Finding Sheba by H.B. Moore

  Finding Sheba by H.B. Moore An ancient legend is reborn . . . One that might prove the Bible false. For centuries, historians have theorized the Queen of Sheba as only a seductive legend, and scholars have debated over the legitimacy of King David or King Solomon. When undercover Israeli agent, Omar Zagouri, stumbles onto a tomb in Northern Jerusalem he unknowingly finds the final clue that threatens to overthrow government claim to the Holy Land, pits wealthy collectors against one another, and sends ruthless archaeologists scrambling to find the queen’s secret burial place. An assassination attempt on the Coptic Pope, His Holiness, Patriarch Stephanus II, is only the first in the chain of lethal crimes. Omar must find a way to prevent the greatest discovery of the century from becoming the most deadly.

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Moore admits that her concept for Finding Sheba was inspired by the popularity of Dan Brown's novels. I think I enjoyed Moore’s attempt more than Brown’s books. As an experienced historical novelist I feel like she does a much better job of blending her historical information into her narrative making her text read smoothly and naturally rather than the stop and go of Brown’s info dumpy style. So I found this to be a really fun read for the historical thriller genre. The concept centers around the life of the Queen of Sheba and her legacy.  Her historical legitimacy lends many different countries with the historical context for their claim to political power. I love how twisty and complex that she makes the Queen of Sheba’s life, making it possible for all of the different factions warring for more information to have legitimate claims, or at the very least still preserves that need for more historical information to come to light before any solid conclusions can be ascertained. Yet, we get the meat of a very compelling and interesting story about a strong woman and her leadership.  I enjoyed that the author included a point of view from the Queen of Sheba herself so we could hear her story in her own words.

If you love a fun historical thriller a la Dan Brown or the National Treasure genre then this is an excellent and enjoyable read.  

Working it Out by Rachel Renee Anderson

 

Working It Out by Rachael Anderson Grace Warren's life is safe and predictable—exactly the way she likes it. But when she gets roped into going to an auction to help out a friend, everything changes. She meets Seth Tuttle—a guy who unexpectedly kisses her then disappears, leaving her flustered and upset. If she never sees him again, it will be too soon.
A chance for love . . . Weeks later, when Seth limps into Grace's rehab clinic post surgery, she immediately recognizes him. Unfortunately, he's every bit as frustrating and annoying as she remembered. Yet there's something about him that makes her second-guess her carefully placed boundaries even though he's everything she's sure she doesn't want in a man. But maybe Seth is exactly what Grace has needed all along—assuming she's willing to risk safe and predictable for a chance at love.   (summary from author's website)

I thought that this was a fun, clean, romance. I really enjoyed the characters and how the author pitted Grace and Seth’s personalities against each other to create some fun romantic tension. Grace is constantly helping recover from sports injuries and Seth has a thirst for high adventure that often puts him in harm’s way. It is interesting to see how they have to navigate this conflict in their relationship.  The author does very well at creating interesting characters and writing a crisp, quick-moving plot. I really enjoyed this introduction to Anderson’s work. This one is a quick and light-hearted chick-flic read for all romance lovers.

 

 

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Glamour and Glass by Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal stunned readers with her charming first novel Shades of Milk and Honey, a loving tribute to the works of Jane Austen in a world where magic is an everyday occurrence. This magic comes in the form of glamour, which allows talented users to form practically any illusion they can imagine. Shades debuted to great acclaim and left readers eagerly awaiting its sequel. Glamour in Glass continues following the lives of beloved main characters Jane and Vincent, with a much deeper vein of drama and intrigue.



In the tumultuous months after Napoleon abdicates his throne, Jane and Vincent go to Belgium for their honeymoon. While there, the deposed emperor escapes his exile in Elba, throwing the continent into turmoil. With no easy way back to England, Jane and Vincent’s concerns turn from enjoying their honeymoon…to escaping it.



Left with no outward salvation, Jane must persevere over her trying personal circumstances and use her glamour to rescue her husband from prison . . . and hopefully prevent her newly built marriage from getting stranded on the shoals of another country's war.

