Promise Me This - Cathy Gohlke

THE BOOK:

Annie Allen never imagined the day she watched her brother, Owen, sail on the Titanic would be the last time she'd see him. Nor would she guess how the tragedy would forever knit her life to Michael Dunnagan, who survived through Owen's sacrifice.

As Annie struggles to navigate a challenging life in Englad, Michael labors in New Jersey to create the gardening business Owen once dreamed of and to heal Annie's grief through letters. In time, as Annie begins to lay aside her anger that Michael lived when her brother did not, a tentative friendship takes root and blossoms into something neither expected.

Bound by a promise yet battling circumstances beyond their control, Michael and Annie dream of the day she can join him in America. Just when Michael saves enough money for her passage, WWI erupts in Europe. Then Annie's letters mysteriously stop, forcing Michael to risk everything to find the woman he's grown to love before she's lost forever.

MY REVIEW:

Star Rating: *****

When a book cover captures my attention, and then the synopsis also piques my interests, I’m sold—I must read the book! Which is why I instantly jumped at the chance to read award-winning author Cathy Gohlke’s newest release. In my opinion, Promise Me This is not a book you can just devour in one sitting. It's a book to be read slowly, with characters to be savored and a story to be treasured.

From the very beginning, I was swept away by this poignant story of Annie and Michael. And while I wasn’t fond of Annie in the first part of the book, as I watched her change throughout the years after the disaster of the Titanic, I grew to love her self-sacrificing character. Both Annie and Michael go through so much in Promise Me This that at the end of the book, as the last page is fast approaching, all you hope for is that they get their ‘happily ever after’! And while the ending wasn’t what I thought it’d be, I was still content with how we leave the characters.

There were so many twists and turns in Promise Me This—just when I thought things were looking up for these two, something huge would happen that hurls them straight into the path of danger and separation. Towards the end, there were several convenient “coincidences”, but also some surprises, too.

When I finally read the last page, I didn’t want to leave Annie and Michael! I closed the book, wishing there had been an epilogue of where these two were a few years after the book ended. That’s how real these characters were to me, and how much danger and turmoil they had been through in this 400 page book.

When you begin Promise Me This, be prepared to experience a story that will touch your heart in more ways than one!

I reviewed this book for Tyndale House Publishing. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.


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The Realms Thereunder - Ross Lawhead

THE BOOK:

Ancient legend tells of an army of knights that will remain sleeping until the last days.

The knights are waking up.

A homeless man is stalked by a pale, wraithlike creature with a mouthful of needle-sharp teeth. Maimed animals and a host of suicides cluster around a mountain in Scotland. And deep beneath the cobbled streets of Oxford, a malicious hoard besieges a hidden city.

Freya Reynolds is a university student with a touch of OCD and an obsession with myth and folklore. Daniel Tully is living rough on the streets of Oxford, waging a secret war against an enemy only he can identify. Years ago, they found themselves in a world few know is real. They have since gone their separate ways and tried to put that adventure behind them.

But the mythical world is now bleeding into our reality-a dark spiritual evil that is manifesting itself in forgotten corners of the British Isles. Alex Simpson is a Scottish police officer who specializes in hunting mythical creatures. Together, they must confront the past, the present, and points beyond to defeat the ultimate threat to humanity.

Nothing they've seen so far prepares them for what awaits . . . in The Realms Thereunder.


MY REVIEW:

Star Rating: **

I’ve read one of Stephen Lawhead’s books in the past (The Bone House) and enjoyed it. So when I saw that his son, Ross, was coming out with a book, I was interested. The synopsis intrigued me as well—knights that are destined to awake in the last days…are suddenly waking up? Yep, sounded pretty cool to me!

While for me, personally, The Realms Thereunder didn’t live up to all my expectations...I think this has more to do with the fact that this just isn’t my genre. I think this will be the last book of this type that I try—not that this is at all the author’s fault. It’s just not for me.

The way the story jumps back and forth between the past adventures of Daniel and Freya’s, and their present adventures was, in my opinion, confusing. Once I figured out how the book worked—every chapter switching off between “Before” and “Now”—I understood it more, but I felt the jerking back and forth kept pulling me out of the story. I would have rather the author separated the two adventures and given them each their own book. But…that’s my opinion!

