Out of Control - a book review

Yep, another book review.  I've been knocked down by a nasty cold so I'm having to play catch-up. 

This review is for Mary Connealy's, Out of Control, The Kincaid Brides, book 1. 

As this story opens we find Julia, a young women obsessed with fossils, stuck in a dark cave.   Her screams are heard by Rafe Kincaid, the rancher who owns the land the cave is on.  He has promised himself that he would never go back into the cave after his brother suffers a devestating accident while exploring there. When Rafe hears her screams he knows he has to go back in to the cave and get her out.

 Rafe is used to being in control of his family, ranch and most areas of his life, except when it comes to the cave. Julia is used to taking care of herself since her mother died.   Julia’s father leaves her alone for days at a time, in an old shack to fend for herself.  She was looking forward to coming of age to leave when her father brings home a new wife, almost the same age as herself and who has a toddler daughter. She soon becomes pregnant and Julie finds herself becoming responsible for three more people. 

Of course, when two strong willed, independent people come together you can usually expect lots of personality clashes and fireworks and the author doesn’t disappoint us.  Mary Connealy draws the reader into emotions and feelings of the characters.  This book has suspense, mystery, emotion, tension and lots of humor.  While spirituality and faith are mentioned, they are not the focus that I would have liked to have seen.  I was impressed with Julia’s stepmother and her commitment to her marriage, even thought her husband neglected her and was unfaithful. 

This story takes place in the 1800’s in the Colorado Territory and the author does a wonderful job of describing the landscape and environment.

While I enjoyed reading this book I can only give it a 3 out of 5 rating.  Some of the situations are a little unbelievable and I wish the author had delved more into the faith of the characters. 

You can go here to read an exerpt, see the trailer and find purchase information.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House  through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Forsaking All Others - a book review

Forsaking All Others, The Sister Wife Series  by Allison Pittman   

Forsaking All Others is the second book in this series. I have not read the first one, but found I didn't have to in order to enjoy this book.  The author does a good job of ‘reviewing’ the story through a letter written by the main character.
Camilla Fox left  home against her parent’s wishes when she was  15 year old. She marries Nathan Fox a young man who is also Morman. She is so infatuated with her new husband and relieved to be away from her overly strick father, she joins the Mormon Church. She and Nathan have two little girls, Melissa and Lottie, and then a little boy, Arlen, who dies. Her Husband decides to take another wife, as is the custom in early Mormanism.  Camilla is devastated and finds herself drawn back to her Christian upbringing. She knows that she has been following a false God, and decides to leave. This is where we meet her in the second book. She has successfully escaped her husband’s home but gets caught in a life threatening snow storm.  She is rescued by the U.S. Military and comes under the protection of Army Colonel Charles Brandon. She is slowly brought back to health. She knows she must return for her daughters to save them from the same life she had just escaped.  She also knows she must make amends with her family especially when she hears her father is dying.  Camilla has to make many heart wrenching decisions but underneath them all is her desire to do God’s will.  She is taken care of, protected but also rejected and betrayed.  Many times in the story the reader is brought to the edge of disaster.  You will hold your breath at times, wipe a tear or two, feel anger and then joy as you read this book.

I highly recommend this book, not only because it is an enjoyable and enticing read but because it is also historically accurate in regards to the early Morman religion. 

There are reading group discussion topics and a section of group questions.

Watch the trailer!

watch on tyndale.com

Visit the author's website to learn more about her.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers  through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”