As a bibliophile, my passion for books coalesces with a love of writing, and writing book reviews allows me to share literature with the world.
A few years ago, I passed Amish camel farm in Bird-in-Hand, PA. As an author, seeing anything new or different always piques my interest, so I went for a visit. Not only did I explore the farm and store, I bought camel’s milk to drink. I think it’s important to do in-depth research for the settings and information I include in my Amish novels.
Although it’s been several years since I’ve been there, one of my favorite day-trips is visiting Sugarcreek and Berlin, Ohio, known where I live as simply Amish Country. Something that surprised me within the last decade or so was the growing market of Amish organic and specialty products, as I did not associate these with the Amish people. I suppose that I never gave much thought to them needing gluten-free, dairy-free, or other specialty items because their lifestyle and diet seems in my mind to be healthier and relatively free of chemical ingredients. This is part of the reason that I loved “His Pretend Amish Bride” so much. It made me think and opened my eyes to the similarities between their culture and ours.
Rachel Good always writes an absorbing story that I find difficult to put down and often end up reading in a few sittings. Whether intentional or not, I think that “His Pretend Amish Bride” releases at the perfect time because it highlights how much we actually have in common with the Amish, rather than how different we are, dispelling the large-scale “us vs. them” mentality that is currently tearing our nation apart. This was the first time I had heard of camel’s milk and it being used for those with specific health conditions, particularly autism. I find this information fascinating and exciting because it is a natural alternative. I also had no idea that the Amish might own camel farms, or that such places even existed in the US, for that matter! The issues that Gabriel Kauffman faces with his camel farm due to problems with Englishers demonstrate that the Amish are not immune to being taken advantage of either. Their approach, however, to such situations and to life in general, is often much different from ours, although it shouldn’t be. We should also seek to live at peace with others and to do what is right, whether we end up benefiting from it or not, and we should learn to trust God more instead of trying to take control ourselves.
This novel offers a heartfelt glimpse at romance and special needs, also. As Priscilla tells Alyssa, the Amish aren’t perfect either and need Jesus just as much as everyone else, including us. Good points this out to readers right from chapter one with Matthew’s betrayal, but goes on to show how one can still respond out of God’s love. I loved that Priscilla works at an Amish special needs school, which is something else that I did not realize existed, and the inclusion of the hippotherapy program (which is the focus of book one in this series) toward the end of the narrative tied in nicely. All of the elements that Good incorporates blend into a beautiful story about how God uses what seems to be our darkest moments to bring our greatest joys when we trust Him and live to honor Him.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
Through the Lens of Scripture, June 29
The Avid Reader, June 29
Among the Reads, June 30
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 30
Texas Book-aholic, July 1
Blogging With Carol, July 1
Inklings and notions, July 2
Batya’s Bits, July 2
She Lives To Read, July 3
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, July 3
Splashes of Joy, July 4
reviewingbooksplusmore, July 4
For Him and My Family, July 5
Books, Life, and Christ, July 5
For the Love of Literature, July 6
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 6
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 7
deb’s Book Review, July 7
Blossoms and Blessings, July 7
Older & Smarter?, July 8
Jeanette’s Thoughts, July 8
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, July 8
Reading Is My SuperPower, July 9
Bigreadersite, July 9
Locks, Hooks and Books, July 10
Maureen’s Musings, July 10
Pause for Tales, July 11
Lighthouse Academy Blog, July 11 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Artistic Nobody, July 12 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Vicky Sluiter, July 12
We’ve all been there—started a letter or an email or even a list, didn’t like what we had, crossed it out or hit the delete button, and tried again. Now imagine that happening when you’re writing a novel.
Get out of the house.
There’s a fine line between providing enough detail and delving into the realm of the macabre when relating a horror story, especially when that story is true. The True Colors series by Barbour Publishing focuses on historical tales of true American crime, written as fiction but based on actual events. Often the main character is invented by the author to serve as an eyewitness to the crime, which makes for an interesting interpretation because while the narrative becomes biased according to that character’s viewpoint, it also increases the mystery as readers experience everything alongside the protagonist.
This was certainly the case for me as I read Liz Tolsma’s “The Green Dress.” So far, this is the only book in the series about a crime that I was not at least somewhat familiar with already, which was exciting in and of itself. I will admit that I figured out the crime and the whodunit by chapter two, and I was concerned that I would lose interest, wondering how the book could go on for 26 more chapters. However, my fears were unfounded, and I read almost all of it in one sitting. Tolsma’s talent shines through in this fact alone, as well as in the necessarily redundant nature of the tale’s occurrences. I was never once bored! I did, though, want to shout at the characters a few times so that they would see things that seem blatantly obvious to us as vicarious readers.
