blot, but if you have read book one and two, you will surely read three.<br />Love her feel good endings, and will read the next.", "timestamp": 1653067458413, "title": "Murder and a new clue!" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 5, "text": "Really good mystery here. Two storyline coming together. All the beloved characters and the clue from book 3 comes into play. As always the feel good ending that we come to expect from Kendra Elliot.<br />Short story and she really packs it in.<br />Enjoyed this book very much.<br />Great rainy day reading.", "timestamp": 1653082940426, "title": "Grabs you from the jump!" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 5, "text": "A very good murder mystery.<br />Has everything you come to expect from a Kendra Elliott book.<br />Vivid imagination for the scenery of Oregon.<br />Liked the character of Mercy Kilpatrick.<br />Always a feel good ending.<br />Read it.<br />Best part it's a series.", "timestamp": 1653604147595, "title": "Thrilling!" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 5, "text": "What can be better. The Chief, the FBI and romance all rolled into one.<br />A riveting book you can't put down.<br />After getting invested with the characters in book one. Book 2 just keeps giving.<br />And as always, with Kendra Elliott's books.<br />Another feel good ending.<br />I'm ready for book 3.", "timestamp": 1653687714858, "title": "Murder, mystery and the Law!" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "This book was thrilling! Grabs you and you won't want to put it down.<br />I didn't. Really good mystery as to who the killer is and she hid it well.<br />A lot of twists and turns with the characters we've come to like.<br />As always, Kendra wraps it up with her feel good ending!", "timestamp": 1653775238474, "title": "Action packed! Mystery, Murder and Romance !" }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "They do fall into it deep. This suspenseful and thrilling book 4 of this series, is a can't put down.<br />I love the audible reading as well.<br />If you've come this far, you should probably continue.<br />Kendra Elliott always delivers the best feel good endings, setting you up for her next one in this series.<br />The suspense gets chilling at times.<br />Enjoyed it and definitely recommend you dive into this series.", "timestamp": 1653865484335, "title": "Mercy, Truman and Crime!" } ]

[ { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 5, "text": "Love this series! The characters carry over from the first book except for the villians.<br />Bree is now Sheriff. Matt & Brody, the family and twist and turns of Melinda Leigh's story telling.<br />She gets right too it. Not a lot of flowerly word to distract you from the storyline.<br />She tells the tale well.<br />This book I didn't know who the murderer was until he was presented.<br />Usually I can guess.<br />Good read and she leaves you wanting more.<br />On to the third book. Excited to see where Melinda goes from here.", "timestamp": 1649795214568, "title": "Fast paced mystery of murder!" }, { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 5, "text": "Quite a few characters in this book. The victim, Sheriff office, private detective, lawyer and her family, variety of young adults, neighbors and the dog!<br />Not to hard to follow or keep up with all that's going on.<br />Get the audio which makes it easier to switch back and forth.<br />I also joined Kindle Unlimited.<br />For the money, it cost less.<br />Especially if you want to read, the Morgan Dane series.<br />Melinda Leigh's does a good job laying her story's out, without all the unnecessary descriptive words.<br />I for one, am ready to read book 2.<br />With all that's going on, she surely keeps you guessing as to whom, committed the murder.", "timestamp": 1650563594873, "title": "Very good murder mystery!" }, { "asin": "B06ZZW7G42", "rating": 4, "text": "This was a truly horrific case that unraveled, as you read.<br />So gruesome, that I put this book down for a few days.<br />She tells this story, which could be,<br /> \" Ripped from the Headlines\" on CVU.<br />Lots of twists and turns.<br />Glad I made it through. Ready to see what book 3 brings.<br />Liking the Morgan Dane series.", "timestamp": 1650671759233, "title": "Not for the faint of heart!" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CE", "rating": 5, "text": "Riveting! So many twist and turns.<br />Leigh does not give this one away at all.<br />Quite the tale. This madman is on a killing spree, and once again, the beloved characters are all mixed up in it.<br />Enjoyed reading. Do recommend you finish the series. Plus it has the same feel good ending. Well done.", "timestamp": 1652212209424, "title": "Book 4! Great way to end the series!" }, { "asin": "B00XXYGNJC", "rating": 5, "text": "Some how I started with book 5 of this series. Not knowing all the characters, didn't really seem to matter.<br />As with all her books, it's a complete well told story.<br />Always enjoy her feel good ending.<br />I do however, recommend you start with book one in the Series.<br />Good read. Like it very much!", "timestamp": 1652303683860, "title": "Good Title, fits perfectly!" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 5, "text": "Fast entertaining story. Around 120+ pages. A island story. Haven't read many of those.<br />When the ferry is down, well your stuck there.<br />New doc in town. Injured FBI gal and the local police gal as, life long friends, but their other friend has gone missing.