Sabotaged by Dani Pettrey Book Review

// Sabotaged //

Alaskan Courage Series // Book #5

By Dani Pettrey

{Review by Bethany}

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Source: Review copy provided by the publisher

Publication Date: February 3rd, 2015
Number of Pages: 336
  Rating: 3 out of 5 stars 

 

// Book Synopsis //

 

 Growing up, goody-two-shoes Kirra Jacobs and troublemaker Reef McKenna were always at odds. Now paired together on Yancey's search-and-rescue canine unit, they begin to put aside old arguments as they come to see each other in a different light. Then a call comes in from the Iditarod that will push them to their limits.

Kirra's uncle, a musher in the race, has disappeared. Kirra and Reef quickly track the man, but what they discover is harrowing. Frank's daughter has been kidnapped. In order to save her, the man must use his knowledge as a mechanical engineer to do the kidnapper's bidding or she will die. Kirra and Reef, along with the entire McKenna family, are thrown into a race to stop a shadowy villain who is not only threatening a girl's life, but appears willing to unleash one of the largest disasters Alaska has ever seen.

 

// Bethany's Book Review //

 

Prior to reading Sabotaged, I'd read the first book in the Alaskan Courage series, Submerged, but not the three books between Submerged and Sabotaged, the fifth book in this stand-alone series. Since  the main characters in this series are all related, this series can be read either in order or alone, which is something I liked. If you'd read the previous books then some of the characters you'll already be familiar with, but if not you can still enjoy and understand the story, enjoying it alone.

 

Sabotaged was a very action packed book, which is what fans of Dani Pettrey have come to expect and enjoy in her novels. The whole story takes place in a short period of time, making the story read very true to actual time. It made the book overall very easy to read, and one that would be considered a quicker read because of how the story was constantly moving. I was able to read the whole book in two sittings just because of how the story flowed and was easy to read. Some books are just quicker reads by nature, and this one is definitely one that I'd put in that category, making it a good weekend read.

 

This novel was one I knew would be a fun, quick read due to the suspenseful theme. The story was very fast and was constantly moving, however I felt there was an element of the story that I just wasn't connecting with. While the suspense was there and kept me reading, I felt like for some reason the story didn't grip me in the way I would have liked considering the mystery aspect of the novel. While I did enjoy the suspense, I didn't feel like it really had that suspenseful factor that keeps me on the edge of my seat. There were several scenes that were so short, or had no transition and changed so quick that I didn't really understand what was going on, and at times these scenes were confusing. I knew that these scenes were important to the plot and contained pieces of the mystery puzzle, but they happened so fast with so little details that I felt rather lost and confused. I especially felt this way about the ending, which in my opinion happened too fast.

While there were scenes where I felt like the story didn't really grip me, I did enjoy the character development in this story. It was interested seeing the characters and their pasts, and how that effected the story and how they acted in certain situations. The thread of redemption and fresh starts was a nice addition to the plot, and it was nice to have this dimension added to the story.

Overall, I enjoyed this book as a quick one time read. It was an exciting adventure, but I just didn't feel like the suspense level was there for me. However I'm still grateful for the opportunity to read this book and would recommend it!

D I S C L A I M E R ::: I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher for the sole purpose of this review. I was not paid to promote this book, and all thoughts expressed are my own, completely honest and unbiased. 

Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden Book Review

// Beyond All Dreams //

By Elizabeth Camden

{Review by Bethany}

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Source: Review copy provided by the publisher

Publication Date: December 15th, 2014
Number of Pages: 368
  Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

// Book Synopsis //
 

Taken from Good Reads

 

Sweeping and Romantic Historical Drama from an Award-Winning Author 

Anna O'Brien leads a predictable and quiet life as a map librarian at the illustrious Library of Congress until she stumbles across a baffling mystery of a ship disappeared at sea. She is thwarted in her attempts to uncover information, but her determination outweighs her shyness and she turns to a dashing congressman for help. 

Luke Callahan was one of the nation's most powerful congressmen until his promising career became shadowed in scandal. Eager to share in a new cause and intrigued by the winsome librarian, he joins forces with Anna to solve the mystery of the lost ship. 

Opposites in every way, Anna and Luke are unexpectedly drawn to each other despite the strict rules forbidding Anna from any romantic entanglement with a member of Congress.

From the gilded halls of the Capitol, where powerful men shape the future of the nation, to the scholarly archives of the nation's finest library, Anna and Luke are soon embroiled in secrets much bigger and more perilous than they ever imagined. Is bringing the truth to light worth risking all they've ever dreamed for themselves?

 

// Bethany's Book Review //

 

I've been a big fan of Elizabeth Camden's novels for a while now, and was very excited to hear that she had a new novel coming out, titled Beyond All Dreams! I was even more excited to find out that the heroine of the story, Anna worked at the Library of Congress! As a fan of books and libraries, I knew right off the bat that I'd have something in common with this character, and would probably enjoy the book even more because of it. While my favorite Camden novels still remain The Rose of Winslow Street and With Every Breath, I still enjoyed the story and loved the setting!

One of the things that really sets apart Elizabeth Camden's novels from others, is her ability to create such realistic, likable characters and bring them to life on the paper. I love the way she takes a hero or heroine and really develops that character throughout the story. I feel like not all novels do such a good job at character development, but Camden has this aspect of writing down! Some novels seem to focus more on the setting of the story versus on the actual characters, and you can tell that Camden puts a lot of development into her stories by really expanding on the characters. It's always fun first learning about the characters, and then seeing how they mature and grow throughout the book, and Camden's novels don't disappoint in this area!

As I mentioned earlier, I just loved how this novel's heroine works at the Library of Congress! It was so interesting seeing that side of her story, as well as the plot that Camden so masterfully wove into the other characters. The story she tells in the pages of this book are so well thought-out and written, and it makes for a really pleasurable read that I'm sure all fans of libraries, or Camden's work, will be trilled with! 

 

I loved how this story had a mild amount of mystery mixed into the love story between Anna and Luke.  I feel like it definitely helped keep the story rolling, and on top of the wonderful writing ability that Camden obviously has, it makes you keep turning pages long into the night! 

Overall I was very pleased with this novel and really enjoyed the opportunity to read it! I will be adding this book to my shelf, right alongside my other Camden novels; and look forward to her future releases!

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a complementary copy of Beyond All Dreams from the publisher for the sole purpose of this review. All thoughts expressed are completely honest and my own unbiased views. I was not paid to write this review or promote this book in any way.

