The Lightkeeper's Daughter by Colleen Coble

Hello Bookworms,

        I have a review of a wonderful piece of inspirational historical fiction for you today. It is a work that I very much enjoyed reading and I cannot wait to read more by this author. Today’s review is of The Lightkeeper’s Daughter (A Mercy Falls Novel) by Colleen Coble!

 

Summary:

          Addie Sullivan grew up living and working at her parents’ lighthouse. When her father passed away of consumption, life got significantly harder. Addie’s mother, Josephine Sullivan, is much too hard on now 25 year old Addie. However, the faith that Addie’s father passed on to her keeps her strong. When a strange man is hurt and nursed back to health at the lighthouse, he delivers life changing news: Addie’s father and mother are not her real father and mother and Addie is actually the daughter of a very rich man. As Addie learns more about her real family, things aren’t adding up. Who can she trust? And who is in on a plot to stop her happy reunion with her father?  Things are taking a violent turn and Addie must find the truth before it is too late.

 

Review:

        I had seen and heard of Colleen Coble and her writing but I had never read any of it. So when I found one of her books in a local dollar store (I’m all about supplying myself with good books at the cheapest possible prices) I couldn’t pass it up. I’m glad I didn’t pass it up! Mrs. Coble’s story was fast paced, interesting, suspenseful, and fun. Every character is a wonderful addition to the plot of the story even Addie’s dear, gifted dog, Gideon. After reading this book by Colleen Coble, I am ready to get my hands on more of her books. There are at least two other books that revolve around lighthouses ( a personal favorite setting for me) but for those who enjoy different setting, Mrs. Coble has written books set in other places including her Rock Harbor series, Aloha Reef Series, and books set in Alaska, the Lonestar state (Texas area), and more. I think Mrs. Coble has something more almost everyone! I highly recommend “The Lightkeeper’s Daughter” by Colleen Coble! I also recommend everyone to check out Mrs. Coble’s other works as well! J

 

Links To Buy:

http://www.amazon.com/Lightkeepers-Daughter-Mercy-Falls-Series/dp/1595542671/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382383842&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Lightkeepers+Daughter+Colleen+Coble

 

Already read “The Lightkeeper’s Daughter”? Interested in Checking out author Colleen Coble’s other works? Here are some links to other books by Colleen Coble!

Links to More Colleen Coble Books:
The Lightkeeper’s Bride:

http://www.amazon.com/Lightkeepers-Bride-Mercy-Falls-Series/dp/1595542663/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382384576&sr=8-1&keywords=Mercy+Falls+Colleen+Coble

The Lightkeeper’s Ball:

http://www.amazon.com/Lightkeepers-Ball-Mercy-Falls-Novel/dp/159554268X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1382384762&sr=8-2&keywords=Mercy+Falls+Colleen+Coble

The Mercy Falls Collection: 3 in 1 Volume:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Mercy-Falls-Collection-Lightkeepers/dp/1401689493/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1382384834&sr=8-4&keywords=Mercy+Falls+Colleen+Coble

The Aloha Reef  Series:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=The+Aloha+Reef+Series+Colleen+Coble&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AThe+Aloha+Reef+Series+Colleen+Coble

Until Next Time,
                   Lizzie <3

Doyleockian Guest Post

Hello Bookworms!,
            I was recently honored with the opportunity to guest write a post on the blog Doyleockian. Doyleockian is a blog by author Alistair Duncan. I myself enjoy following his posts and was thrilled to get to submit a piece to him on "The Many Faces of Irene".

View my article, "The Many Faces of Irene" on Doyleockian here:
http://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2013/10/guest-post-many-faces-of-irene.html

While you're there, explore the world of all things Sherlockian/Doyleockian and consider following the blog yourself! :) You won't regret it!

My thanks to Alistair Duncan for allowing me to write a piece and publishing it on his blog!

Until next time,
          Lizzie <3

A Case of Identity - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Hello Bookworms!,

            I have another of the Sherlock Holmes works for you today! It’s A Case of Identity by none other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Summary:

            A young woman is heartbroken. She has fallen in love with a young man and now something has happened to him. Her father didn’t like the man but she can only think the best of him. The young lady has few people she can trust so she turns to the one man she thinks can solve the mystery, Mr. Sherlock Holmes. Holmes and Watson endeavor to find out what happened to the object of this young woman’s affection in A Case of Identity by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Review:

            I enjoyed reading A Case of Identity and it I believe will prove to be one of the more memorable for me. I have to admit that I liked it a bit more than I liked The Red-Headed League. I think that readers who are wanting to acquaint or reacquaint themselves with the stories of Sherlock Holmes will enjoy reading A Case of Identity.

 

** This is the book I am using to read the Sherlock Holmes stories. I like the layout of the book, the only drawback is that it is not a complete version of the original Sherlock Holmes works some of the short stories were not included. However, it does include the whole novel “The Hounds of Baskervilles” and the short stories are published in the same fashion as they originally were in The Strand with all the illustrations by Sidney Paget. At just $10 I recommend it to anyone who wants to become acquainted with the original Sherlock Holmes works for the first time like myself.

