The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water

 

When novelist Kendra Brennan moves into her grandfather's old cabin on Hidden  Lake, she has a problem and a plan.  The problem?  An inflammatory letter from A Very Disappointed Reader.  The plan? To confront Tyler, her childhood best friend's brother and the man who inspired her antagonist in her first book.  If she can prove that she told the truth about what happened during those long-ago summers, perhaps she can put the letter's claims to rest and meet the swiftly approaching deadline for her next book.

But what she discovers as she delves in to the murky past is not what she expected.  While facing Tyler isn't easy, facing the consequences of her failed friendship with his sister, Cami, may be the hardest thing she's ever had to do.

Let's jump right into the review.  The title and cover of this book is is intriguing and instantly caught my eye and was the main reason I wanted to read this book.  However, it didn't take me long to remember that this author is not one of my favorites. I am not a fan of first person narrative in a fictional novel so that was an instant draw back for me.  The story line was promising, but there were so many things I could not get past.  

The book could be "triggering" for some individuals as it touches on abuse.  Child molestation was very detailed and descriptive, as was a sex scene.  The abuser seemed to be justified because of their upbringing and this really bothered me.  The descriptiveness and the lack of faith portrayed in the book left me questioning how this is considered to be a Christian fiction title.  There was also drinking, bikini wearing and other things that I thought was not appropriate for the genre.  

Now, I have read books that are not "Christian fiction" and there is a difference considering this one is not laced with profanity, but it is not something I could in good conscience recommend, nor would I want a young teenager to pick it up.  So, even though I don't like to give negative reviews, I'm going to have to give this one two stars.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

God Is My Hiding Place

 

God is My Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom is a collection of 40 devotions of refuge and strength.  You will be so encouraged as you read through these devotions.  Each day has a scripture, usually just one verse, followed by a short devotion from the life of Corrie Ten Boom.  Each devotion then ends with a prayer.

As I read through this devotion one thing I kept thinking is how easy my life really is.  If you look at the struggles Corrie Ten Boom faced and how she kept the faith and pressed on you can't help but be encouraged.  One thing I really like is that it's not all fluff.  She doesn't just share how she had this great faith, she shares the struggles, the times that she didn't want to think positive or maybe couldn't see the best of the situation in the moment, and at times even struggled with forgiveness. But throughout all the struggles she knows that it is prayer and God will help her through. She shares with us, her readers, of the lessons she learned and she shares of how great God really is.  

I felt so uplifted and can't recommend this devotional enough.  I will soon be reading The Hiding Place again.  

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

Never Leave Me

 Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund is the second book in the Waters of Time series. I did not read the first book in this series and do not feel it is absolutely necessary, but I do think the reader would gain more enjoyment and connect better if you read them in sequence.

Ellen is living out her last days in the home of her friend Harrison who is a paraplegic.  Because of his condition he has never allowed himself to act on his feelings, but his affection for Ellen runs deep.  He is desperate to save her by finding the holy water that is believed to have healing powers.  When he finally locates them, Ellen refuses to drink.  She believes the holy water is what killed her sister and father. Harrison drinks it in his effort to prove to her it is safe and once she witnesses first hand the power in the water she knows it is safe.  There are some dangerous men who are desperate to get their hands on this miraculous water and will do whatever it takes to get it.  Even if that means sending Ellen back to the past.

Okay, I really wanted to like this book.  Jody Hedlund has been one of my favorite authors through the years, but I just couldn't with this story.  The time travel was just weird to me and Ellen was not a character I could connect with at all.  She was down right irritating to me.  I did like the character of Harrison, but overall it became a chore for me to get through this book.  

This is not an author I will abandon because of one book I dislike.  She has written so many that sit on my favorite shelf and all though this one did not cut it for me, I'm sure there will be others that will love it.  

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

A Heart Adrift

 Within the very first pages of A Heart Adrift by Laura Frantz I knew I was going to love this book.  The story centers around Esmee and Captain Henry, who were both, many years ago, very much in love with each other.  Esmee refused to be the wife a seaman and Captain Henry refused to give up the occupation in which he loved.  Many years have passed and their paths have crossed once again.  

Captain Henry has returned to port and is set on completing the lighthouse in Chesapeake Bay.  Esmee is working as a chocolatier in her family's business.  Their paths first cross at a ball and the chemistry is instantly sparked again.  As I was reading I kept feeling like they were both very stubborn and wanted to hurry their love up a bit.  But sometmes sweet happy endings take time and this one was just that.  

There are so many things I loved about the book and I felt I was transported back to colonial Virginia through the Author's detailed descriptions.  I loved the history involved and there was some suspense too.  The love story is what kept me turning the pages though.  I so wanted to see these two make it.  There were some lessons in grief and idolatry which gave me some things to think about.  It seems in the past couple years there has been so much loss and I personally have suffered the loss of a dear friend.  There were some things mentioned that gave me pause.

If you are a fan of historical fiction I highly recommend this book.  Laura Frantz never disappoints and this may very well be my favorite of hers to date.

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