by admin | Oct 26, 2015 | Amish, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have to admit that I can often grow weary of Amish fiction but I know I can count on Suzanne Woods Fisher to provide me with a solid story that will always hold my interest. “The Imposter” was no exception. My only problem is how to review it without spoilers.
Readers of Suzanne’s earlier novels set in Stoney Ridge will delight in the return to familiar places and characters but new readers will have no problem jumping right into her latest novel. As one might expect, readers get an intimate look into the lives of several featured Amish characters; however they might just learn a few surprising secrets this time. There are some rumblings among the church leadership and members with a couple of the men who want to make sweeping changes without input from others. Then of course there is the expected romance. Actually this time there are at least two of them, both of which progress naturally as the story progresses. In fact other story elements often take precedence over romance.
All-in-all, “The Imposter” is a very satisfying read with strong and likable characters and a well thought out plot that moved along at the perfect pace. Some elements of the plot were resolved nicely while others will continue on at least into the next book of the series. I cannot wait to read “the rest of the story”.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A heart once deceived should not be easily fooled again . . .
Katrina Stoltzfus thought she had life and love all figured out: she was going to marry John and live happily ever after. But as her plans crumble before her eyes, she struggles to face an uncertain future. When a widow asks for help starting a new business, Katrina quickly agrees. She needs time to heal her broken heart, to untangle her messy life, to find a purpose.
What she doesn’t need is attention from Andy Miller, a farmhand who arrives at the widow’s farm just when help is most needed–and who always seems to say the right thing and be in the right place, at the right time. Is Andy for real or too good to be true? She’s been deceived once before, and she isn’t planning on experiencing it again.
Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Stoney Ridge for a tale of love, uncertainty, and trusting God to write your story.
Read an excerpt from “The Imposter” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Photo Credit: © Dan Davis Photography
Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Letters, The Calling, the Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of an Amish children’s series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner for The Search, a Carol Award finalist for The Choice, and a Christy Award finalist for The Waiting. She is also a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.
by admin | Oct 22, 2015 | Biblical, Books, Fantasy, Historical, Speculative, Time Travel
MY REVIEW:
Book three of Lynne Gentry’s The Carthage Chronicles series, “Valley of Decision” was a fitting conclusion to Lisbeth and Maggie’s time travel into third-century Carthage. There were times that I just wanted to close its covers and walk away – not because the writing wasn’t good or was difficult to read. No, I tend to be just a tad squeamish and I didn’t want to deal with events that I could see coming before the end. I pushed myself to read the entire book and was thankful that the events I feared were not described graphically but were tastefully written. Thank you Lynne.
Even more than the first two books of the series, “Valley of Decision” emphasized just how serious the decision to be a Christian could be during those tumultuous times. It sometimes required literally laying down one’s life for one’s beliefs or to protect others. I saw example after example of how the sacrificial and loving acts of early Christians, even toward their enemies influenced others for Christ and possibly even changed the course of history.
This is truly a book about decisions, both good and bad. Selfish and vengeful decisions that led to chaos, death, and disaster were vividly contrasted with decisions to love and forgive that led to healing and changed lives. “Valley of Decision” is a book to make its reader think about how our own decisions affect the people we come in contact each day. Can we live for Christ the same way here in our modern lives of comfort and plenty?
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Every choice has a consequence in the explosive conclusion to the Carthage Chronicles as Lisbeth returns to third-century Carthage for a thrilling final adventure.
Thirteen years ago, Lisbeth made an impossible decision—leave third-century Carthage and her husband Cyprian behind for good. She knew it was to protect her daughter Maggie, so Lisbeth gathered the strength to move on with her life.
All these years, Lisbeth has thrown herself into her work and raising her headstrong daughter, all to live up to the promise she made to Cyprian. But Maggie is sick of being protected. In an act of teenage rebellion Maggie decides to do what her mother can’t—secretly returning to the third century on a quest to bring her father back, leaving Lisbeth no choice but to follow.
