Book Review - Shattered by Dani Pettrey

   Reef McKenna is accused of murder.  The crime is barely worth investigating.  He was at the murder scene.  He has no alibi.  He was covered in the victim's blood.  Even Deputy Landon Grainger, a family friend of the McKenna's, thinks he did it.  Only his sister Piper believes him when he says that he is innocent and her love for her brother won't allow her to rest until everyone else believes him too.  The deeper she investigates the crime the more danger she finds herself in, which is problematic for Landon.  He has fallen in love with the spunky Piper.
  Shattered ,by Dani Pettrey, is the second book in the Alaskan Courage series.  It combines suspense, romance and an awe inspiring Alaskan setting.  Persistent Piper keeps the story moving and Landon's protectiveness fans the romantic spark.  The author does a wonderful job of weaving in inspiration and faith without slowing the pace of the novel.
  I enjoyed both this book and the first book in the series.  I even have some of my friends reading them.  They are particularly good for people who like a fast paced but clean read.  I am eagerly waiting for the third book to come out!

I received a free copy of this book to review from Bethany House Publishing Company.

Book Review - Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

  I was excited to start this book.  I love historical fiction, and I especially enjoy world war two era stories.  I stayed excited for a few pages then I felt stuck.  I just wasn't liking the main character.  I kept reading and I am glad that I did.   She ended up being my favorite character in the book.  She wasn't who I first thought she was and I love that about this book.  It kept me guessing until the end.
  Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein is the story of two very different girls who found themselves pushed together during world war two.  The deeper they find themselves in the war efforts, the deeper their friendship grows.  When one of the girls is captured she begins to sell her secrets to save her own life. 
  I am going to keep this review short out of fear of giving away hints about the intricate plot twists of the novel.  I didn't see them coming and I'm pretty sure that I read the last quarter of this book with my mouth hanging open.  It was one of those books that has kept my brain mulling over every detail for hours (days) after I finished it. 

Please visit my friend, Jocelyn Charette, to read another review on this amazing book.

Book Review- A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund

            A while back I reviewed Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund.  I loved it so much that I signed up to help promote her latest book "A Noble Groom".  This is the first book that I have ever read before it was officially released!   I receive review books all the time but somehow an advanced copy seemed extra exciting. 
             Annalisa has a love for fairy tales but her own life experiences squelched any hope that such stories could be true. When her husband died, he left her and her daughter nothing but bad memories and debt. The farm she lives on will only remain hers if she can manage to pay the loan on time.  Her family steps in to help in the only way that they know how.  They send for a relative from the Old country to marry her and care for the farm.  The man who arrives is not her relative but a man named Carl Richards, who claims to be a school teacher.   Annalisa accepts his help but keeps her distance, at least she tries to.  It is almost impossible to do when he is the first man who has ever treated her as the strong and capable individual she is.  Just when she is ready to let him in, disaster strikes and threatens to ruin everything.
           The story takes place in Michigan during 1880 and depicts some of the difficulties that faced German immigrants during this era. I think setting and the characters are the strongest elements of this book. Both of the main characters start out with major weaknesses that they overcome by the end of the story.  I enjoyed watching Annalisa find her voice and Carl let go of his past.  Carl is not a typical hero.  He is barely strong enough for farm work and he knows much more about science then manual labor, yet he is every bit a gentleman.  It was good to see a man portrayed as more than something brawny to look at.
           Overall, I enjoyed this book.  It was somewhat predictable but  still entertaining.  It is a good cozy afternoon type of book. 

To learn more check out the author's website.
It can be purchased here.
For anyone that enjoys writing I would recommend reading Jody Hedlund's blog.  I am always finding useful information there.
       I received an advance copy of this book from Bethany house publishing in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Book Review- Slammed by Colleen Hoover

  Up until this point I have only written reviews for Christian books.  Since I  am writing young adult fiction I am going to start including reviews in that genre as well.  In case anyone is like me and doesn't appreciate excess language, gore or sex I will include my rating of these topics at the end of the review.

