Amy Sorrells's Then Sings My Soul ~ Reviewed

Then Sings My Soul: A Novel
by Amy K. Sorrells
Paperback: 360 pages
Publisher: David C. Cook (March 1, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1434705455


Description:

When Nel Stewart returns home due to the sudden death of her mother, she realizes her beloved father, Jakob, is struggling with dementia.

With the reappearance of a high-school sweetheart, deliveries from Ukraine addressed to her, and the discovery of a mysterious, vintage aquamarine gemstone, Nel senses God is pulling her into the past to restore their faith and their futures. Told partially through Jakob's flashbacks of fleeing genocide-ridden eastern Europe at the turn of the twentieth century, the novel combines elements of mystery, history, faith and romance to reveal how God redeems the broken years ... and our future.

Review: 

Then Sings My Soul is about woman named Nel. She has moved away from her home to pursue a life as an artist, creating beautiful jewelry for high-end clients. Her world changes overnight when she gets a call from her 94 year old father, Jakob, telling her that her mother passed away, suddenly. As she returns home to help with funeral arrangements, she discovers that her father has been dealing with memory loss for some time. When he falls suddenly and ends up in rehab, his condition seems to worsen. In the meantime, Nel discovers a vintage aquamarine gemstone as well as information from the Ukraine, leading her to believe there is more to her father's past than she realizes, however, she is unsure how much she will learn with his mind deteriorating the way it is.

This book was well written. The story is told partially through Jakob's flashbacks of growing up in Ukraine, and his escape to the US. I thought it went back and forth without any confusion. Seeing what this man and had gone through so long ago, and carried with him his whole life without telling anyone was just heartbreaking, especially knowing the things he went through really happened. I really enjoyed the story, and how it all came together at the end. 

Reviewed by: Sarah Meyers

Whiskers of the Lion: An Amish-Country Mystery
by P. L. Gaus
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Plume (March 31, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0142181730

Description: 

In Whiskers of the Lion, Sheriff Bruce Robertson is charged with finding a young Amish woman on the run from a murderous drug ring so she can testify in federal court. Wrestling with a recurring childhood nightmare of a deadly lion, the Holmes County sheriff finds himself torn between allegiance to the legal system he upholds and the beliefs of the people he is sworn to protect.

Review:

I have not read any of the other books in the Amish-Country Mystery series so please keep that in mind. I feel like I got insight into characters by descriptions and interactions but also felt like I missed some of the hearts of the people involved. This is likely due to not getting to know them in earlier books. Therefore, I found myself not caring about them or their motivation. 

The Amish details were intriguing and I always find myself curious about plain or simple living. Fans of Amish fiction need to take note that there is quite a bit of detail. 

As far as the mystery goes, there is quite a bit of twisting and sleight of hand. The author added some elements that weren't fully veiled, others were surprising. 

Overall, I'd recommend starting at the beginning of the series rather than reading this as a stand alone. If you are already smitten with the series I imagine you will find much to like. Amish literature fans need to know there is a little intensity that might make this not appropriate for chickens or children. 

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer

Sally John's Between Us Girls ~ Reviewed

Between Us Girls (Family of the Heart)
by Sally John
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (July 1, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736954651

Description:

From bestselling Christian fiction author Sally John comes a brand-new series featuring broken lives, new beginnings...and unexpected romance.

Welcome to Casa de Vida--eleven quaint bungalows located three blocks from the Pacific Ocean in tiny Seaside Village, California. Owner Liv McAlister never advertises vacancies beyond a small hand-lettered sign out front, preferring to trust that God will send the right tenant at just the right time. And He always does.

Meet Jasmyn Albright--she's had more than her share of bad breaks lately, beginning with the tornado that demolished her farmhouse. Emotionally fragile and feeling utterly alone, Jasmyn heads west, hoping to outrun her heartbreak. And she doesn't stop until she notices a small sign that reads "Vacancy." Before she's quite aware of how it all happened, Jasmyn finds herself the newest tenant at Casa de Vida. She hardly dares to hope that her fortunes might be about to change...but of course when God is at work, anything can happen, and new beginnings are one of His specialties.

Sometimes among strangers, family happens. And sometimes, when we least expect it, romance is a welcome guest.

