River's End by Melody Carlson (Review)

Three generations of women return to their roots to discover who they are and who they are meant to be.

In the final story of the Inn at the shining waters series, Anna Larson's granddaughter, Sarah, is beginning to find her independence. But her relationship with her parents  suffers as a result, and she travels away from all that is familiar.

Although the solace of the river calls Sarah back, long-held secrets await upon her return, and three generations of family heartbreaks and disappointments converge at Shining Waters.

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

River's End is a story about forgiveness and healing, and takes place towards the end of the 1970s. For two years Anna hasn't known whether her granddaughter, Sarah, is alive or dead, because she ran away when she was just sixteen. However, near the beginning of the book, Sarah returns home, but she is much changed. Anna learns that she has been living in a commune and fears that she may have been brain-washed.

I love the interaction between Anna and her husband - it is just SO sweet! He seems like such a nice man and I loved getting to know him more in this book.

Even though this is the third book in the series, it is written in such a way that I think it could be read without reading the other two books. I haven't read the second book yet, but I never felt lost at all while reading this book. However, if you read this book first, many of the big details that happened in the first two books would be revealed.

River's End is a wonderful conclusion to The Inn at Shining Water series and I am somewhat sad to see it end. I love how while each book in the series focuses on a different generation of Larson women, it always is from Anna's perspective. I would recommend this book and this series - they have been very enjoyable.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

BOOK DETAILS:

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press; 3 edition (August 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 142671274X
• ISBN-13: 978-1426712746
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Available to purchase at: Amazon/ Barnes & Noble/ Christian Book

CFBA Tour: Two Destinies by Elizabeth Musser

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Two Destinies David C. Cook (September 1, 2012) by Elizabeth Musser
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elizabeth Musser, author of acclaimed novels such as The Swan House, grew up in Georgia, but now lives in Lyon, France, where she and her husband serve as missionaries with International Teams. Look for Two Testaments, her sequel to Two Crosses, in stores now, and Two Destinies, the third book in the trilogy, set for release in Fall 2012.

A word from Elizabeth:
Recent exciting news is that, finally, the whole trilogy is going to be published in 2012. Many readers have written to me throughout the years to encourage me to keep pursuing getting Two Destinies into print. In a fun twist of fate (really the Lord's perfect timing), David C. Cook (who originally published Two Testaments) has offered me a contract for all three novels. The Secrets of the Cross Trilogy will be published in June 2012 (Two Crosses and Two Testaments) and in September, 2012, Two Destinies will be in the bookstores for the first time!




ABOUT THE BOOK:

Now 1994, France faces unrest and rising poverty while neighbor
Algeria is in the midst of a blood civil war. Risléne Namani, a French
woman born to Algerian parents, converts to Christianity and falls in
love with Eric Hoffmann, a Christian, committing the unpardonable
sin in the eyes of her Muslim family. Eric must find a way to rescue
her—from a forced marriage in Algeria, or even death.

A powerful, relevant tale of social struggle, heartache, cultural conflict,
 and faith put to the ultimate test.


If you would like to read the first chapter excerpt of Two Destinies, go HERE.

CFBA Tour: Still Life in Shadows by Alice Wisler

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Still Life in Shadows River North; New Edition edition (August 1, 2012) by Alice Wisler

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alice was born in Osaka, Japan in the sixties. Her parents were Presbyterian career missionaries. As a young child, Alice loved to walk down to the local stationer's store to buy notebooks, pencils and scented erasers. In her room, she created stories. The desire to be a published famous author has never left her. Well, two out of three isn't bad. She's the author of Rain Song, How Sweet It Is, Hatteras Girl and A Wedding Invitation (all published by Bethany House).

Alice went to Eastern Mennonite University after graduating from Canadian Academy, an international high school in Kobe, Japan. She majored in social work and has worked across the U.S. in that field. She taught ESL (English as a Second Language) in Japan and at a refugee camp in the Philippines. She also studied Spanish at a language institute in San Jose, Costa Rica.

