"Not a Sparrow Falls" by Linda Nichols

About the book from Bethany House's website:


Mary Bridget Washburn is tired of running, tired of being haunted by the empty shell her life has become. How in the world did the little girl she once was become a woman on the wrong side of the law?


Determined to make a new start, she escapes to the quaint city of Alexandria, Virginia, where she takes on her mother's identity and finds sanctuary in the shadow of a decades-old church. But a little girl's plea proves to be her undoing, and the reverend well, someone's got to open his eyes before disaster comes calling.


Can Mary Bridget and her tainted past stay hidden long enough for her to bring hope to a family falling apart?


My Opinion:


This was a great moving and one that kept up a fast paced plot - which also made for a very easy and fast read! Linda Nichols has a wonderful book in "Not a Sparrow Falls" with well developed characters and a well woven plot this will make for a great book for relaxation or even for a book club read. I could feel each character's distinct personality, from the need to hide by Mary down to the conniving nature of a church official.


When reading a book that takes you into the character's life and environment, you know the author has taken great care with her writing - and that is certainly the case with Linda Nichols book. I found myself cheering for the underdog (of which there are a couple) and wanting to berate some of the people who wanted to keep the underdog, well, under. I didn't want this book to end and would like to see some sequel to it one day, I'd love to know how the family is faring.

**I was provided a copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review, no other compensation was given.

"The Carousel Painter" by Judith Miller

"The Carousel Painter" is a great book from author, Judith Miller. I'd like to thank Jim Hart at Bethany House Publishers for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

From the Bethany House website:

"When Carrington Brouwer receives the enviable job of painting carousel horses for a factory in Ohio, she believes her future is secure. But after an expensive necklace disappears from the home where she's been staying, she's caught up in a search for the truth that puts her entire livelihood--and her developing relationship with the factory manager--at risk. Can she lead police to the real culprit before she loses everything? "

My Opinion:

I really enjoyed this book, maybe it was the fact that it was set in Ohio or the fact that it's a historical fiction. The amount of historical attributes really had me drawn in from the first paragraph. I was also drawn to the characters which were well developed and I could feel myself actually feeling like they were my friends and I was able to feel the emotions that the book evoked. The emotions ranged from sadness as Carrie has to deal with a new home after loosing her father, anger at man who wants to court her friend, and happiness when Carrie finds loves.


At the very, very end of the book there are a couple times where two of the main characters do kiss but since they are planning their marriage it didn't fluster me too much, even if I would have preferred they waited until they were married. Also the man who turns out to be a "cad" makes a couple of advances towards Carrington but she quickly puts an end to it and the man is found out in the end. If you're looking for a light read that will sweep you away into another time then this is the book for you!