Book Review: Turning Pages

 

Turning Pages

The Adventures and Misadventures of a Publisher

by John Sargent

Pub Date 19 Sep 2023 | 

Skyhorse Publishing,Arcade

Biographies & Memoirs

Skyhorse Publishing, Arcade, and Netgalley provided me with a copy of Turning Pages for review:

Taking a peek behind the pages of Turning Pages provides a rare insight into

some of the biggest publishing moments in the past several decades with forty-year industry veteran John Sargent.

With Turning Pages: The Adventures and Misadventures of a Publisher, the author shares his forty years in the publishing industry. For twenty-four years, John Sargent ran one of America's largest publishing companies. Instead of a chronological narrative, Sargent takes us inside book publishing through the best stories from those years. Through his weaving of these stories, he takes the reader on a journey through triumph and despair, as well as a very interesting day-to-day life. Readers will meet his odd publishing family, his interesting authors, and celebrities he worked with. He recounts his experience having an author meeting at Buckingham Palace and publishing Monica Lewinsky. Readers are taken along on Macmillan's battles with Amazon, the Department of Justice, and President Donald Trump.

The reader will share his occasional pain and seemingly endless joy, from a one-room schoolhouse in Wyoming to the Nelson Mandela Foundation in South Africa, in Turning Pages. It's a book for those who enjoy a good story about an interesting life, full of humor and grace. Those who love books and have always wondered about the publishing industry should read this behind-the-scenes look at some of the biggest moments in publishing over the last several decades.

I give Turning Pages five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Words We Share

 

The Words We Share

by Jack Wong

Pub Date 10 Oct 2023 

Annick Press Ltd.,Annick Press

Children's Fiction

Through Annick Press and Netgalley, I am reviewing The Words We Share:

It's nothing new for Angie to help her dad. Since moving to Canada, he relies on her to translate from English to Chinese. In restaurants, at the grocery store, and one day when her dad needs help writing some signs for his business, Angie is always happy to help.

As a result of her success translating her dad's signs, Angie offers her translation skills to others in her community. Her new business takes off, until one of her clients says he's unhappy with her work. Her dad offers to help, but she doesn't understand how he could. Together, they find a surprising solution that fixes Angie's problem in a way she never would have imagined.

I give The Words We Share five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Laws of Attraction

 

The Laws of Attraction

by Mary Connealy

Pub Date 20 Jun 2023 |

Bethany House,Bethany House Publishers

Historical Fiction| Romance

Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley provided me with a copy of The Laws of Attraction for review:

With their lives on the line, do they have the courage to give in to their attraction?

If widowed seamstress Nell Armstrong had to make one more pair of boring chaps for the cowboys in her tiny Wyoming town, she might just give up! Brand Nolte, a widower struggling to raise three girls on his own, seems like a dream come true for her. Brand has no idea how to dress the girls properly, and Nell finally has a chance to teach them how to sew while designing beautiful outfits.

Nell is much more than a seamstress, and the investigative skills and knowledge she acquired alongside her late lawman husband become crucial when a wounded stagecoach-robbery survivor arrives. As danger closes in from all sides, Nell and Brand must discover who is targeting them before it is too late.

I give The Laws of Attraction five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Finding Us

 

Finding Us

by Tracie Peterson

Pub Date 25 Jul 2023 

Bethany House,Bethany House Publishers

Christian| Historical Fiction| Romance

Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley provided me with a copy of Finding Us for review:

At an exposition in Seattle in 1909, Camera Girl Eleanor Bennett snaps a photograph of a woman in widow's clothes holding a young infant with deep sorrow etched in her expression.

Eleanor longs to study botany at the University of Washington, but she cannot stop thinking about the widow in the photograph. Bill recognizes the woman as his sister-in-law, whom he believed lost in a shipwreck.

Eleanor and Bill must stand together to deal with the danger that follows and learn to trust God to guide their paths as they hunt for Amelia Reed to reunite her with her grieving husband.   

I give Finding Us five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review:Letters from My Sister

 

Letters from My Sister

A Novel

by Valerie Fraser Luesse

Pub Date 15 Aug 2023 

Revell

Christian| Historical Fiction| Women's Fiction

Through Revell and Netgalley, I am reviewing Letters from My Sister:

As the only daughters of a wealthy Alabama cotton farmer, Emmy and Callie Bullock are living a privileged life when Lily McGee arrives and turns their well-ordered household upside down. Lily's arresting beauty quickly attracts the wrong kind of attention. Callie meets a man who offers her the freedom to abandon social constraints and discover her true self.

