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.

Veiled Rose by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Veiled Rose is a fantasy adventure. But it's one I can't quite figure out. In one way, it has the feel of a children's story, written in the language you usually find in kid's books. Yet it is complex enough a story to confuse me. There are things that seem unexplained to me. When I requested the book, I didn't realize it is book two in a series. Though book one apparently deals with entirely different characters (I haven't read it), I wonder if maybe it set up the background for this story and the world that both take place in. That would explain the details that are never explained, as though the reader is assumed to already have a foreknowledge of some things.

That said, if you start with book one of the "Tales of Goldstone Wood" series, Heartless, you will enjoy this book even more than I did. For I did enjoy it. I love fantasy stories.

Leo is stuck at Hill House for the summer. He is a boy who is tired of the indoors and the company of his boring cousin. When tales of a monster begin circulating, that's all the motivation he needs. He sets off into the forest with his beanpole-weapon in hand. He doesn't realize that what he will find there will alter the course of his life.

Rose Red is a girl who hides in the forest, guarding a secret. Her friends are an imaginary friend and a goat. But her life is changed when she meets Leo. Together they have adventures and hunt the monster. But how far will their quests lead them?

I don't want to tell you more for fear of giving something away. Let me just say: read Veiled Rose!

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.

J.R.R. Tolkien by Mark Horne

J.R.R. Tolkien by Mark Horne is a Christian Encounters biography. It gives an overview of Tolkien's life, faith, and writings and how they are all tied together.

Only a few of the things you will learn when you read this book are:

Tolkien was born in South Africa and lived there until he was 3 years old. But this childhood in Africa did not influence his writing as much as you would think. Instead, it was the beautiful English countryside to which his family moved that left an enduring impression on him. This can be seen in the description of Shire found in his Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Tolkien's mother's faith and his own played a crucial role in his growing-up years and influenced the rest of his life as well.

Who were the Inklings? What was their original name? And what impact did they have on each other's lives?

Read J.R.R. Tolkien to find out! You'll be glad you did.

I was really excited to have the opportunity to review this book. Tolkien is one of my favorite authors, and I am always interested in learning more about him. One of the things I appreciated most in this biography was the amount of material it presented. While most biographies are long and include every possible necessary and unnecessary detail about the person's life, this biography is short, concise, and interesting. Tolkien led a fascinating life, and this book does not bury the interesting details in heaps of boring facts.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Seraph Seal by Leonard Sweet and Lori Wagner

If you're looking for a summer read that will keep you guessing, read The Seraph Seal by Leonard Sweet and Lori Wagner. It is a fascinating work of apocalyptic fiction. Using intriguing symbolism and based on the four horseman of the apocalypse, this is a unique read.

The year is 2048, his name is Paul Binder, he is a historian, and he lives in Virginia. He has lived a normal life. Then he receives a mysterious note beckoning him to London to examine a newly discovered ancient manuscript. When the manuscript is found to contain a prophecy which mentions Paul by name and calls him to take up the work that he is meant to do, his world suddenly feels like it is spinning out of control. As he and manuscript specialist Angela begin following mysterious clues, Paul finds out that his life has far more significance than he ever thought possible.

At the same time, catastrophic events begin occurring all over the earth. Earthquakes, floods, tsunamis. Parts of the world are disappearing or being reshaped. It soon becomes evident that Earth is nearing its end. The sun slowly is growing hotter, getting larger, and becoming unstable.

In a race against time, Paul must find and bring together four people in order to bring into being the good new heavens and new earth. The problem: to each good person there is an evil counterpart. And if the evil come together first, then all is lost.

As Paul and Angela work to complete their strange quest, they find a few things along the way: faith and love.

I would like to remind you all that this is a work of fiction and not to be taken as prophetic truth. Even Christ does not know the day or the hour that the end of the world will come, so how could human beings know?

I also want to mention that several things about this book really disappointed me. What I am about to tell you may be spoilers, but I think you need to know it before you pick up this book. First, I did not like the idea that God had left it up to man to determine by the coming together of the four good or the four evil persons whether the new heavens and the new earth would be good or evil. I find that completely un-Biblical. And second, in the book, when the world ends, Christ does not return, nor is anyone judged. What happens to the bad people, I don't know. But the good  simply move on into a renewed world. But it is not the new earth described in the Bible. The first thing one of the characters does when she reaches the new earth is cry tears of sorrow. Isn't this supposed to be a world without sin? If so, how can there be sadness? As I said, that spoils part of the ending. But I believe that everyone deserves fair warning.

If you are interested in this book, visit the product page here: The Seraph Seal Product Page

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Time has been flying!

Just looked at my blog and discovered that the last time I posted anything was in May! Yikes! My apologies. I have been so busy lately with not much time for blogging. I solemnly promise to post a book review within the next few days. And I will make my best effort to post the last of the summer reading lists before the summer is over. Thanks for your patience!