Tree Swing Reading

Review of "Remembered" by Tamara Alexander (Book 3 in the Fountain Creek Chronicles)

Remembered by Tamara Alexander

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

REMEMBERED(Fountain Creek Chronicles, Book 3)
(Bethany House, 2007)
by

Tamera Alexander

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tamera Alexander is a bestselling novelist whose deeply drawn characters, thought provoking plots, and poignant prose resonate with readers. Alexander’s books have won multiple awards, including Romance Writers of America’s 2007 RITA® for Best Inspirational Romance, the 2007 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, 2007 Bookseller’s Best, and Library Journal’s Top Christian Fiction of 2006.

Her books have received acclaim from Library Journal, True West Magazine and Historical Novels Review, and Rekindled debuted on the CBA fiction bestseller list. She has a professional background in business management and conference coordination. A leader of women's ministries for over twelve years, she is currently active in music ministry, facilitating small groups, and mentoring other women. A graduate of Harding University, Tamera lives with her husband and their two teenagers in Greeley, Colorado.

Her other two books in the Fountain Creek Chronicles are Rekindled (Book 1) and Revealed (Book 2)

To celebrate the release of Remembered, as well as the 3-volume boxed set of Fountain Creek Chronicles (Rekindled, Revealed, and Remembered), Tamera is currently giving away boxed sets in a contest on her website. Check out the contest at http://www.tameraalexander.com/ .

From a Distance, the first book in Tamera’s next historical series (Timber Ridge Reflections) releases in spring 2008.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Though loss is often marked
in a single moment,
letting go of someone you love
can take a lifetime...

The threat of war--and a final request--send Véronique Girard from France to a distant and uninviting country. In the Colorado Territory, she searches for the man who has held her heart since childhood--her father. Pierre Girard left Paris for the Americas to seek his fortune in fur trading, vowing to send for his wife and daughter. But twenty-five years have passed and his vow remains unfulfilled. Sifting through shards of broken promises, Véronique embarks on a dangerous search for a man she scarcely remembers.

His grief finally healed, Jack Brennan is moving on with life. After years of guiding families west, he is now working as a freighter to the mining towns surrounding Willow Springs. What he doesn't count on is an unexpected traveling companion on his trips up into the mountains, and how one woman's search will cause havoc with his plans... and his life.

"Alexander again delivers a most amazing story. The characters are more than words on the page; they become real people. Though there are French words sprinkled throughout the story, they enhance the emotions rather than distract the reader." --Romantic Times

"...a rich historical romance by possibly the best new writer in this subgenre." --Library Journal

"Alexander has done it again with Remembered, third in the FOUNTAIN CREEK CHRONICLES. She's fashioned characters that are as rich and deep as the mountains and valleys they explore throughout the pages, coloring the story as adeptly as the heroine does her canvas. I was drawn immediately into the ages-old heartaches of both of the main characters, understanding at once Veronique's reticence to make a place for herself in the unknown wilds of America and Jack's uncompromising love for this land that he’s cut a swath through time and again. They both have a series of mountains to overcome in the search for Veronique’s father, but I enjoyed watching their faith and appreciation grow with each turn of the page. And woven adeptly through it all is the encompassing truth of the Lord's sovereignty—that sometimes He takes away, and sometimes He gives us what we need, not what we're looking for.

Anyone's who's read the other Fountain Creek books won't want to miss this one, but it easily stands alone. The characters will take you by the hand and lead you heart-first into their stories, and by the time they release you at the end, you'll feel as though you've taken up residence just across the Creek from them, as surely as they have in your heart." --Roseanna White, christianreviewofbooks.com

"Remembered, the third book in the FOUNTAIN CREEK CHRONICLES, takes us back to Willow Creek and revisits beloved characters from the previous two books in the series, Rekindled and Revealed. Tamera Alexander has the remarkable ability to create places, and characters who endear themselves to us, even those just briefly mentioned. If I had lived in the late 1800s, I would love to have met these people and would surely have been inspired by the way they lived out their faith.
Remembered is a delightful read, well-researched and well-written. I expect to see great things from this author in the future." --Lindsey Freitas, bookloons.com

"Remembered is an absolutely wonderful continuation of the FOUNTAIN CREEK CHRONICLES." --Amanda Schafer, armchairinterviews.com

My Review:

As with the first 2 books in the series Rekindled and Revealed, I really enjoyed the characters of Remembered. Veronique was feisty and yet naive at the same time. Jack was rough but tender and the journey they make toward each other was sweet and pleasant to read.  I think the overarching theme that Alexander was making is one about God's timing and plans for us, which may not always be our timing, but in the end it is best to trust Him.  The romantic in me enjoyed the protectiveness of Jack and the fierceness with which he held his responsibility to care for Veronique.  I was also touched by Veronique's journey out of pride to learning to humbly accept genuine love in the community of Fountain Creek.

