Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Book Review: What Once Was Lost

What Once Was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer

A woman meant to serve, a child in the dark, a man standing apart—can these three souls embrace a God with new plans for them?

On a small Kansas farm, Christina Willems lovingly shepherds a group of poor and displaced individuals who count on her leadership and have come to see the Brambleville Asylum for the Poor as their home. But when a fire breaks out in the kitchen leaving the house uninhabitable, she must scramble to find shelter for all in her care, scattering her dear “family.”

With no other options, Christina is forced to approach Levi Jonnson, a reclusive mill owner, to take in a young blind boy named Tommy Kilgore. Levi agrees with reluctance but finds himself surprised by the bond that quickly grows between him and Tommy. As obstacles to repairing the farm pile up against Christina, she begins to question her leadership ability and wonders if she can fulfill the mission to which she's dedicated her life. And when an old adversary challenges Christina, will she find an unlikely ally—or more—in the aloof Levi? Can Levi reconcile with the rejection that led to his hermit-like existence and open his heart and life to something more, especially a relationship with a loving God?
 
This book was sooo good! I got swept into the story right at the beginning and read it pretty steadily right to the end! Though I had to take breaks because one day I left it in the living room and my mom picked it up and started reading it and got into it as well! lol! It was a good story and well written. It was the third book I've read by this author and so far I've liked every book I've read by her, and look forward to reading more of her books in the future. This book had a little bit of everything thrown in, and a good cast of colorful characters that you grow to love. (and hate, lol) I definitely recommend both the book and author to others!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Book Review: Child of the Mist

Child of the Mist by Kathleen Morgan

In the harsh Scottish highlands of 1564, superstitions threaten a truce . . . a traitor plans his attack . . . and a new love is born.

 An arranged betrothal was never the course Anne MacGregor imagined her life would take. Yet when her father explains that her cooperation is the only way to bring about the long-sought truce between feuding families, Anne has no other choice.

A simple ceremony pledging Anne's hand in marriage after one year of commitment is the only seal to the promise of peace. But when the arrangement requires the reluctant Anne to follow Niall Campbell back to his home, she soon discovers that peace is not so easily achieved. Before they even arrive, rumors about her abound, and her safety is threatened. Meanwhile, Niall's ascension as leader of his clan is in jeopardy, as a traitor works to bring about his downfall.

As Niall and Anne begin to see beyond each other's defenses, love takes them by surprise. But will it be enough to defeat their foes? Or will the truce be broken, their lives forfeit, and war return to their beloved land?

I downloaded this book for free on the iBooks app and it was actually a very good read! It had me pulled in from the very beginning and I read the first half in only a few days. Then somewhere near the middle I slowed down a bit, but then picked up pace again and had it finished pretty quickly. It had just the right amount of action, romance and suspense. I did find parts a bit redundant as the two main characters kept going back and forth, arguing and acting like they hated each other one minute, then they would right things only to have something else happen that caused them to be mad at each other again almost immediately. This went on for quite a while, but other than that it was a very good book.