BOOK REVIEW: The Divide by Jolina Petersheim

In this gripping conclusion to The Alliance, nearly six months have passed since Leora Ebersole's Old Order Mennonite community fled to the mountains for refuge after an attack destroyed the power grid and altered life as they knew it. Since then, Leora has watched and waited for news of Moses Hughes, the young Englischer pilot who held off invading looters long enough for everyone to escape. Unsure Moses even survived, Leora has begun to warm to the affections of Jabil Snyder, who has courted her patiently. But she struggles to see herself as the bishop's wife, especially when she learns that Moses is alive and has now joined a local militia.

An unexpected encounter in the woods deepens Leora's crisis, as does a terrifying new threat that brings Moses' militia into the community's shaky alliance with the few Englischers left among them. When long-held beliefs are once again put to the test, Leora wrestles with the divide between having faith and taking action. Just how much will her shifting landscape change her?

I was so ready to jump into this story.  The first book, 'The Alliance' crept in and hooked me.  I need to find out more. Back with the Old Order Mennonite Community from Mt. Hebron as they are settling into their new camp up the mountain.  I'm sad that this is set to be the conclusion of this short series and am wondering how I can finagle the idea that it can, and should, continue.  I know luck is most likely on my side but ya know, a girl can dream.  Forget the end of the world as we know it (that song totally ran through my head as I typed it).  Could you survive without electricity?  Or the internet?  Or coffee?  I mean, Leora and her community do just fine without the first two but the last...

OK, enough about my plea for another installment, let's talk about the book.  I'm gonna start, as always, with the eh moments.  There's a lot that happens in this story.  A LOT.  With those things there were opportunities to bring depth to the situations and characters that was missing.  Depth of emotion and feeling.  Depth of even spiritual conflict when it comes down to making choices that involve the tenants of personal faith.  The love triangle shaded into rather annoying as well.  They are hard to write successfully and hard to love (at least for me).  This one got petty and I didn't love it.  Finally, and literally finally, the ending was just too neat.

But, there was so much good as well.  Leora truly grew as a person.  And Seth.  And Charlie (yes even that cranky Englisher grew - in my opinion).  And Moses.  And Jabil.  They evolved due to their situation, their faith, and the idea of what the future may hold.  I have to wonder, for Leora, what her crisis of conviction regarding the tenants of her faith will lead her.  It's not completely addressed in this story but you can't make the hard choices she made (in a split second mind you) and not have long term ramifications on your convictions.  I grew to love this community and these characters.  I'd love to see them again.  I'd love to see how the end, or the beginning depending on how you look at it, plays out.  I still don't know the extent of the EMP.  I'm telling ya, there's so much more here to explore...

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review. 

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About Jolina Petersheim 

Jolina Petersheim is the bestselling author of The Alliance, The Divide, The Midwife, and The Outcast, which Library Journal called “outstanding . . . fresh and inspirational” in a starred review and named one of the best books of 2013. That book also became an ECPA, CBA, and Amazon bestseller and was featured in Huffington Post’s Fall Picks, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and the Tennessean. CBA Retailers + Resources called her second book, The Midwife, “an excellent read [that] will be hard to put down,” and Booklist selected The Alliance as one of their Top 10 Inspirational Fiction Titles for 2016. Jolina’s nonfiction writing has been featured in Reader’s Digest, Writer’s Digest, Proverbs 31 Ministries, and Today’s Christian Woman. She and her husband share the same unique Amish and Mennonite heritage that originated in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but they now live in the mountains of Tennessee with their young daughters.

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BOOK REVIEW: Will Not See by Chautona Havig

When Vikki Jeffries wakes up in a Rockland hotel with no idea of who she is and why she can’t remember… well, anything, the Rockland medical community begins to take a closer look at what may have happened to cause a second case of inexplicable amnesia.

But for Vikki, this is more than a medical anomaly–it’s her life. What is she doing in Rockland, thousands of miles away from her home in Apache Junction, Arizona? Who is she? Why is no one looking for her? Or are they?

The secrets of a past she's discovering she doesn't want to know lay locked away in a memory that refuses to acknowledge their existence.

When Brandon Marana finds his neighbor struggling to open her front door, his quiet life becomes a race to protect Vikki and himself from people who are determined to find her.

He's falling in love with her--but he shouldn't. He's a Christian. She's not. But the more she depends on him to know who she is and learn why these things keep happening to her, the stronger those ties become.

Will Not See: Sometimes, the past needs to stay there.

I was super excited when this book came up for review with Celebrate Lit.  Remember, the first book None So Blind is what shot this author to the top of my favorites list.  It left me wanting so much more and I was NEEDING this followup to provide all that and some.  Again, I was not left disappointed.  And while some questions were answered it spun so many more.  We get to pick back up with Ella as she steps to to try to help the next victim of whatever this thing is.  I didn't quite bond with Victoria (Tori now Vickki) as I did with Ella.  Her story in and of itself drew me in and made me ache for who she had been but also who she could become.  But she wasn't Ella.  She didn't have her backbone, her strength, and her indomitable spirit.  I mean, I guess she did but it was softer.  She'd survived so much and still came out ahead.  