I give the book my highest "sunny day" rating!

Review of "Wisdom Hunter" by Randall Arthur

Wisdom Hunter by Randall Arthur

Decription:

One of the most dynamic and powerful church leaders in Atlanta, pastor Jason Faircloth seems to have it all. But when a dramatic and tragic turn of events causes him to lose everything, Jason finds himself in a serious crisis of faith. He sets out on an eighteen-year international journey to find his only surviving family member, a granddaughter who is being hidden from him--and discovers surprising answers to his deepest questions about himself and the God he once served.

Review:

A friend from church told me I "had" to read this book.  I'm so glad she did!  It was powerful and meaningful from the very beginning! Randall Arthur takes a hard look at a paster who is all about appearances and shows what happens to him when he is stripped of all of it.  At the start of the book Jason is pastoring his church and demanding his members follow strict legalistic rules like no dancing, no rock music, no pants for women, etc. He is uptight and strict with his wife and daughter and has driven his daughter away from home with his unbending rules.  Suddenly his family is gone and his faith is pushed to the limit. He never completely loses his faith, rather he discovers that he has put God in a box and applied a formula to him and now he decides to take God out of the box and rediscover life.

He has one motivator that keeps him from giving up on life completely, and that is to find his granddaughter. As years turn into decades, Jason's search takes him all over the world and in and out of all kinds of adventures. He ends up in Norway and wanders into a church there that changes his life yet again. This unassuming church has a kind and wise leader whose wisdom in dealing with his congregation touches Jason and rekindles his relationship with God to a new level. Yoma helps Jason settle once and for all his beliefs about the loving side of God's character.

I don't want to give away the ending...you have to read it yourself, but Jason's life continues to take twists and turns and I fell in love with the character he becomes--someone who knows God's love intimately and does all he can to spread God's love to others without any hint of the old worries on whether a person "deserved" God's love or "earned" it.

What a wonderful message--and having it delivered in a story like this made the impact even greater than if he had just preached on it directly.

I give this a big sunny day rating and call for no humidity too!

Fall Into Reading!

I am joining another blog's "Fall into reading" challenge. Click here to go to the blog to learn more about it!

Since my "author alphabet" finds me still at A and into B, my reading that are not part of one of my blog tour groups will be from those authors with last names that start with A or B for the fall!  The challenge starts September 23 and ends December 21.

So here's my list: (Remember I can read a book a day!) (This does not include my scheduled book reviews for blog tours.)

By Judy Baer: Norah's Ark, The Whitney Chronicles, The Baby Chronicles

By Karen Ball: Shattered Justice, Kaleidescope Eyes (Family Honor Series 1 and 2)

By Tracey Bateman: Leave it to Claire, Claire Knows Best, I Love Claire (Claire Series); Catch a Rising Star

By James Scott Bell: Breach of Promise, No Legal Grounds, Sins of the Fathers

By Lisa Tawn Bergren: The Begotten

By Kristen Billerbeck: She's All That, A Girl's Best Friend, Calm, Cool & Adjusted (Spa Girls Series); Splitends

By Terri Blackstock: Covenant Child, Seaside

By Ray Blackston: Delirious Summer, Lost in Rooville (Flabbergasted 2 and 3), A Pagan's Nightmare

By Lawana Blackwell: A Table by the Window

By Allison Bottke: A Stitch in Time, One Little Secret

By Austin Boyd: Mars Hill Classified Series

By Michelle Buckman: Maggie Come Lately

By Sandra Byrd: Let Them Eat Cake

By Stephen Bly: The Horse Dreams Trilogy

By Nicole Baart: After the Leaves Fall

And hopefully in September I will finish my "A" author books--though it's starting to look doubtful!

I better get back to my reading!

