The Legend of Sheba - fiction, Biblical

The Legend of Sheba: Rise of a Queen

By Tosca Lee

In the tenth century BC, the new Queen of Sheba has inherited her father’s throne and all its riches at great personal cost. Her realm stretches west across the Red Sea into land wealthy in gold, frankincense, and spices. But now new alliances to the North threaten the trade routes that are the lifeblood of her nation. Solomon, the brash new king of Israel famous for his wealth and wisdom, will not be denied the tribute of the world—or of Sheba’s queen. With tensions ready to erupt within her own borders and the future of her nation at stake, the one woman who can match wits with Solomon undertakes the journey of a lifetime in a daring bid to test and win the king. But neither ruler has anticipated the clash of agendas, gods, and passion that threatens to ignite—and ruin—them both. An explosive retelling of the legendary king and queen and the nations that shaped history.

Wow!  What a great novel!  The book has a great narrative, entwining what little we know of the mysterious Queen of Sheba and the famous king Solomon in stirring pursuit of wisdom, truth, and deity.  The historical aspect of the book gave me so much understanding of the culture and practices of the ancient world.  I loved how the author showed the emptiness of the human soul in a search for the One True God, and how the Queen struggled to understand how a people could worship a nameless, faceless God.  I felt that I gained a better understanding of why, perhaps, Solomon was so apt to marry wife after wife, and still be left wanting.  It seems that even having great wisdom and unfathomable riches (and wives!) is not enough without an all-consuming pursuit of God.  I give this book an A+ - a great read for adult audiences.  (It’s clean, but there are many adult situations that are appropriate only for older audiences.)

This book is set to release on September 9th.  

I received an advance copy of this book from Tosca Lee and Simon & Schuster in an agreement to post my honest review.  I found out about the opportunity by following Tosca on Facebook, so go check her out!

Duel with the Devil - Nonfiction, Historical

Duel with the Devil

By Paul Collins

In the final days of 1799, just as another yellow fever outbreak is loosening its grip on Manhattan Island, a young woman is found dead in a water well.  Murder is immediately supposed, and a young man from her boarding house is the prime suspect.  Before the young man can even stand trial, the public seems determined to hang Levi Weeks for his crime.  Among the legal representation available, are two rising politicians of fiercely opposing parties – Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.  Duel with the Devil is the intriguing account of how these two nemeses teamed up to prove Levi Weeks innocent, and solve “America’s first sensational murder mystery.” 

With a great amount of fascinating early American history, Duel with the Devil is a wonderful book on the early justice system and politics.  When you think that the events of this book occur just 23 years after the US declared independence from Britain, it is amazing how much political controversy already existed.  Burr and Hamilton had many reasons to be fierce opponents, but that they both were determined to work together to free a young man they believed to be innocent was a great conquest for the men.   I really enjoyed how much material was included in the book – as much as the murder trial was showcased, the culture was explained as well.  Overall, I’m giving this book an A – good historical read for adults (some of the material in the book is too mature for young audiences ).

I received a free copy of this book from Broadway Books in exchange for my honest review.

Truth Be Told - Fiction, Christian Historical

Truth Be Told

By Carol Cox

Amelia Wagner is thrilled to be back in Granite Springs, AZ where her father owns the Granite Springs Gazette.  What she never expected is to find her father very ill with just weeks to live.  His passing leaves Amelia with a huge decision – run the newspaper, or sell it?  And what should she do with the rather cryptic information her father left on a story he was tracking on the Great Western Investment Company?  Amelia soon crosses paths with Ben Stone, an employee of GWIC, whose boss has given him the assignment of trying to win Amelia’s trust and sway her favor toward the company.  However, the more investigating both Ben and Amelia do, the more questions arise about the integrity of the company and its dealings.   Finding the truth may cost them everything.

I really enjoyed this book by Carol Cox.  I enjoyed the lovely Amelia and appreciated her determination and independence.   Ben Stone was the perfect male hero for this story – depicted as a man of integrity and one not afraid to stand up for truth at great cost to himself.   The storyline moved along well, with intrigue enough to keep me turning chapter after chapter.  I do admit that I finished this book in 1 day……346 pages of good story.  Overall I give this book an A – nice, clean summer vacation read.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

http://www.amazon.com/Truth-Be-Told-Carol-Cox/dp/0764209574/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403671167&sr=8-1&keywords=truth+be+told+carol+cox

Raising Boys by Design - Non-Fiction, Parenting

Raising Boys by Design

By Dr. Gregory L. Jantz, Michael Gurian, Ann McMurray

Raising Boys by Design is a book filled with research and real-life experience in raising boys.  The authors have thoroughly studied the ins and outs of boys from birth to manhood and everything in between.  The book explores gender differences as well.  Parental roles are explained and parents are given insight on how to better help their boys develop what they need for success in each stage of life.  Advice for divorced, separate, and single parents is also considered.  With a foundation on Biblical principles and a practical approach to parenting boys, Raising Boys by Design is an excellent resource for every boy-parent.

