Review: Tied to the Soul

Tied to the Soul by Eva G. Headley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Book Summary
Ria Jackson thought she was making the right choice when she relocates to New York to fulfil her dream. She leaves behind the love of her life Shawn Matthews in Los Angeles. What she soon finds out is her choice to leave brings about devastating effects. Left alone Shawn Matthews reunites with Andrea Lasalle 'a rebound'. They become lovers quickly but Shawn cannot get Ria out of his mind-she has a hold on him. Shawn's loyalty to his brother Kenny is put to the test when Shawn find's out he is a drug addict. After a heated scuffle Shawn kicks Kenny out of his home, in order for Kenny to get a life. This leaves Kenny on the streets looking for revenge. Andrea thinks she has the man of her dreams but fails to realise to have him she will lose her own soul and become a possessive lover. When Ria returns to Los Angeles a love triangle forms between Ria, Shawn and Andrea. Weeks before a wedding tragedy hits leading everyone to believe it was a murder not an accident.

My ReviewThis book was a little all over the place. There were several things going on 1) a relationship, 2)addiction and 3) questionable friendships. The book's main character, Ria, is in a relationship with Shawn Matthews when her dream job gets offered to her, but she has to move to NY. After accepting this job she goes through some life changes but refuses to discuss them with Shawn whom she is still in love with. She eventually ends up back in California but Shawn has moved on and she still holds on to her secret which creates all sorts of problem. Between Shawn's new relationship and fake friends, Ria's life spends out of control. It's not until she starts being truthful that things get back on track. When unexpected tragedy occurs, Shawn and Ria's lives change forever. The author did a good job of telling the story including adding drama and backstabbing in the appropriate places. Ha ha! The climax to me occurred late in the story but it was emotional and appropriate for this story. Overall, it was a good read.

From a Christian PerspectiveWell there were certain situations in this book that had unexpected consequences. As Christians we know that should we choose to live in and with our sin, there will be consequences. Ria had to face the consequences of her relationship with Shawn. I struggled with the faith as it was presented in this book. It was sort of an afterthought, but on the other hand I don't think this was meant to be a Christian novel. Throughout the book there was forgiveness which did add a nice touch to the story. I would recommend this book for mature audiences due to the fact that some of the situations are mature.

This was a book from my personal collection, all opinions expressed are my own.

Love and Blessings!
Margaret

View all my reviews

Review: Christmas in Magnolia Cove

Christmas in Magnolia Cove by Rachel Hanna
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Christmas in Magnolia Cove

Book Description
Madison Carter's life is perfect, or so she thinks. As the top interior designer in Atlanta, clients are clamoring to work with her. She has the town's most eligible and handsome bachelor, Connor Strickland, all wrapped up and ready to marry her. Best of all, she's left her tormented past back in Magnolia Cove.

When she uncovers a secret about her fiance, she flees back to her family in Magnolia Cove - to a mother who loves her, a sister who despises her and a past full of the bullies who made her life miserable in high school.

Can Christmas bring about new opportunities for love, business and forgiveness?

My Review
I love to read Christmas stories so I was looking forward to reading this book. However, it was not quite what I expected. Madison discovers her boyfriend cheating and decides to head back to Magnolia Cove to get away for a while. Once there, she finds herself getting sucked back in to that life and meets up with an old boyfriend when she needs a contractor for a home she purchased. Of course, the romance is rekindled but not without some rockiness. I found this to be a typical romance and nothing really exciting. Nice if you want a quick read.

From a Christian Perspective
It's hard for me to find the Christian Perspective when the book is not written in the Christian genre.  The book did contain situations that were a bit uncomfortable for the Christian reader.  Even so, I think it's important to review ALL types of books so I will continue to do this.  

For this book in particular, there was a lot of focus on romantic love which wasn't necessarily unconditional.  Jesus is very clear when he tells us that we must show unconditional love.   As the story when on, I did find examples of 1 Corinthian 13:4 "Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."  Wyatt knew that he had been treated unfairly by Madison in the past.  However he chose kindness over revenge.  Through this he was able to develop a different kind of relationship.  Love is redeeming in this case. 

