The Light of Sound by Sarah Sundin

In my opinion, Sarah Sundin is one of the greatest novelists of WWII fiction. Her newest novel, The Sound of Light just released on 02/07/2023 and it is a sure winner!

Set in Denmark in the early 1940s, we follow the lives of Dr. Elsebeth Jensen (Else for short) an American physicist working in Copenhagen, and Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt an aristocrat who has taken on an alias of Hemming Andersen so he can aid in the Danish resistance against the Germans. Both end up working for the resistance.

I found the book a little slow for me in the beginning but it picked up its pace and I found I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I think part of the reason I found it slow is that Ms. Sundin used Danish words throughout and in the beginning, I flipped to the back of the book to find the pronunciation and meaning of the foreign words. In time I didn't need to do that so the journey through the pages picked up. I do appreciate the glossary and pronunciation guides Ms. Sundin included. I have read some books where a glossary wasn't provided and I had to look up the words for their meanings on the internet.

Ms. Sundin's characters were well-developed and multi-layered which brought them true to life on the page. I found myself glued to the edge of my seat at times and I loved watching the relationship between Else and Hemming grow.

If you are a fan of historical fiction and especially books set during the WWII period I would highly recommend picking up a copy of The Sound of Light.

I give this book 5 Stars!

I would like to thank Revell Books, for my copy of The Sound of Light. I received my copy for free with no expectation of a positive or negative review.  The opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR. Part 255.

Smiles & Blessings,

The Secret Society of Salzburg by Renee Ryan

I love a good novel set during World War II and The Secret Society of Salzburg is not just a good novel it was a GREAT novel. It was quite apparent that Renee Ryan did extensive research.

The story jumps between the 1930s and the 1940s and between  England , Austria, and Germany. It tells the story of Austrian opera singer Elsa Mayer-Braun and her friendship with sisters, Hattie and Vera Featherstone from London, England.  Vera and Elsa formed a strong bond and helped each other to extract Jewish people out of Austria

The story was inspired by true events from WWII and Ms. Ryan brought her story to life beautifully.

Ms. Ryan has created such strong,  believable characters that they almost danced right off the page. Her words were at times almost poetic and deeply touched my heart. 

If you enjoy a good historical novel set during WWII then The Secret Society of Salzburg is a must-read. I highly suggest it.

On a Five Star scale - 5 Stars!

I would like to thank the author, Renee Ryan for my copy of The Secret Society of Salzburg. I received my copy for free with no expectation of a positive or negative review.  The opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR. Part 255.

FROM THE BACK COVER:

Inspired by true events, this is a gripping and heart-wrenching story of two very different women united to bring light to the darkest days of World War II.

London 1933

At first glance, Austrian opera singer Elsa Mayer-Braun has little in common with the young English typist she encounters on tour. Yet she and Hattie Featherstone forge an instant connection—and strike a dangerous alliance. Using their friendship as a cover, they form a secret society with a daring goal: to rescue as many Jews as possible from Nazi persecution.

Though the war’s outbreak threatens Elsa and Hattie’s network, their efforts attract the covert attention of the British government, offering more opportunities to thwart the Germans. But Elsa’s growing fame as Hitler’s favorite opera singer, coupled with her secret Jewish ancestry, make her both a weapon and a target—until her future, too, hangs in the balance.

From the glamorous stages of Covent Garden and Salzburg to the horrors of Bergen-Belsen,  two ordinary women swept up by the tide of war discover an extraordinary friendship—and the courage to save countless lives.

Smiles & Blessings,

Yours Truly, Thomas by Rachel Fordham

For three years, Penny Ercanbeck has been opening other people's mail.

Dead ends are a reality for clerks at the dead letter office, and she dreams of something more--a bit of intrigue, perhaps a taste of romance. When she comes across a letter from a brokenhearted man to his one true love, it becomes her mission to place this lost letter into the hands of its intended recipient.

But when Penny's undertaking leads her to the intriguing man who touched her soul with his words, everything grows more complicated. She wants to find the rightful owner of the letter, and yet...she finds herself caring--perhaps too much--for the one who wrote it.

My Thoughts

I love new authors and when Yours Truly, Thomas was offered as a book to read and review I jumped at he chance. This is Ms. Fordham's second book in her Azure Springs series, the first being The Hope of Azure Springs. I found from the very first words that Ms. Fordham would be a new favorite author for me.