So, I felt so-so about shades of milk and honey. I enjoy it but I found some aspects of the world odd. For some reason the world felt a bit more natural this time around and it was very interesting to see Vincent and Jane explore and discover more about the glamour than they previously had before. I like seeing that discoveries were still being made in their fantasy system it made the magic seem more real and interesting to me.  I also thought that this alternate history of the battle of Waterloo was so much fun to read. I loved watching Jane trying to figure out a way to save her husband after he was captured as I feel like she grew a lot as a character in this novel. I am even more excited to read next book in this series.

Longing For Home by Sarah M. Eden

Longing For Home by Sarah M. Eden

"Though she was only a child during the darkest days of Ireland’s Great Famine, Katie Macauley feels responsible for the loss of her family’s land and the death of her sister. Now a woman grown, Katie has left Ireland for America and the promise of earning money enough to return home again and plead for her family’s forgiveness. She arrives in Hope Springs, Wyoming Territory, a town sharply divided between the Americans who have settled there, with their deep hatred of the Irish, and the Irish immigrants who have come searching for a place to call home. Her arrival tips the precarious balance, and the feud erupts anew. Even in the midst of hatred and violence, however, Katie finds reason to hope. Two men, as different as they are intriguing, vie for her heart, turning her thoughts for the first time toward a future away from Ireland. Katie must now make the hardest decision of her life: stay and give her heart a chance at love, or return home and give her soul the possibility of peace." (summary from DB website)

When Katie arrives to accept a job in a small Wyoming town she doesn’t expect to be found lacking because she Irish. The fact that she suddenly is responsible to take care of two small children is a deal breaker also. Stranded in a town where the residents have literally split themselves down the middle as Irish and non- Irish there really are no other job openings for someone of her nationality. With a fierce determination she manages to renegotiate the terms of being a housekeeper for Joseph Archer. He reluctantly takes her in on a temporary basis until he can find a replacement. Katie comes to get to know the Irish side of the town, including a ceaseless flirt named Tavish. He and his family help Katie to navigate the unfamiliar waters of the town and become her friends. Though, Tavish slowly comes to mean more to her over time.

One of the best parts of this book is the hilarious banter that the characters toss back and forth between one another. Eden has created a cast of real and interesting characters that are sure to make you chuckle a time or two. Though, I occasionally wondered if Katie’s lack of reserve when it came to snapping comebacks was out of character with her background as a servant who did her best to be quiet and unnoticed. There is also a love triangle that seemed lopsided to me, which left me wondering why it was included as the main conflict for one of the minor characters. I’m kind of hoping it doesn’t randomly come back in the second book and throw everything into chaos.  Otherwise, the setting, characters, and conflicts of this story drew me in and I enjoyed the read.

Sarah M. Eden's Website

Catch up and news

So, the blog has been kind of erratic of late. Sorry about that.  Life has been super crazy. I have a backlog of books I’ve read that still need a bunch of reviews written for them. That leads directly into my cool news.

I’m pregnant! Yea! About 20 weeks along currently. I am due on December 25^th. Makes me super nervous to go into labor around such a huge holiday considering all the craziness that already ensues during that time, but I’m happy that we are going to have the chance to welcome a new little life into our lives. 

So, I’m trying to keep up with a very active 2 ½ year old, keep the apartment decently clean, feed the family decent food, and keep slogging through the second draft of my novel.  I get tired really easily and a lot of my down time is dedicated to sleep. Sigh. Seems like such a waste of time, but I don’t feel well if I don’t get enough rest. The leftover time is mostly parceled out to writing until I burn out, which happened twice in July. Then I usually read a couple novels or take on other projects until I’m ready to start writing again. Other projects include sewing. For some reason I really like to sew when I am pregnant. It is strange.  

I did okay in the summer reading trek challenge.  I didn’t get as many reviews up as I wanted to during the month. I didn’t even start Road to Bountiful  or finish Cloak. I did read  The House at Rose Creek by Jenny Proctor though. So if I substitute that title I didn’t do too badly.

Love in the Darkness by E.M. Tippetts

Love in Darkness by E.M. Tippetts
"Alex had everything when he was with Madison. But the darkness within him wouldn't go away.

After two years apart, he returns to Pelican Bluffs and to the girl he never wanted to leave. Madison wants to give their love another chance, but Alex can't fight fate.

