Mine is the Night

Liz Curtis Higgs is back! After this review after her last book I had my doubts about picking up this book. However, my love for Higgs and my desire for her to captivate me once more had me pushing through. She did not disappoint. This is the second of two and can absolutely stand alone, in fact I would recommend skipping the first and getting right to this one. It took me a whole first book and a few chapters into this one to realize this was an interpretation of the story of Ruth. Anyone else out there take as long as me to figure that out? Anyway, with that added twist I was hooked immediately. The language was still a bit challenging at times but I adjusted quickly and loved the story. The characters are full of depth and they'll feel like your closest friends before you're done. You always know a winner when you finish abook and keep thinking about the characters. Annoying, but a mark of a truly excellent story and storyteller.

Following the Jacobite rebellion Elizabeth and her mother-in-law, Marjory, flea penniless to Marjory's former hometown. Finding refuge with a distant cousin Elizabeth and Marjory begin to rebuild their lives in a way that looks nothing like their former existence. Beth takes up a needle and thread and Marjory begins cooking. Both begin to fall for two dashing men who capture their hearts and therein lies the tale.

This is one of those books that you just have to read to truly appreciate it. I promise you'll enjoy this one. Pick it up and be prepared to be transported to 1700's Scotland.

WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group provided this book to me for free in exchange for this honest review as part of their Blogging for Books program.

Lonestar Angel

I am admittedly a big fan of Colleen Coble. I have reviewed quite a few of her books and have enjoyed all of them. When I started Lonestar Angel I kept turning back to check the copyright date. It read very much like a rookie's novel. No matter how often I checked it was still published in 2011. Perhaps if it had been a different author or a new one I wouldn't have been quite so confused.

Just as Eden is about to get engaged her ex-husband Clay shocks her with the news that not only are they not divorced but their child that had been kidnapped as a baby and considered dead was alive.In a whirlwind moment Eden and Clay set off for a camp in Texas for foster children where their now five year old child is one of the little girls on site. The story unfolds with intrigue and suspense as Clay and Eden try to figure out which child belongs to them someone is even more determined to stop them from being reunited. Insert Eden's Columbian drug-lord father and countless near death experiences and you've got a gripping tale. In the midst of it all Clay and Eden begin to fall in love all over again as God works in both of them.

This book just confused me and I couldn't seem to get past that! I'm still confused even writing a review about it. It is so different from Coble's usually well thought out plots and so far-fetched it is most definitely fiction.It will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens but for me personally I just couldn't get past the randomness of this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Blogging for Books (Thomas Nelson) book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Unexpected Dismounts

Unexpected Dismounts by Nancy Rue

Review by: Melissa J. MacDonald

Genre: historical fiction

Publisher: David C Cook

Date: 2011

This is the second book in the Reluctant Prophet series. Allison Chamberlain is a prophet who receives
nudges from God. Her life has already made a 180 as she has followed the nudges and gone where God has sent her.

Taking place in St. Augustine, Florida Allison does battle on the streets to reform prostitutes and drug addicts and to show them the love of Jesus.  She is also in the process of adopting Desmond who is a precocious 12 year old boy who grew up on the streets. The adoption should be a for sure thing but trouble seems to follow Allison and she suddenly finds herself having to fight in court for her son. In the midst of all that she’s doing battle for her sisters at The Sacrament House and dealing with the rape of a recovering prostitute.

Motorcycle rides, hanging with the HOGS, prostitutes, court battles, endearing characters, and honest pain makes this book truly captivating. When you add in the handsome manly Chief with whom Allison has a magnetic attraction to I promise you’ll stay up late reading this one.

This book absolutely captured me. I was skeptical when I started reading about a prophet. I wasn’t sure I would enjoy it or even be able to relate to it. However, I was mistaken. I found myself relating to Allison’s love for people in a very real way. I don’t ride a Harley but I love people and feel their pain deeply. If you’ve ever hurt for someone else, been angry at the injustice in the world, or ask God “why?” than you will relate to this book. Hats off to Nancy Rue for writing a deep, thought-provoking, and entertaining story.

