Amy

“Shadowed by Grace” by Cara C. Putnam

August 18, 2014 by Amy

She found peace in a time of war.

Desperate to save her dying mother, an American woman accepts her newspaper’s assignment to travel to Italy where she takes photographs dangerously close to the front lines during World War II. But Rachel’s real motive in this journey is to find the father she never knew, an artist she hopes can offer the comfort and support both she and her mother need to survive at such a desperate time.

In her quest, Rachel becomes involved with what will become the Monuments Men effort to save great monuments and works of art from the Third Reich. Soon enough she will find more than she ever imagined—in war, in love, and in God.

This is by far my favorite Cara C. Putnam book. It‘s completely fascinating. In all the years that I’ve been studying World War II, I’ve never heard of the Monuments Men – specific members of the Allied Forces tasked with preserving special art pieces throughout Europe – and I wish that I had. This is a topic that I definitely want to learn more about.

Though Putnam fills in lots of historical blanks with this book. She answers questions about who, how, and what sort of work these special men did, but she doesn’t stop there.

The Monuments Men are not the only unusual people on the front lines that she discusses in this story – the main character of this book is a female photographer who’s after telling the war’s story via pictures. Were there female photographers so close to the front lines? I don’t know, but with so many women serving in the war, it’s possible – and it’s an intriguing idea.

Rachel’s very quest – to find the father she never met and save her mother’s life – is a doozy. Tracking a man whose name she doesn’t know in the midst of war with only a sketchbook as a potential clue is next to impossible, but it makes for a spectacular story, especially when you throw in a Monument Man as a love interest.

Shadowed by Grace is the absolute best World War II story I’ve read in years. Don’t miss this one.

Click here to read other reviews on this bloggy hop or here to purchase your own copy now.

Cara C. Putman graduated high school at 16, college at 20, and completed her law degree at 27. The best-selling author of more than a dozen books, Cara is active in women’s ministry at her church, teaches graduate courses at Purdue University, practices law, and is a homeschooling mom. She lives with her husband and 4 children in Indiana.

Learn more about Cara at:http://caraputman.com

I received a free copy of Shadowed by Grace from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

“Shadow in Serenity” by Terri Blackstock

August 18, 2014 by Amy

Carny Sullivan, the child of carnival folk, found the stable life she’s always wanted in Serenity, a small town with a big heart. She and her son settle in for the long haul and so are very upset when Logan Briscoe breezes through and promises to build a theme park. Claiming that Briscoe is a scam artist, Carny warns the people of Serenity about the dangers of investing their money with him. She begins to spend time with Briscoe in an attempt to find out the truth – but can she uncover it before the townspeople lose their life savings or she loses her heart?

Shadow in Serenity had an unusual start. Written by Terri Blackstock nearly 17 years ago, it was penned at a time when she was writing romance novels. After dedicating her work to the Lord, she began purchasing the rights to her past work as they became available and rewriting them. Because of these rather distant origins, the tone of this book does not match Blackstock’s current work – it’s much more lighthearted and romantic – but with the same undertones of faith that she’s been writing for years.

I always enjoy reading Blackstock’s books. Not only does she create interesting, realistic characters, but there is always a lesson to be pulled away from each one. Shadow in Serenity is no different; Logan Briscoe’s story will make each reader ponder the possibilities of whether people can really change. Blackstock hopes that her readers will turn the last page and know “that no matter what they’ve done, no matter how dark their past is, they can be redeemed. Some of the greatest people in the Bible committed heinous crimes. David and Paul were both murderers. Even worse, Paul murdered Christians. And David murdered the husband of his mistress, because she was pregnant with his child. In 1 Corinthians 6, we’re told who will not inherit the kingdom of heaven, but then it says, “Such were some of you. But you were washed clean …” I love that. He’s talking to the redeemed, people who were once criminals and sinners, but they didn’t have to stay that way.”

