Stories That Bind Us

by Susie Finkbeiner

Review & GIVEAWAY!

Description

Betty Sweet never expected to be a widow at 40. With so much life still in front of her, she tries to figure out what's next. She couldn't have imagined what God had in mind. When her estranged sister is committed to a sanitarium, Betty finds herself taking on the care of a 5-year-old nephew she never knew she had.

In 1960s LaFontaine, Michigan, they make an odd pair. Betty with her pink button nose and bouffant hair. Hugo with his light brown skin and large brown eyes. But more powerful than what makes them different is what they share: the heartache of an empty space in their lives. Slowly, they will learn to trust one another as they discover common ground and healing through the magic of storytelling.

Award-winning author Susie Finkbeiner offers fans a novel that invites us to rediscover the power of story to open the doors of our hearts.

Biography

Susie Finkbeiner is the CBA bestselling author of All Manner of Things, as well as A Cup of Dust, A Trail of Crumbs, and A Song of Home. She serves on the Fiction Readers Summit planning committee, volunteers her time at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and speaks at retreats and women's events across the country. Susie and her husband have three children and live in West Michigan. 

My Perspective ~

"So much love that sometimes it hurts."

Stories That Bind Us is a novel to be absorbed, not devoured or speed read. Upon completion you'll need some time to process the experience. This book is about the human condition, our hopes, our fears, our brokenness and the ultimate truth.

Events of the past affected me profoundly at the time, and once again in retrospect as events were depicted throughout this book. Finkbeiner brought the past to the present in such a clear-sighted manner, at times bringing me to tears as the story progressed. These stories that bind us are memories of a time that I know so personally, I couldn’t help but be emotionally overwrought at times.

I can relate intensely to the depth of this story, a biracial boy/child, mental illness, country life. The time is a reflection my own life and youth. I commend the author for her solid, earthy approach to a time in our nation's history that was beautiful, yet ugly in the same breath. I highly recommend this book, and it is my hope that the author will follow up with a sequel!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All expressed opinions are honest and my own.

CONTEST GUIDELINES: Please leave a comment and your email address using [at] and [dot] to protect your email address. Giveaways are limited to residents of the continental US only, please. I am not responsible for loss or damage through the postal service. Winners have one week to claim their prizes. Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I appreciate all of your comments!

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Veiled in Smoke

(The Windy City Saga #1)

by Jocelyn Green

Description

Meg and Sylvie Townsend manage the family bookshop and care for their father, Stephen, a veteran still suffering in mind and spirit from his time as a POW during the Civil War. But when the Great Fire sweeps through Chicago's business district, they lose much more than just their store.

The sisters become separated from their father and make a harrowing escape from the flames with the help of Chicago Tribune reporter Nate Pierce. Once the smoke clears away, they reunite with Stephen, only to learn soon after that their family friend was murdered on the night of the fire. Even more shocking, Stephen is charged with the crime and committed to the Cook County Insane Asylum.

Though homeless and suddenly unemployed, Meg must not only gather the pieces of her shattered life, but prove her father's innocence before the asylum truly drives him mad.

Biography

Jocelyn Green is a former journalist who puts her investigative skills to work in writing both nonfiction and historical fiction to inspire faith and courage.

The honors her books have received include the Christy Award in historical fiction, and gold medals from the Military Writers Society of America and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.

Complex and nuanced characters, rich historical detail and twisting plots make her novels immersive experiences. Her fiction has been praised by Historical Novel Society, Romantic Times, Library Journal, historians specializing in her novels’ time periods, as well as popular and acclaimed authors Laura Frantz, Lori Benton, Jody Hedlund, Sarah Sundin, Joanne Bischof, Julie Lessman, and more.

Jocelyn loves Broadway musicals, the color red, strawberry-rhubarb pie, Mexican food, and well-done documentaries. She lives in Iowa with her husband, two children, and two cats she should have named Catticus Finch and Purrman Meowville.

Visit her at jocelyngreen.com.

My Perspective ~

Veiled in Smoke is by far Green's best work yet! This novel depicting the Townsend family during Chicago's Great Fire and the early rebuilding of the city is impressive! If you enjoy the works of Lynn Austin and Kristin Hannah you'll love this novel! 

