by admin | May 11, 2016 | Books, Dectective, Historical, Mystery, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I don’t often take the time to watch TV because I prefer to spend it reading but occasionally I enjoy watching Murdoch Mysteries (aka The Artful Detective). Set in Toronto in the early twentieth century, it is a fun, historical detective mystery. When I opened the pages of “The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder” I found myself in that same Toronto time frame with Merinda and Jem, two friends who have defied society’s expectations to start a detective agency.
Merinda and Jem are unconventional and independent, preferring to don men’s clothing in order to slip past Toronto’s Morality Squad on their quest to discover clues to two unsolved deaths that the police seem to have forgotten. The plot is fresh and clever with frequent humor yet also contains an intelligence and depth that was somewhat unexpected. I loved all four of the primary characters and hoped for a match for Jem and Ray DeLuca throughout the entire book although at times it looked like she might be taken in by another character’s false charm. I also secretly hoped to see Merinda and Jasper join forces as more than just working together to solve crimes.
I pretty much loved everything about “The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder” including the quotations at the beginning of each chapter from fictional books as well as the explanatory footnotes scattered throughout the narrative. This is a witty and entertaining story with well researched historical facts and a solid message of faith woven through it. I eagerly look forward to the next Herringford and Watts mystery, A Lesson in Love and Murder. I can’t wait!
A digital copy of this book was provided for review by Harvest House Publishers through NetGalley but I also purchased a paperback copy.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In 1910 Toronto, while other bachelor girls perfect their domestic skills and find husbands, two friends perfect their sleuthing skills and find a murderer.
Inspired by their fascination with all things Sherlock Holmes, best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem launch a consulting detective business. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city’s underbelly, where the high hopes of those dreaming to make a new life in Canada are met with prejudice and squalor.
While searching for answers, donning disguises, and sneaking around where no proper ladies would ever go, they pair with Jasper Forth, a police constable, and Ray DeLuca, a reporter in whom Jem takes a more than professional interest. Merinda could well be Toronto’s premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever—if they can stay alive long enough to do so.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rachel McMillan is a keen history enthusiast and a lifelong bibliophile. When not writing or reading, she can most often be found drinking tea and watching British miniseries. Rachel lives in bustling Toronto, where she works in educational publishing and pursues her passion for art, literature, music, and theater.
by admin | May 6, 2016 | Books, Europe, Historical, Romance, WWII
MY REVIEW:
“No Neutral Ground” is an interesting and informative story set mostly in Sweden during World War 2. The key characters met early in the book on a ship bound for Europe. For Jennie it was the first leg of her journey to join her parents in Sweden, a neutral nation during the war. Rafe, an American navigator, is returning to fight against his former countrymen in the skies over the country he fled early in Hitler’s campaign. The pair immediately felt an affinity for each other but had to go in separate directions upon embarking from the ship with little hope of a future reunion.
The author certainly did her research and I learned facts about the war that I wasn’t taught in high school history class. Most notably, details about life in Sweden during that time frame were fascinating. I particularly enjoyed Rafe and Jennie’s adventures as they worked together to gather information about the enemy. Vivid descriptions of air battles and life in the camp were detailed and informative. I also thought that Rafe’s emotional and spiritual journey was handled quite well.
Although “No Neutral Ground” is technically a romance novel, that aspect of the story was subdued and took a back seat to the drama. Those who expect frequent romantic scenes with lots of kissing might be a bit disappointed. Overall, I enjoyed this book even though at times I got just a bit bogged down in the lengthy narrative. Nevertheless, it is definitely worth reading. I am glad I did.
A digital copy of this book was provided for review by the author for her Celebrate Lit Publicity Group blog tour.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After his father divorces his mother because of her Jewish ancestry, Rafe and the rest of his family flee Germany. As a B-17 navigator, he returns to Europe. On the ocean voyage, he meets Jennie, an artist journeying to Sweden to work with the OSS.
Flying missions against his former homeland arouses emotions that surprise Rafe. Despite being rejected, he is troubled by the destruction of Germany and his heart still cries for his father’s love.
Sweden may be neutral, but it’s full of intrigue. Jennie assists the OSS at the American legation in Sweden. She thought she’d be doing passive, behind-the-scenes work. Instead, she’s pushed into an active role to gain intelligence and frustrate the Germans.
How can Rafe and Jennie succeed in their dangerous roles when they are so conflicted?
Purchase your copy here.
To celebrate her No Neutral Ground tour, Terri is giving away several prizes.
Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/97ca
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Terri Wangard grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, during the Lombardi Glory Years. Her first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. These days she is writing historical fiction, and won the 2013 Writers on the Storm contest and 2013 First Impressions, as well as being a 2012 Genesis finalist. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science, she lives in Wisconsin. Her research included going for a ride in a WWII B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. Classic Boating Magazine, a family business since 1984, keeps her busy as an associate editor.