Terri Blackstock has sold six million books worldwide and is a ”New York Times” bestselling author. With over 25 years of success as a novelist, Blackstock’s most recent novel, “Vicious Cycle,” debuted on the ”New York Times” bestseller list. The first book in the Intervention Series, “Intervention” is a “New York Times” bestseller and a 2010 Carol Award Winner. Other Blackstock favorites include ”Predator” and “Double Minds,” as well as the Restoration Series, the Newpointe 911 Series, the Cape Refuge Series and the SunCoast Chronicles series. For more information, please visit www.terriblackstock.com.

I received a free copy of Shadow in Serenity from Shelton Interactive in exchange for an honest review.

“Serpent of Moses” by Don Hoesel

August 18, 2014 by Amy

Archeologist Jack Hawthorne has a lead on the Nehushtan, the pole topped with a bronze snake that Moses created at God’s command to heal the Israelites of a snake-punishing plague. He’s not the only one who wants it, however, and the Israeli Mossad and the Libyan government are not likely to let a civilian walk away with it. Jack can’t just walk away from it, however, and his friends can’t help but follow him – especially after he’s kidnapped. Can Jack, Romero, and Esperanza survive this treasure hunt?

If you’re an Indiana Jones fan, you won’t want to miss this book. Like the famous trilogy, this story is about a famous archeologist who finds himself in over his head all too often but is able to use his incredible smarts to get himself out of tight spots. The story is action-packed and dramatic, and while this particular book (there is another book in this series) doesn’t take place in the jungle, it does span beautiful Italian streets, London museums, and Libyan deserts. Also like the trilogy, Hawthorne seeks Biblical treasures of mythical proportions that possess power beyond human belief. This ups the ante throughout the story as more and more people head out in search of the Nehushtan, which also ups the danger level.

I’m a big fan of mysteries and suspense, and Serpent of Moses has both in spades. There’s also a bit of love-gone-wrong, which adds just the right amount of heart and mushiness to the strong male lead. I also prefer to read Christian books, and after that good clean books, and this hovers somewhere between the two. While Hawthorne has had mysterious encounters with God that he can’t explain, and he has returned to faith, he’s certainly not over the top, pushy, or preachy about any of it. While there is no racy or raunchy material in this book – nothing that would prevent, say, an advanced pre-teen boy from reading this story – the faith lessons are also applied softly. This is just an all around great read.

This story enthralled me so much that I immediately went out and got the first one. While you can read them in any order, you might understand the characters’ shared past better if you read them in the correct order. Whichever you decide to do, don’t wait – you won’t want to miss this book.

I received a free copy of Serpent of Moses in exchange for an honest review.

“Secretly Smitten”

August 18, 2014 by Amy

There’s a secret in Grandma Rose’s attic-a forgotten set of dog tags belonging to her first love. But David Hutchins was killed in action and never returned to Smitten. How did the dog tags end up in the attic?

The mystery intrigues Rose’s three granddaughters-Tess, Clare, and Zoe-and they decide to investigate, though their mother, Anna, warns against meddling. But as the seasons turn and the mystery unravels, the three young women and their mother encounter some intriguing mystery men of their own. Has a sixty-year-old puzzle sparked something new for this close-knit family of women?

Summer, fall, winter, spring-Smitten, Vermont, is the place for love . . . and mystery!

I loved the first Smitten book, but this one is much, much better! The common theme in each of the stories – besides love, of course – is a history-mystery-romance, brought into the modern day and just begging to be solved. There’s nothing I like better than when characters stumble upon a long-lost love and have to decide how – and if – they should investigate.

Written by four authors who just happen to be best friends, these stories are woven seamlessly to create one large book, spanning a year in the life of Smitten residents. The way that each story began in the one prior and then continued on throughout the others really made this book feel like one large novel. That’s probably my next favorite thing about it.

