Category Archives: Book Reviews

Book Review: Angels Walking by Karen Kingsbury

September 2, 2014Book ReviewsHoward Books, Karen KingsburyKaren Collier

Title: Angels Walking
Author: Karen Kingsbury
Publisher: Howard Books (Simon & Schuster)
Series: Angels Walking, Book 1
Genre: Christian Fiction, Contemporary Romance

Karen Kingsbury has a real talent for crafting characters, situations, and scenes that tug at a reader’s heartstrings. Her most recent book, Angels Walking, is first in a new series and does exactly that.

About the Book (from publisher, Howard Books):

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes the first in a brand-new series about second chances—a dramatic story about a washed up baseball player, the love he left behind, and the miracles that might save them both.

When former national baseball star Tyler Ames suffers a career-ending injury, all he can think about is putting his life back together the way it was before. He has lost everyone he loves on his way to the big leagues. Then just when things seem to be turning around, Tyler hits rock bottom. Across the country, Tyler’s one true love Sami Dawson has moved on.

A series of small miracles leads Tyler to a maintenance job at a retirement home and a friendship with Virginia Hutcheson, an old woman with Alzheimer’s who strangely might have the answers he so desperately seeks.

A team of Angels Walking take on the mission to restore hope for Tyler, Sami, and Virginia. Can such small and seemingly insignificant actions of the unseen bring healing and redemption? And can the words of a stranger rekindle lost love? Every journey begins with a step.

It is time for the mission to begin…

My thoughts:

Tyler and Sami are each striving for perfection in some area of their lives. The weight of unmet expectations and sacrifices made in other areas of their lives has separated them and changed them each in detrimental ways since they first met and fell in love. This book explores restoring broken relationships, regaining faith, and discovering that God really can bring good things out of what may look like impossible situations.

I loved the way the romance played out. The gradual reconnection and uncertain hope made sense given the circumstances. And there were a few heartrendingly wonderful scenes that made me long for things to work out for Tyler and Sami. They really did seem perfectly suited for each other.

Another element I enjoyed was the complex intertwining of the various characters’ lives. It was neat to watch how seemingly insignificant interactions could add up to have a big impact in the long run.

I was a little less enthusiastic about the scenes from the angels’ perspectives. The angels felt a bit more human than I expected, with their doubts and uncertainties about the future. Plus, I felt like the premise of their mission had (maybe unintended?) theological implications that I didn’t necessarily agree with. The idea that there’s one specific child not yet born who will be a great teacher and that “The salvation of countless souls depends on this child” (from the Prologue) seemed a little off to me. I’m not an expert or a theologian by any means, but it’s my understanding that God can and does use anyone willing, to achieve His purposes, and empowers them to do what’s necessary. The idea that God’s plans can’t go forward if one particular person isn’t born? Not sure I’m buying it. Then again, I may be reading more into this than was intended.

All nitpicking aside, I did thoroughly enjoy the story, and the idea that there’s more at stake than just the hearts and souls of Tyler and Sami themselves is an appealing one, so I’m not going to complain too loudly on this point.

I’m definitely curious to find out how this angelic team’s future missions will go and to learn more details about what they’re trying to achieve and why. The epilogue in particular piqued my curiosity about what comes next in the series. Sounds like the next book could turn out to be a really exciting one.

My favorite parts of this installment were the touching and emotionally stirring scenes included. There were a few points where I found myself crying. The storytelling made me really empathize with the characters, feeling their fears, regrets, and disappointments right along with them, which made me want to root for them all the more.

A big thank you to Howard Books for supplying an advance reader copy of Angels Walking through Netgalley for purposes of this review. I would gladly recommend this book to fans of Karen Kingsbury’s other books and to anyone who enjoys a good story centered around the themes of grace and reconciliation.

If you have a minute, and you’re not already rushing to go out and purchase the book (or even if you are), check out the book trailer for this one. It’s very well made with a great sound track and images, and seems true to the book.

