Lucy Marsh’s worldly resources are running out, but she’s fiercely determined to care for her younger brother and sister. When she discovers that their father’s recent death was no accident, Lucy is eager to leave town. She accepts a proxy marriage she believes will provide safe refuge. But trouble follows her to Wichita Falls, Texas, where the man she came to marry seems surprised to suddenly have a wife and children to provide for.
Nate Stanton always hoped he’d marry someday, but running the family ranch meant he had no time for romance. When his father deposits Lucy Marsh—a city girl—on his doorstep, with two siblings in the bargain, he expects ranch life will send her running on the first train out of town. But Lucy is made of tougher stuff than Nate imagined. When danger moves in, Nate realizes he’d give anything to protect Lucy and the children he’s grown to love. Even if it means giving up his ranch.
Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble is an interesting novel filled with love, dreams, and danger that I heartily enjoyed. The plot line of the novel was clear and intriguing. While at times it seemed to be just the typical plot of a western romance, the winding strands of suspense and mystery soon developed the book into so much more. I enjoyed the wild twists, the hilarious encounters of Lucy with ranching life, and the budding feelings between Nate and Lucy. The story was an excellent mix of mystery, romance, and family that kept me deeply engrossed in the story.
The characters were equally as charming. Nate was my all time favorite character. His hidden love and kindness enfolded throughout the novel, and his utter confusion about Lucy was adorable. Lucy was also a sweet and engaging character. Her stubbornness led to some interesting situations, and her desire to see her extended family united was admirable. I loved seeing her and Nate interact.
The themes of the novel were clear and important. These themes included the importance of love, forgiveness, relying on God instead of one's own strength, and honesty.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel immensely, and I would highly recommend Blue Moon Promise and any of Colleen Coble's other works.
I received this eBook for free from Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Saving Hope by Margaret Daley
When the people you love are threatened, it's personal.
When a teenager goes missing from the Beacon of Hope School, Texas Ranger Wyatt Sheridan and school director Kate Winslow are forced into a dangerous struggle against a human trafficking organization. Kate, his mother, and his daughter may be in danger because of his involvement.
Now it's personal, and Wyatt finds both his faith and investigative skills challenged as he fights to discover the mastermind behind the ring before evil destroys everyone he loves.
Saving Hope by Margaret Daley was an interesting and spell-binding novel that was eye opening to the reality of child prostitution in America. The plot was easy to follow yet kept details hidden in order to keep the reader tied to the book. The novel was filled with suspense, and there were times when I was not sure what was going to happen next. There was a good mix of romance, mystery, and sobering events that kept me interested and did not leave me bored.
The main characters were well developed, though the speed of the events in the story oftentimes caused their development in the story to be lacking. However, despite that, I did enjoy seeing Wyatt's return to trusting the Lord, and Kate's realizing that she did not have to depend on her parents' money to save her girls. The minor characters did not receive as much attention so there was less character development in them, but Wyatt's daughter and mother did learn from their mistakes throughout the story.
The themes of this novel were clear and sobering. It was sad to see that there is indeed a market in America for the trafficking of young girls into prostitution and other harmful situations. This novel did a great job relaying the seriousness of these issues and the importance of fighting back through better police involvement and creating safe homes like Bridge of Hope for the girls who are rescued or runaway. Saving Hope also clearly portrayed the importance of good parenting and treating one's children with respect and love and not just issuing seemingly unfair rules.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel, and I would highly recommend it to someone looking for an interesting and exciting yet still thought provoking read.
I received this e-Book for free from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
When a teenager goes missing from the Beacon of Hope School, Texas Ranger Wyatt Sheridan and school director Kate Winslow are forced into a dangerous struggle against a human trafficking organization. Kate, his mother, and his daughter may be in danger because of his involvement.
Now it's personal, and Wyatt finds both his faith and investigative skills challenged as he fights to discover the mastermind behind the ring before evil destroys everyone he loves.
