Tricia Goyer: A Daring Escape

By Kelly Bridgewater

As the threat of World War II looms on the horizon, American Amity Mitchell is living a comfortable life abroad as a tutor in England. Life changes when an urgent telegram arrives from her brother, Andrew, summoning her to Prague. Nazi forces tighten their grip on the country, and Andrew's efforts to help Jewish children escape Czechoslovakia grow desperate. Children's lives are at risk. Amity knows she can't ignore God's call to join her brother's cause.

Amity's boss, Clark, arrives in Prague, urging her to return. Soon, he too finds himself helping prepare kindertransports bound for the safety of England. With the sound of German tanks rumbling over cobblestone streets, Amity and Clark race to save innocent lives. Will their prayers for deliverance be answered?

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

A Daring Escape by Tricia Goyer is an interesting twist on a World War II story. I have read many World War II stories, and I have loved many of them. Lately many of the stories feature the effects of Hitler on different countries. Goyer picked Czechoslovakia. With a historical romance, I expect to be transported to a different time in history and see a budding romance. With A Daring Escape, I did learn more about the transporting of children out of Czechoslovakia, but the romance wasn't too gushy, which I enjoyed.

When reading a history novel, the writer needs to be able to take the readers on a journey to a different time period without stopping to explain things for the reader. It should flow uninterrupted for the reader. Goyer does a good job at this. I had no problem cementing myself in 1938 and 1939. The facts read like I was there traveling with Amity, Clark, Eli, and the hopeful survivors. I enjoyed the development of the time period.

As for the characters, I liked Amity, the main heroine. Most of the story was in her perspective. She had a heart to do her brother's work when she left her employer in England and traveled to Czechoslovakia to help transport Jewish children out to families in England. She was brave and thought of helping the children. Her brother, Andrew, makes an appearance in the beginning, then disappears for the rest of the novel. I always wondered if he was coming back, but it wasn't an important character to the novel.

The plot kept me focused, and I wanted to see what happened. Would Amity escape? How many children would they actually free? Clark, her employer from England, came to help out, and he stayed for a while and allowed Amity to stay even longer. She was gone for over six months. Maybe because that wouldn't happen in the 21st century, I found it hard to believe he would allow her to leave for that long. Even if he loved her. But I could be wrong. The climax at the end appeared weird too. Palva hasn't eaten much in a long time, but she found the energy to fight her captor. I didn't find that believable either.

The romance really wasn't your typical romance. Clark and Amity already had feelings for each other before he traveled to Czechoslovakia after her. They moved in a comfortable way and declared their feelings for each other. No gushing emotions all over the place, fighting their growing emotions.

Overall, A Daring Escape by Tricia Goyer showed me a different aspect of World War II, but coupled with the okay plot and a developed characters, I believe fans of World War II novels will enjoy this story. If you enjoy Cara Putnam, Kristy Cambron, and Kate Breslin, then this might be the perfect book for you.

I received a complimentary copy of A Daring Escape by Tricia Goyer from Harvest House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Happy New Year 2018

Kelly Bridgewater

Wow!

It is really time to say hello to  2018?

Where did 2017 go?

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It was a very stressful year. There were many moments I didn't think I would make it through 2017. There were many trying moments for my immediate family. I pray that 2018 goes a lot better.

Lord,

I pray for everyone who reads this blog. Allow me to show your love to everyone. Allow me to bring my readers into great new books and maybe even draw me closer to finishing my books.










I pray that 2018 brings many moments for memories and also brings many different obstacles that bring me closer to God.

I, personally, want to finish my books and grow ever closer to you, Lord as I spend more time in yor Word and fellowship with my church.

Amen.

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I hope you enter 2018 with a wonderful feeling in your heart and a positive lookout to what the year will bring.

I hope to see you more in 2018.

