"Walking on Water When You Feel Like You're Drowing" Blog Tour

Walking on Water When You Feel Like You're Drowing

 

by Steve Leavitt & Tommy Nelson

 

 

Today more people than ever are suffering from emotional distress. Whether they are dealing with depression, anxiety, obsessiveness, fear, worry, or stress, their lives are limited and compromised by the ill-effects. People who suffer from emotional distress often feel isolated and unloved, either by God or by others, and often believe that there is no hope and no way out.

There is good news, however! A truly biblical approach to healing emotional distress focuses on a holistic cure that integrates the mind, body, and spirit. Even when we feel truly alone, God is holding us in His hand. Even when we feel truly hopeless, God offers comfort and purpose. And even when we feel like we will never escape the pit of emotional distress, God sets our feet on firm ground and promises to never let us go. No matter what we have been through or what we are going through now, God can bring critically needed healing and transformation into our lives when we adjust what the authors refer to as “stinkin’ thinkin’.”

 

For more information about this book, click here.

 

 

About the Authors:

 

Steve Leavitt is a Christian counselor who understands grief. His compassion for the hurting grew when he lost his first wife to cancer in 1997. With an MA in biblical counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary, he is an ordained minister who has been ministering and counseling for over 25 years. During that time he has written and spoken to thousands of people on the issues of marriage, raising a family, growing strong teens, and grief. Steve hosts a live call-in counseling show on KSLR out of San Antonio, Texas. He has an extensive published teaching CD ministry on the subjects of marriage, parenting, the church, and biblical solutions to depression, anxiety, fear, worry, and obsessive compulsive issues. Steve lives in New Braunfels, Texas, with his wife, Marty, and four growing children.

 

Since 1977, Tommy Nelson has been the Pastor of Denton Bible Church, located in Denton, Texas. He has been featured on Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, Josh McDowell, For Faith and Family, and other national broadcasts. He has a Master of Arts degree in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. Tommy has been married to Teresa Nelson for more than 25 years. They have two adult sons, Benjamin and John.



My Take:

What struck me most about this book was it's honesty. Neither of the authors hold back when discussing their own struggles with fear and anxiety, and this is was got me connected to the book right away. Hearing from other Christians who have experienced fear, anxiety, and depression and have dealt with it biblically is encouraging.

This entire book is excellent, but the best part is the section on the Keys to Recovery. In it they offer thorough advice on living with these struggles. The advice is biblical and Christ-centered. The authors do not pull any punches, but they also avoid the "if you are truly a Christian and living a faithful life, you won't struggle with these issues" bit. In fact, they say that this mindset has been prevaelant in the church for so long that it has actually been harmful.

The points that were brought up about perfectionism were also good. We don't always associate fear and anxiety with perfectionism, but they are actually all related.

This book has been extremely eye-opening for me, and I recommend it to everyone dealing with these types of issues.






Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"Resurrect" Blog Tour

 Resurrect 

 

Book 1 in the Resurrect trilogy

 

by David E. Stevens

Preventing his burning fighter from crashing into a neighborhood, Navy Commander Josh Logan ejects ... too late.

Critically injured, he's offered a new life and mission to exploit highly classified military technology to stop a global cataclysm. The price? He'll be dead to everyone he knows.

He wakes in a city hospital with a genetically enhanced body and no identity. With the help of his brilliant Neuro ICU nurse and guided by nothing but a voice, he must infiltrate the military-industrial complex to develop the world's most powerful weapon ... to protect humanity?

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/faaOD
 

 

Meet the Author:

A Navy fighter pilot with hundreds of aircraft carrier landings, Commander David E Stevens holds degrees from Cornell and the University of Michigan with graduate work in astrophysics. He test piloted new fighters and received an aviation patent. With a Top Secret clearance, Dave served as Strike Operations Officer for the Persian Gulf during Desert Storm and led classified defense programs. He's traveled to over two dozen countries.