Connect with Terri:
www.terriwangard.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorTerriWangard
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/terriwangard/
Guest Post from Terri Wangaud
I hadn’t planned on writing No Neutral Ground. Friends and Enemies (book one of the Promise For Tomorrow series) was the WWII story I’d wanted to write, inspired by family history on the German side. Finishing that, I’d started writing a contemporary story set in one of my favorite places, Green Lake, Wisconsin.
At an ACFW conference, I had an appointment to pitch Friends and Enemies with an editor. She said I’d be likelier to get a contract if I had a series. The Green Lake story got shelved.
What could I write to partner with Friends and Enemies? That stumped me. The German side of the story was my big interest, but another one? No. I had no desire to return to Nazi Germany. My ancestry is three quarters German. All of my forbearers arrived in America before 1900, but it’s still a bitter thought that their homeland spawned such evil.
Germany’s out, so that left me with the other side of Friends and Enemies—the B-17s. I’d chosen the Flying Fortress because of my timeline. In mid-1944, the only American military men in Germany were shot-down airmen. I had plenty of material I hadn’t used in Friends and Enemies, but the plot had to be different. Something other writers hadn’t touched on. Maybe…Sweden?
Who’s familiar with Sweden’s role in World War II?
If American planes got in trouble during their missions and couldn’t make it back to their bases in England, they sought sanctuary in neutral countries. Switzerland is usually the first that comes to mind. Tricia Goyer had already written The Swiss Courier which touches on internees.
But Sweden. I had even visited Sweden. In 1993, my dad and I had gone to Sweden to cover a classic boat show for our magazine, Classic Boating. During a free day, we had wandered around Stockholm and taken lots of pictures.
I started the research and discovered, hmm, there’s not much, especially if you don’t know Swedish. One book I acquired held a eureka moment. A B-17 was damaged and the pilot told the crew to bail out. The navigator hurried to the cockpit and implored him to try to make it to Sweden. He was from Germany, a former member of the Hitler Youth, and he did not want to be captured by his former countrymen. There’s my male protagonist! Rafe discovered he had Jewish ancestry and had to flee Germany. Now he’s back at war with the homeland.
I still needed a female protagonist, and Jennie proved hard to pin down. I was pulling her together throughout the writing. I enjoyed reading accounts of Betty McIntosh, who served with the OSS in the China-Burma-India theater. Why not enlist Jennie’s services with the OSS in Sweden? She’s talented but lacks confidence. Pretty soon, Jennie found her voice.
As my research continued, I made a surprising discovery. One of the photos I’d taken in Stockholm turned out to be the former home of the American legation in Sweden. Jennie’s workplace. And I had thought it was just an example of lovely architecture.
I hope you’ll enjoy reading about Rafe and Jennie in No Neutral Ground.
Blog Stops
May 3: Book Reviews From an Avid Reader
May 4: A Greater Yes
May 4: Simple Harvest Reads
May 5: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
May 5: The Editor’s Note
May 6: Daysong Reflections
May 6: Mary Hake
May 7: Bigreadersite
May 8: Inklings and Notions
May 9: Blossoms and Blessings
May 10: Bukwurmzzz
May 10: Cassandra M’s Place (spotlight)
May 11: Christian Bookaholic
May 12: Singing Librarian Books
May 13: Texas Book-aholic
May 14: For The Love of Books
May 15: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
May 16: Artistic Nobody
by admin | Apr 27, 2016 | Books, Civil War, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have always loved to read historical fiction and for some reason am often drawn to novels that take place during the Civil War – possibly because I am a Southerner. I had already picked up book two of this series when the ebook was offered as a freebie for a short time so it was pretty much a no-brainer to take the opportunity to read and review book one, “Leveraging Lincoln”. I dove into it last night and made myself put it down long enough to get some sleep. I liked it well enough that I have already decided to take advantage of an opening on my review calendar to go ahead and read “Losing Lincoln” I really want to find out what happens to Matthew and Annabelle.
The author paints a very realistic picture of life during the last days of the war, particularly in the south both on and off the battlefield. With an opening scene that featured Annabelle in the process of digging a grave to bury yet another soldier she had helped to nurse, it didn’t take very long to learn that the war had drastically changed life as she had always known it. It was also quite evident that Annabelle had the strength and fortitude to survive despite overwhelming odds. Desperate to avoid marriage to a man she detested, Annabelle agrees to deliver a message in exchange for help finding her uncle. What she finds is trouble – big trouble.
Matthew, a confederate soldier, has just learned that his brother has been imprisoned by the Yankees and is determined to set him free. Listening to false promises from a fellow soldier, he quickly finds himself in over his head and mixed up in a dire plot to kidnap President Lincoln in a last ditch effort to save the Confederacy. Annabelle’s unwitting involvement brings out his protective instincts and against his will he finds himself falling in love with her.
