Book Review: Fatal Trauma {LitFuse Blog Tour}

About the book:
Fatal Trauma (Abingdon Press, May 2015)

A gunman who has nothing to lose faces a doctor who could lose it all to prove his innocence.

When Dr. Mark Baker and Nurse Kelly Atkinson are held at the mercy of a dangerous gunman, the lives of every emergency room patient are at stake. At the end of the evening three men are dead. One of them is a police officer who couldn't be saved despite Mark's best efforts. The other two are members of the feared Zeta drug cartel.

Though the standoff is over, the killing is not, because when the drug cartel loses its members, revenge is not far behind. Facing an adversary whose desires are dark and efforts are ruthless, Mark finds himself under suspicion as a killer, yet still a potential victim. When he turns to his high school sweetheart, attorney Gwen Woodruff, for help, Kelly helplessly looks on, as she hides her own feelings for the good doctor.

At the height of the conflict, three questions remain: Who is the shooter? Who will the next victim be? And can Mark prove his innocence before the gun turns on him?

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1AIM9U5

About the author:

A retired physician, Dr. Richard Mabry is the author of seven critically acclaimed novels of medical suspense. His previous works have been finalists for the Carol Award and Romantic Times Reader's Choice Award, and have won the Selah Award. He is a past Vice-President of American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of the International Thriller Writers. He and his wife live in North Texas.


Find Richard online: website, Twitter, Facebook


My thoughts:
Another good book by Mabry! If you are interested in medical mystery, some 'romance', and a Christian backdrop, then I really think you'll like the book. This is the third book by Mabry I've read and I enjoyed it as much as the other two. You can read my reviews of Stress Test and Critical Condition.

You won't get spoilers here in my review but I'll say that once I started reading it was difficult to put the book down. There are a lot of cliche phrases and scenes but that's okay in my opinion because of the way Mabry writes his passion: the medical field. He does well with the mystery and fine with the 'romance' as well. Speaking of romance, fortunately for me, there isn't a heavy dose in this book. It *is* there and we know without a doubt there are some intimate relationships going on but it's not overdone. Also, even though I am a Christian, I find it poor writing for the author to try to cram Christ into the book artificially. I've never felt that with Mabry's writing. It's as it goes in life, I think.

*Disclaimer: I received this book free from LitFuse Blogger for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.

Book Review: Happy to be Alive, Because {LitFuse Blog Hop}

About the book: 

Avery is a seventeen-year-old girl whose reality has just been shattered by the death of her mother. Feeling a desperate need to flee from what has become her life, she follows a travel plan meant for her mom and her that leads her to the little beach town where her mom grew up. It's there that she meets a group of three adventurous friends who adopt her into their circle, allowing her to experience a summer she never thought would be possible after suffering such a great loss. Unfortunately, her summer full of experiences threatens to end abruptly when she realizes that one of the three has a secret that causes her to question everything about the new life she has been building.

Avery must learn to balance her grief and her desire for a future in order to achieve her mother's final wish for her: That she would be happy to be alive.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/xlD3V

About the author: 

Chelsea grew up with an immense love for words---both reading them and writing them. She obtained her degree in English and has spent the time since then getting married to her high school sweetheart and chasing adventure so she'll have something to write about. When she's not drinking copious amounts of coffee while writing, she spends her time reading, playing with her puppy named Gatsby, and dreaming, always dreaming.

Chelsea can be found at: website, Twitter

My thoughts:

I misread the description of this book so when I started reading I was a little confused as events started taking shape. I understood that Avery lost her mom and that she made a trip; a trip planned by her mother before her death. What I misread was the part that Avery met three adventurous friends. I thought it said that Avery met three of her *mom's* friends. That totally makes a big difference in how the book is read. 

Now that my mistake is out there in the open, I'll share my thoughts, which were tainted at first by my lack of good reading/comprehension of the description. Ahem.