<br />It's their story and I liked it.<br />Leaves you with happiness in your heart.<br />Two book series, and I will read the next one.", "timestamp": 1652876392918, "title": "Short story. Feel good story!" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 5, "text": "Kept me entertained.<br />Mostly who killed the local artist, that's painting portraits of the towns women, and where's Mama?<br />A fast read. Only 100+ words, and definitely word the listen with Kindle Unlimited.", "timestamp": 1652947290813, "title": "Who killed the local artist?" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 5, "text": "This series has held me captive. The book moves along with its mystery.<br />Love all the main characters.<br />As Melinda tell you their story, one can relate to much that is going on.<br />I don't like to give away the blot, but if you have read book one and two, you will surely read three.<br />Love her feel good endings, and will read the next.", "timestamp": 1653067458413, "title": "Murder and a new clue!" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 5, "text": "Really good mystery here. Two storyline coming together. All the beloved characters and the clue from book 3 comes into play. As always the feel good ending that we come to expect from Kendra Elliot.<br />Short story and she really packs it in.<br />Enjoyed this book very much.<br />Great rainy day reading.", "timestamp": 1653082940426, "title": "Grabs you from the jump!" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 5, "text": "A very good murder mystery.<br />Has everything you come to expect from a Kendra Elliott book.<br />Vivid imagination for the scenery of Oregon.<br />Liked the character of Mercy Kilpatrick.<br />Always a feel good ending.<br />Read it.<br />Best part it's a series.", "timestamp": 1653604147595, "title": "Thrilling!" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 5, "text": "What can be better. The Chief, the FBI and romance all rolled into one.<br />A riveting book you can't put down.<br />After getting invested with the characters in book one. Book 2 just keeps giving.<br />And as always, with Kendra Elliott's books.<br />Another feel good ending.<br />I'm ready for book 3.", "timestamp": 1653687714858, "title": "Murder, mystery and the Law!" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "This book was thrilling! Grabs you and you won't want to put it down.<br />I didn't. Really good mystery as to who the killer is and she hid it well.<br />A lot of twists and turns with the characters we've come to like.<br />As always, Kendra wraps it up with her feel good ending!", "timestamp": 1653775238474, "title": "Action packed! Mystery, Murder and Romance !" }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "They do fall into it deep. This suspenseful and thrilling book 4 of this series, is a can't put down.<br />I love the audible reading as well.<br />If you've come this far, you should probably continue.<br />Kendra Elliott always delivers the best feel good endings, setting you up for her next one in this series.<br />The suspense gets chilling at times.<br />Enjoyed it and definitely recommend you dive into this series.", "timestamp": 1653865484335, "title": "Mercy, Truman and Crime!" }, { "asin": "B07C854RL5", "rating": 5, "text": "Another great tale about Mercy Kilpatrick and her clan. A 30 year old crime and the twists and turns, Kendra Elliott takes us on to get us there. Just before the end, I usually tear up at her happy place, just before what I like to call, \"her feel good endings!<br />At this point I have stop watching movies on Netflix, just to read her books.<br />Surely you will enjoy it as much as I have.", "timestamp": 1654082785291, "title": "Suspenseful, Interesting, and long." } ]

[ { "asin": "B07XTD29GV", "rating": 5, "text": "Love this series! The characters carry over from the first book except for the villians.<br />Bree is now Sheriff. Matt & Brody, the family and twist and turns of Melinda Leigh's story telling.<br />She gets right too it. Not a lot of flowerly word to distract you from the storyline.<br />She tells the tale well.<br />This book I didn't know who the murderer was until he was presented.<br />Usually I can guess.<br />Good read and she leaves you wanting more.<br />On to the third book. Excited to see where Melinda goes from here.", "timestamp": 1649795214568, "title": "Fast paced mystery of murder!" }, { "asin": "B01M7XPGYE", "rating": 5, "text": "Quite a few characters in this book. The victim, Sheriff office, private detective, lawyer and her family, variety of young adults, neighbors and the dog!<br />Not to hard to follow or keep up with all that's going on.<br />Get the audio which makes it easier to switch back and forth.<br />I also joined Kindle Unlimited.<br />For the money, it cost less.<br />Especially if you want to read, the Morgan Dane series.<br />Melinda Leigh's does a good job laying her story's out, without all the unnecessary descriptive words.<br />I for one, am ready to read book 2.<br />With all that's going on, she surely keeps you guessing as to whom, committed the murder.", "timestamp": 1650563594873, "title": "Very good murder mystery!" }, { "asin": "B06ZZW7G42", "rating": 4, "text": "This was a truly horrific case that unraveled, as you read.<br />So gruesome, that I put this book down for a few days.<br />She tells this story, which could be,<br /> \" Ripped from the Headlines\" on CVU.<br />Lots of twists and turns.