When a book is really well written, you fall in love with the characters. You’re not ready to say goodbye to them when you turn that last page, and no matter how long the book is, it’s just not enough. The genius of the Smitten series is that you don’t have to. Because each story is set in the same town among the same cast of characters, you continue to learn about the previous story’s main character and how their lives are progressing all while meeting new ones. The same may be said of some book series, but with Smitten you don’t have to wait around for the next book to be published – you have it in your hand! If you find yourself wanting to share a recipe or invite a certain character over for dinner like I do, this is a major advantage – and you’ll want to befriend the women in this book.

While the stories are romantically dramatic, you won’t need your tissue box to read this book, but you will need your funny bone. I appreciated the drama and the sweet notes written into the plot, but even more than that, there are real life lessons inherent in this book: things that all women struggle with at one time or another. Are we worthy of love? How do you forgive a major hurt? I’m working for a good cause – and so the rules don’t apply to me, right?

I can’t wait to meet the next cast of Smitten characters.

To buy Secretly Smitten right now, click here, or you can read more reviews from this blog hop here.

RITA-finalist Colleen Coble is the author of several best-selling romantic suspense novels, including “Tidewater Inn”, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. * Christy Award finalist and two-time winner of the ACFW Book of the Year award, Kristin Billerbeck has appeared on The Today Show and has been featured in the New York Times. Her books include “A Billion Reasons Why” and “What a Girl Wants.” * Denise Hunter is the award-winning and best-selling author of several novels, including “A Cowboy’s Touch” and “Sweetwater Gap.” She and her husband are raising three boys in Indiana. * Diann Hunt has lived in Indiana forever, been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, her dog, and, well, chocolate.

Find out more about Coble, Billerbeck, Hunter, Hunthere.

I received a free copy of Secretly Smitten from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

“Scraps of Evidence” by Barbara Cameron

August 18, 2014 by Amy

Tess has taken some ribbing from her fellow officer, Logan, for her quilting hobby. He finds it hard to align the brisk professional officer he patrols with during the day with the one who quilts in her off-time. Besides, he’s been trying to get to know her better and he’d like to be seeing her during those couple nights a week she spends with her quilting guild.

Then one afternoon Tess and Logan visit her aunt in the nursing home and she acts agitated when Tess covers her with the story quilt. Aunt Susan seems to be communicating a message to them about Tess’s uncle. There’s a story behind this quilt, they realize, one that may lead them to a serial killer. Will they have a chance to have a future together or will the killer choose Tess for his next victim before they find him?

I love a good mystery, and a romantic mystery is the very best. Scraps of Evidence is the story of two detectives trying to solve a murder committed by a serial killer who’s gotten just a bit too personal. I really liked the premise. There were sparks between the love interests, caring cops hurt by the crimes they try to prevent and solve, a long-cold murder to solve.

While a great mystery, this one wasn’t very suspenseful for me. I rarely guess the ending of a story, but I nailed this one in the very beginning. The coolest twist to the story for me was the way that the quilt was used in the end. Like many other books in the series, quilting is a therapeutic hobby for the leading character, but the quilt has another purpose in this one, and that was a complete surprise.

The romance was a bit choppy, as well. While I liked each aspect of it, there didn’t seem to be a clear, smooth resolution to the issue of partnering cops dating. One minute they were fighting it, and the next they were good with it – and working hard to solve the mystery while the sparks flew.

Despite that, I enjoyed the story. The idea of finding justice for a friend long dead was appealing, and the characters were likeable and fun – just the kind of people I’d like for neighbors.

If you like to read solid mysteries with friendly characters and vibrant settings, check out Scraps of Evidence.

Read other reviews on this bloggy hop or purchase your own copy now.

Barbara Cameron is the CBD, CBA, and ECPA bestselling author of 24 books including the new Stitches in Times series for Abingdon Press. Barbara has written fiction and non-fiction books for Abingdon Press, Thomas Nelson, Harlequin, and other publishers. She sold three films to HBO/Cinemax and is the first winner of the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award. Barbara’s first two novellas won the 2nd and 3rd place in the Inspirational Readers Choice Contest from the Faith, Love, and Hope chapter of RWA. Both were finalists for the novella category of the Carol Award of the American Christian Writers Award (ACFW).

