Sneak

Sneak by Evan Angler is the second book in the Swipe Series, and it was just as interesting as the first.  After Logan refused to take the Mark, a tattoo on his wrist, on his 13^th birthday, he had to go on the run to avoid the government. Logan is determined to find his sister who also disappeared after she did not get the mark. As Logan and his friends attempt to get to the prison where his sister is being held, they meet up with many sympathizers along the way who help them travel while hiding them from the government.

 

In addition to the Markless working together, there is a girl named Erin, with the Mark, who is trying to help Logan and his friends. Erin has learned the truth behind what the government is trying to do and the peace keepers they are training. With Erin’s knowledge behind the government’s plan, the Markless unite in order to stop the government and save those most important to the cause.

 

I thought this book was really interesting, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. I am a fan of the Hunger Games, Delerium, and The Pretties types of books, and I think The Swipe Series is in a similar genre.   

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Bride Wore Blue

 

The Bride Wore Blue, The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek, written by Mona Hodgson, follows the youngest Sinclair sister, Vivian, as she moves to Cripple Creek, Colorado to join her sisters and hopefully continue her work as a dress designer. Vivian enters Cripple Creek with an adventure, as she is the witness to a train robbery on her way into town. This puts her in contact with the local Sheriff’s Deputy, Carter Alywn. From the first moment they met, I wanted to see how the relationship between the two would develop. Unfortunately, Vivian made mistakes in her past, and they cause her to believe she cannot be loved or have a relationship with anyone. With that in mind, she takes the only work she can find, as a server a brothel where she witnesses events that will again keep her connected to Carter Alywn.

 

I really enjoyed this book, and I liked that it added to the other stories about the Sinclair Sisters, but it would also be possible for someone to read this book as a stand-alone.  The theme of forgiveness is very prevalent in this book, and it is a theme most people must deal with at some point in their lives. For that reason, I think this book and the characters in it are very relatable to others.

 

I received a copy of this book for review purposes only from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group through the Blogging for Books program. I was in no way required to write a positive review. All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion.   

The Reunion

The Reunion by Dan Walsh is a book that had me interested from the first page. Aaron Miller is a Vietnam Veteran who has not seen his family in over 40 years and is now working as a handyman in a trailer park in Florida. Dave Russo lives an hour North of Aaron Miller, and is he working on a story about Vietnam Veterans as a tribute to his father who never returned from Vietnam. Dave Russo interviews a wealthy oil tycoon, who explains what happened in Vietnam that will forever tie him to Aaron Miller.

 

As all the other books by Dan Walsh, I really enjoyed this book. I read it in less than 24 hours, and I loved the characters in the book. I was rooting for all of them, and I wanted them to solve the problems and issues they were experiencing in their lives: Aaron’s estrangement from his family, Dave’s feelings of regret about choosing his career over his family, and the need for Aaron’s children to forgive their father for his lack of contact in their past. Throughout the book, I think the theme of forgiveness was very prevalent. Also, there was a focus on relationships, be those friendships, family relationships, or Christian faith. 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

 

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

 

Love's Reckoning

Love’s Reckoning by Laura Frantz is one of those books you absolutely cannot wait to finish reading, in a good way! I found myself wanting to read at every spare moment, I stayed on the bicycle at the gym longer to read, I couldn’t wait until my lunch break to read more about Silas Ballantyne and Eden Lee, and I stayed up late into the night to learn who Eden would end up spending her life with.

          Silas comes to the Lee family to serve as a blacksmith apprentice to Liege Lee, Eden’s father. As is customary, the apprentice typically marries a single daughter of his apprentice, and Liege has it in his mind that Silas will marry Elspeth. Unbeknownst to Liege, Silas is just planning on serving the final year of his apprenticeship in order to travel West of York County, Pennsylvania. As he spends time with the family, Silas learns about Eden’s desire to read and learn more of the Bible. He begins to read to her from his Gaelic Bible and share inspirational verses with Eden who is constantly working to keep the home in order. Elspeth, on the other hand, seems to flirt with all men and has more of a mind for business than helping her mother take care of their family, which includes Elspeth’s son who is being raised as her brother.

I absolutely loved this story, and could not have anticipated the events that would happen to test the faith and feelings toward one another. I  cannot wait to read the next book in the series...hopefully the next year goes quickly!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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

Rudy: My Story

Rudy: My Story is an autobiography about Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, who most people will recognize from the movie Rudy which was released in the early 90s. Rudy always wanted to play football for Notre Dame, but he didn’t have the natural talent like the other players on the team. Even though he was not the best and at some points wanted to give up, he always persevered and gave his all to everything he did.  

  

Even though I’m not the biggest football fan, I really liked this book and reading about the hard work and dedication of Rudy. I can empathize with him since I was never the best at the sports I played, and his story would have been a great one to read while I was working hard to achieve my goals in sports and life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Booksneeze Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Haven

The Haven by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the second book in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, and it follows Sadie, the middle daughter in the Lapp family. Sadie has just returned home from Ohio where she was learning about different healing techniques while living with her newly married sister who was the focus of the first book. With her arrival comes gossip, since she comes home with a baby which was left at her feet while she was waiting to come home from the bus station. The rumor soon spreads that while Sadie was in Ohio she had a child of her own. In addition to having to deal with rumors, Windmill Farm, where the Lapp family lives, has a young college-aged intern named Will living on their farm to ensure the safety of endangered peregrine falcons who have nested on the Lapp property. As Sadie soon uncovers the mystery of who the child belongs to, she also finds herself spending time with Will which angers her boyfriend from the previous year, Gid.




I enjoyed this book just as much as the first in the series, and I couldn’t put it down because of both the romance and mystery surrounding Will. The characters were all very interesting, and I liked reading about the relationship between every character, not just Sadie and her friends. It’s not necessary to have read the first book in the series to understand what is going on in the Lapp family, although there were some characters in the first book whose actions cause repercussions in the newest book. I cannot wait to read more about the Lapp family, and I am hopeful the next book looks at M.K., the youngest Lapp sister. She is definitely the most precocious of the three children, and I’m sure the book that focuses on her will be very entertaining.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."



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

Impact Player

Impact Player: Living a Lasting Legacy On and Off the Field is a memoir written by Bobby Richardson which tells about his time playing baseball with the Yankees during a famous time in history. Although I can admit I don’t really follow baseball, I am even familiar with the players Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra who Bobby Richardson played alongside. More than just a book about baseball, it looks at the faith of Bobby Richardson and his strong beliefs and example he was for those he played with during his career.

I also liked learning about the accomplishments of Bobby Richardson after he completed his time in professional baseball. He had a large family, coached baseball at the University of South Carolina, and even ran for Congress. My sister attended Liberty University, so I thought it was interesting to learn about the time he spent coaching there in the 1980s. He had many great years playing baseball, and the book gave him the opportunity to share many stories. I liked how he never seemed to “preach” at his teammates, but rather he served as an example and chose to become friends with others despite the fact he may not have agreed with their lifestyles. He even mentions in the book that he thinks the best way he could be a Christian witness was through his friendship with his teammates.

I can’t wait to give this book to my dad to read, since I’m sure he will enjoy reading about the experiences of the Yankee clubhouse during the 1955-1964 seasons.   

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."