Freedom's Light

I have never read a book by Colleen Coble that I'd didn't like! Freedom's Light was probably my favorite to date. First of all, just look at the cover! Isn't that gorgeous?!

Hanna Thomas believe she's escaped Galen Wright's evil intentions by marrying an older lighthouse keeper. Seemingly safe in faraway Massachusetts, her world is upended when John is killed in one of the first battles of the Revolutionary War. Hannah is allowed to continue the difficult task of tending the twin lighthouses in John's place, though she faces daily disapproval from John's family. She thinks her loneliness will subside when her younger sister arrives, but she finds Lydia's obsession only escalates the dangerous tides swirling around her.

A stormy night brings a shipwrecked sea captain to Hannah's door, and though he is a Tory, her heart is as traitorous as the dark eyed captain. Even though she discovers Birch Meredith isn't the enemy he seemed at first, Hanna isn't sure their love will ever see the light of freedom.

I highly recommend this book! Especially if you are a fan of Christian historical fiction.

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

The House at Saltwater Point

I can always count on Author Colleen Coble to provide a book that I love.   The House at Saltwater Point is the perfect example of why I love her books so much.  From the minute I picked it up until the last page, I did not want to stop reading.  There is a perfect blend of romance, suspense and action that kept me fully engaged.  I love that I never can guess the ending and I'm left guessing until the end.  

"Taking place on Washington State's Puget Sound, this follow-up to The View from Rainshadow Bay features delightful characters and an evocative, atmospheric setting. Ideal for fans of romantic suspense." --Library Journal

The dangerous beauty of Lavender Tides is harboring secrets that reach around the world.

Ellie Blackmore is making a name for herself as a house flipper. But when her sister Mackenzie disappears, Ellie can’t focus on anything but uncovering what happened. Her only clue is the bloodstain on the deck of Mackenzie’s boat. Ellie knows her sister isn’t on the best of terms with her ex-husband, Jason, but he wouldn’t kill her—would he? 

Coast Guard intelligence officer Grayson Bradshaw believes Mackenzie faked her own death after stealing a seized cocaine shipment. The problem is convincing Ellie, who seems to view him as the true enemy.

Both Ellie and Grayson want truth, but truth—and family—is often more complex than it first appears. From international terrorism to the peaceful lavender fields of Puget Sound, The House at Saltwater Point is a thrilling race to uncover the truth before it’s too late.

If you are a fan of christian suspense with a bit of romance, you are sure to love this book!

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

Thief of Corinth - Book Review

When it comes to biblical fiction Tessa Afshar is one of my favorite authors and the Thief of Corinth is the perfect example of why I love her writing.

When I read biblical fiction I like a story written in a biblical time period, filled with history of the cities and places we read about in the Bible, but when it comes to the characters, I like them to be fictional.  This is just a personal preference of mine.  I don't want to veer from biblical truth.  Tessa Afshar writes these beautiful stories that are rich in faith, biblical truths, but stays true to the Bible.

First-century Corninth is a city teeming with commerce and charm.  It's also filled with danger and corruption.

After years spent living with her mother and oppressive grandfather in Athens, Ariadne runs away to her father's home in Corinth, only to discover the perilous secret that destroyed his marriage:  though a Greek of high birth, Galenos is the infamous thief who has been robbing the city's corrupt of their ill-gottten gains.

Desperate to keep him safe, Ariadne risks her good name, her freedom, and the love of the man she adores to become her father's apprentice.  As her unusual athletic ability leads her into dangerous exploits, Ariadne discovers that she secretly revels in playing with fire.  But when the wrong person discovers their secret, Ariadne and her father find their future-and very lives-hanging in the balance

When they befriend a Jewish rabbi named Paul, they realize that his radical message challenges everything they've fought to build, yet offers something neither dared hope for.

  Such a great book, that I couldn't recommend more!

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

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.

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!