Saving Hope by Margaret Daley was an interesting and spell-binding novel that was eye opening to the reality of child prostitution in America. The plot was easy to follow yet kept details hidden in order to keep the reader tied to the book. The novel was filled with suspense, and there were times when I was not sure what was going to happen next. There was a good mix of romance, mystery, and sobering events that kept me interested and did not leave me bored.
The main characters were well developed, though the speed of the events in the story oftentimes caused their development in the story to be lacking. However, despite that, I did enjoy seeing Wyatt's return to trusting the Lord, and Kate's realizing that she did not have to depend on her parents' money to save her girls. The minor characters did not receive as much attention so there was less character development in them, but Wyatt's daughter and mother did learn from their mistakes throughout the story.
The themes of this novel were clear and sobering. It was sad to see that there is indeed a market in America for the trafficking of young girls into prostitution and other harmful situations. This novel did a great job relaying the seriousness of these issues and the importance of fighting back through better police involvement and creating safe homes like Bridge of Hope for the girls who are rescued or runaway. Saving Hope also clearly portrayed the importance of good parenting and treating one's children with respect and love and not just issuing seemingly unfair rules.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel, and I would highly recommend it to someone looking for an interesting and exciting yet still thought provoking read.
I received this e-Book for free from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
Need You Now by Beth Wiseman
When big-city life threatens the safety of one of their children, Brad and
Darlene Henderson move with their three teenagers from Houston to the tiny town
of Round Top, Texas.
Adjusting to small-town life is difficult for the kids, especially fifteen-year-old Grace who is coping in a dangerous way.
Married life hasn’t always been bliss, but their strong faith has carried Brad and Darlene through the difficult times. When Darlene takes a job outside the home for the first time in their marriage, the domestic tension rises.
While working with special needs children at her new job, the widowed father of one of the students starts paying more attention to Darlene than is appropriate. Problem is, she feels like someone is listening to her for the first time in a long time.
If Darlene ever needed God . . . it’s now.
Need You Now was a heartwarming story which clearly portrayed the importance of relying on God, maintaining family relationships, and being careful with choosing friends. The plot line of the novel was interesting and flowed smoothly. The storyline involved some events that were not unexpected, and it was interesting and inspiring to see how the characters had to work through their troubles.
The characters were also well developed. Almost all of the characters were constantly growing and discovering more about themselves and about God as the story continued. I especially enjoyed seeing the growth in Darlene and her neighbor Layla and the irony of their flip-flopping roles in each other's lives.
The themes of Need You Now were clearly explored and left the reader with new understandings. One of the topics that was portrayed was the importance of honesty and making time in relationships in order to know what is going in the other's life and grow closer. A few others were forgiveness, being open about how you feel, and relying on God above all else.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel, and I hope that others who read it find it as inspirational and moving as I did.
I received this novel for free from Booksneeze.com and Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Adjusting to small-town life is difficult for the kids, especially fifteen-year-old Grace who is coping in a dangerous way.
Married life hasn’t always been bliss, but their strong faith has carried Brad and Darlene through the difficult times. When Darlene takes a job outside the home for the first time in their marriage, the domestic tension rises.
While working with special needs children at her new job, the widowed father of one of the students starts paying more attention to Darlene than is appropriate. Problem is, she feels like someone is listening to her for the first time in a long time.
If Darlene ever needed God . . . it’s now.
Need You Now was a heartwarming story which clearly portrayed the importance of relying on God, maintaining family relationships, and being careful with choosing friends. The plot line of the novel was interesting and flowed smoothly. The storyline involved some events that were not unexpected, and it was interesting and inspiring to see how the characters had to work through their troubles.
The characters were also well developed. Almost all of the characters were constantly growing and discovering more about themselves and about God as the story continued. I especially enjoyed seeing the growth in Darlene and her neighbor Layla and the irony of their flip-flopping roles in each other's lives.
The themes of Need You Now were clearly explored and left the reader with new understandings. One of the topics that was portrayed was the importance of honesty and making time in relationships in order to know what is going in the other's life and grow closer. A few others were forgiveness, being open about how you feel, and relying on God above all else.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel, and I hope that others who read it find it as inspirational and moving as I did.
