The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson

 About this book:

When Madison McDowell returns from several years teaching overseas, she has high hopes of picking up where she left off at her family's Christmas tree farm in Oregon. But between damage from a recent wildfire and the neglect due to her sister Addie's unwillingness to invest, the farm is in sad shape. In fact, Addie is intent on selling the property. And to top it off, her former high school flame, the now-widowed Gavin Thompson, has plans to break Madison's heart again by turning his neighboring property into a dusty, noisy dirt bike track for his daughter.With the odds stacked against her, Madison decides there's only one thing to double down on her dreams. It will take a ton of hard work--and some help from an unlikely ally--to save the farm she so dearly loves. But it may take a miracle to restore her relationship with her sister.Bestselling and award-winning author Melody Carlson charms and delights with this uplifting Christmas story full of old memories and new beginnings.

My Thoughts:

I have really enjoyed all of Melody Carlson‘s holiday books to date and this was no exception. While being very predictable, it was a very enjoyable read. I really love how so to speak, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. One sister didn’t want anything to do with the Christmas tree farm and the outdoors and the other one saw it as her escape and as her home. Everyone truly does have different gifts and different passions and I think that works to our advantage.  I would recommend this book to get in the holiday spirit.

#TheChristmasTreeFarm

GIVEAWAY: The Christian Capitalist and $500!!!

Overview: The Christian Capitalist explores various scriptural references that support twin pillars of Christian belief: 1) working hard to make a productive benefit from talents and materials that God has provided all people; and 2) giving generously to share those benefits with our neighbors in the name of Jesus Christ. Through a discussion of Holy Scripture, it analyzes various passages that relate to these concepts of productivity and generosity, along with two thousand years of history discussing the good works of Christians as examples. Ultimately, this book develops a philosophy that is uniquely Christian and capitalist: the Gospel of Hard Work and Generous Giving!

I have been a big fan of Christian Finance movements in the past. You can't out-give God, and the 7 baby steps to financial freedom, and others of the sort. I do believe that all that we have was given by God, so who are we to be stingy with what's been given to us. This book was interesting as it placed value on working hard and being productive and being responsible, but also being generous. You can't just sit back and chill and hope that boatload of cash will drop in your lap. God gave everyone talents and abilities, and they should be used. In using them, you earn income, and that income can be used to bless others. So it's along the lines of God helps those who help themselves, but it's more like God gave you talents and abilities, so use them for his glory, and to bless others with your profits. It's a well-written book!

BUY A COPY HERE

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Now for the exciting part....Momentum has allowed me to host a 2 part Giveaway. The first is for a copy of this book. One winner will be selected from each participating blos. The second is that 1 winner will be selected from ALL participating blogs and that person can pick an organization they want $500 donated to, and they'll do it! That's AWESOME!!! Be sure to enter for both down below.

GIVEAWAY# 1: A copy of this book and...

GIVEAWAY #2: $500 TO THE WINNER'S CHOICE OF CHRISTIAN US-BASED MINISTRY/ORGANIZATION (We’re pooling all giveaway winners across all participating bloggers)

HOW TO ENTER:

Leave a comment down below with what organization you would donate to if you won, and leave a way for me to contact you (IG handle, email etc)

Hashtags: #ChristianCapitalistMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Many thanks to GoodWorks Mission, LLC for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt

 

Description

On a golden August morning in 1939, sisters Antonina and Helena Dąbrowska send their father off to defend Poland against the looming threat of German invasion. The next day, the first bombs fall on Warsaw, decimating their beloved city and shattering the world of their youth.

When Antonina's beloved Marek is forced behind ghetto walls along with the rest of Warsaw's Jewish population, Antonina turns her worry into action and becomes a key figure in a daring network of women risking their lives to shelter Jewish children. Helena finds herself drawn into the ranks of Poland's secret army, joining the fight to free her homeland from occupation. But the secrets both are forced to keep threaten to tear the sisters apart--and the cost of resistance proves greater than either ever imagined.

Shining a light on the oft-forgotten history of Poland during WWII and inspired by true stories of ordinary individuals who fought to preserve freedom and humanity in the darkest of times, The Warsaw Sisters is a richly rendered portrait of courage, sacrifice, and the resilience of our deepest ties.

I really enjoy historical fiction novels. They bring history to life, which previously I found boring, but now I'm intrigued and want to know more. I love the way the author makes you feel like you're there and experiencing what Helena and Antonina are. It was a really well written story and I'm interested to read more from the author.

