Sons of Blackbird Mountain By: Joanne Bischof Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publication Year: 2018 Series: Sons of Blackbird Mountain, Book #1 My Rating: 4 of 5 stars Summery:
A Tale of Family, Brotherhood, and the Healing Power of Love After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard is beckoned to give up her life in Norway to become a housekeeper in the rugged hills of Nineteenth-Century Appalachia. Upon arrival, she finds herself in the home of her late husband’s cousins—three brothers who make a living by brewing hard cider on their three-hundred acre farm. Yet even as a stranger in a foreign land, Aven has hope to build a new life in this tight-knit family. But her unassuming beauty disrupts the bond between the brothers. The youngest two both desire her hand, and Aven is caught in the middle, unsure where—and whether—to offer her affection. While Haakon is bold and passionate, it is Thor who casts the greatest spell upon her. Though Deaf, mute, and dependent on hard drink to cope with his silent pain, Thor possesses a sobering strength. As autumn ushers in the apple harvest, the rift between Thor and Haakon deepens and Aven faces a choice that risks hearts. Will two brothers’ longing for her quiet spirit tear apart a family? Can she find a tender belonging in this remote, rugged, and unfamiliar world? A haunting tale of struggle and redemption, Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a portrait of grace in a world where the broken may find new life through the healing mercy of love. ~Taken from Joanne Bischof's website: https://joannebischof.com/books/sons-of-blackbird-mountain/ My Thoughts: My sister-in-law recommended this book to me. She was reading it currently (kindle version) and said it was a must read. So what did I do? I ordered it from the library right then and there, with her looking over my shoulder. Let me start off by saying, Joanne did a fantastic job with this book. I loved reading it. It was so descriptive which made the reader feel like they were right there in the story. She also did a magnificent job with her main male character. But more on Thor later. Aven is a just looking for a place to belong when she comes to the Norgaard farm. She quickly finds the home she is seeking with the three brothers. She has not had an easy life, but she quickly finds her niche and starts loving those around her fully. Thor is the middle brother who is not only deaf, but also struggles with an addiction to alcohol. Joanne wrote his character beautifully. She describes the signs he uses and what he is saying in wonderful detail so the reader knows exactly how he moves his hands. While I am not an ASL interpreter, I do know some of the basics as my best friend is an interpreter. Joanne, also must have done a lot of research on alcohol addiction and the withdrawal process as it is incredibly detailed in not only how it was affected him mentally, but physically as well. Thor is a strong, gentle character who loves what he does, but when he becomes sober he embraces the change of not making hard cider anymore. The story is beautifully written as mentioned above. Her detail is stunning. In one section in particular, she writes about how the brothers bring the apple press out of the barn and she names equipment, placement and how it all looks in such detail that the image forms in the reader's mind. Content Advisory: *Spoilers - Highlight to read* Aven is very nearly raped by the youngest brother. He is stopped before it happens, but the scene is described pretty vividly. I would caution younger readers from reading either this part or this book. Aven's first husband killed himself. This is not described in detail nor outright mentioned, just hinted at.* Recommend? I would recommend this book, but only for older teens or adults due to some content, which may upset younger readers. Questions are always welcome. Let me know if you have read this book and what you thought about it! Cheers, Rebecca
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Giver of Roses By: Kathleen Morgan Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Allegorical Publisher: Revell Publication Year: 2005 Series: Guardians of Gadiel, Book 1 My Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars Synopsis:
Vartan, Crown Prince of Astar, faces an invincible adversary and heartbreaking despair as he strives to protect the land of Gadiel from the enemy who would destroy his people and lay siege to their souls. Wounded, blinded, and betrayed in battle, Vartan realizes his true battle has just begun. Danae, a captive Hylean girl who saves his life, holds the key to crushing their relentless enemy. Yet only when they join forces can they summon the courage - and enduring love - to achieve a purpose greater than either has ever imagined. Together, as they face the desert folk, dragonmaids, and many physical and spiritual trials, they learn to understand truth and treachery - and to rely on God alone to help them save Gadiel. Giver of Roses is an enchanting tale of a good man