   "Slammed" by Colleen Hoover begins with a quote from The Avett Brother's song "Salina"
"I'm as nowhere as I can be, Could you add some somewhere to me?"  This quote sets a perfect tone for the story of eighteen year old Layken, a girl who has just lost her father and is forced to move far away from everything she knows.   When she and her family arrive at their new home they are greeted by a boy that is the same age as her younger brother.  He isn't alone.  His older brother, Will, is close behind.  As one would expect he goes out of his way to make Lake feel at home.  Soon the two are on a first date and Lake finds herself falling for her handsome and sensitive neighbor until circumstances that neither one saw coming force them apart.  The only thread left between them is their mutual love for poetry.
   The basic story line isn't what sets this book apart. Its the characters themselves. I could feel their emotions as their worlds were being torn apart. Lake and Will's love for each other was deeper than just fate or physical attraction.  The devotion each of them had to their younger brothers and their love for words formed a strong bond that added so much depth to the relationship.  Will's passion for slam poetry made the story unique and added yet another way to delve into the emotions of the characters.
     I loved the characters in this book.  They seemed so raw and real.  The dedication that both Will and Lake showed to their families was refreshing.  The plot was a bit predictable but it was strong enough to be compelling.  The usage of poetry added so much emotional impact and lent a dream like quality to the writing.

  I think this book would be classified as New Adult, not Young Adult, but I'm not certain.  I thought it was more appropriate for older teens and up.   It did have a generous sprinkling of language but considering the context it wasn't out of place.  The main characters had a few emotionally charged romantic moments but nothing explicit. 


My friend and fellow blogger, Jocelyn Charette, chose this book to read and review.  Click on her name if you would like to read her review.

Book Review- The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen

       Combining elements from classics like "Jane Eyre" and "Pride and Prejudice", Julie Klassen weaves together an original yet somewhat familiar Regency era romance in her inspirational/historical  novel "The Tutor's Daughter".  The story is about Emma Smallwood, the daughter of a tutor in an all boy's school.  When her mother dies Emma finds herself worried not only about her father's health but for the family's dwindling income as well.  She is shocked when her father accepts a job as a private tutor at an estate by the sea.  Even though she is a person of routine she accompanies him and is reunited with two brothers that she knew from her youth.  One is dashing, well mannered and has had her eye for several years.   The other one used to tease her so horribly that she has trouble seeing past it enough to recognize the strong, levelheaded man he has become. She barely has a chance to set foot at the manor before she senses something is wrong.  Someone is hiding something.
      To be totally honest, I had trouble getting into this book.  I felt like I had read it before, it mirrored the classics so closely.  The over use of terms like "she wagged her eyebrows" irked me and I started picking apart the story and plot.  Once I pushed past the first quarter or so I began feel more sympathy for the characters and I enjoyed the similarities between Henry Weston and my childhood favorite, Mr. Darcy.  The storyline twisted in a way that made it unique and the mysterious secrets kept my mind turning over the possibilities.  The element of danger grew and the romance blossomed in a satisfying fashion.    I didn't really like Emma at the beginning of the book but as she grew in boldness and in faith I found her more agreeable.
    While this wasn't my favorite book I would recommend it to fans of Regency romance.  I think my problem was that I prefer the classics when it comes to this genre.  That and perhaps I couldn't relate to the neat and orderly Emma...



I received a free copy of this book to review from Bethany House Publishing.

Book Review- When to Speak Up and When to Shut Up by Dr. Michael Sedler

      The title of this book pretty much sums up the contents within.  "When to Speak Up and When to Shut Up" by Dr. Michael D. Sedler is about how and when to speak your mind and when silence is the best option. Based on passages from the Bible, this book guides its readers though the obvious and not as obvious principles of Godly conduct in conversation.

     When should you make a stand?  How do you respectfully disagree with an authority figure?  How do you discuss an issue with your spouse with out it turning into an argument? When is silence your best stance?  This book provides the foundations for all of these situations and more.  It emphasizes what the Bible has to say on the many aspects of communication and stresses the importance of making sure that you are well informed and approaching the situation from a heart that is void of selfish motives.  Each chapter is concisely written and has thought provoking questions to help you get the most from the text.

      I enjoyed not only the informative content of this book but the positive tone of the author as well.  The examples were from all walks of life which made it a useful book for anyone who desires to be more Godly in there interactions with others.  At first glance I was expecting this book to be directed more towards people in the corporate world.  I was pleased to find that it was full of information that I could use in my daily conversations as a stay at home mom and wife.  I plan on re-reading this one. 