Love Unexpected by Jody Hedlund Book Review

(Review Written by Madilyn)

Book Title: Love Unexpected

Author: Jody Hedlund

Source/Sponsor: Bethany House Publishers

Genre: Historical Fiction/Christian Fiction

Number of Pages: 352

ISBN: 978-0-7642-1237-6

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Year of Publication: 2015 (Coming Soon)

Rating: Four out of Five Stars

 

 

Book Description

A Perfect Blend of History and Romance, with a Whisper of Mystery

All she's ever wanted was a home. But stranded at Presque Isle port after their steamboat sank, Emma Chambers and her brother, Ryan, couldn't be farther away from security. While Ryan at least can find work, Emma can't even find a place to stay. An unlikely solution arises when the lighthouse keeper, who recently lost his wife and is struggling to raise his young son, arrives in town. A traveling preacher believes they might be the answer to each others' problems, and after a hasty marriage, Emma is headed back to the lighthouse with this handsome but quiet stranger.

But nothing in her wandering life has prepared her for suddenly being asked to raise a child and keep a house. Struggling at every turn, Emma also suspects Patrick may be keeping something hidden from her. In town she hears whispers about strange circumstances surrounding his previous wife's death, and it seems as though Emma's answered prayer for a home and family may actually be something much more dangerous.

 

 

Book Review

 I have really been looking forward to reading this book. Jody Hedlund is one of my go-to authors for a good read every time. She is consistent with her writing and has an interesting and unique style. I have read several of her books and loved every one of them. This story in particular stuck out to me because of the moral aspect of it. Patrick was is a former criminal that turned his life around and is raising his son, Josiah. He is a kind hearted man with a haunting past. He just wants the best for his family, but things keep going from bad to worse. Emma considers herself and old spinster and is overjoyed at the aspect of a ready made family. These two have a lot of things to work through and a lot of bridges to burn, but with God's help they can accomplish any feat. I loved all the strong characters and the plot was well thought out and executed. My only complaint is that there could have been a little bit more excitement. It was not boring by any means, and I had no trouble staying interested in what I was reading, but I think a little bit more action would have greatly enhanced the book overall. That being said, I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more novels by Jody Hedlund.

 

D I S C L A I M E R: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion, and that is exactly what I have given. I was not further compensated to review this product and all thoughts and sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen Book Review

// The Secret of Pembrooke Park //

By Julie Klassen

{Review by Bethany}

Publisher: Bethany House
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher
Publication Date: December 2nd, 2014
Number of Pages: 460
  Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

// Book Synopsis //
 

Taken from Good Reads

"Julie Klassen Is the Top Name in Inspirational regency Romance

Abigail Foster fears she will end up a spinster, especially as she has little dowry to improve her charms and the one man she thought might marry her--a longtime friend--has fallen for her younger, prettier sister.
When financial problems force her family to sell their London home, a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll's house left mid-play . . .

The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem to know something about the manor's past, the only information they offer Abigail is a warning: Beware trespassers who may be drawn by rumors that Pembrooke contains a secret room filled with treasure.

Hoping to improve her family's financial situation, Abigail surreptitiously searches for the hidden room, but the arrival of anonymous letters addressed to her, with clues about the room and the past, bring discoveries even more startling. As secrets come to light, will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks...or very real danger?"

// Bethany's Book Review //

It's no secret that Julie Klassen is one of my all-time favorite authors. However her last release The Dancing Master was a bit of a disappointment for me, so I was hoping that The Secret of Pembrooke Park would really bring back that Klassen wow factor-and it did! If you have been a fan of any of Klassen's books then you have to get your hands on this new one! You won't want to miss it!

I just adored everything about this novel-the mystery, regency era, old mansion full of secrets, the characters, romance, and plot! Everything was so masterfully placed together, and I was constantly surprised and delighted while reading this book. Even though it's nearly 500 pages I continuously flipped through pages without realizing the length. This is one of those rare books that I can actually truly say that I didn't want it to end! I just felt such a connection with the characters, and I found the story and characters were constantly in my thoughts even when I wasn't reading the book. For sure and certain, this is a 2014 favorite!!

Like I mentioned earlier, The Dancing Master, which released last December was a bit of a disappointment for me. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad. It just didn't have that Julie Klassen wow factor that I've come to admire. So, I didn't really get my hopes up for this novel. However I was pleasantly shocked when reading this book! The plot was so intriguing and the story flowed so smoothly. The mystery was very prevalent (which I really liked, as it's hard to find regency novels that have a lot of mystery instead of just a little sprinkled throughout) and was constantly leaving me in suspense of the next page. The romance between the main character and the two love interests was very well written and interesting. I loved how Klassen weaved such an intricate story in such a flawless way. If you are a fan on regency romance then you will not want to miss this book!

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a complementary copy of The Secret of Pembrooke Park from the publisher for the sole purpose of this review. All thoughts expressed are my own, completely honest and unbiased.

Love Unexpected by Jody Hedlund Book Review

// Love Unexpected //

Beacons of Hope // Book #1
 

By Jody Hedlund

{Review by Bethany}

Publisher: Bethany House
Source: Review copy provided by the author
Publication Date: December 2nd, 2014
Number of Pages: 348
  Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

// Author Website //

// Purchase on Amazon //

 

// Book Synopsis //
Taken from Good Reads

 

 "A Perfect Blend of History and Romance, with a Whisper of Mystery

All she's ever wanted was a home. But stranded at Presque Isle port after their steamboat sank, Emma Chambers and her brother, Ryan, couldn't be farther away from security. While Ryan at least can find work, Emma can't even find a place to stay. An unlikely solution arises when the lighthouse keeper, who recently lost his wife and is struggling to raise his young son, arrives in town. A traveling preacher believes they might be the answer to each others' problems, and after a hasty marriage, Emma is headed back to the lighthouse with this handsome but quiet stranger.

But nothing in her wandering life has prepared her for suddenly being asked to raise a child and keep a house. Struggling at every turn, Emma also suspects Patrick may be keeping something hidden from her. In town she hears whispers about strange circumstances surrounding his previous wife's death, and it seems as though Emma's answered prayer for a home and family may actually be something much more dangerous."

 

// Bethany's Book Review // 

Love Unexpected, the first book in the Beacons of Hope series, is a tender story of hope and redemption. Charmingly set in Michigan by the sea and lighthouses, this sweet story is a heart- warming one that is sure to delight and inspire. 

One of my favorite parts of this story was the setting and characters. There is just something very calming about lighthouses; and the tenderness of the storyline combined with the backdrop made for a very pleasurable read, which I thoroughly enjoyed. While reading this book, I could almost feel the sea spraying on my face, and feel the wind blowing my hair. I easily got into the story and connected with the characters. The story was so sweet and endearing, and I loved reading Patrick and Emma's story.