After Lily has a baby, Callie witnesses something she wasn't supposed to see--or was she? A haze of memories surrounds her, just an image of Emmy holding Lily's missing baby girl on a darkened riverbank. Through their letters, the truth slowly emerges between the sisters-including a revelation that will shape Callie's future.

I give Letters From my Sister five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Voices of the Ancient

 

Voice of the Ancient

by Connilyn Cossette

Pub Date 15 Aug 2023 | Archive Date 24 Sep 2023

Bethany House,Bethany House Publishers

Christian| Historical Fiction

Bethany House Publishing and Netgalley provided me with a copy of Voices of the Ancient to review:

The eldest son of a Levite and a Philistine, Avidan is torn between his obligation to his family legacy and his desire for something more. A local enemy attack gives him the chance to fight for King Saul with his cousins. Avidan refuses to leave one of the cousins behind when he goes missing during the battle.

In Manasseh, Keziah is the daughter of an important clan chief. As she faces forced marriage to a man decades older than her, she runs, hoping to find refuge with her mother's family. 

A pact is made between Avidan and Keziah to travel together during their journeys and survive the dangers that surround them. To survive, they must not only rely on each other, but also learn to trust the true and eternal King of Israel to guide their every step.

I give Voices of the Ancient five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Something Like Home

 

Something Like Home

by Andrea Beatriz Arango

Pub Date 12 Sep 2023 

Random House Children's,Random House Books for Young Readers

Children's Fiction| Middle Grade

Random House Children's and Netgalley provided me with a copy of Something Like Home for review:

No matter what the adults say, Laura Rodrguez Colón will live with her parents again. Can you blame her? When you're a new kid at school, it's hard to make friends. While staying at her aunt's house is okay, it's not the same as being in her own home.

Hence, finding a puppy seems like fate to Laura. Maybe she will be allowed to visit her parents if she trains the puppy to be a therapy dog. It is possible that the dog will help them get better and things will finally return to normal.

Even though you live with your aunt, how do you explain that you're technically a foster kid? How do you explain that you're not where you belong, and you just want to go home?

I give Something Like Home five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Starlet Spy

 

The Starlet Spy

by Rachel Scott McDaniel

Pub Date 01 Aug 2023 

Barbour Publishing,Barbour Fiction

Christian| Historical Fiction| Romance

Barbour Publishing and Netgalley provided me with a copy of The Starlet Spy for review:

Hollywood Star Turns Spy

 

Henrik Zoltan approaches Hollywood star Amelie Blake in 1943 with the promise of a leading role in his upcoming film, but he has a more significant role in mind. Stockholm has become the 'Casablanca of the North' after Amelie's homeland of Sweden declared neutrality in the war. Allied forces scramble to recover top-secret atomic research files when they go missing in Sweden.

There is a need for someone who is subtle enough to spy on the Swedish elite without triggering suspicion on the part of the United States Office of Strategic Services (OSS). There can be no better starlet than the "all beauty, no brains" Scandinavian starlet? With a brilliant memory and fluency in three languages, Amelie loathes being called witless, but uses the label as a disguise. Despite her best efforts, Finn Ristaffason keeps getting in the way of her search for the crucial files. Is the charming shipping magnate searching for the missing research? Has he other reasons for showing up at every turn of her life?

For Amelie to survive a world of deadly spies and counterspies, she must rely on her smarts as well as her acting skills.

I give The Starlet Spy five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: No Romancing the Passengers

 

No Romancing the Passengers

by Lee Wimmer

Pub Date 05 Dec 2023 | Archive Date 15 Feb 2024

Hightower Publications,POD

Christian| Mystery & Thrillers| Religion & Spirituality

Hightower Publications  and Netgalley sent me a copy of No Romancing the Passengers for review:

A man who is running away from his past. A woman facing a new chapter in her life. There will be no forgetting this voyage.

An archaeologist embarks on a voyage with twelve passengers that changes their destiny forever in a world of secrets and betrayal. Dr. Steven Ray is a confident owner/captain of his own boutique cruise line, but underneath the façade lies an unending nightmare that will test the courage that helped him turn away from religion.

An unknown enemy hunts DR and a passenger with a past of her own across the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean seeking to sink the yacht and kill its passengers.

Does DR have what it takes to let go of the past and embrace his destiny-including breaking his own rule about romance-or will they all go down with the ship?

