From the back of the book: 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 covet, two charming teenage daughters, and a loving Christian home. As the sunny afternoon turns into twilight, however, her uneasiness grows along with the shadows. Then a squad 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's 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?
My review: As usual, Karen Kingsbury has written a book that you can't put down. The characters are so real that you will find yourself wishing someone would introduce you to them. The circumstances are so real that you will find yourself praying to God that that will never happen to you. The Biblical truths are so real that you will find yourself learning and growing from them. Karen Kingsbury is able to write a book where people live! She is able to make you feel the emotion of the characters and circumstances in her books and when the book is finished you will wish there was more. Waiting For Morning is one of those books. I hated to see it end, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series. I received a complimentary e-book from Multnomah Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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Monday, August 22, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Mercy Come Morning
From the back of the book: Krista Mueller is in a good place. She has a successful career as a professor of history; she's respected and well-liked; and she lives hundreds of miles from her hometown and the distant mother she could never please. It's been more than a decade since Alzheimer's disease first claimed Charlotte Mueller's mind, but Krista has dutifully kept her mother in a first-class nursing home.
Now Charlotte is dying of heart failure and, surprised by her own emotions, Krista rushes to Taos, New Mexico, to sit at her estranged mother's side as she slips away. Battling feelings of loss, abandonment, and relief, Krista is also unsettled by her proximity to Dane McConnell, director of the nursing home-and, once upon a time, her first love. Dane's kind and gently spirit-
and a surprising discovery about her mother- make Krista wonder if she can at last close the distance between herself and her mother...and open the part of her heart she thought was lost forever.
My review: This was another book that kept me reading till the wee hours of the morning. Lisa Tawn Bergren does a great job weaving a story that will draw you in. You will cheer for Dane and Krista, feel anger toward Charlotte, and finally understand the power of forgiveness. This is a story that will cause you to think about what is truly important in life. I also like the way the book was written. The actual time-frame for the story was a few days, but facts from the past were needed for understanding. These facts were written as memories and placed between the chapters. Anyone would benefit from the lessons presented in this book, but I highly recommend this to those who did not have a very good relationship with a parent. I recieved a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Please rank my review for this book. The higher my ranking, the more review choices I have.
Thank you!
Now Charlotte is dying of heart failure and, surprised by her own emotions, Krista rushes to Taos, New Mexico, to sit at her estranged mother's side as she slips away. Battling feelings of loss, abandonment, and relief, Krista is also unsettled by her proximity to Dane McConnell, director of the nursing home-and, once upon a time, her first love. Dane's kind and gently spirit-
and a surprising discovery about her mother- make Krista wonder if she can at last close the distance between herself and her mother...and open the part of her heart she thought was lost forever.
My review: This was another book that kept me reading till the wee hours of the morning. Lisa Tawn Bergren does a great job weaving a story that will draw you in. You will cheer for Dane and Krista, feel anger toward Charlotte, and finally understand the power of forgiveness. This is a story that will cause you to think about what is truly important in life. I also like the way the book was written. The actual time-frame for the story was a few days, but facts from the past were needed for understanding. These facts were written as memories and placed between the chapters. Anyone would benefit from the lessons presented in this book, but I highly recommend this to those who did not have a very good relationship with a parent. I recieved a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Please rank my review for this book. The higher my ranking, the more review choices I have.
Thank you!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Courageous
From the back of the book: As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, and their partners willingly stand up to the worst the world can offer. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood. While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.
They know that God desires to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, but their children are beginning to drift farther and farther away from them. Will they be able to find a way to serve and protect those who are most dear to them?
When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God...and to their children?
My review: This is a great book! As I read, I did not feel like I was reading just another story. This book was real. The characters and the story were believable. There were moments of frustration, moments of anticipation, moments when I laughed out loud, and moments when I cried as I read. Courageous is a book that will challenge your faith. Even though this book focused on the dads, I was challenged as a mom to take seriously the responsibility of rearing children that love God and love people. Every parents should read this book. I couldn't put it down and look forward to watching the movie. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
They know that God desires to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, but their children are beginning to drift farther and farther away from them. Will they be able to find a way to serve and protect those who are most dear to them?