I'm not as taken of guard with the loss of memory as I was with Ella.  Vikki's situation brought answers to previous questions and even more questions.  What frustrated me was the seeming lack of ability for law enforcement to actually get their hands on information.  Birth certificates?  Criminal background?  Those things are seemingly easy to get your hands on with a simple internet search.  I know it's really not that simple but...  I'm still waiting for resolution on the money!  And now the drugs.  And the hospital.  And Rockland.  How did Vikki end up there anyway?  And... So many questions.  I know that there's another book coming but I can't wait!

I love how Havig took something so intense and difficult and personal and makes it open without saying a word.  Vikki's background, what she could piece together, was not the thing of fairy-tales.  It wasn't even just a 'bad' childhood.  The author handled that with grace and compassion without being overt and heavy handed.  The more I read about Vikki the more I bonded with her.  The more I cared.  I was invested in her faith, or lack thereof.  I was even invested in her love triangle.  I honestly can't say who would even wish for her to be with at the end.  What I do know beyond a shadow of a doubt is I need the next book sooner rather than later.  I need to know how this all plays out.  There are so many mysteries and balls in the air and I'm not even in the ballpark to be able to figure out where they will drop.  Oh gravy, did I just use a sports-y reference?!?  Now that's worth writing about!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by CelebrateLit.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review. 

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About Chautona Havig 

 I am fortunate enough to live in the great state of California (in the Mojave Desert) with my husband Kevin and five of my nine children. My eldest is married with five children, so I have the fun of a son-in-law and grandbabies to enjoy. I’ve graduated six out of my nine children from our home school, and they’re all doing quite well in their lives. My younger children keep me from getting too selfish, and someday I’ll be fully retired as their teacher. I have to say, I’m lookin’ forward to it. Teaching about gerunds was fun the first time… not so much anymore. I salute all of those in the education field. You are my heroes.

When I’m not writing (which I admit isn’t often) I enjoy blogging (a totally different kind of writing, trust me), paper crafts, sewing, smocking, photo editing, and old music. No, really, I like OLD stuff… the Beatles are too newfangled for me. Yeah,I know they’re before my time… but I like stuff before my PARENTS time.

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BOOK REVIEW: The Beloved Christmas Quilt by Wanda E Brunstetter, Jean Brunstetter, and Richelle Brunstetter

One Quilt Binds Three Generations of Amish Women

For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. Psalm 31:3
The scripture embroidered on the back of a beloved quilt brings hope to three generations of Pennsylvania Amish women at Christmastime.

Luella’s Promise
By Wanda E. Brunstetter
Luella Ebersol has been caregiver for a dying woman and her young son. When Dena Lapp gives Luella her favorite quilt, she makes Luella promise to pass it down to her daughter. But Luella isn’t sure she will ever marry if she can’t find someone with maturity and faith like Dena’s husband Atlee Zook.

Karen’s Gift
By Jean Brunstetter
Karen Allgyer and her husband moved to a slow-paced village to raise their children, but Karen longs for the closeness of family to help her through the challenges of managing three girls with one on the way. When life’s pressures rise, will Karen cave to her fears?

Roseanna’s Groom
By Richelle Lynn Brunstetter
When the unexpected happens on the day of her wedding, Roseanna Allgyer can’t help blaming herself, despite not understanding why. Then an old friend returns to town, and she battles feeling for him—afraid of being hurt again.

I was really excited when I first heard about this book.  I mean, symbolically, what better than three generations of women writing about three generations of women?  Three generations of love and faith.  I think I've reached a situation where anticipation clouded reality.  I liked this book but I didn't fall in love with it.  I fell in love with the story, the characters, and the promise of love for generations.  There were some elements that I felt lacking and missing though, and that kinda breaks my heart.  This review is so hard to write for many different reasons.

Let's break the three stories down.  In the first story I fell in love with Louella and Atlee.  It took me a touch off guard when I realized that the quilt originated with Atlee's first wife, a dear friend of Louella.  I feel, however, that this story missed opportunities to build conflict.  Both internal conflict within the characters but also the resolution of those conflicts through faith.  This book set an amazing stage for the following two stories but it just wasn't a bulls-eye.  Jean's story of Karen and Seth was rich with conflict that was handled really well.  So much of the conflict set the stage for the following story but also showed the reality of working through the process when a child has a handicap.  However, there was so much 'filler' that didn't do much to progress the story along but felt more to fill space.  The story also jumped through time awkwardly without filling in enough of the gaps.  I feel like the biggest missed opportunity for this story was the passing of the quilt. The quilt was it's own role, it's own character really, but there was opportunity for the quilt to find it's home that was missed.   Richelle's story embraced the theme of this book in ways the other two weren't in a position to do so.  First, before I even go there, I LOVED the story of the runaway groom!  You don't see that portrayed in books or movies much, it's always the stereotypical runaway bride.  Richelle built and developed characters with depth and flaws and pulled in the reliance of faith that is very reminiscent of her grandmother's earlier work.  This story flowed so easily with developed story-line and even depth of conflict and resolution that is hard to pull off in a novella length story.  This story held the promise of the quilt.  This story held the promise of faith and love and family and future and God.  There was one little thing I noticed that I was shocked when Kristin and I were comparing notes that she didn't catch.  When John went to talk with Roseanna about why he ran there was the big set up that despite the cold and snow he chose to walk.  After their conversation he walked back to his buggy?!?  Sometimes it's the little things and I usually miss those.  That little story edit glitch did not however affect my rating of this book.

