Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin

Sarah Sundin makes my list as one of my favorite historical fiction authors. I have really enjoyed reading about the wars through fictional characters. She does an excellent job at making the historical time period come alive while including fictional characters to tell the story. I learn something new in each of her books, which is one reason I like her. She does her research, but writes it in such a way that the book never feels too heavy with history. She blends her fiction work quiet nicely.

Book #2 focuses on World War 2. I had to pause at several sections of the book because it is so hard for me to still wrap my mind around the pain and worry that almost everyone felt since each person was greatly affected by the war. Sarah Sundin even states that this book is set "during the darkest days of the war." I appreciate that her story tells the story of those dark days and that she takes the reader into the hurt and pain so many experienced.

Arch and Lillian are not new characters to the series, but they are now the main characters in this book. However, if you haven't read it then you will not be missing any huge details. (Of course, you should still definitely read the first book in this series! It was great, too!) 

One of the bigger surprises for me was the suspenseful part of the story. I knew it would be full of suspense with the war playing out. However, I didn't not expect there to be a whole other reason for the suspense. She did a good job at not dragging it out too long but gave the reader just enough to make them say "just one more chapter."

Read more reviews on this book at http://litfusegroup.com/author/SSundin.

_____________

ANCHOR IN THE STORM BY SARAH SUNDIN | BLOG TOUR AND GIVEAWAY

Author: Sarah Sundin

In a time of sacrifice, what price can one put on true love? Pharmacist Lillian Avery and Ensign Archer Vandenberg are about to find out in Sarah Sundin’s new book, Anchor in the Storm. During the darkest days of the war, Arch’s destroyer hunts German U-boats in vain as the submarines sink dozens of merchant ships along the East Coast. Still shaken by battles at sea, Arch notices his men also struggle with their nerves—and with drowsiness. Could there be a link to the large prescriptions Lillian has been filling? As the danger rises on both land and sea, the two must work together to answer that question. But can Arch ever earn Lillian’s trust and affection?

Celebrate the release of Sarah’s Anchor in the Storm by entering to win her All Hands on Deck Prize Pack!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A signed copy of Anchor in the Storm
• Nautical tote bag lined with anchor fabric
• Anchor necklace made from copper reclaimed from the USS Constitution in Boston during restoration
• 365 Devotions for Hope by Karen Whiting
• Shine: Nautical Inspirational Adult Coloring Book
• “Hope Anchors the Soul” journal
• Set of two nautical tea towels

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on June 8th. The winner will be announced June 9th on Sarah’s blog.

_____________

Anchor in the Storm (Revell, May 2016)

One plucky female pharmacist + one high-society naval officer = romance—and danger

For plucky Lillian Avery, America’s entry into World War II means a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston. The challenges of her new job energize her. But society boy Ensign Archer Vandenberg’s attentions only annoy–even if he is her brother’s best friend.

During the darkest days of the war, Arch’s destroyer hunts German U-boats in vain as the submarines sink dozens of merchant ships along the East Coast. Still shaken by battles at sea, Arch notices his men also struggle with their nerves–and with drowsiness. Could there be a link to the large prescriptions for sedatives Lillian has filled? The two work together to answer that question, but can Arch ever earn Lillian’s trust and affection?

Sarah Sundin brings World War II to life, offering readers an intense experience they won’t soon forget.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

Sarah Sundin is the author of eight historical novels, including "Anchor in the Storm." Her novel "Through Waters Deep" was named to Booklist’s “101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years,” and her novella “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” in "Where Treetops Glisten" was a finalist for the 2015 Carol Award. A mother of three, Sarah lives in California, works on-call as a hospital pharmacist, and teaches Sunday school.

_____________

I received this book free from Revell Publishers and Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange of my honest opinion of this book.

A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron

I remember seeing the first book in this series by Kristy Cameron, called The Butterfly and the Violin. I had really wanted to read that book, but didn't get a chance to do it before this book came out. After reading this one, though, I am definitely purchasing book 1 in this series.

This book was more than I expected it to be. I hadn't read anything by Kristy Cambron before and am always a little curious about authors I haven't heard of. Some are pleasant surprises and get added to my favorites list. That's what happened to Kristy Cambron. I have no intention of missing a book written by her from now on!