Each of the characters were meaningful, and I'd have to say that my favorite was Patrick's son Josiah. I've always particularly enjoyed stories where the story has a young child, as it really helps bring the characters personalities out. I think this was especially true for Patrick and Emma. Josiah had such a huge part in bringing out the other characters personalities, and I loved seeing him in the story and the warmth and humor that he brought into the novel. I also admired Patrick's character. He was such an honorable person, and I loved learning more about him as the story progressed! The mystery aspect of his past kept me turning pages!

The story was very easy to get into, and had a nice mix of tender romance with a hint of mystery. The story flowed very consistently, and there weren't any dry bits that hindered the reading experience. The story line itself was masterfully written, and I loved seeing how the themes of love and redemption came out. 

Hedlund's writing style is so easy and fun to read, and I loved how she combined a sweet story that is interesting, with historical bits that added even more to the story. I loved how the story was loosely based on a true story of a light-keeper. I always enjoy stories that are based on real events as they make learning history fun and memorable, and this story is no exception!

In all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to fans of sweet historical fiction! I eagerly await book number two in the Beacons of Hope series!

D I S C L A I M E R :: I  received a complementary copy of Love Unexpected from the author and publisher, for the purpose of this review. I was not paid to promote this book, and all thoughts expressed are completely honest and unbiased.

KINDLE FREEBIE ALERT! Interested in the Beacons of Hope series? If so then you should check out the free e-novella prequel to the series, Out of the Storm, available for free on Amazon HERE! I really enjoyed this quick read, and would recommend it if you are interested in reading Love Unexpected or looking for a good weekend read! If you are interested in hearing my thoughts on the novella, then check out my short review over on Good Reads.

Keepers of the Covenant by Lynn Austin Book Review

 

Review Written By Madi

 

Book Title: Keepers of the Covenant

Author: Lynn Austin

Source: Litfuse

Genre: Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 500

ISBN: 978-0-7642-0899-7

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Year of Publication: 2014

 

 

Book Description

The Old Testament Comes to Thrilling Life in the Latest from Lynn Austin

In one life-changing moment, the lives of the Jewish exiles in Babylon are thrown into confusion and despair when a decree arrives from the king's palace in Susa. It calls for the annihilation of every Jewish man, woman, and child throughout the empire on the thirteenth day of Adar, in less than one year. Ezra, a quiet Jewish scholar and teacher, is suddenly called upon to lead the community as they seek God for a reason for this catastrophe. When a second decree arrives, authorizing them to fight back, Ezra is thrust into the role of military leader as they defend themselves against their enemies.

When the battles come to an end, Ezra's brother Jude is dead and Ezra is required by the Law he so diligently studies to marry Jude's widow, Devorah, and provide an heir. Fatherhood changes Ezra, and he asks God to make a way for him and the other exiles to leave Babylon for good and return to Jerusalem. His prayers are answered and the exiles move to Judea to revitalize worship at the temple--but the fight to keep God's Law is never easy. As more and more of his community are tempted, a new battle emerges...this one for the survival of God's covenant and the souls of His chosen faithful.

 

 

Book Review

This book is a treasure. It's not very often that you find an author capable of mastering such a difficult genre, but let me tell you, Lynn Austin NAILED IT. This is possibly the best book that I have read all year. I loved getting a glimpse into the lives of God's people during the time of Ezra. Though I have of course read the story in the Bible many times, I feel like I got a whole new insight into the story through Keepers of the Covenant. I also read the first book in The Restoration Chronicles, and I really enjoyed it. One way the two books differ, though, is that book one (Return to Me), since focused on a different story, included a little bit more emphasis on witchcraft. It was not condoned or anything, and it was definitely required to properly tell the story, it was just something that I was not super comfortable with. Keepers of the Covenant, however, did not have that stuff in it, so I was glad about that. This book is very well written. It is very descriptive, deeply insightful, and quite the page turner. I look forward to rereading this again one day. It was a sweet reminder that God is in control, even when everything seems to be against you and you think there is no way out. After reading this there's a good chance I will go reread the account of Ezra in the Bible to see how this book measures up, so this novel is also encouraging me to spend time investigating these things for myself, as did the last book. These aren't the only books by Lynn Austin that I have read, in fact, I have read quite a few. This is one of my go-to authors because I know that if she wrote it that I will like it. I have yet to come across one of her books that I regret taking the time to read. I highly recommend this book and it's author to all Christian Fiction lovers.

 

 

Blessings,

Madilyn

 

 

D I S C L A I M E R: I was provided with a free copy of this book by the Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not further compensated to review this product and all thoughts/sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.

Tried & True by Mary Connealy Book Review

Review Written by Madilyn

Book Title: Tried & True

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Fiction

Number of Pages: 320

ISBN: 978-0-7642-1178-2

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Year of Publication: 2014

My Rating: Three out of Five Stars

 

Book Description

Kylie Wilde fought in the Civil War dressed as a boy---and now she's homesteading as a man! When somebody tries to burn her property, land agent Aaron Masterson inspects her claim---and realizes she's a woman. Will he keep her secret? And when the attacks continue, will she marry him just so she won't have to be alone anymore?

 

 

Book Review
If you have been following this blog for long, you know that I am a total Mary Connealy fan. Like, every time she releases a book, I get it. Never fails. She has a way of making stories set in another time seem some how . . . relevant. I already have a thing for cowboys, but her stories just seem to amplify that. I usually can't think of a single bad thing to say about any of her books, but sadly, this time I can. "Tried & True" just wasn't the same quality as some of her other work. I mean, it wasn't BAD, it was, in fact, good, but it wasn't GREAT. I was a little disappointed in it, if I'm being completely honest. I have come to expect more from such a well known Christian author. It just wasn't as suspenseful as I was expecting. There were times when it could be somewhat predictable, and it started to seem like all the other western fiction out there. There was nothing really to make it stick out. Now, that being said, it still had the professional style about it that I've come to love. It was a good, one time read, and I enjoyed it, but it is not exactly a new favorite.

Blessings,
Madilyn

D I S C L A I M E R: I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not further compensated to review this product and all thoughts/sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.



 



Keepers of the Covenant by Lynn Austin Book Review

// Keepers of the Covenant //

By Lynn Austin

{Book Review by Bethany}

Publisher: Bethany House
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher through Litfuse publicity group
Publication Date: October 7th, 2014
Number of Pages: 480
ISBN: 0764212710

 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

// Book Synopsis //

Taken from Good Reads

"The Old Testament Comes to Thrilling Life in the Latest from Lynn Austin

In one life-changing moment, the lives of the Jewish exiles in Babylon are thrown into confusion and despair when a decree arrives from the king's palace in Susa. It calls for the annihilation of every Jewish man, woman, and child throughout the empire on the thirteenth day of Adar, in less than one year. Ezra, a quiet Jewish scholar and teacher, is suddenly called upon to lead the community as they seek God for a reason for this catastrophe. When a second decree arrives, authorizing them to fight back, Ezra is thrust into the role of military leader as they defend themselves against their enemies.

