Category: Uncategorized

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin is a 384 page book in the Christian Historical Fiction genre. It is the first book in the Waves of Freedom series. Through Waters Deep is published by Revell and was released on August 4, 2015.  To purchase your copy, click here.

Overview

It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war. Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge. When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges–and dangers–await them.

Sarah Sundin takes readers to the tense months before the US entered WWII. Readers will encounter German U-boats and torpedoes, along with the explosive power of true love, in this hopeful and romantic story.

My Two Cents

Through Waters Deep is the first book I have read from Susan Sundin and it was fabulous.  I was hooked from the beginning.  Sundin’s book had it all – mystery, suspense, romance, friendship, surprises and tension.  She has a way of writing that makes you want to grab your highlighter because the words move you and you do not want to forget them.

Sundin’s writing is wonderful but her historical research was superb.  She wove the history in where it was not overwhelming but supplemented the story well.  I felt as if I was right there inside the story. Plus, I learned somethings about World War II that I had not known before.

The main character, Mary, is very easy to like. She is quiet, efficient at her job, and very humble.  Jim is an admirable character.  I enjoyed seeing Mary and Jim’s friendship develop and how they supported each other in difficult times.  This book inspired me to listen more and be a better friend.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.  This is a story you do not want to miss!

Thank you to Litfuse Chicks for a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.  No monetary compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Sarah Sundin is the author of With Every Letter, On Distant Shores, In Perfect Time, and the Wings of Glory series. In 2014, On Distant Shores was a finalist for the Golden Scroll Awards from both AWSA and the Christian Authors Network. In 2011, Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist’s mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children. Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information.

Giveaway

Enter to win a copy of Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin by clicking on the work “Form” below.  This giveaway ends on Sept. 6 at 11:59 pm PDT.

Beyond the Ashes by Karen Barnett is a 320 page novel in the Christian historical romance genre. It is the second book in The Golden Gate Chronicles but can be read as a stand alone. Beyond the Ashes is published by Abingdon Press Publishers and was released on June 16, 2015.  To purchase your copy, click here.

Overview

Where better to rebuild and face one’s fears than in 1906 San Francisco, a city rising from the ashes? Ruby Marshall, a young widow, is certain she’ll discover new purpose assisting her brother Robert with his cancer research, but she doesn’t anticipate finding new love. Dr. Gerald Larkspur dreams of filling his empty home with family, but he’d always hoped it would be a wife and children. In the aftermath of the great earthquake, the rooms are overflowing with extended family and friends left homeless by the disaster. When Robert’s widowed sister arrives, the close quarters seem close indeed. Ruby and Gerald’s fledgling romance is put at risk when Gerald develops symptoms of the very disease they’re striving to cure. Together they must ask—is it worth a second chance at love when time might be short?

My Two Cents

Beyond the Ashes was my first experience with Karen Barnett’s writing and I was not disappointed.  Taking place right after the earthquake and great fire in San Fran, Beyond the Ashes brings to light the frivolity of our lives and reminds us to focus on what is important. Many of the characters have suffered loss and appreciate the time they have been given with each other realizing each day is never guaranteed.

Beyond the Ashes was well-written and was captivating from the beginning.  I was particularly impressed with the research she has completed both with the history that is reflected in the novel as well as the medical knowledge she displayed. This makes the book feel very authentic.

Many of us suffer loss -devastating loss- in our lifetime. Sometimes this makes us question God and His sovereignty.  Loss can also make us question our faith and take what we think is the easy, safest path in life.  Barnett marvelously weaves these issues into Beyond the Ashes to encourage us to remember that our faith and our hope is in the Lord.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.  I could not put this book down! You will be greatly encouraged by this book.  It is a definate must for your TBR list.

Thank you to the LitFuse Chicks for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  No monetary compensation was received and all view expressed are my own.

About the Author

Karen Barnett is the author of Beyond the Ashes, Out of the Ruins, and Mistaken. Named the 2013 Writer of Promise by Oregon Christian Writers, Karen lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband and two kids. When she’s not writing novels, she loves speaking at women’s events, libraries, and book clubs. You can learn more at KarenBarnettBooks.com.

Two Roads Home by Deborah Raney is a 304 page novel in the contemporary fiction genre. It is published by Abingdon Press and was released on June 2, 2015. To purchase your copy, click here.

Overview

What if it’s too late for dreams to come true?