This collection of intertwined stories of generations of love is one that I will gladly re-read and am happy that I own as part of my collection.  It's a great book for anyone who cherishes family, love, and a life built in faith through the easy and the difficult.  It is not just a holiday read and while centered on Christmas is a book that can bring heartwarming and joy at any time of year.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Books and NetGalley.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review.

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About Wanda, Jean and Richelle Brunstetter

 Meet Wanda E. Brunstetter
 New York Times bestselling author, Wanda E. Brunstetter became
fascinated  with the Amish way of life when she first visited her husband's
Mennonite  relatives living in Pennsylvania. Wanda and her husband, Richard,
live in  Washington State but take every opportunity to visit Amish settlements
throughout the States, where they have many Amish friends.
Meet Jean Brunstetter
Jean Brunstetter became fascinated with the Amish when she first went to Pennsylvania to visit her father-in-law’s family. Since that time, Jean has become friends with several Amish families and enjoys writing about their way of life. She also likes to put some of the simple practices followed by the Amish into her daily routine. Jean lives in Washington State with her husband, Richard Jr. and their three children, but takes every opportunity to visit Amish communities in several states.  In addition to writing, Jean enjoys boating, gardening, and spending time on the beach.   
Meet Richelle Brunstetter
Richelle Brunstetter lives in the Pacific Northwest and developed a desire to write when she took creative writing in high school. After enrolling in college classes, her overall experience enticed her to become a writer, and she wants to implement what she’s learned into her stories. Just starting her writing career, her first published story appears in The Beloved Christmas Quilt beside her grandmother, Wanda E. Brunstetter, and her mother, Jean. Richelle enjoys traveling to different places, her favorite being Kauai, Hawaii.

BOOK REVIEW: The Duke's Dilemma by Elaine Manders

Edward Dalton, the new Duke of Langsdale, must soon take a wife to ensure the hereditary line. A young war widow seems the perfect choice. She is charming, well respected with impeccable character, and her connections to the Ton’s most important people is an asset he can’t ignore. But Edward is intrigued by another widow. The mysterious, hauntingly beautiful Lady Wayte.

Cassandra Wayte could not be a more unsuitable match. She isn’t received by polite society, and her notorious dealings with London’s underclass is the talk of nobility from White’s patrons to the most fashionable hostesses. It’s even whispered she murdered her elderly husband. But Edward sees a different side of the tragic lady, and he determines to discover the secrets tormenting her. As he peels away the layers of her resistance, he discovers a malevolent adversary stalking Lady Wayte and exposes a level of depravity that shocks even his war-hardened sensibilities. Can he win her trust and her heart? And at what cost to the dukedom?

As Cassandra’s relentless search for her husband’s murderer exposes both her and Edward to unseen dangers, all they can rely on is their love for each other and their faith in God. 

I was a bit worried when I procrastinated a bit on getting this read and realized it was the second in a series and I didn't have time to read the first book.  I started reading and then  quickly read the synopsis of the first book and realized I was safe.  While they are part of a series they appear to be totally stand alone.  I wasn't so certain at first.  But the things I questioned that I was missing were resolved later in the story.  And oh my gravy what a story it was.  I really really liked it.  I'd not read this author before but now I'd really like to get my hands on more of her work.  Her voice is embracing, the story flows so well, and while there were things I felt I didn't understand they were addressed at just the right time in just the right way.  There was nothing much to not like about this book.

Cassandra was the epitome of annoying, trying to save and protect the world.  I loved her for that.  Women of her time weren't in a position to speak up, be knowledgeable, and having any shade in their history was worse than the pox.  But still she persevered through it all.  Even a modern, independent woman with endless opportunities still needs to take a step back from time to time and let someone else step up.  A lesson for the ages.  Edward was just about as annoying.  He was so closed to the gossip and open to every person as an opportunity but then failed to even recognize his outcast-ish neighbor until his sister jumped the wall.  Then he became her personal champion, whether she liked it or not.  

Seriously, the characters were very well developed, the story flowed amazingly well, and I just fell in love (or distaste) where intended.  The faith was spot on and even the verses that were quoted flowed with the story and didn't feel like a toss in.  I think my favorite, and probably the most relevant for any Christian was the idea of replacing negative and triggering mental images with the blood of Christ washing the bad away.  I mean seriously, how did this never come up before.  Literally visualizing Christ washing all the negative away.  Mind blown.  

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by CelebrateLit.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review.

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About Elaine Manders 

Elaine Manders writes wholesome Christian romance and suspense about the bold, capable women of history and the strong, dependable men who love them. She prefers stories that twist and turn and surprise, told by characters of faith. She lives in Central Georgia with a happy bichon-poodle mix. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, crafts, and spending time with her friends, daughter, and grandchildren.

