Beneath Copper Falls by Colleen Coble

Dana Newell, a 911 dispatcher, returns to Copper Falls hoping to find a more peaceful life away from her abusive ex-fiancé.  She moves in with her step-brother and looks forward to life with her old friends in Rock Harbor.  But her past is beginning to haunt her and threatens the future she had hoped for.  She has weathered many storms and is stronger for it, but will she be able to survive the storm headed her way now?

Beneath Copper Falls is a continuation of the Rock Harbor novels.  The series was vaguely familiar to me (I had read an earlier book in the series), but I could still follow the plot twists.  The book did manage to surprise me with a few turn of events, too.  I enjoyed getting reacquainted with the characters and look forward to seeing what happens in their future.

 There was a nice blend of romance and suspense, which is Colleen Coble’s trademark.  I received a free copy of the book from the publisher in return for my honest review.  

Perennials by Julie Cantrell

Forty-five year old Eva seemed to have an idyllic childhood with her sister Bitsy and parents in rural Mississippi.  But when she was old enough to leave home, she fled and returned home very seldom.  Now her parents are asking her to come home—in the middle of the most important deal of her career.  They are celebrating their fiftieth anniversary and want her help with the arrangements, even if her sister Bitsy does not.  Eva reluctantly gives in and goes, despite knowing that Bitsy will make life there miserable for her.  As it turns out, this is a life-changing trip for Eva.

This book explores the relationship between two sisters and the past that made it so.  The author does a good job of developing the sisters’ personalities.  Their sibling rivalry isn’t always understood, but the author keeps peeling away at the layers of the past until the reader and the characters finally understand it.

Besides the complexity of the sisters’ relationship, the book also explores marriage relationships.  Eva’s parents have an enviable marriage, while both Eva and Bitsy struggle unsuccessfully to replicate it.  Eva is recovering from an abusive relationship and Bitsy’s husband is chronically unfaithful. There is hope, however, for Eva to have a happy marriage with Fisher.

Yoga figures prominently in this book, which surprised me.  Eva is a yoga instructor for seniors and she teaches her parents some of the poses.  Her ninety year old friend, Marian, practices yoga with her and is also a spiritual guide, walking her around a medicine wheel.  Given that opinions on yoga are a bit contentious in some Christian circles, I am surprised that the author included it so prominently.

 

Perennials is well-written like the other of Cantrell’s novels.  It addresses family and relational issues that many readers are sure to identify with.  If you are a fan of Julie Cantrell, don’t miss this one!  I received this free copy from the publisher for my honest opinion.

   

Healing from Trauma

The Space Between Words by Michele Phoenix

Jessica has lived through a terrible terrorist attack on Paris. Though her world is shattered, her friend Patrick encourages her to continue with the trip they have planned through France.  While exploring the countryside, she discovers an antique box containing the pages of a Huguenot girl’s diary.  The pages create a desire for Jessica to discover more about the girl’s story and the persecution that drove her from France.  As Jessica learns Adeline’s story of persecution, she moves towards her own healing.

This book introduced me to a part of history that I knew nothing about.  It gave me a new respect for those who have been persecuted for their faith.   It also exposed me to the pain that victims of trauma experience.

After the attack, Jessica’s relationship with Patrick left me very confused, but that may be what the author intended.  Other than that part, the story unfolded very smoothly and kept me wanting to know more about both Jessica and Adeline.

Despite beginning on a very dark note, the book offered hope.  The way that Jessica’s character grew and developed showed me that she would heal from her attack. Despite their setbacks, all the characters grew and came to accept and find the best in their lives.

This is the second of Michele Phoenix’s books that I have read.  She writes about wounded characters in need of healing.  Her writing conveys their emotions clearly and powerfully. Her heart for those who suffer is evident.  In their pain, she offers them hope.  Many readers will be able to empathize with her characters and perhaps  find a measure of healing for themselves.

I enjoyed this book and think others will, too, especially those who can understand what Jessica experienced.  I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.  

  

New Series by Angela Hunt

Egypt’s Sister by Angela Hunt

Chava lived a charmed life as the daughter of Cleopatra’s royal tutor.  She grew up in the palace and the princess was her best friend.  Even though she was Jewish and Cleopatra was Egyptian, Chava expected her life in the royal palace to continue unchanged.  But after Cleopatra’s coronation, the politics and intrigue of power change the queen and she betrays Chava and sentences her to a life of slavery.  Chava believes she will see Cleopatra again, but will it be too late?

