Secrets She Kept ~ A Book Review

1973~
Hannah is looking for answers. Answers about her mother and why she seemed to hate Hannah her whole life. When Hannah discovers a grandfather she didn’t even know she had, she travels to Germany. Grossvater is keeping secrets, and Hannah feels like she is in the middle of a heated battle between her grandfather and his doctor friend. With the help of a German taxi driver who becomes her only ally in all of war torn Germany, can Hannah discover the truth of her mother’s past and the Secrets She Kept from her all those years.

1945~
Lieselotte is the daughter of a high-ranking German officer. With WWII in full swing and the communist Germany unfurling its wings, Lieselotte discovers her closest friends are smuggling Jews over the German border. Willing to take the risk and help her friends, and her childhood sweetheart, can Lieselotte stand strong even through the midst of unspeakable pain?

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This story had me in tears numerous times! Set in two different eras, it switches between Hannah Sterling in 1973 and her mother Lieselotte in 1945. The twists and turns of this story tore at my heart and, if I’m to be completely honest, often left me quite depressed. Mrs. Gohlke didn’t shy away from the hard, horrible facts of the Holocaust and spoke plainly about all those women endured in camps.

Hannah’s story was uniquely written, as you learned more about her mother from Lieselotte’s chapter, it tied over into Hannah’s. I loved how characters from Lieselotte’s life come into Hannah’s.

Lukas and Lieselotte’s love was so real. He was so worried about her getting hurt that he distanced himself from her even though he loved her. I thought that was a cool new angle of romance in a story that I don’t see very much.

I don’t want to give away too much. All I can say is I loved loved loved this book and highly recommend it as long as you can handle slightly depressing books! Five stars!

I was given this book for my honest review by the Book Club Network which I have given. All opinions expressed were my own. 

Only One to Love ~ A Book Review

"Morgan, hate never works," His father used to say to him. "It only makes things ten times worse. Whatever you do, love. Do not hate."

~Only One to Love~ 

By: Kaitlyn Newlon

Gen Taylor loves helping people in need. She and her family do it all the time, part of being a missionary kid. So when a village in Africa has a need, the family of eight doesn't hesitate to head out to help them. Once there, Gen finds out how real the need is. She convinces Doctor West and his son, Morgan, to go with her to retrieve some medicine from a nearby city.

But the plane on which they travel goes down - into the biggest fear of Gen's life. 

As Gen and Morgan - the lone survives from the plane crash - struggle to survive on the remote island, will Morgan show Gen that she has nothing to fear from the water? And will Gen help Morgan to see that God has never left, even through all the terrors of his past? That he has never been alone and that there has always been Only One to Love? 

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This book was riveting. I have never been much into contemporary fiction based around missionaries, but his book had me by the first page. The characters were real and I could so relate to having a large family, coming from a family of eight myself. 

When Gen's brother's are grieving, worrying that she is dead, brought tears to my eyes, as did the final chapter in it's entirety. This book was the perfect blend of sweetness, suspense and mystery. The subtle romantic feelings between Gen and Morgan were just enough that it kept me wondering. 

I so hope Miss Newlon writes more to this series. It's undoubtedly a keeper! 

Five stars all the way! Encore and bravo! 

  

The Traitor's Heir ~ A Book Review

Every man has a destiny. His is to betray.

For over five hundred years the River Realm has laid in the hand of the Master. And it is the dream of every young man to join the Gauntlet; the Master's army who is out to overthrow the growing rebellion of Serpents. For Cadet Eamon Goodman, that dream is about to become reality as he takes the oath to serve the Master. 

But in his swearing ceremony, something unexpected happens and a dark, haunting voice starts to control his thoughts, offering him unlimited power. Eamon is confused and unsettled. When his friend is captured and found guilty of being a Serpent, he volunteers to take her to Duntruik, the capital, with the hope of rescuing her.

When their ship is set upon by Serpent men and a young cadet is hurt, Eamon finds he has the power of the King's Grace. Even more confused than before, Eamon discovers that the stories he had been told as a child are true. The line of Kings is alive and well, and the next king is his old friend Hughan, whom he thought long dead. 

Swearing to serve the King as his First Knight, a name that stirs him as none before, Eamon is sent to serve the King in the heart of the Master's kingdom -  Duntruik itself. 

