Audaciously Alive: Choosing to Live Well on Purpose by Roxanne Harris

As you can see from the picture, my hands are not the image of beauty. You can see the psoriasis, the swelling, the redness....and this is just a tiny outward image of the havoc that is going on inside my body every day. I chose to review Audaciously Alive because it is about a woman with an autoimmune disesase.... someone like me.

I have a feeling a lot of people will pick up this book because they suffer from AS (ankolysing Spondolitits) like the author, or  perhaps Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Lupus, Lyme Disease, Cancer.... because they are desperate for any help they can find. I certainly can relate. Loosing your health turns all your other priorities upside down. For me, I felt encouraged after reading 'Audaciously Alive'. I devoured the book in a single day, desperately reading in hopes that I would find some sort of 'magic cure' or something. I honestly don't know what I was expecting to find.... but I did walk away with a semblance of hope. 

Roxanne is very open about her life and her experiences, and doesn't shy away from showing how crazy hard it is to suffer from an autoimune disease where your body literally starts to attack itself. For every story of how bad she became though, there is a follow up story of how she pulled herself back out of the valley. These stories were the source of my hope. Reading along as she fought to recover brought me hope that there is something I can do to help improve my health, but it also was a strong reminder to brace myself for a serious, life-long battle. Health wont just fall back into your lap. It takes effort and a lot of 'showing up' as Roxanne puts it. 

I'm not necessarily ready to jump on board with all the health recommendations that Roxanne mentions, but her heart is in the right place and I think most of what she says has merit to at least be considered. I love her emphasis on the power of the Lord's healing and on prayer. 

I valued the time I spend reading this book and will likely read it again (though slower this time!) to get more out of it. 

Thank-you to Graf Martin for a copy of this book to review. 

Back Cover:

In Audaciously Alive: Choosing to Live Well on Purpose, Roxanne Harris helps readers see where they are in their own struggle with autoimmune or chronic disease—and the pitfalls, confusion, and torment that goes with it—to find the path back to freedom and true living.

After a devastating diagnosis of an autoimmune disease, ankylosing spondylitis, just two weeks after the birth of her fourth child, Roxanne Harris refused to submit to life in a wheelchair and began the fight of her life—to create beauty from the ashes of disease, broken relationships, and the crippling of her body. 

In Audaciously Alive, she shares her pain, the many trials she faced, and her most audacious moments of standing firm and not giving up. She highlights keys to living well and gives insight and wisdom so that you can better see the traps and speed bumps that could derail you in your own path to recovery. Packed with practical tools, Roxanne will help you turn the freight train of your health and life around and get back on track physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. 

You no longer have to live in panic, confusion, or fear after a diagnosis. Instead, you can choose to be audacious and live on purpose every day. 

Say “no” to sickness and the label of disease and choose to live audaciously.

The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Welcome to summer on Cape Cod--a place where the sweet life just might be possible

Dawn Dixon can't believe she's on a groomless honeymoon on beautiful Cape Cod . . . with her mother. She was supposed to be here with Kevin, the man she loves. Still, Mom was the right choice. Dawn's heart may have been broken, but Marnie Dixon is in need of mending as well.

But Mom--being Mom--creates a mess when, on a whim, she buys a run-down ice cream shop in the town's tightly regulated historic district with big plans to fix it up. She's never remodeled anything. And she's never even made ice cream!

Dawn knows she has to stay and fix this fiasco. But her mother's money pit ice cream shop may have created a chance for a happy ending . . . one Dawn could never have expected.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

...My Thoughts...

 This book made me want to run away from life and open an icrecream shop somewhere! 

...Not that I am envying Dawn's reason for her flight... being dumbed by your best friend/fiancé is enough to make even the most logical person loose it just a little. In Dawn's scenario, she has everything under control all the time. Everything is planned. Down to the Last. Small. Detail. It has gotten to the point where her fiancé, Kevin, can't handle it anymore. There is no room for anything spontaneous or for things to not go according to the master plan. 

For her part, Dawn doesn't see anything wrong with how she is. Her planning keeps her life safe and predictable and is allowing her to achieve all her goals. Her plan is working until Kevin leaps off the "Dawn Express" after realizing that he can't take a life time of her over controlling tendencies. 

 

Kevin's leaving rattles Dawn to the core. She's always known that she would marry Kevin. Now, to not have that in her future? Her life and her plans are in pieces and she doesn't know how to pick them up again. She ends up going on her 'honeymoon' with her mom, and while they are vacationing in a small tourist town, her impulsive mother buys a dilapidated ice cream shop. Dawn is mortified, but knows she can't leave her mom to run anything on her own. She is far too spontaneous and doesn't plan for anything - it the perfect recipe for the ultimate disaster!

