From Ashes to Honor by Loree Lough

Ever since I read her book Maverick Heart, I’ve been a Loree Lough fan. She writes historicals and contemporaries. From Ashes to Honor is a contemporary story.

Her characters are believable, the plot impactful and unusual. I like how the author didn’t shy away from a tough topic like 9/11 and its aftermath or the heartbreak for those who knew any of the victims personally. The hero’s brother died in NYC that day. I really felt for him as I well remember the news coverage that morning.

This story was outside the box in a few different ways. One I can share, the other I won’t, except to say some of this story’s question marks are addressed in Book Two of this series. So, one outside-the-box element was that the characters stayed unchaperoned in the same house overnight, often. Now, Loree keeps things wholesome and I certainly didn’t mind. But it’s a bit unusual so it stood out. Kudos to Abingdon (the publisher).

This story held my interest the entire time with great pacing. This story (and series) is a tribute to the heroes and heroines of that painful day. I liked the focus on psychology. Dr. Mercy Samara is a therapist who’s helping the hero through the months following 9/11. The author did a great job of including this element, allowing us to see behind the scenes of healing.

The secondary characters added a lot of soul to the story. I would have liked to “see” (in regards to the other characters interacting directly with) one specific character after her miracle, but the author remained focused on the heroine’s faith (or lack thereof) and that made sense.

I’m reading book two in this series right now. Very enjoyable! Keep watching Net’s Book Notes for my review of Honor Redeemed.

Love's Sacred Song by Mesu Andrews

Welcome to the blog tour for Mesu Andrews’s book, Love’s Sacred Song. This biblical fiction is based on the Song of Solomon.

Let’s begin with the summary:

Standing in the massive shadow of his famous father, young King Solomon wavers between fear and bravado, wisdom and folly. In the uncertain world of alliances and treachery, Solomon longs for peace and a love that is true and pure—a love that can be his cornerstone.


A shepherdess in the northern city of Shunem, Arielah, remembers the first time she laid eyes on Solomon in Jerusalem when she was just seven years old. Since then she has known that it was her destiny to become his bride. When her father, a leader of their tribe, secures a promise from King Solomon to marry Arielah as a treaty bride to help unite the kingdom, it seems her dreams may come true.


But how can this simple shepherdess live as part of Solomon's harem? Can Solomon set aside his distractions to give himself completely to just one woman? Or will he let duty, deception, and the daily routine divide his heart?

And now, my review:

I haven’t read Mesu’s other book, Love Amid the Ashes, based on Job’s life, but after reading Love’s Sacred Song, I’m definitely motivated. What a rich and powerful story this is!

Writing biblical fiction has its advantages and disadvantages. Advantage: your plot is sort of outlined for you in the Bible. Disadvantage: the Bible doesn’t give a lot of details so you have to fill in the blanks around a very different time period and way of life. Which leads me to research.

According to Mesu’s author’s note, she spent well over twelve years researching this book of the Bible (the Song of Solomon, which is also known as the Song of Songs). Her subject matter intrigued me because I’ve been a student of the Song of Songs since the mid-90s myself. I’ve been fascinated with the allegorical application of this Song, and seeing how our Bridegroom God sees us. But Mesu’s focus (for the purposes of this book) were a literal and historical application. (Some marriage counselors teach couples from the Song of Solomon, which is another type of application. This is one multi-faceted book!)

What I appreciated about Love’s Sacred Song was how Mesu made me think in a new way about Solomon’s reign. The novel begins with a thorough exploration of his early reign and all the politics involved when he first ascended the throne. Through her research of what literally happened (specifics the Bible does give) and understanding of the culture, Mesu painted a believable picture of how politics affected not only Solomon’s world, but the Shulamite’s as well. She may have indeed been a treaty bride meant to bring the nation of Israel together.

And then there was the romantic element. If you’ve read the Song, you’ve probably wondered how these verses came about. Mesu calls them shepherd’s verses and shows how they not only could have applied to the character’s lives, but how they show a progression of their lives together, sort of as an timeline.

As usual with this genre, there is much left to the discretion of the author, but Mesu’s humble, well-educated approach shines through in her writing. If you disagree with this element or that one, no problem. Like the Song of Songs, there are so many gems in the reading, it’s worth it.

