Cynthia Marcano's Blog, page 4

Review: Until the Dawn by Elizabeth Camden

Until The Dawn
Author - Elizabeth Camden
Rating - 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend: Probably NotBack Cover...A volunteer for the newly established Weather Bureau, Sophie van Riijn needs access to the highest spot in her village to report the most accurate readings. Fascinated by Dierenpark, an abandoned mansion high atop a windswept cliff in the Hudson River Valley, Sophie knows no better option despite a lack of permission from the absent owners.

The first Vandermark to return to the area in sixty years, Quentin intends to put an end to the shadowy rumors about the property that has brought nothing but trouble upon his family. Ready to tear down the mansion, he is furious to discover a local woman has been trespassing on his land.

Instantly at odds, Quentin and Sophie find common ground when she is the only one who can reach his troubled son. There's a light within Sophie that Quentin has never known, and a small spark of the hope that left him years ago begins to grow. But when the secrets of Dierenpark and the Vandermark family history are no longer content to stay in the past, will tragedy triumph or can their tenuous hope prevail?

What I Loved...I am always amazed how author Elizabeth Camden manages to give her heroines truly unique jobs and interests. Hobbies and positions that I would have never thought of. Heroine Sophie is no different as a volunteer weather analyst.

One of my favorite reasons for always reading Elizabeth Camden's books is her ability to add a spiritual connection to the plot without it being preachy or pushy. It flows so well. Until The Dawn was no exception.

What I Liked...True to her previous novels, Camden offers a wide variety of characters that jump off the pages. Better yet, they bring you into the story and you feel like you know these people, so much so that it is hard to believe that have never once existed in reality.

Other...I enjoyed both main characters Sophie and Quentin...separately. Together, they just didn't mesh well for me. Often times I found that story had no main purpose and dragged on. I think that is because I wasn't fond of Sophie and Quentin's love story. It lacked that something special that makes me root for characters even though in the end I know they end up together. I still want to root for them. I still want to feel the torment of their struggle and the giddiness of a knowing glance shared between a man and heroine. I just didn't get that with Until The Dawn.  The build up took way too long and the ending was rushed.

I love the cover as I usually do with Elizabeth Camden books.

I will continue to read her work as I have enjoyed all her others and hope this to be an isolated case. To be certain, I reread two of her previous books and fell right back in line with loving her work.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher through Netgalley. The opinion of this book is my own and I was not paid or compensated for my review.

Review: Whispers In The Reading Room by Shelley Gray

Whispers In The Reading Room
Author - Shelley Gray
Rating - 4.0 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend: YesBack Cover...Just months after the closure of the Chicago World’s Fair, librarian Lydia Bancroft finds herself fascinated by a mysterious dark-haired and dark-eyed patron. He has never given her his name; he actually never speaks to a single person. All she knows about him is that he loves books as much as she does.

Only when he rescues her in the lobby of the Hartman Hotel does she discover that his name is Sebastian Marks. She also discovers that he lives at the top of the prestigious hotel and that most everyone in Chicago is intrigued by him.

Lydia and Sebastian form a fragile friendship, but when she discovers that Mr. Marks isn’t merely a very wealthy gentleman, but also the proprietor of an infamous saloon and gambling club, she is shocked.

Lydia insists on visiting the club one fateful night and suddenly is a suspect to a murder. She must determine who she can trust, who is innocent, and if Sebastian Marks—the man so many people fear—is actually everything her heart believes him to be.

What I Loved...Not what I expected! Admittedly, this is my first read by Shelley Gray although I have seen many of her books. From the beginning of the book I was surprised, partly because I judged the book by its cover (Tsk Tsk Tsk) and mostly because I never imagined the story to unfold as it did. Whispers in The Reading Room is far from unpredictable and I love that! I love romance and this book has plenty of it in an unconventional way.

What I Liked...The characters were written well and not your average "hero" and "heroine". They were very, very flawed, but I couldn't help but get caught up in their story and cheer for them.

Lately I've been reading a lot of books centered or including Chicago's World Fair and that isn't necessarily a good thing. However, this book took a completely different approach having set the place after the fair's end. I enjoyed a sneak peek into life after the fair.
Other...Shamefully I admitted that I judged the book by the cover, which I do like by the way, but I don't believe the cover or the title actually capture this book. The whispering that take place in the reading room is a very minor part of the book.

One of my pet peeves is Christian Fiction not encompassing the Christian part of Christian Fiction. To mem without a character coming to the feet of Jesus or solving a problem through faith or something along those lines, I don't consider it Christian Fiction. Unfortunately Gray missed the mark on that aspect. So if you are looking for an unpredicatable clean romance, I recommend Whispers In The Reading Room. If you are looking for a more faith inspired book, this isn't the book for you.


Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher through Netgalley. The opinion of this book is my own and I was not paid or compensated for my review.

Review: Love's Sure Dawn by Naomi Rawlings

Love's Sure Dawn
Author - Naomi Rawlings
Rating - 5 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend: A Big Fat Yes!!Back Cover...No matter how hard she tries to help, Rebekah Cummings always ends up causing more problems than she solves. This time, though, things will be different. She'll find a way to pay her family's debts, even if doing so requires leaving Eagle Harbor. Maybe then they'll start treating her as a capable woman who makes her own choices.

Gilbert Sinclair is going to marry an heiress. With his latest business venture sunk at the bottom of Lake Superior, he needs money to replace the steamship he lost, so he heads to Chicago where his father's business connections should land him a suitable wife. Like most things in his meticulously planned life, everything goes as expected—until he discovers Rebekah Cummings working as the new cook on his ship.

Rebekah well remembers the pain she endured the last time she tried trusting Gilbert, and Gilbert can't afford to pursue the love of a working class woman. But they can't stop the forgotten feelings swirling between them—or ignore the sacrifices they'd both have to make for a future together.
If you love Christian romance, small towns, and historical places that come alive on the page, then you will love Love's Sure Dawn.

What I Loved...Love's Sure Dawn is one of those rare books where I loved both main characters. Rebekah Cummings is a sassy heroine that goes after what she believes in. She is a strong character that I couldn't help but root for her wholeheartedly.

My love for hero character Gilbert Sinclair astounds me. If you read Love's Evey Whisper (Naomi's previous novel in which Gilbert is also a central character -you can read my review HERE) - you can fully appreciate my astonishment. How Naomi managed to make me fall in love with the same Gilbert in this novel still boggles my mind. Naomi did such a great job not changing the essence of Gilbert keeping him a true and consistent character from one book to the next. She took me on a journey to discover why Gilbert was worth loving despite his many flaws all without changing who he was. That's great writing.

Full of romance, a little action/suspense, comical moments and inspiration, its one of my favorite reads of the year.What I Liked...The introduction to new characters (and future lead characters) was seamless and not forced. There were a few "I didn't see that coming" moments which are always a treat.

Other...The cover is lovely and I pictured Rebekah that way throughout the book which is rare for me. Most of the time I have a whole different picture in my head of what characters look like. Love's Sure Dawn is a stand alone novel, BUT I suggest reading Love's Every Whisper first!  It will enhance your reading experience, especially for Gilbert's story.

So Naomi released three books within a very short amount of time. Yay! Her next book in the series isn't due to be released until winter 2016 (I think)...Booooo!

Naomi you spoiled me with quick release dates. I may never recover having to wait a year! As a writer I completely understand. As a fan, I am crushed.

If you haven't rad any of the books in the series, pick them all up, you won't be disappointed.


Disclaimer: This book was provided by the author in an exchange for a review. The opinion of this book, is my own and I was not paid or compensated for my review.

Review: Love's Every Whisper by Naomi Rawlings

Love's Every Whisper
Author - Naomi Rawlings
Rating - 4 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend: YesBack Cover...Victoria Donnelly is, as always, a failure. With five years of failed courtships behind her and the calendar inching closer to another birthday, Victoria's determined to redeem herself and snag a proposal from a wealthy childhood acquaintance, Gilbert Sinclair. But returning to Eagle Harbor stirs up long forgotten memories. And worse, old affection for her betrothed's enemy.

Elijah Cummings has loved Victoria for fifteen years. But fishermen's sons don't marry shipping barons' daughters. He knows it. She knows it. The entire town knows it. Resolved to keep his distance from Victoria, Elijah focuses on establishing a much needed life-saving station, risking his own life by rescuing sailors stuck aboard shipwrecks.

He knows how to save drowning sailors, but how is he to save a woman from the biggest mistake of her life—without destroying both their hearts in the process?

What I Loved...I am quite used to reading about hero's that may start off badly and end up capturing my heart. I am also used to reading about hero's that are good and loving and capture my heart. I am not used to hero's that are good and loving and then not so good and still capture my heart. Naomi did a great job crafty perfectly human characters.

Love's Every Whisper has a few sharp turns that took the book in a way I never anticipated. Those moments kept me reading past my bedtime.

What I Liked...From my recollection, this is the only book I have ever read with a water life-saving rescue squad. I was so pleased to read a book with a new aspect, especially from a historical setting. Pleasantly surprised!

Love's Every Whisper is part of a series but is easily read as a stand-alone book.
Other...The cover is lovely.

This is my first read by Naomi but it won't be my last.  I found a new author to add to my "Will Read" list. I am looking very forward to the next installment in the Eagle Harbor Series.