Book Review: Miranda Warning by Heather Day Gilbert

August 19, 2014Book ReviewsHeather Day Gilbert, Self-PublishedKaren Collier

Title: Miranda Warning
Author: Heather Day Gilbert
Series: Murder in the Mountains Series, Book 1
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Mystery, Christian Fiction
Published: 2014

I first discovered Heather Day Gilbert’s writing through her book God’s Daughter, the first in her Vikings of the New World Saga, which I thoroughly enjoyed and reviewed over at the Edgy Inspirational Romance blog. When I found out her next book was taking the leap from historical fiction to contemporary mystery, I was curious and eager to see what this one would be like. I found it highly enjoyable, sharing some of the best features of the author’s earlier work, including vivid settings and a strong and relatable heroine.

About the Book (From the author’s Web site):

Child of the Appalachian mountains, Tess Spencer has experienced more than her share of heartache. The Glock-wielding, knife-carrying housewife knows how to survive whatever life throws at her.

But when an anonymous warning note shows up in her best friend Miranda’s mailbox – a note written in a dead woman’s handwriting – Tess quickly discovers that ghosts are alive and well in Buckneck, West Virginia. Hot on a cold trail, she must use limited clues and her keen insight into human nature to unmask the killer… or the next victim might be Tess herself.

Tinged with the supernatural and overshadowed by the mountains’ lush, protective presence, this twisting psychological mystery is the first in A Murder in the Mountains Series.

My Review:

Just like in God’s Daughter, Miranda Warning features settings vividly described with just the right details to put you in the scene with the characters without bogging down the action. In this case the setting is modern day West Virginia… and West Virginia from forty years ago.

Each chapter features a short segment from the past, followed by more lengthy scenes set in the present. Tess Spencer is trying to figure out just what happened in the past before her friend Miranda makes what could be a dangerous mistake in the present. Meanwhile, someone or something is threatening her and her investigation. I thought the format worked very well, with the details from the past being revealed at just the right times to keep suspense high and complement the modern day investigation. The mystery and suspense elements definitely kept me on the edge of my seat.

Then there’s the strong and spunky heroine. I really liked Tess, especially her dry sense of humor, and I found myself relating to her in a number of areas. Loved her line about preferring a throwing star to practice her ninja skills. She’s friendly and down-to-earth, but she keeps a knife or gun in her pocket just in case. I have a feeling I’d really enjoy hanging out with her … if she were a real person … except maybe for the danger she seems to attract. With that in mind, it’s probably safer for me to just continue reading the series as it’s published. 😉

Faith played a relatively small part in this story, but I enjoyed what was there. Miranda makes an interesting point when she compares Tess’s situation to another character’s, saying, “She wouldn’t go to church or read her Bible. So her views of God got warped, like wet floorboards.” (Page 273. I loved the wet floorboards comparison so I had to include that quote.) Anyway, I’m curious to see how Tess’s faith might develop over the course of the series.

A big thank you to the author for providing me with an electronic review copy for purposes of this review.

To learn more about Heather Day Gilbert and her books, check out her Web site and Facebook page. You can also connect with her on Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Book Review: Safe by the Marshal’s Side by Shirlee McCoy

July 22, 2014Book Reviews, MiscellaneousHarlequin Love Inspired Suspense, Shirlee McCoyKaren Collier

Title: Safe by the Marshal’s Side
Author: Shirlee McCoy
Series: Witness Protection Continuity Series, Book 1
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense
Published: 2014

Safe by the Marshal’s Side makes a great start for the Witness Protection continuity series from Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense. As a fan of Inspirational Romantic Suspense, I’m hooked, and ready to read through the rest of the series. Happily, the sixth and final book has recently been released, so I can go snag them all for my eReader without delay.