Many thanks to Revell and Netgalley for an advanced review copy of this book.

Review: He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox

 

About the book:

Beekeeper Beckett Walsh is living her dream, working alongside her father in their apiary, until his untimely death sends her world into a tailspin. She suddenly finds she must deal with a new part owner of the family business--one who is looking to sell the property. Beck cannot fathom why her father would put her into the position to lose everything they built together.

When Callie Peterson is named in the trust of a man she's never heard of, she's not sure what to do. Her fledgling business has just taken wing and her mother has reentered her life asking for help getting into rehab for her lifelong substance abuse issues, making Callie's financial situation rather . . . precarious. She's sure she has no right to someone else's farm, but the money from the sale could solve her problems and give her the stability she's always craved.

As these two women navigate their present conundrum, they will discover a complex and entangled past full of secrets--and the potential for a brighter future for both of them.

My Thoughts:

This book was a very slow burn for me. A lot of time was spent building up the back stories about each of the women and their lives and struggles. It wasn't until about 40% through the book that I started to care about the plot and became interested in the new revelations and decisions that had to be made. Usually I give up on a book by then, but I'm glad I didn't.

Thanks to NetGalley & Revell for the review copy. #netgalley

The Baker’s Man by Jennifer Moorman

About this book:

In the Southern town of Mystic Water, magic is always in the wind—and in the ovens

Anna O’Brien inherited several gifts from her late Grandma Bea: culinary superpowers, a bakery in a charming Southern town, and a mysterious box with a note:

Open the box only when you need to. You’ll know exactly when you do, and you’ll know what to do with it. I love you.

The night her presumed fiancé crushes her dreams, Anna opens the box and finds “magic sugar” inside, along with a recipe to bake “the perfect man.” Encouraged by her best friend Lily (and maybe a wee bit too much rum), a heartbroken Anna sets out to do what she always does when she’s feeling blue: bake.

She hardly believes her eyes the next morning when a man—a breathing and rather handsome man—is in her bakery and seems to know all her likes and dislikes, her quirks and preferences. Elijah is everything Anna dreamed and nothing she expected. Where did he come from? Is he real? And when he fashions his own ideas about what makes a good life, can she let him go?

My thoughts:

This is a perfect book for a vacation read or if you want something light, happy and entertaining. While totally unbelievable (you can’t bake a man, as much as you may wish you could), it was a really fun concept and I breezed through this in less than a day. The characters were all very believable. I loved the trio of best friends, supporting each other, sticking with each other through good and bad. I loved the dilemma the main character had in determining what to do with her future. It was very realistic in that sense. Very good book!

The Black Friend - a book review

From the perspective of the friend everyone should have, Frederick Joseph offers an essential read for white people who want to be better about race—and people of color who long to see their experiences validated.

“We don’t see color.” “I didn’t know Black people liked Star Wars!” “What hood are you from?” For Frederick Joseph, life in a mostly white high school as a smart and increasingly popular transfer student was full of wince-worthy moments that he often simply let go. As he grew older, however, he saw these as missed opportunities not only to stand up for himself, but to spread awareness to the white friends and acquaintances who didn’t see the negative impact they were having and who would change if they knew how.

Speaking directly to the reader, The Black Friend calls up race-related anecdotes from the author’s past, weaving in his thoughts on why they were hurtful and how he might handle things differently now. Each chapter includes the voice of at least one artist or activist, including Tarell Alvin McCraney, screenwriter of Moonlight; April Reign, creator of #OscarsSoWhite; Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give; and eleven others. Touching on everything from cultural appropriation to power dynamics, “reverse racism” to white privilege, microaggressions to the tragic results of overt racism, this book serves as conversation starter, tool kit, and invaluable window into the life of a former “token Black kid” who now presents himself as the friend many of us need. Back matter includes an encyclopedia of racism, providing details on relevant historical events, terminology, and more.

About the author: Frederick Joseph is an award-winning marketing professional, media representation advocate, and writer who was recently selected for the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. He’s also the winner of the 2018 Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award, given by Comic-Con International: San Diego, and was selected for the 2018 Root 100 List of Most Influential African Americans. He lives in New York City.

