When We Wake (When We Wake, #1) by Karen Healey (Review)

Sixteen-year-old Tegan is just like every other girl living in 2027—she's happiest when playing the guitar, she's falling in love for the first time, and she's joining her friends to protest the wrongs of the world: environmental collapse, social discrimination, and political injustice.

But on what should have been the best day of Tegan's life, she dies—and wakes up a hundred years later, locked in a government facility with no idea what happened.

The future isn't all she had hoped it would be, and when appalling secrets come to light, Tegan must make a choice: Does she keep her head down and survive, or fight for a better world?

Award-winning author Karen Healey has created a haunting, cautionary tale of an inspiring protagonist living in a not-so-distant future that could easily be our own.

I GIVE THIS BOOK:

MY THOUGHTS:
I just finished and am unsure of how I feel about this book. The beginning was excellent and drew me in immediately. However my interest began to wane halfway into it and by the time I reached the end I was puzzled by the story.

The way the story is told is interesting but by the end, when you then know most of everything that has happened up to that point, it doesn't make sense that some things were included.

There's a very strong preachy feel to this book, that everyone (or almost everyone) from the early twenty-first century was considered to be racist, homophobic, etc., which was aggravating. Yes, some people are, which is a terrible thing and they can be very loud about it, but that doesn't mean everybody is. If this would have been mentioned once or twice, I wouldn't have minded too much; but, it was brought up so much that I found it very annoying.

For those who don't like foul language there's several uses of the f-word, as well as a few others.

The ending leaves you hanging, which is great if you're interested in reading the sequel, but I'm not sure if I will - so that's disappointing.

All in all it was interesting, but it's probably not a book I will recommend. 

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

Waiting on Wednesday: A Sensible Arrangement by Tracie Peterson

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Marty Dandridge Olson is a widow looking for a way out of Texas. Widower Jake Wythe has secured a job as a bank manager in Denver, only to discover that the bank board wants him to be a married man. With Texas in his roots, he advertises for a Lone Star bride, and Marty answers the call. They both agree they are done with romance and love and will make this nothing more than a marriage of convenience.

Marty works to carve out a new life in high-society Denver as Jake works to guide the bank through a collapsing economy. But when money goes missing at the bank and accounting discrepancies point to Jake, he must find a way to prove his innocence. Yet all he wants to do is go back to Texas and own his own ranch. Marty, on the other hand, owns a ranch–one she’s never told her husband about. She hates Texas because it represents the losses in her life. But as the couple grows closer and love begins to bloom, Marty realizes she needs to tell Jake the truth. Can she come to terms with the past and her anger toward God in order to make room for love?

Amazon | CBD | B&N | Goodreads

Why I want to read it:

Tracie Peterson is one of my favorite authors, I have enjoyed every book I've read by her, plus the synopsis sounds really good. :)

The Scholar (The Fall Series #2) by May Nicole Abbey (Review)

A leap through time. A choice to make. A destiny to change. Dismissed by her professors, ridiculed by her classmates, Serena Metcalfe is determined to prove the existence of the Samu Aqaru, the powerful stone of the ancient pharaohs - even if it means travelling through time. But her study of Egyptology did not prepare her for the dangers and passions of the real Egypt of 2361 BC. Crocodile attacks, kidnapping, betrayal, murder...and a pharaoh who believes she is a goddess and wants her as his queen. But Serena isn't about to give herself to a king - not when finding the precious Stone could mean saving the man she loves. Irresistible playboy Shepseskaf, fated for an early death, and his loyal yet ruthless cousin Pepisenkaura were once the closest of friends, but the right to the throne of Egypt and their rivalry for Serena threaten to transform them into bitter and eternal enemies. Only Serena knows the tragic destiny that awaits, and only Serena can rewrite history... by following her heart.

I GIVE THIS BOOK:

MY THOUGHTS:
The Scholar was a very easy book to read and I enjoyed the romantic aspect, though it played a much larger role than I was expecting I couldn't help but love it and it was a clean romance.

