Book description: "Mercy Flanagan survived the Whitman Massacre as a child, and now her heart's cry is for peace between the native peoples and the white settlers inhabiting Oregon Territory. Unfortunately, most of the settlers want the tribes removed from the land completely, one way or another.
At the request of family friend Eletta Browning, who is experiencing a difficult pregnancy, Mercy travels south to the Rogue River Valley to help. At the Browning Mission, she meets Eletta's brother-in-law, Adam. Despite her attempts to befriend him, Adam seems determined to focus on ministering to the local tribes and keeps her at arm's length. Why is he so intent on pushing her away?
When tragedy strikes and tensions in the territory reach the combustion point, Mercy is pushed to the limit of her strength. She and Adam will have to rely on their faith in God and on each other in order to make it out alive."
My review: What a difficult time period and topic to write about! But Tracie Peterson has done a wonderful job on this book. This is the third and final book in the Heart of the Frontier series. Unfortunately I have not read the first book, but if it is anything like books two and three in this series, it is a book I need to read! This book focuses on Mercy, the youngest of the Flanagan sisters. This is not necessarily a feel good book that you finish and forget as soon as you pick up your next book. This story and the tragedy yet hope will stay with you long after you finish the last page. The characters are human living during a difficult time in our history, and they show it in their feelings and actions. But, they know the Truth and the gospel is clearly lived and preached throughout the story. I especially appreciate that about Tracie Peterson's books. She never shies away from presenting Biblical truths clearly without watering it down. I received a copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Monday, September 11, 2017
Bringing Maggie Home
Book description: "Hazel DeFord is a woman haunted by her past. While berry picking in a blackberry thicket in 1943, ten-year old Hazel momentarily turns her back on her three-year old sister Maggie and the young girl disappears.
Almost seventy years later, the mystery remains unsolved and the secret guilt Hazel carries has alienated her from her daughter Diane, who can’t understand her mother’s overprotectiveness and near paranoia. While Diane resents her mother’s inexplicable eccentricities, her daughter Meghan—a cold case agent—cherishes her grandmother’s lavish attention and affection.
When a traffic accident forces Meghan to take a six-week leave-of-absence to recover, all three generations of DeFord women find themselves unexpectedly under the same roof. Meghan knows she will have to act as a mediator between the two headstrong and contentious women. But when they uncover Hazel’s painful secret, will Meghan also be able to use her investigative prowess to solve the family mystery and help both women recover all that’s been lost?"
My review: This story really intrigued me when I read the description. To set the story in the 1940's at the beginning and span 70 years and try and solve a cold case had me wondering how that could even be done. The flashbacks were helpful and fit into the story quite appropriately. The story as it unfolded was logical and kept me turning pages to see how the next event could take us closer to the resolution of the mystery. A thread of faith and hope is consistently present. I only felt that the resolution was tied up too quickly. A lot of time was spent getting to that point, but the actual investigation took a very short amount of time. It was disappointing to have everything wrapped up so quickly in the end. Even though I would have liked more time spent on the actual mystery, this was still a wonderful book. I look forward to more books by this author. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Almost seventy years later, the mystery remains unsolved and the secret guilt Hazel carries has alienated her from her daughter Diane, who can’t understand her mother’s overprotectiveness and near paranoia. While Diane resents her mother’s inexplicable eccentricities, her daughter Meghan—a cold case agent—cherishes her grandmother’s lavish attention and affection.
When a traffic accident forces Meghan to take a six-week leave-of-absence to recover, all three generations of DeFord women find themselves unexpectedly under the same roof. Meghan knows she will have to act as a mediator between the two headstrong and contentious women. But when they uncover Hazel’s painful secret, will Meghan also be able to use her investigative prowess to solve the family mystery and help both women recover all that’s been lost?"
My review: This story really intrigued me when I read the description. To set the story in the 1940's at the beginning and span 70 years and try and solve a cold case had me wondering how that could even be done. The flashbacks were helpful and fit into the story quite appropriately. The story as it unfolded was logical and kept me turning pages to see how the next event could take us closer to the resolution of the mystery. A thread of faith and hope is consistently present. I only felt that the resolution was tied up too quickly. A lot of time was spent getting to that point, but the actual investigation took a very short amount of time. It was disappointing to have everything wrapped up so quickly in the end. Even though I would have liked more time spent on the actual mystery, this was still a wonderful book. I look forward to more books by this author. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Beneath Copper Falls
Book description: "Dana has already learned that love isn’t safe . . . but could it be different in Rock Harbor?
As a 911 dispatcher, Dana Newell takes pride in being calm in tough circumstances. In addition to her emotionally-charged career, she’s faced enough emergencies in her own life. She recently escaped her abusive fiancé to move to tranquil Rock Harbor where she hopes life will be more peaceful.
But the idyllic town hides more danger and secrets than it first appeared. Dana is continually drawn to her new friend Boone, who has scars inside and out. Then she answers a call at her job only to hear a friend’s desperate screams on the other end. Soon the pain in her past collides with the mysteries of her new home—and threatens to keep her from the future she’s always wanted."
My review: I don't think Colleen Coble is even capable of writing a bad book! This is another Rock Harbor book that you don't want to miss. There is just the right amount of suspense and intrigue. I wasn't able to figure out the killer until the very end, which I like. The romance is not overdone and compliments the story line exceptionally well. Catching up with characters from past novels is like catching with family especially in this series. Mrs. Coble tackled some difficult topics in this book. They were handled in a sensitive and tactful way. Overall this is just a great book! I received of copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
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