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BOOK REVIEW: Out of Darkness by Erynn Newman

Bride and a widow in the same day, Elisabeth’s prayers are about to be answered . . . if the CIA, international arms dealers, and her best friend don’t stand in the way.

Elisabeth Allen gave her heart to Jesus as a little girl and to Drew Marek as a teenager. When their wedding day finally arrives, it’s the happiest day of her life—until a bomb transforms her dream come true into a living nightmare.

As Best Man at the wedding, Gabriel Di Salvo promises Drew—his best friend and CIA partner—he’ll look after Elisabeth, but he never dreams it will become necessary so soon. As Elisabeth struggles to put the pieces of her life back together without Drew, Gabe becomes her rock, and as they share their grief and begin to heal, their friendship gradually deepens into something more.

Three years later, Gabe and Elisabeth are planning a future together when he receives a shocking call from the one man who can upend his happiness: Drew. Suspecting someone at the CIA is behind his abduction, Drew refuses to come home. Instead, he asks Gabe to bring Elisabeth to him. Now Gabe just has to figure out how to let her go.

Drew and Elisabeth race across Europe, dodging international arms dealers and attempting to reclaim what was stolen from them. But years of captivity and torture have left their mark on Drew. He is no longer the same boy Elisabeth fell in love with, but he is still Elisabeth’s husband, and she is determined to build something new and not allow her relationship with Gabe to come between them.

When their enemies close in and the threat of a terrorist attack escalates, Gabe may be the only person they can trust. Drew, Elisabeth, and Gabe are thrown into a fight for their lives—one that will test their loyalties to God, country . . . and each other. 

Having read the prequel novella I was ready to jump in to this thinking I knew all the characters and had a good grasp on what was going to happen based on the synopsis.  I was wrong.  I mean, don't get me wrong I was partly right but also oh so very wrong.  The characters are all there, plus a few, but there is so much more depth than I imagined.  I did have a great grasp at the plot and even was convinced that at 48% I had it all figured out.  I was wrong.  So very very wrong.  Erynn Newman captures the entire moment of bride to widow, groom to victim, hubby's friend to boyfriend, and oh gravy he's alive.  Yeah.  All those things are huge emotional roller coasters and she owned it. 

There's just a couple things I need to throw in the middle here, you know where I talk about the things that didn't work for me.  I'll start with a word used to refer to a small child early in the book that some might find offensive.  I still here it a lot in the neck of the woods that I live in but that doesn't make it OK.  I understand the character that used it but that still doesn't make it kosher.  It was foul or vulgar or even overtly offensive but it was there and probably most readers won't even realize it.  I'm sorta surprised I did.  Moving on to the love triangle.  I'm not a huge fan of those.  They are hard to pull off successfully, they can be done but it's rare to find a good one.  This story walked the tightrope wobbling to each side.  It didn't work really well but it also didn't fall on it's face.  

I embraced these characters into my life.  I felt their heartaches, terror and triumphs.  I felt the love and confusion.  I have to say that it seemed like it wasn't the traumatic thing I would anticipate to see someone back from the dead, but I've never been there so... I really liked this book.  I mean, come on I never saw the mastermind coming. I thought I did, remember 48%, but it was all a lie.  I didn't fall in love with the love triangle but I did fall in love with the characters.  I also didn't love the neat little red ribbon tied in a bow package of an ending.  It was too neat leaving no stone unturned.  I'd still highly recommend this book to anyone who likes action suspense with a strong faith theme.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by CelebrateLit.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review.
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About Erynn Newman

Erynn Newman is a pastor’s kid, raised in churches all over the Eastern Seaboard. As a little girl, she created rich fantasy worlds and imaginary friends that followed her into adulthood, when she realized that meant she was either a crazy person or a writer—or maybe both.
Though she has never worked with the CIA, her DVR contains a veritable Who’s Who of international spies.
She lives in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with her best friend (who is also her husband), a very busy little boy who calls her Mommy, two cats, and a ceaseless parade of characters who are all waiting for their turn to have their stories told.
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BOOK REVIEW: Freedom's Ring by Heidi Chiavaroli

Boston, 2015
Two years after nearly losing her life in the Boston Marathon bombing, Annie David is still far from “Boston strong.” Instead she remains isolated and defeated—plagued by guilt over her niece, crippled in the blast, and by an antique ring alongside a hazy hero’s face. But when she learns the identity of her rescuer, will he be the hero she’s imagined? And can the long-past history of the woman behind the ring set her free from the guilt and fears of the present?

Boston, 1770
As a woman alone in a rebellious town, Liberty Caldwell finds herself in a dangerous predicament. When a British lieutenant, Alexander Smythe, comes to her rescue and offers her employment, Liberty accepts. As months go by, Alexander not only begins to share his love of poetry with her, but protects Liberty from the advances of a lecherous captain living in the officers’ house where she works.

Mounting tensions explode in the Boston Massacre, and Liberty’s world is shattered as her brother, with whom she has just reunited, is killed in the fray. Desperate and alone, she returns home, only to be assaulted by the captain. Afraid and furious toward redcoats, Liberty leaves the officers’ home, taking with her a ring that belonged to Alexander.