It would be very unfair of me to say that I did not particularly care for the book, which for about 3/4 of it I didn't. But after reading the book and thinking about it more, I really appreciate the idea behind the book. Avery is devastated by her mother's death and at first just wants to crawl under the covers until it all is 'better'. But things do not get 'better' when ones we love die. So Avery makes what seems like a hasty decision to take the trip planned out by her mother. It's just another attempt at getting away from reality, but through it God works for the good. 

I could not relate to any of the characters in this book. I'm being purely honest. They are all in their late teens, early twenties {although now that I think of it, I don't recall the ages of anyone but Avery and Lily being mentioned- they probably were}. They do things that are of the 'younger generation' {as if I am 'old' lol; I am over the 30 mark.} that I just don't understand any longer. The dialogue is of this age group as well and seemed to me to be lacking something. It does not mean that it is; i to me it just didn't seem to be very deep. Although books do not have to be deep and philosophical when dealing with this topic. It might be just what someone needs to read.

With all that said, by the time I was 3/4 of the way through, I couldn't put the book down until the end. It's a book that you need to hang in there to the end to get it all. Through Avery's trying to get away from reality, she finds that she really cannot escape it. That is the part I want to take away from the book. 

There is no bad language in the book at all. Good. There is only a moment of disrespect shown, which could possibly be 'excused' due to the circumstances. Realistic. There are a couple 'kissy' scenes but they are very mellow. Good. This is probably best suited to the Millenial generation {teens early twenties?}. Okay. Overall, it has a good theme and ends well {it's not exactly a 'happily ever after ending' but it's not a sad ending- that's all the spoilers I give}. Good. 

I think that Chelsea Jacobs has promise of being a really good writer and I'm interested in where this takes adventure takes her. Read other reviews:  http://litfusegroup.com/author/cjacobs 

***Disclaimer: I received the above book free from LitFuse for the purpose of an honest review. No compensation was given. See Disclosure/Policies.***

Book Review: Critical Condition {LitFuse Blog Tour & Giveaway}

Critical Condition by Richard L. Mabry, M.D. 

ISBN: 9781401687403

Paperback, 328 pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Retail: $15.99

About the book (from the back cover):

It was supposed to be a quiet dinner party with her colleagues -not the scene of a murder.

But the murder of a stranger on her front lawn is only the first in a string of events that have Dr. Shannon Frasier's life teetering on the edge of chaos. She's unable to make the deeper commitment her boyfriend deserves. Her sister shows up at her home needing a place to stay but with no promise she'll remain sober. And her father is diagnosed with cancer.

Then Shannon's life stops teetering and plunges into the abyss. Because the person behind the guttural voice on the phone wants to know what the stranger said before he died. And he won't stop until Shannon gives him the information he wants -even if she doesn't have it. 

He's coming for her. She's not sure the police on the case can be trusted. And her only hope of escape -for herself and for those she loves -is to overcome her buried past. 

About the author: 

A retired physician, Dr. Richard Mabry is the author of four critically acclaimed novels of medical suspense. His previous works have been finalists for the Carol Award and Romantic Times Reader's Choice Award, and have won the Selah Award. He is a past Vice-President of American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of the International Thriller Writers. He and his wife live in North Texas.

Connect with Richard at: http://rmabry.com

My thoughts:

I've read one other Mabry book and I rather enjoyed it. I like his inclusion of emotions, drama, suspense, mystery, and very subtle "romance". He doesn't go overboard on the violence either, even though the reader understands it is there. It is definitely a book that will take you away from the here-and-now for awhile, without letting you get too far away from reality. 

This book was very good for a day's read. There were plot twist that were enjoyable and not impossible. The main character as a preacher's daughter was a nice touch although from the character description, there wouldn't really have been anything, in my mind, to distinguish her from a character who wasn't a preacher's daughter. I thought that was interesting. In the back of the book is a reading group guide and one of the first questions is about PKs {preacher's kid}.

