I just finished Indivisible by Kristen Heitzman and was very impressed. I kept going back and forth on whether to pick this book to review and I finally did on the review another blogger did about this book. She said it was a great suspense fiction and she was so right.
I was not disappointed in this story, it was very fast paced with lots of twists that had me guessing. The plot kept me involved with a few surprises which always make for a page turning book. The backdrop of the story is a small Colorado town that had had animal mutations. Were they the result of gang activity or something else?. The sheriff of the town has to find out. The story has than that, there are quite a few characters and each has a past they are trying to escape and find peace. Loved that part of the story the best and how they tried to find redemption. Great Christian book but not a preachy Christian book. If you want a book to curl up on a long winter night-this is the one. Can't wait for her next book to come out Thank you to Waterbrook for sending me this book for my honest opinion.
-- Grace Elizabeth --
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Scars of a Chef
I just finished Scars of a Chef by Rick Tramonto and was impressed. It was one of those books that wasn't great, it was just interesting. I had never heart of Rick and he is a well known chef, especially in the Midwest.
The synopsis of the book sounded like a good read, which it was. It was one of those books that held your interest throughout.
The story starts out with Rick's childhood struggles of being an only child with a strange blend of parents. He did drugs, alcohol, skipped school and was ejected from three schools because of fighting. He started at Wendy's as a high school dropout who later was diagnosed with dyslexia. He found his niche-loved the food industry and all it entailed. He had to support his mother when his father went to prison after being involved in the mob. The book details all his different jobs as a chef and the different places he worked and finally opening a four-start restaurant. The hours-he was a workaholic-were intense and the drugs kept up but he was so empty. He knew there was more to life (he was raised in the Catholic Church) and God kept trying to get his attention. He lost his marriage, business and had to start all over again. This time he let God direct him instead of the other way around. Fun to see where he started and how "sold out" for Jesus he got finally.
It was an amazing story and not just a story for one who likes cooking. There are recipes throughout the book from his restaurants. Showed me a whole new account into the restaurant world.
Thank you Tyndale for sending me this book for free just for my honest opinion.
The synopsis of the book sounded like a good read, which it was. It was one of those books that held your interest throughout.
The story starts out with Rick's childhood struggles of being an only child with a strange blend of parents. He did drugs, alcohol, skipped school and was ejected from three schools because of fighting. He started at Wendy's as a high school dropout who later was diagnosed with dyslexia. He found his niche-loved the food industry and all it entailed. He had to support his mother when his father went to prison after being involved in the mob. The book details all his different jobs as a chef and the different places he worked and finally opening a four-start restaurant. The hours-he was a workaholic-were intense and the drugs kept up but he was so empty. He knew there was more to life (he was raised in the Catholic Church) and God kept trying to get his attention. He lost his marriage, business and had to start all over again. This time he let God direct him instead of the other way around. Fun to see where he started and how "sold out" for Jesus he got finally.
It was an amazing story and not just a story for one who likes cooking. There are recipes throughout the book from his restaurants. Showed me a whole new account into the restaurant world.
Thank you Tyndale for sending me this book for free just for my honest opinion.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The Shape of Mercy
I am so thankful that I was able to read this book. What a story!!!!. The back of the book sounded so interesting and I found this book to be amazing. The author has scripted beautiful characters,modern day and historical events and a haunting tale.
The story centers around three women: Mercy Hayworth, Abigail Boyles and Lauren Durough and just how much these three women are alike-all from different generations. Lauren is hired by Abigail to transcribe an old book of journal entries from Mercy. So enjoyed the modern day story chapter then the chapter on Mercy, that was so captivating. It is not an easy book to digest since there were dealings about the Salem witch trials and just how perverted things and people can get. The author takes you on a journey of love, forgiveness, redemption and many twists and turns. This book is one that leaves you breathless toward the end-so surprised to find out the "rest of the story" about Mercy. Shape of Mercy is one of those books you won't soon forget.
Thank you Waterbrook for sending this for free for my honest opinion. Superb choice.
The story centers around three women: Mercy Hayworth, Abigail Boyles and Lauren Durough and just how much these three women are alike-all from different generations. Lauren is hired by Abigail to transcribe an old book of journal entries from Mercy. So enjoyed the modern day story chapter then the chapter on Mercy, that was so captivating. It is not an easy book to digest since there were dealings about the Salem witch trials and just how perverted things and people can get. The author takes you on a journey of love, forgiveness, redemption and many twists and turns. This book is one that leaves you breathless toward the end-so surprised to find out the "rest of the story" about Mercy. Shape of Mercy is one of those books you won't soon forget.
Thank you Waterbrook for sending this for free for my honest opinion. Superb choice.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Library reads
Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze
I read this a while back and forgot to write about it. I read her second book and loved it and got this from the library and started and guess what, I already read it!!!. Mind is going quickly.