Christy Barritt: The Baby Assignment

By Kelly Bridgewater

Tasked with figuring out who left a baby girl at the Houston FBI office, Special Agent Tanner Wilson has only one hint--his ex-girlfriend's name written on a scrap of paper. But child psychologist Macy Mills doesn't recognize little Addie, and someone's dead set on abducting her . . .  even if it costs Tanner's and Macy's lives. And with Addie and Macy as targets, Tanner's new mission is to protect them both--at the risk of his own life and heart. Macy will do anything to help him find who's after Addie, and make amends for her past mistakes. But for their reunion to become a second chance at love, they must find a way to survive the danger threatening to tear them apart.

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

The Baby Assignment by Christy Barritt is a short novella from Harlequin. The romantic suspense novel is a quick read with non-stop thrills. From the first moment Special Agent Tanner Wilson arrives on the scene, he makes a huge splash, causing the world of Macy Mills to turn upside down. The romance and the suspense is formulaic, but Barritt does a great job at creating interesting types of suspense twists that keep me turning the pages. The romance heats up the moment Tanner and Macy meet each other again. I really enjoyed the novel especially because Barritt does a great job at creating original stories. Overall, I finished The Baby Assignment really quickly, but I enjoyed spending time with Tanner and Macy and watching them fight for each other and the baby.

I received a complimentary copy of The Baby Assignment by Christy Barritt from Christy Barritt, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Robin Lee Hatcher: You're Gonna Love Me

By Kelly Bridgewater

Who knew fate could twist a tragedy into a second chance at love?

Samantha Winters lives her life the way a good accountant should—measured, deliberate, and safe. 

After watching her father die in a tragic skiing accident, she decided never to allow risk into her life again. But she didn’t count on falling for Nick Chastain, who embodies everything she doesn’t want in her safely constructed world.

Against Samantha’s warnings, Nick plans a dangerous kayaking trip over spring break. Furious that he’s so careless with his life, she ends their fledgling relationship with harsh words.
Two years later, Samantha is desperately in need of a change. When she learns her grandmother has had an accident and is in need of a caretaker, Samantha quickly packs her bags and heads to Thunder Creek, Idaho. But nothing could prepare her for the surprise awaiting her in her grandmother’s hospital room . . . Nick.

With the charming backdrop of small-town friends, beloved cousins, and a whole church congregation rooting for them, can they set aside the disastrous ending of their first try at love? Has Nick changed enough to meet Samantha in the middle—and can she realize that a risk in love might be worth taking?

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

You're Gonna Love Me by Robin Lee Hatcher has a gorgeous cover that gripped my attention. I love how the woman is totally focused on the man in the picture, and he leans in capture her gaze. This drew me into the story right away. As for the novel, I knew it was a contemporary romance, so I knew what I was expecting when I picked up the book. I knew I was going to get a quick romance with a lot to tension thrown at the couple as they decide if they want to be together over everything else fighting for their attention.

With predictable plot, I knew that Sam and Nick would end up together. But I think the fun part of some contemporary romances is trying to figure out what conflicts keep them apart and why. What does it take for the couple to decide that they were completely right for each other? This time around with You're Gonna Love Me I had a hard time enjoying the novel. I knew where the novel was headed, so I got bored. Sam and Nick seemed very one-dimensional to me. I really didn't care what happened to either one of them. There story wasn't that interesting.

While I enjoyed returning to the small town of Thunder Creek and seeing Derek and Brooke from the first novel in this series, You'll Think of Me, and how much their marriage and life has changed since the first book, I wasn't drawn into Sam and Nick's stories as much. I enjoying watching the world around them interact with the couple. I love the old house that Nick bought, but I knew that it was a home that he bought with Sam and a future family in mind.

Overall, You're Gonna Love Me by Robin Lee Hatcher is a predictable, unoriginal novel that does return to Thunder Creek, Idaho, but I had a hard time getting engrossed in the novel and the couple. They didn't seem realistic enough for me. I wanted more from the story.

I received a complimentary copy of You're Gonna Love Me by Robin Lee Hatcher from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Merry Christmas!

By Kelly Bridgewater

Merry Christmas!

