9.29.2017

Many Sparrows by Lori Benton ~ Review

Many Sparrows
My Review:

Clare Inglesby is heavily pregnant with her second child, on the trail with her husband and 4 year old son, to a new frontier. But when tragedy strikes, she finds herself widowed and her son taken from her by the Shawnees and adopted into their tribe. Clare must put her faith in God and a man called Jeremiah Ring, who feels that the Almighty brought him to Clare to help her.

Jeremiah was adopted by the Shawnee as well, and feels himself torn in two directions, walking the line between two worlds, as he tries to help Clare reclaim her son from the people who welcome him as one of their own, against the backdrop of rising tensions between the White Settlers and the Indians.

This book is completely engrossing, raw, vulnerable, and realistic. I love how it brought to life the harsh realities of the untamed frontier, as well as the communities and cultures that collided as the settlers ventured further into the southwest. Clare is willing to do anything to regain her son, she has gone through a lot in a short span of time, she knows that her faith isn't where it should be and she struggles to trust God even though she knows that she should. I liked the honesty in her character, she isn't perfect, but she is a mother who loves her child and is forced to accept many things that she cannot control, and trust the One Who Holds Tomorrow.

Jeremiah is a godly man, who knows when he comes across Clare that the Almighty brought them together even though he doesn't know why, he pledges to help her regain her son. He is a man who has seen a lot of things, and lived on both sides and inbetween, yet is a man of integrity, with a straightforward honesty about him, he is mysterious, yet steady.

Compelling, raw, heart rending, and captivating, this is a novel that you won't soon forget. I loved how Ms. Benton brought the harsh frontier to life through the eyes of multiple characters, building upon previous layers into an unforgettable journey. Highly recommend for fans of rich historical storytelling!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Either she and her children would emerge from that wilderness together, or none of them would. . . .
In 1774, the Ohio-Kentucky frontier pulses with rising tension and brutal conflicts as Colonists push westward and encroach upon Native American territories. The young Inglesby family is making the perilous journey west when an accident sends Philip back to Redstone Fort for help, forcing him to leave his pregnant wife Clare and their four-year old son Jacob on a remote mountain trail.
When Philip does not return and Jacob disappears from the wagon under the cover of darkness, Clare awakens the next morning to find herself utterly alone, in labor and wondering how she can to recover her son . . . especially when her second child is moments away from being born.
Clare will face the greatest fight of her life, as she struggles to reclaim her son from the Shawnee Indians now holding him captive. But with the battle lines sharply drawn, Jacob's life might not be the only one at stake. When frontiersman Jeremiah Ring comes to her aid, can the stranger convince Clare that recovering her son will require the very thing her anguished heart is unwilling to do-be still, wait and let God fight this battle for them?

About the author:


Lori Benton was raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American history going back three hundred years. Her novels transport readers to the eighteenth century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history. When she isn't writing, reading, or researching, Lori enjoys exploring and photographing the Oregon wilderness with her husband. She is the author of "Burning Sky," recipient of three Christy Awards, "The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn," Christy-nominee "The Wood's Edge," and "A Flight of Arrows."
Find out more about Lori at http://loribenton.blogspot.com.
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9.23.2017

Love You Always by Eileen Spinelli and illustrated by Gillian Flint ~ Review

Love You Always
My Review:

A child is a treasured member of the family tree, surrounded by people who love them unconditionally. From mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, and cousins, when mad, silly or sad, a child is surrounded by so much love.

An adorable book, that would be great for a birth celebration, or just a great book to read with a young one any day. I loved the adorable and colorful illustrations, classic and whimsical conveying the warmth and love.

Overall, a delightfully charming read that would make a fantastic gift at a baby shower or for a child under the age of 6. A wonderful book to share with the young person in your life!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."


Retail link
Love You Alwayshttp://amzn.to/2x6jlb3

Book Specs
Publication Date: September 19, 2017
Author/Illustrator: Eileen Spinelli/Gillian Flint
ISBN: 9780824956868
Price: $15.99
Format: Jacketed Hardcover
Page Count: 32
Ages: 4–7

Author Bio
Eileen Spinelli spent Saturdays at the public library as a child, and it was there that she decided to become a writer. She’s authored more than fifty children’s books, including Somebody Loves You, Mr. HatchThe Best Story; and Two to Cuddle. Eileen lives in Media, Pennsylvania. When she and her husband, Jerry, who’s also an author, are not writing, they are hanging out with their grandkids (30 and counting), playing Scrabble, reading, watching old movies, and raising Monarch butterflies.

Illustrator Bio
Gillian Flint has had a passion for drawing and creating characters for as long as she can remember, so a career in illustration was a natural path for her to take. Her work has been published in the UK, USA, and Australia for clients such as Highlights, Five Mile Press, OUP, and Little Bee Books (book forthcoming). She enjoys using watercolors, crayons, ink, and digital illustration to create a variety of artistic styles. In her spare time, Gillian enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and pottering about in the garden on sunny days.

9.16.2017

Chasing Secrets by Lynette Eason ~ Review

Chasing Secrets (Elite Guardians, #4)
Lucie's Review:

Haley Callahan is a dedicated agent and a good friend, but she has always kept to herself about her past. But when she finds herself being followed by shooters, she realizes that it might finally be time to put the past to sleep forever.

Steven Rothwell is a police detective and Quinn Holcombe's new partner, so when Haley asks Quinn for help, Steven comes along too. Steven and Haley end up spending a lot of time together, Steven wants to help her, but he also respects that she is very capable of taking care of herself.

Haley had a rough childhood, and has started a center to help at risk youth. She holds fast to her faith, and has a strong determined spirit that inspires those around her.