called to a heroic destiny, a woman whose life entwines with his, and a land teetering on the brink of an evil conquest. Only a holy quest can save them now. ~Taken from the back of the book~ If you would like more information on Giver of Roses here is Kathleen Moragn's page for this book: http://www.kathleenmorgan.com/html/fantasyfiction.html My Thoughts: *Sigh* This book is amazing. I usually don't like to read books that are over 400 pages as they just take so long to read, but this book is worth it. I read this book probably back when I was in high school and loved it, so I decided to re-read it. I really enjoyed re-reading this book. The plot is almost all action packed; while it does have some down scenes, they are needed to balance all the action. If you have read some of my other posts, you will know that I am a first-line girl. I love first lines, especially when they hook me so completely. I'll let you decide if this first line is a hook or not; I couldn't decide, and since I knew what was coming, I didn't really need to be hooked. "A frigid wind blew down from the heavens, impaling the bleak winter's day with piercing needles of ice." (Giver of Roses, p. 5) Thoughts? The characters, oh, the characters. The character development for Vartan is so encouraging. He struggles so deeply throughout the book going from one hardship to the next, but the person he becomes by the end of the book is amazing. Danae is the other main character who this book focuses on. Her character is beautiful and, while she doesn't grow as much as Vartan, her growth is deep and challenging. The author also threw in a couple minor characters and suddenly there was a love tangle. Another reason I really enjoy this book is the allegory side of it. Throughout the book, you can see close comparisons to the Bible. From the scars Vartan receives in battle to the intense spiritual darkness that surrounds the villain that is counteracted by the radiant light surrounding those who oppose him. This is a story of surrender and following not your own will, but the will of God and honoring him in all you do. One last point; that I just need to fangirl over here for a minute - there are DRAGONS in this book! That's right, dragons! If this doesn't seal the deal, I don't know what will. *End fangirling* *Content Advisory* Spoiler alert - Highlight the text to read it: Vartan's family all dies within the first few chapters - nothing is explicit, but some of the deaths were rather violent. The villain takes women to bed a few times throughout the book, but again nothing explicit is talked about. Also, he tells one of the women she is pregnant with his child. (Seriously, he is truly evil and the author did a good job making him completely deplorable.) There is some passionate kissing, but it never goes further than a kiss. * Recommend? The only thing stopping me from highly, highly recommending this book is Kathleen Morgan has yet to release book 2. As you can tell from my thoughts, I really enjoyed this book, but when you get to the end there is just enough of an unknown to leave you guessing and wanted to know what happens. And as for me, I just have to know what happens to Vartan and Danae! So, I end with this: Read at your own risk! If you enjoy fantasy or allegories this is a beautiful example of both. Let me know if you would chance reading this even though the second book isn't out yet! Cheers, Rebecca A Portrait of Emily Price Katherine Reay Genre: Fiction Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publication Year: 2016 Series: Stand Alone My Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars Synopsis:
Art restorer Emily Price has never encountered anything she can’t fix—until she meets Ben, an Italian chef, who seems just right. When Emily follows Ben home to Italy, she learns that his family, however, is another matter . . . Emily Price—fix-it girl extraordinaire and would-be artist—finds herself in Atlanta, repairing objects damaged in a house fire. As she works to restore the home and dreams of one family, she strives to keep the pieces of her own life in perfect order and secure her own happy ending—a gallery show of her own. There is no time for distractions, especially not the ultimate distraction of falling in love. But Chef Benito Vassallo’s relentless pursuit proves hard to resist. Visiting from Italy, Ben works to reconnect with his brother and breathe new life into his aunt and uncle’s faded restaurant, Piccolo. And soon after their first meeting, he works to win Emily as well—inviting her into his world and into his heart. Emily astonishes everyone when she accepts Ben’s proposal and follows him home. Upon landing in Rome, she is enchanted with Italy. But instead of allowing the land, culture and people to transform her, Emily imposes her will upon everyone and everything around her, alienating Ben’s tightly knit family. Only Ben’s father, Lucio, gives Emily the understanding she needs to lay down her guard. Soon, Emily’s life and art begin to blossom, and Italy’s beauty and rhythm take hold of her spirit. Yet