With Maggie’s surprise arrival in Carthage, chaos ensues. She finds her grandmother on trial for murder and attempts to save her, but instead the diversion sparks a riot that nearly destroys the plagued city. Only one thing will appease the wrath of the new proconsul of Carthage: the death of the instigator.
Will Lisbeth arrive in time to save her daughter from the clutches of Rome? How can God possibly redeem such a slew of unwise decisions and deep regrets? Filled with heart-wrenching twists and riveting action, Valley of Decision brings the romantic adventure epic, The Carthage Chronicles, to an electrifying conclusion.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lynne Gentry has written for numerous publications. She is a professional acting coach, theater director, and playwright. Lynne is an inspirational speaker and dramatic performer who loves spending time with her family and medical therapy dog.
Find out more about Lynne at http://lynnegentry.com.
by admin | Oct 21, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“Vendetta” is a well-crafted novel filled with suspense, drama, action, and just a hint of romance. I hope to witness the progression of that particular romance as the series continues.
Realistic, three dimensional characters Nikki Boyd and her best friend’s widower Tyler worked well together as a team and had me rooting for them through the entire book. I liked how supportive and protective Tyler was toward Nikki yet he didn’t try to diminish her effectiveness in her job as an investigator for the Tennessee Missing Persons Task Force. I also liked the depth of character development that gave me insight into what motivated Nikki and Tyler’s decisions.
The story moved along at a steady pace with ample twists and surprises along the way to hold my attention. The spiritual content was natural and did not overshadow the story line at all. I thoroughly enjoyed “Vendetta” and look forward to the next installment of the series soon.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
“Filled with red herrings and heart-pounding danger, Vendetta will leave readers anxiously awaiting Nikki Boyd’s next adventure.”–Irene Hannon, bestselling author of the Private Justice series
No one needs to push Nikki Boyd to excel on the Tennessee Missing Persons Task Force. The case of her own missing sister, still unsolved after ten years, is the driving force in her work. When a Polaroid photo of a missing girl shows up at a crime scene, Nikki quickly recognizes similarities to the past. The closer she gets to the abductor, the more she feels this case has become personal, and she is not the hunter . . . but the hunted.
With this explosive first book in The Nikki Boyd Files, award-winning author Lisa Harris takes you on a fast-paced pursuit of justice that will have you holding your breath until the heart-stopping finish.
Praise for the suspense novels of Lisa Harris
“Readers looking for a strong female protagonist and a unique murder mystery will find much to admire in Harris’s work.”–Publishers Weekly on Dangerous Passage
“A thrill ride from start to finish. Full of twists and turns, this exciting story will keep readers enthralled.”–RT Book Reviews, 4-star review of Fatal Exchange
“Appealing characters along with fast-paced action . . . a great read for fans of romantic suspense.”–Booklist on Hidden Agenda
Read an excerpt from “Vendetta” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lisa Harris is a Christy Award winner and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 from Romantic Times. The author of nearly thirty books, including Dangerous Passage, Fatal Exchange, and Hidden Agenda, Harris and her family have spent twelve years living as missionaries in southern Africa. They currently live in Mozambique. Learn more at www.lisaharriswrites.com.
by admin | Oct 21, 2015 | Amish, Books, Romance, WWII
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingPromise to KeepHoward Books (October 13, 2015)byElizabeth YountsABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A Word from the Author:
I’m Elizabeth, a blessed child of The King. I’m a middle-born daughter, military officer’s wife, homeschooling mama, writer, closet DIYer, and, dare I say it, Downton Abbey addict. May I also mention that I love both my history and my coffee rich.
I am formerly Amish and my heritage is very dear to me and thankful to be so accepted among my still Amish family. I can still speak PA Dutch, too! You can learn more about my Amish family in my first book Seasons: A Real Story of an Amish Girl.
My three book series with Howard Books (a division of Simon & Schuster) is a dream come true. The series is titled The Promise of Sunrise. In this series you will live through World War 2 from an Amish perspective and experience their unique struggles as conscientious objectors during wartime. What happened if one of their members enlisted? What was it like to serve at the Civilian Public Service Camps for years with almost no compensation? How did Amish women and families cope when a son or father was drafted? I look forward to taking you back into the richness of these years of Amish history through fiction.