I found the characters to be true to life and personalities are detailed in depth. Their life challenges are believable and include circumstances that are well described and realistic. This is history related through fiction. The author researched her topics to the point of bringing the past to the present in a very impassioned manner. Details from the prison camps of the Civil War and the affect they left with survivors are disturbing. What was considered insanity at that time is now looked upon as a condition resulting from great trauma. PTSD is a more recent and appropriate description.

Relationships throughout this novel are poignant and natural. How family members relate to one another is a strong point in this heart wrenching and revealing story. Romance enters the picture as young people reach out to one another in a very difficult time. My heart ached as I read how this inferno destroyed everything in its path, and interesting information was shared regarding the rebuilding of the city. The compassion shared with neighbors affected by great tragedy is so encouraging. Our misfortunes many times bring out the best in people as described here.

For a more detailed description of Veiled in Smoke, please read the description above which I won't repeat in this review. I must repeat that this book is an impressive and detailed portrayal of a historic event through fictional characters. If you enjoy historical fiction, I highly recommend this book. I will be reading it again!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All expressed opinions are honest and my own. 

Cold Case Connection

(Roughwater Ranch Cowboys #3)

by Dana Mentink

Description

Hunting down old leads puts a murderer on their trail.

Convinced his sister’s death wasn’t an accident, private investigator Sergio Ross is determined to catch her killer. But with all the clues hinting at a connection to another unsolved murder, he has to join forces with Helen Pike—a woman linked to both deaths—to find the truth. Can they follow the cold evidence trail to get justice…before they become the next victims?

Biography

Dana Mentink is an award winning author of Christian fiction. She's written more than twenty five mystery and suspense novels. She is honored to have received two ACFW Carol Awards, a Holt Medallion Award, and a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award. Please visit her on the web at www.danamentink.com or find her on Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest. Dana hosts monthly contests at www.dmentink.wordpress.com and on her YouTube channel. 

My Perspective ~

The third in the Roughwater Ranch Cowboys series, Cold Case Connection can easily be read as a stand alone. Connections from prequels are well defined and easily understood. This is another fast paced and unpredictable suspense story that kept me hooked throughout. A murderer has struck twice in the same circle of friends, and with no clues to his identity the author takes us back to the events surrounding the first murder committed several years ago. 

Characters in this series are likeable and realistic, and it's easy to feel swept away and a part of their lives. That is not to say that all characters are upstanding and honest.   Relationships are strained as events from the past have not been redeemed, but forgiveness becomes a strong point in this book. 

Dana Mentink has a talent for keeping her readers interested and involved in her suspense stories. There is no time for boredom as action and mystery lurk around every corner, and the plot moves along swiftly. I love these books for numerous reasons. They're easy to read, fast moving, and they take me away from the more pressing issues in my life. Highly recommend, and looking forward to the fourth in this series!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. All expressed opinions are honest and my own.

The Land Beneath Us

(Sunrise at Normandy #3)

by Sarah Sundin

Description

In 1943, Private Clay Paxton trains hard with the US Army Rangers at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, determined to do his best in the upcoming Allied invasion of France. With his future stolen by his brothers' betrayal, Clay has only one thing to live for--fulfilling the recurring dream of his death.

Leah Jones works as a librarian at Camp Forrest, longing to rise above her orphanage upbringing and belong to the community, even as she uses her spare time to search for her real family--the baby sisters she was separated from so long ago.

After Clay saves Leah's life from a brutal attack, he saves her virtue with a marriage of convenience. When he ships out to train in England for D-day, their letters bind them together over the distance. But can a love strong enough to overcome death grow between them before Clay's recurring dream comes true?

Biography

Sarah Sundin is the author of The Sea Before Us and The Sky Above Us, as well as the Waves of Freedom, Wings of the Nightingale, and Wings of Glory series. Her novels have received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. Her popular Through Waters Deep was a Carol Award finalist, and both Through Waters Deep and When Tides Turn were named on Booklist's "101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years." Sarah lives in Northern California. Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information.

My Perspective ~

The Land Beneath Us is the third in this series, and I had not read the first or second books. There was only one reference to a person that I did not recognize, so in my opinion this book can easily stand on its own. The cast of characters is diverse and well described, and the settings throughout were very well documented. It is obvious that a lot of research went into this book, particularly of D-Day, and the preparation that went into it.

