The Return of Cassandra Todd

The Return of Cassandra Todd

by Darrel Nelson

About the book (from the back cover):

Turner Caldwell works at a local motel as a handyman while attending college full time. On his way to class one day, he is shocked to see Cassandra Todd and her young son in town. The sight of her brings back powerful memories of being bullied in high school -- she was the popular head cheerleader and he the target of her friends' mean-spirited pranks. When Cassandra and her son check into the motel where he works and she asks for his help in eluding her abusive husband, he finds himself entangled in a dangerous drama that will require him to forgive and draw on every skill he has if they are to survive. 

My take:

I had a hard time putting this book down! It was a very fast read, and I enjoyed trying to figure out what was going to happen next. I loved Turner Caldwell's transformation throughout the book, and the description of what he used to be like in high school. As the recipient of some mean pranks myself in school, I could definitely relate to Turner's painful memories of school.

As my friend Becky wrote in her review, this book had a "Lifetime movie" feel to it, but I loved every minute! I saw this book as a nice change of pace from some of the deeper books that are out there. I loved reading about each new obstacle that came up in Turner and Cassandra's adventure.

I would highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys Christian romance and suspense. I give it a "4."



About the author:

Darrel Nelson is the author of The Anniversary Waltz and a retired schoolteacher. He writes novels, articles, plays, and music. He has bachelor's degrees in English and education from the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada.








Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Glass Road Public Relations. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Moonlight Masquerade

Moonlight Masquerade

by Ruth Axtell

About the book (from the back cover):

Lady Celine Wexham seems the model British subject. French by birth but enjoying life in 1813 as a widowed English countess, she is in the unique position of being able to help those in need -- or to spy for the notorious Napoleon Bonaparte. When Rees Phillips of the British Foreign Office is sent to pose as the countess's butler and discover where her true loyalties lie, he is confident he will uncover the truth. But the longer he is in her fashionable townhouse in London's West End, the more his staunch loyalty to the Crown begins to waver as he falls under Lady Wexham's spell. Will he find the proof he needs? And if she is a spy after all, what then will he do? With sharp wit, fast-paced dialogue, and infectious intrigue, Ruth Axtell deftly creates a world where black and white burst into a confusion of colors -- and no one is who they seem.

My take:

I was drawn into the book at the very beginning as Rees ("Mr. MacKinnon") is searching through Lady Celine's dressing room for evidence that she is a spy. I felt my heart beating faster and faster as it became certain that he was going to get caught. I was eager to keep reading, but was kind of disappointed when the chapters to come failed to keep my attention. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this sort of book at the time, but I never did find the same excitement as I did at the beginning. I thought the idea for the story was great, but it didn't intrigue me the way I thought it would.

I give this book a "3."

Available March 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.


About the author:

Ruth Axtell is the author of thirteen novels, including Wild Rose, one of Booklist's Top Ten in Christian Fiction. Currently a resident of Downeast Maine, Axtell has lived in the Canary Islands, Miami, and the Netherlands.









Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

When the Heart Heals

When the Heart Heals

by Ann Shorey

About the book (from the publisher):

Readers are invited to travel back to 1867, to the town of Noble Springs, Missouri, for an engrossing story of love's tentative first steps and fragile future in the face of opposition. With tenderness and grace, Ann Shorey tells the story of Rosemary, a sympathetic but strong woman determined to thrive in a world that doesn't always understand. Courageous and unconventional, Rosemary Saxon served as a nurse during the Civil War, a service that has caused most women in town to regard her as unfeminine and downright vulgar. Although she would like to put her experiences as a nurse behind her, she must support herself. She takes a position with Dr. Elijah Stewart and a mutual attraction begins to develop. But when a sophisticated woman arrives in town claiming to be Elijah's fiancee, a heartbroken Rosemary decides to leave Noble Springs and start fresh. Can Elijah convince her of the mystery woman's deception before he loses her forever?

