Eve of Redemption

Eve Author: Tom Mohan

Publisher: BHC Press

Release Date: March 1, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A supernatural thriller that will have you looking deep into your soul and wondering if you can trust what you see.

When John Burke’s family disappeared, he thought his life was over. He no longer had a reason to live and fell into a deep despair. Four years later, he decides to end it all until a little girl changes his perspective. Soon after his life collides with the supernatural, his past is all back for him to face once more. It quickly becomes more than he can handle and he is forced to rely on new found friends and allies before all is lost.

Tom Mohan has brought suspense to a whole new level in this supernatural thriller. With characters that you can connect with on a deep level and feel their distress on every page, this is a story not to be missed. While this is not my usual genre to read, I decided to give this one a try and am glad I did. The story was deep with thought provoking scenes that kept me up late into the night. A lot of thought was put into each character and how their role provided further development to the story and each scene instead of just inserting more characters for the sake of making the story longer. I enjoyed the relationship between John and Red and how that related to his longing for his daughter. I recommend this book to readers that love a supernatural thriller that will leave them with questions long after the last page.

The Gypsy Moth Summer

Gypsy moth Author: Julia Fierro

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Release Date: June 6, 2017

Reviewer: Jennifer S. Roman

We all remember those summers of our youth, especially the ones in which we try to appear grown up while trying to fit in with the cool kids. Maddie Pencott LaRosa tries to do just that the summer of ‘92 on a small island that is overwhelmingly white and divided by social class. On the West side are the laborers of Grudder Aviation Factory, and on the East are the rich upper crust who run the factory. Maddie’s mother comes from the East side, but after marrying Maddie’s abusive husband from the West side, they live in a small cottage off her grandparents’ estate with Maddie and her brother Dom. Maddie wants more than anything to fit in with the rich girls at school, and she finally has an in. When the prodigal daughter, Leslie Day Marshall moves back “home” after her parents’ deaths, she brings with her a black husband and mixed-race children. Maddie immediately falls for Leslie’s son, Brooks, and invites him to hang out every night with her new friends. Trouble starts happening for everyone involved as a historic gypsy moth “plague” invades the island and threatens to remove every bit of green within eyesight.

Told in six different perspectives, the story unfolds as each person brings secrets and revelations to the mix. Maddie is hiding the fact that her mother is slowly killing herself with pills and alcohol, while her abusive father cheats on her mother. Brooks, Leslie’s son, is not happy to be away from the city, where he is accepted and well-liked. He feels uncomfortable around all the white people and is very careful. Leslie has a mission of social justice now that she has her parents’ money and power. Jules, Leslie’s black Ivy League-educated husband, is a botanist and works to revive the fabulous gardens at Leslie’s parents’ estate. He doesn’t understand how Leslie can do the air-kiss socialite party thing when she is so quickly angered by these people’s actions towards the “help,” especially when they think Jules is the help. Dom, Maddie’s brother, is a bit of an outcast and lives on the fringe of the island. He drinks whenever he can and suspects he is gay, which makes him feel even worse about himself. Veronica, Maddie’s grandmother, is hiding her terminal breast cancer diagnosis while keeping track of her dementia-riddled husband Bob, AKA the Colonel, as he wanders their property with a gun in tow. Veronica has lived her life as a society woman and now realizes how fake her life is, so she vows to make some life-changing decisions that will hopefully benefit her grandchildren before it is too late.

There is so much going on in this 400-page book so I was glad I started it way before this review was due. It brought back a lot of memories as I also was a teen (albeit a bit older) during the 90s and experienced many of the same world events as these people did. The characters were appealing and interesting, and while not all were likeable, they were as the author intended. It was easy to feel empathy for Dom and Maddie living the lives they did, and although at first Veronica was unbearable, she evolved into a person I was rooting for until the very end. Brooks and Jules were quickly likeable, and one had to feel for them as they entered a very challenging world that would eventually make them miserable. Each character had good traits and bad ones to make them interesting.

