I got a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.
A Name Unknown is the second book from Roseanna M. White that I have had the privilege to read. The first book I read was a breathtaking story full of adventure, romance, and lively characters with good points to ponder when one was done reading it. Needless to say, I expected a lot from A Name Unknown (which is the first book in the Shadows Over England series). A Name Unknown didn't let me down. I'll admit at first I wasn't quite sure if I would be able to get into the story because I was a bit... bored, then again it was the same way with her other book. I had a difficult time being sucked into that one as well, but once I was... I was a fan of Roseanna M. White forever. This book was wonderful. Many moments when I laughed, a few when I cried, and quite a couple where my heartstrings were tugged on so much that I didn't want to put the book down.
Perhaps it is because I am an author, I found certain thoughts and actions and the way a character would get lost in... well, I won't give it away because it is one of the best parts of the story... to be very relatable. There is romance, adventure, true friendship, humor, mischief, and so much more bursting within the pages of A Name Unknown. I grew to love the main characters, though Grammy and Gryff are possibly my two favorites - even perhaps Mrs. Teague. The way the characters grow throughout the story, in particular the two main ones (Rosemary and Peter) is beautiful. I quite liked the way they grew to become friends.
Every time I think I have found my "favorite" book, I read another (typically from Bethany House) and fall in love with that one all the more until I re-read the one before. It is a conundrum - one which I can't see ever being able to solve, but that is all right with me. I have many favorites for many reasons and this one has been added to that list.
Five stars!
To buy a copy - A Name Unknown
I got a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.
Wings of the Wind was the first book by Connilyn Cossette I have ever had the pleasure of reading. That being said when I chose it, I didn't realize it was the third book in the Out From Egypt series. I was concerned given that I had not read the first two that I would be lost, but thankfully it can be read as a stand alone.
Connilyn Cossette is an amazing writer! I wish I had taken a chance on her books earlier given how much I adored Wings of the Wind. I do plan to purchase the first two in the series now that I know I like her writing.
Wings of the Wind is the wonderful mix of love, forgiveness, mercy, grace, adventure, and friendship. Alanah's story is heart breaking, heart wrenching, and heart healing all at the same time. The story draws you in from the very beginning and holds your attention until the very end. Even at the end, you don't want it to be over because it is so full of life. The way Connilyn weaves the setting with the characters with the Bible is great. You get a feel for what it might have seriously been like to be living in those times.
I enjoyed this book so much I am tempted to start over from the beginning and I only finished it last night. Five stars!
To purchase a copy: Wings of the Wind
From the very first page the author draws you in with interesting characters. This only grows as you meet the whole crew. The size of the family and the crazy antics they get up to reminded me of my own family. Though I am not Italian, I had to laugh because change the names and the location and you’ve got my family in many ways - at least when we all get together.
The names of the characters (Nico, Teo, Marco, Benedetta, Carlina, Stefano, Fabbiola… etc) all bring to mind an Italian family and so that puts you in the right frame of mind to enjoy the story like you are meant to.
The suspense is great, the hints of potential romance are wonderful, all the characters are alive and truly fascinating. I dare say I am a bit like both Carlina and Stefano in terms of what they think of the whole crew as I think they are hilarious and completely nuts (in the most darling way, of course).
I had a few favorite characters - the two main ones (Carlina and Stefano), Nico with all his quirks, and Teo.
I must say that I guessed the person responsible right at the beginning, but I truly believe that is because I am really good at mysteries. It is not a flaw in the writing as there were multiple times when I started to wonder if I had been mistaken with my first guess. I was pleased to know I still am good at figuring them out with limited information.
All in all, this book had me riveted from the very beginning. I stayed up until two in the morning in order to finish it because it was that good. The writing is great, the plot is well done. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series as I must know what happens to everyone.
To buy a copy - Delayed Death by Beate Boeker
I recieved a copy of Behind the Scenes from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.
As a huge fan of Jen Turano, I knew this book was going to be wonderful - but just how wonderful would it be? I mean, what could top her other books that had me laughing so much?
I was surprised because it is in my opinion one of the author's best! I haven't laughed so hard or so loud in a long time and most of it was out loud with my family (particularly my father) wondering what on earth was wrong with me as it was every few pages.
It is a barrel of laughs with crazy moments and lively characters that you have to read to believe. The romance is top-notch, the secondary characters are just as great as the main characters, the mystery is clever (though I did figure out at least part of it), and the writing is spectacular as always.
One of my favorite books that will always have a spot on my bookshelf with all her others. If I could give it twenty stars instead of just five, I would without a doubt.
I can't wait for the next book!
To buy a copy: Behind-Scenes-Turano
I got this book in exchange for my honest review from Bethany House Publishers.
Julie Klassen has been one of my very favorite authors for a few months now. So, when I saw this book was up for a chance to review it I was thrilled. Like the rest of her stories it is written beautifully and draws you into the story right from the start. If you've ever wanted to know what it is like to run your own inn, read this book. It goes through the ups and downs of being in charge of an inn, even talking about learning to cook if your cook quits and how to find help outside of where you may normally look.
All in all, I feel like this story had a few too many characters. It was a tad bit tedious to try to place each of them and understand why they were important. However, I figure it is probably going to be explained in other books in the series as this is the first in the 'Tales from Ivy Hill' collection. Thora and Talbot were my favorite characters. I loved their storylines and actually found myself searching for the bits about them over the others.
Julie Klassen still remains one of my very favorite authors, even if this one isn't one of my favorites of hers. There wasn't anything bad about it as it was a great story with lively characters, but it failed to grab me like some of the others have. I give it four stars because it is written well, the characters are good, and the storyline is intriguing.
To buy a copy -
https://www.amazon.com/Innkeeper-Ivy-Hill-Tales/dp/0764218131/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483898014&sr=1-1&keywords=the+innkeeper+of+ivy+hill
I got this book in exchange for a honest review from Bethany House.
This is the first book from Nancy Mehl that I have read and I was pleasantly surprised. The characters were real - especially the main character, Mercy Brennan (love that name!) - and I was moved by both Mark and Tally as well. Given the story is about gangs and I don't typically read books like that, I was quite surprised that I enjoyed it.
In all honestly, it wasn't my favorite book, but it wasn't bad. I liked the action and the constant twists and turns held within the pages. A few moments I did get choked up and the faith element is very strong - but not over done. There were a few things I figured out before it was revealed in the plot, but it didn't make me dislike the story.
All in all, it is a good read and one that many people would enjoy. I rate it 3.5 stars because while it is good, I just wish it had held my attention a bit more instead of being one that I read a few chapters and put it down and then came back to read a few more a couple days later.
To purchase a copy of the book: https://www.amazon.com/Fatal-Frost-Defenders-Justice-Nancy/dp/0764217771/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479835481&sr=1-2&keywords=fatal+frost
