Keepers of the Covenant - Fiction, Biblical

Keepers of the Covenant (The Restoration Chronicles Book #2)

By Lynn Austin

The nation of Israel has been in captivity for many years, first to the Babylonians then to the Persians.  They are scattered throughout the Persian empire.  Though Nehemiah had been allowed by Cyrus to return with a remnant to rebuild the temple, that window of opportunity has closed for the Jews.  They are slowly becoming assimilated into the Gentile culture and many are starting to fear that God has forgotten them.  An edict of the king then goes out stating that all Gentiles are to arm themselves to annihilate and plunder the Jewish people throughout the Persian empire.  The Jews are overwhelmed by the implications of the king’s order and many sink into despair and hopelessness, while others respond with bitterness and hatred.  Where is the God who swore a covenant to Abraham making these people His own?  Is there now any hope of restoration to Him and the land that He has promised? 

Let me say that I’m a HUGE fan of Lynn Austin – beginning with the Chronicles of the Kings series (amazing!) – and this book was wonderful as well.  Thinking that it was going to be about Ezra, I started to wonder a bit when the story began with Xerxes edict by the hand of Haman.  My immediate thought was that it was going to be a book about Esther instead, but Mrs. Austin focused the story instead on the exiles who knew nothing of the Jewish queen.  I loved hearing the story from their perspective, and it gave me a new outlook on what it must have been like during this “waiting to die” period of the people’s lives.  Ezra’s life and work quickly came into the picture, and I loved “getting to know” him as a real person, not just someone who wrote a book of the Bible.  There’s so much more to this story than I’ve written here, but I don’t want to spoil a thing for those who are going to love this book as much as I did.  I’m giving it an A+: now on my favorites list for Biblical fiction – clean and safe for all audiences too!

I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley.com in exchange for my honest review.  It comes out as an ebook on Sept. 30, paperback on Oct. 7 - get it!

With Every Breath - Fiction, Christian historical

With Every Breath

By Elizabeth Camden

Kate Livingston is still furious – even after many years - that Trevor McDonough bested her in a competition for a full scholarship college education.  So when Trevor specifically seeks her out to assist him with a medical study, Kate is shocked and confused.  Trevor comes to Kate harboring deep issues from his past that Kate is determined to expose.  Can the two longtime rivals put aside their differences in favor of searching for a cure for the ravages of tuberculosis?  Or will their differences, competitive spirits, and those opposed to Trevor’s work drive them in opposite directions?

I found this book to be slightly disappointing in the realm of what I’ve read from Mrs. Camden so far.  I found the storyline to be predictable and the turning point less than engaging.  I really hate to say all of that because of how much I LOVED Against the Tide.  I am just afraid our Christian romance novels are all starting to sound the same – boy meets girl, girl gets ticked at boy, someone is out to get both of them, boy and/or girl decides to trust God for a plan, boy marries girl, bad guy plan is foiled, happily ever after, the end.  HOWEVER, I do appreciate the time and effort that went into the research for this book about tuberculosis and early practices toward curing it.  I enjoyed learning about a different time for disease and medical care.  I just never really connected with these particular characters.  Overall, I’m giving this book a B – clean, predictable Christian title.

I was provided a free copy of this novel from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my (brutally) honest review. 

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.