reading – Page 13 – The Pajama Chef

Book Review: Unending Devotion

December 26, 2012January 15, 2013 Sarah

So, once again, I absolute hate to say that I am behind on my book reviews that are part of the blogger review program for Bethany House Publishers, a well-respected publisher of Christian fiction and other Christian titles. Fortunately, they are extremely graceful, and for that, I thank them. Since I have had some time off during Christmas break, that means plenty of time to read–and time to post book reviews!! 🙂 Today I want to tell you all about Jody Hedlund‘s Unending Devotion. Can we just say… so, so, so, SO good?? Yes, please!

Here is the description of the book from the publisher:

Amidst the dangerous logging camps of Harrison, Michigan, Lily Young is on a mission to save her lost sister, or die trying. Boss-man of three lumber camps in the area, Connell McCormick is an upstanding citizen interested in clearing the pine and earning a profit. But Lily’s desperate search will challenge everything he thought he knew about life—and love. [You can also check out the book trailer here.]

As with my usual style… here’s my five point review!

First of all, I have read other books from Jody Hedlund. I have to admit, I am a person who does judge a book a bit by the cover [because I know what good cheesy Christian fiction covers look like!]. She lives in Midland, Michigan… where I have spent a lot of time because that’s where my dad grew up and my grandparents still live there. So, I was prejudiced from the beginning to like the book, but I continued to be impressed with the author’s writing style. I have read [or attempted to read] many poorly written books that I celebrate when things are written well. 🙂
This story is pretty dark. I know that might not make you want to read it, but it’s dark in a redemptive, Les Mis sort of way. Lily is fighting prostitution in 1800s Michigan logging camps, and is one of the most determined characters I have ever read about in her fight to save her sister. I do love that her fight to save her sister escalates to include all who are affected.
I know I’m already married, and I know that you can’t marry a book character [darn] but I am so in love with the hero, Connell. He is such a Godly man, and a good guy to boot. It goes without saying, but the love story between Lily and Connell is one of the best parts of the book. I love it when couples work together for good.
I thought Jody Hedlund did an excellent job portraying the time period and true historical events to life. To prevent spoilers, I won’t say too much, but I was really impressed with the research it must have taken to write this book.
This was a really fast-paced, captivating read. I would highly recommend it. Though I can’t say how long this will be available for free, today, December 26, 2012, this book is free for Kindles. Hope you enjoy!

What are you reading lately?

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. However, I was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts expressed above are entirely my own. Thanks to Bethany House for the chance to read this great book!

Reviews

Book Review: Inescapable

October 17, 2012January 15, 2013 Sarah

So, I hate to admit that I am a bit behind on my book reviews that are part of the blogger review program for Bethany House Publishers, a well-respected publisher of Christian fiction and other Christian titles. Fortunately, they are extremely graceful, and for that, I thank them. But just because I am behind does not mean that I am not a fan of Nancy Mehl’s Inescapable or the next book I’ll review soon [with Ben’s help!].

Here is the description of the book from the publisher:

Lizzie Engel ran away from her Mennonite hometown and swore she’d never return. But five years later, a stalker and a string of threatening letters have left her with no other option. Back in Kingdom, Lizzie attempts to plan her next move with the help of her old friend Noah Housler—and realizes she may not have left her roots as firmly in the past as she’d thought. When it becomes clear that the danger has followed her to Kingdom, Lizzie no longer knows who to trust.

As with my usual style… here’s my five point review!

This was a super fast read. From the first pages, you’re sucked into Lizzie’s story, interested her welfare as well as that of her young daughter, Charity. You just want them to be safe and okay and happy. You can tell that they aren’t, but you’re a bit confused as to why. And you are so torn between Lizzie’s love interests… but at the end her choice is so easy, so wonderful, and so satisfying. I love a good love story! 🙂
This is the first Christian romance about Mennonites that I’ve ever read. I’ve read a lot of Amish romance novels [ha! so lame!] and found similarities between the cultures, but also differences. It was an educational read in that sense [don’t worry, it’s not school :)].
Reading about Lizzie’s growth in faith and learning a right view of God as a loving Father was so encouraging. There are several women who really minister to Lizzie as she returns home, and it was awesome to read about that grace, forgiveness, mercy, and redemption.
Speaking of redemption, I don’t want to give any spoilers, but there is soooo much redemption taking place in this story, in Lizzie’s life, in her family. Absolutely love this! I know she isn’t real [gasp!], but it’s an amazing illustration of what God can do in people’s lives.
Overall, I thought this was a fun, interesting read. I love the dual romance/mystery nature of the book, and would definitely read more of Nancy Mehl‘s work, including the next book in the Road to Kingdom series [expected to be released spring 2013].

What are you reading lately?

