Vanessa Hall's Blog, page 29
February 9, 2022
Review: Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese
Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Once again, I have discovered how much I enjoy contemporary romance. (And yes, I kind of cringe saying that.) But I think I have a wrong idea of what contemporary romance is, because this book totally blew my assumptions out of the water!
Characters: Lauren was such a realistic, believable character throughout the entire book. She was a teacher (already so much good stuff going on there!), and watching her work through her deepest longings was really beautiful. She seemed like a real person – she failed, she cried, she laughed and rejoiced. And of course, Joshua Avery, the love interest. Okay, can I just say this guy was the perfect boyfriend for her? He was such a nerd, but he was such a great guy. He didn’t let weird little things get in the way of their relationship (so many romance books have plots where one little unnecessary, improbable spat ruins everything), and he was so persistent yet not creepy with her. He didn’t have a POV, which may have contributed to why he seemed so perfect. (And I love flawed characters, but he pulled off the being perfect quite well.) And of course, the other characters were so sweet, especially Gail.
Plot/Romance: The basic plot entailed Lauren’s quest to adopt a child as a single woman. (I kind of struggled with this throughout the book, because I believe the Lord created families to have a mother and a father. Obviously, this doesn’t always happen in a perfect world, and God gives grace to those parents who end up having to raise their kids alone. However, Lauren didn’t have to raise a child on her own. She hadn’t been widowed or divorced or put through some other really difficult situation. She was going out of her way to adopt a kid to raise on her own. To me, this just seemed a little strange, and not the best situation for a child. But there are so many orphans out there who need loving, supportive homes, and a single parent is far better than the place they’re currently at. So … all of that to say, I was conflicted on this throughout the story.) Anyway. That sounds like a super simple plot, but it didn’t drag. There was drama with Lauren’s adopting plans, family problems, character development, and of course, the romance. Thankfully, this romance was quite clean. Just a couple kisses here or there, though I will mention for some readers that Lauren and Joshua were alone at night and being pretty cozy. Nothing happened, though, so it didn’t bother me overmuch.
Writing Style: Nicole Deese’s writing styles works perfectly in this genre. I love how real her books read. It feels like it could be someone’s life! All of the little details she adds in through every scene just make you feel like you’re right there. There was one instance, though, of a cuss word that was cut off halfway. I was pretty disappointed to see that, because even though the word was cut off, it was clear what the character was saying. Definitely unnecessary.
Moral/Theme: The concept of family was a pretty big part of this book, obviously, with Lauren’s adoption aspirations as well as drama with her family. I really loved watching Lauren’s commitment to her adopted daughter even if it meant Lauren had to suffer through difficulties herself. It was such a beautiful picture of sacrificial love. However, although there was prayer and mentions of going to church, there wasn’t a clear explanation of the Gospel, and I felt like the author teetered a bit on the Catholic side of things. (Mainly a mention of Mary having a “divine gaze” or something along those lines.) In general, this book would have been better if it would’ve had more Jesus. But alas, there were still lovely moments, and I loved Gail’s words about waiting and God having a plan even when we can’t see what’s going on.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. If you’re looking for a contemporary romance with real-life struggles, you’ve found your next read. And in the meantime, I’ll be on the lookout for this author’s next book!
February 7, 2022
Calling All Readers!
As of today, ARC copies of Unworthy are available for anyone who’d like one!
Sign up here!If you don’t have a Google account or don’t feel comfortable using that form, feel free to utilize my Contact page, and I can get an ARC copy to you one way or another! 
One moment, one choice can change a life forever.
Two years ago, Evgeny Yurlov’s dreams shattered on the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre. Without many options, he lands a job—far different from ballet—and returns to Moscow. There, he’s reunited with old friends—friends who need his help as government scrutiny intensifies on Grace Baptist Church.
Sasha Dvornikova isn’t the woman she once was, but Dmitri Rykov’s shadow is relentless. Reminders of her past lurk everywhere, and her sins have branded her undeserving of a man like Evgeny.
As mounting danger surrounds both the church and his job, Evgeny finds past struggles reignited, struggles that reach even Sasha. Amidst so much darkness, will Truth prevail, or will Evgeny’s choices destroy him—and those he loves?
