Shadowed By Grace By Cara C. Putman Book Review

/ / Shadowed By Grace / /

/ / A Story Of Monuments Men / /

 

{Review Written By Madi}

 

Title: Shadowed By Grace

Author: Cara C. Putman

Source: The Litfuse Publicity Group

Number Of Pages: 342

ISBN: 978-1-4336-8178-3

Publisher: B&H Books

Publication Date: January 1st, 2014

Rating: Three Out Of Five Stars

 

/ / Book Description / /

Shadowed by Grace is the first in a stirring new series of stand-alone historical suspense novels by acclaimed author Cara C. Putman. Desperate to save her dying mother, Rachel accepts her newspaper’s assignment to travel to Italy to captures images dangerously close to the front lines of WWII. Her real motive – to find the father she never knew -- an artist she hopes can offer the comfort and support both she and her mother need to survive. It’s an unlikely situation for love and faith to flourish, but soon Rachel not only finds herself, but also her long-lost earthly father, and ultimately, the man her Heavenly father created to cherish and provide for her.

 

 

/ / Book Review / /

Not the best book that I have read. I took me FOREVER to get interested in it. This book took me two weeks to read. I usually finish a book this size in a couple of days. No matter how busy I was, it shouldn't have taken that long. I just couldn't get interested in the characters and their plot in life. It was slow going, for sure. It wasn't until I was almost finished with the book that I finally started to wonder how it would turn out. I liked the historical aspect that the author brought to the novel, and I liked how she didn't sugar coat things. It is how it is and that's all there is to it. I felt compassion for Rachel's mother, I felt wonder at how her father could just leave her in the dust without reproach, I felt joyous at her finding Scott and deciding that he was the one for her, but I still can't say that I particularly enjoyed reading this book. This author has great potential, but she still has quite a bit of work to do. She needs to add a little bit of . . . pizzazz to her writing. You have to be able to draw a reader in with the very first sentence of a book, not half way through it. I'm sure that this author has a wonderful career in literature ahead of her, but this was a lousy way to draw in a new reader. I probably won't read anything else by this author, and if I do, it will be in the distant future. I hate to write bad reviews, but sometimes it can't be avoided. Now, just because I didn't like Shadowed By Grace, doesn't mean that you won't. I encourage you to read some more reviews to see if it's something that you might be interested in. Taste in books is different for every reader, and you may be looking at the cover of your next favorite book (even if it wasn't mine).

 

 

~The Literary Maidens

 

Note: I was provided with a free copy of this book by The Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not paid to review this product and all thoughts expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Shadowed by Grace By Cara C. Putman Book Review

// Shadowed by Grace //

By Cara C. Putman

{Review By Bethany}

 

Source: Litfuse Publicity Group

Number of Pages: 352

ISBN: 1433681781

Publisher: B & H Books

Publication Date: January 1st, 2014

Bethany's Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

 

// Book Synopsis //

"Shadowed by Grace is the first in a stirring new series of stand-alone historical suspense novels by acclaimed author Cara C. Putman. Desperate to save her dying mother, Rachel accepts her newspaper’s assignment to travel to Italy to captures images dangerously close to the front lines of WWII. Her real motive – to find the father she never knew -- an artist she hopes can offer the comfort and support both she and her mother need to survive. It’s an unlikely situation for love and faith to flourish, but soon Rachel not only finds herself, but also her long-lost earthly father, and ultimately, the man her Heavenly father created to cherish and provide for her." 

// Bethany's Book Review //

 

I have always has an acute interest and love for novels set during the second World War. I love the history involved, as well as the things that took place during this time period, and overall find it very interesting. So whenever I come across an opportunity to review a novel set during this time period, I jump at it which is exactly what happened with this novel. I was very excited about reading it and hoped I'd enjoy it, but unfortunately, I found it a bit difficult to get through, for me personally.

 

When thinking over the novel after completing it, I was trying to evaluate it as a whole and decided on what rating to give it. While I didn't think it was worthy of two stars, this rating seeming too harsh considered how I did in some ways like it, and three stars being a bit more than I enjoyed it, I finally decided to settle with 2.5 stars, in the middle ground.

