This book is part mystery and part love story. It is set in the mid-1920s in Kentucky. The characters were very well developed and the storyline flowed very well. It kept my full attention throughout and I never lost interest at all.
It starts with how bad it could be to live in an orphanage. It also touched on the treatment and living with tuberculosis at that time. It also shows how family comes together to help one another. Interwoven in all of this is the complicated lost love of Dirk, the brother-in-law and the mystery that surrounds his lost love.
It is a Christian book published by Revell Publishing and it is very well done. It is not a preachy kind of book, it is a story that shows how to depend on God when things get complicated. It shows how God's love for us should affect the way we treat others.
The characters in this book were very well developed, especially the daughters and their uncle. They are developed to the point that you feel like you know them or someone like them.
I recommend this book. I was blessed with the honor of reading and reviewing this book through Librarything. This review is my own honest opinion, freely given.
I was chosen to read and review this book through Revell Reads. This review is my own opinion, freely given. I asked to read this because I really like historical fiction and was intrigued by learning more about the Romanov dynasty and the history surrounding them.
I enjoyed this book. It was a bit different in that it jumped in time between now and the early 1900s. That did not detract from the book at all, in fact, it helped keep the focus. This is a historical fiction book and it puts a spin on the Faberge eggs and the what-if of an extra, unknown egg.
The book is very well written and it flows very well. The characters are quite believable and "real". It is part mystery and part family drama combined in a good mix.
This is published by Revell Publishing, a Christian book publisher, so I expected there to be some reference to God/Christianity in some form. That is not the case at all. There is no reference at all to anything Christian. No one prays or goes to church. No one mentions God at all. This is a big disappointment and a big loss of witnessing opportunity. But, on the upside, it is a clean book, the closest it comes to not being clean is the near swearing by Ava and the mention of Faberge's affair.
Overall, I give this a 4 out of a 5-star review. I do think you will enjoy this book as long as you are not expecting a Christian book.
At the pinnacle of his Hollywood career, Garrison Prince’s reign ends tonight.
As plain old Gary Prinz, he can pursue his Bible education, buy a bungalow in Pasadena, acquire a few chickens, and marry the girl of his dreams. He just never imagined trading the silver screen for a pulpit would wreak such havoc.
A cigarillo girl, Lucinda Ashton spends her days with her boyfriend, Gary, and her evenings selling candy and “gaspers” to the Hollywood elite at the Taj Mahal Theater.
However, when gunshots ring out just as intermission begins, Lucinda finds herself smack-dab in the middle of a brouhaha that leaves three dead, and no one has a clue why.
All the police know is that the evidence points to Lucinda as the killer and Gary as the intended target.
Four new friends, one young orphan, and a potluck of clues that don’t seem to fit anywhere leave the police baffled, Lucinda in fear for her freedom, and Gary ready to trade in his acting shoes for gumshoes if it’ll save his “Cinda.”
The first book in the Ever After Mysteries combining beloved fairy tales and mysteries, The Last Gasp. This Cinderella retelling blends a murder with enough crime and story clues to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Click here to get your copy! https://promosimple.com/ps/1bc93/the-last-gasp-audiobook-celebration-tour-giveaway
About the Author
Using story to connect readers with the Master Storyteller.
Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours, and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.
About the Narrator
Speaking Life into Story
Queen of the one-eyebrow quirk, Christa DelSorbo auditioned for the role of Tarzan’s mom and has the photos to prove she ended up as the only cast member in a literal cast. These days, they keep her stuck in a box with a ball on a stick and only feed her when she reads another chapter of another fabulous book. She loves every minute. Or so they tell her. *eyebrow slowly raises *
More from Christa
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Christa is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book in the winner’s preferred format!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
My Review: I was given a copy of this audiobook through CelebrateLit and this review is my own, honest opinion. I truly enjoyed the story and the narration, both. The story flowed well. It kept my attention from the very beginning. It is a Christian book that shows God's love without being preachy or offensive. It shows how people depend on God in good times and bad. The characters were quite well developed, even the minor players were believable. The story flowed well without any bumps in the telling. I was sorry to have the story end. As for the narration, I truly enjoyed listening to her. She added just the right inflections and did a good job changing her voice to fit the various characters. She has a pleasant, even voice that was easy to listen to. Overall I would rate this book a 4 out of 5-stars. I enjoyed the book and if you are looking for a clean, Christian, mystery audiobook this is for you. You won't be disappointed.
I was so looking forward to reading the last book in the Mesquite Springs series. I had enjoyed the first two books. I was disappointed in this book. It seems like there was a steady decline in my favor of these books.
First, it was too hard to understand with the almost immediate introductions of all the characters. It was hard to keep them straight. I think it would have been better to leave out some of them as some seemed to have the same part in the story. A very similar plot. Second, I hope this is something they fix as I read an ARC book. The problem was not a break in the layout to warn you that the scene had changed. I'd be reading along and the scene would change in the very next sentence. Sometimes it was the same character speaking but to another person. That was very disconcerting and hard to follow. The story did not flow well until the last quarter of the book. It was hard to follow.
Because of these things, I only give this a 3 out of 5-star review. If these issues are corrected the book will be a lot better. I asked to read and review this book through the Revell Reads program. All thoughts are my own, personal opinion.
At the pinnacle of his Hollywood career, Garrison Prince’s reign ends tonight.
Using story to connect readers with the Master Storyteller.
Speaking 