Sunday, August 25, 2013

Book Review: Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden

Molly Knox wakes up every morning looking forward to her predictable, orderly life. She loves making watches and as the owner of the 57th Illinois Watch Company, she is proud to carry on her father's work. But when the Great Chicago Fire strikes and takes everything away from her, Molly will have to keep her wits about her to survive.
Zach Kazmerak is a powerful attorney working for one the largest department stores in Chicago. He is a loyal employee and works hard to earn his reputation for getting things done. Now he must go up against Molly Knox, which is a problem, since he has admired her since he first set eyes on her.
As Molly and Zach work to get through the time of terrible disaster, they must learn to trust each other despite their opposite personalities.

This is the third book I have read by Elizabeth Camden and I have really enjoyed all of them. She really can bring history alive and make you feel like you are immersed right in the culture of the time. Her descriptions of the Chicago fire were amazing and I enjoyed also the look into the advances of machinery and technology at the time. Loved it!

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for a free copy of this book to review.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Book Review: The Letters by Suzanne Woods FIsher

Rose Schrock's life has been turned upside-down since her husband's death. Living with her ailing and disapproving mother-in-law while trying to take care of her family is hard enough. Trying to also come up with a way to support them financially while also dealing with the troubles her husband left behind is just enough to make her feel like giving up.
But hope comes in some strange forms for Rose. One, being her kind but quiet neighbor Galen. The other being a strange idea to open her home as a bed and breakfast.
What Rose could not have imagined is how much opening her home up would bring healing both to herself and her guests.

I always look forward to reading Suzanne Woods Fisher's stories. I don't always stop to think about how the amish community mixes with the modern day world and what that looks like on a daily basis. I love that she combines the two in a realistic way. Her characters are far from perfect and face realistic challenges and I think it makes her stories come to life. I also love that Jimmy Fisher from a previous series makes an appearance again :-)

Thank you to Revell Publishers for a free copy of this book to review.

Available August 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.