Auschwitz Lullaby ~ Review

Auschwitz Lullaby
By Mario Escobar

Helene Hannemann's life was that of an ordinary German woman until the day came that her husband and children were taken because of their Romani (Gypsy) heritage. Not about to allow them to be taken from her Helene insists on accompanying them little realizing just what her love would cost.

In May 1943 the Romani population under Nazi control is taken away to "special" internment camps and when her husband, Johann and their children are included in this rounding up Helene goes with them, though her German heritage would exempt her from such a sentence. Auschwitz is a living hell that tries to steal away the humanity and dignity of all who enter its gates. Helene though separated from Johann is determined to do everything in her power to keep her children safe.

When Helene's skills, as a trained nurse, are discovered her life and that of her children becomes somewhat better. But operating a day nursery under Dr. Mengele's direction allows her to see the utter depths of depravity a human can sink to and all in the name research.

This book covers approximately 15 months in the life of a woman who was determined to protect the innocent. Though there is much referenced as occurring within the camp most of the graphic violence is not described. There is one scene in which the after-effects of one of Mengele's experiments is portrayed and it is quite horrific. The hate shown against those who are of differing heritage is a warning that all should take to heart.

This book is one that is hard to read just because of the subject matter. The presentation and writing style are excellent. Those who have read Irma Joubert or Corban Addison's work will likely appreciate this book which is based on the true story of Helene Hannemann. 

I was provided a complimentary of this book by the publisher Thomas Nelson with no expectations except that I offer my honest opinion. All opinions offer are my own.


About the Book:

Auschwitz Lullaby brings to life the story of Helene Hannemann—a woman who sacrificed everything for family and fought furiously for the children she hoped to save.

On an otherwise ordinary morning in 1943, Helene Hannemann is preparing her five children for the day when the German police arrive at her home. Helene’s worst fears come true when the police, under strict orders from the SS, demand that her children and husband, all of Romani heritage, be taken into custody. Though Helene is German and safe from the forces invading her home, she refuses to leave her family—sealing her fate in a way she never could have imagined.

After a terrifying trek across the continent, Helene and her family arrive at Auschwitz and are thrown into the chaos of the camp. Her husband, Johann, is separated from them, but Helene remains fiercely protective of her children and those around her. When the powers-that-be discover that Helene is not only a German but also a trained nurse, she is forced into service at the camp hospital, which is overseen by the notorious Dr. Mengele himself.

Helene is under no illusions in terms of Dr. Mengele’s intentions, but she agrees to cooperate when he asks her to organize a day care and school for the Romani children in the camp. Though physically and emotionally brutalized by the conditions at Auschwitz, Helene musters the strength to protect the children in her care at any cost. Through sheer force of will, Helene provides a haven for the children of Auschwitz—an act of kindness and selflessness so great that it illuminates the darkest night of human history.

Based on a true story, Mario Escobar’s Auschwitz Lullaby demonstrates the power of sacrifice and the strength of human dignity—even when all hope seems lost.

The Promise of a Letter ~ Review

The Promise of  Letter
An Amish Letters Novel #2
By Kathleen Fuller

Leanna Chupp has no ideas of ever getting married - after all who would want to court a young woman who can't cook and would rather spend her time repairing equipment. Though she doesn't fit the conventional mold of an unmarried Amish woman Leanna is content with her life.

When Leanna finds the life she has made for herself in jeopardy she is unsure how to fix what has gone wrong especially when her job with Daniel Raber may go to his irresponsible younger brother Roman. But surprisingly Roman doesn't seem to be the same person he was before. But can he be trusted or will he again let everyone down when they most need him?

When a crisis occurs and Leanna and Roman must work together they just may discover what has been missing in their lives.

This is the second book in the Amish Letters series and it is again set in Birch Creek and the same characters who were in the first book Written in Love are again in this book. If you are wondering how this book fits in with a series that is about letters it is because both Roman and Daniel have received letters from their grandmother following her death. Letters that ask for one last promise - an attempt to reconcile and bridge the divide of hurt that has divided these two brothers.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the Fiction Guild with no obligation to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:

A letter brings him back to his Amish family. 

It will take someone truly 

extraordinary to make him stay...

Roman is on the verge of leaving the Amish ways. Feeling confined by the strict rules, he longs to do something more with his life. But when things don’t go as planned, Roman’s prospects outside of the community dwindle. Upon learning that his beloved grandmother has died and left a letter urging him to reconcile with his brother in Birch Creek, Roman decides to return home. But he doesn’t plan to stay for long.

Leanna Chupp has always made her own way in her small community of Birch Creek. Though some may call her unconventional—strange, even—Leanna is happy. Her unique outlook on life has meant she’s never had many suitors pursuing courtship, which Leanna doesn’t mind. She is content being single.

But when Roman and Leanna find themselves working together again, everything changes. Though neither fit squarely within the strictures of the Amish faith, their differences could be the very thing to help them form a deeper connection to their community and to each other. The question remains: will this strengthening bond be enough to make Roman stay for good?

Written in Love ~ Review

Written in Love
An Amish Letters novel #1
By Kathleen Fuller

A misdirected letter finds Phoebe Bontrager starting an unexpected correspondence with Jalon Chupp. For both this correspondence is one that touches both their hearts. But letters give an anonymity that allows them to keep the secrets of their past.

For Phoebe, Jalon's letters are the highlight of her life. Living with her aunt is a burden that she has to live with. It is the price she must pay for the choices she made. And revealing the truth is something she doesn't want to do as her friendship with Jalon isn't something she is willing to risk. But Jalon wants to meet Phoebe and to share his own past with her and his hopes for the future.

When the truth comes out Phoebe and Jalon must decide how next to proceed especially when Phoebe's aunt discovers this friendship and Phoebe's future is in doubt.

Those who enjoy Amish fiction will enjoy this offering from Kathleen Fuller as she starts a new series with this book. And who doesn't enjoy getting a letter in the mail? I know I've always enjoyed getting news from a friend, the surprise of a letter in the mailbox and the anticipation of revealing what news will be revealed.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through the Fiction Guild with no obligation to post a review positive or otherwise. All opinions expressed are my own. 