There is a lot of descriptions within The Realm Thereunder, mainly due to the fact that Lawhead created so many amazing people and places. It became a bit drawn out in places, but I have to admit that because of it, the things that Daniel and Freya experience really sprang from the pages and came to life. Be prepared to experience an amazing world from the imagination of Ross Lawhead!

I reviewed this book for Christian Science Fiction & Fantasy Blog Tours. Special thanks to the publishers, Thomas Nelson, for sending me a review copy. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.  

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Sweeter Than Birdsong - Rosslyn Elliott

THE BOOK:

Music offers Kate sweet refuge from her troubles . . . 

but real freedom is sweeter.

In Westerville, Ohio, 1855, Kate Winter's dreams are almost within reach. As the first woman to graduate from Otterbein College, she'll be guaranteed her deepest wish: escape from the dark secret haunting her family. But with her mother determined to marry her off to a wealthy man, Kate must face reality. She has to run. Now. And she has the perfect plan. Join the upcoming musical performance-and use it to mask her flight.

Ben Hanby, Otterbein College's musical genius, sees Kate Winter as an enigmatic creature, notable for her beauty, yet painfully shy. Then he hears her sing-and the glory of her voice moves him as never before. He determines to cast her in his musical and uncover the mystery that is Kate. Still, he must keep his own secret to himself. Not even this intriguing woman can know that his passionate faith is driving him to aid fugitives on the Underground Railroad.

A terrifying accident brings Kate and Ben together, but threatens to shatter both their secrets and their dreams. Kate can no longer deny the need to find her courage-and her voice-if she is to sing a new song for their future.

A stirring novel of hope and faith inspired by real events--from the author of Fairer than Morning, winner of the 2011 Laurel Award. 

MY REVIEW:

Star Rating: ****

I really enjoyed this next installment to the Saddler Legacy series. And since it wasn’t long ago that I read the first in the series, Fairer than Morning, all the characters were fresh in my mind, and I loved watching their offspring’s grow and mature. While I have to say that, out of the two, I liked the first one better, Sweeter Than Birdsong was a lovely addition to the story and a very ‘sweet’ read.

Kate Winter intrigued me immediately because of her shyness and fear of speaking in public. Since I would rather not give speeches in front of a crowd either, I could relate—though she was more extreme then I! Ben Hanby, of course, drew my attention before he was the eldest son of Will and Ann (from Fairer Than Morning). Out of these two loveable characters, I enjoyed watching Kate grow the most throughout Sweeter Than Birdsong.

As Kate sees the plights of other slaves, I loved watching her view of life changed—no longer did she see her life as unbearable, for she’d seen what was truly ‘unbearable’ through her rescue attempt of a slave. She grew so much throughout the book, there is an obvious night and day difference from when we first met Kate, and when we leave her.

Rosslyn Elliott kept all the characters within Sweeter than Birdsong so real and vivid, that I, as the reader, found that I could relate to them on a few different levels. Doesn’t everyone desire to make their mark on the world? But, just as Ben realized, sometimes we need to leave it in God’s hand, and trust Him to open people’s minds and hearts.

I am looking forward to the next installment to this series, and to see where Elliott takes the Hanbys. They are such an endearing and loving family! Be prepared to grow attached to them!

I reviewed this book for Thomas Nelson via Litfuse. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.


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Words Spoken True - Ann Gabhart

THE BOOK:

One woman stands ready

to defend her newspaper...

even if it means losing out on love

Adriane Darcy was practically raised in her father's newspaper offices. She can't imagine life without the clatter of the press and the push to be first to write the news that matters. Their Tribune is the leading paper in Louisville in 1855. Then Blake Garrett, a brash young editor from the North with a controversial new style of reporting, takes over failing competitor the Herald, and the battle for readers gets fierce.

When Adriane and Blake meet at a benefit tea, their surprising mutual attraction is hard to ignore. Still, Blake is the enemy, and Adriane is engaged to the son of a powerful businessman who holds the keys to the Tribune's future. Blake will stop at almost nothing to get the story—and the girl. Can he do both before it's too late?

