Shanda

Finding Sheba by H.B. Moore – Combined Review – Blog Tour

Posted by Shanda Book Reviews, Combined Reviews

Aug 262013

Finding Sheba

Author: H.B. Moore

Publisher: StoneHouse Ink

Published Date: August 2013

Kindle: 375 pages

Genre: Mystery-Suspense

Reviewed by: Shanda and Mindy

FTC FYI: received a free PDF in exchange for an honest review

Summary

An ancient legend is reborn . . . One that might prove the Bible false.

For centuries, historians have theorized the Queen of Sheba as only a seductive legend, and scholars have debated over the legitimacy of King David or King Solomon. When undercover Israeli agent, Omar Zagouri, stumbles onto a tomb in Northern Jerusalem he unknowingly finds the final clue that threatens to overthrow government claim to the Holy Land, pits wealthy collectors against one another, and sends ruthless archaeologists scrambling to find the queen’s secret burial place. An assassination attempt on the Coptic Pope, His Holiness, Patriarch Stephanus II, is only the first in the chain of lethal crimes. Omar must find a way to prevent the greatest discovery of the century from becoming the most deadly.

Shanda’s Review

Heather (H.B.) Moore is well-known for her ability to write excellent fictional retellings of the lives and events surrounding Book of Mormon prophets who lived thousands of years ago. Recently she has also written contemporary women’s fiction as part of the Newport Ladies Book Club series, as well as a few romance novellas for the A Timeless Romance Anthology collection.

As much as I have enjoyed Heather’s previous books, I think her venture into international intrigue with Finding Sheba is her best work yet. The story moved quickly and kept me turning pages, and, except for a few chapters in the middle where there was a lot of driving around the desert that slowed things down just a bit for me, the pace of the story kept me engaged and wondering what would happen next.

Each of the main characters were well-written, interesting individuals with depth and history. The story is told from four main points-of-view: Omar, Amel, and Jade in the modern-day setting, and Nicaula, the queen of Sheba, in the historical setting. The way Heather weaved Nicaula’s chapters in with current-day events worked great for me.

While there are several characters that play a large role throughout the entire story, the reader is introduced to them one or two at a time, so it isn’t overwhelming. I did get a little lost with some of the travel back and forth to different cities and countries (mainly because I don’t know Middle East geography very well) but I didn’t worry about that so much and just let the story flow.

Finding Sheba is full of intrigue, suspense, love, sacrifice, loss, and history, with a little bit of politics and religion as well. (Biblical, etc. – as pertains to historical events and plot – this isn’t what some consider “LDS fiction.”) There is a small amount of mild language (heck, dang), some violence (hands being cut off as punishment, battles/fights), and some adult themes (references to wedding nights, inferences about violence against a woman prisoner in historical events).

I really enjoyed Finding Sheba, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good international intrigue. I look forward to reading more like this from Heather. Well done!

Mindy’s Review

I may sound like a broken record when it comes to Heather’s books. Every book from her is solid and engrossing. I thought Finding Sheba is one of her very best (and that says a lot, because I have loved every book I have read of hers). This story is so well-crafted. I could tell that this book took some time for the author. The characters and plots are amazing. I loved all the jumping around from character to character that this book does, too. It really kept me on my toes. I love it when a book challenges me and keeps me guessing and I never know what is going to happen next.

5 out of 5 stars. This book has everything for every reader. Action, suspense, romance, and mystery. You will not be disappointed.

Visit Heather:

WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Find Finding Sheba:

AMAZON | GOODREADS

Coming Soon: The Witnesses by Stephanie Black

Posted by Shanda Book News, News

Aug 242013

Upcoming Release: The Witnesses by Stephanie Black

I am so excited about the upcoming release of The Witnesses by Stephanie Black that I want to shout from the rooftops, or at least post about it on the LDSWBR blog, which will probably reach more people and prevent my neighbors from thinking I’m crazier than they already think I am. (About books, that is.)

I have been waiting for this book for SEVEN years, since I had the opportunity to read The Believer back in 2006. In fact, we discussed The Believer in Episode 4 of the LDSWBR Podcast back in May 2006. (Warning: Podcast contains spoilers for The Believer.)

This was recorded in our pre-microphone-and-mixer days, gathered around my old iMac. I listened to it again for the first time since editing it, and in the intro I announce the contest Rob Wells was hosting for the release of The Counterfeit. Wow, I can’t believe how quickly time flies.