 

Before her father died, Dawn had a passion for making homemade ice-cream with him. Almost despite herself, Dawn begins to experiment with her old hobby. As her mother's passion and impulsivity threaten to almost drive her mad, Dawn begins to realize that life needs to be more than perfectly laid plans and vanilla. Plans are good.... but perhaps Kevin and her mom aren't totally wrong about there being another way to live life....

 

I really enjoyed this novel, and especially the huge character transformation of Dawn. A great summer read!

Thank-you to Baker Publishing House and to Graf Martin Communications for a copy of this book.

 

Point of Danger by Irene Hannon

Hate mail was one thing. This was quite another.

Radio talk show host Eve Reilly is used to backlash from her pot-stirring on-air commentary and interviews. But now it seems a disgruntled listener is resorting to more than angry words to express their displeasure. When a suspicious package arrives on her doorstep, Eve turns to law enforcement for help.

Police detective Brent Lange can't find any evidence to link the string of unsettling incidents that follows, but he's convinced they're connected. As the harassment grows more menacing, it becomes clear someone wants Eve's voice silenced--permanently. 

But unless he can track down her elusive foe, the gutsy woman who is willing to take risks for what she believes--and who is swiftly winning his heart--may not survive.

 

Irene Hannon..... her name has earned some serious recognition in the realm of crime thrillers. Her books are riveting and never fail to leave you with a "Whoa...what!?" moment. Several years ago she released a book that spent a lot of time in the mind of a very demented killer, and it disturbed me badly. Since then, I have not read any of her books. I was a little nervous to pick up 'Point of Danger', but a friend recommend I read it so I did. I am glad I did.

‘Point of Danger’ has a really strong heroine - she is driven, committed to her beliefs (both spiritual and political), and not afraid to face life head on. Our hero has some baggage but he is suitably swoon worthy. No complaints there. 

 

The plot was believably, had enough red herrings to distract, and delivered beautifully right through to the last page. I read this book in one sitting and really enjoyed the whole thing.

 

Thank-you to Graf Martin Communications and to Baker Publishing House for allowing me to review this great book.

A Haven for Her Heart by Susan Anne Mason

 

Review: This was an incredible novel and I couldn't stop talking about it... to everyone... for weeks after finishing it. First of all, I had NO IDEA that this type of law used to exist in Canada. My first was response was, "No way..." and then, when I read how long these laws were in effect and what happened to these poor women...? Utter horror.....

I'm so glad Susan Anne Mason wrote this book. I feel like this is a part of history that should be taught in school. How did I not know that it was against the law and punishable by incarceration to be pregnant  and unmarried in Toronto, Canada? And this isn't ancient history either. We're talking 1940s and onward. Appalling. 

This novel, in my opinion, is the best work that S.A. Mason has done to date. I've greatly enjoyed many books that she's written in the past, but there was a gripping edginess and steely grit to this book that was different than the rest. "A Haven for Her Heart" stands out. The writing is inspired. Olivia Rosetti, our heroine, is worthy of the role put to her. The plot is all too believable. 

I really valued reading this book and am grateful for the opportunity to learn more about Canadian history, and in such a riveting way. An excellent book written by a wonderful author.

Thank-you so much to Graf Martin Communications and to Baker Publishing House for a copy of this book

Back Cover: Upon her release from a woman's reformatory in 1941 Toronto, Olivia Rosetti wants nothing more than to forget the horrors of her time there and return to normal. But with her family unwilling to forgive and employers wary of hiring her, she quickly ends up desperate and homeless--until a chance encounter with well-to-do widow Ruth Bennington. The two discover they share a painful history and together decide to open a maternity home for troubled women.

Greek widower Darius Reed is determined to protect his daughter from the prejudice that killed her mother and hopes to marry into a prominent Toronto family. But when his employer orders him to persuade Ruth Bennington to sell them her property, Darius soon becomes conflicted over his feelings about the home and his attraction to Olivia.

Despite finding fulfilment in her work, Olivia must fight not only bitter memories and the community's negative reaction to their mission, but also feelings for the man who is trying to close her home. Can love prove stronger than prejudice and societal pressures, or will past mistakes destroy her chance at true happiness?

A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden

 

Review: We were first introduced to Caroline Delacroix in the first book of this series, The Spice King. The impression I got from her in the Spice King was a woman that has known nothing but finery in life and is intelligent, but not too concerned about using her abilities to the max. Her twin brother, Luke, was a bit of a cad... and not a character to be taken seriously. He was a frivolous thorn in their big brother, Gray's, side. 

A Gilded Lady splits the lives of this family wide open as we get to understand the motivations and inner workings of the Delacroix twins. Known to be hard partiers and the toast of the town, neither of the twins is taken too seriously by anyone... or so they'd like everyone to believe. Beneath the glitter, flittering, and charm lies another layer.... or perhaps a hundred more layers. 