My Thoughts: I highly recommend this book for every single white person out there. Whether you think you know a lot about equality and oppression, or whether you think you might be a racist. Even those people that have people of color in their life still have more they can learn. As a white mom of black and brown children I know I still have so much to learn, but I am taking the steps to educate myself and learn how I can stand up for my kids and prepare them for the future. As a mom of a black boy, I am terrified about what he is going to be up against during his lifetime, which is why it’s so important that we change things now!!!

Daughter of Eden - book review

About the book:

The first time she opens her eyes, Eve gazes on One whose beauty nearly blinds her, whose breath is in her lungs. Her Creator takes her hand and gives her to one like her and yet different. Together, she and Adam experience pure joy as they explore Eden. But her favorite moments are when the Creator comes to walk with them, day after day.

Until everything changes. With one act of disobedience, Eve finds that her world is no longer a friendly place. With remorse in her heart, she must face the unknown future--the births, the deaths, the sacrifices, the loss of the one home she has ever known. Perhaps worst of all is the loss of trust, not only with her Creator but with the man who shares her life. How will they ever survive out of Eden 

My thoughts:

The beginning of this book was all fairytales and rainbows and butterflies and everything is amazing and “my husbands amazing” “my wife is a blessing” etc. As the book goes along Adam and Eve have more human emotions and interactions, but honestly, it was just a bunch of popping out babies and their stories, and I didn’t get more than halfway through the book. I normally love her stories, but this one just did not grab my attention

CSB Explorer Bible GIVEAWAY!

 

The CSB Explorer Bible for Kids helps kids place God’s word in the middle of God’s world. Engaging features, easy-to-read 8.5pt text, and full-color design connect with kids’ natural curiosity and help them experience the wonder and truth of the Bible. From the two tables of content — one in order and one sorted alphabetically — to the topical concordance and index of Bible stories, each detail is designed to give kids the tools to find their way around God’s Word.

Engaging full-color designs and clear language will welcome kids of all ages into exploring and understanding the Bible for themselves. With fun facts, timelines, photography, and more, they’ll see the Bible as real, exciting, and life-changing truth.

My 6 year old loves his new Explorer Bible, and while he can't read it all yet, it has certainly captivated his attention and he WANTS to read it!

WIN IT: Win a copy of the CSB Explorer Bible

HOW TO ENTER: a Rafflecopter giveaway

BOOK REVIEW: The Bookshop of Secrets

A collection of lost books holds the clues to her family's legacy…and her future.

Hope Sparrow has mastered the art of outrunning her tragic past, learning never to stay anywhere too long and never to allow anyone control over her life again. Coming to Wanishin Falls in search of her family's history already feels too risky. But somewhere in the towering stacks of this dusty old bookshop are the books that hold Hope's last ties to her late mother—and to a rumored family treasure that could help her start over.

Only, the bookshop is in shambles, and the elderly owner is in the beginning stages of dementia and can’t remember where the books lie. To find the last links to the loved ones she's lost, Hope must stay and accept help from the townsfolk to locate the treasured volumes. Each secret she uncovers brings her closer to understanding where she came from. But the longer she stays in the quaint town, the more people find their way into the cracks in her heart. And letting them in may be the greatest risk of all…

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I thought the plot was interesting from the very start. A girl with a scarred past who wants to fade into the background and not set down roots for fear of being hurt again, comes to a new town where she needs the help of others to accomplish her goals before she can pick up and leave again. The author hinted at a treasure, and a treasure hunt. So much of the book had me turning the pages to read more. While the romance was predictable, I didn't see how all the characters were connected until the very end. The author did a great job of weaving a story and family trees so we didn't see every twist and turn coming, only a few little ones perhaps. I did call who the "bad guy" was about mid way through the book, but I will save that for you to find out when you read the book. I love books and reading so I also enjoyed all the famous book references and the fact that they made being a "book nerd' sound like something you want to be, which I think it is! I really enjoyed it and read it in only a handful of days!

#TheBookshopofSecrets #NetGalley

Book Review: Dangerous Beauty by Melissa Koslin

 Liliana Vela hates the term victim. She's not a victim, she's a fighter. Stubborn and strong with a quiet elegance, she's determined to take back her life after escaping the clutches of human traffickers in her poor Mexican village. But she can't stay safely over the border in America--unless the man who aided in her rescue is serious about his unconventional proposal to marry her.

Meric Toledan was just stopping at a service station for a bottle of water. Assessing the situation, he steps in to rescue Liliana from traffickers. If he can keep his secrets at bay, his wealth and position afford him many resources to help her. But the mysterious buyer who funded her capture will not sit idly by while his prize is stolen from him.