The story begins in 1883 in the dead letter office in Washington DC. The lead character, Penny Ercanbeck will endear herself to the reader within the first few moments of meeting her. As for the male lead, Thomas Conner, he also endeared himself to me. It was apparent he had a wounded heart that was in need of forgiveness and love. I loved both characters equally and would love to see a sequel with more of their story.

If you enjoy historical romance with a little bit of suspense mixed in, Yours Truly, Thomas is a book I feel you will truly enjoy.

On a 5-Star scale - 5 HUGE Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for my copy of Yours Truly, Thomas. I received my copy for free with no expectation for a positive or negative review. The opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR. Part 255.

Smiles & Blessings,

Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin

     In 1918 England, Lieutenant Colin Mabry spends his days decoding messages for MI8 after suffering injuries at the front. When he receives an urgent summons by carrier pigeon from Jewel Reyer--a woman who saved his life and whom he believed to be dead--he can only hope he'll regain the courage he lost on the front lines as he's driven back into war-torn France.
     But Jewel isn't the one waiting for him in Paris. Instead, it is a stranger who claims to be her half-sister, Johanna, who works at a dovecote for French Army Intelligence. She found Jewel's diary and believes her sister is alive and in the custody of a German agent. With spies everywhere, Coli is at first skeptical of Johanna, but as they travel across France and Spain, a tentative trust grows.
     That trust is quickly put to the test, however, when their pursuit leads them straight into the midst of a treacherous plot and their search for answers quickly turns into a battle for their lives.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely loved this book. It was filled with suspense, intrigue, and romance. Kate Breslin has created a well-balanced novel set during WWI that will leave the reader wanting more.

I love characters that are not only believable but ones that make the reader want to really know them. Lieutenant Colin Mabry and Johanna Reyer were just that, believable and so real that I wanted them to walk off of the page. From the very first page, I was pulled into the story and loved every minute of it. 

I really can't say anything negative about this book. I loved it from cover to cover and would highly suggest it to anyone who loves clean historical novels filled with suspense.

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank the author for my copy of Far Side of the Sea.  I received my copy for free but I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR. Part 255.

Smiles & Blessings,

The Sky Above Us by Sarah Sundin

Facing the past may be the most 

fearsome battle of his life.

Numbed by grief and harboring shameful secrets, Lt. Adler Paxton ships to England with the US 357th Fighter Group in 1943. Determined to become an ace pilot, Adler battles the German Luftwaffe in treacherous dogfights in the skies over France as the Allies struggle for control of the air before the D-day invasion.

Violet Lindstrom wants to be a missionary, but for now she serves in the American Red Cross, arranging entertainment for the men of the 357th and setting up programs for local children. Drawn to the mysterious Adler, she enlists his help with her work and urges him to reconnect with his family after a long estrangement.

Despite himself, Adler finds his defenses crumbling when it comes to Violet. But D-day draws near...and secrets can't stay buried forever.

My Thoughts:

When it comes to novels set during World War II, in my humble opinion, there is no better author than Sarah Sundin. Her second book in her "Sunrise at Normandy" series, The Sky Above Us is an awesome read. The first book in the series is The Sea Before Us. I have yet to read the first book in the series, however, I just bought a copy because the second book was so good.

The series is about three brothers, Wyatt, Adler and Clay Paxton. This story belongs to Adler, a fighter pilot in the 357th Fighter Group based in England. Adler is running from his past and is yearning to become an ace so that once the war is over he can start a flying freight business names ACES. He also has a problem with being 'second'. He had a problem being second to his brother Wyatt, and being a wingman. This is a story of someone wanting one thing and finding that what God planned for him was far better.

Adler's interest is Violet Lindstrom, a member of the American Red Cross. Her dream is to become a missionary in Africa just like her great aunt. But just as Adler learned to change, so did Violet and her dream changes as well.

Ms. Sundin has a great gift in making the reader feel like they are right in the cockpit with the pilot. This gift is no different. I guarantee you will feel like you are in each and every dogfight that takes place in this book and if your heart isn't beating a little faster by the end of each scene, you probably didn't engage. 

