Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Still House Pond by Jan Watson

Lilly Gray Corbett loves living on Troublesome Creek, but she would much rather play with her best friend than watch her little brother and the twins. Her mama, Copper, is often gone helping to birth babies, and Lilly has to stay home. When Aunt Alice sends a note inviting her to visit in the city, Lilly is excited to go, and Copper reluctantly agrees to let her. Later, when they hear the news that the train crashed, Copper and her husband, John, rush to find out if their daughter is injured . . . or even alive.

My Thoughts:
Having missed book 1 in this series I wasn't quite as pleased with this book. I think, had I read book 1, I would have enjoyed this one hundred percent more than I did.

That being said, I didn't hate this book. It is one that has a powerful story line with characters that are created in a way that come to life when you read about them. The author writes with the strength and ability of a seasoned author who's hands are guided by God as she writes.

I would defintely read more books by this author. I would also recommend this book to others, only if they have read book 1 in this series. I do plan to go back and read the first book in this series sometime in the near future, followed by this one again so I can enjoy this one more.

~Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review~

~I do not receive financial compensation for any of my reviews. I do however from time to time receive complimentary review books to read and post HONEST reviews, positive and negative. The acceptance of a book does not guarantee a positive review.~

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Resurrection in May by Lisa Samson

May Seymour graduated from college with the world at her feet and no idea what to do with it. A mission trip to Rwanda brought her a sense of purpose in loving others. So when the genocide began she chose to remain in the village, which was subsequently slaughtered. Only May survived.

So, May journeyed to heal on the farm of Claudius Borne, a sweet, innocent old man who understood plants and animals far better than people.

Years later, having not stepped a foot off Claudius' farm, May learns an old college flame, now a death-row inmate, is refusing to appeal his sentence. Can she convince him to grab hold of life once again? Their surprising friendship turns the tables, for the prisoner, Eli Campbell, has a deeper faith from which to draw than she. Eli slowly begins to pull May from her cloistered existence. With the help of Eli, their tiny town, and ultimately a renewal of faith, May comes to life once again.

My Thoughts:
Lately I've been reading a lot of suspense novels, so having the chance to read Resurrection in May was a nice but extremely emotional break from all those adrenaline rushes. Lisa Samson is a new author for me, but one that is fabulous with her work. She is an author I will be checking into for more of her books.

In this book, I felt a tug at my heart for May. She was a tender character full of love and compassion, questions and heartache. I wasn't overly fond of Eli at first introduction, but my heart softened towards him in the end. The characters, ALL of them, were the depth and soul of this novel. Between them and a movement of God, I needed to take stock in Kleenex with this one!

I will be passing this book along to my family and friends with high kudos to Lisa Samson for an incredible story!

~A Copy of this book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

~I do not receive financial compensation for any of my reviews. I do however from time to time receive complimentary review books to read and post HONEST reviews, positive and negative. The acceptance of a book does not guarantee a positive review.~