Rescue Me – New Release by Susan May Warren

Susan May Warren has just released a great new book, Rescue Me. It drew me in from the first page, and I stayed up way too late last night to finish it – but it was worth it!

Using drama, suspense, adventure and love, Warren tells a story with an amazingly developed cast of characters. Her characters really do show depth and emotion within a relatively short span of pages. Between Sam and Pete, Jess and Willow and Sierra, the whole team at the Search and Rescue center, the high school students from the church, and various other characters, it’s a tall order to give each one enough personality to really stand out. But she did it, and she did it well.

Rescue Me has beautiful, intersecting plot lines, and I found myself equally engaged in each one. I absolutely recommend this book to my book-loving friends. It’s a quick read, and it’s a good one!

*Honest review given as participant in blogger review program.

This Road We Traveled

Today I spent time cleaning, preparing dinner ahead of time, making biscuits from scratch, doing laundry, and running a few errands. I actually got a lot done, including working for a couple hours, and I finished a book that I think inspired me to get off my rear end and do something.

I’ve read plenty of pioneer stories that detail the journeys of a family gone west. But Jane Kirkpatrick’s This Road We Traveled inspired me on a deeper level.

Maybe it was the character development of the family matriarch, Tabby, who had her share of heartache and loss and still managed to raise up three solid children who raised up children of their own. Maybe it was the tangible way Kirkpatrick described the thoughts and fears each woman had to wrestle down as they decided to sacrifice comfort and preference to forge a new way to a new land and honor the men in their lives. Or maybe it was the reality of the loss and struggle families had to endure to create a new legacy in a new place for the good of many.

There are many reasons I loved this book, but I think I most appreciate the way it subconsciously inspired me to do more than the normal of my days. To go another step. Take it up a notch. Reflect on what I have and embrace it.

I hope you take some time to experience this story. Read it with wonder and gratitude, knowing that even through the characters of a historical novel, our modern lives can be challenged and enriched.

*Honest review given as participant in blogger review program.

A Lady Unrivaled

Roseanna White is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Her latest book in her “Ladies of the Manor” series, A Lady Unrivaled, is a fitting finale.

Lady Ella, with all her optimism and positivity, brings a sense of delight to the fire eyes legend that at once drew me into the story. She’s sweet and feisty, stubborn and spunky, and you can feel her eyes sparkle through the pages.

From start to finish, this book is engaging. Lord Cayton and his troubled past, as well as Lady Ella’s determined positivity that he is a worthy man, make for a completely enjoyable read.

Definitely recommend that you add this book to your collection!

*Honest review given as participant in blogger review program.

From This Day Forward

Just finished reading the last book in Lauraine Snelling’s Blessing series, From This Day Forward. Based in Blessing, North Dakota, it’s a story of patience in love, reflection on journeys well-traveled, and the importance of community during difficult times. The story of a nurse searching for answers about love. Redemption between family members who have a rift. Daily life and unity in a small town.

It’s been awhile since I read the other books in the series, which made it a bit challenging to remember who was who. Most of the older characters have Dutch names, and I couldn’t remember exactly who they were from previous stories. I would definitely recommend reading the others in the series first to give yourself a more level reading field.

I think what I appreciated most was the slower pace of the story. It’s a nice breather from the fast pace of today’s world.

Grab your copy here. Before you do, make sure you have Book 1, Book 2, and Book 3 of the Blessing series!

*Honest review given as participant in blogger review program.

Waves of Mercy: Lynn Austin

Lynn Austin’s newest book, Waves of Mercy, is a lovely read. I was so excited to hear she was releasing a new book. She’s one of my go-to authors when I want to read something that will be both inspiring and engaging.

In this latest novel, she writes of love and loss, faith, dreams, endurance through trials, overcoming against overwhelming odds, and the connection of hearts across miles and time that can only come when the hand of the Lord preserves and protects His people.

As the stories of Anna Nicholson and Geesje de Jonge, two incredible women at different stages in life, unfold, their similar paths give voice to the questions and doubt that each of us encounter as we seek to be faithful followers. And through their questioning, it’s a beautiful opportunity to evaluate our own questioning, to examine our doubts, to renew our commitments to be faithful even when our flesh may desire some other way.

I think this novel perfectly encapsulates why I love to read inspirational and historical fiction. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the story, to be transported to this world of Holland, Michigan, in the 1800’s. It’s a perfect getaway from reality, a tangible way to imagine, an engaging way to enjoy some alone time. But along the way, I also travel a spiritual journey, one that both invites and challenges me to a deeper way of life, and I turn the last page finding myself encouraged and equipped to be faithful once again.

If you love this genre, this is a book for you. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, and I’m certainly glad I did!

