Wednesday, February 2, 2011

An Amish Love By Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Long

Two of today's most popular genres--Romance and Amish fiction--together in one volume.

"Healing Hearts" by Beth Wiseman: Levina Lapp and her husband Naaman are alone for the first time in 30 years. When Naaman left to visit cousins in Ohio, Levina wasn't expecting him to be gone a year. Now that he's back, will they be able to move beyond this estrangement and fall in love again?

"What the Heart Sees" by Kathleen Fuller: A tragic accident rocks a peaceful Amish community, leaving Ellie Chupp blinded and Christopher Bender's future shattered. But they find love and forgiveness in a place they least expect.

"A Marriage of the Heart" by Kelly Long: Rachel Yoder is tired of her Amish lifestyle and her domineering father's ways. When handsome Joseph Lambert comes back from the Englisch, she lies to force a marriage of convenience, providing the perfect means to escape her father's rule. But Rachel never imagined she'd fall in love with Joseph so quickly or irrevocably.

My Thoughts:
I'm a little iffy on this novel. I both liked it and disliked. Why? Well, I am an Amish lover to no end, but, two of the books in this novella were a bit bland for me. It seemed to me that the authors just sort of ran on and on about much of the same circumstances. However, Healing Hearts was one that I truly enjoyed. Of course, I am hooked on Beth Wiseman and will forever be a fan of her work.

Please don't let my thoughts discourage anyone from reading this novella. I am just so used to one kind of thing and then read something that isn't my favorite, and I am giving my honest opinion. This will not stop me, however, from reading more Amish novellas and novels in the future from these authors, as I am sure that their talent will put forth something that I will enjoy beyond words.

~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.~

Monday, January 10, 2011

Possession by Rene Gutteridge

In the aftermath of investigating the D.C. sniper case, police detective Vance Graegan is burned out on life and love. Hoping to save his marriage, he quits the force and moves his wife and son to the other side of the country. But when the movers decide to hold his belongings for ransom, Vance is determined to ensure that his family’s new beginning is not ruined. Soon, though, losing his possessions becomes the least of his problems as everything they are fighting for begins to unravel in the hands of Vance’s past. In an unforgettable climax, a little boy’s innocent faith brings a group of desperate people to their knees. What is at stake counts for everything, but nothing can prepare Vance for who is behind it.

My Thoughts:
Being a lover of suspense, I knew that I would love this book. And, as predicted, I did. It certainly was filled with everything I look for in a good suspense novel. The twists, the turns, the page turning breathless gasps, the deep and meaningful characters that supply all of these things through the plot. Rene Gutteridge is new to me, and because I am highly pleased with the work of this talented lady, she is one that I will read again and again.

Having a retired military husband and living in Virginia and dealing alot with DC, this plot line really pulled me in. I was instantly in the middle of the heart racing action and suspense as I read about Vance Graegan and his wife, and the DC sniper case. It was life like and very fast paced. Definitely filled with lots of action and keeps the reader hanging on.

If you like edge of your seat suspense, then you definitely want to get a copy of this great novel by a highly talented author. I will be on the look out for more work by this author in the future.

~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.~