Book Review: Between the Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox

 I love a book that fits multiple genres and this one certainly does. This book is a mystery, historical fiction, and romance all in one. The romance is the kind that where you long for the characters to find each other. The historical elements will make you want to research. I pride myself on being able to guess all the twists, but this book kept me guessing. I was even wrong about a couple things.

The main character, Joey, is pretty relatable. From the very beginning of this book Joey faces the unknown. I think we can all relate to seasons of uncertainty. I like that this Joey chooses adventure and shows us that uncertainty isn't always a bad thing. Not knowing could be the start of something great. 

The author, Amanda Cox, does a fantastic job in setting the scene. You can really imagine yourself at the lighthouse or among the crashing waves. The emotional state is also very well written, making it easy to feel along with the characters. 

This book has just the right amount of twist and thrills without being scary. It easily checks boxes for multiple different types of readers. Whether you're looking for a good thrill, a realistic romance, or book that tackles real life struggles, this book has something in it for you. I highly suggest giving it a read. 

Book Review: Her Part to Play by Jenny Erlingsson

 This book contains everything you want in a feel-good romance. Yet, there is so much more about this book that I love. 

The characters are very well-written and believable. I enjoyed how the characters would turn towards their faith during moments of struggle. You can really notice the growth of the characters from the start of the book to the end of the book. They learn more and become better as you read through their story. 

I also enjoyed how the author, Erlingsson, portrayed the relationships in Adanne's life. The author did a great job explaining the grief of losing a loved one as well as capturing the relationship of a new romance. Even during those sappy feel-good romantic moments, the book remained believable and easy to picture. 

A lot of why this book was so believable is the multiple redemption angle. This book does a good job reminding of us to let go of what we once wanted and let God give us just what we needed. It reminds of how forgiving others can be healing for us as well. I think it also grief and the healing process really well. 

This book is such a feel-good book and it's not just the romance. It's a great reminder of keeping the faith. I highly recommend this book. 

Book Review: Hidden in the Night by Elizabeth Goddard

 This book has all the elements of a good thriller. There is plenty of suspense and twists to keep you wondering what will happen next. It also has the makings of a good mystery. There is a puzzle here to solve and you will only get one piece at a time. I enjoyed this as I like to try to uncover the mystery before it has been revealed. 

The romance in this book was my least favorite element. I am not a fan of heavy inner dialogue to explain romance. Also, the romance seemed very childish. Maybe I am missing context from an earlier book, but it really seems like a teenage romance and not an adult one. What I mean is that feelings are high without knowing each other and communication is low. Think Romeo and Juliet without the tragedy. It just doesn't seem likely for two mature adults.

My favorite element of this book is the melding of thriller and mystery. A missing manuscript that main character, Ivy must retrieve is very much so classic mystery. The suspense in this book makes it a clear thriller. Making Ivy a retired FBI agent was also a very smart move. It adds to the uniqueness of this book.

I enjoyed reading this book but wish I would have read them in order. This book is fine as a stand-alone, but I think I would enjoy the whole series even more. I received this book from Revell in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: The Ark and the Dove by Jill Eileen Smith

 

The Ark and the Dove by Jill Eileen Smith is a beautiful retelling of a familiar story. Smith does a fantastic job of keeping Biblical accuracy while letting imagination run wild. Smith’s imagination helps you feel the story you probably already know in a more real way. The way Smith goes into deep detail of the characters and settings really helps you picture what might have happened.

Another beautiful thing about this book is how well we get to know Zara, Noah’s wife. I think I sometimes struggle to look at the views of the supporting characters when it comes to the Bible. I had often pictured what it would be like to be Noah, but before this book I had not even considered what life was like for Zara.

This book is both a story and a spiritual tool. On the one hand, it is an enjoyable and exciting read. On the other hand, it teaches how to look at the whole picture when reading your Bible. It can be easy to read the Bible and not grasp that people really lived through those things. This book shows us how we can use our imaginations to get a fuller understanding of the Bible.

I am happy to have had the pleasure to receive this book for free in exchange for my honest review from Revell. I do highly recommend this book as well as the previously reviewed “Daughter of Eden” which is also by Jill Eileen Smith.