February 4, 2022
Review: From a Distance by Tamera Alexander
From a Distance by Tamera Alexander
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I started this book after not finishing another, and I had hoped this one would be much better and kind of erase the other not-great book for me. And for the first part, it was. (So it did help!) However, as the story went on, things went downhill.
Characters: Both main characters, Elizabeth and Daniel, held so much promise in the first part of the book. I enjoyed that Elizabeth was older (thirty-two, I think) than most women in historical fiction. And she wasn’t even obsessed with getting married or not being married. Yay! Yes, she was very forward and sharp, but it worked. She seemed like the type of woman who was trying to be a good journalist and fighting against the odds of it all. And Daniel! I loved him at the beginning. His whole background was intriguing – Confederate soldier, sharpshooter, hunter, hermit-like kinda dude. And he had a dog, too! (Beau was adorable.) I loved Daniel and Elizabeth’s interactions at the beginning, and Daniel honestly seemed like a very good man. And then things just went sort of weird. (I’ll touch on this in a minute.) However, the characters seemed well-crafted. The other characters also were interesting – Josiah, the sheriff and his sister, and other townspeople. The next few books were definitely getting set up in this one!
Plot/Setting: The setting was absolutely beautiful! I enjoyed the descriptions of the mountains and the characters’ appreciation for God’s Creation. Timber Ridge was a nice little town without too many hard edges of Old West towns. (No shootouts on Main Street – at least in this one.) As mentioned above, the first part of the book moved a lot better than the latter parts. This may be due to my reading this book across a week or two, but the ending just dragged. It also felt like a lot of stuff started happening really quickly – so quickly I didn’t even care that much and wasn’t invested in it. I think the pacing could’ve been changed slightly, and maybe I would’ve enjoyed it better. And the climax? I liked how it tied things together, but it all came about too quickly, and I had kind of forgotten about the villain by then.
Romance: I’m adding this category today, because this is where things started getting weird. There were just too many instances of the characters lusting after one another. At one point, Daniel had to cut Elizabeth’s corset off because of a medical emergency, and despite the fact she was close to death, he had to think about how beautiful she was and all of this. And then he thinks back to that time throughout the book. Elizabeth also has these weird thoughts about Daniel when they sleep the night in a cave together. Nothing inappropriate occurs, but these instances and thought patterns were just kind of creepy to me. I don’t mind if the characters think the other character is good-looking, but I don’t want to know about their thoughts that are going places they shouldn’t – repeatedly. Give me the romance where they love each, not just because they’re physically attracted, but because they have good character and a love for the Lord.
Moral/Theme: I think the main moral of this was allowing God to shape your dreams. Elizabeth went out West to pursue her dream, but God changed her through her experiences and gave her a better and new objective. However, there was this whole vein of lying throughout the book. Elizabeth knew it was wrong, but she lied to a lot of people both in the town as well as her father. This was never fully addressed. Yes, she ended up telling the truth after a newspaper article was printed with her whole background in it. And we never heard about her telling her dad that everything she’d said to him was a lie. I wouldn’t have had a problem with this if it’d been resolved. She never asked the Lord for forgiveness for all of her lies – it just all kind of sorted itself out. I would’ve liked to see a strong teaching against lying since that was included in the plotline.
Overall, this was an okay read. The historical details about photography and the Battle of Franklin were interesting, and the author obviously did her research! This definitely isn’t my favorite book by Tamera Alexander, but I think I’ll try to read the next book in the series sometime.
February 2, 2022
Cover Reveal: World of Silence by Kaytlin Phillips
Silence. Complete silence. That was all I heard.
Fledge Owenby is a deaf archer struggling to be seen for his potential instead of his disability. When forgotten and left behind during a dragon attack, he thinks it is the chance to prove himself that he has been waiting for. But who knew one trip out of the bunker would change everything?
Saved from evil dragons by a dragoness, Fledge wonders why she would help him and soon discovers how similar they are. He is deaf and she is without fire. Drawn together by a bond, not even he can understand, Fledge and Galexia are unwittingly pulled into adventure.
