The Covered Deep

The Covered Deep
Brandy Vallance
Worthy Publishers
2014



Bianca Marshal is holding out for the perfect husband. Finding a man that meets the requirements of her must-have list in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains has proven impossible. Bianca's mama insists that there s no such thing as a perfect true love, and that Bianca s ideal man is pure fiction. On the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday, Bianca discovers a devastating statistic: her chance of marrying is now only eighteen percent. Unwilling to accept spinsterhood, Bianca enters an essay contest that propels her into a whirlwind search for her soulmate. Via the opulence of London and the mysteries of the Holy Land, Bianca's true love will be revealed, but not without a heavy price.

The struggle was real for me with this book. I didn't make it very far before I quit. Too may characters, the plot seemed convoluted, and in truth, I was a little creeped out at times. There are some books I'm just not in the mood for at the time and then there are books that I don't have any desire to try to read again. I couldn't connect with the characters and after trying repeatedly I gave up. Just being honest. 

My thanks to Worthy Publishers for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my real and honest review. 

Water Walker

Water Walker
Ted Dekker
Worthy Publishers
March 2014
Suspense, Ficiton

My name is Alice Ringwald, but the man who kidnapped me says that's a lie.

Thirteen-year old orphan Alice Ringwald has no memory beyond six months ago. The only life she knows is the new one she's creating one day at a time with the loving couple that recently adopted her and gave her new hope.

That hope, however, is shattered one night when she is abducted by a strange man. In a frantic FBI manhunt, he vanishes.

So begins Water Walker, a modern day parable that examines the staggering power of forgiveness, and reminds us that it's possible to live free of the hurt that keeps our souls in chains.

So I don't do well with abstract or fantasy or basically anything that doesn't seem likely. And to be honest this book was a bit far-fetched for me. I almost put it down a number of times and yet somehow I managed to read it all the way through. Dekker writes with great imagery and while I didn't always "get" what was going on in the story I found myself inserted into the story. I think that's what kept me reading. Alice is captivating and her story is completely gripping. The whole random prophet/stranger/angel guy was a bit weird for me but the story is that good. I'm not likely to jump into another book in this genre anytime soon but when I do it will be with Dekker at the helm. 

My thanks to Worthy Publishers for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my real and honest review. 

Daughter of Jerusalem

Daughter of Jerusalem 
Joan Wolf
Worthy Publishing 
Biblical Fiction 

In Daughter of Jerusalem, readers will quickly identify with Mary Magdalene – a woman of deep faith who used her wealth and influence to serve Jesus. This fictionalized story of Mary Magdalene is, in the truest sense of the word, an inspirational novel for modern people who are looking to renew in themselves the message of Christ. It’s the greatest story ever lived, told by one of the most famous women who ever lived, and it’s a page-turner. Joan Wolf’s years of success as a novelist enable her to combine storytelling and a faith plot in this beautifully written biblical fiction.

I was all set up to really like this book. I very much enjoy Biblical fiction because it helps me truly enter into the story of the Bible. I love that. I usually allow the liberties taken by the authors and am rarely bothered. However, the liberty of combining Mary Magdalene and Mary, Lazarus' sister, into one person went a bit too far for me. Is it likely they were the same person? There may be a very slim chance. I won't get into the theology and history of it all but I was bothered that they were combined into the same person. So bothered, I didn't fully enjoy the book. 

With that being said, however, you might not have the same problem. If you can look past the combination of characters and see this merely as a work of fiction it is a good read. Wolf writes with direction and I appreciate that. Her characters are well developed and interesting. While this certainly doesn't get my highest vote it does still get mention for being an enjoyable work of purely fiction.

My thanks to Worthy Publishing for providing me with a review copy of this book in exchange for my real honest review.  

The Irish Healer by Nancy Herriman

The Irish Healer
Nancy Herriman
Worthy Publishing
Historical Fiction, Romance, Medical
Publication date: Coming Soon: April 2012

Description:
Accused of murdering a child under her care, Irish healer Rachel Dunne flees the ensuing scandal while vowing to never sit at another sickbed. She no longer trusts in her abilities—or God’s mercy. But when a cholera epidemic sweeps through London, she feels compelled to nurse the dying daughter of the enigmatic physician she has come to love. James Edmunds, wearied by the deaths of too many patients, has his own doubts about God’s grace. Can they each face their darkest fears? Or is it too late to learn that trust and love just might heal their hearts?

My Opinion:
This is Herriman's debut novel and I have to say I will be looking for her next book because I believe she has got some great potential. This book had all the makings of being excellent but, for me, fell a bit short. I found the main characters to be a bit muddy and lacking in consistency. Rachel isn't a servant and yet is treated like one although she's not supposed to be....but I was never quite clear what she was doing. Dr. Edmunds is broken almost to the point of annoyance and I still remain not completely clear on why he was leaving the medical profession. The supporting characters shined! The cook and the houseboy were a delight and extremely endearing which makes me believe Herriman has it in her to be great. The cholera epidemic noted in the description is less than awe inspiring and I personally find it irritating when the book description doesn't match the book. I appreciated both main characters revelation of God back in their lives and felt as though those parts were written very honestly. I give this a 3 out of 5 with my ears and eyes looking for another by Herriman to see how she develops as an author.

Thank you to Worthy Publishing for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.