Thimbles and Threads - A Book Review

Set in the post Civil War 1800s, these four stories all include a quilt that has special meaning to one of the characters, and each included a character that has a special love for the art of sewing. Each story would be considered romantic fiction. While all three stories were sweet, I found three to seem more realistic than the fourth. I would have given three of the four stories 3 ½ stars and the remaining one 2 stars as I kept arguing aloud with the author (really glad no one else was home to witness that).

If you are a fan of the needle arts and like a sweet story that is not too in-depth, I recommend this book to you. I appreciate having received a copy of Thimbles and Threads from Barbour Books via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

The Inn at Hidden Run by Olivia Newport - A Book Review

    

Meri Davies' story led to running and hiding from the pressures placed on her by her family. Her story is set in contemporary times at the Inn at Hidden Run outside of Denver, Colorado. This book also tells the story of Meri's ancestor, Eliza Davies, which is set in Memphis during the second half of the 1800s and revolves around a devastating yellow fever epidemic.

The Inn at Hidden Run is the first book in Newport's Tree of Life series. The author's goal is to inspire readers to go past DNA, to search for the stories of their families. Doing so has a significant impact on the relationships in Meri's immediate family. While her story was interesting, I was much more drawn to Eliza's story. The self-sacrificing work of Eliza and those who served with her is humbling. If I could rate their stories separately, I would give Eliza's a four- and Meri's a three-star rating.

I am grateful to have received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to write a positive review, and I received no monetary compensation.

Dark Visions by James Byron Huggins - A Book Review

 

If you read Dark Visions you are going to want to learn the authenticity of the portrayal of a raven's behavior and intelligence. Well, I've done the research for you. Ravens are indeed reported to be as intelligent as dolphins and chimpanzees. They can mock human speech as well as other environmental sounds, and they do problem solve. They even display empathy. In Dark Visions the raven, Poe, is more friend and protector than pet to Joe Mac Blake. It is suggested that Poe has a personal connection to and mission from God.

After reading a couple of chapters of Dark Visions I got online to double check that this novel was actually categorized as Christian fiction, which it was. As such, I feel the need to alert readers that it does contain some profanity and that both the name of God and Jesus are at times used carelessly as exclamations. I know that there has been much discussion on various Christian reader social media pages about the use of such language in books labeled as Christian fiction, and just wanted readers to be aware as to be able to make decisions based on their prayerful perspectives.

As to the plot and writing style, Dark Visions is well titled, exciting, fast paced, and has believable dialogue. Joe Mac Blake is a retired NYPD detective who was blinded in the line of duty. He sets out with rookie Detective Jodi Strong to find a serial killer who has included Joe Mac's grandson among his victims. Evidence points to a member of a group of Druids as the prime suspect. Their investigation takes them into the dark underworld of the Druid culture and into a world of danger.

I struggle with rating this book due to the careless use of holy names. I was not terribly bothered by the profanity. If it were not for the misuse of holy names, I would readily give it five stars. I thank NetGalley and Wildblue Press for providing me with a copy of Dark Visions in exchange for an honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation