by admin | Oct 11, 2015 | Books, Historical, Romance, Seattle
MY REVIEW:
I have been a fan of Tracie Peterson’s books for a number of years and am always pleased when I have a chance to review one of them. Having reviewed the first two installments of her Brides of Seattle series, I was excited to read the rest of Wade and Abrianna’s story and hoped to discover that weasel Priam Welby would get what he had coming to him.
I did learn the answers to those questions and enjoyed myself while doing so. I have to admit that I did get a bit aggravated with Abrianna and her vacillation about whether she should actually marry Wade or not, especially when she continued to consider Welby as a substitute. Couldn’t she tell that he was not at all a nice man?
It was fun catching up with all the characters from the previous two books of the series and learning what was happening in their lives. As before, the three older ladies who ran the finishing school were good for a few chuckles and I liked seeing Abrianna’s relationship with her long-lost father develop.
“Love Everlasting” has everything Peterson’s fans have come to expect in her books – well-developed characters, a touch of humor, some mystery and suspense, and of course a romance or two. What more can one ask? 
This book was provided for review by
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Growing up in a Seattle bridal finishing school never prepared Abrianna Cunningham to become one of the brides, but now Wade Ackerman, who has always been the reliable boy next door, is indicating he wants to be more than friends. And even the people closest to Abrianna believe Wade is the man she should marry. So why is she having such a hard time choosing between Wade Ackerman and Priam Welby?
Watching Welby’s relentless pursuit of Abrianna is making Wade’s blood boil. Welby can offer her wealth and security, but what about character and integrity? Surely Abrianna can see past Welby’s smooth tongue and fine clothes. Can’t she?
Caught between the devil and the boy next door, either choice she makes will change Abrianna’s life forever.
Read an excerpt from “Love Everlasting” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Photo Credit: ©Lissa Barber Photography
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 100 novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana. Learn more at www.traciepeterson.com.
by admin | Oct 7, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Historical, Romance, Suspense, WWII
MY REVIEW:
“The Methuselah Project” is a suspenseful novel that definitely raises some “what if” questions in my mind. There has to be something to that old saying “Truth is often stranger than fiction”. I don’t think anyone came up with a process to make people live for centuries but I know enough to know that there are behind-the-scenes men who seem to be controlling everything worldwide these days. I would say that the possibility of an organized group could easily have been formed the way Rick Barry suggests in this book.
This is one kind of speculative novel that I can get into – one that combines plenty of true facts with enough speculation to make a very compelling story. The story is told in two different time frames and points of view that eventually merge for the conclusion. Roger was quite believable as a young man who had been held prisoner in Germany for seventy plus years. I liked how he didn’t give up but kept himself prepared just in case the opportunity to escape ever came. Katherine was also an excellent character. She believed in her uncle’s love for her and wanted to believe in his integrity but there was just something that didn’t add up about the organization he had groomed her to be a part of. I felt that she made the right choices when faced with the truth.
Although the story does not always move at a fast pace, there were several exciting scenes as well as some big surprises. I enjoyed “The Methuselah Project” and thought it had a unique story to tell.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Nazi scientists started many experiments. One never ended.
Roger Greene is a war hero. Raised in an orphanage, the only birthright he knows is the feeling that he was born to fly. Flying against the Axis Powers in World War II is everything he always dreamed—until the day he’s shot down and lands in the hands of the enemy.
When Allied bombs destroy both his prison and the mad genius experimenting on POWs, Roger survives. Within hours, his wounds miraculously heal, thanks to those experiments. The Methuselah Project is a success—but this ace is still not free. Seventy years later, Roger hasn’t aged a day, but he has nearly gone insane. This isn’t Captain America—just a lousy existence only made passable by a newfound faith. The Bible provides the only reliable anchor for Roger’s sanity and his soul. When he finally escapes, there’s no angelic promise or personal prophecy of deliverance, just confusion. It’s 2015—and the world has become an unrecognizable place.
Katherine Mueller—crack shot, genius, and real Southern Belle—offers to help him find his way home. Can he convince her of the truth of his crazy story? Can he continue to trust her when he finds out she works for the very organization he’s trying to flee?
Thrown right into pulse-pounding action from the first page, readers will find themselves transported back in time to a believable, full-colored past, and then catapulted into the present once more. The historical back-and-forth adds a constantly moving element of suspense to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rick Barry is the author of “Gunner’s Run,” another World War II novel, “Kiriath’s Quest,” and more than 200 articles and fiction stories. In addition to being a World War II buff, he is the director of church planting ministries at BIEM, a Christian ministry operating in Eastern Europe. He holds a degree in foreign languages, speaks Russian, and has visited Europe more than fifty times. Rick lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Find out more about Rick at http://rickcbarry.com.
by admin | Oct 5, 2015 | Books, Colorado, Historical, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
“Guardians of the Heart” was one of those books I didn’t want to put down once I started reading it. I liked the characters of Nell and Asa so much that I just had to keep reading to find out what would happen.
Nell had lost all of her family and was alone in the world but she was so generous and caring toward others, sometimes to the point of sacrifice. Asa was also a caring person but he has things that happened in his past that makes him think he will never be worthy – especially of a nice girl like Nell. But that doesn’t stop him from loving her and although he cannot accept it, Nell loves him too.