When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God...and to their children?
My review: This is a great book! As I read, I did not feel like I was reading just another story. This book was real. The characters and the story were believable. There were moments of frustration, moments of anticipation, moments when I laughed out loud, and moments when I cried as I read. Courageous is a book that will challenge your faith. Even though this book focused on the dads, I was challenged as a mom to take seriously the responsibility of rearing children that love God and love people. Every parents should read this book. I couldn't put it down and look forward to watching the movie. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Sweet Sanctuary
From the back of the book: In tiny Cottage Cove, on the coast of Maine, Wren Evans is raising her gifted son, Charlie. A single mom, she's fought hard to give Charlie a stable, secure home life. When a prestigious music academy in Boston expresses interest in Charlie's talent, Wren is willing to move them again to make his dreams come true.
But Wren doesn't know that Charlie has been praying for her. And the answer to her son's prayers will change both of their lives. As Wren plans their move to Boston, life in Maine begins to fall apart. Her job is threatened with budget cuts, and Wren's grandmother, Ruth, arrives unannounced, with an outlandish request.
Ruth wants the family gathered together one last time, at the summer home where, years before, an accident shattered Wren's peaceful childhood. In the tumult, Wren finds a friend in a handsome, kind-hearted local, Paul Callahan.
When the family gathers in Cottage Cove, old woulds will be healed, new love will blossom, and the innocent prayers of a child will be answered in a most unexpected way.
My review: I enjoyed Sweet Sanctuary. I wasn't sure what to expect by reading the back cover, and I am glad I decided to read the book. The authors did a great job weaving a story with real-life complexities and spiritual struggles. While situations may not be identical, mothers especially can relate to Wren's challenges and worries. I enjoyed the story-line, but the end of the book came abruptly. I felt the authors did not take enough time resolving some of the family issues. The relationship between Wren and Paul seemed to develop a little too quickly as well. Overall, however; it was an enjoyable story with believable characters and situations. This is a book I can recommed. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their Booksneeze blogger program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
But Wren doesn't know that Charlie has been praying for her. And the answer to her son's prayers will change both of their lives. As Wren plans their move to Boston, life in Maine begins to fall apart. Her job is threatened with budget cuts, and Wren's grandmother, Ruth, arrives unannounced, with an outlandish request.
Ruth wants the family gathered together one last time, at the summer home where, years before, an accident shattered Wren's peaceful childhood. In the tumult, Wren finds a friend in a handsome, kind-hearted local, Paul Callahan.
When the family gathers in Cottage Cove, old woulds will be healed, new love will blossom, and the innocent prayers of a child will be answered in a most unexpected way.
My review: I enjoyed Sweet Sanctuary. I wasn't sure what to expect by reading the back cover, and I am glad I decided to read the book. The authors did a great job weaving a story with real-life complexities and spiritual struggles. While situations may not be identical, mothers especially can relate to Wren's challenges and worries. I enjoyed the story-line, but the end of the book came abruptly. I felt the authors did not take enough time resolving some of the family issues. The relationship between Wren and Paul seemed to develop a little too quickly as well. Overall, however; it was an enjoyable story with believable characters and situations. This is a book I can recommed. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their Booksneeze blogger program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Restless in Carolina
From the back of the book: Tree-huggin', animal-lovin' Bridget Pickwick-Buchanan is on a mission. Well, two. First she has to come to terms with being a widow at thirty-three. After all, it's been four years and even her five-year-old niece and nephew think it's time she sheds her widow's weeds. Second, she needs to find a buyer for her family's estate-a Biltmore-inspired mansion surrounded by hundreds of acres of unspoiled forestland. With family obligations forcing the sale, Bridget is determined to find an eco-friendly developer to buy the land, someone who won't turn it into single-family homes or a cheesy theme park.