There are other aspects of the book I liked, such as almost all of the main characters had strong beliefs and stood their ground at various points in the story. The inclusion of faith in the book is simple, not over done. I could really imagine some of the scenes actually taking place. 

It was a good book that I'd recommend to others in search of a quick read with an interesting story line and good characters.

Read more reviews: http://litfusegroup.com/author/rmabry 

***Disclaimer: I received the above book for free from LitFuse for the purpose of an honest review. No compensation was given. All opinions stated are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.***

GIVEAWAY!

Richard Mabry's latest medical suspense, Critical Condition, is receiving high praise. USA TODAY says, "Mabry combines his medical expertise with a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat."

Richard is celebrating the release with a Kindle HDX giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• Critical Condition by Richard Mabry

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 11th. Winner will be announced May 13th on Richard's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Richard's blog on May 13th to see if you won.

Book Review: The Queen's Handmaid {LitFuse Blog Tour & Giveaway}

The Queen's Handmaid by Tracy L. Higley*
ISBN: 9781401686840
Paperback, 390 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Retail: $15.99

About the book: From the servant halls of Cleopatra's Egyptian palace to the courts of Herod the Great, Lydia will serve two queens to see prophecy fulfilled.

Alexandria, Egypt 39 BC

Orphaned at birth, Lydia was raised as a servant in Cleopatra's palace, working hard to please while keeping everyone at arm's length. She's been rejected and left with a broken heart too many times in her short life.

But then her dying mentor entrusts her with secret writings of the prophet Daniel and charges her to deliver this vital information to those watching for the promised King of Israel. Lydia must leave the nearest thing she's had to a family and flee to Jerusalem. Once in the Holy City, she attaches herself to the newly appointed king, Herod the Great, as handmaid to Queen Mariamme.

Trapped among the scheming women of Herod's political family---his sister, his wife, and their mothers---and forced to serve in the palace to protect her treasure, Lydia must deliver the scrolls before dark forces warring against the truth destroy all hope of the coming Messiah.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/uKKQP

About the Author: Tracy L. Higley started her first novel at age eight and has been hooked on writing ever since. She has authored many novels, includingGarden of Madness and So Shines the Night. Tracy is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Ancient History and has traveled through Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Italy, researching her novels and falling into adventures. 

See Tracy's travel journals and more at: tracyhigley.com

My thoughts:
I rather liked the book. It is set during a very turbulent time in history with a lot of death. Higley writes about this time very well, without overemphasizing the gruesome and instead on a couple of characters. I did not like the way the book ended but I don't really know if it would have been a good idea to continue past the point that she did. Probably not. 

I thought it done well enough that I let my daughter read it as well. One thing that I really liked is the Higley took well-known characters from history and wove them into her story. Another thing is that I didn't really find the book to be 'predictable', even though it is historical fiction and the events actually took place in the past. She kept you guessing what would happen next. 

I liked the book and would recommend it to others. I have also read City on Fire, which I enjoyed as well, by Tracy L. Higley. 

***Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher for free through LitFuse for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own. No compensation was given. This post does contain *affiliate links. See Disclosure/Policies.***

Read more reviews.

And a giveaway:

Tracy L. Higley is celebrating the release of The Queen's Handmaid with a fun giveaway.

Retailers + Resources gave it this glowing review: "Rich in historic detail, Higley’s vivid writing brings to life the plots and intrigues that swirled through the ancient world as alliances were built and broken on the calculated schemes of power-mad monarchs." 

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• The Queen's Handmaid by Tracy L. Higley

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 19th. Winner will be announced April 21st on Tracy's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Tracy's blog on April 21st to see if you won.

Book Review: The Devil Walks in Mattingly {LitFuse Blog Tour}

About the book: For the three people tortured by their secret complicity in a young man's untimely death, redemption is what they most long for . . . and the last thing they expect to receive.