The Sky Above Us is a fast-paced, World War II action novel that will get the reader's heart pumping. It is also an inspirational romance novel that will touch the heart of any reader. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, but especially to fans of historical romance.

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my copy of The Sky Above Us.  I received my copy for free but I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR. Part 255.

Smiles & Blessings,

The Promise of Breeze Hill by Pam Hillman

The Promise of Breeze Hill is Pam Hillman's first book in her "Natchez Trace" series. Based on this book, I would say her series will be a 'winner' for all who enjoy historical fiction

I fell in love with the characters in this book, the good and the bad. Ms. Hillman breathed life into a cast of characters from plantation owners and indentured servants, to piratous cut-throats and just plain mean folk. She did it well as I rooted for them, yelled at them and wanted to wring some of their necks.

The leading characters are Isabella, plantation owner, and Connor, indentured servant. Sparks fly between these two whenever they appear in a scene together. Connor, oh, my, my, my, what a swoon worthy character. He is definitely one of my favorite hero characters of all time. Right up there with Rhett Butler.

There are several topics that Ms. Hillman tackled within the covers of this book. Pride, commitment, jealousy and greed, just to name a few. Her characters tackled these issues and persevered, offering hope to all.

This was an extremely well-written historical novel with a Christian thread woven throughout. I would highly recommend this wonderful novel.

On a 5-Star scale = 5 HUGE Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank the author for my copy of The Promise of Breeze Hill. I received it for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

A Bride at Last by Melissa Jagears

I am so excited to tell you about Melissa Jagears newest book, A Bride at Last. This is the fourth offering in her "Unexpected Bride Series" and in my humble opinion, it is her best yet. 

The story begins in Missouri in September 1885 where we meet schoolteacher Kate Dawson, the heroine of the story, and her student Anthony Riverton. In time we meet homesteader Silas Jonesey, the story's hero. I must say he is definitely swoon-worthy. The picture on the cover of both characters serve them well.

I want so much to tell you everything about this wonderful story but I never give out spoilers. I can tell you this, there are mysteries hidden within the covers of this book. While it is a historical love story, the reader is drawn into a story that has a few twists and turns that lead the reader deeper into the story. If I had had the time, I would have read this book in one sitting. As it is, once I began reading I lost all track of time and when I had to pull myself out of the story I was quite reluctant to do so.

This is a story about forgetting old hurts, learning to trust, and reaching out to others. The characters in this book were so lifelike that they became real to me and I truly hated to see them go. There are times when I finish a book I begin to wonder after I finish what happened next. Of course I have to remind myself it is just a story. But in A Bride at Last, Ms. Jagears offers the reader an Epilogue that allows us to see eight years into the future. I truly appreciated being given that gift.

Would I suggest this book to others? Definitely. I would suggest it to anyone who loves a good clean love story.  The Christian theme that flows throughout the book is not overpowering but adds to the story quite nicely. 

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 HUGE Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Ms. Jagears and Bethany House for my copy of A Bride at Last. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

A Heart's Danger by Colleen Coble

For those of you who follow my blog, then you know I am currently reading books in Colleen Coble's six book series, "Journey of the Heart". These short books are a reprint of Ms. Cobles' first two novels, Where Leads the Heart and Plains of Promise. If I had to guess, A Heart's Danger is the end of her book Where Leads the Heart as everything seemed to tie up nicely.

A Heart's Danger will be releasing in May. It continues the story of Sarah Montgomery and Rand Campbell who are now at Fort Laramie, Wyoming. Relations between the soldiers and Indians are beginning to heat up and Rand finds himself in all kinds of trouble in this book.

Rand's fiance, Jessica Dubois begins to show her true colors and collaborates with Ben Croftner to try and keep Sarah away from Rand. Will they succeed in keeping Sarah and Rand apart or will it backfire on them. 

Ms. Coble is a masterful storyteller and even though this book is part of her very first book you can see the talent has been there all along. Packed with twists and turns, Ms. Coble treats the reader to a breath-holding journey in the Old West.

I am enjoying reading this series and can hardly wait for book four, A Heart's Betrayal, to hit my mailbox. It will be releasing in June and will be followed up with A Heart's Promise in July and then the conclusion, A Heart's Home in August.

If you enjoy reading clean historical fiction set in the Old West I would highly suggest picking up copies of the books in this series. They have been fun and quick to read.