I recommend this story to lovers of biblical fiction, historicals, general fiction, and romance. There’s something here for everyone.

Sarai by Jill Eileen Smith

I read and enjoyed Jill’s Wives of King David series. So, when I heard about her new series, Wives of the Patriarchs, I couldn’t wait to read Book One: Sarai.

Here’s the summary:

Sarai, the last child of her aged father, is beautiful, spoiled, and used to getting her own way. Even as a young girl, she is aware of the way men look at her, including her half brother Abram. When Abram finally requests Sarai's hand, she asks one thing--that he promise never to take another wife as long as she lives. Even her father thinks the demand is restrictive and agrees to the union only if Sarai makes a promise in return--to give Abram a son and heir. Certain she can easily do that, Sarai agrees.

But as the years stretch on and Sarai's womb remains empty, she becomes desperate to fulfill her end of the bargain--lest Abram decide that he will not fulfill his. To what lengths will Sarai go in her quest to bear a son? And how long will Abram's patience last?

And now, my review:

One of the reasons I’ve enjoyed Jill’s biblical fiction so much is her work is obviously well-researched. Of course we’re talking about a fictionalization of real events, but sometimes as I read I thought, “This makes sense. It could have happened this way.”

Some spiritual elements snagged my attention too. One of those elements was how Abram heard from God. Jill helped bring those experiences into the context of anyone in a relationship with God. Abram followed the nudge of God, left his tent and stood under the stars, and there God gave him promises. Yes. Relatable! Made me long for more communion with God, and that’s what great Christian fiction does. Also, the way the story glorifies God for His faithfulness. He will keep His promises.

The unavoidable point in Sarai’s story where she felt she had no other recourse than to offer her maid to her husband in order to help God bring about the promise was heart-wrenching. Though I know the biblical account, I found myself wishing they’d never taken that route. I put myself in Sarai’s shoes. She was in her late 70s. And though 77 back then may have been spryer than it is today, she was still certainly facing the facts. Wouldn’t you? Jill’s supposition that at their marriage (or engagement) Sarai promised a child to Abram if Abram took only her as his wife made sense, though how you can promise to have a child, I have no idea. God’s in charge of those things. But it certainly worked in this fictional account to give Sarai motivation to use whatever means necessary. Who knew (back when the story played out in Sarah’s and Abraham’s lives) that 13 years later, she’d have a son, in her post-menopausal state? The portrayal of Sarai’s wishy-washy faith struck me. But with her name change, came faith, and promise fulfillment. (Hebrews 11:11)

For the first, oh, third or more of the book, I felt it moved rather slowly. But then it really picked up. And knowing about the upcoming drama with Hagar kept me reading. We also saw into Lot’s experiences as well, so the book isn’t solely centered on Sarai and Abram. Lot was their nephew, so it makes sense to expand the story and give more content to the story.

I haven’t found anyone who can render biblical fiction like Jill Eileen Smith. If you’re looking for a means of digging out more gems from the biblical pages, I recommend reading her fictionalizations. She brings in customs of the times and portrays realistic story elements. Of course, you have to remember it’s fictionalization, but it’s worth exploring.

For your convenience, here are the links for Amazon: the first is paper back, the second e-book format.



Available March 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Guest Author: Allie Pleiter

Allie Pleiter is here today to share about her latest release and how she included real-life lessons in her story. Welcome back to Net's Book Notes, Allie!

 Optimism?

“I’m so glad to see you haven’t lost your bounce!”

Someone said that to me earlier this year, reflecting on how our family has survived several major challenges. It remains one of my favorite compliments, even if it did make me wonder how many people think of me as “Tigger.”

It goes deeper than a glass-half-full attitude. Some days simply can’t be attached to a silver lining. Some bad news can’t be gilded. While plots should always make sense in my books, life doesn’t always hand us the opportunity to say, “Oh, that’s why it happened that way.”

I admit, humor plays a key role. Even if you have to dig very, very deep, I believe you can find something amusing in almost any situation. I’ve been known to crack jokes in the most dire of circumstances—mostly because it’s my way of saying “I’m not done for yet!” Life has also taught me to seek out funny people if my own sense of humor has gone sour.