What I appreciated most about this story is how Tolsma weaves together the historical truth, the faith element, and the color theme into one seamless tapestry. Everything coalesced and worked together well, which is no easy task when writing with so many elements already fixed in place from the outset according to the series parameters. One particularly touching moment in the story addresses Harriet’s concern about whether she is good enough to go to heaven, to which Michael replies, “Did He love you enough to send His Son for you? He did, didn’t He? Then that’s all you need to know. No more fear. Because, though I pray the Lord gives you many more years here, when it is your time to leave this earth, you can have assurance of where you will spend eternity. It’s not what you did. It’s what He did.” I love that this is included in the story because so often we forget that we are saved by grace, not by anything that we do. May our faith, like Harriet’s, grow and increase as we experience the magnificent power of the Savior’s love.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
The Power of Words, June 26
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 26
deb’s Book Review, June 26
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, June 26
A Reader’s Brain, June 27
Rebecca Tews, June 27
For Him and My Family, June 27
Texas Book-aholic, June 28
Back Porch Reads, June 28
Inklings and notions, June 28
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 28
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 29
Genesis 5020, June 29
Emily Yager, June 29
Christian Bookaholic, June 30
Robin’s Nest, June 30
To Everything There is A Season, June 30
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 30
Blogging With Carol, July 1
Bigreadersite, July 1
Read Review Rejoice, July 1
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 2
Life of Literature, July 2
Connie’s History Classroom, July 2
Betti Mace, July 3
Southern Gal Loves to Read, July 3
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, July 3
Stories By Gina, July 3
For the Love of Literature, July 4
Remembrancy, July 4
Reviewingbooksplusmore, July 4
Godly Book Reviews, July 5
Splashes of Joy, July 5
Vicky Sluiter, July 5
Older & Smarter?, July 6
Through the Fire Blogs, July 6
Daysong Reflections, July 6
amandainpa, July 6
Locks, Hooks and Books, July 7
Pause for Tales , July 7
Just the Write Escape, July 7
Hallie Reads, July 8
Where Faith and Books Meet, July 8
Blossoms and Blessings, July 8
Spoken from the Heart, July 9
With a Joyful Noise, July 9
Artistic Nobody, July 9 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Welcome to our Jo Oliver Thriller series Celebrate Lit Tour!
“The vision had shown me how my life could look, if I would acknowledge God existed and invite Him into a relationship with me. God would live inside me and He would conquer the darkness on my behalf.”
This is the first time, to my knowledge, that I have read a series backwards. The blog tour was set up that way in order to showcase the release of book 4 first. Because I cringe at spoilers, I admit that I was initially chagrined when I realized the reverse chronology, but I will say that it was an interesting venture and that in the end I honestly did enjoy following Chief of Police Jo Oliver from the resolution of some points of her story to their beginnings. Unless this is your customary approach, however, my general advice is to read this series in order because the stories definitely build on one another.
As with any series worth its salt, the main character in “Cleansed by Death” undergoes a significant change not only from book one to book four, but also within book one itself. Jo Oliver’s metanoia occurs through visions and takes the form of spiritual warfare, culminating in one intense scene that readers may find disturbing. Her faith walk with Christ, of course, is not an immediate and perfect transformation but rather one that takes place one step at a time over the course of the whole series. What I did not understand or like in her character was the amount of drama that she continuously exudes. Because the story is related in the first-person from her perspective, the reader is drawn into the nasty details of both the Mentor Sister Serial Killer case and Jo’s divorce. For a police chief, she appears to be lacking in her instinct of what to do about her situation or how to keep herself safe. To me, this seems rather unbelievable, even accounting for the fact that she suffers from abuse.
One of the best inclusions in “Cleansed by Death”, in my opinion, is the character of little Samantha, whom Jo hopes to adopt soon. I appreciate that Finger gives a nod to adoption and enjoy how Sam heals Jo’s heart. As for the other characters, there is a mixture of those with good hearts and those who have more sinister motives. I
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 27
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 28
Blogging With Carol, June 28
Texas Book-aholic, June 29
Through the Fire Blogs, June 30
Bigreadersite, June 30
Betti Mace, July 1
Godly Book Reviews, July 1
For the Love of Literature, July 2
Older & Smarter?, July 3
Emily Yager, July 3
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 4
Daysong Reflections, July 5
deb’s Book Review, July 5
Inklings and notions, July 6
For Him and My Family, July 7
Where Crisis & Christ Collide, July 7
Locks, Hooks and Books, July 8
Pause for Tales, July 9
Lights in a Dark World, July 10
Ashley’s Bookshelf, July 10
Leah Townsend, a recently orphaned heiress, flees Richmond after discovering her fiancé’s plot to kill her after their wedding. She needs a safe place to hide, and finds herself accepting a newspaper marriage proposal from a God-fearing young rancher in the Montana Territory. But when Leah arrives at the mountain ranch, she learns her intended husband was killed by a grizzly, leaving behind a bitter older brother and a spunky younger sister.
