Review: The Confessions of X by Suzanne M. Wolfe

The Confessions of X

Wow, I am just trying to gather my thoughts on the book The Confessions of X by author Suzanne M. Wolfe.  First off, this book was written in such a beautiful lyrical prose, as if I were the one tasting the dust of Africa, smelling the spices at the market, and seeing Rome for the first time with the characters.  This story is about Augustine of Hippo’s concubine whom we don’t really know much about.  Drawing from her imagination and what we know of in history, the author has written a story about one woman’s journey through life:  the society in which she lived and made the rules that forbade her marriage to the man that she loved and who loved her as well, her and her father’s relationship through her growing up years, her aunt and other extended relatives, to Augustine the man she loved, being a mother to her son, to all the women she became friends with and helped deliver children, life and death of those she loved, to the fall of Rome, and what was thought as the end of the world. 

This is a very different sort of story than you usually find in the Christian market.  This tale is not a happily ever after, but does give a human face to this unknown woman who had many of the same concerns and worries that we do today.  This would make an excellent book club choice with not only a story with meat but also included are thought provoking discussion questions.  The author’s notes are great in explaining where she got her ideas and the how’s and whys of the culture in those ancient times.   I look forward to more well told tales by Ms. Wolfe as I won’t soon forget this one.  I received a copy for an honest review from the Fiction Guild and the opinions are my own.

Review: Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey

Cold Shot

Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey starts off her brand new series, Chesapeake Valor with a bang.  I am a first time reader of Ms. Pettrey and wow does she do some great suspense and romantic tension.  This story did not slow down from the first page.  There are a few characters to keep track of as there is an overarching story for the series that has me just about as intrigued as the main mystery.  The author however has a way with making her characters come alive so that I was not confused at any time.  There are four best friends who have quite a history together and three of them are in various forms of law enforcement.  One has disappeared and hasn’t been heard from.  The remaining three are pulled together and put into a team to solve a murder of a young woman whose skeletal remains were found in Gettysburg.  Enter the leading ladies and not only do you have a story where the good guys have to continually look over their shoulders, you also have a bit of romance in the air.  I think old and new fans alike will very much enjoy Ms. Pettrey’s newest romantic suspense.  I eagerly wait for more in this series.  I was provided a copy for an honest review from Bethany House Publishers and the opinions are my own.

Review: Back in the Saddle by Ruth Logan Herne

Back in the Saddle

Back in the Saddle was a family story as much as it was a romance.  We have a father who is coming to realize that he has just about alienated all three of his boys by his uncompromising ways.  This first story is more of the prodigal son, Colt’s, story.  After leaving the ranch for the prestige of New York City and the stock market, Colt has taken a hit on the stock market and his funds are tied up.  Leaving him nothing to do but go back home where he can actually have a meal and a place to live.  However, things have begun to change at the ranch with his father’s health in decline but his spirit in the right place and ready to make amends.  Part of his father’s change of heart is due to his housekeeper, of two years, Angelina’s influence.  As Colt and Angelina become unlikely acquaintances, Colt begins to fall in love with her.  As Colt tries to find his place in the world, back at home on the ranch or back in the lifestyle of New York City, he finds out that Angelina has a few secrets of her own.

I really liked this family drama and learning about this family’s history and dynamics, not only with each other but the town as well.  I look forward to reading more of this series especially where the other two brothers, Nick and Trent are concerned.  I am always a sucker for a great cowboy story.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

About the Author

Ruth Logan Herne has more than half a million books in print, including fifteen Love Inspired contemporary novels. Back in the Saddle is the first book in her new western romance series. Ruth is a founding member of Seekerville, a popular writing collective blog. A country girl who loves the big city, Ruth and her husband live on a farm in upstate New York.

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Review: Surrender to Love by Maryann Diorio

Surrender to Love

Surrender to Love is a novella about a widow who has been living in her past for 5 years after the tragic death of her husband.  With her mother’s insistence she goes to Puerto Rico to help a family friend’s daughter, and that daughter’s father happens to be a widower.  This is a story about finding love for the second time and embracing it.  However, it is a very bumpy road along the way as sometimes it is hard to let go of the past and take a step in a different direction towards a new future.  This was a lovely romance and it was beautifully written.  I received a copy from The Book Club Network, Inc. for an honest review and the opinions are my own. 

Review: A Midwinter Ball by Heidi Ashworth, Annette Lyon, and Michele Paige Holmes

A Midwinter Ball

This is the second collection in the Timeless Regency Collection and these stories are just pure fun and so enjoyable.  There are three novellas included, but they each tell a full, wonderful story of a time set during regency England.  The first one, Much Ado About Dancing by Heidi Ashworth, was the first book I have read by her and this story was my favorite of the set.  This is a about a young earl, Mr. Northrup who has sets his sights on Analisa and has warned all gentlemen away from her.  Through their long distance relationship over the years both have grown and matured.  However, Analisa who has pretty much been a wallflower at every dance can hardly forgive Mr. Northrup for his threats against the other gentlemen and basically leaving her to sit out and be alone at the dances that she retaliates by having refused to have read his letters.  Now he has returned from his travels and both have definitely changed.  Their merry chase was such a delight to read.

The other two stories were also delightful to read and it was the first time I read new to me author Annette Lyon and of course I always enjoy Michele Paige Holmes stories.  Her story rounded out the three.  So if you are short on time, but are craving a clean regency romance story, then look no further than these.   Of course I would have liked to have stayed in their time and worlds a little longer, but for novellas these are some of the best I have read.

I received an e-copy of this book from I Am a Reader Not a Writer for an honest review and the opinions are my own. 

Review: Jesus Helps Me by Callie Grant

Jesus Helps Me

Jesus Helps Me is another delightful addition to the Graham Blanchard line of books.  Using John 12:44-47 as the basis of the text along with pictures and facts of birds makes this book one of my favorites in the Knowing God Series.  This book takes each part of the verses and explains them in such a way children can understand with scientific bird facts.  It amazes me how you can teach the gospel in such simple terms.  Again, I highly recommend these beautiful children’s board books.  I have enjoyed sharing them with my son and plan to keep them for any grandchildren I am blessed to have.  I received a copy of the book for an honest review from The Book Club Network, Inc. and the opinions are my own.

Review: Hannah's Choice by Jan Drexler

Hannah's Choice

Hannah’s Choice by Jan Drexler was a very complex read.  Taking place during 1842, this story deals with some tough issues.  This is a romance that is centered on Hannah and the choice not only between the two men who both wish to marry her, but also the choice she has to deal with concerning her family.  I really felt for this family and all that they suffered and endured.  How do they stay strong when death and depression seems to surround them?  I understood the parent’s plight in wanting to protect their children as humanly as possible.  I also learned a little about the Amish culture and the reasons for why they live the way they do and that they were even set apart back in the 1800’s.  There is a strong family bond in this story and a strong connection to their home and land.  Filled with family drama and the ups and downs of young love, I was not sure what any of Hannah’s choices would be through a lot of the story and I was not prepared for some of the sadness in this story.  However, this is a book that will stay with me for a long time.  I received a copy for an honest review from Revell Publishing and the opinions are my own.