Review:

A master of relational stories, Sally John’s latest book, Between Us Girls, is the delightful tale of friendship, restoration, and hope. I loved her main characters, Jasmyn, Liv, and Samantha. After a life altering and devastating event, Jasmyn finds herself in sleep Seaside Village, ushered into the loving care of Olivia. Samantha is a driven businesswoman, who never stops to enjoy life. How she found her way to Casa de Vida, the cottages Liv owns and rents, is a twisty tale in itself. And Liv, who never had a child, finds Jasmyn is the daughter of her heart—but the girl is only on vacation, destined to go home to Illinois. I highly recommend Between Us Girls.

Reviewed by: Ane Mulligan

Eva Marie Everson's The Road to Testament ~ Reviewed

The Road to Testament
Eva Marie Everson
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Abingdon Press (April 1, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1426757980

Description: 

Ashlynne Rothschild never wanted to be a people person. She learned a long time ago that the more she protected herself from the details of people’s personal lives, the better off her life would be. So it comes as a surprise when she finds herself liking—if not loving—the good, God-fearing people of Testament, North Carolina, where she is sent to earn her chops as a reporter. And it is with some anxiety that she unearths a story that could turn these people against her. Beneath the picturesque setting of the Blue Ridge Mountains, secrets are buried—one secret in particular. Keeping it hidden would go against Ashlynne’s journalistic integrity, but publishing the story would hurt those she’s learned to love—even her gruff, unapproachable boss, William Decker, who harbors mysteries of his own. Ashlynne has two options: run away or expose the truth of Testament . . . whatever the cost? 

Review:

The Road to Testament is about a young woman named Ashlynne Rothschild. She grew up in a life of privilege, having Grandparent's who own a successful magazine, which Ashlynne expects to inherit. However, her family decides she needs to expand her horizons a bit, and get out of her comfort zone. Therefore, before she can move up in the company, she is sent to a small town called Testament, North Carolina. It's in Testament where her Grandparent's started their first small magazine with their best friends, who now run the local paper and want to get the magazine going again. Ashlynne must prove herself there before she can return to the family magazine. She doesn't expect to have to work for the boss's handsome grandson, William Decker, who seems to dislike her from the very beginning. Ashlynne's low opinion of herself from early childhood experiences cause her to second guess herself, yet want to prove herself at the same time. In the meantime, she finds herself strangely attracted to this man that can't seem to stand her. In the meantime, amidst her journalistic digging, she uncovers some news that is going on town that could be devastating both to her career, to the town, and the new friendships she's made.

I loved this book. I don't know what it was about it. Maybe the big city girl going to the small town and finding she liked it. Maybe being envious of her getting to go to that small town America home to live, away from the city life. I was so excited to see her start to relax and enjoy the slow pace life there. The author did a great job of transporting me to Testament. I found myself wanting to vacation there. And I liked the characters and the storyline A LOT, too. I highly recommend this book. I had a hard time putting it down.

Reviewed by: Sarah Meyers

Bonus Review: 

I received this book from the publisher without agreeing to review it. I always give the uncommitted novels a once over and pass on genres or style I'm pretty sure I will struggle to like. The Road to Testament ended up in my keep-and-get-to-it-eventually pile. I'm so glad I did keep the book. 

Everson grabbed my attention immediately with strong writing and story telling. The characters develop right away, and keep some interesting details to themselves revealing in snippets only as necessary to move the story along. The romance was sweet and fun but avoided cheesy and didn't trigger my eye rolling muscles. 

Ashylynne and William both grew and learned a few things about life on their journey. Everson painted a lovely community in Testament that had me wanting to visit. Even though this story is a couple of years past first publication its well worth the time investment to read it. 

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer

Linda White's Words of Conviction ~ Reviewed

Words of Conviction
by Linda J. White
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Abingdon Press (April 1, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1426735413

Description: 

There’s nothing as convicting as words that threaten your daughter’s life. You want your kid back? Do just as I say. You do not know who I am. But I’ve studied you, you and your family. I’ve been watching you. You’ve been using people. Because you’re greedy. Now, it’s payback time. Terrifying for any parent, these words are especially grim for Senator Bruce Grable, whose guilt may be the reason his five-year-old daughter, Zoe, has disappeared. Or is it because of his wife, whose words make her sound more the victim than their daughter? Or their nanny, whose silence harbors her own secrets? One thing is for sure: The words hold the clues to finding Zoe alive. And it’s up to Special Agent Mackenzie Graham, a forensic psycholinguist, and FBI agent John Crowfeather to decode the messages in time. 