She has four children--Rachel, Daniel, Benjamin and Elizabeth. Daniel died on 2/2/97 from cancer treatments at the age of four. Since then, Alice founded Daniel's House Publications in her son's memory. This organization reaches out to others who have also lost a child to death. In 2000 and 2003, Alice compiled recipes and memories of children across the world to publish two memorial cookbooks, Slices of Sunlight and Down the Cereal Aisle.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

It's been fifteen years since Gideon Miller ran away from his Amish community in Carlisle, Pennsylvania as a boy of fifteen.  Gideon arrives in the Smoky Mountains town of Twin Branches and settles in at the local auto mechanic's garage. He meets a host of interesting characters -the most recent acquaintances are Kiki, an autistic teen, and her sister Mari. Known as the "Getaway Savior" he helps other Amish boys and girls relocate to life in modern America.

One day the phone rings. On the other end is his brother Moriah calling from Florida. Of course Gideon welcomes his brother to stay with him and offers him a job. But Moriah is caught in a web which ends in his death and forces Gideon to return to the town of his youth, with his brother's body in the back of a hearse and Mari and Kiki at his side. He must face not only the community he ran away from years ago but also his own web of bitterness. Will he be able to give his anger over to God and forgive his father?

If you would like to read the first chapter excerpt of Still Life in Shadows, go HERE.

Taming the Wind by Tracie Peterson (Review)

A young widow nursing the wounds of her past…
A cowboy with demons of his own…

Though grateful for the blessing of her daughter, Carissa Lowe has accepted that widowhood is her lot in life. Bound by fear and mistrust, she feels incapable of opening her heart again.

Tyler Atherton has never forgotten Carissa. When he discovers she’s living with her sister on a nearby ranch, his life becomes intertwined with the lovely widow’s. And Carissa’s daughter, Gloria, seems determined to wrap herself around his little finger. But while Tyler longs to provide a home and future for Carissa, he is haunted by an obligation he feels unable to fulfill.

Challenged by mounting hardships, can Carissa and Tyler preserve their fledgling love in a land as unforgiving and vibrant as the people who call it home?

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 3 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:
I always enjoy Tracie Peterson's books and this one is no exception. However, there were parts of the story that were just...dull and redundant. The story has a strong Christian message and I usually enjoy that in books, but at times it just seemed too much.

Carissa has had to deal with a lot in her young life. Her husband, who before they married seemed like the perfect man (caring, thoughtful, loving, etc.), quickly changed once they were married - into an abusive man. So she has a fear of getting herself into a situation like that again.

Tyler is a man who fought for the South in the Civil War and now finds that he is no longer allowed to own his family farm. It has been taken away from him since he fought for the Confederacy and he is trying to get it back. Carissa has had a special place in his heart from the moment he met her - but at that time she was married, so he didn't act on it.

I haven't read the other two books in this series yet, but I think that the author did a fantastic job of giving just enough details from the other two books that it doesn't matter that I haven't read them yet - except that I now know some of the key points in those stories. If that is something that would bother you, I would suggest you read them in order.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

BOOK DETAILS:

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (September 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764206176
• ISBN-13: 978-0764206177
• ASIN: B008B9HTI8 
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
• Available to purchase at: Amazon/ Barnes & Noble/ Christian Book

 Meet Tracie:     
Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of over eighty novels, both historical and contemporary. Her     avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling Heirs of Montana and Alaskan Quest series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. Visit Tracie's Web site at www.traciepeterson.com and her blog at www.writespassage.blogspot.com

With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin (Review)

They know everything about each other-except their real names.

Lt. Mellie Blake is looking forward to beginning her training as a flight nurse. She is not looking forward to writing a letter to a man she's never met--even if it is anonymous and part of a morale-building program. Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer stationed in North Africa, welcomes the idea of an anonymous correspondence--he's been trying to escape his infamous name for years.

As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not knowing the other's true identity. When both are transferred to Algeria, the two are poised to meet face-to-face for the first time. Will they overcome their fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage by their pasts?

Combining a flair for romance with excellent research and attention to detail, Sarah Sundin vividly brings to life the perilous challenges of WWII aviation, nursing--and true love. 

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

With Every Letter is an amazing novel! It’s rich in detail about WWII, but doesn’t overwhelm you in it.