Betrayal of the highest level, deception, and a war that never should have been. Fledge must find a way to end it all while trying to be seen as the boy he is, instead of the disability he has.
About the Author
Kaytlin Phillips is a homeschool grad who spends her days praising her Savior, reading, writing, blogging and annoying her sisters with random thoughts. She is the fifth child out of seven and resides in the mountains of Western North Carolina.
Her favorite hobbies include writing, reading, hiking, theology, history, blogging, ASL, crotcheting, doodling, and anything she does with her sisters or family.
February 1, 2022
Those with Ears Blog Tour: Review and Interview with Makenzie Gray
What will Takvi do when the End begins?
In the blink of an eye, Takvi’s guardians disappear into thin air, along with thousands more. When the government swiftly moves to cover up the Disappearing, she and her siblings grapple with the truth behind what happened. They’ve been government loyalists their whole lives, but a split in opinions threatens to upend their lives permanently.
And Takvi is trapped in a vacuum where no solution leaves her or her family unscathed, which is the one thing she can’t bear.
The illegal book their guardians left them has answers that agree with her siblings, but Takvi struggles to accept it. When the newly-formed government tightens its grip in eerie prophetic fashion, will she stand up or will she fold? Will any of it matter in the end of the world?
A compelling apocalyptic story on redemption, sibling bonds, and seeking truth in a corrupt world, Those With Ears is the first novel in the Midnight Hour series.
AmazonGoodreadsMy ReviewThose With Ears by Makenzie Gray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
4.5 stars
Wow! This was one intense read. I knew it was going to be exciting, but I could not put this book down. This is one of those read-in-a single day books (even for an average reader like me) – it was that thrilling!
Characters: So many good things to say here! There were two main POVs: Takvi and her brother, Noam. I felt like Takvi definitely was the main character, but Noam was a super strong side character. I loved Takvi’s character arc throughout the book and watching her realize what was true about this crazy world she lived in. (More on that crazy world later.) Her care for her family was so sweet, and her motives were extremely understandable for wanting to just do anything for the good of her family. Noam was a great brother – I’m excited to see what the next book holds for him. And of course the other side characters – Asher, Emet, Isabeau – added a lot of dimension to the story. My favorite side character had to be Emet, mostly because he was enough of a side character that his future was extremely uncertain. You know how it can go with some side characters …
Setting/Plot: I’ve read several dystopian books, but this had to be one of the most “real-life” dystopian books I’ve heard read. (“Real-life” as in this is not so far-off from every person in our world today.) It was dually sobering and terrifying, to be honest, but it really made me start thinking about the direction our world is heading and how these things I read in books are actually closer than I think. So this setting was extremely engaging, and the plot on top of that – basically figuring out how to survive during the end of the world – was intense! The first part of the book was more set-up for the characters, but it didn’t drag. I loved watching people come to know the truth! And the last part … oh my word, hold on tight for that climax! And of course, the cliffhanger … I need the next book!
Moral/Theme: As is probably obvious from the summary of this book, the author adheres to a pre-Tribulation rapture of believers. I’m no expert on end times, so while I might not fully agree with this end-times view, it didn’t bother me for this book. There were really pertinent themes displayed throughout, especially standing up for what is right and doing what is right in the face of almost certain death. The character arcs were also really nice to see, though I would have appreciated a little more detail on (view spoiler)[ Takvi’s conversion. It seemed a little vague – maybe just a little more artsy in the writing of it? (hide spoiler)] However, I really enjoyed the message of this book that is so pertinent to our life today.
Overall, this a gripping, compelling read. I was a little worried about reading it – just because it is a hard topic, and the news we see every day is gloomy enough – but I’m so glad I read this book. Good fiction makes us think, and that’s exactly what this book did. I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series upon its release!
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
VH: Hi, Makenzie, and welcome to the blog! I’m so excited to have you join me today. A big congratulations on the release of Those with Ears ! Tell me a little bit about your writing journey. When did you first start writing?