When Gideon Bryant finds an eastern lady standing in his log cabin, his first thought is to send her back where she came from. He’s lost too many people to the wild elements of these mountains––his parents, his wife, and now his brother. His love for this untamed land lives on, but he’s determined not to open his heart to another person.
But when an accident forces Leah to stay at the ranch for seven more months, can Gideon protect his heart from a love he doesn’t want? Has Leah really escaped the men who seek her life?
Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.
She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and children now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.
God has placed a desire in Misty's heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God's abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.
http://www.twitter.com/MistyMBeller
https://www.facebook.com/MistyMBellerAuthor
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/misty-m-beller
https://www.goodreads.com/MistyMBeller
http://www.pinterest.com/MistyMBeller
https://amazon.com/author/mistymbeller
When Lisette Pelletier answers an ad to become a physician in the frontier town of Willow Wood, Idaho, she knows her life will change forever. What she doesn’t expect is to fall in love with the U.S. Marshal whose life she saves on her way to town.
Federal Marshal Grayson Dutton spent his career protecting pioneers, chasing down bandits, settling disputes before they erupted into gunfire, and returning fire when needed. None of it prepared him for dealing with a feisty lady doc who can’t see when she’s in over her head.
When Grayson hears the gang of outlaws that attacked the stagecoach that brought Lisette to Willow Wood have targeted the lady doc, he’ll stop at nothing to protect her. Lisette doesn’t want to give the lawman the reins to her life. She came west to serve the people of Willow Wood, not hide under her bed in fear at the first sign of danger.
She certainly didn’t plan to fall for a long-legged lawman whose kisses make her dream of marriage, babies, and happily-ever-after, all the things that conflict with her call to medicine. Can she find a place in her life and her heart for love? Can Grayson tame the wild filly before she gets both of them killed?
Teresa Slack loves reading, writing, and falling in love. Creating clean and wholesome western romances where fearless cowboys still sweep independent heroines off their feet was an easy choice for her.
She writes from her home in the beautiful southern Ohio hills, which she shares with her husband and rescue dog and rescue cat. Any errors and typos she blames on the cat randomly running across her keyboard.
Learn more about Teresa Slack and her books by visiting her website at www.teresaslack.com. Readers who sign up for her newsletter will receive a free download of A Promise for Josie: A Willow Wood Prequel.
When people talk about taking the road less traveled, the implication is generally that there was a choice involved. I’ve made choices at times to wander down lonely trails, such as deciding to become a missionary and move to a country in crisis. Water and electricity were rationed, grocery store shelves were empty, a cholera epidemic raged, the president disbanded congress, inflation hit 10,000 percent, and active terrorist bombing shook our house on a regular basis. Most mission organizations and all non-essential embassy personnel left the country and those of us who chose to stay found ourselves on a very sparsely populated path.
When/how did you decide to become a writer?
I grew up in a family that valued words. Both of my grandmothers were college English professors and my father was a pastor who consistently preached beautiful, lyrical sermons. I started writing poetry almost as soon as I could hold a pencil. I still have a copy of a poem/prayer I wrote as a young child in which I thanked God for sleet. I needed a rhyme for “people that we meet.”
I studied English in college and grad school, but unlike most of my fellow students I never had any desire to write a book. I did enjoy writing poetry and essays, and after I married, my husband and I wrote music together.
When my health forced us to return to the States after serving as missionaries, I needed something I could do from home. I began writing Continuing Education Unit courses, and then online articles. I was comfortable keeping my writing projects short and still had no inclination at all to write a book. Bit by bit, however, I began to realize I had something to say and to become convinced God wanted me to say it. Choosing to write a book felt a lot like choosing to become a missionary: less of a self-directed decision and more of a saying, “OK, God.”
Who was/is your biggest inspiration?
I’m deeply inspired by many of the chemically ill Christians I’ve met on my health journey. Their suffering is very real, but they hold tightly to their faith and encourage me with their examples of Christlike character in the midst of very challenging circumstances. I’m also inspired by the healthy friends and family members who support those of us with chemical illness, especially the spouses who take their “in sickness and in health” vows seriously.
Describe your book in five words.
Be careful with common products.
Do you have a favorite or special place to write?