Learn more about Barbara at: http://barbaracameron.com

I received a free copy of Scraps of Evidence from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

“Safe in His Arms” by Colleen Coble

August 18, 2014 by Amy

Sometimes it takes a stranger to see you as you really are.

Born and raised on sprawling Texas land, Margaret O’Brien prides herself on her competence as a rancher. But her father believes she’s made for more than just dawn-to-dusk work. He wants her to have the love of a good man, to raise children, to build a life. But Margaret gave up such dreams years ago. She’s convinced no man would have her, that the ranch is her life now.

So when Margaret’s father hires Daniel Cutler as a new foreman, she’s frustrated and suspicious. Then an overheard conversation links him with a gang of bank robbers, and she’s downright worried. Daniel swears he’s not involved, but Margaret’s not convinced. She knows the man still has secrets. But would a criminal be so kind and talk so convincingly of his faith? As a series of tragic “accidents” threatens all she holds dear, Margaret must decide what to trust: her own ears, her best judgment . . . or what her heart keeps telling her.

There is much more to Safe in His Arms than meets the eye – just like there’s more to Margaret O’Brien than most people see. Coble masterfully portrays how one woman can be torn between visible reality and what her heart instincts are telling her, but there’s much more to this story. Coble adds layer after layer of emotional complications to the plot, fueling the fire with many twists and turns. The issues are true to life and paint feelings into every paragraph.

Most of us make assumptions based on how other people look, at least to some degree, but O’Brien receives these more than most. What makes this worse is that she has taken these negative assumptions to heart and now believes them. We say that beauty is irrelevant, but in reality we all want to be attractive in some way. O’Brien’s shunned femininity for practicality’s sake, in the hopes of pleasing her father, but as she develops her relationship with Daniel Cutler she begins to see herself in a new light. The lessons that O’Brien learns are ones that are valuable for us all.

Safe in His Arms is full of these deep lessons all wrapped up in the guise of a calico-wearing western. The suspense builds with each eavesdropped conversation and compliment from Cutler, while Margaret’s kind friends lend helping hands and wisdom.

I think that this would make a perfect book club selection. I would love to talk about it with a group of friends preferably over something chocolate-y. I love the leading ladies that Coble has created for the first two books in this series. I can’t wait to make a new friend in the next.

If you’d like to read other reviews on this tour, click here. To make your purchase now and receive Safe in His Arms in the mail, click here.

Best-selling author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA’s RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

Find out more about Colleen at http://www.colleencoble.com/.

I received a free copy of Safe in His Arms from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

“Rosemary Cottage” by Colleen Coble

August 18, 2014 by Amy

Amy came to Rosemary Cottage to grieve, to heal, maybe even find love. But there’s a deadly undertow of secrets around Hope Island . . .

The charming Rosemary Cottage on the beach offers Amy Lange respite she needs to mourn her brother, Ben. She’s even thinking of moving her midwife practice to the Outer Banks community. It’s always been a refuge for her and her family. She also wants to investigate Ben’s disappearance at sea. Everyone blames a surfing accident, but Amy has reason to wonder.

Coast Guard officer Curtis Ireland has lost a sibling too. His sister, Gina, was run down by a boat, leaving him to raise her infant daughter. If anyone knew who little Raine’s father was, Curtis could lose his beloved niece. Yet he can’t help being drawn to Hope Beach’s new midwife, Amy. He even agrees to help her investigate what happened to both Ben and Gina.

Can two grieving people with secrets find healing on beautiful Hope Island? Or will their quest for truth set them at odds with each other . . . and with those who will go to any length to keep hidden things hidden?

