Review: No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig

Book Description:

Publication Date: October 1, 2012 | Series: Edge of Freedom (Book 1)
The Thrill of Romantic Suspense Meets the Romance of 1800s America

Lured by a handful of scribbled words across a faded letter, Cara Hamilton sets off from 1896 Ireland on a quest to find the brother she'd thought dead. Her search lands her in America, amidst a houseful of strangers and one man who claims to be a friend--Rourke Walsh.

Despite her brother's warning, Cara decides to trust Rourke and reveals the truth about her purpose in America. But he is not who he claims to be, and as rumors begin to circulate about an underground group of dangerous revolutionaries, Cara's desperation grows. Her questions lead her ever closer to her brother, but they also bring her closer to destruction as Rourke's true intentions come to light.
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My Review: 

This book is packed with suspense, many twists in the plot, intriguing characters, and historical situations. The story was very believable, and I found myself genuinely caring what happened to Cara. The characters were well developed and I enjoyed the way the author slowly revealed details of their past throughout the whole book.
One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was the way that the author feeds the reader just a little more information than what the characters have without giving anything away. Doing so made the book that much more of an adventure to read.
I would recommend this book to those who love historical fiction.
*I must mention I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Bethany House.

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No Safe Harbor

Review: A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano

Book Description:

Publication Date: November 1, 2012
Rollicking Debut from an Exciting New Author

Lady Eliza Sumner is on a mission. Her fortune was the last thing she had left after losing her father, her fiance, and her faith. Now, masquerading as Miss Eliza Sumner governess-at-large, she's determined to find the man who ran off with her fortune, reclaim the money, and head straight back to London.

Mr. Hamilton Beckett, much to his chagrin, is the catch of the season, and all the eyes of New York society--all the female ones, at least--are on him. He has no plans to marry again, especially since his hands are full keeping his business afloat while raising his two children alone.

Eliza's hapless attempts to regain her fortune unexpectedly put her right in Hamilton's path. The discovery of a common nemesis causes them to join forces and, before she knows it, Eliza has a whole retinue of people helping her. Eliza's determination not to trust anyone weakens when everyone's antics and bumbling efforts to assist her make her wonder if there might be more important things than her fortune and independence.


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My Review:

The book is a wild ride right from the first page. It is very fast-paced with unexpected twists in turns in the plot that kept me reading late into the night. There was much to love about this book:

~The characters are witty and full of personality - a combination that made them easy to love. Quirky kids and English aristocracy, quite a combination.

~The author did a nice job of weaving important social issues of the day into the storyline.

~The shifts in the point-of-view were very easy to follow.

My only complaint about the book was that it, at times, didn't flow very well. It seemed a bit choppy with several very abrupt changes. It seemed that slowing down just a bit and filling in some details might have made it just a bit better.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.

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

A Change Of Fortune

Review: Waiting for Morning

Book Description

Release Date: April 5, 2002

“I’m afraid there’s been a car accident...”As Hannah Ryan waits for her family to return home from a camping trip, she realizes she has everything going for her—a husband other women admire, two charming teenage daughters, and a loving Christian home. As the sunny afternoon turns into twilight, her uneasiness grows along with the shadows. Then a car pulls into Hannah’s driveway, bringing two police officers...and devastating news that shatters her life forever.
In the days that follow, Hannah struggles with unspeakable feelings of sorrow and rage—feelings that fuse into one chilling purpose for living: revenge against Brian Wesley, the drunk driver who has caused all her pain.
In her fury, Hannah shuts the Lord out of her life. She’s determined not to forgive Wesley or the God who allowed this tragedy to happen. Can two caring people help Hannah rediscover her faith...before bitterness destroys her?
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My Review:

This book is packed with emotion right from the beginning. To say it is a tear-jerker is an understatement. It's a story that, as a wife and mother, would truly be my worst nightmare. Kingsbury does a great job of putting the reader in the story, making you feel what the characters feel.
However, I didn't like this book as much as previous Kingsbury novels. The main reason was that I found myself really disliking Hannah Ryan. Her selfishness and anger were very irritating to me.
The other problem I had with the book was that it felt the charges against the drunk driver were a bit far-fetched and unlikely to ever really happen.
Overall, it is a decent book and most Kingsbury fans will probably enjoy it.
*I must mention that I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah.

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 Waiting for Morning by Karen Kingsbury (Chapter 1 Excerpt)

Review: A Perfect Word for Every Occasion

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2012

Timely Words for When They're Needed Most

The right words don't always come easily. For those who want to bless others with words that go beyond cliches, A Perfect Word for Every Occasion offers examples and guidelines for things to say, lines to write, and Scripture verses to share. Readers will find words to use anywhere: Facebook messages, emails, cards, receiving lines, birthdays, anniversaries, texting, graduations, emotional occasions, and more. They'll even discover what not to say.

Full of encouraging messages organized by category, A Perfect Word for Every Occasion will save readers time while strengthening their relationships.

My Review:

This book is perfect for doofusses like me. I'm the one who never has more to say than "Happy Birthday" or perhaps "I'm sorry for your loss." I never know what else to say (or not to say). I love the way so many of my friends always have this way of expressing the nicest birthday wishes, thoughtful thank you notes, and just in general always seem to have "the perfect word." Yet when I pick up the pen (or log in to Facebook) I have nothing. And if you can relate to that, this book is for you.
In the short and easy to follow book the author does an excellent job in showing the reader how to identify what is is they want to say, organize your thoughts, and write what your heart feels in many different situations. There are also suggestions Scripture quotations for various situations. What's more, she very clearly lays out what not to say - with humorous illustrations featuring the Queen Doofuss, Aunt Me-me. 
This is a book I will hang on to, as it is laid out in such a way that it will be easy to quick look up anything from sympathy cards to wedding thank-you notes and write something heartfelt and meaningful.

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

 

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A Perfect Word for Every Occasion

Review: The Bridesmaid by Beverly Lewis

Book Description

Release Date: September 11, 2012 | Series: Home to Hickory Hollow (Book 2)

The Latest in Chart-Topping Amish Fiction from Beverly Lewis

Twenty-seven-year-old Joanna Kurtz has made several trips to the altar, but never as a bride. The single young Amishwoman is a closet writer with a longing to be published something practically unheard of in her Lancaster County community. Yet Joanna's stories aren't her only secret. She also has a beau who is courting her from afar, unbeknownst even to her sister, Cora, who, though younger, seems to have suitors to spare.

Eben Troyer is a responsible young Amishman who hopes to make Joanna Kurtz his bride--if he can ever leave his parents' farm in Shipshewana, Indiana. Yet with his only brother off in the English world, intent on a military career, Eben's hopes for building a life with his dear Joanna are dimming, and patience is wearing thin. Will Joanna ever be more than a bridesmaid?

My Review

After my disappointment in The Fiddler, I'm happy to say this book is all we've come to know and love from Beverly Lewis.
The characters were very real, believable, and endearing. There are also appearances from old-time Hickory Hollow favorites, like the Wise Woman, that make this a bit more interesting.
The plot was paced just right and had enough interesting twists to keep the reader interested until the very end.
What I most appreciated about this book was that it was NOT about teens in their "running-around" time. That plot has been done so many times, that it was really refreshing to have one that was completely different.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who love Amish fiction.
*I must mention that I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Bethany House.

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The Bridesmaid

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.
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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