Mellie Blake is a woman who is shy, scared of putting herself at risk and so is very lonely. She has a hard time making friends, mostly because of her preconceived ideas of how people see her – which were ingrained in her from her childhood, when children would make fun of her.

Lt. Newman, Mellie’s chief nurse, loves the movie Shop Around the Corner and gets an idea of how to do something like it in real life. With the help of her husband, Capt. Newman of the 908th, she has all the nurses in her charge write letters to all the men in her husband’s platoon…anonymously!

Mellie at first didn’t want to participate in it, but she was ordered to do so. Her letter finds its way to Tom MacGilliver, a man who has been teased mercilessly since childhood because of what his father did. Tom has never had any real friends because of it, and sees this anonymous letter writing as a Godsend. He can confide in someone and not have to worry that he will be rejected because of his name – which is one of his deepest concerns.

Unbeknownst to one of them, they meet in real life, but will they connect as much as they do in their letters? Or, will fear of rejection keep them apart?

The ending was SO funny and romantic! I have read all of Sundin’s books and she has a way of capturing my interest from page one. I get lost in her books and hate it when I reach the last page – I am greatly looking forward to reading the next book in this series. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction.

“Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

BOOK DETAILS:

• Paperback: 425 pages
• Publisher: Revell (September 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800720814
• ISBN-13: 978-0800720810
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.5 inches
• Available to purchase: Amazon/Christian Book/ Barnes & Noble

Win a Kindle or Nook from @SarahSundin and RSVP for “With Every Letter” Facebook Party 9/27!

Celebrate with Sarah by entering to win a eReader (winner's choice of Kindle Fire or Nook Color)!

See what folks are saying about With Every Letter!

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire or Nook Color (winner’s choice)
• Handmade With Every Letter First Aid Kit
• With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 26th. Winner will be announced at the “With Every Letter” Author Chat Facebook Party on 9/27. Connect with Sarah, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like yourself. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of With Every Letter and join Sarah on the evening of the September 27th for a chance to connect with Sarah and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book – don’t let that stop you from coming!)
Don't miss a moment of the RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 27th!

Fall Into Reading 2012

This is a fun challenge that I recently found and is hosted by Callapidder Days. What you do is list the books that you would like to read during September 22-December 21 and then try to read them all. :)

These are the books I would like to read:

What books are you planning on reading this fall?

Celebrate with Tracie Peterson by entering to win a Kindle Fire!

 See what people are saying about Taming the Wind.

One winner will receive:

• A Brand New Kindle Fire with Wi-Fi
• The entire Land of the Lone Star series by Tracie Peterson

Hurry, the giveaway ends on 9/25/12. Just click one of the icons below to enter. The winner will be announced at Tracie's "Taming the Wind" Author Chat Party on 9/26</ a>! Connect with Tracie, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like yourself. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of Taming the Wind and join Tracie on the evening of the September 26th for a chance to connect with Tracie and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book – don’t let that stop you from coming!)

 

DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE FUN, RSVP TODAY. TELL YOUR FRIENDS VIA FACEBOOK or TWITTER AND INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 26TH!

Dying to Read by Lorena McCourtney (Review)

All she wanted was a paycheck. 

What she got was a murder.

Cate Kinkaid's life is...well, frankly it's floundering. Her social life, her career, her haircut—they're all a mess. Unemployed, she jumps at the chance to work for her PI uncle, even though she has no experience and no instincts. After all, she is just dabbling in the world of private investigating until she can find a "real" job.

All she has to do for her first assignment is determine that a particular woman lives at a particular address. Simple, right? But when she reaches the dark Victorian house, she runs into an hungry horde of gray-haired mystery readers and a dead body. This routine PI job is turning out to be anything but simple. Is Cate in over her head?

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

It has been awhile since I have read a "mystery" novel and, after reading Dying to Read, I wonder why I haven't read more of them - this book is SO good! I think this is the perfect book when you want to read a fun, cozy mystery.

I really liked all the main characters in the book and the minor ones were fun too. There were a lot of unexpected  things that happened that shocked me (can't say what or it would spoil parts of the story for you).

