Review: The Secret Keeper

Book Description:

With her love for all things old-fashioned, Jennifer Burns has often been told she's an "old soul," but no one is prepared for the young woman's decision to set aside her modern life in favor of the Old Order Amish world. Yet Jenny does exactly that, adopting Plain dress and settling in with Samuel and Rebecca Lapp while she works as a mother's helper for the bishop's wife--a far cry from her former job as an x-ray technician.

The people of Hickory Hollow are curious about the beautiful young seeker among them, one handsome Amishman in particular. But he is not the only man vying for Jenny's affections, and Jenny faces many challenges in the Proving time the brethren have set for her...challenges of the heart, as well as the spirit.

Will Jenny's secrets keep her from the peace she longs for? Or will they lead the way home?

My Review:

I've really enjoyed Beverly Lewis' Amish fiction for a long time. I've read all of them, and have appreciated her recent Home to Hickory Hollow series, which this book is a part. This one is one of my favorites, if not number 1.

I loved the characters in this book, both the new ones and the familiar faces. I loved the story, with it's unique twist. It's not often that one reads of one seeking to join the Amish. In tackling this more challenging story line, Lewis really brings to life the themes of submission, humility, and obedience in Amish theology and day-to-day life. 

I also enjoyed reading more about Samuel and Rebecca Lapp, who will be familiar to long time Lewis readers. There was a great depth of character in Rebecca, and reading their continuing story with them as primary characters was a real treat. 

If you read The Shunning and the subsequent books in that series, you must read this book.

I must mention that I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

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The Secret Keeper by Bethany House Publishers

Review: Blood and Bone

Book Description:

A decade after Serpent of Moses, Jack is married to Espy and back teaching at Evanston University. They have two sons, one of whom has cystic fibrosis. Despite this challenge, life is comfortable. But that all changes when the CIA, while combing through the papers of the late Gordon Reese, uncovers the secret of Elisha's bones. Jack's world is then turned upside down by an urgent call from his old friend Duckey, who's been alerted to the CIA's probing by one of his former contacts. Jack and his family escape from their home just ahead of the CIA, and he decides to do what he should have done long ago: recover the bones and destroy them. Except the bones aren't where he left them.

So now Jack is in a race, for the last time, to find the bones. And he's not the only one. Pitted against both the CIA and an organization that will kill to protect their secrets, Jack and Espy follow hard-to-decipher clues across the globe before arriving in the catacombs of Paris for a final showdown that will either save their family--or tear apart everything they hold dear forever.

My Review:

This book was an absolute wild ride from the very first page. Fast paced and action packed, this book was very hard to put down. The plot is full of twists and turns and it draws the reader along right until the very end.

Great characters and great attention to detail also make this book very special.

If you haven't read Serpent of Moses, don't worry - this will read fine as a stand alone. I have read Serpent of Moses, but it was quite awhile ago and I really didn't remember it too well. The author does a great job of filling in the back story, making it easy to read on it's own.

I would highly recommend this book.
I must mention that I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

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Blood and Bone by Bethany House Publishers

Review: Dark Road Home

Book Description:

Ana Kavanagh's only memories of home are of fire and pain. As a girl she was the only survivor of a terrible blaze, and years later she still struggles with her anger at God for letting it happen. 

At a nearby parish she meets and finds a kindred spirit in Eoghan Hamilton, who is struggling with his own anger--his sister, Cara, betrayed him by falling in love with one of his enemies. Cast aside by everyone, Eoghan longs to rejoin the Fenians, a shadowy organization pushing for change back in Ireland. But gaining their trust requires doing some favors--all of which seem to lead back to Ana. Who is she and who is searching for her? As dark secrets from Ana's past begin to come to light, Eoghan must choose which road to follow--and where to finally place his trust.

My Review:

This book was a great adventure right from the first page. It was fast-paced and full of unexpected twists and turns. I love every moment of it.

If you read No Safe Harbor you  must read this book. I would add, though, that this book would not read well as a stand-alone. I would highly recommend reading No Safe Harbor first. I think it would be very difficult to keep track of the characters and understand the complexities of their relationships without the first book.

I must mention that I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

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Dark Road Home by Bethany House Publishers

Review: The Miners Lady

     Book Description

When Chantel Panetta's younger sister claims to be in love with Orlando Calarco, Chantel knows there is no hope. The Panettas and Calarcos have been sworn enemies for decades, and young love cannot heal the deep wounds between the two iron-mining families. Yet, unable to resist Isabella's pleas, Chantel agrees to help her sister spend time with Orlando...only to have a run-in with Dante, Orlando's brother. The older, more handsome one.