Set against the volatile backdrop of political and civil unrest in 1850s Louisville, this exciting story of love and loyalty will hold readers in its grip until the very last page. Bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart once again delivers an enthralling and enduring tale for her loyal and ever-expanding fan base.

MY REVIEW:

Star Rating: *****

Oh my goodness, what a beautiful historical fiction that will completely keep you on your toes! I’ve read two of Ann Gabhart’s books in the past, and thought I knew the kind of fiction she writes. But she completely surprised—and delighted—me with Words Spoken True. I wasn’t expecting this historical to be so...suspenseful!! I stayed up late into the night, unable to stop reading.

Adriane is a very strong heroine that I liked from the very first scene—when she snuck away in the middle of the night to get the scoop on a murder. Her desire to do the right thing, to obey her father, and to make her father proud of her work really brought her to life. Oh, and I really grew to like Blake! I love the go-getter nature that drove him! And Blake and Adriane’s verbal battles were so hilarious!

All that said, there are a few scenes that would keep me from recommending this to younger readers. There are a few intimate scenes between husband and wife, and then there's a bedroom scene when newlyweds consummating their marriage (the husband helping his wife undress and then taking in her beauty). The scene doesn't cut off when they actually consummate it, but the author skips over the actual act. Depending on the reader, this might be okay or not.

The story starts off at a good pace, and consistently builds tension as the story progresses until, at a little over half way, I was reading as fast as I could to find out what would happen next. There was even a little mystery over a serial killer known as the "river slasher" that added a neat mix into the story. When I reached the end of this book and read the last page...I immediately knew this book would go on my favorites shelf! What a historical read!

I reviewed this book for Revell.  It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done. 
 


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The Guardian Duke - Jamie Carie

THE BOOK:

Someday I will meet you and see your face.

Gabriel, the Duke of St. Easton, is ordered by the King to take guardianship over Lady Alexandria Featherstone whose parents are presumed dead after failing to return from a high profile treasure hunt. But Alexandria ignores this royal reassignment, believing her parents are still alive and duly following clues that may lead to their whereabouts.

Gabriel, pressured by what are actually the King’s ulterior motives, pursues her across windswept England and the rolling green hills of Ireland but is always one step behind.

When they do meet, the search for earthly treasure will pale in comparison to what God has planned for both of them.


MY REVIEW:


Star Rating: ****

Jamie Carie has captured my attention once again with her newest release, The Guardian Duke. This first book in her A Forgotten Castle series will have you traveling across countries as Lady Alexandria is determined to find her parents…and Gabriel, the Duke of St. Easton, is just as determined to find her.

Both Alexandria and Gabriel make for unique and endearing characters. Gabriel especially. He captured my attention from the very beginning and I always looked forward to reading one of his scenes. With all of the problems he is constantly facing—and now having to be a guardian to a young woman who is anything but compliant—had me cheering him on throughout the book.

I confess I didn’t like Alexandria as much. She seemed…ditsy, almost, in the way she went about things. I don’t know, but it got on my nerves a little. Montague was really cool, though! I loved how he just swooped into Alexandria’s path like a guardian angel and protects her along her journey.

The first half of The Guardian Duke was a little slow going, but not terribly so. But be forewarned—there is a major cliffhanger at the end of this book. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series, I can tell you! What will Gabriel and Alexandria go through next??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.


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The Dark Side of Valor - Alicia Singleton

THE BOOK:

Child advocate Lelia Freeman saves children for a living. As the director of ChildSafe Shelters, she ventures to abandoned squats and crackhouses to rescue teens from the hellish streets of Los Angeles. When she is summoned to Washington to serve on a committee that aids the children of a war-torn African nation, Lelia is kidnapped and becomes a political pawn in a sinister conspiracy. Oceans away from everything she knows, she must trust a mercenary to save her life, or die in the clutches of a psychopath.

Hunting, combat and staying alive are Elijah Dune’s specialties. Vengeance is his passion. Haunted by past demons, he’s travels to the Motherland to collect a debt. A debt that demands one payment. Death.

