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Reading Superstars (Team Two) ~ Reviews/Puzzle
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The Captive Heart by Michelle Griep.
Read: November 6-9, 2016
Rating: Three Stars
Review:
I liked this novel, but didn't love it. The characters were great. Samuel is a fabulous hero. Eleanor is a likable young lady and Biz is a fabulous extra character. I think what fell a bit short for me was that there was something disjointed about the story or writing. The novel started off very strong and then my interest began to taper.
Overall, it was a good read and I would definitely read another novel by this author.
Puzzle piece requested: 125
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Unwritten Melody
Read 11/10
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
PPILR:"
What piece would you like removed??
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Can't Help Falling
Read: November 9-12, 2016
Rating: Four stars
Review:
Kara Isaac's sophomore novel was witty and engaging.
While I found Can't Help Falling to not be as filled with humor as Close to You, there were still lots of laughs among the pages. In continuing a comparison, the story in Can't Help Falling was deeper. I was so pleased to get up to date on Allie and Jackson along with getting to know Peter and Emelia.
What a brave undertaking for the author to set the story at Oxford which she has never visited! I haven't been their either so if there were any elements out of character for the geography, this American missed them!
In Peter and Emelia's story we learn about making mistakes, recovering from them and the ultimate Authority for forgiveness. I especially loved the dry humor, the way Peter and Emelia meet and how the story ends. A delightful tale!
I really love Kara's voice and look forward to what she offers next.
Puzzle piece requested: 135
Not yet. Should I read that one first?
I would read Close To You first as the main characters in it are secondary in Can't Help Falling. I liked Close To You a hair more, but both are very good.
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Ocean's Apart by Karen KingsburyRead 11/12-11/13
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
PPILR: 127
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A Grave Matter by Anna Lee Huber
Read: November 12-15, 2016
Rating: Four Stars
Review:
n the third Lady Darby mystery, we get exposed to the border area between Scotland and England. Scottish holidays and traditions of the time add to the appeal of the novel.
While the mystery was a good one, I enjoyed the character development of Kiera and Gage even more. Lovely.
I look forward to the next in the series.
Puzzle piece requested: 136
Newton and Polly
Read - Oct 21-23
Review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Piece to remove - 124
Lightning 
Read - OCt 29 - Nov 1
Review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Piece to remove - 123
Read Nov 11 - Nov 11
Piece to remove - 122
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Veil of Secrets by Shannon Ethridge and Kathryn Mackel
Read: November 16-19, 2016
Rating: Four Stars
Review:
Veil of Secrets has several story lines which revolve around sexual themes. I share that up front as this novel will not appeal to all or be appropriate for all ages.
Veil of Secrets could be read as a standalone novel, however, does pick up with the characters in To Know You.
The background of the novel is the Presidential Primary. Most of the focus is on those involved in the Dave Dawson campaign for the Presidency. That cast of characters includes Will and Melanie Connors, 15 year old daughter Sophie Connors and Will's sister Carrie Connors. There is also a member of the press Tuck Reynolds and a leader of a protest movement Jared O'Dea. Each of these characters has a unique point of view about what is important. Their stories intertwine throughout the novel.
Veil of Secrets carries a compelling story and message in its pages. The ending leaves room for a third book in this series.
I didn't enjoy Veil of Secrets as much as To Know You, however, it was a very good read. I definitely recommend it for readers that enjoy a story with strong spiritual growth with a sexual theme throughout.
I'd like to solve the puzzle. Predator by Terri Blackstock. I've read this one so can't believe it took me this long to figure it out!
Puzzle #24, Puzzle piece requested #35.Thank you!
Saffire by Sigmund Brouwer
Read: November 19-20, 2016
Rating: Four Stars
Review:
Saffire brings to life the building of the Panama Canal and the resulting political moves that took place.
I was drawn in to the novel right away by the main character James Holt and secondary character Saffire. Although the novel is named after Saffire and her story has a lot to do with the action in the novel, she takes up a rather small portion of the pages. I would have liked to have known more about Saffire.
