A Wild Ride! Review and Giveaway of 'Shadows in the Mind's Eye' - by Janyre Tromp

 

About the book:

Charlotte Anne Mattas longs to turn back the clock. Before her husband, Sam, went to serve his country in the war, he was the man everyone could rely on--responsible, intelligent, and loving. But the person who's come back to their family farm is very different from the protector Annie remembers. Sam's experience in the Pacific theater has left him broken in ways no one can understand--but that everyone is learning to fear.

Tongues start wagging after Sam nearly kills his own brother. Now when he claims to have seen men on the mountain when no one else has seen them, Annie isn't the only one questioning his sanity and her safety. If there were criminals haunting the hills, there should be evidence beyond his claims. Is he really seeing what he says, or is his war-tortured mind conjuring ghosts?

Annie desperately wants to believe her husband. But between his irrational choices and his nightmares leaking into the daytime, she's terrified he's going mad. Can she trust God to heal Sam's mental wounds--or will sticking by him mean keeping her marriage at the cost of her own life?

Debut novelist Janyre Tromp delivers a deliciously eerie, Hitchcockian story filled with love and suspense. Readers of psychological thrillers and historical fiction by Jaime Jo Wright and Sarah Sundin will add Tromp to their favorite authors list.

My review:

This was a wild ride of a story!  There was a lot going on, from Sam coming back from war with some PTSD to Charlotte trying to fight for her husband but also scared of him because of how he acts from the nightmares and memories.  There's the suspense of not knowing how or when he's going to act but he also claims that something's going on on their property so he's trying to investigate that.  Charlotte's not sure if she can believe him but wants to.  I really felt for all of the struggles she went through, from trying to keep the farm afloat with a daughter and not much for resources to dealing with her husband and the rest of the family when he comes back.  There was some romance and some talk of faith.  There was a lot of action in the last third of the book as the truth comes out and they have to fight for their lives!  I would recommend this book if you like historical fiction!

I received a free copy of this book from Kregel Publications and Read with Audra.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Click here for Giveaway!

About the author:

Janyre Tromp is a historical novelist whose loves spinning tales that, at their core, hunt for beauty, even when it isn’t pretty. She’s the author of Shadows in the Mind’s Eye and coauthor of It’s a Wonderful Christmas.

She’s also a book editor, published children’s book author, and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her family, two crazy cats, and a slightly eccentric Shetland Sheepdog. And if you ever meet in person, you pronounce that first name Jan-ear.

You can find her on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and her website, www.JanyreTromp.com (where you can grab a free copy of her novella Wide Open).

Relaxing Read! 'Looking for Leroy' - by Melody Carlson

 

About the book:

It's official: Brynna Phillips is done with men. They only break your heart. But just when she makes this declaration, her friend Jan convinces Brynna to join her on a camping vacation in Sonoma Wine Country.

As they wind their way toward their destination, spanking-new mini camper in tow, Brynna recalls her teenage camp romance with a boy named Leroy. How can it have been nearly thirty years ago? All she remembers is that Leroy was a genuinely good guy and that his family owned a vineyard--in Sonoma. She doesn't even remember his last name. Undaunted, Jan insists they look for him . . . and the search for a second chance at love begins.

My review:

This was an enjoyable story about a second chance at love!  I absolutely loved the setting; it sounded so beautiful and relaxing.  I really liked Brynna and I felt sorry for her for all of the sad things she'd gone through in her life and felt she deserved some happiness.  She was incredibly kind and selfless, even if she sometimes seemed indecisive.  Leroy was also a wonderful man who put his family first and had been heartbroken a couple of times and I so wanted them to find each other again!  There were some funny misunderstandings, near-miss meetings and a bit of family drama with his three daughters to make the story interesting.  His family and her friends really rounded out the story because they were all such characters and almost gave the story a small-town atmosphere.  There was also a little bit of a faith element and a little bit of romance.  I recommend this story if you're looking for a relexing and satisfying read!

I received a free copy of this book from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

1. 

   Melody Carlson

   Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than 250 books with sales of more than 7.5 million, including many bestselling Christmas novellas, young adult titles, and contemporary romances. She received a Romantic Times Career...

   Continue reading about Melody Carlson 

Giveaway of Exciting Historical Romance! 'Counterfeit Love' - Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age 1 - by Crystal Caudill

 

:

About the book:

Can this undercover agent save the woman he loves--or is her heart as counterfeit as the money he's been sent to track down?

After all that Grandfather has sacrificed to raise her, Theresa Plane owes it to him to save the family name--and that means clearing their debt with creditors before she marries Edward Greystone. But when one of the creditors' threats leads her to stumble across a midnight meeting, she discovers that the money he owes isn't all Grandfather was hiding. And the secrets he kept have now trapped Theresa in a life-threatening fight for her home--and the truth.

After months of undercover work, Secret Service operative Broderick Cosgrove is finally about to uncover the identity of the leader of a notorious counterfeiting ring. That moment of triumph turns to horror, however, when he finds undeniable proof that his former fiancée is connected. Can he really believe the woman he loved is a willing participant? Protecting Theresa and proving her innocence may destroy his career--but that's better than failing her twice in one lifetime.

They must form a partnership, tentative though it is. But there's no question they're both still keeping secrets--and that lack of trust, along with the dangerous criminals out for their blood, threatens their hearts, their faith, and their very survival.

Combining rich history, danger, suspense, and romance, Crystal Caudill's debut novel launches this new historical series with a bang. Fans of Elizabeth Camden, Michelle Griep, and Joanna Davidson Politano will be thrilled to find another author to follow!