Find out more about David E. Stevens at http://www.resurrecttrilogy.com/.

 

 

My Take:

 

My wonderful husband wrote the bulk of this review since this book is more his type of genre than mine! :)

Resurrect ias a great concept that was turned into a good book.  The idea of a person being brought back to life in a new body is pretty neat.  Make that body the peak (or perhaps even just above the peak) of human limits, and it is even better.  Give that person a contact that communicates with him in his thoughts and guides him towards his goal and you have the makings of a great spy novel. 

Unfortunately, I feel like David Stephens kind of mixed a great concept with unnecessary distractions and a main plot that was too big for this character.  Instead of working with a master spy to save the country from an enemy, he is working with someone who might be an alien (or even God…) to save the world from an incoming comet that no one else knows about or can see.

Having said that, I must say that the book is still well written.  The tension the author creates is intense and makes the reader want to keep reading.  At times I got frustrated with the concept of one man knowing all of the answers and everyone else being in the dark, but, overall, the drama was compelling and fun to read.

I just wish that the author had made Jessie (the voice) less frustrating.  He refused to answer any questions directly or even volunteer any information.  There were several points where the characters had a major setback due to finding out information Jessie had earlier but they didn’t directly ask about.  Add on to that the insinuation that Jessie was either an alien or God and it got a bit annoying.  Then, Josh kept asking spiritual questions that seemed to distract from the main plot.  It was like the book couldn’t decide if it wanted to be a Christian novel or not.  Either be a Christian novel or don’t, but don’t sit on the fence.

Still, overall I liked this book.  And, it is the first book in a trilogy.  I can’t wait to see what the next two books will be about and where our character will go.  I am eager to read the next installment in the resurrect trilogy. 

I will give Resurrect 3.5 bookworms (leaning towards 4).

 

 

  

 

Find out what other reviewers are saying here: http://litfusegroup.com/author/DStevens

To celebrate the release of Resurrect, David E. Stevens has teamed up with his publisher, Kregel Publications, for a Kindle Fire Giveaway and Facebook Author Chat Party {12/4}.

One "thrilling" winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Resurrect by David E. Stevens

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 3rd. Winner will be announced at the "Resurrect" Author Chat Facebook Party on 12/4. Connect with David, get a sneak peek of the next book in the Resurrect Trilogy, try your hand at the trivia contest, and win some great prizes—gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of Resurrect and join David on the evening of December 4th for a chance to connect with David and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 4th!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Kregel Publications/Monarch Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."



"Christmas Roses" Blog Tour

Christmas Roses

by Amanda Cabot

 

Amanda Cabot invites readers to cozy up with a romantic, heartwarming tale of the greatest gift of all--love.

Celia Anderson doesn't need anything for Christmas except a few more boarders, which are hard to come by in this small mining town. She certainly doesn't have a husband on her Christmas wish list. But when a wandering carpenter finds lodging at her boarding house, she admits that she might remarry if she found the right man--the kind of man who would bring her roses for Christmas. It would take a miracle to get roses during a harsh Wyoming winter. But Christmas, after all, is the time for miracles . . .

 

 

Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

 

Amanda Cabot is an accomplished author under various pen names and a popular speaker. The author of Paper Roses, Scattered Petals, Tomorrow's Garden, and Summer of Promise, she is also a charter member of Romance Writers of America, the cofounder of its New Jersey chapter, a member of the ACFW, and an avid traveler. She lives in Wyoming.

 

My Take:

This is the second Christmas book I have read so far this  year, and Thanksgiving was just yesterday!

Christmas Roses is a nice novella set in the late 1800's in Wyoming. The setting of this book really made it feel like the holiday season with the descriptions of the cold and the snow.

While I enjoyed the setting, I didn't completely connect with the characters. It is hard to really get in touch with the characters in a novella since it is so short. There is a lot of telling of their backgrounds instead of showing, so it is harder to really connect. Also, Celia's romantic notions were at times just too 'fairy-tale' for me, so I didn't relate to her very well, either.

