Daysong Reflections | So Many Books ~ Too Little Time!

The Loyal Heart by Shelley Shepard Gray

by admin | Aug 18, 2016 | Books, Historical, Post Civil War, Romance, Texas

The Loyal Heart

MY REVIEW:

Once again Shelley Shepard Gray has proven her versatility in writing different genres. I first got to know her work through Amish fiction but have since read a number of her novels outside that genre and have been so impressed with her talent.

“The Loyal Heart” is the first book in a new series that promises to be everything I look for in my reading choices. As far as I’m concerned, it was just perfect! I loved the strong characters, especially Robert and Miranda. I also appreciated the basic premise of the story in which several Confederate officers who were prisoners of war made a pact with each other to always be there for each other and their families. In this volume, Robert is called upon to make sure fellow officer Phillip Markham’s widow Miranda is okay. Naturally he finds himself falling in love with her despite how often he tells himself how inappropriate that would be.

I really liked how I was able to see both sides of the story from Robert and Miranda’s viewpoints. The suspense and drama was woven into the plot seamlessly with a few surprises along the way. Faith was also an important factor but it was never intrusive. “The Loyal Heart” held my interest until the very end. I can’t wait for the next installment of this series.

A copy of this book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Robert came to Galveston to fulfill his promise to a dying man and look after his widow. He didn’t expect to find love in the unlikeliest of places.

Robert Truax, former Second Lieutenant and Confederate officer in the Civil War, made a promise to his comrade Phillip Markham. If anything happened to Phillip, Robert would look after his beloved wife, Miranda. She was his life, his world, his everything.

After the war, Robert is left to pick up the pieces and fulfill his pact. When he arrives at Miranda’s home in Galveston, Texas, things are worse than he imagined. Phillip’s name has been dragged through the mud, everyone in town believes him to be a traitor, and his widow is treated as an outcast. Even more disturbing is her emotional well-being. Miranda seems hopeless, lost, and so very alone.

Robert had thought his duty would be simple. He would help Miranda as quickly as possible in order to honor a promise. But the moment Robert laid eyes on her, his plans changed. He’s mesmerized by her beauty and yearns to help her in any way he can.

He makes it his duty to protect Miranda, turn her reputation around, and to find some way to help her smile again. But it doesn’t prove to be an easy task—Robert knows something about Phillip that could shake Miranda to the core and alter her view of the man she thought she knew so well.

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.

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Devoted Defender by Rachel Dylan

by admin | Aug 18, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Suspense

Devoted Defender

MY REVIEW:

I was unfamiliar with Rachel Dylan’s novels but when I read a description of “Devoted Defender” I was pretty certain that she writes the kind of books I like to read. To prepare myself to review this book I decided to purchase the first book in the series “Lethal Action” and was so glad I did. Although each of the books easily stands on its own, I loved having the background from the first one as I read “Devoted Defender”. I will have to find time to review “Lethal Action” also.

When Annie Thomas witnesses a murder, she is forced to run for her life. When she arrives in Maxwell, Georgia she decides the small town may be a good place to lie low. Her first encounter is with police chief Caleb Winters when he pulls her over for speeding. Because of events in her past, Annie is afraid to trust the man who seems to read her mind. It doesn’t take very long until she is forced to trust him with her life.

The plot of “Devoted Defender” jumps right into action from the very first page and the danger and suspense mounts with each chapter. No matter what Caleb and other trusted law enforcement try, Annie’s location is compromised over and over. As most readers will expect, Caleb and Annie’s close proximity during such threatening circumstances leads to the inevitable romance between them. Fortunately the relationship develops in a natural and believable manner and does not seem forced. The story was filled with unexpected twists and a couple of major revelations that kept me on edge throughout.

I enjoyed catching up with Gabe and Hope as well as meeting Caleb’s twin Mac and their sister Gabby. I am hoping the entire crew will show up in future books of this series. Another author has been added to my favorites list and I will definitely be keeping my eyes open for more of Rachel’s books.

I received a digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Danger in the Deep South Book 2

Personal Chef Annie Thomas thought she’d finally found a safe haven from her past. But when her boss is shot in cold blood leaving her as the only witness, she’s forced to go on the run—again. And this time there is an even bigger target on her back.

Navy SEAL turned small town police chief Caleb Winters doesn’t like that danger has come to Maxwell, Georgia. But he vows to protect the innocent woman seeking refuge from an organized crime network that he knows will stop at nothing to tie up loose ends.

When hiding is no longer an option and threats surround them, will Caleb be the devoted defender Annie needs with her life on the line?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rachel Dylan writes Christian fiction including inspirational romantic suspense for Love Inspired Suspense and the Windy Ridge Legal Thriller series. Trial & Tribulations is a 2016 Selah Awards Finalist.

Rachel has practiced law for a decade and enjoys weaving together legal and suspenseful stories. She is a member of ACFW and RWA. She lives in Michigan with her husband and five furkids–two dogs and three cats. Rachel loves to connect with readers. She is represented by Sarah Younger at Nancy Yost Literary Agency.