Rated: PG-13

Thank you to David C Cook for providing me a copy of this book.

Souther Fried Sushi

Southern Fried Sushi by Jennifer Rogers Spinola

Reviewed by Melissa J. MacDonald

Genre: Contemporary, Romance

Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc

Date: 2011

Shiloh Jacobs is loving her life! She’s an up and coming writer with the Associated Press. She’s living in Tokyo, Japan, a city that has become home to her. She has entertaining friends and it seems the world is her oyster. Her life takes a drastic turn when she learns of her distant mother’s death in Virginia. She suddenly finds herself immersed in a culture that is so foreign she can barely keep up. She’s overwhelmed by the people, the language, the food, and the lifestyle.

When Shiloh wings her way to Virginia she would never have dreamed, in her worst nightmare, that she wouldn’t be returning to Tokyo. She was going to attend her mother’s funeral and then head right back to her demanding job, her handsome fiancé, and the culture she knows best. One poor decision finds her jobless, a series of poor decision finds her penniless, a bad choice in men finds her single, and a dysfunctional childhood finds her basically without friends. In short, she hits even further than the bottom.

To her surprise at the bottom she finds new friends who love her unconditionally and who have a faith she’s never encountered before. She also learns that the somewhat abusive mother of her childhood had drastically changed her life for the better. As she continues to learn more about the mom she didn’t know and come face to face with people who live out their faith in word and deed she begins to ask questions and seek the God of her friends. What she finds will warm your heart, surprise you, and touch your emotions.

LOVE! I loved this book. For a girl who typically prefers historical novels I was engrossed in this contemporary read immediately. Spinola writes with beautiful color and detail. You will find yourself transported to Japan and you’ll feel the culture shock that Shiloh feels upon her entry to Virginia. Staunton, VA is the setting and I had to laugh because I lived in that town for 3 years in my early teens. Our whole family moved from Wisconsin to Virginia and believe me we experienced the culture shock of the south. I could taste the food, hear the accents, and see the sights. For me that made this already special book even that much more special and real.

Whether you’re from Japan, Virginia, or Oregon you will love this book. It has all the components of a great book and they all come together to make a very special novel. Props to Spinola, she’s earned a new fan!

Rated PG-13 for adult content

Thanks to Babour Publishing for providing this book in exchange for my review!

The Muir House

The Muir House by Mary DeMuth

Reviewed by Melissa J. MacDonald

Genre: Contemporary, Romance

Publisher: Zondervan

Date: 2011

The thing about secrets is they don’t provide any clarity. They keep things murky, give reason for mistaken assumptions, and can hold you hostage. Willa Muir understands the damage of secrets better than anyone. She desires to move past her past but it proves to be more challenging then she originally thought. She’s met the man of her dreams and with his proposal of marriage she knows she must first find answers to her past so she can move forward. Finding answers means she must leave the Pacific Northwest and head “home” to Texas.

The Muir House is the home Willa grew up in. During her growing up years it was a funeral home, now it is being remodeled to become a bed and breakfast. It is an iconic center point for the little town of Rockwall, Texas. Snatches of memories and fleeting dreams make up the sum total of a missing year of her childhood. Willa’s dying mother, the house’s caretaker, and town records provide confusing partial answers and even the Muir House hides its own share of secrets.

In Texas Willa faces considerable opposition as she searches for answers. An old flame may threaten her relationship with her distant boyfriend/almost fiancé. Turbulent emotions and ever developing secrets will keep you guessing in this book. DeMuth writes with rare transparency and she dives into troubling subjects head on. Willa is a wonderful mixture of strong, independent, lonely, and hurting. The depth of her character is stunning.