Review of "Revealed" by Tamera Alexander

Review of Revealed by Tamera Alexander (Book 2 in the Fountain Creek Chronicles)

(See Rekindled review here.)

Newly widowed Annabelle Grayson hears a second chance calling her. But she can't answer it living in Colorado City; where everybody knows her sordid history. When she advertises for a guide to escort her to Idaho, Matthew Taylor---a bitter soul escaping his own past---applies. Will they find the fresh beginning they each seek?

My Review:

Another success by Tamera Alexander! This books picks up characters from book 1 in the series and makes them the main characters in book 2.  We met Annabelle in Rekindled as a "woman of the night" who befriends Kathryn. Now we find out that she has been bought out of her position and has married her resucer Jonathon. Determined to take Annabelle away from the town that only knows her from her past, Jonathon sets out to move with her to Idaho. Unfortunately Jonathon dies before they can make it.  Jonathon's half brother Matthew is then chosen to help Annabelle continue to journey to Idaho to make a new start.  But Matthew is unable to see past Annabelle's past mistakes and does nothing to hide his disdain for Annabelle. Too bad Matthew can't see his own past mistakes as a way to relate to Annabelle and not to judge her.

The journey to Idaho is not without adventure and Annabelle and Matthew must come to rely on each other to survive.  Their relationship develops into trust in spite of themselves. Once again, Tamera Alexander is reminding us that God is a God of second chances and forgiveness. And, when you get to know someone, really know them, you can find out that there may be more behind their mistakes than you realized.

Review of "Hideaway" by Hannah Alexander

Review of Hideaway by Hannah Alexander

E.R. doctor Cheyenne Allison finds her life thrown into turmoil when she finds the next patient she is treating to be her younger sister. Unable to save her sister, she is further faced with a malpractice suit and is forced to take a leave of absence. Stretched to the breaking point, Cheyenne retreats to secluded Hideaway, Missouri. With the perk of handsome next door neighbor, Dane Gideon, who runs a ranch for foster boys, Hideaway seems like the perfect getaway.

Cheyenne's medical skills are suddenly needed, however, right when a dangerous vandal strikes the peaceful Christian community. While Mayor Austin Barlow targets Dane's boys, Cheyenne can't help but wonder if the mayor himself is somehow involved and if she will be the vandal's next target.

Author's website

My Review:

I am continuing my review of "A" authors (that I can fit in around all the other scheduled reviews) and finally have a chance to review a book by the writing team that makes up the author Hannah Alexander.

The pace of the book grabs you right away. For some reason I am always drawn into medical emergency type settings and this is no exception. Cheyenne is an ER doctor who is treating a patient with heart issues and it turns out to be her sister! No wonder she is devistated when she cannot save her.  Dane runs a home for foster boys and gives them a chance to work on a ranch and farm and learn responsibility; but someone is out to blame him and his boys for the problems going on in town. To get away from her heartache, Cheyenne ends up moving near Dane's ranch, just across the lake where neighbors row to each other's homes more than walking.

There are humorous moments, as Cheyenne adjusts to "country" small town life and gets visits from neighboring goats and ends up housing a cat, some chickens, and a horse. There are tense moments as Cheyenne helps with medical emergencies. And there are tender moments as she ends up helping one of the boys learn to live with dyxlexia and as she and Dane come to be friends...

I was also pleased with the way the author wove in the message of redemption and faith in God without making it preachy.  Dane lives out his faith and Cheyenne hears the message of salvation through his example and in conversations with him.

I look forward to reading another Hannah Alexander book...if I have time before my "A" author month runs out!

Review of "Just Beyond the Clouds" by Karen Kingsbury

Just Beyond the Clouds by Karen Kingsbury

An unforgettable story of two brothers and the only woman whose love can set them both free.

Still aching over his wife's death, Cody Gunner can't bear the thought of also letting go of his Down Syndrome brother, Carl Joseph. Cody wants his brother home, where he will be safe and cared for, not out on his own in a world that Cody knows all too well can be heartless and insecure. So when Carl Joseph's teacher, Elle, begins championing his independence, she finds herself at odds with Cody. But even as these two battle it out, they can not deny the instinctive connection they share, and Cody faces a crisis of the heart.