Well, life has a way of turning the tables on us and our best laid plans don’t always work out. That is exactly what happened to Asa and Nell which made both of them face things from their past they had avoided. A few surprises along the way make for some interesting reading. Isn’t it funny how God always seems to know what is best for us even better than we do?
“Guardians of the Heart” is a very good historical romance set in early Denver, Colorado. I would definitely recommend it.
This book was provided for review by the Book Club Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Nell Holstrom wanted no part of her grandfather’s barren gold mine that had taken the lives of her mother, father, and younger brother; even if there may still be hidden wealth inside. Instead, she went to Denver and took a job as housekeeper at the old Stone Hill Inn. Asa Stone was barely more than a boy when his father dragged him and his brothers to fight with Colonel John Chivington. But Asa refused to participate in the raid on the peaceful Cheyenne and Arapahoe; and when the smoke cleared, his father and brother lay among the slaughtered.
Besieged by guilt, Asa wandered the West for years before returning to Denver to rebuild the old inn he’d inherited. Together, Nell and Asa work hard to restore Stone Hill. But when disaster hits the inn, Asa retreats into despair and Nell is forced to return to her family’s mine. Asa faces the hard fact: He’ll never be the man Nell deserves. Can he overcome the dark secrets of his past? And will Nell still love him when she learns the truth?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Once upon a time, best–selling author Loree Lough literally sang for her supper, performing before packed audiences throughout the Midwest. Now and then, she blows the dust from her 6–string to croon a tune or two for her grandkids or to sing at weddings or funerals, but she mostly just writes. Over the years, her stories have earned hundreds of industry and Readers’ Choice awards and 4– and 5–star reviews. Loree has nearly five million copies of her books in circulation, and in March 2014, she added her hundredth published book to the shelves. She has written fiction and nonfiction for kids and adults (2,500–plus articles and 68 short stories), and four of her novels have been optioned for movies. To date, there are almost 66,000 letters in her “Reader Mail” file, and she has answered every one, personally. (A carton of books is on its way to Corinna P. of San Antonio, Texas, for writing the 65,999th letter. Corinna said she plans to donate the books to her local library!) Loree loves sharing learned–the–hard–way lessons about the craft and the industry, and her comedic approach to teaching makes her a favorite (and frequent) guest of writers’ organizations, book clubs, private and government institutions, and college and high school writing programs in the U.S. and abroad. A writer who believes in “giving back,” Loree dedicates a portion of her income to Soldiers’ Angels, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, and several other worthwhile organizations (see the “Giving Back” tab at her Web site, http://www.loreelough.com, for a complete list). She splits her time between a tiny home in the Baltimore suburbs and an even tinier cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, where she continues to perfect her Critter Tracks Identification skills. She shares her life with her real–life hero, Larry, who rarely complains, even when she adds yet another item to her vast collection of “wolf stuff.”
by admin | Oct 5, 2015 | Books, Historical, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
Once a street kid herself, Livy O’Brien has a heart for the growing number of children who roam the streets of Chestnut, Illinois. She works in a home for children but is unable to convince them all to live there so she does what she can to provide food, clothing, and blankets for them. A growing number of crimes in town are attributed to the boys but Livy is not convinced of their guilt. To complicate matters, Livy fins herself irresistibly attracted to the town deputy Jake Russell but fears his reaction if he learns about her past.
A well paced plot and realistic characters are just a couple of things that made “Stealing Jake” a memorable read for me. I loved Livy and Jake and the dialogue between them. With lots of drama, action, and danger as well as a bit of humor and a sweet romance, this book was a page-turner. Hillman included a strong Christian message but I personally did not feel that it was detrimental to her story. In fact, that was one thing I liked about it.
I actually find it difficult to pinpoint just why I loved this book so much but I also loved “Claiming Mariah”. I will make it a point to be on the lookout for new ones by Pam Hillman in the future. I hope there will be one soon.
This book was provided for review by the Book Club Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Livy O’Brien spies a young boy jostling a man walking along the boardwalk, she recognizes the act for what it is. After all, she used to be known as Light-Fingered Livy. But that was before she put her past behind her and moved to the growing town of Chestnut, Illinois, where she’s helping to run an orphanage. Now she’ll do almost anything to protect the street kids like herself. Sheriff’s deputy Jake Russell had no idea what he was in for when he ran into Livy – literally while chasing down a pickpocket. With a rash of robberies and a growing number of street kids in town – as well as a loan on the family farm that needs to be paid off – Jake doesn’t have time to pursue a girl. Still, he can’t seem to get Livy out of his mind. He wants to get to know her better . . . but Livy isn’t willing to trust any man, especially not a lawman.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
CBA Bestselling author PAM HILLMAN was born and raised on a dairy farm in Mississippi and spent her teenage years perched on the seat of a tractor raking hay. In those days, her daddy couldn’t afford two cab tractors with air conditioning and a radio, so Pam drove an Allis Chalmers 110. Even when her daddy asked her if she wanted to bale hay, she told him she didn’t mind raking. Raking hay doesn’t take much thought so Pam spent her time working on her tan and making up stories in her head. Now, that’s the kind of life every girl should dream of. www.pamhillman.com
