My latest book blog is for Life After by Katie Ganshert, I received this book from Blogging For Books.
I did not realize this was a Christian Fiction book until I was several chapters in, then I noticed on the cover that the author is a Christy Award winner-a coveted award for Christian writers- and her work shines in this book.
The book takes place in the aftermath of a train explosion in Chicago where everyone onboard dies except for one woman, Autumn. She's soon contacted by a little girl named Reese, who writes to her because Autumn is a survivor and Reese's mother died in the explosion. Reese wants to do a memorial and, at first, Autumn is reluctant because she doesn't like being in the spotlight as the lone survivor, but she goes ahead with the project as a form of therapy for herself and the survivors.
Reese's dad is against the contact between the two from the start and I couldn't figure it out at first- why was he so upset about his daughter wanting to do a memorial?- Paul (Reese's father) remains bitter for quite a while in the book until it's revealed why he isn't thrilled about the idea of the memorial for Reese's mother.
Great writing throughout the book, the characters are complex and well drawn out. The Christian theme is strongest in the last chapter, but is subtly woven throughout. It was also a unique storyline, and I'm glad the author made the story more about healing than about rushing Paul and Autumn into a romance. A great, riveting read that all types of readers will enjoy.
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Saturday, January 28, 2017
In The Shadow of Denali by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse.
Here is my latest review for Bethany House Publishing:
In the Shadow of Denali features a story set in the 1920's at a burgeoning hotel in the shadow of the Denali (Mt McKinley) in Alaska. The cover sets off the story with a great pic of the central character Cassidy, Denali mountain, and the train bustling into the small Alaskan town. I love the mix of sepia tones and shots of color. Judging just by the cover, I would pick up this book.
Next: The Prologue. 1917 and three men are on a hiking expedition on the mountain...but somebody has a terrible accident. Who's to blame? That's what the character of Allan wants to know when he arrives in town and seeks answers. After sorting out all the new characters, the story picks up steam and you watch the relationships develop among the people at the hotel.
I particularly liked Cassidy and her father John's relationship, and Cassidy and her feisty cook's relationship. Cassidy is an all-around good person, moral and genuine. There is a Christian theme woven throughout the story as Cassidy and her father try to convert some nonbelievers. For readers of Christian books, I believe they will really enjoy this new series.
There's also an added element of real life history to the books as you read about President Harding's visit and watch the group of characters hear of his death on the radio several days later. While the characters are fictional, the setting of the hotel was an actual place in the 1920's, adding a realistic flavor to the story.
A great book to curl up with in a chair on a wintry afternoon.
In the Shadow of Denali features a story set in the 1920's at a burgeoning hotel in the shadow of the Denali (Mt McKinley) in Alaska. The cover sets off the story with a great pic of the central character Cassidy, Denali mountain, and the train bustling into the small Alaskan town. I love the mix of sepia tones and shots of color. Judging just by the cover, I would pick up this book.
Next: The Prologue. 1917 and three men are on a hiking expedition on the mountain...but somebody has a terrible accident. Who's to blame? That's what the character of Allan wants to know when he arrives in town and seeks answers. After sorting out all the new characters, the story picks up steam and you watch the relationships develop among the people at the hotel.
I particularly liked Cassidy and her father John's relationship, and Cassidy and her feisty cook's relationship. Cassidy is an all-around good person, moral and genuine. There is a Christian theme woven throughout the story as Cassidy and her father try to convert some nonbelievers. For readers of Christian books, I believe they will really enjoy this new series.
There's also an added element of real life history to the books as you read about President Harding's visit and watch the group of characters hear of his death on the radio several days later. While the characters are fictional, the setting of the hotel was an actual place in the 1920's, adding a realistic flavor to the story.
A great book to curl up with in a chair on a wintry afternoon.
Monday, January 9, 2017
Mini-Reviews
I've been away from blogging for a while while I was busy with my online holiday shopping (for more books, of course. I was heavy into Books on CD this season.) I'm back with a bunch of mini-reviews, because when it comes to reading anything-shorter is always better.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. I checked out this book from our local library's audiobook lending service and I recommend the audiobook-more entertaining and less dry than book form. The only thing is it's 32 chapters long, so you'll need to devote a checkout and re-checkout to get it finished. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Best characters: Boris and Hobie. Only minus: The last half chapter which sinks into a philosiphical soup.My cheap little MP3 player cut out after 30 minutes and for once I was thankful. I said, "The End." just as it should've been said after the boy returns to Hobie at the apartment.
12-31-2016. I finished an old 1960's copy of a book called Uncle Tom's Children by Richard Wright. I liked these short stories, even though they're pretty depressing and tragic. Please, seek out a copy of this book if you can find it, it's a good companion to Uncle Tom's Cabin. I'd get political, but this blog is just for fun.
