false 27 30 26 true 6022913 read 1 true 6022912 currently-reading 3 true 6022911 to-read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/79333408 Dinasleiman's review of A Stray Drop of Blood
by Roseanna M. White

Loving it so far! I'm a sucker for this time period. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74603233 to: Sailing Between the Stars: Musings on the Mysteries of Faith (Paperback) by Steven James
One of the most exquisite books I've ever encountered. Poetic, deep, spiritual, and moving. I just want to read each page over and over again. A must read for all true spiritual seekers. I need a sixth star, maybe even a seventh for this book. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78646440 to: A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life (Hardcover) by Donald Miller
I'm not usually a huge nonfiction fan, but this was great. I learned a lot about writing and about life. Makes me want to live a better story. Beautiful prose. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73149785 to: The Apothecary's Daughter (Paperback) by Julie Klassen
Awesome. Loved it. Gentle yet compelling read. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/69383088 to: Love's Pursuit (Kindle Edition) by Siri Mitchell
This is one of the most moving and poignant books I've ever read. What a stunning depiction of God's grace. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74602772 to: Beyond This Moment (Timber Ridge Reflections, Book 2) by Tamera Alexander
Beyond this Moment by Tamera Alexander

I offered to read and review this novel for a Christian review website.

For a moment, it seemed like this book would be delve deeper than the typical prairie romance. It did, after all, take place in the rugged mountains of Colorado and open with a stage coach careening off a cliff. Yet, despite its edgier subject matter, Alexander somehow managed to turn it into a slow, sweet read. If that is the style you enjoy, then this book should be no exception.

Dr. Molly Whitcomb, a post-civil-war professor of romance languages arrives in Timber Ridge with a secret that threatens to destroy her. Although the secret is fairly obvious and quickly revealed to the reader, I won’t divulge it here. She is immediately drawn to Sheriff James McPherson, despite the fact that she poses as a recent widow. The astute law-enforcer knows Molly is hiding something, but he also sees her gentle and giving nature as serves as teacher to town’s children. Slowly, love grows between them. Personally, I found the romance a bit too sweet and bland for my taste. It seemed all too easy for them to avoid one another.

I will say that the characters drew me in enough that I wanted to see how it ended. There were some nice developments with themes such as racism and forgiveness and some comical moments with the children that I enjoyed. However, I must admit, I was glad for this book to be over.

No doubt, personal taste is much to blame for my opinion. I will say from a writer’s perspective, I think the novel would have benefited from being cut by about 20%-30% into a short historical romance format. I just don’t think there was enough plot to sustain nearly 400 pages. The complications and tension seemed far too repetitious.

So again, if you like a slow, sweet, relaxing read, Beyond This Moment may be the book for you. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the book for me.







]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73149572 In the Arms of Immortals: A Novel of Darkness and Light (Chronicles Of The Scribe, #2) by Ginger Garrett
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73149534 The Passion of Mary-Margaret (Paperback) by Lisa Samson
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73149276 to: Unspoken (Paperback) by Angela Elwell Hunt
Yet another amazing and imaginative book by Angela Hunt. I love Sema the gorilla the signing gorilla. I've been using Sema speak all week. Warning, be sure to have the tissues handy. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/69385177 to: In the Shadow of the Sun King (Darkness to Light, #1) by Golden Keyes Parsons
Very interesting story set in the court of Louis XIV. Great characters and exciting plot. ]]>