The Sister Circle

Title:                    The Sister Circle

Author:                Vonette Bright and Nancy Moser

Publisher:            Tyndale House Publishers

Market:                Inspirational

Genre:                 Fiction

Series:                 The Sister Circle Series #1

Length:                352 pages

Pub. Date:           December 31, 2002

Description (from Amazon):

The Sister Circle, book one of this charming contemporary series, introduces Peerbaugh Place, the quaint Victorian house that becomes a refuge to seven women of vastly different ages, personalities, and backgrounds. When Evelyn Peerbaugh hung the ancient sign in front of her house, she had no idea how life was about to change. In a matter of days, she became the newly widowed owner of a busy boardinghouse, trying to cope with the lives and emotions of the most incompatible group of women ever gathered under one roof. Through struggles and triumphs, the women forge a special bond of sisterhood. Readers will find their own place in the circle, gaining insight into their own spiritual gifts, as they laugh and cry with each of these women.

My Review:

Without having an e-reader, I found myself looking at the shelves in the library for books.  Because I haven’t read anything by Bright or Moser prior to this book, I decided to check it out.  I liked the idea of a group of women from different backgrounds coming together.  I was not disappointed by this book.

I enjoyed how real the characters were.  I could see their flaws in me or another person I know.  I loved seeing how God was working in each of their lives, and how He used each of them to teach one of the other women.  The book seems to answers critics.  For example, May talks about how long it takes men to get to know each other versus how long it takes women to get to know each other.  The women quickly come to know details of each other’s lives, and they encourage each other to become better.  Their lives come together and provide for each other in ways the women didn’t know that they needed.  It’s amazing how different the characters are – personalities, behaviors, patterns of speech, and the authors keep true to each character.

Through reading this book, I identified with personality traits of one of the characters, and frankly, I didn’t like it.  What I did like is the thought that God loves all people, no matter their flaws.  God puts people into our lives to allow iron to sharpen iron and work out those negative personality traits.  Thank you Jesus!  There is good character development in this book.  The women recognize their flaws, and the allow God to change them.

The writing was great.  There was a nice mix of background and dialogue.  I believe there is some foreshadowing to what the next book in the series may explore, but I could be wrong.  Without spoiling a scene, there is one thing I hope is answered.  There is acceptance of a situation in this book, yet it is a loose end.  It’s something I want to know how it turns out.  I wonder about the connection, and it makes me want to read the next book to find out!

I didn’t like how quickly one character went from where she was to being saved.  I would have liked to know more about what she was going through.  I also don’t know if I liked the romance between Evelyn’s son and another resident.  These are minor issues.  They aren’t deal breakers. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.  I want to continue with the other books in the series.  I would recommend it for anyone who likes stories about women learning to get along while edifying and encouraging each other.  It’s a book that will bring tears to your eyes in places, and make you smile and chuckle in other places. 

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

Secrets of Sloane House

Title:                    Secrets of Sloane House

Author:                Shelley Gray

Publisher:            Zondervan

Market:                Christian

Genre:                 Fiction (mystery and romance)

Series:                 The Chicago World’s Fair Mystery Series Book 1

Length:                328 pages

Pub. Date:           July 8, 2014

Description (from Amazon):

Against the backdrop of the 1893 World’s Fair, a young woman finds employment with an illustrious Chicago family—a family who may guard the secret of her sister’s disappearance.

Sloane House is among the most gilded mansions of Gilded Age Chicago. Rosalind Perry, the new housemaid, pours the morning coffee before the hard gaze of her mistress.

“It’s simple, Rosalind,” she says. “I am Veronica Sloane, heiress to one of the country’s greatest fortunes. You are simply one in a long line of unsuitable maids.”

Back on the farm in Wisconsin, Rosalind’s plan had seemed logical: Move to Chicago. Get hired on at Sloane House. Discover what transpired while her sister worked as a maid there—and follow the clues to why she disappeared.

Now, as a live-in housemaid to the Sloanes, Rosalind realizes her plan had been woefully simple-minded.

She was ignorant of the hard, hidden life of a servant in a big, prominent house; of the divide between the Sloane family and the people who served them; and most of all, she had never imagined so many people could live in such proximity and keep such dark secrets.