About the Book:

"Dear Mr. Chupp"–with those three words, 

a pen-pal relationship is ignited and two 

lives are changed forever.

Jalon Chupp has a past he isn’t proud to claim. He’s worked hard to overcome his youthful mistakes, and he has recommitted himself to his Amish faith. When he receives a sweet note included in a piece of misdirected mail, he can’t help but write back. Soon, the letters he receives from Phoebe are the highlights of his days, and with a hopeful heart, he suggests they meet in person.

Phoebe, too, looks forward to every single one of Jalon’s letters. Living with her overbearing aunt, Phoebe doesn’t have too much to look forward to. Then Jalon suggests they meet, and she panics—although she has shared some of the deepest longings of her heart with him, she hasn’t been entirely truthful about her past. But when Jalon shows up at her aunt’s doorstep, everything is revealed. And she can only pray he’ll forgive her for holding back the truth.

In order to reach beyond the errors of their pasts, both Phoebe and Jalon must put their faith in something—or Someone—bigger than either of them could pen.

The Space Between Words ~ Review

The Space Between Words
By Michele Phoenix

This book can be summed up in a single word ~ WOW. But a single word does not do this book justice. I've read Michele Phoenix's work in the past and, though it was well-written and the story good, it did not grab me the way this book did. This book, this story, is very moving.

The Space Between Words is a convergence of two stories, of two times, of two women, caught up in pain of hate and loss.

Adeline Baillard is living for her faith though it came at great cost ~ as a Huguenot Adeline is living a life persecuted by the French government. But her faith is the backbone of her life and for this she is willing to give her life.

Jessica is living in the present day, visiting France with her friends Patrick and Vonda. But when an attack occurs shattering Jessica's world and her sense of safety with it. Pushed to continue the trip that had been planned before the attack Jess finds an antique sewing box that holds a long-hidden secret that reveals part of Adeline's story.

Connecting to this young woman of conviction sets Jess on a journey to discover the fate of the Baillard family. But this journey may be just what Jess needs as she searches for the truth of the past and confronts the recent pain of her present.

This is a story not to be missed - just be sure to have a box of tissues nearby there are some especially moving scenes. (Yes, I admit it a couple of times I was moved to tears which does not happen often). I really liked the way the stories were told together. They were woven in such a way that it didn't feel forced. 

If you are looking for something different to read or are just a fan of fiction give The Space Between Words a try. It has a freshness to it that is interesting to explore and it doesn't shy away from the topics it is exploring. This would be an excellent book club selection if you are looking for a suggestion.

I was provided a complimentary review copy of this book by the Fiction Guild, a positive review was not expected, all opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:

"There were seconds, when I woke, when the world felt unshrouded. 

Then memory returned."

When Jessica regains consciousness in a French hospital on the day after the Paris attacks, all she can think of is fleeing the site of the horror she survived. But Patrick, the steadfast friend who hasn’t left her side, urges her to reconsider her decision. Worn down by his insistence, she reluctantly agrees to follow through with the trip they’d planned before the tragedy.

“The pages found you,” Patrick whispered.  

“Now you need to figure out what they’re trying to say.”

During a stop at a country flea market, Jessica finds a faded document concealed in an antique. As new friends help her to translate the archaic French, they uncover the story of Adeline Baillard, a young woman who lived centuries before—her faith condemned, her life endangered, her community decimated by the Huguenot persecution.

“I write for our descendants, for those who will 

not understand the cost of our survival.”

Determined to learn the Baillard family’s fate, Jessica retraces their flight from France to England, spurred on by a need she doesn’t understand.

Could this stranger who lived three hundred years 

before hold the key to Jessica’s survival?

The Writing Desk ~ Review

The Writing Desk
By Rachel Hauck

Tenley Roth has somehow written a smashing success of a book while dealing with her grief following her father's death. She seems to be following in the footsteps of her great, great grandfather and her father who were well-beloved authors. But coming up with a second book is bordering on the impossible as the clock clicks down on her deadline. For some reason, Tenley can't find the words to bring anything to life.

And when her long-absent mother calls asking Tenley for help as she deals with an unexpected cancer diagnosis, Tenley reluctantly agrees. Hoping that time away from the normal of her life will spark her creative juices Tenley makes her way to Florida. In her mother's home, she discovers an old desk that she is sure will help her story come to life. But the only thing she finds in a drawer that won't open to her frustration.

Tenley's desk has a history that no one knows - at the turn of the 20th Century Birdie Shehorn uses this same desk for her own literary aspirations and dreams. But Birdie's dreams are just that dreams. She has written a story that spoke of her broken heart but publishing it seems unlikely with the response that she has thus far received. Writing is Birdie's hope for a life that she can control and not have to bow to her mother's social climbing marital schemings and manipulations.

Can a simple desk that has spanned the years provide what two different women need? And the secret it hides could change everything if it is revealed.

This is a story that is set in both the present day and 1902. And though the times are different the basic issues that both Tenley and Birdie face are the same. Both want to create something important with their lives and both in their own way seek love - from their mothers and for their future marriage.

I like this back and forth between time periods. Each change in time or character is noted with the character's name heading the switch. The story is told through Tenley and Jonas's viewpoint in the present day and the past through Birdie and Elijah's viewpoint.

I have to admit I really like Birdie and Elijah's story the best but it is interesting to see how it all works together for a well developed and entertaining story. Tenley's appearance in her "adopted" writing apparel must have been something to see (I'll say no more if you want to know what I'm referring to you need to read the book), especially the bike scene.


About the Book:
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Dress comes a new captivating novel of secrets, romance, and two women bound together across time by a shared dream.

Tenley Roth’s first book was a runaway bestseller. Now that her second book is due, she’s locked in fear. Can she repeat her earlier success or is she a fraud who has run out of inspiration?

With pressure mounting from her publisher, Tenley is weighted with writer’s block. But when her estranged mother calls asking Tenley to help her through chemotherapy, she packs up for Florida where she meets handsome furniture designer Jonas Sullivan and discovers the story her heart’s been missing.