Neither twin is anything like they appear and, without spoiling it, A Gilded Lady takes you on a wild ride of adventure as the twin run circles around everyone they know - including the highest level of government. I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of historical romance or simply wants an excellent read. 

Thank-you Graf Martin and Baker Publishing House for a copy of this book to review. 

Back Cover: Caroline Delacroix is at the pinnacle of Washington high society in her role as secretary to the First Lady of the United States. But beneath the facade of her beauty, glamorous wardrobe, and dazzling personality, she's hiding a terrible secret. If she cannot untangle a web of foreign espionage, her brother will face execution for treason.

Nathaniel Trask is the newly appointed head of the president's Secret Service team. He is immediately attracted to Caroline's quick wit and undeniable charm, but his job leaves no room for distractions. Anarchist plots have led to mounting threats against the president, forcing him to put duty before his growing love for Caroline.

Amid the glamorous pageantry of Gilded Age Washington, DC, Caroline and Nathaniel face danger and heartbreak that shakes them to their core and tests all they know about love and sacrifice.

The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden

 

This weekend I read two books, the Spice King and it's sequel, A Gilded Lady. I literally read them both in two days. They are that good.  I'll focus this review on the Spice King. 

I really loved this book...namely because of Gray and Annabelle. The way these two interacted with each other had me, at times, seriously doubting if they would ever be able to mend ways enough to be together. As referenced in the book, they are like oil and vinegar. Gray is so serious and mature beyond his years. He is an unmoveable pillar of strength and a daunting man. Nothing about Gray suggests that he would ever change his mind or bend his will.....

Enter Annabelle Larkin. She is everything that is hope, positivity, and loyalty. The sun seems to follow her even on rainy days, and somehow her light breaks through the hard cracks of Gray's armor. 

However, life smashes its way into their budding friendship and the story begins to twist and turn. The stakes grow high for Annabelle, her sister, and Gray and his family as circumstances spiral out of control. The Spice King will keep you turning pages as fast as you can read, and will have you reaching for its sequel, Gilded Lady, as soon as you turn the last page. 

Thank-you to Graf Martin Communications and to Baker Publishing House for a copy of this novel to review. 

You may click Right Here to read an excerpt of this amazing novel. 

Back Cover: Gray Delacroix has dedicated his life to building an acclaimed global spice empire, but it has come at a cost. Resolved to salvage his family before they spiral out of control, he returns to his ancestral home for good after years of traveling the world.

As a junior botanist for the Smithsonian, Annabelle Larkin has been charged with the impossible task of gaining access to the notoriously private Delacroix plant collection. If she fails, she will be out of a job and the family farm in Kansas will go under. She has no idea that in gaining entrance to the Delacroix world, she will unwittingly step into a web of dangerous political intrigue far beyond her experience.

Unable to deny her attraction to the reclusive business tycoon, Annabelle will be forced to choose between her heart and loyalty to her country. Can Gray and Annabelle find a way through the storm of scandal without destroying the family Gray is fighting to save?

Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar

 

Review: I can not say how much I loved this book. I loved loved loved it and can't wait to read it again. I've already pre-ordered my copy of this book's new release. 

"Pearl in the Sand" was the first novel I have read by Tessa Afshar, and I can guarantee you it will not be my last. As I speak I have other novels of hers queued in my amazon account and plan to place an order shortly - and so should you!  I absolutely adored every moment I spent reading this novel. It was SO good. 

Why did I enjoy it so much? Well, Rahab was completely unforgettable. The insight that Tessa Afshar showed in her pondering regarding Rahab's supposed youth and perhaps the type of circumstances that landed her in the position of being a harlot was simply brilliant.... but also the situations and the events that would perhaps cause a harlot of Jericho to have a spirit sensitive enough to head the voice of God and aid the Israeli spies and also to win the heart of one of Isreal's high ranking men? Just amazing. The journey this novel took me on was utterly spellbinding and I couldn't stop reading it. 

Rahab was an incredible character. From her days in Jericho to her wisdom and humility in the months spent integrating into Israel's camp to her first tender months as the wife of Salmone were just breathtaking. Tessa Afashar's delicate touch in molding such an intricate and interesting character was simply a treat to read. 

I can honestly say I felt like I was in the streets of Jericho feeling fear pound through my soul as the sounds of thousands of Israeli sandals marched around the city and reverberated through my bones.... or the wordless fear and awe as Rahab realized the almighty power of Israel's God... each and every step of this story was amazing and I can't recommend this book enough. Buy it!

Thank-you to Moody Publishers and to Net Galley for the opportunity to review this book prior to its 10 year anniversary re-release. 

