House of Mercy by Erin Healy

About the Book:


When Beth’s world falls apart, can she ever be whole again?

Beth has a gift of healing—which is why she wants to become a vet and help her family run their fifth-generation cattle ranch. Her father’s dream of helping men in trouble and giving them a second chance is her dream too. But it only takes one foolish decision for Beth to destroy it all.

Beth scrambles to redeem her mistake, pleading with God for help, even as a mystery complicates her life. The repercussions grow more unbearable—a lawsuit, a death, a divided family, and the looming loss of everything she cares about. Beth’s only hope is to find the grandfather she never knew and beg for his help. Confused, grieving, and determined to make amends, she embarks on a horseback journey across the mountains, guided by a wild, unpredictable wolf who may or may not be real.

Set in the stunningly rugged terrain of Southern Colorado, House of Mercy follows Beth through the valley of the shadow of death into the unfathomable miracles of God’s goodness and mercy.

My Review:

House of Mercy is the second book I read from Erin Healy and was excited about reading another one, but in the end I found I much preferred The Baker's Wife over this one. This one was not bad but I found it to start slower and the pace of the book to be much slower. Her other book I read drew me a lot quicker and kept me engaged. This book was one that I could easily set down and not come back to for days. I will say though I liked how she went for a different setting and I did feel like the Christian message was stronger and more evident. In the end I will still try new books from Erin Healy and I am sure there are others who would enjoy this book.

*I was provided this book from the publisher through B&B Media for the purpose of this review.

Replication by Jill Williamson

About the Book:

When Your Life Is Not Your Own Martyr---otherwise known as Jason 3:3---is one of hundreds of clones kept in a remote facility called Jason Farms. Told that he has been created to save humanity, Martyr has just one wish before he is scheduled to 'expire' in less than a month. To see the sky. Abby Goyer may have just moved to Alaska, but she has a feeling something strange is going on at the farm where her father works. But even this smart, confident girl could never have imagined what lies beneath a simple barn. Or what would happen when a mysterious boy shows up at her door, asking about the stars. As the reality of the Jason Experiment comes to light, Martyr is caught between two futures---the one for which he was produced and the one Abby believes God created him to have. Time is running out, and Martyr must decide if a life with Abby is worth leaving everything he's ever known.

My Review:

4.5 Stars

To start of with I do not tend to read much science fiction, but I found my self fascinated by this story and loved it so much that I had a hard time putting it down. I loved the twists and turns the book took and I found myself having a hard time guessing what would happen. I really liked both Abby and Martyr's characters. They both demonstrated great qualities and really proved what it means to be a friend and care about someone else. Jill Williamson also did a great job of weaving in God's message of that everyone is born with a purpose, that we are not here by mistake and that He loves each and everyone of us. Replication is a young adult book and is an excellent book for both teens and adults to read. It is a book you don't have to worry about your teen reading and that is great since there are so few books out there that you can say that about. Great job Jill on an excellent book.

*I  received this book from the author for the purpose of this review. Thank you!

Winner of the Contemporary Giveaway

Congratulations goes to Ladette on winning the box books.

Also, be on the lookout for more giveaways coming up soon.

Sometime this week I will be posting my review of Band of Sisters by Tracey Gohkle and there will be a giveaway of the book going on too :).

Also, at the end of the month I will be hosting a historical giveaway consisting of 5 books.

Happy Reading everyone!

The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers

About the Book:

Two women, centuries apart, are joined through a tattered journal as they contend with God, husbands, and even themselves . . . until they fall into the arms of the One who loves them unconditionally. Sierra Madrid’s life has just been turned upside down when she discovers the handcrafted quilt and journal of her ancestor Mary Kathryn McMurray, a young woman who was uprooted from her home only to endure harsh conditions on the Oregon Trail. Though the women are separated by time and circumstance, Sierra discovers that many of the issues they face are remarkably similar. By following Mary Kathryn’s example, Sierra learns to surrender to God’s sovereignty and unconditional love.

My Review:

3.8 Stars

The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers is one of the many books I have read from her and I am not sure I would say it was a favorite. Francine Rivers blends two stories from centuries apart that are similar in what they faced. They dealt with issues of God, family, husband and themselves at many times and took them both a lot to really find God and trust Him for everything. I found that I enjoyed the modern day story alot more than the historic story but did find myself annoyed at Sierra alot in the beginning. She was very whiny and didn't seem like she really wanted to deal with the issues around her, but as she learned to trust God her attitude changed and I really grew to love her. This is the type of book for anyone who like a blend of history and current day and family drama.

Love Finds You in Mackinac Island by Melanie Dobson

About the Book:

She must choose between her family’s fortune and her heart’s desire.

As the Gilded Age comes to a close, Elena Bissette’s once-wealthy family has nearly lost its fortune. The Bissettes still own a home on fashionable Mackinac Island, where they will spend one last summer in the hope of introducing Elena to a wealthy suitor. But Elena is repulsed by the idea of marrying for money. Quickly tiring of the extravagant balls, she spends most evenings escaping back into Mackinac’s rugged forest. There she meets Chase, a handsome laborer who shares her love for the night sky. The two begin to meet in secret at an abandoned lighthouse, where they work together to solve a mystery hidden in the pages of a tattered diary.

As Elena falls in love with Chase, her mother relentlessly contrives to introduce her to Chester Darrington, the island’s most eligible bachelor. Marriage to the elusive millionaire would solve the Bissettes’ financial woes, and Elena is torn between duty and love.

About the Author: 

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of eleven novels, including seven historical romances for Summerside Press. In 2010, Melanie won ACFW Carol Awards for Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa and The Silent Order. Also in 2010, Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana was chosen as the Best Book of Indiana (fiction). Melanie is the former corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family, and she worked in public relations for fifteen years before she began writing fiction full-time. Born and raised in the Midwest, she has lived all over America and now resides with her husband and two daughters near Portland, Oregon. www.melaniedobson.com

My Review:

 Love Finds You in Mackinac Island is a historical romance set in the gilded age in Michigan and has as much charm as the little island itself. This book really made me want to see the island and stay there for away. Just sounds like such a fun and beautiful little island to getaway to with a good book. While this is a fun beach read type of book personally it lacked the depth that other novels have. It is great for that person looking for a simple book to get their mind of of the world and does have a certain charm about it. This is the second book I have read from Melanie Dobson, Refuge of Crescent Hill being the other, and I know that I will look forward to reading more from her in the future.


About the Giveaway:

  Celebrate with Melanie by entering her Kindle Fire Giveaway!

Find out what the reviewers are saying here!

One grand prize winner will receive:</ span>

• A brand new Kindle Fire
• Signed copies of Melanie’s Love Find You books: Love Finds you in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa, Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa, and Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana.

But hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/4/12. The winner will be announced on 8/6/12 at Melanie's blog!

Just click one of the icons below to enter! Tell your friends about Melanie's giveaway on FACEBOOK</ a> or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Contemporary Fiction Giveaway!!!!

My bookshelves are overflowing after a year of book reviewing and so the time has come to share some of the many wonderful books I have read over the last year.

Tell me one of your favorite books you have read in the last year and you could be the winner of this contemporary fiction box of books:

The First Gardener by Denise Hildreth Jones
Hope Springs by Kim Cash Tate
Reclaiming Lily by Patti Lacy
The Anniversary Waltz by Darrel Nelson
A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island by Cara C. Putman

Rules:

1. Must be in the US
2. Must leave e-mail
3. Comment must include one of your favorite books of the year
4. Ends Sunday August 5th at Midnight!

Have fun and good luck to all that enter!