The story itself was interesting, but at times it either plodded along or had so much going on that it was difficult to follow. For example, without giving away spoilers, first this would happen, then this happened, then something else happened, then another thing happened. It was almost as if the author could not decide which challenge to throw at the characters, so she threw several of them at her. Considering the book was long, there were plenty of opportunities to throw some wrenches into the system, yet they all seemed to happen at the end of the book and really didn’t do much for the story. I did enjoy the overall premise of the book, but again, these wrenches thrown into the system detracted from how great it could have been. I would have loved to have seen a little bit more focus on Leslie’s family and its story and how it related to her return to the island. I would still recommend this book to friends, but would let them know my reservations about the second half.

This is a book that touches on a variety of hot topics and therefore contains violence, sex, and foul language. For this reason, I recommend this book for mature readers. Fans of coming of age stories, the 1990s, and family dysfunction will enjoy this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Freedom’s Price

Freedom Author: Christine Johnson

Series: Keys of Promise #3

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: June 6, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Can Pirates of the Caribbean characters come to life in an alternate book?

Catherine Haynes is facing a difficult situation. With both of her parents now deceased, her cousin has taking control of their estate, but must pay a stipend to Catherine until she is wed. Now he is in a hurry to get her married and sell the estate. Rather than succumb to his wishes, Catherine decides to take a severance from him and sail to her mother’s homeland of Louisiana to meet the family that doesn’t know she exists. Along the way, she is shipwrecked on the island of Key West, where she meets dashing Captain Tom Worthington, who may be the only man she has met that can match her wit, which infuriates her more. Even so, Catherine and Tom find themselves drawn to one another even though each has their own plans. Would it be better to stay with Tom in Key West or venture to an uncertain future in New Orleans?

This was a fun historical fiction read that had me picturing Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann from Pirates of the Caribbean. Not because of their situation, but because of their personalities. There was lots of fun, wit, and action throughout the book. But there were also valuable lessons learned about trust and love. Johnson did a great job of setting the scene in pre-Civil War New Orleans. I hadn’t realized that England had already abolished slavery by that time period, so I was happy to get to do some research based on the book. I also love the Key West area, so anytime I get to go there in my mind is well worth it.

Even though this was the third in the series, it is easily a standalone. I recommend reading it even without a copy of the first two.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Before We Were Yours

Before we were yours Author: Lisa Wingate

Publisher: Ballantine

Release Date: June 6, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Another fantastic past/present collision story produced by Wingate! This one will make you cry!

Set in 1939 Memphis, Tennessee, Rill Foss and her younger siblings all live with their parents on a riverboat. The great depression has hit several folks hard, but living on the river can get you by if you all love one another. Their mother is now pregnant with twins and several complications have arisen, so much so that a local midwife won’t help her deliver the babies on the boat. Forced with a tough decision, their father leaves twelve-year-old Rill in charge of the kids and takes their mother to a hospital. But in the morning light, a police officer shows up to take the kids to their parents saying that the twins have died, but actually delivers them to the Tennessee Children’s Home. Once there, Rill begins to realize that the orphanage intends to see all the children into adoption. Can she keep her family together and get back to their parents?

Fast-forward to present day in Aiken, South Carolina, Avery Stafford is beginning the process she was groomed for, to take over her father’s senate seat. She achieved a law degree and was fast tracked with the US attorney’s office, but her father got cancer and is starting to have to slow down in order to keep his health. Worse, they have recently had to put her grandmother in a nursing home for Alzheimer’s disease and this has become a hot button on the candidacy due to conditions of lower income nursing homes. While visiting one of the nursing homes, one of the residents appears to recognize Avery as part of her past and steals her bracelet, which her grandmother gave her. When she comes back to collect it, she sees a picture in the woman’s room with her grandmother in it. What secrets was her grandmother involved in?

As expected, Lisa Wingate has written another phenomenal book combining connected lives of the past and present. I’ve enjoyed several of her previous series, which often make me emotional, but this one really struck a nerve. The book is based on an actual organization that operated as a black-market adoption ring in Memphis called the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, which was operated by Georgia Tann. The last national interest in this organization was about 25 years ago and has been somewhat forgotten by today’s society, as have many other events that are worthy to note. But Wingate has resurrected this with passion. I hope that everyone who reads this book will go do some research on the organization and get an idea of what atrocities were committed. With two young boys of my own, this really hit home for me. I don’t know what I would have done had it happened. I may have ended up just like Quennie.