A century earlier, another woman wrote at the same desk with hopes and fears of her own. Born during the Gilded Age, Birdie Shehorn is the daughter of the old money Knickerbockers. Under the strict control of her mother, her every move is decided ahead of time, even whom she’ll marry. But Birdie has dreams she doesn’t know how to realize. She wants to tell stories, write novels, make an impact on the world. When she discovers her mother has taken extreme measures to manipulate her future, she must choose between submission and security or forging a brand new way all on her own.

Tenley and Birdie are from two very different worlds, but fate has bound them together in a way time cannot erase.

Portrait of Vengeance ~ Review

Portrait of Vengeance
A Gwen Marcey Novel #4
By Carrie Stuart Parks

When the Interagency Major Crimes Unit that Gwen Marcey is currently working with is assigned a case that is too eerily like her past Gwen takes the case. The similarities to what she has hidden for years along with the proximity to where it happened is too coincidental to ignore.

But confronting her past may be more than Gwen can take when the very people she trying to help take offense with her very presence and her ex-husband is demanding sole custody of their daughter. But when Gwen targeted she can't help wondering if the danger is from the past or the present.

But with a young girl missing and the clock working against her Gwen has her work cut out for her. She is determined to bring Beatrice home and find the person responsible for what she believes is a string of serial killings. But is her determination to finally face her past making her see a pattern where none exists?

First off this is most definitely a mystery so mystery fans take note of this one. Second, this is the fourth book in the series, which I will admit I did not know before getting this book in my hands. Yes, I could have done a bit of research and easily found out that this was part of a series. But had I done so I might not have picked this book to review. Having not previously read the previous books I was not at a disadvantage when I started reading this book. I was not familiar with some references to previous cases, situations, etc., but that had no bearing on my reading experience.

I will admit there were a few scenes that were a tad gruesome for my normal reading fare but not to the point of where I felt a need to be done with the book. And her ex-husband is quite the "charmer" from the few scenes that he puts in an appearance. And in case you're wondering it is really hard to figure out just who the bad guy is in this one.

After reading Portrait of Vengeance and the small excerpt of the first book I have to read the other books (Time to pull out the library card!) If you want some reading that will keep up at night don't pass on this book. And for those who might find this of note Gwen is a cancer survivor and there are (I think) some attempts at humor in regard to this that I'm afraid I did not find humorous. But that could be me.

I was provided a review copy of this book by BookLook Bloggers /Fiction Guild with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:

An unsolved case. 

A tempest of memories. 

The future’s at stake—and time is running out . . .

Gwen Marcey has done a good job keeping the pain of her past boxed up. But as she investigates the case of a missing child in Lapwai, Idaho, details keep surfacing that are eerily similar to her childhood traumas. She doesn’t believe in coincidences. So what’s going on here?

No one knows more about the impact of the past than the Nez Perce people of Lapwai. Gwen finds herself an unwelcome visitor to some, making her investigation even more difficult. The questions keep piling up, but answers are slow in coming—and the clock is ticking for a missing little girl. Meanwhile, Gwen’s ex-husband is threatening to take sole custody of their daughter.

As Gwen’s past and present collide, she’s in a desperate race for the truth. Because only truth will ensure she still has a future.

The Memory of You ~ Review

The Memory of You
By Catherine West

For 13 years Natalie Mitchell has been living with the memory of her sister's death and trying to be what Nicole would have been. But Natalie isn't Nicole, she knows she can never become close to being the outgoing people person her twin sister was. And worse Natalie knows that she is a disappointment to her parents. On the brink of another breakdown, Natalie agrees to go to California, to her grandfather's home in the heart of Sonoma's wine country.

Her father has demanded that Natalie start proceedings to shut down Maoilios, the winery that her grandparents started. But returning to Maoilios may be the escape Natalie needs to recover and face her past.

But Tanner Collins is determined to send Natalie back to New York as soon as possible. He knows she's there at her father's bidding to shut down Maoilios and destroy everything he has worked for. But Hal Mitchell has faith in his granddaughter and knows that if Natalie is given the chance that she'll fight for Maoilios and her family's legacy if only he can convince Tanner to trust Natalie.

Tanner has his own issues revolving around his family and his guilt and as a result, he is an all around grump who is anything but helpful to Natalie's already fragile mental state. But when Natalie finds herself in need of help Tanner is the only one to whom she can turn.

Can working together help Tanner and Natalie heal from the wounds of the past that have left a mark on their hearts?  

The Memory of You is a moving and touching story that explores the value of family and the power of secrets and guilt upon the heart and mind. I really liked Natalie from the first chapter. Tanner really needed a good shake with his major attitude - it might have knocked the chip he was carrying around on his shoulder off. It was interesting to see how each character reacted differently to a situation and how it shaped them and their future responses.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the Fiction Guild with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
 

About the Book:
Thirteen years ago, Natalie lost a part of herself when her twin sister died. Will traveling back to the family winery finally put the memory to rest, or will it completely destroy her?

When Natalie Mitchell learns her beloved grandfather has had a heart attack, she’s forced to return to their family-owned winery in Sonoma, something she never intended to do. She’s avoided her grandparents’ sprawling home and all its memories since the summer her sister died—the awful summer Natalie’s nightmares began. But the winery is failing, and Natalie’s father wants her to shut it down. As the majority shareholder, she has the power to do so.

And Natalie never says no to her father.

Tanner Collins, the vintner on Maoilios, is trying to salvage a bad season and put the Mitchell family’s winery back in business. When Natalie shows up, Tanner sees his future about to be crushed. He knows Natalie intends to close the gates, and he's determined to convince her otherwise. But the Natalie he remembers from childhood is long gone, and he’s not so sure he likes the woman she’s become. Still, the haunted look she wears hints at secrets he wants to unearth. He soon discovers that on the night her sister died, the real Natalie died too. And Tanner must do whatever it takes to resurrect her.

But finding freedom from the past means facing it. For both of them.

Beneath Copper Falls ~ Review

Beneath Copper Falls
A Rock Harbor Novel #6
By Colleen Coble

Dana Newell is returning to Rock Harbor, leaving behind an abusive and domineering fiance behind (at least that's the plan). Thankfully her brother Chris has offered to let her share his new home and she has a job waiting for her as a 911 dispatcher.

