The Runaway Bride by Jody Hedlund

The next christian romance novel you should read!  After coming to the British Columbia settlement in North America, Arabella is faced with choosing a husband from among the numerous single men. Since she fled from an abusive relationship, she is worried about trusting again. Peter Kelly has left behind a life of rebellious living and is ready to do what is right.  Can they fall in love across different social classes and change their new world into something beautiful?

The way Hedlund handles love in this book is nothing short of amazing. The passion and tension she writes about between the characters is realistic for two people falling in love.  She does not shy away from developing healthy sexual feelings alongside the emotional connection between the two characters who may be husband and wife in the future.  As some christian fiction shies away from such topics, Hedlund faces it head on and brings glory to God in the process as God is the one who created all things including sex.  Along with this, I also enjoyed how the plot gives flashbacks at just the right times to develop the story.  This is a perfect addition to the first in book in the bride ship series, and it was nice seeing characters again that we met in the first book.  This book also further developed what life was like in the settlement in British Columbia. I look forward to reading the other two books in the series and will continue to read any books from Jody Hedlund.

(I received this as a free ebook from netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.)

How the Light Gets In by Jolina Petersheim

How the Light Gets In is an unorthodox retelling of Ruth from the Bible.  Ruth has experienced the worst life has to offer as she struggled in a broken marriage and then lost her husband, Chandler, without the chance to fix it. Chandler runs from his struggling marriage only to lose his life in a bombing at the hospital he was serving at. Ruth decides to take her two daughters back to his hometown Mennonite community in the states for the funeral.  She connects and grieves with her mother-in-law, who is staying with Chandler's cousin, Elam. Slowly a tentative relationship forms between Elam and Ruth. Can she learn to love again or will everything be tested when Chandler is found alive?

 First of all, I was completely blown away by the unexpected ending.  This unique plot was well developed on an emotional level.  I laughed, I cried, and my jaw dropped multiple times. I was completely enveloped in the story even as the story took a turn that my emotions did not agree with. I loved the Biblical values on marriage, love, and healing that even challenged the way I looked at the world and life. Something deep was stirred inside as I looked at my husband in a different light.  The book challenged me to be the best wife that I can be for him. Check this book out. You will not be disappointed. 

(I received this book for free from the author in exchange for a review, and this is my honest opinion after reading the book.)

American Omens by Travis Thrasher

    Twenty years in our future, the world's leaders have outlawed Christianity. Christian leaders have been disappearing quietly without a trace.  A group has researched these happenings and is determined to bring these sinister happenings into the light. Centering around a genius searching for her father, a lost celebrity, an assassin searching for his life, and a dad from a history of lies, their stories merge all based on one person. The Reckoner is ready to make his announcement.

    I enjoyed the references to the 2010s culture and technology. The descriptions of how technology changed from present day to Thrasher's designed world helped add to the reality he was trying to create, which made it believable to me as a reader. Other references to the past such as Bible stories or even 1800s or 1900s famous people helped remind the audience that even though the story was in the future, its past was the same as ours.

    However, I had a hard time getting excited about the plot. It was slow, disjointed, and confusing. I felt like I was left guessing even after the book ended. It was not the suspense filled chase I was expecting and hoping for. There could have been more close calls to give it that feeling of peril. With so many characters, the depth to the characters or growth throughout the story was missing for me.

(I received this book for free from Waterbrook/Multnomah in exchange for a review and this is my honest opinion after reading the book.)

A Love Undone by Cindy Woodsmall

Jolene lost her parents to a flood when she was young and gave up her life with her fiance to keep her siblings together under one roof. Years later, after many interested men, Jolene has not found someone to steal her heart again. However, then Andy walks into her life. He takes up a job rehabilitating horses for an animal rescue and ends up working with Jolene because no one else is available to help him. However, Jolene misunderstands Andy's position as a grass widower (one where the spouse up and left but is still alive) and does not realize that he cannot remarry in the Amish Community. Stuck, these two make a path forward doing the best they can to not fall in love.

Compared to her past books, this entry in her repertoire seemed more raw and real.  From the quick death of the Keim family parents in the first chapter to the struggle Ray (mentally delayed from being struck by lightning as a kid) has with himself and society, I felt I was reading a story from real-life.  Cindy Woodsmall had me holding my breath to find out what would happen and cheering for the lovable well developed characters. The character arcs were engaging, and the ending was satisfying.  The only problem I had was the plot was slow at times and stretched out.  However, I highly recommend for romance lovers and fans of Amish fiction.

(I received this ebook for free from the publisher in exchange for a review and this is my honest opinion after reading the book.)

First Impressions by Debra White Smith

As a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, I thought this book was spectacular. I absolutely loved the irony of how the main characters were involved in a community play of Pride and Prejudice acting as the character in the play they are modeled after. The story unfolded in a realistic way as the two stubbornest people battle offstage and onstage and try to deny their attraction while ultimately learning from their mistakes.

The use of point of view added much to the story. It switched between Dave and Eddi (playing the roles of Darcy and Elizabeth respectively from Pride and Prejudice) allowing readers to see the emotion and life in every chapter.  I was also glad that a few chapters were shown from Linda's  (Eddi's little sister) point of view and side of the story; Linda makes terrible life choices and has to live with the consequences. Linda's part of the story brought to life the relationships between the three sisters while adding depth to the main characters and their transformations by the end of the book. I recommend this to Pride and Prejudice fans and to those who are not familiar with it as many will enjoy it as the beautiful love story it is.