With two completely conflicting, completely unbreakable vows on his shoulders, who is Eamon going to decide to serve? The self enthroned Master? Or the one true King? 

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First off let me say that The Traitor's Heir was a great allegory of the gospel. I could see how Hughan (The King) was the figure of Jesus or God. His grace came upon Eamon and enabled him to do things he was unable to do apart from him. He gave Eamon a peace and a power he did not understand. Hughan was thought dead by those close to him and revealed himself first to Aeryn, (who we find out later is his betrothed) the close friend of Eamon who he later saves from death. 

Eamon shows the person of faith and the walk of it. He is sworn to serve the Master, and struggles with staying true to the King. He vows to serve the king in the heart of the Master's domain. My favorite part of the book is where Hughan asks Eamon to serve him in this way.    

Eamon looked once more at Hughan. "What would you have me do?" he asked. 

"Keep your promise to the Hands. Go with them to Dunthruik and there, First Knight, in the very heart of my enemy's stronghold, I would ask you to serve me." 

~ The Traitor's Heir • By Anna Thayer ~

I feel that this is the exact thing our King of Kings asks us to do every day. To serve him in a world steeped with the the Master (devil) and he is our power against him.

While I did love this book, I have to give it less than five stars due to a couple things.

1) While the allegory was wonderful, there was a use of profanity that shocked me. The term b*****d was used multiply times as were d**n, d****d, b***h and a*s. While this is a UK published book, and things are laxer over there then here, there is no reason for this amount of swearing. Especially since this is a 'Christian' publisher. 

2) Eamon is a man who is losing himself in the Master's world. This said, he is being tempted and lured by the Master to reveal his secrets. One way is by a lady. There is parts where Eamon falls and succumbs to the woman's beauty and what she offers him. Nothing explicit is mentioned, but a observing reader knows where they are going and what they are doing. 

I can't tell you what to read. You must be the judge. I loved this book apart from the two things mentioned above. I won't be recommending it for anyone younger than 16 and will be hesitant to share it with anyone I know is new to the faith, struggles with swearing, etc. There are two more book sin the series as well, so if you are a must-read-every-book, I wouldn't suggest this book to you. 

I give this book a four star out of five. 

I was given this book for my honest review from the Cook Club Network.       

Crazy Little Thing Called Love ~ A Book Review

Wedding bells and storm clouds collide in the first engaging novel in a brand-new series about destination weddings, the power of love, and the possible mishaps and missteps that happen on a couple’s journey down the aisle to “I do.”

Paramedic Vanessa Hollister has put her adolescence behind her, including the unwanted label of being the new kid in town over and over again, thanks to her father’s military career. She’s overcome what her mother called “the biggest mistake of her life” and is planning an elegant destination wedding in Destin, Florida with her new fiancé. But will the reappearance of her first husband from her what-were-you-thinking teenage elopement disrupt her dream of an idyllic beach wedding?

As a professional storm chaser, Logan Hollister is used to taking risks. However, a reckless decision during the last tornado season has him questioning the future of his team, the Stormmeisters. Coming face to face with his ex-wife eight years after their divorce compels him to confront his greatest regret: losing Vanessa. Does their past give him the right to interfere with her future?

A fast-moving, powerful hurricane throws Vanessa and Logan together as they evacuate to a storm shelter along with other residents of the Florida Gulf Coast. Forced to spend time together, the pair battles unexpected renewed feelings for each other.

Vanessa and Logan are faced with a choice: Should they accept, once and for all, their teenage marital mistake? Or is God offering them a second chance at happily ever after? 

(Taken from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23492612-crazy-little-thing-called-love?ac=1)

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This book ... oh my word. I was a little hesitant due to the fact that Vanessa and Logan were divorced and she was engaged and the her and Logan got back together. Sound kinda fishy right?

But this book was anything but! Mrs. Vogt weaves the past a present together into a perfect blend of faith, love and destination weddings!

Logan is a stormchaser, which honestly was super cool! The past he is struggling to let go of isn't just letting Vanessa go; it also is the fact that one of his team members ended up in the hospital. I love how he learns to forgive himself. 

Vanessa also learns to forgive. But she also learns what true faith in God is. I thought it was awesome how, once she finally gives everything over to God, how he brings the pieces of her life back together. Who better than the creator of the universe to organize this crazy mess we call our lives? 

I give this book a five stars. Mrs. Vogt blends the past with the present and I am crazy in love with this book.   

