by admin | Mar 16, 2018 | Appalachia, Books, Contemporary Fiction
MY REVIEW:
“Under a Cloudless Sky” is another book by Chris Fabry that takes the reader places she never expected to go. I certainly never expected what seemed to be a simple story about an aging woman fighting for her independence to morph into such a revealing look at life in a small mining town in West Virginia. You would think that after reading several novels by this author I would know better. Chris Fabry always has a surprise or two in store for me in every one of his books.
Fabry’s writing never fails to impress me with his skilled plotting and depth of his characters. Although this novel moved between two time frames frequently, I never found it difficult to keep up with the story. With an independent mother close in age to Ruby, there were times I could relate all too well with her children and their fears for her. I have to hope that my own mom never takes it upon herself to do what Ruby did in her story.
So many twists and unexpected revelations not only held my attention but also touched my heart. Once again Chris Fabry has written a novel that grabs his readers’ attention and doesn’t let go. Prepare to be wowed and you might want a box of tissues handy.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Tyndale Blog Network. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A charming and engrossing novel for fans of Southern fiction and the recent hit memoir Hillbilly Elegy about a lush and storied coal-mining town—and the good people who live there—in danger of being destroyed for the sake of profit. Will the truth about the town’s past be its final undoing or its saving grace?
1933. In the mining town of Beulah Mountain, West Virginia, two young girls form an unbreakable bond against the lush Appalachian landscape, coal dust and old hymns filling their lungs and hearts. Despite the polarizing forces of their fathers—one a mine owner, one a disgruntled miner —Ruby and Bean thrive under the tender care of Bean’s mama, blissfully unaware of the rising conflict in town and the coming tragedy that will tear them apart forever.
2004. Hollis Beasley is taking his last stand. Neighbors up and down the hollow have sold their land to Coleman Coal and Energy, but Hollis is determined to hold on to his family legacy on Beulah Mountain. Standing in his way is Buddy Coleman, an upstart mining executive who hopes to revitalize the dying town by increasing coal production and opening the Company Store Museum. He’ll pay homage to the past—even the massacre of 1933—while positioning the company for growth at all costs.
What surprises them all is how their stories will intersect with a feisty octogenarian living hundreds of miles away. When Ruby Handley Freeman’s grown children threaten her independence, she takes a stand of her own and disappears, propelling her on a journey to face a decades-old secret that will change everything for her and those she meets.
Read an excerpt from “Under a Cloudless Sky”.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Chris Fabry is an award-winning author and radio personality who hosts the daily program Chris Fabry Live! on Moody Radio. He is also heard on Love Worth Finding, Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, and other radio programs. A 1982 graduate of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and a native of West Virginia, Chris and his wife, Andrea, now live in Arizona and are the parents of nine children.
Chris’s novels, which include Dogwood, June Bug, Almost Heaven, and Not in the Heart, have won two Christy Awards and an ECPA Christian Book Award, but it’s his lyrical prose and tales of redemption that keep readers returning for more. He has also published more than 65 other books, including nonfiction and novels for children and young adults. He coauthored the Left Behind: The Kids series with Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye, as well as the Red Rock Mysteries and the Wormling series with Jerry B. Jenkins. RPM is his latest series for kids and explores the exciting world of NASCAR.
by admin | Mar 16, 2018 | Books, Historical, National Parks, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have enjoyed each and every one of Karen Barnett’s books since I had the opportunity to review “Mistaken” back in 2013. With each succeeding book I have grown to appreciate this author’s skill in developing fresh plots and engaging characters. As long as she continues to write books, I will read them!
“Where the Fire Falls” is the second of Barnett’s Vintage National Parks Novels. Although these books are part of a series, each stands easily on its own with new characters and story lines. This particular volume is set in Yosemite National Park and features a young artist sent there to paint a series of watercolors for a travel magazine. Somewhat fearful that even being in the park might reveal family history she would like to keep hidden, Olivia knows that the income from the paintings is necessary to help care for her younger sisters. Back country guide Clark Johnson is not very impressed with the flapper Olivia appears to be but soon catches glimpses of and falls in love with the real Olivia that she attempts to keep hidden.
A wonderful story of two wounded people searching for meaning in their lives, “Where the Fire Falls” is filled with drama, suspense, betrayal, and romance that is woven together against the majestic backdrop of mountains, waterfalls, and wilderness of historic Yosemite. It was fun experiencing the park through the eyes of Olivia and Clark, especially the Firefall event each evening. I was actually able to find an old video of the phenomenon from the 1960s that gave me a tiny idea of what campers may have experienced during the early years in the park. I especially liked watching Clark and Olivia’s relationship as it grew as well as how each of them grew in their faith and discovered the plans God had for them.
