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turquoiseavenue's reviews
532 reviews
A Daring Venture by Elizabeth Camden
4.0
*I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Bethany House at Baker Publishing Group via NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts below are my own.
After reading the synopsis of this newly released book about a month ago, I was excited to begin reading it. From the very first chapter, I was hooked! Dr. Rosalind Werner is a woman ahead of her time, making her mark in a world of scientific research that was primarily dominated by men. Readers will love her fierce determination and bright mind.
Nicholas Drake immediately identifies himself as a force to be reckoned with, yet readers catch a glimpse of his soft side where he adores his family and cares tenderly for his young daughter. When these two dynamic characters cross paths, the chemistry between them is quickly kindled. As their magnetic relationship grows, so does the suspense. The characters begin making decisions that impact their relationship while colossal history is being made. In the background, an evil force is at work, seeking to destroy this new love and the progress being made.
This exciting story kept me interested and entertained from beginning to end. Quite frankly, I was sad to have the book wrap up. Author Elizabeth Camden does an excellent job of mingling history, romance and suspense all into one thrilling story! This is the first book I've read by her and I am looking forward to reading her other titles now. While this book is a second book in the Empire State series, it is designed to be a stand alone story and I did not feel like I'd missed anything by not reading the first book in this series.
I enjoyed the flow of the story, the compelling way it was written, the historical significance and the empowering position Dr. Werner held as a forefront leader in her time. The story was laden with accurate facts and included two real life characters who indeed made an incredible impact on our country at that time. I learned things I hadn't known before and truly loved that part of this book. I appreciated the suspense and mystery that worked it's way into the story without overpowering the romance, making this a very entertaining read.
I chose four stars for this wonderful book because it is a great addition to any historical fiction lover's bookshelf. It is one I believe readers will enjoy and highly recommend to their friends!
After reading the synopsis of this newly released book about a month ago, I was excited to begin reading it. From the very first chapter, I was hooked! Dr. Rosalind Werner is a woman ahead of her time, making her mark in a world of scientific research that was primarily dominated by men. Readers will love her fierce determination and bright mind.
Nicholas Drake immediately identifies himself as a force to be reckoned with, yet readers catch a glimpse of his soft side where he adores his family and cares tenderly for his young daughter. When these two dynamic characters cross paths, the chemistry between them is quickly kindled. As their magnetic relationship grows, so does the suspense. The characters begin making decisions that impact their relationship while colossal history is being made. In the background, an evil force is at work, seeking to destroy this new love and the progress being made.
This exciting story kept me interested and entertained from beginning to end. Quite frankly, I was sad to have the book wrap up. Author Elizabeth Camden does an excellent job of mingling history, romance and suspense all into one thrilling story! This is the first book I've read by her and I am looking forward to reading her other titles now. While this book is a second book in the Empire State series, it is designed to be a stand alone story and I did not feel like I'd missed anything by not reading the first book in this series.
I enjoyed the flow of the story, the compelling way it was written, the historical significance and the empowering position Dr. Werner held as a forefront leader in her time. The story was laden with accurate facts and included two real life characters who indeed made an incredible impact on our country at that time. I learned things I hadn't known before and truly loved that part of this book. I appreciated the suspense and mystery that worked it's way into the story without overpowering the romance, making this a very entertaining read.
I chose four stars for this wonderful book because it is a great addition to any historical fiction lover's bookshelf. It is one I believe readers will enjoy and highly recommend to their friends!
God Bless Our Bedtime Prayers by Hannah C. Hall
5.0
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers and Tommy Nelson, an imprint of Thomas Nelson (a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.) in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts below are my own.
Appropriate for any child age 0-7, this precious book of sweet, little critters and soft, rhyming phrases will help your child learn to pray in a practical way about praising God, giving thanks, praying for loved ones and overcoming fears, trials and worries. Each page offers colorful illustrations and accompanying scripture featuring the promises God has made to His children.
I truly adore the God Bless Our books and this new release is certainly no exception. The practical way that the author teaches children to pray is both simple and sweet. The ten little prayers can stand alone, with one read each evening or the entire book as a whole. I loved that each prayer taught something different - praise, thanksgiving, casting your worries on Him, trusting in the midst of fear, praying for sick loved ones, repentance and even finding rest in God. This book would make a great reference point for parents to read with their children as individual circumstances arise in a child's daily life, helping them look to the Lord for comfort and peace. Throughout this book, children are encouraged to seek God with underlying messages of love, hope and trust. It is truly heartwarming and fulfilling.