Mr. Holt is a cowboy from the Dakotas trying to make money to save his land. His background as a rancher and soldier combined with his intelligence make him a worth opponent to those trying to mar his time in Panama.
My favorite character aside from Mr. Holt and Saffire was T.B. Miskimon. The relationship between Holt and Miskimon was comical. Miskimon, like many of the characters in the novel, was a historical figure and some of his reports to his colonel are in the novel. Sadly, I couldn't find on the author's website what T.B. stands for so if anyone knows, please share in the comments.
The history of the building of the Panama Canal was brought alive in the pages of Saffire. Readers that enjoy a novel heavy on history would likely enjoy Saffire.
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"Yep. :)
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Read: November 19-20, 2016
Rating: Four Stars
Review:
Saffire brings to life the building of the Panama Canal and the resulting political mov..."
What piece would you like to remove for this book?
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Deadly Encounter by Diann Mills
Read: November 20-23, 2016
Rating: Four Stars
Review:
Quite a twisted suspense novel! Lots of characters and action involved in the solving of the case.
The main characters were Veterinarian Stacy and FBI Agent Alex. My favorite character though was 12 year old Whitt.
Puzzle piece requested: 126
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Child of the River y Irma Joubert
Read: November 23-25, 2016
Rating: Four Stars
Review:
Child of the River is the second novel by South African Author Irma Joubert translated from her native Afrikaans to English. As with The Girl From the Train, this second translated novel spans the course of many years.
There are multiple stories within the pages and main character Persomi is at the center of each of them. This novel is partly a story of overcoming hardship, partially a love story and also a story about South African politics. While I found some of the political story line difficult to follow due to my limited knowledge, it was both interesting and educational.
More compelling for me was the dynamics of Persomi's home life and social status. Her mother in particular, was a frustrating character.
It was a lovely story and I look forward to reading future novels by the author.
My gratitude to Thomas Nelson Zondervan's Fiction Guild for a complimentary copy of the novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
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Read: November 23-25, 2016
Rating: Four Stars
Review:
Child of the River is the second novel by South African Author Irma J..."
What piece would you like removed??
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I'd like to guessTo Begin Anew by Eliza Gerard.
I'm on my phone and can't link the cover
For the assist, here's the cover:
If that is correct, we'd like the last puzzle, puzzle 28.
For my puzzle piece: 35
The Quieting by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Read: November 26-27, 2016
Rating: Four Stars
Review:
Entertaining and heartfelt best describe this second book of the Bishop's Family Series. After finding the first in the series to be just o.k., I was delighted in my enjoyment of reading The Quieting.
In the Quieting, there are a few new characters including David's mother. His mother is known as a meddler and she definitely lives up to that description within the pages of the novel. My favorite character, by far, was Abigail. She is David's niece from Ohio who has come to visit with her grandmother to help "fix things" in David's family. In reality, Abigail has been sent to Stoney Ridge by her family to find a husband. Abigail is singularly focused on a genealogy job that she is helping her father with and has no interest in dating. These lines from the novel describe Abigail "Order was the greatest love in her life. Order and structure. It was unthinkable to her that others didn't hold these values in similar esteem." Likely, I loved Abigail so much because I can relate to her very well. Both of these characters bring a lot of humor to the novel and I found myself laughing out loud at times.
A few stories continue from the first novel: David and Birdy and Katrina and Andy. We also see Jesse continue to mature in The Quieting.
As with The Imposter, there are many spiritual gems in its pages.
It was a fun novel and I highly enjoyed it.
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To Begin Anew by Eliza Gerard.
I'm on my phone and can't link the cover"
Yes it is! You guys just got the last puzzle requested :D updating soon.
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Read: November 26-27, 2016
Rating: Four Stars
Review:
Entertaining and heartfelt best describe this second book of the Bishop'..."
What puzzle piece for this one?
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Read: OCtober 21-23
Rating: 2 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
PPILR: 55