Set against the backdrop of WWII, the reader is taken into the lives of two people that seem to have nothing that would connect them together. In present day, we meet Sera and her fiancé William. William is accused of committing a crime that he didn't do and Sera deeply believes he didn't do it. So much so that she goes on her own quest to prove him innocent. Since William doesn't want to share thing about his own family, Sera is left uncovering things on her own about her new husband.

The parallel story is from 1942 where Kaja Makovsky is sent away by her parents to escape Nazi-occupied Prague. However, after ending up in England and experiencing the ravages of war there, she gets news that makes her uproot her life and her newfound love for a man. She exchanges that to return to Prague to try to help her parents get smuggled out alive from Prague. Of course, life doesn't go as planned and neither does this trip to Prague. Instead of reading about what is happening to the Jews, she suddenly finds herself thrust into the life that the Jews are now experiencing.

This is a captivating story that has had me thinking about the story long after I've closed the pages to the book. Now I'm immersing myself in the The Butterfly and the Violin and see how the two connect to each other.

Read more reviews on this book by going to http://litfusegroup.com/author/kcambron.

_________________________
A Sparrow in Terezin (Thomas Nelson, April 2015)
Bound together across time, two women will discover a powerful connection through one survivor’s story of hope in the darkest days of a war-torn world.
Present Day—With the grand opening of her new art gallery and a fairytale wedding just around the corner, Sera James feels she’s stumbled into a charmed life—until a brutal legal battle against fiancé William Hanover threatens to destroy the perfectly planned future she’s planned before it even begins. Now, after an eleventh-hour wedding ceremony and a callous arrest, William faces a decade in prison for a crime he never committed, and Sera must battle the scathing accusations that threaten her family and any hope for a future.
1942—Kája Makovsky narrowly escaped occupied Prague in 1939, and was forced to leave her half-Jewish family behind. Now a reporter for the Daily Telegraph in England, Kája discovers the terror has followed her across the Channel in the shadowy form of the London Blitz. When she learns Jews are being exterminated by the thousands on the continent, Kája has no choice but to return to her mother city, risking her life to smuggle her family to freedom and peace.
Connecting across a century through one little girl, a Holocaust survivor with a foot in each world, these two women will discover a kinship that springs even in the darkest of times. In this tale of hope and survival, Sera and Kája must cling to the faith that sustains and fight to protect all they hold dear—even if it means placing their own futures on the line.
Learn more and purchase a copy at Kristy’s website.

Kristy Cambron

Kristy Cambron fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. Her second novel, A Sparrow in Terezin, was named Library Journal Reviews’ “Pick of the Month (Christian Fiction)” for February 2015. Cambron is an art/design manager at TheGROVEstory.com storytelling ministry. She holds a degree in art history from Indiana University and has nearly 15 years of experience in instructional design and communications for a Fortune-100 company. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good Christian fiction read.
_________________________

I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group and Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Then Sings My Soul by Amy Sorrells

After reading a few pages in this book, I turned to the back of the book. I knew I had read a book by Amy Sorrells before because I recognized the writing style. Sure enough, she was the author who wrote How Sweet the Sound, as well. That was another book that I had fallen in love with.

I was immediately sucked into the story and found myself saying "okay... just one more chapter and then..." I wouldn't call this a happy book per se. It wasn't a depressing book, but it was full of Jewish history in Ukraine and those other countries at the time when persecution of the Jews was high.

I had a hard time reading the treatment of the Jews because some of the things done to them was absolutely horrible. It was beyond comprehension and absolutely sickening to know people have been and are still treated in ways like this.

Jakob has survived a lot in his time on earth. As he walks through dementia, he holds his life story very near his heart and doesn't want to share it with anyone. That doesn't stop his wife Catharine from trying to find out his story, though. When she doesn't find it out, his daughter Nel is left wondering if he will die with his secrets or if he will let her in to know her family history.

I finished this book and wanted there to be so much more. It ended perfectly...I just wasn't ready for the story to end yet! I am looking forward to the next book by Amy Sorrells. She is such a talented writer, in my opinion.