Back of Book: 

Can a Canaanite harlot who made her living enticing men be a fitting wife for a leader of Israel? Shockingly, the Bible's answer is yes.

This 10th anniversary edition of Pearl in the Sand includes new features that will invite you into the untold story of Rahab's journey from lowly outcast to redeemed child of God. Rahab's home is built into a wall, a wall that fortifies and protects the City of Jericho. However, other walls surround her too, walls of fear, rejection, and unworthiness... Years of pain and betrayal have wounded Rahab's heart--she doubts whether her dreams of experiencing true love will ever come true...

A woman with a wrecked past--a man of success, of faith... of pride. A marriage only God would conceive! Through the heartaches of a stormy relationship, Rahab and Salmone learn the true source of one another's worth and find healing in God.

The Conqueror by Bryan Litfin

 

Back Cover: It is AD 312. Rome teeters on the brink of war. Constantine's army is on the move. On the Rhine frontier, Brandulf Rex, a pagan Germanic barbarian, joins the Roman army as a spy and special forces operative. Down in Rome, Junia Flavia, the lovely and pious daughter of a nominally Christian senator, finds herself embroiled in anti-Christian politics as she works on behalf of the church.

As armies converge and forces beyond Rex's and Flavia's controls threaten to destroy everything they have worked for, these two people from different worlds will have to work together to bring down the evil Emperor Maxentius. But his villainous plans and devious henchmen are not easily overcome. Will the barbarian warrior and the senator's daughter live to see the Empire bow the knee to Christ? Or will their part in the story of Constantine's rise meet an untimely and brutal end?

Travel back to one of the most pivotal eras in history--a time when devotion to the pagan gods was fading and the Roman Empire was being conquered by the sign of the cross.

Review: If I could give this book a 100 stars I would. I loved every second I spent reading this incredible story. My only complaint is that I have to wait for book two to come out. "The Conqueror" is the first book I've read by Bryan Litfin. According to his website, this is his first journey into Biblical fiction.  Bryan Litfin is a Biblical Scholar and a Theologian with a PhD in Theology. His expertise in history shines powerfully in this novel. I have read thousands of books, many of which were historical novels, and I have never felt so utterly consumed and drawn into a time period as I did in this book. Bryan's expertise made me feel as if I were truly there - the story was positively vivid. 

Take the story of Rex, a ferocious Germanic warrior sworn into the elite army group serving Constatine... and Junia, a beautiful and brave young noble woman who has risked her life to be part of the early Christian church ... and you have a nail-biting adventure that will have you turning pages as fast as you can. Honestly, these two characters could carry a novel with the barest of settings (they are that intricate and utterly amazing), but set them in a literal volcanic eruption of political chaos? There is little wonder I couldn't put this book down. 

I highly recommend this book and am personally waiting impatiently for books two and three to come out.

Thank-you to Net Galley for a copy of this book to read and provide my honest opinion of. 

Dead End by Nancy Mehl

Back Cover: When a body is discovered in a field in Iowa, the police uncover fourteen additional corpses, some from twenty years ago, others from the recent past. The remains point to a serial killer with an MO the authorities have seen before--Ed Oliphant, a man who has been in prison for more than twenty years . . . and is FBI Special Agent Kaely Quinn's father. After several failed attempts to discover if Ed has been training someone to be a copycat killer, the police turn to Kaely in St. Louis for help.

Kaely promised herself she would never step foot in her hometown or set eyes on her father again. She's always refused to confront her past, but if she wants to prevent any more deaths, she must come face-to-face with the man she's hated for years.

As more bodies are discovered, Kaely races against time and her own inner turmoil to uncover the killer. Will this most personal case yet cost Kaely her identity and perhaps even her life?

Review: Kaely Quinn, a behavior analyst or criminal 'profiler', is a character that I could have hung out with for another dozen books or so. I sense that "Dead End" is the last of this series, therefore making it a trilogy, and I am so sad to say goodbye to this insanely interesting and quirky individual. 

I've read a lot of Nancy Mehl's books, and the"Kaely Quinn Profiler" trilogy is by far my favourite work of hers so far. "Dead End" can be read as a stand alone book, but you will not get the same satisfaction or depth if you don't read the other two books first (both of which I highly recommend). 

This trilogy is about a woman named Kaely Quinn who is the daughter of an infamous serial killer. To combat the evil in the world and to try and understand how her father, a man who had always appeared so normal, could in actuality be a notorious serial killer, she joined the FBI. Through her own unique and sometimes frightening methods, Kaely has become an incredible profiler and helped many law agencies find their UNSUB. However, her unusual techniques aren't without their dangers.... and as Kaely struggles to deal with the demons of her past she begins to loose control of her methods...and her confusing relationship with Noah.