He is what he is.

Ruined. Crazy like his mother. And Madison deserves so much more. When his secrets spill out into their small town, Alex has a choice to make. Hide away in the darkness forever, or let love in."

So, I was a tad bit hesitant to read this one at first, but I’m glad I did. I’m not really a fan of stories told from the point-of-view of insane people, because things can get kind of crazy. Too crazy, but Tippetts seems to find the perfect balance between making Alex’s schizophrenia seem real and still gives her main character a solid and likable personality. Alex’s biggest fear is becoming like his mother who hits every stereotype of raging lunatic possible— irrational paranoia, hearing voices, escaping the house to wander the streets, not recognizing her own son.  With the help of his friends and a good psychologist Alex has some hope of keeping his mental breaks under control. That, however, doesn’t mean he’s ready to let the girl he loves marry him. Yet, Alex isn’t sure how long he can avoid Madison when she is so determined to be with him.  Alex doesn’t know how he can accept her love or carve out a future for himself when his illness makes everything so uncertain. It is very interesting to watch Alex struggle through his problems and see the strengths and skills that he has help people in their lives despite everything. I thought this was a really uplifting read and did an awesome job of portraying a character with mental illness as a real and well-rounded person.

Visit Tippetts Website

Drops of Gold by Sarah M. Eden

Drops of Gold by Sarah M. Eden
"When her father dies and leaves her completely destitute, Marion can think of only one thing to do--make a new life for herself. Commencing a life of duplicity, Marion transforms herself into Mary Wood--governess. In possession of a forged letter of recommendation and cloaked in the anonymity of her new identity, she enters a life of self-imposed servitude as teacher and caretaker of young Miss Caroline Jonquil of Farland Meadows.

Her idyllic daydream vision of life at the Meadows is dashed when she finds a child desperately in need of hope and a cold and sorrowful home haunted by the past. With her characteristic sunny disposition, Marion casts her spell upon the household and slowly brings to life the long-forgotten joy of those within. Layton Jonquil is a man tormented by the lies surrounding the death of his late wife, but he cannot deny his growing attraction for the beautiful governess whose goodness and optimism have touched his dormant heart. Their connection grows ever stronger, and despite the impropriety of harboring feelings for a servant, Layton's heart whispers that this is the woman he's destined to love. But when Layton's fears about the past become too much to bear and the falsehoods in which they are entangled threaten to shatter his and Marion's blossoming attachment, will true love conquer all?" (amazon summary)

As long as I’m on a regency roll I might as well make a full confession. I enjoyed this one too. This one plays on mistaken identity tropes. Marion, a Lady, falls into hard times and has to disguise herself as a governess. Her new master Layton Jonquil holds a dark secret that makes him moody and strict. Marion only sees the more lighthearted side of him emerge when he interacts with his beautiful and charming daughter, Caroline. I really like Eden’s Jonquil family series, as they are a big family of brothers that try to take care of one another. I have to admit that I love how sneaky Layon’s older brother Philip is while he goes about trying to help Layton, staging conversations and dropping hints. It is pretty hilarious and also really sweet. Something I also really liked about this book was that much of the plot hinged on nuances of old English law. That made this book feel unique and stand out for a regency era novel. I found the moral quandaries that Layton faced very compelling and interesting to read about. I’d recommend this one highly.

Visit Sarah M. Eden's Website

 

 

Glimmer of Hope by Sarah M. Eden

Glimmer of Hope by Sarah M. Eden
"Stunning Miranda Harford once had the world at her feet. She was young, carefree, and desperately in love. But when her new husband left for London without her, her world fell apart. Devastated by his abandonment, Miranda fled their home, taking residence at her husband’s rarely visited countryside estate. For three years, she lived alone. But now, as the holidays draw near, an unexpected visitor arrives . . .

Carter Alexander Harford, Seventh Viscount Devereaux, is a man driven to succeed. His work is his life, and the position of Prime Minister of England is within reach. But in truth, Carter is a man haunted by lost love. Estranged from his beautiful wife, Carter is shocked to find Miranda—the woman he loved and who he believed left him—in residence at his country home.