When the battles come to an end, Ezra's brother Jude is dead and Ezra is required by the Law he so diligently studies to marry Jude's widow, Devorah, and provide an heir. Fatherhood changes Ezra, and he asks God to make a way for him and the other exiles to leave Babylon for good and return to Jerusalem. His prayers are answered and the exiles move to Judea to revitalize worship at the temple--but the fight to keep God's Law is never easy. As more and more of his community are tempted, a new battle emerges...this one for the survival of God's covenant and the souls of His chosen faithful."

// Bethany's Book Review //

I love this author, and have really enjoyed several of her previous releases. But sadly, I had a hard time enjoying this book as much as I wanted to. I felt the same way about the first book in this series, Return to Me. Even though I had a hard time getting into the first book, I decided to still give this sequel a try, and am glad I did.

I've always thought that biblical fiction is such an interesting genre that has so much potential. Sadly this genre isn't as popular as others, which is why I really wanted to love this novel, being how there aren't many books out there like this one. For some reason, I just had a hard time getting into the story. I love any type of book that is girly and feminine, and I don't think this story really fit into that, as there were more male characters, and it wasn't a sparkly book due to the setting. While this is in no way a bad thing, I think all the males and the setting was something that I'm not quite used to and it took a bit of adjusting to go that far back in time. This is really only one of the things I can think of that made me like the book instead of loving it, as there wasn't anything I particularly disliked.

This book is nearly 500 pages, and for a while it was a bit daunting to look at the sheer length of it! Being that the novel was as long as it was, I think the author did a good job making the story read smoothly without getting dry. There were so many different characters, and the book covers such a long period of time, making it a bit hard to keep up at times for me personally. However it wasn't a huge deal, as things kept moving smoothly.

Out of all the characters and their stories, I think my favorite was Amina's. It was such an interesting one that I enjoyed-especially the ending! However the other story lines were a just so-so for me, making Amina's story the highlight of the book for me.

Overall, this was a nice one-time read for me. Being able to go back in time to Bible times was such an exciting journey! I recommend this book for fans of biblical fiction!

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a free copy of Keepers of the Covenant from the publisher to review. I was not paid to do so, and all thoughts expressed are my own, completely honest and unbiased.

Playing by Heart by Anne Mateer

// Playing by Heart //

By Anne Mateer

{Review by Bethany}

Publisher: Bethany House
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher
Publication Date: September 16th, 2014
Number of Pages: 300
ISBN: 0764210653
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

// Book Synopsis //
Taken from GoodReads

"Lula Bowman has finally achieved her dream: a teaching position and a scholarship to continue her college education in mathematics. But when she receives a shocking telephone call from her sister, Jewel, everything she's worked for begins to crumble.

After the sudden death of Jewel's husband, Jewel needs Lula's help. With a heavy heart, Lula returns to her Oklahoma hometown to do right by her sister. But the only teaching job available in Dunn is combination music instructor/basketball coach. Neither subject belongs anywhere near the halls of academia, according to Lula!

Lula commits to covering the job for the rest of the school year, determined to do well and prove herself to the town. Reluctantly, she turns to the boys' coach, Chet, to learn the game of basketball. Chet is handsome and single, but Lula has no plans to fall for a local boy. She's returning to college as soon as she gets Jewel back on her feet. 

However, the more time she spends in Dunn, the more Lula realizes God is working on her heart--and her future is beginning to look a lot different than she'd expected."     

// Bethany's Book Review //

I've read all of Anne Mateer's books, except for At Every Turn, and really enjoyed them. I was excited when I found out that she had a new book that was to be released soon, and eagerly took the opportunity to review it. Sadly thought, this book just wasn't for me.

One of the things that made me such a fan of Mateer's previous novels was her simple stories that had a very Janette Oke feel, with close knit families and endearing characters. This book was no exception, and had a very sweet but simple story. I was rather surprised when my high expectations for this novel were not met, and in fact got to the point to where I really didn't like the novel at all. I think the reason this novel wasn't for me was due to the simple storyline, which I personally felt was shallow and lacked depth. I found the storyline to be rather simple and often felt that the story was slow.

I didn't really have a good idea of the book's storyline prior to requesting it, since I was so sure I'd love it and didn't bother to really look into what it was about. Once I started reading it I realised it involved quite a bit of basketball, and being that this particular sport doesn't interest me, I think it just added to the fact that I was quickly looking interest in the story. I read the first half of the novel, but after that I lost interest rather quickly and just skimmed over the rest of the novel. If I wouldn't have been required to finish this novel to review it, I probably wouldn't have completed it on my own.

While I've really loved this author's other novels, this novel sadly wasn't a good match for me. However I don't want to discourage you from giving it a go yourself! Since everyone has different taste, I know there are many people out there who would love this book, sadly though I wasn't one of them. So please don't let my experience with this novel keep you from reading it yourself!

DISCLAIMER: I received a complementary copy of Playing by Heart for the purpose of this review. I was not paid to write this review, and all thoughts expressed are my own, completely honest and unbiased. 

With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden Book Review

// With Every Breath //

By Elizabeth Camden

{Book Review by Bethany}

Publisher: Bethany House
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher
Publication Date: August 5th, 2014
Number of Pages: 368
ISBN: 0764211749
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

// Book Synopsis //

Taken from GoodReads

"In the shadow of the nation's capital, Kate Livingston holds a respectable position as a government statistician when she encounters a rival from her past, the insufferable Trevor McDonough. A Harvard-trained physician, Trevor never showed the tiniest flicker of interest in Kate, and she's bewildered at the way he suddenly seeks her out. Surprising even herself, Kate agrees to Trevor's entirely unexpected and risky proposal to work side-by-side with him in his quest to rid the world of tuberculosis, a contagious and deadly disease.

As Kate begins to unlock the mysteries of Trevor's past, she realizes there is much more to him than she could have imagined. His hidden depths may fascinate her, but his most closely guarded secrets and a shadowy enemy lurking in the background carry a serious threat to their future.

When the truth of the past comes out, threatening to destroy everything they hold dear, how will Trevor and Kate ever overcome all that stands in their way?"

 // Bethany's Book Review //

I've been a fan on Camden's novels ever since reading The Rose of Winslow Street, and falling in love with it! Ever since then I've been eager to get my hands on her other novels, and this newest one was no exception, upon it's recent release! I absolutely adored this novel and the characters; however I do feel like The Rose of Winslow Street is still my favorite Elizabeth Camden novel. But, With Every Breath is a close second!