As time races by, Kaely fights to hold herself together and push the demons back as she and Noah confronted one of the most difficult cases of her career - one that again involved her notorious father and an apparent copy-cat killer. 

If you like thrillers and detective type stories, you will love this one. Highly recommend this series! 

Thank-you to Graf Martin Communications and to Baker Publishing Group for a complimentary copy of this book. 

Like Flames in the Night by Connilyn Cossette

Review: Connilyn Cossette's books just keep getting better. I would recommend every single book she has written - I have and love them all. "Like Flames in the Night" is no different (with the exception that I may have liked it even more than the other ones!). What really stood out for me with this novel was Tirzah.

Tirzah is basically the Jewish, Biblical version of a superhero. This girl has some serious guts, and I felt like I was reading a book about a Marvel super hero (though more realistic). I absolutely loved this character and I wish more Christian fiction had female leads like this. She has so much grit and courage. Despite living in an era when the woman's job is to cook and bare children, Tirzah rises above the death of her husband and her own bareness to become an effective tool for Othenial's army. As a woman, she can go places unnoticed that men cannot, and therefore, she becomes a terribly effective spy. 

I was on pins and needles reading this book, and I enjoyed every moment of it. The suspense and drama just kept on coming and I stayed up all night to finish this book. As per usual (and I am starting to take this for granted with Ms Cossette), the setting was very well written and everything felt accurate for the era.

 I would highly recommend "Like Flames in the Night."

Thank-you to Baker Publishing Houe and to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book.

Back Cover: Strong-willed Tirzah wants to join her people in driving the enemy from the land of Israel and undergoes training for a secret mission inside the stronghold of Shechem. But soon after she has infiltrated the ruthless Aramean commander's kitchen, she makes a reckless decision that puts her and her allies in grave danger.

Fresh off the battlefield, Liyam returns home to discover his beloved daughter is dead. After his vow to hunt down her killer leads to months of fruitless pursuit, his last hope is in a family connection that comes with strings attached--strings that force him to pose as a mercenary and rescue an infuriating woman who refuses to leave her mission uncompleted.

When an opportunity to pave a path to a Hebrew victory arises, can Tirzah convince Liyam to fight alongside her in the refuge city of her birth? Or will Liyam's thirst for vengeance outweigh his duty to his people, his God, and the woman he's come to love?

Jerusalem's Queen by Angela Hunt

Review: What an amazing and worth while read. I can't even begin to fathom the number of hours that went into the exhaustive research for this novel. I was blown away by the use of Hebrew, the time-accurate descriptions and word choices, and the incredible historical events that I had no idea where taking place right before Jesus' birth. This is a book that I will certainly be reading again soon because there was way too much information to properly absorb with one reading.

"Jerusalem's Queen" was a third Bible study, a third history lesson, and a third delightful fiction. Angela Hunt did a very credible job pouring history through her work while telling a very believable and riveting story of one of Jerusalem's most prominent women in a rather terrifying time.

I can not recommend this book enough. I enjoyed every page and "Jerusalem's Queen" left me entertained but also feeling like I had learnt an awful lot. This book is a "must read".

You can find a link to download an excerpt here: LINK


Back Cover: Born in the small village of Modein, a town made famous by the warrior Maccabees, Salome Alexandra knows better than to harbor grand dreams for her future. She pales in comparison to her beautiful older sister, and though she learns to read at an early age, girls are not valued for their intellectual ability. But when her father and sister are killed, John Hyrcanus, a distant relative, invites Salome and her mother to live with his family in Jerusalem, where her thirst for knowledge is noticed and indulged.

When her guardian betroths her to a pagan prince, she questions HaShem's plan. When Hyrcanus finally marries her to a boy half her age, she questions her guardian's sanity. But though Salome spends much of her life as a pawn ordered about by powerful men, she learns that a woman committed to HaShem can change the world.

Thank-you to Graf Martin Communications and to Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing House, for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Shelter of the Most High by Connilyn Cossette

Review: It feels like yesterday that Connilyn Cossette was the 'new girl' in Biblical fiction. I remember clearly picking up her first book only because I liked the cover. About five pages into her first novel I was hooked. Now, I don't even read the back cover. If Connilyn Cossette is the author, then I'm reading it, and so far? I've loved every book she's penned.

Shelter of the Most High is probably one of the more liberal stories she has written. While her first series was tightly based on the exedous from Egypt, her latest series is about the Cities of Refuge. The Bible doesn't have a lot to say about these cities, but it does give an explanation for their purpose and their locations. Thus, it leaves a lot of room for creative story telling, which Ms Cossette has taken full advantage of.

This novel was oh-so-sweet and it brought back some beloved characters from her previous works. The story felt accurate for the times and really emphasized how captive the residence of these Cities of Refuge truly were. It was wonderful to see little Eitan back and grown into a man.

