Sunday, October 29, 2023

Review: True Valor by Dee Henderson

Series: Uncommon Heroes #2
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Tyndale House
Released: Jan. 24, 2002
344 pages
About the Book:

Deployment orders sent them overseas.
Lieutenant Grace "Gracie" Yates spent her deployment catapulting off the deck of the USS George Washington in an F/A-18 Hornet. A self-assured naval aviator, she was flying to keep the peace while being ready for war.
Major Bruce "Striker" Stanton, Air Force Pararescue Jumper, had been pulling pilots and Special Forces soldiers from behind enemy lines for twelve years. Bruce knew Grace was too good a pilot not to draw the tough flight assignments. She was on the front lines. If she got in trouble, his unit would get the call.
Separated by distance, they wrote love letters.
With demanding jobs, deployed to different locations, they kept their relationship alive by writing love letters. In the face of danger, they both leaned on the truth that God is sufficient no matter what the circumstances.
When she's shot down behind enemy lines, he's got one mission - get Gracie out alive...
A dogfight erupted. Gracie was determined not to be the first woman pilot shot down behind enemy lines. Babying her damaged plane homeward, she fought the necessity to eject. Her best efforts thwarted, her fighter jet went down. And now Bruce has one mission: get Gracie out alive.


My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐

I listened to the audiobook, and I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I had read it. I felt like it sometimes jumped scenes with no warning, and all the details of what was happening during the missions in Turkey/Syria overwhelmed me at times. I did not like how character names and character nicknames were used interchangeably, I kept guessing who was being referred to. My favourite part was definitely the letters exchanged between Bruce and Grace, I loved watching their relationship develop through the letters. I really enjoyed the side characters of Wolf and Jill and how the four of them interacted. While I was happy with the last scene I didn't like the last line. It was good, but I need to know what the decision is.

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

Friday, October 27, 2023

Review: The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham

Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
Released: Oct. 31, 2023
352 pages
About the Book:

Mere words can’t end their families’ feud, but the Campbell heir and the Bradshaw heiress plan to write a future together. Buffalo, NY, 1924 Laura Bradshaw adores stories with happily ever afters. But since her mother died seven years ago, the Bradshaw Shoe Company heiress has been as good as locked away in a tower. Her overbearing father cares little for her dreams, throwing himself instead into his tireless takedown of his competitor, the Campbell Shoe Company. However, Laura has been gifted with a a mysterious friend with whom she’s been exchanging letters. As heir to the Campbell Shoe Company, Isaac Campbell is a sought-after bachelor who has never felt an inkling of desire for the women who constantly bat their eyes at him. His thoughts are consumed by an oak tree in the Buffalo Zoo—or rather, the mystery woman he exchanges letters with courtesy of the tree. She’s been one of Isaac’s only joys in a life consumed by his father’s tireless hatred of Bradshaw. A hatred that, Isaac is coming to realize, may affect him more personally than he ever imagined. When Laura’s father orchestrates a match between her and an important business owner, she resolves to pursue her only chance at freedom. But Isaac believes their story isn’t bound for a tragic ending. He’s certain there’s more to the Bradshaw-Campbell feud than meets the eye. And he won’t stop digging until he uncovers the truth that might bridge the divide between him and the woman whose words have captured his heart.

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


This is the first book I've ever read by Rachel Fordham and it won't be the last. Her writing captured me and I felt transported to this time period and setting. I absolutely love when exchanging letters is part of a story. I love how letters give you insight into what a person is thinking and feeling at certain point in time. Isaac and Laura have been exchanging letters for the last seven years never knowing the identity of the other person. Their fathers were once business partners until a feud happened and any contact between the families was banned by both sides. Isaac and Laura have no idea what happened and only know they aren't allowed to be in contact with the other. When it is revealed that the other is their mysterious pen pal their treasured friendship is in jeopardy. What do they do? I adored these two characters and did not like how their families were treated them and pushed into various situations without a thought for their feelings. I was so glad that Laura had the housekeeper Mrs. Gaskin as not only someone to confide in but someone who loved her like a mother. I loved the mystery of trying to figure out what happened to cause the rift but also watching the love develop and was cheering for them to figure out a way to overcome the obstacles before them.

(I received an ARC of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Review: The Great Christmas Bowl by Susan May Warren

Genre: Women's Fiction
Publisher: Tyndale House
Released: Aug. 31, 2009
156 pages
About the Book:

Christmas is a magical season. Except for this year.

Marianne Wallace loves the holidays. From dressing the tree to her traditional Christmas dinner, it’s all about creating memories for her family. But when her children begin to leave home—and their traditions—behind, she has one last chance to create a holiday they’ll never forget.

Unfortunately, she’s soon in over her head, and one impulsive decision leads to a string of events that will change the way her family—even her small Minnesota town—sees the Christmas season.
 






My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐

This is a Christmas novella, which isn't really my thing. Marianne is a mom of five, with only her youngest still at home, and he's a senior in high school. When he makes the football team she is ecstatic. This, along with prepping for their family Christmas traditions, becomes her focus. But then she is pulled into roles she never planned on fulfilling, and the kids may not be coming home. There were moments that had me giggling, but all the football references went over my head. I did not relate to Marianne. The soup kitchen scene felt too perfect and unrealistic. This read like it could be a plot for a Christmas movie. 

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   

Take A Chance on Me - Christiansen Family #1

Nothing but Trouble - PJ Sugar #1

Double Trouble - PJ Sugar #2

Point of No Return - Missions of Mercy #1

You Don't Have to be a Star - Montana Fire Prequel

If Ever I Would Leave You - Montana Rescue Prequel

Wild Montana Skies - Montana Rescue # 1

Rescue Me - Montana Rescue #2 

A Matter of Trust - Montana Rescue #3

Troubled Waters - Montana Rescue #4

Storm Front - Montana Rescue #5

Wait for Me - Montana Rescue #6

Flee the Night - Team Hope #1

Escape to Morning - Team Hope #2

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

Sunday, October 22, 2023

Review: Follow Me by Debbie Viguie

Series: Psalm 23 Mysteries #19
Genre: Myserty/Suspense
Publisher: Big Pink Bow
Released: June 27, 2023
258 pages
About the Book:

As April Fool's Day nears, church staff are plagued by cruel and dangerous pranks. When things take a darker turn it's up to Cindy and Jeremiah to figure out who wants the entire church staff insane and potentially dead. Everyone must work together to figure out who is behind the attacks and what dark secrets will be exposed next.













  

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐


Kept me hooked the whole way through. I have come to love this group of characters, and the thought that one of them might die had me on the edge of my seat screaming "no, they can't die". So much happens but it all felt very possible. I enjoyed how the faith was weaved throughout the story. In the midst of some very scary moments there were some really funny lines that had me cracking up. There were a couple of grammatical errors that made me reread a few sentences to confirm. My one complaint is that there were so many characters involved that at times I really had to think of who they were, but that's probably because I was reading late at night and may have been a little tired. I still have so many questions about what is going on with Tracy, how dare we be left with another cliffhanger!

Favourite Quote: 
“We're all just broken people, trying to serve God and each other and doing our best despite it all. Or maybe because of it all.”
(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)