when she unearths long-buried family secrets, Emily wonders if she really fits into Ben’s world. Will the joys of Italy become just a memory, or will Emily share in the freedom and grace that her life with Ben has shown her are possible? ~Taken from Katherine Keay's website: http://katherinereay.com/books/a-portrait-of-emily-price/ My Thoughts: This book is amazing! I started reading it and probably got about two chapters in before I had to leave it, then picked it up again the next day. This story swept me away. I was lost in it and couldn't put it down. Through the final chapters I barely kept tears at bay before letting them loose in the last two chapters. I have never cried over a book. I was shocked and when my husband asked why I was crying, I had no answer for him. I still don't really understand why I cried. I texted my aunt, who had recommended this book to me, and asked why the story had captivated me. She answered, "It was like normal people." And that is the best description of the book: it is about normal everyday people. Emily is a driven fixer and art restorer. She fixes things and slowly throughout the story learns that not everything needs to be fixed. I loved following her growth as she went from a steady job to flying across the world and stepping into a place she really doesn't understand. Ben is steady and romantic and wonderful. He gently romances Emily throughout the book, while also dealing with grief. Ben says some profound lines throughout the book, so I picked out my two favorite to share with you! This he says to Emily after meeting her sister, "It is nothing to say lovely things to someone who expects them, needs them. The beauty is when one who does not expect them comes to believe them - that only happens when the compliments and the love behind them are sincere." (p. 71) ~How true is this! When I read it I had to go back and reread it again. Isn't it beautiful when we are gifted with a sincere compliment and we begin to start believing them?~ Later on he says this to Emily as they pass a sunflower field. "As I told you, they follow the sun...and you will never find a rebel. I know. I ran through a neighbor's field once and searched. I twisted a few and they snapped. They must turn on their own." (p. 145) ~How true is this about people? We can't force people to change or see things our way. Sometimes you have to be patient and let them turn on their own.~ I loved all the Italian that was used throughout the book. While I didn't understand any of it, it gave a beautiful essence to the story. Also, learning a little about art restoration was fascinating. The story is unique and not like one I have read recently, which made it like a breath of fresh air for me. The author used beautiful descriptive words and made it seem like you were right there. Recommend? Yes! I highly recommend this book. Would a book like this interest you? As always, I am more than happy to answer further questions about the book! Cheers, Rebecca Deceived By: Irene Hannon Genre: Suspense Romance, Fiction Publisher: Revell Publication Year: 2014 Series: Private Justice, Book #3 My Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars Synopsis:
For three years, Kate Marshall has been mourning the loss of her husband and four-year-old son in a boating accident. But when she spots a familiar-looking child on a mall escalator, she’s convinced it’s her son. With police skeptical of her story, she turns to private investigator Connor Sullivan for help. As the former Secret Service agent digs into the case, the boating “accident” begins to look more and more suspicious. But if Kate’s son is alive, someone is intent on keeping him hidden—and may go to lethal lengths to protect a sinister secret. ~Taken from Irene Hannon's website: https://www.irenehannon.com/deceived.html Meet the Characters: Kate: A young woman who is passionate about helping people overcome. After overcoming her own hurdles after the loss of her husband and son, she is good at relating to other women. She is compassionate, and even though everyone tells her it is impossible she saw her son, she doesn't give up on finding the truth. Connor: Former Secret Service agent who Kate hires to find out the truth. While others have discounted Kate's original story, Connor doesn't view Kate as crazy and doesn't discount her story immediately. Instead, he looks into it, showing that he is a man of integrity and willing to chase down long-shots. My Thoughts: Side note: This is the third book in the same series as the previous book review. It is not necessary to read the first two in order to understand what is going on in this book. After struggling a little bit through the second book, I was able to quickly get into the third book. The plot was well written and seemed to keep pace throughout the book. The characters were believable and recounted stories of overcoming struggles and learning from past mistakes. I really enjoyed getting to know Kate's story and I love how the author didn't make her a perfect character. The struggle Kate went through