Book Description (From Publisher, Harlequin’s Web site):

HER LIFE IS ON THE LINE

For a year, U.S. marshal Hunter Davis has protected witness Annie Delacorte and her toddler daughter. But now, someone is determined to stop Annie from testifying against the men who killed her husband. To guard Annie, by-the-book Hunter will have to break a promise to himself: to not get emotionally involved. After all, he already cares more deeply than he ever imagined for the sweet family of two… a family he’ll do anything to keep safe and sound by his side.

My thoughts:

The blend of romance with suspense makes for a fun and lively read. As the story begins, someone has discovered the location of the safe house where Annie and her daughter have been hiding under the protection of Hunter’s team of U.S. marshals. When an intruder makes an intimidating and clearly threatening delivery, Hunter whisks them off to a new location. But that’s not the end of the danger. Far from it.

With the trial date approaching, and uncertainty building over how the location could have been leaked, and how to prevent further security breaches, the tension is pretty high throughout. Plus there’s the growing attraction between Annie and Hunter as she comes to realize there’s more to him than the strictly business persona he’s shown her for the past year.

I found both hero and heroine to be very likeable people with believable goals and motivations. And Annie’s daughter Sophia was simply too cute for words. It was fun to watch them face significant challenges together and draw closer in the process.

The action on both the suspense and romance fronts heats up at the end of the book, and I enjoyed the vivid way certain scenes were described to draw out the reader’s emotional responses. The ending certainly worked for me. There’s a surprise twist introduced at the end and a few details are left unresolved, setting things up for future books in the series. I’m definitely looking forward to finding out where the Witness Protection continuity series will go from here.

To learn more about author Shirlee McCoy and find out how to connect with her on social media, check out her Web site. And for those who read and enjoy this title as much as I did and want to find the rest of the series, here’s a list of the titles and their respective authors.

Book Review: Blowing on Dandelions by Miralee Ferrell

July 15, 2014Book ReviewsDavid C Cook, Miralee FerrellKaren Collier

Title: Blowing on Dandelions
Author: Miralee Ferrell
Publisher: David C Cook
Genre(s): Historical Romance (1880’s Oregon), Women’s Fiction
Published: 2013

A treat for fans of historical romance and of Christian women’s fiction, Blowing on Dandelions makes a great start for Miralee Ferrell’s Love Blossoms in Oregon series.

Book Description (From Publisher, David C Cook’s Web site):

Do Dandelion Wishes Actually Come True?

Katherine Galloway knew this moment of calm wouldn’t last, blown away like the dandelion seeds she scattered as a girl. In 1880, three years after her husband’s death, she struggles to run an Oregon boardinghouse and raise two girls alone. Things don’t get easier when her critical, domineering mother moves in. Katherine must make the situation work, but standing up for herself and her family while honoring her mother isn’t easy. And with a daughter entering the teenage years, the pressure on Katherine becomes close to overwhelming. Then she crosses paths with Micah Jacobs, a widower who could reignite her heart, but she fears a relationship with him might send things over the edge. She must find the strength, wisdom, hope, and faith to remake her life, for everything is about to change.

My Thoughts:

I’m getting a late start on reading the Love Blossoms in Oregon series, having only just now finished reading the first book, a year after its publication. But with Book 2 (Wishing on Buttercups) released this past February, a complementary novella (Forget Me Not) released in March, and Book 3 (Dreaming on Daisies) coming in October, this seemed as good a time as any to start reading the series. I’m glad that I did because Blowing on Dandelions made for a very enjoyable read, and I look forward to the chance to learn more about some familiar characters in other books in this series.

The author does a great job balancing the need to stay true to the time period (1880s Oregon) with telling a tale that appeals to present day readers. We get interesting historical details in a way that doesn’t take us out of the story. In fact, the story feels almost timeless, perhaps because of its focus on relationships and the emotions, both good and bad, accompanying them.

