Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Fatal Witness by Patricia Bradley ~ a book review


This book is perfect for the reader who likes contemporary Christian suspense and mystery stories.  This one has it all!  Mystery, intrigue, suspense, murder, missing persons, robbery and more.  It is not heavy on the romance but there is an element of it.  It also isn’t heavy on the “religion” aspect although it is mentioned throughout.  It is definitely a page turner and will keep you guessing.  

It is the second novel of the author’s A Pearl River series.  There is an excerpt of her next story in the series, at the end of this book, which promises to be just as interesting.

 This is from the publisher’s website:

 

“She doesn't remember the death of her parents--and someone will do whatever it takes to keep it that way

As a child, artist and potter Dani Bennett witnessed the brutal murder of her parents. With little memory of the incident or her true identity, she was forced to take on a new name and a new life, hidden away in Montana for the past twenty-five years.

Mae Richmond has spent the same stretch of time searching for her granddaughter, who went missing the night her daughter and son-in-law were murdered. Convinced the woman she saw in a pottery magazine feature is the woman she's been searching for, she enlists the help of K-9 officer Mark Lassiter of Pearl Springs, Tennessee, who tracks Dani down.

Skeptical but curious, Dani sets out on a journey to uncover the secrets of her past and reclaim her true identity. But someone close to her is determined to keep the truth of what happened all those years ago hidden.”

 This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. Who is the murderer?  Will Dani ever remember? Who doesn’t want Dani to remember and why? Who are the good guys and who are the bad guys?

  If you are a fan of clean suspense and mystery stories, you won’t be disappointed with this book.

Go HERE to read an excerpt

Go HERE to learn more about the author, Patricia Bradley , and her books
 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed  are my own.
 

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz ~ a book review

 


Once again, Laura Frantz gives us a story that transports us to another time and place. The time is the middle of the 1700’s and the place is the Canadian shores of Acadie.  Sylvie Galant’s family have lived in Acadie for decades.  It is a peace loving community that strives to remain neutral in the struggle between the French and the British who both want control of the area.  Sylvie is content to use her sewing skills for her community and tend her beloved apple orchard.

William Blackburn, is a notorious soldier, feared by many, who is tasked with the job of securing Acadie for the British.  When he realizes that his government has mislead him about their plans for the area and it’s residents, he resigns his position and ends up in Virginia.

While some of Sylvie’s family and friends form a resistance, she and most of her family end up being forced from their home and imprisoned. She is separated from her parents and suffers a horrendous voyage on a rickety prison ship.  Facing the realization that most of her family is dead, she ends up as an indentured woman in the same settlement in Virginia. 

This is from the publisher’s website:

“In a land torn apart by conflict, can love mend the tattered pieces?

As 1754 is drawing to a close, tensions between the French and the British on Canada's Acadian shore are reaching a fever pitch. Seamstress Sylvie Galant and her family--French-speaking Acadians wishing to remain neutral--are caught in the middle, their land positioned between two forts flying rival flags. Amid preparations for the celebration of Noël, the talk is of unrest, coming war, and William Blackburn, the British Army Ranger raising havoc across North America's borderlands.

As summer takes hold in 1755 and British ships appear on the horizon, Sylvie encounters Blackburn, who warns her of the coming invasion. Rather than participate in the forced removal of the Acadians from their land, he resigns his commission. But that cannot save Sylvie or her kin. Relocated on a ramshackle ship to Virginia, Sylvie struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. When her path crosses once more with William's, they must work through the complex tangle of their shared, shattered past to navigate the present and forge an enduring future.”

While the first half of the book seems sad, the second half of the book speaks to overcoming hardships while still maintaining hope through faith.  Sylvie and William begin to recognize their growing feelings for each other and the author does a wonderful job of taking us along on their courtship journey.

A really fun thing is that characters from another of the author’s books pop up in this book.

It is very evident that the author researches the history, customs, events and locations that help draw the reader into the story.

Her books never fail to deliver a wonderful experience.

 Go HERE to read an excerpt 

Go HERE to learn more about Laura Frantz 


 

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed  are my own.