Yet, while Sloane House is daunting, the streets of Chicago are downright dangerous. The World’s Fair has brought a new kind of crime to the city . . . and a lonely young woman is always at risk. But when Rosalind accepts the friendship of Reid Armstrong, the handsome young heir to a Chicago silver fortune, she becomes an accidental rival to Veronica Sloane.

As Rosalind continues to disguise her kinship to the missing maid—and struggles to appease her jealous mistress—she probes the dark secrets of Sloane House and comes ever closer to uncovering her sister’s mysterious fate. A fate that everyone in the house seems to know . . . but which no one dares to name.

My Review:

I selected this book because of the historical Midwestern theme.  The book’s cover is unique with the two triangles (two paths, sisters, outcomes, and two sides of Chicago).  I have previously read and enjoyed books by Gray.

This book is about the journey of a young woman who lives on a farm in Wisconsin, and she travels to Chicago, which is made larger by the World’s Fair, in search of her missing, more vibrant sister.  This journey also illustrates the changes that take place in Rosalind.  She is changed by her experiences in the showy home of the very wealthy Sloane family.  Rosalind is a likeable character, and her immaturity shows in some of her decisions.  Although I enjoyed her character, I didn’t connect with her.

The romance in the book was a bit surprising.  Reid was wealthy and had one foot in society and the other foot in the working class.  He was her go-to guy in Chicago, but the romance was developed rather suddenly without many clues alluding to their mutual attraction.  There were a few times that I noticed Reid’s appreciation of how slim Rosalind was.  The attraction had to go beyond the physical, but it wasn’t shown through dialogue or description.

To say that this book has a dark side is an understatement.  However, I don’t think it was unrealistic to show an extremely wealthy family believing that they are above the law.  It was sad to read how the wealthy can destroy people who are not, and the poor are treated as if they are sub-humans.  It was also sad to read the devastating effects wealthy men may have had on wealthy women.  Yes, this novel has a dark side.  I didn’t like the injustice in the book.  Sadly, the injustice is undoubtedly factual.  I would have liked to see people be prosecuted for their crimes or some sort of happy ending for the evil situations.  There was also backbiting amongst the poor, demonstrating their need to survive over a need to connect with other people.

I would recommend this book to anyone over age 18 who enjoys a bit of a darker read with Christian undertones.  If this were a movie, it could be rated PG-13 if the scenes were alluded to but not shown.  If dark scenes were shown, it would be rated R. 

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Self Helpless

Title:                    Self Helpless

Author:                Rachel Hall

Publisher:            Peninsula Psychology Publishing

Market:                Chick-lit

Genre:                  Fiction (humor and romance)

Series:                 ---

Length:                318 pages

Pub. Date:           March 12, 2014

Description (from Amazon):

Jenny Peterson is a single, self-help junkie looking for her soul mate. But despite being an expert in self-improvement, her life still seems to be stuck in a rut. Her designer clothing rental business, even with its well-heeled Orange County clientele, is mysteriously losing money. And although it goes against every fiber in her moral makeup, the one guy she pines for happens to be her best friend’s husband. But are her fortunes about to change? A super-cute mystery guy has just recommended a new self-help book, and from the moment she opens the pages of A Better Life, her world is turned upside down in ways that not even Dr. Phil could have predicted.

My Review:

This is the first book I’ve ready by Rachel Hall.  Part of what attracted me to the book was that Jenny is a fashionista and funny, and it reminded me of the Finley Anderson Tanner mysteries by Rhonda Pollero (Sadly, she no longer writes books).  It was definitely worth my time to read this book.

Yes, Jenny is great with fashion, and she’s funny.  We read her sarcastic thought that are left unsaid.  Jenny is an imperfect main character.  Being a little overweight and having some acne in an appearance dominated profession are two obstacles in her life.  I enjoyed her character.  However, there is one event in the book that I really wish wouldn’t have happened.  Jenny, what were you thinking?!

Hall has done a great job writing this book.  I loved Jenny’s character right away, and I wanted to find out how her obsession with Marc ended up and if anything was going to happen with Brice.  Reading this is like listening to your own internal monologue at times.  It helps you connect to Jenny and understand her better.    She’s an underdog that I cared about and rooted for throughout the book.  There are a couple of things that happen in the book that are surprising, and one of those is a bit shocking, too.  I didn’t see it coming.

