by admin | Jun 22, 2013 | Books
MY REVIEW:
“Slow Moon Rising” is the final book in Everson’s Cedar Keys series. Those who have read the previous two novels in the series may experience a bit of deja vu as they read because some of the details were also included in the other novels. “Slow Moon Rising” begins several months after the death of Ross Claybourne’s wife Joan. The narrative moves from the point of view of one Claybourne woman to another as each one relates events in the family’s life through her own observations and the story spans several years. The conclusion wraps everything up with long held secrets revealed and problems resolved.
This conclusion to the Cedar Keys series tackles several difficult topics including infidelity, alcoholism, and grief. I felt that it was an excellent illustration of the damage that can be caused by hiding the truth when total transparency can quickly open the door to forgiveness and moving on with one’s life. Each one of the Claybourne daughters had been affected in one way or another because of the atmosphere of coverup and denial in which they grew up.
“Slow Moon Rising” has a very serious theme and is not exactly what I would describe as entertaining. It is probably not what one would choose for a light and happy beach read. However the nuggets of truth and the valuable lessons in life laid out in this novel made it a very worthwhile investment of a few hours of my time. A story of family, forgiveness, reconciliation, and relationships, “Slow Moon Rising” is a book to remember, especially when your own life seems difficult.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
One Family. One Secret. One Chance to Make It Right.
Cedar Key has long been a place of rest, healing, and release in the Claybourne family. But it might also be the birthplace of a lie that is poisoning the family from within. Join the strong Claybourne women—Anise, Kimberly, Jayme-Leigh, Heather, and Ami—as they each confront the truth. Their unique paths will lead them through heartbreak, misunderstandings, and pain. But their journeys will also bring reconciliation with each other and renewed love in their own lives.
In her lyrical, evocative fashion, Eva Marie Everson weaves a tapestry of complicated relationships that, when complete, reveals the most beautiful work of art there is—family.
• Author received 2012 Inspirational Readers Choice Award from the Faith, Hope, and Love Chapter of the RWA
• Luxurious novel of enduring love and long-buried family secrets
• “Everson doesn’t whitewash the difficult parts of the story, which makes it all the more endearing and meaningful.”
—4½ star TOP Pick RT Book Review for Waiting for Sunrise
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Eva Marie Everson is a successful speaker and the awardwinning author of Things Left Unspoken, This Fine Life, Chasing Sunsets, and Waiting for Sunrise. She is coauthor of the Potluck Club books and the Potluck Catering Club series. She lives in Florida.
Find out more at www.evamarieeversonauthor.com.
by admin | Jun 21, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
I first became familiar with Melody Carlson’s books about the same time I began to review Christian fiction. Since that time I have read and enjoyed quite a number of her novels. I am constantly amazed at the sheer number of books she manages to turn out, the variety of themes, and the excellent quality of her writing as well as the strong messages she imparts through her stories. I was expecting a good read when I opened “Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel” and I was not disappointed.
Protagonist Daphne Ballinger has spent more years than she planned in a stagnant job writing about weddings for the New York Times and living in a cramped apartment with two other women. Unfortunately her dreams for her future had died right along with a romance disappointment and she has gradually lost her ambition and love of the city. When she returns to her hometown for the funeral of her Aunt Dee, she soon learns that her aunt has left the entire estate to Daphne…but with some very specific terms. Daphne quickly reconnects with old friends, makes some new ones, and realizes that she can be happier in Appleton than back in the city she thought she loved. If only she can meet the requirements of Aunt Dee’s will.
“Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel” is a fun to read book but like all of Melody’s books, it comes with a strong message. It seemed as if everyone around Daphne was trying to set her up with a potential husband but Daphne had little hope for marriage after so many years alone. When suddenly she was surrounded by single, men who might even be interested in her, she found herself obsessed with determining which one she might marry…even to the point of nearly agreeing to marry someone for the sake of marriage. It was only after she came to the realization that she needed to turn everything over to God and let him direct her life whether she ever married that Daphne was able to find real freedom.
Loved this book. My only complaint is that although it ended at a good place, I was left hanging about Daphne’s future. I will just have to wait for the next installment of this series to find out what happens. I just hope the next book will be released soon!
Provided for review by Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Shelton Interactive
by admin | Jun 21, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingLock, Stock and Over a BarrelB&H Publishing Group (April 30, 2013)byMelody CarlsonABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults–with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards.
She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.
Learn more about Melody and her books on her Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
With high hopes, Daphne Ballinger lands her dream job at The New York Times. But it’s not long until writing about weddings becomes a painful reminder of her own failed romance, and her love of the city slowly sours as well. Is it time to give up the Big Apple for her small hometown of Appleton?
When her eccentric Aunt Dee passes away and leaves a sizable estate to Daphne, going back home is an easy choice. What isn’t easy is coming to terms with the downright odd clauses written into the will.
Daphne only stands to inherit the estate if she agrees to her aunt’s very specific posthumous terms — personal and professional. And if she fails to comply, the sprawling old Victorian house shall be bequeathed to . . . Aunt Dee’s cats.
And if Daphne thinks that’s odd, wait until she finds out an array of secrets about Aunt Dee’s life, and how imperfect circumstances can sometimes lead to God’s perfect timing.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel, go HERE.
by admin | Jun 19, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Suspense
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingFear Has a NameDavid C. Cook (June 1, 2013)byCreston MapesABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Creston has fond memories of his boyhood in Bath, Ohio, where he became enchanted with his future wife, way back in the fourth grade. His father, Bernie, owned and operated The Weathervane Furniture Shop in town. The whole family lived right upstairs in the century-old house known as “The Shop.”
Creston studied journalism at Bowling Green State University, then began his writing career. During the past 30 years, he has worked as a reporter, corporate copywriter, creative director, freelance writer, and author.
Learn more about Creston and his books on his Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
From popular suspense author Creston Mapes comes another faith-building thriller, a tale that follows journalist Jack Crittendon as he fights to protect his family from a stalker’s terrifying schemes, investigates a pastor’s mysterious disappearance, and struggles to keep his faith amidst unthinkable fear.
With his family’s safety on the line, Crittendon realizes there are secrets behind “Christian” walls–secrets with painful, deadly implications. He must find the faith to trust a God who allows inconceivable trials, and the courage to guard his family, with danger exploding at every turn.
Through it all–the sharp, character-driven writing for which Mapes is known–takes fans and new readers on an edge-of-your-seat journey that explores the harsh, far-reaching consequences of bullying and the Christian response to fear.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Fear Has a Name, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Fear Has a Name jumps right into action with a home invasion at the very beginning and then takes the reader on a nearly unrelenting tension-filled ride until its dramatic conclusion. Related through several points of view, the story provides intimate details of the characters’ lives and hints about what motivates them or causes them to react in certain ways. For much of the book there seems to be two separate stories – what is happening to the Crittendon family and the news story Jack Crittendon is covering about the local pastor who has disappeared. Well into the narrative, the pastor’s point-of-view makes an appearance and even closer to the end the reader sees all the loose ends come together.
Creston Mapes has done such a marvelous job in his character development that I found myself quite sympathetic with the Crittendon’s tormentor. I did not approve of his actions but felt sorry for the way he had been mentally and physically abused by his parents and schoolmates. I also liked the way each character had to decide how to react to their circumstances – whether to let their fear force them to protect themselves in ways outside their comfort zone as Christians or to place their trust in God no matter the outcome.
Loved the way the author worked a strong Christian thread into a great character driven suspense. Fear Has a Name is one novel I will give my enthusiastic recommendation.