I really enjoyed reading this book.  I gained many insights into raising my 2 boys, as well as some practical suggestions for dealing with their “boyness”.  Raising my boys God’s way is the most important thing for me, and the book consistently addressed the Biblical standpoint on nurturing them.  I really appreciated the information on how boys deal with anger, and suggestions for helping them work through it without me just getting angry with them. I understand better how they process things.  I also enjoyed the chapters that dealt with parenting roles.  Its nice to know that some of the things I do with my boys are what I should be doing; as well as some things I can improve in teaching them.  The most distracting element of the book was the constant need to tell the reader which author was writing what section.  I really felt like I could understand the book just as well without knowing who was writing the section.  The writing flowed so well together that the author notations were unnecessary.  Overall, I give this book an A – good resource for boy-moms and dads. 

I received this book for free from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for my honest review.

Love Comes Calling - Fiction, Historical

Love Comes Calling

By Siri Mitchell

Ellis Eton, daughter of a prominent Boston family, is struggling to pass another semester of college at Radcliffe.  She wants to study and work hard, but she just finds it so difficult to concentrate.  Acting is her passion – its so much easier pretending to be someone other than Ellis Eton.   Her childhood friend Griffin Phillips is the star of the Harvard football team and is preparing for a life in politics.  The only problem for Ellis is that Griffin is sweet on her – and she just doesn’t feel she can live up to the expectations people have for a politician’s wife.  So Ellis decides to run away to Hollywood to become a movie star.  Before she can leave, she unintentionally eavesdrops on a telephone call that could mean Griffin’s life is in danger!  Can Ellis solve the mystery of the phone conversation before Griffin gets hurt?  And, can she learn to be who God created her to be, instead of trying to live up to the expectations of others?

I really enjoyed this newest release from Siri Mitchell.  I thought the story was well written and entertaining.  She portrays the heroine, Ellis, as a young lady with ADHD in an era and environment in which young women were to uphold the expectations of their family at all times.  Ellis has a profound struggle to find her place in such a milieu.  The spotlight on the struggles of Prohibition in the 1920s was very eye opening in the storyline.  The author also includes an excellent expository on the era in the back of the book.    No spoilers here, but you will love the resolution of the plot, so start reading!  I give Love Comes Calling an “A” – entertaining, good, clean fun.

Burning Sky - Fiction, American frontier

Burning Sky

By Lori Benton

Willa Obenchain was captured by Mohawk Indians as a teenager and taken to live with the tribe.  Given the opportunity to do so, she has returned to her family’s homestead after many years in captivity.  Nothing is the same.  Her mother and father are gone and the town folk are saying her parents were loyal to King George during the Revolutionary War.  Though she’s working hard to reclaim the homestead after many years of being uninhabited, a new law states that it can be taken from her and sold to the highest bidder at an auction because of her parents allegiance to the Crown.  Willa doesn’t believe that her parents were Tories, but what sort of unmitigated proof can she find after so many years away?  Willa is also struggling to find her place – does she belong to the white race where she was raised, or to the Mohawk Indians with whom she has come to identify? 

I thought this book was well written and interesting.  I enjoyed learning a little more about how the Revolutionary War affected the Northern regions of New York and up to the Canadian border. There was also a lot of history about the northern Native American tribes and their role in the political climate of the Revolutionary War.  Finding healing after much hurt was a prominent theme of the book.   I would be glad to read more books by this author if she chooses to continue this series.  Overall I give this book an A – grab it for a cold day, and cozy up to the fireplace. 

I received a free copy of this title from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The Governess of Highland Hall - Fiction, Historical

The Governess of Highland Hall

By Carrie Turansky

Julia Foster loved her life as a missionary working alongside her parents in India.  However, they were forced to return to England when her father became ill.  Now Julia must find work to support her family during this hard time.  She soon finds a position as a governess at a nearby estate.  She loves the small children she has in her care though they can be unruly; and the elder girls Julia teaches are difficult at best.  Julia’s greatest struggle, however, is in relating to the master of the estate, Sir William Ramsey.  Both Julia and Sir William are fraught with hardships each their own.  Can they come together to share one another’s burdens and find love in the process?

I think this is the first book I have read by Carrie Turansky.  I thought it was well written and engaging.  I enjoyed unexpected twists and turns for the different characters in the book – some finding love where it was least expected; others learning how to live with heartbreak.  I’m so glad to see a male lead character that emphasizes faith with his household and leads them in daily devotions and prayer.  It’s sad to say that is a unique feature to find even in Christian fiction.  Faith in God is a major theme of the book, and I think the author did a good job of exploring the troubles we all face in trusting Him.  Overall, I thought this was a good read – an A for quality Christian fiction.

I received a free copy of this book from Multnomah Books in exchange for my honest review.