Reviews

Book Review: Love in Disguise

August 15, 2012January 15, 2013 Sarah

So, over the past five days or so I’ve been sick. Not that being sick was much fun, but it did allow me to be lazy, have Ben prepare all my [boring] meals, sleep, and read alot. One of my recent reads was Carol Cox’s Love in Disguise. I received this book through the blogger review program for Bethany House Publishers, a well-respected publisher of Christian fiction and other Christian titles.

Here is the description of the book from the publisher:

Jobless and down to her last dime, Ellie Moore hears about a position with the Pinkerton Detective Agency and believes it’s the perfect chance to put her acting skills and costumes to use. Disguised as both Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, and her dazzling niece Jessie Monroe, Ellie begins her investigation into the theft of silver from Arizona mines. When the thieves come after both characters, Ellie isn’t safe no matter which disguise she’s wearing. Should she give up and reveal her true identity? What will mine owner Steven do when he realizes the woman he’s falling in love with doesn’t really exist?

As with my usual style… here’s my five point review!

This was a totally unique storyline. I’ve read plenty of mysteries in my day, but never anything about an actress using her talents to pose as a detective–and play two characters in the Wild West at once! I’ve been an avid reader literally all my life and rarely read a completely new plotline. Score!
I’m not usually a fan of the Wild West, mining, or books set in the late 1800s. I don’t know why, but that era just doesn’t appeal to me. But Carol Cox did a fantastic job blending historical drama with time-tested cares and concerns of life, love, and faith.
This book was a delightful mix of romance, mystery, intrigue, and humor. All my favorite genres at once. My only complaint was that I didn’t really think it was possible to solve the mystery as the character does because the story is all from Ellie’s point of view… no additional information is given. I always like to try to figure it out first, but the solution came out of nowhere.
Christianity wasn’t a huge part of the storyline, but Ellie’s growth as a person into maturity was attributed to a renewed relationship with God. This relationship [like it is for so many people–fictional or not] is hindered by childhood events, so the faith that was part of the book was realistic. In my eyes, that is much better than the cheesy tales where girl loves Jesus but wants a boy so prays for one and then falls in love with boy too and then grows in her relationship with God because He gives her a boy. Possible? Maybe. Realistic? Not so much. This story? Could happen.
The author, Carol Cox, has such a great writing style. Relaxing, inviting, polished. I’ll definitely be checking out some of her other books, and hope you will too!

What are you reading lately?

Thanks to Bethany House for the chance to read this great book for free!

Reviews

Book Review: My Stubborn Heart

July 11, 2012January 15, 2013 Sarah

Another day, another installment of Sarah’s semi-embarrassing reading habits. Sigh. At least I’m honest about it. 🙂 Like I mentioned before, I recently signed up to review books for Bethany House Publishers, a well-respected publisher of Christian fiction and other Christian titles, through their blogger review program. The most recent title I received was Becky Wade’s My Stubborn Heart.

Here is the description of the book from the publisher:

Kate Donovan, burned out and in need of an adventure, is only too happy to help her grandmother restore her old childhood home. But when she encounters the man hired to renovate the house–a former hockey star who’s wounded and hiding from everything and everyone–Kate discovers bringing him back to life might be the best and most daring job of all.

And what did I think about this book? Well, in five points… here you have it.

This is a book I can hardly find fault with! I just want to live in its pages and experience Kate and Matt’s love story for myself [even though my own is pretty great too :)]. Matt is the former hockey star turned historic home renovator referenced above, by the way. As I kept reading, I just didn’t want this story to end! Sequel, sequel, sequel. 🙂
That being said… the major fault with this book was that I didn’t necessarily agree with how the author dealt with faith and Christianity. Yes, Kate prayed and went to church but I felt like overall the faith part of the book took a backseat to the romance, which is fine, but it’s just something to be aware of. One other theologically questionable part was that Kate practiced yoga frequently. I know that’s an iffy subject in some Christian circles, but my personal convictions lead me to wary about yoga even as a form of exercise due to its origins. If you are a Christian, this topic is between you and God and I urge you to research this subject and make an informed decision.
I loved learning about how Kate’s character grew as a result of her blossoming friendship and romance with Matt, as well as her grandmother and her grandmother’s friends. Even though the book treats faith on a surface level, it was pretty obvious that Kate was growing and was letting God shape her path in life, even through the hard times. Definitely an encouragement to me!
I won’t give away any spoilers, but this book and the outcome is NOT as predictable as 95% of the Christian fiction out there. And I absolutely love that!
Lastly, I love Becky Wade’s well written yet relaxed, casual writing style. Her style fits so well with the quirky, spunky characters of her story… this is the perfect summer Christian chicklit/beach read. I don’t usually reread Christian fiction because some of it’s pretty lame, but this book is one I’m definitely keeping on my bookshelf. I hope you’ll check it out too!

