Star of Persia: Esther's Story by Jill Eileen Smith

When it comes to biblical fiction Jill Eileen Smith is one of my favorite authors.  Star of Persia is a perfect example as to why.  The story of Esther comes alive like never before in this fast paced novel that will transport you to biblical times.  The story stays fairly true to the biblical account, but gives added details that can bring you a deeper understanding of what life was like and the true risk that Esther braved for the people of God.

The first few chapters were from Vashti's point of view and I loved getting to see things from her perspective.  The details of the courtyards and the palace make it so easy to imagine the beauty of it all.

I think it's important to remember while reading biblical fiction that it's just that....a fiction account of a biblical truth.  God tells us the beautiful story of Esther in his word and I always like to go back and read the story from the Bible after reading the biblical fiction account.  This book was so beautifully written, just remember it's for entertainment so to speak.

Jill Eileen Smith gave a great look inside of her research at the end of the book and I enjoyed reading this about as much as I enjoyed the book itself.  I love to see how author's come about their stories and while reading Star of Persia it is evident that much research was put into this book.

One way I know I've found a good book is when I lose sleep over it.  I stayed up all night to finish it.  I could not put it down! I consider it a must read!

***Thanks to Revell Reads for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Happy Camper by Melody Carlson

I don't often read present day novels, but occasionally I get in the mood to read something different.  I chose The Happy Camper for that very reason. It just seemed different to me.  I mean, a book about a camper?  Well, maybe that's what intrigued me with it.  I've always dreamed of owning an old camper and being able to restore it.  Our family likes to go camping and when we do we stay in a tent, but we always like to take a walk to the camper side and the one's that catch my eye are those restored vintage campers.  They are so adorable.  The way Melody Carlson describes the campers in this book is so detailed that I can picture them perfectly in my mind. But let's hold up a minute.  This book isn't just about restoring vintage campers. It is fun, quirky and what I like to call a quick read. You just have to read and enjoy!

Dillon Michaels is fed up with her non-committal boyfriend and in a spur of the moment decision she breaks up with him, quits her job and heads home to her aging and grieving grandpa's house to help him in his time of loss.  Upon arrival she is shocked to find her eccentric mother has beat her there and is staying in Dillon's room.  Dillon gets stuck on a saggy couch, but to her surprise her grandpa gifts her with a run down camper.  Dillon is thrilled and instantly begins the restoration process of her new tiny home.  She seeks help from Jordan Atwood the owner of the local hardware store.

Her life finally seems to be falling in place, but when she least expects it her ex boyfriend shows up....with a proposal.

So to be a little nit-picky.  First, the character names really bugged me in this book.  Maybe I'm just showing my age here, but Dillon seems like a guys name to me and Jordan a girls.  Second, it bugged me that Dillon called her mom by her first name.  They didn't have the best relationship, but it still seemed strange to me.  Third and last is that Dillon needed to be more firm with her ex.  That was just ridiculous.  Overall though, like I stated in the beginning, this was a fun and enjoyable book.

***Thanks to Revell Reads for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Out of the Embers by Amanda Cabot

Oh how I love historical fiction!  Throw in a little romance and a little mystery and it will be a book that I don't want to put down.  That's exactly what I had with Out of the Embers by Amanda Cabot.  It is the first book in the Mesquite Springs series and I am already counting down the days until I can get the second book in my hands.  Until then this one is going on my list of favorites and it is definitely one I will be reading again.

Although it is set in the fictional town of Mesquite Springs in Texas I found a bit of a connection there.  My son and daughter in law live in Texas in the town of Mesquite so I thought that was pretty cool.

I loved the characters in this book.  From the main characters on down, I felt like I was living in a small town getting to know all the townsfolk.  I have a hunch I know who the second book will be about, but I'm also looking forward to seeing how some of the other characters are doing. 

So let me tell you a little more about it!  Evelyn Radcliffe has been an orphan ever since she witnessed the murder of her parents as a little girl.  She's always had an eerie feeling that someone is watching her and when the orphanage that she lives in is burnt to the ground and the only survivors are herself and Polly, a little orphan girl, she knows she must flee for her life.

Evelyn finds herself in Mesquite Springs and finds refuge in the home of the Clark's.  Wyatt Clark is a horse rancher who's plans do not include having a family of his own.  As the days go by Wyatt and Evelyn continue to draw close to each other, but when danger finds Evelyn her life once again is in danger.  Will Wyatt be able to protect her from the man who seeks her life?

Since most of us are social distancing and finding ourselves with more time on our hands, this is the perfect time to take a deep breath, fix a cup of coffee and get lost in a book.  This is a great one to start with!

***Thanks to Revel Reads for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Woman Of Sunlight

Woman Of Sunlight by Mary Connealy is the second book in the Brides of Hope Mountain Series.  I had been waiting rather impatiently for this book ever since I finished Aiming For Love, the first book in the series.  Now that I have finished this one I am already counting down the days until the third book releases!  I love this series so much.