MG: First of all, thank you so much for having me! I started writing at the age of six and haven’t really stopped since! It’s practically the air I breathe, so I’m always running around with a notebook or the note app on my phone. I self-published my first book in 2016, and have had a variety of novels, short stories, and poems published since then – plus some time spent in college as an opinion columnist for two different publications, which was SO much fun! (But writing fiction is definitely still my favorite.) However, I only recently began my journey under a pen name – which has been a new experience for sure!
VH: What’s the hardest part about writing for you?
MG: Getting started and keeping motivated through the middle of the book for sure. Especially if there are lulls in action that need to be added into the story for the sake of timing (or giving the poor reader a second to catch their breath), I can’t stand it because I want to get back to the exciting parts. A lot of the time, I’ll actually start writing from the end and go backwards, which is a bit unconventional, but it keeps me engaged!
VH: What authors have deeply influenced your writing?
MG: Suzanne Collins for sure. The Hunger Games is a series that I can read and re-read and never get tired of! J.R.R. Tolkien is another favorite as well as C.S. Lewis. I also have to give a shout-out to another indie author, Angela R. Watts, because her tenacity and ability to write hard-hitting, gritty, and deeply hopeful novels is just awe-inspiring.
VH: What’s one of your best pieces of advice for an aspiring author?
MG: Get started, and keep going! Write down why you want to write this story, why it weighs so heavily on you to be written, and keep that close by so if you get discouraged, you’re reminded of your purpose. Don’t give up, and for the first draft, don’t even think about what others might think about your story. There will be plenty of time to think about that later.
VH: What’s your favorite type of character to write?
MG: Oh boy. I have a lot of tropes and types and personalities that I adore, haha! Most of all, I think I love taking grumpy characters, ones who have been hardened by the world, and softening them up. It really speaks to me, and I hope it speaks to others as well. On the other hand, in Those With Ears as well as the sequel, I’m kind of mixing it up a bit – introducing a soft character that has to toughen up a bit to survive – and I ended up so obsessed with his perspective that I gave him a much larger role in the novel. His name is Noam, so keep your eyes peeled if you read the book!
VH: At what point did you realize you wanted to publish? How did you decide to go with indie publishing?
MG: I wanted to go indie as soon as I realized that I could! I started pursuing that in my teens. I wanted to be published somehow from a very early age, but indie publishing really opened up the opportunity for me. I chose indie because I write “against the grain” of what a lot of publishing houses currently accept or request, and I like that freedom. Talking about God’s infallible Truth isn’t always easy or acceptable in our society, but indie publishing allows me to do just that. It’s a LOT of work, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
VH: Tell me a little bit about Those with Ears !
MG: Those With Ears is about a group of teens who watch the world and government they trusted turn against them, and the sacrifices they realize they must make in order to survive, both in the present and for eternity. It’s equal parts sobering and encouraging (I hope), and finding out who your real friends, your “ride-or-die” folks are, and exploring sibling bonds. It’s something so completely different from what I’d normally write (which is why I stemmed off into a pen name for this series)! It’s also a bit of a battle cry for people to deepen their faith in the here and now because this world is just so temporary – and things you never expected can happen in the blink of an eye.
VH: What made you choose to write a dystopian novel? What are your favorite elements of writing in that genre?
MG: It’s a funny story, actually. I love reading dystopian, but never could really come up with a solid plot for my own. A couple years back, I got it in my head that I needed to work on something based on the book of Revelation, but that really creeped me out. I didn’t understand Revelation, hadn’t really studied it, didn’t really WANT to study it because there’s a lot of weird stuff in there, haha! But no matter what I did, I couldn’t get the idea out of my head. I sat down and told God that if He was nudging me to do this, then I had to politely decline, because I didn’t know what I was doing with Revelation materials. I kid you not, a few months later, my church’s new pastor and I were talking and he asked what I thought about his plan to do a sermon series on the entirety of Revelation. (I laughed at him because I couldn’t believe it. Oops.) So…I guess I didn’t choose to write this book and genre so much as God told me to xD While I worked on Those With Ears and now, the sequel, I’m finding that it’s so enjoyable to add hope juxtaposed against absolute horrors. In one scene in Those With Ears, there’s a massive pile-up car wreck that the main characters are traipsing through, and a believer points out that the sun glinting off oil and gasoline creates a rainbow – relating to God’s use of a rainbow after the Flood. And being able to take a character as world-hardened and hurting as my main character, Takvi, is, and seeing how she reacts to the new horrors around her – it’s so interesting and, in a weird way, encouraging. I hope it’s the same for other readers.