I enjoyed that each prayer had verses to support the sentiment and thought those would work well as memory verses for older children.
The book is an excellent quality, with thick, board pages so children can enjoy the book from a young age on. The soft, delightful illustrations are simply too precious! My daughter (aged two and a half months) loved looking at them as I read her this book! I would highly recommend this book to other families and look forward to reading this multiple times with my little girl!
Note: For families that do not have both parents involved in the child's life, please know this book does mention both a mother and a father. For children raised in single parent households or for those who have another individual as a guardian, that may be a sensitive subject.
Appropriate for any child age 0-7, this precious book of sweet, little critters and soft, rhyming phrases will help your child learn to pray in a practical way about praising God, giving thanks, praying for loved ones and overcoming fears, trials and worries. Each page offers colorful illustrations and accompanying scripture featuring the promises God has made to His children.
I truly adore the God Bless Our books and this new release is certainly no exception. The practical way that the author teaches children to pray is both simple and sweet. The ten little prayers can stand alone, with one read each evening or the entire book as a whole. I loved that each prayer taught something different - praise, thanksgiving, casting your worries on Him, trusting in the midst of fear, praying for sick loved ones, repentance and even finding rest in God. This book would make a great reference point for parents to read with their children as individual circumstances arise in a child's daily life, helping them look to the Lord for comfort and peace. Throughout this book, children are encouraged to seek God with underlying messages of love, hope and trust. It is truly heartwarming and fulfilling.
I enjoyed that each prayer had verses to support the sentiment and thought those would work well as memory verses for older children.
The book is an excellent quality, with thick, board pages so children can enjoy the book from a young age on. The soft, delightful illustrations are simply too precious! My daughter (aged two and a half months) loved looking at them as I read her this book! I would highly recommend this book to other families and look forward to reading this multiple times with my little girl!
Note: For families that do not have both parents involved in the child's life, please know this book does mention both a mother and a father. For children raised in single parent households or for those who have another individual as a guardian, that may be a sensitive subject.
The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin
3.0
I'm a huge fan of author Sarah Sundin! I adore her WWII stories and was excited to begin reading this latest book. I will admit, at first, I was a tiny bit disappointed. The story was really hard to get into for me, but only in the beginning. I felt like Wyatt's background story was somewhat immature and unrealistic. I find it hard to believe a young man would want to kill his own brother over an accident. Maybe the author didn't make it quite real enough for me. However, I understand why the author used this event as the premise for the rest of the story and did like to see how Wyatt corrected the mistakes he made as a young man and grew in his personal relationship with the Lord because of it. About 1/3 of the way through the story, I began really enjoying the book. I loved Dorothy and her story, seeing her find her faith and grow in it was rewarding. I also highly enjoyed the historical events and battles that took place toward the end. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys WWII fiction. it was a light read, sometimes lacking in depth, but good just the same. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this series when it is available.
*I received an advance copy of this ebook from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*I received an advance copy of this ebook from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Solace of Water by Elizabeth Byler Younts
5.0
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers book review program and Thomas Nelson (a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.) in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts below are my own.
THE SOLACE OF WATER IS NOT A BOOK TO JUST BE READ, BUT RATHER A BOOK TO BE EXPERIENCED.
Have you ever read a book that was so riveting, you needed time after finishing the book just to process the depth of the words and the emotions tied up in them? I’m feeling that way after just finishing the new release, The Solace of Water, by Elizabeth Byler Younts. For hours, my mind and heart has mulled over what I just read - the extreme depth of grief, love, friendship and the redemption that can only be found in forgiveness.
As I compose my review, I’m not even sure my words will do this novel justice. I loved everything about this book. How the characters and their thoughts jumped off the page, coming alive and coercing me to relate to them. How I felt angered over their decisions, grief over their losses and heartache over their pain. I felt the newness of life come about as forgiveness made its way into the lives of the characters, a refreshing balm for the soul.
Author Elizabeth Byler Younts wasn’t afraid to entwine hard truths or expose the realities of lies and deception. She brought life to the pages and made me, as a reader, see how we as humans make choices without fully realizing how they impact those around us. Using a timeline when racial tension was at an all time high, she weaves a story that is just as relevant today as it was in the mid 1950’s. Friendship and love can transcend all religions, races and ways of life.