I did like the story and the circumstances through which Mark and Celia are brought together. There is a good message of God's leading and His plan, even though I thought the salvation scene that was presented was incomplete. (There was no mention of Christ's sacrifice for our sins or of the character's repentance of those sins).

While there are a few things in this novel that did not necessarily resonate with me, it was still a heartwarming and enjoyable read for the Christmas season.

I will give Christmas Roses ... 3 BookWorms.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Publishing through their blog tour program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"To Whisper Her Name" Review

Only a year after the end of the Civil War, Olivia Aberdeen finds herself alone and destitute after her husband is shot for being a traitor to the South. Not willing to leave her beloved Nashville, Olivia fortunately takes up residence with her “Aunt” Elizabeth, wife to the wealthy owner of Belle Meade Plantation, Confederate General William Giles Harding. Belle Meade is famous for its thoroughbreds, and the General is widely known for his horsemanship and his loyalty to the South.

Ridley Cooper, a young man from South Carolina who chose to fight for the Union, has spent the last several years in a Confederate prison camp. Upon his release at the end of the war, Ridley seeks a former slave whom he encountered right before he was captured. All Ridley knows is that the man’s name is Robert Green and that he does incredible work with the horses at Belle Mead Plantation. Ridley hopes to learn all he can from Bob Green so that one day he can venture to the West to pursue his dream of owning thoroughbreds of his own.

But all is not as it seems upon Olivia and Ridley’s arrival at Belle Mead. Olivia finds that the position she was promised has already been taken and that the General has other plans for how she will spend her time. In addition, Olivia is terrified of horses, and yet she finds herself working alongside Ridley Cooper in the heart of the plantation – the stables. And even though Ridley has been granted the opportunity to work with the thoroughbreds, the General doesn’t know Ridley’s secret – that he fought for the Union.

As Olivia and Ridley spend more and more time together, they feel a connection that they never expected. Each has their own fears and secrets, and only time will tell if these will come to light.

Set at Nashville’s historic Belle Meade Plantation, To Whisper Her Name is a story of the post-Civil War South that will take you on a journey of betrayal, love, and redemption.

When I started reading this book, I was very interested in a story taking place at Belle Meade Plantation. I lived in Tennessee for nine years, and I had heard of it as an interesting historical place, though I have never visited it. I also enjoyed the previous book by Tamera Alexander, A Lasting Impression, which took place in Nashville at the Belmont Mansion. Admittedly, I am not usually a fan of Civil War stories, but since this one actually takes places after the war, I thought I would give it a try.

One thing that I definitely have to say about this book is that I felt totally absorbed in it as I was reading. The writing really helps you to get to know the characters, and the descriptions made me feel as if I was really there at the plantation throughout the entire book. One reason for this might be that, at 480 pages, the book is quite long for a fiction novel. I can’t say that I ever got bored with the story necessarily, but it sometimes did feel long and stretched out. This novel is not a quick read but one that takes its time and leads you on a journey that is thorough but enjoyable.

I really like the relationships between the characters in this novel, even when they were not so good. This made for a more realistic story that focused on actual struggles that would have taken place at this time. The part of the story dealing with the former slaves was fascinating in and of itself and adding more post-war issues on top of that reinforced just how difficult this time in history actually was.

I also liked the relationship between Olivia and Ridley and how well-developed it was. They really spent time together and slowly got to know each other instead of falling in love at first sight. Their relationship had depth which made the characters come alive even more. I really enjoyed how Ridley was able to help Olivia come out of her shell a bit and how it seemed as if Olivia kind of gave Ridley greater confidence in his abilities and in his future. As with many Christian novels that I have read lately, I wish that there had been more said about Christ as the way to have a relationship with God, but the characters did at least take some steps of spiritual growth over the course of the novel.