The book that Jenny buys helps her to grow and mature throughout the story.  Again, she is an imperfect character, and she doesn’t always do the right thing.  Isn’t that true with all of us though?  Everyone makes poor choices from time to time, but fortunately for Jenny, there are people in her life who are willing to give her a second change.  She has people to pick her up when she has fallen.

I would recommend this book to anyone over age 18 who likes chick-lit, humorous stories about fashionistas, and female underdogs who enjoy self-help books to help them succeed in the romance department.

Thanks to Goodreads First Reads and Rachel Hall for providing a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

Honest and for True

Title:                   Honest and for True

Author:               Jane Lebak

Publisher:           Philangelus Press

Market:               Women’s Fiction

Genre:                 Romance

Series:                 Adventures of Lee and Bucky (Book 1)

Length:               312 pages

Pub. Date:           May 5, 2015

Description (from Amazon):

29-year-old Lee has a Park Slope apartment with easy access to Manhattan, loves her job as an auto mechanic, and can see her guardian angel (a wisecracker with a fascination for the Rumours album.) That's kind of a full life for a kid in the world's biggest playground. Despite what everyone thinks, she doesn't need, or want, a romantic relationship.

Far more comfortable in blue jeans and flannel than in heels and satin, Lee finds herself lying to every man she dates. To the physical trainer, she's a preschool teacher; to the guy at the bowling alley, she's a secretary. The lies keep romance at arm's length even as they drive the angel to distraction until the day she realizes she's fallen for a straight-laced accountant who's exploring his dark side through bizarre foods (please note: sea cucumber is not a vegetable). But now he thinks she's someone she's not.

Now she's got to turn those mechanic skills on herself to diagnose and repair the most important relationships in her life. And just think, she used to find it tough repairing a transmission!

Long-time comedy writer and novelist Jane Lebak serves up a hilarious comedy with angels and spare tires and a recipe for the best omelets you've ever tasted. Also what may be the most romantic toilet-fixing scene in the English language. But there really isn't an award for that, so we’ll never know.

My Review:

This is the first book I’ve read by Jane Lebak, but it won’t be the last.  What drew me to the book was the cover (Yes, I do judge books by their covers.) and the element of humor.  I was in the mood for something funny, and this book delivered.

I really liked Lee’s carefree and spunky personality.  Over the course of the book, I really felt like I knew her because the book is so well written.  It’s not just Lee that the reader gets to know.  We have pretty good insight to Beth, Avery, and Hal as well.  There were parts of the book that had me chuckling and parts that had me in tears. 

I’ve never read a book with a character like Bucky.  Reading about angels really made me stop and think about guardian angels.  The only problem I would have with being able to speak with our guardian angels is that we probably wouldn’t have a close relationship with God.   Bucky was a cool part of Lee’s life, and it seemed like it could be real, too.  It wasn’t written like a far-out fantasy novel.  Reading about Bucky was biblical without being religious, dogmatic, or pushy.  Instead, it was thought-provoking, inventive and fresh.

There is some conflict between Lee and other characters.  With the variety of conflicts, we see other sides of Lee, and I wanted to know what happened next with each of the relationships.  The book was pretty fast paced, and I didn’t want to put it down.  Yes, I lost sleep reading this book.

Anyone who likes angels, non-traditional female characters, and humor mixed with serious issues will enjoy this book.  It’s not a comedy, but the characters are funny at times.  There is one four lettered f-word (Hint:  The word is not “free.”) that might offend some readers, but it’s only once, and it’s toward the end.  Other than that, this book is appropriate for conservative readers.

Thanks to Jane Lebak, Goodreads First Reads, and Philangelus Press  for providing a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Pros:      Funny, thought-provoking, and fun

Cons:     One four lettered word

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 

After a Fashion

Title:                    After a Fashion

Author:                Jen Turano

Publisher:            Bethany House Publishers

Market:                Christian

Genre:                  Historical Romance

Series:                 A Class of Their own (Book 1)

Length:               353 pages

Pub. Date:           February 14, 2015

Description (from Amazon):

Miss Harriet Peabody dreams of the day she can open up a shop selling refashioned gowns to independent working women like herself. Unfortunately, when an errand for her millinery shop job goes sadly awry due to a difficult customer, she finds herself out of an income.

