Review: Finding Us by Tracie Peterson

One candid photograph will change the lives of four people forever.

While taking photographs at an exposition in Seattle in 1909, Camera Girl Eleanor Bennett snaps an image of a woman in widow's clothes with deep sorrow etched in her expression and a young infant in her arms.

Eleanor longs to study botany at the University of Washington and soon becomes fast friends with botanist Bill Reed, but she can't stop thinking about the widow in the photograph. She is stunned to learn Bill recognizes the woman as the sister-in-law he believed lost in a shipwreck.

As Eleanor and Bill hunt for Amelia Reed to reunite her with her grief-stricken husband, they must stand together to face the danger that follows and learn to trust that God will direct their paths.   

 Alright guys, you know I love me some Tracie Peterson books. I devour all her work, and lots of it gets rereads because it's just so good. Finding Us was a good book. I did thoroughly enjoy the characters. The setting was nice. (I realllllllly wanted to be able to go to Alaska with them though. I love her Alaska books the best.) The concept was cool, considering I had never heard of the event that the book is centered around, and old time photography is always fun to read about. I will say that the pacing on this book was hard for me. I felt like everything was moving so fast, and at times it felt forced. I mean, the main characters are basically ready for marriage by chapter three. Also, the situation with the sister-in-law was extremely reminiscent of an incident that occurred with Miranda during the Yukon Quest series. It was a quick read, and an enjoyable one. Maybe not one I would put on my consistent reread list, but there were parts that I would really like to read back over and savor. Overall, yes I recommend it, but I would recommend others of her work more.

I received a copy through NetGalley and these are clearly my honest thoughts and opinions.

Review: A Beautiful Disguise by Roseanna M. White

In Edwardian London, not all that glitters is gold as a lady and an intelligence officer's secret mission take them from the city's dazzling ballrooms to its covert intelligence offices.

Sir Merritt Livingstone has spent a decade serving the monarch in the field, but when pneumonia lands him behind a desk in the War Office Intelligence Division just as they're creating a new secret intelligence branch, he's intent on showing his worth. He suspects an aristocrat of leaking information to Germany as tensions mount between the two countries, but he needs someone to help him prove it, so he turns to The Imposters, Ltd. No one knows who they are, but their results are beyond compare.

Left with an estate on the brink of bankruptcy after their father's death, Lady Marigold Fairfax and her brother open a private investigation firm for the elite to spy on the elite. Dubbed The Imposters, Ltd., their anonymous group soon becomes the go-to for the crème of society who want answers delivered surreptitiously. But the many secrets Marigold learns about her peers pale in comparison to her shock when she and her brother are hired to investigate her best friend's father as a potential traitor.

Lady Marigold is determined to discover the truth for her friend's sake, and she's more determined still to keep her heart from getting involved with this enigmatic new client . . . who can't possibly be as noble as he seems.

 Lionfeathers! It's been a minute since I've read/reviewed a book by Roseanna M. White. (Okay... maybe since like February, but it feels like longer...) I really thought, once upon a time, that Lost Heiress was my favorite. And then it was A Name Unknown. And then Portrait of Loyalty. And every book between. But honestly, I'm really digging Beautiful Disguise right now and I don't know what to say about that except that this author literally always keeps me engaged with her quick wit, likeable characters, and the fact that she really does cameo her characters in other books, which keeps me happy when I have to leave certain favorites behind. (Looking at you, Brooke, Margot, and Barclay!) And tell me why, the Imposters are just such a special and unique troupe of characters. I love them ALL. (Although, I'd pay good money to know what Gemma and Graham are fighting about! Sheesh!) I love that Marigold is so good at what she does. I love that Merritt sees the real her. I adore that Yates is such a doting tease of a little brother. I love that Leonidas is exactly who he is. I love that the Caesars stay and take care of Marigold and Yates still. I love that I got caught off guard there at the end because I did not see the ending coming like that. Yes, if you enjoy elements of suspense, theatre, the circus, the London Season, pre-WW1 espionage, and subtle (or not so subtle) humor, take a flying leap on your trapeze and for pete's sake read the book. It's so good, I swear.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley, but I promise, it's all my own nonsense, per usual. 