_______________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

An Indianapolis native and graduate of DePauw University, Amy lives with her husband, three boys and a gaggle of golden retrievers in central Indiana. After writing and editing for her college newspaper, she combined a nursing degree with journalism and creative writing, which led to publishing and editing a wide array of medical and nursing writing and multimedia projects over the past 21 years, a position as director of communications of her church’s children’s ministry, as well as a weekly column for a local newspaper which ran from 2009-2012. She has been a two-time semi-finalist for the ACFW Genesis awards, and was the winner of the 2011 Women of Faith writing contest.

When she’s not reading or writing, Amy loves spending time with her three sons; spicy lunches and art gallery walks with her husband; digging in her garden sans gloves; walking her dogs; up-cycling old furniture and junk; photography; and friends.


ABOUT THE BOOK

When Nel Stewart returns home due to the sudden death of her mother, she realizes her beloved father, Jakob, is struggling with dementia. With the reappearance of a high-school sweetheart, deliveries from Ukraine addressed to her, and the discovery of a mysterious, vintage aquamarine gemstone, Nel senses God is pulling her into the past to restore their faith and their futures. Told partially through Jakob's flashbacks of fleeing genocide-ridden eastern Europe at the turn of the twentieth century, the novel combines elements of mystery, history, faith and romance to reveal how God redeems the broken years ... and our future.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Then Sings My Soul, go HERE.

_______________

I received this book free from David C. Cook and CFBA in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Remember the Lilies by Liz Tolsma

I think I've mentioned this in my previous reviews of the books by Liz Tolsma, but I must say it again. I absolutely love the covers on her books, including this one. In fact, that is the reason I first picked up her books. I think this look has defined her and set her books apart. I can spot one of her books right away!

I had never heard of the Santo Tomas Internment Camp, located in the Philippines, until this book. I had no idea of the life they were forced to live under the control of the Japanese. It was not pretty. I enjoyed the history note at the end of the book but am shocked by the one reason no one died from. What they existed on was absolutely absurd.

There were a few times where I was nervous about Irene's safety. She was a girl that took risks and knew no home, since she was a missionary with her aunt. She had to come to terms that her mother and father might not have loved her.

I liked Rand as the story went on. I'll admit that I was a bit unsure about him in the beginning. It was necessarily that he was a bad guy, but that he was a womanizer focused on growing his bars. He was not a one-woman man. I liked his compassion and the risks he took. I cringed at some of the decisions he made that got him in trouble with the Japanese.

I was carried away on a story full of history, love, and oppression, as well as death. I'm quite interested in learning more about this Internment Camp. There is a little mystery involved and a big secret to be revealed at the end of this book. It didn't necessarily end exactly how I'd hoped, but that's okay! It was a wonderful book, nonetheless.

Read more reviews on this book at http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/remember-lilies-liz-tolsma.

______________

{More about Remember the Lilies}

Remember the Lilies (Thomas Nelson, February 2015)
Can Irene and Rand stave off starvation until the American troops bring freedom?
Interred by the Japanese, missionary Irene Reynolds comes across a mysterious note while working at the censor’s office. She memorizes the parts she must black out and delivers it to wealthy nightclub owner Rand Sterling. Before she knows what’s happening, she’s drawn into a web of secrets and danger.
Rand Sterling wants nothing more than to reopen his nightclubs once the war ends. But slimy Frank Covey wants his hand in the till—and has news that could threaten Rand’s reputation if it became public. More importantly, beautiful and intriguing Irene Reynolds cannot discover this information if he expects to persuade her to become his wife.
When Irene is attacked by a sinister Japanese guard and their secrets are exposed, they must learn the true meaning of forgiveness—if they can stave off starvation until the American troops bring freedom.
Learn more and purchase a copy at Liz’s website.

{More About Liz Tolsma}

“New York Times” best-selling author Liz Tolsma is the author of “Daisies are Forever,” “Snow on the Tulips,” and the contributing author of “A Log Cabin Christmas.” When not busy putting words to paper, Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and children, all adopted internationally.
Find out more about Liz at http://www.liztolsma.com.

______________

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers and Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

The Brickmaker's Bride by Judith Miller

I enjoyed reading the history that fills the pages in this book. I can honestly say that I knew nothing about brickmaking and all that went into it. It was honestly something I never thought about until now that I've read this book.