Book Review: Double Take by Lynette Eason

     Double Take by Lynette starts in such a thrilling place, but the twists continue to the very end. I will say that because it starts in such a thrilling spot, I do feel like the book starts in the middle of a story. Before you even open the book, you know from the back of it that Lainie endured an attempted murder by her ex. I very much so would have liked to know about Lanie's original relationship with her ex. This being said, it doesn't take long to jump right into the story and find it enjoyable.

    The most enjoyable thing about these stories are the relationships between the characters. It's the way that the friendships are written that make the characters so believable. Lanie's relationships with the different characters are unique and believable.

    Let's be honest. I chose this book for the drama and not the romance. I find romance in books is usually that "too perfect" to the point of cringey. This being said, the romance in the book was definitely there, but not overpowering. 

    I really enjoyed this book and all its twists. I put this book down feeling like I had met Lainie. I was briefly introduced to Kenzie who is the main character of the next book. This book definitely made me want to pick up the next one and meet Kenzie too.

    I received this book for free in exchange for this honest review from the Revell Reviewing Program. 

Book Review Letters from My Sister by Valerie Fraser Luesse

     Letters From My Sister is a story about two sisters who are very close, but one of them is hiding something. Callie knows her sister has a secret, but can't remember what it is. When they are separated they write letters to each other. Callie hopes to find what she can't remember within them.

    
    The characters are really well thought out in this book. I love how unique and real they are. Callie and Emmy have this special bond that is very well written.

    This book is not a "feel good" book. In fact, it touches on some real tragedies. I would read with caution if sad topics affect you.

    As for the plot, I really wasn't impressed. The big secret was a let down. I was left confused as to why it was a secret at all. Mostly this book is just tragedy, including the plot.

    This being said, I would still attempt another book by Valerie Fraser Luesse. Her characters alone are enough for my to try again. Her verbal imagery is beautiful as well. While I didn't like the story, the story was easy to picture.

I received this book for free from Revell in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: This is Where it Ends by Cindy K. Sproles

 

    This was a beautiful love story, although not so much a romance story. Minerva has reached the age where she feels as if she might go any day. She also seems to be welcoming the coming of that day. That is, until she finds an unlikely friend in the young Del. When Del comes looking for answers to a secret long kept, Minerva must decide between an old promise and trusting a new friend.

    While I would still consider this book a love story, it also still has some very sad themes. Minerva has had some real struggles in her life. These struggles are portrayed in a way that makes her seem very real to the reader. I enjoyed learning every new thing about her.     

    The most beautiful part of this book is the character development we see in Minerva. It's truly beautiful watching Minerva experience a love she never has in the most unlikely of places. I also enjoyed that through her change, she never lost her witty sense of humor. While the plot is great, Minerva is what makes this book a "must-read".  I highly recommend this book.

I received this book for free from Revell in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: Her Only Wish by Shelley Shepard Gray

     I was really excited to receive this book, having already read a previous book from the same series. I'm happy to say that Shelley Shepard Gray has stayed true to previous writing style and I enjoyed this book just as much as the last. You are in for a treat with this one.

    Romance usually isn't my genre. I would even call this a "mellow" romance. It's a very easy-going read. While usually something I would stay away from (I love the thrills), the book is written in a way that's so believable it's easy to picture yourself there. I think of these books as my "calming" reads. They are enjoyable and don't have anything that will keep up at night.

    The plot is steady, but at a slow pace. However, the characters are always exciting and well-written. I wonder if these characters are based on real people because of how easy they are to picture.

I highly recommend this as your next leisure read.  I received this book for free from Revell in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: With Every Memory by Janine Rosche

         Lori and Avery are both learning how to cope with terrible trauma. Lori has lost her son and Avery her brother. Still, both are hoping for love and a second chance. Lori still has some physical trauma from the accident that causes memories to surface slowly. As they surface, she finds her love life may not have been what she thought it would have. Avery, is having trouble turning to her brother's best friend for help, but he may be just what she needs. 

        I enjoyed the way the book gave two very different perspectives on love. It focused on a long-term married relationship and a young new one. I liked seeing the similarities and differences in the struggles of maintaining a healthy relationship.    

