Wednesday, January 11, 2017
POLICED by ALANA TERRY
Each book I read from this author is an emotional well executed story. She takes subjects that are controversial and writes a book that is well researched and without prejudice. I loved this book especially because the topic is like reading front page news. The situation is real and the author does an outstanding job of allowing readers to see both sides of the explosive theme in the book. I have come to really like the characters in this series and I love how Kennedy is still finding her way in her faith.
As Kennedy and her friend Reuben decide to take a night off from studying their lives are forever changed. I don't know how I would react to the turmoil they went through but I know I would be scared. It's hard to predict how someone will react in a life or death situation. I could feel the terror and fear as Reuben and Kennedy were victimized by the police officer. Kennedy reacted exactly how I probably would have. What would you do if someone you cared about was being unfairly treated? Would you step in and help or turn and walk away? The author delivers a story that divides people as they struggle to find the truth.
There was a part in the story that I found to be very emotional as Kennedy and Sandy are talking. We all have doubts at times and wonder why God allows things to happen. We also question if we are being a good example to others. I thought that part of the story was very pivotal for Kennedy and it showed how a person can question their faith and know that God is still there. I will say that this is one story you don't want to miss. There are a few surprises in the book that will once again lead to discussions . I am thankful that the author does not shy away from topics that others don't want to talk about. One of the key ingredients in her books is honesty and sharing both sides of an issue without letting her feelings known. I am looking forward to the next book in this series where faith, trust and unconditional love will flow throughout the book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Bookfun.org. The review is my honest opinion.
As Kennedy and her friend Reuben decide to take a night off from studying their lives are forever changed. I don't know how I would react to the turmoil they went through but I know I would be scared. It's hard to predict how someone will react in a life or death situation. I could feel the terror and fear as Reuben and Kennedy were victimized by the police officer. Kennedy reacted exactly how I probably would have. What would you do if someone you cared about was being unfairly treated? Would you step in and help or turn and walk away? The author delivers a story that divides people as they struggle to find the truth.
There was a part in the story that I found to be very emotional as Kennedy and Sandy are talking. We all have doubts at times and wonder why God allows things to happen. We also question if we are being a good example to others. I thought that part of the story was very pivotal for Kennedy and it showed how a person can question their faith and know that God is still there. I will say that this is one story you don't want to miss. There are a few surprises in the book that will once again lead to discussions . I am thankful that the author does not shy away from topics that others don't want to talk about. One of the key ingredients in her books is honesty and sharing both sides of an issue without letting her feelings known. I am looking forward to the next book in this series where faith, trust and unconditional love will flow throughout the book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Bookfun.org. The review is my honest opinion.
THE PORTRAIT OF EMILY PRICE by KATHERINE REAY
What an astonishing book I just read. The story is so emotional, exciting, breathtaking and filled with history I had to read it all the way through to the end. It is not easy yo put down a book that is so expertly written. I learned a lot about Italy through the eyes of the author. She captured the beauty of the land and people with brilliant words that painted a picture of pure beauty. I loved the food that was described and could smell the pasta cooking on the stove. This is one story that will stay with you for years to come. The story has captured the meaning of family in such a way that it has left me emotional but filled with hope.
Emily has a gift that many admire. She can reconstruct things and make them beautiful again. I found her work to be fascinating and the author described her work with great detail. I wanted to watch Emily work and listen to her as she brought something that had been destroyed back to life. As she is working on a family's home she finds out that she is going to be out of a job. Her chance meeting with Ben was mesmerizing and enchanting. Ben has come from Italy to help his family's restaurant out. Ben has everything going for him with his good looks, being a master chef and Italian. Who could resist this man of many talents.
Joseph is Ben's brother and has been doing his best to keep the business going. There is definitely some friction between the brothers but Emily can't figure out what it is. Emily has started to help do some restoration in the restaurant and help Joseph out. I loved how they both shared the same interest in art and their talks were fascinating.
I was a bit surprised when Ben suddenly asks Emily to marry him. They had only known each other for two weeks. She had plans to stay and work with Joseph. Ben's charm was to hard to resist and off she goes to get married. When they reach Italy I'm sure she was overwhelmed with what she had just done? Was she to impulsive? Will Ben's family accept her?
The story is so much more than restoring paintings and old relics. It's a look at a family that has been torn apart by something that happened a long time ago. Emily is not easily accepted by Ben's family , especially his mother. She is cold and distant. I loved Ben's father and found him to be so enduring and lovable. What is the secret that broke the family apart? Why won't Joseph come home to visit his family?
The author shows us through the eyes of Emily, brokenness , anger, unforgiveness and rediscovery. Her art captures each element and opens hearts that have hardened by pain and shunning. There is a part in the story about a painting that has long been covered up. The biblical reference is unmistakably the most powerful part of the story. The painting depicts a time when sin was thrown upon a woman that almost destroyed her. How this story is reflected back to Ben's family is emotional and I loved how the author used it to show how shame and guilt can cause someone to become bitter. What is the significance of this painting to the family? Can it bring healing and hope ? Can Joseph forgive the past and reconcile before it is to late? I kept thinking of "Beauty from ashes." Our lives may seem like they are in ashes and there is no hope, but God sees the beauty and gives us hope, joy and restoration.
