Monday, June 4, 2018

Book Review of Death at Thorburn Hall

Death at Thorburn Hall by Julianna Deering is the 6th book in her Drew Farthering Mystery series.  Drew Farthering arrives in idyllic Scotland for the 1935 British Open at Muirfield hoping for a relaxing holiday, but he soon finds a mystery on his hands. Lord Rainsby, his host at Thorburn Hall, fears his business partner may be embezzling and asks Drew to quietly investigate. Before Drew can uncover anything, Rainsby is killed in a suspicious riding accident.
Thorburn Hall is filled with guests, and as Drew continues to dig, he realizes that each might have had a motive to put Raisnby out of the way. Together with Madeline and Nick, he must sort through shady business dealings, international intrigue, and family tensions to find a killer who always seems to be one step ahead.

I love a good mystery and I thoroughly enjoy the Drew Farthering series. Just like all the others in the series, this has twists and turns to keep the reader turning the page.  There is a bit of romance in the book as well as Nick and Carrie continue to grow their relationship.  I loved the book and highly recommend it!

*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of Hearts Entwined: A Historical Romance Novella Collection

Hearts Entwined: A Historical Romance Novella Collection is the collection of four novellas by Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings and Melissa Jagears.  The Love Knot by Karen Witemeyer is the story of an unexpected package that Claire Nevin receives from her younger sibling.  The unexpected 'gift' and the man who delivers it threaten to upend Claire's life forever.  The Tangled Ties The Bind by Mary Connealy is the story of Connor Kincaid's homecoming. He discovers the woman he is determined to marry is training to be a doctor in a distant town, but he is about to settle on the ranch.  Bound and Determined by Regina Jennings is the story of Private Bradley Willis and Ambrosia Herald.  As a punishment for his recklessness, Private Willis is sent on an errand to help a retired cavalry officer move a herd across Indian Territory.  The private doesn't know that the herd is a herd of camels or that the officer's daughter, Ambrosia, would be trying to undermine the whole enterprise.  Tied and True by Melissa Jagears is the story of how wealthy Marianne Lister proves to the man she loves business assistant Calvin Hochstetler that she is prepared for a life of hard work alongside him. 

I was excited to read this book because it had novellas by some of my favorite authors.  I had previously read books by Mary Connealy and Melissa Jagears.  I enjoyed all of the novellas in this collection and look forward to reading more from Karen Witemeyer and Regina Jennings.  If you enjoy historical romance with some humor mixed in, I would recommend picking up this book!

*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of The House on Foster Hill

The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright is the story of two women- Kaine and Ivy -who lived a century apart.  Two years after her husband's suspicious death and in need of a fresh start, Kaine Prescott purchases an old house sight unseen in her grandfather's Wisconsin hometown.  Once she sees the abandoned house, she questions her decision.  After Kaine begins to work on repairs for the house so she can move in, the house's dark history comes back with a vengeance.  A century earlier, the same house holds painful memories for Ivy Thorpe.  The death of an unidentified woman on the property causes Ivy to search for woman's identity.  Her search leads her into danger, painful memories and a reunion with the man who broke her heart. 

This book was hard to put down.  Suspense and romance intertwined perfectly.  The dual timeline in books can usually be confusing to me, but I think having the story from the past helped complement the story in the present.  If you like this type of genre, I highly recommend this book!

*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Sunday, March 4, 2018

Book Review of May the Faith Be With You Holy Bible

When I saw the chance to review this Bible, I thought that this would be perfect for my Star Wars loving nephews.  It is actually more of a space theme which is still good for boys.

The 24 full color pages are actually sections called Ways of Wisdom, Master Moment and Use the Force with a space themed background.  The cover is a nice eye catching design.  I'd recommend it if you are looking for a Bible for a boy that would more likely pick up a Bible if it had a design like this. 

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher.* 

Book Review of Brave Beauty

Brave Beauty: Finding the Fearless You by Lynn Cowell is a devotional for girls ages 8-12.  I was so excited for the opportunity to review this book because my daughter is 9 years old, and I am always looking for tools to teach her about God's love for her. 

This book is excellent.  It is divided into three sections: Section 1- I am Loved, Section 2-I am Brave and Section 3: I am Confident.  Each section has several subsections and chapters to show girls how they are loved, brave and confident.  The chapters have a Becoming Brave (a challenge) section and a Courageous Call (prayer) section. 