        I was not a fan of the plot. I don't think the memories coming back were done very well. I would have liked to have more stories of the mysterious lost son/brother, Austin. The entire plot focused more upon love relationships than familial relationships or the trauma that had occurred. The biggest plot hole of the entire book is the lack of grief Lori has for the loss of her son. 

        I was not a fan of the characters. Michael, the husband, comes off as incompetent. Avery, generally comes off as a brat. Lori, comes off as selfish. Xander, the best friend of Austin, comes off as a door mat. I know real people have real flaws, but this was to a level that made the characters unrealistic. 

        This book does contain some powerful messages about forgiveness and things not always being what they seem. However, not one person in this book is a good role model. It's not a book I would tell someone not to read, but it's not something I would actively promote either.

        I received this book for free in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: Windswept Way by Irene Hannon

     Windswept Way is very mild in terms of thriller, rich in terms of mystery, and drawn out in terms of romance. I love a romance that builds and it certainly does in this case. I also love that there are multiple levels to the mystery in this book. The "scary" elements are more cheesy than scary, but I prefer it that way.

    The characters are so well-written I found myself wondering if they were loosely based on real people. They have a good amount of history and stay true to their own unique personalities. The character growth is also very well-written. Jonathon was my favorite character because of how wonderful his story and growth are.

    The setting and plot are also wonderful and well-established. There's no big plot holes and it's a very satisfying read. 

    The one thing I wasn't a fan of is how inner dialogue is written in this book. I prefer "she wondered" or "he thought". The dialogue in this book is plain text. There is no italicize or mention of whose inner dialogue it is. It's easy enough to figure out through context, but it's not a writing style I enjoyed. This didn't take away much from the book. 

    I recommend this book and would definitely consider reading more in the series. I received this book for free in exchange for this honest review. 

Book Review: After the Shadows by Amanda Cabot

     This book has a little bit of it all. It has romance, suspense, and mystery. Despite this book fitting multiple genres, it's surprisingly well rounded. The romance was believable, mystery was well thought out, and the suspense was just right. The plot is very well-written. 

    Another thing done very well is the characters. They all have very realistic emotions. I feel like the dialogue always fits the character and it's very well written. The characters are very believable and relatable. 

   I think my favorite part is the way Cabot writes the setting. Not only does she include a map, it's verbally described well too. The town has a history. Emily's home has a history. It's a town you will want to revisit when Cabot writes the next book to the series.

    I highly recommend this book. I received this book for free from Revell Reviewer Program in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: Second Time Around by Melody Carlson

     Carlson either did a lot of research on interior design or already knew a great deal on the subject. It often felt like all I was reading was descriptions of buildings. I really felt like I had a sense for the room the characters were in. However, I never got a real good sense of the characters themselves.

I felt like the characters lacked emotion and passion. Mallory was going through some big life changes. She loses someone she shared a lot of time with as a child. The author takes time to write out memories about the shop that was inherited, but not about the grandmother she lost. Even through such a big loss the main character seems to be emotionless about everything except buildings.

While interior design is a great passion, it shouldn’t be the only passion inside of a romance novel. For me, it was very hard to get past that. However, if you enjoy thorough setting descriptions then you may really enjoy this book. Carlson is extremely skilled at helping you envision the setting.

While this wasn’t the book for me and I have a hard time even considering it to be a romance, the author clearly has great skill in setting description. This book was well-researched and descriptive. I think while it’s not my cup of tea, it just might be someone else's.

I received this book for free from the Revell Blogger Program in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: Daughter of Eden

     Daughter of Eden is a retelling of the biblical Eve’s life. While a lot of us know the basic stories, Jill Eileen Smith dives into what Eve’s emotions and thoughts might have been. She goes more in depth of how life might have been outside of the garden.     

    It’s honestly a little hard to read about Adam and Eve having to learn about earth for the first time. It was hard to wrap my head around adults having to learn about something as basic as fire. That was a completely new perspective for me. This book is filled with moments like that.

I think sometimes we glaze over Bible reading without taking time to think what it actually might have been like. This book is an amazing tool to allow you to better understand a piece of scripture. It’s also a pretty great story. 

