Thick as Thieves

I received a copy of THICK AS THIEVES: An Andrea Carter Book by Susan K. Marlow from Kregel Publications.  This book was quite delightful, really on all fronts.  For one thing, Andrea, the main character, is loveable, endearing, quirky, and realistic.  She might have her faults, but she always comes through in the end.  She is an excellent role model for young adults and adults.

I enjoyed how the story takes place in 1882.  I love historical fiction and this worked into my appetite perfectly.  Andi is fourteen and in love with Taffy’s first foaling.  The author has done her research on farm life and it shows.  The reader will feel as if she or he is right there with Andi. 

I could connect with Andi’s struggles over bonding with Macy, her new seatmate.  I am dealing with similar things at work.  I applaud the way Andi handled it and hope I can take away some of her caring attributes. 

This is the first book in the Circle C Milestones series and I look forward to reading the other books about Andi.  I am in awe of how the author skillfully walks the main character through growing up right along with the readers.  

Down for the Count

Dual Cover Reveal: Down for the Count series by Christa Cervone. On the Ropes (book 1) release May 5, 2015 Going the Distance (book 2) releases May 19, 2015

ON THE ROPES: A murderer’s child…A foster child…A troubled teen…Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega has never had an easy life. Being shuffled from one foster home to another after his father murdered his mother, he found himself in and out of trouble with the law. Never giving a damn about himself, let alone anyone else, his life was spiraling out of control; fast. Until one man and one sport changed everything. Frankie Carbone taught Saint how to handle his anger and rejection; by fighting it out in the ring. On his way to stardom, Saint finds himself pushed into the spotlight and into the arms of more women than he can ever imagine; he’s completely content with one night stands and random sex. Then Salem Harris comes walking into his life and changes his game plan. Saint finds himself wanting Salem in all the ways that scare him. She is off limits; taken. But that doesn’t stop Saint from going after what he wants, and he wants her. Frankie showed Saint a new way of life with Boxing, but will Salem give him the one thing he's never known – love? Will Saint find himself fighting for the one thing he thinks he doesn't deserve or will Salem end up breaking his heart? Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega has had to fight for every good thing he's gotten in his life. GOING THE DISTANCE: Life has been a roller coaster for Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega. From surviving a hellish childhood, to reuniting with his lost brother, only to hit the struggle of helping him battle his drug addiction. Boxing saved Gabriel’s life, and just when his career hits the fast track, he finally finds love with Salem; at least for a short time. Social differences, obligations, and misguided good intentions tore Gabriel and Salem apart before they could ever really get started. Will Gabriel be able to save his brother from the whirlpool of addiction that threatens to drag him under? Is Salem capable of breaking away from the ropes that bind her to doing what’s expected rather than what and whom she desires? Can Gabriel convince Salem that their mutual feelings are worth fighting for, and that together, they will be able to go the distance?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Born and raised in New England, Christa is a married mother of three. She began writing her first book, Broken, in October 2012, as a love story to her husband, Frank. During the writing process, Christa managed to keep her book a secret from the majority of her family and friends, including her mother. She finally revealed that she had written a book on her personal Facebook page just two weeks before Broken was released. Broken was released in February 2013, and within twenty-four hours of its release, it was on Amazon's Movers and Shakers list as well as in the Top 20 Erotica. Christa released her second novel, On the Ropes - Book One in the Down for the Count series, in February 2014. On the Ropes has also climbed the charts on Amazon, hitting the Top 10 Sports Fiction and the Top 20 Romance Sports Fiction lists. Book Two, Going the Distance, was released July 2014 and claimed the number 3 spot in the Interracial category as well being in the top 20 in Erotica on Amazon. Limitless Publishing has recently acquired the Down for the Count series and will be re-releasing the series under their publishing label in May 2015. Along with the Down for the Count series, Christa's new series titled, Can't Stop Lovin' You, will also be released under Limitless Publishing. The series will have at least four books, Dream On, What it Takes, Sweet Emotion and Hole in my Soul. Dream On is slated for 2015 release.

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Finding Me

I received a copy of FINDING ME by Kathryn Cushman from Bethany House.  Let me start off by saying how much I enjoy Christian fiction.  They are always feel good stories and this one is not an exception. 

