The Gifted

I am finding myself more and more drawn to and loving the Shaker novels that Ann H. Gabhart writes, she peaks my curiousity about the Shakers and provides such a solid description of them that I find myself now recognizing their ways when reading her books. This is only one in a series of books of Gabhart's that I've read and every time I find myself lost in the book and really enjoying it! One thing I appreciate about Gabhart's book is that she doesn't romanticize the Shaker religion and its confines, she presents it as it  is, and shows those who leave it as neither being in the wrong or in the right (just that they are in what's right for them).
This story is focused on Jessamine who after losing her grandmother is brought to the shaker community to be raised by the sisters. As she grows in the shaker ways, she also finds herself inexpliably drawn to the world and all its wonders. After a chance meeting with a stranger her world turns around and she finds herself thrust straight into this world that she's always wondered about. Fantastic book that was absolutely wonderful!
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

When Hope Blossoms

I've been a long time fan of Kim Vogel Sawyer and am on the constant look out for her books, so I was very happy to receive another one of her books for review! She (Sawyer) always does a great job and this time was also no exception, it was incredibly well written and really draws the reader into the heart of the story. The story focuses on Amy who after losing her husband to an accident moves to a new community to start over and give her children a new start as well. While caring for her three children (one of whom is special needs) two manage to slip away and enter into the neighbor's orchard. This is where we meet Tim Roper, a former member of an old order Mennonite community who after losing family of his own vowed never to return. As we go through the book we see the development of not only friendship between the two but we also see faith restored and growing in them as well. The book was very well written and quite encouraging. I very much enjoyed this story!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".  

Rare Earth

I read "Lion of Babylon" by this author and was pleasantly surprised by how good it was (I had figured this would be more of a guy's kind of book, full of fights and action, but little on suspense and thoughtfulness. This was not the case, it was a great book, one I've read over and over again). So I was more than happy to read another book by this author! I have to say that I was quite happy to see that this book was just as good if not better than the last.
The book focuses around Marc Royce who we met in Bunn's first book (Lion of Babylon) as he goes into Kenya to audit a relief organization. Using this as a cover he looks into the minerals (called rare earths) that are raising political tension to an extreme amount. As he sends his reports back to Washington Royce also takes the risk to do something about the squalor and utter chaos that surrounds the communities involved. One thing I absolutely love about this book (and the first one) was that Bunn wrote his character with so much integrity and kindness. While he (Royce) is not afraid to get into the muck and fight, he's also a man of his word, and a man of faith and action. I really enjoyed this book and because it does have those "manly" elements in it I'm happy too to be able to pass it along to my husband who I know will also enjoy it!


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".  

Inescapable

This book combined my two favorite genre's (Amish/old style Mennonite with Suspense) and it made for an absolutely fantastic book. I give plenty of positive reviews, its not hard to make me happy when reading, however if I could only have one fiction book with me It'd be this one. The story had so many turns and mysteries throughout it that it held my attention without distraction through the entire book.
Lizzie Engle left home at a young age to raise her daughter away from the strict and angry Mennonite order that was controlling her life and treating her (and her daughter) poorly. As Lizzie worked her way up after leaving home, she finds herself in a job she loves, but that is precariously balanced on the shoulders of a woman who dislikes her and is looking to get rid of her. After being falsely accused and having been harassed by a stalker she feels that she has no choice but to return home and go into hiding in order to save herself and her daughter.
The book was really well written, I  loved how descriptive it was of the Mennonite community of Kingdom that Lizzie came from, and how it really helped grow the readers imagination when learning about and reading about the different traditions that held this community.
Highly recommend this book!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".  

The Deposit Slip

I adored this book, it was very fast paced with plenty of twists and turns to it that kept me interested throughout the entire book. I really enjoy a good legal suspense novel and this one fit well into what I was expecting. (It very much reminded me of a Randy Singer type book, it had the same flow and readability)
At first glance the book looked like a typical legal drama type book, and I had figured it would have a few predictable twists and turns throughout it. But that idea was quickly dispelled and the story pulled me in! The book is based around Erin Larson, who discovers a deposit slip for 10 million dollars in her (deceased) father's deposit box. After fights with the bank, and losing her previous lawyer to legal threats, she turns to Jared Neaton as a last chance to find out where the money is and where it's come from.
The book had a quick paced flow to it, and I found myself struggling to put it down from the very first page. I will highly recommend this book, and will be seeking out any new ones by this author as well!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".