Angela Hunt is one of my favorite authors.  I can count on enjoying her novels.  This was no exception.  However, Egypt’s Sister took me much longer to reach the “can’t put it down” stage because of the detailed historical foundation that needed to be laid.  Once that was done, I was caught up in the devastating changes that Chava experienced.

Although laying the historical background made for a slow beginning, the information that the author included about the culture and life in Alexandria and Rome made a fascinating background for the story.  I loved learning more about that particular time in history.  The author’s research was meticulous and it showed.

As always, Hunt’s characters were interesting and life-like. Cleopatra, one of history’s most infamous women, was especially fascinating.  Her motivation to remain in control of Egypt made sense in light of her actions

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The prevailing theme of Egypt’s Sister was one of hope.  Despite Chava’s devastating circumstances, she persisted in believing God.  Even through suffering and in the midst of a pagan culture, Chava proved God’s faithfulness.

Readers who enjoy historical fiction will enjoy this book.  I received a free copy for my honest review.       

Riveting Historical Fiction by Lisa Wingate

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

This book is a fictionalized account of a family of siblings who were torn apart by a real adoption scandal in the 1940’s and 1950’s.  Ril and her siblings were taken from their houseboat home when their mother went to the hospital to deliver twins.  In the hospital, her mother was told that her babies were stillborn.  Her husband unwittingly signed away all the children, thinking he was signing a paper to waive the costs for his wife’s hospital bill.

 The woman behind this terrible account was Georgia Tann, who was the head of the Tennessee Children’s Home.  Tann had helpers watching for vulnerable children who she had kidnapped and then delivered to shady boarding homes where they were kept until they were adopted out to couples who could afford the exorbitant adoption fees.

Ril’s name is changed to May and she has the good fortune to be adopted by a well to do couple who have also adopted her younger sister.  Flash forward to the present when May is placed in a retirement home and meets rising lawyer Avery Stafford when she makes a political trip with her politician father. Through a set of circumstances, Avery and May become acquainted and pieces of their lost pasts begin to come together.

Lisa Wingate paints a painful picture of the reality of many of Georgia Tann’s adoptees.  She layers a story from the present day against the past.  Readers are kept in the dark as to the present-day identities of the siblings as the story unfolds.  This well-paced story keeps readers wanting more.  Wingate’s story-telling skills are excellent.  Her characters are fascinating and well-drawn.  This is an excellent read.  I received a free copy from the publisher for my honest review.

Legal thriller by new author

Beyond Justice by Cara Putman

Hayden McCarthy has become an attorney because she knows the pain of justice not being served.  She is assigned a wrongful death case against the government concerning an juvenile illegal immigrant.  This case could make her a partner or destroy her career, not to mention the danger it will put her in.  Adding to the complications is the most eligible bachelor in Washington, DC, Andrew Wesley, who seems to be developing an interest in her, or is it just his concern for the dead young man’s brother? 

  The events seem to spiral out of control and she wonders what the best course of action is—pursue justice or close the case as she is being pressured to do?

Fans of Robert Whitlow will enjoy this story.  I found the characters interesting, the different threads of the plots intriguing, but the story did not grip me.  Putman handled the legalese in the way a layman could understand.  The subject matter was timely and motivating.  I can’t say exactly why this story fell a bit flat in my eyes.

I am thankful to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for my honest review. 

Excellent Biblical Historical Fiction

Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette

Alanah, a Canaanite, in the ancient near east decides it is better to join the fight against the Hebrews and die rather than live and be made a slave.  She joins the battle disguised as a man and miraculously survives.  She joins her enemy, the Israelites, as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, her home.  Tobiah, her protector, marries her to obey the torah and keep her safe.  Has she made a grave mistake?  Will she be able to survive among her enemies?

This book is the third in the Out of Canaan series by Connilyn Cossette.  I read the first book and loved it, but somehow missed the second one, but could still follow the plot in the third.   

This book was meticulously researched and answered most questions that readers might have regarding God’s command to take over Canaan.  Because of Alanah’s background as a Canaanite, her husband Tobiah carefully instructed her in the ways of the Israelites.  I also found very interesting how the author dealt with the subject of Kora’s rebellion and the consequences that fell upon the people.

I enjoyed the characters and how they grew and changed during the length of the novel.  They were so realistically drawn and I grew to love them, despite their faults.  I was delighted to meet again Shira and Kiya and see how they had changed since the first book.

This book was so interesting and I could hardly put it down.  I think other readers who enjoy Biblical historical fiction will love it, too.  I received a free copy from the publisher for my honest review.