I write outside on my patio as much as I can. There’s a lot of wildlife in my neighborhood, so sometimes deer or rabbits will join me, and I almost always have a chorus of birds to listen to. I’m outside now, and I have a butterfly and hawk in view.
Do you prefer traditional books, ebooks, or audiobooks?
I don’t listen to many audiobooks, but whether to purchase a book in traditional or ebook format is a question I constantly debate with myself. There are certainly pros and cons to each, and they seem evenly enough balanced that I generally end up making purchase decisions based on price. When price isn’t a consideration, I often find myself buying print versions of nonfiction books and choosing the ebook format for novels.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
The most helpful advice I got and would pass on was from a fellow author who counseled me to keep my book title clear and simple. She told me that sales from one of her books were lagging, but took off again when she simply changed the title to something plain and straightforward. By the time I talked to her I had already experimented with three or four titles, all of which were attempts to be clever or artsy, but none of which clearly communicated what the book was about. I often download Kindle books when they’re offered for free and don’t get around to reading them for a while. Thinking about the frustration I sometimes feel at seeing titles in my list that give no clue to the books’ contents convinced me she was right. Readers may not know exactly what Chemicals and Christians is going to be about, but they can at least guess that it’s not going to be about flowers and Buddhists.
Inklings and notions, June 22
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 23
Vicky Sluiter, June 24 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 25
Texas Book-aholic, June 26
My Devotional Thoughts, June 27 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, June 28
Splashes of Joy, June 29
For the Love of Literature, June 30 (Author Interview)
deb’s Book Review, July 1
Lots of Helpers, July 2
Artistic Nobody, July 3 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, July 3
Godly Book Reviews, July 4
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 5
God has a plan for your life. Your previous experiences are meant to prepare you for the next chapter of your life. Whether the stress was positive or negative, God can use you! He will use all of you for His pur-pose. He will turn all negative stressful and traumatic experiences into some-thing good.
Inklings and notions, June 17
Artistic Nobody, June 18 (Spotlight)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 19
Vicky Sluiter, June 20 (Spotlight)
Texas Book-aholic, June 21
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, June 22 (Spotlight)
For Him and My Family, June 23
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 24 (Spotlight)
deb’s Book Review, June 25
My Devotional Thoughts, June 26 (Spotlight)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 27
Through the Fire Blogs, June 28 (Spotlight)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 29
For the Love of Literature, June 30 (Spotlight)
The Sugar Baron’s Ring is the third book in the Leeward Island series. My heroine is caught between social classes as the daughter of a sugar baron and an impoverished white beggar since her guardian sold her inheritance to pay his debts. To generate the feeling of being a misfit, I delved back to those awkward years of middle and high school, where we often struggle to discover where we belong. Before my senior year, my family and I moved to New England for a job change. I’d had a great group of friends at my old school, but at my new school, I was a stranger—an outsider—trying to find acceptance, much like Hannah.
Had I not taken a chance on the previous book in this series, I would have missed out on two worthy Christian historical fiction novels, because “The Sugar Baron’s Ring” is just as well-written and entertaining, if not more so. Ordinarily, this type of novel would not appeal to me simply because I do not particularly like the beach or islands in general, and this is also not my favorite time period. However, I have to give author Lorri Dudley credit for writing an intriguing series that mostly features elements I do not care for and making me love the stories anyway!
One aspect of “The Sugar Baron’s Ring”, and Dudley’s writing in general, that stands out is the list of characters. What impresses me as a mark of successful historical fiction is having relatable characters who are timeless in the sense that readers can connect with them regardless of how long ago they lived. This novel accomplishes that. The endearing banter between Bradlee Granville and his travel companion Colin Fitzroy is delightful and laughter-inducing. It becomes more poignant when contrasted with the isolated Hannah Barrington, whose guardian restricts her social life and loses himself in intoxication. Hannah has felt, and has been made to feel, like an oddity since coming to the island at a young age. She does not belong anywhere, it seems, because she is a sugar baron’s daughter but considered a white beggar due to her guardian’s financial mismanagement. Especially considering the situations happening in America and around the world today with people of different skin color, racial identity, etc., books like “The Sugar Baron’s Ring” serve as a wake-up call that everyone is free to accept Jesus’s free gift of salvation, regardless of how old you are or where you live or what you’ve done.
Similarly, the theme of a homeland features prominently in this novel. From Bradlee who is, in a sense, running away from his homeland of England due to his insecurities, to Hannah, who feels a calling to find her relatives and to fulfill her sense of belonging. Interestingly, they both rescue each other in a different sense, and the overall imagery is comparable to how Jesus has already rescued us from our sins and how He will one day rescue us for eternity if we remain faithful to Him. As Hannah remarks, “Lots of children were orphaned. It didn’t make her anything special. It had taught her at a young age to lean on God.” The message resonates clearly throughout this novel: Trust Him, and remember Whose child you are!