Disclaimer: This book was provided complimentary by the author  The opinion of this book is my own and I was not paid or compensated for my review.

Guest Reviewer: Street God by Dimas Salaberrios

Street God
Author - Dimas Salaberrios
Rating - 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend: YesBack Cover...His street name was Daylight. But he was a nightmare. On the streets of New York, darkness and violence reigned. Dimas “Daylight” Salaberrios popped his first pill when he was eleven years old, and just days later, he was selling drugs to his schoolmates. By fifteen, he was facing time at the notorious Rikers Island Prison. It was never safe to turn your back, and Dimas saw only one chance to survive: to become a street god. He would be the richest, most powerful ruler in the hood . . . or die trying.

But in one terrifying moment, with a gun pointed at his head, Dimas had to decide: How far would he go? Was he finished taking reckless chances to rule as a god of the streets? Would he dare to entrust his life to the real God—an even riskier path? Because that God would send Dimas back down the darkest streets he’d ever known on a rescue mission after those still in danger.

Street God is the true story of one man’s against-all-odds journey from the streets to the altar and back again. A modern-day The Cross and the Switchblade for a new generation, it reveals that we’re never too far gone for God to change us—and shows how a single spark can illuminate even the darkest existence.


Review"The book truly is about a street God. What I love about the book was the reality in which in which he lived his life. I am familiar with lifestyle and have lived some of it.  I come from the same place that Daylight came from. Daylight is an amazing guy and connected to him a lot. He has overcome so many trials in his life. He is a perfect example how God allows you to go through the bad choices in life but can bring you out of them. God perfectly had a purpose for him.  I was amazed that while the book was all about drugs, murder, gang life, deception and law breaking, the language was clean. The only thing I would change about this book is the lack of attention his daughter received in the book. I'm not sure why. I would have liked to have seen more of that relationship. Even still, this is the kind of book I love to read.  I am happy that he shared his story. It is very uplifting." MD


Thanks for the guest review MD!


Disclaimer: This book was provided complimentary by the Tyndale. The opinion of this book is my own and I was not paid or compensated for my review.

Review: Love In The Details by Becky Wade

Love In The Details
Author - Becky Wade
Rating - 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend: Yes!!Back Cover...When Josh returns to his hometown of Martinsburg, Texas, to help his best friend get married, he didn’t intend to run into church wedding coordinator—and ex-girlfriend—Holly. He can’t help but pine after the girl he never got over.

Holly broke up with Josh years ago in an attempt to ensure his future success. But she loved him then and still loves him now. As she helps him plan his best friend’s wedding, she can’t help but feel horrible for the pain she caused him. And even though she longs to be with Josh, she doesn’t feel worthy of his big-time lifestyle when she is more comfortable in her small town world. Will Josh and Holly be able to keep things as they are when their true feelings threaten to surface at every turn?

What I Loved...True to Becky Wade fashion, there are lots of  what I like to call "Just Kiss Her Already!" moments. There are also some "Just Admit Your Love!" moments too. I LOVE these kinds of moments. With Love In The Details being a novella, I didn't have to wait long for them or the ending.

What I Liked...Josh is adorably nerdy and brooding and yet a softy. Becky knows how to write a hero well.

Love In The Details can probably hold me over until Becky's next full-length release, although she should probably get a move on.

Other...I know this book is part of a collection and I get that is the reason for the cover. BUT that doesn't mean I have to like it. I love Becky's usually cute covers and this fell flat. It's not a bad cover, just lacking Becky's signature look. I probably wouldn't buy this book based off the cover.

All in all, if you are looking for a fun, romantic and short read, this is one to definitely get. I truly enjoyed it.




Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher through Netgalley. The opinion of this book is my own and I was not paid or compensated for my review.

Review: Love Everlasting by Tracie Peterson

Love Everlasting
Author - Tracie Peterson
Rating - 3.75 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend: Back Cover...Growing up in a Seattle bridal finishing school never prepared Abrianna Cunningham to become one of the brides, but now Wade Ackerman, who has always been the reliable boy next door, is indicating he wants to be more than friends. And even the people closest to Abrianna believe Wade is the man she should marry. So why is she having such a hard time choosing between Wade Ackerman and Priam Welby?

Watching Welby's relentless pursuit of Abrianna is making Wade's blood boil. Welby can offer her wealth and security, but what about character and integrity? Surely Abrianna can see past Welby's smooth tongue and fine clothes. Can't she?

Caught between the devil and the boy next door, either choice she makes will change Abrianna's life forever.

What I Loved...Protaganist Abrianna Cunningham is quite the character. She has always been my favorite in the Seattle Brides Series. She is uniquely different than most heroines I read.

What I Liked...I have been waiting for Abrianna's story and I was happy to read her character shine once again in the book, even if only for some of the book.