Besides fulfilling the expectations of a good romance (lots of obstacles, both internal and external, on the way to a satisfying happily ever after ending) this book also delves deeply into relationships beyond that between the hero and heroine. And it does so from LOTS of different viewpoints, for a multi-faceted look at those relationships. Viewpoint characters include not just Katherine Galloway (heroine) and Micah Jacobs (hero), but also the heroine’s mother, daughter, and some of the boarding house guests. While using more than a few viewpoints can risk putting distance between a reader and a story, I think in this case it adds depth to the story, sheds light on some significant misunderstandings between characters, and allows some of the less sympathetic characters to be viewed with more understanding.

Relationships dealt with in this book include those between a mother and daughter (Katherine and her domineering mother, as well as Katherine and her young daughters), between friends (relationships within Katherine’s quilting group, as well as between her mother and another strong-willed woman determined to befriend her), and … oh yeah … between a man and a woman who are each dealing with the deaths of their respective spouses and falling in love again.

It’s a complex tapestry of relationships, this author weaves, and she does a beautiful job of it. With her experience as an accredited counselor and minister to women it’s no wonder she’s able to show both helpful and challenging relationships in such a believable and realistic light. As I read and got to know the characters and their relationships better, I was drawn more and more into the story, and was pleased by the changes that took place as time went on.

Recommended reading for fans of historical romance and women’s fiction, but particularly for anyone who might be dealing with difficult family relationships, because this book takes a very hopeful look at just that kind of relationship.

Thank you to the publisher, David C Cook, for providing me with an electronic copy through NetGalley for review purposes. Opinions expressed are my own.

Readers can learn more about author Miralee Ferrell on her Web site, and can connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Book Review: Eyes Wide Open by Ted Dekker

July 1, 2014Book ReviewsTed Dekker, Worthy PublishingKaren Collier

Title: Eyes Wide Open
Author: Ted Dekker
Publisher: Worthy Publishing
Genre(s): Christian Fiction, Suspense
Published: 2014

Eyes Wide Open is a real page turner with cliff-hangers and plot twists around every corner. The story kept me guessing from beginning to end, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

What It’s About (from the back cover):

My name is Christy Snow. I’m seventeen and I’m about to die.

I’m buried in a coffin under tons of concrete. No one knows where I am. My heart sounds like a monster with clobber feet, running straight toward me. I’m lying on my back, soaked with sweat from the hair on my head to the soles of my feet. My hands and feet won’t stop shaking.

Some will say that I’m not really here. Some will say I’m delusional. Some will say that I don t even exist. But who are they? I’m the one buried in a grave.

My name is Christy Snow. I’m seventeen. I’m about to die.

So who are you?

In a return to the kind of storytelling that made Black, Showdown and Three unforgettable, Ted Dekker drags that question into the light with this modern day parable about how we see ourselves.

Humming with intensity and blindsided twists, Eyes Wide Open is raw adrenaline from the first page to the last — pure escapism packed with inescapable truth.

Not all is as it seems. Or is it? Strap yourself in for the ride of your life. Literally.

My Reaction:

Let me start by saying that the cover of the paperback edition is way cooler in person than it appears on your screen. You know those holograms that you turn side to side and the picture changes depending on the angle you’re viewing it from? Well the glasses on the cover of this book have reflective bits that show a rainbow of colors as you change the angle you view them from, much like you might see from actual broken glass. I thought that was a nice touch.

Yes, I read the actual paperback. Despite the fact that I most frequently read fiction on my Kindle, and despite the innovative episodic way this book was released in electronic format, I read this one the old-fashioned way. Why? Because I won an autographed copy through a Goodreads contest. I cannot tell you how surprised or how pleased I was to win it. But, since a picture is worth a thousand words, here’s a selfie of me holding my plunder.

Wait. Can you call it a selfie if you use a tripod and the camera’s self-timer function? Hmmm… I’ll go with yes for now, but that’s really neither here nor there, is it?

Sadly the hologram effect doesn’t show up in this picture either. Oh well. You’ll just have to take my word on that for now.

A little background on this book before I go into more detail on what I liked about it.