On a five star scale - 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity and Thomas Nelson Publishers for my copy of A Heart's Danger. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Surprised by Love by Julie Lessman

First off, I have to say this is the first book I have read by Julie Lessman. I have several in my 'to be read' pile and I can guarantee you, they have been moved closer to the top of my pile. I have heard wonderful things about Ms. Lessman's writing and I can now agree with all the wonderful things people have said about her work. She definitely knows how to weave words into a story that grabs the readers heart and plays with their emotions.

Her newest book, Surprised by Love is the third book in "The Heart of San Francisco" series. I do wish I had read the first two books in the series, but that will come in time. This book is the story of Megan McClare and Bram Hughes. When the story begins, Megan has just arrived home from a year spent in Paris. When Bram, who always thought of her as a little sister, sees how she has matured he is 'surprised by love'. I have to admit, this story line reminds me so much of the story line of Sabrina and Linus in the movie Sabrina. I loved the movie and I loved Ms. Lessman's book.

Ms. Lessman truly has a gift for words and creating believable characters. They are so well developed they breathe the life into her story. Her prose is so lyrical it reads almost like poetry. Am I a fan? Yes! I am!

I would highly recommend Surprised by Love to anyone who enjoys reading a good clean historical novel. I guarantee you, you won't be disappointed.

On a 5 Star Scale - 5 HUGE Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Revell, a division of Baker Publishing, for my review copy of Surprised by Love. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Playing by Heart by Anne Mateer

Reading Playing by Heart by Anne Mateer was my first experience with this author. While I enjoyed this book, I'm not sure I really enjoyed the 'first person' telling of the story. Each chapter has a header of who's mind we are in throughout that chapter. I have read some books before written in first person but the author left it to the reader to know whose head we were in and I prefer that form of first person writing.

With all that said, the story in Playing by Heart was well told. It is the story of Lula Bowman, a mathematics teacher and student working towards her PhD and Chet Vaughn, a teacher and basketball coach.  Lula's sister loses her husband and she is called back to her Oklahoma home town to help her sister get through this rough time. Lula's other siblings believe Lula should give up her dream of obtaining her PhD in order to help their sister Jewel. All her siblings appeared to be very selfish and self-absorbed. Chet Vaughn lived in Lula's hometown and while he would have loved to gone to war like his brother, he stayed behind to tend to his mother.

The characters were well developed and the reader is drawn into their world easily. Lula's character was based on both of Ms. Mateer's grandmothers, which I found quite interesting.

In my opinion, the love story between Lula and Chet took a little longer than I would have liked but the important thing is it did happen eventually. 

There are some plot twists in this story that were unexpected but added to the story quite nicely.

While it wasn't one of my favorite books, I would recommend Playing by Heart to anyone who enjoys reading Christian historical romance novels.

On a 5-Star Scale - 4 Stars.

I would like to thank Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for my copy of Playing by Heart. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance - Traces of Mercy by Michael Landon Jr. & Cindy Kelley

This week, the


Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing


Traces of Mercy


David C. Cook (October 1, 2013)


by


Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Michael Landon Jr., son of television legend Michael Landon, is an award-winning storyteller, first in television and film, and now in books. His print works include One More Sunrise co-written with Tracie Peterson. 

****

Cindy Kelley is the co-author of the novel The Silent Gift, and Traces of Mercy. Her career as a screenwriter with long-time writing partner, Michael Landon, Jr., began with the adaptation of Margery Williams’ classic story, The Velveteen Rabbit, which had a theatrical release. Several television movies followed, most notably Love Comes Softly, (based on Janette Oke’s novel) which won a CAMIE Award and the Epiphany Prize for Movie Guide’s most inspirational television movie of 2003. Cindy and her husband, Jim, make their home in the Southwest; have three adorable grandchildren and four big dogs who rule the house. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

From Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley, authors of The Silent Gift and creators of the hit television film Love Comes Softly, comes an exciting historical romance set in post-Civil War, and filled with suspense and faith-building values. 


At the war’s end, a young woman suffers an accident that leaves her unconscious and alone. Waking with amnesia, she takes the name Mercy and wants more than anything to find out the truth of her past. But then a handsome stranger arrives, who may hold the key to everything she has forgotten. What he knows could devastate her future, and even end her life.