I received this novel for free from Booksneeze.com and Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Flight of Shadows by Sigmund Brouwer
Her genetic secret could change humanity forever.
Her DNA grants her the ultimate power.
But all she wants is to disappear
Looming buildings rise into the sky of near-future America, shadowing the desperate poverty of the soovie parks, death doctors, and fear bombs. In this world of walled cities, where status matters most, Caitlyn Brown is desperate to remain invisible, wrongly believing that what shy needs to hide is the deformity on her back. However, the powers of the city want her for so much more.
Caityln is forced to take flight again and ends up relying on the help of Razor, a street-smart illusionist she cannot seem to trust. Her only hope is to reach friends who are already being tracked by government.
With a twisted bounty hunter in full pursuit, she and Razor begin to learn the unthinkable about her past and the unique gifts of her DNA. It leads Caitlyn to a choice between the two men who love her, and whether to keep her freedom or sacrifice herself for human destiny.
Flights of Shadows by Sigmund Brouwer is a fast moving novel that deeply explores the consequences of removing morals from both science and society. As the sequel to Broken Angel, I would highly recommend reading Broken Angel first. While Flight of Shadows would be fine as a standalone novel, the storyline is easier to follow if it is read after Broken Angel. It had been a couple of years since I had read Broken Angel, so it took a little while for me to pick up the storyline.
The plot line of Flight of Shadows moves quickly and is full of unexpected twists and turns. There are unseen enemies, surprising friends, and a very unexpected ending. While I liked the ending of the book, I felt it was kind of cop out. The way out, so to speak, left the problems of the world untouched and seemed to recommend escapism from one's problems. However, I still enjoyed the flow of the story.
The characters were well developed, and the reader learns even more about Caitlyn, Billy, Theo, Jordan, and Carson as the book progresses. New characters, such as Razor, add more dimension and mystery to the story and help keep the plot moving. I liked Razor a lot. He added humor and depth to the novel. I did not like how the author resolved Caitlyn's decision between the two men who loved her. If anything, I think the revelation author made should have caused Caitlyn to choose the other man. I agreed with man she chose, I just did not like how she made the decision.
The themes of Flight of Shadows are very intriguing. While Broken Angel explored the consequences of "if religious extremists in America managed total political control over society, Flight of a Shadows reveals even darker possibilities of a society that reverts to total loss of freedom for all except the wealthy. The novel explores the idea of America becoming a place of extreme poverty with people broken up into the wealthy Influentials in walled cities, with Industrials living in shacks outside and basically enslaved to the Influentials. Below that there are the Illegals who have no status, no money, no work, and are ruled by gangs. Flight of Shadows clearly showed the frightening consequences of when a society is content to stand by while freedoms are denied to some people groups and taken away slowly from everyone.
Flight of Shadows also explores what happens when all moral constraints are removed from science, specifically genetic experimentation with humans.
Overall, Flight of Shadows was a very interesting and intriguing novel, and I would highly recommend it.
I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Press in exchange for an honest review.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Flame of Resistance By Tracy Groot
Nazi occupation has stolen much from Brigitte Durand. Family. Freedom. Hope for a future. Forced to turn her home into Germans-only brothel to survive, Brigitte clings to patriotism by sneaking food to the French Resistance and the downed airmen they are hiding nearby.
When American fighter pilot Tom Jaeger is shot down and picked up by the Resistance, he becomes the linchpin in their plan to leverage Brigitte's sympathy. By posing as a German officer, Tom can smuggle out critical intel she acquires from other soldiers about the nearby bridges, whose capture and defense will be crucial to Allied forces.
D-Day looms, and everyone know invasion is imminent. But so is treachery. When loyalties are betrayed, the life of one American pilot jeopardizes everything. He becomes more important than the mission to a man who cannot bear to lose another agent...and to a woman who is more than just a prostitute, who finally realizes her courage could change history.
