Authentically, Izzy by Pepper Basham - A Book Review

  

Authentically, Izzy is an epistolary novel, one of only two or three that I have read. I must admit, it is not my favorite book structure, but it worked for this fun, contemporary novel. The book is largely made up of digital communication between Izzy, her cousins, and a book-loving guy she met through an online dating site. While this grandma of four didn't relate to many things in this story of contemporary dating, I could relate to the love of books, reading them and sharing them. I also related to the importance of being true to oneself, and the wonder of falling in love. Pepper Basham infuses this story with a lot of humor, largely in the banter between siblings and cousins.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Authentically, Izzy from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a lighthearted love story. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

 

The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green - A Book Review

  

The Blackout Book Club beautifully demonstrates the importance of stories in our lives, and in doing so it also becomes an important story. Amy Lynn Green skillfully brings her characters to life, drawing her readers to empathize with the struggles and joys they and those close to them experience as World War II impacts the northeast coast of the United States, as we also see how these characters ways of viewing the world and one another are impacted by the books they read and discuss. I taught my students to be metacognitive, to think about their thinking, as they read and discussed books with one another. This book brought home the importance of thinking through one's points of view, voicing them, and listening to the points of view of others through the vessel of literature.

I believe The Blackout Book Club is a five star read. I look forward to reading more of Amy Lynn Green's books in the future and to reading or rereading several of the books read by her characters. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Sundown by Susan May Warren - A Book Review

  

I was happy to revisit the guys of Sky King Ranch, and they along with the women in their lives were once again living on the edge. The danger this time centered on Colt and Tae, danger from the elements as well as from terrorists. Of course his brothers have their backs and join them in the thick of things.

While I did enjoy this story, I did not enjoy it as much as I did the second book in this series. It lacked the realism of that book which was a distraction, and it was more predictable. That said, it still brought me enough reading pleasure that I feel comfortable recommending it to others. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Sundown from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

A Daughter's Courage by Misty Beller - A Book Review

 

Misty Beller's Brides of Laurent is a delightful series. While historical, it reads with a bit of a fantasy, fairy-tale sort of feel. In my opinion the series will be enjoyed to the fullest by being read in order. A Daughter's Courage, the third book in the series, focuses on Charlotte, the middle child of the village of Laurent's chief. It follows her on her quest to reach Fort Versailles in search of an artisan talented enough to restore an heirloom dear to the hearts of all the villagers, traveling in the Canadian Rockies as winter sets in. This is a story of perseverance, discovery, love, and family, above all its a story of God's love for His children. I highly recommend this book and series.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of A Daughter's Courage from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Brilliance of Stars by J'nell Ciesielski - A Book Review

  

The writing in this story, the elements of plot, dialogue, pacing,and the like are top notch. The story is original, the characters endearing, and the suspense captivating. However, there is one personal preference that dampens my enthusiasm for The Brilliance of Stars. I love series that have a thread of mystery that carries the reader from one book to the next, but that also has a mystery that is particular to each book and that is brought to a satisfying conclusion in that book. I wish that books that end in a total cliffhanger requiring one to wait until the release of the next book, and maybe the one after that, before reaching any satisfying conclusion came with a warning label allowing readers to make a choice before investing hours of reading time. That said, at least I know I can count on good quality writing when the next book in Ciesielski's Jack and Ivy series is released.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Brilliance of Stars from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Beneath the Bending Skies by Jane Kirkpatrick - A Book Review

  

Jane Kirkpatrick writes fiction based on careful and thorough research of the lives of ordinary yet extraordinary women who have been the backbone on which this nation was built. How might someone be ordinary yet extraordinary you may wonder. These women, including Mollie Sheehan Ronan on whom Beneath the Bending Skies focuses, lived lives not seeking to make a name for themselves by seeking to do great things, but by doing small things bravely, by putting the heartfelt desires of others first, and by showing great kindness. These women carry on in difficult circumstances, focusing on the work to which they were called. They are defenders and encouragers of those on the fringes, and they are agile, adapting to what life throws at them. While our lives may be constructed under much different circumstances, their lives remain a strong example of a life well-lived.

I recommend Beneath the Bending Skies and other book by this author to those who are looking for a slow, easy paced book filled with gems of wisdom. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and to have been accepted to its blogger team. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Targeted: Novellas by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn and Natalie Walters – A Book Review

  

I don't typically read novellas, but I was drawn to this collection because I have read most of the books these authors have written. I enjoyed these novellas because I knew the backstory of most of the major players who are characters or relatives of characters featured in previous books. The suspense elements of all three novellas were very good, and the pace was good even with the shorter length. The romance elements however felt very rushed in each of them which impacted the feel of authenticity of the stories. I would recommend Targeted to fans of these authors, and to those without a lot of time to read.

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

His Delightful Lady Delia by Grace Hitchcock - A Book Review

  

At the end of the first chapter I realized that Kit Quincy was one of the suitors for Willow's hand in My Dear Miss Dupre'. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to continue reading in Grace Hitchcock's American Royalty series. This book has wonderful protagonists and devious antagonists, and there are those you will think fall in one category when truly they belong in the other! Hitchcock has written yet another exciting Gilded Age tale that will bring readers hours of delightful entertainment. The timeless message of being one of God's children, fully loved, is shown to provide a sense of comfort and security.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of His Delightful Lady Delia from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Beneath His Silence by Hannah Linder - A Book Review

  

While Hannah Linder is relatively new on the Christian fiction writing scene, her work reads like that of an experienced writer. In Beneath His Silence Linder develops her characters through dialogue, actions, and reflections on their past. We see great depths of loyalty, integrity, and mental anguish as we enter the lives of those above and below stairs in this Regency England drama. Themes of forgiveness, faith, and surrendering to God are expertly woven into the story. Tension holds the story together, and keeps the reader engaged as the story reaches a dramatic climax. The ending is quite satisfying.

I am grateful for having been introduced to a new-to-me author and for receiving a complimentary copy of Beneath His Silence from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.