Links to Buy:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Original-Illustrated-Sherlock-Holmes/dp/0890090572/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380123962&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Original+Illustrated+Sherlock+Holmes

 

Until Next Time,

              Lizzie <3

Some Buried Ceaser by Rex Stout

Hello Bookworms!

            Today I have a wonderful murder mystery for you from the Famed Nero Wolfe Mysteries! This Mystery is called “Some Buried Ceaser”!

Summary:

       Hickory Ceaser Grindon is a prized champion bull. Everyone believes that the bull’s current owner paid too much for the bull but the owner is determined to do something shocking to matter the cost. He plans to barbeque the prized bull and invite some of the most affluent people in the community to come out and share in the meal. When the son of the owner’s rival is found dead inside the fence and Ceaser is seen with blood on his horns, the police come to the obvious conclusion that the boy was killed by the bull, but Detective Nero Wolfe thinks otherwise. But can he prove it? As Wolfe and his faithful employee Archie Goodwin investigate, they will find that murder isn’t the only shocker in this story…

Review:

            This summer has been a summer of firsts in literature for me. This was the first Nero Wolfe I had read! I must say that I truly enjoyed it! Many times while reading a book I am able to get some idea of how things may turn out, so when an author can surprise me, I love it! I have to admit that I couldn’t figure out how the story was going to turn out and then one of the final twists totally caught me off guard! I highly recommend “Some Buried Ceaser” by Rex Stout to mystery lovers everywhere!

 

Link to Buy:

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Some-Buried-Caesar-Wolfe-Mysteries/dp/0553254642/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1379365534&sr=1-1&keywords=some+buried+Caesar

And Only To Decieve by Tasha Alexander

Hello  Bookworms!!,

          I did a LOT of reading over this past summer and today I have a brand new review for you!  This suspense novel is sure to keep you guessing! Its “And Only To Deceive” by Tasha Alexander!

Summary:

          Lady Emily Ashton was only married for a few months when her husband Lord Phillip Ashton died on a hunting trip in Africa. Suddenly confronted with new freedom and now in possession of the huge Ashton fortune, Emily hardly knows what to do with herself. After all, she only married Phillip to escape her overly critical mother. Now she must mourn a man that she barely knew and pretend to all his family and friends that they were the happiest and most intimate of couples. As Lady Ashton explores the diaries of her late husband, she falls in love with the man he was. But was Phillip Ashton really the man he made himself out to be in his journals? Something isn’t right. And how many of his friends know the truth?  Lady Ashton’s quest for the truth will take her all over the world, from the highest circles of society to the darkest depths of society’s seedy underbelly.

 

Review:

                I must admit that I was concerned when I picked up this book. I had found it pretty cheap in a used book store and I didn’t know anything about author Tasha Alexander’s writing. This was my first experience reading her writing. I was amazed! From the first few words, I was completely hooked on the story of Lady Emily Ashton! And it just got better and better as I continued to read! All of Mrs. Alexander’s colorful characters and the masterful way she weaves a story of intrigue and suspense will capture your attention. This is a book that you can expect to pick up and say “I’ll take a few minutes and read a page or two” and realize hours later that you’ve read several chapters! It’s just that good! I don’t want to say anything else about the plot or the story because there are so many twists and important details throughout the book from beginning to end that I’m afraid I’ll give something away! So I’ll just end with this: I highly recommend this book to everyone! You will love it! Go out and get a copy, give a copy as a gift, recommend it to your friends! It’s that good!

 

Link  to  buy:

http://www.amazon.com/And-Only-Deceive-Lady-Emily/dp/006114844X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378581603&sr=8-1&keywords=And+Only+To+Decieve+Tasha+Alexander


Until Next Time,
               Lizzie <3

The Flight of the Falcon - Daphne Du Maurier

Hello Bookworms!

            It’s time for a new review. This book is full of suspense a twisting tale of truth and lies, family secrets and neighborhood scandals. It is The Flight of the Falcon by Daphne Du Maurier.

Summary:
            Armino Fabbio is a courier with the Sunshine Tours out of Genoa, Italy. His life’s work consists of betting his driver on how long it will take to get from one city to another and showing gawking tourists all the beauty Italy has to offer. He enjoys his job but he’s restless. Then the murder occurs. What’s worse is Armino is almost sure it’s his fault. Worse than that, he is almost sure he knew the woman. Armino is the only member of his family left (after his father died in a prison camp, his brother was shot down in the war, and his mother passed away of illness) but he must go back to his old hometown of Ruffano to hopefully find some of the people who lived there when he was a boy and find out about this woman who was murdered. What Armino will find when he reaches Ruffano will be more than he believed could even be possible.

Review:

            Okay readers, I really enjoyed the overall story. If you are a Daphne Du Maurier fan, you will definitely want to make sure that you read this book. The twists and turns are shocking and the fine line between genius and insanity is blurred beyond recognition. However, there are a few things that you’ll want to know before you start reading.

            First, there is the little matter of confusion. You will have to pay attention to what is happening in the book because from time to time it gets a little confusing. There were times that I really wasn’t sure how certain details fit or where we were going with what I was reading.