Flame of Resistance by Tracy Groot was an interesting novel, filled with betrayal, love, and sacrifice. The plot line was excellently written and intricately woven with mystery, suspense, and unexpected curve balls. The last few chapters were incredible. I was just blown away by the twists and turns at a point where the conclusion seemed obvious and heart wrenching. Of course, the conclusion was still heart wrenching, but it was much better than what I imagined it to be. However, there were several points in the story that seemed impossible and unrealistic. For example, the spies for the Resistance were horribly unprepared and trained for their missions. While I understand that part of the reason was because their leader was falling apart, it still seemed unbelievable considering how secretive and well organized their resistance group was. Overall though the plot was very interesting, and I read the book without stopping in one afternoon.
The characters were not as well developed as the plot. Tom was a fairly static character, which was disappointing considering his importance to the storyline. I would have preferred if he had experienced more growth during the story. Brigitte was an interesting character. While I understand that she felt a brothel was the only way she could survive, I did not like the author's inference that it was OK for the character to continue in that lifestyle later on the book once Brigitte realized she was able to accomplish so much more than that. I also wish that Tom had given Brigitte stronger message than that God accepts all even the ''worst'' sinners. While this is true, it does not mean that one is supposed to continue in that lifestyle. A person is called to leave their sinful lifestyles when they come to God. I also disliked the fact that the characters worshiped and valued their country and patriotism more than God and doing what was right. While those things are certainly worth valuing, I just wish there had been a better balance shown in the story.
Despite these issues, there were a couple characters that did develop more throughout the novel. Michel Rousseau and Hauptmann Braun were my favorite characters. Michel was a very major character despite the fact that the story centered around Tom and Brigitte. He and Braun experienced the most growth and development as characters, and I enjoyed seeing and experiencing their thoughts and changing ideas. Braun was an incredible character, and I loved seeing his changes throughout the story.
Flame of Resistance was a good story overall. The plot was fantastic, but some of the supposedly main characters experienced little to no growth which took away from the story. The themes of the novel could have been developed more, and I disagreed with the way some of the values were esteemed in the story. However, the novel was still an excellent read; I would just recommend that you be prepared for some violence and other improprieties that come along with a brothel.
I received this book for free from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
When American fighter pilot Tom Jaeger is shot down and picked up by the Resistance, he becomes the linchpin in their plan to leverage Brigitte's sympathy. By posing as a German officer, Tom can smuggle out critical intel she acquires from other soldiers about the nearby bridges, whose capture and defense will be crucial to Allied forces.
D-Day looms, and everyone know invasion is imminent. But so is treachery. When loyalties are betrayed, the life of one American pilot jeopardizes everything. He becomes more important than the mission to a man who cannot bear to lose another agent...and to a woman who is more than just a prostitute, who finally realizes her courage could change history.
Flame of Resistance by Tracy Groot was an interesting novel, filled with betrayal, love, and sacrifice. The plot line was excellently written and intricately woven with mystery, suspense, and unexpected curve balls. The last few chapters were incredible. I was just blown away by the twists and turns at a point where the conclusion seemed obvious and heart wrenching. Of course, the conclusion was still heart wrenching, but it was much better than what I imagined it to be. However, there were several points in the story that seemed impossible and unrealistic. For example, the spies for the Resistance were horribly unprepared and trained for their missions. While I understand that part of the reason was because their leader was falling apart, it still seemed unbelievable considering how secretive and well organized their resistance group was. Overall though the plot was very interesting, and I read the book without stopping in one afternoon.
The characters were not as well developed as the plot. Tom was a fairly static character, which was disappointing considering his importance to the storyline. I would have preferred if he had experienced more growth during the story. Brigitte was an interesting character. While I understand that she felt a brothel was the only way she could survive, I did not like the author's inference that it was OK for the character to continue in that lifestyle later on the book once Brigitte realized she was able to accomplish so much more than that. I also wish that Tom had given Brigitte stronger message than that God accepts all even the ''worst'' sinners. While this is true, it does not mean that one is supposed to continue in that lifestyle. A person is called to leave their sinful lifestyles when they come to God. I also disliked the fact that the characters worshiped and valued their country and patriotism more than God and doing what was right. While those things are certainly worth valuing, I just wish there had been a better balance shown in the story.