Caught in the crosshairs of a madman, Lelia and Elijah must survive the jungles of Zaire and the horrors of their pasts or be forever consumed by the Dark Side of Valor. 

MY REVIEW:

Star Rating: Won't Read Again

The title of this book—The Dark Side of Valor—intrigued me. It almost sounded like a contradiction or something…but Alicia Singleton shows otherwise! Many times, in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, there is a necessary dark side to being the courageous hero.

Singleton knows how to write suspense! Her style grips the readers, pulling them right into the scene—the moment—and will have them holding their breath. The story plot has many rough characters, as Lelia fights to get out of the hood she was born into and live a better life. It wasn’t hard for me, as the reader, to cheer this young, strong woman on in the face of so many difficulties.

All that said, there was a lot of things I didn’t really like about the book. In the first chapter there were about ten curse words, and they were considerably sprinkled throughout the book—cr*p, h*ll, *ss, and bi*** to name a few. A woman is thoroughly frisked and then ordered, at knife-point, to take off her clothes. She resists, but ends up complying. Nothing is physically done to the woman, besides humiliating her. There are several heated and descriptive kisses and the attraction between two characters is very physical.

Because of the things mentioned above, I wouldn’t recommend this, personally. And I won’t be rereading it. If you are a mature adult who is okay with a lot of rough cuss words and adult content, then this suspense-filled book might be right up your alley. Singleton’s writing will get your attention from chapter one and keep you near-breathless till the very end.

I reviewed this book for Pump Up Your Book. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.  
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Sixty Acres & A Bride - Regina Jennings

Just thought to point out that this is the 200th review I have posted here on Book Reviews by Lady Katy. How exciting! And I am so glad that the honor of being the 200th review goes to Regina Jennings and her wonderful debut book.

THE BOOK:

She's Finally Found a Place to Call
Home . . .
How Far Will She Go to Save It?

With nothing to their names, young widow Rosa Garner and her mother-in-law return to their Texas family ranch. Only now the county is demanding back taxes and the women have just three months to pay.

Though facing eviction, Rosa falls in love with the countryside and the wonderful extended family who want only her best. They welcome her vivacious spirit and try to help her navigate puzzling American customs. She can't help but stand out, though, and her beauty captures attention. Where some offer help with dangerous strings attached, only one man seems honorable. But when Weston Garner, still grieving his own lost love, is unprepared to give his heart, Rosa must decide to what lengths she will go to save her future.

MY REVIEW:


Star Rating: *****

I admit that when I reached the end of Sixty Acres and a Bride I sighed...because I wasn't ready to leave these characters! So many things about this debut book by Regina Jennings really drew me in.

I really liked the Mexican heroine! And the fact that Rosa is so ignorant of the way a "proper" lady should act. It made for quite a few humorous moments! Rosa was so sweet natured and hard-working, you can't help but love her. Just like Ruth, she is filled with an intense desire to provide for Louise. Weston's desire to protect and care for his family made him a very likeable hero, too--not to mention a very handsome one!

When Rosa (like Ruth) goes to Weston in the barn, she slips into the bed with him and (unlike Ruth) curls up against his chest. Now, I understood how this wasn't supposed to be exactly like the story of Ruth, but just thought to mention this, since they do embrace each other in bed before they're married. Though, of course, nothing else happens!

My favorite--favorite!--scene was when Rosa does the Mexican dance and afterwards when Weston stops it and follows her. Wowza, did I laugh when Weston realized what he did! While in the last few chapters I seriously wanted to slap the two upside the head with frustration, Sixty Acres and a Bride was a wonderful read from start to finish. I can't wait to read more by this very talented author!

I reviewed this book for the author. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.


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When the Smoke Clears - Lynette Eason

THE BOOK:

After a brush with death due to equipment failure, smokejumper Alexia Allen is ordered to take time off while the incident is under investigation. She makes a last-minute decision to recuperate at her mother's home and attend her high school reunion. Yet trouble seems to be following her, and within hours of arriving home she is confronted with murder, arson--and a handsome detective.