Besides the history, another thing I enjoyed about this book was that Ewan was an immigrant from Ireland. As part of my family history, my great-great grandparents came over from Ireland and began a new life here. I'm a sucker for pretty much any book about Ireland or the Irish!

Those two things aside, I would have liked this book anyway. The characters were so easy to love and I was rooting for Ewan and Laura. I wanted them to throw way the past, trust each other, and not let society dictate their relationship. Of course, that's easy for me to say now where we don't have that particular kind of pressure.

I like Judith Miller and really enjoy seeing how her books are different from each other. This is a beautiful story and you can so clearly see God working in their lives.

Read more reviews by going to  http://litfusegroup.com/author/jmiller.

___________________

About the Book

                       The Brickmaker’s Bride
Bestselling Author Judith Miller Debuts Historical Series Set in West Virginia
Yearning for a fresh start, Ewan McKay travels with his aunt and uncle from northern Scotland to West Virginia, promising to trade his skills in the clay business for financial assistance from his uncle Hugh. Hugh purchases a brickmaking operation from a Civil War widow and her daughter, but it’s Ewan who gets the business up and running again. Ewan seeks help from Laura, the former owner’s daughter, and he feels a connection with her, but she’s being courted by another man–a lawyer with far more social clout and money than Ewan. Besides, Ewan has resolved he’ll focus on making the brickmaking operation enough of a success that he can become a partner in the business and be able to afford to bring his sisters over from Scotland.
But when Hugh signs a bad business deal, all Ewan’s hard work may come to naught. As his plans begin to crumble, Laura reveals something surprising. She and her mother may have a way to save the brickworks, and in turn Ewan may have another shot at winning Laura’s heart.
Learn more and purchase a copy at Judith’s website.

Judith Miller

Judith Miller is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her bestselling novels. When time permits, Judy enjoys traveling, visiting historical settings, and scrapbooking the photographs from her travel expeditions. She makes her home in Topeka, Kansas 

___________________

I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers and Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Songs of the Shenandoah by Michael K. Reynolds

I'll be completely honest....when I first opened this book out of the envelope, I grimaced at how long this book was.  I was afraid I wouldn't be able to read it all in time because there were over 400 pages.  Not knowing if I'd like it anyway, I braced myself when I started the first page.  What I didn't expect was to be sucked in and reading over 100 pages a night!  I didn't want this story to end.  No wonder it's so long!  There was a lot of story to tell.  In fact, I liked this book so much that when it went on sale for the kindle, I bought this one and the first two books so I could see what I had missed.  With that said, I never once felt like I was missing something by not having read the first 2 books.

I normally have a hard time getting into these books, but I really want to like them.  That said, I always like to give them a chance to be read.  I am so glad I did with this one.  I've never read anything by Michael K. Reynolds, but he is an excellent storyteller.  He brought the Civil War alive for me.  Brothers fighting brothers, the horror of the slaves, and so much more.  I didn't really know that the Irish immigrants had been involved in any way and was shocked at how they were treated and how they treated others.  (I'm Irish myself, so I really found that interesting.)

The love between Seamus and Davin towards the end blew me away.  Davin's selfless act was beautiful.  I was shocked by Murial and never saw through her secret and never ever expected for it to be what it really was.  My heart broke for Cassie towards the end as hatred is taken out on her.  I loved seeing the church come together for the cause of the newspaper and watching miracle after miracle take place through the book.  It's really hard to sum this book up in a few sentences because it's one of those that just leaves you feeling complete.  Bad things happened, but you see God's hand through it all.  Relationships are formed, people die, and wars occur.  But God is still there and is still answering prayers and still working.

I am definitely looking forward to going back to read the first two books and can't wait for him to come out with another series.  I'll expect it to be a big book this time, though!

_____________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Michael K. Reynolds is a writer with more than two decades of experience in crafting fiction, non-fiction, journalism, copywriting and documentary production. He is the author of a series of Irish historical novels published by B&H Publishing Group. These highly acclaimed books are available in bookstores and libraries across the nation and beyond.