A fast paced read that was hard to put down, taunt with suspense and chemistry between Haley and Steven. There were so many twists, along the way. I love the way that Haley is a survivor, and she has a cool head under pressure. I love that Steven is a cool headed man too, and he wants to come and help Haley when she needs it, but respects that she can handle a lot of her own battles. A fantastic read from beginning to end, highly recommend and hard to put down!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

9.12.2017

Second Chance Amish Bride by Marta Perry ~ Review

Second Chance Amish Bride (Brides of Lost Creek #1)
Lucie's Review:

Jessie Miller comes to the King family's aid when Caleb King gets a broken leg and needs help to take care of his family.

Caleb's late wife was Jessie's cousin, and there was a time when Jessie thought that Caleb was a man she might marry. But now he doesn't want any women around let alone Jessie, a reminder of his late wife.

Onkel Zeb and Daniel like her from the start, but I takes a while for her to win Becky's trust. I loved Jessie's patience with the children, she wants to help them to talk about their mother, and share the good memories that she has of her, but Caleb forbids it. She takes the times to teach the children useful skills.

Caleb loves his children, he also has a stubborn streak. He is surprised by how much Jessie has come to mean to him and his family, and that many of her suggestions help. He comes to appreciate Jessie's big heart and determination.

Overall, a heartwarming read about love, healing and second chances. I loved the kids and Onkel Zeb, who are colorful characters. A great reads for fans of Amish romance!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

9.08.2017

Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin ~ Review

Waves of Mercy
My Review: 

Geesje, Anna, and Derk find themselves facing some of the biggest challenges to their faith and of the heart in the past and present, finding their lives intertwined in this captivating, heartfelt story of God's mercies.

Geesje recounts her younger days first coming to America and leaving everything behind in the Netherlands, including the man that she loved. She tells of her struggles to accept the tragedies that befell her family, and the choices that she made, along with the heartaches she faced.

Anna has comes to Michigan after breaking it off with her fiance to find answers to the questions that she has about her new faith and about her past. She meets a ministry student, Derk, and he helps her sort through her questions and decision about the future.

Meanwhile he is in a similar situation, having also just broken it off with a fiance who wants him to give up his calling to the ministry because she doesn't want to be a preacher's wife.

As Geesje's story unfolds, Geesje, Anna, and Derk, are face with the choice to follow their own desires or God's will.

Anna is the adopted daughter of a wealthy family in Chicago, she loves her parents, but after attending a church service in a less than prominent side of town, she finds herself in need of answers. She finds a friend in Derk, a young man studying for the ministry, yet in a similar situation having just broken it off with his fiance. I loved Anna and Derk's easy and honest friendship. They challenge each other, encouraging each other to perhaps make the choice that they themselves hesitate to make.

I think my favorite thing about this book was the humanity and vulnerability of the characters, they aren't perfect Christians, and would probably be the first to tell you that fact if you ever tried to put them on a pedestal. I found the honesty and rawness in this book so refreshing. They struggle with doubt, jealousy, human desires for love, selfishness, and it was their realness that made me really embrace them and connect with them. Geesje especially, is brutally honest about her life and the choices that she made along the way.

Overall, this is a beautiful story of God's mercies, bringing three strangers together as the threads of their stories intertwine in unexpected ways. A thoroughly memorable read, I would definitely recommend this book, I couldn't put it down!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

9.05.2017

Crisis Shot by Janice Cantore ~ Review

Crisis Shot (The Line of Duty #1)
Lucie's Review:

Everything seems to be going according to plan for Tess O'Rourke, who has dreams of advancing in the police force, until it comes crumbling down with the murder of a cop that shakes Long Beach and causes a media blitz calling for the loss of her job. Tess responded to a call for assistance, and found and officer down, with the local high school sports hero standing over him with an object in in his hand, she shot and saved the officer's life, but the media turned on her.

Tess resigns her post, due to pressure from the public, and takes up a job in rural Oregon, in the small community of Rogue's Hallow. Tess struggles to find her place in the small town, but is befriended by the pastor's wife, a kind woman who is one of the few who makes her feel welcome.

When the pastor's wife goes missing, Tess is on the case. But when a dead body is found in the woods, she wonders if this little rural town is really as quiet as it was supposed to be. She finds a friend and ally in Deputy Steve Logan, who is supportive of her investigation.

Will they be able to solve Rogue Hallow's first murder before it's too late?

Tess has always been devoted to her job, and believes that it is a privilege to protect people. She has always wanted to be a police officer, like her father. But when her father died in the line of duty, she left her faith behind. Tess is passionate about her work, and wants to do everything that she can to help her newfound friends. She is in awe of their faith in the light of such bleak circumstances.

Steve is a good friend, he is supportive of her, understanding how important this case is to her, and lets her take the lead helping where he can.

Oliver and Anna pastor a small church Rogue Hallow, they don't understand why Anna's cancer has come back, but they are determined to stand firm in their faith, even when they don't understand the whys. Oliver is hesitant to reports his wife's disappearance at first, because he is unsure if she is really missing, or if she just went off alone to pray. He is heartbroken, yet hopeful, leaning on his faith to see him through.

This is a pulsing crime drama, with quick beats, and a plot that pulls the reader in. I didn't want to put it down, I couldn't help but contemplate the timeliness of this story, it is probably one of the most relevant books I've read in a while. It talks about the media blitz around cop-civilian shootings and how the media can skew the whole story, as well as how rampant drug use is ruining small communities.

Fast paced, both I and my husband sped through this book, it was hard to put down with an intricate plot line and lots of detail. I loved Tess's dog, who ended up being one of my favorite characters. This is a great beginning to what I'm sure will be a fantastic new series, Tess is a strong heroine, and I loved how the town pulls together in the wake of tragedy. A suspenseful read ripped from the front page and the latest crime drama. Highly recommend.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."