Thursday, March 28, 2013

A Kingsbury Collection by Karen Kingsbury

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Multnomah Books.  This book includes three full length stories.  Where Yesterday Lives, When Joy Came to Stay and On Every Side.  In Where Yesterday Live Ellen Barrett is trying to deal with the death of her father as well as an uncertain marriage.  While trying to figure everything out she reconnects with her first love, and her biggest weakness.  In When Joy Came to Stay, Maggie Stovall is slowly going crazy.  She has been hiding behind a mask for years and the stress is finally catching up with her.  Can her marriage survive the secrets that she has been hiding? 
Christianity is a strong theme throughout the stories.  The stories were compelling.  I enjoyed the characters, but I found myself skimming over large parts of the stories.  There were certain parts of the stories that felt contrived or phony to me.  I also felt like the Christian parts were spread pretty thick.  Certain things were rehashed many times  Overall, I enjoyed the stories, but they could have been much shorter.  I would give the book 3/5 stars.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers.  Emma Smallwood's father has been ailing ever since his wife passed away.  Emma is determined to help him recover.  She accompanies him to the manor of a baron where he will be a tutor.  As soon as they arrive, odd things begin to happen.  Sounds in the knight, things appearing and disappearing.  This was an excellent book.  The characters were well developed and likable.  The plot was well written.  There was suspense and a few surprises along the way.  There was romance, but it wasn't silly or extreme.  The book definitely grabbed you.  There were christian themes without being preachy.  I really enjoyed this book.  I would give it 4/5 stars.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Firefly Island by Lisa Wingate

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House publishers.  Mallory Hale finally meets the man of her dreams.  He is everything that she has ever wanted, and he is moving across the country in a month.  Mallory decides to give up everything in her life and marry Daniel and become a mother to Nick.  Mallory learns a lot about herself, how to be a mother and a spouse very quickly.  The house is awful, the location is in the middle of nowhere.  Slowly Mallory learns that this is better than she thought.  When a scandal starts to emerge that threatens her family and her home can she figure it out in time?  I really like Mallory.  She was interesting.  I felt that the supporting characters could have been developed more.  Daniel in particular.  I had a hard time understanding why Mallory was so in love with Daniel.  The suspense was good, but the final plot seemed like it was a bit of a stretch.  I would give the book 3/5 stars.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Threads of Grace by Kelly Long

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers.  Grace Belier has escaped one awful marriage only to have be faced with another.  When her neighbor offers to marry her and keep her from having to marry some one else she decides to take the chance.  She hardly knows Seth, but he seems like a good man.  Will she come to love him as she loves her?  This was a light read.  It was enjoyable.  Some of the plot felt like it was a stretch.  Would anybody really be able to take away her son because she had not remarried within six months of her husbands death?  I like the theme about our past not having to rule our future.  This is the third in a series, but it works as a stand alone.  I would give this book 3/5 stars.