My Review of Through Rushing Water

Here's a description of the book:

"Sophia has her life all planned out—but her plan didn’t include being jilted or ending up in Dakota Territory.

Sophia Makinoff is certain that 1876 is the year that she’ll become the wife of a certain US Congressman, and happily plans her debut into the Capitol city. But when he proposes to her roommate instead, Sophia is stunned. Hoping to flee her heartache and humiliation, she signs up with the Board of Foreign Missions on a whim.

With dreams of a romantic posting to the Far East, Sophia is dismayed to find she’s being sent to the Ponca Indian Agency in the bleak Dakota Territory. She can’t even run away effectively and begins to wonder how on earth she’ll be able to guide others as a missionary. But teaching the Ponca children provides her with a joy she has never known—and never expected—and ignites in her a passion for the people she’s sent to serve.

It’s a passion shared by the Agency carpenter, Willoughby Dunn, a man whose integrity and selflessness are unmatched. The Poncas are barely surviving. When U.S. policy decrees that they be uprooted from their land and marched hundreds of miles away in the middle of winter, Sophia and Will wade into rushing waters to fight for their friends, their love, and their destiny."

My Rating

Spring/Summer

My Review

Catherine Richmond's debut, Spring for Susannah [you can read my review HERE], wowed me with its characters and its sweet portrayal of love surviving harsh trials. While Through Rushing Water didn't have quite the same personal impact for me, as far as depicting a horrific time in history with grace, understanding, and conviction, Richmond's sophomore novel does it all.

Sophia is an intriguing heroine who has experienced terrible events, lived in various countries, and tried to forge an "important" future for herself. But when her latest plans are embarrassingly crushed, she finds herself headed to the Ponca Indian Agency, a place that hardly seems like the launching point for anything great - until she gets to know the people who live there.

I loved seeing Sophia's character blossom as she uses her creativity and determination to bless the Ponca people. And I loved getting to know sweet Will, and seeing his love for Sophia help both him and Sophia grow in their faith.

Through Rushing Water is a gentle read, in one sense, as there is some simmering suspense but a lot more of a focus on the characterization. But in another sense it is far from gentle, as it is a book that tells a deeply tragic tale, and it is horribly sad to see the way the Native Americans were treated. It is certainly a worthwhile read, though, as it instills important lessons (and lessons on what is truly important), bravely and with heart. In this world there are great, terrifying floods of rushing water - but this story reminds us that those waters should not be allowed to capture our focus or sweep away our heart.

*With thanks to Thomas Nelson for providing me with an e-copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Litfuse Publicity Blog Tour: With Every Letter

Here's a description of the book:

"Book 1 in the Wings of the Nightingale series

Lt. Mellie Blake is looking forward to beginning her training as a flight nurse. She is not looking forward to writing a letter to a man she’s never met–even if it is anonymous and part of a morale-building program. Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer stationed in North Africa, welcomes the idea of an anonymous correspondence–he’s been trying to escape his infamous name for years.

As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not knowing the other’s true identity. When both are transferred to Algeria, the two are poised to meet face-to-face for the first time. Will they overcome their fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage by their pasts?

Combining a flair for romance with excellent research and attention to detail, Sarah Sundin vividly brings to life the perilous challenges of WWII aviation, nursing–and true love."

My Rating

Summer

My Review

When it comes to characterization and expertly building a historical setting for her characters, Sarah Sundin continues to astound. Her WWII books are wonderful - full of authenticity in background-painting details and real-life issues. With Every Letter is a marvelous beginning to the "Wings of the Nightingale" series, and a great addition to Sundin's WWII romance stories.

For those who enjoy a lot of action in war novels, this is not Sundin's most action-packed book (although there's still plenty of tension and some fighting). But for those who enjoy a sweet love story and who can relate to characters who have difficulties interacting with others in social situations, this book is more than satisfying.

From the very first letter that Mellie writes anonymously (and Tom's reactions to it), I fell in love with the story (and Tom). The dancing around of two souls who long to reach out but who fear what such vulnerability might bring to themselves and to each other, as well as the actual dancing the characters engage in, frustrates the mind and ultimately touches the heart.