The book begins with Serena clinging to ledge of a building (1,200+ ft. up) in New York (which I think is the Empire State building but it's never clearly said so I'm not sure) and she hear the voice of her dead mother telling her to "let go and fly". Which she does. This is the way she ends up time-traveling to Egypt to the year 2361 B.C., which I found so strange and I'm sure how I feel about it. On one hand it makes it more understandable then how more people aren't time-traveling, if you have to be so sure that you will or you'll die. But on the other hand it was never clearly explained, hardly at all really, so when Serena is talking about finding any tall building later on in the book to jump from I was confused. Was it supposed to be just falling from a certain height that triggered the time-travel? Or was it her knowledge that it was possible and therefore made it happen? So confusing!

I very much enjoyed where the story was set, have always loved reading about ancient Egypt, but even though I've always had an interest in Egypt's history I haven't retained many of the names of rulers so I'm not sure how accurate the characters are...or if they're meant to be. If they represent real ones or if the authors made them up was never said, which is a little annoying. Not terribly annoying but it does bug me.

I do wish the story would have mentioned the time of year, such as every time the week or month changed, instead of not at all. It's not that big of a deal, just something that I always prefer books to have when the details in the story don't tell you.

The details of the story made me feel as though I were there, which is always nice. I enjoyed the use of Egyptian words, even though it was hard to follow sometimes as the words weren't always explained right away, it made me relate with how Serena must have felt. At least at first because she didn't recognize them either. However, it was hard to remember them and when Serena knew them in the story the English translation didn't appear as often so I either had to flip back and try to find one of the earlier uses or just ignore the word (which is what I usually did). I don't think this hurt my enjoyment of the story though, the only reason I mention it is so that if you choose to read the story maybe you'll write them down and save yourself the hassle of either searching or trying to remember what they meant. But the richness the use of them brought was worth the struggle, so I'm glad they were used.

Every chapter also starts with lines that I came to realize gave a short little story of their own. I think this is what Serena writes at the end, but it's never put together in one place so you's have to read the beginning of each chapter all at once (instead of reading the story in between) to get the message, at least I did. It was nice, but I felt it kind of took away from the main story itself so wish it wasn't where it was. Not sure where I would have put it in the story, but maybe when Serena's writing whatever she's writing at the end (since as I said this is what I think she's writing).

When Serena first meets the the cousins I didn't care for either of them! However, either one of them soon changed or I was able to see his true nature because I quickly loved him. Yes, he could still be very annoying, but his sweet side more than made up for it.

I would recommend reading The Scholar if you love historical romance and are looking for a book that's a very quick read and brings a smile to your face.

I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Preacher's Bride Claim by Laurie Kingery

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Claiming Their Future

For the Thornton brothers, the Oklahoma Land Rush is the perfect opportunity to finally put down some roots. A new start, a new community-what more could preacher Elijah Thornton need? Not a wife-not after the pain of losing his fiancée. But something draws him to the pretty nurse whose eyes are clouded by trouble.

Only by claiming her own homestead can Alice Hawthorne avoid an unwanted marriage. Even Oklahoma may not be far enough away from New York to escape her past. Yet with courage-and the handsome reverend's support-can she forge a loving future?

Bridegroom Brothers: True love awaits three siblings in the Oklahoma Land Rush

Amazon | CBD | B&N | Goodreads

Why I want to read it:

I have read and enjoy all of the books in all the books that have been released in the Brides of Simpson Creek series by Laurie Kingery and greatly enjoyed them, so when I saw that she was leading off a new mini-series titled Bridegroom Brothers I knew instantly that I'd want to read it. :)

Rachel (Wives of the Patriarchs, #3) by Jill Eileen Smith (Review)

Beautiful Rachel wants nothing more than for her older half sister Leah to wed and move out of their household. Maybe then she would not feel so scrutinized, so managed, so judged. Plain Leah wishes her father Laban would find a good man for her, someone who would love her alone and make her his only bride. Unbeknownst to either of them, Jacob is making his way to their home, trying to escape a past laced with deceit and find the future God has promised him. 

But the past comes back to haunt Jacob when he finds himself on the receiving end of treachery and the victim of a cruel bait and switch. The man who wanted only one woman will end up with sisters who have never gotten along and now must spend the rest of their lives sharing a husband. In the power struggles that follow, only one woman will triumph . . . or will she? 

Combining meticulous research with her own imaginings, Jill Eileen Smith not only tells one of the most famous love stories of all time but will manage to surprise even those who think they know the story inside and out.