Review: 

I love police procedurals, I read them, I watch them, oh yeah, I'm a fan.  

Linda White has a former FBI husband who steers her authentically down the path of her creative investigation in Words of Conviction. Nice. Authenticity is a major plus. New to me was the psycholinguist aspect heavily playing out in this cat and mouse story. A psycholinguist uses skill and probability to profile and to determine what words and word usage share about the person communicating.

The story unfolds as a powerful senator's small daughter is kidnapped. McKenzie Graham is on the case to find little Zoe before a just discovered health issue puts her life further in danger. On top of finding the kidnapper, McKenzie has to fight for respect among her peers, especially John Crowfeather. It doesn't help that she's drawn to his brooding good looks and strong, silent persona.

Tensions ramp up as the tale draws to a close. McKenzie draws the kidnapper into a carefully woven web. But as they get closer to the kidnapper's location things begin to go south. Time ticks away as the story twists and turns.

Fans of police procedurals should find quite a bit to like in this novel. There is a strong spiritual thread within the story line as well. Child endangerment and some violence might be a deal breaker for more sensitive folks.

I was sent an Advanced Reader Copy to read and review.

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer

Jocelyn Green's Spy of Richmond ~ Reviewed

SPY OF RICHMOND 

Jocelyn Green

• Series: Heroines Behind the Lines
• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: River North (March 1, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802405797

Description:

Trust none. Risk all.
Richmond, Virginia, 1863. Compelled to atone for the sins of her slaveholding father, Union loyalist Sophie Kent risks everything to help end the war from within the Confederate capital and abolish slavery forever. But she can't do it alone.
Former slave Bella Jamison sacrifices her freedom to come to Richmond, where her Union soldier husband is imprisoned, and her twin sister still lives in bondage in Sophie's home. Though it may cost them their lives, they work with Sophie to betray Rebel authorities. Harrison Caldwell, a Northern freelance journalist who escorts Bella to Richmond, infiltrates the War Department as a clerk-but is conscripted to defend the city's fortifications.
As Sophie's spy network grows, she walks a tightrope of deception, using her father's position as newspaper editor and a suitor's position in the ordnance bureau for the advantage of the Union. One misstep could land her in prison, or worse. Suspicion hounds her until she barely even trusts herself. When her espionage endangers the people she loves, she makes a life-and-death gamble.
Will she follow her convictions even though it costs her everything-and everyone-she holds dear?

Review:

Spy of Richmond is book four in the “Heroines Behind the Lines, Civil War” series. In this book, we follow Sophie Kent. Raised in a Confederate home in Richmond, Virginia, she raised at a young age by her “Yankee” mother to oppose slavery, though she had to keep these feelings to herself. After her mother dies, she continues her efforts to help the Union by taking food to the prisoners at the Libby prison, which does not go over with the Confederates in her town. Before she knows it, she is a full blown spy for the Union, passing on relevant information to help turn the tide of the war. Also involved is Harrison Caldwell, the son of a family friend whom she met while attending a school up north. They had made a pact to be together before the war broke out, and now that circumstances have brought them back together, their feelings are even stronger. But between Harrison getting thrown in prison, and Sophie being under scrutiny as a Union sympathizer, it seems like there will never be a time for them to be together.

I LOVED this book. I didn't know that more stories in the series were being written. I hope there are more to follow. This one was so interesting, beings that even though we know how the war ended, we don't know how it ends for the characters in the story, and that just makes you want to keep reading. There are also appearances of characters from previous books, which helps tie things together, as well. I look forward to starting the series over and reading them one after the other.

Reviewed by: Sarah Meyers

Candace Calvert's By Your Side ~ Reviewed

By Your Side (Crisis Team)
by Candace Calvert (Author)
February 19, 2015
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1414390327

Description:

ER nurse Macy Wynn learned essential, gritty lessons in the California foster care system: land on your feet and trust no one. She’s finally located the fellow foster child she loves like a sister, but the girl’s in deep trouble. Macy’s determined to help, no matter what it takes. Her motto is to “make it happen” in any situation life throws at her—even when she butts heads with an idealistic cop.

Deputy Fletcher Holt believes in a higher plan, the fair outcome—and his ability to handle that by himself if necessary. Now he’s been yanked from Houston, his mother is battling cancer, and he’s attracted to a strong-willed nurse who could be the target of a brutal sniper.

