Night Fall

Nancy Mehl is one of my favorite Christian Suspense Authors.  Her newest novel Night Fall is the first book in the Quantico Files Series.  From the very first page I was captivated and couldn't wait to see how it ended.  The pace is steady with plenty of mystery.  This one is a little different as you know who did it from the beginning, but there is still plenty of mystery.

I also love the message that this brings.  It doesn't matter how you were raised,  you can choose to rise above your circumstance or you can fall into the same pattern of those who raised you. It takes a brave and strong woman to be a better person in spite of her circumstances.

Alexandra (Alex) though she was free from her troubled upbringing.  No one knows about her past and that is just the way she likes it.  She is living out her childhood dream of working for the FBI.  She has just become a member of the FBI's elite Behavioral Analysis Unit, when the Kansas and Missouri authorities contacts them about bodies found on freight trains traveling across the country--all killed in the same way.

Alex never expected to be forced into confronting her past in her new job, but she immediately recognizes the graffiti messages the killer is leaving on the train cars.  When the BAU sends her to gather information about the messages from her aunt in Wichita, KS, Alex is haunted by the struggles she thought she'd left behind forever.

In a race against time to solve the case while battling her own weaknesses, Alex must face how far she'll go and what she's willing to risk to put a stop to the train killer.  

***Thanks to Bethany House Publishing for providing me with a copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest opinion.

Miriam's Song

 

When it comes to biblical fiction Jill Eileen Smith is my favorite author.  She has a way of weaving true biblical truths with fictional details that make it easier to connect and understand what life was like during Bible times.  For me, it helps me see these true biblical heroines as real people.  So often the Bible is short in its descriptions that we forget that they are real people with real feelings.  

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 Miriam 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, but just remember it's for entertainment so to speak.

Jill Eileen Smith always gives a great look inside of her research and thought process at the end of the book and I enjoy reading this about as much as I enjoy the book itself.  I love to see how author's come about their stories and while reading Miriam's Song it is evident that much research was put into this book.

One thing that was challenging with Miriam's story is the time span.  From the start of her young life of protecting her baby brother to her death is quite a story.  All fit into one novel had to be a hard task, but it was very well written and I enjoyed getting to know Miriam on what feels like a more personal level.

Christian fiction is always a plus to read if it challenges you to draw closer to God and read His Word more.  This book is such a book.

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

Dreams Rekindled by Amanda Cabot

I was so excited to finally get my hands on Dreams Rekindled by Amanda Cabot.  This is the second book in the Mesquite Springs series and ever since the day I finished the first book, Out of the Embers, I've been patiently waiting for the second book. You could very well read this as a stand alone book, but this is such a wonderful series that I encourage you to read the first book if you haven't yet.  You'll get a much better feel for the town of Mesquite Springs and all the wonderful people that live there.  

In this second book we get to delve deeper into the life of Dorothy Clark.  We learned a little bit about her in Out of the Embers as being the sister of Wyatt.  Now Dorothy is living in town as her brother and new wife are away on their honeymoon.  She's helping out at Polly's Place, but her true dream lies in writing.  Unfortunately in the 1850's there are not very many opportunities for writers. Especially women writers.  

Brandon Holloway has seen the disastrous effects of writing your own opinion in a newspaper.  He is a man running from his past and decides to start over in Mesquite Springs.  The town is without a newspaper and this time he is determined to do things the right way and just publish truth and not opinions.  He is instantly drawn to Dorothy and soon they are working together on the town Newspaper.  Suddenly there is division withing the town and rumors are pointing to Brandon. Now Brandon and Dorothy combine their efforts to figure out who's trying to destroy Brandon's livelihood.  

Brandon and Dorothy are both determined not to marry, but their growing affection towards each other has them questioning their decision.

I loved the sweet romance between Brandon and Dorothy.  My heart ached for Dorothy over some of her fears that caused her to not want to marry.  Phil was also a character that broke my heart. So much heartache in his life and I think what he truly wants is to be happy.

I cannot recommend this book and this author enough.  She has secured a spot on my list of favorite authors.

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

The Moonlight School

The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher has made it to my favorites shelf.  I fell in love with this story and was captivated from the start.  The story is inspired by true events which always makes it so much more enjoyable for me. I loved the "Acknowledgements" that the author included at the end of the book where she shared where she got her inspiration to write the novel. I always enjoy little tidbits like that.  After reading this amazing novel I need to go to my library and do some more reading and research on Moonlight Schools.

If you are planning on reading this book this month you should join the Facebook group called Beyond the Book.  It's a virtual book club group where discussion questions are given each week and many times the authors participate as well.  This month the chosen book is The Moonlight School.  I'm really excited to discuss this book and see what others thought of it as well.

Haunted by personal tragedy, Lucy Wilson arrives in Rowan County, Kentucky in the spring of 1911 to assist her cousin, Cora Wilson Stewart, superintendent of schools.  A fish out of water, Lucy is appalled by the primitive conditions and intellectual poverty she encounters. 

Born in these very hills, Cora knows the twin plagues of illiteracy and poverty.  So does Brother Wyatt, a singing school master who travels through the hills.  Involving Lucy and Wyatt, Cora hatches a plan to open the schoolhouses to adults on moonlit nights.  The best way to combat poverty, she believes, is to eliminate illiteracy.  But will the people come?

As Lucy emerges from a life in the shadows, she finds purpose, along with something else she hadn't expected...love. 

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

When Twilight Breaks

 

When it comes to historical fiction author Sarah Sundin is one of the best there is.  Her knowledge on WWII is astounding and the way she weaves real historical facts in with fictional characters is superb. If you have a facebook you should follow her as well.  She posts some great pics and information about her research.  

With that being said, this book of hers was not my favorite.  It was good, just not what I expected.  It seemed to have a big political pull and frankly I am exhausted of politics.  When I pick up a book so many times I want to escape reality and political agendas seem to be everywhere now days.  Also, I am not big on feminism and it was pushed quite a bit.  I did however enjoy the passionate characters and the historic look into Germany as it was nearing the brink of World War II.  I think this is a stand alone novel and not part of a series, but I'm always on the lookout for what this author has next.

From the back of the book:

Evelyn Brand is an American foreign correspondent determined to prove her worth in a male dominated profession and to expose the growing tyranny in Nazi Germany.  To do so, she must walk a thin line.  If she offends the government, she could be expelled from the country or worse.  If she does not report truthfully, she'll betray the oppressed and fail to wake up the folks back home.

Peter Lang is an American graduate student working on he PhD in German.  Disillusioned with the chaos in the world due to the Great depression he is impressed with the prosperity and order of German society.  But when the brutality of the regime hits close, he discovers a far better way to use his contacts withing he Nazi party-to feed information to the shrewd reporter he cant get off his mind.

As the world marches relentlessly toward war, Evelyn and Peter are on a collision course with destiny.

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