7.17.2015

The Haunting of Springett Hall ~ Review

The Haunting of Springett Hall
A Novel
By E.B. Wheeler

She doesn't remember her past, only the blackness.  He knows only as far back as two days ago.  Something or someone has drawn them to Springett Hall. If only they could remember...

The Haunting of Springett Hall is a story of second chances. A second chance at life.  A second chance at love.

Lucy Tregarrick's dissatisfaction with the life she had has lead her to the situation in which she now finds herself.  She has failed at something, if only she could remember what she was attempting before she lost her life.  Philip Ketley is the only resident of Springett Hall who can see Lucy.  Is he the key to helping Lucy overcome her failures?

And what is it about Springett Hall that is so disturbing to all who are in residence at this estate?  What evil lurks between the walls and how is this all connected to Lucy?

This is a story of love and loss.  A story of redemption.  A story that will leave you wondering what will happen next.  If you like spooky you need to pick-up The Haunting of Springett Hall and get lost between the pages.  Perfect reading right before bed, especially after taking a peek at the moon...

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

About the book:
Eighteen-year-old Lucy doesn’t know how she became a ghost, but the more she remembers of her life in Victorian England, the more she wants to forget. Her only hope of changing the mistakes of her past is to enlist the help of a servant named Philip—the one living person who can see her. This impossible romance story is filled with delightful period detail and plenty of mystery.
About the author:
E.B. Wheeler grew up in Georgia and California, where she became fascinated by stories of the places around her. She studied English and history at Brigham Young University and earned an MA and MLA from Utah State University. After several years teaching and writing about history, she decided to pursue her other dream of writing fiction. “The Haunting of Springett Hall” is her first novel. She currently lives in northern Utah with her husband, daughters, various pets, and a garden full of antique roses.

Day of Atonement ~ Review

Day of Atonement
A Novel of the Maccabean Revolt
By David A. deSilva

I have to admit the Maccabean Revolt has always fascinated me. This is the empty space between the Old and New Testaments and to a young child somewhat confusing.  Why is there a gap in the story?  Raised within the Protestant church this wasn't touched on. And High School Ancient World History just briefly flew by it.

My father had a New Jerusalem Bible that contained the Apocrypha which I read at 12 years of age. I have to admit it was somewhat confusing.  Thanks to Day of Atonement I now have an understanding of this era that has been forgotten by most of the non-Jewish world.

Jerusalem is in a period of upheaval as those who live within this City of God fight for political and spiritual dominance.  Some still hold the Law of Moses in high regard while those with wealth are determined to follow the path of the Greeks who have surrounded the lands bringing with them their wealth and culture.

I'm amazed at the similarities between this world and our own at this time.  Peace has been fleeting throughout our history and the time of the Maccabean revolt is no different as brother challenges brother. A city is torn apart as territories are fought for and land and people of the One God are again caught up in their unwillingness to hold firm to the promises and laws of God.

Day of Atonement is a lesson in both history and human nature.  We, as a world, are for the most part unwilling to follow God's teachings especially if it might prevent us from finding enjoyment in something He has forbidden us from taking part in.

If you are interested in well-written historical fiction or have a curiosity about the Maccabean revolt pick-up a copy of this book and peruse it's pages, you may find yourself surprised by what you find.

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

About the Book:
In the blank pages between Malachi and Matthew, the course of an entire nation was changed . . .

His brother, the high priest Honiah, enjoyed the authority of the high priesthood, and all important decisions needed his approval. But it was Jason who was shaping the future of Jerusalem and, with it, all Judea. He breathed in again, imagining that he could feel the wave of destiny impelling him forward toward his vision as he exhaled . . .

The Greeks have taken over the world, but Jerusalem is still the same backwater city Jason has always known. He wants to help his hometown rise to a new age of prosperity and influence. If that means stretching the terms of the city's divine covenant, so be it. But how far is he willing to go to achieve Greek greatness for this Jewish city? It will take the willingness of a handful of Jews to die rather than violate the covenant in order to turn the tide back to God.

Written by an internationally recognized expert in the period between the Testaments, Day of Atonement invites readers into Judea during the tumultuous years leading up to the Maccabean Revolt. It was this pivotal decade that reminded Jews of the centrality of the covenant to their national security and taught them that the covenant was worth dying for. The story is so foundational, it is still told every year at Hanukkah. The lessons learned during this turbulent time also shed light on just what was at stake in the ministry of Jesus, whose radical message seemed to threaten the covenant once again.

Day of Atonement joins the perennially successful novels Pontius Pilate and The Flames of Rome by renowned historian Paul Maier on Kregel's premier list of captivating and historically accurate biblical novels.