As we draw closer to my favorite holiday of the year, I want to wish you, personally, a Merry Christmas! I really look forward to the Christmas Eve service at our church, and I love celebrating Jesus Christ's ultimate beginning to his sacrifice. This time of year, it is a lot easier for me to talk to others about Jesus.

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I thank you for sharing these weeks and months reading my thoughts on books, Bible scripture, and writing advice, whenever I have something important to say. It means a lot to me to see you here.

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Have a Merry Christmas!

Cara Putnam: Imperfect Justice

By Kelly Bridgewater

The police say the woman was a murderer. Emilie Wesley knows they can’t be talking about her client . . . can they?

To the world it seems obvious: Kaylene Adams killed her daughter and then was shot by police. Attorney Emilie Wesley knows a different story: Kaylene would never hurt anyone and was looking for a way out of a controlling, abusive relationship. Her death shakes Emilie’s belief that she can make a difference for women in violent marriages. Self-doubt plagues her as she struggles to continue her work in the wake of the tragedy.

Reid Billings thought he knew his sister—right up until he learned how she died. He discovers a letter from Kaylene begging him to fight for custody of her daughters if anything should happen to her. No attorney in her right mind would support an uncle instead of the father in a custody case, but 
Kaylene’s letter claims Emilie Wesley will help him.

Thrown together in the race to save Kaylene’s surviving daughter, Emily and Reid pursue the constantly evasive truth. If they can hang on to hope together, can they save a young girl—and find a future for themselves in the process?

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

Imperfect Justice by Cara Putnam is a great mixture of suspense, romance, and a legal thriller to keep a number of unique and different fans happy. She didn't compose this novel to fit into one tiny little genre. It fits across a number of them. I enjoy stories that feature strong women who are seeking justice for other characters and for themselves.

The writing is clear and concise. I had no problem figuring out what Emilie's issues were. Putnam does a great job at dragging me into her personal and professional life and allowing me to travel with her as she struggles through her cases. Putnam does a great job at bringing me into the setting. Living in Indiana like Putnam, it was nice to see a familiar sports team like the Colts mentioned.

The romance was sprinkled into the story between Emilie and Reid Billings. It was not overwhelming or take over the story. Emilie and Reid's romance was slow going, but Putnam allowed them to actually explore their feelings like a real-life couple would. I didn't gag or flip through the pages while the romance was going on.

The plot with hunting for resolution for Kaylene and her daughters was exciting and kept me flipping the pages. I really enjoyed how Putnam told the story of seeking justice without really smacking upside the head with a resolution that I was told. The characters of Emilie and Reid worked really well together to solve the mystery.  I enjoyed spending time with the plot and was fascinated as the story moved along. If I wasn't so busy, I would have jumped in and finished the story quickly.

Overall, Imperfect Justice is a unique story that mixes well with the romance and the suspense. I wanted to know and hoped that Kaylene would get her deserved justice by the end of the novel.

I received a complimentary copy of Imperfect Justice by Cara Putnam from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Ratings: 4 out of 5 stars

Favorite Books of 2017

By Kelly Bridgewater

Well, another year is behind us. To be honest, where did it go? One minute, it was New Year's Eve, then we hit Memorial Day, then it was zooming past Halloween. Most of this year was a blur, but I did read some pretty amazing books.

If you click on the book titles, they should take you to my reviews of each book. I hope you agree, or if you haven't gotten around to reading them, maybe you can add them to your TBR pile.

(All pictures come from Amazon unless otherwise noted!)

Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig

 

White Feather Murders by Rachel McMillan

 

When Tides Turn by Sarah Sundin

 

A Bridge Across the Ocean by Susan Meissner

 

High as the Heavens by Kate Breslin

 

The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck

 

Portrait of Vengeance by Carrie Stuart Parks

 

Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano

 

Join the Flub by Christy Barritt

 

House on Foster Hill by Jamie Jo Wright

 

How about you? Where any of these your favorite books this year? Did you find something new to read for your TBR pile?