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
Through the Fire Blogs, June 23
A Baker’s Perspective, June 23
For Him and My Family, June 24
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 24
Texas Book-aholic, June 25
Genesis 5020, June 25
Daysong Reflections, June 25
Inklings and notions, June 26
Rebecca Tews, June 26
Betti Mace, June 27
Remembrancy, June 27
Reflections From My Bookshelves, June 28
deb’s Book Review, June 28
For the Love of Literature, June 29
Britt Reads Fiction, June 29
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 29
Kat’s Corner Books, June 30
She Lives To Read, June 30
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 1
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, July 1
Reading Is My SuperPower, July 2
Emily Yager, July 2
Pause for Tales, July 2
KarenSueHadley, July 3
Books, Life, and Christ, July 3
Blossoms and Blessings, July 4
Read Review Rejoice, July 4
Artistic Nobody, July 5 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Batya’s Bits, July 5
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, July 6
Hallie Reads, July 6
Life of Literature, July 6
“I’d missed my chance to be a wife and a mother so I could help her. That was water under the bridge, as Momma would say. But I was no quitter. Never had been. At seventeen, I’d manage just fine.”
Appalachia has always spoken to my heart and soul. I live in northern Appalachia, although when I think of the region my mind conjures up visions of the mountains, influenced by two of my favorite books growing up: “When I Was Young in the Mountains” by Cynthia Rylant and of course Catherine Marshall’s “Christy.” There is something about the simplicity and starkness of life in these mountains that reverberates down through the ages and lives on in the spirit of the people today.
From the first time I saw the cover of Cindy Sproles’ “What Momma Left Behind”, I knew that I wanted to read it. I did not look at the synopsis, and as usual I’m glad that I refrained because this book turned out to be very different from what I was expecting. I love it when that happens because it really enlivens and enhances the reading experience. The characters surprised me, beginning with Worie, whom I expected to be a softer character because of her devotion to the orphaned children. However, I love her fiery attitude and strength, both of which reflect the way of life in the Appalachians in 1877. Sproles employs a bit of a reversal in character development with Worie, using not only the children themselves but especially a community pastor and a former slave to soften her approach to people.
For a relatively short novel, it has an uncompromising impact and is one that I expect to remember for a long time to come. The author delves into the secrets of Worie’s family to explore the theme of journeying to forgiveness and how coming together to help one another is essential for surviving their hardscrabble existence. While physical isolation plays a role, I think that the distance between hearts hardened toward each other, harboring resentment, is the most daunting obstacle. Because of all that Worie has gone through, it is not difficult to understand her feelings, and I admire her tenacity and sense of humor: “I’d heard folks talk about lightnin striking twice in one place. I reckon it had done struck me twice and then some.” She also remarks, as understanding begins to dawn, “I thought trust was something you could find, but I’m seein it ain’t found—it’s gived.” What I find to be the most poignant moments in the story are those which reveal how the Lord speaks to Worie in her hardened unbelief to show her how to be the woman she was created to be. Nobody is perfect, but we can still accomplish the work to which God calls us if we look to the Bible and seek to live for Him in both the good days and the hard ones.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Thanks for joining me for a brand new adventure. TEXAS TWIN ABDUCTION is the first book in my new Cowboy Lawmen series and it’s a departure from what I normally write. I love writing about cops and serial killers so when my editor first suggested the cowboy/western theme, I was hesitant. I’m a city girl at heart so this was so far out of my comfort zone! But I couldn’t resist for long. After all, who doesn’t love a cowboy? Thankfully, I found a way to merge what I loved—law enforcement, FBI, US Marshals—with the cowboy/family themed books my editor wanted to see by making my group of hero brothers a family of law enforcement types with ties to the family ranch. The best of both words. Score!
This is the second identical twin suspense story that I’ve read this week—a fun coincidence in my reviewing schedule. Twins have always fascinated me, and I always thought that it would be such a neat experience to have an identical twin. These stories, however, certainly demonstrate the potential drawbacks!
In “Texas Twin Abduction,” Virginia Vaughan pens a story that includes several conventional crime novel elements interwoven with faith. The novel begins with Lawson Avery’s discovery of a car containing bullet holes and a woman suffering from amnesia whom he recognizes as his former fiancée, Ashlee Taylor. And so it begins. Facing his heartbreak all over again, he and his brothers work to figure out what happened to her and how her sister, Bree, is involved. The only problem is that someone wants her dead, and her sister is nowhere to be found.