Two women, separated by centuries, must learn to face their fears. And when they feel they must be strong, they learn that sometimes true strength is found in surrender.

I know I say something like this every time but, good gravy this review is hard to translate from thoughts to words.  I saw this on accident on NetGalley and threw a bunch of hopes, prayers, and wishes that I would be accepted.  The synopsis drew me like a moth to a flame.  The cover didn't hurt either.  I knew that it might not be all that I expected since dual time frames are often hard to pull off successfully.  But I still had to read it!  I'm beyond glad I did since there's only one eh moment for me in the who shebang.

Let's get that eh moment out of the way so I can get back to gushing.  The faith felt awkward.  It is integrated well but it felt like an after thought.  It felt like a toss out to the Christian fiction reviewers that NEED that faith element in every single book they read.  Like I said, it fit with the book but it didn't feel seamless and it didn't focus in like it could have.  Without it, the book still would have been amazing.  I think people forget you don't have to overly write and read it to draw people to Christ.  It wasn't an awkward enough an eh moment to affect the rating, however.  (I've been known to do that.)

On to the good stuff!  Like I said before, dual time books are hard to pull off.  Heidi did so in a way that it meshed together really well, each time frame bouncing off the other to create an amazing story.  What she did with two very well known events was nothing short of engaging.  I needed to know the story of the ring.  I knew the story but I had to ensure that Brad and Annie got to know it too.  I think if it hadn't pieced it together, for them I would have been heartbroken.  But then again, if Liberty hadn't found her happiness again I would have been heartbroken.  I was so invested in these two women.  But now I need to know what secrets Brad and Annie will find in her family tree...hint hint sequel. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review.

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About Heidi Chiavaroli 

Heidi Chiavaroli is a writer, runner, and grace-clinger who could spend hours exploring Boston's Freedom Trail. She writes Women's Fiction and won the 2014 ACFW Genesis contest in the historical category. She makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and Howie, her standard poodle.

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BOOK REVIEW: The Assult by Bill Myers, Frank Peretti, Angela Hunt and Alton Gansky

Cycle 2 of the Harbingers series continues the story of four gifted strangers brought together to fight a growing darkness.

In Bill Myers's "The Revealing," the team finds themselves in Rome trying to retrieve the mystical spear Hitler once owned--the very spear that pierced Christ's side. This task will take them from hidden chambers inside the Vatican to a mysterious seaside cave with powers they could never expect.

Frank Peretti's "Infestation" unleashes a microscopic evil on the world that deceives, blinds, kills, then spreads. The Harbingers team must confront a monster bent on seducing and destroying mankind.

In "Infiltration" by Angela Hunt, the team is wounded and barely holding together. Forced to split up, they realize their investigations have led them into dangerous waters.

Alton Gansky's "The Fog" unleashes a supernatural mist unlike any other. There are vicious things in the fog that kill whatever they find. One team member realizes that the ultimate sacrifice may have to be made.

'The Assault' picks up where 'The Invitation' left off.  Four stories told from four different view points that all blend and weave together.  the author's refer to them as episodes in a series, much like a sitcom.  I'd forgotten how much paranormal/sci-fi elments there were in this series.  It was a leap from what I've been currently reading and it took a bit to get my head in the game.  The dying animals with no eyes thing is still alive and well in this book as well.  I'm certain it plays into the bigger picture with 'The Gate' (again is back, sorta) but I've not yet been able to piece it all together. We started back out with Brenda, and by extension Daniel, in 'The Revealing'. This story is a followup on a scroll that was found which The Professor sent to an old mentor at the Vatican.  Honest, this story left me feeling a lot confused and a little lost.  It was lacking in plot to the point that the message that was attempting to be conveyed was lost on me.  They dig through a couple of catacombs, end up on a beach with eyes thugs chasing them and end up in an ever changing house that merges with the multiverse.  I think they figured out what they were supposed to with the Spear of Destiny, but I can't be certain since I was predominately lost in the shuffle.

Episode two, 'Infestation', takes up with the Professor and the team back to Florida where the unexplainable deaths all first began.  Being back on firm ground that I recognize helped to kick up the understanding.  This short episode got to the root of, and explained so much of, what has been going on with the animals.  The one thing I'm not loving with the shortened story-lines is the lack of ability to create real depth to the plot. Things feel entirely too easy.  Oh we need this, blam in the nick of time (without much time mind you) we have it.  It's just slightly too tidy in a plot that could easily fill a coliseum.  Moving on to episode three, 'Infiltration',  where we catch up with Andi after they have managed to escape the reemergence of the fungus.  Andi has a lot of things to deal with.  Yes the infiltration is done but there's the emotional scars to deal with.  And of course, getting involved with a delicious looking psychiatrist proves to be disastrous for them all.  This was by far my favorite episode in this book.  With more a focus on the group trying to research The Gate and Andi dealing with life it's the most involved. There's no awkward need for bizarre heroics which makes it easier to follow along.