<br />Glad I made it through. Ready to see what book 3 brings.<br />Liking the Morgan Dane series.", "timestamp": 1650671759233, "title": "Not for the faint of heart!" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CE", "rating": 5, "text": "Riveting! So many twist and turns.<br />Leigh does not give this one away at all.<br />Quite the tale. This madman is on a killing spree, and once again, the beloved characters are all mixed up in it.<br />Enjoyed reading. Do recommend you finish the series. Plus it has the same feel good ending. Well done.", "timestamp": 1652212209424, "title": "Book 4! Great way to end the series!" }, { "asin": "B00XXYGNJC", "rating": 5, "text": "Some how I started with book 5 of this series. Not knowing all the characters, didn't really seem to matter.<br />As with all her books, it's a complete well told story.<br />Always enjoy her feel good ending.<br />I do however, recommend you start with book one in the Series.<br />Good read. Like it very much!", "timestamp": 1652303683860, "title": "Good Title, fits perfectly!" }, { "asin": "B07F1442NX", "rating": 5, "text": "Fast entertaining story. Around 120+ pages. A island story. Haven't read many of those.<br />When the ferry is down, well your stuck there.<br />New doc in town. Injured FBI gal and the local police gal as, life long friends, but their other friend has gone missing.<br />It's their story and I liked it.<br />Leaves you with happiness in your heart.<br />Two book series, and I will read the next one.", "timestamp": 1652876392918, "title": "Short story. Feel good story!" }, { "asin": "B07FM148RF", "rating": 5, "text": "Kept me entertained.<br />Mostly who killed the local artist, that's painting portraits of the towns women, and where's Mama?<br />A fast read. Only 100+ words, and definitely word the listen with Kindle Unlimited.", "timestamp": 1652947290813, "title": "Who killed the local artist?" }, { "asin": "B07GB2BVQP", "rating": 5, "text": "This series has held me captive. The book moves along with its mystery.<br />Love all the main characters.<br />As Melinda tell you their story, one can relate to much that is going on.<br />I don't like to give away the blot, but if you have read book one and two, you will surely read three.<br />Love her feel good endings, and will read the next.", "timestamp": 1653067458413, "title": "Murder and a new clue!" }, { "asin": "B07G9YZTFF", "rating": 5, "text": "Really good mystery here. Two storyline coming together. All the beloved characters and the clue from book 3 comes into play. As always the feel good ending that we come to expect from Kendra Elliot.<br />Short story and she really packs it in.<br />Enjoyed this book very much.<br />Great rainy day reading.", "timestamp": 1653082940426, "title": "Grabs you from the jump!" }, { "asin": "B01EN506CO", "rating": 5, "text": "A very good murder mystery.<br />Has everything you come to expect from a Kendra Elliott book.<br />Vivid imagination for the scenery of Oregon.<br />Liked the character of Mercy Kilpatrick.<br />Always a feel good ending.<br />Read it.<br />Best part it's a series.", "timestamp": 1653604147595, "title": "Thrilling!" }, { "asin": "B01MQ2HAAJ", "rating": 5, "text": "What can be better. The Chief, the FBI and romance all rolled into one.<br />A riveting book you can't put down.<br />After getting invested with the characters in book one. Book 2 just keeps giving.<br />And as always, with Kendra Elliott's books.<br />Another feel good ending.<br />I'm ready for book 3.", "timestamp": 1653687714858, "title": "Murder, mystery and the Law!" }, { "asin": "B06Y5MTNMQ", "rating": 5, "text": "This book was thrilling! Grabs you and you won't want to put it down.<br />I didn't. Really good mystery as to who the killer is and she hid it well.<br />A lot of twists and turns with the characters we've come to like.<br />As always, Kendra wraps it up with her feel good ending!", "timestamp": 1653775238474, "title": "Action packed! Mystery, Murder and Romance !" }, { "asin": "B077GRGYJ4", "rating": 5, "text": "They do fall into it deep. This suspenseful and thrilling book 4 of this series, is a can't put down.<br />I love the audible reading as well.<br />If you've come this far, you should probably continue.<br />Kendra Elliott always delivers the best feel good endings, setting you up for her next one in this series.<br />The suspense gets chilling at times.<br />Enjoyed it and definitely recommend you dive into this series.", "timestamp": 1653865484335, "title": "Mercy, Truman and Crime!" }, { "asin": "B07C854RL5", "rating": 5, "text": "Another great tale about Mercy Kilpatrick and her clan. A 30 year old crime and the twists and turns, Kendra Elliott takes us on to get us there. Just before the end, I usually tear up at her happy place, just before what I like to call, \"her feel good endings!<br />At this point I have stop watching movies on Netflix, just to read her books.<br />Surely you will enjoy it as much as I have.", "timestamp": 1654082785291, "title": "Suspenseful, Interesting, and long." }, { "asin": "B00Y0PIEZY", "rating": 5, "text": "I liked this one! The last book, book 5. I hadn't realized there were 5 when I wrote the review on book 4.<br />This book is exciting. Bring characters into play from Kendra's other books.<br />Not sure if it's from this series or the See series.<br />My new favorite author.<br />If you like mystery, murder, and romance<br />With feel good endings. Read any of Kendra's books.", "timestamp": 1656631964009, "title": "Where's the thumb drive" } ]