This title is the first in the Outlaw Chronicles by Ted Dekker, which, at this point, also includes Water Walker and Hacker. Sources say you can read them in any order, though they do share a common character who is introduced in an earlier book called Outlaw. It’s worth noting that Outlaw recently won the Christy Award in the Suspense category. I have not previously read any of these other titles, but I have to say, having finished this one, I’m tempted to track down copies of the others as well.

Eyes Wide Open consists of four parts – Book 1: Identity, Book 2: Mirrors, Book 3: Unseen, and Book 4: Seer. These parts were originally released (in ebook form) episodically over a period of weeks, and the full collection is now available as a single title in electronic, paper, and audio editions.

Book One is also still available as a free download. Be warned. It’s designed to hook you into buying the rest… and it’s effective.

This book explores the concept of identity through the experiences of two likeable teen-aged characters placed in a situation where neither they, nor the reader, can be sure just how much of what is happening is real and how much isn’t. Dekker does a great job keeping the level of suspense high and allowing the uncertainty to grow throughout the book, until finally revealing the unexpected ending.

The allegorical approach this story takes got me thinking about familiar concepts and ideas in new ways, which turned out to be a lot of fun. Yes, this is Christian fiction, but you might not see it until near the end. Take one part Twilight Zone for the bizarre situation the characters find themselves in, one part Chronicles of Narnia for the Christian allegory, and add a big helping of suspense of the cliff-hanger and unexpected-plot-twist variety, and you’ve got a general idea what to expect. I did not want to put this book down, and when I did, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Highly recommended.

Book Review: Lip Reading by Harry Kraus

June 17, 2014Book ReviewsDavid C Cook, Harry KrausKaren Collier

Title: Lip Reading
Author: Harry Kraus
Publisher: David C Cook
Genre(s): Medical Suspense, Christian Fiction
Published: March 2014

About Lip Reading (From Publisher, David C Cook):

She Could Save Millions, or Save Herself.

She just needs a little longer. She’s really close. Dr. Rebecca Jackson, a medical researcher, stands on the verge of a breakthrough that will transform medicine. But she soon discovers the reason behind the miraculous progress in her research, and it leaves her with a nearly impossible choice . . . and little time to decide. More than her research is at stake. And more threatens it than this latest revelation. Something she’s tried hard to cover up. There is a high cost to some things in medicine and it’s not always the patient who pays. Can Rebecca find the faith and wisdom she needs to make the right call? The clock is ticking and the pressure is on.

My Reaction:

Lip Reading offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of pharmaceutical research, while keeping the reader turning the pages to find out what happens next. Its lifelike characters face moral dilemmas and unexpected plot twists along the road to a bittersweet, yet satisfying ending. Fans of medical suspense won’t want to miss this one, and I’d also recommend it to anyone seeking a thought-provoking read.

Book group participants take note, as well. There’s plenty of fodder here for a good discussion. There’s the question of whether Becca or Mel is the more suitable match for Noah. There are several discussable instances in the book where characters act against the wishes of another character… with that person’s best interests in mind. With characters facing difficult choices with multiple right answers, it would be interesting to see members of a book group debate how different choices might have led to different endings to the story. I know I spent more time than I should have trying to come up with alternative endings. You’ll also find a set of discussion questions in the final book, though it didn’t appear in my advance reader copy.

I think that the part of this book I admired the most was the way its message about God’s grace was intrinsic to the characters’ personal growth and the situations they faced, rather than tacked on as an afterthought. For example, Becca’s ah-hah moment near the end of the book seems realistically presented as a culmination of past influences throughout her life, and not just a spur of the moment decision in a moment of fear. I enjoyed seeing how interactions in her past that seemed to have no impact at the time did have a major impact down the road.

The medical details included in the book were explained in such a way as to make sense to a non-medical reader, without the explanations intruding on the flow of the story. I was thoroughly intrigued by the research problems involved in creating artificial blood, and wound up doing a Web search to find that researchers really are close to a solution. How cool is that? (Disclaimer: I did major in biology as an undergrad, so maybe my inner nerd is showing?)