I’ve learned that what others might call “optimism” is really trust. Trust to stand firm in the belief that God hasn’t turned His back. To declare, even when you can’t see a sliver of evidence, that God is still in control. I love the saying “It’s going to be all right in the end. If it’s not all right, it’s not the end.” That’s true optimism. My definition of Heaven? The place where it all becomes “all right.”

I sent my character Jeannie Nelworth on the same path to trust. Her optimism fails her, and she spends so much energy trying to ignite her sunny nature that she ignores her trust muscles. She forgets the basic truth that sometimes the best faith we can display is to turn and look straight at the dark place in front of us. To walk through the fire in the knowledge that God never stops caring for us, protecting us, and seeing to our growth even if it means watching us in pain.

As an author, I have the privilege of ensuring that Jeannie gets her “all right” at the end of the story. All the little pieces don’t line up in perfect order—after all, real life doesn’t work that way—but they do line up to the trustworthy path God has laid out for her. It’s my prayer that every reader sees a little farther down their own path of trust when they close my book.

~~~~~~

Falling for The Fireman recently released from Love Inspired.

There's something achingly familiar about the look in fire marshal Chad Owens's eyes. Widowed mom Jeannie Nelworth knows firsthand what it is: loss, hurt and yes—bitterness. Ever since the fire that changed their lives, Jeannie's young son has borne that same look, pushing everyone away. So she's grateful when Chad tries to get through to the boy with the help of his trusty fire station dog.

But the man who's all about safety and prevention keeps himself protected—from loving and losing again. Seems as if Jeannie will have to add his kind, guarded heart to her rebuilding efforts.

~~~~~

An avid knitter, coffee junkie, and devoted chocoholic, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction. The enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two, Allie spends her days writing books, buying yarn, and finding new ways to avoid housework. Allie hails from Connecticut, moved to the midwest to attend Northwestern University, and currently lives outside Chicago, Illinois. The “dare from a friend” to begin writing has produced two parenting books, fourteen novels, and various national speaking engagements on faith, women’s issues, and writing. Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com or her knitting blog at www.DestiKNITions.blogspot.com

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For your convenience: print copy link and e-book links included below (in that order). 

 

The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter

Denise Hunter's latest Big Sky Romance novel released in January. I love her cowboy stories!

Listen to this premise: two people who were planning to marry years ago, had even signed their marriage license on the court steps but never married, participate in a re-enactment for their town’s historical celebration portraying other people and end up actually married. This is the predicament Denise Hunter’s characters find themselves in. And though Travis is hip to the idea, Shay is not. She’s been rejected too many times, including painfully by Travis. But Travis prayed for a second chance and now has it! If only he could win Shay over before their self-imposed trial period ends. The tender pursuit is on. It may be one-sided, but like Hosea, Travis is committed to Shay for the long haul. In this way, this character is a picture of Jesus.

I like stories that include the married element. Writers can explore more in the romance between the characters than usual. And to the reader's delight, Denise does.