With beautifully crafted symbolism and characters (even including Sesame, the dog!), With Every Letter is historical romance at its finest. I'm eager to see what Sundin writes next!

*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 blog tour.*

About the Author

"Sarah Sundin is the author of A Distant Melody, A Memory Between Us, and Blue Skies Tomorrow. In 2011, A Memory Between Us was a finalist in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards and Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children. www.sarahsundin.com"

To Buy the Book: click HERE

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

Contest

Celebrate with Sarah by entering to win a eReader (winner's choice of Kindle Fire or Nook Color)!

See what folks are saying about With Every Letter!

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire or Nook Color (winner’s choice)
• Handmade With Every Letter First Aid Kit
• With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 26th. Winner will be announced at the “With Every Letter” Author Chat Facebook Party on 9/27. Connect with Sarah, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like yourself. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of With Every Letter and join Sarah on the evening of the September 27th for a chance to connect with Sarah and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book – don’t let that stop you from coming!)
Don't miss a moment of the RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 27th!

Still Life in Shadows (CFBA Blog Tour)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Still Life in Shadows River North; New Edition edition (August 1, 2012) by Alice Wisler
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alice was born in Osaka, Japan in the sixties. Her parents were Presbyterian career missionaries. As a young child, Alice loved to walk down to the local stationer's store to buy notebooks, pencils and scented erasers. In her room, she created stories. The desire to be a published famous author has never left her. Well, two out of three isn't bad. She's the author of Rain Song, How Sweet It Is, Hatteras Girl and A Wedding Invitation (all published by Bethany House).

Alice went to Eastern Mennonite University after graduating from Canadian Academy, an international high school in Kobe, Japan. She majored in social work and has worked across the U.S. in that field. She taught ESL (English as a Second Language) in Japan and at a refugee camp in the Philippines. She also studied Spanish at a language institute in San Jose, Costa Rica.

She has four children--Rachel, Daniel, Benjamin and Elizabeth. Daniel died on 2/2/97 from cancer treatments at the age of four. Since then, Alice founded Daniel's House Publications in her son's memory. This organization reaches out to others who have also lost a child to death. In 2000 and 2003, Alice compiled recipes and memories of children across the world to publish two memorial cookbooks, Slices of Sunlight and Down the Cereal Aisle.

ABOUT THE BOOK

It's been fifteen years since Gideon Miller ran away from his Amish community in Carlisle, Pennsylvania as a boy of fifteen. Gideon arrives in the Smoky Mountains town of Twin Branches and settles in at the local auto mechanic's garage. He meets a host of interesting characters -the most recent acquaintances are Kiki, an autistic teen, and her sister Mari. Known as the "Getaway Savior" he helps other Amish boys and girls relocate to life in modern America.

One day the phone rings. On the other end is his brother Moriah calling from Florida. Of course Gideon welcomes his brother to stay with him and offers him a job. But Moriah is caught in a web which ends in his death and forces Gideon to return to the town of his youth, with his brother's body in the back of a hearse and Mari and Kiki at his side. He must face not only the community he ran away from years ago but also his own web of bitterness. Will he be able to give his anger over to God and forgive his father?

If you would like to read the first chapter excerpt of Still Life in Shadows, go HERE.

My Review of A Bride's Dilemma in Friendship, TN

Here's a description of the book from Barbour Publishing:

"Journey to Tennessee at the end of the Civil War. Heaven Wharton has been left in charge of her father’s farm, but weeks of facing marauders has finally taken its toll. Meaning to fire into the air, she accidentally shoots a man charging the house. Shocked, she and her sister Angel drag the semi-conscious man into the house and nurse him back to health. As Travis recovers he finds his heart turning to the possibilities of love. But can he and Heaven learn to accept God’s plan, however it unfolds?"

My Rating

Spring

My Review

A Bride's Dilemma in Friendship, Tennessee is a clever story alternately peppered with humor and faith lessons.