Wingate’s writing and character developed are superb as usual. She manages to take the reader back in time to understand the scene as well as easily transition back to present day. I have been looking forward to this book for a long time and I’m glad that I read it. I hope you will read it too!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Ascension of Larks

Ascension Author: Rachel Linden

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: June 20, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Making the hard choice is never easy, but in some cases, it is a leap of faith that just might prove worth it in the end.

Magdalena (Maggie) Henry loves her life of traveling and being a renowned photographer. She is a free spirit and has never been tied down to anyone or anything before. When her best friend Lena calls to say her husband, Marco, has died in an accident on the lake, she drops everything to go help her friend. Maggie has always been secretly in love with Marco and being at their house with the family is harder than she thought it was going to be. Maggie gets a call from her boss to give her a once in a lifetime opportunity to compete for the biggest award in the photography community. Naturally, she doesn’t want to pass it up. However, she must now decide between her career and being there for some of the only family she has ever had is the hardest decision she has ever had to make. She knows what her heart is telling her to follow the magic of being with a family and settling down, but will she be able to make the decision?

This is not my normal go to book for a quick enjoyable read, but was worth every minute of my time. The setting was beautiful! I love the islands of the Pacific Northwest, and every time Maggie went for a run I imagined myself on the beach with her. While this is marketed towards women, it is one that male readers can still find enjoyable. Lena finding out the problems her husband has left her with is something that probably happens far more often than any of us realize and was addressed well. Lena had a hard time dealing with the stress of everything but was fortunate enough to have wonderful people in her life she could rely on to help her through the difficult times. The few almost romance scenes were done well and not rushed. I can’t stand to read a scene where you know the relationships are being rushed and completely not believable. There are religious aspects to the book but nothing that is too “in your face” that might put readers off. Linden did a fantastic job of writing a smooth flowing dialogue as well as narrative scenes. I enjoyed the message Linden drove home of no matter how bad your situation is, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but at the same time seeing the other side can show you a little bit of what you are missing in life. I recommend this to readers that enjoy a story with heart and a message that will touch them and help them if they are struggling through a difficult time.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Evaporation of Sofi Snow

Sofi Snow Author: Mary Weber

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: June 6, 2017

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

If you were to combine The Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Host you would be looking at The Evaporation of Sofi Snow. So much going on it will easily leave you wanting more.

It has been eleven years since the alien race, Delonese, and their ice-planet arrived in Earth’s atmosphere. Since that time, Sofi Snow has had vivid dreams of the aliens. Earth is now ruled by corporations instead of governments and Sofi and her brother have been forced by these corporations to participate in fantasy fighting. Sofi is the gamer while her brother, Shilo, is in the arena. During one of the games a bomb explodes in the arena killing many, including Shilo, or at least that is what everyone but Sofi believe. She has dreams he is alive and is certain he has been taken by the Delonese. She must get to the planet and find her brother; the only problem is the only ones allowed are the ambassadors. Sofi convinces, Miguel, the youngest ambassador who she was close to once, to take her with him to the planet. Miguel has found himself in trouble as he is being blackmailed to make sure a certain corporation is blamed for the attack. Together Sofi and Miguel find more trouble, deceit, and unthinkable things than they could have imagined.

Patience. That is the word that comes to mind when describing this book. If you are not patient with what is happening and willing to give it time, at least more than what you would an average book, you are not going to enjoy it. I really thought I might not finish this one but am very glad I did. The beginning was slow to get going, very confusing with the set up, and the world the characters found themselves in. I am not a gamer, which is probably a good target audience for this one, and I think that slowed me down at the beginning. Once I was about halfway through, it didn’t matter that I am not into video games because the story took off in a direction that didn’t have very much to do with the games. At this point, I was very happy I decided to stick with the book. The story was engaging and the characters kept me guessing as to what was about to happen with them. The ending left it wide open for a sequel, which I am anxiously looking forward to. It is refreshing to see a YA sci-fi thriller out there that kids can really enjoy. There were several points that I give the author credit for surprising me with the twists and turns I didn’t see coming. I recommend this book to YA readers that are looking for a thrill ride in the gaming world and so, so much more.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Eye of the Storm

Eye of the Storm Author: Frank Cavallo

Publisher: Create Space

Release Date: August 11, 2016

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

An interesting Sci/Fi novel that will take the reader to another world full of danger and mythical creatures.