12-22-2016. I finished a book from, I believe, the 1990's called The Murder She Wrote Mysteries: The Highland Fling Murders. OMG. Murder She Wrote is one of those 80's icons like Golden Girls that should never be allowed to be forgotten! I loved this mystery series, and I loved this book. Jessica and the Cabot Cove gang in Scotland for a murder mystery?? It's like grandma's apple sauce cake warm from the oven. PLEASE book publishers revive this mystery book line!! Little old ladies and little old ladies at heart thoroughly enjoy this elderly Nancy Drew! Charm, charm, charm!
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. I checked out this book from our local library's audiobook lending service and I recommend the audiobook-more entertaining and less dry than book form. The only thing is it's 32 chapters long, so you'll need to devote a checkout and re-checkout to get it finished. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Best characters: Boris and Hobie. Only minus: The last half chapter which sinks into a philosiphical soup.My cheap little MP3 player cut out after 30 minutes and for once I was thankful. I said, "The End." just as it should've been said after the boy returns to Hobie at the apartment.
12-31-2016. I finished an old 1960's copy of a book called Uncle Tom's Children by Richard Wright. I liked these short stories, even though they're pretty depressing and tragic. Please, seek out a copy of this book if you can find it, it's a good companion to Uncle Tom's Cabin. I'd get political, but this blog is just for fun.
12-22-2016. I finished a book from, I believe, the 1990's called The Murder She Wrote Mysteries: The Highland Fling Murders. OMG. Murder She Wrote is one of those 80's icons like Golden Girls that should never be allowed to be forgotten! I loved this mystery series, and I loved this book. Jessica and the Cabot Cove gang in Scotland for a murder mystery?? It's like grandma's apple sauce cake warm from the oven. PLEASE book publishers revive this mystery book line!! Little old ladies and little old ladies at heart thoroughly enjoy this elderly Nancy Drew! Charm, charm, charm!
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
The Witch of Lime Street by David Jaher
My latest blog is for The Witch of Lime Street for Blogging For Books.
The Witch of Lime Street starts with two people: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle-a true believer in spiritualism, and Harry Houdini-a man who made a career out of trickery and has a more difficult time believing in the psychic phenomena. The two men start out as friends, visiting each other's homes and even attending seances together, but a space opens between them as Houdini goes about debunking many psychics so-called gifts. One by one famous psychics are taken down as they're examined more closely, but then along comes Margery, The Witch of Lime Street, who gives them all a good baffle.
I really enjoyed this read and the book kept my attention all the way to the end. It was interesting to read about this era of spiritualism, to see the trickery that some 'mediums' would use during their party games. Their clever antics convinced many people of their 'powers', including intelligent men like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. But then Harry Houdini started questioning their abilities. It didn't seem to be his intention to deliberately embarrass mediums, but instead to seek out the one who didn't use tricks to contact the dead, the one who was an authentic seer, and in the process their chicanery was revealed.
I recommend this book. Dig in, judge, explore, and draw your own conclusions. This book would be especially good in a book club as it's a great conversation starter.
The Witch of Lime Street starts with two people: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle-a true believer in spiritualism, and Harry Houdini-a man who made a career out of trickery and has a more difficult time believing in the psychic phenomena. The two men start out as friends, visiting each other's homes and even attending seances together, but a space opens between them as Houdini goes about debunking many psychics so-called gifts. One by one famous psychics are taken down as they're examined more closely, but then along comes Margery, The Witch of Lime Street, who gives them all a good baffle.
I really enjoyed this read and the book kept my attention all the way to the end. It was interesting to read about this era of spiritualism, to see the trickery that some 'mediums' would use during their party games. Their clever antics convinced many people of their 'powers', including intelligent men like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. But then Harry Houdini started questioning their abilities. It didn't seem to be his intention to deliberately embarrass mediums, but instead to seek out the one who didn't use tricks to contact the dead, the one who was an authentic seer, and in the process their chicanery was revealed.
I recommend this book. Dig in, judge, explore, and draw your own conclusions. This book would be especially good in a book club as it's a great conversation starter.
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Home For the Summer by Mariah Stewart
I haven't blogged some of the books I've been reading from my own collection in some time...too long!
First up is Home For the Summer by Mariah Stewart which has been in my pile since 12-12-13 according to the date I wrote in the flap. Was it worth the wait? Well....
Home For the Summer is part of a series of books called The Chesapeake Diaries. I love these family saga stories where you get to see the same characters again and again through the books. Although this is the first book I've read in the series, it sounds like there is some good stuff I missed- and I'd like to read more.
In this book, Lucy is a wedding planner from the west coast. She returns to her mom's inn to help plan a huge, upscale wedding for a couple while also having a little flirtation with her old schooltime friend, Clay.
My only complaint about this book was the wedding planning. It went on and on in great detail, everything this couple wanted, except it doesn't really add anything to the plot. I don't really care about every detail that goes into planning a wedding. The main focus should've been on Lucy and the secret she kept for years about something that happened to her as a teenager at the inn. In the final chapters she reveals it to Clay, but it falls a little flat. It's revealed...Clay says it's okay, it's over....and it is. I would've liked her to have been more tormented by the inn and her secret, instead I got a detailed list about everything in the wedding guests gift baskets.