But the peace that Dana was seeking in Rock Harbor is all too soon shattered when a friend from her past makes a desperate plea for help to 911. Has Dana brought the danger with her or is there something more sinister at work in this town that she has called home since her parents' deaths?

Beneath Copper Falls is an intense page turning book that will keep the reader guessing as to the identity of who the perpetrator truly is. Colleen Coble truly keeps the reader guessing as to who did what to whom. This book might literally keep the reader up well past the last page if read before bed. Can I just say creepy....WOW! Now I need to go back and read the previous Rock Harbor books.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book through the Fiction Guild with no expectations of a review positive or otherwise. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:

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.

The Sweet Smell of Magnolias and Memories ~ Review

The Sweet Smell of
Magnolias and Memories
By Celeste Fletcher McHale

This is an interesting book, one that I both liked and disliked at parts. Don't get me wrong the story is well-written and the characters are well developed. It is just that at times certain characters made me want to roll my eyes and sigh with some of their antics.

A year ago Jacey and Colin met during a storm that could have cost them and the family they were sheltering with their lives. Somehow after 3 days, they are rescued and the pair has discovered that the other is the love of their life. But tragedy strikes and Colin and Jacey are separated and Jacey loses a portion of her memory due to another tragic accident.

For a year this tragedy has been lurking at the corners of Jacey's memory when she unexpectedly sees Colin again. Suddenly Jacey's memories start coming back with greater frequency and she becomes a woman on a mission. Jacey needs to find the family that she and Collin took refuge with.

With the help of her best friend Georgia, Jacey may finally find what she's been looking for. Or Georgia could help her lose it yet again.

I can't say any of these characters would be people I personally identified with as their lives were so different from mine. But it was an interesting look at how different people respond and react to disappointments and tragedy. Does it break you or give you a foundation on which to build something new?

This book is contemporary and set in the South (think Mississippi and Lousiana). Family and friends play a big role in how each character looks at life. I think of the main characters Georgia is my favorite - she's a unique personality that seems to just fill a room and she is battling her own demons that affect her outlook and actions.

I received a copy of this book for free. I was not required to post a positive review and the views and opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Jacey and Colin shared the three most intense days of their lives together, waiting for help as Mississippi floodwaters surrounded them. Jacey knew Colin was the love of her life—until her rescue boat went under water, along with Colin’s last name and pieces of Jacey’s memory.

The Illusionist's Apprentice ~ Review

The Illusionist's Apprentice
By Kristy Cambron

Wren Lockhart is hiding a secret, and not just the secrets as to her illusions and how she performs them. Rather her secret is one that goes back to the moment her childhood ended 20 years prior and she'll do anything to protect what is hers...

But when a publicly touted illusion goes very wrong Wren becomes a person of interest to the FBI just because she witnessed the illusion from the outer fringes. But working with the FBI could hurt her reputation as an illusionist and bring the scorn of those within the profession upon her. But lives and reputations are at stake including Wren's and the FBI agents who are seeking the truth.

The Illusionist's Apprentice takes the reader back in time. The main focus of the book is set in 1927 with backstory reveals throughout that that take the reader to 1907, 1910 and 1916 as key moments from Wren's past are revealed. This is an intricate and complex illusion that will take all of Wren's efforts to discover who is behind this illusion. But she can't do it alone and must rely on the unwanted and, yet, appreciated help of the FBI - specifically Agent Elliot Matthews and his partner Agent Connor Finegan.  

Take a step back in time to the 1920's when life was not so technically tethered and enjoy a mystery that is wrapped in the deceptive and alluring power of illusion. The book is as entertaining as the cover hints at it being. Historical fiction, romance, and mystery this book will captivate you from the opening page. 

I was provided a review copy of this book by the Fiction Guild with no expectations of a positive review.  All opinions expressed are my own. 

About the Book:

Not all illusions happen on the stage...

Harry Houdini’s one-time apprentice holds fantastic secrets about the greatest illusionist in the world. But someone wants to claim them . . . or silence her before she can reveal them on her own.

Boston, 1926. Jenny “Wren” Lockhart is a bold eccentric—even for a female vaudevillian. As notorious for her inherited wealth and gentleman’s dress as she is for her unsavory upbringing in the back halls of a vaudeville theater, Wren lives in a world that challenges all manner of conventions.

In the months following Houdini’s death, Wren is drawn into a web of mystery surrounding a spiritualist by the name of Horace Stapleton, a man defamed by Houdini’s ardent debunking of fraudulent mystics in the years leading up to his death. But in a public illusion that goes terribly wrong, one man is dead and another stands charged with his murder. Though he’s known as one of her teacher’s greatest critics, Wren must decide to become the one thing she never wanted to be: Stapleton’s defender.

Forced to team up with the newly formed FBI, Wren races against time and an unknown enemy, all to prove the innocence of a hated man. In a world of illusion, of the vaudeville halls that showcase the flamboyant and the strange, Wren’s carefully constructed world threatens to collapse around her. Layered with mystery, illusion, and the artistry of the Jazz Age’s bygone vaudeville era, The Illusionist’s Apprentice is a journey through love and loss and the underpinnings of faith on each life’s stage.

An Uncommon Protector ~ Review

An Uncommon Protector
A Lone Star Hero's Love Story #2
By Shelley Shepard Gray

Laurel Tracey has inherited her family's ranch and she is carrying the burden alone. But several 100 acres would be daunting to manage even if she were a man with no other problems. But she's dealing with squatters, 2 useless, opinionated step-siblings, unwanted marriage proposals, purchase offers, and normal day-to-day upkeep. All Laurel wants to do is run her family's ranch, carrying on the dream she shared with her late parents and brother.

When the opportunity to acquire the services of a convict for one year presents itself Laurel is desperate enough to do so. But is this truly the wisest choice - after all the man was in jail? This decision is about to make her the fodder of the newest Sweetwater gossip, but Laurel needs the help if she hopes to keep her ranch and make it in any way profitable.

But just who is Sergeant Thomas Baker?

