A Kingsbury Collection {Review}

 A Kingsbury Collection is a book of three of Karen Kingsbury's novels all in one.  Although I like a lot of authors, I still think that Karen is my favorite so I was super excited to be able to review not just one, but three of her stories!
Here is a description of each from the publisher:

Where Yesterday Lives

Ellen Barrett is a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist with an uncertain marriage, a forgotten faith, and haunting memories of her picturesque hometown and the love she left behind. The eldest of five siblings, she longs for the time, long ago, when they were a happy family. Now Ellen’s beloved father is dead, and she returns to her childhood home to make peace–with the people who still live there, with the losses and changes that time has wrought, and with the future God has set before her.

When Joy Came to Stay

Maggie Stovall is one of the golden people. She has it all together...at least on the surface. Ben Stovall is a godly husband and successful attorney. He has no idea of the darkness about to overtake his life. Amanda Joy is a child of society–abused, broken, thrown away. But her trust in God is still alive. When Joy Came to Stay is the heart-wrenching story of one woman’s descent into the shadows of depression, her husband’s search for understanding, and a precious child’s unwavering faith.

On Every Side

Faith Evans is an up-and-coming newscaster, a woman of honor and integrity who must take a stand against the one man she never imagined would be her enemy. A beloved, hundred-year-old statue of Jesus stands in a small-town park–but some say it’s a clear violation of separation of church and state that must come down. Jordan Riley is a powerful attorney fighting for human rights and against God, but still reckoning with bitter boyhood losses. Amid political intrigue, social injustice, and personal conflicts, will love be enough when the battle rages on every side? 

 As much as I love Karen Kingsbury's books, I had a very hard time getting started on this one.  If you take a look at the pile of books on my night stand, it is the one on the bottom.  Can you guess why I wasn't so excited to start it?  It is huge!  I usually read in bed before going to sleep and I had a difficult time holding such a large book while laying down. I would have much preferred them in individual books. However, that is my only complaint about A Kingbury Collection.  The three stories are some of her older ones and ones that I had not read yet, so I very much enjoyed them.  They all contain her usual (and wonderful) writing style with realistic characters facing realistic situations and strong elements of faith mixed throughout.  I highly recommend these three stories from Karen Kingsbury!

I received this book for free for review from Waterbrook Multnomah.

Blessings,

Betrayal {Review}

 I recently read Betrayal by Robin Lee Hatcher.  I don't recall that I've read any of her other books before, but I really enjoyed this one!  It's a great historical romance, my favorite kind of book. :)

Here is a description from the publisher:

The latest historical romance from award-winning author Robin Lee Hatcher and the second book in the Where the Heart Lives series, Betrayal will take readers to the high desert of western Wyoming, through the crags of the Rocky Mountains, and into the hearts of two seekers learning to trust God's love no matter the circumstances.

It's the turn of the twentieth century and drifter Hugh Brennan is a man well acquainted with betrayal. Hugh finds himself drawn to the attractive widow, Julia, yet when he looks into her eyes, he recognizes the same hurt that haunts him.

Julia Grace has little reason to trust men, but she's going to have to trust someone if she's to keep her ranch from the clutches of her dead husband's half-brother. Is it possible God had a hand in bringing Hugh to her door?

When I first started reading Betrayal, I didn't even realize it was the second book in a series.  It is really good all by itself and I didn't at all feel like I missed something by not reading the first one.  But I can't wait to read the other ones in the series, because I really did enjoy Robin Lee Hatcher's writing style.  She did a great job of keeping my attention with the perfect amount of romance, faith, and suspense!

I received this book for free for review from Booksneeze.

God Gave Us Love {Review}

I've had the opportunity to review several of Lisa Tawn Bergren's books and when I had a chance to review God Gave Us Love, I knew that my kids and I would love it.  I wasn't wrong!  In the story, Little Cub learns about love from his grandpa.  Little Cub wonders why it is easy to love some, but not others and why he still loves someone, even when he doesn't really feel like it.  His grandpa does a great job explaining to him about God's love for us and that he created us to love also.
My kids loved the story and the cute pictures.  The art work is beautifully done and fits in so well with the story.  I love that it is a well written story and very simple for my kids to understand but still full of lots of truth about God's love for us.  It is a great story for kids of all ages and I think this (or any of Lisa's books) would make a great Christmas gift!

 

I received this book for free for review from Waterbrook Multnomah.

Blessings,

No Safe Harbor {Review}

I recently had the chance to review No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig.  It is the first in her series Edge of Freedom.
From the back cover:

New York City, 1897

She came to America searching for her brother. Instead all she's found is a web of danger.

Cara Hamilton had thought her brother to be dead. Now, clutching his letter, she leaves Ireland for America, desperate to find him. Her search leads her to a houseful of curious strangers, and one man who claims to be a friend--Rourke Walsh. Despite her brother's warning, Cara trusts Rourke, revealing her purpose in coming to New York.

She's then thrust into a world of subterfuge, veiled threats, and attempted murder, including political revolutionaries from the homeland out for revenge. Her questions guide her ever nearer to locating her brother--but they also bring her closer to destruction as those who want to kill him track her footsteps.

With her faith in tatters, all hope flees. Will her brother finally surface? Can he save Cara from the truth about Rourke... a man she's grown to love?

I think that this is one of my favorite books that I have reviewed so far!  While I love romances, most are fairly predictable.  This one, however, was very unpredictable!  No Safe Harbor was full of suspense, tension, twists, and turns along with romance and it kept me up late because I couldn't put it down! Elizabeth Ludwig does a great job writing a well written, historically accurate novel.  I highly recommend this one and can't wait to read more in the series!

I received this book for free for review from Bethany House Publishers.

 

Blessings,

Unending Devotion {Review}

Unending Devotion is a story based on the timber industry that was in full swing in the 1870s-1880s in the Midwest. While the industry did many good things for the lives of those living there, Jody Hedlund wants to bring to attention some of the devastation it also brought, including slavery.
From the publisher:

High-Stakes Drama Meets High-Tension Romance

In 1883 Michigan, Lily Young is on a mission to save her lost sister, or die trying. Heedless of the danger, her searches of logging camps lead her to Harrison and into the sights of Connell McCormick, a man doing his best to add to the hard-earned fortunes of his lumber baron father.

Posing during the day as a photographer's assistant, Lily can't understand why any God-fearing citizen would allow evil to persist and why men like Connell McCormick turn a blind eye to the crime rampant in the town. But Connell is boss-man of three of his father's lumber camps in the area, and like most of the other men, he's interested in clearing the pine and earning a profit. He figures as long as he's living an upright life, that's what matters.

Lily challenges everything he thought he knew, and together they work not only to save her sister but to put an end to the corruption that's dominated Harrison for so long.

I've read one of Jody Hedlund's books before and enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to this one also.  Unending Devotion was a great read too!  Jody has a great writing style that is easy to read. There was hardly a dull moment and it was easy to get into the story and relate to the characters.  If you like historical romances, I highly recommend this one and can't wait to see more from Jody Hedlund!

I received this book for free for review from Bethany House Publishers.

  

Blessings,