My Review:

As always with Karen Kingsbury books, I enjoyed this one.  Even though the ending was predicatble, I found the journey through the storyline to be a pleasant ride.  Two of the main characters, Daisy and Carl Joseph, have Down Syndrome and seeing the world through their eyes reminded me of the joy that can come with childlike faith and confidence in God and in the human race.  Cody, the brother of Carl Joseph, is lost in his grief over the death of his wife, and is unable to let go of her or to trust God again.  But through the course of returning home, spending time with his brother, and getting to know Elle, the teacher at the learning center his brother attends, Cody's heart begins to see hope again for a future.

I read it in a day.  I loved the imagry of the sun always being behind the clouds.  It is a good image for us all to remember. When life is hard and "cloudy" we know it is only for a season and the sun will come out again. As my mom always says, "this too will pass." And the sun will shine again.

Review of "Blessed Assurance" by Lyn Cote

Blessed Assurance by Lyn Cote

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

BLESSED ASSURANCEAvon Inspire (October 1, 2007)by

Lyn Cote

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lyn Cote's journey to becoming a published author was a long one - she started her first book when her daughter was 13 months old and her first novel was published when her daughter was about to enter high school. But Lyn was writing for a market that hadn't taken shape yet - the inspirational fiction market.

In 1996, Lyn Cote's first inspirational historical manuscript was a finalist in the Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart Contest. This became her first historical novel, Whispers Of Love, in her BLESSED ASSURANCE series.

Most recently, Chloe, the first novel in Lyn's "Women of Ivy Manor" historical series was a 2006 RWA Rita Award finalist for Best Inspirational, as well as a finalist for the Holt Medallion and the National REaders Choice Contest.

Lyn also writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense. She lives in the lovely northwoods of Wisconsin with her husband and three cats. Aside from writing, she also likes to knit, crochet, read, and do lunch with friends.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Now available for the first time in one edition--All three novels from Lyn Cote's beloved Blessed Assurance series

In Whispers of Love, Civil War widow Jessie Wagstaff must fend for herself and her son. When a stranger, Lee Smith, befriends Jessie's son, even though she recognizes nine-year-old Linc's need for a father figure, she's reluctant to let a new man into their life. When the Great Chicago Fire blazes, every heart is pushed to its limits.

In Lost In His Love, Jessie's son Linc, a social activist and reporter, charms his way through the upper class of San Francisco to build much-needed support for his fight against child labor. His main target is Cecilia Jackson, a beautiful heiress who doesn't recognize the crucial part she plays in this dangerous exploitation. As the secrets of her family's dark past are exposed, Cecilia must revive her own wounded spirit and find the strength to lean on the never-failing love of Christ. But when the 1906 earthquake hits, everyone's faith will be put to the test.

In Echoes of Mercy, Meg Wagstaff challenges the racial barriers of 1920s New Orleans in order to prove that her childhood friend did not commit murder. The stubborn lawyer prosecuting the case, Gabriel St. Clair, is an authentic Southern gentleman who makes the mistake of underestimating Meg, both her tenacity and her charm. Despite their many differences, sparks begin to fly. But when Meg discovers the truth, will Gabe be able to protect her from those who can't afford to have justice prevail?

"A beautiful tale of love, forgiveness, and acceptance."

~CBA Marketplace

Review of "Interior Motives" Book 3 in Deadly Decor series by Ginny Aiken

Interior Motives (book 3 in Deadly Decor series) by Ginny Aiken

Description:

Interior designer Haley Farrell and contractor Dutch Merrill argue over just about everything--even their rhyming last names. Could it be a budding romance, or is it business as usual for these creative cohorts? Unfortunately, they don't have time to figure it out. Darlene Weikert, their newest client in a renovation project, has just died, and Haley suspects it was not by natural causes. Who would have killed Darlene? Could it be the friendly nurse? One of Darlene's contentious sons? Or maybe the doctor who provided Darlene's medication? Armed with her designer's eye for detail, Haley sets out to solve the mystery.

My Review:

See review from book 2 here. This book follows the same pattern and characters as before.  I enjoyed it, but some issues remain unresolved in the end so I am wondering if there will be another book in the series...

Review of "Decorating Schemes" Deadly Decor Series Book 2

Decorating Schemes (Book 2 in the Deadly Decor Series) by Ginny Aiken

Description:

Haley Farrell's life is back on track. Cleared of any involvement in the murder of her best friend, Haley has found loyal decorating clients and has taken over a successful auction house. Life is good--even if she does have to deal with good-looking but infuriating general contractor Dutch Merrill once again.

Review:

Since September is supposed to be the month I review my unread book by authors that start with an "A," I am finally getting to read the second book in Ginny Aiken's Deadly Decor series.  The main character is Haley, a preacher's daughter who lives at home with her father, runs a interior design business, owns an antique business, and dabbles in crime solving on the side.  Once again she ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time and stubbles on a dead body at a home she was hired to design.  Even though the trauma of the discovery is difficult for her to handle, Haley can't let it go and works behind the scenes to try to solve the crime.

Aiken has created some very memorable and likeable characters: a crime-solving wanna-be neighbor, a gruff but soft-inside carpenter, a wise karate instructor, and a penetrating and loving therapist/friend.  Haley deals with some difficult issues as her past rape has created trust and relationship issues for her. But her past difficulties don't seem to stop her from her investigations.

I enjoyed the story and found it to be a light-hearted read. The characters don't have a lot of depth other than Haley, but a first-person narrative can make it difficult to really get into the heads of the other characters.  The story is somewhat unrealistic, that a murder could be so easy to solve by someone who really has no authority in the case, but in spite of it, I found myself enjoying the story for its commedy and enjoyable characters. Those who enjoy a good chicklit mystery will enjoy this series as well.

Review of "Life, Libby, and the Pursuit of Happiness"

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

LIFE, LIBBY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
(Harvest House Publishers March 1, 2007)
by

Hope Lyda

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hope Lyda has always wanted to write. Ever since she was a young tyke with a spiral notebook in hand, she had the urge to fill it. Sadly, Peggy Meets the Midgets did not cause Hope to be deemed a child prodigy, so she continued her path of education. She was grade-obsessed but also truly enjoyed sharing laughs with her circle of creative friends.

Hope attended the University of Oregon and graduated with a double major in Journalism: Advertising and Telecommunications and Film. With aspirations to write screenplays or teleplays, she of course ended up doing public relations for non-profits until she entered the publishing field in which she has worked for 10 years.

Her passions are quiet ones—she loves a good read, an afternoon of free thinking time, writing, journaling, road trips, travel, and pondering life from her back yard pergola. She loiters in bookstores frequently, though has never been arrested for such. Her big hope is to encourage others to embrace their dreams and understand their faith journeys through the practice of journaling and the art of creative living. She hopes to also inspire such things through the themes in her fiction including Hip to Be Square and Altar Call. (There are also visions of a nice Casita with a hammock in Mexico—but one thing at a time.)

When not living in her head, she resides with her husband, Marc, in the Pacific Northwest.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Libby Hawthorne makes exotic trip itineraries but never leaves Seattle. She’d like to attend church but winds up at a bookstore. She longs for love—but who has the time? Delayed happiness has been worth it, because she’s about to get her dream promotion...

Or not.

So now what?

When a corporate merger leaves her demoted and disillusioned, Libby realizes she needs to start living authentically...and soon. But just as she tries to uncover her purposed life, her cruel and unusual boss, Cecilia, demands that Libby hide Seattle’s most famous homegrown rock star in order to keep her new, bad job. For the first time in years, Libby doesn’t have a step by step plan to guide her. She must trust her faith and her heart. But what is she supposed to do with her growing admiration for Blaine Slater, a new VP from Chicago, or the surprising kindness of the rock star living incognito in her Seattle apartment? Through the humorous twist and turns, Libby uncovers a big life truth—the detours we are afraid of might just be the perfect path to happiness.

My Review:

I'm really glad I had a chance to read this book.  The main character, Libby, runs around in all aspects of her life getting herself all twisted up inside about how her life should be. Doesn't that sound way too familiar?  In the process, she ends up creating a quandry for herself and her integrity at work and with her friends. Fortunately she recognizes the need to be honest and come clean, but not after some of her secret juggling ends her up in some strange and funny circumstances.

The book was funny and warm. I found myself wishing I was part of Libby's group of friends. Lyda's message of Christ meeting us where we are is clear but not in-your-face.

Libby's family was funny and disfunctional...why is it that the chicklit books so often have gals with strange family background to overcome?  Must be something to it that we can all relate to!