Melissa Koslin throws you right into the middle of the action in this high-stakes thriller that poses the question: What is the price of freedom?

REVIEW:

If you enjoyed the book Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers you would LOVE this book! I can't imagine being a young girl who witnessed her entire family die to keep her safe, and to no avail. Heart Breaking! On the flip side is a man who comes from a dark background and will stop at nothing to NOT repeat history. It was incredibly written and I honestly could NOT put it down. I think I read it in 2 or 3 days, which says a lot considering I nanny 2 little kids and have 4 kids of my own. It's safe to say that anything else this author writes I plan to read! 5 stars!!!

The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher

 

Dawn Dixon can hardly believe she's on a groomless honeymoon on beautiful Cape Cod . . . with her mother. Sure, Marnie Dixon is good company, but Dawn was supposed to be here with Kevin, the love of her life (or so she thought).

Marnie Dixon needs some time away from the absolute realness of life as much as her jilted daughter does, and she's not about to let her only child suffer alone--even if Marnie herself had been doing precisely that for the past month.

Given the circumstances, maybe it was inevitable that Marnie would do something as rash as buy a run-down ice-cream shop in the town's tightly regulated historic district. After all, everything's better with ice cream.

Her exasperated daughter knows that she's the one who will have to clean up this mess. Even when her mother's impulsive real estate purchase brings Kevin back into her life, Dawn doesn't get her hopes up. Everyone knows that broken romances stay broken . . . don't they?

Welcome to a summer of sweet surprises on Cape Cod--a place where dreams just might come true. 

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I love just about any book that has to do with a bakery, ice cream parlor, candy shop or anything sweet. I also love stories about buying a run down place, pouring your heart and soul into it, and turning it into a hot spot that everyone wants to visit. I love those "rags to riches" type of stories. I was a cake decorator for a few years, so I love hearing about people's woes as well as triumphs! A fun read, and perfect for hot summer days. It will make you crave ice cream!

Thank you to Revell Books for a copy of this book for review!

Until Leaves Fall In Paris - by Sarah Sundin

As the Nazis march toward Paris in 1940, American ballerina Lucie Girard buys her favorite English-language bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape. Lucie struggles to run Green Leaf Books due to oppressive German laws and harsh conditions, but she finds a way to aid the resistance by passing secret messages between the pages of her books.

Widower Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to the States with his little girl, but the US Army convinces him to keep his factory running and obtain military information from his German customers. As the war rages on, Paul offers his own resistance by sabotaging his product and hiding British airmen in his factory. After they meet in the bookstore, Paul and Lucie are drawn to each other, but she rejects him when she discovers he sells to the Germans. And for Paul to win her trust would mean betraying his mission.

Master of WWII-era fiction Sarah Sundin invites you onto the streets of occupied Paris to discover whether love or duty will prevail.

My Thoughts: I've been a fan of this author for years now. I was never a history fan when in school, but now I love reading historical fiction. The people and places come to life in her novels, and she always weaves in great interpersonal stories that draw me deeper into her novels. This book was no exception. I loved the ballerina who struggled to do the right thing, while struggling with knowing what the "right thing" to do was. It would be hard to be in her situation to want to support friends, follow her passion, and also follow her heart. While the relationship trajectory may be somewhat easy to predict, I still really love these novels by Sarah Sundin.

Thank you to Revell Books for a chance to read this novel early!

Tacos for Two: A Book Review

About this book:
Rory Perez, a food truck owner who can't cook, is struggling to keep the business she inherited from her aunt out of the red--and an upcoming contest during Modest's annual food truck festival seems the best way to do it. The prize money could finally give her a solid financial footing and keep her cousin with special needs paid up at her beloved assisted living home. Then maybe Rory will have enough time to meet the man she's been talking to via an anonymous online dating site.

Jude Strong is tired of being a puppet at his manipulative father's law firm, and the food truck festival seems like the perfect opportunity to dive into his passion for cooking and finally call his life his own. But if he loses the contest, he's back at the law firm for good. Failure is not an option.

Complications arise when Rory's chef gets mono and she realizes she has to cook after all. Then Jude discovers that his stiffest competition is the same woman he's been falling for online the past month.

Will these unlikely chefs sacrifice it all for the sake of love? Or will there only ever be tacos for one?

