Les Miserables

 

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Les Miserables is one of the world’s masterpieces.  It enthralled audiences worldwide as a great novel…as a major motion picture…and as a blockbuster musical play.  Now, this mighty drama has been adapted as an epic production starring some of Britain’s finest actors.  True to Victor Hugo’s original novel, this grand production follows the tale of Jean Valjean as he encounters first the savage injustice of the law, and then the gentleness and grace of God.

 

Review

 

When I was kid, I was obsessed with the Adventures in Odyssey cassettes (yes, cassettes; not CDs, but cassette tapes!).  My siblings and I would listen to them over and over again, in the car, while doing chores, or at night before bed.  They were audio-dramas akin to watching a movie, except you had to paint the images in your own mind.  The stories were always exciting, and you really became attached to all the characters. 

 

Les Miserables brought back all those sweet memories of Adventures in Odyssey.  Focus on the Family did a fabulous job in producing this story into radio drama - I absolutely loved it!  All the actors’ voices were brilliant, and the sound effects effortlessly brought the scenes to life.  And of course, the story itself is AMAZING.  It’s a beautiful story of mercy, forgiveness, sacrifice, and love.  If you haven’t listened to radio theatre before, this would be the perfect one to start with!

 

 

Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this audio-drama in return for an honest review.
 

Firefly Island

 

Back Cover

 

SOMETIMES LOVE TAKES YOU ON AN
AVENTURE COMPLETELY OFF THE MAP

 

Mallory Hale’s life quickly veers off course when she falls hopelessly in love.  After a whirlwind romance, Mallory finds herself leaving the bustle and action of Capitol Hill for the remote town of Moses Lake, Texas—with husband, stepson, and a U-Haul in tow.

 

A sweet, mishap-filled journey into marriage, motherhood, and ranch living ensues, and Mallory is filled with both the wonderment of love and the insecurities of change.  But what she can’t shake is the unease she feels around her husband’s new boss, Jack West.  Jack’s presence—and his mysterious past—set her on edge, and when hints of a scandal emerge, Mallory finds herself seeking answers…and comes to realize that the middle-of-nowhere home she wasn’t sure she wanted is the very place she’ll risk everything to save.

 

Review

 

It only took a few sentences to have me hooked on this book.  Lisa Wingate has a way of grabbing you, and pulling you into her novel, making you a part of the scenes and lives of the characters.  Her writing is impeccable and nearly poetic, as every word could be set to a beat, or a rhythm.  It is something I can’t fully describe, and is completely unlike what I have read before. 

 

Her descriptions are extremely vivid, so you can imagine them in your mind to the smallest detail.  An example is below (found at page 97):

 

“Welcome to Moses Lake!  If you’re lucky enough to be at the lake, you’re lucky enough, the sign at the edge of town read.  Ancient-looking rock pillars supported the weathered wooden timbers, casting a shadow over the words and sheltering a spray of purple wildflowers.  Considering that it had been a fairly mild night, it was hot today.  Downhill from the sign, the waters of Moses Lake glittered in cheery patches between the trees.  Boats crisscrossed the twinkling surface, leaving foamy white trails.  Near the shore, docks of various vintages floated with brightly colored canoes, faded paddle-boats, and pontoon craft tugging at their leashes, eager to be released to the water.”

 

Her characters were rich, and very real.  There were real-life struggles and dramas portrayed throughout the novel, along with the small, sweet success that can be achieved when a family pulls together.  There is also a thread of intrigue woven through the pages, always niggling right below the surface, and never resolved until the final few pages.

 

This was such a beautiful, well-written novel, and I was greatly sorry to see it end.  Without a doubt I will be looking up Lisa Wingate’s other novels, particularly the preceding two novels in the series about Moses Lake, Larkspur Cove and Blue Moon Bay.  I HIGHLY recommend this read!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Vanished

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A tenacious reporter.
A skeptical PI.
And a secret that will SHATTER LIVES.

 

Reporter Moira Harrison is lost.  In the dark.  In a thunderstorm.  When a lone figure suddenly appears in the beam of her headlights, Moira slams on her brakes—but it’s too late.  She feels the solid thump against the side of her car before crashing into a tree on the far side of the road.

 

A man opens her door, tells her he saw everything, and promises to call 911.  Then the world fades to black.  When she comes to, she is alone.  No man.  No 911.  No injured person.  But she can’t forget the look of terror she saw on that face in the instant before her headlights swung away.  And she can’t get anyone to believe her story—except maybe the handsome ex-homicide detective turned private eye, who reluctantly agrees to take on the case.

 

As clues begin to surface, it becomes obvious that someone doesn’t want this mystery solved—and will stop at nothing to protect a shocking secret.

 

Review

As the back cover reads, Pulitzer-prize winning reporter, Moira Harrison, is heading back to her hotel on a dark stormy night when she shockingly runs into a woman on the road.  After a witness to the accident assures her he will call for an ambulance and check on the pedestrian Moira struck, Moira falls unconscious.  She wakes up alone, and more confused than ever.  When the police finally arrive, they are skeptical to her story as there is no body or witness(es).  Determined to find out where the woman and man came from (and where they went!), Moira turns to Private Investigator, Cal Burke, for help.