Eric Slade is a retired Navy SEAL that now works in remote parts of the world making documentaries. When he is hired by Dr. Anna Fayne for a new mission, he thinks it will be just another day at the office for him. When the two, along with the rest of their team, are caught up in a mysterious storm and sent through a rift in space/time, they end up stranded in a strange lost world. Eventually they are the only two still alive and are desperate to survive and find a way back home from the savage land they now find themselves in.

This book is one I thought I would really like. I enjoy fantasy novels and this one sounded very interesting. Unfortunately for me, Eye of the Storm went farther to the sci/fi aspect than fantasy for my liking. I believe that lovers of science fiction will thoroughly enjoy this book though. The story was good, but when getting into the science fiction and mythical terminology I found myself lost more often than not trying to figure out how to say something or what it was even talking about. I think a glossary at the front might help readers as a reference for some of the harder words and what they refer to. There is a little bit of everything in the story: action, romance, adventure, danger and science beyond our world. Some of the characters were more relatable than others, I think that was the way the scenes were set up more than everything. There was a lot of potential here but it fell flat for me. I do recommend this to readers that love science fiction novels with a little bit of fantasy and romance sprinkled in the mix.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Under a Summer Sky

Under a summer sky Author: Melody Carlson

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: June 6, 2017

Reviewer: Jennifer S. Roman

Melody Carlson brings another sweet yet fun romance to her many readers in Under a Summer Sky: A Savannah Romance. Nicole Anderson, art teacher in Seattle, is languishing teaching high school students. She knows her lectures are boring and she is not creating art as she had hoped. With summer break looming on the horizon, she hopes her summer is quiet and productive. That is, until her mother shows up unexpectedly at the end of her school day on a Friday. It turns out that her mother’s friends are taking a summer-long tour around the world, and her mother has recommended that Nicole manage the friends’ art gallery in Savannah while they are gone.

The trip is spur-of-the-moment, and Nicole has no formal training to run an art gallery, but she decides it would be fun. Besides, her childhood crush, Alex, the son of her parents’ friends, is going to be around as he finalizes his divorce. She knows she can rely on him to help her with the gallery, and maybe start up a romance. What Nicole doesn’t expect, however, is that Alex is irresponsible with his teenage daughter Bernice. Additionally, Amyra, her co-worker at the gallery is a snobbish, rude woman who tries to control Nicole. To make matters worse, Nicole was told that she would be managing the gallery, not Amyra, but nobody told Amyra that. Nicole must deal with her frustrated colleague while also trying to keep an eye on Bernice.

As the summer progresses, Nicole manages to sell several pieces of art at the gallery while signing new artists. She realizes she is good at running the gallery and that she has feelings for Alex’ nerdy brother Ryan instead of Alex. How this will play out with the boys’ sibling rivalry is anyone’s guess.

True to form, Melody Carlson has written a sweet romance novel set in a beautiful setting. She brings just the right amount of conflict to make the story interesting while not going overboard. The characters are likeable and realistic, albeit predictable. Still, for a summer romance with plenty of southern charm, this book fits the bill.

Readers who take this book for its simple romantic story will enjoy it. There are not a lot of complex situations or characters, but they are fun and easy to understand. The romance is not bodice-ripper; rather, it’s the first stage of romance that involves butterflies in the stomach and hand-holding. It’s a fun read that relies as much on the setting as the characters to tell the story.

This is a charming book that does not contain violence, sex, or foul language. For this reason, I recommend this book for young adult readers and up. Fans of Melody Carlson and sweet romances in general will find this book enjoyable.