As far as suspense novels go, this one is well-written and contains suitable character development with regard to the main characters. I did guess the outcome of the story early on, but I still wanted to keep reading to find out the full details. I appreciate that Vaughan does not gloss over forensic and law enforcement particulars as they pertain to the plot, as this made the story’s execution more credible. I am always glad when nothing seems too implausible. My favorite element is the theme of second chances, in regard to both God and people. Despite the mistakes that we make in life, God is ready to forgive us if we will just come to Him, and He makes all things new. As Lawson remarks, “Neither of us is perfect, but we’ve both been made perfect by the blood of Jesus. He’s washed away all our sins and made us new creations.” And because of this incredible gift, we can extend the grace and mercy of Christ to others who are in need; as with “Texas Twin Abduction,” you never know whose life may change for the better!
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 24
The Avid Reader, June 24
Bigreadersite, June 24
Inklings and notions, June 25
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 25
Older & Smarter?, June 26
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 26
For the Love of Literature, June 27
Reading Is My SuperPower, June 27
Texas Book-aholic, June 28
Simple Harvest Reads, June 28 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
Betti Mace, June 29
Genesis 5020, June 29
For Him and My Family, June 30
Hebrews 12 Endurance, June 30
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, June 30
KarenSueHadley, July 1
reviewingbooksplusmore, July 1
Blossoms and Blessings, July 2
deb’s Book Review, July 2
Through the Fire Blogs, July 3
Emily Yager, July 3
Pause for Tales, July 4
Hookmeinabook, July 4
Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 5
EmpowerMoms, July 5
Mary Hake, July 5
Hallie Reads, July 6
Godly Book Reivews, July 6
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, July 7
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, July 7
The River Beautiful is my first novel. The story means so much to me, and I am so happy to finally share it with you all.
When/how did you decide to become a writer?
In seventh grade I wrote a short story about two friends on an Aspen ski trip where one of the girl’s lost her mind and fell from the ski lift after behaving erratically. My English teacher gave me a bit of praise for the story and seemed quite interested in how I came up with the idea. (Was this because she thought it was that good, or was she just sort of “checking in” on me? We’ll never know.) But that moment made me feel as though I could write. After that, I used it as an outlet to express emotions and ideas that I didn’t feel comfortable sharing with those around me. When I finally wrote my first book, it was unintentional. I began the first notes for The River Beautiful as a way to express feelings of loss and grief that I’d experienced, and the story just sort of took me over. Once I finished, I realized, I really could write. So, I kept on with it. I love writing more than I ever thought possible.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I talk to myself quite a bit while writing. I know many authors speak to their characters or have their characters speak to them, but I mostly conversate with myself about the way I’m writing something. It’s not uncommon for my daughter to hear a resounding “YES!!!” from behind my office door. And, just as often, she might hear “No, no, no! That’s ridiculous! Something like that could never happen!”
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
I work full-time so my day job work schedule doesn’t change no matter how busy I am with a book. I try to fit in time to write at night, but I find that I’m most productive and creative early in the morning. On weekends, I’ll wake up at 5:00 AM and start writing. Sometimes for a few hours, sometimes the entire day.
Do you have a favorite or special place to write?
I have a beautiful and cozy designated space in the corner of my office that I designed specifically for writing. But to be honest, I barely use it. Somehow I always find myself at the kitchen table.
What are your hobbies?
Reading, crafting, refinishing furniture, learning new things. I’m driven by curiosity and have a huge appetite for new skills and knowledge. And once I’m focused on something, I have a hard time breaking away from it, that is until something new comes along that sparks my interest. I’d like to think of myself as well-rounded, but really I think I’m just slightly obsessive with a short attention span…if that’s a thing.
Do you prefer traditional books, ebooks, or audiobooks?
Traditional. Hands down. I’ll read an ebook if the paperback or hard cover isn’t available, but I’ve always loved the experience of paper and ink.
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 25
Reading Is My SuperPower, June 26
For the Love of Literature, June 27 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, June 27
Just the Write Escape, June 28
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 29
Texas Book-aholic, June 30
A Baker’s Perspective, July 1 (Author Interview)
April Hayman, Author, July 1
Inklings and notions, July 2
For Him and My Family, July 3
Vicky Sluiter, July 4 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 5
Betti Mace, July 6
Book Love, July 7 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
deb’s Book Review, July 8
You can often guess someone’s age by considering their name. Diane, for example, was popular in the 1950s, so . . . that tells you something about me.