VH: What do you hope readers will take away from your writing?
MG: That there’s always hope – and we never know what impact we’ll have on someone if we just take the time to share the Gospel with them. You were made for such a time as this, even if your circumstances feel impossible.
VH: What do your upcoming projects look like?
MG: The sequel to Those With Ears, titled Let Them Hear, is currently in the works for a release later this year! I’m also working on a timeline for several smaller collections, novellas, and short stories, so stay tuned! Thanks so very much for having me today.
VH: You’re so welcome! Thanks for chatting with me today, and congrats again!
About the Author
Makenzie Gray is a Christian writer and editor hailing from the state of Pennsylvania. She is fascinated by forensic and behavioral psychology, and feeds her obsessions through the creation of novels that ask the hard-hitting topics that dig into the core of why we do what we do – and reminds us of Who reigns above all our human motivation. She spends her free time trying to keep plants alive (unsuccessfully) and taking care of several cats (successfully).
Connect!@authormakenziegray
January 31, 2022
Cover Reveal: DECEIVED by Madisyn Carlin
Coming April 26, 2022!
In a land built upon lies and deception, uncovering the truth can be deadly.
Therese Westa is sick of death, but taking lives is what provides for her younger sisters. When a client approaches her with an unusual request, Therese takes the job offer, which includes the condition of “no questions asked”. As Therese uncovers the reason for the request, she is faced with a choice: kill an innocent man or save her sisters.
Therese’s hesitation to carry out the assassination thrusts her into the aftermath of a dangerous chain of events. Caught between security and truth, Therese must choose where her loyalties lie, for the answer will determine who survives.
Cover Design by Lynnette Bonner of Indie Cover DesignAbout the Author
Madisyn Carlin is a Christian, homeschool graduate, blogger, voracious bookdragon, and author. When not spending time with her family or trekking through the mountains, she weaves tales of redemption, faith, and action.
Connect!Instagram handle: madisyn_carlin
Interview: Rebecca Trump, Author of At Last My Love
Kelly Anders had lost yet another relative when her cousin died in a fatal car crash. Now, she’s promised herself to do her utmost for her cousin’s husband and children. Daily she brings faithful diligence, giving kindness and love to them with her whole heart. But deep inside, she feels selfish and hypocritical in her care of them, clinging to the knowledge that they are the only family she has left. Without them, she would be completely alone. What caught her by surprise, was fighting against a strong attraction for her late cousin’s husband.
Brent McKenzie had promised himself he would never marry again. He would care for his children without help. But he has a soft spot for his cousin-in-law, Kelly, who has lost all of her immediate family, save his children. She’s utterly alone in the world and he wants to help the sweet natured young woman, as she helps his kids with their grief. But he doesn’t need her or anyone else to help him. He doesn’t even need God…does he?
AmazonGoodreadsInterview with RebeccaVH: Hi, Rebecca, and welcome to the blog! I’m so excited to have you join me today. A big congratulations on the release of At Last My Love ! Tell me a little bit about your writing journey. When did you first start writing?
RT: Thank you for having me on your blog, Vanessa, and the opportunity to speak of my novel. I started out creating stories to entertain myself. Being a mother of three sons, my first two sons were very close in age, and I found myself too busy to read or even watch much television. As I was ironing one day, it occurred to me that I could make up my own stories seeing as how my hands were forever busy but my mind had room to wonder. Within 4 years, I had 5 detailed stories floating around in my mind. And that was just the start.
VH: What’s the hardest part about writing for you?
RT: The prose. “Showing” the story to the reader instead of “telling” the tale. Engaging the reader’s senses into the character’s mind and senses. I hope everyone will see much improvement in time.
VH: What authors have deeply influenced your writing?