 

The mystery slowly unravels as Moira and Cal run down one lead after the other.  And through their searches, Moira and Cal find themselves drawn to each other in a way they never imagined.  But as the danger level is amped up, it leaves readers wondering:  are Moira and Cal being drawn together only to be drastically separated in their quest for the truth?

Irene Hannon does it again!  She has started off her new series, “Private Justice” with a novel drenched in mystery, suspense and threaded with romance.  The story only shells out one clue at a time to keep you guessing until the end.  The unique and multi-faceted characters flesh out the novel, and are just as interesting as the plot.  I love this new series and will be counting down the days to when the next book is released!

 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The Tutor's Daughter

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Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father when his boarding school fails, accompanies him to the cliff-top manor of a baronet and his four sons.  But soon after they arrive and begin teaching the two younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen.  Who does Emma hear playing the pianoforte at night, only to find the music room empty?  And who begins sneaking into her bedchamber, leaving behind strange mementoes?

 

The baronet’s older sons, Phillip and Henry Weston, wrestle with problems—and secrets—of their own.  They both remember the studious Miss Smallwood from their days at her father’s academy.  But now one of them finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her…

 

When suspicious acts escalate, can Emma figure out which brother to blame and which to trust with her heart?

 

Filled with page-turning suspense, The Tutor’s Daughter takes readers to the windswept Cornwall coast—a place infamous for shipwrecks and superstitions—where danger lurks, faith is tested, and romance awaits.

Review

Emma Smallwood, teased as a “bluestocking” by her peers, loves her books.  With no means to travel the world, she has her own adventures through the reading of travel diaries, or history books.  She’ll read almost anything, if for nothing else but to gain knowledge on a subject.  She thrives on assisting her father in educating the boys under his tutelage. 

 

One such boy, Phillip Weston, holds a special place in her heart.  He was always so kind to her while he and his brother Henry were attending Mr. Smallwood’s school.  The memory of Henry, on the other hand, only conjures up images of numerous pranks he pulled on her, or the merciless teasing against her and her love of books.

Now staying at the Westons’ residence, Emma is reluctant to realize that her heart has opened to one of the brothers.  She is forced to push that revelation aside, however, not only because she is a tutor’s daughter, and the Westons would never marry someone of her station, but also because of mysterious things that start occurring.  Several members of the household also appear to be withholding secrets, and potentially dangerous ones.  Something is amiss, and Emma is determined to get to the bottom of it.

 

Reading part like Jane Austen and part Liz Curtis Higgs, with a little Nancy Drew mystery thrown in, The Tutor’s Daughter is a winning novel.  It has all the wonderful moments of romance, the tingling sensations of mystery, and descriptions of beautiful scenery to imagine.  There were several twists and turns, and surprises that kept the story alive and exciting.  Many of the secrets I didn't find out until the very end, which inevitably, kept me in suspense for much of the novel!  I greatly enjoyed my own little adventure to the “windswept Cornwall coast”, and will be looking forward to Julie Klassen’s next novel. 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Placebo

Back Cover

 

One man must uncover the TRUTH—
Even when others will stop at nothing to keep it BURIED.

 

While investigating a controversial neurological research program, expose filmmaker Jevin Banks is drawn into a far-reaching conspiracy involving one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical firms.  He seeks answers about the questionable mind-to-mind communication program—and answers to his own family tragedy.

 

Rooted in groundbreaking science, Placebo, explores the far reaches of science, consciousness, and faith.  This taut, intelligent, and emotionally gripping new thriller from master storyteller Steven James will keep you flipping pages late into the night.

Review

This was easily one of the most anticipated novels on my “to be read” list.  I devoured Steven James’ gritty crime drama series, “Patrick Bowers Files” (and if you have not read them – you MUST pick one up!), and was sad to see them come to an end.  Imagine my elation when I found out that Mr. James was writing a new series!  Aptly entitled “The Jevin Banks Experience”, this series follows a former magician, and now exposé filmmaker, Jevin Banks, who seeks to pull the wool from peoples’ eyes regarding false psychics, televangelist con men, and fortune-telling scam artists.

 

Jevin and his faithful compatriots, Xavier, a conspiracy theory buff, and Charlene, a former assistant on his stage shows, are on a mission to blow open the new theory of mind-to-mind communication.  There are many players at work behind this new theory who have invested a lot time and money, so any attempts to dissuade or disapprove the science could be met with deadly force.

 

Given the plot lines for the novel, I have to say that I found it utterly fascinating.  Could two people who are emotionally “entangled” with each other, really affect the one another’s emotions, or even physical feelings?  For example, what is the explanation behind the inherent bond between twins, where sometimes when one feels pain, the other feels it at the exact same time, and in the same area(s) of the body?  How can they often discern each other’s thoughts and feelings – without even being in the same room?  The mysteries and complexities between a bond between twins is nothing new, but what is, is the idea that your thoughts can affect the thoughts of another, particularly those who are in a romantic relationship. 

