by admin | Feb 8, 2013 | Books
MY REVIEW:
At the age of nineteen, Dorothy Lynn Dunbar’s life seems to be laid out for her and for the most part, she is happy with it. What more could she ask than to marry the man she loves, serve as a pastor’s wife in the church and small town she has always known and loved, and to continue to spend time alone with the Lord in her special place in the woods writing and singing the songs He inspires. But deep inside Dorothy Lynn is an uneasiness and the question “Is this all there is?” Something in her yearns to see just a little of the world before she settles down to spend the rest of her life as she has always known it. Little does she know that a trip to visit her sister in St. Louis will open doors she has only imagined and for just an instant, fame is almost within her grasp.
“All For a Song” transitions back and forth from the present day with Dorothy Lynn (Lynnie) at the age of 107 to her memories of the young woman whose preparations for a wedding are interrupted by the chance of a lifetime. It was easy to identify with Dorothy Lynn and the realistic dreams and reactions of a young woman and her thoughts as she looked back over her life and the decisions she had made.
I enjoyed learning more about the Aimee Semple McPhearson meetings and what went on behind the scenes. I liked the way the author described Dorothy’s reaction to being on the stage and how she quickly recognized the feelings of pride that tried to overshadow her worship of God. “All For a Song” was a thoroughly captivating novel that held my interest until the end. I was not always in agreement with the decisions that Dorothy made but I felt like she made the right ones at the end.
This book was provided for review by The Tyndale Blog Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Dorothy Lynn Dunbar has everything she ever wanted: her family, her church, her community, and plans to marry the young pastor who took over her late father’s pulpit. Time spent in the woods, lifting her heart and voice in worship accompanied by her brother’s old guitar, makes her life complete . . . and yet she longs for something more.
Spending a few days in St. Louis with her sister’s family, Dorothy Lynn discovers a whole new way of life—movies, music, dancing; daring fashions and fancy cars. And a dynamic charismatic evangelist . . . who just happens to be a woman. When Dorothy Lynn is offered a chance to join Aimee Semple McPherson’s crusade team, she finds herself confronted with temptations she never dreamed of. Can Dorothy Lynn embrace all the Roaring Twenties has to offer without losing herself in the process?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Award-winning author Allison Pittman left a seventeen-year teaching career in 2005 to follow the Lord’s calling into the world of Christian fiction, and God continues to bless her step of faith. Her novels For Time and Eternity and Forsaking All Others were both finalists for the Christy Award for excellence in Christian fiction, and her novel Stealing Home won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Carol Award. She heads up a successful, thriving writers group in San Antonio, Texas, where she lives with her husband, Mike, their three sons, and the canine star of the family—Stella.
by admin | Feb 5, 2013 | Books, Mystery, Romance, Suspense
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
UnbreakableBethany House Publishers (February 1, 2013)
by
Nancy MehlABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband Norman and their dog, Watson. She’s authored thirteen books and is currently at work on her newest series for Bethany House Publishing.
All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “It’s a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.”
She and her husband attend Believer’s Tabernacle in Wichita.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Mennonite Romantic Suspense Sure to Thrill Readers
Gentle and unassuming Hope Kauffman has never been one to question or try to make changes. She quietly helps her father run Kingdom Quilts and has agreed to the betrothal her father arranged for her with the devout but shy Ebbie Miller.
Despite Hope’s and other Kingdom residents’ attempts to maintain the status quo, changes have already begun to stir in the small Mennonite town. The handsome and charismatic Jonathon Wiese is the leader of the move to reform, and when one of Kingdom’s own is threatened by a mysterious outsider, Jonathon is one of the first to push for the town to arm itself. Hope’s fiance, Ebbie, is at the forefront of those demanding the town stay true to its traditions of nonviolence.
