Rare Earth by Davis Bunn

Rare Earth by Davis Bunn is a story that moves quite quick in some places, and slow in others. But it is all-in-all a good story if you give yourself time to get into it.

On page one we meet Marc Royce, a man who has come to Africa to investigate some possible corruption in a relief organization. A man has been kidnapped, and the company Marc works for is suspected of doing the crime. Marc expected to simply come to Kenya to get answers for his company and possibly to find some for himself as well. He never planned on becoming a vital piece in a puzzle that is only now unfolding.

Tribes are being removed from their ancestral lands and sent to city slums for no apparent reason. They are promised new land, but it never materializes. Now, as the crisis grows, the elders begin to look to an unlikely hero for help-- Marc Royce.

In the midst of it all, Marc finds himself being drawn to the kidnapped man's sister, a nurse at the refugee camp where he is staying. She is a woman of many secrets, and Marc slowly begins to realize that her knowledge may be one of the keys to uncovering the reason for the tribes' displacement.

As I said at the beginning of the review, this book is slow-paced part of the time. Although the characters and setting are interesting, they did not draw me in quite as much as I would have liked. I still feel that the book was definitely not a waste of my time. It was only after I read the book that I found out that it is the second in the Marc Royce series. I think that maybe if I had read book one, Lion of Babylon, first, I might have been able to understand Marc a little better. So for those reading the Marc Royce series, I would definitely say that Rare Earth is worth reading.

I received this book free from Bethany House publishers as part of their blogger book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. 

Arms of Love by Kelly Long

Arms of Love by Kelly Long covers a unique subject: what life was like for the Amish during the Revolutionary war. When we think of the Amish, we think of them in today's times. But they were in America at the time of the Revolution, and life was very difficult for them since they refused to fight for either side. This book is a beautiful work of historical fiction that focuses on the lives of Adam Wyse and Lena Yoder.

Adam Wyse is a young Amish man whose inner turmoil mirrors the turmoil of the American colonies during the Revolutionary War. He wants two things but can't have them both: he wants to fight and he wants to marry his beloved Lena Yoder. To join the Patriot cause means leaving his faith and his love. But because of a promise he made, he may never be able to be with Lena anyway.

Lena senses Adam's pain, but he won't tell her what is on his mind, nor about the promise he made to her mother. He just ends their relationship. Left alone, Lena finds herself having to turn to Adam's brother, Isaac.

Will Adam's promise bring about the good results it was supposed to? Or will it tear apart families instead of bringing peace?

I found this to be a very well-written book with an intriguing storyline. The Revolutionary War is one of my favorite periods of American history, so I enjoyed learning something new about it. Readers of historical fiction and historical romances will enjoy this book.

To visit the Thomas Nelson product page for this book, click here Arms of Love product page 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Booksneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html>: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Review of The Messenger by Siri Mitchell

I just had the pleasure of reading The Messenger by Siri Mitchell. As soon as I read the description of the book, I knew I had to get this book. I mean, for a person who loves historical fiction and romances, does it get much better than the Revolutionary War, Quakers, spies, and a sweet little love story, all in the same book? And let me tell you, The Messenger did not disappoint.

Hannah Sunderland is a Quaker young woman living in Philadelphia during the British occupation. She is content to obey the Quaker rules for living until her brother joins the Colonial army and is captured and thrown into jail-- and the Quaker faith forbids her and her family from visiting him. Even if she were allowed, she would need a pass in order to get in to see him.

Jeremiah Jones is a Colonial spy who desperately needs someone to take a message into the jail. If he can't get that message to the right men soon, the escape being planned by General Washington may for those prisoners may not take place. He decides to make a deal with Hannah-- he will get her a pass to get into the jail if she will carry messages into and out of the prison. Each is wary of the other and neither is prepared for the feelings they begin to develop for each other.

This book is an excellent read that I would recommend to everyone. The only thing that is slightly confusing when you first start the book is that it is written in the first person from both the perspective of Hannah and Jeremiah. One chapter is written through Hannah's eyes, and the next through Jeremiah's, and it goes back and forth like that through the entire book. But I love books written in the first person, and once you get used to being inside of both of the main characters' heads, it is thoroughly enjoyable.


I received this book free from Bethany House publishers as part of their blogger book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Peace in the Storm

Okay, so I know that I usually only do book reviews on here. But tonight I want to share some thoughts with you:

Whenever I go through a bad time, I always ask God to renew me and to once again fill my life with His joy and peace.

Well, lately, I have been taking walks where I just talk to God and think about things. And I started thinking about it that God says He will never leave us or forsake us. Which means, He is always there in our lives, even when we feel alone. So why do we feel alone? And if He never leaves us, then why don't I feel His peace and joy in my heart sometimes?

Big questions. So of course they have complicated answers, right? Or at least really deep ones? Wrong! At least, it's not complicated to me. Not anymore.

I have always said that some things are a choice. Things like contentment and loneliness. You can be in a room full of people and still feel lonely, and you can be all by yourself and not be lonely at all. Or, you can be in a group and feel surrounded and loved, and you can be totally miserable by yourself. It's a choice, a frame of mind, a point of view.

So, yes, I have been saying that for years. But I still couldn't figure out why there were times when I couldn't feel God with me or feel His peace in my heart. And then a couple days ago it hit me.

Yep, you guessed it. It's a choice.