 

Telepathy has been an interesting and intriguing subject for many years in our culture.  Often, superheroes are given telepathic powers which would ultimately give them an “upper-hand” in fighting the enemy.  Further, the power of the brain has been the topic of many scientific discussions and studies and branches out to the power of positive thinking and visualization, techniques that are often used by professional athletes to help them attain their goals.

 

And on an even different track, recently, evidence has been revealed that suggest that individuals in vegetative states can communicate through measuring their brain activity.  (CBC News, “Canadian in ‘vegetative state’ communicates to scientists”) Whether or not that means we can one day communicate telepathically to one another remains to be seen, and may be an instance of connecting two dots that do not exist. 

 

I apologize for digressing from a review of the novel itself, but needless to say, it provided much food for thought.  Whether or not it is to be taken literally, or just as a work of science fiction, is up to you.  Overall, I really enjoyed this field trip into the area of telepathy and must say that Mr. James has done it again in writing another riveting novel.  Too bad I have to wait nearly a year before the next one comes out…

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Taming the Wind

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A young widow nursing the wounds of her past…
A cowboy with demons of his own…

Though grateful for the blessing of her daughter, Carissa Lowe has accepted that widowhood is her lot in life.  Bound by fear and mistrust, she feels incapable of opening her heart again.

 

Tyler Atherton has never forgotten Carissa.  When he discovers she’s living with her sister on a nearby ranch, his life becomes intertwined with the lovely widow’s.  And Carissa’s daughter, Gloria, seems determined to wrap herself around his little finger.  But while Tyler longs to provide a home and future for Carissa, he is haunted by an obligation he feels unable to fulfill.

 

Challenged by mounting hardships, can Carissa and Tyler preserve their fledgling love in a land as unforgiving and vibrant as the people who call it home?

 

Review

 

Carissa Lowe had a disastrous first marriage.  Now, widowed with a headstrong child of her own (that reminds Carissa so much of when she was younger…), Carissa’s sole purpose in life is to be a good mother to her daughter, Gloria.  Marriage is far from her mind as she cannot deny the feelings of mistrust towards men that prevents her from getting close to any man.  Any man except Tyler Atherton, that is.

 

Tyler finds Carissa very perplexing.  At one moment she is warm and friendly towards him, and the next she gives him the cold shoulder.  On the other hand, there is no denying Gloria’s feelings towards him – and he relishes the precious moments with the toddler.  But it’s Carissa’s heart he wishes to win over more than anything.  Before he could even think of committing to someone, however, Tyler is determined to find the Indians who viciously killed his father, and exact his own revenge.

 

Taming the Wind was a great, well-written novel, and I would say it is the best of the trilogy.  It intertwines tales of war and sorrow and brings it all together with messages of hope, forgiveness, and love.  The romance was sweet and it was wonderful to see two people grow in their faith and learn to lean on God, and trust in His goodness. 

 

Postscript:  I had the privilege of reviewing the first two books in this trilogy (“Land of the Lone Star”), Chasing the Sun, and Touching the Sky.  Taming the Wind brings this trilogy to a very satisfying end.  While each book is stand-alone, I would definitely recommend reading the books in order, as the characters make recurring appearances throughout the trilogy. 

 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

A Change of Fortune

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Lady Eliza Sumner is on a mission.  After losing her family, her fiancé, and her faith, the disappearance of her fortune is the last straw.  Now, masquerading as Miss Eliza Sumner, governess-at-large, she’s determined to find the man who ran off with her fortune, reclaim the money, and head straight back to London.

 

Much to Mr. Hamilton Beckett’s chagrin, all the eyes of New York society—all the female ones, at least—are on him.  Unfortunately for all the matchmaking mothers and eligible daughters, he has no plans to marry again, especially with his hands full keeping his business afloat and raising his two children alone.

 

When Eliza’s hapless attempts to regain her fortune put her right in Hamilton’s path, sparks instantly begin to fly.  The discovery of a common nemesis causes them to join forces, but with all their plans falling by the wayside and their enemies getting the better of them, it will take a riot of complications for Hamilton and Eliza to realize that God just might have had a better plan in mind all along.

 

Review

 

Lady Eliza has a plan:  find the people who stole her fortune and return to England.  She has many obstacles to overcome, however, and her fumbling attempts to gain information often land her in hot water.  It’s obvious she needs a sidekick or someone to help her locate her fortune, and the people responsible for its disappearance.

 

Mr. Beckett is fairly self-sufficient, and is not in need of anyone.  Except, maybe, a governess for his precocious children.  Lady Eliza smoothly integrates herself into his family, and upon discovering that they have a mutual enemy, they join forces to right the wrongs done to them.

 

Joined by one of Lady Eliza’s previous charges, an outspoken and headstrong young woman, and a chauvinist, arrogant private investigator, their investigations would undoubtedly be met with hair-raising escapades, nightly break-ins, and lots of laughter over the mixed results.

 

It’s been a long time since I laughed so much while reading one novel.  This is such a brilliantly written novel, and the dialogue is so witty that it kept me in stitches from chapter to chapter.  It is hard to believe that it is a first novel for Jen Turano, for it is so well-crafted.  I cannot wait for her next novel!

 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.