I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who is a fan of historical romance. This is a lovely, sweet story. As a cautionary note, there is a vivid and violent massacre within the first pages of this book that made me cry and I wouldn't let a young adult read...but then again, I'm pretty sensitive. So, just a warning.

Thank-you to Graf Martin and to Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for a copy of this book.

Back Cover: 
The daughter of a pagan high priest, Sofea finds solace from her troubles in the freedom of the ocean. But when marauders attack her village on the island of Sicily, she and her cousin are taken across the sea to the shores of Canaan.

Eitan has lived in Kedesh, a city of refuge, for the last eleven years, haunted by a tragedy in his childhood, yet chafing at the boundaries placed on him. He is immediately captivated by Sofea, but revealing his most guarded secret could mean drawing her into the danger of his past.

As threats from outside the walls loom and traitors are uncovered within, Sofea and Eitan are plunged into the midst of a murder plot. Can they uncover the betrayal in time to save their lives and the lives of those they love?

Caught by Surprise by Jen Turano

Review: My first impression of this book was 'ridiculous'. "Caught by Surprise" reads like the author was smirking the entire time she wrote it. I found it a bit much for the first few chapters, but I quickly got into the story line and was won over rather hastily by the back-and-forth banter between Gilbert and Temperence. I got the distinct impression that this book was never meant to be taken seriously and is completely meant to illicit under the breath chuckles and even groans throughout the entirety of it. Honestly, with characters named "Flowerdew" I highly doubt Ms Turano was aiming for a serious book.

Complete with guns being drawn in almost every chapter, paper-mache swords dipped in blood coloured paint, inept criminals and clumsy assassins, and a perky 'wallflower', this book is filled with wry humor. If nothing else, this book is guaranteed to lighten your day and give you a laugh.

In addition to its hilariously long winded and impractically formal dialogue and ridiculous scenes, "Caught by Surprise" has several rather insightful messages hidden amongst the mirth. There are some definite nudges about the effects of absentee parents and the responsibilities parents have to their children. As well, there were some rather deep and meaningful thoughts regarding marriage which I felt were surprisingly prudent considering the nature of the novel. These messages were slipped in quite seamlessly and added a degree of depth to this book that was otherwise absent.

I would definitely recommend this novel for a good laugh. It is indeed absolutely ridiculous but it is hilariously ridiculous. If you are in the mood for a 'tongue-in-cheek' book, then definitely pick this one up. You will not be disappointed with the humor nor the sweet love story.

Thank you to Graf-Martin Communications and to Baker Publishing Group for a copy of this novel

Back Cover: After years of hiding her true nature, Miss Temperance Flowerdew is finally enjoying freedom outside of the shadow of her relations, so the last thing she expected on her way to work was to be grabbed off the street by a stranger and put on a train bound for Chicago.

When Mr. Gilbert Cavendish is called upon to rescue a missing woman, he follows the trail to Chicago only to discover that the woman is his good friend, Temperance. Before they can discover who was behind her abduction, they're spotted alone together by a New York society matron, putting their reputations at risk.

Even though Gilbert is willing to propose marriage, Temperance is determined not to lose her newfound independence. But when the misunderstanding in Chicago escalates into a threat on her life, accepting Gilbert's help in solving the mystery may lead to more than she ever could have dreamed.

All My Tomorrows. Karen Witemeyer, Jody Hedlund, Elizabeth Camden

Review: There wasn't a story in this collection that I didn't enjoy. Each one was a confident, stand-alone novella that any reader could pick up and enjoy without having the backstory of these author's other series. Two of the novellas were set in worlds that the authors have created for other series, but it wasn't necessary to know about them to enjoy these short-stories.


I became surprisingly invested in all three of these novellas, despite the fact that they were short stories. Typically I find short stories rushed, but these were complete and very satisfying reads. This book is the perfect collection to drop in your purse to read during a lunch break or while waiting for someone - they are short (I read each story in about 30 minutes) and thoroughly enjoyable.

I found the cover quite under-whelming and it did not inspire me to pick this book up right away. That being said, I really enjoy all three of these authors and this collection is a little gem. I'd definitely recommend it.

Excerpt from "All my Tomorrows"

Back Cover: Stories of Love That Will Last through Every Tomorrow

Karen Witemeyer, Jody Hedlund, and Elizabeth Camden are among the most acclaimed authors in the historical romance genre--their novels have won a RITA award, a Christy Award, a Christian Book Award, and multiple Carol Awards. These beloved writers offer for the first time ever in print three unforgettable historical novellas that celebrate true love:

Karen Witemeyer's "Worth the Wait" takes readers to the Harper's Station women's colony, where a single mother must overcome pain and fears of the past in order to trust a gruff but kind freighter who has helped the women expand their business. 