To Whisper Her Name is a captivating novel that, though lengthy, is a worthwhile read, especially if you enjoy novels that are rich in historical details and realistic struggles.

I will give To Whisper Her Name … 4 BookWorms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"Courting Cate" Blog Tour

Courting Cate

by Leslie Gould

 

When This Couple Gets to Courting, Sparks Will Fly!
 

In Paradise, Pennsylvania, Cate Miller is known more for her sharp tongue and fiery temper than her striking appearance. Her sweet and flirty sister, Betsy, on the other hand, seems to have attracted most of the bachelors in Lancaster County!
 

But the sisters' wealthy father has made one hard-and-fast rule: older Cate must marry first, before younger Betsy can even start courting. Unfortunately, untamable Cate has driven away every suitor-until Pete Treger comes to town, that is.
 

Prodded by the men of the area, Pete turns his attention to winning Cate's hand. But is his interest true or is there a scheme at play?

Book 1 in The Courtships of Lancaster County series.

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/eSNfb
 

 

About the Author: Leslie Gould is the co-author, with Mindy Starns Clark, of the #1 bestselling The Amish Midwife and The Amish Nanny. She is also the author of numerous novels, including Garden of Dreams, Beyond the Blue (winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice for Best Inspirational Novel, 2006), and Scrap Everything. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Portland State University and has taught fiction writing at Multnomah University as an adjunct professor. She resides with her husband and four children in Portland, Oregon.

Learn more at www.lesliegould.com.

 

 

 

My Take:

 

Courting Cate is a modern (and yet Amish) take on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. In many ways, this made for a very interesting and cute story.
 

However, since it so closely followed the play (instead of just being based on it), some parts of the story went way over the top. Cate’s sister, Betsy, is a good example of this. Her character was so out there. Her behavior, especially at the end was unrealistic. I can’t imagine anyone saying the things she did or acting the way she did.
 

That being said, I still liked this book. It was very entertaining, and I enjoyed seeing this story unfold so similarly to Shakespeare’s play. I also enjoyed Cate in this novel. Although she seemed too preoccupied with herself, she did experience a tremendous amount of growth throughout the novel.
 

I didn’t feel much of a connection to the other characters in this book, possibly due to the first person telling. I would have liked to know more about Pete and his side of things.

 

My favorite part of the book was how much Cate and Pete like to read. I can definitely relate to that! The librarians knew me very well when I was growing up!
 

Overall, Courting Cate is an entertaining story that fans of Amish fiction (and Shakespeare) will enjoy.
 

I will give Courting Cate … 3 ½ BookWorms.

 

Read what other reviewers are saying here: http://litfusegroup.com/author/LGould 

  

A retelling of the Taming of the Shrew!

 

Leslie Gould is celebrating the release of Courting Cate with a fun Kindle Fire Giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat Party (11/20)!

One lucky winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Courting Cate by Leslie Gould

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 19th. Winner will be announced at the "Courting Cate" Author Chat Facebook Party on 11/20. Connect with Leslie, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at an Amish trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of Courting Cate and join Leslie on the evening of the November 20th for a chance to connect with Leslie and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 20th!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers and Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"The Christmas Pony" Blog Tour

The Christmas Pony

By Melody Carlson

 

The queen of the Christmas novella, Melody Carlson pens another magical tale of expectation and excitement as one little girl dreams big and the impossible becomes possible.

Eight-year-old Lucy Turnbull knew better than to wish for a pony that Christmas in 1937. Her mother had assured her in no uncertain terms that asking for a pony was the same as asking for the moon. Besides, the only extra mouths they needed at their boarding house were the paying kind. But when an interesting pair of strangers comes to town, Lucy starts to believe her Christmas wishes might just come true after all.

Available Sept 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.


Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than five million. She is the author of several Christmas books from Revell, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, and Christmas at Harrington's, which is being considered for a TV movie. She is also the author of many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, Double Take, The Jerk Magnet, and the "Diary of a Teenage Girl" series. Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books in 2010 and won the award in 2011. She and her husband live in central Oregon.

