Out of the Depths by Edgar Harrell {Book Review}

Out of the Depths: An Unforgettable WWII Story of Survival, Courage, and the Sinking of the USS Indianapolis is an autobiography of Edgar Harrell's experiences while in the Marines.

If you know much about me, I am so far from a history buff. Even choosing to read this book was a stretch for me. I enjoyed the personal experience that Edgar was able to add to this time period of history. There was not a huge time period covered in the book which helped me to be able to follow along. 

One cool thing about the USS Indianapolis was that they transported supplies to make the atomic bomb.

The crazy part of this story starts when the USS Indianapolis was stuck by a Japanese sub. The ship did not take long to go down. The adventure just begins at this point. 

Obviously, we know the ending of the story since it is an autobiography, but how Edgar makes it out is quite interesting.

This book helped get me through my 3 hour glucose test.

Thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.

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For Such a Time by Kate Breslin {Book Review}

The Holocaust is definitely an interesting time in history and it is during this time period that

For Such a Time happens.

When you look at the title of this book, a Bible character might come to mind. Esther. She managed to save her people. The heroine in this book is given the opportunity to possibly save her people.

This book is not fully based on history, but does have some elements in there. I can't even begin to fathom what life would have been like to be a Jew during this time period. To always live in fear and to never really have enough. We really are a blessed people. I have had everything that I truly need and have never been afraid every moment for my life. 

I was encouraged by this book to make sure that my faith in God is what I am using for my strength. Nothing else is going to matter. 

Thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to review this book.

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Tide and Tempest by Elizabeth Ludwig {Book Review}

Some things that make a book good to me is that the book has a plot that isn't like every other book you read. Also, that there is some mystery and action in the book. Tide and Tempest  fills both of those requirements for me.

I have also been enjoying spending time reading some historical books. This book isn't based on any specific event, bu the historical aspect is there. Why can't all history books be made this interesting?

I would not have wanted to live during this time period. We think it is bad today with the need to defend ourselves, these people really had to defend themselves. I know our police aren't everywhere, but their presence is more felt than in this book.

Thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to read this book.

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Wildwood Creek by Lisa Wingate {Book Review}

Wildwood Creek is book full of suspense and mystery. My kind of book! Allie, the main character wants to follow in her father's footsteps and be a film director. She applies for a position on a set for the summer during her college career.

The theme of the film for the summer was to solve the mystery of a little town that has disappeared. Little did she know what all she was getting herself into when she applied for the job.

I know I have said this before, but I love when authors throw in history. I don't have a lot of interest in history, so when I can read a good book that includes history, I have to think about the benefits for me.

Lisa does a great job of weaving together the stories and keeping an element of surprise. I also like that she takes you back to Moses Lake where Fire Fly Island took place.

Thanks to Bethany House for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review.

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All Things Hidden {Book Review}

I was always taught to judge a book based on if morals are treated as good and if sins are treated badly. There are some wrong decisions made in this book. The right does not prevail right away, but after some turmoil in the lives of the characters, right does prevail.

All Things Hidden is not my favorite book written by Tracie Peterson. I do really like the historical aspect of this book. I am not a historical buff, at all! So when a writer can study a historical time period and bring it to life in an interesting way, I am intrigued.

At the end of the book, we are even told what are historical and what are just made up events.

I had a little bit of a hard time getting into this book, but am glad that I stuck with the book and read the whole thing. Worth my time.

Thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to read this book.

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Sex and The Single Christian Girl {Book Review}

Sex and the Single Christian Girl: Fighting for Purity in a Rom-Com World takes a unique look at single girls fighting for sexual purity.

The aspect of the book that I really like is that Marian refers to the desire to be pure as a fight against Satan. She studies the enemy and learns his ways of attacking. She then gives ways of fighting against his MO. 

There was one point that Marian brought out that I thought was really good. "One of the most pervasive lies women believe is that sex is a commodity that can be traded for love." We as females want to be loved and will do anything to be loved without knowing how to fight off Satan.

I think the principles in this book are very practical not only to purity but also to the Christian life. 

Bethany House allowed me to read this book for an honest review.

{Book Review} Strait of Hormuz

My husband asked me the other day what Strait of Hormuz was about. Honestly, I wasn't able to put the book into a good summary at all. This book was one of those ones that kept me in suspense and gave me only enough detail without spoiling the whole entire plot.

I like a good mystery book, and Bunn provided that for me in this book. Not necessarily a book that I couldn't put down but definitely a book that kept my interest.

Thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.

10 Great Dates {Book Review}

I have to admit that when I first got this book, I was not really excited about reading the whole book. I thought this would be a great book just to skim. I was pleasantly surprised by this book and did actually read the whole thing.

10 Great Dates: Connecting Faith, Love & Marriage focuses on connecting your marriage with your faith. They talked about how many couples view faith as a very private affair and never connect spiritually.

In this book, you are given 10 chapters to read about and then date ideas that you can discuss with your spouse. I have to admit, my husband didn't go through this book with me, but I was challenged to thin about how my spiritual relationship with my husband needs to be more intentional.