Anyway, I found Lip Reading to be a thoroughly enjoyable story and gladly recommend it. Thank you to the publisher, David C Cook, for providing me with an electronic copy through NetGalley for review purposes. Opinions expressed are my own honest opinions.

Besides writing, author Harry Kraus is also a surgeon and medical missionary to Kenya. To learn more about the author and his other books, check out his Web site at harrykraus.com.

Book Review: A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert

May 19, 2014Book ReviewsKatie GanshertKaren Collier

abrokenkindofbeautiful Title: A Broken Kind of Beautiful
Author: Katie Ganshert
Publisher: Waterbrook-Multnomah
Genre: Contemporary Inspirational Romance
Published: 2014

Sigh.

You know those books you have to ration as you approach the last page because you can’t get enough and don’t want the story end? This was one of those books. Except I lost that battle because I couldn’t stop turning the pages. It was that good.

Here’s what it’s about (from publisher Waterbrook-Multnomah):

Sometimes everything you ever learned about yourself is wrong.

Fashion is a fickle industry, a frightening fact for twenty-four year old model Ivy Clark. Ten years in and she’s learned a sacred truth—appearance is everything. Nobody cares about her broken past as long as she looks beautiful for the camera. This is the only life Ivy knows—so when it starts to unravel, she’ll do anything to hold on. Even if that means moving to the quaint island town of Greenbrier, South Carolina, to be the new face of her stepmother’s bridal wear line—an irony too rich for words, since Ivy is far from the pure bride in white.

If only her tenuous future didn’t rest in the hands of Davis Knight, her mysterious new photographer. Not only did he walk away from the kind of success Ivy longs for to work maintenance at a local church, he treats her differently than any man ever has. Somehow, Davis sees through the façade she works so hard to maintain. He, along with a cast of other characters, challenges everything Ivy has come to believe about beauty and worth. Is it possible that God sees her—a woman stained and broken by the world—yet wants her still?

To learn more, visit the publisher’s Web site for news, reviews, and an excerpt. But first…

Here are my thoughts:

I have a soft spot for stories that deal with forgiveness and redemption, particularly when done well, and this one handled those themes very well. Each of the characters had some tough lessons to learn over the course of the story before a happy ending could be had, but none of those lessons felt forced or contrived. Each of the characters went through gradual, sometimes painful, and definitely challenging growth, one step at a time. I absolutely loved watching it all unfold. And watch it I did. Smell and hear it too, thanks to all the vivid sensory details included.

One of the things that really got my attention was the way the author used visual items and circumstances within the surroundings as triggers and metaphors for some of the lessons the characters were learning. It gave the book a literary quality that I really enjoyed and that tied everything together beautifully. Here’s one of my favorite passages, drawn from pages 183-4:

“I’m glad God’s like those butterflies and not like that crab bait,” Sara said.

Davis took another bite of his peach and wiped at the juice dribbling down his chin.

Ivy raised an eyebrow. “You’re glad God’s not like a bloody chicken neck?”

He chuckled.

“I’m glad God doesn’t plunk Himself into the water and wait for us to find Him. I’m glad He chases us like that butterfly.”

I think the butterfly vs. chicken neck metaphor illustrates an important point for the story in a way that’s vivid and memorable as well as surprising. And I think this passage works even better in context. You’ll just have to read the book, so you can let me know if you agree.

That wasn’t the only instance where one of the characters made a meaningful point in an unexpected way. I also thoroughly enjoyed the part on pages 260-1 where Pastor Voss looks at the familiar story of the Prodigal Son from a fresh perspective that suits this story perfectly.

A Broken Kind of Beautiful has compelling and loveable characters, a meaty subject dealt with in a touching way without becoming cheesy, and a powerful message that’s not intrusive, but feels like a natural outgrowth of the story. In some ways, this book reminds me of Francine Rivers’s Redeeming Love, and I think fans of that book will enjoy this one as well. As will anyone who enjoys a good contemporary inspirational romance. I’m so glad I had the chance to read it!