For more information about Melody visit her website at www.melodycarlson.com.


My Take:

Around my house, Christmas music can be heard starting in October. One reason for this is that my husband plays in our church's orchestra, and they begin rehearsing then for the Christmas musical. But the other reason is that my husband loves Christmas and Christmas music and would celebrate it/listen to it year 'round if he could!

So it's not much of a stretch for me to already be into Christmas books this year. I am reviewing a couple of novellas this year, starting with this one, The Christmas Pony.

From the start I was drawn to the characters in this story, which is a good thing since it is not a full novel. Since you don't have the pages to really get involved with the characters, you need to be able to relate to them and connect with them right way, and this novella did that very well.

What I liked most about this novella was that it was told exclusively from the point of view of Lucy, the eight-year-old girl in the story. Her voice was sweet and curious and even a little mature for her age, which gave the story a lot of depth. I loved how her perspective changed throughout the novel in relation to the other characters, especially toward Victoria, one of the guests at the boardinghouse.

Even though this story was fairly predictable, it was still enjoyable.

The Christmas Pony is a sweet story complete with romance, family, answered prayer, and Christmas surprises. What more could you ask for at Christmas?

I will give The Christmas Pony ... 4½ BookWorms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"Placebo" Blog Tour

Placebo

 

by Steven James

 

 

Pharmaceutical Cover-Up Turns Deadly in New Jevin Banks Series

 

While investigating a controversial neurological research program, expose filmmaker Jevin Banks is drawn into a far-reaching conspiracy involving one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical firms. He seeks answers about the questionable mind-to-mind communication program – and answers to his own family tragedy.

Rooted in groundbreaking science, Placebo explores the far reaches of science, consciousness, and faith. This tau, intelligent, and emotionally gripping new thriller from master storyteller Steven James will keep you flipping pages late into the night.

Available November 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

 

 

About the Author: Critically acclaimed author Steven James has written more than thirty books, including the bestselling Patrick Bowers thriller series. He is considered one of the nation's most innovative storytellers and versatile authors, and is a contributing editor to Writer's Digest. Steven lives in Tennessee with his wife and three daughters.

 

My Take:

Since this book is more my husband’s type of novel, I asked him to write the bulk of this review!

Jevin Banks is a successful magician who blames himself for the death of his wife and twin sons.  After quitting the stage, he starts a new career as an expose filmmaker who uses his expertise to expose charlatans for what they really are.  He and his stage assistant, Charlene, are working on a new story investigating a clinic doing studies on mind-to-mind communication.  As they dig deeper, they uncover a conspiracy involving the clinic, a pharmaceutical company, and the military.

This is the first book I have read by Steven James, and I have been told by those who have read his other books that this is very different from his previous series.  I enjoyed the fast paced thriller aspect of this story.  There wasn’t much mystery involved, but perhaps that is because I have read too many novels like this and was just able to see where it was going.  I still enjoyed watching how our characters figured out what was going on and seeing how it all fit together.

I also really enjoyed the two main characters in this book.  Jevin (Jev) and Charlene started the book as close friends with a long history.  But, with Jev’s wife and sons being dead only 13 months, it was a strained relationship.  It was great watching them grow closer together as the book progressed.  It felt like a very natural progression, too.

But, one of the biggest problems I had with this novel was how dark it was.  The book starts out telling the story of the death of Jev’s wife and twin sons, and it is told in very graphic detail.  And then of course Jev kept reliving it throughout the book.  In addition to that story, there were several characters in the book who would best be described as psychopaths.  They have no conscience or feelings at all.  Reading the descriptions of the child abuse and torture that took place in their lives was just too much for me.  I found it way too disturbing at times, especially for a Christian novel, and if the remainder of the series is to be as dark, I might not continue with it.