I give No Romancing the Passengers five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: There's Beauty in Your Brokenness

 

There's Beauty in Your Brokenness

90 Devotions to Surrender Striving, Live Unburdened, and Find Your Worth in Christ

by Brittany Maher; Cassandra Speer

Pub Date 11 Jul 2023 

Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Gift,Thomas Nelson

Christian| Religion & Spirituality| Self-Help

Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Gift sent me a copy of There's Beauty in Your Brokenness to review:

Are you feeling like you're not enough? Is it hard for you to see your inherent worth just as you are? Scripture, story, and art provide encouragement to anchor your identity in Christ and find rest in His presence in this beautiful, full-color devotional.

Despite our efforts, it may seem like there is never enough. That's okay, though! It's not our actions that determine how much we are "enough". As Brittany Maher and Cassandra Speer point out, our identity lies in God. Discovering your inestimable value in God alone is a life-altering, soul-anchoring truth that will change the way you feel about yourself, how you spend your time, and how you treat others.

Throughout the pages of this beautiful devotional, Brittany and Cassandra will gently guide you back to what God intended for your life. Through Scripture, meditations, and reflective questions, they show you how sin corrupted God's plan, how Christ redeemed it, and how we can live in that redemption for the rest of our lives. The truth that you are is expressed in each entry:

Feel safe, seen, and loved

Because of Christ's value, you are already enough

Become part of a community of women who understand your longing for soul renewal

Even when you feel fragile or overwhelmed, you are whole and complete in Christ.

It's easy to get caught up chasing the wrong things in a world filled with counterfeit identities. These devotions feel like sitting down for coffee with a close friend, sharing both the good and the hard of what it means to follow Christ, learning together how Your confidence in His promises will empower you to live out your true worth confidently live out your true worth secure in His promises for you.

I give There's Beauty in Your Brokenness five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Colonization and the Wampanoag Story

 

Colonization and the Wampanoag Story

by Linda Coombs

Pub Date 12 Sep 2023 

Random House Children's,Crown Books for Young Readers

Children's Nonfiction| History| Middle Grade

Netgalley, Random House Children's, and Crown Book Readers have provided me with a copy of Colonization and the Wampanoag Story for review:

So far, you've only heard one side of the story: Christopher Columbus, the Pilgrims, and the Colonists' descriptions of the "discovery" of America. A true account of America from the perspective of its Indigenous people.

If you were asked to think about the beginning of the American story, what would you say? In 1492, three ships docked off of the Mayflower, or perhaps buckled shoes and hats stepped off. The truth is, Christopher Columbus, the Pilgrims, and the Colonists didn't arrive to an empty, vast land ready for development. Upon arriving, they found people and communities living in harmony with the land they had inhabited for thousands of years, and they disrupted everything they witnessed.

There is a carefully misrepresented history of America's earliest days, beginning with its "discovery" by Europeans, and ending with its first Thanksgiving. This is the true story of how America as we know it today began from the point of view of the Indigenous Nations in New England.

I give Colonization and the Wampanoag Story five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Girl Who Survived Auschwitz

 

The Girl Who Survived Auschwitz

by Eti Elboim; Sara Leibovitz

Pub Date 05 Sep 2023

HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter,One More Chapter

Biographies & Memoirs

Through HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and Netgalley, I am reviewing The Girl Who Survived Auschwitz:

Poland, 1944 The brakes squealed as the train slowed and stopped. Our wait in the carriage seemed endless, but eventually, the heavy doors opened, letting us see the chaos outside.

The train was carrying Sara Leibovits, a 16-year-old Jewish girl, as well as her family. Their horrific fate was sealed within minutes.


As the little family spent their final minutes together on the platform at Auschwitz, they were ordered in all directions and left to their own fates. Sara's mother and baby brothers were killed. As a Sonderkommando, her father was forced to remove the bodies from the gas chambers and later executed.

I give The Girl Who Killed Auschwitz five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Cloak of Scarlet

 

Cloak of Scarlet

by Melanie Dickerson

Pub Date 15 Aug 2023 

Thomas Nelson--FICTION,Thomas Nelson

Christian| Historical Fiction| Teens & YA

Thomas Nelson-Fiction and Netgalley sent me a copy of The Cloak of Scarlet for review:

It was never Violet Lambton's intention to be anything but average. With her faith, her books, and her baking . . . and the vivid red cloak her grandmother gave her, she lives a comfortable life in her small medieval village. There is only one thing she dreams of: finding a love that is pure and true. The villainous Baron Dunham then robs her grandmother. As Violet finds herself in the middle of the action, she is determined to stop the evil baron from mistreating the hardworking people.