I was given this book for my honest review by the Book Club Network for my honest review which I have done. 

The Potter's Lady ~ A Book Review

Rosemaire McKay, newly graduate of the Philadelphia School of Design for Women, convinces her brother, Ewan, to buy a pottery. She is convinced that she can bring in the contracts for her brother. She also reconnects with Joshua Harkness, who owns a rival pottery business but vows to help her.

Rylan Campbell has never liked change. So when Ewan McKay buys the pottery he works at, he braces himself for all sort of change. But it isn't Ewan who brings the change, it is pretty Rose

McKay. When they begin to lose business, Rylan suspects Joshua to be taking advantage of Rose.
When a contest design is announced, can Rose and Rylan put aside differences and join forces to save the pottery both love?

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This book was very sweet and well written. Rylan's character jumped out at me, because like him, I hate change. The way he handles Rose and the changes she brings shows that God can bring good things from the bad. 

The deceit of Joshua hit a little to close to home as well. My family and I have gone through our share of betrayal and it was comforting to know it happens to everyone. 

I loved that the main characters were Irish. It added a flavor to the book that made it even more enjoyable. I learned a lot about pottery as well, which I thought was cool. When I was younger, I wanted to make pottery and it was interesting to see the advanced process that it took to make them in the late 18th century. 

This book was given to me for my honest review which I have give. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Hearts Made Whole ~ Book Review

It's 1865 and Windmill Point, Michigan is the home of Caroline Taylor. She tends the lighthouse after her fathers death. But women aren't allowed to have such roles so it only a matter of tome before the high-strung lighthouse inspector appoints a man to fill her role.


But the problem is Caroline is a excellent keeper; Ryan Chambers is not. A veteran of the Civil War, Ryan is haunted by what he and his men did in battle and outside of it as well. On pain medicine and now a heavy drinker, he is unable to perform his duties. Thank God for Caroline. She is becoming much more then the feisty lighthouse keeps who was supposed to be gone by the time Ryan arrived. He also didn't except this attraction and neither did Caroline....

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Ah! I loved this book. It's written from my home state of Michigan and it was so cool read about real lighthouses that might be able to visit someday. I feel in love with Ryan and Caroline along with Esther and the twins. I never realized how hard it was for ladies in the late nineteenth century.


I thought that Ryan and Caroline's relationship did move pretty fast, though. Or maybe it was just that so much time past so quickly that it just seemed fast. Either way, I did feel like the elements, along with another part, make his book for readers 15+.


I did love this book though and will be passing it around to my family and friends to read as well! Four stars Jody Hedlund! Will be reading more from you!


I was given this book from the Book Club Network for my honest review.

After a Fashion and In Good Company ~ TWO book reviews!

      

  

After a Fashion is the first in a series about three young lady's and the men who win their hearts.

Harriet Peabody has big dreams of running a refashioned gown store for the working class women of New York. Unfortunately, a problem at the hat shop she works results in her getting fired.   

Oliver Addleshaw is close to sealing a big business deal. When he inadvertently gets a young lady fired, he ends up in a deal with the one and only Miss. Harriet Peabody. And a strange thing follows. 

Even though she loves fashion, Harriet can't shake the feeling that she doesn't fit into Oliver's fashion filled world. When a startling fact about Harriet's past, will it destroy the fragile facade she and Oliver have erected. 

The partnership is just for a short while, but maybe the feelings will last forever 

In Good Company is the second book about love in the highly fashionably world in which love is usually an after thought. 

Millie Longfellow is determined to be the best nanny New York social class has ever seen! She loves children and they are naturally drawn to her. But with her unfortunate streak for getting into scraps, she has been fired more times then she can count.

Edward Mulberry is determined to find a nanny to stay with his charges. The three children have the uncanny ability to scare every nanny the agency send him. He has met Miss. Longfellow, but with a tale of her almost drowning a charge of hers, he doesn't think she is the nanny for his children.

But with the employment agency is feed up with both Edward and Millie. They give them one more chance ... with each other.

Will Edward and Millie discover that they are the perfect match for each other? Despite the fact that they are different classes?

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Okay ... I love these books! Jen Turano is awesome writer and she made me laugh one minute and cry the next.