This was not one of my favorite books. It is written like a secret and with that comes a bit of a cold feeling. It’s not a warm and cozy book and the characters are not either. That makes it hard to relate and to really want to dig in and immerse yourself. DeMuth is an excellent storyteller and the conclusion of the book is really quite beautiful. If you wrap yourself in a warm blanket you may be able to ward off the chill of the initial start of the book and be able to persevere to the warmer ending.

Rated PG-13 for adult content

Thank you to Zondervan for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

A Sound Among the Trees

Arizona desert girl, Marielle, meets widower Carson online and they get married. Marielle suddenly finds herself step-mother to two children and living at Holly Oak, a plantation house in Virginia with Carson's grandmother-in-law. The house itself is rumored to be full of mystery, and if you believe the blue-haired ladies, it's full of ghosts. One of the ghosts is Susannah, a former resident of the house who is rumored to have been a civil war spy for the north.

History seeps through the very pores of the house down to the Civil War cannon ball lodging in the siding. Grandmother Adelaide holds all the history and stories close to herself. She's pretty sure the house is not haunted but is instead somehow stuck in sorrow and trying to make amends. Marielle isn't sure what to believe but she isn't entirely comfortable in a house filled with so many questions and stories from the past. 

Meissner is one of my absolute favorite authors and I was beyond thrilled to be able to review this book. What's unique about this author is her ability to blend the past and the present in an incredibly effective way. I'm rather bummed to say that this book did not live up to my expectations. Almost two-thirds of it was taken up with the modern day story that I felt was a bit heavy on the haunting and a bit lacking in clarity. Once we were transported to the past through a series of letters the book was fascinating and I stayed up late to finish it. Unfortunately the first two-thirds dragged and were not, in my opinion, Meissner's best work. However, she does an excellent job with the story of Susannah in the Civil War and you will find yourself captivated.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." 

Harvest of Grace

I must come clean at the very beginning of this review. At the risk of offending possibly the entire reading world I will openly admit that I am not a big fan of the Amish genre. Gasp! Wheeze! WHAT!?

Everyone still okay?

Look around any Christian bookstore and you will see Amish fiction is taking over the shelves. Yes, their lifestyle is fascinating and yes, learning about them is interesting, but come on! After your twelfth shunning they get a little predictable, right? Wrong. It's true, I was wrong. There is Amish fiction everywhere and many of them are predictable and down right boring but there are few standout authors that make this genre readable. Cindy Woodsmall is one such author. I will willingly pick up any book that she writes because I know I'll be surprised. Harvest of Grace did not disappoint.

Harvest of Grace  is the third installment in the Ada House Novels. Sylvia is a dairy farm girl through and through. She loves farming and wishes her Father and her boyfriend Ephriam would treat her as an equal when it comes to decisions about the farm. When Ephriam asks Sylvia to marry him she shocks him by asking for more time. In the the time she has asked for Ephriam manages to engage himself to Sylvia's sister Becky. Wounded beyond words Sylvia pours herself into her farm work. When a moment in the barn with Ephriam turns the wrong way Sylvia flees her home and finds work at a dairy barn some distance away. Hiding and ashamed she once again pours herself into work on the farm.

Aaron is a recovering alcoholic who returns to his father's farm intent on selling it for profit and moving his parents into town with him. He doesn't settle on meeting his father's hired hand Sylvia and having her undying love for the dairy farm play into the drama Aaron's return creates. Not to mention Aaron finds himself drawn to Sylvia and she to him.

With two completely opposite views on farm and family one wonders if Sylvia and Aaron can find a common ground. I would tell you, but that might ruin the story :)

Aaron and Sylvia both possess a depth that makes Woodsmall's writing so delightful. They are quite unlike any other characters you have read before. A smattering of returning characters makes you feel as if you are revisiting old friends, but if this is your first Woodsmall book you won't feel like you're missing out. This is an easy and engrossing read that is perfect for a plane ride or a cup of coffee.

It's true, Cindy Woodsmall has made the Amish genre delightful and completely worth diving into. You'll definitely enjoy this book and all of the Amish books she has authored.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."