            Second, there are the parts that are inappropriate to younger readers. There are places throughout the book where sex is the topic of focus. There is a lot of conversation about an affair between two of the characters. Also, the character Carla Raspa (a major player throughout the book) has several partners including several attempts to seduce the main hero, Armino Fabbio. These topics are not suitable for younger readers and parents should exercise caution when deciding whether to let their child read this book.

            Third and finally, is the issue with religion. The characters in this book have hostility towards God and express it many times in the book. At one point one character decides that God does not exist. Mature readers will be able to deal with it but I do not recommend it for less mature readers (it is at this point that I must say that maturity is not tied to age so parents please use discretion when allowing children tweens and teens to read this book or when recommending it to your adult friends and family).

            I recommend this book for mature, adult fans of Daphne Du Maurier. I do not recommend this book for immature adults, or young people because of the consistent themes of hostility towards God and sex.

Until Next Time!,

               Lizzie <3

A Suitable Wife (Ladies In Waiting) by Louise M. Gouge

Hello Bookworms!

        I thank you all for being so patient with me during my absence! As some of you know I am a college student and this past semester has been extremely hectic leaving me no time read many new books and even less time to blog about them. BUT! I am happy to say that I passed the semester and now I am back to blogging with new reviews! I’d like to start with a sweet summer romance that I read during this summer A Suitable Wife by Louise M. Gouge.

Summary

          Lady Beatrice Gregory is beautiful, eligible, but poor thanks to the gambling habit her brother developed. That’s why her first season in London is being spent as Mrs. Parton’s companion. Beatrice wants nothing more than to be able to have the wonderful season that her dear, departed mother had always promised her. Beatrice wants to find a husband. But how she can do that without offending her patroness, Mrs. Parton, she does not know. Therefore Beatrice is resigned to give up on her dreams of marriage and enjoy the season as Mrs. Parton’s companion only.

          Lord Greystone is the eldest of three brothers. And the only one who remains unmarried much to his mother’s frustration. Lord Greystone looks at the happy and blessed marriages of his two brothers and hopes to have that himself. But he is afraid to try. Lord Greystone’s father was a man with a temper and he took it out on his family. Lord Greystone’s biggest fear is that he is more like his father than he realizes. After all when he was a younger there was that one incident…

          Both of these people find love during the season in London. How? With Whom? Find out in A Suitable Wife by Louise M. Gouge!

Review

        Readers I LOVED this book!!!! Mrs. Gouge masterfully tells a tale of suspense, secrets, and love that will keep readers interested from beginning to end.

          One of my favorite parts of the book is the relationship that both main characters have with the Lord. Mrs. Gouge meshes what the characters are dealing with on the outside with their internal monologue between themselves and the Lord so well that it doesn’t interrupt the flow of the book nor does it seem out of place. In particular one of my favorite prayers is when Lord Greystone is thinking about whom he should marry and then in two short sentences puts all of his worry and trust back into the Lord’s hands by praying “Lord Thou knowest whom I should marry. I pray Thee, do make haste and bring her across my path.” Then Greystone chooses to concentrate on other things and let the Lord work it out. What a beautifully written example on how we should deal with all the concerns in our lives.

          Another favorite part of the book is when the main characters are attending the play Hamlet. As the actor performs the famous “To Be or Not To Be” speech as Hamlet, Mrs. Gouge weaves the lines from the play and Lord Greystone’s thoughts together so that the lines from the speech mirror that of Lord Greystone’s feelings and as Lord Greystone reflects on those words and we follow his internal monologue we get a deeper sense of the conflict inside of the character. A page later, Mrs. Gouge does the same thing with Lady Beatrice’s character by giving us a deeper understanding of Lady Beatrice’s internal struggle through the characters of Hamlet’s Queen Gertrude and Ophelia during the announcement of Ophelia’s death. Never before have a I seen an author do such an amazing job of tying a classical piece on literature into a new work so that it added so much to the new work.

          I would certainly recommend this book to anyone. I would also recommend looking at Louise M. Gouge’s other works Love Thine Enemy, The Captain’s Lady, At the Captain’s Command, A Proper Companion (Ladies In Waiting).

          Now when most people hear “summer romance read” they think of those steamy romance books that include a lot of sex that most people would be embarrassed to admit they read (which is probably why they read it while on summer vacation while everyone they know is back home haha!). That’s not the case with A Suitable Wife. A Suitable Wife is published by Love Inspired Books. Love Inspired Books lives up to its name by publishing romance stories that are based on love not lust. So, if your tween or teen wants to be a part on the summer romance reading craze, these books would be perfect for them. The look and length of the books and the stories inside are the same but with better values.

 

Link to buy:

http://www.amazon.com/Suitable-Wife-Love-Inspired-Historical/dp/0373829450/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375375857&sr=8-1&keywords=A+Suitable+Wife+Louise+M+Gouge

Louise M. Gouge on Twitter:

@Louisemgouge

Links to Love Inspired Books:

http://www.harlequin.com/store.html?cid=236&cmpid=PSSUPSSEM201307010001&kw=love%20inspired%20books

Love Inspired Books on Twitter:

@LoveInspiredBks

 

Until Next Time!,

                Lizzie <3