Month: January 2013

Posted in Uncategorized

Amanda Cabot’s Waiting For Spring

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

After the loss of her husband and the birth of her baby, Charlotte has had a long, hard year. But when a notorious robber believes she knows the location of a long-lost treasure, she flees to Cheyenne and opens a dressmaker’s shop to lie low and make a living. When wealthy cattle baron and political hopeful Barrett Landry enters the shop to visit her best customer, Charlotte feels drawn to him.
If Barrett is to be a senator of the soon-to-be state of Wyoming, he must make a sensible match, and Miriam has all the right connections. Yet he can’t shake the feeling that Charlotte holds the key to his heart and his future.
Soon the past comes to call, and Barrett’s plans crumble around him. Will Charlotte and Barrett find the courage to look love in the face? Or will their fears blot out any chance for happiness?

Review

This novel picks up right where the last one left off and I for one, was excited to see what would happen to Charlotte Crowley. Though this novel was not better than the first, it was still a good read. With the introduction of Barrett, I found the romance to be interesting and I looked forward to watching it unravel on the pages. The novel was well-written and the characters fully developed. However, I did feel that midway, the plot kind of thinned more than I would like. Spiritually, Charlotte learns that there is pride in independence, and by insisting on doing things her way, she is essentially saying she doesn’t need God. It was a good novel and nice read.

Posted in Contemporary

Andrew Klavan’s If We Survive

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

They came on a mission of mercy, but now they’re in a fight for their lives.

High schooler Will Peterson and three friends journeyed to Central America to help rebuild a school. In a poor, secluded mountain village, they won the hearts of the local people with their energy and kindness.

But in one sudden moment, everything went horribly wrong. A revolution swept the country. Now, guns and terror are everywhere—and Americans are being targeted as the first to die.

Will and his friends have got to get out fast. But streets full of killers . . . hills patrolled by armies . . . and a jungle rife with danger stand between them and the border. Their one hope of escape lies with a veteran warrior who has lost his faith and may betray them at any moment. Their one dream is to reach freedom and safety and home.

If they can just survive.

Review

Let me just say, this was one intense book. It had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I few times I had to stop and walk around and shake my head. It was just that good. The novel captured me from the first page of the prologue and did not let me go. Will was such a great protagonist who, I think, was able to successfully capture the emotions that a person would feel in such a situation. And Palmer….well I don’t want to give anything away, but thank God for the Palmers in this world. This book had more action that I usually read, but I didn’t get lost in the details, in fact, I went back and reread them. There was even a hint of a romance that was actually kind of sweet as I saw it unravel on the pages. Spiritually, this book places a huge emphasis on the importance of prayer and how to think of yourself in relation to your soul. Deep stuff. Highly Recommended!

Posted in Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense

Jeanette Windle’s Congo Dawn

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

While former Marine lieutenant Robin Duncan is no stranger to corruption or conspiracy, she has always been able to tell the good guys from the bad, and the Congo jungle at first seems no different. But as her security team tries to track down an insurgent killer, Robin has to face a man who broke her trust years ago, and she discovers the gray areas extend farther in this jungle wilderness than she anticipated.
A ruthless global conspiracy begins to surface, run by powerful men who can’t afford to leave any witnesses. Her life at stake, Robin doesn’t know who to trust and wonders how she can help protect innocent people. Why is God silent amid all the pain and injustice? And how do these people of faith continue to rejoice in their suffering?

Review

Reading a novel by Ms. Windle is like taking a trip to another country. In this case, the Congo. The novel  is a bit dense in its knowledge of the country, but to a certain extent that lends authenticity to the story. Though slightly predictable, I found this novel to be a page-turner. I was very interested in the back story of Michael and Robin and I really liked how Michael came across as the compassionate one while Robin was the essence of a Marine. I think this novel also was able to show the dichotomy of countries like this where there are good and bad and sometimes lots of gray. I found the novel captivating and interesting and if you have liked other novels by Ms. Windle you will really enjoy this. Spiritually, this novel deals with suffering and being a follower of Christ and provides an interesting way to think about it. Recommended!

** I recieved this novel from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in any way.**

Posted in Personal

Monday Musings….How Christian Should a Christian Book Be?

Posted on by remaininhislove

This past week I read “Christian” fiction novels that had kind of vague passing references to God and it got me thinking. How Christian should a Christian book be and at what point does it become too preachy? Well, never fear, I think I have some basic answers to these questions, and personally, there is no such thing as too preachy.