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. The review is my honest review.
Emily has a gift that many admire. She can reconstruct things and make them beautiful again. I found her work to be fascinating and the author described her work with great detail. I wanted to watch Emily work and listen to her as she brought something that had been destroyed back to life. As she is working on a family's home she finds out that she is going to be out of a job. Her chance meeting with Ben was mesmerizing and enchanting. Ben has come from Italy to help his family's restaurant out. Ben has everything going for him with his good looks, being a master chef and Italian. Who could resist this man of many talents.
Joseph is Ben's brother and has been doing his best to keep the business going. There is definitely some friction between the brothers but Emily can't figure out what it is. Emily has started to help do some restoration in the restaurant and help Joseph out. I loved how they both shared the same interest in art and their talks were fascinating.
I was a bit surprised when Ben suddenly asks Emily to marry him. They had only known each other for two weeks. She had plans to stay and work with Joseph. Ben's charm was to hard to resist and off she goes to get married. When they reach Italy I'm sure she was overwhelmed with what she had just done? Was she to impulsive? Will Ben's family accept her?
The story is so much more than restoring paintings and old relics. It's a look at a family that has been torn apart by something that happened a long time ago. Emily is not easily accepted by Ben's family , especially his mother. She is cold and distant. I loved Ben's father and found him to be so enduring and lovable. What is the secret that broke the family apart? Why won't Joseph come home to visit his family?
The author shows us through the eyes of Emily, brokenness , anger, unforgiveness and rediscovery. Her art captures each element and opens hearts that have hardened by pain and shunning. There is a part in the story about a painting that has long been covered up. The biblical reference is unmistakably the most powerful part of the story. The painting depicts a time when sin was thrown upon a woman that almost destroyed her. How this story is reflected back to Ben's family is emotional and I loved how the author used it to show how shame and guilt can cause someone to become bitter. What is the significance of this painting to the family? Can it bring healing and hope ? Can Joseph forgive the past and reconcile before it is to late? I kept thinking of "Beauty from ashes." Our lives may seem like they are in ashes and there is no hope, but God sees the beauty and gives us hope, joy and restoration.
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. The review is my honest review.
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
A Fatal Twist
by Tracy Weber
…a funny story and the author does a wonderful job with the characters and scenes.
~Bab’s Book Bistro
~Bab’s Book Bistro
With Tracy Weber we get an abundance of education while having fun…The action and troubles seem to never cease.
~Laura’s Interests
~Laura’s Interests
The author has created characters that are fun and entertaining…I highly recommend this book (and series) to all readers!
~A Date With A Book
~A Date With A Book
A Fatal Twist (A Downward Dog Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Midnight Ink (January 8, 2017)
Paperback: 312 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0738748788
E-Book ASIN: B01FOR0Z0I
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Midnight Ink (January 8, 2017)
Paperback: 312 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0738748788
E-Book ASIN: B01FOR0Z0I
Synopsis
Yoga instructor Kate Davidson’s life takes a chaotic turn once she agrees to not only be the doula for her pregnant best friend, but also play foster mother to two puppies. The chaos only gets worse when Kate finds the dead body of a philandering fertility doctor and Rachel, one of her yoga students, fleeing the scene.Kate is convinced her student is innocent, and she sets out to find the real killer before her testimony condemns Rachel to a life behind bars. But her hands are full with caring for three dogs, teaching yoga classes, and gaining an unexpected crime-solving partner. If she’s not careful, Kate’s next yoga pose may be a fatal one.
About The Author
Tracy Weber is the author of the award-winning Downward Dog Mysteries
series featuring yoga teacher Kate Davidson and her feisty German shepherd, Bella. Tracy loves sharing her passion for yoga and animals in any form possible. Her first book, Murder Strikes a Pose
won the Maxwell Award for Fiction and is a 2015 Agatha award nominee for Best First Novel.
series featuring yoga teacher Kate Davidson and her feisty German shepherd, Bella. Tracy loves sharing her passion for yoga and animals in any form possible. Her first book, Murder Strikes a Pose won the Maxwell Award for Fiction and is a 2015 Agatha award nominee for Best First Novel.
Tracy and her husband live in Seattle with their challenging yet amazing German shepherd Tasha. When she’s not writing, Tracy spends her time teaching yoga, walking Tasha, and sipping Blackthorn cider at her favorite ale house.
Author Links
Purchase Links
Amazon B&N
Amazon B&N
Kate is the main character in this cozy mystery. She has a great sense of empathy for others and I loved how she was determined to make sure the right killer was charged. She has one of these keen senses that lets her know when something is not right. I loved how the author talked about Kate learning to be a doula. I found it very interesting and learned something new. The yoga was so well described I think I could easily do some after reading the techniques that Kate does.