I can’t say enough about this book, without giving too much of the story away. It is a story I would highly recommend to other adult readers. It is one that won’t soon be forgotten and quite possibly remembered for a long time to come.
THE SOLACE OF WATER IS NOT A BOOK TO JUST BE READ, BUT RATHER A BOOK TO BE EXPERIENCED.
Have you ever read a book that was so riveting, you needed time after finishing the book just to process the depth of the words and the emotions tied up in them? I’m feeling that way after just finishing the new release, The Solace of Water, by Elizabeth Byler Younts. For hours, my mind and heart has mulled over what I just read - the extreme depth of grief, love, friendship and the redemption that can only be found in forgiveness.
As I compose my review, I’m not even sure my words will do this novel justice. I loved everything about this book. How the characters and their thoughts jumped off the page, coming alive and coercing me to relate to them. How I felt angered over their decisions, grief over their losses and heartache over their pain. I felt the newness of life come about as forgiveness made its way into the lives of the characters, a refreshing balm for the soul.
Author Elizabeth Byler Younts wasn’t afraid to entwine hard truths or expose the realities of lies and deception. She brought life to the pages and made me, as a reader, see how we as humans make choices without fully realizing how they impact those around us. Using a timeline when racial tension was at an all time high, she weaves a story that is just as relevant today as it was in the mid 1950’s. Friendship and love can transcend all religions, races and ways of life.
I can’t say enough about this book, without giving too much of the story away. It is a story I would highly recommend to other adult readers. It is one that won’t soon be forgotten and quite possibly remembered for a long time to come.
Auschwitz Lullaby by Mario Escobar
5.0
A heartrending story of loyalty, courage and perseverance in the face of adversity. A MUST READ!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers book review program and Thomas Nelson (a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.) in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts below are my own.
Auschwitz Lullaby is a truly remarkable tale based on a the true story of Helene Hannemann, a German nurse who chooses family over freedom when the Nazis force her Gypsy husband and five children into encampment during WWII. As they are delivered to Auschwitz-Birkenau II, her story unfolds when she’s is torn from her husband and must fight to keep her family alive in the very place where thousands upon thousands of people died from starvation, poor living conditions, Nazi cruelty and disease.
The author, Mario Escobar, closely follows WWII history and portrays camp life vividly, and yet, heartbreakingly well. As he wove his fictitious tale of real courageous men and women, I was pulled into life in the Gypsy camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau II. This story was very carefully crafted with captivating characters and events that keep readers intrigued from page to page. I believe readers will want to celebrate the sense of loyalty and perseverance in the brave men, women and children of those perilous times when the Nazis sought to crush the very soul of humanity.
As a true five star novel, I loved this book because it was rich in historical details, beautifully written and seemingly accurate. The author doesn’t sugarcoat camp life for his readers, but even in the harsh reality of circumstances, he maintains the dignity of his characters and offers bits of joy for his readers. This is a MUST READ for historical fiction readers and anyone with a particular interest in WWII or the Holocaust.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers book review program and Thomas Nelson (a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.) in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts below are my own.
Auschwitz Lullaby is a truly remarkable tale based on a the true story of Helene Hannemann, a German nurse who chooses family over freedom when the Nazis force her Gypsy husband and five children into encampment during WWII. As they are delivered to Auschwitz-Birkenau II, her story unfolds when she’s is torn from her husband and must fight to keep her family alive in the very place where thousands upon thousands of people died from starvation, poor living conditions, Nazi cruelty and disease.
The author, Mario Escobar, closely follows WWII history and portrays camp life vividly, and yet, heartbreakingly well. As he wove his fictitious tale of real courageous men and women, I was pulled into life in the Gypsy camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau II. This story was very carefully crafted with captivating characters and events that keep readers intrigued from page to page. I believe readers will want to celebrate the sense of loyalty and perseverance in the brave men, women and children of those perilous times when the Nazis sought to crush the very soul of humanity.
As a true five star novel, I loved this book because it was rich in historical details, beautifully written and seemingly accurate. The author doesn’t sugarcoat camp life for his readers, but even in the harsh reality of circumstances, he maintains the dignity of his characters and offers bits of joy for his readers. This is a MUST READ for historical fiction readers and anyone with a particular interest in WWII or the Holocaust.