Michael is the writer and producer of an Emmy and Telly award-winning series of documentaries titled, Crystal Darkness. These thirty minute anti-meth films have been heavily promoted and broadcast in cities and states throughout the United States and Mexico. They have been viewed collectedly by more than 10 million people and the message has reached more than 30 million to date.

He also has wide experience as a speaker and on-air personality and has been interviewed on a variety of newspapers, radio stations and televisions networks throughout the nation. Michael earned his B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of California, San Diego and lives in Reno with his wife and three children. He is active in marketplace, marriage, small group and men’s ministries as a leader and speaker.

ABOUT THE BOOK

At the onset of the Civil War, Seamus heeds his wife’s wishes to return to her beloved family farm in the South, where he takes a post as chaplain for General Stonewall Jackson’s brigade. As Seamus ministers to the troops, his sister Clare ministers in a different way—by being a powerful voice in the Northern cause toward freeing the slaves. All this while their youngest brother Davin, who became wealthy during the Gold Rush, struggles to find love and identity in a fallen world. It’s a clash of loyalties and beliefs that threaten the entire family, each of them trying to hear God’s encouragement in the midst of the tragedy of war. The dramatic conclusion to the acclaimed Heirs of Ireland Series.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Songs of the Shenandoah, go HERE.

____________

I received this book free from CFBA and B & H Publishing Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

The Courier of Caswell Hall by Melanie Dobson

The Courier of Caswell Hall is the fifth book in the American Tapestries series.  I loved the prologue.  It was a beautiful setup to the special relationships that Melanie Dobson would be introducing throughout the book.

The American Revolution is the backdrop to the setting of this book.  I really enjoyed the details in this book that is full of history.  The loyalty lines of the Caswell's became a little blurred throughout the war because of Lydia.  Lydia has met Nathan, who has started to help her form some new ideas.  This leads to Lydia deciding to help Nathan out and playing both sides of the fence.  She has chosen sides, though, but has to be sneaky as she is gathering her information. If anyone found out, she could be in great danger.

Melanie Dobson puts so much detail into her books, like I've said above.  I think that's what sticks with me as I read her books.  She can make a topic that seems a little uninteresting become very interesting.  She an author I tend to seek out when I know one of her books are about to come out.  I have come to look forward to her books because she puts so much depth into her writing.  This book required me to pay a little more attention to just because of the time period it was written in, I think.  The romance is there, but there's so much more going on besides that. 

To read more reviews on this book, go to  http://litfusegroup.com/author/mdobson.

_______________

I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group and Summerside Press in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Abraham Lincoln Civil War Stories by Joe Wheeler

This is such a fascinating book with a neat perspective.  I like how all of the stories came from once spoken stories and not stories that were written down.  I can't imagine how much research this took in order to write down  and compile all of these personal stories.  It's such a wonderful family heritage that his family helped to participate in this book over so many years.

I truly don't know much about Abraham Lincoln, except for your typical text book/school lessons, which I'm sad to say didn't stick entirely.  If they had taught them in the way that this book shared about Abraham Lincoln, I'm sure that it would have stuck more.  I came away with such a respect for President Lincoln and I really liked his character.

I figured President Lincoln liked to read just because of the time period he was in, but I was glad to know that my assumption was true.  I like the picture of him wheeling around the baby as a young boy with his nose in the book the entire time.  Book lovers everywhere can appreciate that and probably relate to that!

Another thing that stuck out to me was the story of him showing up at the rectory early one morning with the desire to be married. I saw how he worked hard and tried to make right whatever he did wrong.  I very much respect that character trait.  The goat on the bed story was quite hilarious, too.  I'm sure I would have responded in the exact same way as Mrs. Cuthbert!

Any history lover would love this book for sure, but I think this book is also a great read for lovers of any genre.  It has something for everyone and is written so personally that it seems like you are stepping into a conversation and you get to see the intimate side of President Lincoln.  He was quite a man.  The book doesn't read in a text book fashion.  If  it did, I'd sure be put to sleep by it.  Instead, I found myself turning pages, more curious about the stories I'd learn about this man who lived and died so many years before me.

_______________

I received this book free from Howard Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Mountain Homecoming by Sandra Robbins

I like the sleek look of this book.  The girl on the cover fits beautifully with the mountains behind.   I think it's a wonderful depiction of what the story within is about.