This story surprised me when it captivated me within it's pages, and kept me saying "just one more chapter"; which all book lovers can relate with. I couldn't put it down! The pages flew by for me, despite the fact that I usually pay close attention to the page numbers and how many pages are left in a book. For some reason I'm like that, but with this book I'd look up and think how strange it was that 50 pages just flew by! That is the sign of a good book: if it places you into the story, and makes you loose track of time.

Camden has penned a brilliant novel! While this story doesn't have a whole bunch of main characters, and heavily focuses on the two main characters, it's anything but a drab and bland storyline! I think the fact that Camden chose to focus the story on the two main characters made for a better reading experience, since you really got to know the main characters-which I really did. I definitely felt this way with these characters, and rarely feel such a close connection to book characters. I truly was able to say at the end of this book that I was sad to see the story come to a close!

This story was set in the 1800s, a time when doctors were researching how to cure tuberculosis which was a horrible illness that so many people lost their lives to. The time period in itself was extremely interesting to learn about, but alongside the meaningful characters, it made for an exquisite story, and one that was a favorite of all the books I've read this year!

I would highly recommend this book to all fans of historical fiction, as it's a heart-felt story that will make you sad to finish reading!

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a complementary copy of With Every Breath through the publisher for the purpose of this review. I was not paid to promote this book, and all thoughts expressed are my own, completely honest and unbiased.

With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden Book Review

With Every Breath

A Novel

Review Written by Madi

Book Title: With Every Breath

Author: Elizabeth Camden

Source/Sponsor: Bethany House Publishers

Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 360

ISBN: 978-0-7642-1174-4

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Year of Publication: 2014

Rating: Five out of Five Stars

 

 

Book Description

In the shadow of the nation's capital, Kate Livingston holds a respectable position as a government statistician when she encounters a rival from her past, the insufferable Trevor McDonough. A Harvard-trained physician, Trevor never showed the tiniest flicker of interest in Kate, and she's bewildered at the way he suddenly seeks her out. Surprising even herself, Kate agrees to Trevor's entirely unexpected and risky proposal to work side-by-side with him in his quest to rid the world of tuberculosis, a contagious and deadly disease.

As Kate begins to unlock the mysteries of Trevor's past, she realizes there is much more to him than she could have imagined. His hidden depths may fascinate her, but his most closely guarded secrets and a shadowy enemy lurking in the background carry a serious threat to their future.

When the truth of the past comes out, threatening to destroy everything they hold dear, how will Trevor and Kate ever overcome all that stands in their way?

 

Book Review
Oh my goodness gracious. This book is marvelous. The story was so well written that I felt like I was walking through each triumph and tragedy right along with Kate Livingston and Trevor McDonough. It's so descriptive of the characters emotions and surroundings that I felt like I personally was walking through the hospital halls, speaking with patients and despairing over lost lives. This book took me away from reality to place filled with heartache and sorrow. It's incredible to think that a disease that took the lives of so many in the past can now be cured with a quick round of antibiotics. Medicine has certainly come a long way since the era of this book. I can tell that Elizabeth Camden had to do a substantial amount of research on tuberculosis and it's history before penning this book, and I applaud her for a job well done. One of the many things that I appreciated most in this novel was the in depth view of how doctors treated patients way back when and how they experimented for new cures. I loved reading about Trevor's passion and how he came to realize what his life's work was going to be. I loved the special, yet abnormal relationship that he shared with Kate. I loved Kate's character. She was so easy to relate to. A spitfire of a woman who isn't one to be walked on; that's Kate. I loved watching the relationship between Trevor and Kate grow, struggle, and blossom.

Elizabeth Camden has always been one of my favorite author's, mainly because she creates such vivid characters and original plots. I would recommend any and all of her books to historical fiction lovers, take it from someone who has read every single one of them. I have noticed that a lot of author's that are put under deadline related pressure tend to lower the quality of their writing in order to push out 2+ books a year, but not Camden. She has been as reliable as sunrise (unless you live in Alaska). Please take the time to read this book! You won't be sorry!

Blessings,
Madi

D I S C L A I M E R: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion and that is just what I have given. I was not further compensated to review this product and all thoughts/sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.

 



Captured By Love By Jody Hedlund Book Review

Captured By Love

Review Written By Madi

Book Title: Captured By Love

Author: Jody Hedlund

Source/Sponsor: Bethany House Publishers

Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 364

ISBN: 978-0-7642-1049-5

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Year of Publication: 2014

Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars

 

 

Book Description

It is 1814 and the British have taken hold of Mackinac Island and its fort, forcing American residents to swear an oath of loyalty to the British crown in order to retain their land. Pierre Durant is a voyageur--a fur trader who left his family home to find freedom and adventure. He's been gone five years and when he returns, his family's farm is at the mercy of the British invaders.
Torn between the life he's grown used to and guilt over leaving his brother and mother, he's drawn back into the loyalist fight against the British--and into a relationship with Angelique Mackenzie, a beautiful local girl who's been befriended by the daughter of the British commander. As tensions mount and the threat of violence increases, both Angelique and Pierre must decide where their loyalties rest, how far they will go to find freedom, and how much they will risk to find love.

 

Book Review
Oh my. Jody Hedlund is simply wonderful. She has a natural talent for writing gripping stories that grab a readers attention and stir their souls. I always walk away from her books with a new resolve to better myself. I loved Angelique's strong character. She is completely determined to honor her commitment to Jean, even though she knows full well that her heart belongs to Pierre. She faces temptation and trials head-on with courage and strong determination. She helps the mother of the man who broke her heart when she was a child, keeping her warm and fed to the best of her ability while one of the woman's sons in doing his duty in the war effort and the other is off gallivanting around the world. Then one day that heartbreaking, gallivanting son is back home, and her world is instantly turned upside down. Between juggling her responsibilities with Miriam (mother of Jean and Pierre), and dealing with an abusive stepfather and a demanding stepmother, Angelique has little time for pleasure. There are people starving in her camp, therefore the crime rate is up like never before as hungry young men do anything that they can to scrape up a meal. Who keeps Angelique out of trouble? Well Pierre of course. I love how obvious a transformation Pierre undergoes. From a selfish young boy to a responsible man, he notices Angelique in a way he never has before.