Thomas has once again made a decision that has cost him. He never claimed to be a good man, just a man who tried to do the right thing when it mattered. And gambling wasn't one of his finest moments and the debts he accrued landed him in jail. When presented with an opportunity to work off the rest of his sentence by working for one year, Thomas accepts. But the job that he agreed to is about to because much harder when someone starts targeting Laurel's cattle. Can Thomas keep the woman needs him safe? Or will they both become the next targets of whoever wants Laurel gone?

If it becomes more than he can handle on his own will Thomas reach out to the men who were there for him during his imprisonment on Johnson's Island? And if he does will they keep the promise they made to one another? And will they get to Thomas's side in time to save Laurel and her ranch?

This book flashes back to 1865 and Thomas's time on Johnson's Island in Ohio as a Confederate prisoner of war. The present story is set in 1867 Texas and surprising covers just a few days time. (I personally thought the romance moved a little too quick.) There is a whole lot of story packed in between these covers. Fans of post-Civil War historical romance fiction will enjoy this book.

This is the second book in A Lone Star Hero's Love Story series and I have not read the first book. But that didn't keep me from easily following this book from the opening page. I'm interested in reading about the others that Thomas served with.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through the Fiction Guild with no expectation of a positive review. All expressed opinions are my own.

About the Book:

Overwhelmed by the responsibilities of running a ranch 

on her own, Laurel Tracey decides to hire a convict—

a man who’s just scary enough to take care of squatters 

and just desperate enough to agree to a one year post.

The years following the war have been hard on Laurel Tracey. Both her brother and her father died in battle, and her mother passed away shortly after receiving word of their demise. Laurel has been trying to run her two hundred acre ranch as best she can.

When she discovers that squatters have settled in her north pasture and have no intention of leaving, Laurel decides to use the last of her money to free a prisoner from the local jail. If she agrees to offer him room and board for one year, he will have to work for her to pay off his debt.

Former soldier Thomas Baker knows he’s in trouble when he finds himself jailed because he couldn’t pay a few fines. Laurel’s offer might be his only ticket out. Though she’s everything he ever dreamed of in a woman—sweet and tender-hearted, yet strong—he’s determined to remain detached, work hard on her behalf, and count the days until he’s free again.

But when cattle start dying and Laurel’s life is threatened, Thomas realizes more than just his freedom is on the line. Laurel needs someone to believe in her and protect her property. And it isn’t long before Laurel realizes that Thomas Baker is far more than just a former soldier. He’s a trustworthy hero, and he needs more than just his freedom—he needs her love and care too.

The Dog Who Was There ~ Review

The Dog Who Was There
By Ron Marasco

This is an Easter book unlike any I have ever read. This is an emotionally moving book that follows the journey of a small dog by the name of Barley. Barley's life takes several dramatic turns throughout the story. There are flashes showing Barley's early life and how he came to be where he calls home when the book opens. The book is set in Israel on the outskirts of Jerusalem during the final days of Jesus life.

The book is told entirely through Barley's perspective. And due to an unforeseen happening Barley finds himself in Jerusalem at the same time as the Teacher that everyone is speaking of. Barley observes the brutality of a land under Roman rule as well as unexpected pockets of kindness. And he observes the transforming power of the Teacher, the triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, and the cruelty of the Crucifixion.

The loyalty, the love Barley displays is touching even to the point of moving the reader to a tear or two. These two emotions are the catalysts that propel the story to its conclusion - a conclusion that will leave the reader satisfied and rejoicing in the transforming power of Messiah's message. This cover perfectly depicts this book.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through the Fiction Guild with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.



About the Book:
No one expected Barley to have an encounter with the Messiah. He was homeless, hungry, and struggling to survive in first century Jerusalem. Most surprisingly, he was a dog. But through Barley’s eyes, the story of a teacher from Galilee comes alive in a way we’ve never experienced before.

Barley’s story begins in the home of a compassionate woodcarver and his wife who find Barley as an abandoned, nearly-drowned pup. Tales of a special teacher from Galilee are reaching their tiny village, but when life suddenly changes again for Barley, he carries the lessons of forgiveness and love out of the woodcarver’s home and through the dangerous roads of Roman occupied Judea.

On the outskirts of Jerusalem, Barley meets a homeless man and petty criminal named Samid. Together, Barley and his unlikely new master experience fresh struggles and new revelations. Soon Barley is swept up into the current of history, culminating in an unforgettable encounter with the truest master of all as he bears witness to the greatest story ever told.

A Harvest of Thorns ~ Review

A Harvest of Thorns
By Corban Addison

A tragic loss of life half-way around the world is about to alter their lives in ways they never imagined. But when a chance photo in the aftermath of a factory fire in Bangladesh implicates American Presto Omnishops Corporation corporate heads will role unless the damage can be contained and quickly.

Tasked with determining Presto's ties and potential liabilities to the foreign factory is Cameron Alexander. His search for the truth will lead him into the heart of the beast - third world subcontracted manufacturing. But can he cut through the layered web of lies and the fearful silences that control all? What Cameron discovers is worse than he could have ever imagined.

Change must come but timing is everything when it comes to the corporate world. With stockholders and consumers to keep happy the time for change may never come for Presto - until Joshua Griswold comes across information that leads him to Presto's dirty not so little secret. But can he wield his knowledge as a sword to protect the downtrodden worker?

Like his previous book Tears of Dark Water Corban Addison creates a story that forces the reader to confront hidden, ugly secrets that will break the heart of most. And the sad part is - this is not a product of his imagination but rather the by-product of an industry that has made the dollar its GOD. Standards, codes of conduct, safety measures are meant to be ignored if the bottom line is on the line and when multinational factors are involved these are easily overlooked. And yet if one truly cares this would be the most grievous sin imaginable.

This book is disturbing and haunting and one that will stay with you long after you put it down, I think the following quote from the book sums it up quite perfectly "Unfortunately, this is often the way the world works. This kind of truth is ugly and painful and inconvenient. It doesn't help people pay their bills, or care for their kids, or get a better job, or go on a nice vacation. But the truth is essential....  Across history, the powerful have enriched themselves by exploiting the poor. The only power greater than theirs is the law." (page 228).