I liked the setting of this book as the Smoky Mountains.  Knowing that Sandra Robbins lives  here and sees this every day makes this a book of experience.  Having been there many times, it was easy to picture in my head.  I could easily relate to Rani and her ideas of her future husband because I think we, as girls, tend to make that list as we are growing up.

I liked how Matthew dealt with his past, but wanted to protect Rani.  He protected her at great cost, even giving her up.

Robbins writes both with history and suspense and adds her own flair to her book that was refreshing.  I like reading authors that I've never been introduced to before because it's nice to experience new styles of writing.  It changes things up and is quite refreshing.

This is the second book in the Smoky Mountain Dreams series.  I am looking forward to reading book #3 and checking out book #1 in the series.

___________

I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Discovering the City of Sodom by Dr. Steven Collins and Dr. LaTayne C. Scott

This book was quite fascinating.  I have been studying Genesis since the beginning of the summer so when this book came up as available to review, I was quite excited.  I knew this book could go one of two ways....extremely fascinating or quite boring.  It did take me a few chapters to get into the book but was well worth the perseverance.  I think it took me a while to get used to reading the foreign-sounding places and some of the archaeological terms, which have extra help about these terms in the appendix section of the book.

The "Backstory" sections were interesting and I think it helped to remind the reader that it is a personal story, as well as a historical event/place that has been discovered.  I admire him for his use of Scripture and for basing his search off of Scripture.  If I remember right, he tells his students to "go to the text first" while they are figuring out an excavation.  I love that so much emphasis is put on God and that they long to prove to others that these events in Biblical history really did occur.

If you are at all interested in Sodom and Gomorrah, this book is a must read.  You will learn so much.  I think this book will take me several times of re-reading it to completely gather all of the information that is in it.

_______________

I received this book free from Howard Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

A Plain & Simple Heart by Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith

I have wanted to read this series since the first book in the series came out.  The cover of the first book made me want to read it.  I just couldn't put the Amish world with the western world and didn't know how that even came to pass.  However, time went by and I forgot about the book.  When I saw the second book in the series, I was reminded that this was on my to-read list. 

I love how this book looks and I love the storyline.  I never would have put these two very different worlds together, but it made for a great story.  Since I still haven't read the first book (I do own it now, though, and plan to read it), I was not attached to Jesse at all.  That probably made Colin very endearing to me and I really was hoping that Rebecca would not find Jesse and would like Colin instead.

I laughed at the predicament that Rebekah found herself in as she started her journey to find Jesse.  I loved her temper coming out, as well.  And though I didn't like the older ladies in the temperance movement, I began to like them and their quirky ways. 

I'm excited to go back and finish the first book now and read all about Emma and Luke and how Rebekah came to live in Apple Grove.  I am very much looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

__________________

I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sugar Fork by Walt Larimore

I had no idea what to expect of this book and didn't know whether this was a book I would enjoy or not.  I had never read anything by Walt Larimore but decided to give it a chance.  I have found that more often than not, I really come to love those authors that I haven't been introduced to yet.  I'm very excited that I can now add Larimore to my list of authors that I will continue to read.  I have already been online to search out Hazel Creek to see if it is somehow attached to this book and I think it is. 

Sugar Fork is not part of a series, from my understanding, but it does continue the story from Hazel Creek and I believe another one will follow it because the reader is left hanging at the end of the story.  From what I read about Hazel Creek, the characters are the same so I am excited to read it to get more of the back story on the Randolph family.

Based with the setting of the Great Smoky Mountains wilderness during 1925-1926, this book is full of history that I never knew about.  I knew "mountain folks" were looked down upon by the city people and that those who lived in the mountains stuck together, but I didn't know the history, including prohibition, trying to get a national park, and the world of lumber and to what lengths people would go to obtain trees.

I was very sad for Abbie, but was amazed at her strength throughout the book.  I could totally relate to her losing it with her sisters towards the end of the book, which I enjoyed.  Up to that point, she had flaws, but I think this made her seem more real and less perfect in my eyes.  The pain she must have felt with the tragedies that occurred in her life would be horrific.  However, her unwavering strength in God was beautiful to watch.  I liked how the community pulled together to care and watch over the girls and even came to love "the Haint."