Enter J.C. Dirk, a high-energy developer from Atlanta whose green property developments have earned him national acclaim. When he doesn't return her calls, Bridget decides a personal visit is in order. Unfortunately, J.C. Dirk is neither amused nor interested when she interrupts his meeting-until she mentions her family name. In short order, he finds himself in North Carolina, and Bridget has her white knight-in more ways than one. But the things Bridget doesn't know about J.C. could mean the end of everything she's worked for...and break her heart.
My review: Restless in Carolina was a fun book to read! Tamara Leigh has created a heroine that you won't forget. Bridget Pickwick-Buchanan was not at all what I expected from having read the back of the book. Her initial physical description totally caught me off-guard, and yet it helped make the book more enjoyable. Full of humor and very human, I fell in love with the character of Bridget immediately. I found myself reading quickly just to see what she would do and say next. Tamara Leigh developed a plot that kept me captivated, as well as characters that fit the plot. Wonderful humor, a bit of intrigue, delightful characters, and a much needed lesson on the power of forgiveness come together to make this a book you won't want to put down, as well as a book that you won't want to end. I certainly look forward to reading more by this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Multnomah in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Please rank this review for me. You will have to verify your email the first time only that you rank a review from this publisher. The better the score I receive, the more books I have to choose from to review.
Enter J.C. Dirk, a high-energy developer from Atlanta whose green property developments have earned him national acclaim. When he doesn't return her calls, Bridget decides a personal visit is in order. Unfortunately, J.C. Dirk is neither amused nor interested when she interrupts his meeting-until she mentions her family name. In short order, he finds himself in North Carolina, and Bridget has her white knight-in more ways than one. But the things Bridget doesn't know about J.C. could mean the end of everything she's worked for...and break her heart.
My review: Restless in Carolina was a fun book to read! Tamara Leigh has created a heroine that you won't forget. Bridget Pickwick-Buchanan was not at all what I expected from having read the back of the book. Her initial physical description totally caught me off-guard, and yet it helped make the book more enjoyable. Full of humor and very human, I fell in love with the character of Bridget immediately. I found myself reading quickly just to see what she would do and say next. Tamara Leigh developed a plot that kept me captivated, as well as characters that fit the plot. Wonderful humor, a bit of intrigue, delightful characters, and a much needed lesson on the power of forgiveness come together to make this a book you won't want to put down, as well as a book that you won't want to end. I certainly look forward to reading more by this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Multnomah in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Please rank this review for me. You will have to verify your email the first time only that you rank a review from this publisher. The better the score I receive, the more books I have to choose from to review.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck
From the back of the book: Charlotte Beck may be entering adulthood, but she can't seem to keep her stubborn, independent spirit from bucking social protocol. Fed up with her behavior, Charlotte's father, Daniel, pressures her to settle into a nice marriage, despite knowing she is set on going to college. Then Daniel sees Charlotte with the handsome but annoying English astronomer Alex Hambly, and everything changes.
Though Alex and Charlotte can barely stand one another, Daniel offers them a deal they can't refuse: if they agree to marry, he will save Alex's family from financial ruin and grant Charlotte the freedom to go to college. Reluctantly the couple agrees, but in private they plot to annul the marriage as soon as possible.
But when Alex's feelings change and he refuses to dissolve their contract, will Charlotte find a way out of her vows? Or will she descover that maybe this marriage isn't so inconvenient after all?