I GIVE THIS BOOK:

MY THOUGHTS:
Though the book is titled Rachel it is told from both sisters' perspectives, Leah and Rachel, which I loved. I have always felt for Leah and was glad she wasn't made into a villain. Both sisters had their issues they had to deal with and it was interesting reading this story I know so well in a different light.

Several times with the way things were told I thought "that is not right" and stopped to look it up, only to read it and realize that it could be taken that way - it was just different than the way I had always understood it to be. That's one of the things I love most about Biblical fiction, how it can take a story you know and make you see it in a fresh way.

That being said the way some things were told didn't seem right to me, such as Judah being the favorite of Leah's children when they were young. Though that may have been the case, it doesn't clearly state it one way or the other, I don't think it was. This was the reason I couldn't give the story a five star rating.

Overall I found Rachel to be an entertaining and thought-provoking read, one that I very much enjoyed. I have loved every book in this series and highly recommend them to fans of Biblical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

Shadows of the Past (Logan Point #1) by Patricia Bradley (Review)

Psychology professor and criminal profiler Taylor Martin prides herself on being able to solve any crime, except the one she wants most desperately to solve--the disappearance of her father twenty years ago. When she finally has a lead on his whereabouts, Taylor returns home to Logan Point, Mississippi, to investigate. But as she is stalking the truth about the past, someone is stalking her.

Nick Sinclair pens mystery novels for a living, but the biggest mystery to him is how he can ever get over the death of his wife--a tragedy he believes he could have prevented. With his estranged brother the only family he has left, Nick sets out to find him. But when he crosses paths with Taylor, all he seems to find is trouble.

I GIVE THIS BOOK:

MY THOUGHTS:

Enjoyed this a lot more than I had thought I would. The mystery, or should I say mysteries as there were several different ones going in this book, was really good. Even though I had a strong idea of who the real culprit was it kept me guessing for the longest time, which is always great. If you are looking for a romantic suspense, I would recommend trying Shadows of the Past. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

Waiting of Wednesday: Remnants (The Remnants #1) by Lisa T. Bergren

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

In the first book of the new futuristic dystopian series from author Lisa T. Bergren, the chosen remnants must work to redirect humanity’s course.

The year is 2095. Gifted teens known as Remnants have been chosen and trained to act as humanity’s last hope to rectify the horrors that are now part of everyday life.

The Community has trained these teens as warriors and assigned them Knights of the Last Order as protectors. Together, they are a force that will be difficult to bring down.

But the Sons of Sheol, of course, are determined to do just that. As the Remnants begin their mission to course-correct humanity by saving and protecting key individuals, their enemies move to stop them, placing the entire world in peril.

Bestselling author Lisa T. Bergren presents the first book in her new YA futuristic dystopian series—The Remnants Novels—fitting in with the current dystopian trend in the marketplace.

Why I want to read it:
I've read and enjoyed the River of Time series by this author and have been wanting to read more by her. Plus the synopsis sounds really good!

With Autumn's Return (Westward Winds #3) by Amanda Cabot (Review)

Elizabeth Harding arrives in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to establish her medical practice thanks to the wooing of her two older sisters who extolled the beauty of the land. She's certain she'll have a line of patients eager for her expertise and gentle bedside manner. However, she soon discovers the town and its older doctor may not welcome a new physician. Even more frustrating, the handsome young attorney next door may not be ready for the idea of a woman doctor. For his part, Jason Nordling has nothing against women, but he's promised himself that the woman he marries will be a full-time mother.

Despite their firm principles, Elizabeth and Jason find that mutual attraction--and disdain from the community--is drawing them ever closer. And when the two find themselves working to save the life and tattered reputation of a local woman, they'll have to decide how far they're willing to go to find justice--and true love.

I GIVE THIS BOOK:

MY THOUGHTS:

The romance was sweet and I loved the scenes with the two main characters together. There's also a secondary romance story and I almost enjoyed that one more, it was so heartwarming!

I haven't read the first two books in this series, but I don't think that hindered me at all, so I don't think you have to read the books in order. However, it sounds as though each book does focus on a different one of the three Harding sisters so you may want to read them in order.

If the synopsis sounds interesting to you, and you enjoyed historical fiction, I recommend you read With Autumn's Return.

I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!