Minding the Light - A Book Review

Historical Christian fiction is my all time favorite genre and Author Suzanne Woods Fisher is one of my favorite authors in this category. She writes such beautiful stories that are rich in historical facts.

I love this book! It had absolutely everything I love. History, romance, Christian faith, characters that are easy to connect with.

We all have an idea or plan of how we want our life to go, but circumstances of life sometimes turn everything upside down and we find ourself on a new path. This story is so relatable. I think most everyone can relate to those circumstances.

Six long years ago, Captain Reynolds Macy sailed away from his bride, looking forward to the day when he would return to Nantucket Island with a ship's hold full of whale oil.  But when that momentous day finally arrives, Ren soon discovers that everything has changed in his absence. Everything.

Unlike most islanders, bold and spirited Daphne Coffin doesn't defer to Ren as an authoritative whalemaster, but sees through his aloofness to the aching heart beneath. She encourage him to return to his Quaker roots and "mind theLight" finding solace in God and community. As Ren becomes the man she believes him to be honarable, wise, faithful-she finds herself falling in love with him.

But how can she, when her heart is spoken for?

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

The Hope of Azure Springs - A Book Review

Seven Years ago, orphaned and alone, Em finally arrived at a new home in Iowa after riding the orphan train. But secrets from her past haunt her, and her new life in the Western wilderness is a rough one.  When her guardian is shot and killed, Em, now nineteen, finally has the chance to search for her long lost sister, but she won't be able to do it alone.

For Azure Springs Sheriff Caleb Reynolds, securing justice for the waifish and injured Em is just part of his job.  He's determined to solve every case put before him in order to impress his parents and make a name for himself.  Caleb expects to succeed.  What he doesn't expect is the hold this strange young woman will have on his heart.

I love Historical Romance and The Hope of Azure Springs has everything I love in a good novel.  From the very first page I could not put this book down.  It was perfect from front to back and I can't recommend it enough.  You will laugh and cry.  The characters are well developed and so much of the emotion were things I could relate to.

This was the first book I have read by Rachel Fordham, but I can assure you that it won't be my last.  She has made me an instant fan and I am looking forward to her next release!

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

The Edge of Over There - Book Review

Before the Tree of Life, everything in Abra Miller's life had been predictable, but after the Tree and the lighting and the angels, everything felt tenuous, like holding a soap bubble in the palm of her hand.  She spent years looking for signs of that other world, waiting for it to break through.  When it didn't her friendship with Sam Chambers grew cold and distant, and they both wondered how any of it could actually have happened.

Four years later, 16 year old Abra's long delayed quest to find the next manifestation of the Tree of Life is renewed when she sees a woman walking up the road - a woman who looks exactly like Sam's dead mother.  The woman directs her to New orleans wher she will find the grave of Marie Laveau, on of seven gateways  between this world and Over There.  As Abra enters The Edge of Over There and begins her pursuit of the Tree once more, she doesn't know whom to fear or whom to trust.  But she's starting to think that some doorways should never be opened.

I have a very hard time connecting with this book.  It is supposed to be Christian fiction but I struggled with feeling that it fit into that category.  Part of me feels like it is supposed to be an allegory with deeper meaning, but I just didn't feel it or get it.  It was just strange and had a very dark side to it.  The angels didn't even like being called angels.  It was just too dark for me.  Maybe I'm not seeing the real meaning behind it, but for me I cannot with a clear conscience recommend it Christian fiction, however if you can put that aside, you may enjoy it as a fiction read.

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

Sons of Blackbird Mountain - A Book Review

I don't know how she does it but Author Joanne Bischof has captured my heart again with another great novel.  The last book she wrote "The Lady and the Lionheart has become my all time favorite book and now this one is coming in at a close second.

I wasn't sure what the book was even going to be about when I received it, I just knew I wanted to read it.  As soon as I opened it and realized that it was centered around ASL I was so excited.  I have always been interested in this beautiful language and have taken several classes.  She did so well and this in such a respectful  and accurate way and it gave the reader a greater knowledge of this language.

After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard is beckoned to give up her life in Norway to become a housekeeper in the rugged hills of nineteenth-century Appalachia.  Upon arrival, she finds herself in the home of her late husband's cousins-three brothers who make a living by brewing hard cider on their three hundred acre farm.  Yet even as a stranger in a foreign land, Aven has hope to build a new life in the tight knit family.

but her unassuming beauty disrupts the bond between the brothers.  The youngest two both desire her hand and Aven is caught in the middle, unsure where and whether to offer her affection.  While Haakon is bold and passionate, it is Thor who casts the greatest spell upon her.  Though Deaf, mute and dependent on hard drink to cope with his silent pain.  Thor possesses a sobering strength.

As autumn ushers in the apple harvest, the rift between Thor and Haakon deepens and Aven faces a choice that risks hearts.  Will two brothers longing for her quiet spirit tear apart a family?  Can she find a tender belonging in this remote, rugged and unfamiliar world?

I can't recommend this book enough.  It is sure to be one you love!

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

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River To Redemption - A Book Review

River to Redemption by Ann H. Gabhart is one of the best books I have read in a long time.  .  My all time favorite genre would be Christian Historical Fiction and this novel was written set in one of my favorite time periods.

Adria Starr lost her entire family to the cholera epidemic of 1833.  As most of the towns people fled to escape the "bad air" two slaves stayed behind.  Louis could have fled to freedom, but instead stayed behind and cared for the sick and buried the dead.  Louis came to Adria's rescue and when the towns people returned he made sure she had a good home.  Ruth Harmon was widowed by the same cholera epidemic and agrees to take the young Adria in.

Twelve years have passed and Louis is about to be sold, but Adria is determined to buy his freedom.  The whole town remembers Louis' selfless act and come together to help Adria in her efforts.  Ruth has been alone for all these years and has all but given up on her dreams of having children of her own, but when a new preacher comes to town it seems she may have a second chance at love and a real family.

Adria is ready to risk everything for a cause she feels passionately about, but will it come at a cost to Ruth, Louis and all the people she has come to love?

I cannot say enough good things about this book.  It is going on my shelf of favorites.  Such a great message of love and waiting on God's timing and answered prayers.  I could not put it down and loved everything about it!

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