Weekend Wrap-up: April 16th

 

 

It’s Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Book Date.

Not such a busy work week this week, but school started again, so had to get used to the school runs again.

Finished

(Reviews can be found under Book Review tag)

Currently reading

Next up:

What are you reading this week?

Blog Posts Recap:

Here is my past week's Blog Posts.

Top Ten Tuesday

Can't Wait Wednesday

Book Spotlight Fridays!

Saturday Series Discovery

Adding to the Bookshelf:

Which Avid Reader do not add to their shelves! I try to limit mine to review books since I have so many owned on my TBR to read.  So did I add to my shelf this week? 

Bought one this week to continue a series:

Review: Expired Refuge

Expired Refuge by Lisa Phillips
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

This one was action packed from page one and with a twist and turn around every corner the suspense plot kept this reader fully engaged.

Though this book was full of action, there was also a deeper emotional depth with Mia still needing to work through the loss of her sister Mara and walking the path of forgiveness.

I enjoyed Mia and Conroy’s story and the start of this Last Chance County series and am looking forward to reading more.

View all my reviews

About the book:

She’ll never accept his help.

He’ll never stop trying to protect his town.

Mia Tathers is an ATF Special Agent. It’s not like she needs Conroy to protect her. However, when it becomes clear someone is recreating her biggest mistake, Mia has to face her own inability to forgive Conroy for what he took from her. It’s the only way she’ll stay alive.

In this town, Police Lieutenant Conroy Barnes is the one who fixes problems. When a blast from the past shows up, bringing danger with her, he vows to keep her safe. But the clock has expired on her refuge. Death is knocking, and Conroy is determined not to let it in.

Welcome to Last Chance County.

About the Author:

A British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London, Lisa attended Calvary Chapel Bible College where

she met her husband. He's from California, but nobody's perfect. It wasn't until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). Since then she's taken the Apprentice and Journeyman writing courses with the Christian Writers Guild, and discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.
Lisa can be found in Idaho wearing either flip-flops or cowgirl boots, depending on the season. She leads worship with her husband at their local church. Together they have two children--a sparkly Little Princess and a Mini Daddy--and two bunny rabbits.

Review: The Writing Desk

The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

I enjoyed both stories in this dual time novel but was drawn more to the historical thread. There is always something about forbidden love and the heirs of high society trying to break away from the plans and mold their parents placed them in.

The modern day story included a lot of in depth character growth, learning from mistakes but also the process of forgiveness.

*I listened to the audiobook on Scribd and enjoyed it.*


View all my reviews

About the book:

Tenley Roth's first book was a literary and commercial success. Now that her second book is due, she’s locked in fear. Can she repeat her earlier success or is she a fraud who merely found a bit of luck?


With pressure mounting from her publisher, Tenley is weighted with writer's block. But when her estranged mother calls asking Tenley to help her through chemotherapy, she packs up for Florida where she meets handsome furniture designer Jonas Sullivan and discovers the story her heart's been missing.

Born during the Gilded Age, Birdie Shehorn is the daughter of the old money Knickerbockers. Yet her life is not her own. Under the strict control of her mother, her every move is decided ahead of time, even whom she'll marry. But Birdie has dreams of her own. She wants to tell stories, write novels, make an impact on the world. When she discovers her mother has literally destroyed her dreams, she must choose between submission and security or forging a brand new way all on her own.

Tenley and Birdie are from two very different worlds. Yet when Tenley discovers Birdie's manuscript, their lives intersect. Birdie's words help Tenley find a way home. Tenley brings Birdie's writing to the world.

Can two women separated by time help fulfill each other's destiny?

About the author:

New York Times, USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Rachel Hauck writes from sunny central Florida.

A RITA finalist and winner of Romantic Times Inspirational Novel of the Year, and Career Achievement Award, she writes vivid characters dealing with real life issues.

Her book, Once Upon A Prince, was made into an original Hallmark movie.

The Wedding Dress has been optioned for film by Brain Power Studio

She loves to hear from readers. She also loves to encourage new writers and is a retired member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Executive Board.

A graduate of Ohio State University with a BA in Journalism, Rachel is an avid OSU football fan. She hopes to one day stand on the sidelines in the Shoe with Ryan Day.

Visit her web site to find out more and click on the icons to follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

www.rachelhauck.com 

Book Spotlight Fridays! The Tapestry of Grace

Book Beginnings and Friday56

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader and share a non-spoiler sentence or two.  First Line Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Reading is my Superpower that asks you to share the first sentence of the book you're reading.

Kim Vogel Sawyer always provides deep emotional stories.

The Tapestry of Grace

About the book:

When a group of Kansas women start a Frauenverein, a benevolent society devoted to aiding widows and orphans, life changes for more than just the hurting people they seek to help in this heartwarming romance inspired by historical events—from the bestselling author of Freedom’s Song .

With classes paused for the planting season, Alexandertol’s schoolteacher Augusta Dyck is glad for some meaningful work to occupy her time. She even knows exactly who their town’s benevolence society should help first: quiet, reserved widower Konrad Rempel and his young twin sons.

Konrad Rempel, however, is adamant that he doesn’t want help. His boys are mischievous but good-hearted. And though Konrad may be struggling, he doesn’t want anyone else sticking their nose in and telling him what his sons need. Or what he needs.

For her part, the charity’s founder Martina Krahn is relieved to have a reason to spend time outside her unhappy home. It even occurs to her that she may, through her work, encounter a boy in need of a family and so find a son for her husband since they have no children of their own.

Augusta, Konrad, and Martina each have deep needs and desires, and each imagines how they should be met: by reaching out or by being left alone. But God, indeed, knows best. Will the competing agendas of Alexandertol’s residents prevent them from receiving God’s help? Or will the members of this small Mennonite community find the answers to their prayers in the very last place they expect—in one another?