The only thing that I didn't really love about this book was that the whole story was based on Angelique's love life. There weren't any sub stories to keep things fresh, and there was nothing going on outside of the whole Pierre/Jean thing. I would have liked the story to have had more emphasis on something else as well, maybe the fact that the two brothers were fighting on "opposite" sides? I don't know. That being said, I still really enjoyed this book! It was suspenseful, captivating, well written, and a great book for me to invest my time in. I encourage you to check out this book as soon as possible (or something else by Jody Hedlund. All her books are phenomenal).

Blessings,
Madilyn

D I S C L A I M E R: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion by Bethany House Publishers, and that is exactly what I have given. I was not further compensated to review this product and all thoughts and sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.


 



Captured by Love by Jody Hedlund Book Review

// Captured by Love //

 

Michigan Brides // Book #3

 

By Jody Hedlund

 

{Review Written by Bethany}

 

Publisher: Bethany House
Source: Review copy from the publisher
Genre: Christian Fiction
Number of Pages: 384
ISBN: 0764210491

Publication Date: July 1st, 2014
My Rating: Four out of five stars

Author Website // Author Bio
 Books Written by Jody/Purchase a Copy 

 

// Book Synopsis //

 

{Taken from GoodReads}

 

"It is 1814 and the British have taken hold of Mackinac Island and its fort, forcing American residents to swear an oath of loyalty to the British crown in order to retain their land. Pierre Durant is a voyageur--a fur trader who left his family home to find freedom and adventure. He's been gone five years and when he returns, his family's farm is at the mercy of the British invaders.

Torn between the life he's grown used to and guilt over leaving his brother and mother, he's drawn back into the loyalist fight against the British--and into a relationship with Angelique Mackenzie, a beautiful local girl who's been befriended by the daughter of the British commander. As tensions mount and the threat of violence increases, both Angelique and Pierre must decide where their loyalties rest, how far they will go to find freedom, and how much they will risk to find love."

 

// Book Review //

 

Ever since I heard that Jody was working on another novel, I knew I wanted to read it! I really enjoyed getting to read this novel and especially loved the last 100 pages. I also loved the main character Angelique's loyal character.

 

Captured by Love is the third book in the Michigan Brides series. However this series is made up of novels that completely stand alone, and aren't related to each other in any way, other than the place the story is set in. So for those who'd like to read this book but haven't read the other books in the series, it won't hinder the reading experience at all. 

 

Fans of Jody's lovely writing style full of historical detail will enjoy this novel. However I found that this novel didn't seem to have as many historical bits as previous books by this author did. I felt like all the historical details were in one chunk of the book during one particular scene that involved a lot of historical details, and the rest was just sprinkled details throughout the story. I found that while the book certainly did feature lots of history, it just wasn't to the level I'm used to and loved in Jody's previous books. However I still got a lot of neat historical details in Captured by Love, and enjoyed exploring the time period!

 

My favorite aspect of this novel was main character Angelique's personality. In the story she is faced with a difficult decision that she must make, as to who she will marry, since she is in very progressed relationships with two men. However, due to circumstances she is not sure which one she should marry. She has to choose between loyalty to the man she pledged herself to long ago, but hasn't seen in a long time, and the man whom she has known and befriended since she was a child. In the course of the story, she must decide if she should still honor her previous pledge to another man who is not present, continuing her loyalty to this man, or if she should follow her heart and marry the man whom she has been friends with since childhood.

 

This story involves  a very complex love-triangle, making for an interesting story that contains several unexpected twists! I really enjoyed seeing how the main character handled this decision, and really valued her character. She wasn't wishy-washy and didn't just throw away a promise she had made - even if it was promised long ago. Even when her views on someone seemed to have changed or got cloudy, she still maintained her promise and has such a loyal spirit, which really shined through at the end of the story. I just loved her character and though the development was wonderful! Her loyalty was such a refreshing theme in the story, and I really enjoyed that aspect of the novel!

 

While Captured by Love wasn't my favorite book by this author, I still enjoyed it a lot! But I feel like maybe the reason why it wasn't a favorite was due to several little things I found in the novel that I wasn't completely a fan of. One of those details was the romance and story-line. While both where well-done, I felt like at times the romance was a bit more detailed and descriptive than I'd have preferred, though never inappropriate. Also, the story-line often felt like the main theme was the love story, and I would have liked to see more sub-plots with other characters. While obviously the idea of the romance being the main story is to be expected, I was hoping to get to know some of the other characters better. While there was some other stories involving other characters in the book that were woven into the story, I felt like I would have enjoyed a bit more of that, versus the main attraction being on the main characters without any other themes. However it just depends on whether or not you like a lot of romance in the novels that you read, which will determine if you'd enjoy this book, or not so much.

 

In all I enjoyed this story. The beginning of the story felt a bit slow to me, however the last 100 pages and the superb ending made up for it! While I wished there were more sub-plots with the other characters, I did enjoy getting to know the main character and loved Angelique's loyalty. The history was very well-researched and involved neat details. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend, and hope you'll try it sometime if you enjoy historical fiction!

 

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a free copy of Captured by Love from the publisher through the author, to be a part of the influencer team to promote this novel. I was not paid in any way to promote this book, and all thoughts expressed in the review were my own, completely honest and unbiased.

Special Announcement: Stay tuned for a special Captured by Love blog tour post featuring author Jody Hedlund and a Captured by Love book giveaway right here on The Literary Maidens in July! To check out all the blog tour stops, and view the tour schedule, click HERE.

Stuck Together By Mary Connealy Book Review

Stuck Together

Trouble in Texas, Book Three

Book Title: Stuck Together

Author: Mary Connealy

Source/Sponsor: Bethany House Publishers

Genre: Christian Fiction

Number Of Pages: 314

ISBN: 978-0-7642-0916-1

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Year Of Publication: 2014

My Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars

 

Favorite Quote From This Book:

"He turned, swinging as he pivoted. He realized it was her, and a horrified expression came over his face to see who he was punching. Texas men didn't punch women, after all." - Page 13

 

 

Book Description

Tina Cahill, newly arrived from the East, is determined to get the saloon in Broken Wheel, Texas, closed for good. To that end, she pickets outside the place every afternoon. Unfortunately, so far no one has paid any attention.

Vince Yates earned the nickname "Invincible Vince" because of his reputation for letting absolutely nothing stop him. Not his tyrant of a father. Nor the injuries he suffered in the Civil War. Nor the fact that he is Broken Wheel's only attorney and sheriff yet has no law degree.

But Vince is about to face his biggest challenge yet: his past has just caught up with him. His father, mother, and the sister he didn't know he had show up in Broken Wheel without warning. His father is still a schemer. His mother is suffering signs of dementia. And his surprise sister immediately falls for one of Vince's best friends. Vince has a lot of people to take care of, and Tina doesn't approve of how he's handling any of them. But with almost all the other men in town married off, Vince finds himself stuck with feisty Tina over and over again. Of course, Tina is the prettiest woman he's ever seen, so if he could just get her to give up her causes, he might go ahead and propose. But he's got one more surprise coming his way: Tina's picketing at the saloon has revealed a dark secret that could put everyone Vince loves in danger.