 

I really think that the reason why I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought was because of the writing style, as it was different for me. When requesting to review this book I had never heard of this author nor the publisher, and requested it only because the synopsis looked very interesting. The reason why I think this book didn't settle with me so well was because of the writing style. While the synopsis and story line were well plotted out, I felt like the way it was delivered was different than what I'm used to; and in some ways I found it hard to connect or "get into" the story because of how it was written. It seemed to be written in a very slow way, and I often found myself loosing interest in the story and not really having an interest in turning pages. While I loved the plot and time period, I just felt like the ways it was written was much more different than I'm used to, and somewhat hindered the way I experienced the story. I am not sure if I was just expecting a very action packed novel due to the setting, or if I just didn't experience the story like others may have, but for whatever reason I just couldn't get into the story.

 

Sadly this novel wasn't for me, however I am by no means saying it is the same for everyone, as I've had friends who really enjoyed this book and were able to really enjoy it. So please do give it a try if you are interested, and realize that just because I couldn't get into the story doesn't mean you couldn't enjoy it. I just wanted to share my personal, honest thoughts on my experience with this novel.

 

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Litfuse Publicity Group for the sole purpose of this review and sharing my honest opinion of the book. I was in no way paid to write this review; and all thoughts expressed my review are completely honest and unbiased.

  Enter Today | 1/21 - 2/8!

Butterfly Palace By Colleen Coble Book Review

/ / Butterfly Palace / /

/ / A Novel / /

{Review Written By Madi}

 

Book Title: Butterfly Palace

Author: Colleen Coble

Genre: Christian Fiction

Source: Harper Collins

Number Of Pages: 328

ISBN: 978-1-59554-783-5

Publishers: Thomas Nelson

Year Of Publication: 2014

Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars

 

/ / Book Description / /

Lilly secures a job as lady's maid in a grand manor in Austin, Texas. But even far from home, her past lurks around every corner.

When Lilly Donnelly arrives at the Cutlers' famed Butterfly Mansion in 1899, the massive house and unfamiliar duties threaten to overwhelm her. Victorian Austin is lavish, highly political, and intimidating, but with the help of the other servants, Lilly resolves to prove herself to her new employers.

Then, while serving at an elegant dinner party, Lilly recognizes one distinguished guest as Andrew, the love of her life, who abandoned her without a word back home. He seems to have assumed a new identity and refuses to acknowledge her, leaving her confused and reeling.

Before Lilly can absorb this unwelcome news, she's attacked. Could it be the sinister Servant Girl Killer who has been terrorizing Austin? Or is it someone after something more personal--someone from her past?

Does she dare trust Andrew to help or is he part of the danger threatening to draw Lilly into its vortex?

 

/ / Book Review / /

 

 Colleen Coble is one of my favorite authors. I own several of her books, and have read even more than I own (shout out to the library!). She has such a unique writing style, and her novels are not like your every day time-passer. I get so into her books that I completely forget everything that is going on around me and I become agitated with anyone who dares pull me from my reading world. Whenever I get a new Coble title in my hands my family knows to leave me alone or deal with the consequences. I recently recommended Colleen Coble to a friend and she told me earlier this week that she was hooked! She went out and bought another one of her novels! All this to say, I went into this book with high expectations, because I know exactly what the author is capable of. And I wasn't disappointed due to my assumptions. Colleen Coble has outdone herself yet again. I don't know how someone can write a Christian murder mystery and make it blend together well like those two naturally belong together, but somehow she did. It wasn't gory or scary (I would be the first one to say so if it was, I'm pretty easily freaked out), but it did have the suspense that any murder mystery requires. I'm not usually into reading books with a violent plot, but I know that I can never go wrong with Coble. She incorporates her faith into her books as if it's a part of who she is (which I'm sure that it is), and she never includes any details that leave me laying awake at night staring at the ceiling, afraid to close my eyes (don't judge me). I also like how although this book has a somewhat modern plot, it is actually historical fiction. The time period in which this book was based upon just enhanced it's appeal all the more. I can't wait to read Coble's next book. I hope that she doesn't keep us waiting for too terribly long! If you are planning your next book related shopping spree, make sure to include this jewel on your list!

 

~The Literary Maidens

 

Note: I was provided with a free copy of this book by Booksneeze in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not further reimbursed to review this product and all thoughts and sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.