It has been twenty years since Philip McBride's body was found along the riverbank in the dark woods known as Happy Hollow. His death was ruled a suicide. But three people have carried the truth ever since---Philip didn't kill himself that day. He was murdered.

Each of the three have wilted in the shadow of their sins. Jake Barnett is Mattingly's sheriff, where he spends his days polishing the fragile shell of the man he pretends to be. His wife, Kate, has convinced herself the good she does for the poor will someday wash the blood from her hands. And high in the mountains, Taylor Hathcock lives in seclusion and fear, fueled by madness and hatred.

Yet what cannot be laid to rest is bound to rise again. Philip McBride has haunted Jake's dreams for weeks, warning that he is coming back for them all. When Taylor finds mysterious footprints leading from the Hollow, he believes his redemption has come. His actions will plunge the quiet town of Mattingly into darkness. These three will be drawn together for a final confrontation between life and death . . . Between truth and lies.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/ux3hc

About the Author: Billy Coffey's critically-acclaimed books combine rural Southern charm with 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. 

Learn more about Billy at: http://billycoffey.com

My thoughts:

Dark book. It's one of those after I started reading I wondered why I'd chosen it. The beginning of the book is confusing and the reader isn't really given much information as to what is going on. Apparently this book is like the rest of Coffey's books: they are all set in Mattingly. But all can be read as stand-alones. FYI: The Devil Walks in Mattingly is set four years before Coffey's other book, When Mockingbirds Sing. That is a good thing because I'd never even heard of Billy Coffey. However, for those who like a 'good book', this may just be it. The way Coffey writes is gripping. He reaches down into the characters and gives more than just the surface, facade of them. We feel their fears, their hopes, their dreams. We see what they see. Coffey does a very good job at writing. It's just his chosen topic can be a little ...uncomfortable. To me anyway. There are supernatural forces at work in the book. And there are instances of violence although they aren't terribly graphic. 

But the book is so well done that even though I felt it is dark, I kept reading it. I felt that way until somewhere near the middle or three-quarters of the way through. The main characters, Jake and Kate especially, have such a guilt from what they did, or what they contributed to, that it has eaten away at their lives. Other characters include Taylor, who also is tormented by his past, and Lucy, a girl who has spent much of her life simply trying to be loved. They are all connected.

By the end of the book, I enjoyed it much more than at the start. But I think that it is because the way the characters feel- lost, hopeless -comes through in the writing so the reader feels that way as well. Coffey is definitely a good writer. I'd like to read some without the violence and supernatural aspects.

Read other reviews here.

***Disclaimer: I received this book for free from LitFuse for the purpose of an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions stated are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.***

Book Review: The A-Z of C. S. Lewis {LitFuse Blog Tour}

About the book: Published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of C. S. Lewis's death, this complete guide covers all of Lewis' works, from his literary criticism to Narnia.

C. S. Lewis's work is widely known and regarded, but enthusiasts are often only aware of one part of his work-his children's stories and his popular theology; and yet he wrote so much more, including science fiction and literary criticism. This volume brings together all aspects of C S Lewis's life and thought. Arranged in alphabetical order, it begins with The Abolition of Man-written in 1943 and described as "almost my favorite"-to Wormwood, a character in The Screwtape Letters. This book will delight anyone who is interested in C. S. Lewis and wants to learn more about him, his thought, his works, and his life.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/tzmgH 

About the author: Colin Duriez was for many years a commissioning editor at Inter-Varsity Press UK. He has subsequently appeared as a commentator on DVDs of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings, and BBC television's The Worlds of Fantasy. He is also the author of The Inklings Handbook (with the late David Porter), J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis: The Story of Their Friendship, and Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings, and has contributed to definitive reference works relating to Tolkien such as The Tolkien Encyclopedia (Routledge).

Read others' reviews.

