London Dawn by Murray Pura

This series is one of my top ones that I've read so far in 2014.  It has topped my list in this genre of book.  I can't help but want to watch Downtown Abbey again after reading these books.  London Dawn starts off with a lot of action, and picks up exactly where the last one left off. 

Catharine and Albrecht are having to escape Germany and an unsuspected traitor is revealed.  I was very shocked at who the person was that had betrayed their secret plans and hiding places.  Edward has a heart change, of which I was very glad about. I also liked the news his wife had to share that brought about this heart change.  The Danforth family is brought together because of the war and fighting for their homeland. 

I'll warn you.... just as in real war, not everyone makes it out alive.  I did cry because I didn't want anything bad to happen to any of them.  My heart broke for Jane.  I really liked the ones that had died and it was hard for me to say goodbye to them.

This is the third book, and final, in the series, the Danforth of Lancashire.  I'm looking forward to what Murray Pura will write next.  He does write such wonderful books, but I'm a bit partial to this genre of books. I selfishly hope that he writes more with the Danforth family and/or a least in this style.

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

Maybelle in Stitches by Joyce Magnin

I found the storyline of this book very rich and fascinating.  I can't say that I like World War II because it was an absolutely horrid war.  However, it is a good setting for a story.  I really liked the how the quilt not only tells a present story, but also a past story.

The past story is a reminder of Maybelle's mother, as she finds this unfinished quilt in her mother's closet. It's also a reminder that she will constantly look at and remember the time, emotions, and thoughts she had while her husband was lost at war.

At one point, I became overwhelmed by all the problems and bad news this circle of quilters were receiving!  I know life can be like that at times, but I felt like I just wanted them to have a moment to breathe.  My heart sunk to know Maybelle's husband and the love of her life was missing.  I can not possibly begin to imagine all that you feel when you hear news like that, although I'm well aware that may through the years know exactly what that feels like.

I like the Quilts of Love series and reading how each quilt tells it's own story.  I like reading the different authors, too, because they bring new styles of writing and new stories that make me want to read every one of these books in the series.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from the Author:

I am the author of seven novels. Five adult novels and two middle grade readers. I never wanted to do anything else but write and every day I wake up astonished that I get to do what I always dreamed about. My days are filled with words and images along with the usual family stuff. I have three children, Rebekah who is married to Joshua. They have three of the most adorable boys on the planet, Lemuel, Cedar and Soren. My daughter Emily Kate is a lovely young woman anthropologist and my son Adam is fourteen and a student--he's a genius who loves frogs and lizards and fish and plants. He amazes me.

I have never eaten a scallop. I love cream soda. Drink way too much coffee. I do not like elevators but I do enjoy needle arts and of course books. I prefer jazz over country (no offense), milk chocolate over dark, but not roller coasters although my life has often resembled a roller coaster ride.

One of my life's desires is to meet Amy Grant so I can tell her she saved my life.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Maybelle can’t sew. But when she finds an unfinished quilt in the attic of her mother’s house, she gets the crazy idea to complete it. At first, it’s just a way to fill the lonely nights while her husband, staff sergeant Holden Kanzinzki, is away fighting in World War II.

Yet when Maybelle discovers that the quilt is made from scraps of material that can be traced back through her family heritage, the project is suddenly much more important. Then word comes that Holden is missing in action, and with little else to do, Maybelle clings to the quilt as much as to the hope that her husband is still alive. As neighborhood friends gather around Maybelle to help her through the unknown days and nights ahead, it is the quilt that becomes a symbol of her unflagging belief that Holden will return—to her, to their home, and to their quilt-covered bed.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Maybelle In Stitches, go HERE.

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I received this book free from CFBA and Abingdon Press in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

The Amish Garden by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Tricia Goyer, and Vannetta Chapman

Anytime I see these four names anywhere on an Amish book, I always get it.  I have yet to be disappointed by any of these four authors.  The way I see it, if you put all four together, you have a book that will be a hot sell!

This is a book of novellas, with each author taking one novella each.  As the title hints at, the main focuses are the gardens.  I like the new thoughts about the garden that I had while reading this book.  We've always had a garden an I'll admit I haven't always enjoyed the hard work it takes to grow one, but I think I'll be reminded of these stories this summer as I'm working away. 