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Eden Hill by Bill Higgs

by admin | Aug 15, 2016 | 1960s, Books, Historical

Eden Hill

MY REVIEW:

“Eden Hill” is a nostalgic look back to a time not so long ago when life was a little slower and everyone knew almost everyone who lived in small towns like Eden Hill, Kentucky. I grew up in a similar small town in Tennessee, a place where no one locked their doors and neighbors helped neighbors. Ice cream suppers and picnics on the last day of school and Bible school were the norm. So reading “Eden Hill” brought back some memories for me and the realization that I have now lived long enough that a book set during my childhood years could be considered historical.

Eden Hill was not the perfect town. It certainly had its problems. The church needed a new roof but only heaven knew where the money for it would come from. And anyone who lived during those years knows that there was definitely a separation between blacks and whites in that part of the country. Then there was always the town busybody or the one person who wanted to tell everyone else what they needed to do. Life as normal in the 60’s. It wasn’t ideal or even good but it was normal.

Well, into that little town Cornelius Alexander saw an opportunity to provide for his growing family by opening a fancy new gas station right across the road from Virgil T. Osgood’s station. His fancy-dancy new station threatened to take business away from not only Virgil but possibly even other businesses in town. Naturally Virgil and the other business owners worried and kept their distance from the interloper, hoping against hope that their livelihood would survive the competition. Well, as they always do, things happened and the Alexanders found themselves floundering. What happened next should be a lesson for all of us.

This story was a wonderful lesson about loving your neighbor the way Jesus taught. It’s not usually easy, in fact sometimes it’s really difficult but the rewards can be astonishing. I will just stop here lest I give too much away. Just take my word – read it!

A copy of this book was provided for review by The Tyndale Blog Network.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Nothing seems to change in Eden Hill, Kentucky, and that’s just fine with Virgil T. Osgood. He’s been content to raise his family and run the only service station in town. But when a new station is set to open right across the road from Virgil’s pumps, he suddenly faces obstacles in his career, his marriage, and his self-worth that he’s never even dreamed of.

Cornelius Alexander wants his new Zipco station to succeed and help establish a strong foundation for his growing family. As long as he follows the Zipco guide, he’s sure to be a success—and prove his father wrong.

Reverend Caudill wants to be a conduit for grace in his town, but that grace is challenged by the changes sweeping through in the early 1960s. For the sake of this small town, Virgil and Cornelius must learn to get along, but how do you love your neighbor when his very presence threatens to upend everything you hold dear?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Bill Higgs is a lapsed academic, former engineer, and avid storyteller. He also admits to being a nostalgic baby boomer, with a keen interest in how things past can teach lessons for the present. He lives in Kentucky with his wife, author Liz Curtis Higgs, and her two cats. Eden Hill is his first novel.

http://billhiggs.com

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Twice Redeemed by Mimi Milan

by admin | Aug 15, 2016 | Books, Historical, Mexico, Romance, Western, World War 1

Twice Redeemed

MY REVIEW:

With its World War 2 era setting in Mexico, “Twice Redeemed” is a more modern than usual tale that still has the feel of the old west. The heroine of this story is Mercedes, a saloon girl who is essentially a slave to the obviously evil owner of the establishment. Because she helped another of his “girls” escape (in Book 1 of the Jericho Resistance series), Mercedes is punished in various ways, including physical abuse. If only the American cowboy who offered to take her with him would come back Mercedes would not refuse his offer again. Fortunately for Mercedes, John Durbin did return to take her to the United States with him but doing so would be easier said than done.

Overall, I enjoyed “Twice Redeemed”. The characters were well developed and I could easily relate to their difficulties. I particularly liked reading about the old woman who helped Mercedes and John and would have liked to learn more about her. I was also intrigued by the group who called themselves the Jericho Resistance and felt like there is a story there that I would love to know more about. The plot contained enough action, danger, and suspense to keep me reading and included a few twists that surprised me which is always fun. The story was resolved well at the end although there were a few questions left in the air that I hope will be answered in Book 3.

Although the second book in a series, “Twice Redeemed” easily stood alone but it did leave me with enough curiosity about the first book that I will probably go back and read it also when I find the time.

A digital copy of this book was provided by Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review .

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Who will save her from herself?

After helping another girl escape, Mercedes Nobles suffers unspeakable abuse at Jericho. So when an American cowboy rides into town, she jumps at the opportunity to start a new life… even though she carries a secret that could destroy any chance of happiness for either of them.

John Durbin may have turned in his badge, but he still believes in living by a code of honor. That includes returning to a seedy Mexican saloon and rescuing a woman who helped his friends escape. However, the tables turn and he finds himself married in name only.

Struggling with cultural differences, they question if their marriage will survive. Will John sacrifice his faith to make his new bride happy? How will Mercedes redeem herself when John learns of the secret she’s hiding?

To purchase your own copy, click here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mimi Milan spent two decades scribbling away in notebooks before realizing that her life’s calling was to write. So she returned from Mexico and attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, majoring in Creative Writing and minoring in Film. She currently resides in the suburbs of Charlotte, making time for God, family and imaginary friends.