This was a fun mystery in the sense that I had no idea how the bad guy was completing his crime. Dr. Lily Reeves is an ER doctor who is attacked by a serial rapist. Nathan Long is a detective trying to find this guy. The guy leaves his DNA on the scene everytime, yet something about it is very weird. I really enjoyed this mystery. It kept me full of suspense the whole time. The only thing I wasn’t crazy about was the romance. It seemed kind of thrown together. Other than that, this book is a page-turner that will teach you a few things about medicine that you never knew existed! Spiritually, Lily is not a believer in the book, but she has several friends who are. They constantly pray and witness to her and when Lily has her own God experience, her friends are there to pray with her. It’s so important to be a witness to those around it. We never know the plans God has for their lives. Recommended!
Month: July 2012
Morgan Busse’s Daughter of Light
Daughter of Light is a fun, speculative fiction novel. As soon as you turn the first page, the novel picks you up and places you in another world. Rowan Mar was adopted by a wonderful couple. But after her parents die, she realizes that she is all alone. So does some nefarious young man. When he tries to attack her, she reacts with a power she did not know she had. This novel had romance, adventure, and suspense. The only drawback is that you have to wait so long until book two comes out. Spiritually, the country has little faith in God, but Rowan’s power is evidence of his presence. That’s all I want to say, don’t want to give it away. Highly Recommended!
Jocelyn Green’s Wedded to War
Here we are back to the Civil War again! I really enjoyed this book. It’s probably a historical book with elements of romance though so keep that in mind. I learned a lot about the nurses of the Civil War and the hard work they had to put in just to help. The novel starts off slow, but once it picks up I didn’t want to put it down. There is a scene in the book that’s pretty INTENSE, so beware. But overall, I found this book to be really fascinating. Spiritually, Charlotte has to learn to follow God’s leading to do something that just wasn’t popular or really valued. Ruby comes to realize that God does love her in spite of everything. Good book. Recommended!
Catherine Richmond’s Through Rushing Water
Sophia Makinoff is hoping for a marriage proposal, and when she doesn’t get it she joins the mission field. Sophia is then sent to the Dakota Territory to work with the Ponca Indians. Sophia is a wonderful character who manages to shine through in tough circumstances. I really enjoyed the romance in this book because it was built on the foundation of friendship and mutual respect. I think the only thing I didn’t like was that the back of the book was a bit misleading so I kept expecting something that never happened. Other than that, I really enjoyed this novel and learned a lot about the history of the Ponca Indians. Their history is a sad one, but Ms. Richmond adds just enough humor to the story so that it’s not overwhelming. Spiritually, Sophia doesn’t start off with much of a relationship with God, but as she lives with the Ponca Indians, she comes to know God in a way she never expected. Highly recommended.
Vietnam War- Catherine West’s Yesterday’s Tomorrow
When I finished reading this book, I remember thinking my collection is complete. This is the only Vietnam War novel I have ever read and it is so good. The Vietnam War to me is kind of sad (Platoon anyone?), but it happened and it lasted forever so it should definitely be mentioned. Kristin Taylor is a journalist who goes to Vietnam to write a winning piece and find the brother she hasn’t heard from in some time. Luke Maddox is a moody photographer with secrets of his own. The book was written so well, when I put it down I felt like I could tell you a thing or two about Vietnam. Towards the end it gets to be a little predictable, but I still so enjoyed this novel.
Spiritually, Luke has some serious trust issues with God due to his past and Kristin has no need for God…at first. This makes for a bit of an unusual Christian romance (you have to read it!), but they get themselves together and get right with God in the end and that’s all that matters. Highly recommended!