Tuesday, December 05, 2023

The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt ~ a book review


This is a well written, well researched fictionalized account of the occupation of Poland during World War 2, and how it affected two sisters and their relationship.

The chapters are written from each sister’s point of view.  The first half of the book deals with the German takeover and occupation.  The depiction of the holocaust is at times, graphic. It is heavy , sad, heart wrenching but historically accurate.  The second part of the book portrays the resistance of the Polish people. It is a thought provoking story of courageous faith.

Helena and Antonina are twin sisters with a very close relationship. However, the stresses of the horrors that they see threatens to tear them apart. Helena joins the resistance, and willingly puts herself in danger.  Antonina helps smuggle Jewish children and fall sin love with a Jewish man. She finds herself alone, pregnant and unmarried and loses touch with her sister.

This is not what you would call the typical historical Christian romance. The romance takes a back seat to the main thrust of the story.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“A richly rendered portrait of courage, sacrifice, and resilience
On a golden August morning in 1939, sisters Antonina and Helena DÄ…browska send their father off to defend Poland against the looming threat of German invasion. The next day, the first bombs fall on Warsaw, decimating their beloved city and shattering the world of their youth.

When Antonina's beloved Marek is forced behind ghetto walls, along with the rest of Warsaw's Jewish population, Antonina knows she cannot stand by and soon becomes a key figure in a daring network of women risking their lives to shelter Jewish children. Meanwhile, Helena finds herself drawn into the ranks of Poland's secret army, joining the fight to free her homeland from occupation.

But the secrets both are forced to keep threaten to tear them apart--and the cost of resistance may prove greater than either ever imagined.”

The author portrays the horrors of the holocaust in detail, without being as graphic as history has revealed. This is not a lighthearted, “fun” story, however, time after time, you will see God’s hand of protection on each of the sisters.  

Go HERE to read an excerpt.

Go HERE to learn more about Amanda Barratt 


 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed  are my own.


 

Friday, October 27, 2023

Against the Wind by Amanda Cabot ~ a book review

This is the second book in the Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing that I’ve had the pleasure to read.


Each book is a stand alone story that involves places and characters from the previous one, and the author does a great job of giving us the back stories.

These stories are about three sisters from a blended household. Their father was the pastor in Sweetwater Crossing.  The family essentially falls apart when he dies and the sisters go their own ways but still keep in touch. 

This story is set in the late 1880’s and is from the viewpoint of the youngest sister, Louisa.  Her dream is to become a doctor.  She has to fight the typical stereotype of what an acceptable profession is for a lady.  Being a midwife is acceptable, being a doctor is not.  She leaves Sweetwater Crossing after her father dies but comes back for what she expects will be a brief visit. On her way back, she encounters an injured man, Josh, and  has to stay until he is recovered. 

This is from the publisher’s website:

“Doctor-in-training Louisa Vaughn has no intention of remaining in Sweetwater Crossing. She's just there for a few days to help a friend. But she can't abandon the injured man she finds at the side of the road. Until his broken leg heals, she'll serve as the town's doctor and midwife. She may not be fully qualified yet, but surely she's better than nothing.

Josh Porter's plans to win his grandfather's challenge and fulfill his father's final wish to gain full control of the family business hit a roadblock when he breaks his leg. But his enforced stay in Sweetwater Crossing gives him new ideas about the expansion of the company into new territory--ideas Louisa could help turn into reality.

If only the town were more accepting of Louisa's talents! Someone is determined to convince her to abandon her dream of healing others. Can Josh help her uncover the person behind the threats before it's too late? And is there any future for them together when neither of them plans to stay?”

This story takes both Louisa, Josh and others, on a journey of following dreams, changing your dreams, forgiveness and learning to hear God’s voice and following His leading.

There are secrets to be discovered and mysteries to be solved.  The author leaves us wondering about one, but the excerpt of the next story in the back of the book, gives a hint of what it is.

This is not a story you can rush through. The reader needs to take their time to appreciate all the characters, dialog and descriptions of people and settings.

There is a map in the front of the book that is very helpful in understand the layout of the town.  

Go HERE to read an excerpt

Go HERE to learn more about Amanda Cabot and her other books 


 

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

 

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