Learn more about Elizabeth Byler Younts and her books on her website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
World War II Marine Joe Garrison returns home from war longing to be a father to his deaf daughter, Daisy, only to find that she is attached to Esther Detweiler, the Amish woman who has raised her since his wife’s death in this touching historical romance.
Orphaned as a child, Esther Detweiler is used to caring for herself and her ailing grandmother. They made the best out of a hard life and poverty without asking for help. They even take in her shunned cousin’s deaf daughter, Daisy, when her mother dies and her father goes off to war. When Esther’s grandmother dies, Daisy is all she has.
When war veteran Joe Garrison returns, all he can think about is recovering from the horrors of war and building a relationship with his seven-year-old daughter. Daisy, however, is unwilling to leave Esther, whom she loves. Joe and Daisy get to know each other again, but Joe struggles with nightmares and fatherhood is proving to be more difficult than he imagined. Esther loves Daisy and despite her Amish ways, Joe finds himself drawn to her as a woman and not just a caregiver.
As their love blossoms, Joe decides to send Daisy away to a school for the deaf which propels their lives into turmoil and a battle for love and family.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Promise to Keep, go HERE.
by admin | Oct 15, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, PTSD, Romance
MY REVIEW:
For lovers of small-town fiction, “The Splendor of Ordinary Days” is not to be missed. Even the title has that perfect, poetic, lazy summer day feel to it. With distinctive characters who run the gamut from the young doctor/hero to the DJ who speaks in song titles, to the old lady who”loves Jesus but drinks a bit because it keeps her regular”, and too many others to name, this story held my attention from the opening page until its very end.
It is a charming tale that has a sweet romance, a bit of mystery, and a touch of a ghost story plus just the right amount of humor, drama and action. As Dr. Luke interacts with his patients and the townspeople, he finds himself in the unique position to not only learn some old secrets but to help reconcile some long damaged relationships. The author sensitively relates the very real problems experienced by men and women returning from war. I gained a new understanding of their struggles.
Not promoted as Christian fiction, “The Splendor of Ordinary Days” does contain a word or two that might offend some readers and it is honest about the struggles of an engaged couple to remain chaste until marriage. I personally found the beautiful story of reconciliation, frequent eloquent quotations filled with wisdom, and the absolutely magical prose to far overshadow any of those insignificant issues.
I would recommend this book and will probably try to read the previous books from this series if I can find the time. Very good!
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The pastoral charm of small-town Watervalley, Tennessee, can be deceptive, as young Dr. Luke Bradford discovers when he’s caught in the fallout of a decades-old conflict.
After a rocky start as Watervalley’s only doctor, Luke Bradford has decided to stay in town, honoring the three-year commitment he made to pay off his medical school debts. But even as his friendships with the quirky townsfolk deepen, and he pursues a romance with lovely schoolteacher Christine Chambers, several military veterans’ emotional wounds trigger anger and unrest in Watervalley.
At the center of the clash is the curmudgeonly publisher of the local newspaper, Luther Whitmore. Luther grew up in Watervalley, but he returned from combat in Vietnam a changed man. He fenced in beautiful Moon Lake, posting “Keep Out” notices at the beloved spot, and provokes the townspeople with his incendiary newspaper.
As Luke struggles to understand Luther’s past, and restore harmony in Watervalley, an unforeseen crisis shatters a relationship he values dearly. Suddenly Luke must answer life’s toughest questions about service, courage, love, and sacrifice.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
After growing up on a farm in rural Tennessee, Jeff High attained degrees in literature and nursing. He is the three-time winner, in fiction and poetry, of an annual writing contest held by Vanderbilt Medical Center. He lived in Nashville for many years, and throughout the country as a travel nurse, before returning to his original hometown, near where he now works as an operating room RN in open-heart surgery. He is the author of the Watervalley novels, including “More Things in Heaven and Earth” and “Each Shining Hour.”
Find out more about Jeff at http://www.watervalleybooks.com/.