Jody Hedlund's "An Awakened Heart" follows a young widow into the shadows of New York's tenements, where she and a newly appointed minister spar over the best way to care for the poor and orphaned. 

Elizabeth Camden's "Toward the Sunrise" finds a female medical student trying to overcome the ramifications of a decision that leaves her at the mercy of a stubborn but handsome attorney.

Thank-you to Graf Martin Communications and to Baker Publishing House for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review.

Lone Witness by Rachel Dylan

Back Cover: 

She's the Only Witness to a Brutal Crime. Now She Can't Outrun the Target on Her Back.
Prosecutor Sophie Dawson has taken a new role at the Fulton County DA's office, and her first case involves a local bank employee who may be cheating customers. She's determined to bring justice to those who've lost their savings . . . but her life is turned upside down when she becomes the only witness to a double homicide involving a vengeful gang. 

With her life at risk, friends and family convince her that she needs protection, and private security guard Cooper Knight is hired as a bodyguard. But as threats escalate, neither Cooper nor Sophie knows whom they can trust. 

Unwilling to back down on either case, Sophie pursues the truth at any cost. But her bank litigation gets more complicated by the day, and the gang will stop at nothing to keep her from taking the stand. With all sides closing in, steadfast Cooper is the only man she can lean on. But drawing close may be the distraction that costs both of their lives. 

Review: This was a great read. Rachel Dylan did an admirable job of weaving two mysteries plus a believable romance into a single, fast-paced novel. Her cast of characters were highly dynamic and original. I found myself admiring her character development throughout the entire novel (and perhaps feeling a touch envious of her skill!). I appreciated how it was hard to vilify even the worst of her characters as she wove strands of humanity into all of them. Too often in TV shows and books the 'bad' characters are evil through and through. It's much harder - and way more believable - to create a character that is both good and bad. The villains in this story walk that line oh so well. 

I also really liked how there were two simultaneous mysteries going on at once. The interplay made the story very exciting and added a degree of curiosity that wouldn't have otherwise been present. To be honest, I was caught off guard by a couple of the 'who-done-it' revelations at the end. Love being surprised!

As for Cooper and Sophie....they are so sweet. Sophie just wears her whole heart on her sleeve, and Cooper is the ultimate protector. Their relationship is a hesitant one, but beautiful. I was cheering for them the whole time.

I would definitely recommend adding this book to your summer reads list.

Thank-you to Graf Martin Communications and to Baker Publishing House for sending me a copy of this book. I really enjoyed it :)

The 49th Mystic by Ted Dekker

Back Cover: 

Some say the great mystery of how one can live in two worlds at once died with Thomas Hunter many years ago. Still others that the gateway to that greater reality was and is only the stuff of dreams.

They are wrong. 

In the small town of Eden, Utah, a blind girl named Rachelle Matthews is about to find out just how wrong.

When a procedure meant to restore Rachelle's sight goes awry, she begins to dream of another world so real that she wonders if Earth might only be a dream experienced when she falls asleep in that reality. 

She is the prophesied one who must find and recover five ancient seals--in both worlds--before powerful enemies destroy her. If Rachelle succeeds in her quest, peace will reign. If she fails, both worlds will forever be locked in darkness.

So begins a two-volume saga of high stakes and a mind-bending quest to find an ancient path that will save humanity. The clock is ticking; the end rushes forward. 

Ready? Set?

Dream.

Review: A week has gone by since I finished this book, and I am still digesting it. There are so many layers to this novel and so much to chew on that it's hard to even decide where to start with writing this review. To be honest, I really just want to pick it up and read it all over again - and then try and formulate my thoughts and feelings into a coherent opinion that won't be 10,000 words long. 

Unfortunately, life is hectic and reading a book once is a challenge .... twice isn't an option! So, I will have to try and muddle through this review with a single read-through. First, you might be asking why I'm having so much trouble giving my opinion on this book (for those of you that read this blog, you know I don't have trouble giving my opinion)? To be honest, it's because this book made me think deeply, which is not something that most novels do. Second, it's because this book was so good that I really want to do it justice.

Ted Dekker gives an incredibly powerful message within the pages of 49th Mystic, and that message in inescapable. He dives deep into several meaty theological concepts, all centered around the question, "Who is God?". Through his use of imagination/fantasy, Ted Dekker personifies good versus evil, angels and our Savior versus the devil and his demons, in character form. Through this story, you get to witness the power and struggle of both sides from the vantage point of the characters Ted Dekker brings to life. The result is a lasting and vivid impression on one's mind.