The final episode, 'The Fog, in the book comes back from Tank's perspective.  This episode was more about emotion and drama than physicality like the others.  There were no exotic locations, no 'chasing' the bad guys.  More the bad guys chasing them.  And there is definitely a sense that someone is directing the teams movements.  Providing them tickets and accommodations and much needed funds.  Tank takes one for the team and I loved this episode through his voice.  The only thing that was truly lacking, I'm sure due to lack of space for additional word count, was a thorough understanding of what he was thinking, doing, feeling and especially seeing.  All told this second installment is just as good as the first and here's to hoping I can get my hands on the next one!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review. 

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About Bill Myers

Bill Myers was born into a Christian home, and although as a child he became bored with Christianity, he decided at the University of Washington quote, to "make God my boss." Ironically, at the University his worst subject was writing. He claims to have prayed, and said that he would be able to do anything for God, except write. Even so, he has become a prominent Christian writer, and has a large amount of successful books and films to his credit.
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About Frank Peretti

Frank Edward Peretti is a New York Times best-selling author of Christian fiction, whose novels primarily focus on the supernatural. To date, his works have sold over 15 million copies worldwide.

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About Angela Elwell Hunt 

Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels from this versatile author. With over three million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 100 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels.
Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. 
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About Alton Gansky 

Alton Gansky is the author of 30 books--24 of them novels, including the Angel Award winner Terminal Justice and Christy Award finalist A Ship Possessed. A frequent speaker at writing conferences, he holds a BA and MA degrees in biblical studies. Alton and his wife reside in Southern California.

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BOOK REVIEW: Fatal Trust by Todd M. Johnson

Ian Wells is a young criminal defense attorney struggling to build a Minneapolis law practice he inherited from his father while caring for a mother with Alzheimer's. Nearly at the breaking point, everything changes for Ian when a new client offers a simple case: determine whether three men qualify for over nine million dollars of trust funds. To qualify, none can have been involved in criminal activity for the past twenty years. Ian's fee for a week's work: the unbelievable sum of two hundred thousand dollars.
Ian warily accepts the job--but is quickly dragged deep into a mystery linking the trust with a decades-old criminal enterprise and the greatest unsolved art theft in Minnesota history. As stolen money from the art theft surfaces, Ian finds himself the target of a criminal investigation by Brook Daniels, a prosecutor who is also his closest law school friend. He realizes too late that this simple investigation has spun out of control and now threatens his career, his future, and his life.

I first came across this book in a monthly Bethany House email.  I was distraught and torn because I literally want every single book in that monthly email.  Seriously, it's almost impossible to chose.  But I found my loophole.  I prayerfully pick one and then request the remainders from NetGalley and cross my toes that I get approved for the whole kit and caboodle.  Which, as you can tell because you are reading a review right now, that I was approved!  The fact that this was a legal mystery/thriller was right up my alley.  The fact that it was from a Christian publishing house was like free coffee.  Just a disclaimer, while this book is from a Christian publishing house it is not necessarily a Christian book.  Outside of a couple of verses from 'Amazing Grace' there were no other faith elements.  However, it is a clean book with no language, sexual scenarios and lacked overt violence.

I was excited to dig into the story of Ian, and the backstory he uncovered with this mysterious trust. Let me get the not so positive things out of the way before I tell you why I actually really liked this book.  There were entirely too many characters!  OK, there probably really weren't but for someone who struggles with names (seriously, I'd probably never remember my name but for the fact I've had it way too many decades!) I was frequently confused.  I came so close to grabbing a notebook to write all these people down so I could remember who was who and what they did both past and present.  I almost felt like the intensity wasn't as intense as I had hoped but I'm starting to think that it's just me.  Almost like I'm looking for something that was there but I didn't connect with it.  That I will not hold aganist this amazing story.

This book, on the positive side, had all the good stuff I look for in a mystery and/or thriller.  Characters that that drew me into their conflict, a mystery that I couldn't figure out (this one really did well) OK yes I did figure out a few things but not in a way that in any way detracted from the story but actually helped it.  My gravy there was one (there were several all told) bombshell that actually took me by surprise.  The rest were figured out with story flow the way they should have been.  I LOVE a mystery that I haven't already picked only partway into the book.  Johnson gave me that so...  This book really does flow well, has engage-able characters, and takes the reader on a pretty good roller coaster ride. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review. 

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About Todd M. Johnson 

Todd M. Johnson has been a practicing attorney for over 30 years. Todd’s passion for writing blends well with his legal career, and his novels are drawn closely from his personal experiences as a trial lawyer.
A graduate of Princeton University and the University of Minnesota Law School, Todd taught for two years as an adjunct professor of International Law and has served as a US diplomat in Hong Kong.
Todd lives outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, with his wife Cathy. They have two children, Ian and Elizabeth.

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BOOK REVIEW: Bread of Angels by Tessa Afshar

Purple. The foundation of an influential trade in a Roman world dominated by men. One woman rises up to take the reins of success in an incredible journey of courage, grit, and friendship. And along the way, she changes the world.

But before she was Lydia, the seller of purple, she was simply a merchant’s daughter who loved three things: her father, her ancestral home, and making dye. Then unbearable betrayal robs her of nearly everything.