I hope everyone will pick up copies of “Where the Fire Falls” and also the first book of the series “The Road to Paradise”. I enjoyed both and highly recommend them.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Blogging For Books. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Stunning Yosemite National Park sets the stage for this late 1920s historical romance with mystery, adventure, heart, and a sense of the place John Muir described as “pervaded with divine light.”
Watercolorist Olivia Rutherford has shed her humble beginnings to fashion her image as an avant-garde artist to appeal to the region’s wealthy art-collectors. When she lands a lucrative contract painting illustrations of Yosemite National Park for a travel magazine, including its nightly one-of-a-kind Firefall event, she hopes the money will lift Olivia and her sisters out of poverty.
After false accusations cost him everything, former minister Clark Johnson has found purpose as a backcountry guide in this natural cathedral of granite and trees. Now he’s faced with the opportunity to become a National Parks Ranger, but is it his true calling?
As Clark opens Olivia’s eyes to the wonders of Yosemite, she discovers the people are as vital to the park’s story as its vistas–a revelation that may bring her charade to an end.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
KAREN BARNETT, author of Mistaken, Out of the Ruins, and Beyond the Ashes, is a former park ranger. She worked as a ranger naturalist and outdoor educator at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Silver Falls State Park, and Mount Rainier National Park. When not writing, Karen enjoys photography, hiking, and public speaking. She lives in Oregon with her family.
by admin | Mar 12, 2018 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Lynn Blackburn is a new author for me but I had heard some of the buzz about her new release and because I trust Revell I took a chance on reviewing it. I am so glad I did!
“Beneath the Surface” is one of those books that starts off running and takes the reader on a relentless race through an obstacle course of action, danger, and suspense with a few ventures off course for a touch or two of romance. The story begins with the discovery of a submerged body behind Leigh Weston’s home by the Carrington County Sheriff’s Office dive team. As Ryan Parker and others on the team investigate the limited clues they have, it becomes evident that someone also has Leigh in their sites. Could it be related to the case or is it connected to something in her past?
What a great book! I loved how the characters interacted with each other and the way their friendships and their faith strengthened in the midst of danger. It was also a bit fun to see how the clues led to a certain point and then everything turned in a totally different direction – plenty of surprises in this one! Sometimes it’s enjoyable to be able to solve the mystery on my own before the end but it was great the way the author developed her plot and kept me guessing the entire time. Everything was brought together in a thoroughly satisfying conclusion. I absolutely cannot wait for the release of Blackburn’s next book “In Too Deep”.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Litfuse Publicity. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After a harrowing experience with an obsessed patient, oncology nurse practitioner Leigh Weston needed a change. She thought she’d left her troubles behind when she moved home to Carrington, North Carolina, and took a job in the emergency department of the local hospital. But when someone tampers with her brakes, she fears the past has chased her into the present. She reaches out to her high school friend turned homicide investigator, Ryan Parker, for help.
Ryan finds satisfaction in his career, but his favorite way to use his skills is as a volunteer underwater investigator with the Carrington County Sheriff’s Office dive team. When the body of a wealthy businessman is discovered in Lake Porter, the investigation uncovers a possible serial killer–one with a terrifying connection to Leigh Weston and deadly implications for them all.
Dive into the depths of fear with an exciting new voice in romantic suspense. Award-winning author Lynn H. Blackburn grabs readers by the throat and doesn’t let go until the final heart-pounding page.
Read an excerpt HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lynn H. Blackburn is the author of Beneath the Surface, Hidden Legacy, and Covert Justice, winner of the 2016 Selah Award for Mystery and Suspense and the 2016 Carol Award for Short Novel. Blackburn believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. She’s passionate about CrossFit, coffee, and chocolate (don’t make her choose) and experimenting with recipes that feed both body and soul. She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children.
by admin | Mar 12, 2018 | Amish, Books, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Shelley Shepard Gray is one of the authors of Amish fiction who manages to keep her books both fresh and exciting. “His Risk” features Cal, a formerly Amish man working undercover in a gun-running gang who sees no way out but death. When he returns home to be with his brother through some serious surgery he meets Alice, the sweet Amish girl house sitting for her brother across the street. Although both know it is a terrible idea, the two of them cannot seem to avoid becoming friends (or more) as they continue to spend time together. All Cal can think of is that he could be bringing danger to everyone he cares about.
This may be one of my favorites of this author’s Amish novels. “His Risk” includes excellent character development with several points of view that help to flesh out the story. The narrative is filled with plenty of drama and suspense laced with several surprises along the way. I’m not 100% sure that I entirely liked how the gang situation was resolved but Cal’s explanation to Alice’s friend Irene made perfect sense to me.