During a really bad time in our lives, when we are there feeling miserable and lonely and all torn up inside, asking ourselves where God is and why He isn't with us, guess what? He is right there next to us. We are just choosing not to see Him. We are choosing our misery rather than the peace He is offering us.

I don't know how many times I have chosen discontent over contentment, misery over joy, loneliness over the fullness of God's presence. Every single time, I sit there and I say, "God, I am SO miserable! Why aren't you doing anything about this? Why aren't you here with me? Can't you come back and fill me with your peace and joy again?" And all the time, He is right there. And His peace and joy are right at my fingertips. But I just turn a blind eye and keep on crying out.

God doesn't break His promises, people! He WILL NEVER LEAVE US. Yes, we are going to have problems and bad things are going to happen. But we don't have to go through them alone. He wants to be there and help us through them. And if we don't reject it, His peace and joy will be with us and fill us through it all.

But it's up to us to decide if we are going to let Him do that. We can go it alone and be miserable, or we can stop pushing Him away and have peace in the storm.

I know what my choice will be. What about you? :-)

Beyond Molasses Creek by Nicole Seitz

Beyond Molasses Creek tells the stories of three very different lives and shows how God in his wisdom has twined them together. Ally Green has been constantly on the move for years, never staying in one place very long and seldom coming home to her parent's house on Molasses Creek. Vesey Washington, on the other hand, has never left his home on the other side of Molasses Creek. He was once Ally's best friend and they are still quite close. And on the other side of the world, Sunila, a slave in a rock quarry, finally begins her journey to freedom, guided only by an old sketchbook. How are these lives linked together? You have to read to the end of the book to find out.

As the story begins, Ally is returning home for her father's funeral. She decides that she needs to finally settle down and try to forget the past. But with Vesey Washington still living right across the creek, the past is hard to forget. The book sends you back in time to tell you the story of Ally's life, revealing bit by bit what was only hinted at in the beginning of the story. You know that some great tragedy happened to her that made her lose her faith, but you have no idea what it is or how it will be resolved.

Usually it is hard to find anything bad to say about the books I review. But this time, I have to say that there were some things that bothered me. The way the book is written is a little slow-paced and it's hard to really get into the story. It also flashes back and forth from the past to the present, as well as switching from Ally's perspective to Vesey's to Sunila's. All-in-all, I think it is still a story worth reading. The ending is good, even if it is a little anti-climactic.

Although not at all what I was expecting, Beyond Molasses Creek is still a good book. To visit the Thomas Nelson product page, click here: Beyond Molasses Creek product page

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Booksneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html>: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Wonder of Your Love by Beth Wiseman

The Wonder of You Love is the second book in the Land of Canaan series written by Beth Wiseman about Amish folks living in Canaan, Colorado. For the review of the first book, click here: Seek Me With All Your Heart. This second book follows Katie Ann Stolzfus, a recent widow and new mother who is trying to figure out what God's plan is for her, and Eli Detweiler, who raised his six children alone after his wife's death.

Katie Ann and Eli meet at a wedding in Canaan, and although they hit it off quickly, soon find that they are at different places in their lives. Katie Ann is forty years old and a first time mother to baby Jonas. Her husband left her, then later died, and she is left hurting and bitter. Eli is around the same age, but his children are grown and married and he is ready to be free from the responsibilities of parenthood and looking forward to a long vacation. Despite these obstacles, their friendship grows as they spend time together. Even when Eli returns to his home in Ohio, they keep in touch through letters and eventually cell phone calls.

The love that Eli and Katie Ann find growing in their hearts makes them reevaluate the plans and ideas that they have each made. In the end, what will they choose? What will be most important?

I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first in the series, and would encourage you to read it. Whether you are a frequent reader of Amish fiction or just discovering it, you will enjoy the Land of Canaan series. But start with the first book in the series-- these books do not stand alone but tie in characters and plots from previous books.

For more information, click here: The Wonder of Your Love product page


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Booksneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html>: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander

A Lasting Impression, the latest book by Tamera Alexander, is an excellent book. It takes you back in time to the days shortly after the Civil War.

Claire Laurent arrives in Nashville, desperate to get away from her past. She wants to be able to take pride in her paintings, not have to copy famous works of art and mark them with the artist's name. Forced to work as a forger for many years, all she wants now is freedom.

Upon her arrival in Nashville, circumstances leave her with no place to stay, and she spends the night in a church she finds unlocked. The next morning she is discovered by Sutton Monroe, a prominent Nashville attorney. He kindly introduces her to the pastor of the church, who along with his wife, aid Claire in finding a job.

Her job search leads her to apply for a position at Belmont Mansion, an actual historic mansion that inspired the story. Claire is pleasantly surprised when she is hired on trial as liaison to Adelicia Acklen, owner of the grand estate. But the task she is required to complete in order to be hired permanently soon turns out to be harder than expected. Sutton Monroe's presence at Belmont and her feelings for him complicate the situation even more. Will either of them be able to find true happiness? And will Claire truly be able to escape from her past?

This beautiful work of fiction is a fascinating read. I have always loved books that take place in historical settings. The plot gently but insistently draws you in, until you find yourself holding your breath and hoping that all turns out well. The emotions of the characters make them seem like real flesh-and-blood friends who you really come to know. Next time you find yourself looking for a good read, try A Lasting Impression.


I received this book free from Bethany House publishers as part of their blogger book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.