From the moment I first opened Diane Stortz’s “I AM: 40 Reasons to Trust God”, I knew that it was going to be spectacular. If you can, I recommend getting the hardcover version because the embossing on the front cover and the sparkling waves just can’t be conveyed on Kindle. There is a nice blue ribbon bookmark inside, as well. All of the pages are in full color and are gorgeously illustrated with figures and scenes that will appeal to young readers. The format is well-executed, with the book divided into two sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. For the former, the name of God is given in English and then Hebrew, with a pronunciation (which I found very useful), such as The Lord My Rock (Jehovah Tsuri), and for the New Testament, with a few exceptions, the English name is given, such as the Good Shepherd. This is followed by a Scripture verse and Bible story, noting which chapters of the Bible the story comes from; a key point; a What Does It Mean section that connects the story to kids’ experiences today; a brief prayer; other Scripture verses that explore the same theme; and a short What Happened Next paragraph that explains how God is working and how this story ties into the following one.
For a medium-length children’s book, “I AM” is a respectable compendium that highlights many of the main stories from both the Old and New Testaments. Some of those which are not directly focused on, such as Noah’s ark, are told in the What Happened Next sections. This is not a substitute for the Bible, nor is it meant to be, but rather a supplement that allows kids and their guardians to connect some of the many names of God with familiar Bible accounts. I learned new Hebrew names just reading it myself as an adult! Because it is a children’s book, the stories are naturally toned down and do not include all of the mature details, but they still demonstrate conflict and how God fights for us, as with David and Goliath and Daniel and the lion’s den. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to young readers and to families who are able to read it to their little ones.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
For the Love of Literature, June 25
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 25
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 26
Texas Book-aholic, June 27
deb’s Book Review, June 27
Inklings and notions, June 28
Older & Smarter?, June 29
Splashes of Joy, June 29
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 30
Artistic Nobody, July 1 (Guest Review from Donna Cine)
Lighthouse Academy, July 1
For Him and My Family, July 2
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 3
A Reader’s Brain, July 4
amandainpa, July 5
Simple Harvest Reads, July 5 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 6
Spoken from the Heart, July 7
Lots of Helpers, July 8
I had a dream years ago about identical twin brothers horsing around on a bridge over a rushing river. One tragically fell in and his body was never recovered, but years later the surviving twin began seeing his late brother outside his bedroom window, in the shadows of the church next to his home, and in passing cars and buses.
This is one of those books that, had my schedule permitted, I would have read straight through in one sitting. It is unsettling and intense, the epitome of a psychological thriller, and of all the books that I have reviewed, this is probably the most frightening. Suffice it to say I would not read this one while home alone! I vacillated between a rating of 4 or 5 stars, eventually settling on the latter for several reasons, one being that I have always enjoyed this genre and seem to encounter it rather seldomly in Christian fiction. I also, as aforementioned, wanted to be able to read this from cover to cover all at one time because it is honestly that absorbing, with zero slow points in the story.
Jim O’Shea has certainly written a memorable suspense novel with “Blood Sisters”! Usually I figure out whodunit early on, and while I had various suspicions, I give the author kudos for pulling off the surprise twist at the end. That is the quintessential element of the genre, yet all too often I find that, for me at least, I am not very surprised when I get to the denouement. On the surface, Libby Meeker is an ordinary woman, working as an architect and spending time with her aging parents. However, the family is still healing from the passing of Libby’s twin, Melissa, one year prior. At least, they’re trying to: “Although her memories remained remarkably vivid for a long time after the tragedy, they had faded somewhat in recent months—until an innocent remark from a stranger opened the eyes of a dead woman.” And so begins an escalating series of events that seem to point to either a ghost or insanity or both.
Overall, this novel exceeded my expectations and absolutely had me looking over my shoulder at particularly chilling moments, and I would recommend it to mature readers interested in clean but dramatic psychological suspense. There are a few things that bothered me, such as not having resolution for a certain character whose history is mentioned as troubled and what I perceived as a lack of metanoia on Libby’s part. I may be off-base here, and would appreciate the thoughts of anyone else who has read the book. To me, it did not seem that Libby changed much throughout the story; “Blood Sisters” is billed as a Christian book, published under a Christian imprint, and while I can recognize the religious elements in the novel, I am not sure that I would automatically recognize it as a Christian novel aside from the devotional at the end of the narrative. Mostly, I feel this way because Libby says that she is not sure whether or not God exists, and I did not really see significant change in her actions or beliefs by the end. Nevertheless, I found this novel to be well-executed and compelling, and it somewhat changes how I always thought it would be so neat to be a twin!