Mr. Oliver Addleshaw is on the verge of his biggest business deal yet when he learns his potential partner prefers to deal with men who are settled down and wed. When Oliver witnesses his ex not-quite-fiance cause the hapless Harriet to lose her job, he tries to make it up to her by enlisting her help in making a good impression on his business partner.

Harriet quickly finds her love of fashion can't make her fashionable. She'll never truly fit into Oliver's world, but just as she's ready to call off the fake relationship, fancy dinners, and elegant balls, a threat from her past forces both Oliver and Harriet to discover that love can come in the most surprising packages.

My Review:

I am a fan of Jen Turano, and this book did not let down my high expectations.  Jen generally has a fun, feisty female character, and Miss Harriet Peabody fits that description.  If you have never read a book by Turano, you’re missing out.  She is a fabulous writer, and her stories are all page turners.

The writing in this book is so good that it invites the reader to stay up past your bedtime to read just one more chapter.  The characters are described well by both the dialogue and the narration.  Each character’s true colors were clear, and some stereotypes regarding professions were challenged.  I love the surprising plot twist that takes place near the end of the book.  It caught me unaware.

I love Miss Harriet Peabody’s character.  Although she is not as funny (maybe quirky is a better word) as Turano’s previous female main characters, she is quick witted and emotionally strong.  Her high morals and love of people regardless of social class make her a fantastic main character, and she is super likeable!  As an independent woman, she doesn’t seem to notice how beautiful she is on the inside as well as the outside.  Social status may have a role in that, too.

Mr. Oliver Addleshaw is an admirable character, too.  He is an honest businessman who also cares about people, but he has been too wrapped up in making money to see that he hasn’t always made the wisest choices in business partners.  Not everyone has his standards.  Sadly, this has not changed in today’s society.  Snake-like people still try to use others for their own personal gain without regard for the welfare of others.

There is a good amount of conflict and tension in this story.  Conflict or tension arises between Harriet and her employer, Harriet and Mr. Addleshaw’s “fiancé,” Harriet and Mr. Addleshaw, and Harriet and her aunt Jane.  Each situation is different, and each shows Harriet’s strengths and vulnerabilities.  They keep the story moving along at a fast pace, but not to worry, there isn’t an overload of conflict.  The romantic tension is like a flower opening in the spring.  The characters grow and change, and eventually they become aware of those changes, so they acknowledge their budding romance.

Throughout the story, Harriet never lost her faith in God.  Even the pastor was a father figure to her, looking after her, making sure she was okay.  The theme of this story could be that all things work together for the good for those who love God (Romans 8:28).  I love this genre because the lady always gets the right man, and there is always a happy ending.  This story didn’t deviate from that path.  However, the method of arriving to that end was not predictable, and it made the story interesting.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves the historical fiction, Christian romance, and clean romance genres.  If you love Jen Turano’s books, this novel is for you.  She is in my favorite authors group, and you will definitely enjoy her writing!

Thanks to Net Galley and Bethany House Publishers for providing a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Pros:      Vivid characters, exciting plot twist, great read

Cons:     None

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (Nearly perfect)

52 Things to Pray for Your Kids

Title:           52 Things to Pray for Your Kids

Author:        Jay Payleitner

Genre:         Non-Fiction, Christian

Publisher:    Harvest House Publishers(February 1, 2015)

Pages:          192   

From the back cover

You thought you were doing okay, and then you became a parent. All of a sudden you see how imperfect you are. So how are you supposed to raise your children up into godly young men or women?

Popular speaker, author, and father Jay Payleitner knows the power of sustained prayer over his children. In his new book, he gives practical insight into

finding hope and encouragement in prayer

modeling a fervent prayer life for your children

going to God for help in everyday problems

praying for your children's safety, health, and character

seeking godly wisdom as you make decisions

Great for moms, dads, and small groups, this resource will help you pray powerfully for children of any age.

My Review

The title says what the book offers:  52 things to pray for your kids.  This could be grandkids, students, neighbors, and any other kid group you may have contact with.  Although I’ve been praying for my own kids for a few years, this book gives a fresh perspective.  There are stories of Payleitner’s experiences and sample prayers at the end of each “thing” you can pray.  Personally, I enjoyed reading how other people pray.  It was encouraging and enlightening.