But the conflicts ahead are nothing compared to the ghosts of her past. As she struggles to accept and forgive her family's past, she must also decide if the secret she's been guarding for the last ten years must finally come to light.

Chock-full of the suspense and romantic tension you've come to expect from Lynette Eason, When the Smoke Clears is the explosive first book in the Deadly Reunions series.

MY REVIEW:


Star Rating: ****

When the Smoke Clears is a great beginning to a new series by Lynette Eason—instantly, your thrust into the action as Alexia finds herself inside of a burning house, searching for a child, when her air runs out. What a way to grab the reader’s attention!

I was so excited when I saw Serena Hopkins (a character from The Women of Justice series) was a friend of the main character, Alexia Allen. While she was the only familiar name, I thought it was too cool that Eason kept something from her previous series. And just like the characters from that series captured your heart, so will the ones in When the Smoke Clears. Alexia is strong and seemingly independent…at least, she’s had to be independent her whole life. But when Hunter comes into her life, she finds out that she doesn’t have to shoulder all the burdens alone.

There was one thing that I had a bit of a problem with. When Hunter gets shot, once he has it bandaged up, there is only one other mention made of it after that. It just kinda felt weird that afterwards, as he’s working on the case and protecting Alexia…he never really thinks of it again.

The flow of the story was great, always jumping from one tense-filled, near-death experience to the next! Eason doesn't give the reader rest as the story increases in suspense with every page! And what a cliffhanger you get at the end! I am on pins and needles to see who this mysterious man is who wants Jillian so badly. And now he's after Serena!! Eason's next book can't come out fast enough!

I reviewed this book for Revell.  It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.  

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Honor Redeemed - Loree Lough

THE BOOK:

Highly skilled Search and Rescue (SAR) team leader, Honor Mackenzie, works almost as hard at guarding the dark secrets of her past as she does when training SAR dogs. As for widowed Sun reporter Matt Phillips, not even his former SAR work is as important as protecting his ten-year-old twin boys.  

When a jumbo jet crashes outside Baltimore one cold night, their respective jobs put them face-to-face at the grisly scene--and force Matt and Honor to reconsider the difficult decisions that resulted in their long-standing "single forever" status.

As Matt tries to come to terms with his feelings for Honor, he gets word that she hasn’t reported in since starting the search for a missing child. Reverting to his SAR training, Matt leads the search team as a vicious winter storm bears down on the area. Will he find her in time? And if he does, will they find their way back to each other or go back to living life alone?

MY REVIEW:


Star Rating: **** 

Loree Lough has written over 70 books…but Honor Redeemed is the first one I’ve read by her. And I really enjoyed it! Honor’s job of being part of a Search and Rescue team, and her and Matt’s relationship to other First Responders, really intrigued me. What a sacrifice these people give—just to ensure that people in need have help as fast as humanly possible. Wow!

Out of the two main characters—Honor and Matt—I liked Matt the best. His witty comments and dialog were just so humorous, I chuckled aloud a few times. And his heroic desire to protect—rightfully earning him the nickname “Defender”—made his character really come alive. And Lough did a great job with Matt’s twins, too. Those boys were something else! 

In the first chapter there are two uses of the word “Oh my ***”. Later on, it is used two more times, along with "Oh good L***". This really took me by surprise, for a Christian book to take the Lord’s name in vain, and I admit I was uneasy about what else the book would contain. However, there weren't any other other curse words to be found in the rest of the book…I just really wished they hadn't been there in the first place.

The back of the book felt like it was stretching this about the actual book...the book seemed a lot more slow-paced then what the synopsis eluded to. And the end of the book felt a bit sudden—like everything happened at once, and then there wasn't complete closure. But since this is a series, maybe things will wrap up in the next addition. And while I haven’t read the first book in the First Responder series, I never felt lost or confused about characters or events—Honor Redeemed does very well as a stand-alone novel. I have the first book on my Kindle, and know I will be picking it up sometime in the near future to read more about these character's history.

I reviewed this book for Abingdon Press Fiction via Pump Up Your Book. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.  


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