Review: Whispers in the Wind by Lauraine Snelling

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2012

 

Book Two in Lauraine Snelling's Exciting Wild West Wind Series
After fleeing North Dakota and the now defunct Wild West Show, Cassie Lockwood and her companions have finally found the hidden valley in South Dakota where her father had dreamed of putting down roots. But to her dismay, she discovers a ranch already built on her land.Cassie's arrival surprises Mavis Engstrom and forces her to reveal secrets she's kept hidden for years. Her son Ransom is suspicious of Cassie and questions the validity of her claim to the valley. But Lucas Engstrom decides from the start that he is in love with her and wants to marry her.Will Cassie be able to build a home on the Bar E Ranch and fulfill her father's dream of raising horses, or will she be forced to return to the itinerant life of her past?

My Review 

I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel to Valley of Dreams. The continuity of plot from the first book was excellent and I enjoyed seeing "what happened next."
The book contained all the rich historical detail that longtime readers will have come to expect from Snelling. The glimpse into the day-to-day lives of people in that region during that time was detail and interesting. The tensions that would naturally arise in such a situation were very believable.
The strong message of faith was refreshing, as was the gentle way that Mavis interacts with Cassie when it comes to things of the Lord.
It was a bit slow, but I would still highly recommend this book.

I must mention that I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Bethany House.

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Whispers in the Wind

Review: Rare Earth by Davis Bunn

Book Description:
Marc Royce stares down from the helicopter on the Rift Valley slashing across Africa like a scar. Tribal feuds, drought, and dislocation have left their devastation. And he sees a new wound--a once-dormant volcano oozing molten lava across the dry landscape--and clouds of ash obscure his vision. His undercover assignment is similarly obscured. Supposedly dispatched to audit a relief organization's accounts, Marc finds himself amid the squalor and chaos of Kenyan refugee camps caught in a stranglehold of corruption and ruthlessness.

But his true task relates to the area's reserves of once-obscure metals now indispensable to high-tech industry. The value of this rare earth inflames tensions on the world's stage as well as among warring tribes. When an Israeli medical administrator, Kitra, seeks Marc's help with her humanitarian efforts, they forge an unexpected link between impoverished African villages and another Silicon Valley rising in the Israeli desert. Precious metals and inventive minds promise new opportunities for prosperity, secure futures, and protection of valuable commodities from terrorists. As Marc prepares to report back to Washington, he seizes a chance to restore justice to this troubled land. This time, he may have gone too far.
*Source

My Review:
I loved this book. It is a powerful story that contains everything to make a great novel - political maneuvering, action, suspense, a hint of romance, faith a strong message of faith.
Marc Royce continues to show the strength of character, faith, and wisdom that we saw in Lion of Babylon. His continued personal growth as he overcomes tragedy added continuity from the previous book.
The book appears to have been meticulously researched and the author showed a deep understanding of tribalism and tensions in Africa.
I strongly recommend this book.
I must mention that I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Bethany House. Rare Earth