This book contained excellent examples of how often people are not exactly what they seem and even “bad” people may be motivated by wounds from their life. An example of one laying down his life for another was an unexpected event that really touched me.
I would highly recommend this book to all who love Amish fiction and even to those who believe they don’t like it. “His Risk” is definitely worth taking the time to read.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Litfuse Publicity. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
An undercover English DEA agent will do anything to protect the Amish girl he loves.
Calvin Fisher left the Amish community at fourteen and never looked back. Only his brother’s illness can bring him back to Hart County. Now, as Calvin works to make amends, he meets Alice, a local nursery school teacher, and falls hard for her. But he has a secret that could threaten the happiness he’s finally found.
Alice shouldn’t like—or want—Calvin. He’s English, has a questionable past, and an even more questionable job. Still, she can’t help being intrigued. Though Calvin assures Alice that he’s worthy of her, she’s torn between surrendering to her growing feelings and steering clear of him.
When a sudden surge of criminal activity alarms the community and even targets Alice, Calvin fears that his double life has put everyone he loves at risk. As for Alice, she can’t help but wonder if the brave and honorable man she’s lost her heart to is far more dangerous than she could ever imagine.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shelley Shepard Gray is a “New York Times” and “USA Today” bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.
Find out more about Shelley at http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com.
GIVEAWAY:
Enter to win a copy of His Risk. Five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced March 28 on the Litfuse blog!
by admin | Mar 9, 2018 | American Revolution, Books, Colonial Williamsburg, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Lark Benton had always loved Emerson Fielding but she was beginning to wonder why he ever asked her to marry him two long years ago. Since then it seemed as if he almost didn’t know she existed except for those rare family occasions when they must see each other. Nevertheless, Lark behaved as she believed Emerson expected of her, all the while wishing he really knew the real Lark. An inappropriate flirtation is the last straw and with the help of her brother Wiley, Lark disappeared to the home of a dear friend of Wiley’s in Annapolis, intending to spend the winter and hopefully miss her own wedding.
It was much too easy to get lost in the pages of “A Heart’s Revolution”. I loved the characters, especially Lark and Emerson and enjoyed seeing how when they finally discovered themselves, they were able to find true love. Other characters played significant roles in the story and at least one other romance played out by its end. At times humorous and often dramatic, the narrative was also filled with post Revolutionary War facts that this history lover enjoyed. I was particularly impressed by one character who repeatedly turned to God despite all the negative circumstances that came against him and whose faith made a lasting impression on both Lark and Emerson.
“A Heart’s Revolution” is another fine novel from one of my favorite authors. If you love historical romance, do yourself a big favor and check out the books of Roseanna M. White.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In 1783 peace has been declared, but war still rages in the heart of Lark Benton.
Never did Lark think she’d want to escape Emerson Fielding, the man she’s loved all her life. But when he betrays her, she flees Williamsburg for Annapolis, taking refuge in the nation’s temporary capital. There lark throws herself into a new circle of friends who force her to examine all she believes.
Emerson follows, determined to reclaim his betrothed. Surprised when she refuses to return with him, he realizes that in this new nation he has come to call his own, duty is no longer enough. He must learn to open his heart and soul to something greater—before he loses all he should have been fighting to hold.
Previously published as Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.
by admin | Mar 2, 2018 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Medical, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“Fugitive Spy” takes its readers on a wild ride before it reaches a thoroughly satisfying ending. The suspense begins on the very first page and continues to escalate throughout the entire book. There were moments when I didn’t think things could get any worse for the intrepid team of Casper English and Dr. Ashley Drager but lo and behold, that’s exactly what happened.
There’s a lot going on in this suspense filled book but I hesitate to say very much. It’s a story readers really need to read for themselves. I will give a few hints to hopefully make the book irresistible. Spies, amnesia, medical suspense, secrets, missing father, action, danger, technology, germ warfare, safe house, betrayal, romance, and faith – this is just a taste of what you will find in this amazing book.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Fugitive Spy” and hope others will take a chance on it if they are not already aware of Jordyn Redwood’s awesome books.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A spy with amnesia—and a mission he can’t remember
When Casper English lands in her ER with amnesia, Dr. Ashley Drager learns he has a picture of her…and the same tattoo as her long-missing father. With a dangerous man after Casper, and his memories possibly holding the key to finding Ashley’s father, she secretly whisks him away from the hospital. But can she keep him alive long enough to help him regain his memories?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jordyn Redwood is a pediatric ER nurse by day, suspense novelist by night. She pursued her dream of becoming an author by writing medical thrillers. She hosts Redwood’s Medical Edge, a blog devoted to helping authors write medically accurate fiction. Jordyn lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with her husband, two beautiful daughters and one crazy dog. You can connect with Jordyn via her website at jordynredwood.com.
