A Mountain Too Steep by Robin Patchen - A Book Review

  

Robin Patchen is an author whose books I have reviewed many times. Yet, I have so many thoughts floating around in my head about A Mountain Too Steep that it is difficult to organize them. The book is very personal for the author and fans who follow her because the accident the leading character's son is involved in and the injuries incurred exactly mirror the author's own son's. I cannot imagine reliving that time as those scenes were written. Fortunately, the mystery and other life events surrounding the family in this story are purely fictional.

Much about the writing style in this book feels different than the author's typical style. Readers get to know Camilla, her son, and her daughter largely during hospital scenes. They get to know Daniel, Camilla's husband, and his perspective as she rereads letters he wrote to her before his death. I enjoyed this different style and it fit the mood and events of the story. Then midway into chapter forty I recognized Robin's usual style emerging, this too fit the mood and events as there was a shift in the story with increased intrigue and a rise in the element of danger. A Mountain Too Steep showcases the author's versatility.

As always Robin Patchen provides a wonderful reading experience. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from the author without obligation. It was a treat to learn at the end of the book that this is the first book in a new series, The Wright Brothers of Maine. I am looking forward to the next book focusing on Daniel's bother, Sam. 

In the Shelter of Hollythorne House by Sarah E. Ladd - A Book Review

  

In the Shelter of Hollythorne House is set in Yorkshire, England in the early 19^th century. Anthony Welbourne had survived the injuries he received fighting in America to return to England and begin a career as a thief-taker. His ultimate goal though was to save enough of his earnings to repair his late uncle's mill and get it back into production. Anthony did not allow himself the luxury of dwelling on thoughts of the beautiful woman he had walked away from when he went off to fight, especially since he learned that she had married during his absence. Charlotte Prior's father died believing he had provided for his only daughter by placing her into the loving hands of Roland Prior. Unfortunately, Roland's hands were more controlling and abusive than loving. Now that he had died unexpectedly Charlotte was totally focused on breaking ties with the Prior family and raising her son in a loving, nurturing environment far away from his uncle's influence. The same uncle hired Anthony Welbourne and his colleague to keep watch over Charlotte and her son, supposedly to insure his nephew's safety. Danger might be lurking in very unexpected places.

I truly enjoyed Charlotte and Anthony's story. It is fast paced with believable dialogue and settings that help define the mood of the story. The protagonists are relatable, and the antagonists sinister. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of In the Shelter of Hollythorne House from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Cold Pursuit by Nancy Mehl - A Book Review

  

Every time I read a serial killer book, I promise myself that I'll never read another one. Then Nancy Mehl, Lynette Eason, or another similarly gifted author will come out with a book that lures me into breaking that promise. As I read Cold Pursuit I kept asking why I always do this to myself, but when I got to the final chapter and took in the lesson that Mehl so deftly pulled together, I knew why. I do it because Mehl and other Christian authors are not focusing on just the emotions evoked by thriller type books, but on the hope God can offer even within the context of extreme tragedy. Isn't that what we are all called to do, to give a reason for our hope? In this book Mehl focuses on personal responsibility. We are personally responsible for our own choices, not the choices of others, and for seeing to the health of our relationship with God in order that we may give the reason for our hope, and share the love, grace, and mercy or our heavenly Father. The author works through some intense suspense, carefully placed information, tension between characters, and deep emotions to bring this theme to light. She does this very well.

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

Ladies of the Lake by Cathy Gohlke - A Book Review

  

This dual timeline novel follows Adelaide Rose MacNeil and her sisters of the heart, dear friends from the Lakeside Ladies Academy, during their time at the academy from 1905 until 1917, a few years after their graduation, and then again during 1935 as Adelaide's daughter prepares to graduate from the academy. Cathy Gohlke is a master storyteller. No one that I have read exceeds her ability to withhold information, revealing it at just the right moment, at a time that changes everything you thought you knew about the story and its characters. She also is an expert in character development and relationship building between her characters. When she brings the story to a climax, the lesson demonstrated is one worthy of space in the reader's heart.

I am very grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Ladies of the Lake from Tyndale House Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Break of Day by Colleen Coble - A Book Review

    

Break of Day is Colleen Coble's third Annie Pederson novel. To be fully understood, the books in this series need to be read in order. That seems to be true for most, if not all, of Coble's series. As is to be expected in romantic suspense series, the main characters must go through quite a bit of drama in the final installment before reaching their happily-ever-after. Coble carries this drama off with great flair that will firmly hold the reader's interested. I didn't identify any deep themes in the story, and it didn't hold any big surprises, but it was enjoyable to read. While the writer says that Annie Pederson might be her favorite character of those she's written, my vote still goes to Bree Matthews of the Rock Harbor series.

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

Rebecca by Shannon McNear - A Book Review

   

Not only is this book very well written, it is extremely well researched. Shannon McNear spent a great deal of time reading and comparing historical sources concerning the settlement of Jamestown, Pocahontas, John Smith, and the Powhatan among other related topics. The lengthy Historical Note following the story contains in-depth information and explanations of how McNear made decisions between conflicting information.

As Pocahontas' (in the book spelled Pocahuntas) story unfolds, McNear reveals the highly spiritual nature of the Naturals as well as how the struggle between pride and greed and the call to make disciples of all nations impacted the English colonists' interacting with them. Do not those same struggles impact evangelism in our own life? While the author entertains her readers with this historical tale, she challenges us to answer God's direction to share the gospel without expressing this theme in a way that would be off-putting to non-Christian readers.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Rebecca from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.