Naomi’s Hope

Naomi's Hope Author: Jan Drexler

Series: Journey to Pleasant Prairie #3

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: June 6, 2017

Reviewer: Jennifer S. Roman

The third and final installment in the Journey to Pleasant Prairie series finds a newcomer, Cap Stoltzfus, joining the two groups of Amish who have arrived in LaGrange County, Indiana, in the 1840s. One group is from Ohio, and one group is from Pennsylvania. Although one group is considered more progressive than the other, they live and work together across a wide area separated by marsh and forest. They make miles-long treks on Sundays for church services and during the week to help their neighbors with chores. Cap finds himself settling in nicely, and is especially happy when he meets Naomi Schrock, a single girl who lives with her family and son near Cap’s new cabin. She has rescued a young boy whose family perished in a deadly storm, and even though her neighbors accept it, some people gossip that the boy, Davey, is the product of a sinful relationship. Cap is determined to get to know Naomi while finding out the truth of Davey’s coming to live with Naomi.

Meanwhile, a new preacher has arrived in the settlement, and he brings back horrible memories for Cap. Shem Fischer used to bully Cap when they were boys, and while Cap does his best to forgive Shem and put that experience in the past, he can’t help but feel that Shem is stirring up trouble throughout the settlement. Rumors fly, people refuse to help one another, and there is talk of breaking the church into two different sects. Shem seems to be behind all of it, but Cap has no proof. It’s up to the other members of the church to see Shem for his bad behavior and keep him in check.

I have enjoyed the first two books in this series, so I was excited to read the final book, as well. I have to admit that I had no idea there could be such Peyton Place-like drama playing out in an Amish settlement in the middle of Indiana, but after reading this book, it’s a whole new possibility. People are quarreling over where to hold church, how to plant and harvest crops, and what to serve for Sunday dinner. Married people have their eyes on someone other than their spouses, and rumors fly like birds. This is probably not typical of the average Amish settlement, but in this book, it was quite common. While the Amish are not immune to drama and conflicting personalities, it seems like this is an awful lot for a small new community.

I enjoyed the characters this book has, including the many newcomers. Several main characters and side characters have personal conflicts that need to be addressed, and they realize that until they give them up to God, the issues won’t go away. This causes stress in a few relationships, and the people involved learn how to work together instead of apart. There are many lessons for the characters to earn, the biggest being to trust God above all others. While some of the drama may be a bit over-the-top, the storylines and true commitment to living a simple life make the book a worthwhile read.

This is a charming book that does not contain violence, sex, or foul language. For this reason, I recommend this book for young adult readers and up. Fans of Amish fiction, Amish romance, or a good clean story about the settling of America will enjoy the story.

Cast the First Stone

Cast the First Stone Author: James W. Ziski

Series: Ellie Stone Mystery #4

Publisher: Seventh Street Books

Release Date: June 6, 2017

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Set in the 1960’s with a female reporter investigating a missing person and a murder, this is a must read for all mystery lovers.

Ellie Stone is a reporter for the New Holland Republic and is assigned to travel to Hollywood to interview Tony Eberle, the hometown actor that is making his big break in the big city. Upon arriving, she finds that Eberle has disappeared and the producer that was vital in getting him the part has been found murdered with Tony is now the prime suspect. Ellie puts all her investigating tactics to the test to find Tony and figure out what is behind this mystery, hoping it isn’t Tony, which would have the citizens of New Holland reading about their beloved Tony being a murderer.

The first thing I need to say about this book is it is the fourth in a series, I didn’t realize this when reading it and don’t believe it influenced how I enjoyed the book. Ellie is a very ambitious woman that is looking to make a name for herself in the world of reporters. In this time period, bring a woman and breaking into this area is a very difficult thing to accomplish. Ellie didn’t let any of that keep her from pursuing what she felt she was meant to do. Having an assignment that sends her to Hollywood and then investigating the disappearance of Tony and the murder ends up putting all of her skills to the test. Even when she finds herself in danger while trying to get the next lead in her story, she still keeps pushing forward. I liked her and the spunk she had. It is probably one of the best aspects of the story. A few of the characters are questionable at times in how they react in different situations that could have played out better. While Ellie is the main character, there are too many secondary characters to keep track of. If a few had been left out or combined, the story would have flowed a little better for readers. You do have to keep in mind that this is set in the 1960s while reading to keep from getting confused about prices of things and landmarks. While this isn’t one I would normally pick up, I did enjoy the story and will recommend it to mystery lovers for a good read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.