Review: The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

"The Paris Opera is haunted—everyone knows it. Everyone, that is, except for the new managers, who spark a violent dispute with the Opera Ghost when they refuse to acknowledge his existence or submit to his demands. Sometimes surfacing as a disembodied voice in Box Five or appearing as a gentleman in evening dress with a death’s-head, the phantom is obsessed with Christine Daaé, a lovely and enigmatic novice singer endowed with an amazing voice. But impetuous Viscount Raoul de Chagny is in love with Christine, and he and his brother, Count Philippe, are swept into the phantom’s deadly illusion with horrifying consequences." (Blurb from B&N)

 I'm going to be honest. I never read this when I was younger, mostly due to concerns that it would be inappropriate. Fun fact: It's not. It is written with the same class and care of other classic novels. (Which I'm hitting my classics era again. Thank you, Christina!) Is it dark? Ummm... yes. So very dark, but also light at the same time. It did take me a couple of chapters to get into it, but I thoroughly enjoyed it throughout. Christine, Raoul, and Erik were a phenomenal cast of characters, but honestly, the Persian might be my actual favorite, and I'm not even sure I could pin-point it and tell you why. What does surprise me is that I someone, like Christine, came to view Erik as a monster, but also as someone to be pitied. I don't know how Leroux did it, but he did. I sure felt some sort of way at the ending. It was an all-around fascinating tale of love and obsession and sweet sincerity and deranged madmen. There was suspense (I actually jumped out of my skin once when a sound from the real world penetrated into my very tuned out reading world.) There was humor. There was curiosity. (And praise the Lord, they gave answers instead of making me wonder till it drove me mad!) For fans of classics, for fans of gothic novels, for fans of music even, I would recommend this book.

Review: Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin

In spring 1918, Lieutenant Colin Mabry, a British soldier working with MI8 after suffering injuries on the front, receives a message by carrier pigeon. It is from Jewel Reyer, the woman he once loved and who saved his life - a woman he believed to be dead. Traveling to France to answer her urgent summons, he desperately hopes this mission will ease his guilt and restore the courage he lost on the battlefield.   

Colin is stunned, however, to discover the message came from Jewel's half sister, Johanna. Johanna, who works at a dovecote for French Army Intelligence, found Jewel's diary and believes her sister is alive in the custody of a German agent. With spies everywhere, Colin is skeptical of Johanna, but as they travel across France and Spain, a tentative trust begins to grow between them.   

When their pursuit leads them straight into the midst of a treacherous plot, danger and deception turn their search for answers into a battle for their lives.

 This is the first book I've read by Kate Breslin, and I have to say, I am captivated! World War II is a common backdrop for Christian historical novels, but from the very beginning, I felt that Far Side of the Sea wasn't "just another WW2 book." It has a little bit of everything. It has espionage. It has romance. It has complicated characters with real emotions and human reactions. Jo fights against her past, while hoping desperately for a future with someone who can love her and belong to her. Colin's fight includes shell shock and a little bit of self-consciousness over his war injuries. I can honestly say that until the end of the book, I never could decide who I could and couldn't trust. It kept me on the edge of my seat and held me captive. From flamboyant Jo, to guarded Colin, I couldn't get enough of these characters. Especially the slow romance. I could have died every time Colin called Jo "Mrs. Mabry" as you know he meant it more and more as time passed. I dreadfully hope that Marcus gets his own story, as well. (JK, just realized he did... It's called In Love's Time and it's on my TBR now...) If you love books with intrigue, suspense, danger, romance, and hope, you will love this beautifully crafted story from a very talented author. I listened on Audible, and the narrator is honestly one of my favorites. I want her to narrate all the books. Just all of them. (Please also forgive me for any misspellings of names, as I listened to the audiobook and am therefore slightly insecure about it.)

Review: Crossfire by Lynette Eason

FBI special agent Julianna James is a top-notch negotiator who has never lost a hostage. Surely she can manage to take care of her much younger sister, Dottie, who showed up unannounced to live with Julianna while she finished her senior year of high school.

A former sniper with the 75th Ranger Regiment, Clay Snyder left the army after a tragic incident that he can't get past. Now he's working as a high school resource officer until he can figure out what to do with the rest of his life.

Their paths cross when Julianna is called in to negotiate a courtroom hostage situation involving Clay's sister. Impressed and a bit intimidated by the calm, capable woman with the dark hair and blue eyes, Clay invites her to speak at his school. Dottie's school.

But as the anniversary of a school shooting from Julianna's past approaches, it becomes clear that her perfect record is about to be tested and that Dottie is at risk. If Julianna and Clay can't figure out who's behind the attacks, more innocent people will die—and Julianna just might be one of them.