I received a free copy of this book to review from Chosen Publishing.

Book Review- "No Safe Harbor" by Elizabeth Ludwig

  Cara Hamilton arrives in New York City in 1897 in answer to a somewhat cryptic letter from her long lost brother.  She was expecting him to find her and for them to begin a new life in America together but instead finds herself caught in a web of political intrigue and deep set grudges.  A man shows up when she needs a friend most. Cara longs to trust him despite a warning from her brother to trust no one. 

    "No Safe Harbor" by Elizabeth Ludwig is a fast paced read.  I love a book that balances suspense with romance and history.  This book did it perfectly.  It also had strong but subtle messages of faith woven in.  It was inspirational yet never came of as preachy. I plan on reading more books by this author as soon as I can!

I received a free copy of this book to review from Bethany House publishing.

 

 

Book Review " Cleaning House" by Kay Wills Wyma

Cleaning House by Kay Wills Wyma (Chapter 1 Excerpt)   The book "Cleaning House" by Kay Wills Wyma was not what I was expecting it to be.  That was not at all a bad thing, however.  I thought it would be a slightly different take on the same basic cleaning principles that are covered in the vast array of  books that are on the market.  Instead I found myself reading a book that is about a mom who has decided to rid her home of youth entitlement.


   Kay Wills Wyma is the mother of five children and one day she had an epiphany.  She realized that her own children were victims to our age of entitlement. In a conversation to her sister in law she said, " I think I'm raising little socialists, the serve-me kind that are numb to the benefits of ingenuity and hard work, the kind that don't just need to be taken care of-they expect it."  She noticed that by doing every thing for her children she wasn't being as helpful as she intended.  She, like a great many parents in today's world, was sending the message of "I'll do it for you because you can't".   Instead of ignoring the problem she decided to start a year long journey.  She made a list of twelve things that she wanted her children to know before leaving home. Over the course of a year she worked on one item from her list each month.  The book covers each stage of her "experiment" with all of its ups and downs.
  I enjoyed reading about how this mom decided to go against the grain of society and teach her children to truly work instead of doing it for them.  As a mother of three this is an issue that I confront daily.  It takes courage to be the mom that steps back and allows her children to learn a task, even if they don't do it as well or as quickly as you can do it yourself.  By the end of the year the author had taught her children many valuable life skills ranging from running errands, to cleaning, to serving others.  The book is full insights and encouragement.  It has enough humor to keep it light and fun to read.  I plan on re-reading this book and implementing many of the ideas in my own life.

I received a free copy of this book to review from WaterBrook Multnomah publishing.
 

Book Review- "Unending Devotion" by Jody Hedlund

     This book was everything I was hoping to find in an inspirational novel.  It had a rich and intriguing historical setting, a spunky heroine and a plot that was enhanced by, but not overtaken by, the heroine's love interest.  It was so gripping that I read most of it in one day.
   " Unending Devotion" by Jody Hedlund is about Lily Young and her quest to find her sister who has ran away to a life of prostitution.    Lily is determined to rescue the girl and give her a second chance at life.  It isn't long before Lily crosses pathes with the ruggedly handsome Connell. 
      Connell is immediately captivated by Lily.  She is virtuous in a place that has long since lost its moral compass.   Her drive to do what is right no matter what the personal cost both enthralls and infuriates him.  A few weeks with Lily is enough to leave him questioning his somewhat complacent lifestyle.
      I loved everything about this book.  Lily had so much zeal for life and for God.  The book brought up many spiritual lessons and insights without feeling preachy.  The setting was among the lumber camps in Michigan during the late 1800's which I found to be interesting as I have never spent much time reading about them before.  I will be reading other books by this author as soon as I can get my hands on them!

I received a free copy of this book to review from Bethany House publishing.

