Rich Dual Timeline Story -- A Million Little Choices

Tamera Alexander's A Million Little Choices is a rich dual timeline story, filled with intriguing characters and plot lines. 

Over the past several years I have become a fan of Tamera's Civil War era stories. When I saw that her newest book was something a little different with a mostly contemporary setting, I was interested in reading that one as well. I was not disappointed in the least at the change in focus. Her characters and their stories provided a read that was just as engaging as any of her previous books. It was easy to be drawn into the lives of the characters in both time periods, and she did a lovely job of weaving the two pieces together. (And she still managed to include that familiar time period.)

The story of faith, courage, and second chances was a delight to read. The story leaves you thinking about the impact of the choices you make along the way in the ordinary and not so ordinary days of your life, some of those impacts lasting well beyond your lifetime.

I highly recommend A Million Little Choices to fans of great inspirational fiction.

About the Book

Sometimes secrets just won’t stay hidden . . .

Now from USA Today bestselling author and Christy Award Hall of Fame inductee Tamera Alexander comes the story of two women from different centuries living in the same house who share strikingly similar journeys.

Claire Powell’s life is turned upside down when her beloved husband admits to a “near affair.” But when Stephen accepts a partnership with an Atlanta law firm without consulting her and buys a historic Southern home sight-unseen—it pushes their already-fractured marriage to the breaking point. Claire’s world spirals, and she soon finds herself in a marriage she no longer wants, in a house she never asked for.

In 1863, Charlotte Thursmann, pregnant and trapped in a marriage to an abusive husband, struggles to protect her unborn child and the enslaved members of her household. Desperate, she’s determined to right the evils her husband and others like him commit. But how can one woman put an end to such injustice? Especially if her husband makes good on his threat to kill her?

Both Claire and Charlotte discover truths about themselves they never realized, along with secrets long hidden that hold the power to bring God’s restoration—if only they choose to let it.

About the Author

Tamera Alexander is the Christy Award-winning, bestselling author of numerous books, including Colors of Truth, With This Pledge, A Lasting Impression, A Note Yet Unsung, To Whisper Her Name, and more. Her richly drawn characters and thought-provoking plots have earned her devoted readers worldwide. Tamera and her husband make their home in Nashville, where they enjoy life with their two adult children who live nearby.

A Truly "Not Put-Downable" Book -- Double Take

If you've read many suspense novels, you've seen the endorsements or reviews. They contain words and phrases like "edge of your seat," "nail biter," "can't put it down," and so on. Sometimes I find those right on point and sometimes not so much. 

But for Lynette Eason's Double Take, all those are true, as well as this one that was included on the introductory page of the book:  "This book should come with a warning: do not start unless you've got plenty of time to finish!" I started the book too late in the day to finish in one sitting, but I fought until my eyes just wouldn't stay open before giving up to sleep.

Lynette Eason is one of the best authors of inspirational romantic suspense, and she may have outdone herself on this one. All the elements of the story -- character development, suspense plot, dangerous situations, romantic theme, and faith thread -- fit together like a well designed (but challenging) puzzle. And I can't tell you how many times I had to change my mind about how this one was going to work out. Keeping me as a reader guessing, with a number of plausible possibilities, is one of the top requirements for a well-written suspense story. That is exactly what I experienced in this story! I'm anxious to see where Lynette takes us next in the second book of her Lake City Heroes series.

I highly recommend Double Take to fans of great inspirational romantic suspense. Thanks to Revell Reads for providing a copy of the book. I was happy to share my own thoughts in this review.

About the Book

She survived a murder plot and her attacker is dead--isn't he?

Detective James Cross has been honorably discharged from the Army's Criminal Investigation Division due to wounds sustained when an IED blew up near him. Now with the Lake City Police Department, he's rooming with his good buddy and partner, Cole, while he figures out his family dynamics.

Physician Assistant Lainie Jackson is eighteen months out from an attempted murder perpetrated by her ex, which ended when she managed to grab the weapon and shoot him. When he appears to have survived and is back to finish the job he started, Lainie insists it's not possible. But someone keeps trying to kill her, and she keeps seeing his face.

Together, Lainie and James must work together to find out who exactly is after her and why he wants her dead. And failure is not an option.

About the Author

Lynette Eason is the USA Today bestselling author of Double Take, as well as the Extreme Measures, Danger Never Sleeps, Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master's degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband. They have two adult children. Learn more at LynetteEason.com.

Sweet Amish Stories for Valentine's Day -- Amish Love Letters

As we're finishing up the Christmas and New Year's holidays, Amish Love Letters is a collection of Amish stories to turn your heart toward Valentine's Day. Shelley Shepard Gray, Charlotte Hubbard, and Rosalind Lauer have each shared a sweet love story -- although with some obstacles along the way in each one. All three stories included delightful and pretty typical Amish romances which were quick and easy to read.

I particularly enjoyed Charlotte Hubbard's S.W.A.K. It was written with her usual style, which fits well within the Amish romance genre, but also takes you a little ways out of the typical box. For fans of her Promise Lodge series, you will be pleased to find that community to be the setting of this story and see several familiar characters showing up.

This may have been the first time I've read anything by Rosalind Lauer. I also enjoyed the stories both she and Shelley Shepard Gray included in the collection.

I recommend this book for fans of Amish romance, particularly those who might want to sample a variety of authors. Thanks to an author for providing a copy of Amish Love Letters. I was happy to share my own thoughts in this review.

About the Book

A heartfelt note, a loving message, a letter filled with secret hopes—this trio of sweet Amish romances will show that on Valentine’s Day, the right words can spark a lifetime of joy.

Love Letter Courtship * Shelley Shepard Gray

After six months of courtship, Jennie Miller has refused Matt Lapp’s proposal. Though he visits regularly, they never seem to talk deeply, and Jennie longs for real connection and romance. Chastened, Matt offers a solution. For two months, they’ll share letters filled with their hopes and dreams. Soon, Jennie is falling for Matt in earnest . . . but will he ever propose again?

S.W.A.K * Charlotte Hubbard

Quiet, gentle Fannie Kurtz knows that fun-loving Eddie Brubaker is the man she wants to marry someday. When he starts receiving letters in pink envelopes, she realizes she has some competition. Maybe it’s time she wrote a love note or two of her own? But a mix-up could jeopardize this romance before it starts, unless she keeps faith in Gott’s plan . . .

The Wrong Valentine * Rosalind Lauer

Young widow Martha Lambright is grateful to be working at her mother-in-law’s restaurant, even if seeing the kitchen gals giggle over Valentine cards gives her a pang. But when Mose Troyer, the former bad boy who drives Martha to and from work each day, finds a Valentine he mistakenly believes is for him, it begins a tender exchange that could lead to a wonderful future . . .