Travis practiced medicine during the Civil War - but now that the war is over, he wants nothing more than to breed horses on his own little piece of "heaven." A man's dying requests gives him a chance at his dream.... Maybe.

Heaven and her little sister Angel have been keeping to themselves, waiting for word from their father and hoping that they'll have enough food to last until then. But when Heaven makes a rash, split-second decision, a series of events unfolds that leads to the truth being revealed and hope being found in unexpected ways.

Travis, Heaven, and Angel form a wonderful trio of stars for this historical romance - especially Angel, who really steals the show with her trouble-making, winsome ways. (She reminds me of M.K. from Suzanne Woods Fisher's latest series, "Stoney Ridge Seasons," for those who are familiar with that author.)

As far as the storytelling itself goes, it didn't entirely win me over. The plot and some of the characters are great, but I think I would have been engaged more if the sentences were more varied (not so much of "he did this" and "she said that"), and if there was more showing (more descriptive language) rather than telling. And the secondary characters - one in particular who factors into that "dilemma" mentioned in the title - are helpful to the plot, but I was left unsatisfied with where the story ends for them and how they might grow in their own life journeys.

My "friendship" with the main characters made this an enjoyable read, though. The plot isn't super intense or exciting, and it concludes with some unanswered questions, but it has enough intrigue and enough sweetness to extend through the pages. A Bride's Dilemma is a fun, feel-good book for the gray days of the colder seasons.

*With thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

My Review of Unending Devotion (CFBA Tour)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Unending Devotion Bethany House Publishers (September 1, 2012) by Jody Hedlund
About the Author

Jody has written novels for the last 20 years (with a hiatus when her children were young). After many years of writing and honing her skills, she finally garnered national attention with her double final in the Genesis Contest, a fiction-writing contest for unpublished writers through ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers).

Her first published book, The Preacher’s Bride (2010 Bethany House Publishers), became a best seller and has won multiple awards.

Her second book, The Doctor’s Lady, released in September of 2011, and her third book, Unending Devotion, is out now. She’s currently busy researching and writing another book!

Jody has been married for twenty years to her college sweetheart. Jody has five children ranging in ages from 15 to 6, with a set of twin daughters in the mix to make things more lively.

About the Book

High-Stakes Drama Meets High-Tension Romance

In 1883 Michigan, Lily Young is on a mission to save her lost sister, or die trying. Heedless of the danger, her searches of logging camps lead her to Harrison and into the sights of Connell McCormick, a man doing his best to add to the hard-earned fortunes of his lumber baron father.

Posing during the day as a photographer's assistant, Lily can't understand why any God-fearing citizen would allow evil to persist and why men like Connell McCormick turn a blind eye to the crime rampant in the town. But Connell is boss-man of three of his father's lumber camps in the area, and like most of the other men, he's interested in clearing the pine and earning a profit. He figures as long as he's living an upright life, that's what matters.

Lily challenges everything he thought he knew, and together they work not only to save her sister but to put an end to the corruption that's dominated Harrison for so long.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Unending Devotion, go HERE.

My Rating

Spring/Summer

My Review

Jody Hedlund writes engaging stories, no doubt about it! This third release has a lot to love: a strong heroine, a battle of good vs. evil, plenty of romance, and a setting that is intriguing and full of all kinds of danger - from the freezing cold to wolves of both the animal and human variety.

Lily is passionate about life - finding humor and excitement in living it, and finding joy in helping others to embrace it. When she blows into Connell's cold, career-centered life like a warm summer breeze, hearts melt and fires blaze. But Lily's impetuousness pitted against Connell's reserve doesn't make for a safe situation...

Storms abound throughout the pages as winter weather and evil actions must be faced. Unending Devotion is a well-plotted novel in that sense - plenty of twists and turns, plenty of challenges to the characters, and a well-placed climax. I confess that I didn't completely connect with the heroine, despite her admirable qualities - her choices are great for the plot, but there's just something about her strong will and her character's journey that didn't completely resonate with me. The lessons about trusting in God's timing and plan, as well as refusing to be apathetic and inactive when it comes to standing up for what is right, are important ones. Those lessons just didn't overly mesh for me in a powerful way.