Book Review -"To love and Cherish" by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller

       It's the late 1800's and Melinda Colson is in love with a man who loves her in return.  The only problem is that Melinda works as a ladies maid and is only able to see her beloved Evan one season of the year.  She longs for him to ask her to marry him so that she can stay on the island where he lives and works.  She is weary of having a long distance relationship for most of the year.  When a hurricane strikes the island Melinda is frantic with worry and sets out to find Evan.  Surely he will marry her once she arrives at the island.  Or will he?
       "To Love and Cherish" by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller is a sweet and mellow story about love and waiting on God's perfect timing.  It is the second book the two authors have written that is set on picturesque Bridal Veil Island.  It gives a glimpse at what life was like for both the rich and the working class of the time period.
         While I found this to be a pleasant light read I probably won't read the other books in the series.  I had trouble understanding Evan's character and kept wishing he would portray his love more convincingly.  I am glad that I read the book, however, as it was a very calm and relaxing read.

I received a free copy of this book for review from Bethany House publishing.

Book Review- Understanding World Religions in 15 Minutes a Day

   I found Understanding World Religions in 15 Minutes a Day" by Garry R. Morgan to be a fascinating read.  True to its title it is broken up into informative, bite size chapters.  The writing style is clear and the content is very understandable.  It covers many religions, some of which I knew of and some that I didn't even know existed.
    This small book answers a lot of questions.  I was amazed at how much of our modern culture is influenced by some of these religions and how naive I was to it. I feel like I at least have some basic insight now that I previously lacked. 
    This book is a wonderful introduction to world religions.  While it is very much an overview, it is perfect for someone who wants to be better informed but doesn't have a lot of time or desire to read volumes on the topic.  I highly recommend it. 

I recieved a free copy of this book to review from Bethany House publishing.

Book Review - "Nothing to Hide" by J.Mark Bertrand

 " What do you say to a fallen partner?  What do you say to a man you started off despising and came to grudgingly respect, whose death is on your conscience and whole absence you're only beginning to feel?" 
  Detective Roland March is a complex character who is trying to put together the  pieces of a grisly murder case.  A man is dead.  His head is missing and his finger seems to be pointing at something, but what?  The deeper he digs, the more dangerous and confusing the investigation becomes. While analyzing the clues Roland finds himself reflecting on his past which forces him to not only work through  the current case but through buried issues from his past.
    "Nothing to Hide" by J. Mark Bertrand is a suspense story that ties in present with the past in a fresh and exciting way.  Its plot twists and turns until it reaches an end that I did not see coming.  I have not read very many police suspense stories and I must admit that this was not my favorite read.  Some of this is probably because this book is part of a series and I kept feeling like I was missing something, which I probably was.  I am guessing that this book is geared more towards middle aged men then it is to young moms, like myself.
  Despite it not being my favorite, it was well written and I very much enjoyed the conclusion. The characters were deep, even the secondary ones.  I also thought it tied in deep spiritual questions in a thought provoking manner. 

I recieved a free copy of this book for review from Bethany House publishing.

Book Review - "Finding Our Way Home" by Charlene Ann Baumbich

"Once she'd served herself, Evelyn sat down, bowed her head, put the palms of her hands together , and said her usual premeal prayer, a prayer that covered many things during the day too. "Grace, Amen"

Finding Our Way Home by Charlene Ann Baumbich (Chapter 1 Excerpt)     " Finding our way home" by Charlene Ann Baumbich is a cozy afternoon type of book about the power of grace and how it worked in the lives of two very different women.  Big boned and perpetually sunny Evelyn has just graduated high school and much to her parents dismay has chosen to put off collage to work and to eventually marry her fiancee.  She ends up working for Sasha, a former ballerina whose career met a tragic end.  Bitter Sasha can't help but warm up to Evelyn's cheery disposition.  Together the unlikely pair help each other through physical and relational trials all while learning about grace,both God's grace and the grace that friends and family extend.
     This is the sort of book that you want to curl up in a comfy chair with a cup of tea and a splash of sunshine.  I loved Evelyn's go get em, glass half full attitude.  It was very refreshing.  I was, however, a bit perplexed by two things.  The first being that it had more comments on sexual intimacy then I was expecting in a Christian novel.  They were tasteful and moral but I was surprised none the less.  The other thing was that a talisman played a significant role in the story.  Again, I was surprised to find this in a Christian novel.  It seemed odd to me to have God's grace and a talisman play large rolls in the same story.  Other then that, I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

I received a free copy of this book for review from WaterBrook Press.

