"No Safe Harbor," by Elizabeth Ludwig

"No Safe Harbor," by Elizabeth Ludwig

New York City, 1897

She came to America searching for her brother. Instead all she's found is a web of danger.

Cara Hamilton had thought her brother to be dead. Now, clutching his letter, she leaves Ireland for America, desperate to find him. Her search leads her to a houseful of curious strangers, and one man who claims to be a friend--Rourke Walsh. Despite her brother's warning, Cara trusts Rourke, revealing her purpose in coming to New York.

She's then thrust into a world of subterfuge, veiled threats, and attempted murder, including political revolutionaries from the homeland out for revenge. Her questions guide her ever nearer to locating her brother--but they also bring her closer to destruction as those who want to kill him track her footsteps.

With her faith in tatters, all hope flees. Will her brother finally surface? Can he save Cara from the truth about Rourke... a man she's grown to love?

 

This book is very, very slow to get going.  I was bored but have to say by the time I got to the 200th page things started to pick up.  It got interesting and the pace of the story picked up, but who wants to read 200 pages before it gets interesting?  It's one of those books I won't remember reading but it wasn't horrible, just not a one for me. 

 

Stars out of 5 : 2.5 You may love this book, I wasn't too keen, sorry.

 

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group". 

"Full Disclosure," by Dee Henderson

"Full Disclosure," by Dee Henderson

Ann Silver is a cop's cop. As the Midwest Homicide Investigator, she is called in to help local law enforcement on the worst of cases, looking for answers to murder. Hers is one of the region's most trusted investigative positions.

Paul Falcon is the FBI's top murder cop in the Midwest. If the victim carried a federal badge or had a security clearance, odds are good Paul and his team see the case file or work the murder.

Their lives intersect when Ann arrives to pass a case off her desk and onto his. A car wreck and a suspicious death offer a lead on a hired shooter he is tracking. Paul isn't expecting to meet someone, the kind that goes on the personal side of the ledger, but Ann Silver has his attention.

The better he gets to know her, the more Paul realizes her job barely scratches the surface of who she is. She knows spies and soldiers and U.S. Marshals, and has written books about them. She is friends with the former vice president. People with good reason to be cautious about who they let into their lives deeply trust her. Paul wonders just what secrets Ann is keeping, until she shows him the John Doe Killer case file, and he starts to realize just who this lady he is falling in love with really is....

 

I have to say I enjoyed this book.  It made me think and the story kept me interested.  I didn't figure out the "whodunit's" in the book which I always think is a good thing, though on the downside it was a bit of an anti-climax when everything came to a head at the end.  The ending wasn't as good as I had hoped it would be.

 

As lead characters Paul and Ann are a bit too good to be true, but are well matched for one another.  The book is a bit long at 473 pages, so it's not a read in a couple of days type of book!!!

 

Stars out of 5: 4.5 just wished the ending was better, but overall a great book with lots of action to keep you interested.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"The Gaither Homecoming Bible," Bill and Gloria Gaither, General Editors

"The Gaither Homecoming Bible," Bill and Gloria Gaither, General Editors

The Gaither Homecoming Bible will make the Bible come alive for those seeking truth in the twenty-first century, even for those who think they already know it. For years, Bill and Gloria Gaither have reached millions of people across generations with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Their music of joy, thanksgiving, and praise ushers people into the presence of God so that He can do His wondrous work in their lives. Featuring inspirational and insightful Scripture devotions by the Gaithers and other favorite Homecoming artists; articles on beloved hymns, gospel songs, and Gaither classics and the inspiration behind them; original poetry by Gloria Gaither to enlighten and inspire; and quotes by greats of the faith, reflecting on the importance of music in the life of believers, this beautiful Bible featuring the New King James Version^® (NKJV) is one that readers will treasure for years to come.

Now don't panic or raise your eyes in wonder, I haven't read the Bible page to page.  Our instructions were:

Please note that this is a copy of the full Bible. Reading the entire Bible is not what we expect from you. Compare familiar verses with your favourite translation, read a portion of your favourite book, and / or check out the extras (Scripture devotions by the Gaithers and other favourite Homecoming artists, articles on beloved hymns, and the original poetry by Gloria Gaither). An overall impression of the format and structure of this particular Bible would be great!

 

So here are my impressions.  I have two old Bibles in the house and they are very small and feel very stuffy and dull compared to this one.  This book has a more modern feel and a few features that make reading the Bible even more of a pleasure.  They have a two-month (60 day) overview of the Scriptures, including Homecoming devotions for every day.  I found that very helpful.  They have a number of contributors writing words of wisdom through the book.

 

I personally found no need for hymns, but I am sure a lot of people would find this helpful  There are a number of beautiful poems written by Gloria Gaither throughout the book and illustrations provide light and colour to the passages.

 

I will not be awarding stars out of 5, as that would be disrespectful.  I would say this book would make a lovely present.  It is a little expensive at $44.99 US and it's not a book to carry around with you.  It's something that would be treasured and could be passed down to the next generation.

"Bible has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Thomas Nelson". 

"Dear Deb," by Margaret Terry

"Dear Deb, A Woman with Cancer, a Friend with Secrets and the Letters that became their Miracle," by Margaret Terry

"I want you to know that if my illness inspired you to write these stories, the cancer was worth it."—Deb

What stories could possibly make cancer worth it?