This lady is one good writer. The story deals with Ben the owner of Crossroads Crisis Center who loves his work, his faith and his family. His wife and son are murdered and is world falls apart and he loses his faith. He strives to find the killers but after three years his hope is dying. A mysterious woman comes to Crossroads seeking answers and needing help. She has been robbed of her identity, her life, but not her faith. She resembles Susan which was Ben's wife and also has a necklace of Susan's. But how did she get the necklace and the connections between the two women mount plus someone is trying to kill her.
This story is a page turner with a surprise ending and I highly recommend it.
It would help to read this one first since there are characters in her second book that are in this book too so it makes more sense.
Book of Days by James Rubart
I picked this one up by Cara Putman's review on her blog. She loved it so I knew I would love it also. I read this on the way back from Virginia and it was really enjoyable. One of those books that made you keep turning pages-not really suspenseful but just interesting. God's book of days: a record of the past, present and future of every soul. Some say it is a fable but others say it is real and hidden somewhere on earth. Cameron has lost both his father and wife and they both have told him he must find the Book of Days so he embarks on the quest to find this book. What a quest it proves to be. The author is a masterful storyteller that makes you think about where you have been and where you are going. The characters and plot keep you reading while the spiritual truth throughout the book is beautiful. Made me realize how important our memories and choices are to who we really have become. This was one I will remember for a long time
I read this a while back and forgot to write about it. I read her second book and loved it and got this from the library and started and guess what, I already read it!!!. Mind is going quickly.
This lady is one good writer. The story deals with Ben the owner of Crossroads Crisis Center who loves his work, his faith and his family. His wife and son are murdered and is world falls apart and he loses his faith. He strives to find the killers but after three years his hope is dying. A mysterious woman comes to Crossroads seeking answers and needing help. She has been robbed of her identity, her life, but not her faith. She resembles Susan which was Ben's wife and also has a necklace of Susan's. But how did she get the necklace and the connections between the two women mount plus someone is trying to kill her.
This story is a page turner with a surprise ending and I highly recommend it.
It would help to read this one first since there are characters in her second book that are in this book too so it makes more sense.
Book of Days by James Rubart
I picked this one up by Cara Putman's review on her blog. She loved it so I knew I would love it also. I read this on the way back from Virginia and it was really enjoyable. One of those books that made you keep turning pages-not really suspenseful but just interesting. God's book of days: a record of the past, present and future of every soul. Some say it is a fable but others say it is real and hidden somewhere on earth. Cameron has lost both his father and wife and they both have told him he must find the Book of Days so he embarks on the quest to find this book. What a quest it proves to be. The author is a masterful storyteller that makes you think about where you have been and where you are going. The characters and plot keep you reading while the spiritual truth throughout the book is beautiful. Made me realize how important our memories and choices are to who we really have become. This was one I will remember for a long time
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Deadly Ties
Deadly Ties by Vicki Hinze was not just good-it was really, really good!!!!. This has to be one of the best ever suspense books I have read. What a storyline that kept you guessing and guessing the outcome.
Lisa Harper has just become a doctor and plans to finally see her mother after 13 years of separation. This separation was not by her choice but a evil stepfather, Dutch Hauk. The story starts with a horrific crime when Lisa was 7 years old and her memory has hidden many of the specifics of that crime. This also introduces a love interest in Mark Taylor who is a Special Operations officer that comes to Lisa and her mother's aid. But can Mark save Lisa and her mother from the evil Dutch Hauk and his evil associates? Dutch wants Lisa dead and will go to all lengths to make sure that happens. This story also deals with the trafficking of women and something new in that area that I had never heard of-and it is so sickening. That, in itself, was very hard to read and know that and more disgusting things are happening around the world to women and children. Makes you glad that God is still in control of all situations and He will win in the end. Was so impressed to see so much scripture throughout the book and you will love the ending.
I will be heading to my library tomorrow to get her first book-she is a super writer
Thank you so much to Waterbrook/Multnomah for sending me this copy for free just for my honest opinion.
Lisa Harper has just become a doctor and plans to finally see her mother after 13 years of separation. This separation was not by her choice but a evil stepfather, Dutch Hauk. The story starts with a horrific crime when Lisa was 7 years old and her memory has hidden many of the specifics of that crime. This also introduces a love interest in Mark Taylor who is a Special Operations officer that comes to Lisa and her mother's aid. But can Mark save Lisa and her mother from the evil Dutch Hauk and his evil associates? Dutch wants Lisa dead and will go to all lengths to make sure that happens. This story also deals with the trafficking of women and something new in that area that I had never heard of-and it is so sickening. That, in itself, was very hard to read and know that and more disgusting things are happening around the world to women and children. Makes you glad that God is still in control of all situations and He will win in the end. Was so impressed to see so much scripture throughout the book and you will love the ending.
I will be heading to my library tomorrow to get her first book-she is a super writer
Thank you so much to Waterbrook/Multnomah for sending me this copy for free just for my honest opinion.