Written by two proven storytellers, Traces of Mercy is perfect for anyone who loves historical fiction, prairie-based tales, or just a good romance.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Traces of Mercy, go 
HERE.


My Thoughts:

This book, Traces of Mercy, is the first book in "The Medallion Trilogy" by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley. It is a Christian Historical Romance set during the period after the end of the Civil War. In fact, Chapter One ends with the conclusion of the war and a big surprise. The person you think will be the hero of the book turns out to be the heroine. 

 I loved this book to the end. From the very first page I was pulled in and taken on a journey...Mercy's journey. She is injured in the first chapter and loses her memory. I found myself  rooting for her to get her memory back as I wanted to know who she really was and what her real name was. 

If there is one negative thing I have to say about this book is the way it ended.  As I kept turning pages I thought, wait a minute, I'm running out of pages and there is so much more story to tell. The ending left me hanging in a sense, just like my favorite television shows do with their final shows of the season.  I have never been a fan of "To Be Continued..."  So, will I read book two in this series? You bet! Because I just have to find out more about Mercy. 

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and the publisher David C. Cook for my review copy.  I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Perfectly Matched by Maggie Brendan - a review

Perfectly Matched is the third book in Maggie Brendan's "The Blue Willow Brides" series.  The first in the series Deeply Devoted (read my review here) and the second in the series Twice Promised (read my review here) were absolutely wonderful and I gave them both 5 star ratings. Unfortunately I didn't love this book as much as the first two.

The heroine of the story is Anna Olsen who has left her sisters behind in order to travel to Denver, Colorado to become the mail order bride of Edward Parker. Now I must admit I absolutely love the character of Anna. She has a compassionate heart for animals and begins rescuing them much to Edward's dismay. In time he comes around and helps her in her quest to open up a branch of the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) but most of the book was over before he came around.

Edward Parker never pulled me into his story. He is obsessive-compulsive and on their wedding day he tells Anna that they will not consummate their marriage for ten days. Then he hands her a note of her "wifely duties" telling her what to do and what days to do it on. All throughout the book I tried, I really tried, to like Edward but I just couldn't do it. In fact, I was actually hoping Ms. Brendan would let both characters see that their marriage was a mistake and have it annulled so that Anna could marry Daniel, Edward's best friend. I truly believe they were better suited to each other.

Besides Edward's character the one thing that made me not love this book was the fact that after they finally consummated their marriage it seemed like every other page they just couldn't wait to be together. I truly felt this took away from the story.

I have always thoroughly enjoyed reading books by Maggie Brendan but I am sad to say Perfectly Matched, is not one of my favorites. Does this mean I'll stop reading her books? Absolutely not. I will definitely read her next book.

On a 5 Star scale - 3.5 stars.

I would like to thank Revell Publishing, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my review copy. I received my copy for free in order to ready and give my honest opinion, which I have done.

"Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing"

Smiles & Blessings,

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance review of A Bride for Keeps by Melissa Jagears

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

A Bride for Keeps

Bethany House Publishers (October 1, 2013)

by

Melissa Jagears


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 


A Word From The Author:

I am a stay at home mother on a tiny little farm with a fixer-upper house. As much as I love writing and reading about homesteaders, I am so glad I’m a homesteader during an era with modern grocery stores to take up for my slack. I am an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher by trade, and I still work occasionally in that field along with being my church’s financial secretary and writing novels.

My husband and I have been married since 2001 and have a daughter and two little boys. My husband shares my fascination with traditional living except for being more hands on. He loves blacksmithing, knife smithing, traditional archery, hunting, etc. Generally whatever a mountain man does, he does it or has or wants to attempt it. He comes in handy for research! And of course, the rest of the family gets involved. I have my own blackpowder rifle, named Calvin, that my husband made for me. And I’m pretty sure my daughter is probably one of very few her age who can instruct adults how to shoot a longbow properly. The boy digs random holes in my yard to make “cement” with dirt and water making our yard a tripping hazard. The baby does what babies do. 


ABOUT THE BOOK

A Tender Tale of Love on the Prairie Perfect for CBA Readers!