(Note: We never did post our Cheesy, aka “Funeral” Potato Recipes. Ah, well.)

(Note #2: About 20 minutes into the podcast I say something that made me laugh out loud: “One of the things I like is that the computers are like the size of a Palm Pilot. Hey, that would be nice! Maybe we’re on our way there.” If I had been listening to it on my iPhone I would have laughed even harder at Ignorant Me of 2006.)

Anyway, though The Witnesses is a follow up to The Believer, Stephanie made sure you don’t need to have read The Believer. I really enjoyed The Believer though, and if you can manage it, I encourage you to read it first simply because it is a great book.

If you are considering reading The Believer, Stephanie warns not to read the back cover blurb of The Witnesses because of spoilers. You can read more on Stephanie’s blog (see her post entitled The Witnesses).

While I’m not ready for summer to be over, at least I have The Witnesses to look forward to, as well as a reread of The Believer. It’s been so long since I read it, it will feel like the first time, and I’m excited to experience it all again.

The Believer is available on Kindle and DB Bookshelf. You can also preorder the paperback from Deseret Book.

The Witnesses will be released October 1, 2013. You can preorder it in paperback or audio CD from Amazon.

***If you can’t wait that long to read more Stephanie Black, check out her novella “Eye for an Eye” in A Timeless Romance Anthology: Autumn Collection.***

Face to Face: Seeking a Personal Relationship with God by S. Michael Wilcox – Blog Tour

Posted by Shanda Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews

Aug 192013

Face to Face: Seeking a Personal Relationship with God

Author: S. Michael Wilcox

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published Date: August 2013

Hardcover/Kindle/DB Bookshelf: 128 pages

Genre: Religious Nonfiction

ISBN# 978-1-60907-520-0

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: free hardcover review copy in exchange for an honest review

Summary

“And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend” (Exodus 33:11).

Is it possible to talk with God as Moses did—face to face? This is not only what we long for, but what God also ardently desires. For Moses that may have meant an actual physical encounter, but for most of us it is an expression that suggests friendship, open communication, honesty, and the conversations of familiarity. But how is that done? And how can we learn how God speaks to us individually? Bestselling author S. Michael Wilcox explores the scriptural expressions and concepts of “pouring out,” “wrestling,” being “filled with desire,” and “knocking” at the door Jesus promised would open to us— particularly in those times when we deeply need heaven to hear us and to confirm to our souls that more than our words are being received.

Review

In Face to Face: Seeking a Personal Relationship with God, S. Michael Wilcox presents six different methods of communication with Heavenly Father through prayer that build faith, increase understanding of His love for us, and strengthen our bond with Him.

I enjoyed the author’s writing style, and found the book to be a quick yet impactful read. I was most affected by the concept of “pouring out” our hearts to God. I related to the examples given and my heart was touched.

The importance of constantly reaching to become closer to Heavenly Father, both for myself and my posterity, was driven home to me by this quote in the chapter about Jeroboam and the fate of the ten tribes:

“Sometimes when we fail to reach for ourselves, we fail for the thousands who will follow in the culture we create.” -page 84

I was reassured by the reminder that our God wants to bless us in every way He can, and that all things that come from Him are for our benefit, even if we don’t see it at the time. I gained a new understanding of the word desire as it refers to becoming one with our Father and Savior, rather than a request for something from Them.

When we consult with God in deep, quiet prayer about what we should desire, He will answer us. Through our reaching out to Him in these different forms of prayer and communication, we will become closer to Him than we can in any other way.

“The Spirit reaches down and draws water for us, or rain falls upon our souls and the flowers of faith, devotion, obedience, virtue, courage, adoration, gratitude–and especially love–spring up. God can walk with us in our garden, one that he himself is primarily responsible for having created. But we both are fulfilled, both satisfied with a mutual giving and receiving.” –page 121

I don’t hesitate to recommend Face to Face: Seeking a Personal Relationship with God to anyone who desires a closer relationship with Heavenly Father. I will be keeping it in a handy place on my bookshelf to revisit often.

