I chose that catchy title because I normally write bite-size book reviews, and I have a little more to say about this one. A few days ago, I needed a pleasant story – nothing too thought-provoking – to listen to while I did some sewing. Siri Mitchell’s book Love Comes Calling looked perfect. And I loved it. Just loved it. I didn’t need the author’s note at the end to tell me that the heroine had ADHD. Any mother or teacher (and many adults who don’t even have children) recognized it on page one. When I read the Amazon reviews later, I was surprised to see that not everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. They found the heroine: confusing, annoying, immature, flighty, scatterbrained, selfish, insecure, irresponsible, repetitive, foolish and impulsive. Well, then… the author did a fabulous job of creating an authentic heroine. That is exactly how such a girl would feel and appear to others. Some reviewers found the stream-of-thought style confusing because the heroine’s thoughts were so random and jumpy, and I think it is likely that her personality is better captured in the audiobook than in the written format. The reader, Morgan Hallett, is good. She Read More
Tag: book reviews
Bite-size Book Reviews
These were all new, first-time reads for me, from some of my favorite authors. It was a nice variety of styles and time periods. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. Random Acts of Murder, audiobook by Christy Barritt, read by Sandy Rustin This book is the first in a new series. The heroine is appealing, with her good intentions, insecurities and quirky personality. She fled the scene of a murder and now she’s being framed for it. The hero is an old high school classmate, all grown up and in charge of the murder investigation. Ms. Barritt does a good job of pacing the mystery and concealing the identity of the killer. I would have liked to see more about the heroine’s spiritual and physical conditions, but it is a light-hearted story with lots of other action. The supporting characters seem interesting; I hope they are developed further in the rest of the series. Snow on the Tulips, audiobook by Liz Tolsma, read by Susan Denaker Ms. Tolsma has created a vivid portrait of a small Dutch village and its residents near the end of WWII. This is an intense, suspenseful story as much as Read More
Bite Size Book Reviews
I listened to audiobooks this week while I worked on a number of household, quilting, sewing, and crafting projects. These are some of my favorite contemporary writers of Christian fiction in a variety of genres, and they were all first-time reads. No One to Trust, audiobook by Lynette Eason I always watch my library for Ms. Eason’s new books. Her plotting is exceptionally tight. This one does have a good storyline, but the characters were not her best. I wanted to slap the heroine and shake the hero. She never stopped harping on the fact that he had lied to her, even when the reason was clearly and repeatedly justified. I would have liked him better if he was just a little assertive. That said, the plot, action and mystery were good. The resolution was creepy. Nothing but Trouble, audiobook by Susan May Warren A fun summer read, but don’t underestimate it. The mystery is solid. The family characters and their relationships are enjoyable. The history between the first hero and the heroine creates a sensitive tension that gives them depth but doesn’t overshadow the lightheartedness of the book. I found the second hero kind Read More
Bite Size Book Reviews
I have some kindle freebies in this week’s list! (Correct as of this article. Check the price before ordering) It’s an even more eclectic collection than usual, with settings in first century Rome, 1880 New York City, turn-of-the-21st-century Egypt, and pre-civil war Missouri as well as modern American settings. Audiobook, kindle and paperback! 1. Chasing the Lion, audiobook by Nancy Kimball **This reader is one of the best I have ever heard. The audio version is a finalist in the 2015 Audiobook Publisher’s Association Audio awards in the Inspy/Faith-Based Fiction category** The Christianity in this book is a primary theme. It’s set in 35AD, when Christianity was serious business. The romance was developed gradually and naturally. Again, faith played a pivotal role in all of the book’s relationships. The violence was horrific at times, but it was appropriate to the setting of the book, as were the attitudes toward slavery and (very minor) descriptions of sexual behaviors. This was a long audiobook – 15 hours! – but definitely worth listening to. 2. The Edge of Light, kindle, by Ann Shorey This was an interesting antebellum novel set in Missouri, among slaveholding middle-class tradesmen. We often see slavery associated Read More
Deepest Roots of the Heart
Deepest Roots of the Heart by Chautona Havig My review: Loved it. Looking forward to the next book. Okay, okay…. I listened to the audiobook version of this novel. The reader, Thom Rivera, was very good. His rich Hispanic accent was perfect for creating the right atmosphere for the story. This book is a fascinating story in an unusual setting. I learned more about history in that part of the country while reading this book than I did in school! The characters are complex and convincing. The transitions between 1945 and 1836 are smooth. I enjoyed the relationships between the main characters. Amelie is particularly charming. The plot includes several deeper subjects, including PTSD, which is portrayed with sensitivity and accuracy. Deepest Roots of the Heart is apparently a prequel/sequel to a new series – the foundation and resolution – and I am looking forward to reading all of it. I have never been disappointed by a Chautona Havig book.
LAUNCH PARTY – Deepest Roots of the Heart by Chautona Havig
LAUNCH PARTY at Chautona Havig – Just the Right Escape – Prizes all day long! Enter to win the any or all of the hourly giveaways and then enter to win the grand prize afterward. Good stuff! Deepest Roots of the Heart I’ve been waiting for this one! The author is a friend and actually gave me an advance copy to read, but I was only a couple chapters into it before it was officially available today. I don’t have time to sit down and read right now, so first thing this morning, I bought the audiobook. At $7.95, it’s cheaper than a movie ticket and eleven hours long. I understand that the reader has a smooth voice with a Hispanic accent – just perfect for this story. “Deepest Roots of the Heart” is the first in the “Legacy of the Vines” series: A legacy of faith, love, and family that spans a century of change. This eleven book saga begins with Deepest Roots of the Heart, a combination prequel and sequel–the tale of a Mexican soldier who escaped death at the Battle of San Jacinto and the heritage he began in the lives of a Californio family and an Read More