This book evoked a wealth of emotions that at times brought me to tears, and other times I rejoiced. Prejudice, empathy and forgiveness are highlights through this touching story. I have read several of this author's books, and find that she weaves deep human emotions into her characters that have a major impact on the reader. Family issues are at the core of both main characters, and overcoming those obstacles is an important part of healing and reconciliation. I enjoyed this book very much, and will more than likely pick up copies of the prequels to it. I highly recommend this book.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through a LibraryThing giveaway. All expressed opinions are honest and my own.

The Amish Wedding Promise

(Hidden Springs #1)

by Laura V. Hilton

Description

Could this bride's wedding disaster be a blessing in disguise?
Grace Lantz always imagined her wedding day would be a blissfully happy occasion. But after a tornado swept through town, she finds herself relieved that the ceremony is delayed. After all, her groom-to-be hasn't even bothered to check on her. Instead, it's the handsome volunteer Zeke Bontrager who selflessly offers Grace his strong shoulders to lean on.
Zeke came to Hidden Springs to assist a community in need. He didn't expect to meet his soul mate. Determined to ignore his feelings, Zeke promises to help reunite kind, beautiful Grace with her groom. But after spending time together, Grace confesses that she might not want to marry her fiancé after all. Can Zeke convince her that her true love is standing right in front of her? And can she find the courage to follow her heart? 

Biography

Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and their five children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer. 

My Perspective ~

A tornado destroys a portion of an Illinois Amish community, leaving families uprooted and facing mammoth destruction. A group of Mennonite and Amish men from Indiana become involved in cleaning up the rubble and assisting in finding lost animals and missing persons, as well as repairing and rebuilding what was lost. Romance is forbidden to those workmen who are there to assist in rebuilding, not to enhance their personal lives. Zeke Bontrager finds it difficult to ignore his host family's daughter, Grace, whose wedding was called off as a result of the storm. Her bridegroom is missing! With the help of the volunteers the Amish community faces loss and destruction as they work hand in hand to find a new normal.

The Amish work ethic is ever present in Hilton's novels, and this strength is abundant in this story as well. Romantic attraction reveals itself as Grace sees a much different type of man in Zeke, so unlike her lost bridegroom, a demanding and cold individual. Loss and heartache reveal themselves in this emotional story, as families attempt to recover from the storm that changed their lives. I was touched by the compassion and love that is shared throughout this novel, and once again am impressed with this author's gift of demonstrating human frailties as well as strengths. The first in the Hidden Springs series, I'm eagerly looking forward to what the future holds for this cast of characters!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. All expressed opinions are honest and my own.

Echoes Among the Stones

by Jaime Jo Wright

Description

After Aggie Dunkirk's career is unceremoniously ended by her own mistakes, she finds herself traveling to Wisconsin, where her grandmother, Mumsie, lives alone in her rambling old home. She didn't plan for how eccentric Mumsie has become, obsessing over an old, unsolved crime scene--even going so far as to re-create it in the dollhouse.

Mystery seems to follow her when she finds work as a secretary helping to restore the flooded historical part of the cemetery. Forced to work with the cemetery's puzzling, yet attractive archeologist, she exhumes the past's secrets and unwittingly uncovers a crime that some will go to any length to keep quiet--even if it means silencing Aggie.

In 1946, Imogene Grayson works in a local factory and has eyes on owning her own beauty salon. But coming home to discover her younger sister's body in the attic changes everything. Unfamiliar with the newly burgeoning world of criminal forensics and not particularly welcomed as a woman, Imogene is nonetheless determined to stay involved. As her sister's case grows cold, Imogene vows to find justice . . . even if it costs her everything.

Biography

Daphne du Maurier and Christy Award-Winning author, Jaime Jo Wright resides in the hills of Wisconsin writing suspenseful, mysteries stained with history's secrets. Jaime lives in dreamland, exists in reality, and invites you to join her adventures at jaimewrightbooks.com!

My Perspective ~

Jaime Jo Wright has honed the edge at creating another time-slip novel! Time frames attached by the threads woven between them reveal how the past has touched the present with a substantial intensity. Intrigue, relationships and suspense are revealed, as unforeseen and unpredictable enigmas surface throughout Echoes Among the Stones. Family ties are strong and reach across the span of time from one generation to the next, and onward, impacting both Aggie and her Mumsie, and the conundrums that confront them. The cast of characters is well described and unique, adding much depth to the plot.