You’ll have an inkling of who should fall in love with whom from the very first chapter of this book – but they won’t. Better yet, you’ll fall in like with them, and you’ll keep turning those pages because you want good things for them – and they’re not readily forthcoming. You won’t get bored, though, because you won’t be able to predict all the twists and turns in this story, which is what master storyteller Colleen Coble planned all along.

You won’t care that you can’t figure it out, because you’ll keep thinking that you have. You’ll be able to piece a few bits of information together, sure that you’re on the right trail, only to have another mudslide come along and wipe out half of your supposition. You’ll have to start all over again with the new information that the sliding mud uncovered, but that’s okay – you’ll be excited again to be on the trail of the answer.

With each page turned, your heart will become just a bit more attached to Hope Beach and its occupants. With each patient of Amy’s you’ll pray for a safe delivery and for Curtis to come home after another daring sea rescue. You’ll want Raine to be safe and for Heather’s motives to come to light and for someone to tell the lovebirds to get with it already and see the Cupid flying about overhead.

You’ll want to – but you can’t.

They’re only characters in a book.

Only you forgot that.

It’s that good.

Click here to read other reviews on this bloggy hop or here to purchase your own copy now.

I received a free copy of Rosemary Cottage from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

“River’s Call” by Melody Carlson

August 18, 2014 by Amy

Newlywed Anna Larsen is finally living her dream – when her college student daughter Lauren becomes pregnant. Lauren marries and begins to raise her daughter Sarah while living with her husband and paternal grandmother. Though only a few hours’ from Anna, Lauren becomes distant and remote. Anna develops a special bond with Sarah, however, during a rare summer visit, and it is strengthened during annual summer visits – until Lauren comes home in tears and Sarah subsequently disappears. As Anna grows her riverside inn on inherited family land, can she become the strong matriarch of her family and support her lost family?

Honestly, I might have put this book down soon after beginning if it weren’t for my commitment to this review; the characters’ drama unfolded slowly at first, and I found it difficult to develop a personal connection to them – perhaps because this is the second in the series, and I have not read the first.

I kept reading, however, and it wasn’t long until I couldn’t wait to see how Anna would hold her family together. I admire her strength, her conviction, her dedication to her family and her Native American roots. Anna had a close relationship with her grandmother in her younger years, which I could identify with – I spent lots of time with my great-grandparents, learning the ways of their childhood, when I was a child myself.

But as much as I loved Anna, I couldn’t stand Lauren. She was selfish, self-centered, a disengaged mother, and I spent much of the book wanting to reach through the pages and shake her. That type of self-absorption completely disgusts me, and I couldn’t imagine having Anna’s patience in dealing with her. A desire to learn her trade secrets made me read faster, as did sorrow for Sarah. I hoped that she wouldn’t fall through the cracks of her unusual family and run into trouble.

So by the time I finished the book, staying up too late to finish it, I was in love with the characters and fascinated by the plot. Carlson wrote an epic story on a simple scale, and its sweetness despite hardship is inspiring.

If you’re looking for hardcore suspense or action, then this may not be the book for you. However, if you’re a fan of angst and drama, of epic works and seeing how decisions follow families through the ages, how culture and trends can play into family decisions, you shouldn’t miss River’s Call.

There is a third book in the Inn at Shining Waters series. I can’t wait to read it – and I’m definitely tracking down the first one.

I received a free copy of River’s Call from Glass Road in exchange for an honest review.

“The Return of Cassandra Todd” by Darrel Nelson

August 18, 2014 by Amy

Cassandra Todd—part of the popular crowd and friends with those who taunted him in high school—re-enters Turner Caldwell’s life unexpectedly. With her son in tow, she begs for his help in eluding her abusive husband. Entangled in the dangerous situation, Turner is forced to rely on every survival skill he learned back at a youth camp. But will it be enough?