When strange incidents around town result in outright attacks on several townspeople, Hope can’t help but question what she’s always been taught. As the town that’s always stood so strong together is torn apart at the seams, Hope is caught between opposing sides, both represented by those she has come to care for. With tensions high and lives endangered by an unknown threat, Hope fears Kingdom can never survive in one piece.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Unbreakable, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
The remote Mennonite town of Kingdom is threatened by the escalating number of violent attacks on its residents, but they are divided on how the threats should be handled. Should they continue their nonviolent tradition or should they stand up and fight for the protection of their families and friends? Not only is Hope Kauffman torn by the question of trusting God for her defense or trusting in herself and her friends and neighbors for protection but she is undecided about whether she is in love with her fiance Ebbie or Jonathon who has also shown an interest in her. As the attacks become more frequent, Kingdom’s residents must decide where their faith and trust lies and Hope must choose between two men who are not in agreement on how the town should respond.
Unbreakable had a well-paced plot with plenty of action, drama, and suspense. The romantic aspect was a bit different than most novels in that the heroine was undecided about the two men in her life for a large part of the story. I enjoyed reading about a Mennonite community in the process of change and felt that the situation Kingdom found itself in was an excellent vehicle for working out some of their differences of opinion, especially about their position on nonviolence. I also liked how the author had Hope decide which of the men really loved her. Was it the one who said he would do anything for her or the one willing to sacrifice everything for her? I’ll leave you with that little teaser. You’ll have to read Unbreakable for yourself to learn which man was which and how everything turned out for Hope and her beloved town of Kingdom.
by admin | Feb 5, 2013 | Books, Historical, Romance, Texas, Western
MY REVIEW:
I first became a fan of Colleen Coble when I read her contemporary Rock Harbor suspense series. Since that time I have enjoyed ready many more of her novels ranging from contemporary to historical settings, all of which have the shared traits of a good mystery/suspense and romance. So as a fan of westerns, suspense, and historical romance and my past enjoyment of Colleen’s books, “Safe In His Arms” was sure to be a pleasure.
As expected, the characters were top-notch with strong but sensitive and beautiful heroine Margaret who carried a somewhat skewed self-image and found it difficult to trust others. Hero Daniel Cutter was an unwelcome addition to Margaret’s daily routine but she found herself attracted to him despite some suspicious conversations she overheard. Because of his own secrets, Daniel was determined to fight his growing attraction to Margaret. Mysterious and vicious attacks on the O’Brien spread, a disappearance, and even death kept the plot moving with plenty of action, danger, lots of suspects, and even a red herring or two. Several twists and surprises were in store that kept me from guessing the identity of the villain until the very end.
I will stop here before I give away the entire story. I really liked the characters of Margaret and Daniel and it was fun to revisit Lucy and Nate from “Blue Moon Promise”. Colleen Coble’s books just keep getting better as far as I’m concerned. Do yourself a favor and give “Safe in His Arms” a try if you are not already a fan.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Under Texas Stars series (Book 2)
Margaret suspects the new foreman on her father’s ranch is hiding something. Though Daniel promises she’s safe with him around, how can she be sure?
Born and raised on a sprawling ranch in Texas, Margaret O’Brien prides herself on her competence as a rancher. She’s convinced she can do as good a job on the ranch as her brother who died in the war. But her father believes she’s made for more than just dawn-to-dusk work. He wants her to have the love of a good man, to have children, to build a life. But she gave up hope for such dreams years ago. The ranch is her life now.
When Margaret’s father hires Daniel Cutler as a new foreman, she’s frustrated and suspicious. Daniel swears he’s turned over a new leaf and isn’t involved with the thieves he used to run with, but Margaret is unconvinced. When she finds out he’s an undercover Texas Ranger, sparks fly. Can she help Daniel extricate his younger brother who is still involved? And can Daniel convince her he’s the safe haven he’s promised for her heart?
Purchase a copy here.
Learn more about Book 1, Blue Moon Promise here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Colleen Coble is the author of more than forty books, most of them bestsellers. Some of her most recent novels are Lonestar Angel, The Lightkeeper’s Ball, Blue Moon Promise, an Anathema, an Amish suspense. One of her most popular series is the Rock Harbor mystery series featuring Bree and Samson, a search-and-rescue dog team. She has won the Carol Award numerous times as well as romance and mystery awards. She lives in Wabash, Indiana, with her husband, Dave.
For more of Colleen Coble, check out her website: http://www.colleencoble.com/