Baron Dunham's knight Sir Merek has dedicated his life to fighting injustice and defending the weak. After meeting Violet and discovering the depths of the baron's treachery, he realizes that serving his employer does not mean serving the kingdom—so he sets out on a daring journey to expose the baron's deceitfulness to the king behind the baron's back.

Violet is captured and brought directly to Dunham-where she discovers a secret that shocks her entire world . . . and her dreams for the future. Having been thrown together in the baron's quarters, Violet and Merek must learn to trust each other in order to expose Dunham's treachery to the king, all while succumbing to their growing feelings for one another. Is there a chance for the two to find their happily ever after despite all odds, or will the wolves drive them apart?

Melanie Dickerson presents a thrilling retelling of "Little Red Riding Hood" where two hearts must learn to trust each other in order to save their kingdom.

I am reviewing a copy of Cloak of Secrets five out of five stars!

Book Review: Windfall

 

Windfall

A Novel

by Wendy Corsi Staub

Pub Date 11 Jul 2023 

William Morrow,William Morrow Paperbacks

General Fiction \(Adult\)| Mystery & Thrillers| Women's Fiction

Netgalley and William Morrow have provided me with a copy of Windfall for review:

It was the girls' weekend they would never forget.

J.J., Molly, and Leila were once inseparable, but life and distance have disrupted their friendship. When the three reunite for a birthday weekend in Las Vegas, they buy a lottery ticket on a whim that has the winning numbers-giving them a billion-dollar windfall. After becoming shell-shocked, they turn to Shea Daniels, a "sudden wealth manager," who promises to guide them through the pitfalls of having a lot of money.

They would live to regret their girls' weekend.

The trio travels to a secluded California mansion where Shea and her staff cater to their every whim, promising to help them navigate their newfound lifestyles. A missing movie star was last seen alive in the house, which is rumored to be cursed. It is lavish beyond their wildest dreams. The wildfires raging around them disrupt communication and block roads, turning their weekend into a nightmare. As history repeats itself, one of them disappears, the one holding the billion-dollar ticket, and the others must decide whether or not their friend has betrayed them...or if a predator lurks.

I give Windfall five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review:Transforming Love

 

Transforming Love

How Friendship with Jesus Changes Us

by Amy Boucher Pye

Pub Date 02 May 2023 

Our Daily Bread Publishing

Christian| Religion & Spirituality

My Daily Bread Publishing and Netgalley have provided me with a copy of Transforming Love for review:

Amy Boucher Pye explores the dynamics of Jesus' remarkable friendship with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, inviting you to be transformed by the same Love that transformed their lives. 

The prayer exercises and reflection questions in Transforming Love are perfect for your personal time with God and group discussions.

I give Transforming Love five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Go and Do Likewise

 

Go and Do Likewise

A Call to Follow Jesus in a Life of Mercy and Mission

by Amy DiMarcangelo

Pub Date 26 Sep 2023 

Crossway

Christian

Netgalley and Crossway have provided me with a copy of Go and Do Likewise for review:

God's Compassion: Extending it to The Most Needy 

It is through his love that Jesus came to redeem sinful people and restore a fallen world, and he invites his followers to join him in this good work. However, how can believers effectively care for their neighbors when they are surrounded by sin and suffering? Can ordinary Christians participate in God's mission to restore a broken world?

Theologically, Go and Do Likewise reveals how ordinary Christians can extend God's compassion to those in need through God's grand story of redemption. DiMarcangelo provides discussion questions based on biblical principles. In this practical book, believers are challenged to joyfully engage in Christ's mission by relying on the gospel to spur mercy, justice, and generosity. 

Explores the Gospel to Shape Christlike Christians: Encourages believers to show mercy, justice, generosity, and love to those in need 

Readers are encouraged to reflect on and apply the discussion questions to their everyday lives.

Aimed at both laypeople and church leaders: Encourages everyday Christians and provides church leaders with practical strategies for ministry

I give Go and Do Likewise five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: What Jesus Intended

 

What Jesus Intended

Finding True Faith in the Rubble of Bad Religion

by Todd D. Hunter

Pub Date 18 Jul 2023 

InterVarsity Press,IVP

Christian| Nonfiction \(Adult\)| Religion & Spirituality

Netgalley and Intervarsity Press have provided me with a copy of What Jesus Intended for review:

Do you feel as though you are losing your footing in church? Has the church lost its footing? An endless string of scandals within the walls of a place meant to offer compassion and safety has left many of us feeling unsteady, disoriented, even crushed. Others feel compelled to withdraw or distance themselves from the church. However, our instincts tell us this is not what Jesus intended for his followers. What did he intend? 