Based loosely on actual historic facts, “Leveraging Lincoln” is a fictional account of what could have happened during those last weeks of the war. The plot is fast-paced, suspense and action filled, and very plausible. Although history lessons taught us what happened to Lincoln, “Leveraging Lincoln” nevertheless gripped my attention until its very end.
I received a digital copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
“All we have to do is kidnap their President….”
Four years of war have reduced the South to near annihilation. Homes lay smoldering and men become desperate. Amid the shadows of fear, a clandestine group waits for an opportunity to change the course of history.
Harlot, liar, spy…
On the threshold of losing her plantation, Annabelle Ross finds a cryptic letter on a dying soldier and seizes the opportunity to get out a message of her own. She never dreamed her plan would brand her a suspected spy… or worse, an unwilling conspirator.
Deserter, traitor, accomplice…
When Matthew Daniels’s brother is taken captive, he finds himself caught up in a plot to gain leverage on the Union. The lines are drawn in blood, and the risk is there for the taking. But will his reckless gamble cost him the woman he had determined not to love?
She wants to save her home. He wants to save his brother. Together, they may just save a nation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Stephenia McGee is a wife, mother of two very active little boys, author, and lover of all things historical. Stephenia currently lives in Mississippi with her husband and sons where she writes stories of faith, redemption and life steeped in southern culture.
Visit Stephenia’s website: http://www.stepheniamcgee.com/
Visit Stephenia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StepheniaHMcGee/
by admin | Apr 26, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Like Never Before” is a fun to read contemporary romance but don’t let that fool you. Woven through the pages of witty banter and charming romance is a strong message of faith and encouragement.
I liked how feisty Amelia was determined to do everything possible to save the small-town newspaper despite overwhelming odds. Little does she know that the man she has admired from afar is the new owner and he has returned to his home town to sell the business. Yet somehow, Logan ends up helping Amelia and a strong friendship develops between them. And Logan – what a man! Devoted to and strongly protective of his daughter, his family, and friends but inwardly wounded and confused.
The author’s vivid descriptions of characters and setting and her wonderful dialogue made this book a joy to read. “Like Never Before” is a wonderful story of a friendship that helps heal both Amelia and Logan and that grows into something beautiful. Melissa Tagg, you outdid yourself with this one. I can’t wait to see what you do with the next Walker Family novel.
A copy of this book was provided for review by
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Maple Valley became Amelia Bentley’s haven after her heart and her dreams of a family were shattered. But when the newspaper she runs is in danger of closing, she pins all her hopes on a story that just might convince the new owner to keep the paper running.
After his biggest campaign success yet, widowed speechwriter Logan Walker has the chance of a lifetime: a spot on a presidential campaign. But first he has to return to his hometown to sell the newspaper he’s suddenly inherited.
But instead of a quick sale, Logan finds himself helping Amelia chase her story. She’s scrappy, but wounded. He’s dependable, but lost. And working together to break the story on Maple Valley’s unsolved mystery is just the start of the sparks that fly in the office and in their hearts.
Read an excerpt from “Like Never Before” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last and Here to Stay, is a former newspaper reporter, current nonprofit grant writer, and total Iowa girl. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever. She’s passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly at www.melissatagg.com.
by admin | Apr 26, 2016 | Amish, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“A Dream of Miracles” differs greatly from many of the Amish novels I have read with a plot full of twists and surprises. Although expected, the romance was not typical of many novels in this genre.
Characters are well-rounded and gained my sympathy and support from the beginning. Situations within the plot were realistic with disturbing insight into what can happen to innocent people when their rights are sacrificed to meet another’s selfish agenda.
Talk about circumstantial evidence! When young Amish widow Mattie’s young son is hospitalized with critical symptoms, everything points to Mattie. At best, she appears to neglect her children – at worst, she has abused her son to the point of death. When Bo Lambright is sent to investigate her case, his instincts tell him she is innocent. His choices in the case could destroy his career as well as Mattie’s life. Frequent disturbing dreams and Mattie’s case force Bo to confront and make peace with his own past. Is there any future for an up-and-coming social services investigator and an Amish widow?
I can truthfully say that I enjoyed “A Dream of Miracles”. The story moved along at a good pace and it was a good sign that I found myself frustrated over the circumstances surrounding Bo and Mattie. There was one character that I particularly disliked from the beginning and my dislike of her proved to be justified. I would recommend this book – especially to those who enjoy Amish fiction.
A copy of this book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Amish widow Mattie vows never to love again . . . until a suspicious outsider with a shadowy past comes crashing into her fragile world.
Mattie Diener can barely keep it together. A young Amish widow and mother of two young children, she faces the lingering heartbreak of lost love, her son’s mysterious illness, and a torrent of accusations that threaten to undo her.