If you are interested in strengthening your marriage, I would encourage you to read this book.

Bethany House provided me this book for my honest evaluation.

Unspoken by Dee Henderson {Book Review}

Unspoken by Dee Henderson is one of those books that I wish kept going. I finished and was truly sad that for now, I have to leave these characters behind. Dee has the ability to draw me in and keep me going. I love how she mixes adventure with romance.

Charlotte had been abducted as a teenager and held hostage for four years within three blocks of her home. She daily struggles with the consequences of the sin of these men.

Charlotte's grandpa dies and leaves her a huge estate. The expanse of his estate has her overwhelmed. She also inherits a bunch of rare coins. 

Selling off the estate is her priority, she finds a man that she can sell the coins. Her way of getting him to buy is interesting.

Part of her grandpa's will says that she has to marry within three years if she wants to get the largest sum of his money. The only problem, she does not trust men.

Thank you to Bethany House for allowing me to read this great book.

The Miner's Lady {Book Review}

I have this bad tendency to read and to not get anything out of the book. When I first started reading The Miner's Lady by Tracie Peterson, I did just that. Not sure if the beginning was not captivating or if I was not reading well. I did only read a few pages at a time, so that probably didn't help.

 

About half way through the book, I was engrossed. Two families the Panettas and the Calarcos had it out for each other and had for generations. They lived in the same small town and this rivalry was played out in their daily lives, especially when two of the children fell in love.

One thing I like about Christian fiction is when you can pull out lessons learned and apply them to your own life. I know the story line is not true, but the author can still challenge us spiritually. I was challenged in two different spiritual areas in this book.

First, I was challenged to forgive. As you can imagine, the Panettas and Calarcos needed to grant forgiveness to the other family. Not so easily done when the tension had been around for generations. Forgiveness granted before bitterness is allowed to set in will be far easier to grant.

The second thing I was challenged by was the area of prayer. the ladies in this book were always turning to God to pray for different things. This community was a mining community and when there was an accident in the mine, the siren blew. The ladies would pray even though they did not know the circumstances. My husband is a volunteer firefighter. I know when accidents happen. Do I stop and pray for the people involved? I would only have to sacrifice a little bit of time. I think it is all a matter of what is my heart tuned towards? Am I curious about a good story or am I wanting to take that person before the throne of God?

Overall, I think that the second half of the book makes up for the first half.

Thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my evaluation.

Are you interested in getting books from Bethany House? You just have to be able to blog your review about the book.

Into the Whirlwind {Book Review}

If you know anything about me, you know I am not a history fan. Elizabeth Camden does a great job of presenting history in an interesting was in Into the Whirlwind.

This story starts right before the great Chicago fire (gotta get the history part in here). Mollie owns a watch shop that makes some of the best watches in the world. She is faced with some major decisions right before the fire started.

Mollie's watch shop was destroyed. However, she was able to get her inventory and equipment out before the fire destroyed her shop. Mollie also lost her house, but managed to save a deed to some land that could bring her some money..

I loved the strength that Mollie portrayed as she rebuilt her lie and buciness. She was an independent business woman who had her employees best interest in mind. There would be something to say for that in this world today!

This book was the second that I have read by Elizabeth and I am looking forward to reading more by her.

Thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to review this book.

Linking to Cozy Book Hop.

The Quarryman's Bride {Book Review}

The Knox family has been dealt some major tragedies. Emmalyne was engaged to Tavin, when her younger sister were killed. Emmalyne is now forced to take care of her parents due to a tradition that her father has.

Tragedy and this decision that Emmalyne can't marry sets a pattern of turmoil and anger in the Knox family. I am amazed by how many people one man's decision affects. Pursuing selfish desires over what God would have creates a great downward spiral for this whole family.

Can the Knox family turn back to God and turn around that downward spiral?

How blind am I to not think that my selfish decisions have a great impact on others? I think this need to be a daily reminder if not every moment reminder in my life. How easy it is to become selfish!

Thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to review this great book.

Linking up to Reading List.

Jennifer {Book Review}

Dee Henderson use to be one of my favorite authors back in the day. She is able to combine effectively adventure with romance. I love when an author can take you on a good adventure. Makes me not want to put down a book! I went through a spurt where I didn't read a whole lot and kinda forgot about this series. Until Jennifer came out. 

This short book tells about Jennifer's love story. I thought this book was a cliff hanger. When I texted my friend about the cliff hanger, she said that this is almost like a prequel to all the other O'Mally books. I have read some of them but didn't keep up with them over the years. I might have to make a trip to the library to pick up the rest of the books to catch up. Dee Henderson is in my opinion one of the best authors out there! 

Thank you to Bethany House for allowing me to remember why I like Dee Henderson! 

A Place to Belong by Lauraine Snelling {Book Review}

Cassie Lockwood is on the search for independence. When Cassie's parents died, she found out that she owned part of a ranch. She is living with the other owners of the ranch, but she wants to be able to support herself. However, she has no idea about ranch life. 