Dying to Read is a great book, one I think every cozy-mystery lover will LOVE! 

“Available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

BOOK DETAILS:

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Revell (August 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800721586
• ISBN-13: 978-0800721589
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
• Available to purchase at Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Christian Book
• For more about Lorena McCourtney go HERE

Twang by Julie L. Cannon (Review)

Twenty-three-year-old Jennifer Clodfelter believes she is destined to be a country music star. When her passion, determination and homemade demo tape were rejected by every music label in Nashville, she refused to give up. In just three years, a combination of guts and raw talent have propelled her on a journey of fame beyond her best dream. 

Now Jennifer has all she ever wanted, only to discover that there is a dark side to the glitz and number one hits. She will have to decide whether to sing her pain to a loving audience or find the courage to face the music in the private studio of her heart.

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 2 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:
First of all, I have to say that Twang is definitely not my kind of book. I thought I was going to like it, but I didn't. The story is mostly told as someone reflecting on their past and that made it very hard for me to get into it; in fact, I was only able to for short snipets of time. I felt like an outsider throughout most of  the story and that doesn't make for a very enjoyable read. However, I did think the way the chapters were divided was very cute (first verse, second verse , bridge, third verse , etc.).

The characters in this book were very one dimensional (at least to me) and so they were very boring. I think to like a story you have to connect with a minimum of one character, but I didn't connect with any of them.

The story was kind of depressing at times and that feeling didn't ever really leave. There were also some parts that went against my beliefs (e.g. the baptism scene) - this alone wasn't that big of a deal (it is fiction after all), but I didn't like it.

I personally didn't like all the referencing to Taylor Swift. I love her music and all, but it felt like she was the only female country singer that the book thought was successful - which isn't the case. Almost every time the story needed a reference to show how successful Jenny was, it was Taylor this and Taylor that.

Overall, while I personally did not care for this book, if it sounds like something you normally like, you should give it a try.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (August 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 142671470X
• ISBN-13: 978-1426714702
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Available to purchase at: Amazon/ Barnes & Noble/ Christian Book

CFBA Tour: A Heartbeat Away by Harry Kraus

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Heartbeat Away David C. Cook (September 1, 2012) by Harry Kraus

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from Harry:

I started writing my first novel during my last year of surgery training at UK. I was a chief resident, and started writing Stainless Steal Hearts in a call room at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Lexington. It was a crazy time to write! I had a very demanding schedule, often spending days and nights in the hospital. I had two sons at that time, and I recognized the wisdom in my wife's urging: "Now doesn't seem the right time for this dream."

My experience as a writer is far from typical. Having received my formal training in biology and chemistry and medicine, my only preparation for a writing career was a love for reading. The longest thing I'd written before my first novel was a term paper in undergraduate school. My first novel was accepted by Crossway Books and published in 1994, and it wasn't until after I had FOUR published novels that I even opened a book of instruction about the craft of writing fiction. This is not what I recommend to others! Yes, I was successful, but I was bending the "rules" without knowing it. I had a natural talent for plotting, but I realize my initial success may have stunted my growth as a writer. I'd have made faster progress if I'd have gone to the fiction teachers sooner.

I have three sons: Joel, Evan, and Samuel. Look closely in all of my books and you'll see them there. My lovely wife, Kris, provides the basic composition for all those beautiful, athletic, dedicated women in my novels.


ABOUT THE BOOK:

When a brilliant surgeon undergoes a heart transplant, her life transforms as she begins experiencing memories of a murder she never witnessed.

The residents worship her. Nurses step out of her way. Her colleagues respect and sometimes even fear her. But surgeon Tori Taylor never expected to end up on this side of the operating table.

Now she has a new heart. This life that was formerly controlled and predictable is now chaotic. Dr. Taylor had famously protected herself from love or commitment, but her walls are beginning to crumble.

And strangest of all, memories surface that will take her on a journey out of the operating room and into a murder investigation.

Where there once was a heart of stone, there is a heart of flesh. And there is no going back.


If you'd like to read the first chapter excerpt of A Heartbeat Away, go HERE.