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 18
Rebecca Tews, June 19
Wishful Endings, June 20 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 21
Texas Book-aholic, June 22
For the Love of Literature, June 23
Inklings and notions, June 24
For Him and My Family, June 25
Betti Mace, June 26
A Baker’s Perspective, June 27 (Author Interview)
April Hayman, Author, June 27
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 28
deb’s Book Review, June 29
Artistic Nobody, June 30 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, June 30
Blogging With Carol, July 1
Hi, there. . .Robin here. I’m getting so excited for the release of my thirty-fourth novel, DEAD SILENCE. I have to say, I love this book. The heroine is strong, yet flawed. Her love for her son—willing to do anything to protect him is a mother’s instinct I relate to so well, having three daughters and two grandsons. The love of a mother for her child is so ingrained in me that I wanted to share that in a story.
Over the past couple of years, I have not read as much in the suspense and thriller genre as I normally do, mostly because I read almost exclusively for the purpose of reviewing rather than free reading, but also for the sake of enjoying more peaceful stories. Nevertheless, when the opportunity arises to review a Christian suspense book, I tend to go for it. It makes for a nice change of pace once in a while, especially when the author is one I know spins a good yarn. Last year I read “Stratagem” and was very impressed, so I was eager to read another novel by Robin Caroll.
As soon as I heard that “Dead Silence” featured a court sign language interpreter, Elise Carmichael, as the main character, I was in! This despite the political aspect, because as much as I hate politics, I have always been fascinated with sign language. I watched the 1962 film version of “The Miracle Worker” in high school so many times that I had all of the dialogue memorized. So this book beckoned to me, and even more so when I learned that Elise’s seven-year-old son, Sawyer, is deaf and mute. Elise’s job and skills are what entangle the two of them in a harrowing investigation related to the assassination of Senator Lilliana York, Elise’s mother-in-law. So far, so good; I appreciated that while this story takes place in the political realm, the mystery and suspense are the focus, and I honestly had a difficult time putting it down due to the quick pace.
Caroll skillfully writes a strong faith element into “Dead Silence.” Elise has drifted away from God in bitterness and anger over her son’s perceived disability and her husband’s death, which makes her a sympathetic character whose coming-home journey is fraught with distrust and fear. Most of us can relate to some degree: “Maybe that’s why she had been so resistant to turn back to God. Putting Sawyer, the one thing, the one person she loved more than anything else in this world, into anyone else’s hands besides her own terrified her.” We know from Scripture that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28) and that He is higher and greater than all else, and Elise comes to truly understand this throughout the novel.
There are some points of this story that kept this from being a 5-star read for me. While I can attest that many people do not know how to do their jobs, I found the degree of ineptness demonstrated by the FBI in this book rather farfetched. Elise and her entourage are more capable and have more connections than I thought likely, as well; although I loved their proficiency, I did not think it very credible overall. Some details are left out, such as how the assassin enters the Senator’s home undetected, and one of the main characters in the beginning of the story suddenly drops out for the rest of the narrative. I did think that the ending was too tidy and abrupt after all of the detail and the rather slow passage of time prior, but I was nonetheless rather pleased with the resolution. All of this is to say that while I did have some issues with certain elements, I still enjoyed “Dead Silence” very much, and if you are able to suspend disbelief a bit, this is a gripping story of murder, conspiracy, healing, and the power of both a mother’s love for her son and God’s love for us.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 19
deb’s Book Review, June 19
Texas Book-aholic, June 20
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 20
Emily Yager, June 20
For the Love of Literature, June 21
Rebecca Tews, June 21
By The Book, June 22
Spoken from the Heart, June 22
Genesis 5020, June 22
KarenSueHadley, June 23
Hebrews 12 Endurance, June 23
Betti Mace, June 24
Remembrancy, June 24
Older & Smarter?, June 24
Inklings and notions, June 25
Read Review Rejoice, June 25
Through the Fire Blogs, June 26
Splashes of Joy, June 26
HookMeInABook, June 26
For Him and My Family, June 27
Mary Hake, June 27
Simple Harvest Reads, June 28 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 28
amandainpa, June 28
Worthy2Read, June 29
Pause for Tales, June 29
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 30
Hallie Reads, June 30
Daysong Reflections, July 1
Lights in a Dark World, July 1
Quiet Quilter, July 2
Locks, Hooks and Books, July 2
Maureen’s Musings, July 2
Inklings and notions, June 16
Blossoms and Blessings, June 17 (Author Interview)
Batya’s Bits, June 17
For the Love of Literature, June 18
Emily Yager, June 19
Betti Mace, June 20
Older & Smarter?, June 21
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, June 22
Artistic Nobody, June 23 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, June 23
Texas Book-aholic, June 24
Through the Fire Blogs, June 25 (Author Interview)
She Lives To Read, June 26
deb’s Book Review, June 26
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 27
A Baker’s Perspective , June 28 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, June 29