Now I need to go look for Katie Ganshert’s earlier books, Wildflowers from Winter, a Carol Award Winner and Wishing on Willows, currently an INSPY Award finalist. If they’re anything like this book, I’m looking forward to reading them as well.

A big thank you to publisher Waterbrook-Multnomah for providing me with an Advance Reading Copy of A Broken Kind of Beautiful as part of their Blogging for Books program for purposes of this review. My review reflects my honest opinion.

Book Review: Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay

March 18, 2014Book ReviewsKatherine Reay, Thomas NelsonKaren Collier

Title: Dear Mr. Knightley
Author: Katherine Reay
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre(s): Literary, Romance
Published: 2013

Dear Mr. Knightley has found a place among my favorite books. I was swept away by the characters and the emotions, and simply had to keep reading to see what might happen next. So much for the errands I intended to get done that day….

Here’s what it’s about (from publisher Thomas Nelson):

Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others—namely her favorite characters in literature. Now, she will learn to write her own story—by giving that story to a complete stranger.

Growing up orphaned and alone, Sam found her best friends in the works of Austen, Dickens, and the Brontë sisters. The problem is that she now relates to others more comfortably as Elizabeth Bennet and Jane Eyre than as herself.

Sometimes we lose ourselves in the things we care about most.

But life for this twenty-three-year-old is about to get stranger than fiction, when an anonymous benefactor (calling himself “Mr. Knightley”) offers to put Sam through the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress.

As Sam’s program and peers force her to confront her past, she finds safety in her increasingly personal letters to Mr. Knightley. And when Sam meets eligible, best-selling novelist Alex Powell, those letters unfold a story of love and literature that feels as if it’s pulled from her favorite books. But when secrets come to light, Sam is – once again – made painfully aware of how easily trust can be broken.

Reay’s debut novel follows one young woman’s journey as she sheds her protective persona and embraces the person she was meant to become.

And here’s why I loved it:

As I’m writing this review several days after reading the book, the characters are still with me, vivid and alive like cherished friends. And I’m tempted to dive right back into the book and read it again. In fact, I already have read a few of my favorite scenes a second (and third) time. The emotional resonance of those scenes is truly powerful. I feel for the characters, their vulnerabilities and fears, and I want to see them find love, acceptance, and happiness. Sam desperately wants to experience “normal” and I want that for her too. It’s what drives her to grow and change and to confront her fears.

The format of the book is unusual in that it consists almost entirely of the letters Sam writes to her benefactor, Mr. Knightley. Those letters are detailed accounts of the things that matter in her life, told in first person narrative format. At times, it was easy to get swept up in the action, description, and dialogue Sam records, and forget that I was reading a letter. And yet, the really great thing about the use of letters was getting to see Sam’s perspective on events more or less as they were happening rather than her perspective looking back from the conclusion of the story. It gives a sense of immediacy, and allows the reader to see how her thinking changes as the story progresses.

The faith element in this story shows up in the subtle influences of Christian characters Sam encounters who love and accept her, and show her a reason for hope. Given her fascination for literature, I loved the role her reading of CS Lewis’s The Voyage of the Dawn Treader played in her growth and development, as well as her changing understanding of Scrooge in Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. Framing her newfound understanding within a context of literature really seemed to make sense for her character, and provided a glimpse into the Christian worldview without becoming preachy. I think this is a story that could be enjoyed by Christians and non-Christians alike.

This is a must-read debut novel, particularly if you’re into Jane Austen or romance or literary novels or loveably flawed characters trying to find their place in the world. Please, do yourself a favor and give this book a try. And if you enjoy reading it as much as I did, you’ll be on the lookout for Katherine Reay’s next book, Lizzy and Jane, due out in October.

To learn more about author Katherine Reay, visit her Web site at http://www.katherinereay.com/ where you can find links to connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and her blog.

Thank you to publisher Thomas Nelson for providing a complimentary copy for review purposes, via NetGalley. This is my own honest review.