My thoughts:

I'll be honest and say I only made it about a third through the book, but the cheese fest was too much for me. Rory and Jude start an online chat, and they each had the "perfect" come back for every question and the "perfect" answers, and it was all just a little too unbelievable for me.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good romantic novel, or a good rom com, but this one was just too cheesy. The concept was cute. She was trying to uphold her aunt's memory with her food, and he was trying to be his own man and branch out on his own away from his family's lawyer legacy, but I was not a fan unfortunately.  Everyone has their own opinions, but for me it just didn't have enough realistic qualities to it to keep me invested in finishing this novel.

#TacosForTwo

A Christmas In the Alps - Melody Carlson

 

After a time of heartache and loss, Simone Winthrop discovers a tantalizing letter from her French great-grandmother, which seems to suggest that she is heir to a family treasure. Ever practical, Simone assumes the claim is baseless, but her best friend encourages her to find out for sure. Despite her deep-rooted fear of flying, Simone boards a jet to travel to Paris at Christmastime to uncover the truth.

During the long flight, Simone meets the charming Kyle Larsson, who's on his way to France to become an apprentice clockmaker. Though they abruptly part ways, an unexpected rendezvous in the French Alps at Simone's family's clock factory may lead to the discovery of the family treasure . . . and so much more.

For anyone who is wearying of staying home, Melody Carlson invites you to spend Christmas with her in the beautiful French Alps this year. So pull on your mittens, tie your scarf tight, and prepare yourself for a magical mountain holiday.

I have enjoyed all of Melody Carlson's holiday books, and this one was no exception. Around early October I crave a taste of the holiday spirit, and her books always give that to me. So now that I've read my first holiday book for 2021, I'm ready for more! Her books, while somewhat predictable, are always an easy read and enjoyable!

GIVEAWAY: Roar Like A Lion (Kids Devotional Book)

With eye-catching art, fascinating stories and facts, Bible verses and prayers, and simple action steps, this 90-day devotional will help your kids approach both fun moments and tough times with their hearts set on God's faithfulness.

 

Roar Like a Lion covers highly relevant topics such as:

• Facing fears about school and friendships
• Dealing with peer pressure and bullying
• Handling new challenges, disappointments, and grief
• Having courage to try something new
• Understanding how we each fit into God's great story

My kids have really enjoyed this so far. For reference my kids are 9, 8, 5 & 1. Each devotional is 2 pages long, with some application and then some fun facts. My oldest son, Braeden, loves learning facts about people, places and animals. He just soaks it up, so I can see him doing this devotional for a long time coming!

 Order Roar Like A Lion today!

WIN IT: 1 physical copy of Roar Like A Lion

Note: This giveaway is limited to US winners only. 

HOW TO ENTER: a Rafflecopter giveaway

 #RoarLikeALionMIN #roarlikealion #tommynelsonbooks 

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson for providing this product/product information for review.  Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive the product in exchange for this review and post.

When Twilight Breaks - By Sarah Sundin

 

Munich, 1938. Evelyn Brand is an American foreign correspondent as determined to prove her worth in a male-dominated profession as she is to expose the growing tyranny in Nazi Germany. To do so, she must walk a thin line. If she offends the government, she could be expelled from the country--or worse. If she fails to truthfully report on major stories, she'll never be able to give a voice to the oppressed--and wake up the folks back home.

In another part of the city, American graduate student Peter Lang is working on his PhD in German. Disillusioned with the chaos in the world due to the Great Depression, he is impressed with the prosperity and order of German society. But when the brutality of the regime hits close, he discovers a far better way to use his contacts within the Nazi party--to feed information to the shrewd reporter he can't get off his mind.

This electric standalone novel from fan-favorite Sarah Sundin puts you right at the intersection of pulse-pounding suspense and heart-stopping romance.

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I must admit that as a kid history class was my least favorite of all. I did not enjoy learning about the wars and battles and timelines and dates, but as an adult I can't get enough historical fiction novels, especially written by Sarah Sundin. She brings the characters and places to life. It truly makes me feel like I'm in the book, invested in the characters (of course, without all the danger of actually being there). She is a very gifted writer, and I jump at the chance to read any new book she comes out with!

