Review of ‘Until That Distant Day’ by Jill Stengl

Until That Distant Day is a very dramatic story. It goes from one extreme to the next and brings you on a true ride through Paris. Jill is a true story-teller and almost right away I was drawn into the story.

However, I was almost as quickly taken out of the story by all the French words and large uncommon English words. I studied very little French when I was in school, so I could fairly well piece together what was being said despite not fully knowing what each word or phrase meant in English.

I got to read this story as a file on the computer and so I didn’t know Jill had included a French glossary until after I had stumbled my way through and around the words I did not know. If I had the physical book in hand, I think it would have been a better help because then I could reference the glossary in the back.

Truth be told, I am not sure how many people will actually read the whole story because of all the French and the big English words. People who read a lot probably will have no issue reading this, however, I think some who don’t read as often or have a great education may have a fairly difficult time.

It is not that the story is not good because it is! – but it is rather exhausting trying to figure out what the French means or what the uncommon English words mean.

The characters are well described, the story has the strength to tug at your heart. My favorite characters are easily Leonie and Etienne (hopefully I spell his name correctly). I didn’t really care for Pascoe – in fact, there were moments when he flipped personalities so much it made my head spin.

There were moments I cried, a few moments I chuckled – but overall, I never fully got into the book the way I like to. In fact, if I am honest, I skimmed over the last hundred pages or so.

In short, it is a very well written novel with lots of dramatic twists and turns, the characters are well thought out and well written, but I found it to be simply a story and not a captivating work of art.

I give it a 3 ½ out of 5 and hope others find it to be more captivating than I did. However, Jill does have a talent for writing and I think she should continue to develop it.

Review of 'Caught in the Middle' by Regina Jennings

Thank you to Bethany House for my review copy.

The cover of this book makes me laugh - mostly because it reminds me of myself - and it actually describes the plot very well.

My favorite character is easily Nicholas Lovelace (though I find that a strange last name... not that I have room to talk since I am a writer myself and come up with some odd ones also.). I love how he pursues Anne despite her determination to push him away. Too many guys nowadays are scared to be the one who pursues the woman. The pursuit of a woman is not following her around and asking her out for years on end when she has told you repeatedly she is not interested. It is a fine line and Nicholas walks it well.

There is a lot of stuff happening within the first five or six chapters, it was kind of overwhelming. In fact, I almost wasn't sure if I would finish it because it was kind of boring and far too much involved at first. I am glad I pushed through though and finished the book because I genuinely love the characters.

All the background stuff about the bridge and the judge I skimmed over. I was more interested in the characters, how Anne and Nicholas interacted, how Anne fell in love with Sammy. My heart broke a little for Anne towards the end though I will not say as to why because I hate spoilers. However, the ending was beautiful.

Now since I was a bit bored I normally would give it a three or a four, but the relationship between the characters and the ending caused it to be boosted back to a five! Wonderful book!

Five out of Five stars! :)