The All-American by Susie Finkbeiner

 

Susie Finkbeiner has such a gift. She takes a story about baseball, one of my loves, and weaves a story about life. I related to the main character, in as much as I have loved baseball most of my life. The difference is she has a dream of becoming a member of the Sweet Peas, a women's baseball team. Her sister does not like baseball, at all. 

The story that Finkbeiner wrote from this foundation is extraordinary. It will be a book that I will want to read again, and again. 

I received this book from NetGalley and Revell in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Book Review: Merchant of Alyss

Merchant of Alyss is a fantasy book set in Falmouth. Hyam and Joelle are happy to be together, even though Hyam has lost his magical abilities. This is a time of turmoil for him as he grieves for his skills yet he wonders if he would have been better off if he never had them. Finding the Milantian scroll gives him power at his touch, however the text foretells war. While trying to find answers to his dilemma he does not know that he is being sought by the merchant of Alyss.

I had not read the first book of the series, however it did not take me long to become lost in this book. The characters in the book feel so real. The main character keeps driving the story. I am now going to move backwards and read the first book, Embassy, as I want to find the complete story of what brought these characters to this point.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Murder At the Courthouse

I love Ann Gabhart's books. In Murder at the Courthouse, A Hidden Springs Mystery, her main character is named Michael and he has a mystery to solve. He moved to his hometown Hidden Springs, Kentucky from Columbus to escape the stress. Then a dead body shows up at the Courthouse. This fun, creative book made me excited to read her next book.

I was given this book by Revell Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Christmas Joy Ride

Melody Carlson has written some of my favorite books. This is not an exception. I began reading this book last night and could not put it down until I finished. This book has definitely put me into the Christmas spirit.

Joy resonates the season all the time. She always is willing to give without any thought of what she might receive. She is happiest when people feel the Christmas love. In steps Miranda who has had so many hard times in her life. This trip helps her feel the hope in the world and gives her a feeling of joy.

Mrs. Carlson writes with such apparent ease that each of her books are a joy to read. She shares God's blessings so effortlessly that the reader is blessed with each page.

I would recommend this book to anyone that likes to feel the Christmas love.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Hot Mama

Most mothers understand the concept of feeling exhausted and having very little left to share with their husbands. Kathi Pipp and Erin Macpherson, in the book Hot Mama: 12 Secrets to a sizzling hot marriage, share how to help keep your relationship hot. These two put such a humorous touch on this topic, yet they are able to touch all tired-out mamas. They use proberb and tips from all over to show how to revive that feeling from newlywed days.

Great book. I was given this book by Revell books in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Last Chance Hero

Dr. Jessica MacLeod has moved to Last Chance, New Mexico and she feel like she does not fit in anywhere. Andy Ryan has come home from being a professional football player to become a couch of the high school team. These two are somehow drawn together even though they seem to have nothing in common.

This book was a little too predictable for my taste. Plus I felt really let down by the fact that there did seem to be any climatic part in the story.

I would not be able to give this book any more than three stars.

I was given this book by Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Emissary

Emissary  is a well written fantasy book. The story shows Hyam was born with a special gift...the ability to conquer languages, even the languages that have been dead for centuries. He now has to keep his gift and his identity a secret due to suspicion being placed on him a a prodigy. His mother asks him to go back to Long Hall, where he was taught, before settling down. To do this he must face many dangers.

I did like the development of Hyam, however his antagonist seemed to be a bit predictable as did the ending. I did enjoy this book, though, as I enjoy fantasy books. This would be a nice quick read for anyone else that enjoys this genre of writing.

I was given this book by Revell Publishing in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review: Love Comes Home

Loves Comes Home, by Ann H. Gabhart, is set after World War II when communities were welcoming the soldiers home. This was also happening in Rosey Corner. There are four sisters which are each looking shich will make them feel love. Kate would like to start a family, Evangeline is looking for a beautiful house, Victoria's dreams are grand, and Lorena wants information about her birth family.

This was a good book. Each of the dreams has its own obstacles that stand in the way of making them happen and each of the characters are written in a way to draw the reader into their stories.

This is labeled as Historical Fiction but it could also be labeled as a Christian Romance. So for the reader that enjoys either of these, they will enjoy this book also.

I was given this book by Revell in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review: The Beauty of Grace

The Beauty of Grace is an uplifting book. It is compiled of short reading by many leading ladies in Christian Ministry. Each of the entries can be read individually, in sections, or however the reader decides.

From the first, A Man in the Mirror,  I felt like the readings each spoke to my heart, my soul and my relationship with God. They made me reflect on times in my past and on every-day-life today.

The sections include purpose, the big picture, surrender, trust, lessons learned, hope and encouragement and worship. In addition, Dawn Camp placed photos throughout the book that helps the reader worship God from an entirely different direction.

I was given this book by Revell in exchange for my honest review. Thank you so much and know that this book will be looked at many times in the future.

Book Review: Thunder

Thunder, by Bonnie S. Calhoun, is the first book in the Stone Braide Chronicles. This story takes place over 150 years after The Times of Sorrows. The world has almost been wiped out by a nuclear war.

Selah Chavez is one of the survivors. Her day-to-day life is very predictable until the day she comes across a group of people from across the water. These people are the Landers. Since her discovery of them, Selah begins to have questions about her own being.

This is a well-written book with subtle references to God (the Presence). The story keeps going at a good pace and left me looking forward to the next book in the series.

Bonnie Calhoun was able to develop the characters very well and I can't wait to read more books by this talented author.

I was given this book by bookfun.org, the author and Revell, in exchange for my honest review.