"David deSilva combines his superb historical knowledge with deep religious understanding and literary sensitivity to create a story that does more than reconstruct the circumstances leading to the Maccabean rebellion. Day of Atonement compellingly explores issues that continue from antiquity to the present: the relationship between faith and politics, the struggle between national identity and cultural assimilation, the zeal of the martyr, the power of faith."
—Amy-Jill Levine, professor of New Testament and Jewish studies, Vanderbilt University

"Moving from the Mediterranean coast to Jerusalem, I pass Modein in the low foothills. Here I contemplate, and mystically relive, some dramatic events in our history. I look back westward to the coastal plain and imagine the foreign armies being defeated by Judas Maccabeus. Looking ahead to the Judean hills rising to the east, I often ponder the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple and the inauguration of Hanukkah. All these events spring to light in deSilva’s magisterial novel, crafted after decades of walking these hills and reading the historical accounts. History without imagination is dull; with informed sensitivity ancient heroes take on flesh. Echoing now is Ari’s question: 'Where are heroes like that now?'"
—James H. Charlesworth, director and editor of the Princeton Dead Sea Scrolls Project

"When it comes to the history of Israel or early Christianity, historically sound novels are few and far between. Sometimes a good writer doesn't know his religious history well enough; sometimes a good historian is not a skilled enough writer to pull off page-turner that both educates and entertains. David deSilva's new novel reflects a high level of skill on both counts. Applying his considerable expertise in intertestamental literature, deSilva provides us with a winsome tale about how Hellenized Jews sought not merely to recover their land from foreign rulers but to 'plunder the Greeks' when it came to art, education, and language. Highly recommended."
—Dr. Ben Witherington III, Amos Professor of NT for Doctoral Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary.

7.13.2015

To the Sea ~ Review

To the Sea
By Callie Grant
Illustrated by Jeremy Tugeau

To the Sea is a fun board book that has a delightful rhythm and cadence.  This flow of words, like the sea, will capture the attention of young readers as they learn about the sea.

The joys of the sea are explored and discovered during a day spent at the beach  A sand castle, waves, seagulls, fish. What will you discover between the pages of To the Sea?

This is a fun book that can be shared with young readers who are either still into picture books or are starting to read on their own with an occasional word assist from mom, dad, grandma, or grandpa.

 I was provided a copy of this book by the author through TBCN/Bookfun in exchange for my honest review.

ABOUT THE BOOK: (24 pages)
  As children imagine the sights, sounds, feelings, and tastes evoked in To The Sea, they can take part   in one boy’s adventurous day there, with its surprises and rewards. In Graham Blanchard’s Learn,     Absorb & Praise™ Collection, To The Sea is a Praise book, which wonders at the amazing       
  miracles found in everyday life and praises the God who made them.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
   Callie Grant founded Graham Blanchard to create children's books for growing up in God, by    
   working with an extensive network of artists, parents, pastors, teachers, and children. The company    is the culmination of her experience in the publishing industry paired with a strong calling to help    
   families know God's love and nurture their faith through reading together. Her previous titles, under    the name Callie Gregory, include Jeeves, I'm Bored: 25 Internet Adventures for Kids, and Jeeves, I    Need Help: Tips and Tricks for Kids on the Net. For more information about Grant and Graham   
   Blanchard, visit grahamblanchard.com.

I Hope You Dance ~ Review

I Hope You Dance
A July Wedding Story: A Year of Weddings Novella
By Robin Lee Hatcher

Grant Nichols is determined to not fall in love and get marries anytime soon.  But he hasn't met Skye Foster yet and she just might be the woman to break through his defenses.  

Skye can't wait to find the man who is meant for her.  She has her life all envisioned and a houseful of kids is on her happily ever after must have.  Unfortunately she doesn't have any idea where to find her Mr. Right.  

When Skye agrees to help Grant master a couple of dances for his friend's upcoming wedding, she may have gotten more than her feet had bargained for (especially given Grant's ability for stepping on said feet).  Grant seems perfect other than his dancing abilities which Skye is determined to perfect.  But can any guy be truly perfect?

Can Skye and Grant overcome their biggest differences?  Or will their romance end on the dance floor? 

If you want a quick read that's short and sweet you will enjoy I Hope You Dance.  This would be a fun read to take on a week-end get-a-way if you don't want to do any serious reading.  I personally think the romance moves a little fast for my personal tastes, but this is a novella and there are constraints on fleshing out a story because this is, after all, a short story.