Stories that represent a miracle—a lifetime of miracles. Stories that changed the writer as she wrote them and stories that will touch the heart of the reader, one by one by one. Stories that are not just stories.

They started out as words of encouragement to a dying woman. They turned into a collection of sparkling and intimate moments, pulled from the past to finally be understood and shared with new meaning.

Story by story, letter by letter, Margaret Terry uncovered powerful pictures in her own life of the one truth that could help carry her friend Deb from this life to the next: God is at work.

Together, Deb and Margaret found renewed hope in all the ways God shows up right to the very end. Which is where they found the miracle they'd been praying for all along. In each other.

This book was interesting and an easy read, as it comprises of short sometimes only two page long stories of happenings in the authors life.   I must say the author has an incredible memory, and this made me think of certain events in my life.

I found the story told on page 190 the most profound one for me.  I also found the story called "The List," which starts on page 109 really, really interesting and that too spoke to me.

The one thing I was disappointed about with this book was that it was a one way "conversation," as they are all letters to Deb, we don't see any from Deb, which made it feel very one sided.

Stars out of 5 : 3 book was an easy read, but there was something missing for me.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Thomas Nelson".

"The Bridesmaid," by Beverly Lewis

"The Bridesmaid," by Beverly Lewis

Joanna Kurtz has made several trips to the altar, but never as a bride. The young Amishwoman is a closet writer whose stories aren't her only secret.

Eben Troyer hopes to make Joanna his bride--if he can ever leave his parents' farm in Shipshewana, Indiana. Yet Eben's hopes to build a life with Joanna hinge on his brother's return from the English world....

 

Have to say I enjoyed this book and read it over a couple of weeks, which is very unusual for me, as I normally read books in a day or two.  We were busy though, and I did find I was able to pick up where I left off no problem.  It did want me to spend more time reading it to see what happened next, again a good point.

 

It pushes the point that you have to believe in God's will and you will end up doing the right thing, but not before being tested first.

 

If you have read any of Beverly Lewis' books, you will recognise some of the names in the book as characters from other books.  The lead characters were perfect for one another and you only want the best for them both.

 

Stars out of 5 : 3.5  Funnily I am not a huge fan of Beverly Lewis books........I know a bit strange.  It was a good book and I am looking forward to the third in the series, "The Guardian" which will be published in March of 2013.

 

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"With Every Letter" by Sarah Sundin

"With Every Letter" by Sarah Sundin

Lt. Mellie Blake is looking forward to beginning her training as a flight nurse. She is not looking forward to writing a letter to a man she's never met--even if it is anonymous and part of a morale-building program. Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer stationed in North Africa, welcomes the idea of an anonymous correspondence--he's been trying to escape his infamous name for years.

As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not knowing the other's true identity. When both are transferred to Algeria, the two are poised to meet face-to-face for the first time. Will they overcome their fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage by their pasts?

Combining a flair for romance with excellent research and attention to detail, Sarah Sundin vividly brings to life the perilous challenges of WWII aviation, nursing--and true love. 

I am not a huge fan of World War 1 or 2 novels normally, so I must admit I was surprised I chose this book to review, but the excerpt for the book had me intrigued.  This book didn't hook me right away, but it peaked my interest, so that made me read more and I am so glad I did.

The two main characters were so different but so much the same in their own way.  I was glad that Sarah didn't throw the characters together right away, and built up their relationship and eventual meeting gradually throughout the book.  In fact even I wasn't sure what would happen at one point.

On a side note it was interesting to hear how the in flight nurses helped so much during the transportation of injured servicemen, and how much a boost they were for morale as well.

Stars out of 5 : 4 not my usual genre of book, but enjoyable all the same.  Not familiar with this author, but will look for more of her books.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Love's Reckoning," by Laura Frantz

"Love's Reckoning," by Laura Frantz

On a bitter December day in 1784, Silas Ballantyne arrives at the door of blacksmith Liege Lee in York County, Pennsylvania. Silas is determined to finish his apprenticeship quickly and move west. But because he is a fast worker and a superb craftsman, Liege endeavors to keep him in York by appealing to an old tradition: the apprentice shall marry one of his master's beautiful daughters.

Eden is as gentle and fresh as Elspeth is high-spirited and cunning. But are they truly who they appear to be? In a house laced with secrets, each sister seeks to secure her future. Which one will claim Silas's heart--and will he agree to Liege's arrangement?

In this sweeping family saga, one man's choices in love and work, in friends and enemies, set the stage for generations to come. This is the Ballantyne Legacy.

This is the first book in the Ballantyne Legacy and what a great book to start the series.  This story reminded me a bit of Cinderella but instead of two wicked step-sisters there was a wicked father and sister.  Silas is a great lead character as is Eden.  I have to say I fell in love with the name Eden; will have to drop hints at dd that if she ever has a daughter she should call her Eden!!!

Anyhow, the way the book finished left you wanting more, and there was a sneak peek of the next book in the series and have to say I was caught up in the story within the first few pages.  The down side, it will not be released until Fall of 2013.

Stars out of 5 : 5 just loved everything about this book.  Can't wait to read the next one in the series.  You should read this book, it's well worth your time.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".