In his four decades of ministry, Anglican bishop Todd Hunter has experienced betrayal and pain. Despite all that, he remains hopeful. His belief in Jesus is stronger than ever, and he believes that Jesus has plans for his followers. 

Hunter describes a way to emerge from the ruins of bad religion and rebuild faith among a community of sincere believers in What Jesus Intended. Through unpacking Jesus' purposes, we can expose twisted, toxic religion for what it is and embrace the gospel's true aims. Experience the healing and goodness we've always longed for through Jesus.

I give What Jesus Intended five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Woman from Lydia

 

The Woman from Lydia

by Angela Hunt

Pub Date 11 Jul 2023 

Bethany House, Bethany House Publishers

Christian| General Fiction \(Adult\)| Historical Fiction

Using Bethany House and Netgalley, I am reviewing The Woman from Lydia:

Euodia, the widowed Lydian woman, seeks a fresh start by moving to Philippi, a foreign city. After meeting Paulos, apostle to the Gentiles, she finds new meaning in helping those in need, especially women and enslaved people.

Former Roman soldier Hector has settled in Philippi with dreams of wealth and status, pooling his army earnings with Lucius, his fellow comrade-in-arms turned business partner. The enslaved girl's lucrative ability to foretell the future is stripped from her by Paulos, making her worthless to Hector.

His determination to find someone who can restore the girl's valuable "gift" drives him to travel to the ends of the earth to do so. Euodia and her servants follow close behind him on a journey to rescue Sabina and free her.

I give The Woman of Lydia five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: 10 Prophetic Values for Today

 

10 Prophetic Values for Today

Hearing, Glorifying and Restoring God's Voice

by James Levesque

Pub Date 08 Nov 2022

Chosen,Chosen Books

Christian| Religion & Spirituality| Self-Help

Netgalley and Chosen Books sent me a copy of 10 Prophetic Values for Today to review:

As the world tumbles into darkness, credibility issues have arisen within the prophetic movement, causing believers to feel disillusioned, frustrated, and unsure of whom to trust.

However, God is speaking more clearly than ever before. Can we listen and are we willing to do so?

This book brings you back to the basics of hearing and speaking God's words with hope and practical insights. Pastor James Levesque looks at ten biblical, prophetic values to show how cultivating qualities like perseverance, hope, and generosity will help you hear God clearly and accurately.

We must be guided by His voice, and we must be illuminated by His Word in these unprecedented times. As you follow where He leads, you will speak peace to the enemy's storms and be the light the world desperately needs.

I give 10 Prophetic Values for Today five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review:Hope Surge

 

Hope Surge

by Melissa Benson

Pub Date 22 Jun 2023 |

Christian| Nonfiction \(Adult\)| Religion & Spirituality

Through Netgalley and the author, I am reviewing Hope Surge:

Discover the power of hope in this devotional-style book! God has given us a key to unlock radical growth, heart healing, and unexplainable peace. As you walk in deeper levels of joy, faith, and courage through hope, you will experience deeper levels of joy, faith, and courage. Nothing remains the same when you grasp God's perspective and the supernatural hope it contains!

Author Melissa Benson offers powerful hope injections on topics such as identity, vision, freedom, and restoration to help you connect deeper with Jesus. In addition, she tackles tough but real subjects such as lies, offense, trials, and disappointment with a fresh perspective. Her over 100 accompanying scriptures are even more important than her own writings.

Whether you have been living with disappointment and hopelessness or just want to stay focused on what God is up to and excited about, the Spirit-led, Bible-based principles in Hope Surge will light a fire in your belly and bring about a renewed excitem

It’s time to get your hopes up—way up!m

I give Hope Surge five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Slavery and the African American Story

 

Slavery and the African American Story

by Patricia Williams Dockery

Pub Date 12 Sep 2023  

Random House Children's,Crown Books for Young Readers

Children's Nonfiction| History| Middle Grade

Through Random House Children's, Crown Books for Young Readers, and Netgalley, I am reviewing Slavery and the African American Story:

So far, you've only heard one side of the story: how slavery began, and how America split into two to end it. From the perspective of an African American, here is the true story of America.

As soon as Africans arrived in the United States, they began to shape the country. Their labor created a strong economy, built our halls of government, and shaped American society forever. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was not signed until 300 years after the first Africans arrived, the fight for freedom began as soon as they stepped foot on American soil. 