Ilsa and her sisters have been raised in isolation in the mountains of Colorado.  They were raised by their grandparents and were taught to fear people and that going to town would bring sickness and possibly death.  With both of their grandparents gone the girls have been living alone and are extremely self sufficient.  When the Warden family comes to the mountain in need, the sisters help them out.  

Mitch has left his life in New York City and is now living on the mountain with his family.  Ilsa and Mitch are drawn to each other, but it seems that the thing they do best is fight.  When Mitch's past catches up with him, he realizes that he has put everyone's life in danger.  He is determined to resolve the problem, but that means a trip to town and Ilsa insists on going with him.  Once in town they embark on a very surprising adventure!

This book was so entertaining!  It had me laughing out loud on several occasions and it had a sort of  "Tarzan and Jane" feel with the roles reversed.  I have to admit that I was very surprised with the twists and turns of this book.  It was a lot different than I expected it to be and I loved the suspense.  I don't want to include any spoilers, so I'll just say that I didn't see that coming! 

I enjoyed getting to catch up with Dave and Jo from the first book and the ground work has been set for the third book which will be Ursula's story.  It's going to be good!  I can't wait to see how this series wraps up.  

Thanks to Bethany House Publishing for providing me with this book.  

Two Steps Forward

The Deacon's Family Series comes to an end with Two Steps Forward.  You could probably read this book as a stand alone, but I would not recommend it.  There are many repeat characters and as you read through the series you become quite connected to them.  When you see their story continuing to unfold in each book it's like visiting an old friend.  You want to hear about all that's been going on in their life and how they are doing. In this series it is Luke and Izzy.  I loved revisiting them!

Two Steps Forward is about Jimmy and Sylvie.  Jimmy has been away from the Amish community for four years working in Colorado with horses.  He is used to getting by on his good looks and his charm...until Sylvie.  Sylvie is a widow and she hires Jimmy to work on her farm because of his knowledge of horses, but it seems that is all she's interested in.  However, it's not long before he manages to steal her heart. 

Jimmy's mom Edith believes that Sylvie's farm belongs to her and she is working on a way to claim back the land.  Has Sylvie made a terrible mistake in falling for Jimmy?  Has he been using his charm just to get her land? 

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an amazing Amish fiction author.  Her series wraps up perfectly.  What I like best about her books is that they are, what I call, easy reads.  They are enjoyable, and steady paced.  Not a lot of surprises, but such well developed characters that you can connect with.  This is the kind of book I like to snuggle up under a cover with and read while drinking coffee. 

***Thanks to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Collision of Lies - A Book Review

Collision Of Lies by Tom Threadgill is a book you are not going to want to put down until the last page is read.  It has page turning suspense and if you are like me and like to read at night, be prepared for lack of sleep!

Several years ago there was a tragic accident between a freight train and a school bus. All the children on the school bus were killed.  There is one mom who refuses to believe her child perished and after a strange phone call she seeks the help of law enforcement.  Amara agrees to look into it even though she believes all the children died in the crash.  It doesn't take long that she starts to think otherwise, but how is she going to convince everyone else that the boy is still alive when all evidence points to the opposite.  Could it be that the whole collision was based on lies?  Are the other children alive as well? Amara is determined to find the answers.  No matter the cost.

This book was the first I've read by author Tom Threadgill and he made me a fan!  It has everything I like in a good suspense novel.  The element of surprise with plenty of twists and turns, well developed characters and suspense that keeps you guessing.  I can usually tell if I will like a suspense novel if the first chapter captivates me.  That's exactly what this book did.  If you love suspense novels, I encourage you to read this one.  You're sure to love it! 

***Thanks to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin

The Land Beneath Us is the third book in the Sunrise at Normandy series by Sarah Sundin.  It makes a great stand alone book as I did not read the other two books in the series before this one, but trust me, if you love this book as much as I did you are going to want to read the other two as soon as you finish so you might as well start from the beginning!

It is a historical Christian Romance set in England during 1943/44.  The historical aspect shows the training of the U.S. Army Rangers up to D-day and their invasion.

Clay Paxton has been betrayed by his brothers in the worst way and he struggles with forgiveness.  Due to a recurring dream he has about his death, he now has purpose.  He must fulfill God's will for his life, by seeing the dream come to pass.

Leah Jones works as a Librarian at Camp Forest.  During her spare time she searches for clues to her family.  When she was four years old her and her twin sisters became orphans when their parents suddenly died in a horrible accident.  She longs to be reunited with her sisters, but her life is turned upside down when she is brutally attacked.  Clay saves her life and marries her to save her virtue.  When he is shipped out to train for D-day him and Leah keep in touch through letters.  As time passes their relationship strengthens and love blossoms, but neither of them can ignore Clay's dream. They know what his future holds due to his recurring dream.  Will their love be strong enough to save Clay from impending death?