 

 

Book Review
THIS. BOOK. WAS. F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S. I have always loved Mary Connealy. I have read more of her books than I can count. Every time she has a new release I order it as soon as I can. She's just so stinkin' awesome. She's the only author that I have read that manages to mix Texas charm, action, romance, and humor in such a way that I just can't put the book down until I finish it. I seriously read it in one sitting. It was that good! Being a Texas girl myself, Mary Connealy's books are always refreshing. I'm not gonna lie, sometimes I get tired of books about the "modern life". Yankees just don't know how bad they really have it. Anyway, Mary Connealy is the bomb dot com (does anyone say that anymore?). This book is the third in the Trouble In Texas series, and I have been looking forward to it for a long time. The first two books in this series were sooooooo good. I think the first one was my favorite. This book wasn't QUITE as good as the other two (by like, a fraction of a millimeter), but I still LOVED it. It's so action packed. There was always something happening. Unless your the type of person that can take a reading break in the middle of a really intense part of the book, you'll probably read it in one sitting too. This book is a mixture of Mary Connealy's signature humor and a newer writing style that I just can't seem to put my finger on. Maybe it was because it wasn't  focused as much on the romance as it was the rest of the plot, which is fine, just different from this author. If you like historical novels, western novels, funny novels, or the South, guess what? You just found your new favorite book! I encourage you to read this book, and any others by this author that has been published in the last couple of years. You'll love them! Pinky promise!

~Madi for The Literary Maidens

D I S C L A I M E R: I was provided with a free copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not further compensated to review this product, and all thoughts and sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.












Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer Book Review

// Full Steam Ahead //

By Karen Witemeyer 

{Review Written By Bethany}

Source: Review copy provided by the publisher
Genre: Christian Fiction
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 0764209671
Publisher: Bethany House

Publication Date: June 3rd, 2014

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

// Book Synopsis //

 Taken from Good Reads

" When Nicole Renard returns home to Galveston from an eastern finishing school, she's stunned to find her father in ill health. Though she loves him, he's only ever focused on what she's "not." Not male. Not married. Not able to run their family business, Renard Shipping.

Vowing to secure a suitable marriage partner, Nicole sets out with the Renard family's greatest treasure: a dagger personally gifted to Nicole's father by the pirate Jean Lafitte. Many believe the legend that the dagger is the source of all Renard Shipping's good fortune, though Nicole is sure her father's work ethic and honorable business practices are the keys to their success. Before she can board the steamer to New Orleans, Nicole finds her father's rivals—the Jenkins brothers—on either side of the gangplank, ready to grab her and steal the dagger. Quickly, she decides to instead travel north, to Liberty, Texas, where she can decide what to do next.

Darius Thornton needs a secretary—someone to help him get his notes in order. Ever since the boiler explosion aboard the "Louisiana," Darius has been a man obsessed. He will do anything to stop even one more steamship disaster. The pretty young socialite who applies for the job baffles him with her knowledge of mathematics and steamships. He decides to take a risk and hire her, but he's determined her attractive face and fancy clothes won't distract him from his important research.

The job offer comes at exactly the right time for Nicole. With what Darius is paying her, she'll be able to afford passage to New Orleans in mere weeks. But Mr. Thornton is so reclusive, so distant, so unusual. He can create complex scientific equations but can't remember to comb his hair. And his experiments are growing more and more dangerous. Still, there are undeniable sparks of attraction between them. But Nicole is leaving soon, and if she marries, it must be to a man who can manage a shipping empire. Darius certainly doesn't fit that description. And the Jenkins brothers have not given up on kidnapping Nicole and seizing the Lafitte dagger for themselves."

 

// Book Review // 

 

It's no secret that I'm a total Karen Witemeyer fan. She is one of my top favorite authors, and anytime I hear that she is working on a new book, I get extremely excited! So needless to say, I was very excited when I heard about Full Steam Ahead, and read it as fast as I could get my hands on it after months of anticipating it's arrival.

Being a fan of Karen Witemeyer's witty, fun and humorous writing style, filled with good sturdy characters, I knew I was in for a treat with Full Steam Ahead! I really enjoyed reading it, and even though it's not my favorite of Karen's novels, it was a very fun read that I read in under 24 hours.

The thing I loved so much about Full Steam Ahead was the fun story-line, humor and the characters. While I didn't find Mr. Darius Thornton to reach the character expectation level I had based on the Archer Brothers in Karen's Archer Brothers series, or other male characters in Karen's other books; he was still a very sturdy character who had lots of great development throughout the story. I liked Nicole and her determination and kind-heart. Again, while she wasn't my favorite female character out of all of Karen's novels, she was still a good character and brought lots of fun to the novel.

The story-line was well written and executed, and I especially enjoyed the latter portion of the story when the plot really sped up and got exciting in true Karen Witemeyer writing style fashion! The last 75 pages of the book flew by for me as I was so intrigued to learn what happened with the story, and how things work out in the end for Darius, Nicole and the family heirloom. As always, the ending was charming and well-planned.

Another thing I enjoyed about this novel was the historical aspect, which shed a new light on this important time in history where men were trying to research ways to make steam-ship boilers more safe to avoid explosions and ultimately lost lives. Mr. Darius Thornton had devoted his life to this work when Nicole arrived on the scene, and I loved seeing how she went alongside him and embraced his vision as her own, helping him with the experiments and in whatever other ways she could. It was neat being exposed to this often seemingly unimportant time in history, and I enjoyed the historical details that were added as well as the way the story was incorporated into the historical aspects.

In all, I really enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to fans of Karen's other novels, or those who enjoy historical fiction with a fun plot. It was a very pleasing read, and I can't wait to read more novels by this author!

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a complementary review copy of Full Steam Ahead, provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review. I was not paid to write this review, and all thoughts expressed are my own, completely honest and unbiased.

Meant To Be Mine By Becky Wade Book Review

Meant To Be Mine

Review Written By Madi

Book Title: Meant To Be Mine

Author: Becky Wade

Source/Sponsor: Bethany House Publishers

Genre: Christian Fiction/Christian Romance

Number Of Pages: 375

ISBN: 978-0-7642-1108-9

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Year Of Publication: 2014

Rating: Three Out Of Five Stars

Book Description

Ty Porter has always been irresistible to Celia Park. All through high school--irresistible. When their paths cross again after college--still irresistible. This time, though, Ty feels exactly the same way about Celia. Their whirlwind romance deposits them at a street-corner Las Vegas wedding chapel.