Despite these issues, there were a couple characters that did develop more throughout the novel. Michel Rousseau and Hauptmann Braun were my favorite characters. Michel was a very major character despite the fact that the story centered around Tom and Brigitte. He and Braun experienced the most growth and development as characters, and I enjoyed seeing and experiencing their thoughts and changing ideas. Braun was an incredible character, and I loved seeing his changes throughout the story.
Flame of Resistance was a good story overall. The plot was fantastic, but some of the supposedly main characters experienced little to no growth which took away from the story. The themes of the novel could have been developed more, and I disagreed with the way some of the values were esteemed in the story. However, the novel was still an excellent read; I would just recommend that you be prepared for some violence and other improprieties that come along with a brothel.
I received this book for free from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Covenant Child by Terri Blackstock
Amanda's heart broke as she watched them drive her beloved twins away. She
resolved to hope...and to fight for them until her last breath.
Kara and Lizzie are heiresses to one of the largest fortunes in the country. But when their father dies suddenly, the toddlers are taken from the arms of Amanda, their loving stepmother, and given to relatives who only want the children's fortune for themselves.
Kara and Lizzie grow up questioning their worth . . . until the day when they learn the truth.
Covenant Child by Terri Blackstock was a beautiful analogy of the love and patience of God and the salvation He gives to His lost children. The plot line was woven with both the perspective of Kara, one of the two children, and Amanda, the loving stepmother. While the story was supposed to have an obvious ending because of its metaphorical nature, the steps to reaching that ending were unexpected and kept me engrossed in the twists and turns of the novel.
The characters of this novel were well developed and realistic. Amanda was an incredible mother, and she showed amazing strength and patience as she trusted God with the care of her children for eighteen years. She laid down her own desires and plans in order to maintain Lizzie and Kara's fortune until they were legally allowed to return and claim it. Lizzie and Kara, while twins, had very different characteristics. Lizzie was quick to return to both Amanda and God and accept the life held in trust for her. Kara, on the other hand, was like the older son in the parable of the prodigal son and like many of us when we are given the opportunity to receive salvation from God. We turn away and prefer to live in the hardships and heartache of sin.
The themes of this novel were excellent and clearly portrayed. These themes included the love offered by our Father and the inheritance that is held in trust for us by God until the time when we leave our stubbornness and sin and come into His arms.
Overall, Covenant Child was a beautiful picture of the love of our Father and His never failing patience as He waits for us with open arms and blessings.
I received this eBook from Booksneeze.com and Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Kara and Lizzie are heiresses to one of the largest fortunes in the country. But when their father dies suddenly, the toddlers are taken from the arms of Amanda, their loving stepmother, and given to relatives who only want the children's fortune for themselves.
Kara and Lizzie grow up questioning their worth . . . until the day when they learn the truth.
Covenant Child by Terri Blackstock was a beautiful analogy of the love and patience of God and the salvation He gives to His lost children. The plot line was woven with both the perspective of Kara, one of the two children, and Amanda, the loving stepmother. While the story was supposed to have an obvious ending because of its metaphorical nature, the steps to reaching that ending were unexpected and kept me engrossed in the twists and turns of the novel.
The characters of this novel were well developed and realistic. Amanda was an incredible mother, and she showed amazing strength and patience as she trusted God with the care of her children for eighteen years. She laid down her own desires and plans in order to maintain Lizzie and Kara's fortune until they were legally allowed to return and claim it. Lizzie and Kara, while twins, had very different characteristics. Lizzie was quick to return to both Amanda and God and accept the life held in trust for her. Kara, on the other hand, was like the older son in the parable of the prodigal son and like many of us when we are given the opportunity to receive salvation from God. We turn away and prefer to live in the hardships and heartache of sin.
The themes of this novel were excellent and clearly portrayed. These themes included the love offered by our Father and the inheritance that is held in trust for us by God until the time when we leave our stubbornness and sin and come into His arms.