I will also say that the main concept behind this book was a bit farfetched.  I personally do not buy into the concept of affecting other people with our thoughts.  And, trying to explain away prayer or miracles by saying that we are influencing others with the connections of quantum particles that we all share was just too much.  However, it was cool how it made the skeptic main character evaluate the things in which he believes.  The process of his path toward God was very realistic.  He didn’t get all the way there, but hopefully he will in the next few books.

So, I am torn.  I enjoyed most of the story and the two main characters.  I would really enjoy reading another story based on these two characters.  However, if the next book in the series is anywhere near as dark and disturbing as this one, I probably will not be reading it. 

I will give Placebo … 3 BookWorms.

 

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

 



 

"A Promise to Love" Review

Ingrid Larsen finds herself in the woods of Michigan in 1871 after emigrating from Sweden. She and her twin brother, Hans, have plans to make a great life for themselves in America. But Ingrid has not been able to locate her brother, who is in one of the many lumber camps throughout the state, and she is currently employed by a harsh taskmaster.

Joshua Hunter faced many battles during his time in the Union army, but nothing prepared him for the loss of his beloved wife. With five young children to raise and many in the town questioning his wife’s mysterious death, Joshua does not know where to turn.

When Ingrid and Joshua impulsively decide to get married, they think that many of their problems will be solved. But their challenges are only beginning.

Will Ingrid be strong enough to fight for her new family, and will Joshua ever feel more for his new wife than just gratitude? Ingrid and Joshua will both have to rely on their faith in God and their promise to each other to find their way to love.

Marriage of convenience or mail-order bride novels seem to be favorites among historical fiction authors, but they are also some of my favorite stories to read. A Promise to Love started as a marriage of convenience story but turned into so much more.

I especially liked how the plot partially incorporated Joshua’s late wife, Diantha. Many marriage of convenience books barely mention the first wife or if they do, they portray her as a saint. I thought it was genuine that Joshua’s first wife would have a major role to play in his new relationship with Ingrid. The investigation into her death also added dimension to the plot. It was interesting that Diantha was portrayed as a less-than-perfect wife and mother which stood in stark contrast to Ingrid’s instant love for the children and excellent work ethic. I appreciated how Joshua and Ingrid handled the things that came to light about Diantha, but I wish they had been a bit more compassionate when thinking about her.

This novel was a bit gritty at times and difficult to read because of its straightforwardness and because of its emotion, but this made the characters and the situations seem very realistic. Ingrid’s Swedish ‘accent’ was hard to read and follow at times, but I soon got used to it and it lent to the credibility of the novel. While Ingrid’s way of speaking was convincing, I kind of wondered why all of these people who were from Michigan spoke in what read like Southern accents. Maybe most of the people had migrated from the South after the war or maybe the accent was supposed to be more ‘country’ than Southern, but it just felt a little out of place.

I thought this novel was engaging and, aside from the accents, I thought the characters were written very well. I really felt the emotions of the main characters, and the secondary characters came alive (the evil characters were really evil) without overshadowing the two primary characters.­ However, I thought that some of the sentence structure was awkward. Occasionally I would have to read a rather long sentence two or three times to get its meaning. I also thought that the scene changes (from Joshua’s thoughts to Ingrid’s thoughts) were frequent and sometimes abrupt. I am hoping some of this was due to the electronic copy that I had – there was nothing to note scene breaks – and not to the style in which the book was written.

The romance between Joshua and Ingrid was fairly typical for a marriage of convenience story, but it was still interesting to read. I thought that Ingrid fell in love a bit too quickly but that Joshua’s side of things was more true-to-life. Even though I thought Ingrid’s infatuation was not quite convincing at first and that she was trying too hard to earn Joshua’s love, I loved the moment in the book when she gave all of her work over to God. That was really a touching moment.

The spiritual side of this book kind of went back and forth a lot. Sometimes it would come across really clearly, and other times it would be really vague. But I guess this once again contributed to the realism that was portrayed in this book. When the main characters were struggling, then their faith did not shine through. But when they turned to God and relied on His strength, then His love shone brightly.