Find Face to Face: Seeking a Personal Relationship with God:

AMAZON | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK | GOODREADS

Longing For Home by Sarah M. Eden – Blog Tour

Posted by Shanda Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews

Aug 122013

Longing For Home

Author: Sarah M. Eden

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published Date: August 2013

Softcover/Kindle/Nook/DB ebook/CD: 432 pages

Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN# 978-1609074616

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: free softcover ARC in exchange for an honest review

Summary

Twenty-six-year-old Katie Macauley has placed all her hope in Hope Springs, a small town in the 1870 Wyoming Territory. But if she wants to return home to Ireland to make amends with her estranged family, she’ll need to convince the influential Joseph Archer to hold true to his word and keep her on his payroll as his housekeeper despite her Irish roots. The town is caught in an ongoing feud between the Irish and the “Reds” the frontiersmen who would rather see all the Irish run out of town and the Irish immigrants who are fighting to make a home for themselves in the New World. When Joseph agrees to keep Katie on as his housekeeper, the feud erupts anew, and Katie becomes the reluctant figurehead for the Irish townsfolk. As the violence escalates throughout the town, Katie must choose between the two men who have been vying for her love though only one might be able to restore hope to her heart.

Review

Longing For Home is a well-written and satisfying story with endearing characters and a fascinating glimpse of Irish culture in the Old West at a time when prejudice against them prevailed throughout most of the country.

I thoroughly enjoyed Longing For Home and consider it well worth the wait. It is a deeper, more involved story than Sarah’s other books, proving that she has taken her talent for storytelling to an even higher level. The characters are dimensional and real, with histories full of struggle, survival, love, and loss. They are so well-developed I feel as if they are MY family and friends.

The dialogue is wonderful. I could “hear” Katie’s brogue simply because of the words and phrases she uses with very little, if any, phonetical spelling. I appreciate that more than I can say. The use of traditional Irish phrases is enchanting and adds a wonderful lilt to Katie’s voice in my mind. Tavish and Joseph are remarkable, hard-working men with very different personalities and situations yet with the same capacity for love and desire for peace in the community. I love them both and hope that I will get to read more about them in the future.

Experiencing the story through the point-of-view of all three main characters not only gave me a better understanding of their thoughts and motivations, it also made me care about them even more and kept me guessing about how events would unfold. I truly didn’t know how things would turn out for Katie, or even how I wanted them to turn out because I was as torn about what to do as she was. I was unsure about Katie at first, but her growth throughout her experiences in Hope Springs felt natural and I was glad to see how far she had come by the end.

Longing For Home is a must for fans of Sarah M. Eden. Readers who appreciate clean romance and quality writing will want to add this book to the top of their reading lists. Though I don’t often rate books in my reviews, I don’t hesitate to give Longing For Home an appreciative and enthusiastic five stars.

Visit Sarah:

BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Find Longing For Home:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK | GOODREADS

An Unlikely Match by Sarah M. Eden

Posted by Shanda Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews

Aug 082013

An Unlikely Match

Author: Sarah M. Eden

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published Date: October 2012

Softcover/Kindle/DB ebook/CD: 184 pages

Genre: Regency Romance

ISBN# 978-1-60861-566-7

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: free review copy in exchange for an honest review

Summary

The future has never looked brighter for once penniless Nickolas Pritchard. Now in possession of an unforeseen legacy from a distant cousin, he can finally woo the exquisite Miss Castleton, belle of the London Season. What better setting for matchmaking than Ty Mynydd, his ancestral home nestled in the untamed hills of Wales? Ideal, indeed … except for the ghost.

For nearly four hundred years, Gwen has walked the halls of the home in which she lived—and died a mysterious death. But despite centuries as the reigning force within her ancient residence, nothing prepares her for the charm and unexpected appeal of Englishman Nickolas.

A deep and abiding affection grows between the two, tempered by the unbreakable barrier that separates them. They cannot possibly hope for a happily ever after. there can be no future between a man yet living and a woman long dead.

But how can Nickolas possibly give Gwen up? And how can Gwen face an eternity without Nickolas?

Review

It takes particular talent to present a situation as improbable as the one in this book and turn it into a believable and endearing romance. Luckily for us readers, Sarah possesses the skill to do just that.

An Unlikely Match has a paranormal element that sets it apart from Sarah’s other books and shows off her flexibility. I was actually a little nervous about it, because it was different from her other books (with a ghost as a main character), but as I began to read I was soon reassured that I would not be disappointed.