With only her father’s secret formulas left, Lydia flees to Philippi and struggles to establish her business on her own. Determination and serendipitous acquaintances—along with her father’s precious dye—help her become one of the city’s preeminent merchants. But fear lingers in every shadow, until Lydia meets the apostle Paul and hears his message of hope, becoming his first European convert. Still, Lydia can’t outrun her secrets forever, and when past and present collide, she must either stand firm and trust in her fledgling faith or succumb to the fear that has ruled her life.

When I stumbled across this book on NetGalley I knew I had to request it.  I hadn't read Afshar's writing before but the synopsis drew me in.  The story of Lydia, the first believer on the continent, who invited Paul and Silas into her home, was a draw like no other.  What I anticipated and what I read were not the same thing however.  It was an engaging story that cast you into the characters but I never bonded with the characters, I never felt their hurt or fear or pain or longing or even their joy.

The story moves along well, telling the story of Lydia with her father and how she came to be in Philippi.  It tells of her meeting, and subsequently rescuing Rebekah.  It tells of how they met Paul and Silas and his group on the banks of the river.  It tells of her salvation and the growth of the church there.  The story is well told.  I could picture the scenes, the people.  I could smell the smells.  But I couldn't feel the fear.  I couldn't feel their excitement.  I couldn't even feel their joy.  The story read smoothly but I didn't 'feel' anything.  Everything was glossed over.  It was told well but it missed depth.  

This is book is well told but I wish it had more.  Characters I could bond with and ache with.  Characters I could rejoice with and embrace.  I'm glad I read it as it delved deeper (even if fictionally) into the story of Lydia and her purple dye (really purple....that almost turned me off :D) and the church of Philippi. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review. 

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About Tessa Afshar

Tessa was born in Iran and lived there for the first fourteen years of her life. She moved to England where she survived boarding school for girls and fell in love with Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, before moving to the United States permanently. Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life forever. Tessa holds an MDiv from Yale University where she served as cochair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School. She serves on the staff of one of the oldest churches in America. But that has not cured her from being addicted to chocolate

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BOOK REVIEW: First Light by Erynn Newman

Drew and Elisabeth meet as teenagers, and they fall in love. Sounds like a perfect recipe for happily ever after. But when Drew’s father is killed at the Pentagon on September 11th, he finds himself spiraling into an abyss of rage. To avoid dragging the woman he loves down with him, he has to walk away, even if it means losing her forever. He joins the CIA and eventually makes things right with God, but is it too late to make things right with Elisabeth?

First Light is a series of vignettes set over the course of fifteen years, leading up to the culmination of their story in the full-length romantic suspense novel Out of Darkness.

It is a fifty page novellette (no cliffhanger).

I'm glad I read the synopsis of this novella before digging right in to read it.  The writing itself doesn't overly lend itself to jumping right in without the synopsis to set the stage.  Set over a period of 13 years from the day that Drew and Elisabeth meet until their wedding all those years later.  There's so much more than that stuffed into these mere pages but it's enough.  From meeting, to falling in love and promising forever after, to Drew's dad losing his life in 9-11 and him running away to join the CIA, to there rekindling and eventual marriage.  Like I said a lot.  But you don't miss the pages that aren't there.  You don't miss the years that aren't there, it's perfectly just enough.

This novella sets the stage for the full length novel 'Out of Darkness' that follows and it sets the need for me to jump in and start reading.  But first of course, the pile.  I don't have to wait long, there's only a few books between now and there but it's enough to cause me the need to read faster.  Read more.  This book promises so much just from this prequel.  I've not read Erynn Newman before but I'm starting to feel like, hopefully, this is just the beginning of a long term readership. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the author.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review. 

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About Erynn Newman

Erynn Newman is a pastor’s kid, raised in churches all over the Eastern Seaboard. As a little girl, she created rich fantasy worlds and imaginary friends that followed her into adulthood, when she realized that meant she was either a crazy person or a writer—or maybe both.
Though she has never worked with the CIA, her DVR contains a veritable Who’s Who of international spies.
She lives in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with her best friend (who is also her husband), a very busy little boy who calls her Mommy, two cats, and a ceaseless parade of characters who are all waiting for their turn to have their stories told.

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BOOK REVIEW: Egypt's Sister by Angela Hunt

Five decades before the birth of Christ, Chava, daughter of the royal tutor, grows up with Urbi, a princess in Alexandria's royal palace. When Urbi becomes Queen Cleopatra, Chava vows to be a faithful friend no matter what--but after she and Cleopatra have an argument, she finds herself imprisoned and sold into slavery.

Torn from her family, her community, and her elevated place in Alexandrian society, Chava finds herself cast off and alone in Rome. Forced to learn difficult lessons, she struggles to trust a promise HaShem has given her. After experiencing the best and worst of Roman society, Chava must choose between love and honor, between her own desires and God's will for her life.