Although Everett Cline can hardly keep up with the demands of his homestead, he won't humiliate himself by looking for a helpmate ever again--not after being jilted by three mail-order brides. When a well-meaning neighbor goes behind his back to bring yet another mail-order bride to town, he has good reason to doubt it will work, especially after getting a glimpse at the woman in question. She's the prettiest woman he's ever seen, and it's just not possible she's there to marry a simple homesteader like him.


Julia Lockwood has never been anything more than a pretty pawn for her father or a business acquisition for her former fiance. Having finally worked up the courage to leave her life in Massachusetts, she's determined to find a place where people will value her for more than her looks. Having run out of all other options, Julia resorts to a mail-order marriage in far-away Kansas.


Everett is skeptical a cultured woman like Julia could be happy in a life on the plains, while Julia, deeply wounded by a past relationship, is skittish at the idea of marriage at all. When, despite their hesitations, they agree to a marriage in name only, neither one is prepared for the feelings that soon arise to complicate their arrangement. Can two people accustomed to keeping their distance let the barricades around their hearts down long enough to fall in love?


If you would like to read the first chapter of A Bride for Keeps, go HERE.



MY THOUGHTS:

I love reading debut novels, especially when the voice is so fresh and exciting that I can't wait until the author has a new novel on the shelf. That is how I feel about a new favorite author, Melissa Jagears.  

First, I would like to say, I love the cover of A Bride For Keeps, it depicts the story well. But what lies within the covers of this book is truly magical. The mail order bride story was fresh, the characters were believable and I found I was drawn in from the very first page. I fell in love with Julia and Everett. They were well written and were real enough to walk off the page and into my heart. 

I think the one thing that touched me the most was how Ms. Jagears had Everett lead Julia to the Lord. She wrote it in such a way that a unsaved person could actually be led to the Lord through her words. Masterfully done!

I would HIGHLY recommend A Bride For Keeps to anyone who enjoys reading Historical Romance and if you know of someone who likes to read and you've been praying for them to get saved, this book could help.  Believe me, the story has elements of truth for today and could help someone who thinks they aren't worthy of His love to realize that they are.  

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 HUGE stars! Well done Ms. Jagears!

I would like to thank Christian Blog Alliance and Bethany House for my review copy.  I received my copy for free so that I could read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Okay. I did it. I have been hearing people talk about Francine Rivers and her book Redeeming Love for a few years now. I've heard nothing, and I mean nothing, but over the top, spectacular reviews. So I did it. I thought if a book is getting such rave reviews it must be good right? Wrong. Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers was the best novel I have ever read. It was outstanding! I found myself crying off and on throughout the book but at the end, well I sobbed. When I say sobbed, I mean uncontrollably.

Redeeming Love is the retelling of the story of Hosea and Gomer in the Bible. The characters of Michael Hosea and Sarah are phenomenally created and grow before your eyes into the people God would want them to be. Okay, Michael was already there but Sarah had a long way to go.

At the tender age of 8 years old, Sarah's mother dies and she is sold to Duke who soils her and keeps her until one day she escapes but finds herself back in a brothel just in another part of the country, a town known as Pair-a-Dice. While walking down the street one day, Michael Hosea, who is in town to conduct business with the local general store, sees Sarah (who is now known as Angel) and he clearly knows that she is the woman God has chosen for him. Through several visits to her, to talk only, and when she suffers a terrible beating by Magowan, the man who keeps all the girl's in line, Michael convinces her to marry him and takes her away to his farm, many miles away. Michael grows to love her while nursing her back to health. When she awakes she wants to go back to Pair-a-Dice.

The story takes twists and turns of Angel leaving Michael, Michael going after her and bringing her back, to Angel falling in love with Michael only to leave again. If I tell you anymore you will miss out on the blessing that this book bestows upon the reader page after page.

This book touches the reader at their inner core. If you find that you have issues in your life that you need to take to God, this book will give you the prompt you need. Believe me. God can speak to the reader through this book.  If you know someone who is lost or has backslid, this book would be a wonderful book to place in their hands.

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 HUGE STARS!!!!!

I would like to thank Blogging for Books and WaterBrook Multonomah Publishing Group for my review copy.  I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done. 

To find out more about the author, Francine Rivers, please visit her website here.
To order your own copy of Redeeming Love visit the publisher here.
To read the first chapter of Redeeming Love please go here.

Please enjoy the video

I guarantee reading Redeeming Love is a life-changing experience!

Smiles & Blessings,