RT: Oh, my. So many. Although I only have one story set in Regency time, I feel so inspired by Julie Klassen, Michelle Griep, and Erica Vetsch. Their writing is so tremendously good. My first book I ever wrote was set in 1870s Texas, and it will be the first in a series of 10 books (I hope). Recently, Karen Witemeyer’s writing has inspired me to work on that series.
VH: What’s one of your best pieces of advice for an aspiring author?
RT: If the author is a Christian, then the most important thing is to seek God’s guidance and wisdom for what stories to write. Pray before you write and let Him guide you. Otherwise, don’t give up. Keep writing. It may take a long season, but finally reaching your goal is worth all the work and tiring hours at the computer.
VH: What’s your favorite type of character to write?
RT: For the heroine, a kind-hearted, if a bit stubborn woman with a tendency to help those in need. For the hero, a rather reserved, even brooding fellow with a quiet courage. A real man’s man.
VH: At what point did you realize you wanted to publish? How did you decide to go indie?
RT: I realized I wanted to publish my stories about 20 years ago, yet life was a little too busy then. Last year I decided I could indie publish my work, seeing how many are doing so now. Indie publishing makes it easier to let people see your writing and know your voice.
VH: Tell me a little bit about At Last My Love !
RT: At Last My Love was the fifth story of my original stories. I now have nearly 30 stories floating around in my head to be written at some point. I was inspired for this novel as I took a walk, while strolling with my youngest son, who was two at the time. It only took me two days to have the outline of the story cemented in my mind, which I quickly proceeded to write down so as not to forget any of the details. My own fear of being alone, with no family, really fed into Kelly’s story. And I was able to feel her struggle at wanting to trust God even when she might be floundering at the thought of being completely alone. With Brent and his mother, Ruth, they were not going to let her feel she wasn’t cared for. They knew she needed someone and they would make sure they were that family she needed. And Brent needed forgiveness, which he felt he had to somehow bring to the table before he spoke to God. We can’t fix ourselves. Jesus does that, and Brent had to come to that realization.
VH: What was the inspiration behind this book?
RT: I had read a description of another book from a secular author–I don’t even remember the author’s name now–but I was unhappy with the story idea. I thought, I don’t think I would like that story. And I never did read it either. However, on the heels of that negative attitude came the beginnings of a story, which became At Last My Love. I can’t explain it, but it just happened. Also, the name of the book was inspired by the song they dance to at the ball. It was “At Last” by Etta James. I actually listened to that song over and over as I wrote that scene. Then I named the book from it with the first four words of the song.
VH: What do you hope readers will take away from your writing?
RT: I always want my stories to wrap the reader with warm feelings of family and love, through good and bad times, and to always find their hope in God, letting Him take center stage in their life. And most assuredly know that the answer to every problem is found in Jesus. That is the most important thing for readers to understand.
VH: What do your upcoming projects look like?
RT: I am editing two other contemporary romances, one set in New York City and the other in Savannah, Georgia. But I have others that are historical which I hope to work on this summer. V
VH: Thanks so much for chatting with me today, Rebecca, and congrats again!
About the Author
Rebecca Trump started her writing as a way to pass the time while doing housework when her children were small, entertaining only herself for a time. As the stories became more intricate, a dream bloomed that she could share them with others through the publishing world. Married to her Army veteran husband for 30+ years, God blessed them with three sons. Rebecca, raised in Tennessee, and her husband from Pennsylvania, yet God still brought them together in His timing. Spending most of their married life up north, they call Tennessee home again.
Connect!Instagram: @blt1984
Twitter: @BeckyTrump
January 29, 2022
Cover Reveal: A Prayer Unanswered by Kellyn Roth
Coming July 16, 2022!
As Alice Strauss enters her first year of marriage, she finds herself wholly unprepared for her new life. In a new country, with a new family, she struggles to find her footing. Difficult relationships and new situations batter her, but she is determined to establish a perfect life with the man she loves.
Unfortunately, perfection seems out of reach. An unexpected tragedy flings Alice out of control, and she struggles to rise from the ruins. Her world seems to be gradually worsening, full of spinning variables and agony beyond anything she has ever experienced.