This book tells the true story of the first 300 years of African Americans in America: the struggles, the heroes, and the untold stories that were left out of textbooks. Start here to learn the truth about African American history in the United States.

I give Slavery and the African American Story five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Like Honey for the Bones

Like Honey for the Bones

by Brandy Heineman

Pub Date 24 Jul 2023 

Brandy Heineman,Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles

Christian| Mystery & Thrillers| Romance

Through IBPA and Netgalley, I am reviewing Like Honey for the Bones:

Present Day. When Solveig Borja settles the family estate, she's Norway-bound and never looks back after escaping Virginia's guilt over one reckless night. As their hopeless romance blooms, Kyle Benton arrives seeking asylum from past sins-which Solveig shatters. A century-old mystery holds startling links to the present day when they discover a skeleton at Rice Caverns.

A new era begins with the end of World War I in 1919. In spite of Gussie Rice's longing for the return of her beau from France, she learns he's in a stateside hospital and her closest confidante is involved with the secret. Through time, her bid for love sparks a confrontation...

 Despite Kyle's new life, bad blood and escalating threats swirl around Solveig, and Kyle's brother's killer is lurking in the shadows. 

A cavern's hidden places beckon with power, whether to enlighten their hope or to swallow them in utter darkness as the past rears up.

 The startling conclusion of this intricately woven dual-timeline novel will captivate readers from its very first line. 

I give Like Honey for the Bones five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Sound of Light

 

When the Germans march into Denmark, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt exchanges his nobility for anonymity, assuming a new identity so he can secretly row messages for the Danish Resistance across the waters to Sweden. 

American physicist Dr. Else Jensen refuses to leave Copenhagen and abandon her research--her life's dream. While printing resistance newspapers, she hears stories of the movement's legendary Havmand--the merman--and wonders if the mysterious and silent shipyard worker living in the same boardinghouse has something to hide.

When the Occupation cracks down on the Danes, these two passionate people will discover if there is more power in speech . . . or in silence. Bestselling author of more than a dozen WWII novels, Sarah Sundin offers pens another story of ordinary people responding to extraordinary circumstances with faith, fortitude, and hope for a brighter future.

Book Review: The Church of the Lighted Window. Vol.01

 

The Church of The Lighted Window, Vol 1

by Anthony Faggioli III

Pub Date 17 Mar 2023 

Atticus Creative, Inc.

Christian| General Fiction \(Adult\)| Literary Fiction

A copy of The Church of the Lighted Window.Vol.1 has been provided to me by Atticus Creative, Inc and Netgalley for review:

Kyle Getty was a successful, accomplished individual. Until one day he lost his mind and brutally attacked a man who was bullying a disabled person. Kyle has been placed in therapy at Fallbrooke Mental Institution in Oregon after being ordered by the court to do so.

He will never forget the fellow "clients" waiting for him at Fallbrooke. A young man who speaks only in rhymes and a French girl who cannot sleep. A man with Alzheimer's is trying to sketch his memories and, last but not least, a woman with a deadly brain tumor believes she has discovered a way to live forever.

In Fallbrooke, Kyle is forced to confront the pain that has ultimately brought him here, a pain rooted in the loss of his father, mother, and then his dreams.

There is, however, someone else waiting for Kyle at Fallbrooke. Kyle Getty has never given God the time he needs to fully understand him. That is, until now.

I give The Church of the Lighter Window five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Limp Forward

 

Limp Forward

A Memoir of Disability, Perseverance, and Success

by Libo Cao Meyers

Pub Date 27 Jun 2023 

Lioncrest Publishing

Biographies & Memoirs| Nonfiction \(Adult\)| Self-Help

Lioncrest Publishing and Netgalley provided me with a copy of Limp Forward for review:

Her journey in life has been steeped in rich family legacy and fueled by determination, growth, and love, from a little girl with polio in a village in China to a tech executive at Apple. Throughout the years and miles, she has embraced her differences and has never let anyone, including herself, limit her.

However, just because she's been successful doesn't mean it's been easy. Not by a long shot.

As an immigrant in a new country, a person with a disability, a mother, and a woman in a male-dominated industry, Libo has overcome challenges along the way.

With Limp Forward, Libo boldly shares her story-both the hard and the beautiful-to encourage you to see yourself, to realize your inherent worth, and to find the strength you need to face your own challenges.

Each journey is unique, but Libo's experience contains insights that can be applied to all journeys. A fascinating, unbridled exploration of what we can achieve when we pursue our full potential, Limp Forward shows what is possible when we do so.