 Oh my, it has been a while since I have written a review for a suspense novel. I recently got a ton of books on Audible, including Lynette Eason's Crossfire. I was intrigued from the get-go by the description. Hostage negotiation is such a God-given talent, and I wanted to know more about Julianna's relationship with her sister. I enjoyed getting to know the characters throughout the story, and the suspense level was through the roof. It was one of the few that I have not been able to guess the bad guy. I thought the layers and the foreshadowing were excellently done. I will say that as a teacher, it was a bit horrifying to be reading about school shooting/hostage situations, just because it is unfortunately so real for us now, but I totally respect the way that the author approached the entire situation and the different types of people you will find in a school. It was very realistic to me, and definitely worth the read! The narrator also did a great job, although sometimes I think the sentences didn't quite flow the way they would if I were reading with my eyes instead of listening. Overall, a great experience!

Review: In Feast or Famine by Mesu Andrews

Thrust into an arranged marriage, the daughter of ancient Egypt’s high priest plays a pivotal role in Joseph’s biblical narrative in this powerful novel from the award-winning author of Potiphar’s Wife.

After four-year-old Asenath’s mother is murdered by Egypt’s foreign rulers, the child is raised to be a priestess by her overprotective father—high priest of Egypt’s sun god. For fifteen years, Asenath is sequestered in the upper levels of Ra’s temple, convinced it is her destiny to heal the land by becoming queen to the next Egyptianpharaoh. But when Egypt’s foreign king instead gives her as a bride to the newly appointed vizier—a Hebrew named Joseph—her entire world is shaken. 

Beyond the walls of her tower, Asenath discovers treachery, deceit, and conspiracy that force her to redefine her destiny and weigh where her true loyalties lie. Can she still trust the gods of Egypt? Or is Elohim, the foreign God of her husband, the one who will heal her nation during the feast and famine to come?

 I loved this book. I may have even liked it better than book one, in all honesty. I found the characters compelling, and the depth given to people the Bible mentions only in passing is fascinating. I loved Asenath and her journey. I felt for her so much, and I loved getting to know her. I thought the way that this story interweaved with Potiphar's story was incredible. The rich historic detail caused me to be immersed in the land. I was fascinated by everything, though equally repulsed by other bits. (Looking at you... Crocodile-toothed priest!) The story had it's share of laughter and grief and was, I believe, a fair representation of how Genesis could have played out. I was sad to see the book end. Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

"Elohim loves."

"Trusting Elohim is always a choice between doubt that sends us spiraling or faith that reveals an awe-inspiring aspect of God's character."

"Elohim meets us in our pain."

"Elohim - who is the same yesterday, today, and forever- still chooses the unlikely and those less than perfect to partake in His promises."

Review: Potiphar's Wife by Mesu Andrews

Before she is Potiphar’s wife, Zuleika is the daughter of a king and the wife of a prince. She rules the isle of Crete alongside her mother in the absence of their seafaring husbands. But when tragedy nearly destroys Crete, Zuleika must sacrifice her future to save the Minoan people she loves. 

Zuleika’s father believes his robust trade with Egypt will ensure Pharaoh’s obligation to marry his daughter, including a bride price hefty enough to save Crete. But Pharaoh refuses and gives her instead to Potiphar, the captain of his bodyguards: a crusty bachelor twice her age, who would rather have a new horse than a Minoan wife. 

Abandoned by her father, rejected by Pharaoh, and humiliated by Potiphar’s indifference, Zuleika yearns for the homeland she adores. In the political hotbed of Egypt’s foreign dynasty, her obsession to return to Crete spirals into deception. When she betrays Joseph—her Hebrew servant with the face and body of the gods—she discovers only one love is worth risking everything. 

This was the first book I had ever read from this author. It's been a long while since I read any biblical fiction. And to be honest, I was a little nervous to go into this one, just based on the subject matter, but I was pleasantly surprised by it. The research and details put into the story are impeccable. While the story can focus on physical desires, the story in the Bible does so as well, and it didn't go too far considering how far the Bible itself goes sometimes. I was also surprised by the fact that I didn't absolutely hate Zully. Of course, it is a work of fiction, based on the Biblical characters and on heavy, intense research. If you enjoy Biblical fiction, I think you will enjoy this story. It's so immersive that you can about feel the sand in your throat. The rich historical detail is amazing, and the characters are so well-developed. I'm not sure the ending was exactly how I had hoped it would go, but sometimes, that's better for the story. I also am anticipating book two coming out so I can see how the whole Ahira business winds out with Joseph. I know that book two will focus more on his wife from the Bible, so I just want to know how that is going to work out. The second book is releasing very soon and is available for preorder from Amazon.

Pre-Order Link