My review: The picture on the cover of The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck does not fit at all. I almost did not request a review copy because of the cover, but I am so glad I did! This is the first book I have read by Kathleen Y'Barbo. I enjoyed her writing style, and I loved the humor throughout the book. I never knew what Charlotte was going to do next, and loved her character because of it. This was one of those books that I didn't want to put down. Even though it is the third book in a series, I did not feel like I was missing anything from not having read the first two. However, if the first two are as funny and well-written as this one, I know I will thoroughly enjoy them! I look forward to reading more by this author. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook/Multnomah Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Please rank my review. You will only have to verify your email once. I get a larger selection of books to choose from if I have a high rating from the books I have reviewed.
Though Alex and Charlotte can barely stand one another, Daniel offers them a deal they can't refuse: if they agree to marry, he will save Alex's family from financial ruin and grant Charlotte the freedom to go to college. Reluctantly the couple agrees, but in private they plot to annul the marriage as soon as possible.
But when Alex's feelings change and he refuses to dissolve their contract, will Charlotte find a way out of her vows? Or will she descover that maybe this marriage isn't so inconvenient after all?
My review: The picture on the cover of The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck does not fit at all. I almost did not request a review copy because of the cover, but I am so glad I did! This is the first book I have read by Kathleen Y'Barbo. I enjoyed her writing style, and I loved the humor throughout the book. I never knew what Charlotte was going to do next, and loved her character because of it. This was one of those books that I didn't want to put down. Even though it is the third book in a series, I did not feel like I was missing anything from not having read the first two. However, if the first two are as funny and well-written as this one, I know I will thoroughly enjoy them! I look forward to reading more by this author. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook/Multnomah Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Please rank my review. You will only have to verify your email once. I get a larger selection of books to choose from if I have a high rating from the books I have reviewed.
An Unlikely Suitor
From the back of the book: New York dressmaker Lucy Scarpelli befriends socialite Rowena Langdon as she's designing her summer wardrobe. Grateful for Lucy's skill in creating fashions that hide her physical injury, Rowena invites Lucy to the family mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, encouraging the unusual friendship.
One day Lucy encounters an intriguing man on the Cliff Walk, and love begins to blossom. Yet Lucy resists, for what Newport man would want to marry an Italian dressmaker working to support her family?
Rowena faces an arranged marriage to a wealthy heir she doesn't love, but dare a crippled girl hope for anything better?
And Lucy's teenage sister, Sofia, falls for a man well above her social class-but is he willing to give up everything to marry a woman below his station?
As the lives of three young women-and their unlikely suitors-become entangled in a web of secrets and sacrifice, will the season end with any of them finding true happiness?
My review: This is another enjoyable historical novel that I can recommend. I enjoyed getting to know Lucy and Rowena. The author, Nancy Moser, did a great job distinguishing their stations and yet melding their lives together. Sofia was a frustrating yet likable character, and Lucy and Sofia's mother was a perfect balance for the two. It didn't take long to figure out the "secrets" of the book, so the ending was predictable. But, all in all this was a book that I really enjoyed reading. I am glad I gave the author another chance. I feel she redeemed herself after the last book I read by her. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
One day Lucy encounters an intriguing man on the Cliff Walk, and love begins to blossom. Yet Lucy resists, for what Newport man would want to marry an Italian dressmaker working to support her family?
Rowena faces an arranged marriage to a wealthy heir she doesn't love, but dare a crippled girl hope for anything better?
And Lucy's teenage sister, Sofia, falls for a man well above her social class-but is he willing to give up everything to marry a woman below his station?
As the lives of three young women-and their unlikely suitors-become entangled in a web of secrets and sacrifice, will the season end with any of them finding true happiness?
My review: This is another enjoyable historical novel that I can recommend. I enjoyed getting to know Lucy and Rowena. The author, Nancy Moser, did a great job distinguishing their stations and yet melding their lives together. Sofia was a frustrating yet likable character, and Lucy and Sofia's mother was a perfect balance for the two. It didn't take long to figure out the "secrets" of the book, so the ending was predictable. But, all in all this was a book that I really enjoyed reading. I am glad I gave the author another chance. I feel she redeemed herself after the last book I read by her. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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