Wednesday, December 1, 2010

LitFuse Publicity Blog Tour: Nightingale

Here's a description of the book:

"Esther Lange doesn’t love her fiancé—she’s trapped in an engagement after a mistaken night of passion.

Still, she grieves him when he’s lost in battle, the letters sent to her by the medic at his side giving her a strange comfort, so much that she strikes up a correspondence with Peter Hess, an Iowa farmboy. Or is he? Peter Hess is not who he seems. Indeed, he’s hiding a secret, something that could cost them both their lives, especially when the past comes back to life. A bittersweet love song of the home front war between duty and the heart...a battle where only one will survive.

Don’t miss book 1 in this stand-alone collection, Sons of Thunder."

My Rating: Spring/Summer

My Review:

Susan May Warren writes with a compassionate heart and powerful insight! After reading the first book in the "Brothers in Arms" collection, Sons of Thunder, I could hardly resist reading the second book, Nightingale. Warren is a very talented author, and her research shines through her almost tangible word pictures.

Nightingale does differ considerably from Sons of Thunder, in that the latter is full of action and movement, and the former is more about thoughts and emotions. Both are gripping in their own right, but I found that Nightingale was not as hard to put down as Sons of Thunder was. However, that being said, I was still quite moved by the story, with even the very first scene stirring me deeply.

Once I got almost half-way through I became more engrossed in the story, and I was thankful for the opportunity to see Peter's perspective. Throughout the second half of the book especially, I found there to be plenty of twists and turns, and I had no idea how Warren was going to resolve all the problems that came up! But somehow she did. And while the break between Part II and Part III was a little bit abrupt for me, the rest of the story flowed very well. The romance was sweet, although there was a lot of heartbreak throughout the book.

I do kind of wish that Esther's faith was established a bit more. Peter's encouragement was wonderful, but I would have liked it to be a little more clear that Esther was already a believer, in which case Peter's words would be truly applicable. Some of what she said in her pain made it unclear as to whether or not she truly believed in Jesus and His grace, although I'm almost positive that it was assumed she had already been saved before. (If I simply missed something in this point and am making a big deal out of nothing, please forgive my ignorance.)

Overall, I was touched by this book and the message of always "holding on," knowing that God never leaves us. This book is brimming with history, intrigue, and emotion!

*With thanks to the publisher for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion, to be shared during the LitFuse Publicity Blogging tour.*

About the Author:

Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning author of twenty-four novels with Tyndale, Barbour and Steeple Hill. A four-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Book of the Year.

Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!) A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at: www.susanmaywarren.com.

To Buy the Book: click HERE

Contest: Click on the button in the sidebar to go to the contest website! But hurry-- the contest ends soon!

Blog Tour Schedule: Check out all of the other reviews scheduled by clicking HERE.

6 comments:

Diane said...

This was a great book. I had wished there was a little bit more at the end but overall an excellent read. :O)

Amanda Stanley said...

Amber, your review was so very moving in and of itself! I've never read Susan May Warren, but your review would make anyone want to read it :) And, I know if you're recommending her she MUST be awesome! Honestly though, you have such an incredible way with words, expressing yourself and your convictions so poetically. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this book, my friend, as I just might have to add it to my Christmas list :D

Blessings,
Amanda Stanley

PS- I FINALLY finished by review for Head in the Clouds if you wanna check it out on Goodreads ;)

Amber Holcomb said...

Diane,

I agree! It was a great read overall. :) And yes, I can see how a little bit more at the end would be nice. But at least Warren didn't leave us hanging, right? ;) I like how the books in this series are stand-alones--with no cliff-hangers!

~Amber

Amber Holcomb said...

Amanda,

Awwww, you're so sweet! :D I'm so glad you liked the review, and I hope you get a chance to read some of Warren's work soon! This is a great book, and I highly recommend the first in the series (Sons of Thunder), as well. Believe me, you will not be able to put Sons of Thunder down!

Thank you again for your kind words and vote of confidence! I think we do have very similar taste in books. :)

~Amber

P.S. I read your review for Head in the Clouds, and I just LOVE it! Your compliments mean so much because YOU, my friend, are an amazing writer! Your reviews are so deep and engaging, yet without giving everything away. Very beautiful. :) If I hadn't already told my mom that I wanted Head in the Clouds for Christmas, I think your review would be just the nudge I'd need to speak up! ;)

Amanda Stanley said...

Amber, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words. It is so wonderful to bless and be blessed by a sister in the Lord :) Your encouragement means so much, my friend, especially since your writings ALWAYS blow me away!

I will be keeping this book and Sons of Thunder in mind! Hoping HITC find its way under your Christmas tree :D

Blessings,
Amanda Stanley

Amber Holcomb said...

Amanda,

You are more than welcome, and I thank YOU for your kind words! :D I am truly thankful for your friendship! And thank you so, so much for saying that about my writing--that means so very much to me! I love reading your writing, as well, whether it's comments, reviews, or e-mails. :) And you know I'd love to read anything else you write!

Thank you again for your kind words!

BTW, I saw your comment on Julie's "Journal Jots" (so glad we both remembered at the last minute that today was open comment day!), and I love the way you described North & South! I told my parents about it when they came to visit me back in October, and I'm contemplating showing it to them when I go home... I think if my dad gives it a chance, he'll be touched by it, as well. :) He seemed interested, anyway! I love how you said your dad wouldn't normally go near a BBC drama " with a 39 and a half foot pole!" ;) Nice reference to the Grinch!

Anyway, I'm off to the movies to see Tangled!!! Be looking for my review tomorrow! :D

~Amber