Another thing that makes An Unlikely Match different from Sarah’s other books is that it is set in Wales, which is perfect for the more superstitious elements of the story. It’s a bit spooky, with a few scarier moments and a more intense ending than her other books. Sarah is great at writing suspense, which doesn’t surprise me at all.

Though the list of characters is limited to a small house party, there is enough variety among them to cover everything from a beautiful young woman who was the most popular of the Season to an older gentlemen who fancies himself quite the ghost hunter, and a young Welsh vicar who is friendly with a ghost to a tell-it-like-it-is housekeeper.

I really like Nickolas and his friends, Dafydd and Griffith. Gwen is an intriguing character with a tragic history. The way Sarah directs the unfolding of Gwen’s story is excellent. There is a different, more poignant longing between the two main characters because they can’t physically touch. I wondered the entire time how things could possibly work out between them.

I found the ending incredibly romantic. The description during the culmination of events is outstanding. I could envision everything that was happening clearly in my head, like a movie.

This is a good book to read during October, in the spirit of Halloween and Nos Galan Gaeaf (a traditional Welsh holiday that plays a part in the book), but don’t wait until then to read it if you haven’t yet. It is signature Sarah–good, clean Regency romance with well-written characters and a healthy dose of wit.

Visit Sarah:

BLOG | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

Find An Unlikely Match:

AMAZON | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK | GOODREADS

Glimmer of Hope by Sarah M. Eden

Posted by Shanda Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews

Aug 062013

Glimmer of Hope

Author: Sarah M. Eden

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published Date: June 2013

Softcover/Kindle/DB ebook/CD: 208 pages

Genre: Regency Romance

ISBN# 978-1621084655

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: free temporary digital review copy in exchange for an honest review

Summary

Stunning Miranda Harford once had the world at her feet. She was young, carefree, and desperately in love. But when her new husband left for London without her, her world fell apart. Devastated by his abandonment, Miranda fled their home, taking residence at her husband’s rarely visited countryside estate. For three years, she lived alone. But now, as the holidays draw near, an unexpected visitor arrives . . .

Carter Alexander Harford, Seventh Viscount Devereaux, is a man driven to succeed. His work is his life, and the position of Prime Minister of England is within reach. But in truth, Carter is a man haunted by lost love. Estranged from his beautiful wife, Carter is shocked to find Miranda—the woman he’d loved and who he believes has left him—in residence at his country home.

As plans for a holiday party move forward, the uneasy couple realizes that to avoid further scandal, they must keep up appearances in a charade of marital happiness. Thrust together by fate, it quickly becomes clear that they have both been living beneath a conspired cloud of misunderstanding. As family, career, and social pressures threaten to keep them apart, can love have even a glimmer of hope?

Review

Glimmer of Hope is a bittersweet yet tender love story of two people, united once in love and marriage, separated by misunderstandings and the selfish deception of others.

Sometimes I start a book during a break intending to read just a few chapters but end up getting so caught up in the book that I must finish it. Sarah’s books are always like that for me. I know once I start reading I won’t want to put it down.

I loved the loyalty Miranda inspired in all who knew her at Clifton Manor. I appreciated how Carter, despite still being angry at what he saw as Miranda’s “abandoning” their marriage, noticed that his heart was still affected by her and softened enough to want to try to build at least a friendship with her.

While a good conversation could have clarified the situation between Carter and Miranda, pride, stubbornness, and Miranda’s weakened constitution prevented it. This isn’t difficult to believe, considering how often, in reality, the same things get in the way of solving relationship issues in almost everybody’s lives.

I didn’t mind that I figured out well ahead of time what had kept them apart because I was more interested in how it would all be revealed and what Carter’s reaction would be when he discovered what had happened. I was not disappointed. Carter’s tenderness toward Miranda and his reaction upon discovering the deceit surrounding him was just what I was expecting.

Sarah’s writing is excellent, effectively pulling me into the story and the emotion of the moment. My heart ached for what had been lost and hoped for what was to come.

Sarah is one of those few author’s whose books I do not hesitate to purchase even before reading them. I have yet to read one of her books that I haven’t loved. While Glimmer of Hope has a slightly different feel than some of her other books, a bit more serious rather than light and humorous, it was no less enjoyable than the others. As always, I happily recommend Sarah’s books to anyone who likes a clean, well-written romance.

Visit Sarah:

BLOG | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

Find Glimmer of Hope:

AMAZON | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK | GOODREADS

Older Entries Newer Entries