In this sequel to Jennifer’s award-winning debut novel Fireflies in December, Jessilyn Lassiter and her best friend Gemma Teague have survived prejudice and heartache in their lifelong friendship, but the summer of 1936 threatens to tear them apart yet again. Gemma’s job with the wealthy Hadley family leads to a crush on their youngest son. But Jessilyn’s insistence that he’s no good and that no rich white man would ever truly fall for a poor black girl like Gemma puts them at odds. Tragedy strikes when Jessilyn’s cherished neighbor girl is hit by a car and killed. Things get worse when an elderly friend is falsely accused of the crime, and the only way to clear his name is to put her family’s livelihood in jeopardy. For Jessilyn, this is a choice too hard to bear and she wonders where to turn for answers, especially when an angry mob threatens vigilante justice. Jennifer’s third book, Catching Moondrops, releases in Fall 2010.
My thoughts:
I was not able to read the first book by Jennifer Erin Valent, but reading this book was a surprise!!!
I am more into reading Christian thriller/mystery novels where I have to be left guessing the who-done-its, not Christian romance novels. Christian romance isn't suspenseful enough to hold my attention but this one is an exception.
Cottonwood Whispers has many downsides to it, but it also has enough of an upside that it held my attention until the end, and it makes me anxious to see what happens in Catching Moondrops, to be released in the Fall of 2010. Cottonwood Whispers talks about many true and real issues that many people struggle with and that makes it easier to finally get into. It is a story line that questions God and questions about eternal life. Jennifer Erin Valent doesn't shy away from struggles, she tells it like it is and makes it an interesting read.
Would I have gone out and bought a copy of this book? No. Will I recommend someone to go and buy this book? That depends. If you are into challenging issues and Christian fiction then yes, I recommend you buy this book. If you don't like the challenging issues and struggling with God, then I don't recommend this book for you. All in all, Jennifer Erin Valent show a talent for writing!
~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.~
Monday, December 28, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Sweet By and By by Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck
A redemptive story from multi-platinum recording artist Sara Evans.
Jade Fitzgerald left the pain of her past in the dust when she headed out for college a decade ago. Now she's thriving in her career and glowing in the light of Max Benson's love.
But then Jade's hippie mother, Beryl Hill, arrives in Whisper Hollow, Tennessee, for Jade's wedding along with Willow, her wild younger sister. Their arrival forces Jade to throw open the dark closets of her past--the insecurity of living with a restless, wandering mother, the silence of her absent father, and the heart-ripping pain of first-love's rejection.
Turns out Beryl has a secret of her own. She needs reconciliation with her oldest daughter before illness takes her life. In the final days leading to the wedding, Jade meets the One who shows her that the past has no hold on her future. With a little grace, they'll meet in the middle, maybe even before that sweet by and by.
My thoughts:
I am not a Sara Evans fan as far as her music goes, but after reading The Sweet By and By, I can see that her calling should have been in writing! I was so moved by this story! I am a mother of a daughter so this story really takes a special place in my heart. It is an emotional, twisty story. It's about faith, letting the past be the past, and hope and forgiveness. It is about life being the most important thing above all. Truly something that I, as a mother and grandmother, hold dear to me now, after reading this heart wrenching, moving story. This book deserves to be at the top of the best sellers lists! This book is 5 stars and highly recommended by me!
~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.~
Jade Fitzgerald left the pain of her past in the dust when she headed out for college a decade ago. Now she's thriving in her career and glowing in the light of Max Benson's love.
But then Jade's hippie mother, Beryl Hill, arrives in Whisper Hollow, Tennessee, for Jade's wedding along with Willow, her wild younger sister. Their arrival forces Jade to throw open the dark closets of her past--the insecurity of living with a restless, wandering mother, the silence of her absent father, and the heart-ripping pain of first-love's rejection.
Turns out Beryl has a secret of her own. She needs reconciliation with her oldest daughter before illness takes her life. In the final days leading to the wedding, Jade meets the One who shows her that the past has no hold on her future. With a little grace, they'll meet in the middle, maybe even before that sweet by and by.
My thoughts:
I am not a Sara Evans fan as far as her music goes, but after reading The Sweet By and By, I can see that her calling should have been in writing! I was so moved by this story! I am a mother of a daughter so this story really takes a special place in my heart. It is an emotional, twisty story. It's about faith, letting the past be the past, and hope and forgiveness. It is about life being the most important thing above all. Truly something that I, as a mother and grandmother, hold dear to me now, after reading this heart wrenching, moving story. This book deserves to be at the top of the best sellers lists! This book is 5 stars and highly recommended by me!
~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, December 21, 2009
The Light Keeper's Daughter by Colleen Coble
At a lavish estate in Mercy Falls, California, Addie Sullivan finds danger—and quite possibly the love of her life.
Growing up as the lightkeeper’s daughter on a remote island at the turn of the century, Addie Sullivan has lived a hardscrabble life. When a long-lost and wealthy relative finds her and enlists her to work as a governess at a lavish estate, she hopes to discover the truth of her heritage. But at Eaton Hall, nothing is as it seems. Not the idyllic family she hoped for, not the child she was hired to help, not even the aloof man she’s immediately attracted to. Soon she must turn for help to Lieutenant John North, a man who views her with suspicion.
As Addie edges closer to the truth, danger threatens even as her romance with John blossoms and together they unravel a decades-old mystery. As Addie faces down her enemy, she discovers that faith in her one true Father is all she needs.
What I thought:
I love a good mystery story. Colleen Coble is one of the great mystery tellers in Christian fiction that I like to read. Her newest release, The Lightkeeper's Daughter, is a mix of mystery,history and faith.
The romantic part of the story is good and the characters compliment each other. The best part of the story, is the mystery. Colleen's mysterious part of her stories are wonderful because she has the ability to keep me guessing. I never can figure her the who-done-it's out until the very last page. To me, that is the best kind of story (when I can't figure it out!) because I am usually able to figure the who-done-it's on the first page!
I recommend this book as both a mystery,and christian romance book.I can't wait for the next book in this series!
Good job, Ms. Coble!
~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.~
Growing up as the lightkeeper’s daughter on a remote island at the turn of the century, Addie Sullivan has lived a hardscrabble life. When a long-lost and wealthy relative finds her and enlists her to work as a governess at a lavish estate, she hopes to discover the truth of her heritage. But at Eaton Hall, nothing is as it seems. Not the idyllic family she hoped for, not the child she was hired to help, not even the aloof man she’s immediately attracted to. Soon she must turn for help to Lieutenant John North, a man who views her with suspicion.
As Addie edges closer to the truth, danger threatens even as her romance with John blossoms and together they unravel a decades-old mystery. As Addie faces down her enemy, she discovers that faith in her one true Father is all she needs.
What I thought:
I love a good mystery story. Colleen Coble is one of the great mystery tellers in Christian fiction that I like to read. Her newest release, The Lightkeeper's Daughter, is a mix of mystery,history and faith.
The romantic part of the story is good and the characters compliment each other. The best part of the story, is the mystery. Colleen's mysterious part of her stories are wonderful because she has the ability to keep me guessing. I never can figure her the who-done-it's out until the very last page. To me, that is the best kind of story (when I can't figure it out!) because I am usually able to figure the who-done-it's on the first page!
I recommend this book as both a mystery,and christian romance book.I can't wait for the next book in this series!
Good job, Ms. Coble!
~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.~
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