(The publisher gave me a copy of this book in exchange for a review; however, this is my opinion after reading the book for myself.)

The Orphan's Wish by Melanie Dickerson

This is the first book I have read by Melanie Dickerson, but it will not be the last. She has created an adorable romance novel set in a Medieval feeling background.  Aladdin is an orphan that has grown up in the local orphanage after moving there from a foreign country. Despite his difference in social status from Lady Kirstyn, the Duke's daughter, he has grown up with her and become fond of her.  He leaves her to find his fortune to one day come back for her; however, when she is kidnapped, his dream may not come to fruition.

The only part of the story that feels like Aladdin, since this is supposed to be a retelling of Aladdin, is how he starts out as a young boy stealing to survive. However, to be fair, the only experience I have with Aladdin is the Disney version.  Even without more of a connection, I was not disappointed with the story line but was also thrilled with the twists at the end. I found myself laughing at how childish the main protagonists were sometimes but loved the message of how no one is perfect. Overall, a fun read and beautiful cover art.


(The publisher gave me a copy of this book in exchange for a review; however, this is my opinion after reading the book for myself.)

Rise of the Fallen by Chuck Black

Chuck Black is a genius at writing so much meaning and heart into a small number of pages. I have read his Knights of Arrethtrae series which was intended for a young audience and felt more satisfied than reading some of the larger fantasy and adventure novels out there from other authors. The Rise of the Fallen is no exception to this.

Rise of the Fallen is the second book in a series of three. I still enjoyed and understood what was going on in the book even though I have not read the first book yet, but I plan to get my hands on it. The story follows the least of the angels from his creation, throughout history including the the Flood, the Tower of Babel, Jesus' birth and death, the Holocaust, and up to present times. The story switches between the past and present every few chapters as you get to know Validus. In the past, he rises through the ranks to become the warrior leader of North America in present times. However, the climax of the story centers around how Validus is resigned from protecting the whole continent to protecting one man. What is so special about one man?

This story is a masterpiece.  I absolutely loved the depth to the characters and the connection between the angels. Additionally, the author did a great job providing extra resources such as vocabulary definitions and timelines of history in the front of the book.  I also appreciated the section in the back explaining how pieces of the story connected to the Bible. He did a great job explaining how nothing is truth besides the Bible, but that he wrote a story to bring alive the spiritual battle that is going on based on Biblical evidence. I look forward to finishing the other two books in the series.

(I received a free ebook version of this from the publisher; however, this review is my opinion after reading the story for myself.)

Egypt's Sister by Angela Elwell Hunt

A story about the journey Chava is set on after her best friend, Cleopatra, turns her back on her based on her unwillingness to worship other gods besides the one true God. It is about how their paths intertwine and are leading up to one critical moment.

Not much stuck out as unique within the plot except that the story definitely is set around the two girls and their relationship instead of a romance. I have read many similar stories about people going into slavery and coming back out again. However, the details from the time period brought the story to life especially around the historical figure Cleopatra.   The main characters were ones you were rooting for and wanted to see what ended up happening with each of them. Additionally, I would have liked to see some of the story from Cleopatra’s point of view since it was about both of them, which I understand would have been difficult with the amount of time that is covered in the story.  I would recommend this book to historical fiction lovers.

(The publisher gave me a free paperback version of this book to review, but this opinion is my own after reading the book for myself.)

The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers

The Atonement Child is a story of redemption, healing, and forgiveness. It concerns the aftermath of a girl who is raped on her way back to her christian college from work. The truth slowly comes out about her family’s past and guilt when she finally has to go home because of unfortunate circumstances. 

Francine Rivers covers a hard topic from a Christian point of view. I found the story very eye opening when it comes to the hypocritical nature of people.  The story showed the ugly side of people who call themselves Christians but do not act like they should; however, it also showed the power of friendship, family, and forgiveness as people who love you do not give up on you including God. Many moments were tense including an almost attempted suicide.  However, these are real side effects of women who have gone through similar events to the main character.  Additionally, the characters, situations, and details were realistic and relatable for anyone who has been hurt, lost, and guilty. I absolutely love Francine Rivers’ books and I will continue to keep my eye open for them. If you have not checked out Redeeming Love or A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers, they are two of my all-time favorite books. You will not be disappointed.

This Scarlet Cord by Joan Wolf

This book was a retelling of Rahab the Canaanite prostitute in the Bible.  Basically, Rahab protects the men from the Hebrew nation who come to spy in the city of Jericho before the ensuing battle.  She does this against her country in faith of the one true God.  God honors her by allowing her to be an ancestor of Jesus Christ.

I have a particular interest in seeing the stories in the Bible brought to life through various author’s eyes in their fictional retelling.   I love looking for stories that stay true to the heart of what can be found in the Bible, while adding detail that moves one emotionally. Rahab is a difficult tale to tell because of how little information is given in the Bible; therefore, I have respect for the author for building such a rich story with historically accurate details.  However, the story feels more like a modern romance with a complicated storyline of coincidences. It feels as if the Bible account was stretched to fit her imaging of what could have happened instead of keeping it simplistic and changing her story to fit what the Bible has.  The power of the forgiveness of sin is overlooked by the way she explains how Rahab is a “prostitute,” which did not sit well with me. Otherwise, it is a very cute romance novel even without being connected to the Bible.