My thoughts:

Books I've read by C. S. Lewis include The Chronicle of Narnia and The Screwtape Letters. I have read other books {okay, just one} that are about C. S. Lewis, but none before by Colin Duriez. I did not expect this to be an encyclopedia in the sense that it truly is an encyclopedia, albeit very condensed. I'd hoped for more conversational writing rather than an alphabetized listing from a-z. I was wrong and I just have to go from there. Now, I don't want to give the impression that this is not a good book, but do want to clarify it is an encyclopedia. I did find the book to be very interesting. As I've not read a lot by Lewis, there were entries that I am not familiar with, such as...actually who am I kidding; anything that wasn't from the two books I have read I didn't know about. 

Some of the entries are very short, such as "Lilygloves" {a chief mole in Prince Caspian...; page 172} and "pavender" {a rainbow colored fish found in Narnia...; page 233}. While others are pages long, such as "Owen Barfield" {a close friend of Lewis's; pages 39-42} and "paganism and mysticism in Lewis" {pages 231-233}. 

While it is a nice little encyclopedia, I'm not really sure how often I will actually use it. Perhaps when I come across others' remarks about Lewis's works, I will pull out my little C. S. Lewis encyclopedia and have a better understanding of what they are talking about. 

Disclaimer: I received this book free from LitFuse in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. See Disclaimer/Policies.

Book Review: Shadowed by Grace {LitFuse Blog Tour & Giveaway -ends 2/8/14}

Shadowed by Grace by Cara Putman
About the book: She found peace in a time of war.

Desperate to save her dying mother, an American woman accepts her newspaper's assignment to travel to Italy where she takes photographs dangerously close to the front lines during World War II. But Rachel's real motive in this journey is to find the father she never knew, an artist she hopes can offer the comfort and support both she and her mother need to survive at such a desperate time.

In her quest, Rachel becomes involved with what will become the Monuments Men effort to save great monuments and works of art from the Third Reich. Soon enough she will find more than she ever imagined---in war, in love, and in God.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/sCIbG

About the author: Cara C. Putman graduated high school at 16, college at 20, and completed her law degree at 27. The best-selling author of more than a dozen books, Cara is active in women's ministry at her church, teaches graduate courses at Purdue University, practices law, and is a homeschooling mom. She lives with her husband and 4 children in Indiana.

Learn more about Cara at:http://caraputman.com


My thoughts:
A book based during WWII about an aspect I was unaware. What could be better? I don't think I've read a book by Cara C. Putman before but the name is very familiar.
You can gather from the description that Rachel is not an average Jane. She is quite determined! But not just that, Rachel was a child in a single parent home. She didn't have a father and had to live with the stigma that put on her and her mother for years. That has made her quick to hide herself when she's in new situations.
Going to Europe during WWII was a very bold move on her part but her determination spurs her on in spite of the negative attitudes that surround her. When she gets to her initial post, she just briefly meets a man who makes an impression on her from the start. And vice-versa. You can probably see where that's going.
The very mild romance was the only thing I didn't care for in this book. Otherwise, I found it to be well written, with well developed characters and scenes. Learning just a little about the Monuments Men was a big bonus for me!
I would definitely recommend this to others who enjoy historical fiction. It was well done.

I was given this book for free from LitFuse in exchange for this honest review. No compensation was given. All opinions stated are my own.

Read more reviews here: http://litfusegroup.com/author/cputman

Cara Putman is celebrating her latest historical suspense novel, Shadowed by Grace with a fun "Past & Present" giveaway! 

One winner will receive:

• A Polaroid Instant Camera
• A beautiful antique AFGRA camera (learn more here)
• Movie passes to see The Monuments Men movie (with George Clooney and Matt Damon)
• Shadowed By Grace by Cara Putman

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 8th. Winner will be announced February 10th on Cara's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Cara's blog on the 10th to see if you won.