    While I did find it difficult to read a story I already knew all the major plot twists too, there were some points from the author’s imagination that I did enjoy. It was interesting to compare what I imagined of the life of Eve to someone else’s perspective.

    I highly recommend this book. It may just help you see Eve in a whole new way. 

    I received this book for free from the Revell Blogging Program in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: Cold Light of Day by Elizabeth Goddard

Police chief Autumn Long is battling a new crime wave and fighting for her job at the same time. A newcomer, Grier, has proven helpful. However, Autumn’s not sure he can be trusted. Would partnering with him be a mistake endangering her job and her town? Still, she feels drawn to him. 

This book has plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. There’s secrets and danger at every turn. The author does a great job feeding you just a puzzle piece at a time making it hard to put together until the ending. I love a good thriller and this one did not disappoint. 

The characters are well-written and believable. Autumn is strong in person and in faith, making her a great role model. The author also did a great job of portraying the setting and Autumn’s connection to it. You can feel Autumn's love for her town and her need to protect it.

If you like a good romantic suspense novel, then you will like this. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series. 

I received this book for free from the Revell Blogging program in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: Her Heart's Desire by Shelley Shepard Gray

      This book is about young adults making their way in life. Jayson has responsibilities to his family, but his commitments have left him feeling empty. Mary Margaret is doing her best to forget a childhood mishap that left her friendless and lonely. They become drawn to each other, but they each have obstacles to overcome if they are going to be able to accept each other's love. 

    The summary I read on the cover of the book mentions the two main characters and one intriguing plot line. However, this book is filled with relatable characters and plots that keep you turning pages. The author does an amazing job seamlessly telling and interweaving multiple stories in a way that is easy to understand and enjoy. The characters grow and change throughout the book while remaining true to their own unique personalities. 

    Because each character is so unique I found myself gathering multiple messages within the book. Trusting God, repentance, forgiveness, change, and self-image are messages I found to be prominent for me in the book. However, you might relate to different characters and get completely different messages out of this book. 

    I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for their next read because of how relatable both the characters and many plots are. The small summary on the cover does not do justice to the many messages within.  

I received this book for free from the Revell Blogger Program in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: Sundown by Susan May Warren

    Sky King ranch is a place where adventure and danger seem to be around every corner. In this book, Colt is trying to protect a woman named Tae. Tae has developed an antidote to a plague. Men wishing to weaponize this plague are now after her.

    I honestly have a hard time writing any type of summary for  this book because it is quite confusing. It might be because it's part of a trilogy, but it definitely starts in the middle of a story. There is no solid starting point within this book. Because of this, it took me a while to catch on to what was happening. I'm hoping the first two books would make this less confusing to returning readers, but I have not read the first two books. 

    The book is also very far from believable. This isn't always a bad thing, but it did add to the confusion within this book. A lot of the action seems "choppy" in the sense that it's one thing after another with little lead up to the action. From the moment you open this book, someone seems to be consistently in immediate danger.

    While the action is back to back, it is written very well. The fighting scenes are well-described and easy to picture. The romance is a little cheesy, but in a way I really enjoyed. It was predictable and gives a "feel-good" vibe I enjoyed.

    While this book was a little confusing and far from believable, I thoroughly enjoyed the action and romance. I would not recommend this book as a standalone read, but I would suggest trying out the series. I myself am intrigued and will be after the first book of this series if I find the time. If the prior books make this book less confusing, then it would make it all worth the read. 

I received this book for free from the Revell reviewer program in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: Body of Evidence by Irene Hannon

Who doesn’t love a good murder mystery? This book has characters with depth, suspense, and a little bit of romance.

The story is about a coroner who starts finding a small similarity between otherwise natural deaths. However, when she also becomes the victim of threatening acts, it becomes clear that she may have stumbled upon murders. With the help from a handsome sheriff, she hopes to find the killer before the killer finds her.

I really enjoyed this book, However, this book is not without a flaw that really drove me insane. The romance in this book is very procedural and could easily be compared to a business deal. I also think the way the romance starts is rushed and unplanned. 