My take:

This was a wonderful read! I have always enjoyed novels written around the Civil War era, so I really enjoyed this one. I found Rosemary's character to be very interesting. I had no idea that female nurses were considered "vulgar" in that time period. I found myself sympathizing with her character and all of the non-fictional heroic nurses of that era who gave up their reputations and "soft" lives to serve wounded soldiers and civilians. 

Towards the end of the book I found myself irritated with Rosemary's refusal to listen to Elijah's story. I suppose there has to be some romantic tension, but at that point I just found myself annoyed with her character. I guess it comes back to the fact that we all have faults and irritating qualities. 

I would give this book a "4" and recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially around the Civil War era.


Available February 2013 at  your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Company.



About the author:

Ann Shorey is the author of Where Wildflowers Bloom, The Edge of Light, The Promise of Morning, and The Dawn of a Dream. She has also published selections in The Cup of Comfort series and in Chicken Soup for Grandma's Soul. Ann and her husband make their home in southwestern Oregon.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Picture Perfect

Picture Perfect

by Janice Thompson

About the book (from the publisher):

Feisty wedding photographer Hannah McDermott has dealt with her share of difficult brides. But none can compare to the ultimate Bridezilla she's dealing with now. Still, she's trying desperately to impress Bella Neely, Galveston Island's most sought-after wedding planner, so she can take the top spot in Bella's list of recommended photographers -- a spot currently occupied by her arch-rival, Drew Kincaid. What she doesn't count on, however, is falling head over heels for the competition.

My take:

I really loved this book. From the very beginning I felt drawn into Hannah's story and her "rivalry" with Drew Kincaid. I love photography, so all of the photography references struck a chord (or should I say "hit the shutter"?) for me. I also loved how "Irish" this book was. Being Irish myself, it was fun to read about an Irish-American family. 

I think my favorite part of the book was the aspect of forgiveness. This wasn't just a romantic comedy. It hit on some real issues that people have, including jealousy and unforgiveness. I really liked how the author made these issues a part of the storyline.

I also enjoyed reading about Bella Neely. She and her family were fun characters. Now that I know there are 3 other books with her in them, I will make sure to read them. I am also looking forward to the rest of the books in this series.

I give this book a "5" and recommend it to anyone who enjoys romantic comedy with a message.


Available February 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.


About the author:

Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and former screenwriter. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson afford an inside look at TV land, drawing on her experiences as a screenwriter. She is the author of the Weddings by Bella series and Stars Collide. She lives in Texas.







Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Secretly Smitten

Secretly Smitten

by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, & Denise Hunter

About the book (from the publisher):

Summer, fall, winter, spring -- Smitten, Vermont is the place for love...and mystery! There's a secret in Grandma Rose's attic - a forgotten set of dog tags belonging to her first love. But David Hutchins was killed in action and never returned to Smitten. How did the dog tags end up in the attic? The mystery intrigues Rose's three granddaughters -- Tess, Clare, and Zoe -- and they decide to investigate, though their mother, Anna, warns against meddling. But as the seasons turn and as the mystery unravels, the three young women and their mother encounter some intriguing mystery men of their own. Has a sixty-year old puzzle sparked something new for this close-knit family of women? Join popular romance novelists -- and real life BFFs -- Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter for four delightful intertwined tales of mystery and sweet intrigue. 

My take:

I don't think I have ever read a novel that had 4 related novellas in it. I wasn't sure how it would work, but I found myself really enjoying it! I loved how each of the authors took a different character and developed her story within her novella. Of the four novellas, I enjoyed Denise Hunter's story about Clare the best. I related to her disliking change, and found myself agreeing with her character in a lot of areas! The funny thing is, though, that each time I finished a story, I couldn't imagine wanting to change point of view again. That always ended within a chapter or two though!

I also really enjoyed Rose Garner's story too, as it was interwoven throughout the whole book. I was pleasantly surprised at the end of the last novella, as it wrapped up the 4 stories quite nicely.