I could not put this book down.  When I wasn't reading it I was thinking about it.  It was one of the best books I have read in a long time.  Leah's outlook on life is so uplifting despite the tragedies that always seem to follow her.  She is definitely an overcomer and her faith in God is inspiring.  Clay is so kind-hearted and driven by his love for God and pursing God's will.  As you read the book you can see both Clay and Leah grow in their relationship with each other and God.  The self sacrificing love portrayed in this book is one of my favorite things about it.

I can't recommend this book enough.  You're sure to love it!

***Thanks to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Smoke Screen

When I picked up Smoke Screen and started reading I had high expectations and as usual Terri Blackstock met them!  From the very first chapter I was hooked.  There was not as much suspense as I thought there would be, but the characters are so well developed I was completely enthralled in their story.

Fourteen years ago Nate was in love with the preacher's daughter.  When Brenna sneaked out to be with Nate the preacher confronts Nate's drunk dad, a fight ensues and later that night the preacher is found murdered.  Everyone blames Nate's dad and he is convicted and sent to prison.  Not long after his conviction a church burns to the ground and everyone thinks Nate did it.  Nate decides to let rumors fly and leaves town.

Nate is now working as a fireman and after being injured he heads back to his home town.  His dad has just been pardoned and his mom insists that he has changed, but Nate and his dad are still not getting along.  Nate decides to give him the benefit of the doubt and begins looking into what really happened the night the preacher was killed.

Brenna is going through an ugly divorce and her life is in shambles.  She turns to alcohol to help her cope, but it's just making things worse.  Nate walking back into her life was the last thing she expected, but she needs him now more than ever.  No one is happy that they are seeing each other again and Brenna is not sure she's ready to let him back into her life.  As secrets begin to be revealed will time heal all wounds, or are some scars just too deep?

As I read this my heart just broke for Brenna.  Her helplessness over what is going on with her children is just heart wrenching.  She wants to be a good mom, but her situation is so out of control she begins to make bad decisions.  Nate's love for her is so pure and noble.  He truly wants to help her, but she has to want to help herself too.  There is a lot of family fractures that need to be healed in this story and perseverance and love always wins!

Unveiling The Past - A Book Review

Kim Vogel Sawyer is one of my all time favorite authors.  When she comes out with a new book I count down the days until I have it in my hands.  She has a unique writing style that I always connect with.  But, if I'm completely honest, I really struggled with Unveiling The Past.  It's not that it was a bad book by any means, but it didn't reach my usual expectations. 

First, I will say that I am not a big fan of modern day novels, so I'm sure that was a big factor.  It seemed to have too much going on.  Too many story lines going in different directions and I thought the relationship between Meghan's mom and this man who abandoned her while she was pregnant seemed a little too far fetched and a little inconsiderate to Meghan's feelings.  What I did like was the faith aspect.  Kim Vogel Sawyer's books always are rich in faith and have a deeper meaning that speak to the reader's heart.  I really love that about her writing.  I did connect with Meghan and wished the story would of focused on her  relationships a little more, instead of veering off to the job she was working on.  With all that being said, Kim Vogel Sawyer is still one of my all time favorite authors.  One book that I don't connect with isn't going to change that!

Newlyweds and cold case detectives Sean and Meghan  have been given the task of investigation the twenty year past disappearance of a husband and a father.  A judge ruled that the missing man chose to leave the country and abandon his family, but his wife wouldn't concede that he left his family nor declare him dead.  Now that their mother is gone, the children want answers.

Sean is reading for children Meghan is not.  She decides that trying to locate her biological father my bring the closure she needs and help her desire to start a family.  She is struggling with everything going on and feels like she is falling short and failing everyone.

Meghan's mom, Diane decides to take action and reconnects with Meghan's father.  God begins to work in Meghan's heart like never before and she is learning to trust Him in a way that she never has.

This is book two in the Bringing Home Maggie series.  I really enjoyed the first book!  I say give them both a chance! 

Deadly Deceit - A Book Review

In the last couple years I have become a big fan of christian suspense books and I'm always thrilled to come across an Author that I like in that genre.  Natalie Walters has just made my list!

Deadly Deceit by Natalie Walters is the second book in the Harbored Secrets series.  It makes a great stand alone book, but I think it is more enjoyable to have read the first book in the series.  You'll have a deeper connection with the characters and feel more invested in the story.

Vivian DeMarco is a journalist and when her boss Harold calls and wants to meet with her to give her the details of a big story she heads to see him, but when Harold dies unexpectedly the only thing Vivian has is the name he gave her in his dying words.  She knows that she needs to figure out what he was trying to tell her.

Ryan Frost has returned to the town of Walton after training in Quantico, he now works as a deputy.  He responds to the death of Harold where he reconnects with Vivi.  They begin to work together, but the more they uncover the more they see that there is a whole lot more going on than meets the eye...deceit, blackmail, murder..  He is determined to protect Vivi no matter the cost.

What a fun romance between Ryan and Vivi.  Their playful banter and connection was so enjoyable.  The thing I loved most though is the mystery.  I love a story that keeps me guessing and this one did just that.  Every time I thought I had it figured out, there would be a new twist that left me guessing.

I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!

***Thanks to Revell Reads for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.