This book is so hard to review right now.  When I saw it come across the available titles at Bethany House and NetGalley it captured my attention and I HAD to read it.  Biblical fiction is a favorite genre of mine (well, lets face it there's so few genres that aren't a favorite!). While not exactly Biblical the synopsis definitely fits into the genre.  There's the added bonus of Angela Hunt who is just amazing.  However, the execution didn't quite hit the expectation, at least for me.  Set during the 'Silent Years', this book tells the story of a young Jewish girl, Chava, who is raised with and envisions a lifelong friendship with Cleopatra VII.  The appearances of Cleopatra were few, which was disappointing in a book about her, but Chava's story had potential to be interesting.

There are several things, if you haven't figured out yet, that fell flat for me with this book.  I felt like I was reading a historical text as opposed to a novel about the lives of two historical women, one of which is quite famous as the subject of books, movies and documentaries.  There was so much historical 'filler' that took away from the story.  Just an example, referencing that the battle with Caesar in Alexandria would become known as the Alexandrian War seems out of place for a character to reference something that would come later, most likely after her time.  With all the extra research filler the story tended to drag along.  It read quickly but the story was sluggish.  I don't to pick about everything but another thing that struck me as beyond odd was how quickly Chava became a midwife and trained another midwife.  It felt like 'hey look at me, I successfully delivered a baby and read a scroll, put me in coach!'.  There were a few things that just didn't add up or were just too much that brought this down for me.

It wasn't all drawbacks and sluggishness.  Honestly, my favorite portrayal was of Agrippa.  He was a gentleman, kind, honest and accommodating.  He didn't just look at for number one but for all those he cared about.  Chava, when she was simply telling of her life was engaging.  When the story slipped into research mode that was lost but she kept me in the story.  I promise I didn't totally fall flat on the book.  It left a lot to be desired for me but I love the premise, I adore the author and I think in the right hands this book will be a blessing and become well loved.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House and NetGalley.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review.  
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About Angela Elwell Hunt 

Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels from this versatile author. With over three million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 100 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels.
Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. 
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BOOK REVIEW: The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Beautiful and winsome, Betsy Zook never questioned her family's rigid expectations, nor those of devoted Hans, but then she never had to. Not until the night when she's taken captive in a surprise Indian raid. During her captivity, Betsy faces brutality and hardship, but also unexpected kindness. She draws strength from native Caleb, who encourages her to find God in all circumstances. She finds herself torn between her pious upbringing and the intense new feelings this compelling man awakens within her.
Handsome and complex, Hans is greatly anguished by Betsy's captivity and turns to Tessa Bauer for comfort. Eagerly, Tessa responds, overlooking troubling signs of Hans's hunger for revenge. When Betsy is finally restored to the Amish, have things gone too far between Hans and Tessa?
Inspired by true events, this deeply layered novel gives a glimpse into the tumultuous days of prerevolutionary Pennsylvania through the eyes of two young, determined, and faith-filled women.

That moment when you are reading a book but you can't read fast enough (an it's way past bedtime so you are fighting burn-y eyes as well) but at the same time you need the book to last forever.  I just survived that moment and am trying to decide how to convince Goodreads and Amazon to make a 5+ stars rating option.  Perhaps I'm getting too ahead of myself, or yourself as the case may be.  'The Return' came up for tour with CelebrateLit and I KNEW I had to read it.  I've yet to meet a book by Suzanne Woods Fisher that I didn't adore.  The problem?  You know there's always a problem.  I'd not read the first two books in the series.  The almighty Ma to the rescue with a couple of well placed library books, and the reminder that I had the first book 'Anna's Crossing' in my Kindle library.  You don't have to read the first two books in this series to appreciate this story, it could be read as  standalone.  I don't recommend it since the series is amazing, but well ya know.

Anna and Bairn and even Felix are all grown up with families of their own now.  There's another family, the Zook's, who don't live nearby but play heavily into this story.  Hans, remember the adopted child of Dorothea and Jacob, has fallen in love with their daughter Betsy and makes regular trips to visit them.  However, the natives of the area massacre the family, steal two of their children (including Betsy) while one escapes unknown to the others and ends up with Bairn and Anna at their home.  Fisher does this amazing job of telling multiple stories within the timeline at different locations that blend so seamlessly and perfectly and 'right'.  Betsy's story of her capture.  Tessa (Bairn and Anna's daughter) and her life and unrequited love for Hans.  Felix and his intellectual laziness.  (It has to be true since Catrina said it right?)  Even some stories from 'Anna's Crossing' that come full circle. 

This cannot be the end of the series.  It can't.  I need to know what happens with Caleb (read the book already - I can't give everything away!).  I need to know what Betsy decides for her future.  What about the boys as they grow up?  'The Return' brings the story of this small church from Germany by ship to the new world and the next generation.  But it's not over yet, I refuse to believe it's over yet.  

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Celebrate Lit and NetGalley.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review.

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About Suzanne Woods Fisher

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling, award winning author of fiction and non-fiction books about the Old Order Amish for Revell Books, host of the radio-show-turned-blog Amish Wisdom, a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazine.
Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, who was raised Plain. A theme in her books (her life!) is that you don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate the principles of simple living.
Suzanne lives in California with her family and raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To her way of thinking, you just can't life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.

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