I was provided a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:
Meet the people who make it all happen—the planners, the photographers, the musicians who have helped orchestrate the perfect day for countless couples—as they find their own happy endings in the second Year of Weddings novella collection.

Can two left feet lead to one perfect romance?

Grant Nichols is a genius in the kitchen and a klutz on the dance floor. But his friend’s wedding is shaping up to be a shindig the likes of which Kings Meadow has never seen—including dancing. Lots of dancing. Then he learns that a local dance teacher, Skye Foster, is offering dance lessons for the wedding party. The first lesson is free, so what does he have to lose?

A former rodeo queen, Skye Foster teaches children ballet and tap during the day, but with the popularity of ballroom dancing and her own love of Country Swing, she’s been teaching adults in the evenings.

Grant comes from a family of ten siblings. He was the second oldest and believes he's had his fill of little rug rats. He’s happy with his bachelor state, despite the fact that he’s given up his ladies’ man lifestyle. Even he admits to his wilder nature and has been trying to clean up his act, with God's help.
Skye, on the other hand, loves being around kids. She would love to find the right guy and settle down to have half a dozen children of her own.

Grant and Skye are no match on paper. But when they step onto the dance floor, they create a melody all their own.

About the Author:
Robin Lee Hatcher is the bestselling author of 70 books. Her numerous awards include the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. Robin and her husband currently reside in Idaho. For more information, visit www.robinleehatcher.com.

7.12.2015

Gone Without a Trace ~ Review

Gone Without a Trace
Logan Point # 3
By Patricia Bradley

When Livy Reynolds returns to Lone Point during a leave of absence from the Memphis PD, she never thought she'd get involved in a case.  A case that has similarities to her cousin's disappearance more than 2 years ago.  Could this new missing person case have ties to Robyn's disappearance?

Alex Jennings has just gotten his first big case as a PI and he's determined to find Samantha Jo Woodson and bring her home.  But first he has to get himself established in Logan Point, Mississippi, and not let the locals suspect he's an investigator.

As Livy and Alex join forces to work on these two missing person cases they unearth something bigger than either of them suspected.  As they work through what little evidence they have, they find one common thread tying these cases together and Logan Point seems to be at the center of it all.

With time working against them Livy and Alex are determined to stop the perpetrator before he escalates his attacks.  But how do you stop someone who doesn't betray his instability?

This is a real page turner, I literally could not tell who was committing these abductions,  There were clues sprinkled throughout the story that could have pointed to several individuals, but nothing that made me go So-and-so did it.  I love when a story doesn't give away the ending in the first few chapters and Gone Without a Trace does an excellent job of hiding the guilty party as well as the abductees.  If you love suspense and romance you will love this book.  

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


The past is repeating itself--and time is running out

It's been more than two years since homicide detective Livy Reynolds's cousin disappeared from Logan Point. Unlike most people in her hometown, Livy has never believed that Robyn left voluntarily. When Dallas private investigator Alex Jennings contacts her concerning a senator's missing granddaughter who was last seen in Logan Point, Livy notices eerie similarities between the two disappearances. With self-doubt plaguing her and an almost instant dislike of the self-assured PI, she's finding this investigation an uphill battle. But with the prospect of finding her cousin on the horizon, she'll have to find a way to work with Alex--before it's too late.

Award-winning author Patricia Bradley keeps you on the edge of your seat with a case--and a relationship--that is anything but certain.

Patricia Bradley is the winner of a 2012 Daphne du Maurier Award and a 2012 Touched by Love Award and was also a finalist for the 2012 Genesis Award. The author of Shadows of the Past and A Promise to Protect, she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Bradley makes her home in Mississippi. Learn more at www.ptbradley.com.

7.07.2015

The Innocent ~ Review

The Innocent
By Ann H. Gabhart

Carlyn Kearney is facing a choice she had hoped that she would never have to face.  Two years have passed since she last heard from her husband and she cannot make up the payments that have been missed.  With no family that she can turn to, she finds her hopes of safety live with the Shaker community of Harmony Hill.

But is Carlyn ready to embrace the Shaker life?  A life that she finds herself not completely prepared for.  A life that is so different from her own.

But when trouble finds its way to Harmony Hill, Carlyn has to question where safety can be found? And is she truly willing to commit to a life of celibacy as a Shaker?

I have read several of Ann's books in the past, but none were from her Shaker series.  I've heard of Shakers before, but it was more of a passing comment in a history book or in reference to Quakers. I have to say this was quite an eye opening reading experience.  First off I didn't know the Shaker stance on marriage and communal living.  I did know that they and the Quakers were pacifists.  I found their views about Mother Ann interesting.