First of ... After a Fashion. Harriet's story had me riveted. And when the end came ... all I can say is I am Lucetta and my friend Isabella is Millie. We both love to write, but she is the one I picture to carry around a dictionary. And I love to do drama, so Lucetta is me. We would be the ones to tell our friend's boyfriend how to propose.

I love Abigail and how she is the matchmaker of the group. I like Reverend Gilmore and how he is the person who helped all three girls.

Okay ... In Good Company. What can I say? Edward and Millie made me laugh so hard in After a Fashion, that when I found out they'd have their own story, I literally screamed and scared my mom who was sitting in the living room! I loved how they went at it in Harriet's story and this story continued right where the last one left off.

Harriet and Oliver are mentioned several times in this story, but I loved how Millie came off the page in a whole new way. She gets in more scrapes and messes up the uses of words expensively, (or is the exponentially,) in this book that you will be rolling on the floor with uncontrollable laughter.  

I fell in love with Edward's little charges, having five siblings of my own. I ached for them as their past came out through the whole story.

So over all, each story won its five stars stand alone. Together ... they get twenty! I am so excited for Lucetta's story and am counting the days until it is released.

I was given these books for my honest review by the Book Club Network and I have given it. All opinions I have give are my own.  

From the Start ~ Book Review

Kate Walker used to believe that Happily Ever After would happen for her. But a relationship that has left her brokenhearted has also made her steel hearted against romance in general. Not good when you write romance TV screen plays for a living. Wanting to write something that means something meaningful, Kate feels lost in her career, unsure of what to do. But when disaster strikes her home town of Maple Valley, Kate hurries to help.


Injured in a football game that leaves him on the bench for good, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is hiding out at his buddy’s house to avoid the onslaught of media. Wallowing in self pity, Colton’s friend urges him to do something meaningful. His agent is bugging him about writing a book, but where is Colton going to find an author? When his friend’s hometown is ravaged by a tornado, Colton heads along to help.


When Kate and Colton meet, sparks fly. But soon they realize they can help each other; Colton needs an author and Kate needs a job. So they join forces on Colton’s biography. Things seem to be going swimmingly. But life has a way of making itself challenging, even when things seem so right From The Start.

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This book had me rolling with laughter...From The Start. Okay, not really, but I was laughing way more than I normally do with books. Miss. Tagg is so humorous in the way she writes! From the way Kate and Colt meet to the “shower fight” to the end, it was just so fun!


While the book was funny, there was a very real angle to it as well. Colton and Kate struggle with their pasts. Kate’s agent and friend also has a little boy with Leukemia. There is also a young, pregnant teen who Kate helps Miss. Tagg addresses these real life issues with grace and talent. I was crying at one point.


I give this book five stars, no doubt. I would say it is for older teens (+14) due to the issues addressed and some other parts.

I was given this book for my honest review, from the Book Club Network.

Together With You ~ Book Review

Carly Mason is an ex-social worker with a history in helping kids with fetal alcohol effects. When she finds little five year old Penny Tremaine in the stuffed animal shop where she now works at, she is determined not to get involved. But something about Penny tugs at Carly’s heart.

When Ryan, Penny’s handsome father, offers Carly a job as Penny’s nanny, Carly is shocked! She except, albeit rather reluctantly. But soon she is a part of the family., having been accepted not only by Penny, but Ryan’s sons, Kyle and Eric as well as Ryan himself.

When disaster strikes this family that Carly has grown fond of...maybe she even loves them...will she, with the strength of the Lord, be able to keep them from falling apart?

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This book… oh my word. I cannot express in word how drawn into it I was. As the author’s bio says, it did have a Sound of Music feel to it. I am a SoM fanatic, so this book hooked me!

I honestly had little knowledge of Fetal Alcohol Effects before reading this book and it was a real eye opener to see how much these kids, and in the case of the story, there parents struggle.

I give this book a four star review! I loved it, but the fact that Carly fell in love with a non-believer and still had a happy ending made me go “eh?” just a little. That doesn’t usually happen and heartbreak can come from falling in love with non-believers. I definitely say this book is for older teens (+15). Otherwise, great book!

I was given this book from the Book Club Network for my honest review.

Beyond All Dreams ~ Book Review

Anna O'Brien leads a predictable and quiet life as a map librarian at the illustrious Library of
Congress until she stumbles across a baffling mystery of a ship disappeared at sea. She is thwarted in her attempts to uncover information, but her determination outweighs her shyness and she turns to a dashing congressman for help.