What are you reading lately?

Thanks to Bethany House for the chance to read this great book for free!

Reviews

Book Review: The Messenger

June 7, 2012January 15, 2013 Sarah

Instead of “Book Review: The Messenger,” this post should perhaps be titled “Confessions of my [Semi-Embarrassing] Reading Habits.” This is not my usual sort of post, I realize, but I recently signed up to review books for Bethany House Publishers, a well-respected publisher of Christian fiction and other Christian titles, through their blogger review program. When I signed up, I got to choose the categories of books that I was interested in, and every so often I receive emails from the company when they have titles available for review. Then, if I want, I can request a book and they send a complementary copy to me, in exchange for a review. Since I love reading [I did go to library school, after all–though reading is not in the job description of any position I’m applying for… too bad!], I thought it would be fun. Recently I received and read my first book: The Messenger by Siri Mitchell.

Here is the description of the book from the publisher:

Hannah Sunderland has never questioned her unwavering Quaker beliefs…until the Friends forbid her to visit her twin brother in jail. But when Jeremiah Jones, a Colonial spy, seeks her out to help rescue her brother and other Colonial soldiers, she’s forced to confront her beliefs—and her unexpected feelings for Jeremiah—head on. As lives hang in the balance, must Hannah choose between forsaking those she loves and abandoning the bedrock of her faith?

So, what did I think of the book? Rather than writing paragraph after paragraph of review, I want to do this bullet-point style. I think reviews are more effective that way and I hope Bethany House doesn’t mind! I tend not to read loooong reviews so I want to make this to the point.

These are my top five reasons why I loved this book, and hope you will too!

I love Siri Mitchell’s writing. I’ve read several of her other books and really enjoy her style. I feel like she does a great job developing her characters, and I like how the perspective of the story changes chapter by chapter. Siri Mitchell is thorough, detail oriented, yet so elegant in regard to style and tone.
Obviously this book is historical fiction. Revolutionary War era, to be exact. I don’t think I’ve read anything from this time period since reading Felicity’s stories in my American Girl doll youth. [Side note: I had Kirsten, and she is now retired. I am so sad! Did anyone else have a beloved American Girl doll?]. My favorite war period to read about is World War II [my favorite war? How nerdy does that sound?]. Since this is fiction, obviously the storylines are not precisely accurate with what really went on. However, Siri Mitchell’s attention to detail and references in the book really made me feel as if she had done a good job researching to make the book as historically accurate as possible. I feel like historical fiction has such potential to make history come alive, and this book is a fabulous example of that.
I love how applicable the struggles faced by Hannah and Jeremiah as they work for the patriot cause–together and separately, with different motives that somehow mesh together so perfectly. I don’t want to say much else on that, for fear of giving away too many spoilers, but these struggles raise so many questions. This book has caused me to wonder how this applies to today–why we believe what we believe in this politically-charged era, not so much unlike colonial America? How do we let causes and positions impact the bedrock of our faith? This is a decision we all must make, both collectively and individually.
My only complaint about the book [except for the fact that it ended… sigh…] was that I felt the first couple chapters were a little slow and a bit confusing, simply because there are so many characters and I wasn’t familiar with Quaker vocabulary.
That being said… my favorite thing about the book was the romance. [Cue the cheesiness… and the semi-embarrassing confession.] When I read fiction for fun, I don’t want to have to think too hard and I want happy endings. End of story. This usually draws me to cheesy Christian romance novels, heart-wrenching World War II romances, or chicklit. Anyone else with me? The romance between Jeremiah and Hannah [no, this is not a spoiler–you couldn’t possibly expect that the romance wouldn’t be a focal point of the story, now could you?] is subtle, sweet, and at times–infuriatingly slow. However, that is real life. Subtle romance allows for the highly narrative, action-packed plot to shine.

I hope you love this book as much as I did. I thought Siri Mitchell’s The Messenger was simply captivating.

Okay, okay… the semi-embarrassing confession goes beyond not thinking hard and wanting happy endings. One of my college friends and I [who I had the pleasure of seeing over the weekend at another friend’s wedding] have this running joke of texting each other lines from our latest cheesy Christian romance novel. For real.

One of the best was regarding a man with a prosthetic arm stroking the face of his lady friend. For the record, I have nothing against prosthetic arms [I know several people who have them, actually.] The tone of that story though was just classic cheese, that’s what got me. 🙂

But back to my friend [who shall remain nameless so I don’t go blabbing her embarrassing secrets all across the internet]. We have big plans of one day writing a book of cheesy Christian short stories, holiday themed… as in, Arbor Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, etc. It’ll be a best seller, I tell ya… and maybe one day you’ll be writing a review of it on your blog! That’s the goal! 🙂

What are you reading lately?

Thanks to Bethany House for the chance to read this great book for free!