Kate is attending an open house at Lake Washington Medical Center where the new birthing facility is opening. It is a grand place with modern technology and all the comforts to make the parents feel relaxed. I can say when I had my kids I just remember a sterile room with boring ceilings and nurses bothering me constantly. As Kate excuses herself from the party after a mishap with a cake , she stumbles upon the body of a doctor. I will say this doctor was not well liked and the suspects are numerous.
I really like Kate's boyfriend Michael. He is such an easy going person and is quite the catch for Kate. When he brings home two cute little abandoned puppies starving for attention, Kate knows she is going to have to break the news to Bella her dog. Mutt and Jeff as Michael calls them will turn out to be a handful. I laughed at their shenanigans and loved reading about how they tried so hard to be good. I have to say reading about them was one of the highlights of the book. It brought a little fun to the story and made readers aware of puppy mills.
The story has some serious moments that I thought were well placed in the story such as fertility issues, losing a child and the mistreatment of animals. Kate never gives up on trying to shuffle through potential suspects to get answers. I liked how she was able to question people without being to obvious. Well there is one or two that get upset with her, but she keeps going . Will she figure out who the killer is? The book does slow in some areas as it seems the murder is not the focal point of the story at times. I did enjoy the book but honestly I think it was a bit off balance between the murder, the puppies, affairs and relationship and fertility issues. Sometimes there can be too much going on that the main theme in the book gets lost.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Great Escapes Book Tour. The review is my honest opinion.
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Sunday, January 8, 2017
THE BLUE RIBBION BRIDE'S COLLECTION
Each story in this beautiful collection is well written and takes you back to an era where things were simpler. I loved the description of the late 1800s to early 1930s. I could picture the dresses the women wore that were simple yet practical. They loved to bake and show off their skills . I could smell the pies and cakes as they graced the tables . I instantly felt like I was at the fair and could here the laughter of children, and feel the excitement as blue ribbons were about to be presented. Each story is written with great detail and compliments each other. The authors take us on a journey that is filled with excitement . The energy can be felt with each story that brings hope, forgiveness, joy and faith. It's time to settle back and enjoy the fair and be swept away with characters that come to life.
A Taste Of Honey By Darlene Franklin
Edith is quietly gathering honey from the bee hives when suddenly something or someone disturbs the process. I loved how the author did a great job of describing the stings that Edith got and I could see her hand swelling with each word that made the scene come to life. She had everything figured out about the honey that she was going to use at the state fair. With the honey she was harvesting it was sure to be a great ingredient for her.
Grant is back from the navy and bumps into Edith on his father's land . Guess he didn't realize that Edith was trained in gathering honey or maybe he stopped her for a reason. He sure didn't make a great impression at first. He feels bad for her injuries but tells her that there will be no more honey as he has other plans for the land. After his dad had a stroke, the farm wasn't doing as well like it use to. Why does Grant feel like others in the area have taken advantage of his dad? My heart went out to Grant's dad. Having suffered a stroke was so difficult for him but he had such a giving heart.
Edith's dream to enter the baking contest at the fair Is coming up soon. She has hopes of perfecting the perfect recipe and the key is the honey . What does she want to do with the money if she wins? If Grant decides to plow up the land and get rid of the bees, where will she get her honey? I loved the time Edith spent with her mom as they walked their land. The author made me feel like I was in the open pasture looking at the beautiful land that God had made.
The story is filled with hope and compromise. What will happen when Grant finds out that part of the land he thought was his is owned by Edith's family? . The excitement builds as the fair is in full swing. Who will win the grand prize? Can Grant and Edith find a way to work out their differences over the land? This is a delightful story that shows how faith and working together can bring happiness.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from author Darlene Franklin. The review is my honest opinion.
A Taste Of Honey By Darlene Franklin
Edith is quietly gathering honey from the bee hives when suddenly something or someone disturbs the process. I loved how the author did a great job of describing the stings that Edith got and I could see her hand swelling with each word that made the scene come to life. She had everything figured out about the honey that she was going to use at the state fair. With the honey she was harvesting it was sure to be a great ingredient for her.
Grant is back from the navy and bumps into Edith on his father's land . Guess he didn't realize that Edith was trained in gathering honey or maybe he stopped her for a reason. He sure didn't make a great impression at first. He feels bad for her injuries but tells her that there will be no more honey as he has other plans for the land. After his dad had a stroke, the farm wasn't doing as well like it use to. Why does Grant feel like others in the area have taken advantage of his dad? My heart went out to Grant's dad. Having suffered a stroke was so difficult for him but he had such a giving heart.
Edith's dream to enter the baking contest at the fair Is coming up soon. She has hopes of perfecting the perfect recipe and the key is the honey . What does she want to do with the money if she wins? If Grant decides to plow up the land and get rid of the bees, where will she get her honey? I loved the time Edith spent with her mom as they walked their land. The author made me feel like I was in the open pasture looking at the beautiful land that God had made.
The story is filled with hope and compromise. What will happen when Grant finds out that part of the land he thought was his is owned by Edith's family? . The excitement builds as the fair is in full swing. Who will win the grand prize? Can Grant and Edith find a way to work out their differences over the land? This is a delightful story that shows how faith and working together can bring happiness.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from author Darlene Franklin. The review is my honest opinion.
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