This book was from my personal Kindle Collection. You can find this book and more on Amazon, Christmas in Magnolia Cove

Love and Blessings!
Margaret

View all my reviews

Book Review: Not This Time by Vicki Hinze #christianbook

Not This Time: A Novel by Vicki Hinze
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not This Time: A Novel (Crossroads Crisis Center) is the third book in the Crisis Crossroads Center series. I read the first one Forget Me Not: A Novel (Crossroads Crisis Center) , but I did not read the second one, Deadly Ties: A Novel (Crossroads Crisis Center) .

In Not This Time, Sara and Beth are the two main characters. They have built a multimillion dollar company and are successful in their own right. When an act of terrorism occurs at a local wedding, the questions start. Who is behind this act and why? Who can they trust and who is the traitor? Beth is sure it has something to do with Sara's husband Robert but then he is kidnapped and presumably murdered, so she has no idea who to trust.  Even Sara, her best friend, is lying to her!  Beth puts everything she has into finding the truth about the attack and about Sara.  The more she finds out, the more danger surrounds Beth, Sara and the other residents of Seagrove Village.

My Review:
The author, Vicki Hinze, does a wonderful job of weaving the story. As you progress through the book, the author lures you into a false sense of "I have this all figured out" when BOOM! another twist comes. Your are kept guessing until the end chapters. 

I also thought the author did a great job of developing the characters, particularly Sara and Beth. The NINA team fit their roles so well as did the "good guys." How she managed to seamlessly weave in romances, I do not know but she did and did it well!  I found myself with emotional connections to the characters even though the were fictional.


It's been a while since I read the first book and I did feel like I was missing some of the nuances. There were some refreshers in there but not enough to make me remember the characters and players in this series. Even though this works as a standalone book, having read the first one, I knew I was missing some important tie-ins from the second book. For that reason, I would recommend reading this series from start to finish. I'm tempted to go back and read the first and second books.


While this is a Christian thriller, it's not slap you in the face religion. The characters faith, or lack, is subtly woven in throughout the story. Reliance on God is evident and comforting. I really love how this author was able to make the story exciting and fluid without having to remove the presence of God in the character's lives.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author. Thank you to Waterbrook Multnomah for allowing me to review this book as part of the blogging for books program.

If you want a sneak peek, go here to read the first chapter!

Love and Blessings Always!

Margaret

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

View all my reviews

Book Review: Chasing Rainbows by Kathleen Long

Chasing Rainbows by Kathleen Long
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bernadette Murphy is undergoing some changes. She unexpectedly lost her father, her husband left her and she's still grieving the loss of her daughter five years later. When I seemingly small thing sends her over the edge, her world changes forever! It seems that her lifeline is a book of cryptograms found among her father's things. Each of these puzzles provide wise words and brings Bernie one step close to her healing.

This was a free download from Amazon, so I try not to get my hopes up. Fortunately, this book was really good!!! Bernadette was a well-developed character. I connected with her as she struggled with her grief, from the moments of complete breakdowns to the hilarious antics. Yes she had some missteps along the way but in the end, it's the healing that counts.

The story line was easy to follow (which when you are dealing with death and grieving is not always easy). The author introduces the secondary characters, Ryan, Bernie's mom, her brother, her neighbors, her best friend and others all and fun and believable ways.

This was the book I wanted to keep reading and was annoyed when I only had time to read a chapter at a time (if only I didn't have to sleep!)

This book is from my personal collection.  I was not required to write a review.

Love and Blessings Always,

Margaret

View all my reviews

Book Revier: Smitten

Smitten by Colleen Coble
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story takes place in a town called, what else, SMITTEN! The town just went through an economic downturn and the women banded together with a plan to save the town. Each is opening a new business but still making time to find love along the way.

This was such a sweet, fun read! And it was CLEAN!!! The four main characters are Natalie, Reese, Julia and Shelley. The four authors each tell one of their stories of falling in love, finding their perfect mate, who in most cases happened to be there in front of them all along. Each story is separate but intertwined with the others. So wonderful!

I have to say my favorite couple was Natalie and her beau. Their story was so sweet! Actually all of them were sweet. Even though the stories are traditional in the romance sense, I love how the story lines were clean. There was some mention of faith, enough to know it was important to the couples but not enough to sound preachy to the non-Christian reader. The sub-stories were wonderful as well! I really enjoyed this book.

I received a copy of the book from Thomas Nelson for the purpose of review. Opinions expressed are my own.

Love and Blessings!

Margaret

View all my reviews

Book Review: A Sound Among the Trees By Susan Meissner

A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


About the book:
A house shrouded in time.

A line of women with a heritage of loss.


As a young bride, Susannah Page was rumored to be a Civil War spy for the North, a traitor to her Virginian roots. Her great-granddaughter Adelaide, the current matriarch of Holly Oak, doesn’t believe that Susannah’s ghost haunts the antebellum mansion looking for a pardon, but rather the house itself bears a grudge toward its tragic past.


When Marielle Bishop marries into the family and is transplanted from the arid west to her husband’s home, it isn’t long before she is led to believe that the house she just settled into brings misfortune to the women who live there.


With Adelaide’s richly peppered superstitions and deep family roots at stake, Marielle must sort out the truth about Susannah Page and Holly Oak— and make peace with the sacrifices she has made for love.   


My review:

I was drawn to this book because I love Historical fiction.  I know war is not romantic, but to be able to find love amongst the rubble just makes me ... SIGH!  I really wanted to LOVE this book.

Overall the book is very slow moving, I really struggled to get through it. The most engaging part of the book is the letters.  I found out so much about the character writing them and really felt a connection with her. 

As for the characters, I have to say I wanted to really like Marielle but even after reading the book, I don't feel like I know her or Carson.  Also, Adelaide, who I would have thought was a main character was more an "accessory" until the very end.  I felt in the epilogue is where I had the most connection with her.

This wasn't an unpleasant read, I think I learned a little more about the time period.  I recommend it for readers who like Civil War era fiction. 

If you would like to learn more about this book, take a peek at Chapter One here.


Disclaimer: Thank you to  WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for providing this book for review.

Love and Blessings!

Margaret

View all my reviews

Book Review: Code Blue by Richard Mabry

Code Blue by Richard L. Mabry

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Code Blue was a pleasant surprise. When Dr. Cathy Sewell returns to her hometown, she faces many challenges to becoming one of the local doctors, including overcoming the shadow of her father's betrayal. But she soon finds out that not everything is what it seems. The author takes you on a trail that has some twists and turns but the surprise ending will really get you!

I thought the book was well written. There was romance, thriller and mystery all wrapped up in one. It starts off a little slow but really draws you in as you get further into the book. I think the character of Dr. Cathy Sewell is believable. The author does an excellent job of sharing her emotions and allowing you to see inside her character.

What I learned most from this book is that the journey to faith is not easy for anyone, no even doctors who seem to have to "play God" sometimes. Past challenges and hurts can serve to keep us from our destiny but if we trust in God, He will bring us through. Dr. Sewell's reconnection with her faith, was real. She went through many emotions that some of us can relate to as we are making our own journeys. I appreciate the way the author handled this topic.

Overall this was an excellent read, not only for the Christian reader, but for anyone who love a good thriller with a touch of romance thrown in!

This book was from my personal collection and opinions expressed are completely my own.

Love and Blessings!

Margaret

View all my reviews

Book Review: Shadow in Serenity

Shadow in Serenity by Terri Blackstock
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Carny Sullivan grew up in the zany world of a traveling carnival. Quaint and peaceful Serenity, Texas, has given her a home, a life, and a child. Logan Brisco is the smoothest, slickest, handsomest man Serenity, Texas has ever seen. But Carny Sullivan knows a con artist when she sees one---and she's seen plenty, starting with her father. As far as Carny Sullivan can tell, she's the only one in town who has his number. Because from his Italian shoes to his movie-actor smile, Logan has the rest of the town snowed. Carny is determined to reveal Brisco's selfish intentions before his promise to the townspeople for a cut in a giant amusement park sucks Serenity dry. Yet, as much as she hates his winning ways, there is a man behind that suave smile, a man who may win her heart against her will. Shadow in Serenity is a modern-day Music Man, penned by a Christy Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author.

I'm not familiar with this author, so I didn't know how much I would enjoy this book. But I did... enjoy it! There was mystery, intrigue, romance and most importantly forgiveness. I loved the two main characters, Carny and Logan. They way Carny was at him, you kind of knew where it was leading. But that's OK, sometimes you need the sappiness (or happiness!)! I love how the author described Logan and his change of heart. It was just a good book all around. I could see this really happening in any small town. The members of Serenity were real and believable. Just a nice, well-written book.

As a treat, here is the book trailer:



Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book for the purpose of review. Opinions expressed are my own!

View all my reviews