Rich in history, but full of a beautiful story, this is a book that you will agree is a story well-told.  I could easily picture the places and people in my head.  If you haven't read anything by Larimore, start with this book or Hazel Creek. 

________________

I received this book free from Howard Publishing, a division of Simon and Schuster Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin

The lost art of writing a letter is beautifully revealed through this book.  Letters can reveal much about a person.  You can even be more bold in a letter than you would normally be in person.  Revealing so much about you and your heart is so much easier when you don't really know the person that you are writing to, either. 

Tom and Mellie find themselves loving the company of each other---through letter, of course.  There's a hitch to keeping this letter writing thing going, though.  Neither of them know the other person's identity.  Being a girl (which really isn't the reason), Mellie actually does find out Tom's identity much faster than he finds out hers.  Mellie tries to decide whether or not to reveal her true self to Tom, but is convinced that if he were to see her less-than-attractive-face-to-her, then he would want nothing else to do with her.  Truth is, she needs him and his letters to help process all that she's gone through and seen.  She needs him to heal.  And unknowingly, Tom needs his precious Mellie (or Annie, if you're going by pen pal names) for all of those same reasons.  With two people who have such a past that leaves them struggling to fit in, will they be able to reveal themselves and continue on with the relationship staying the same?

I really enjoyed this book, as well as Sarah's other books.  I love the historical tidbits that she puts in her books.  You can tell that she's done some research and has knowledge about the time period in which she writes.  She's a fairly new writer to me, as I was only first introduced to her a few years ago, but I have come to find that she is also a writer that I do and will continue to seek out when I'm looking for a good book to read.  I have yet to be disappointed by her!

__________________

I received this book free from Revell Publishers and Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

The Healer of Fox Hollow by Joann Rose Leonard

I honestly don't know what I expected this book to be when I heard about it.  I had never heard of Joann Leonard so I didn't know for sure if I would even like this book or not.  However, I decided to chance it, and am glad to have discovered a new author that I really enjoyed reading.

Set in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, Layla Tompkin faces many big life-changing events in her short 5 years of life.  Her mother has died, a snake has bit off her tongue, and she has been labeled as mute.  She then goes to a snake-handling church where the pastor tells her that she has a gift of healing.  Once people learn of this wonderful gift Layla has, she starts to get people coming to her to have their illnesses cured.  She seems to have many ups and downs in her life, but just like us, those downs usually lead you to discover yourself and who you are and what really matters in life.  Those trials force you to look at yourself closely and deal with what you see. 

Layla questions herself, questions her beliefs, and uses those very difficult experiences in life to propel her forward in her healing. 

Set in the 1950s, this book captures the culture of the Smoky Mountains very well.  It also highlights the Southern lifestyle in a way, as well.  The pages are filled with a story that is absolutely unlike any you have ever read before, which is a good thing!

_________________________

I received this book free from Vantage Point Publishers and from Joann Rose Leonard in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

December 1941 by Craig Shirley

When you hear people talk about December 1941, what do you think?  I think most people think back to WWII and Pearl Harbor.  At least I hope most people think of that so that this year is never forgotten. 

I love history, so I was intrigued by the title of this book and the great reviews that it had on it.  Also, my grandfather and I like to talk about WWII and things he remembered so I thought this would give us more to talk about! 

On December 6, 1941, America knew that they would have to be involved in the war at some point, but they really thought they would be in the European War.  Other countries wanted us in the war against Hitler but America wasn't quite ready at the time.  They had no idea of the plans Japan had concocted.  The Japanese fleet of boats and planes were able to move about undetected in the ocean and then surprise us with the unthinkable.  This book goes through the 31 days in December and what happened each day.  These were most probably the most important days for us in the war due to the huge amounts of loss of life. 

Not only was WWII going on, but you also had the Great Depression lingering about.  How would that fit into the war with not much money to spend?  That's talked about, too.

If you are in any way interested in history, you have to read this book.  Don't worry.  It's not like you reading a textbook like you did in school.  This book holds your interest and makes you want to find more history books written just like it.

_________________________

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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.