A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham ~ a book review

 

As I was reading this book, I was reminded how, throughout history, our response to various circumstances can vary, and how sometimes, they haven’t really changed.

An important occurance in the story is a scarlet fever outbreak.  This book was written well before our current COVID outbreak and ironically, it was handled very similarly to how the current pandemic is being handled.  What struck me was how the small town, with all kinds of personalities, came together to get through it.

This is a story of courage and sacrificial love.  Aggie has come to a small, rugged town in the North Dakota territory in the late 1800’s and has learned to become an independent woman living on her own.  She has left an affluent family and beau behind to teach school.  We learn early on, that she has a secret that prompted her decision.  She is shocked to learn that one of the main reasons she left home, her former beau, James, has followed her there, and is now the town’s new doctor.

They have to put aside their hurt and work together to help the town survive the epidemic.  I’m not going to give the rest of the story away, but as God often does, He makes something beautiful out of the ashes of our disappointments.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“Where you come from matters far less than where you're going

Six years ago, a shocking secret sent Agnes Pratt running in search of a new start. She found it in Penance, a rugged town of miners and lumberjacks in the Dakota Territory. In the shadow of the Black Hills, she became Miss Aggie, respected schoolteacher and confirmed old maid--despite being only twenty-four. But the past has a way of catching up with people.

When childhood friend and former sweetheart James Harris accepts a position as the town doctor, Aggie's pleasantly predictable days suddenly become anything but. James wants to know why Agnes left behind the life they had dreamed of creating for themselves--but he is precisely the one person who can never know.

Can a healing light be shed on the past? Or will the secret Agnes can't seem to outrun destroy her chance at happiness?”

It is apparent that the characters have a deep faith in God, it is more of an underlying thought rather than the main theme. I would call this a clean, sweet and wholesome historical romance with a subtle underlying faith theme.

This story highlights the impact of stigmas, secrets and prejudices.

This is a delightful and touching story that will leave you with a refreshing, feel-good feeling!

Go here to read an excerpt >>>> 

Learn more about Rachel Fordham here >>>> 

 

 

 

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and Baker
Publishing Group 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.”

Silent Shadows by Natalie Walters - a book review

Silent Shadows by Natalie Walters is a contemporary Christian suspense mystery.  It is set in a small town in Georgia.  The story revolves around Pecca, a rehabilitation nurse working with military and ex-military patients.  This is how she meets Colton Crawford. 

The first half of the book concentrates on the character’s backgrounds and back stories. We get insights into their characters.

Pecca has moved in an attempt to protect her handicapped son from a dangerous part of her past.  We learn early on what those circumstances are , but the danger seems to have abated.  The mystery is, why do dangerous, threatening things still keep happening to her? We are kept in suspense until almost the end of the story. Be prepared for a twist!

Colton Crawford is suffering from a troubling physical condition and Pecca works with him to aleiviate his symptoms,  He forms an attachment to Pecca and her son and is determined to protect them and discover who is threatening them.

This is a very easy to read book.  You don’t have to try to figure out what the author means.  She writes in a very straight forward manner.  It is not what I would call a nail biter mystery but it is very intriguing and the mystery keeps you interested in the story.

This is from the back cover blurb:

“They're running from their pasts into an unknown future.

But first, they'll have to survive the present.

Nurse Pecca Gallegos moved to the tiny town of Walton, Georgia, to protect her son and escape the dangerous lifestyle that once defined her. When a series of strange circumstances evolves into threats, Pecca finds herself confiding in an unlikely ally--her stubborn patient.

Army veteran Colton Crawford is desperate to recover from the disorder that is ruining his life, and his instincts are on high alert when threats against his nurse and her son force him to take action. But Colton's involvement only ramps up the danger when he uncovers a family secret revealing that whoever is after Pecca is closer--and more deadly--than they realized.

Welcome back to Walton, Georgia, where everyone knows your name--but no one knows your secret.”

Go HERE to read an excerpt... 

Learn more about Natalie Walters and her other books HERE...

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and Baker
Publishing Group 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.”

Beneath the Surface : Dive Team Investigations by Lynn H. Blackburn - a blog tour book review

If you’ve read any of my previous reviews you know I tend to lean toward historical Christian romance.  This book is a departure from my usual repertoire.  I surprised myself with how much I liked it!  It’s a contemporary Christian romance crime novel.

    It opens with the discovery of a mutilated body found at the bottom of a lake.  Homicide detectives and dive team investigators, Ryan and Gabe, are on a routine training dive when they make the gruesome find.  The lake also happens to be where his best friend’s sister’s home is.  Leigh is a nurse and has moved back after being stalked by a former patient.

    This is a really exciting book, with lots of mystery and suspense. Who is the body in the lake?  Who killed them?  How did they get there?  Are there more victims? Does this murder have anything to do with Leigh’s stalker? And, where is the rest of the body?

    This is also a love story and the romance is handled in a very respectful manner. Ryan and Leigh’s brother, Kirk, are best friends and have been since their childhood. Unknown to Leigh, Kirk had warned all his friends to stay away from his sister.  Now that they’re grown, the attraction they both felt as teenagers resurfaces.

    Ryan’s faith and reliance on God is very evident but the author doesn’t bombard you with it. However, you are not left with any doubt about his convictions.

    One aspect of the story that I really liked was the relationship between Ryan and Gabe.  I loved the witty conversations between them.  They were funny and very believable.

   

    This is from the publisher:

“After a harrowing experience with an obsessed patient, oncology nurse practitioner Leigh Weston needed a change. She thought she'd left her troubles behind when she moved home to Carrington, North Carolina, and took a job in the emergency department of the local hospital. But when someone tampers with her brakes, she fears the past has chased her into the present. She reaches out to her high school friend turned homicide investigator, Ryan Parker, for help.

Ryan finds satisfaction in his career, but his favorite way to use his skills is as a volunteer underwater investigator with the Carrington County Sheriff's Office dive team. When the body of a wealthy businessman is discovered in Lake Porter, the investigation uncovers a possible serial killer--one with a terrifying connection to Leigh Weston and deadly implications for them all.”

    Any lover of police crime stories should give this book a try.  It held my attention from the first page and that’s not always easy to do.

Try it for yourself, read an excerpt HERE 

 

          Learn more about  Lynn H. Blackburn and her other books HERE

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and Baker
Publishing Group 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.”