If you are looking for a good devotional that is easy for your girl to relate to and understand, I would definitely pick this up!

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher.*

Book Review of Adored: 365 Devotions for Young Women

Adored: 365 Devotions for Young Women tackles tough topics girls face, from bullying and social media to friendships and dating, all the while showing readers how infinitely precious they are in God’s sight.  Each page has a verse, a devotion and a spot of journaling.  

I read a few of the devotions with my 9 year old daughter and found that she isn't quite old enough for the devotions to speak to her and for her to understand them.  I will save this book for her to read when she is a teenager because it is a really good book for teen girls.  

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher.*

Book Review of Blind Spot

Blind Spot is the 3rd book in Dani Pettrey's Chesapeake Valor series.  

The back of the book says: FBI agent Declan Grey is in the chase of his life--but isn't sure exactly what he's chasing after. Threatened by a terrorist that "the wrath is coming," Grey fears something horrible is about to be unleashed on American soil. When his investigation leads him to a closed immigrant community, he turns to Tanner Shaw to help him. She's sought justice for refugees and the hurting around the world, and if there's anyone who can help him, it's Tanner. 

Tanner Shaw has joined the FBI as a crisis counselor . . . meaning she now has more opportunity to butt heads with Declan. But that tension also includes a spark she can't deny, and she's pretty sure Declan feels the same. But before anything can develop between them, they discover evidence of a terror cell--and soon are in a race against the clock to stop the coming "wrath" that could cost thousands their lives.

Dani Pettrey is one of my favorite authors.  I have read the previous two books in this series, and this book was just as great.  While Declan and Tanner are working together, they grow closer.  In this book, there are also some answers to what happened to Luke!  I loved it and highly recommend this and any book by Dani Pettrey!

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher.*

Book Review of All Saints

All Saints by Michael Spurlock and Jeanette Windle is the true story of how refugees from Burma brought life to a dying church. 

The back of the book says: Newly ordained, Michael Spurlock's first assignment is to pastor All Saints, a struggling church with twenty-five devoted members and a mortgage well beyond its means. The best option may be to close the church rather than watch it wither any further. But when All Saints hesitantly risks welcoming a community of Karen refugees from Burma--former farmers scrambling for a fresh start in America--Michael feels they may be called to an improbable new mission.

Michael must choose between closing the church and selling the property--or listening to a still, small voice challenging the people of All Saints to risk it all and provide much-needed hope to their new community. Together, they risk everything to plant seeds for a future that might just save them all.

Discover the true story that inspired the film while also diving deeper into the background of the Karen people, the church, and how a community of believers rally to reach out to those in need, yet receive far more than they dared imagine.

This is an amazing, inspirational story.  If you are looking for a real feel good story (and one that is true!), this is a great book to read.  

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher.*

Book Review of The Legacy by Michael Phillips

The Legacy is the 3rd and final book in Michael Phillips' Secrets of the Shetlands series.  The back of the book says: 
The Dramatic Conclusion to Michael Phillips's Shetland Islands Saga

Loni Ford's unexpected inheritance of substantial real estate--not to mention a title--in the Shetland Islands has caused more than a stir in the quiet fishing hamlet of Whales Reef. How is life ever to be the same with an outsider--and a woman, at that--playing such a pivotal role in the life of this conservative community? But it isn't just the locals who have deep misgivings about the current situation. Loni herself never imagined this in her wildest dreams. 


What Loni is more sure of, however, is that she is falling in love--with Whales Reef, with its hardy people, with its simple, peaceful way of life, and with local chieftain David Tulloch, whose inheritance she has usurped, at least in the eyes of some. 


But life in Whales Reef is not without drama. Deep rifts exist between certain lifelong residents, and when one local resident turns up dead, suspicion is cast in the direction of the island's most prominent family. How Loni and David deal with this challenge will go a long way in determining their future, and that of the quaint island community.

In my opinion, this book is actually several stories in one, and it could be confusing and hard to follow at times.  We see Loni and David's relationship grow as they get to know each other better.  We see more of the story of Loni’s great-grandparents, Brogan Tulloch and Emily Hanson.  There are some other story lines that are weaved into the book as well, but if you are planning to read it, I don't want to give it away.  It took me longer to get into the book with the switching back and forth of the story lines, but I did enjoy it once I got further into it.  If you have read the other books in the series or are a fan of Michael Phillips, I would definitely recommend it! 

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.*