Chantel can't deny the attraction that flares when she's with Dante. But when a tragedy occurs at the mine, is there any hope that the hatred that has simmered between these two families might be resolved? Or will Chantel's hope for love be buried amidst decades of misunderstanding?

My Review:

This book was an adventure from the first page. I loved the delightfully quirky characters, the "just right" pace of the story, and tale of long-time feuding families.

I also enjoyed the look into the risk-filled lives of mining families. The author did a great job of addressing many of the issues that faced people in that day, and putting the reader in the midst of it.

Overall, I very much enjoyed this book.

I must mention that I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

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The Miner's Lady by Bethany House Publishers

Review: Stealing the Preacher

Book Description:

A cowboy who wants to be a preacher. An outlaw's daughter who wants to change his mind.

On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can't believe it when he's forced off the train by an outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the preacher she requested for her birthday. He's determined to escape--which would be much easier if he could stop thinking about Joanna Robbins and her unexpected request.

For months, Joanna had prayed for a minister. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. But just when it seems her prayers have been answered, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett he ended up right where he was supposed to be?

With her signature blend of humor, history, and lively western romance, two-time RITA Award finalist and bestselling author Karen Witemeyer delivers a Texas love story sure to steal your heart.

 My Review: 

If you love "Short-Straw Bride" you must read this book! It was so nice to get a peak back in to the lives of the Archer family. 

The characters in this book were absolutely delightful, and I really enjoyed the light humor in the story. I also enjoyed the thread of faith that pulls the whole book together. 

If you haven't read the first book, don't worry this one will read just fine as a stand-alone. 

I must mention that I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

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Stealing the Preacher by Bethany House Publishers

Review: The Guardian by Beverly Lewis

Book Description:

When schoolteacher Jodi Winfield goes for a morning run, the last thing she expects is to find a disheveled little girl all alone on the side of the Pennsylvania road, clad only in her undergarments, her chubby cheeks streaked with tears. Jodi takes the preschooler home with her, intending to find out where she belongs. But Jodi is mystified when no one seems to know of a missing child, and the girl herself is no help, since she can't speak a word of English. It's as if the child appeared out of nowhere.

As the days pass, Jodi becomes increasingly attached to the mysterious girl, yet she is no closer to learning her identity. Then an unexpected opportunity brings Jodi to Hickory Hollow--and into the cloistered world of the Lancaster Old Order Amish. Might the answers lie there?

My Review:

I very much enjoyed this book. It was all that I have come to expect from Beverly Lewis and more.

I loved the way the seeming tragedy of a missing child (Sarah) brings together these two women, both struggling with grief, each in their own way. Though their lives are so very different, these unusual circumstances bring them together in a very unique friendship.

As always, the reader gets a nice taste of Amish life and theology, as well as visits with old Hickory Hollow friends like the Wise Woman.

Though part of a series, this book could very easily be read as a stand-alone too.

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

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The Guardian by Bethany House Publishers

Review: Unrivaled

Book Description:

Lucy Kendall returns from a tour of the Continent, her luggage filled with the latest fashions and a mind fired by inspiration. After tasting Europe's best confections, she's sure she'll come up with a recipe that will save her father's struggling candy business and reverse their fortunes. But she soon discovers that their biggest competitor, the cheat who swindled her father out of his prize recipe, has now hired a promotions manager--a cocky, handsome out-of-towner who gets under Lucy’s skin.

Charlie Clarke's new role at Standard Manufacturing is the chance of a lifetime. He can put some rough times behind him and reconnect with the father he's never known. The one thing he never counted on, however, was tenacious Lucy Kendall. She's making his work life miserable...and making herself impossible for him to forget.

My Review:

Siri Mitchell is one of my favorite historical fiction authors, and I really expected to enjoy this book. While it was a decent story, it wasn't all that I have come to expect from Mitchell. This book lacked the rich detail and vivid descriptions that I've so enjoyed in her other books. Even with elegant balls in historic St Louis, there just wasn't enough detail to bring it to life. 

I also found it a bit difficult to relate to Lucy Kendall. For most of the book I actually found her to be beyond naive and annoying, and overall her character was just not very believable. She did not have the depth of character that I would have expected.

This is a book that had a lot of potential, but it just didn't really come together. That, being said I still won't hesitate to pick up Mitchell's next book.

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

 

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Unrivaled by Bethany House Publishers