Book Review: The Painted Table {LitFuse Blog Tour & Giveaway}

About the book: A beautiful heirloom ingrained with family memory has become a totem of a life Saffee would rather forget---a childhood disrupted by her mother's mental illness. 

Saffee does not want the table. By the time she inherits the object of her mother's obsession, the surface is thick with haphazard layers of paint, and heavy with unsettling memories.

After a childhood spent watching her mother slide steadily into insanity, painting and re-painting the ancient table, Saffee has come to fear that seeds of psychosis may lie dormant within her. But as an adult with a family of her own, Saffee must confront her mother's torment if she wants to defend herself against it.

Traversing four generations over the course of a century, The Painted Table is an epic portrait of inherited memory, proclivity, and guilt. It is a sprawling narrative affirmation that a family artifact---like a family member---can bear the marks of one's entire past . . . as well as intimations of one's redemption.

Purchase your copy: http://ow.ly/rIosh

About the author: Suzanne Field, a graduate of the University of Minnesota, has taught English as a Second Language in China, Ukraine, and Hawaii. She has also been a magazine editor and home-school teacher. She and her husband have five children and divide their time between Kansas and Hawaii where she is a tutor and mentor.

Learn more about Suzanne at:
https://www.facebook.com/SuzanneFieldThePaintedTable

My thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book. I was doubtful when I began the book, however. When I started it, it was a little difficult to follow and to get into. I don't really even know when but at some point I was hooked! The style of the book is a little disjointed {at least it felt that way to me}, but I think that it goes along well with the subject. As the book went on, I came to expect it and it felt right.

It begins with a fire, flashbacks to Joann's mother's death, and the table that is there through it all. The table is Joann's refuge through her childhood but it holds so many painful memories for her. Her mother's mental illness, meant to be a secret from her, haunts Joann through her life. Through it all, Saffee is a witness. As she gets older she comes to realize the magnitude all the while worrying that the fate of her mother -and her grandmother- will be hers as well. Through both Joann and, eventually, Saffee's life, they look to God. For whatever reason, Joann cannot find the relief she needs, while Saffee comes closer. 

This book was a bit different than I expected but I am very glad to have read it. It shows, I think, an accurate portrayal of some families that live with mental illness. The characters were well defined and each came to be cared for as I read {with possibly the exception of April- she has such a different personality that I am sure stemmed from the way she was expected to be by her family and the way they treated her because of that}. I would recommend this book to others who are willing to open their hearts and minds to this part of life. Many people do not see this and choose to ignore it if they do. 

***Disclaimer: I received this free from LitFuse for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.***

Read more reviews: http://litfusegroup.com/author/sfield

Suzanne Field is celebrating her novel The Painted Table with a beautiful hand-painted table giveaway!

One winner will receive:

• A beautiful hand-painted table (see it here: http://etsy.me/15L90cD)
• The Painted Table by Suzanne Field

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on January 18th. Winner will be announced January 20th on Thomas Nelson's Facebook Page.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by the TNZ Facebook Page on the 20th to see if you won.

Book Review: Glittering Promises {LitFuse Blog Tour}

Lisa T. Bergren’s popular Grand Tour series concludes as Cora Kensington journeys farther into Italy, wrestles with a terrible ultimatum from her father, and comes to terms with the Father who will never fail her.

{MORE ABOUT GLITTERING PROMISES}

America’s newest heiress must decide if her potential fortune is rationale enough to give up her freedom and all that God is leading her toward. And when her newly-discovered siblings are threatened with ruin, her quandary deepens. Then as Cora nears Rome, more journalists are tracking the news story of the decade—“Copper Cora,” the rags-to-riches girl—and want to know more about her family and the men vying for her attention. Meanwhile, a charming Italian countess decides that if Cora isn’t going to claim Will’s heart, she might just try…

Purchase a copy here.

