Saturday, February 25, 2017

My Heart Belongs in the Superstition Mountains: Carmela's Quandary by Susan Page Davis

Carmela finds herself living a lie.  Being an orphan she is raised by her uncle.  Her life with her uncle brings him his income.  And she begins to have feelings of guilt and doesn't want her past to also be her future.

I found this to be a really sweet read and I am glad that I was able to read it.  I enjoyed the character of Carmela and she matures, learns about life and about herself and how to make choices and decisions.  I think if you like western historicals, that you will enjoy this book, the people in it, the good and the not-so-good ones.  It's a good Christian read and have enjoyed this and other books from this author.

I received an ebook copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review which I have given.  All thoughts are my own..


Monday, February 20, 2017

Baseball Faith by Rob Maaddi

This was a new type of book for me, but being that I am a baseball grandma, I thought I would give it a try!  And I enjoyed it!  This book features 52 MLB stars as they share their thoughts on their faith in God, and feelings as to how this helps them both in their personal lives and also in their baseball careers.  Each of the athletes has their own page with photos, and their personal testimony, if you will, on what they believe and the help they received from God.

They each have a scripture that is a reminder to them of God's love and care.  Also included are their stats and information about their baseball "history".

I enjoyed reading their thoughts and was happy to see that the stars that my 3 baseball playing grandsons emulate are good examples to them.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review.  All thoughts are my own.




Desert Moon by Susan Page Davis

This was a sweet romance with a little danger and mystery thrown in.  I loved it.  It starts out fast with a stage coach robbery and then accusations of the crime are made and with seemingly good evidence.

Julia, in an attempt to protect her brother from a lynch mob finds herself at odds with her former beau who is also the town's sheriff.

I really think you will enjoy this book, which also has a bonus story at the end called Honor Bound.

I am finding that I am really enjoying the western historical genre and hope to read many more by this author.

I received an ebook copy from NetGalley for my honest review which I have given.

Thursday, February 16, 2017

A Mother's Love by Charlotte Hubbard

Description:

For widow Rose Raber, it’s been a year of tragic loss and difficult decisions. She thought providing for her young daughter was the greatest challenge she faced. Until her dying mother revealed that Rose was adopted—and her birth mother is someone with much to lose if the secret comes out. As Rose struggles to reconcile the truth with her faith—and her troubling curiosity—outgoing newcomer Matthias Wagler is another surprise she didn't expect. His optimism and easy understanding inspires her. And his prospective partnership with wealthy deacon Saul Hartzler promises a possible new life for them—together. But with this second chance comes yet another revelation for all involved.

When Saul’s wife unexpectedly turns up at Rose’s new job, their bond as mother and daughter is instant and unmistakable. And it isn't long before an unforgiving Saul discovers the truth, threatening Matthias’s livelihood and Rose’s future. Now with more than just their happiness at stake, Rose and Matthias must find the strength and courage to stand strong—and trust God's enduring miracles of motherhood, forgiveness, and love.


My Thoughts:

This book was so good.  It starts out so interestingly and continues throughout the entire book.  There was not one slow spot at all.  It was so well written.  I was sad to see that it came to an end.  I wanted it to continue.  It was so engaging and so touching.  The story was about people that weren't perfect, didn't follow all the Amish rules exactly and had to work through this with love, patience, forgiveness and understanding.  Such a great Christian read!  I hope that I can read more from this author.  I can't say it's often that books bring tears to my eyes, but this one so touched me and I could relate to quite a bit of the events that happened and also the feelings that it brought out.  

Four wonderful mothers are featured in this book.  Their feelings were so well expressed by the author, that you knew exactly their thoughts and knew how they were struggling to find ways to work through everything.  I absolutely loved this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for my honest review.  All thoughts are my own.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

The Illusionist's Apprentice by Kristy Cambron


Book Blurb:

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.

My Thoughts:

This was a very well written book.  I really enjoyed reading it and loved the suspense.  A good mystery is certainly one of my favorite genres.  This author does a good job of bringing those moments out in this very interesting historical mystery.  I love how she wove the history into the story taking you back to the days of Vaudeville.  A very good read!  I highly recommend it!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review.  All thoughts are my own.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Raging Storm by Vannetta Chapman

This. Book.  Vannetta has done it again!  This is book 2 in the Remnant Series.  It is a MUST read.  If you haven't read book 1, please do.  Although it can be read as a stand-alone, you will want to know the characters as book 2 opens.

After a major solar flare, civilization as we know is in for a rocky ride!  As Shelby sets out with Max, Bianca and Patrick to find insulin for her son, although they expect trouble, they are in for some real big adventures, beyond what one would imagine.

Vannetta Chapman's research must have been so intense.  I felt as though I was there experiencing whatever Shelby and her group faced.   It was amazing and I couldn't put it down.  Reading in bed with a flashlight kind of book!

The writing was professional, engaging and so very intense.  Book 3 can't come soon enough for me!


I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my review.  All thoughts are my own.

The author Vannetta Chapman.

Grab your copy at this link.

Monday, February 6, 2017

The Bridge of the Golden Wood by Karl Beckstrand

This book by Karl Beckstrand is geared for children about age 5 and up.  It is designed to help children learn about the value of work in their lives and how by working, you will receive a treasure in return.  I felt this was an especially good concept for children to learn.  There are some additional online resources and ideas for work that might help bring them a bit of treasure. 
I think children with like this parable of learning how to do service for others.

I enjoyed the writing and the colorful and attractive pictures in the book.  I think younger children will enjoy this book.

I received a free ebook from the author for my honest review.