Payleitner writes from the dad’s perspective.  He has written several books, many with the theme of being a dad and what each family member needs from dad.  He’s also a father.  Thankfully, he’s a father who writes and publishes books along with his other responsibilities.

The book has a relaxed tone, like having a conversation.  I found it easy to relate to, and I gained some ideas on how to bring up spiritual conversations with my kids.  Unfortunately, I’m not as creative as Payleiter is, but I can certainly learn from him.

I enjoyed this book, and it’s a nice reference book when I pray.  Sometimes I get into a rut, but this book has 52 different things to pray about, so it helps me to focus on different areas of prayer.

This isn’t just for parents, but it is a great resource for parents.  I would recommend this book to anyone who prays for kids, whether they are your own kids or not. 

I received a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you Harvest House Publishers and NetGalley.

Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor

Title:                    Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor

Author:                Melanie Dobson

Publisher:            Howard

Market:                Christian

Genre:                 Historical Romance

Series:                 --

Length:                352 pages

Pub. Date:           June 16, 2015

Description (from Amazon):

When Heather Toulson returns to her parents’ cottage in the English countryside, she uncovers long-hidden secrets about her family history and stumbles onto the truth about a sixty-year-old murder.

Libby, a free spirit who can’t be tamed by her parents, finds solace with her neighbor Oliver, the son of Lord Croft of Ladenbrooke Manor. Libby finds herself pregnant and alone when her father kicks her out and Oliver mysteriously drowns in a nearby river. Though theories spread across the English countryside, no one is ever held responsible for Oliver’s death.

Sixty years later, Heather Toulson, returning to her family’s cottage in the shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor, is filled with mixed emotions. She’s mourning her father’s passing but can’t let go of the anger and resentment over their strained relationship. Adding to her confusion, Heather has an uneasy reunion with her first love, all while sorting through her family’s belongings left behind in the cottage. What she uncovers will change everything she thought she knew about her family’s history.

Award-winning author Melanie Dobson seamlessly weaves the past and present together, fluidly unraveling the decades-old mystery and reveals how the characters are connected in shocking ways.

Set in a charming world of thatched cottages, lush gardens, and lovely summer evenings, this romantic and historical mystery brings to light the secrets and heartaches that have divided a family for generations.

My Review:

I have read Melanie Dobson’s work before, so I was excited to read her newest book.  I loved her book Chateau of Secrets, and I had high hopes for this book.  Dobson is a master at her craft, and I absolutely loved this book, too.  In fact, it surpassed my expectations and was a real treat to read.

This novel is a story within a story, and it is told from different points of view.  I was a little confused in the beginning because I didn’t know the characters.  Once I figured out who everyone was and what their relationship was to each other, it was exciting to read the different perspectives.  I had no difficulty knowing who was telling their story.  The dialogue was fresh and real, and I felt present in the story.  I loved each of the characters, and I was brought to tears by their pain.  The characters felt as real as Libby’s butterfly friends.

From the very beginning, I was drawn into this story, and I did not want to put the book down.  The characters grow and change over the course of the novel as the past and present collide.  There were also a lot of surprising twists to the story!  The struggles reach a conclusion, and the romantic aspect was sweet if not a bit dramatic (in a good way).  The vivid imagery allowed me to experience the cottage, gardens, and the manor home in my mind.  I could smell the flowers and feel the cool river on my toes.  This is beautifully written, and the words excite the senses.  Overall this family story is beautiful, heart wrenching, engaging, and joyous.

Although many books address the topic of forgiveness, this book presents the topic in an inviting way.  It does not preach to the reader.  Instead, the growth and maturing of characters brings wisdom and revelation of a need to offer and accept forgiveness.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the historical fiction genre, whether or not you like Christian books.  The Christian message does not overpower the story.  I would recommend parents read the book before younger teens read it due to the subject matter.  I would also recommend it to anyone who appreciates characters with Autism. Although the book doesn’t name the disorder, it’s quite clear to those who know people or work with people who are on the Autism spectrum.

Thanks to Edelweiss and Howard Publishers for providing a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Pros:      Beautiful story, engaging characters, fast paced

Cons:     None

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (Nearly perfect)