The premise of this book is fascinating. Frog-turned-prince stumbles across the girl on whom he once had a secret crush, a girl who was friends with all of the most popular kids in high school. The same popular kids who tormented him both cruelly and endlessly. Now she’s the helpless one and he has the power to choose whether to help her – or not. Only this time, the consequences aren’t only humiliation, but life and death. Would you help a person in this position? It’s easy to say that yes, we would help anyone who is in grave danger, but what about someone who once helped to make your own life miserable? What about if helping meant putting your own life on the line?

The setting was exquisite. As a former camp counselor and director, I love being outside, and Nelson painted beautiful pictures of nature in this book. The descriptions of the Colorado forests were made even more majestic by the simplicity of Turner’s usual motel home. From extreme survival skills to cave camp-outs and man-killing mudslides, you’ll want to become a scout after reading Cassandra Todd.

The suspense level is riveting. You won’t be able to predict a single move in Cassandra Todd. You’ll continually readjust your assumption, being sure that you know what’s going on, but you’ll have misjudged it each time. The obvious assumption is never right, and that’s both rare and exciting. The Return of Cassandra Todd is both fascinating and totally unpredictable.

Few books can claim that they have it all, but The Return of Cassandra Todd does: danger, suspense, spiritual lessons, life choices, romance, and adventure. It won’t matter which one of these is your favorite; Cassandra Todd will reel you in.

I received a free copy of The Return of Cassandra Todd from Glass Road Media & Management in exchange for an honest review.

“Return to Me” by Lynn Austin

August 18, 2014 by Amy

After decades of exile, the prophesies are coming true–King Cyrus has declared the Jews may return to Jerusalem. Iddo, a priest, is sure this is a sign of God’s renewed favor. For too long they’ve remained in Babylon, and many, including Iddo’s sons, are losing the faith that sets them apart. And so only a few choose to leave everything to return–return to their home and their God.

Nothing about their journey to the Promised Land is easy. As hardships mount, even the faithful, like Iddo’s beloved wife, Dinah, question the sacrifice of following God’s leading. Zechariah, Iddo’s oldest grandson, feels torn between his grandfather’s ancient beliefs and the family they left behind. But one life-changing encounter with the Holy One gives him insight that will change Zechariah–and history–forever.

Better than any book I’ve ever read, Return to Me answers the question, “What was it like to live then?” Austin describes the fear, reservations, and confusion felt by the Israelites as they leave Babylon after a 70-year exile and return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. Never have I thought that the Israelites might have any doubt about leaving the city of their long enslavement, nor that they might compare this prison term to the time they spent in Egypt, but Austin sets up a scenario where both happen – and makes it completely realistic and understandable. The temptations to intermarry with neighboring clans, worship pagan gods, and bend God’s rules become clear and logical from the standpoint of these characters. While a fictionalized version, it makes sense to think about how and why these Israelites behaved as they did, and this explanation helps to understand their choices.

When I turned the first page of this book, I thought I’d get to read about Daniel, which made me sit up straight and read faster. I’m fascinated with the way that Daniel refused to change a thing about his faith practices with God in spite of the scary situations all around him.

Reading about Iddo and Zechariah might have been even better, though.

I love the way that scripture is carried throughout the story. I love how Austin’s research is evident as she takes what we know and fills in the gaps to create a plausible story of love, temptation, forgiveness, and redemption.

Zechariah’s story is inspiring. As a priest, he would have studied the scriptures and known them well – but I never thought much about that before. How did they study? Who taught them? How did they learn? The memorization implied in the book is impressive – and makes me want to sit down and get to work.

It is always hard to get to the end of a good book and know that I must leave the characters for a while. It has been a long time since I have been this sad to turn the last page, however. While we know the ultimate end to the Israelite story, I am enthralled at the details brought to life within these pages – and I can’t wait until the sequel is released.

Purchase a copy of the book here.

Bestselling author Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. She is an eight-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels, as well as a popular speaker at retreats and conventions. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and live near Chicago.

I received a free copy of Return to Me from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.