However, there is hope—in a God who loves her and a future established for her since before time began. Yet the devastation of Alice’s life seems beyond even the touch of grace.
PreorderGoodreads
About the Author
Kellyn Roth is a historical romance & women’s fiction author who writes about the empty places where hope has the most room to grow. Her novels include the inspirational Victorian family saga, The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy, and the Kees & Colliers series, which follows a broken family in the tumultuous years of the first half of the 20th century.
Kellyn is a student of the Author Conservatory, a virtual assistant, and a writing coach. When not building her author career, she is likely getting lost somewhere in the Pacific Northwest with her friends, watching period dramas and facetious comedies, or spending time with her husband.
Connect!New Release: Fled for Refuge by Kristina Hall
Tyranny. Betrayal. Risk.
Tony Dorence works security for a little country church mostly untouched by America’s downward spiral. Untouched, that is, until a car smashes through First Baptist’s front doors and the driver threatens the congregation. Though Tony thwarts the driver’s intentions, this seemingly random event sets off a chain reaction that endangers his sister, Merri, and everyone involved with First Baptist.
Merri Dorence, though not a believer, supports much of what First Baptist stands for. As Tony’s world is shaken, she too is dragged into the turmoil.
As everything falls apart around them, will Tony and Merri crumble beneath the pressure or flee to the only One Who can provide them refuge?
I am so excited to get to read this book again! I’m not a huge dystopian person (I might be turning into one, though), but let me assure you this book isn’t all about the entire world imploding or anything. Just the characters’ individual worlds imploding, but that happens in all books. However … I feel as if dystopian books can be a gentle wake-up call – as least they are for me! The stuff the happens in them isn’t so far from our world today, but it’s what could happen tomorrow.
So check out Fled for Refuge – you won’t be disappointed. You’ve got amazing characters, a heart-pounding plot, and glorious truth. And for now, I’ll try to bide my time and wait for my print copy!
January 28, 2022
Review: At Last My Love by Rebecca Trump
At Last My Love by Rebecca Trump
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
3.5 stars
I don’t read a ton of contemporary romances, but recently, I have been enjoying that genre. So when I was asked to review this book, I took the chance!
Characters: Kelly was a definite favorite character for me. She had some realistic fears about being left alone in the world after much of her family had died. It seemed very realistic that she would cling to her only remaining family, her cousin-in-law, his two children, and his parents. Kelly was a very sweet young lady – and a teacher, too, which made me feel some comradery with her! – and the way she cared for her family was impressive. And that girl could cook! Wow. She made all kinds of yummy food all the time. So don’t read this book while you’re hungry. Just a warning there. The kids were also sweet – they definitely seemed their age. I didn’t connect well with Brent, though. I appreciated his struggle with forgiving his late wife, but I just never got a good grasp on who he really was.
Plot: The plot of this book was very chill, as contemporary romances usually should be! There was enough character development that it kept the ball rolling, though, and it didn’t drag much. I will say the plot kind of revolved around their romance (it’s contemporary romance, so what am I expecting?), but there were also some interesting side plots along the way, too.
Romance: This was an area I really struggled with. I enjoy romance, but it has to be a light romance for me to really get into it. There was just a lot of touching and hugging and kissing that felt a little much for me – nothing inappropriate happened, but it just seemed like a lot between cousin-in-laws, especially considering there was a ten year age gap between them. However, this book stayed clean, though there were a few compromising situations and mentions of unfaithfulness and physical relations before marriage.
Moral/Theme: Throughout the book, Kelly and Brent went to church and prayed, which was a great breath of fresh air from some books that claim to be Christian. I especially appreciated the verses that were included throughout the book. Kelly depended on the Lord and trusted Him in spite of discouraging circumstances. One part of the moral that I did feel quite uncomfortable with, though, was the inference that Brent had somehow lost his salvation and had to get resaved. I’m not sure if maybe he just recommitted his life to the Lord, but sometimes it felt like he had lost his salvation. The Bible teaches that we are held by the Lord, and He will never let us go. (John 10:27-29)
Overall, this was a nice debut from Rebecca Trump. I think we’ll see many more books in the near future from her!
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