Book Review: The Key To Love

The only thing Bri Duval loves more than baking petit fours is romance. So much so, she's created her own version of the famous Parisian lovelock wall at her bakery in Story, Kansas. She never expects it to go viral--or for Trek Magazine to send travel writer Gerard Fortier to feature the bakery. He's definitely handsome, but Bri has been holding out for a love story like the one her parents had, and that certainly will not include the love-scorned-and-therefore-love-scorning Gerard.

Just when it seems Bri's bakery is poised for unprecedented success, a series of events threaten not just her business but the pedestal she's kept her parents on all these years. Maybe Gerard is right about romance. Or maybe Bri's recipe just needs to be tweaked.

Novelist Betsy St. Amant invites you to experience this sweet story of how love doesn't always look the way we expect--and maybe that's a good thing.

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My thoughts:

I personally love all stories that involve Paris or bakeries, so I knew I would enjoy this book. It's about a women whose mom used to bake in this quaint bakery in a small town, so she doesn't want it to close because it's the only link left to her mother. When a writer comes into town threatening to write a bad review and forcing the bakery to close they become enemies. The relationship plots are semi-predictable, but I enjoyed it because of the subject matters - France, Bakeries, and relationships!

NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible Gift Set For Girls - GREAT GIFT IDEA!

Created especially for girls ages 8 to 12, this beautiful Bible, sticker sheets and coloring pencil set provides the tools for young artists to express themselves. 

Girls will get creative through coloring and journaling in the NIV Beautiful Word™ Coloring Bible for Girls. Included are pencils to color, blend and shade the detailed line art surrounding hundreds of inspiring verses. This Bible gift set is perfect for the special young girl in your life and will become a cherished keepsake full of personalized creative expressions of faith.

Features include:

 Complete text of the accurate, readable and clear New International Version (NIV)

 Over 600 verses illustrated in ready-to-color line art

 Four colored pencils

 Six sheets of stickers designed for girls

 Thick white paper for writing and doodling

 Lined, wide margins for notes and reflections

 Satin ribbon marker

 Beautifully debossed and screen-printed cover

 Exclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print® typeface in a readable 8-point print size

I can't wait to give this to my daughter when she's a little older. For one, she LOVES to draw and color. It's her absolute favorite thing to do. Given the choice, that's what she would pick over almost anything. Second she didn't have exposure to faith and the Bible for the first 5 years of her life, so these stories are still somewhat new to her, and she loves reading them and discovering new characters and miracles.  Third, it's full of beautiful pictures, so who wouldn't love that?

Buy it here: 

https://www.zondervan.com/p/beautiful-word-bible-for-girls/coloring/#new

#beautifulwordgiftset  #FlyBy

Many thanks to Telling Ministries LLC and HCCP for providing this product/product information for review.  Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Book Review: These Nameless Things

Dan escaped captivity from the mountain long ago, but believes his brother is still there and waits each day in a nearby town for his escape. What Dan doesn't realize is that the rest of the townspeople are also waiting--but for reasons he never imagined.

I was confused about this book at first, but as I kept reading the pieces started coming together. It was intense, a bit eerie, sometimes heart warming, all the while being a big puzzle. You know they escaped the mountain but you don't exactly know what happened on the mountain. They make it sound like it's full of pain and despair but you're not sure why. The entire book was a mystery, even until the end. Some questions were answered, but I was waiting for some parallel or deeper meaning behind the plot, but I was left at a loss. It was a good read and I wanted to keep going, but I didn't get all the answers or conclusions I was looking for by the last page. 
This review will make more sense if you've read the book. :)

Many thanks for Revell Books for the chance to read this!

New Sarah Sundin Book: The Land Beneath Us

In 1943, Private Clay Paxton trains hard with the US Army Rangers at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, determined to do his best in the upcoming Allied invasion of France. With his future stolen by his brothers' betrayal, Clay has only one thing to live for--fulfilling the recurring dream of his death.

Leah Jones works as a librarian at Camp Forrest, longing to rise above her orphanage upbringing and belong to the community, even as she uses her spare time to search for her real family--the baby sisters she was separated from so long ago.

After Clay saves Leah's life from a brutal attack, he saves her virtue with a marriage of convenience. When he ships out to train in England for D-day, their letters bind them together over the distance. But can a love strong enough to overcome death grow between them before Clay's recurring dream comes true?

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I've been a fan of Sarah Sundin's books for awhile now. I really enjoy historical fiction and she does it so well. She takes the reader back in time and you feel the emotions of the characters and fall in love along with them. This book was no exception! I can't wait to read more by Sarah.