Hunter's Moon by Don Hoesel

From the Bethany House website:


Bestselling novelist CJ Baxter has made a career out of writing hard-hitting stories ripped from his own life. Still there's one story from his past he's never told. One secret that's remained buried for decades.


Now, seventeen years after swearing he'd never return, CJ is headed back to Adelia, NY. His life in Tennessee has fallen to pieces, his grandfather is dying, and CJ can no longer run from the past.


With Graham Baxter, CJ's brother, running for Senate, a black sheep digging up old family secrets is the last thing the family and campaign can afford. CJ soon discovers that blood may be thicker than water, but it's no match for power and money.


My Opinion:


I am not sure where to begin with this one, I couldn't finish it and so I am going to try to do an honest review on this book. I had never heard of Don Hoesel although he has written one other book and several articles for a print journal. However, I just couldn't find myself getting engrossed in this story. There seemed to many characters and it was hard to keep them all straight - usually this isn't a problem for me - but for some reason having started this book twice I just couldn't seem to keep them straight.


I won't totally say I wouldn't recommend this book however if you are looking for a book that would be relaxing or for simply mindless reading then this book would not be that. Like I said I started this book twice and both times I was unable to get past the first few chapters. I think there are qualities that could make it a good book and an enjoyable read, but for me a busy homeschooling mom I didn't have time to keep the characters and their details in mind.


**I was provided a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. For full disclosure policy see the disclosure tab.

The Silent Gift by Michael Landon, Jr. and Cindy Kelley

From the Bethany House Publisher website:


The decade of the 'thirties was a time of enormous uncertainty--for the world, for America, and in particular for one lonely, struggling mother and her disabled son. Their story is one of unyielding love and incredible sacrifices in the face of circumstances beyond belief.


But then The Gift appears•where has it come from, and why? How can a young boy who cannot communicate provide comfort and direction to seekers who learn of the special ability? Whatever the source, its presence brings a single shaft of light and hope to Mary and her beloved son, Jack•. Will it be enough?


My Opinion:
I'm a fan of the Love Comes Softly series directed and created by Michael Landon, Jr. and so when I saw that he has authored a new book (he's written one other that I haven't read) I wanted to read it for myself and find out if it was a great book. I was so happy! This book was not only good it was GREAT!!! I couldn't put it down, I read it in two days with little to no breaks.


From the first page I was drawn into Mary's life both as a mom and wife - well until she has to flee a cheating and hateful husband - then I was drawn into her life as a mom. I could feel the fear and the freedom once mom and son fled because of fear for their lives. I could feel the agony as she lost her money, tried to find a place to sleep and the relief as she found a job with room and board. Her son has a gift and it must be used wisely and Mary comes to realize this as she ends up losing what she values the most. This book is a wonderful read that will pull you in and take you to what the world was in the 30's.

**Thank you to Bethany House for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

Pirate Hunter by Tom Morrisey

The following is from the back of the book, "Pirate Hunter" by Tom Morrisey.

West Indies, 18th century

Young Ted Bascombe is rescued by notorious pirate Captain Henry Thatch, finding himself caught up in a world of crime, adventure, and a daily fight for freedom....

Key West, 21st century

Marine archaeologist Greg Rhode embarks on a treasure-hunting expedition in the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys, but he's as beguiled by a beautiful diver with different-colored eyes as by the lure of pirate gold....

The Hunt Is On!

Interweaving these two stories, pro deep-sea diver Tom Morrisey spins a multilayered tale of two young men's quests to escape their past by losing themselves to adventure on the high seas. Romantic and thrilling, this unique novel explores the timeless truth that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

My Opinion:

I'm all for historical fiction but I just couldn't find myself getting excited about this one. I've never read Tom Morrisey before and I'd like to thank Bethany House for giving me the chance to try his book out but I just wasn't able to get into this book. So in saying that I'd definitely like to check out his other books when I get the time as they sound really good but "Pirate Hunter" just didn't draw me in like other books with a historical theme.

With suspense and romance and history all rolled in together it would make a great read, especially those with knowledge of diving (there seems to be a lot of diving terminology or at least lingo) could appreciate this book. I think that is what had me frustrated with this is some of things going on in the book I couldn't quite wrap my mind around. There was also a running joke between two characters about a female character being a lesbian - which I thought could have been left out since it is put out on the Christian market.

So I'll have to leave it up to you, my readers, to decide if you'd like to try out this book and if you do please let me know what you thought. Like I said I would definitely try Morrisey's other books but this one was one that didn't draw me in and I like to be drawn in, hook, line and sinker.

**This book was provided to me by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Sometimes A Light Surprises by Jamie Langston Turner

Sometimes a Light Surprises by Jamie Langston Turner and published by Bethany House Publishers was another first me in regards to authors. I was very glad that I had the chance to review this book through Bethany House because it gave me a lot to think about and also clearly had God trying to shine through all the characters at some point.

The following is taken from the Bethany House Publishers website: "Ben Buckley has never gotten over the loss of his wife. More bewildering than the mystery surrounding her death is the radical change that occurred in her shortly beforehand--a "conversion," she had called it. Baffled, angry, and still feeling guilty for the way he'd withdrawn from her during those final weeks, Ben now lives behind the protective walls of severed relationships and rigid routines.
An unlikely young woman knocks on the door of his narrow world. Her simple honesty and childlike faith are incomprehensible to him, but in spite of his misgivings Ben finds himself on a journey he never would have begun on his own."

The one female lead character, we find out was home schooled - which for me, instantly made the book more in touch with my life. I could easily relate to the characters because they were well established and not some flat, one dimensional character. All the characters were well developed which lent even more credibility to the book and the author's work. When reading a book I like to 'know' the characters, even if I don't always agree with them. Ben Buckley's character, while the other characters were sometimes annoyed at his useless information, I liked it as I am also one who likes to gather what some consider 'useless' information. I felt pulled into the character's lives, such as one of Ben's daughters and wanting to yell at her to forgive her father, wanting to tell another one to give up her amateur crime detective work, and cheering on the young home school graduate.

When I first started reading the book it was a little hard to get into because the story takes awhile to pick up but I am glad that I stayed with it because the rest of the book well made up for the slow start. I enjoyed how the author weaved in people of God at just the right time as well as seeing some of the characters hearts soften - even if they don't yet recognize it's God working in them. It was a great way to incorporate a great book and then a reader can see and recognize how God is present in their lives right now - it could be something as small as providing a nice park ranger and tire guy when you have a flat with three of your children with you - but He is there with you and is always working some of His great Works. Regardless of the circumstances though, good or bad, this book definitely makes me want to keep my eyes open for even more of Him and praise Him for it when I recognize it. So grab this book and get reading, I can almost guarantee you'll like it.