Get your copy here.

*Honest review given as participant in blogger review program.

Honor Redeemed: Christine Johnson

Honor Redeemed by Christine Johnson was a quick read and pretty engaging overall. She wrote a sweet love story set in Key West, Florida. After a rough go in Nantucket, Prosperity Jones makes a bold decision to follow the love of her life. Nothing goes as planned when she arrives where her fiancé, David, lives in Key West. Through a series of unexpected circumstances, she finds herself both growing in new ways and facing severe disappointment.

Johnson takes you pretty far into the story before you can discern where Prosperity’s choices are headed. I appreciate the provoking way she tackles the themes of love and security, faith and fear.

It’s a worthy read and one that will inspire you to believe that God works all things together for good for those who love him. It also reminds you to stop and think before you jump in to what you perceive the “right” thing to be without giving it some solid, intelligent thought.

Pick it up here if you’re looking for a good read. You’ll be glad you did.

*Honest review given as participant in blogger review program.

The Quieting: Suzanne Woods Fisher

I gotta admit – Amish fiction is starting to grow on me.

Suzanne Woods Fisher’s new book, The Quieting, is another great summer read. It’s so interesting to learn about Amish culture. Her characters are fairly well developed, and the storyline moves along well. At first, the cast of characters at the beginning is a bit overwhelming, but once the story starts, it all comes together, and a picture of life among the Amish becomes tangible.

There is, of course, a love story, but Fisher also explores themes of community and family, religion and relationship, sin and repentance. As with most good inspirational fiction, I found myself engaged in the story while making personal application to my own faith journey. I love the diversity of the characters’ issues, and I love the questions each person has to face about his/her own personality and faith.

It’s a fairly quick read, and I’m pretty sure you’ll come away feeling a bit enlightened and glad you took the time for this book. Get your copy here!

*Honest review given as participant in blogger review program.

The Magnolia Duchess

Another summer read is done! People often tease me about how much I love reading, but it’s so fun! I love being transported to another time and place, to put myself into the story and experience life through a different perspective.

That said, The Magnolia Duchess by Beth White was a fairly enjoyable read, although I didn’t resonate so much with the writing style. The concept of the story, set in the days of the War of 1812, was intriguing, and I loved the idea of a British soldier finding himself washed ashore in the New World. The plot kept my interest, and by the end, it was smoother reading, but still, I found myself wishing for just a little bit more. Some of the plot jumps felt a little jerky, and vocabulary choices were a little jarring.

Overall, though, it’s a great summer read, and I will pick up another book by Beth White at sometime in the future! Get your copy of this book here!

*Honest review given as participant in blogger review program.

Risen: Angela Hunt

Angela Hunt is one of my very favorite authors, so I was excited to read her novel adaptation of the movie Risen. Her books paint such vivid pictures of time periods throughout history, and this book does the same with the onset of the New Testament era.

I love a great story that allows me to use my imagination to envision the way an event played out. This is especially why I love Angela Hunt’s ability to weave factual stories with a creative fluidity and grace. She has given me a clearer picture in my mind of the events surrounding the Resurrection of Jesus. But she’s also given me much to think about in relation to my own journey to belief in the resurrection.

I particularly love the premise of looking at this event through the eyes of a Roman Tribune. Who else would have searched so incredibly hard for the resurrection to not be true than one who had to answer to Rome for anything less than the found body of Jesus? There is beauty and truth in each of our journeys to faith in the Lord, and I think that’s what resonates with me the most in this book. By walking with another through his own journey, my journey of faith has been strengthened in intangible ways.

While this isn’t my favorite Angela Hunt book, it is one I will keep to read again down the road. I look forward to seeing the movie and allowing the art of film to help me view this story in another compelling perspective. It’s worth your time to give it a go; grab your copy now!

*Honest review given as participant in blogger review program.

Hannah’s Choice: Jan Drexler

Camping with friends makes me happy. Camping with a good book to read is icing on the cake.

I just finished Jan Drexler’s book, Hannah’s Choice. It’s Amish fiction, which I’ve read a bit of, but this is one of the first of this genre that I’ve found so engaging. It’s a lovely glimpse into the ins and outs of Amish life, which is really fascinating, and the classic love story is in place as Hannah Yoder searches for the true meaning of love.

Throughout the book, Drexler explores themes of faith, obedience versus sacrifice, and choices that must be made in relation to culture, religion, and the will of God. She takes an in-depth look at serious issues, and she does it in an engaging way that both entertains and enlightens until the very last page.

I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series. And if you want a peaceful way to pass a summer’s day, this book is tops on the list.

*Honest review given as participant in blogger review program.