This book is still very much worth the read. Although the romance was lacking, the family relationships were very well-written. This book gives very raw and realistic views of family life. It doesn’t sugarcoat issues, but does include some real feel-good family moments. 

While this book wasn’t without a flaw, I do still suggest picking it up if you like a good murder mystery. 

I received this book for free from the Revell reviewer program in exchange for this honest review.

Word of Honor by Hallee Bridgeman Review

 

This story is one of betrayal, forgiveness, honor, and love. It has a lot of good values packed within it. In the midst of twists and hurts these characters face, you will see a steady focus on God. The characters often send up prayers in times of trouble. So while this book is not lacking in the action department, it keeps a solid focus on where to turn in those tough times.

Speaking of action, this book is about an eco terrorist group that main character, Lynda, accidentally discovers when attempting to serve a warrant with her partner. Now her partner is dead and Lynda is the only one who has seen the faces of the group. For this reason she is to go undercover to help spot the men who killed her partner. The twist? In order to do so she must be paired with an old college sweetheart who broke her heart.

The characters in this book are very well thought out. They each have a wonderful personality that you will get to know both through action and nickname. Learning the meanings behind each nickname helps you understand just who each character is.

This book features a glossary of terms to make it easier to read. Though, it’s not hard to follow without it. I appreciate the glossary, but the terms aren’t used so often that you would have to continuously flip back and forth. 

If you like books with undercover agents and secret missions, but don’t want all the strong language that usually comes with it, then this book is for you. If you like action alongside your romance then this should be next read. If you're looking for Christian fiction that will hold your attention, then I suggest this book.

I received this book for free from the Revell reviewing program in exchange for this review.

Book Review - Bible Promises to Live by for Women

Bible Promises to Live by for Women

by Katherine J. Butler, Ronald A. Beers

(A book review)

I love this little book. It's small and fashionable so it's perfect for your purse or car. Each chapter is on a specific topic so it's great when you're dealing with a specific trial. I like to keep mine close (in my purse) so that way I can have a source of encouragement wherever I go. If you would rather read front to back then skip around by topic, the book has a lovely ribbon to keep your place.

For each topic there is a lovely devotional and a few verses on the topic. I love how there's multiple verses for every topic. Most devotionals I read only have one. I find that in every devotional I find at least on verse I feel is relevant enough to my life to write on card and tape to my mirror.

The fact that this devotional is by topic makes it a useful tool for daily life. I do wish it didn't have "for women" branded right on it, because it's truths are useful for anyone.

I received this book for free from Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review - He Holds My Hand by Carol Kent

He Holds My Hand

by Carol Kent

(A Book Review)

I want to start by saying that Carol Kent is someone to be admired. While her writing is amazing, her faith is astounding. I think that's why this book is so meaningful to me. I think it's important to know that she is a woman who has faced hardship and turned to God in it's midst. 

This book is a devotional. Each devotional has a quote, the body, and a verse. The devotions are all one page long which makes them quick, but powerful reads. This book is awesome for a first thing in the morning read to start your day right. On the other hand, if your like me you prefer your devotional before bed to help with a restful night. Regardless, these devotions don't take up much time so they're good for anyone who doesn't have a lot of time to spare.

It's devotions are by day of the year, which is a style I have a hate/love relationship with. On one hand, If I don't start it on January 1, I'm starting in the middle. It may just be my OCD talking, but I prefer books I can read front to back. On the other hand, I know if I miss a day I'll either have to play catch-up or I'll miss a devotional entirely. This actually works well as motivation for me to have my daily time with God. 

Recently, I found myself faced with a difficult hardship. I don't want to go into detail, but I will say that this book has been the most significant book in helping me return to my faith. I truly believe this is due to the fact that Carol Kent understands the hardship I was facing and you can see it through her words. More often then not, I found that her daily devotional spoke to my daily life on such a personal level it felt like the book was written for me.

I will be recommending this book to everyone. It was personally a support in my life and I think it could be to anyone else who reads it.

In closing I would like to share today's verse from the devotional:

"The time of the LORD's favor has come...He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair"

-ISAIAH 61:2-3

(Verse can be found on page 164 of the book - June 13)

I received this book for free from Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for this review.

Thanks for reading!