Bo Lambright is a fast-rising social services investigator whose high-society mother won’t rest until she finds his Mrs. Right. Despite Bo’s worldly success, the raw ache of a shadowy past and a series of unsettling dreams have left him reeling.
When Mattie and Bo cross paths, all signs point to disaster. Yet as they face a crucible of trials and tragedies together, longings begin to stir that seem destined only to end in more heartbreak. Is a miracle possible—not only of healing but of forbidden love? What secrets lie in Bo’s dreams? And will Mattie find the courage to face her uncertain future . . . or will she simply run away?
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ruth Reid is a CBA and ECPA bestselling author of the Heaven on Earth series. She’s a full-time pharmacist who lives in Florida with her husband and three children. When attending Ferris State University School of Pharmacy in Big Rapids, Michigan, she lived on the outskirts of an Amish community and had several occasions to visit the Amish farms. Her interest grew into love as she saw the beauty in living a simple life.
Find out more about Ruth at http://ruthreid.com.
GIVEAWAY:
When a suspicious outsider with a shadowy past comes crashing into Amish widow Mattie’s fragile world, can she learn to love again? Find out in Ruth Reid’s new book, A Dream of Miracles. When Mattie and Bo cross paths, all signs point to disaster. Yet as they face a crucible of trials and tragedies together, longings begin to stir that seem destined only to end in more heartbreak. Is a miracle possible—not only of healing but of forbidden love? What secrets lie in Bo’s dreams? And will Mattie find the courage to face her uncertain future . . . or will she simply run away?
Ruth is celebrating the release of A Dream of Miracles with a Kindle Fire HD 6 giveaway (details below) and an author chat party on May 3!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- One copy of A Dream of Miracles
- A Kindle Fire HD 6
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 5/3. The winner will be announced at A Dream of Miracles Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Ruth and other fans of Amish fiction, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!
RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 3rd!
by admin | Apr 20, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, New Zealand, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Oh my, another author to add to my must read list! Not a bad thing but at this point I don’t have enough years left to read all the wonderful books that I want to read. How I must suffer for the cause of Christian fiction!
As you may have already guessed, I really liked “Close to You”, Kara Isaac’s debut novel. I thought her unique story about a guide for a Tolkien tour in New Zealand was inspired.
I loved everything about the heroine Allison including her not-so-subtle surname of “Shire”. Allison has a lot more going on that it appears. She is actually a well-qualified English professor but a bad choice of husbands has left her funds frozen and her family and employer have requested that she keep a low profile because of the scandal. So off to Hobbit Land she went because if she knows anything, she knows Tolkien. Of course she would meet a fellow who is taking the tour but knows little about the books or movies and cares even less. So what do you think happens? Lovable, accident-prone Allie falls for handsome but grouchy Jackson Gregory. And that’s all I’m telling you – you just have to read it for yourself!
This book was great! I enjoyed all the quirky characters and had quite a few moments of laughing out loud. Then there was the romance which I thought was very well done. But woven throughout the fun and games (and romance) was a thought-provoking look at how the characters saw themselves and how important it was to let the Lord lead their lives. Well done Kara!
A copy of this book was provided for review by Howard Books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A disgraced scholar running from her past and an entrepreneur chasing his future find themselves thrown together—and fall in love—on a Tolkien tour of New Zealand.
Allison Shire (yes, like where the Hobbits live) is a disgraced academic who is done with love. Her belief in “happily ever after” ended the day she discovered her husband was still married to a wife she knew nothing about. She finally finds a use for her English degree by guiding tours through the famous sites featured in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. By living life on the road and traveling New Zealand as a luxury tour guide, Allison manages to outrun the pain of her past she can’t face.
Jackson Gregory was on the cusp of making it big. Then suddenly his girlfriend left him—for his biggest business competitor—and took his most guarded commercial secrets with her. To make matters worse, the Iowa farm that has been in his family for generations is facing foreclosure. Determined to save his parents from financial ruin, he’ll do whatever it takes to convince his wealthy great-uncle to invest in his next scheme, which means accompanying him to the bottom of the world to spend three weeks pretending to be a die-hard Lord of the Rings fan, even though he knows nothing about the stories. The one thing that stands between him and his goal is a know-it-all tour guide who can’t stand him and pegged him as a fake the moment he walked off the plane.
When Allison leads the group through the famous sites of the Tolkien movies, she and Jackson start to see each other differently, and as they keep getting thrown together on the tour, they find themselves drawn to each other. Neither expected to fall in love again, but can they find a way beyond their regrets to take a chance on the one thing they’re not looking for?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kara Isaac is an award-winning writer who lives in Wellington, New Zealand, where her career highlights include working in tourism as Private Secretary for the Prime Minister. She loves great books almost as much as she loves her husband and two children.
Visit Kara on her WEBSITE and on FACEBOOK.