I give this book 4 1/2 stars and am looking forward to reading the next book that will be set in Smitten, Vermont! I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys inspirational romance.


About the authors:

RITA-finalist Colleen Coble is the author of several best-selling romantic suspense novels, including Tidewater Inn, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. Christy Award finalist and two-time winner of the ACFW Book of the Year award, Kristin Billerbeck has appeared on The Today Show and has been featured in the New York Times. Her books include A Billion Reasons Why and What a Girl Wants. Denise Hunter is the award-winning and best-selling author of several novels, including A Cowboy's Touch and Sweetwater Gap. She and her husband are raising three boys in Indiana. Diann Hunt has lived in Indiana forever, been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, her dog, and, well, chocolate.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from BookSneeze. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Tutor's Daughter

The Tutor's Daughter

by Julie Klassen


About the book (from the back cover):

Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father when his boarding school fails, accompanies him to the cliff-top manor of a baronet and his four sons. But soon after they arrive and begin teaching the two younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen. Who does Emma hear playing the pianoforte at night, only to find the music room empty? And who begins sneaking into her bedchamber, leaving behind strange mementos? The baronet's older sons, Phillip and Henry Weston, wrestle with problems -- and secrets -- of their own. They both remember the studious Miss Smallwood from their days at her father's academy. But now one of them finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her... 

When suspicions escalate, can Emma figure out which brother to blame and which to trust with her heart? Filled with page-turning suspense, The Tutor's Daughter takes readers to the windswept Cornwall coast -- a place infamous for shipwrecks and superstitions -- where danger lurks, faith is tested, and romance awaits. 

My take:

I absolutely adored this book! I am a huge Julie Klassen fan, and was thrilled when I saw her newest book was up for review. I was definitely not disappointed when I read this one!

I loved this book so much, I can't say enough about it. Before I read this one, my favorite Julie Klassen book was The Maid of Fairbourne Hall. But now I think it is a tie between that one and The Tutor's Daughter! I really enjoyed discovering the mystery of who was playing the pianoforte at night, and who was slipping into Emma's room at night. And I was very pleasantly surprised to fall in love with one of the characters I seriously disliked in the beginning!

Reading this book and Klassen's other books has renewed my interest in revisiting England someday. I am hoping that day comes sooner rather than later! Cornwall (where this book takes place) is going on my list of places to visit!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction/romance in the Regency period. I happily give this one a "5."


About the author:

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane - Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. Find out more about Julie at http://www.julieklassen.com/.




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Quiet

Quiet

by Susan Cain

About the book (from the back cover):

At least on-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking; who innovate and create but dislike the self-promotion; who favor working on their own over working in teams. It is to introverts -- Rosa Parks, Chopin, Dr. Seuss, Steve Wozniak -- that we owe many of the great contributions to society. In Quiet, Susan Cain argues that we dramatically undervalue introverts and shows how much we lose in doing so. She charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal throughout the twentieth century and explores how deeply it has come to permeate our culture. She also introduces us to successful introverts - from a witty, high-octane public speaker who recharges in solitude after he talks, to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions. Passionately argued, superbly researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and, equally important, how they see themselves.

My take:

Being an introvert myself, I thought I would really enjoy this book. Upon reading it though, I found it to be too dry and "researchy." I am sure I will probably come back and reference this book at some point, but it was not my cup of tea for an afternoon read.

I did enjoy the references to introverts that contributed to our society. Too often, people over-value extroverts and overlook the introverts who have much to say if only people would listen to them.

I give this book a "3 1/2." I would recommend it for reference, but not for reading straight through.

If you are interested in the Reading Group Guide, please click here:

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/files/2013/01/Quiet-Reading-Group-Guide.pdf



About the author:

Susan Cain's writing has appeared in the New York Times; the Dallas Morning News; O, The Oprah Magazine; Time.com; and PsychologyToday.com, and her TED talk has been viewed more than three million times. She lives in the Hudson River Valley with her husband and two sons.








Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."