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Thomas Nelson with no expectation of a review positive or otherwise. All opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:

A beloved American corporation with an explosive secret.

A disgraced former journalist looking for redemption.

A corporate executive with nothing left to lose.

In Dhaka, Bangladesh, a garment factory burns to the ground, claiming the lives of hundreds of workers, mostly young women. Amid the rubble, a bystander captures a heart-stopping photograph—a teenage girl lying in the dirt, her body broken by a multi-story fall, and over her mouth a mask of fabric bearing the label of one of America’s largest retailers, Presto Omnishops Corporation.

Eight thousand miles away at Presto’s headquarters in Virginia, Cameron Alexander, the company’s long-time general counsel, watches the media coverage in horror, wondering if the damage can be contained. When the photo goes viral, fanning the flames of a decades old controversy about sweatshops, labor rights, and the ethics of globalization, he launches an investigation into the disaster that will reach further than he could ever imagine—and threaten everything he has left in the world.

A year later in Washington DC, Joshua Griswold, a disgraced former journalist from the Washington Post, receives an anonymous summons from a corporate whistleblower who offers him confidential information about Presto and the fire. For Griswold, the challenge of exposing Presto’s culpability is irresistible, as is the chance, however slight, at redemption. Deploying his old journalistic skills, he builds a historic case against Presto, setting the stage for a war in the courtroom and in the media that Griswold is determined to win—both to salvage his reputation and to provoke a revolution in Presto’s boardroom that could transform the fashion industry across the globe.

“This exposé of the underbelly of the international fashion industry is disturbing, moving, and thoroughly engrossing.” —PHILLIP MARGOLIN, New York Times bestselling author of Violent Crimes.

Of Stillness and Storm ~ Review

Of Stillness and Storm
By Michèle Phoenix 

Lauren's one goal in life was to be a mother, but somehow her goal - her calling got lost to her husband Sam's calling. While studying overseas Sam and Lauren were drawn to one another and after returning to their respective homes in the United States decided that they were to be together.

But when Sam's calling takes them and their son Ryan to the remote regions of Nepal - Lauren and Ryan are left for weeks at a time while Sam works in the Himalayas visiting remote isolated villages. Lauren and Ryan feel this neglect and after a couple of years the stress starts cutting the ties that have bound them together as a family.

When a dear friend encourages Lauren to reconnect with the world outside Nepal - Lauren reluctantly does. This opens the door for Lauren to connect with a childhood friend - Aidan.  But some doors should never be opened and Lauren is about to discover every choice has a cost - she just never realized just how high a price she and Ryan would have to pay.

Of Stillness and Storm is not a book I would have ever picked up to read myself , but I was surprisingly drawn into to the story of Lauren's life once I started reading. There is a back and forth between the present and pivotal moments in the past that have gotten Lauren, Ryan, and Sam to the point that they are now at. The cover is apt a stormy background and a cord that is no longer whole - the cover is Lauren and Ryan's life as they are lost to the drive of Sam's calling.  This book is a tragic story in that Sam is so caught up in his vision, in his goal that he can't and won't see the life that he is helping to crush. And unfortunately this is an occurrence one can see if one looks in the right direction. This is a moving story that is worth reading. 

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through the Fiction Guild with no expectation of a review positive or otherwise. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:

“I felt torn between two worlds. 

Each with its own mystery. 

One more captivating than the other, 

but the other more real and breathing.”

It took Lauren and her husband ten years to achieve their dream—reaching primitive tribes in remote regions of Nepal. But while Sam treks into the Himalayas for weeks at a time, finding passion and purpose in his work among the needy, Lauren and Ryan stay behind, their daily reality more taxing than inspiring. For them, what started as a calling begins to feel like the family’s undoing.

At the peak of her isolation and disillusion, a friend from Lauren’s past enters her life again. But as her communication with Aidan intensifies, so does the tension of coping with the present while reengaging with the past. It’s thirteen-year-old Ryan who most keenly bears the brunt of her distraction.

Intimate and bold, Of Stillness and Storm weaves profound dilemmas into a tale of troubled love and honorable intentions gone awry.

A Portrait of Emily Price ~ Review

A Portrait of Emily Price
By Katherine Reay

Emily Price has been sent to Atlanta for an emergency restoration - a house and a family have been affected by a fire that resulted in water and smoke damage.  But while she's in Atlanta Emily learns her own life is in need of restoration, but when she meets Benito (Ben) Vassallo her life takes a totally unexpected turn.

Within two weeks of their first meeting Emily and Ben have married and are on their way to his family's home in Italy. But life isn't how Emily envisioned it ~ happily ever after isn't the immediate result of saying I do.

Fixing things gives Emily a feeling of satisfaction but in Italy she has come across something she can't fix - herself.  But when the Vassallo family confronts a long hidden secret that finds Emily center stage she determines that before she can go further she must first find herself.  But will finding herself force her to leave what she has come to hold dear behind or will she embrace it more fully?

A Portrait of Emily Price is another delightful exploration of life and personal discovery from Katherine Reay. Everything is seen through Emily's eyes and her transformation as a person is seen through her artistic endeavors. But as Emily (along with the reader) discovers life can't restored to the original, the pains and joys make us who we are and as one character says they must be endured.

THe one thing I like with Katherine Reay's books is that they all are standalone books so when one reads one the story is complete. Though I have to be honest I would love to have the stories continue on just to see what happens next. The setting is contemporary though there are references to classical literature and art that help Emily discover herself. This is a book that ends on an up-note so that the reader is left satisfied and looking forward to the sunset (reference to several scenes in the book).  

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through the Fiction Guild, no expectation of a review positive or otherwise was expected.  All opinions expressed are my own.



About the Book:
Art restorer Emily Price has never encountered anything she can’t fix—until she meets Ben, an Italian chef, who seems just right. When Emily follows Ben home to Italy, she learns that his family, however, is another matter . . .

Emily Price—fix-it girl extraordinaire and would-be artist—finds herself in Atlanta, repairing objects damaged in a house fire. As she works to restore the home and dreams of one family, she strives to keep the pieces of her own life in perfect order and secure her own happy ending—a gallery show of her own. There is no time for distractions, especially not the ultimate distraction of falling in love.