As plans for a holiday party move forward, the uneasy couple realizes that to avoid further scandal, they must keep up appearances in a charade of marital happiness. Thrust together by fate, it quickly becomes clear that they have both been living beneath a conspired cloud of misunderstanding. As family, career, and social pressures threaten to keep them apart, can love have even a glimmer of hope?" (summary from Amazon)

Another regency! This one centers around an estranged married couple that meets up again at a house party. I found this one very interesting as both parties think they are the wronged one, but the couple was separated deliberately by deception, and I felt so bad for Carter. Seriously, my heart just broke for him and for Miranda.  It was so interesting to see them build their relationship again after they both distrusted one another. This is a tragic love story that has a hopeful ending. I couldn’t put this one down until I finished it!

Visit Sarah M. Eden's Website

Edenbrook by Julianna Donaldson

Edenbrook by Julianna Donaldson

"Marianne Daventry will do anything to escape the boredom of Bath and the amorous attentions of an unwanted suitor. So when an invitation arrives from her twin sister, Cecily, to join her at a sprawling country estate, she jumps at the chance. Thinking she'll be able to relax and enjoy her beloved English countryside while her sister snags the handsome heir of Edenbrooke, Marianne finds that even the best laid plans can go awry.       

From a terrifying run-in with a highwayman to a seemingly harmless flirtation, Marianne finds herself embroiled in an unexpected adventure filled with enough romance and intrigue to keep her mind racing. Will Marianne be able to rein in her traitorous heart, or will a mysterious stranger sweep her off her feet? Fate had something other than a relaxing summer in mind when it sent Marianne to Edenbrooke."

So, I’m currently on a regency romance kick despite the fact I vowed to read less romance this year. What can I say? At least this one is a Whitney award winner, right? Anyway, I really enjoyed the book though, I did see one of the subplots coming from a mile away. I thought the author did such a lovely job with the setting in this book. It seriously makes me want to go sit in the Edenbrook library. I also really liked the main character Marianne and sympathized with her a lot.  Overall, this was a light-hearted, clean romance perfect to curl up with on a rainy summer day.

Visit Donaldson's Website
 

Through Cloud and Sunshine by Dean Hughes

Through Cloud and Sunshine by Dean Hughes
Nauvoo was supposed to be the kingdom of God on earth, but Will and Liz Lewis are learning that it takes more than dreaming of Zion to make it a reality. Sickness, poverty, and just plain human nature add to the struggles for the Lord's people, but every now and then a glimpse of heaven shines through. Just when things are starting to get settled, though, the old problems start rearing their heads, leaving Will and others wondering if they will be there to reap the harvest they have so carefully sown. Meanwhile, Jeff and Abby—in modern-day Nauvoo—are dealing with challenges of their own. As their newborn baby fights for his life, they must come to grips with their personal faith. Can they, like their ancestors, continue to trust in God when there seems to be no trace o Him in their trials? Beloved novelist Dean Hughes skillfully interweaves the stories of two couples separated by five generations and 150 years, providing a unique perspective on Church history and showing how much we can learn from those who went before us.

  I really enjoyed this continuation of this series by Dean Hughes. Will and Liz continue to work hard in Nauvoo to build Zion. Yet, they begin to suffer persecution from other citizens in the county. The Prophet Joseph’s life is in danger and rumors about plural marriage abound. Meanwhile, their descendants Abby and Jeff are dealing with the birth of a son with a heart defect. The little guy goes through open heart surgery at only a few days old. His parents have to wait for agonizing amount of time to see if the surgery will heal the little boy’s heart. I love some of the themes that Hughes pulls out in this narrative. I love how honestly he acknowledges that death hurts us terribly even with the light of the gospel. I also love how his characters when faced with crises in faith don’t automatically question God, but also consider adjusting their expectations. Will chooses charity over prosperity even though he desperately wants to give his wife a nicer home. He’s reminded that people are more important than nice houses. I also love how Hughes made Jeff struggle with his intellectual tendencies to question everything in the church. I love how he realizes how useless his intellect is but at the same time still struggles with the fact that he doesn’t feel whole without asking his questions and trying to discover answers. He tries to find meaning in service and finds joy in his callings, but one still gets the sense that he has more to discover about himself and the gospel. I am interested to see how Hughes explores this dichotomy in the next volume.