Luke Callahan was one of the nation's most powerful congressmen until his promising career became shadowed in scandal. Eager to share in a new cause and intrigued by the winsome librarian, he joins forces with Anna to solve the mystery of the lost ship.

Opposites in every way, Anna and Luke are unexpectedly drawn to each other despite the strict rules forbidding Anna from any romantic entanglement with a member of Congress.

From the gilded halls of the Capitol, where powerful men shape the future of the nation, to the scholarly archives of the nation's finest library, Anna and Luke are soon embroiled in secrets much bigger and more perilous than they ever imagined. Is bringing the truth to light worth risking all they've ever dreamed for themselves? (Taken from http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22504481-beyond-all-dreams)

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I loved this book! From the main character sharing my name to the guy having my favorite guy name! I learned a lot about the Spanish American war I didn't know before. 

Luke was a good guy character. I liked that he wasn't overly friendly to her to quickly and that Anna was aloof and didn't fall for his charm. This book grabbed my attention from page one and held to the last page. I loved Anna and how much of a book worm she is, just like me!

I know this isn't a very long review, but I just can't think of anything else to say! This book was amazing and nothing was bad about it! The ending was hilarious and I laughed so hard I almost cried! I read this book in like three days and could hardly be parted from it.

I enjoyed it a lot and will be looking for more book by Miss. Camden in the future for sure! Five stars all the way!   

Dauntless ~ Book Review

Merry was once a noble woman destined to marry a handsome noble man. But with a fear of her arranged marriage, the kind noble offers to wait for her and seals that promise with a kiss. One kiss to last a lifetime. But with her father's failed attempt to over throw the evil King John, her whole life changes.

That was many years ago. Now, Merry is the leader of the Ghost of Farthingale Forest whoa re really just the children from her father's village, children who lost their parents due to the evil of the king. Merry would do  anything to protect these children. Except forget the kiss of that one very special boy...

Timothy has never forgotten Lady Ellison. Now working for a king's man, he is charged with finding the Ghosts. And he is determined to do it, no matter the cost. But when Timothy finds out who the real ghosts are, and who is their fearless, Dauntless leader is, will Timothy give up his job and potion for them? Or will his heart become an little bit more like Merry's?

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Okay, I have to say, I can't be real judgmental on this one! :-) I absolutely loved this book! From the plot to the every single character to the placing and time. Merry and her bow made me want to get mine out at start shooting right away! Timothy was a gentleman through everything he did, even if some of his choices weren't the wisest! I loved little Wren and wise 'pastor' Allen. 

I loved how the story mentions Robin Hood and his Merry Men and how the little band of outcast children strive to be like him. 

I can think of no bad part of this book! Only that the themes and feelings are more directed for older teens (14+)

I give this book a FIVE STAR!!!!Can't wait for book #2 in September!  

 I was given this book from the Book Club Network for my honest review, which I have given. 

 

 

Trading Secrets ~ Book Review

   Micah Knight loves writing to her Amish pen pal. She can confide in him things she can't even tell her best friend. The catch? He thinks she is a boy. When invited to visit Zack Miller on his farm, Micah jumps at the chance to meet him face to face and to tell Zack the truth she has kept secret since fifth grade. Join Micah and Zack as they discover the fun and trouble that Trading Secrets can cause.

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First off, I just want to say that I love Melody Carlson and the way she writes. Writing this story in present tense first person was a new experience for me, as I had never read a book written that way.
That said, I want to say that this book had me glue with page one. I received it in the mail in the afternoon one day and had it finished by nine the next morning. I couldn't put it down. 

 
I liked how Micah knew she needed to tell Zack the truth, that she was a girl. I didn't, however like the way she went about it. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone in case they end up reading it, but let's just say that honesty would have been the best policy in this case! :-) 

I enjoyed the nice blend of Amish culture with our own. It really helps you to see how very different their lives our compared to our own. I mean, I never thought of all the little things I take for granted everyday that they have lived their whole lives without! We can hope in the car and travel ten miles in ten minutes while they have to hitch up their horses and drive a buggy. It would take forever to go where you'd want to go! 

So over all, I'd give this story 4 stars. It was well written and had a good plot, but there were just somethings I thought were a little far fetched and not cool.  

I was given this book by The Book Club Network for my honest review which I have given.