All roads should lead to Christ. When writing a Christian book, all roads should lead to Christ. At the end of the novel, I should feel like were it not for the relationship the character had with Christ things simply would not have worked out the same. You don’t have to have the prayer of salvation, but Christ should be so obvious from the pages of the book. If you’re hesitant to say his name, write secular novels. Robin Jones Gunn has some excellent fiction on the proper way young people should date. Christy and Todd anyone? Well, after reading her books you can’t help but want a Christian spouse like one of them and to live your faith the way they did. Her books are all romance and all Christ, it can totally be done.

Be sincere. This is where the “preachy” feel comes into it. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is still one of the top ten Christian novels sold every year and it is preachy as all get out. You cannot read this book and not run into God on every page (if that’s what you consider “preachy”). But it is so sincere, the author means every word she is writing, Michael and Angel come across as so authentic you feel like you can reach out and touch them through the pages. Lori Wick is another author who could be characterized as preachy. Every book she writes has the message of salvation in it, but really, as you read her books her love for God and her love for people is so clear that you don’t get turned off in any way. I have read “preachy” books, but to me those are moralizing books that shake their head at the characters. If the author doesn’t understand why their character behaved a certain way, we won’t either. And I will say that quoting huge portions of the Bible is generally not effective. So in conclusion, your relationship with God determines how “preachy” a book is to a degree.

Anyone have any points to add? Anyone disagree?

Posted in Mystery/Suspense

Dani Pettrey’s Shattered

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

A Thrilling New Romantic Suspense from the Genre’s Newest Star

Piper
McKenna couldn’t be more thrilled that her prodigal brother, Reef, has returned
to Yancey, Alaska, after five years. But her happiness is short-lived when Reef
appears at her house covered in blood. A fellow snowboarder has been killed–but
despite the evidence, Reef swears he’s innocent. And Piper believes
him.

Deputy Landon Grainger loves the McKennas like family, but he’s also
sworn to find the truth. Piper is frustrated with his need for facts over faith,
but he knows those closest to you have the power to deceive you the most. With
his sheriff pushing for a quick conviction, some unexpected leads complicate the
investigation, and pursuing the truth may mean risking Landon’s
career.

With Piper waging her own search, the two head deep into Canada’s
rugged backcountry–and unexpected complications. Not only does their long
friendship seem to be turning into something more, but this dangerous case is
becoming deadlier with each step.

Review

I’ve been waiting to read this novel since I finished the last page of Submerged. And it didn’t disappoint. The novel starts with a bang that carries it through until the end.  This is Landon and Piper’s story which began in the first novel. I enjoyed seeing Landon’s development into a man of God. Piper’s forwardness was endearing as most romance novels play on lack of communication issues. Although I will say, she is more impulsive than she should be, but then again that’s her personality. The romance between them was sweet and came together better than I expected. I enjoyed the siblings working together and I’ve got a feeling we’ll be hearing about Gage pretty soon. The mystery was a good mystery without being overly complicated and will have you guessing at the bad guys. And it’s definitely my kind of mystery. Spiritually, as I said, Landon develops into a man of God and I liked to see how natural faith was to (most of) Piper’s family. Highly Recommended and waiting for the next one!

** I received this copy from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in any way.**

Posted in Fantasy/Sci-Fi

Patrick W. Carr’s A Cast of Stones

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

An Epic Medieval Saga Fantasy Readers Will Love
In the backwater village of Callowford, Errol Stone’s search for a drink is interrupted by a church messenger who arrives with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills. Desperate for coin, Errol volunteers to deliver them but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins. Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he’s joined a quest that could change the fate of his kingdom.
Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom’s dynasty is near an end and a new king must be selected. As tension and danger mount, Errol must leave behind his drunkenness and grief, learn to fight, and come to know his God in order to survive a journey to discover his destiny.

Review

First, can I just say I LOVED this book! This book introduces you to Errol Stone, a young man who doesn’t recognize his own value. Yet, the reader knows from the start that there is something special about this guy. I loved his wit and his character. I especially liked the fact that the whole novel is from Errol’s point of view. He is definitely the kind of person you want to hang out with if there is an adventure and I love his interactions with those around him.  As you embark on this adventure with Errol, though, there are mysteries, scary creatures, and people with supernatural powers. Spiritually, Errol begins to learn more about God and I am excited to see his development over the series. I so enjoyed this novel and when I finished it…I picked it right back up and reread my favorite parts! Highly Recommended!

**I recieved this novel from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in any way.**