In each of these stories, you see the characters grow and mature, in the same way that their gardens and plants are growing and maturing.  They are finding out what really matters in life and in one case, learning to do something she's not so good at.  Of course, there is romance within these pages.   I like how even the romance never felt rushed or hurried,  but was well-developed.  I think it's quite impressive to develop everything quickly and rather realistically within a few pages.  Each author accomplished that in their section of this book.

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

It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren

The Christiansen family reminds me of the Baxter family (Karen Kingsbury's creation).  In fact, those two families I have enjoyed reading about and following. I'm so glad that Deep Haven hasn't been buried and is alive and well, still producing wonderful stories within.  The Christiansen family is a family who has had a tough time.  They have had their share of difficulties and triumphs.  However, they are still loving God through it all.

I think what makes the Christiansen family (and the Baxter's) so fun to read about is that it is real life.  There is life, death, problems, illness, fires, and accidents.  Love is real and grows into something believable instead of something that happens quickly.  I liked watching the development of Jace and Eden and how they each had to work through their own issues and problems.

The Christiansen family makes you want to be apart of them.  Even as Owen is dealing with what could be career loss and Eden is dealing with being constantly overlooked, you can't help but enjoy the love their family shows.  Eden's brother Casper made me laugh with his talk with Jace.  The funniest scene was the drive through the snow, I thought!  Poor Jace was just so hot!

There is a side story, but I think it takes on equal importance.  Sam is a friend of Jace's and his daughter Muddy needs another heart.  Readers will walk along with Sam with anticipation of a miracle... a second one, in fact.

In the back, there is a prequel to what started the whole series, I Really Do Miss Your Smile.  I misread it and assumed it was for her next book, but it was really the story of John Christiansen finding love.  It's a good, very short novella.  It even includes a chapter from the first one in the series, Take a Chance on Me.  And the best news?  There's not a long wait!  It's coming in the Summer of 2014. 

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About the Book

                       A Christensen Family Novel.
Eden Christiansen never imagined her role as her younger brother Owen’s cheerleader would keep her on the sidelines of her own life. Sure, it feels good to be needed, but looking after the reckless NHL rookie leaves little time for Eden to focus on her own career. She dreamed of making a name for herself as a reporter, but is stuck writing obits—and starting to fear she doesn’t have the chops to land a major story. If only someone would step up to mentor Owen . . . but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen.
Jace has built his career on the infamous reputation of his aggressive behavior—on and off the ice. Now at a crossroads about his future in hockey, that reputation has him trapped. And the guilt-trip he’s getting from Eden Christiansen isn’t making things any easier. But when Owen’s carelessness leads to a career-threatening injury and Eden stumbles upon a story that could be her big break, she and Jace are thrown together . . . and begin to wonder if they belong on the same team after all.
Learn more and purchase a copy at Susan’s website.

Susan May Warren

Susan May Warren is the bestselling, RITA Award–winning author of more than forty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. She served with her husband and four children as a missionary in Russia for eight years before she and her family returned home to the States. She now writes full-time as her husband runs a lodge on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota, where many of her books are set. She and her family enjoy hiking, canoeing, and being involved in their local church. Several of her critically acclaimed novels have been ECPA and CBA bestsellers, were chosen as Top Picks by Romantic Times, and have won the RWA's Inspirational Reader's Choice contest and the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award. Five of her books have been Christy Award finalists. In addition to her writing, Susan loves to teach and speak at women's events about God's amazing grace in our lives. She also runs a writing community for authors. Visit MyBookTherapy.com to learn more. For exciting updates on her new releases, previous books, and more, visit her website at www.susanmaywarren.com

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

Summer of Joy by Ann H. Gabhart

I absolutely love this cover. It perfectly tells me the time period this book is written in. I even love the faded colors that made it appear older.  It's very eye-catching and appealing.  Nice work on that!

Summer of Joy is a novel that is an easy read, but to me, it did have some suspense.  It wasn't the scary type of suspense, but it was waiting for people to be revealed and resolved. The book is not fast-moving, but is evenly paced and draws the reader in.