When everything goes wrong, where do they put their trust?

Review:

   If you enjoy medical thrillers, you will love By Your Side by Candace Calvert. As a former ER nurse, the author is able to write about medical issues with accuracy and in a realistic manner. To be honest, stories with lots of medical terms and details about sickness and disease are not my favorite. I had trouble with the first third of the book because of all the medical terminology but if you enjoy that kind of novel, this is a good one. 

The fact that I stuck with the book shows that Ms. Calvert wrote in a way that engaged me with the story in spite of those issues. She grabs the reader from the beginning by opening with action and drama. Right away we see that Deputy Fletcher Hope is a man you can depend on as he comes to the rescue when a sniper starts shooting. He rescues Macy (a nurse) who is more comfortable being the rescuer instead of the one being rescued.

The author has created characters that have depth and we discover more and more about them as the novel progresses. We learn why Macy has put such a protective guard around her heart. We feel her pain when she makes some shocking discoveries. I found myself really hoping for her to open up to Fletcher and allow him to know her. There are many other levels to the story. There is the medical side for those who enjoy that. There is the sniper who is killing in cold blood. Will they find out who it is? There is the story of Fletcher’s mom who is battling cancer. What about Macy’s longtime friend Elliot and his wife? Is there more to the story? The author gives insight into various other characters and leaves it open for more books to come, as this is book 1 in the Crisis Team series. The author also explains in detail about Crisis Care and what that involves. I do recommend this book, in spite of my own struggle with lots of medical terms. It is a great love story. It has action, suspense and a few surprises. It is also heartbreaking as one character shares their story of being a foster child. Overall, I enjoyed it.

   

I received a copy of By Your Side to review but I was under no obligation to give a positive review.

Reviewed by: Susan Aken

Vannetta Chapman's Murder Tightly Knit ~ Reviewed

Murder Tightly Knit: An Amish Village Mystery

By Vannetta Chapman

Published by Zondervan

363 pages

ISBN: 978-0-310-32569-7

Back Cover:

Even before she heard of Owen Esch’s death, Hannah Troyer knew something was amiss at The Cat’s Meow yarn shop. The store has been closing at odd times, the ever-dependable Mary isn’t always at her post . . . and an Englisch man has been loitering around back.

Now, as leaves of brown, gold, and orange blanket Middlebury, Indiana, Owen lies dead on the Pumpkinvine Trail. The only clues to the murderer’s identity point in two very different directions—one of them leading right to The Cat’s Meow.

The police call in a federal investigator, but Hannah and village manager Amber Bowman are in no mood to wait for them to figure out what they already know—that no one from the Amish Village killed Owen Esch.

Amber and Hannah need to work quickly to solve the murder mystery and bring harmony back to the Amish community.

Review:

This may have been the first cozy mystery I’ve read. It’s certainly the first I remember reading, and the concept of an Amish murder mystery is truly unique.

My experience with the Amish is very limited. Outside of their candy—the Amish community midway between Kansas City, MO and Branson makes the best candy covered almonds ever!—I’ve not experienced their culture at all, except through a book or two. So it was intriguing to read about this small, close knit community, one where the Amish and Englisch often interacted. Middlebury reminded me of some beach and lakefront shopping areas our family has visited on vacations. In that aspect, Ms. Chapman did a great job of crafting a pleasant, touristy, close-knit community.

The mystery thread of this novel was truly well done. It was fun to follow the clues, form suspicions, then later, discover my suspicions had been misplaced! Although I also held a great deal of suspicion for the villain, and towards the end, was utterly convinced he was the murderer. I wasn’t, however, convinced the authorities would clue in to this fact.  

Not being an Amish fiction reader, I wasn’t hugely interested in a lot of the day-to-day details presented in this book, but I recognize many Amish fiction fans would be. (In fact, those very details could very well be what Amish fiction fans enjoy most!) I also found aspects of the book unnecessary, like much of Amber’s personal life, mainly because I never quite figured out how it related to the story. As a result, I did find myself skimming a bit and still able to keep up with the overall plot and various threads. However, for Amish fiction, the premise was unique, the mystery fun, and the setting endearing. Those who enjoy Amish fiction should give Murder Tightly Knit a try.   

Reviewed by: Jennifer Slattery