When Hope Blossoms by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Amy Knackstedt moved to Weaverly, Kansas to start fresh after the loss of her husband.  She wants to escape the memories and pain, but her escape from pain brings memories long dormant to the forefront of her neighbour Tim Roper's mind.  Tim left his Mennonite faith long ago hoping to never have anything to do with anything Mennonite again, but Amy's delightful family constantly reminds him of his loses.  


Tim tries to maintain his distance from the Knackstedts, but who can resist Adri (a precocious 5 year old), Parker (an 11 year old with disabilities who proclaims you his best friend), and Bekah (a compassionate and searching 13 year old).  Even Amy with her wholesome good looks and serenity is irresistible.  Eventually Tim questions whether his memories of his childhood were reality or if he saw his past through clouded lenses.  This also prompts him to renew his relationship with God.


While Tim is dealing with his memories, Amy is trying to sort out whether her husband Gabe's accident was a suicide.  Would he leave her and the children on purpose?  Yet through it all she is ever faithful to God and to living a life of integrity.  She becomes a light to Tim and a steady rock for her children.


This was a very good book.  I'm going to donate it to the church library so many others can enjoy it!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".  

Rare Earth by Davis Bunn

For a girl who loves her historical romance, this was a departure for me!  Why I chose this book is a mystery to me, but right from the start the writer captured my interest and didn't let go.  


Marc Royce is sent into Africa to deal with a crisis that arose after a volcano erupted and created chaos in the area.  However, the real reason that he's sent there is to uncover the person and reason behind a kidnapping and corruption in the organization that sent him there.  After an exciting and shaky start, Marc earns the respect of the tribal leaders and also the respect of Kitra, a UN nurse whose brother was abducted.  


Soon Marc finds that the danger comes from getting too close to the mystery of the minerals called rare earths.  These are used in electronics and are worth billions of dollars; enough money to justify killing to preserve the villains interest!


This book could be a movie!   It reminded me of the Jason Bourne movies (if Bourne was a Christian).  I loved the nonstop action and the cultural descriptions that brought the book alive.  Now I want to read the first book and any that follow Rare Earth!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".  

Tidewater Inn by Colleen Coble

While Libby's partner Nicole investigated the renovation possibilities of several historical buildings on Hope Beach, she discovers some news that astounds Libby.  Her father did not die when she was five, but he was alive until recently and has now left her the Tidewater Inn and other property as well.  She also has a family she never knew anything about!  Shortly after that Nicole is kidnapped while Libby watches it on a web cam and is powerless to help her friend.

It seems that Libby suffers blow after blow in this book.  Her friend is kidnapped and she becomes a suspect.  She discovers that her mother lied to her for years.  She has family she never even knew about and aside from her lovely aunt, her siblings want nothing to do with her.  What anchors Libby is "What would Jesus do?"   A necklace her father left her had that inscription, and it proves valuable as she navigates the many difficult days that follow Nicole's kidnapping.  I loved that practical part of the book and how it inspires me to think in the same way.

When you throw in a hunky coast guard and some elusive villains you have yourself a recipe for an exciting romantic suspense!  I thought the characters were believable and I found I had an emotional response to the difficulties that Libby was dealing with.  I'd definitely recommend this book to my friends.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Submerged by Dani Pettrey

Bailey Craig has to go back to the one place on earth that she doesn't want to go... Yancey, Alaska.  It is a place of shame and pain.  After her parents abandoned her to her aunt there, teenaged Bailey can't seem to cope with her pain and makes very poor choices earning her the nickname 'Easy Lay Bay'.  What's more, she will have to see Cole who is the guy she has never stopped loving.  Now her Aunt has been killed in a plane crash and Bailey being her sole heir goes to put her affairs in order and lay her to rest.


What Bailey doesn't know when she arrives in Yancey is that her Aunt was murdered and the body count keeps rising.  Bailey and Cole are thrown together as they both have skills necessary to help solve the mystery of these murders.  Cole and Bailey are both different people now.  Can they overcome the pain of their pasts?


This book reminded me of Dee Henderson's O'Malley series.  Cole has many siblings whose camaraderie is infectious.  You find yourself wishing you were part of their family as much as Bailey wishes she could be a part of it too.  Pettrey was also able to keep my attention with her action packed romantic suspense.  I can't wait to find out what happens to the next sibling in Pettrey's next book.


I received this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion whether good or bad.

Touching the Sky by Tracie Peterson

When Laura Marquardt first met Captain Brandon Reid, he did not make a favourable impression.  Some of his coloured soldiers had just finished rescuing Laura when he happened upon them.  He then proceeded to give Laura a dressing down for harassing his men.  Laura tried to explain, but Brandon just would not listen.  That seems like real life to me!

Fast forward a bit and Laura is trying to discourage her naive and shallow sister from marrying a man she does not trust and again finds that no one is listening to her.  Her sister does marry and her marriage is horribly abusive.  Laura overhears a plot masterminded by her brother in law and the only one she can trust to listen to her objectively is Brandon.  Ironically he has become important to Laura and he is also drawn to her.  Will they be able to stop the overheard plot and protect Laura's sister?