I give Limp Forward five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review:Laura's Shadow

 

Laura's Shadow

by Allison Pittman

Pub Date 01 Aug 2022 

Barbour Publishing,Barbour Fiction

Christian| Historical Fiction| Romance

I am reviewing a copy of Laura's Shadow through Barbour Publishing and Netgalley:

One Conversation at a Time Leaks Family Secrets!

This was the year 1890 in De Smet, South Dakota 

DeSmet's young women live by two rules: don't go out in a snowstorm, and don't fall in love with Cap Garland. Mariah Patterson only obeyed one command. With no interesting suitors or means of support, Mariah finds herself orphaned and struggling to scrape a living with her brother Charles. While she knows Cap sees the world through the torch he carries for Laura Ingalls, she throws caution to the wind and lays her feelings at Cap's feet. It is Mariah's belief that her love for Cap will break both bonds, and she is willing to risk everything to prove it. 

 

1974, De Smet, South Dakota  

Trixie Gowan is a member of the fourth generation of Gowan women living in the sprawling farmhouse outside of De Smet. Well a former resident. Having recently moved to Minneapolis, she writes ads for a neighborhood paper edited by Ron Tumble. Even though she lives in the city and works there, she is still called Prairie Girl by her co-workers. As a result, she created a comic strip titled "Lost Laura" about a bespectacled girl in a calico dress coping with city life. Having grown up in a household that prohibited her from mentioning the name, Laura Ingalls, the name is a quiet rebellion. Her great-grandmother Mariah's declining health brings Trixie home for a visit, but two things might just keep her there: Dr. Campbell Carter's bedside manner, and GG's family secret that seems to be spilling out of her mouth one conversation at a time. 

I give Laura's Shadow five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Calling

 

The Calling

Collecting the Fading Embers of God’s Kingdom

by Mark A Walton

Pub Date 01 Sep 2023

ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op

Christian| Nonfiction \(Adult\)| Religion & Spirituality

Victory Editing and Netgalley provided me with a copy of The Calling for review:

The process of deconstruction must be followed by reconstruction. It was Jesus' plan.

The purpose of Jesus' ministry was to destroy the power structures around human pride and misguided faith. It was accomplished through the messianic secret and riddles related to parabolic teaching.

The Calling is marked by unsettling revelations, codes, symbols, and coincidences that only God could conceal. A paradoxical tension exists between mankind's pride and the Bible's encoded rules. 

The cavernous vacuum is where God's work is completed. Through Jesus' potent parabolic language and each biblical author's mysterious code, God remains hidden in plain sight.

 During our exploration of the valley of darkness, dry bones gain breath. In pursuit of mutual glorification, fallen angels and humans undergo specific trials. As this project systematically dismantles the messianic secret, people hidden in the shadows of life are discovered. 

The Problem:

Through a deeper dive into biblical teachings, The Calling addresses the modern problem of the church exodus. A deeper understanding of why mankind was created adds invaluable nuance to the Bible. 

Though deconstruction has become mainstream, it often ignores Jesus' love for everyone. Although The Calling approaches faith similarly, it dives deeper into the text.

I give The Calling five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Cold Pursuit

 

Cold Pursuit

by Nancy Mehl

Pub Date 11 Jul 2023 

Bethany House,Bethany House Publishers

Christian| Mystery & Thrillers| Romance

I am reviewing a copy of Cold Pursuit through Bethel House and Netgalley:

Whenever you're looking for a good, clean Mystery/Suspense novel, Nancy Mehl's works are always a good choice, and Cold Pursuit didn't disappoint.

A case that went horribly wrong still leaves former FBI profiler River Ryland suffering from PTSD. In search of a fresh start, she moves to St. Louis to be near her ailing mother and starts a private investigation firm with her friend and former FBI partner, Tony Clair. Soon, they are approached by a grieving mother who seeks answers about her son, who went missing four years ago. Despite River's knowledge of the boy's near-certain death, his mother must find closure, and River and Tony must solve the case, no matter how cold it might be.

However, as they follow the boy's trail, which gets more complicated at every turn, they find themselves in the path of a killer determined to punish anyone who stands in his way. River and Tony race to stop him before he kills again, but an even more dangerous threat emerges, stirring up River's past and plotting to destroy her future.

I give Cold Pursuit five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Rebecca

 

Rebecca

by Shannon McNear

Pub Date 01 Jul 2023 

Barbour Publishing,Barbour Fiction

Christian| Historical Fiction

As a member of the Netgalley review team, I am reviewing the book Rebecca by Barbour Publishing, Barbour Fiction.