The next morning they wake to a marriage certificate and a dose of cold reality. Celia's ready to be Ty's wife, but Ty's not ready to be anybody's husband. As a professional bull rider, he lives on the road and can't bring himself to settle down.

Five and a half years pass. Celia's buried her dreams so that she can afford to raise her daughter. Ty's achieved all of his goals. Or thought he had, until he looks again into the face of the one woman he couldn't forget and into the face of the child he never knew he had.

How much will Ty sacrifice to make Celia's dreams come true, to win her trust, and to prove to her that their spontaneous marriage can still become the love of a lifetime?

  Book Review

I have really been looking forward to reading this book. A Christian romance about a good lookin' cowboy? I'm in. And though I did enjoy this book as a one time read, there were a few things about it that could possibly need some revisions. The beginning was crazy. The amount of stupidity that Celia possessed was nauseating. A guy that never paid you any attention in high school connects with you over a four day period and you decide to marry him?  Yeah. There's no way that could go wrong. Also, the plot was very . . . single minded. There wasn't a lot going on outside of Ty and Celia's relationship. Nothing that would throw a wrench in the clock work and make you go, "Woah! Didn't see that coming." I would have liked to have seen a good sub story incorporated into it. It could be kind of predictable at times. That being said, there were a lot of things that I enjoyed about it. Especially Ty. I mean, yeah, he's an idiot, he hurt his family when he was young, but he grew up and did everything he could to right his wrongs. And he's a cowboy. I thought the way he acted toward his new-found daughter was just precious, and seeing him in a fatherly light really enriched his character. Celia, on the other hand, was easier for me to relate to. She was stubborn and independent. These two definitely are a strange pair. They couldn't be more different from one another. When Ty and Celia are thrust back into each other's lives for the sake of their daughter, sparks will fly, arguments will get heated, and God's love will ultimately direct them toward the right path. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick, light read. I finished it in one sitting, so even slower readers shouldn't have a problem with it, despite it's lack of suspense.

~Madi for The Literary Maidens

 

 D I S C L A I M E R: I was provided with a free copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not further compensated to review this product, and all thoughts and sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.

Love Comes Calling by Siri Mitchell Book Review

// Love Comes Calling //

 

By Siri Mitchell

 

{Review By Bethany}

 

Source: Review copy from the publisher

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction/Early 1900s

Number of Pages: 360

ISBN: 076421036X

Publisher: Bethany House

Publication Date: March 4th, 2014

Rating: Four out of five stars

 

// Book Synopsis //

 

{Taken from the back cover}

 

"A girl with the best of intentions.
A heart set on Hollywood.
An empty pocketbook.

That's all it takes for Ellis Eton to find herself working as a telephone operator for a look-alike friend. For Ellis, this job will provide not only acting practice but the funds to get her a start in the movies. She's tired of always being a disappointment to her traditional Boston family, and though she can't deny the way he makes her head spin, she knows she's not good enough for Griffin Phillips, either. It's simple: avoid Griff's attentions, work, and get paid. But in typical Ellis fashion, her simple plan spirals out of control when she overhears a menacing phone call...with her very own Griff as the target.

With an endearing heroine as her lead, Siri Mitchell takes readers on a madcap tale
 of love and discovering one's true desires!"
 

// Bethany's Book Review //

 

I've had the pleasure of being able to read several of Siri Mitchell's previous novels including She Walks In Beauty (and absolute favorite novel of mine!), as well as Unrivaled. Being that her writing style is very diverse in time periods and themes, I was excited to see what she did with this new novel based in the early 1920s in Boston. While I did enjoy reading it, I don't think it's a favorite, though I'm glad I did read it. However for sure, She Walks In Beauty takes the cake for being my favorite novel she has written; which quite honestly I don't see changing in the future.

 

This novel was different than I expected it to be in the fact that it was a very fun, light and quick read, that I found very personable and humorous-while at the same time having very serious strains within the pages. I really ended up reading this book with "spare moments". Basically I started it on a day where I had an extra 15 minutes, and then read a bit more a few other times I had a few minutes, and then it seemed like all the sudden I'd finished it without putting lots of time into reading it. I think this was mainly because the story flowed well and the story line was relaxed and not super complex like other stories that take a while to "connect" (no pun intended! :D) in your brain with all the different plots and characters. So in a way, this book was very simple, but also very nice. Since the plot was very simple, it made it easier to read, and also made it a light read, but one I did enjoy.

 

The main character Ellis Eaton's personality was quite honestly a bit difficult for me to "get". I felt like at times I totally related with her clumsiness and difficulty remembering things. I laughed at the situations it brought her into, but also felt a deeply like I could totally relate, being that her character was so real and showed honestly that people make mistakes! However, at other times I felt like her mind may not have been "all there", and I felt like she might almost have a disorder or something of the sort.  Her character is one of very high energy and one of easily forgetting things or loose track of situations. While it wasn't so bad to where I thought she was mental, I did get a feel like there was something not quite right, from ways she would respond verbally to certain situations that reminded me of someone who might have a compulsive disorder. True enough, at the end of the book the author described how she created Ellis's character with ADHD, and I was glad to know that wasn't just a feeling I got, but that the author made the character like that on purpose. So while at times I just loved the "real" situations her compulsive disorder brought, I felt like at other times I didn't quite relate with other bits of her personality.

 

Despite the title which may suggest this novel to be a big romance, it's not. I felt like the title worked perfectly with the story since Ellis fills in for a friend at her telephone job as a "hello girl", where she is constantly connecting and disconnecting calls. I liked how the story mainly focused on Ellis and didn't heavily rely on a romance to make the story interesting. While there was a nice bit of clean romance, I felt like it wasn't overly done, and for sure very clean.

 

The only con I'd mention is that there is a minor-character who is rather immoral, and there was one scene at a bar where she was inappropriately dancing on stage. I'd probably just recommend to skip over that paragraph when it comes, if this is an area you'd rather just avoid. Since it's only one paragraph it makes it easy to just skip over once. There are several scenes at a bar, with people being getting/being drunk, with an over-all not good feeling, and we also learn of the dangerous effects that drinking can give a body, leading to a very good moral to the story.

 

Overall, I enjoyed this novel and loved Ellis's personality and the humorously light style that makes this book easy to read in a short amount of time. I'd highly recommend this book to historical fiction fans, or those who enjoy very unique novels from Christian authors.

 

D I  C L A I M E R :: I received a free copy of Love Comes Calling from the publisher for the sole purpose of this review. I was not paid to write this review, and all thoughts expressed in my review are completely honest and unbiased.