As you can probably guess by the cover, the story is set in the 1960s. Hollyhill, Kentucky seems like a quaint place to live.  It's a town that knows everyone and takes care of their own.  They watch out for each other.  No one could help but love Leigh.  David is such a sweet man with an imperfect family that is easy for the reader to relate to.  He has to not only overcome many things in his life in order to marry Leigh, but Leigh has to let her guard down and realize that it is possible that someone loves her and wants to be with her.  Despite their age difference, they must figure out how to make a relationship work and look beyond themselves.

Every time I read a book by Ann Gabhart, I am continually amazed at her broad range of writing.  She has written in so many different genres that it's amazing to watch her excel in each one that she writes.  I have missed the first books in this series, so I'll be going back to read them now.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



A Dad's Prayers for His Daughter by Rob & Joanna Teigen

When I first requested this book, I did not realize these were the same authors of another favorite book of mine and my husband's, 88 Great Daddy-Daughter Dates.  I had gleaned so many new ideas and could hardly wait for my husband to take our daughter on those simple, yet meaningful dates.  I know it was geared for dads, but it was good ideas for me, too.

In the same way, this book is similar to that one.  It's similar not in content, but in the fact that it is for dads with lots of ideas for moms.  I really like these simple prayers for the different areas for our children.  We so many times pray generically or only when there's a problem for them.  I loved pondering on my daughter and spending time praying over her. 

I passed this book off to my husband so he could glean some ideas from it.  The prayers are definitely from the heart and written with lots of love.  I like the stories they tell within the pages, too.

I think this would be a fun study for dads to do.  Can you imagine what it would be like to have a room full of men praying over their daughters?!  Definitely a book that will be used over and over again.

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

Tide and Tempest by Elizabeth Ludwig

I'm a sucker for Irish fiction because of my Irish heritage.  I can't seem to turn down too many Christian fiction books set in Ireland.

I have read the first book in this series but somehow I missed the second book in this series. Don't worry because I plan to remedy this quickly by purchasing it!  I think the cover of this book is beautifully done.  The color contrast is perfect and I love the scenery in the back.

I like the romance and the suspense that fills these pages.  It is such a rich story of Tillie losing the love of her life and the great suspense from murder and secrets and knowing who is safe to trust and who isn't. Tillie really wanted to make her big mistake right by marrying her fiancé, but she never got the chance.  Now she has to deal with the guilt, figure out how to move on, and how to forgive herself.

Not only is all of this on her plate, but now she has to figure out how to keep her and her child safe.  My favorite parts of the story involve the fight for Tilley's heart among two men.  How hard to choose which one to be with!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elizabeth Ludwig is an award-winning author whose work has been featured on Novel Rocket, the Christian Authors Network, and The Christian Pulse. Her first novel, Where the Truth Lies (co-authored with Janelle Mowery), earned her the 2008 IWA Writer of the Year Award. This book was followed in 2009 by "I'll be Home for Christmas", part of the Christmas anthology collection, Christmas Homecoming.

In 2011, her second mystery, Died in the Wool (co-authored with Janelle Mowery) was nominated for a Carol Award. In 2012, the popular EDGE OF FREEDOM series released from Bethany House Publishers. Books one and two, No Safe Harbor and Dark Road Home, respectively, earned 4 Stars from the RT Book Reviews. Book three, Tide and Tempest, received top honors with 4 1/2 Stars.

Elizabeth is an accomplished speaker and teacher, often attending conferences and seminars where she lectures on editing for fiction writers, crafting effective novel proposals, and conducting successful editor/agent interviews. Along with her husband and children, she makes her home in the great state of Texas.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Two years ago, her fiance perished during their voyage to America.

Now she discovers it may have been murder...

Dreaming of a better life, Tillie McGrath leaves Ireland behind and, with her beloved fiance by her side, sets sail for America. But when illness robs her of the man she holds dear, she's left alone with only a handful of tattered memories. While forging on proves difficult, Tillie soon finds some new friends at her New York boardinghouse, and begins pursuing a new dream--to open a home for orphaned children.

Despite two years passing, Captain Keondric Morgan has never forgotten the lass who left his ship so heartbroken. When a crewman's deathbed confession reveals her fiance's demise was the result of murder, the captain knows he must try to contact her. But his attention draws the notice of others as well--dangerous men who believe Tillie has in her possession something that could expose their crimes. And to their way of thinking, the best way to prevent such an outcome is to seize the evidence and then hand Tillie the same fate as her naïve fiance.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Tide and Tempest, go HERE.

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