But Chef Benito Vassallo’s relentless pursuit proves hard to resist. Visiting from Italy, Ben works to reconnect with his brother and breathe new life into his aunt and uncle’s faded restaurant, Piccolo. And soon after their first meeting, he works to win Emily as well—inviting her into his world and into his heart.

Emily astonishes everyone when she accepts Ben’s proposal and follows him home. Upon landing in Rome, she is enchanted with Italy. But instead of allowing the land, culture and people to transform her, Emily imposes her will upon everyone and everything around her, alienating Ben’s tightly knit family. Only Ben’s father, Lucio, gives Emily the understanding she needs to lay down her guard. Soon, Emily’s life and art begin to blossom, and Italy’s beauty and rhythm take hold of her spirit.

Yet when she unearths long-buried family secrets, Emily wonders if she really fits into Ben’s world. Will the joys of Italy become just a memory, or will Emily share in the freedom and grace that her life with Ben has shown her are possible?

Twilight at Blueberry Barrens ~ Review

Twilight at Blueberry Barrens

A Sunset Cove Novel #3
By Colleen Coble

Kate Mason is struggling to make it to another blueberry season and renting out the cottage on her property seems like the perfect solution. And when Drake Newham and his two young nieces show up looking for a place to stay for the summer Kate feels her immediate concerns for her financial situation may be answered, especially as Drake is looking to hire a nanny for the summer.

But danger is lurking amid the lovely charms of Sunset Cove, Maine, and peace of mind and lives are at risk. Drake has left his life in Boston behind searching for answers about the deaths of his brother and sister-in-law. With evidence of a stalker roaming the island and reports that Kate's uncle has escaped prison intent on making Claire pay for her role in his arrest Folly Shoals doesn't feel quite as safe.

Will twilight fall on the blueberry barrens? Or will there be a promise of a new sunrise to look forward to? 

Twilight at Blueberry Barrens is an emotional journey as life is experienced in all its stages - beginnings and endings with unexpected detours and stops along the way. When faced with betrayal just how far will it push you before you succumb to its pressure?  The answer to this question may allow them to understand just what is going before it is too late...

Romance, mystery, and life all come together in Sunset at Blueberry Barrens in a book that will keep you turning the pages. This is the third book in the series and it is best if you read the previous books before reading this one just so you'll grasp the dynamics between the characters better. I have to admit Colleen Coble is able to bring to life characters one absolutely loves and some that can make one shudder. Get ready for some late night reading! Can you figure out who is behind it all or will you too be taken unaware as were the characters who grace the pages? 

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through the Fiction Guild with no expectation of a positive review.  All opinions expressed are my own. 

About the Book:

“I need you to keep these girls safe . . .”

Kate Mason has devoted herself to caring for her family’s blueberry barrens. But after her fields stop producing fruit, she’s forced to come up with alternative ways to make a living.

Renting out the small cottage on her property seems an obvious choice, but it won’t be enough. When entrepreneur Drake Newham shows up looking not only for a place to rent but also for a nanny for his two nieces, it’s almost too good to be true. And maybe it is—because Drake brings with him dangerous questions about who might be out to kill his family. The more time Kate spends with Drake and the girls, the more difficult it becomes to hide her attraction to him. But a family crisis isn’t exactly the ideal time to pursue a romance.

Meanwhile, Kate learns that her uncle—in prison for murder—has escaped. Add to that a local stalker who won’t leave her alone, and Kate is looking over her shoulder at every turn. With threats swirling from multiple directions, she wonders if her blueberry fields will ever flourish again . . . or if this twilight is her last.

Set on the beautiful coast of Maine, Twilight at Blueberry Barrens brings together suspense, romance, and the hope that one day new life will come again. 

If I Run ~ Review

If I Run
If I Run #1
By Terri Blackstone

If only she had kept quiet, Brent wouldn't be dead and she wouldn't be on the run.  But she has to run if she wants to live.  She knows the people who destroyed her life years ago are the ones responsible for this latest death in her life.  But she'll be blamed for Brent's death - she left evidence of her presence at the scene.

Dylan Roberts is about to get past the stigma of having PTSD attached to his name.  All he has to do is find Casey Cox - the woman responsible for his best friend's murder. Casey doesn't look like a killer, but she ran and she was at the scene of the murder.  The evidence is convincing all he needs to do is bring her in.

But Casey is methodical, thinking through her next move.  She needs to stay ahead of those her are after her and one step isn't far enough away if she wants to live.

This book is filled with with twists and turns that one didn't see coming.  If you like an ending with the promise of more intrigue and excitement yet come this book will definitely leave you wanting more.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and the Fiction Guild in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book:

Casey Cox has blood on the bottom of her shoes, in her car, on her clothes. 

But there's no point in trying to defend herself. 

She just has to run.

Casey didn't kill her friend Brent. She discovered his body, but she'd never try to hurt him. He's the only person she's ever trusted enough to tell the truth about what happened to her father . . . and there's no doubt in her mind that Brent was killed trying to help her prove it. She has to run before they get to her too.

Dylan Roberts was hired to find Casey and bring her back so that justice can be served. As a former Criminal Investigator for the Army, he can't imagine that tracking down one girl will be that difficult.

But the more elusive Casey turns out to be, the more Dylan digs into her past to try to determine what she might be thinking. What he finds there doesn't fit the profile of a killer at all. She's unlike any other fugitive he's ever seen.

The police refuse to discuss any other possibilities. There's something more going on here. Something more to this fugitive who has captured his attention. Now he just has to figure out what it is . . . and Casey just has to stay one step ahead of everyone who's after her.

Kissed by a Cowboy ~ Review

Kissed by a Cowboy
A Four of Hearts Ranch Romance #3
By Debra Clopton

Years ago Jarrod Monahan made the biggest mistake of his life and he drove Cassidy Starr into the arms of another man.  He's had years to regret his decision, but he's been given a second chance.

Unfortunately for Jarrod, Cassidy isn't willing to give him another chance to break her heart.  She's determined to make a new life for herself on the farm she's inherited from her Aunt Roxie.  And she's determined that romance has no place in her new life.