Great writing though. I could really picture this beautiful little town and inn, I just wanted a little more beef to the storyline. Would I give Chespaeake Diaries another chance?? For sure. I'm not giving up yet.
First up is Home For the Summer by Mariah Stewart which has been in my pile since 12-12-13 according to the date I wrote in the flap. Was it worth the wait? Well....
Home For the Summer is part of a series of books called The Chesapeake Diaries. I love these family saga stories where you get to see the same characters again and again through the books. Although this is the first book I've read in the series, it sounds like there is some good stuff I missed- and I'd like to read more.
In this book, Lucy is a wedding planner from the west coast. She returns to her mom's inn to help plan a huge, upscale wedding for a couple while also having a little flirtation with her old schooltime friend, Clay.
My only complaint about this book was the wedding planning. It went on and on in great detail, everything this couple wanted, except it doesn't really add anything to the plot. I don't really care about every detail that goes into planning a wedding. The main focus should've been on Lucy and the secret she kept for years about something that happened to her as a teenager at the inn. In the final chapters she reveals it to Clay, but it falls a little flat. It's revealed...Clay says it's okay, it's over....and it is. I would've liked her to have been more tormented by the inn and her secret, instead I got a detailed list about everything in the wedding guests gift baskets.
Great writing though. I could really picture this beautiful little town and inn, I just wanted a little more beef to the storyline. Would I give Chespaeake Diaries another chance?? For sure. I'm not giving up yet.
Tune In by Mark Lewisohn
Here is my latest book to blog from BloggingForBooks...
Tune In is an epic history of the early years of the Beatles by Mark Lewisohn starting from their childhood to the beginning of their music career in the early 60's. It's loaded with facts and personal details about the Fab Four-many of which I never heard before.You get to dig into what made these guys the creative icons of the music industry. Nothing is sugar coated, I came away from the book realizing I would not have liked John Lennon as a teen, he was a punk and a lazy brat at times, but without that bravado I don't think the band would've succeeded the way it did.
I admit that I did skip a few sections that didn't interest me, mainly things on the business end of the band. It's an overwhelming amount of pages to get through, so read what interests you and skim if you want. There is something there for every aspect you might be interested in learning about the band: Family histories, family relationships, friendships between members, how the guys managed at school and work, personal tragedies.....Whether you're a casual fan or a die hard fan-buy this book! You will not be disappointed.
Tune In is an epic history of the early years of the Beatles by Mark Lewisohn starting from their childhood to the beginning of their music career in the early 60's. It's loaded with facts and personal details about the Fab Four-many of which I never heard before.You get to dig into what made these guys the creative icons of the music industry. Nothing is sugar coated, I came away from the book realizing I would not have liked John Lennon as a teen, he was a punk and a lazy brat at times, but without that bravado I don't think the band would've succeeded the way it did.
I admit that I did skip a few sections that didn't interest me, mainly things on the business end of the band. It's an overwhelming amount of pages to get through, so read what interests you and skim if you want. There is something there for every aspect you might be interested in learning about the band: Family histories, family relationships, friendships between members, how the guys managed at school and work, personal tragedies.....Whether you're a casual fan or a die hard fan-buy this book! You will not be disappointed.
Monday, November 14, 2016
Fatal Frost, Defender's of Justice by Nancy Mehl
My latest review for Bethany House Publisher's is Fatal Frost by Nancy Mehl.
This story digs into the action in the first chapter and never lets up! It features the character Mercy Brennan, a U.S. Marshal who seeks out cartel kingpins and takes them down. She finds herself paired up with her longtime friend Tally and Ex Mark on a hunt for a drug cartel leader. They get stranded in a snowstorm and take up refuge in a cabin where they believe they're safe from the thugs that are after Mercy for a flashdrive they believe is in her possession. Are they safe?? Of course not! And the survival instinct kicks in full force.
Mercy has a tough edge and is a compelling character that you root through all the way through. Mark is a great, manly match for her, and Tally is perfect as the best friend who really cares. I love the setting of the cabin in the middle of nowhere-in a snowstorm! I've always loved survival/suspense stories-will they make it? How? And who is behind the setup?? Lots of action keeps this book from ever getting boring. I'm looking forward to more!
This story digs into the action in the first chapter and never lets up! It features the character Mercy Brennan, a U.S. Marshal who seeks out cartel kingpins and takes them down. She finds herself paired up with her longtime friend Tally and Ex Mark on a hunt for a drug cartel leader. They get stranded in a snowstorm and take up refuge in a cabin where they believe they're safe from the thugs that are after Mercy for a flashdrive they believe is in her possession. Are they safe?? Of course not! And the survival instinct kicks in full force.
Mercy has a tough edge and is a compelling character that you root through all the way through. Mark is a great, manly match for her, and Tally is perfect as the best friend who really cares. I love the setting of the cabin in the middle of nowhere-in a snowstorm! I've always loved survival/suspense stories-will they make it? How? And who is behind the setup?? Lots of action keeps this book from ever getting boring. I'm looking forward to more!
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