Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Tangled Webs (By: Irene Hannon)

Tangled Webs

By: Irene Hannon

Storyline 
Finn MacGregor is finished with his career as an Army Ranger, and just wants a little peace and quiet to figure out what he is going to do for the rest of his life. When he rents a secluded cabin deep in the backwoods of Missouri, he figures the solitude and lack of cell phone coverage won't be hard to get used to. And maybe he can get his secrets and demons figured out while there. But when a woman's terrified scream pierces through the night, he finds himself back in rescue mode to his beautiful neighbor - who has secrets and demons of her own to wrestle through.

Dana Lewis plans to stay at her own secluded cabin indefinitely. That is, unless a mysterious prankster can convince her to leave by frightening her off the property. As Finn and Dana work together to figure out who is behind the pranks and why they want her gone, these two troubled souls learn to trust each other - both in solving the mystery and in their personal lives.


Depth
Finn and Dana both have damaged souls from their pasts. As they very slowly learn to trust each other, they must learn to let go and have the courage to move forward in their lives. Also addressed in a side storyline is the very real issue of absolute truth, absolute right and wrong. What do you do when the only answer (it seems) to a tough situation is unethical - at best? Author Irene does an excellent job detailing how quickly that decision can become a tangled web of lies, deceit and cover ups.

Additionally, some of the main characters either have a broken past to deal with or currently have great pain to contend with. Broken families, past mistakes, and unfulfilled dreams are addressed.

Faith
The best faith storyline in this book actually comes through the wrestlings of one of the perpetrators. He is a church-going, Bible-believing, man of honor who makes one wrong decision - and continues to walk in it as he descends further down into the tangled web of its consequences. His conscience tries to kick in, but after ignoring it enough times, that voice becomes harder to distinguish. It's a good reminder to the reader that every choice, no matter how small, will either bring you closer to or further away from God. Thankfully, even after walking in a way contrary to God, He will always be there, waiting for us, ready to offer forgiveness and redemption

Love Story
Finn and Dana are instantly attracted to each other and have a few sparks as they get to know one another, but ultimately their love story is wrapped up in the mystery and depth of the story, so the romance isn't overpowering.

Overall

We have enjoyed the Men of Valor series, and it was good to finally hear Finn's story. The first half of the book was a little slow and didn't really have much meat to its plot, which accounts for this less than stellar star rating. The second half of the book picked up the pace however and concluded in a satisfying ending.


Find it on Amazon: Tangled Webs


Note: We were given this book free in return for our honest review

Monday, October 24, 2016

Wild Montana Skies (By: Susan May Warren)

Wild Montana Skies

By: Susan May Warren

Storyline 
After fighting in Afghanistan as a search and rescue pilot, Kacey Fairing has come home to Mercy Falls. She has been invited to join the PEAK Rescue Team, and arrives just as the town is flooding and in need of her help. Eager to reconnect with her 13 year old daughter, Audrey, Kacey doesn't anticipate that Audrey's father - and her first love who walked out on her of her birth - is also back in town.

Country Superstar Ben King, also back in town for awhile, has a thriving career in Nashville. But he is shocked when his first and only true love, Kacey, shows up and tells him they have a daughter he never knew about. As he settles back into Mercy Falls, he starts to wonder if maybe his earlier dreams of fame don't hold a candle to the possibility of being a family with Kacey and Audrey. But can he really leave Nashville behind to pursue them?

Also in this story, continuing from the prequel, is Mercy Falls resident Ian Shaw and his continued desperate quest to find his missing niece. As a major clue turns up about Esme's disappearance from three years ago, the cold case is reopened and Ian's faithful assistant Sierra helps him dig deeper into the mystery - all the while battling the feelings each has for the other and toeing the line between a personal and professional relationship.


Depth
As Ben and Kacey struggle to resolve what happened between them 13 years ago, and the consequences facing them now, issues of trust, abandonment, parenting and sacrifice surface. But the places this story digs the deepest regard Ian Shaw's depserate search for his niece, and the inner drive that keeps him going. The question of why Esme left him, his need to be in control and save the world haunt him. Author Susan does not give easy answers to any of these things, and leaves us hanging with a few things to be resolved in later books. (Which she is so maddeningly good at!)