Other...Love Everlasting has turned into a hard book for me to review. After waiting so long for this book, I found the first half of the book so disappointing. While reading, I kept wondering how sad I would be typing up my not so favorable blog post. BUT thankfully I continued reading and the second half of the book is much better. The character that I came to really like, Abrianna, was written as I have come to remember and enjoyed reading in previous books.

The back cover synopsis isnt really the best description of the book. The plot is better than what is described.

All in all, if the first half of this book was cut out, I would have really enjoyed this book much more, however I am grateful that it did get better.

The cover is nice, but this is how I have always pictured Abrianna.

Brides of Seattle Series Reviews


Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher through Netgalley. The opinion of this book, is my own and I was not paid or compensated for for my review.

Review: A Sapphire Season by Lynn Morris

A Sapphire Season
Author - Lynn Morris
Rating - 3 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend: Not SureBack Cover...Lady Mirabella Tirel, the beautiful daughter of the Marquess of Camarden, takes a practical approach to love since a dashing captain broke her heart at age 17. Now at almost 22 years old, she has decided to endure one last London season to secure a suitable engagement and begin a simple life in the country.

Sir Giles Knyvet is Mirabella's oldest friend and her most dependable ally, and he is also secretly in love with her. Yet he knows the prospect of a relationship is doubtful: Besides being a mere baronet, he aims to settle a large family debt before sharing his feelings with her. But as Mirabella draws close to a suitable match, Giles may need to interfere to buy himself more time.
Thoughts:I have decided to bypass my customary What I Love, Like and Other for this book because I simply confused. It's funny because I read through the book quickly and the more I read, the more I became unsure if I liked it or not. Two days after I finished reading the book, I kept thinking about the main hero Giles Knyvet. Why, I am sot sure. Here is what I do know.

Throughout most of the book heroine Lady Mirabella, is sorting through his list of prospects to find a husband. Throughout most of the book we see her with other gentleman courting her. I found this rather aggravating. How was I supposed to root for her and Giles to be together, if I hardly read of them together, other than in the beginning and the end of the book. I didn't mind the courting with other men, but maybe if the hero of the book was actually in the book more, I would have found the book more loveable as opposed to likeable. After reading the book and rereading last sentence of the back cover blurb, I don't get that impression at all and is a bit misleading.

On the other hand, the book moved quickly, it wasn't a slow read. I found that I really enjoyed the bits with Giles and would have liked to have read more with him.

Lynn is a good writer, this plot just left me wanting more. I would definitely read more from her, as this was my first Lynn Morris book. Yes, apparently I have been on another planet - I know!!


Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher through Netgalley. The opinion of this book, is my own and I was not paid or compensated for for my review.

Free For Kindle - Eyes On Him

Just Updated & FREE  A few years ago while mentoring my niece and bible study class student, we had a funny discussion about boys. She spilled her girl problems and I joked that one day I would write a book about her feelings. It was a joke at first, but the more I spoke about it, the more I felt led to do it. So I "wrote" a book and had it printed. It was just for the girls in my class to read.  I had gotten so much positive feedback that I attempted to polish up the story because I had also gotten lots of negative feedback...editing being the number one negative. After many rounds of editing, I think I finally got it...hopefully! Self-Publishing is hard work!

Here is my first book, Eyes On Him. It is free on Kindle until Monday, September 7. If you have a prior version, I was told you can delete it from Kindle and download the new one. I'm not sure how true that it, however.

Hope you enjoy it.

Eyes On Him

Waiting on Wednesday - September 2, 2015

 
Growing up in a Seattle bridal finishing school never prepared Abrianna Cunningham to become one of the brides, but now Wade Ackerman, who has always been the reliable boy next door, is indicating he wants to be more than friends. And even the people closest to Abrianna believe Wade is the man she should marry. So why is she having such a hard time choosing between Wade Ackerman and Priam Welby?

Watching Welby's relentless pursuit of Abrianna is making Wade's blood boil. Welby can offer her wealth and security, but what about character and integrity? Surely Abrianna can see past Welby's smooth tongue and fine clothes. Can't she?

Caught between the devil and the boy next door, either choice she makes will change Abrianna's life forever.

Why I Am WaitingI have read the first two books in the Brides of Seattle Book Series by Tracie Peterson and from the very first book, Abrianna has been my favorite character. In fact, her storyline is the only reason I finished the first book - Steadfast Heart. The second book in the series, Refining Fire, was better than the first and added my interest in Abrianna's storyline. Abrianna's storyline is finally being told in the third book - Love Everlasting and I am super excited to read it.

Her character is funny, charming, devout, determined, yet naive when it comes to the heart and men.

Here is how I picture Abrianna: