Book Review: Song of My Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Sadie Wagner has the perfect opportunity. When her stepfather is horrifically wounded, she must figure out some way to earn money for her family’s support.  When she receives a letter with a job offer from her favorite cousin, Sid, she decides to take a job as a clerk in Goldtree, Kansas. When she is forced into more than she bargained for at work, as well as starting to fall for the ruggedly handsome sheriff, she questions if it was really God’s will for her to be in this small, cute town. When she accidentally discovers illegal activity, she must choose whether to do what is right, or forsake all hopes of supporting her family.

I ♥

·         The characters. As always, Kim Vogel Sawyer does not disappoint.

·         The plot.  So that I do not give it away, I’ll just say I loved it immensely.

·         Thad Mckane. Yup.

·         The detail. Kim is fantastic at building detail. Really.

I didn’t ♥

·         Actually, there was nothing about the actual story I disliked. Just at the end I had a little confusion about a certain gunshot.

Overall

I would say this book is a fantastic read for anyone who likes historical fiction. The setting of the story takes place in an area reminiscent of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (one of my favorite shows) I would say a perfect book for ages 15+. This would be a perfect book for your to-read list!

Bethany House Publishers gave me this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck

The Thickening Plot

Life is good for Charlotte. She is the owner of a chic, modern bridal salon in Birmingham, Alabama she is engaged to an awesome man, and she is certain she will find the perfect dress for her wedding. It is smooth sailing until she purchases a hundred year old trunk, with the lock on front welded shut. Her curiosity piqued, she goes to great lengths to find out the mysterious history behind the lovely wedding dress the trunk contains. Through her journey, she begins to discover more about herself, and doubt her upcoming wedding. In the end, she must find out the truth of her beautiful heritage.

I ♥

·        The multiple stories woven into the book. Each one was so unique, yet so very similar.

·        The characters. I love it when the character seems like a friend.

·        The detail. Just the way the author described the dress, and the way she described the characters. It is a true art.

I Didn’t ♥

·        A couple romantic paragraphs. Not awful, but something for parents to be wary of.

·        The beginning was a bit slow, not unbearably, but it takes a minute to get into the book.

Overall

This book is worth your time. The perfect book for an airplane ride, or a road trip. This book would also be fun to give at a bridal shower, or as a party favor at a bridal shower. I would say this book is worth your money.

This book was given to me for free by Booksneeze, in exchange for this honest review

Book Review: A River to Cross by Yvonne Harris

     After the death of her first husband, Elizabeth Evans has vowed that she would never marry an "army man" again. She couldn't bear  the pain. But when she is kidnapped by some rogue Spanish men, she is immediately taken by the handsome Jake Nelson, her rescuer. Throughout the next two weeks, Elizabeth and Jake find their mutual attraction somewhat disarming. As they spend time together, while they are taking Elizabeth back to a safe location, they begin to fall in love. Unfortunately the same men who had kidnapped Elizabeth are still on the hunt for her, and Jake has a feeling that they won't stop until Elizabeth is dead.
     I though this book was very well written, with great descriptions of everything from the terrain, to the way people looked, to the way they spoke, and such detail is important in a story such as this one. One of the only bad things was that I am not sure of the historical accuracy of a few of the things mentioned HOWEVER I am no history major by any means, and I could be completely wrong! I would recommend this book to those in highschool and up, and I sincerely hope you will buy it!
Sincerely,
Libbi H.

Bethany House Publishers gave me this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner

{Please click on the cover to be taken to the first chapter}

     Every family has a skeleton in the closet, a secret that only a selected few know. While many have these cryptic mysteries in a family's home, usually the mystery is not the home itself. So is the problem with Holly Oaks, an eerie abode nestled in Fredericksburg, Virginia. As one of the few remaining houses in a town destroyed by a Civil War battle, Holly Oaks is a house that has more to it than some bricks and timber. Every woman who has been born in the home has led a life of grief, misfortune, and misery. When Marielle Bishop marries into this strange family, she is greeted with doubt, fear, and anxiety over living in such a place where many women before her had led lives of anguish. When her new Great Grandmother, Adelaide, tells Marielle that a ghost had pushed her down the stairs, Marielle becomes fairly aghast at the many superstitions about the house, afraid she will never live to see her fears resolved. Will she be able to unlock the mystery of Holly Oak, or will she become another is the long line of misfortune?

     This book was an invigorating read, one of those that could be read over and over, without growing dull. This book makes one think, unlocking a heart and pondering everything within. Indeed, one could read the entire thing in a single day; if they couldn't stand to shut it without finishing it, which is usually the case. A good gauge whether or not it will be a good book is the first paragraph. This book started beautifully, using descriptive sentences that only the best of authors could have written. This descriptive quality was carried throughout the book, giving readers not a glimpse, but an entire view of the contents within. One section was not suitable for younger audiences, however any adult should be thrilled to read it.

       Overall, this book is a wonderful addition to anyone's library, bringing a new style of descriptiveness anywhere it is brought. Whether read over a day, a week, or a month, this book is sure to please it's readers. Susan Meissner has written a wonderful addition to her growing library, and one could hope she will write many more captivating, descriptive, wonderful novels in the future. This book will come out on October 4th, 2011. One can be certain it is a great purchase.

Sincerely,
Libbi H.


WaterBrook Multnomah gave me this book free of charge, in return for an honest review.