The ending of this novel was very exciting and almost completely satisfying. I would have liked a little bit more detail on where Joshua and Ingrid went from there – maybe even an additional chapter showing us what happened rather than an epilogue telling a bunch of facts about what would happen.

In this novel, there was a lot going on. It seemed to have more meat to it than the typical historical romance and marriage of convenience story. The events and the characters – both their strengths and weaknesses – all contributed to a realistic story that was knitted together with faith, hope, and love.

I will give A Promise to Love … 3 ½ BookWorms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"The Measure of Katie Calloway" Review

The Civil War has ended, but Katie Calloway is still struggling with battles of her own. Fleeing the ravaged South and an abusive husband, Katie ventures North with her young brother, where she hires on as a cook for a lumber camp deep in the woods of Michigan.

Robert Foster is not quite sure what he is doing when he hires a young widow named Katie Smith to be the cook for his lumber camp. All he knows is that she makes the best apple pie he has ever tasted. Having a good cook brings the best lumbermen to your camp, and Robert needs all the help he can get.

Working in a lumber camp is harder than Katie could ever have imagined, but she is determined to make it work. As camp life gets underway, Katie and Robert find themselves becoming more and more intrigued with each other. But they both have secrets that would get in the way of any kind of relationship.

Set in the rugged yet beautiful north woods of Michigan, The Measure of Katie Calloway, tells the story of a lumber camp in 1867, and that even in this remote place, hope – and love – can be found.

I seem to be reading a lot of books lately that are set in lumber camps in Michigan during the second half of the 1800s. I’m not sure why these novels ended up clustered together, but it has definitely given me greater knowledge and appreciation of the history of America during this time.

One thing I liked about this novel right from the beginning was that it didn’t take long to get into the story. The beginning started right off with Katie having to flee her home, and it just kept going from there without really letting down anywhere throughout the novel. There was always something going on that kept the story moving.

Even though things started off quickly, I still felt as if I was able to get to know Katie and Robert very well as characters. Once all of the people started to come into the camp, I got a bit lost at times with who was who. But later on I was able to settle in and enjoy the many personalities of those who worked in this particular camp.

As I said earlier, I have read several books lately related to lumber camps. This book in particular spent a lot of time describing the goings on in a camp and the work and such. While this is very interesting from a historical standpoint, sometimes the descriptions of the lumber business seemed more like a lesson rather than a plot to the story. It was interesting, but sometimes I felt like I was being given information rather than being told a story.

There were several spots in this book where the spiritual aspect shined through. While I would have liked for the book to have gone into a bit more detail about salvation, the spiritual things that were portrayed were done well. Katie’s prayers during surgery on one of the lumbermen was a moving moment as was the fact that it was so obvious that God had brought Katie to the camp in order to protect her.

There are a lot of deep things that are pursued in this book that I wasn’t expecting when I first started to read it. The issue of slavery was still dividing the country at this time, even though the war was over; Katie was fleeing an abusive husband; the dangers in a lumber camp were very real. All of these things and more led to a well-rounded story overall. At times the book was gritty and intense, but there was still a sense of hope.

Something amusing about this book was that there were so many descriptions of food. Since Katie has to prove herself as a cook, this is to be expected, but sometimes I would get so hungry reading about all the wonderful things that she made!

The ending of this book for some reason seemed a bit contrived, but I still found it satisfying. It was one of those things where I knew where it was going, I wanted it to go there, but the execution was only okay. I like endings that are wrapped up nicely, so I was not disappointed there. Again, I’m not sure why I felt as if everything came out a little too easily in the end, but I still liked it.

The Measure of Katie Calloway ended up being more than I expected - more history, more intensity, and ultimately, more of a happy ending.

I will give The Measure of Katie Calloway … 4 BookWorms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."