Minor—but-nagging setbacks continue to sour Grant and Audrey Whitman’s initiation into the world of innkeeping, but larger challenges brew when an innocent flirtation leads to big trouble for the Whitmans’ son-in-law, Jesse. Jesse Pennington’s friendly, outgoing personality has always served him well, especially in a career that has earned him and his wife Corinne a very comfortable lifestyle. But Corinne and Jesse are both restless—and for similar reasons, if only they could share those with each other. Instead, too many business trips and trumped-up charges of harassment from a disgruntled coworker threaten their marriage and possibly put their three precious daughters at risk.

With their life in disarray, God is tugging at their hearts to pursue other dreams. Can Corinne and Jesse pick up the pieces of what was once a wonderful life before it all crumbles beneath them?

My Two Cents

Two Roads Home has strong themes of trust and faith, both in the Lord and in your spouse.  It also wonderfully portrays family struggles and how a family supports one another through difficult times. Particularly, I found it encouraging how real the characters were in their thoughts, feelings and emotions. Love requires sacrifice. Sometimes we know the right thing to do but still struggle with not letting the sacrifice cause us to become harsh and bitter. Deborah develops a beautiful parable of how this works in a family who wants to do the right things but are still human.

I will state that the book was a little slow in places. The writing could have been more developed as the writer tended to “tell” you the story instead of “show” you the story. I was disappointed with the ending as well.  The story did not feel complete. I would have liked for the story to be resolved a bit more.

I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. This would be an encouraging book for those struggling in their marriage.

About the Author

Deborah Raney’s books have won numerous awards, including the RITA, National Readers Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, and the Carol Award, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. She and her husband, Ken, recently traded small-town life in Kansas-the setting of many of Deborah’s novels-for life in the (relatively) big city of Wichita, where they enjoy gardening, antiquing, movies, and traveling to visit four children and a growing brood of grandchildren who all live much too far away.
Find Deborah online: website, Twitter, Facebook

In a town where Amish and Englisch mingle every day, a grisly murder leads to mutual suspicion. Can Amber and Hannah find the killer before fear unravels the community . . . or he strikes again?

Even before she heard of Owen Esch’s death, Hannah Troyer knew something was amiss at The Cat’s Meow yarn shop. The store has been closing at odd times, the ever-dependable Mary isn’t always at her post . . . and an Englisch man has been seen loitering around back.

Now, as leaves of brown, gold, and orange blanket Middlebury, Indiana, Owen lies dead on the Pumpkinvine Trail. The only clues to the murderer’s identity point in two very different directions—one of them leading right to The Cat’s Meow.

The police call in a federal investigator, but Hannah and Village manager Amber Bowman are in no mood to wait for them to figure out what they already know—that no one from the Amish Village could have killed Owen Esch.

Amber and Hannah will need to work quickly to solve the murder mystery and bring harmony back to the Amish community.

Murder Tightly Knit has all the makings of a good book: Romance, suspense, mystery and a great setting.  Vannetta goes back to a cute Amish village setting that was in her first novel.  It was wonderful to visit the characters once again to see how they are faring.

Vannetta starts the book right off with the murder. What makes the book so interesting is the snippets she adds from the killer’s point of view.  The book twists and turns and has you holding your breath in several places.  Most of her characters are interesting, if not a little bit eccentric, and she merges them beautifully.  Although there are a couple of characters you will want to scream at – the tension always makes for an interesting read.

Vannetta creates such a unique blend by using both Amish and English characters.  She includes many interesting bits about the Amish to make her story authentic.  The reader will see she has spent time researching this book and did not just throw it together. It will be a story that captivates, draws you in, and leaves you with a smile on your face!

I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Murder Tightly Knit is an Amish Christian romance/suspense novel written by Vannetta Chapman and published by Zondervan Publishing. It was released on December 16, 2014.  Murder Tightly Knit can be purchased through Amazon for $15.99 in print or $7.99 for the e-book.

Vannetta Chapman is the author of the best-selling novel A Simple Amish Christmas. She has published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, receiving over two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. In 2012 she was awarded a Carol Award for Falling to Pieces. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania.  Visit Vannetta’s webiste: www.vannettachapman.com  Twitter: @VannettaChapman  Facebook: VannettaChapmanBooks

Giveaway!

Would you like to win a copy of Vannetta Chapman’s Murder Tightly Knit? Follow me on facebook.com/simpleharvestreads and leave a comment below answering the question: Several of Vannetta’s characters are managers – either of a specific shop or of the entire village.  What do you think makes a good manager? Giveaway ends Sunday, Feb 22 at midnight PST.  Be sure to come back Monday to see if you won!