Creative writing at its best is revealed throughout this story of the past and its affect upon the present. Wright uses poetic license in her descriptions, creating pictorial scenes that add artistry to her narratives. Unpredictable and mysterious, this suspenseful novel kept me guessing as events were revealed. I have read all of this author's novels, and highly recommend each of them, as they all stand on their own merits. Echoes Among the Stones will remain my permanent library, and will be read again in the future. 

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All expressed opinions are honest and my own.

Deadly Deceit

(Harbored Secrets #2)

by Natalie Walters

Description

Independent and tenacious journalist Vivian DeMarco is back in Walton, Georgia, for one reason--to do her job and get out. When her boss suddenly dies under suspicious circumstances, Vivian's only hope for finding the truth--and the next big story--is small-town law enforcement's lanky poster boy, Deputy Ryan Frost. But the deeper they dig, the more twisted the truth becomes, and Vivian finds herself fighting for not only answers but also her life. False leads, incriminating emails, and someone called The Watcher force Vivian to confront the secret of her past and decide: How much is she willing to risk for the sake of a headline?

Author Natalie Walters welcomes you back to Walton, Georgia, where everyone knows your name--but no one knows your secret.

Biography

Natalie Walters is the author of Living Lies. A military wife of 22 years, she currently resides in Hawaii with her soldier husband and their three kids. She writes full-time and has been published in Proverbs 31 magazine and has blogged for Guideposts online. In addition to balancing life as a military spouse, mom, and writer, she loves connecting on social media, sharing her love of books, cooking, and traveling. Natalie comes from a long line of military and law enforcement veterans and is passionate about supporting them through volunteer work, races, and writing stories that affirm no one is defined by their past. Learn more at www.nataliewalterswriter.com. 

My Perspective ~

This is my first occasion to read a book by Natalie Walters. Deadly Deceit is the second in a series, but could easily be read as a stand alone. I don't feel that I missed anything by not reading the first in this series. Characterizations are well done, depicting their serious sides and their sense of fun. Suspense runs high in this whodunit, but also included are scenes that include humor, compassion, romance, and a sense of growing relationships. The plot moves along swiftly, with suspense creating a sense of urgency at times throughout the book. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery romance, and look forward to reading more from this author.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program. All expressed opinions are honest and my own.

The Family Upstairs

by Lisa Jewell

Description

Be careful who you let in.

Soon after her twenty-fifth birthday, Libby Jones returns home from work to find the letter she’s been waiting for her entire life. She rips it open with one driving thought: I am finally going to know who I am.

She soon learns not only the identity of her birth parents, but also that she is the sole inheritor of their abandoned mansion on the banks of the Thames in London’s fashionable Chelsea neighborhood, worth millions. Everything in Libby’s life is about to change. But what she can’t possibly know is that others have been waiting for this day as well—and she is on a collision course to meet them.

Twenty-five years ago, police were called to 16 Cheyne Walk with reports of a baby crying. When they arrived, they found a healthy ten-month-old happily cooing in her crib in the bedroom. Downstairs in the kitchen lay three dead bodies, all dressed in black, next to a hastily scrawled note. And the four other children reported to live at Cheyne Walk were gone.

In The Family Upstairs, the master of “bone-chilling suspense” (People) brings us the can’t-look-away story of three entangled families living in a house with the darkest of secrets.

Biography

Lisa Jewell was born and raised in north London, where she lives with her husband and two daughters. She is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY bestselling author of over twenty novels, including The Girls in the Garden, The House We Grew Up In, and The Third Wife. To find out more, visit Facebook.com/LisaJewellOfficial, or follow her on Twitter @LisaJewellUK.

My Perspective ~

The description of this story is told above, so I won't repeat it. This is my first experience reading Lisa Jewell's work, and it definitely won't be the last! I was swiftly swept into this story and was captured by the events portrayed. The pace is fast and the plot is unpredictable, great features of a suspense filled psychological thriller! 

Told in first person and two separate third persons, I had no difficulty deciphering who was narrating. The story flowed seamlessly and without question regarding who was doing the telling. This is unusual and difficult to achieve, but this author pulled it off without any hitches. Deep and dark, mysterious and somewhat sordid events kept me clutching the book tighter as I read. I literally had to force myself to put the book down. 

I highly recommend this novel of intensity and unique developments. Characterizations are deep and distinctive, and the plot is unforgettable. Pick up a copy and enjoy a fast paced ride.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Goodreads Giveaway program. All expressed opinions are honest and my own.