The Lumber Baron's Wife by Lynn Austin - A Book Review

  

The Lumber Baron's Wife is a dual-timeline story. The common element is the setting: two Craftsman style homes built in the 1870s in a town on the western coast of Michigan. In the 1870s Kate, the young wife of Lumber Baron Henry Abernathy, resided in the larger of the two homes. Kate had been brought up in poverty and was unprepared to be the lady her husband wanted her to be. The smaller home was the residence of her unlikely friend Harriet and her husband, Dr. John Benson. The lives of these two women became tangled together sometimes supporting and helping one another, other times lost in their own sorrows, until Kate's disappearance.

The current day storyline focuses on Ashley Gilbert a new bride who moves to Michigan, giving up her job at a history museum to go where her husband has been hired for his dream job. Fearing they never would find a home they would agree upon, Ashley and David finally come to an agreement, purchasing Dr. and Mrs. Benson's 150 year-old home, with great reservation on David's part. As Ashley seeks employment, she stumbles upon the run-down Abernathy mansion and the volunteers who are striving to restore it. In no time she is hooked, and becomes enthralled with the unsolved mystery of Kate Abernathy's disappearance.

Lynn Austin does a wonderful job developing these three women's characters as well as those of the men in their lives. She skillfully draws compassion from her readers, well except for maybe that one character that elicits a more negative reaction. Themes of allowing God into one's tough times, and seeking His will are well-developed. The dialogue is well-written, and the things left unsaid speak loudly. I highly recommend The Lumber Baron's Wife and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Bookshop of 99 Doors by Jaime Jo Wright - A Book Review

  

This dual-timeline novel tells the story of Ambrose Fields, a home built not long before the American Revolution, that survived the Civil War, and was now an historic site. Minnie Tipton moved to Ambrose Fields twenty-five years after the Battle of nearby Gettysburg. Minnie had lost her mother at seventeen, and could not understand why her father had uprooted them to move to this estate which was home to a gruesome past and the ghost stories that generated. Triss Billamy moved to Ambrose Fields in current times in an effort to flee her family and their joint livelihoods focused on the supernatural and paranormal. She was on a quest for truth and to know God. Her part in her family's profession had left her frightened and confused. At Ambrose Fields she would be among her favorite things, books, as the manager of the sites's bookshop and having been tasked with cataloging the library as well. When Triss' brother and his crew show up to investigate the paranormal sightings at the estate, Minnie's and Triss' worlds collide.

Jaime Jo Wright has once again successfully guided readers through a spine-tingling tale filled with things that go bump in the night and people who behave in unexpected ways. As things begin to fall in place, she reveals insights into God and how one may come to know Him. There is another prominent theme, but revealing that here would classify as a spoiler. So, I will leave that to my fellow readers to enjoy discovering that for themselves.

I am very grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Bookshop of 99 Doors from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.  

Witness Protection by Robert Whitlow - A Book Review

 

 

Witness Protection may be a slow-paced suspense story that does not contain a great deal of action scenes with high speed chases and guns blazing, but there is indeed action. The action actually occurs in the supernatural realm of spiritual warfare. The main warrior is an elderly, arthritic aunt backed up by her prayer partner. Their attention to the soft voice of the Holy Spirit, their discernment of the needs of others, and their obedience in prayer drives the outcome of the story and is a great model for readers.

While the story contains realistic dialogue, it is driven by the author's description of what is occurring. Whitlow's writing gives readers adequate time to consider the message, the themes, and the plot direction. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Witness Protection from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins - Some Thoughts

  

While Sunrise on the Reaping may be Haymitch Abernathy's story, I was more enthralled with his girlfriend Lenore Dove's story. Much like her ancestor Lucy Gray, Lenore Dove is an independent thinker who loves nature, music, and literature. Both young ladies have a tendency to speak, or sing, their opinion of those in charge of the government and society. Haymitch is Lenore's true love. He is smarter and braver than he knows. He also becomes more abused and tormented that he could ever have imagined. 

Sunrise on the Reaping is an intense story. In my opinion, the violence in this book seems a tad more excessive that in the previous Hunger Games books. Emotions run high before, during, and after the games for both characters and readers. I look forward to seeing the soon-to-be released movie version, and to discovering which I prefer most, the book or the movie. 

Hemlock and Homicide by Bruce Hammack - A Brief Comment

 

I got an e-copy of Hemlock and Homicide when it was offered for free on Amazon. It is a cozy mystery that my husband and I enjoyed listening to for several days over breakfast. We were unaware that it was the thirteenth book in a series until after we had finished listening to it, but we had no difficulty following the story. The author provided enough background information to fill in the gaps for us. Hammack is adept at writing dialogue, and the humor found in the interaction between his characters in enjoyable. We will likely listen to other books in this series. 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins - A Brief Comment

  

I preferred books 1-3 of this series over this fourth installment, although it was interesting to see what made Coriolanus Snow into the man he became. I did enjoy the characters Lucy Gray and her young cousin Maude Ivory. While Lucy Gray did have a strong will to survive, it appeared she also had a sweet nature, as did Maude Ivory. Lucy Gray's characters is what caused me to prefer the movie over the book. Hearing her haunting voice singing her ballads was far superior to just reading the lyrics. 

I am grateful to our oldest granddaughter for recommending this series. 

The Lie You Don't Know You Believe by Jennie Allen - A Book Review

  

Author Jennie Allen pours herself out onto the pages of The Lie You Don't Know You Believe, being open and vulnerable in order to help others who struggle with believing Satan's lie about themselves as she once did. To some degree, that is probably the majority of us at one time or another in our lives. Allen points out that the subtleness of the lie does nothing to lesson its impact on us or the ripples sent out to others. Through the use of lots of Scripture, sage advice from counselors, and personal experience, she gives hope for breaking that impact as well as the ripple effect.

The Lie You Don't Know You Believe is a book everyone should have the opportunity to read. As the title implies, you may not be aware of the lie you are believing. Even if you are, you might be accepting it as truth, or feeling there is no way out from under its influence. Allen offers hope in this well-written, thoughtful book.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this eye-opening book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.