Unending Devotion is a great read. The romance is sweet, albeit a little overbearing at times. I think certain personalities might find the heroine (and perhaps the hero) more appealing than other personalities... But even though The Doctor's Lady is my favorite Hedlund book so far, Christian historical romance fans should be quite pleased with Unending Devotion.

*With thanks to the publisher through CFBA for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Book Trailer

Interviewed on Relz Reviewz!

Just in case you haven't yet heard, I was interviewed on Rel's blog! Stop on by to learn some more about my reading habits, the history of my blog, my reviewing policy, my current writing project, and more! I'd love to see you there!

Book Blogger Appreciation Week, 2012 ~ Amber Stokes & Seasons of Humility

Thank you so much to Rel for having me, and to all of my dear readers who make blogging such a joy for me!

My Review of Band of Sisters

Here's a description of the book from the author's website:

"Maureen O’Reilly and her younger sister flee Ireland in hopes of claiming the life promised their father over twenty years before.

But after surviving the rigors of Ellis Island, Maureen learns that their NYC benefactor, Colonel Wakefield, has died, and his family, refusing to own his Civil War debt, casts her out.

Alone, impoverished, and in danger of deportation, Maureen connives to obtain employment in a prominent department store. But she soon discovers that the elegant façade hides a secret that threatens every vulnerable woman in the city.

Despite her family’s disapproval, Olivia Wakefield determines to honor her father’s debt, but can’t find Maureen. Unexpected help comes from a local businessman, who Olivia sees as more than an ally, even as she fears the secrets he’s hiding.

As women begin disappearing from the store, Olivia rallies influential ladies in her circle to help Maureen take a stand against injustice and fight for the lives of their growing band of sisters. But can either woman open her heart to divine leading, or the love that might bring?"

My Review

After reading Promise Me This and now Band of Sisters, I have to say that Cathy Gohlke has set a very high standard for well-written, well-researched historical fiction with powerful heart. Her passion and depth of feeling are evident in the pages, but the emotions never wreak havoc with her amazing storytelling talents. With a whole band of flawed, hurting, wonderful characters, Band of Sisters is a mosaic masterpiece.

With an omniscient narrator, the story is told from various points of view, showing that the difficulties and horrors faced by one person or group of persons can affect many others - and should evoke the compassion and care of many more. But the story isn't bogged down by those multiple views, as it is mostly Maureen who carries the plot through, in more ways than one.

Maureen O'Reilly has nothing to lose by leaving behind the shambles of her life in Ireland, and the best protection of her younger sister's future seems to lie in America. But every step toward freedom seems to fall away, and her claims on hope are burned before her eyes. The hardships pile up, and the initial struggle to survive is replaced by more dreadful realities that seem too terrible to be faced...

Can grace that was once extended be offered again? Can love that followed Maureen to America follow her into deeper dangers? And can men and women of different classes and backgrounds come together to seek God's will and live out Jesus' love to others - even when the hurt becomes personal?

One character in this book challenges her sister, "What would Jesus do with this gift of writing, this God-given love of writing? What would He write?" It is inspiring to see the author live out this challenge through this story, as addressed in the author's note at the end. Band of Sisters is rather long, rather dark, and rather sad in many way - not light reading by any means - and yet it is lovingly constructed and certainly meaningful, challenging the reader as it challenges the characters. A meaty and grand book!

*With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

About the Author

"Cathy Gohlke is the two-time Christy Award–winning author of William Henry is a Fine Name and I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires, which also won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Award and was listed by Library Journal as one of the Best Books of 2008. Her newest book, Promise Me This, was released February 1, 2012.  Her next book, Band of Sisters, will release September, 2012.

Cathy has worked as a school librarian, drama director, and director of children’s and education ministries. When not traipsing the hills and dales of historic sites, she, her husband, and their dog, Reilly, make their home on the banks of the Laurel Run in Maryland."

Learn more about Cathy on her lovely website!

You can buy Band of Sisters now at Amazon.com.