Mini~Reviews...in where I get out a few thoughts on a bundle of books I've read.
The Shadow of Your Smile (Deep Haven)
January 1, 2012 by Tyndale House
Paperback, 384 Pages
Review Copy
Review~
Eli and Noelle Hueston have been married for twenty five years, they are the pillar of a strong couple in the community's eyes...they have raised two successful boys and have made it through the absolute worst...losing a teenage daughter to tragic events. They have strength in their marriage that cant pull them apart....at least that's what everyone thinks. Behind closed doors however, the marriage is a train wreck and the couple is contemplating divorce. Too many silent nights, words unsaid and dreams lost have made both of them shells of who they were. Noelle wants to pursue her lost dreams and Eli is on the verge of an affair. The pain and loss of their daughter reeked a havoc that cannot be healed......
Everything changes in an instant.
After Noelle is in an accident causing head and brain trauma, her memories are all but gone, when she wakes she believes shes a teenager.....gone are memories of losing her parents, her daughter and her marriage. As Noelle pieces back together the small threads of her memory and attempts to reconnect to the man and sons in her life, revelations and truth will finally surface to the top. People rarely get second chances in life and the question this story poses: Will Eli and Noelle take it?
Like many of Warren's novels, I really enjoyed this book, The Shadow of Your Smile is a tender story of what tragedy can do to a family and what forgiveness can do to heal hearts and relationships. Wrap your self in a winter story of love, second chances and moving on......a perfect treat for the hopeful.
Everything changes in an instant.
After Noelle is in an accident causing head and brain trauma, her memories are all but gone, when she wakes she believes shes a teenager.....gone are memories of losing her parents, her daughter and her marriage. As Noelle pieces back together the small threads of her memory and attempts to reconnect to the man and sons in her life, revelations and truth will finally surface to the top. People rarely get second chances in life and the question this story poses: Will Eli and Noelle take it?
Like many of Warren's novels, I really enjoyed this book, The Shadow of Your Smile is a tender story of what tragedy can do to a family and what forgiveness can do to heal hearts and relationships. Wrap your self in a winter story of love, second chances and moving on......a perfect treat for the hopeful.
Rating
Recommended to readers who enjoy Inspirational fiction. While done with wholesome value, some touchy subjects about infidelity, violence and lying are dealt with.
4/5- Inspy Romance
Thanks to Tyndale for review copy
Composing Amelia by Alison Strobel
September 1, 2011 by David C. Cook
3/5- Inspy Romance-Contemporary
Thanks to David C. Cook for Review Copy
Gone to Ground by Brandilyn Collins
March, 2012 by B&H Publishing
This novel was good.
Super good.
Gone to Ground Follows the story of three separate women who because of certain events in their life, all think they know the identity of the Amaryllis, Texas serial killer. Each woman tells the tale of why her "man" is the killer and brings a different perspective of southern life and a unique character dialog that made this murder-mystery a true page turner. When circumstances bring the three together, Gone to Ground became a pure adrenaline read, wondering who was right and who the murderer really was.....and the ending, an all around good shocker.
I loved every minute of it.
Rating
Recommended to readers who enjoy suspense and mystery. Advisory: Murder and graphic details on violence, serial killers, domestic abuse and twisted relationships.
4/5- Inspy-Suspense
Thanks to B&H Publishing for review copy
September 1, 2011 by David C. Cook
Amelia and Marcus are newly married, crazy in love and living in LA. Amelia has dreams of becoming a famous concert pianist and Marcus has dreams of becoming a pastor like his father. When opportunity comes at the same time for both of them, the decision mentally and physically tears them apart. Being so young in the marriage they make huge mistakes dealing with it and wind up separated as they try and work things out. Depression and anxiety spark a buried mental illness in Amelia, while doubt and stress plaque Marcus.
Stobel gives the reader an anchor to hold to with character Amelia, she did everything right with her balancing act, the questioning of her faith, her husband, her career, it all worked well to anchor us to that “reality” type struggle that most people go through. Amelia’s issues were obviously compounded by her mental disorder, which I guess could be construed as a genius way to present wearying Christian thoughts…but even in real life, people deal with the same emotions Amelia was going through minus the depression and mental issues. That issue aside, Composing Amelia was a lovely read into the human condition, mixed with secrets, fear, genuine love, the cost and benefits of pursing our dreams and the delicate struggle with faith.
Rating
Another for Inspy readers, contains issues on depression and mental health
Rating
Another for Inspy readers, contains issues on depression and mental health
3/5- Inspy Romance-Contemporary
Thanks to David C. Cook for Review Copy
March, 2012 by B&H Publishing
This novel was good.
Super good.
Gone to Ground Follows the story of three separate women who because of certain events in their life, all think they know the identity of the Amaryllis, Texas serial killer. Each woman tells the tale of why her "man" is the killer and brings a different perspective of southern life and a unique character dialog that made this murder-mystery a true page turner. When circumstances bring the three together, Gone to Ground became a pure adrenaline read, wondering who was right and who the murderer really was.....and the ending, an all around good shocker.
I loved every minute of it.
Rating
Recommended to readers who enjoy suspense and mystery. Advisory: Murder and graphic details on violence, serial killers, domestic abuse and twisted relationships.
4/5- Inspy-Suspense
Thanks to B&H Publishing for review copy
Ooohhhh Gone to Ground sounds awesome! Always a good sign when your review starts out with "This novel was good. Super good." I love the ones that have me on edge the entire time I'm reading and then shock the heck out of me at the end. Awesome mini reviews Tina!
ReplyDeleteoh great reviews and Gone to Ground sounds really good too. Love the mini reviews
ReplyDeleteI might know who that Texas cereal killer is too... wait.. wrong kind of "cereal". Never mind.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a really engrossing read.
Oh, and I finished SoA last nigh. HOLY SAMCROW! I've been thinking of ways to watch S4. It's on Amazon prime for $1.99 an ep. Is Jaz worth it? I think so. LOL
Minis rock don't they? Especially when I can't get enough thoughts to write down a whole, comprehensive review. "Gone to the Ground" sounds intense but I feel a little burnt out by the abuse/violence/murder angle. I've read two books like that recently and I want to go back to my comfy (relatively so) reads. LOL
ReplyDelete@Rummanah- Yup its a pretty twisty read with a lot of dark elements...so for sure a read when your ready for serial killer type stuff.
ReplyDelete@jenny-Thanks Jenny...:D GTG was my favorite out of three, Collins has a great sense of humor and is a twisty writer
@Julie- Thanks friend..;)
@Missie- Wasnt that ending freaking awesome??? I knew the crew knew without knowing ya know??? And I feel terrible for saying this but Im glad the "two" guys got to hand out some justice at the end.....oh Im getting the chills just thinking about that episode. I think Jax is worth it....I think Im going to pay for them too...:)
The Shadow of Your Smile intrigues me the most. I guess I'm into the idea of second chances and making a marriage better. It's so hard to see something you love fall apart no matter how much you try. To have a second chance to fix things would be...nice.
ReplyDeleteGone to Ground sounds good. I need to try this author.
ReplyDelete