I liked this book because it wasn't all fluff and sap.  Laura and her family have trouble with the social connections they had before the war due to their support for the north.  Laura's sister Carissa has to live with the consequences of her decision to marry quickly, and the black people of the south have to live with their newfound 'freedom'.  Yet in all the realistic nuances of the setting and characters, the author still manages to write a sweet love story.  I enjoyed the book and found that it was also appropriate for my 13 year old daughter.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.   Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".  

Love in Disguise by Carol Cox

After Ellie's job as a theatrical wardrobe assistant is unexpectedly terminated she is left with few options.  Having been black listed by those in the theatre world, Ellie's options are few.  All she has left is money for a few more days lodging and a trunk full of costumes.  Acting on overhear conversation between a couple Pinkerton detectives, Ellie applies for a job as a detective.  When her female partner gets married, Ellie decides to carry on alone because she needs the job so badly.  This is where the fun begins!

Ellie becomes two people, Lavinia (an older widow) and Jessie (a vivacious redhead) as she investigates some mining thefts.  It was entertaining to watch Ellie develop and switch between her characters.  Her theatre life certainly came in handy even though she'd only ever been a behind the scenes employee.  She definitely threw herself into the roles providing believability to the story.

This is the perfect book for a summer vacation read.  Whether at the pool or camping, this book will keep you entertained.  The only caveat that I have is that the relationship with Steven was a smidgen shallow.  It seemed that he was mostly attracted to Jessie's outside beauty and really didn't know who Ellie was.  That is the only issue I had with the book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Great fun!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".  

Through Rushing Water by Catherine Richmond

Sophia's beau humiliated her when he very publicly and surprisingly became engaged to her roommate.  It seemed providential that she heard a missionary speak on the need for workers in China right after this devastating turn of events.  So, without much thought or prayer, Sophia jumps in and lands herself in... Dakota territory working with the Ponca Indians.  The primitive conditions are a shock for this weathered world traveler.  Sophia was the daughter of an ambassador where she lived and travelled in many countries and social circles.  Little did Sophia realize that God would be using her political skills to minister to the Poncas that she comes to love.


This novel was a surprise to me.  I was out of reading material and thought I'd give it a chance.  I'm so glad I did.  Sophia's character has depth; her past experiences and therefore altered perceptions of the Poncas was fascinating.  That God was able to use her despite the fact that she signed up for missions for the wrong reason was thought provoking.  The other characters in the book also had depth to them.  From the sanctimonious preacher to the very attractive and compassionate Willoughby Dunn, I just couldn't wait to see what they would do next.  


This is a five star book!  You will not be disappointed.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

This is the fourth book from Karen Witemeyer that I have read and it certainly won't be the last!  She has a delightful way of engaging you right from the start with a fast paced, enticing read.  


The book begins with a prologue where Meredith is being tormented by a childhood bully who throws her lunch pail onto the feared Archers land.  The bully goes on to describe the 'horrors' that have happened to people who actually step foot on that land instilling deep fear into poor little Meri's heart.  However, despite her fear Meredith attempts to retrieve her lunch pail and gets her foot caught in an animal trap.  It is Travis that gently rescues her and asks her not to dispel the rumours that the Archers are a nasty bunch.


Fast forward several years... The Archers are still isolated and Meredith is being pressured to marry a man she doesn't love.  When she overhears a plot by her 'almost' fiancee to burn the Archers off their land she immediately goes to warn Travis about the threat.  Things happen, her reputation is compromised through no fault of her own, and out come the straws!


This is a delightful book full of believable lovable characters as well as some despicable bad guys.  I love that Ms Witemeyer includes flaws in her characters; perfection can be tedious.  Travis certainly thought he had it all-together and it was amusing to watch this 'hermit' attempt to be a husband when he had absolutely no experience with women.  I could really go on and on... it all boils down to this, I loved it!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".  

The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport

Lucy Banning is the daughter of a wealthy Chicago family.  She has long know what is expected of her and that is to be a well behaved socialite and wed a family friend's son.  However, Lucy stalls for time, afraid that if she weds Daniel she will be forced to give up her charity work and her classes at the university.  When architect Will enters the picture Lucy becomes even more confused about her future with Daniel.  He is the compelling friend of her bother who has a rags to almost riches story and Lucy enjoys his company right from the start.

Lucy and Wills relationship was not believable because of several missing scenes.  When did she fall in love with him?  Who knows?  The character's interaction was so brief that I just couldn't buy into their love.  Lucy's desire to be more than a socialite is undermined by her ability to lie to her parents and the fact that she actually decreases the amount of time she spends with her 'precious' orphans.

There are several subplots in the story, including the story of Charlotte who comes to the Banning household with her infant son hidden in her carpetbag.  She is fleeing a desperate situation and knows that she'll never find work with an infant.  This part of the story annoyed me because it was never completed but just left hanging.  Charlotte's story is never really revealed.  Also, Will's past is alluded to but also never really explored.  The description of the book makes it seem like the 1893 World's Fair was a big part of the story, yet even that was disappointing.

I found this book to be quite shallow both in character development as well as the narrative itself.  Perhaps if the book was longer the author would have had time to address all these issues, but since she did not I found it lacking.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".