Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Under a Cloudless Sky by Chris Fabry

There are those sweet times that you pick up a novel, begin reading, and you are swept away to another time and place. You know, those novels that not only tell a story, but captivate the heart. This is that novel for me. 

Meeting Ruby and Bean in 1933 greatly moved my heart. These young girls by all accounts shouldn't have been friends. Ruby growing up in town at the company store and Bean growing up across the tracks in an area where the company store was their lifeline. But something brought these two girls together and that is the story we are gifted to follow. 

Fabry is genius how he connected the years of 1933 and 2004. With each chapter we move back and forth to these years, each with their own importance to the story. Sometimes a writer can do this and as a story moves from year to year with chapter to chapter it can grow very confusing. But Fabry does so in a way that it flows like a crystal river. 

He brings us characters that I simply adored. My heart fell in love with Ruby and Bean. But there are more characters we meet that left an imprint. There is one in particular, Hollis. We witness this man fight hard for what he believes in. A land where family survived and lived generations before him. He doesn't want to give up his land and he is willing to stand alone. That's a huge message. Because there will be times in our lives where others sell out for one reason or another, and we must make the choice of what steps we will take. No matter what the choice there will be consequences. 

Another character I too adored and admired was Charlotte. She is the granddaughter of Hollis. She is a journalist. Her character is strong and sure. She walks fearless. She is living in 2004 and is doing some investigative journalism in the company store of Beulah Mountain, West Virginia. This takes her back to 1933 when the mine and store were connected in every way. 

Throughout the story we follow Ruby. We see her life when she was young and as she ages. She's living alone and has two grown children. Ruby wants to remain on her own, live with freedom, and carry on as she always has done. But her children are concerned and want to do all they can to protect and love her. This hit home for me because I am living this situation today. Although they are wanting to care and protect for their mother, they just aren't doing it in a way Ruby is accepting. I am grateful for these characters for they have taught me lessons that I can walk with my own mother. Most of all protection isn't always taking away the keys and freedom isn't always living with them. 

This is one of those wondrous stories that should be on the big screen. These black and white words came to life for me. I found this novel to be a treasure of love, friendship, forgiveness, and realizing a life well lived takes dedication beyond our own, but a journey of faith. 

I too must applaud Tyndale. More and more as novels are released from Christian based publishers, a reader expects to have faith woven throughout the novel, but more and more this faith in Jesus is missing. I can say that I haven't found that with Tyndale. They are remaining true to who they are for readers who appreciate a work penned with faith at the center. 

Happy reading. Enjoy!😊

This novel was a gift from Tyndale for sharing my review with you.

Chris Fabry is an award-winning, bestselling author and radio personality who hosts the daily program Chris Fabry Live on Moody Radio. Visit his website at www.chrisfabry.com.

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Cold Water by Samuel Parker

I chose this novel because Samuel Parker is new to me. I love being introduced to new authors. The title made me curious and of course the back blurb caught my attention. The cover has that thriller/suspense appeal. I was ready for an amazing read. 

Coming from Revell I am surprised. I have yet to read a Revell novel that didn't contain faith since it is a faith based publisher. I have loved Revell novels. But this one didn't contain any faith. There was no mention of God. So, for that fact this was a difficult read. I expected more, especially from Revell. 

I read novels of all genres. So a novel doesn't have to be faith-based for me to enjoy it. But when coming from a faith publisher that's what I expect. It doesn't have to be in your face. It can be gentle and flowing, but here it was neither. Nothing of faith. 

This is a very dark read. A killer. He's being chased. There is an evil presence within him. He wants redemption, but doesn't expect to find it. There's my issue again. I would have loved to see this sin filled man, being chased, having evil surround him, but journey to a place where redemption finds him. That was missing. 

The writing is exceptional. I love the flow of this writer's pen. Oh, this could have been a phenomenal read...if only. The story has power. It holds within it such promise for a great novel, but I had a difficult time finishing it knowing that is was really going no where. 