Book Review - "Submerged" by Dani Pettrey

   Baily is a girl with a past. She has since come to know Christ as her saviour but things she has done long ago continue to haunt her. The death of her beloved aunt cause her to leave the new life she has made for herself and head back to the one place that she never wishes to see again. It is the small town of  Yancey, Alaska, a place where everyone knows the girl that she used to be. She plans to go to the funeral, wrap up her aunts affairs and go home.  That is, until clues surface.  Clues that lead her to believe that her aunts death was not the accident that every one believed it to be.
   "Submerged" by Dani Pettrey is a fast paced story with interesting characters, intriguing scenery and a deep message about letting go of the past and accepting the future Christ has in store for us.  I thought the mystery was a bit predictable but the characters were so full of personality that they filled in any gaps. The way the author wove in romance and a bit of Russian history into the story helped it to grab and hold my interest. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading other stories by the author.

I recieved a free copy of this book to review from Bethany House publishing.

Book Review - "Tandem" by Tracey Bateman

    "Her own screams woke her.  She had dreamed she was alone in the dark, captive of a madman.  When she opened her eyes and realized the nightmare was real, she couldn't stop screaming."  With a striking balance of family drama, mystery and a perfect dose of chills Tracey Bateman had me engrossed in her novel "Tandem" within the first chapter. 

Tandem - a novel by Tracey Bateman (Chapter 1)  
      The story takes place in the quaint little town of Abbey Hills.  Nestled in the Ozark mountains, this once idyllic town has found itself the host of some sort of evil.  People are being murdered.  For awhile it seems that a house fire has killed the murderer but a fresh string of murders has demolished that theory.  20 something Lauryn Mcbride has inherited her father's auction business and is in charge of the estate.  It is her actions that unearth dark secrets as she works to balance her work, personal life and still care for her father who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
    I wasn't sure what to think when I realized that I was reading an inspirational vampire story but I must say that the author made it work.  She skillfully wove a story that was both touching and thrilling. The characters were complex and the themes were subtle but strong.  I was blown away by the thought provoking last paragraph.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I received a free copy of this book to review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

book review - "The Messenger" by Siri Mitchell

    " The Messenger" by Siri Mitchell is a Christian historical novel set during the revolutionary war.  It follows Hannah Sunderland who is a devout Quaker and Jeremiah Jones, a colonial spy who feels he has nothing to live for.  The story alternates points of view between these two central characters as their paths meet and they both become involved in aiding a group of patriot prisoners.
     I thought that the way the story explored the historic setting through the eyes of two such different characters to be fascinating.  I must admit, however, that I found the first half of the book a bit difficult to get into.  By the end I was completely caught up in both the plot and the characters.  The spiritual growth that takes place in the story was slow to unfold and I felt it was rather incomplete but at the same time it was thought provoking. I found Hannah's honesty and desire to do the right thing no matter what the circumstances to be very encouraging. By the time I finished the novel I had a renewed interest in colonial America and a much deeper understanding of the Quaker faith.  Overall I would say that I enjoyed this book very much.

I received a review copy of this book for free from Bethany House publishing.

book reveiw- "Fierce Beauty" by Kim Meeder

  " Friend, God is calling you to be beautiful, but not in the way the world demands."  This quote from the introduction of Kim Meeder's inspirational woman's book "Fierce Beauty" brings to focus the main theme of this highly uplifting read.  Reading this book is much like having a mentor sit down with you and encourage you to forget what the world thinks and strive instead to be the unique person that God created you to be.

Fierce Beauty by Kim Meeder (Ch. 1 excerpt)   
 "Fierce Beauty" is full of Biblical truths that the author skillfully makes relevant by using a wide range of real life examples.  The descriptive language took a little while for me to get used to but once I did it pulled me right into the scenarios.  Each chapter begins with a story from the author's life and ends with a thought provoking application.  By the end of the book I felt like I knew the author and that I knew more about my Heavenly Father as well.
   I would defiantly recommend this book to anyone that is feeling worn down by the world.  It is unlike any other woman's book I have ever read in the way that it stresses over and over again to not be passive but to stand up and fight for what is right.  One of my favorite chapters was # 17 "The Race , Don't you Ever Quit!".  This quote from it might have to go on my fridge " A warrior is not distracted by the entanglements of this life.  She answers God's call to fix her eyes and her energy on running hard to the end of the race... where her King awaits."

I received a review copy of this book for free through the "Blogging for Books" program with the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.