For more book reviews and other posts of interest to readers of Christian fiction, please subscribe to my blog at http://karencollier.com/.

Book Review: The Lawman’s Honor by Linda Goodnight

March 11, 2014Book ReviewsHarlequin Love Inspired, Linda GoodnightKaren Collier

Title: The Lawman’s Honor
Author: Linda Goodnight
Series: Whisper Falls, Book 4
Publisher: Harlequin (Love Inspired)
Genre: Inspirational Romance

Linda Goodnight is known for sweet romances featuring a strong sense of family and community, and The Lawman’s Honor certainly lives up to that reputation. This is book 4 of the Whisper Falls miniseries based around a small town in the Ozarks that is named after a nearby tourist attraction, where prayers are said to be answered. I have not yet had the pleasure of reading the first three books in the series, but I was happy to find that this one can stand on its own. Even so, now that I’ve been introduced to Whisper Falls through Cassie and Heath’s story, I find myself curious to read more about the town and its inhabitants and I can definitely see the appeal of reading the miniseries in its entirety.

Summary (from the publisher):

Love’s Duty

As assistant police chief, Heath Monroe never expected he’d ever need rescuing. But that’s exactly what Cassie Blackwell does when she pulls him out of a car wreckage. He’s surprised at the beautiful widow’s strength and joyous spirit. But he’s been burned before and is cautious to get involved. Especially since his investigation into the town’s drug operation might implicate Cassie’s ex-husband! Yet the more time he spends with her, the deeper he falls. Will he have to choose between duty and his growing love—or is there a way he can have both?

Whisper Falls: Where every prayer is answered…

My reaction:

I liked the premise of a policeman falling for the widow of the man he’s investigating. There’s some very real potential for conflict and challenges built in there to keep things interesting. Was she an innocent bystander or somehow involved? How will she react to his investigation and the information he uncovers about her deceased husband? Can they trust each other? And most importantly, how can they possibly find their way to happily ever after with the investigation coming between them? I thought the author did a great job exploring these questions (and others) and their ramifications for the developing relationship between Cassie and Heath.

I found the characters, both major and minor to be interesting and well fleshed out, and I loved the chemistry between hero and heroine as well as the witty banter between them. The pace of the romance and the various plot elements worked for me. In fact, I didn’t want to put the book down, from the opening onward. I think my favorite scene was when Cassie went to investigate the car crash and waited with Heath for help to arrive. What a way for two strangers to become instantly well-acquainted!

The faith element in this one is relatively minor, featuring church attendance, prayer, and an emphasis on the importance of family and community. I enjoyed watching both characters learn and grow as Heath comes to realize the importance of family, and Cassie learns to open up and feel again, even at the risk of getting hurt. And of course, I loved the happily ever after. The epilogue tied things up in a refreshing way for Cassie and Heath as well as providing some further details into the lives of other characters previously featured in this miniseries.

If you’ve enjoyed any of the other books in the Whisper Falls series, you’ll definitely want to get your hands on a copy of The Lawman’s Honor. Likewise, if you have enjoyed other titles in the Love Inspired line from Harlequin, you’ll want to check this one out too. And, if you’re new to Love Inspired, this or another title by Linda Goodnight would serve as a great intro to the line. She is an award winning and bestselling author, and has written quite a few Love Inspired romances. In fact, she is one of a few authors that the Love Inspired editors have mentioned as recommended reading for authors new to the line and looking to get a feel for what makes a good Love Inspired romance.

To learn more about Linda Goodnight or to connect with her on social media, check out her Web site at www.lindagoodnight.com. While you’re at it, you may also want to check out this imaginative interview with the hero of The Lawman’s Honor.

And if you haven’t already, please be sure to subscribe to my blog at KarenCollier.com for more book reviews and blog posts of interest to fans of Christian fiction.

Thank you to Harlequin for providing an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley for my honest review.

Karen Collier

Stories Engaging the Heart, Mind, & Soul