World War II-Sarah Sundin’s Wings of Glory
If I had to pick my second favorite war, it would be World War II. You can’t turn to the military channel without experiencing it a little bit. I’m a huge fan of Band of Brothers (I saw the Pacific. It was bloody. That is all) and other such like films. Sarah Sundin is a fantastic author. Her characters have such depth and richness to them. Each one is unique and interesting in their own right. She effortlessly weaves history into the lives of her characters, and so often I feel like I’m right there with the characters. In fact, there is a scene (or two) with pilots doing interesting things (don’t want to give it away!) with their planes and when I finished reading it, I went to my dad (who was a naval pilot) and asked him if it could really happen. He assured me it could and sat me down for the next half hour to explain WWII planes (sacrifices one must make). My favorite book is probably the first one A Distant Melody. I just think I really liked Allie and Walt’s story. But you can’t read book one without book two, and then you’ll want book three. Spiritually, Ms. Sundin traditionally gives each character something that they need to work on, or that God is teaching them throughout the novel and I appreciate that it’s not always something fluffy. I can’t wait for her new series coming out this year!
Happy 4th of July! World War I-Maureen Lang’s Pieces of Silver Series
Happy 4th of July! Thank God for America, and may we bless Him this year!
World War I is probably the one war that leaves people scratching their head and asking why. I love history. I still don’t know. The best World War I series I have ever read is by Maureen Lang. I have actually met Ms. Lang in person at the ACFW 2010 writers’ conference and we talked about these books. She’s as nice and gracious in person as you would think from reading her novels. Now, back to the series.You can’t read book one without book two. Book one is about Lisel Bonner, an American with German immigrant parents. Since America is at war with Germany, life is extra hard for her family. And things only get harder when the government asks her to spy on her boyfriend. I can’t say too much or else I’ll give it away, but I will say this: Lisel has to learn to seek God as she makes some hard decisions. It’s fun, it’s a treat and a great way to spend the 4th if you have no plans!
Does anyone know of any great World War I novels?
Civil War-Lynn Austin’s Refiner’s Fire Series
If I had to choose my favorite war in American history, it would the Civil War. No other war had the intracies that this one had. Whenever the military channel has a new Civil War documentary, I’m right there, front and center, learning all I can. Whenever we go down south, dad and I make a plan to stop at as many civil war battle sites and plantation homes as possible (where we are assured that they treated their slaves very nicely; we fail to understand why this must be said, but I digress). So with that introduction I bring you Lynn Austin’s Refiner’s Fire series. The first one is probably my favorite, but I have re-read all of them multiple times. In Candle in the Darkness, you have Caroline, a southern girl who is sent up north for her education. When she comes back home, she is a fiery abolitionist, but that doesn’t stop the chemistry between her and a wealthy plantation owner. Then war breaks out and Caroline has to decide whether to go against popular opinion and do what the Word of God would require her to do. Well, I liked Caroline so you can guess what she does. That said, her decisions have ramifications and I appreciate the reality that Ms. Austin brings to the situation. Great book that captured all the assets that made the Civil War.
Does anyone know of any other great Civil War novels?
American Revolution-Laura Frantz’s Courting Morrow Little
So Courting Morrow Little is not your typical American Revolutionary War novel. There are no mentions of Washington and no Valley Forge. However, this novel still takes place during that time period, but in Kentucky. It’s further west, but you still have the worry and the fear, the prayer and petitions, the sadness and the joy that encompasses any war novel. The novel is about Morrow Little, who survived an Indian attack when she was a girl. Her mother and sister were killed and her brother taken. She leaves the Kentucky area for a while, but comes back to be with her father. Her father has learned to forgive any and all Indians for the attack on his family and welcomes two of them into his home on a regular basis, much to Morrow’s chagrin. I don’t want to go any further, but let me just say that this is one of my favorite books of all times. It’s romantic, it’s heart-wrenching, a little mysterious, and completely captivating. There are lines from the book that still echo in my head. Spiritually, Red Shirt, an Indian in the story comes to know Christ in the middle of the novel. I love how he just believes what the Word of God says. He’s so new in the faith that he doesn’t try to add anything new or take anything away from the scriptures. He just believes God, like I hope to do daily. Looking forward to the next novel by Ms. Frantz!
Does anyone know of some great American Revolutionary novels? I know I mentioned Siri Mitchell’s The Messenger in an earlier post. Know anymore?
remaininhislove 