The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher

 I was pleased to be chosen through Revell Reads to read and review this book. I've always enjoyed books by Suzanne Woods Fisher. This book was no exception. This review is freely given and my own thoughts.

The characters in the book were very well developed. Their personalities really shown through. The book had almost no editing errors, even though this was an ARC. It is a Christian book but not preachy in the least. It hits on a couple main topics for faith. This is a modern day novel with a bit of romance but not a true romance novel.

The only thing I really disliked about the book was that it ended too soon. It left a lot of open ends that the reader is supposed to fill in and decide. It wasn't a total cliffhanger, it's just that I would have preferred a more complete ending.

I give this book a 4 out of a 5-star review. I would recommend this book to my friends.

Among the Innocent by Mary Alford

 I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It is Christian fiction, mystery/suspense novel. It is set between the Amish community and "regular" society.

The main characters were quite well defined. The main character, Leah, was the main focus. She was the center of the mystery. The main supporting character is Dalton. His character was cloaked in a bit of mystery until the end of the book.

The story flowed well and kept my interest. The editing was quite well done until the last chapter or so. At the end, the editing was like the editor had gotten tired and sloppy. Names were wrong, i.e. the name of the person speaking or doing was wrong or in one instance, the name was not even in the book before. Also, there were some loose ends that were not addressed. These issues were the only downside and not very many of them. This was also an ARC book so hopefully, these errors will be caught and fixed in the final edition.

If you like a good murder mystery that is Christian without being preachy, you will enjoy this book. The main characters prayed in a very Christian way, that is how you know it is a Christian book.

I was given this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program. This review is freely given and my own thoughts and opinions.

Strength in the Storm by Laurel Blount

About the Book

Book: Strength in the Storm

Author: Laurel Blount

Genre: Amish Romance

Release date: February 22, 2022

In this touching Amish romance, a brokenhearted woman and a steadfast man discover that the safest place to weather tragedy is in each other’s arms.

                                                                                                                                           

After the murder of both her parents, Emma Hochstedler returns to the small community of Johns Mill, hoping to resume her quiet existence. Reclaiming her place proves harder than expected—especially now that a movie is being made about her family’s loss. But then, an old friend offers her a lifeline that gives her new purpose.

Amish builder Samuel Christner is the biggest—and the strongest—man in town. In fact, the gentle giant has only one weakness—Emma. Even though she broke his heart, he won’t let his childhood sweetheart face her troubles alone. He hires Emma as a nurse for his elderly aunt…and finds himself falling for her all over again.

But while romance blooms, storm clouds gather. And when darkness falls, it will take all Sam’s strength—and all their love—to see them through.

 

About the Author

Award-winning author Laurel Blount writes inspirational romances full of grit and grace—with characters who’ll walk right off the page and into your heart! She lives on a farm in Georgia with her husband, their four fabulous kids, and an assortment of ridiculously spoiled animals.

A enthusiastic multi-tasker, Laurel writes for both Berkley/Penguin Random House and Love Inspired/Harlequin. She’s the recipient of ACFW’s Carol Award, The New England Reader’s Choice Award and GRW’s Maggie Award. She’s represented by Jessica Alvarez of Bookends Literary Agency.

Strength in the Storm is Laurel’s seventh book—and four more stories are in the works! Stay tuned!

 

More from Laurel

A word from Laurel:

Oh, I can’t wait for you to meet Emma and Sam—they’re one of my all-time favorite story couples! And what an intriguing combination they are: a gentle man known far and wide for his physical strength…and a heartbroken woman—his boyhood sweetheart—who’s his one and only weakness.

Don’t you just love a good second chance romance? I know I do! There’s something so satisfying about seeing a broken love story beautifully mended. Of course, it won’t be easy.  Emma and Sam’s story is mixture of joy and sorrow, laughter and tears—lots and lots of bumps on the road for these two. But they’re about to discover that love and faith shine their brightest in life’s darkest moments—and that trouble only makes a hard-won “happily ever after” even sweeter!

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, April 1

Bigreadersite, April 1

The Avid Reader, April 2

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 3

Texas Book-aholic, April 4

SusanLovesBooks, April 5

Lighthouse Academy Blog, April 5 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Inklings and notions, April 6

Writing From the Heart Land, April 6

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 7

Remembrancy, April 7

deb’s Book Review, April 8

Miriam Jacob, April 8

Bizwings Blog, April 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 9

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 10

Mary Hake, April 10

Books I’ve Read, April 11

I luv the books, April 11

For Him and My Family, April 12

Maureen’s Musings, April 12

Connie’s History Classroom, April 13

Pause for Tales, April 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 14

Click here to get your copy!

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Laurel is giving away the grand prize package of a $75 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1c570/strength-in-the-storm-celebration-tour-giveaway

MY REVIEW:

I was given an ebook through NetGalley to read and review. This review is freely given, and my own, honest opinion.

Most books like this have a "happily ever after, all is well" ending. The ending of this book was not what I expected.

The book was well written and in the Christian fiction genre. It did a great job of showing how a person/persons use their faith in hard times. It also shows that even though you are a Christian, you may not always live as you should.

The characters were well developed, good and bad. The story flowed well. My biggest disappointment was that I felt not all the sub-stories were wrapped up. I felt there were loose strings, so to speak.

If you like Amish books, you will like this though it is less about being Amish and more about using your faith.

I give this book a 4 out of a 5-star review.

when the Meadow Blooms

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.

The Master Craftsman by Kelli Stuart

 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.

The Last Gasp by Chautona Havig, Narrator: Christa DelSorbo

 

About the Book

Book: The Last Gasp

Author: Chautona Havig

Narrator: Christa DelSorbo

Genre: Christian Historical Mystery, Fairytale

Release date: December, 2021

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.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1bc93/the-last-gasp-audiobook-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 16

For Him and My Family, March 17

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, March 17

Inklings and notions, March 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 19

Texas Book-aholic, March 20

Connie’s History Classroom, March 21

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 23

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 24

Book Looks by Lisa, March 24

Just Your Average reviews, March 25

Sodbuster Living, March 26

Books I’ve Read, March 26

Vicarious Living, March 27

Rachael’s Inkwell, March 28

Vicky Sluiter, March 29

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.

The Spark of Love by Amanda Cabot

 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.