Send Down The Rain - A Book Review

Send Down The Rain is written by New York Times Bestselling Author Charles Martin.  This book is a little different than what I normally read. When I requested Send Down The Rain I was not sure what to expect. I had never read anything by Charles Martin, but I figured if he was a Bestselling author it was worth a shot, plus I had read a few raving reviews about the book.

I'll just be real for a minute. I picked this book up and began reading three different times. The first two times I struggled through the first few pages and gave up. By the third time I was telling myself to trudge through. So, I grabbed it one more time and began reading. Funny thing, this time I loved it. After I got through the first two chapters I became engrossed in the story and read half the book in one night. I had to force myself to close it, because I needed to get a few hours of sleep before morning. The next day I could wait to find time to finish the book.

I'm so thankful I stepped out of my box and gave this book a chance and if anything it goes to show that sometimes you have to dig a little deeper into a story before you actually connect, but give it a chance and you just might love it!

About the book:

Allie is still recovering from the loss of her family's beloved waterfront restaurant on Florida's gulf coast when she loses her second husband to a terrible highway accident.  Devastated and losing hope, she shudders to contemplate the future-until a cherished person from her past returns.

Joseph has been adrift for many years, wounded in both body and spirit and unable to come to terms with his Vietnam War experiences. Just as he resolves to give up his search for peace, he discovers a mother and her two small children lost in the forest. He instinctively steps in to help them get to their home in Florida. There he returns to his hometown and has a bittersweet reunion with his childhood sweetheart Allie.

When Joseph offers to help Allie rebuild her restaurant, it seems the flame may reignite, until a 45 year old secret from the past begins to emerge, threatening to destroy all hope for their second chance at love.

***Thank you to booklookbloggers.com for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Together Forever - A Book Review

Together Forever by Jody Hedlund is the second book in the Orphan Train series.  I've been loving this series and was so excited about the release of this second book.I've always been interested in the Orphan Trains and historical fiction is one of my favorite genres.  Not to mention I love Jody Hedlund.

Marianne Neumann has one goal in life:  to find her lost younger sister, Sophie.  When Marianne takes a job as a placing agent with the Children's Aid Society in 1858 New York, she not only hopes to give children a better life but seeks to discover whether Sophie ended up leaving the city on an orphan train.

Andrew Brady, her fellow agent on her first placing trip, is a former schoolteacher who has an easy way with children-firm but tender and funny.  Underneath his handsome charm, though, seems to linger a grief that won't go away, and a secret from his past that he keeps hidden.  As the two team up placing orphans amid small railroad towns in Illinois, they find themselves growing ever closer...until a shocking tragedy threatens to upend all their work and change one of their lives forever.  

I always enjoy the Author's note at the end of the book.  Not all Author's include this, but Jody Hedlund doesn't disappoint here either.  I enjoy getting a glimpse into the thought process behind a book and a little more facts to go along with the fiction.

I would definitely recommend this great book.  Especially if you are like me and love historical Christian fiction.  

***Thanks to Bethany House Publishing for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

More Than Meets the Eye - Book Review

Many consider Evangeline Hamilton cursed.  Orphaned at a young age and possessing a pair of mismatched eyes- one blue and the other brown - Eva has fought to find her way in a world that constantly rejects her.  Yet the support of even one person can help overcome the world's judgements, and Eva has two - Set and Zach, two former orphans she now counts as brothers.

Seeking justice against the man who stole his birthright and destroyed his family, Logan Fowler arrives in Pecan Gap, Texas to confront Zach Hamilton, the hardened criminal responsible for his father's death.  Only instead of finding a solitary ruthless gambler, he discovers a man not much older than himself with an unusual family.  When Zach's sister, Evangeline, insists on dousing Logan with sunshine every time their paths cross, Logan finds his quest completely derailed.  Who is truly responsible for his lost legacy, and will restoring the past satisfy if it means forfeiting a future with Evangeline?

My favorite genre to read is historical Christian romance and this book by Karen Witemeyer fits perfectly into that category.  Its a very heartwarming story and was a quick and easy read.  Evangeline has had so much heartache in her life, but her outlook is refreshing.  There is a strong sense of family, but this book goes to show that family is not always blood.  Sometimes it is the people you choose.

Thank you so much to Bethany House Publishing for providing me with a copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Arms Of Mercy - A Book Review

On the eve of a new year, Catherine Glick is expecting her bu of five years to propose.  Instead, the unexpected arrival of an old boyfriend, Elijah, sends her life spiraling out of control.  When a rash decision damages her current relationship Catherine leaves for Florida to work in her cousin's bakery - anything to flee the source of her shame.

Elijah Graber knows he hurt Catherine when he left their Amish district six years ago. HE's determined to explain his actions, even if it means following her to Florida.  Perhaps their two day work bus trip together will provide enough time for him to make his case and win her back.

Just when Elijah is starting to tear down the walls Catherine has built, their busk skids on an icy road and amid the mayhem and tragedy that follow, Catherine disappears.  Elijah's friends urge him to prepare for the worst, but Elijah holds on to his hope in God and refuses to give up his search for Catherine.  With supernatural nudging from the most unexpected places, Elijah sets out to find the love he once lost - no matter the cost.

If you enjoy reading Amish Fiction you are probably already familiar with Ruth Reid.  She is a very skilled author in bringing to life and insight of the daily life of the Amish community.  Her books are always filled with deep faith, a touch of romance and well developed characters.  You can always expect a few unexpected twists that keep you guessing as well.

Arms of Mercy was a very enjoyable read and the cover is absolutely beautiful!  Highly recommended for Amish fiction lovers!


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

Before I Saw You - Book Review

Sometimes I am a little leery of reading books by Authors I am unfamiliar with.  I have my favorite Authors, the tried and true ones that I know when they have a new book I will love it.  But there are those times when I pick up a book by a "new to me" author and I am so intrigued by what I read that I want to go back and read the author's previous books.

Such was the case with Before I Saw You by Amy K. Sorrells. I absolutely loved this book and did not want to put it down from start to finish.  I connected well with the main character and her story was gut wrenching.  My heart broke for her and in the end I rejoiced with her.

There is a heroin epidemic where Jaycee Givens lives.  Folks are dying and Jaycee doesn't have  more than a thread of hope.  A tragedy lands her mother in prison and Jaycee is pregnant.  She is trying to hide the pregnancy because she trusts no one.  when the time comes that she can no longer hide the pregnancy, not even from the baby's abusive father, she decides that she must make some tough choices for the safety of her unborn child.  Sometimes you have to decide whether to hang on or let go and the truest form of love will help you decide.

I highly recommend this book and I can't wait to read more from this author!

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

A Breath Of Hope - A Book Review

A Breath of Hope by Lauraine Snelling is the second book in the Under Northern Skies series.

I am so in love with this series!  I am a huge fan of Lauraine Snelling and her Blessing series in one of my all time favorites.  This new series is going to be equally as good, and high up on my favorites list, if it continues to follow the pattern it has been.

I don't know how she does it, but this author makes me feel like the characters are family.  The way she describes them allows me to connect with each on a very personal level.  I love how each book introduces new characters, but there is still a focus on the original characters.  This is great when you form a connection with characters.  You know that you will continue to read about them and know what's going on in their lives as well.

In this book, Ivar and Nilda join Rune and his family in Minnesota.  Rune and Signe still have a constant struggle with Uncle Einar, but due to tragedy they learn why he is like he is and the family comes together like never before.

I definitely recommend this book, but you must read the series in order!  This is not a good stand alone book.  To better connect with the characters you need to start from the beginning.

***Thanks to Bethany House Publishing for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.