I love the determination and desire of Cassie to learn new things. I need a little ore of her spunk! Nothing was outside of her range to try. Plus she was going to be successful at what she set out to do. 

Sometimes, I feel like I haven't quite found my exact place in life. Cassie was there, and determined to find her place. I need to be determined to keep trying until I do find my place in life. 

Thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to read this great book.

Linked up to Reading List. 

Icecutter's Daughter by Tracie Peterson {Book Review}

Thinking back to lit classes in high school and college, I think about how I was taught discern a book by how characters who did right and wrong were portrayed. The characters in this book who did right were rewarded. Those who did wrong, were not rewarded. Although they were graciously given a second chance. 

Rurik was determined that he was not going to get married simply because others wanted him to. He did not want to treat his wife without the proper love. What a great example of putting someone before yourself. Rurik's patience and determination paid off in the end when he got exactly what God had in store for him.

Thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to read this book. I would highly recommend others to read this book 

Book Review: To Honor and Trust by Peterson and Miller

You always hear, don't judge a book by it's cover. I have never been so influenced by the cover of a book. I made it to the last fifty pages and was still having a hard time getting past that I didn't like the cover...or maybe it was the title...or maybe a little of both. Have you ever been so judgmental of a book by it's cover?

Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Callie was born into a rich family. Her family gave up everything to go the the mission field in Africa. Callie was left to work and be a nanny for three children in order to survive.

Callie struggles with finding exactly what God wants her to do with her life. I could relate to this aspect of her life. 

The family she works for vacations at a resort during the winter. Robberies on the island add a little adventure to the book. Always a plus in my book! 

By the end of the book, Callie has figured out the plan that God has for her life. If it were always that easy! 

I would recommend this book, just don't judge it by the cover!

Thanks, Bethany House for allowing me to read this book. 

Book Review: Heitzmann The Breath of Dawn

I started reading this book just thinking that it was big and that I knew nothing about the author. Could be a good thing or a bad thing. I got a few chapters in, and I could already predict who was going to get married in the book. I was not having the best of first impressions of this book.

Let me tell you, this was one of the best books that I have read for a while. The suspense that filled this book was intense. I love not knowing what is going to happen in a book, and this book accomplishes that. 

The main characters life is far from perfect. Her husband's life is far from perfect. They have to choose to make things work. I like the realistic scenario presented in this book.

I am thinking that there may be a sequel for this book that I would love to read. Thank you Bethany House for allowing me to read and review this book!

Linked up to Reading List

Book Review: Taming the Wind by Peterson

Tracie Peterson has pulled it off again with writing a great book #3 in the Land of the Lone Star Series. 

Carissa Lowe is the main character in this book. In the last book, she becomes a widow whose husband was killed. She was pregnant with their daughter at the time he was killed. Her husband was abusive and she now has to learn to trust other men. 

Carissa goes to live with her sister on a ranch. Quite a change from the pampered lifestyle that she was use to. 

Tyler finds himself interested in Carissa, and Carissa in Tyler. There is a lot of challenges that stand in their way. One of the challenges is that all the men leave on a cattle drive that will take months. All the women have to live together to protect themselves from Indian attacks.

Laura, Carissa's sister, delivers a baby prematurely while the men are gone and they almost lose baby and child. Carissa is reminded that she has to make a choice of who she will love and that she can do nothing to hold on to those people.

My attention was held until I finished the whole book. Thank you to Bethany House for allowing me to review this book. 

Book Review: Against the Tide by Camden

 

When I started reading this book, I was immediately struck with the fact that the main character's name was Lydia and that her brother's name was Michael. In this case, the brother was younger.

There is an underlying fight against drugs throughout this entire book. I couldn't help but think how much this related to problems that we have in current day

Lydia had grown up in an orphanage who had given her medicine to help her calm down. Little did she know that this medicine contained opium. She continued to take this medicine into adulthood without understanding the consequences.

Lydia met and fell in love with a man, Bane. The only problem is that Bane had given his everything to fight against the opium trade. Bane would not allow himself to marry a drug addict, and he would also not put Lydia in the midst of his dangerous lifestyle. They both admitted that opium was wrong, but one of them was addicted.

Loss of job, kidnapping, Lydia attempting to save a child's life, and many more adventures keep you wanting more. Never a dull moment!

Good eventually wins and God is glorified, What other way is there to end any book?

Thank you to Bethany House for allowing me to read and review this book. You can buy Against The Tide on amazon. 

Book Review: The Deposit Slip by Johnson

Good clean mystery, suspense. These are things that keep me going when I pick up a book. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. 

Erin was needing a lawyer to pick up her case. The bank was denying her that her father's deposit ticket was valid. The deposit slip was worth ten million dollars. The only problem was that no lawyer wanted to pick up this case.

Jared was in need of some money and a break as a lawyer. He with some persuasion decided to take on the case. 

With some twists and turns, the validity of the deposit slip is made very clear.

Throughout the book, forgiveness has to be given. Truth has to come out. And in the end right triumphs!

Thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to preview this book.