Overall, Covenant Child was a beautiful picture of the love of our Father and His never failing patience as He waits for us with open arms and blessings.
I received this eBook from Booksneeze.com and Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Prize of My Heart by Lisa Norato
Three years ago, Captain Brogan Talvis' late wife abandoned their son, leaving no clue as to the boy's whereabouts. After searching relentlessly, Brogan discovers his son was adopted by a New England shipbuilder. And the man's daughter, Lorena Huntley, acts as loving guardian to the child.
Lorena, who hides a dark truth about her family and the child, finds herself falling for the handsome captain/ex-privateer who has come to secure ownership of one of her father's ships. She is still unaware of Brogan's own secret when another man's deceit has her sailing toward England against her will.
Haunted by thoughts of Lorena in peril, Brogan is forced to choose between the boy he longs for and the woman who has captured his heart.
Prize of My Heart by Lisa Norato was a sweet tale of love, forgiveness, and finding one's worth in God alone. The plot line of this novel was fairly straight forward, easy to follow, yet still interesting. There was a major twist in the plot at the end that I was not expecting, but it added greatly to the story. This twist allowed for some incredible wisdom from Lorena that is applicable to anyone's life.
The majority of the characters in this story were typical of a historical inspirational romance and did not experience much growth throughout the novel. However, Captain Brogan did experience some changes in his character and way of thinking that added greatly to his presence in the book. He was raised with completely untrue views of his own worth to God and the true character of God. I enjoyed seeing his growth and his increased understanding about self worth, strength in Christ, and true love.
The themes that Prize of My Heart emphasized were ones of living honestly instead of in deceit, understanding the real love of God, and surrendering one's life to God even when nothing makes sense. As Lorena told Brogan near the end of the book, "Surrender your plan, Brogan. Surrender your dreams to God, and let Him show you His plan for your life. ...God has had His hand on your life....God has seen the good treasure of your heart, even though you have made mistakes. He has taken what others meant for evil and turned it around to your advantage." pp 290-291. The final theme was forgiveness, even when great evil is committed against you.
Overall, I highly enjoyed the Prize of My Heart. I loved the major twist in the end, the growth Brogan experienced, and the truth of God that was spoken by the main characters. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a simple yet truth filled novel for a quiet day of rest.
I received this novel for free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Lorena, who hides a dark truth about her family and the child, finds herself falling for the handsome captain/ex-privateer who has come to secure ownership of one of her father's ships. She is still unaware of Brogan's own secret when another man's deceit has her sailing toward England against her will.
Haunted by thoughts of Lorena in peril, Brogan is forced to choose between the boy he longs for and the woman who has captured his heart.
Prize of My Heart by Lisa Norato was a sweet tale of love, forgiveness, and finding one's worth in God alone. The plot line of this novel was fairly straight forward, easy to follow, yet still interesting. There was a major twist in the plot at the end that I was not expecting, but it added greatly to the story. This twist allowed for some incredible wisdom from Lorena that is applicable to anyone's life.
The majority of the characters in this story were typical of a historical inspirational romance and did not experience much growth throughout the novel. However, Captain Brogan did experience some changes in his character and way of thinking that added greatly to his presence in the book. He was raised with completely untrue views of his own worth to God and the true character of God. I enjoyed seeing his growth and his increased understanding about self worth, strength in Christ, and true love.
The themes that Prize of My Heart emphasized were ones of living honestly instead of in deceit, understanding the real love of God, and surrendering one's life to God even when nothing makes sense. As Lorena told Brogan near the end of the book, "Surrender your plan, Brogan. Surrender your dreams to God, and let Him show you His plan for your life. ...God has had His hand on your life....God has seen the good treasure of your heart, even though you have made mistakes. He has taken what others meant for evil and turned it around to your advantage." pp 290-291. The final theme was forgiveness, even when great evil is committed against you.
Overall, I highly enjoyed the Prize of My Heart. I loved the major twist in the end, the growth Brogan experienced, and the truth of God that was spoken by the main characters. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a simple yet truth filled novel for a quiet day of rest.
I received this novel for free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
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