Friday, February 17, 2017

Still Life (By: Dani Pettrey)

Still Life

By: Dani Pettrey

Storyline

After being blacklisted by the art community of Baltimore, Avery Tate - a professional photographer - has been working as a crime scene photographer with crime scene analyst, Parker Mitchell. They are quickly attracted to one another, but there's a problem: Parker is still in love with and loyal to his old girlfriend who was murdered a number of years ago. So rather than be continually faced with what will never happen, Avery quits and moves on.

But when she discovers her childhood friend Skylar is missing after having been photographed for an art gallery showing, she suspects foul play. She knows of no one better to help her solve the mystery than Parker - and the two set out to find Skylar.

Also weaved in is a story about a mysterious ship of refugees that arrives in a Baltimore with illegal activities on board. And the question still remains - whatever happened to the gang's friend Luke, who disappeared without a trace seven years ago?

While the plot lines were exciting and very well written, a few places felt choppy and several things were left unexplained. It took us quite awhile to really get into the book. As in the first book, sometimes the many characters and their places in the plots felt confusing and chaotic.


Depth
Avery grew up labeled "trailer trash," and still has a hard time believing she isn't in that life anymore. Unfortunately, this case places her right back in the heart of her childhood. She feels responsible for Skylar's wild lifestyle since she introduced her to it in the first place, and fears that she may have died without ever having changed, like Avery had.

Faith
Faith is this book's strongest quality! Parker and Avery both have a strong faith in God. Parker continually reminds those around him that they can lean on and rely on the Lord. He encourages Avery that she is a new creation in Christ and Jesus has redeemed her from her past. Many characters pray for guidance and live clean lives, pleasing to God in purity and speech.

Love Story
Anyone who loved Dani Pettrey's Alaskan Courage series may be a bit disappointed in this series' romance. Although a genuine and respectable love story is certainly written, the emotions were hard for us to connect with. Parker and Avery have to overcome a few realistic obstacles before they can be together but even then, it didn't feel as though the romantic tension had built enough for us to be terribly excited about them as a couple.

Overall
This is the second book in Dani Pettrey's Chesapeake Valor series and some themes were continued from book one and will continue through the series, which we love! Unfortunately, some parts of the book were disappointing to us and left us a little confused. However, the faith was strong and the general storyline was extremely entertaining. We look forward to the next book in the series, where we can continue to explore the mystery that surrounds the entire series - what ever became of their missing friend Luke.


Find it on Amazon: Still Life

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

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

A Note Yet Unsung (By: Tamera Alexander)

A Note Yet Unsung

By: Tamera Alexander

Storyline
Rebekah Carrington is a master violinist and dreams of playing in an orchestra. Unfortunately in the 19th century, it was thought that women were too fragile to attempt such a feat - no matter how talented they may be. Forced to return home to Nashville after having spent the last 10 years in Vienna, she must settle for simply being an assistant to the orchestra leader, rather than showcasing her real talent. Nathaniel Tate Whitcomb is the Nashville Philharmonic's youngest maestro and needs Rebekah's help writing a symphony - before his own secrets threaten to destroy everything he has worked so hard for.

Classic to author Tamera's usual style, this book grabs you right from the beginning and glides along like gentle rolling, green hills, a satisfying and pleasurable journey for the reader. She adds just the right amount of plot, activity and excitement to keep the reader hooked!

Despite the wonderful storyline, we felt the end came a little too quickly, with some loose ends not fully explained, and without a couple satisfactory conclusions.


Depth
Both Rebekah and Tate have secrets they wish to keep hidden for fear of rejection by others. Issues of loss, grief, relationships with families (especially parents), health problems and going back to one's roots are explored. And as are usual in Tamera's stories, the historical reality of racism and slavery are faced head on, with tact and grace.

Faith
Rebekah caught her faith as a child from the older slaves she loved, as they taught her hymns on the violin. Now that she is an adult and on her own, she often goes back to these hymns and accompanying Bible verses to guide her and help her through rough times. Tate was raised with faith and is beginning to realize how important the role of it in his life should be. Going back to his roots reignites his faith and he allows God to lead him down the unknown path in front of him.

Love Story
Tate and Rebecca definitely hit it off on the wrong foot which adds for some romantic tension! But as their walls come down and they understand each other more, a tender and genuine love develops between them. Especially sweet in their love story is the side of Tate no one knows about that Rebekah becomes involved in.

Overall
These two chicks have come to expect a lot from Tamera - complex plots weaved expertly together, well developed and realistic characters and a deep faith we can relate to. And sure enough, A Note Yet Unsung did not disappoint! This was the final installment of the Belmont Mansion Series and it was by far our favorite.


Find it on Amazon: A Note Yet Unsung

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

Friday, February 10, 2017

Rescue Me (By: Susan May Warren)

Rescue Me

By: Susan May Warren

Rescue Me is the second book in the Montana Rescue series and it hit the mark of a great book. Susan is starting off 2017 with a sure to be best seller! We are unsure how she does it, but we were hooked after only a few pages. Create some time because once you open this book, it will be hard to put down!

Storyline
Deputy Sam Brooks is the liaison between the Mercy Falls Sheriff's department and PEAK Rescue. He is serious, determined and responsible, and is used to being the one who rescues others. He believes Sierra Rose is perfect for him - she fits his criteria of what a girlfriend should be. When he gets stranded with Sierra's little sister, Willow, and a group of teens in Glacier National Park, he finds his heart and head battling with each other on what he truly needs in a significant other.

We love Willow as a character! She is positive, always smiling, sees the good in people and wears her heart on her sleeve - which is a problem, considering she has been in love with her sister's boyfriend for as long as she can remember. However, she loves her sister and longs for her to be happy; and what would Sam Brooks see in her anyway? She tells herself to focus on her role with the youth group and keep herself away from Sam. But that is much easier said than done!


Depth
Sam has a complicated history with his brother Pete after the accidental death of their father. Much anger and bitterness exists between these two. Sam feels he always has to be the "mature" brother. Through the story, we watch these two wrestle with the past and while working to create a  connected future.

Willow has a challenging past of her own - often filled with people leaving her. Because of this she fears needing anything from others. But deep down she longs to be rescued - and fears she never will be.

Ultimately, there is one storyline that really gave the depth category a five star rating. Weaved throughout the book are the lives of a few teenagers and we get a genuine glimpse of what many just like them are experiencing. This was a powerful component. Watching Willow interact with them and getting her perspective, along with Sam's, was intriguing. It impacted us for the lives of our own children, some of whom are currently in this uncertain time of life.

Faith
Sam is holding on to anger, but it starts to consume him. He is living in darkness and ultimately has to learn the light he needs is Jesus. If we are always saving others and think we can save ourselves, is there a need for God? So used to rescuing others, will Sam learn he is actually in need of rescuing? 

Willow has a rich faith and we learn a lot about different perspectives from her. She leans on the Lord as her High Rock and understands that God's thoughts are often not our thoughts.

Love Story
Susan is once again a master at writing a romantic story that has just enough tension, heart pounding, and sigh worthy moments that make you lose sleep! You just cannot put the book down. We were kept guessing until the end how the love story would end, and she still has us waiting for more details in the next two books. We are counting down the days until book three lands in our hands.

Overall
Don't miss this second book in the series. It is filled with action, romance, faith and characters you are sure to love. Susan's ability to weave different plots together is second to none. Now we eagerly await for book three that releases in July!


Find it on Amazon: Rescue Me

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