The story deals with trust issues and is very relatable in that. There were a few believability issues, but I chose to overlook them because the story was so enjoyable. Plus, the author addresses them in the author's note. The pacing keeps you reading; I had a hard time putting the book down.

~~~~

I've reversed things today. Here are the official summary and the links (print and e-book format, in that order).

When a wedding reenactment turns real, Shay finds she's an accidental bride.

Shay Brandenberger is raising her daughter in Moose Creek, Montana, on her childhood ranch, nestled against the Yellowstone River. Despite the hard work, she can't seem to keep her head above water-and now the bank is threatening to foreclose. She prays for a miracle, but the answer she receives is anything but expected.

Having agreed to play the bride in the Founders' Day wedding reenactment, Shay is mortified to be greeted at the end of the aisle by none other than Travis McCoy, her high-school sweetheart-the man who left her high and dry for fame and fortune on the Texas rodeo circuit.

Then the unthinkable happens. Thanks to a well-meaning busybody and an absentminded preacher, the make-believe vows result in a legal marriage. But before Shay can say annulment, Travis comes up with a crazy proposal. If she refuses his offer, she may lose her home. If she accepts, she may lose her heart.

Shay isn't sure if the recent events are God's will or just a preacher's blunder. Will trusting her heart to the man who once shattered it be the worst mistake of her life? Or could their marriage be the best accident that ever happened?

By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Tricia Goyer

 

I’ve always loved studying about the Titanic, but I’ve never read fiction around the tragic sinking. Tricia gives us a very engaging story, and though you know what’s about to happen to the ship, you don’t know how these characters will fare. But I’m getting ahead of myself…

This book releases March 1, 2012 from Barbour Publishing. Here’s the summary:

Remember the Titanic 100 years after its doomed voyage with Tricia Goyer’s fictional portrayal of one woman’s journey. To Amelia Gladstone, this ship means promise of seeing family again. To Quentin Walpole, the Titanic represents a new start in America…if he can get onboard. All seems lost until Amelia offers him a ticket, securing his passage—and bringing him face-to-face with his railroad tycoon father and older brother, Damian. As Amelia works to reconcile father and son, she finds herself the object of both brothers’ affection. Can she choose between two brothers? Or will she lose everything to the icy waters of the Atlantic?

And now, my review:

What an enjoyable story! Tricia’s novelization of the great tragedy is a fulfilling, compelling read. She gives updates as to what day of the voyage we’re on and though her characters are fictional (the main characters anyway), it’s as if they really existed. We get to see what it might have been like to be a passenger on the Titanic, as compared with the documentaries that show the more technical aspects of the sinking and normally revolve around the crew and the specifics of the ship's damage. Tricia interweaves her character’s lives together from before they boarded, though we only learn of it once we’re on the big ship. I loved seeing how the characters tied together, as well as watching them deal with their issues.

The heroine is torn between her unknown future and her attraction to the downtrodden hero of the story. She has a drive to help others. I liked this part of her characterization. Through her, the author was able to include strong faith elements with phrases that had double-meanings, especially where the love and forgiveness of a father character were concerned. When the heroine gave us with thoughts like, If only he could trust in his father's love and forgiveness, readers are left to ponder that concept in their own lives where God is concerned. It’s a little blatant, but nonetheless impactful. 

The other obvious element was the tie-in with a specific and popular parable of Jesus found in Luke 15. I appreciated this inclusion, though it was rather transparent, right down to the biblical quotes coming from the character’s thoughts or words. I haven’t read this kind of obvious treatment of biblical parables in fiction before, so it intrigued me. The parable certainly lent itself to a powerful retelling in this novel. 

I recommend this story both to Tricia’s fans and those who haven’t read her work before. I was attracted by the Titanic connection, given this is the 100^th year anniversary of the great tragedy. But lovers of wholesome romance and servant-hearted characters will enjoy this historical. 

I was provided a free copy in exchange for my unbiased opinion. For your convenience, here are the amazon links for print and e-book versions (in that order).

Falls Like Lightning

Shawn Grady is on my list of authors to watch. If you've read his work, you understand why.

Let’s begin with the summary:

When hotshot smoke jumper Silas Kent gets his own fire crew, he thinks he's achieved what he's always wanted. But a lightning-sparked fire in the Desolation Wilderness of the Sierra Nevadas has his team in a plane before they can even train together.

Pilot Elle Westmore has been called up to drop the crew into the heart of the forest infernos. A single mother of a mysteriously ill six-year-old, she can't imagine her life getting any more complicated.

It doesn't take long for things to go very wrong, very quickly. A suspicious engine explosion forces Elle to make an emergency landing. Silas is able to parachute to safety but soon discovers his crew can't be trusted. They're hiding something, and now Silas is on a race to save himself and Elle from the flames--and from a more dangerous threat: his own team.

And now, my review:

I like Grady’s voice. His ability to keep the pace going. His obvious knowledge of his subject matter. He’s so knowledgeable (both in deep POV and smokejumping) I was lost a couple times. But that didn’t bog the reading down for long. We spent a tad more time setting things up on this novel, but I liked the pace there too, the relational focus.

Suspense readers will enjoy this book. I break from my usual preferred genres whenever this author comes out with a new work. And from about 2/3rds in, I had to read to the finish, even though it was pushing 1:00 a.m. Really love a reading night like that.

With this subject, you’d expect men to enjoy this read. But there’s something here for everyone. Moms will relate with Elle as she wants to help her daughter through her illness. She’s heroic in her own right. There are mysteries to solve, including that of how Elle’s father died. Not to mention, who’s taking advantage of the fires. Oh, and there’s money involved. Big surprise. Overall, an enjoyable read. I’ll be watching for more from this author.