after her husband died and her son was never found was believable. The spiral down and the fight to get out of the hold of addiction was inspiring and reflected Kate's perseverance that is shown throughout the story. The author really took the cake when she created this villain. He played the long game and it almost paid off. It was crazy how devious it was, but at the same time believable and plausible. While he only left the tiniest of bread crumbs, Connor was able to track him down and figure out what happened. The detective work to retrace someone's steps over 7 years with barely anything to go on was intriguing to read. The teamwork and research done by the Phoenix, Inc. team throughout the book shows the deepest sense of camaraderie forged over time. Recommend? Like suspense, clean romance that isn't over the top, and good detective work? Then this book might just be for you. I would recommend this book. Let me know what you think or if you have read it, what you thought of the book. As always I am more than happy to answer any questions or further explain my opinion of the book. Thank you for reading! Cheers, Rebecca Trapped Irene Hannon Genre: Suspense Romance, Fiction Publisher: Revell Publication Year: 2013 Series: Private Justice, Book #2 Synopsis:
When librarian Laura Griffth’s sixteen-year-old sister disappears on a frigid February day, leaving only a brief note behind, Laura resolves to do whatever it takes to track down the runaway teen. That includes recruiting ATF agent turned PI James “Dev” Devlin to help—but the deeper he digs, the more he begins to suspect that something sinister is at work in the girl’s disappearance. And the closer he gets to uncovering the truth, the clearer it becomes that the situation isn’t just dangerous—it’s deadly. ~Taken from Irene Hannon's website: https://www.irenehannon.com/trapped.html Meet the Characters: Laura: Quiet and down-to-earth, Laura is trying to do the right thing and take care of her 16-year-old half sister. When her sister disappears, nothing stands in her way as she tries to find her sister. James 'Dev' Devlin: An ex-ATF agent, Dev struggles with memories of wrong decisions made while undercover. He pursues Darcy's trail slowing putting the pieces together. Darcy: 16 years old and she has lost both of her parents. She chaffs under her sister's rules and figures striking out on her own is better for everyone. My Thoughts: Just a quick note before I dive in, as you may have noticed this is the second book in this series. You do not have to read the first book to understand what is happening in the second. While it might be helpful, it is not necessary. This was a good read. While I thoroughly enjoyed the first one, I had to work a little to stay engaged in this one. While that may be from the distractions of vacation, I did not enjoy it as much as the first one. With that being said, it was still a well written book and I wasn't quiet expecting the ending. Laura is a great character. She is the stereotypical librarian who lives a quiet, modest life. But then the author threw in a curve, she fences! YES! How cool. I was a bit disappointed she didn't have any matches over the course of the book, but I guess that is expected as it happens during a snowstorm and her sister is missing. I love Laura's tenacity as well. She offers to help Dev by going with him to a homeless shelter and talking with people. Even though she and Darcy don't see eye-to-eye on things, you can tell she loves her sister. Dev is a fun character. I really enjoyed the banter between him and the office assistant, Nikki. It added a bit of humor to the book. I also loved following Dev's thought process as he put clues together, read people he was interviewing and following his hunches. His struggle with past mistakes and how he begins to come to terms and moving forward in life is real and encouraging. While the villain was a little bit on the darker side, the author gave, what I would consider, an accurate portrayal of the disorder he deals with. The reasoning for his actions was also plausible and very real. He thinks he is saving these girls and while the way he goes about it is not right, in his mind it was the only way. *Content advisory* The villain is a serial killer. At no point in the book is a killing described, but Darcy finds the dead bodies. He locks Darcy in a room and physically hits her a few times. If these sort of things bother you I would not read this book. Recommend? Suspense - Check Clean Romance - Check If you are looking for a clean, somewhat suspenseful book, I would recommend this one. If you have any questions or would like more information before reading this book, please ask! I would be more than happy to help you decide if this book is for you to read. Cheers, Rebecca |
Welcome!My name is Rebecca and this blog is dedicated to my thoughts and opinions of the books I read. I hope you enjoy reading through my reviews. And hopefully you will find a good one to get lost in! Archives
November 2019
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