But Jarrod is nothing if not persistent as is evidenced by the current state of the Four of Hearts Ranch.  He put romance and a family of his own into the background as he focused on saving the ranch his father almost gambled away.  But Cassidy as a next door neighbor just might change Jarrod's priority list.

But Jarrod has another concern battling for priority in his life - cattle rustlers have moved in and they are costing the Four of Hearts thousands of dollars.  Can Jarrod determine who is threatening everything he's fought for and still get the girl of his dreams?  He is about to find out.

This is the third and final book in the Four of Hearts Ranch series that brings the Monahan brothers story to a conclusion that fans of the previous books should enjoy.

I was provided a copy of this book by the Fiction Guild in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book:

Cassidy was looking for a home and a place to belong . . . 

not for a cowboy to steal her heart. 

       Having lived through her parents' endless string of "matrimonial bliss gone wrong," Cassidy Starr knows when the odds are not in her favor. Divorced and humiliated, her faith on rocky ground, Cassidy is through with love. She's been bucked off that horse far too many times. Instead, she returns to Wishing Springs, Texas, and the rundown farm she's inherited from her great aunt Roxie. She'll reopen the strawberry farm and a bed & breakfast and follow in her aunt's footsteps, remaining forever-independent, happy . . . and single.
     Rancher Jarrod Monahan's hands are full running the ranch, looking after his ailing grandfather, and chasing down a group of rustlers on the loose. He's pushed his longing for a family to the bottom of his list of priorities. Besides, he was in love once but ran scared and lost his shot at happiness. But suddenly, the biggest regret of his life has moved in next door with a wounded heart, determined to become a spinster . . . and that's a challenge that Jarrod can't pass up.
      Jarrod sets his mind to breaking down the walls around Cassidy's stubborn heart. How can he show her that a cowboy's kiss lasts forever? For the good folks of Wishing Springs, falling in love has never been so much fun to witness.

An Unbroken Heart ~ Review

An Unbroken Heart
An Amish of Birch Creek novel #2
By Kathleen Fuller

Joanna Schrock's life is changed in an instant.  Her parents are gone.  She's scarred.  And it's her fault - she knows it.  If she hadn't been arguing with her parents about Andrew and her desire to marry their buggy might have somehow avoided the car that hit them.

She is empty inside.  She is plagued by by her guilt and her dreams.  Will she ever find the joy she used to have?  Or did it die when her body was broken?

When Andrew finally asks Joanna to be his wife, she agrees because she's always loved him.  But she secretly fears he is only asking her out of pity.  How can he love her when she is no longer the person she use to be?  She can't handle the tasks she use to perform and she has ruined her sister Abigail's life through her injuries.

Meanwhile Cameron Crawford is living with his own pain and his fear.  He did the unthinkable and now has to live with the guilt and the regrets.

Until these hurting people can finding healing they will never be whole.  But how do you heal when your heart has been broken?  Sometimes it means stepping away from your dreams, while other times it is embracing them only on God's time and not our own.

Is Joanna suppose to give up her dreams of Andrew?  She must figure this out and soon before she makes a mistake that she can't walk away from.

I was provided a copy of this book by the Fiction Guild in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

One minute, Joanna Schrock was arguing with her parents, and the next, her parents’ lives were claimed in a hit-and-run buggy accident. Her body is broken, but her heart is in even deeper pain—after all, how do you cope with your parents’ deaths when your last words were spoken in anger?

After an extended stint in a physical rehabilitation center, she re-enters her Amish life. But nothing is the same—not even her feelings for Andrew Beiler.

Joanna has loved Andrew since the age of twelve, and her feelings have not changed throughout the years. She is thrilled when Andrew wants to get married, but she wonders whether it’s love he’s feeling, or pity. As the couple’s wedding date approaches, Joanna isn’t overcome with the deep joy she was hoping to find; instead, she’s wracked with anxiety and guilt.

Joanna hears God whispering to her, Be strong and courageous, but she’s afraid that courage looks a lot like walking away from her dreams and into the plan of her Heavenly Father.

If Joanna takes the first step toward healing, will it cost her everything she’s ever wanted? Or could God be changing the desires of her heart?

Mermaid Moon ~ Review

Mermaid Moon
A Sunset Cove Novel #2
By Colleen Coble

Fifteen years ago she was hit by a double tragedy, she ran away from the man she loved and the pain. She never returned home - until today.  A phone call from her father has brought her home.  His last words leave her wondering what he meant. Was it a clue as to his suspicious death? A last memory that came to him as he said goodbye?

Mallory Davis has some decisions to make.  Return home to Bangor or remain in Folly Shoals. With a 14 year old daughter in the mix it won't be an easy decision to make.

But when threats against both Mallory and her daughter start occurring at both homes it is obvious that her father's death is more than it appears. But is the threat one of her father's making or is it something more?  It is time to start digging into the past and to do it she needs help.  Unfortunately her best source of help is the man she left behind - Kevin O'Connor.  Can Kevin find it in himself to forgive Mallory and help her or will his pain keep him for accepting a second chance with his first love?

Someone is determined to keep the past buried.  The only question is will Mallory be buried with it?

I was provided a copy of this book by the Fiction Guild in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book:

Mallory’s mother died fifteen years ago. 

But her father’s last words on the phone were unmistakable: 

“Find . . . mother.”

Shame and confusion have kept Mallory Davis from her home for the last fifteen years, but when her dad mysteriously dies on his mail boat route, she doesn’t have any choice but to go back to Mermaid Point.

 Mallory believes her father was murdered and childhood sweetheart Kevin O’Connor, game warden in Downeast Maine, confirms her suspicions. But Kevin is wary of helping Mallory in her search. She broke his heart and left—without a word—years ago.

When Mallory begins receiving threats on her own life—and her beloved teenage daughter, Haylie—their search intensifies. There’s a tangled web within the supposed murder, and it involves much more than what meets the eye.

As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about more than finding her father’s killer—it is also about finding herself again . . . and possibly about healing what was broken so long ago with Kevin. She just has to stay alive long enough to put all the pieces together.