From a story perspective, our main protagonist, Rachelle, is alive in two time periods of our earth. When she is awake she is present in our time, and when she dreams she is present in the future. What happens to her in one dimension stays with her in the other. I won't say any more lest I give away too much, but Rachelle is an unique individual and it is her quest to uncover the five seals (truths about God's identity), in both realities, in order to save the world. 

I had some trouble understanding this novel and getting into it for the first few chapters, and honestly I almost gave up on it. However, once I got into the swing of things I couldn't put it down and ended up staying up half the night finishing it. The 49th Mystic isn't a light read and I wouldn't recommend it to somehow who simply wants some light entertainment for a summer afternoon. That being said, I would highly encourage you to read this book if you are up for something with some depth and that will really challenge you to consider your own beliefs and faith. And just in case I'm making this book sound boring, it isn't. It's highly entertaining. 

Thanks so much to Graf Martin Communications and Baker Publishing House for a copy of this book - I really enjoyed it. 

A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason

Back Cover: When stable hand Nolan Price learns from his dying mother that he is actually the son of the Earl of Stainsby, his plans for a future with kitchen maid Hannah Burnham are shattered. Once he is officially acknowledged as the earl's heir, Nolan will be forbidden to marry beneath his station.

Unwilling to give up the girl he loves, he devises a plan to elope--believing once their marriage is sanctioned by God that Lord Stainsby will be forced to accept their union. However, as Nolan struggles to learn the ways of the aristocracy, he finds himself caught between his dreams for tomorrow and his father's demanding expectations.

Forces work to keep the couple apart at every turn, and a solution to remain together seems farther and farther away. With Nolan's new life pulling him irrevocably away from Hannah, it seems only a miracle will bring them back together.

Review:  This is the perfect summer romance to bring along to the beach or on your vacation this summer. Former stable-hand, Nolan Price becomes the center of an irresistible story when he is told that he is the long lost heir of the Earl of Stainsby and is fated to inherit a massive and wealthy estate. 

The news comes with mixed feelings as Nolan is forced to confront the knowledge that the feared nobleman whom he has worked under since he was a child is actually his father. Coming from two entirely different worlds yet matched in stubbornness, the Earl and Nolan butt heads as Nolan brings his 'poor-man's perspective' into the wealthy and elite circles of upper society. In addition to caring too much about the staff and loathing the frippery of the elite, Nolan refuses to abandon his child-hood sweetheart in exchange for a societal debutante - much to his father's fury. 

A straight forward and honest man, Nolan is not prepared for the cunning of his father nor of the other socialites and finds himself struggling to preserve the dreams he's always had for his life and to keep those he loves safe. 

This is an enjoyable novel of a 'rags to riches' tale, but with many exciting twists and turns along the way. I really liked "A Most Noble Heir" and would certainly recommend it. 

Thank-you to Baker Publishing House and to Graf Martin Communications for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. 

The Crescent Stone by Matt Mikalatos

Back Cover:

A girl with a deadly lung disease . . .
A boy with a tragic past . . .
A land where the sun never sets but darkness still creeps in . . .
A bargain that brings life, but may cost more than anyone can imagine . . .

Madeline Oliver has never wanted for anything, but now she would give anything just to breathe. Jason Wu skates through life on jokes, but when a tragedy leaves him guilt-stricken, he promises to tell only the truth, no matter the price. When a mysterious stranger name Hanali appears to Madeline and offers to heal her in exchange for one year of service to his people, Madeline and Jason are swept into a strange land where they don’t know the rules and where their decisions carry consequences that reach farther than they could ever guess.

Review:  I read the excerpt of this book, and then went half mad waiting for the rest of the book to be sent to me. I devoured this book in a sitting and was left wanting more. In short, I highly recommend "The Crescent Stone" to anyone who enjoys young adult fiction. It is a masterpiece along the lines of Narnia by C.S. Lewis and George Morris' Seven Sleepers Series. 

Despite having finished this book well over a week ago, the story of the Crescent Stone has been reverberating around in my mind ever since and refuses to let me stop thinking about it (surely, a sign of a good book!). In addition to being action packed and highly entertaining, this story had an unusual and thought provoking depth to it. Matt Mikalatos clearly has a passion for social justice, and in a seamless matter he managed to incorporate some rather strong themes of social justice and bring the reader's attention to present day social injustices without interfering with the story at all - in fact, it definitely added to the tale. 

The Crescent Stone takes place in a parallel universe that is linked to Earth - The Sunlit Lands. The world Mikalatos has created is vivid and multi faceted. He has clearly spent a lot of time figuring out the intricacies of his world, and it is a pleasure to read. I felt like I was actually there. The different races of 'people', the different religions, the currencies, the magic.... it was magnificent.  In addition, the characters were a very creative, unique, and delightful assortment of individuals. I sincerely hope there is another installment to this tale.

Thank-you to Tyndale Publishing House for a PDF version of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.