You'll be transported to Roanoke's Lost Colony by reading this book:

Mato'aka is the daughter of a Powhatan chieftain and a woman of unknown descent. Initially, she regards the strange men from across the eastern waters as mere curiosity. After a while, though, she finds herself torn between fascination with one of their leaders and her own people's opinions and ways, becoming a pawn in their delicate and dangerous game of politics. Having shared the grief of a husband and baby daughter who have sadly passed away, she is drawn to a young Englishman, John Rolfe.



Is it possible for her to live among the English of Jamestown, accepting their ways and even changing her name? Could her destiny be linked to the Lost Colony of Roanoke?



Authenticity and vividness are hallmarks of Shannon McNear's portrayal of history.

I give Rebecca five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Once There Was A Child

 

Once There Was a Child

by Darlene Pscheidell Kwarta

Pub Date 20 Oct 2022 | Archive Date 17 Aug 2023

Atmosphere Press

Biographies & Memoirs| Nonfiction \(Adult\)

I am reviewing a copy of Once There Was a Child through Atmosphere Press and Netgalley:

Darlene always felt like an outsider as a child, and she was drawn to those like her. She learned sign language from her deaf neighbor, Joe, and was the only one in the neighborhood who knew how to communicate with him. Darlene was inspired by Helen Keller's story. As did the movie Teacher Teacher, which tells the story of a teacher with many demons working with a lonely, severely autistic boy. These teachers introduced both of these children to a world they might not have known otherwise. Darlene wanted to make a difference. 

Darlene Kwarta chronicles her journey with neglected children in her first book, ONCE THERE WAS A CHILD.

I give Once There was A Child five out of five stars!

Happiest Reading!

Book Review: The All-American

 

The All-American 

A Novel

by Susie Finkbeiner

Pub Date 11 Jul 2023 

Revell

Christian| Historical Fiction

Revell and Netgalley have provided me with a copy of The All-American A Novel for review:

It is 1952 and nearly all the girls 16-year-old Bertha Harding knows dream of getting married, keeping house, and having children. Baseball is Bertha's dream. She reads every sports story in the paper, plays ball with the neighborhood boys, and even writes letters to the pitcher of the Workington Sweet Peas.

Life comes crashing down when Bertha's father is accused of being a Communist Party member by the House Un-American Activities Committee. Having been shunned and disgraced, the Hardings move into a small town where they only know their shy Uncle Matthew. When Bertha gets the chance to audition for the Workington Sweet Peas, she packs her bags for an unforgettable adventure.

I give The All American five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Rabble Starkey

 

Rabble Starkey

by Lois Lowry

Pub Date 13 Jun 2023 

HarperCollins Children's Books,Clarion Books

Romance| Teens & YA

Netgalley, HarperCollins Children's Books, and Clarion Books sent me a copy of Rabble Starkey for review:

By the time she is twelve, Parable Ann Starkey, better known as Rabble, has seen her share of trouble. One month after Rabble was born, her father abandoned her and her teenage mother, and she went to live with her grandmother, Gnomie. 

Rabble craves stability more than anything else, and she may have found it now, living with her mother and the Bigelows. For the past four years, Rabble has lived with her mother, Sweet Hosanna, in the Bigelows' garage. Veronica Bigelow is twelve, too, and she's more than Rabble's best friend; she's like a sister to her.  

When Veronica's mother is hospitalized due to mental illness, the Starkeys move into the larger house to help Mr. Bigelow take care of Gunther, Veronica's younger brother. Rabble feels more at home as the two families grow closer. The feeling of being part of a family has been formed. This feels like forever for Rabble, but can it last?

I give Rabble Starkey five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Tiger Daughter

 

Tiger Daughter

by Rebecca Lim

Pub Date 15 Aug 2023 

Random House Children's,Delacorte Press

Children's Fiction| Middle Grade

A copy of Tiger Daughter was provided to me for review by Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, and Netgalley:

The story of Tiger Daughter is both heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time!

First-generation Chinese immigrant Wen Zhou is the daughter of Chinese migrant parents. Her parents expect her to succeed in school, especially her father, whose strict rules make her feel trapped. In her dreams, she would like to create a future that is more satisfying than what her parents expect for her. 

A boy named Henry, who is also a first generation immigrant, becomes her friend. Despite struggling with his English, he is the smartest boy at school and understands her better than anyone else. Together, they plan to take an entrance exam for a selective school far from home in order to escape. 

It will take all of Wen's tiger strength and resilience to get herself and Henry through tragedy. 

I give Tiger Daugter five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!