Additionally, some of the main characters either have a broken past to deal with or currently have great pain to contend with. Broken families, past mistakes, and unfulfilled dreams are addressed.

Faith
Every main character in this book has to reconcile themselves with God and their choices. Some of them feel God isn't on their side but come to realize He has been there all along. Psalm 23 is a comfort and a guide throughout the book and is used, quoted and applied often.

Love Story
Love is complicated, messy and difficult at times but it can overcome a lot of mistakes and difficult circumstances when strong enough. Additionally, it's demonstrated that love isn't always pleasant and happy, but sometimes it's honest and telling the truth - even when it hurts. In this book, the chemistry between some of our main characters was electrifying! The wide range of emotions are easily felt by the reader too.

Overall

Susan May Warren has given us a lot to look forward to in this new series! In her typical fashion, she weaves a lot of different storylines together, while resolving some in this book and leaving others to be resolved in later reads. Her characters are well developed as usual, and both lovable and realistic at the same time.


Find it on Amazon: Wild Montana Skies


Note: We were given this book free in return for our honest review

Monday, October 3, 2016

A Lady Unrivaled (By: Roseanna M. White)

A Lady Unrivaled

By: Roseanna M. White

Storyline 
A Lady Unrivaled is the third and final installment in the Ladies of the Manor trilogy. It dives into a new adventure, this time with Lady Ella Myserston wrapped up in her own story surrounding the infamous "Fire Eyes" red diamonds. Lady Ella, Lord Nottingham's younger sister, is a happy soul with always a smile on her face, and has often been viewed as young and naive. However, she knows much more than anyone gives her credit for and therefore takes it upon herself to protect her brother and new sister-in-law from the dangers of the Fire Eyes. When she takes off to visit her friends Justin and Brooke, she takes the diamonds with her. But where they go, danger is sure to follow!

Lord Cayton, whom we have been introduced to in previous books with a reputation as a heart-breaker, is determined to live a better life after the loss of his wife and the prospect of raising his daughter alone. His cousin Justin offers to help, but matters complicate when he learns the ever cheerful and beautiful Ella will also be present. He vows to stay clear of her for her own good, but soon find they must work together to keep their loved ones safe when danger once again follows the Fire Eyes.


Depth
Cayton constantly wrestles with himself and his past choices. How does one start over after making such poor choices? How can he become trustworthy and escape his old reputation?

We thoroughly enjoyed the journey the author takes Cayton on. We also appreciated the depth of some side characters, mainly Kira, a lady's maid in disguise, who is being threatened to gain information on the Fire Eyes. The author allowed us to dive into the lives of many characters we have come to know but also gave us a glimpse into the lives the servants lead as well.

Additionally, some of the main characters either have a broken past to deal with or currently have great pain to contend with. Broken families, past mistakes, and unfulfilled dreams are addressed.

Faith
The faith many of the characters have is real and evident. Justin has not given up on his cousin, and meets with him every morning to go through the Bible. This has a profound impact on Cayton. Will he be able to accept forgiveness and allow himself to be who God has called him to be? Ella too has some growing to do and she learns to start trusting in her own instincts in what the Lord is leading her to do. She chooses to trust in the Lord's guidance even when it does not make sense to others. There is also darkness in this book and shows those who have chosen to let greed and bitterness run their lives. Not everyone turns to our Savior for redemption but we are thankful to see that many do!

Love Story
Lady Ella is intrigued by Lord Cayton but knows she shouldn't be; her friend Brook would never approve. But there is just something about him! Cayton can't help but feel something stir in his heart for Ella but he won't do it, he cannot let himself fall for her. He does not feel worthy to be loved again. His insecurities make him push her away and often comes off moody when around her in an effort to protect her. But Ella can see right through it and consistently flirts and banters with him. It is often quite comical. It may take awhile but these two start to grow on each other and the love they share is very sweet.

Overall
This book ties up all the loose ends from the trilogy. We enjoyed this series and the many characters we came to know so well. However, we must add that this book does seem to drag on a little more than the other two as the author tries to bring the story to a close.


Find it on Amazon: A Lady Unrivaled


Note: We were given this book free in return for our honest review