Find out more at Lisa’s website.
{MORE ABOUT LISA TAWN BERGREN}  Lisa T. Bergren is the award-winning author of over thirty-five books, with more than 2 million copies sold. A former publishing executive, Lisa now divides her time between writing, editing, parenting three children with her husband, Tim, and dreaming of her next trip to Italy. She lives in Colorado Springs.

Find out more about Lisa Tawn at http://lisatawnbergren.com/.

My thoughts:

I read the first two of the Grand Tour series and I'm sad to say I just didn't get into the second and third like I did the first. There is a lot in this book: action, drama (lots of drama), suspense, romance (the part I dislike), smarts, cunning, etc. 

I found I didn't actually like the main characters much by the third book. I did feel they were fairly realistic in their actions and the thoughts they had, which we were privy to thanks to Lisa. I just didn't care for any of them. Also, in this third book I didn't get as into the 'tour' as much as the first book. I felt like I was actually there in the first, not so much in the second and very little in the third. 

Bottom line: I didn't really like this book. Of course, many others have so if you are in the market for a romance with drama and 'smarts', with bits of history tossed in, you might enjoy this.

***Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange this honest review. No compensation was given. See Disclosure/Policies.***

Book Review: Return to Me {LitFuse Blog Tour}

Return to Me by Lynn Austin
ISBN: 9780764208980
Paperback, 460 pages
Publisher: Bethany House
Retail: $14.99

About the book: From the Acclaimed Author of Chronicles of the Kings

After decades of exile, the prophesies are coming true---King Cyrus has declared the Jews may return to Jerusalem. Iddo, a priest, is sure this is a sign of God's renewed favor. For too long they've remained in Babylon, and many, including Iddo's sons, are losing the faith that sets them apart. And so only a few choose to leave everything to return---return to their home and their God.

Nothing about their journey to the Promised Land is easy. As hardships mount, even the faithful, like Iddo's beloved wife, Dinah, question the sacrifice of following God's leading. Zechariah, Iddo's oldest grandson, feels torn between his grandfather's ancient beliefs and the family they left behind. But one life-changing encounter with the Holy One gives him insight that will change Zechariah---and history---forever.

Bringing the Old Testament to vibrant life, Return to Metells the compelling story of two men living by faith in the midst of doubt, the women who love them, and the faithful remnant struggling to rebuild their lives in obedience to the God who beckons them home.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/pfkmh

About Lynn: Bestselling author Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. She is an eight-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels, as well as a popular speaker at retreats and conventions. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and live near Chicago.

You can find out more about Lynn at

http://www.lynnaustin.org/.

My thoughts: 

I really like this book. It's been almost a year since I've read the accounts in the Bible that this story is from but I could recall just about all of it while reading this! The writing style of Austin is very calm and rather predictable; which I enjoy! She gives enough detail in the portions where it something unpleasant has happened, or could happen, that you get an idea but it isn't painted vividly. I think in some respects, the Bible is much more gruesome in some of the recounts. 
Accounts from the Bible mentioned in this novel include 2 Kings 17:24-40 and 25:1-21, Ezra 1-6, Haggai 1-2, Zechariah 1-14 and Daniel 5 and 9. The NIV Bible is used when quoting the scriptures, which made it flow more with the dialogue and story (but I really prefer the KJV- it just wouldn't have meshed, I don't think). One thing that I didn't like, although could have truly happened, was the defiant attitude of Yael. She made me so upset through most of the book. Also, since we can easily see how it went with the Israelites in the Bible, I was shaking my head so often at the doubt of the people in the book. But historically, I think this has been portrayed quite well in the book. 
I can't really think of anything else that I didn't like about this book. I read it in the space of two or three days. I love novels like this that take history and make it come alive. Perhaps it could have been livelier with the writing. Maybe but it's good the way it is.
I really enjoy reading Lynn Austin's books. So far I have read the first two of the Chronicles of the Kings and this book. I fully intend to read more!

**Disclaimer: I received this book free from Bethany House in conjunction with LitFuse for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was given. All opinions stated are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.**