But this was both an entertaining and an educational reading experience.  I have to admit being intrigued enough that I want to read the previous Shaker books that Ann has written.  And thanks to the easy access of the internet I did a little research on the histories of both the Quakers and the Shakers.  There are some interesting recordings of Shaker music that one can listen to clips of on CD Baby.

I really love when I read a book that sparks my interest in something I'm not familiar with.

And The Innocent definitely is one book that fulfilled all my expectations.  Fans of historical fiction, romance, and even mysteries will find something to love in this book.  And if you are a dog lover there is Asher.  Everyone should have a dog as loyal as Asher!

I was provided a copy of this book by Revell through their blogger program in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book:
She longs for peace
--for her land and her heart--

but can it truly be found at Harmony Hill?

Carlyn Kearney has spent two lonely years not knowing whether to mourn or to hope after she receives word from the Union Army that her husband is missing. When the war ends without further word, Carlyn finds herself penniless, in debt, and forced from her home. With nowhere else to go, she seeks refuge at the Shaker village of Harmony Hill.

The Shakers profess peace through simple living, but to Carlyn, the Shaker life seems anything but simple. When mysterious deaths disturb the peace of the village, Carlyn falls under intense scrutiny. Can a kind sheriff help her expose the true culprit?

Bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart invites fans back to Harmony Hill for a story laced with intrigue, romance, and heart.

About the Author:
Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of several Shaker novels--The OutsiderThe BelieverThe Seeker,The Blessed, and The Gifted--as well as Angel Sister,Small Town GirlLove Comes Home, Words Spoken True, and The Heart of Hollyhill series. She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Learn more at www.annhgabhart.com.

7.05.2015

Siren's Fury ~ Review

Siren's Fury
The Storm Siren Trilogy 2
By Mary Weber

I have to admit I've been waiting eagerly for this book since I read Storm Siren.  The wait was worth it!  I devoured the book in an afternoon.

Siren's Fury picks up where Storm Siren left us.  The battle at the Keep has ended Draewulf's reign. Eogan has assumed his position as King Ezeoha of Bron. The Hidden Lands are finally safe from Draewulf, Lady Isobel, and the Dark Army.

Or are they?  Draewulf has revealed himself to Nym, having taken Eogan's body and his identity as his own.  Has the power that they just defeated retained his hold on the kingdom of Bron?

Draewulf is not easily defeated and he has been planning for years and in one awful moment Nym is about to discover just how much she has to lose.  And in the losing can Nym discover who she truly is or will she succumb to the temptations that are offered to her. Temptations that could turn her into what she most hates.

But who will Nym trust in a world that has once again betrayed her?  Can she trust Princess Rasha to help her or will Rasha  put Cashlin interests ahead of Nym's concerns and needs?  And when Myles presents her with an option will she trust the man who betrayed her before?  And can she stop Eogan/Draewulf or will her feelings for Eogan prevent her from stopping him?

Siren's Fury is as exciting as Storm Siren.  If it has been awhile since you read Storm Siren take the time to read it again before diving between the covers of Siren's Fury, it will be worth it and enhance your reading experience.  This is a worthy sequel as we see Nym struggle through the pain and loss she is experiencing while trying to rediscover who she is .

Well, I can now eagerly anticipate book 3!  And believe me when you reach the final line you will be too!

I was provided a digital copy of this book by the publisher through the BookLook blogger program in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book:
"I thrust my hand toward the sky as my voice begs the Elemental inside me to waken and rise. But it's no use. The curse I've spent my entire life abhorring-the thing I trained so hard to control-no longer exists."
Nym has saved Faelen only to discover that Draewulf stole everything she valued. Now he's destroyed her Elemental storm-summoning ability as well.
When Nym is taken with a host of delegates to Bron, Lord Myles offers her the chance for a new kind of power and the whispered hope that it may do more than simply defeat the monster she loathes. But the secrets the Bron people have kept concealed, along with the horrors Draewulf has developed, may require more than simply harnessing a darker ability.
They may require who she is.
Set against the stark metallic backdrop of the Bron kingdom, Nym is faced with the chance to change the future. Or was that Draewulf's plan for her all along?
About the Author
Mary Weber is a ridiculously uncoordinated girl plotting to take over make-believe worlds through books, handstands, and imaginary throwing knives. In her spare time, she feeds unicorns, sings 80's hairband songs to her three muggle children, and ogles her husband who looks strikingly like Wolverine. They live in California, which is perfect for stalking L.A. bands, Joss Whedon, and the ocean. Twitter: @mchristineweber Facebook: marychristineweber