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Book Beginnings

Augusta stood just inside the Alexandertol Mennonite Church and scanned the crowded benches on the women's side of the sanctuary.

Friday 56

Martina stared after him, worry churning in her belly.

My thoughts so far

I am enjoying this one and intrigued on the journey the three main characters will go on.

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Review: Esther: Royal Beauty

Esther: Royal Beauty by Angela Elwell Hunt
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

In this Biblical fictional story of Esther, the author did not shy away from delivering the ugly hard facts of that time while also showing the readers the spiritual growth of Hadassah, a naïve innocent Jewish girl, to Esther, strong, bold, and courageous Queen.

I enjoyed this version of Esther, a well-loved Bible book. The author made these historical figures come alive and shown readers the possible life Esther had in the palace which is not emphasised in the a Bible.

This is the first Biblical fiction I have read by the author, and it won’t be my last.

*I listened to the audiobook on Scribd.*

View all my reviews

About the book:

A Bible story brought to life! After she is forcibly taken to the palace of the king, a beautiful young Jewish woman, known to the Persians as Esther, wins a queen's crown and then must risk everything in order to save her people . . . and bind her husband's heart...

An ambitious tyrant threatens genocide against the Jews in ancient Persia, so an inexperienced beautiful young queen must take a stand for her people.

When Xerxes, king of Persia, issues a call for beautiful young women, Hadassah, a Jewish orphan living in Susa, is forcibly taken to the palace of the pagan ruler. After months of preparation, the girl known to the Persians as Esther wins the king's heart and a queen's crown. But because her situation is uncertain, she keeps her ethnic identity a secret until she learns that an evil and ambitious man has won the king's permission to exterminate all Jews--young and old, powerful and helpless. Purposely violating an ancient Persian law, she risks her life in order to save her people...and bind her husband's heart.

Esther marks bestselling author Angela Hunt's return to biblical fiction. In each novel she explores an example of a Hebrew Old Testament tob woman: a woman whose physical beauty influences those around her--and can change the course of history.

About the author:

Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels

from this versatile author. With over five million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 150 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels.

Now that her two children have reached their thirties, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards--one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City.

Afterward, the dog gave out pawtographs at the airport.

Angela admits to being fascinated by animals, medicine, psychology, unexplained phenomena, and “just about everything” except sports. Books, she says, have always shaped her life— in the fifth grade she learned how to flirt from reading Gone with the Wind.

Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.

In 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree and completed her second doctorate in 2015. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course.

Review: The Bridge of Little Jeremy

The Bridge of Little Jeremy by Indrajit Garai
My rating:💛💛

This book is from the POV of Jeremy, a 12-year-old who comes across much more mature for his age.

Jeremy’s positive outlook, protectiveness and relationship with his dog, Leon was enjoyable and the scenes with Leon some of my favourites. The setting of Paris was also well described.

However, it took me long to finish this book because all the focus on the inheritance tax felt dragged out and made me loose interest.

The ending though…it broke me emotionally and if you are a sensitive reader, you will need tissues.

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.*

View all my reviews

About the book:

Jeremy’s mother is about to go to prison for their debt to the State. He is trying everything within his means to save her, but his options are running out fast.

Then Jeremy discovers a treasure under Paris.

This discovery may save his mother, but it doesn’t come for free. And he has to ride over several obstacles for his plan to work.

Meanwhile, something else is limiting his time...

About the author:

Indrajit lives in Paris with his family. The Bridge of Little Jeremy is his third work of fiction.

Review: After the Shadows

After the Shadows by Amanda Cabot
My rating: 💛💛💛

This first book in a new series was a great introduction to the setting of Sweetwater Crossing, all the small-town folks and giving a background for the three sisters.

I enjoyed watching the growth of Emily and learning to trust again. Emily was also a perfect example of someone not seeing their true worth like the people around them which they are impacting. I also loved Craig and his struggle to break the mold of what school and discipline should be to what I can be.

Noah and Beulah were great kiddies which brought fun and lightness to the story.

I did guess who might be behind everything going on at Sweetwater Crossing and was waiting patiently for Emily to connect the dots.

I do plan to continue this series.

This was a sweet story of new beginnings and second chances after great loss.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*


View all my reviews

About the book:

Emily Leland sheds no tears when her abusive husband is killed in a bar fight, but what awaits her back home in Sweetwater Crossing is far from the welcome and comfort she expected. First she discovers her father has died under mysterious circumstances. Then the house where the new schoolteacher and his son are supposed to board burns, leaving them homeless. When Emily proposes turning the family home into a boardinghouse, her sister is so incensed that she leaves town.

Alone and broke, her family name sullied by controversy, Emily is determined to solve the mystery of her father's death--and to aid Craig Ferguson, despite her fears of men. The widowed schoolmaster proves to be a devoted father, an innovative teacher, and an unexpected ally. Together they must work to unmask a killer and escape the shadows of their own pasts in order to forge a brighter future.

Bestselling author Amanda Cabot transports you to 1880s Texas Hill Country for a brand-new series that will have you flipping pages to solve the mystery and get to the happily-ever-after you long for.

About the Author:

With both parents avid readers, it's no surprise that Amanda Cabot learned to read at an early age. From there it was only a small step to deciding to become a writer. Of course, deciding and becoming are two different things, as she soon discovered. Fortunately for the world, her first attempts at fiction were not published, but she did meet her goal of selling a novel by her thirtieth birthday. Since then she’s sold more than forty novels. When she’s not writing, Amanda enjoys sewing, cooking and – of course – reading.