I will wait to see what's next for this writer and be captivated by his next work. I wish this could have been a wonderful review. It just wasn't what I expected at all. But just maybe you will pick up this novel and see what I have not been able to see. That is my hope. That you give this author a chance. There just may be something here within these pages that lights your fire and makes you excited to read!

This novel was a gift from Revell for sharing my review with you. 

Samuel Parker is the author of Purgatory Road. Born in the Michigan boondocks, he was raised on a never-ending road trip through the U.S. Besides writing, he is a process junkie and the ex-guitarist for several metal bands you've never heard of. He lives in West Michigan with his wife and twin sons. 

Steal Away Home by Billy Coffey

If you love baseball I think this will be a book you too love. Now I am not a professional sports kind of girl. Love high school sports and watching my kids and now grands play sports, but pro sports not so much. So, you may ask why I would choose this novel. Well, I chose it because it was penned by Billy Coffey, the title, and the cover. The title speaks volumes about the content in the novel. This novel is about two worlds and one of them isn't on the field, but home, the place where the heart longs to be. The cover is spectacular and because of this I was intrigued. 

Where we place our love matters. This is a huge take away for me from this novel. Owen has a chance to play ball. One night. Throughout this novel Owen isn't focused on the game so much, but as he sits on the bench his memory travels back in time. Now we continue to go from yesterday to present. I love how the reader is invited to see the relationship with Owen and his dad. The father wants him to succeed in ways that he never did. His mom encourages him and loves him no matter what his choices. But his father is pretty strong in his feelings. So to see this battle in his heart touched me. 

Another aspect that I enjoyed was the growth of Owen. He seemed to battle so much of who he was, who he was suppose to be, and who is really is. But everything changes with God. Something happens on that bench and it was a blessing to see the changes in the heart that took place as he remembered, thought about today as well as yesterday. Through this battle he is able to see what's most valuable in life. 

This one was slow for me. It was difficult to really get into it and want to keep reading, but once I did I seen the heart of this novel. Unexpected glory takes place within these pages and for that I am so happy I chose this novel. 

This novel was a gift from Thomas Nelson for sharing my review with you. 


Billy Coffey's critically acclaimed books combine rural Southern charm and a vision far beyond the ordinary. He is a regular contributor to several publications, where he writes about faith and life. Billy lives with his wife and two children in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. 

The View from Rainshadow Bay (A Lavender Tides Novel) by Colleen Coble


Years back I fell in love with the writings penned from Colleen Coble. She writes fast thrillers that seem like they are made for the big screen. I have read every series she has penned and she has never ceased to amaze me. The Rock Harbor and Sunset Cove series remain faves for me. 

This latest series is beginning with a great read! I was hooked just with the prologue. She brings us characters that leap off the pages. She gives such detail into their lives that we can relate to them on many levels. We are able to journey with them as they seek truth and justice. They have endured loss and trial. We are gifted to see the heart of these characters. Yes, Colleen Coble is a master at keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. 

I enjoyed the depths of this novel. The story grows with each chapter. Just when you think it is about to calm down there's something more, something strange, another aspect for these characters to figure out. As they journey through we are allowed to experience emotions of anger, guilt, wounds of yesterday, trust and renewal. 

Wrapped in this novel is a faith that Coble never strays away from. That speaks volumes as her writing gift that she shares with us. These characters face mountain after mountain. But in their climb we their tenacity and constant push to keep going forward. 

I have to share that towards the end of this novel there were some aspects that were hard to believe as the story continued down these winding paths, but for me that brought to light that so much of our lives seems unbelievable at the time. But in each step we walk with faith and it is that faith and strength from our Savior that gives us exactly what we need to face the impossible. 

If you're searching for a great new series, maybe just an escape from the busy day, this is a terrific choice!! I cannot wait to see what is next to come in the Lavender Tides Novels!! 

This novel was a gift from Thomas Nelson for sharing my review with you.

Colleen Coble is a USA Today bestselling author and RITA finalist best known for her romantic suspense novels, including Tidewater Inn, Rosemary Cottage, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, Rock Harbor, and Sunset Cove series. 

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