This one gripped me from the back.  Kelly Huddleston is coming to terms with a past that might not be all that she was told.  I love novels that delve into the past.  This one also involved a small town in Tennessee.  I’ve never been there, but I feel as if I have, for the setting was painted not only beautifully, but realistically, with all of its joys and dangers.  I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but this is chilling, at times brutal, and altogether captivating.  You truly feel for these characters, even the ones you are meant to dislike…or perhaps we, the readers, are supposed to see the good in everyone. 

This book will make you a fan of Kathryn Cushman.  I highly recommend it.  This was a lovely novel for an Easter Sunday.  As another reviewer said, this a great book for forgiveness and seeing the need for the Savior.  I applaud Kathryn Cushman.  Bravo on an excellent book.

Facing the Blitz

I received a copy of FACING THE BLITZ: THREE STRATEGIES FOR TURNING TIRALS INTO TRIUMPHS by Jeff Kemp, with a foreword by Tony Dungy, from Bethany House.  I must admit first that I am not big into sports.  I am not athletic, but I do enjoy exercise.  I like to play sports for the fun of it, not competitively, and I don’t like to watch them because I’m not playing.  For anyone else out there like me – you will still enjoy this book.  If you are like me, you will probably really enjoy this book. 

The sentences are beautiful, with a certain poetry to them.  I didn’t find a single place that was dry or dragged.  The main focus of the book is more on life lessons than on sports.  Many of the life lessons were poignant and more relevant than in other self-help books I’ve read. 

Yes, there was some football lingo, and I ended up discussing that with one of my friends who, to put it lightly, is very into football.  She said she’s going to read this book, so I’m glad to have had spread the word on it.  I recommend this for people who enjoy a self-help book with strong religious values and a realistic basis.  

The Boy who Loved Rain

I received a copy of THE BOY WHO LOVED RAIN by Gerard Kelly from Lion Hudson via Kregel.  I knew right away from the back blurb that I would enjoy this and the book did not disappoint.  Not only is the cover intriguing, but the first sentence (in the prologue) will blow you away: When I was thirteen I lost myself.  Yes, why did you lose yourself?  What was so important about thirteen?  What are you doing now?  I couldn’t stop reading. 

This is not a sweet, fluffy book, so be prepared for emotion.  In a nutshell, this is a book about secrets and how those secrets affect a family.  I loved the part that the rain played in the novel. 

I really felt for Colom, one of the main characters in the book.  A story has to grab me with its realistic qualities, and Colom did it for me.  I wanted to dive into the book just to be at his side.

I highly recommend it to people who like poignant stories with a strong Christian feel.  I haven’t read many books like this one, and perhaps that’s why it stuck out to me so strongly and has embedded itself into my memory bank.

The Pleasure of His Company

I received a copy of THE PLEASURE OF HIS COMPANY: A JOURNEY TO INTIMATE FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD by Dutch Sheets from Bethany House.  This is a pleasant, inspiring read that includes thirty chapters.  I found myself enjoying each chapter, and upon completion of the chapter, I would set the book aside to contemplate what I had read.  The chapters also sparked familial conversations. 

Dutch Sheets uses thoughtful prose and real life examples, which make the book more personal.  I prefer when the authors of inspirational texts draw in the reader through personal experiences.  Not only do I feel a greater connection to the author, but also to the text, and it helps me to revel in what I read. 

The humor helped to make the chapters fly by.  I can see this being used in a Church group or Sunday School for older teens.  The chapters all encourage the reader to be uplifted.  I can see this helping someone suffering from depression or anxiety.  The chapters are truly comforting, quite soothing.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves God or seeks a more fulfilling relationship with religion.  I will be passing this on to a friend in hopes that they will enjoy it just as much.  

Mercy's Rain

I received a copy of MERCY’S RAIN: AN APPALACHIAN NOVEL by Cindy K. Sproles from Kregel Publications.  I have heard many books called unforgettable, and MERCY’S RAIN definitely falls into the category. 

I was intrigued by the book because it takes place in nineteenth-century Appalachia, and I adore historical fiction.  This is so much more than that I would often grip the pages, breathless, as I sought to see what would happen next.  It is heart wrenching and utterly believable.  Mercy Rain suffers tremendously beneath her father’s wrath, and when no one will stand beside her, she decides that she must be her own advocate.  This is a powerful novel showing the good in life and a woman’s fight for herself.  The pages place right you there with the characters.  I felt not only for Mercy, but also for who mother, who is equally abused. 

While reading, I wondered if this would be a good book for someone from an abusive relationship.  There would be a lot of triggers, but it shows Mercy’s venture out of evil and that is truly amazing.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a novel that will make them feel, cry, and cheer.