My review:

This was a fast-paced novel about detectives, counterfeiting, broken hearts and a forever love.  Theresa was an incredibly strong, independent woman who was used to taking care of herself and her grandfather, no matter what trouble he got himself into.  I admired her tenacity and strength, even after she was thrown into one crazy situation after another.  She struggled with trusting God, however, when circumstances didn't go her way, so a theme of the book is coming back to her relationship with God that she'd abandoned and giving up control.  There's also action and sweet romance.  I also loved the detective aspect as Broderick is investigating the counterfeiting.  The surprise at the end was nail-biting!  I would recommend this book if you like historical fiction!

I received this book free from Kregel Publications.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Free Books for Kindle!

 

Free for kindle!

Amazon

Free for kindle!

Amazon

Free for kindle!

Amazon

Free for kindle!

Amazon

The Prince and the Prodigal - by Jill Eileen Smith

 

About the book:

Two brothers. One betrayal.

The patriarch Jacob has made it no secret that young Joseph is his favorite son. Growing up as the pampered heir to his father's legacy, Joseph thrives under the praise of his father but struggles with the disdain of his older brothers, especially Judah. When a chance comes along to rid themselves of Joseph, his brothers sell him to slave traders and deceive their father about his fate.

Joseph, now serving the captain of Pharaoh's palace guard, is imprisoned after being falsely accused of rape. Back home, Judah leaves his father and builds a new life in Canaan, attempting to flee the memory of his complicity in the betrayal of his younger brother.

Decades later, the brothers will come face-to-face, and this time Joseph has the upper hand. Will forgiveness or vengeance win the day?

My review:

This was a very interesting book, with Joseph's well-known story of obedience to God contrasted with Judah's lesser known one of rebellion.  While I liked learning about the different cultures of the three main people groups shown here, it was also hard to see the practices of the group or of the individual who chose evil instead of good.  From child sacrifice to the way Judah's sons treated Tamar made me very angry and I was glad these things weren't dwelled on or described much.  Choices definitely have consequences, whether we like it or not.  I liked how we are shown many different viewpoints throughout the story and that we are also shown how someone who chose God's way is ultimately rewarded, even though he had to go through a lot.  It was nice to see how the different generations related to each other and how their stories intertwined and these Bible characters definitely came alive as real people, with real hopes and dreams and sins.  I would recommend this if you like Biblical fiction.

I received this book free from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

1. 

   © J. Lynn Perry Photography

   Jill Eileen Smith

   Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling and award-winning author of the biblical fiction series The Wives of King David, Wives of the Patriarchs, and Daughters of the Promised Land, as well as The Heart of a King, Star of Persia: Esther's...

   Continue reading about Jill Eileen Smith 

   
   

   
   

Captivating Story! 'The Lady of Galway Manor' - by Jennifer Deibel

 

About the book:

In 1920, Annabeth De Lacy's father is appointed landlord of Galway Parish in Ireland. Bored without the trappings and finery of the British Court, Annabeth convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings family--descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh ring.

Stephen Jennings longs to do anything other than make a career in his family's jewelry shop. The past has taught him to no longer believe in love and the "lies" the Claddagh ring supposedly promises. How can he peddle what he now finds offensive?

The war for Irish independence gains strength, and the De Lacy family is caught in the crossfire. As events take a life-threatening turn, Annabeth and Stephen will discover that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty can only be made stronger when put through the refiner's fire.

My review:

This story pulled me right in and I did not want to put it down!  The characters and setting felt so real as the Irish culture and the people just came to life.  I loved that she interspersed Irish words and that there was also a glossary in the back.  It was fascinating learning about the legend of the Claddagh ring and also the time period when the conflict was getting stronger.  Annabeth was such a wonderful character, so curious, open to new experiences and wise while still trying to be respectful of her parents and the family legacy.  I know I was getting pretty frustrated with her father while she was so selfless; she also had a strong faith whereas Stephen was angry with God and bitter over tragedies he'd endured.  There was wonderful romance, some action and a beautiful setting.  I didn't want to leave Ireland!  I highly recommend this book!

I received this book free from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

1. 

   Jennifer Deibel

   Jennifer Deibel is the author of A Dance in Donegal. Her work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic magazine, and in other publications. With firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer...

   Continue reading about Jennifer Deibel 

Wonderful Message! 'Crowned with Glory' - written by Dorena Williamson, illustrated by Shellene Rodney

 

About the book:

An ode to Black hair and Black girl joy, this joy-filled rhyming picture book invites young readers into the world of a young Black girl as she rocks her God-given beauty.

Hello, world! I’m a gift from above.
I already know that I am loved.

Gazing around with a great big grin—
there’s a whole wide world for me to take in.

From the hair on her head to the tips of her toes, Azira knows that she is awesome! And whether it’s styled in twists, curls, braids, Bantu knots, a textured bun, or left totally natural, her hair is just one of the countless things that helps Azira celebrate who God made her to be. She’s able to live out a beautiful story because God has crowned her with glory—and Azira wants you to do the same!

Young readers will be inspired by this empowering, uplifting reminder to always be and love who God created them to be.

My review:

This book had a wonderful message for girls that you're beautiful and unique and can accomplish whatever you set out to do, highlighting a black girl's experience with her hair as she tries out different hairstyles she can create for different activities and events.  We see her grow from a baby to a woman, experiencing life by going to school, church, fun activities and making a difference in a fun rhyming style.  I absolutely loved the artwork!  There's a little about faith as Azira goes to church to worship, learn about the Bible and pray.  I highly recommend this book for all girls!

I received a free copy of this book from Waterbook Multnomah.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.