Search
ClareR (6062 KP) rated The Ice House in Books
Mar 7, 2019 (Updated Mar 7, 2019)
A story of forgiveness and redemption.
A thoroughly enjoyable, gentle story, of a couple who own an ice factory in Florida. Johnny MacKinnon emigrated to the US years ago, found a job in an ice factory, where he met the owners daughter, fell in love and married her. Years later Johnny and Pauline are running the factory. Johnny had left his son and ex-wife in Glasgow, and he and his son have become estranged. Corran, Johnny's son, has a heroin addition. He has been clean for a while at the time of the story.
After Johnny collapses at the factory and receives bad news from the doctor, he decides to return to Scotland and visit his son and his new granddaughter.
This is such a lovely story. The characters are so well written and such likeable people. You can see that Johnny is really trying to deal (or ignore!) his medical condition and to mend fences with his son. Whilst Pauline his wife, left behind in Florida to deal with a huge problem at the factory alone, is struggling with the decisions she made as a younger woman - and who can blame her for making them? Corran is trying so hard to be a good father and clearly struggling.
This is such an emotional book that made me both laugh and cry. It's well worth reading.
Many thanks to Readers First for my copy of this book.
After Johnny collapses at the factory and receives bad news from the doctor, he decides to return to Scotland and visit his son and his new granddaughter.
This is such a lovely story. The characters are so well written and such likeable people. You can see that Johnny is really trying to deal (or ignore!) his medical condition and to mend fences with his son. Whilst Pauline his wife, left behind in Florida to deal with a huge problem at the factory alone, is struggling with the decisions she made as a younger woman - and who can blame her for making them? Corran is trying so hard to be a good father and clearly struggling.
This is such an emotional book that made me both laugh and cry. It's well worth reading.
Many thanks to Readers First for my copy of this book.
MaryAnn (14 KP) rated Shine the Light in Books
Nov 4, 2019
Shannon is out to save the world one caring act at a time. Shes stood by her best friend, Amber, through their whole lives especially when Amber lost her sight. She has an active outreach ministry to the homeless and disenfranchised. And shes even let down her guard long enough to let a boyfriend, Justin, into her life.
Her life has settled into a pleasing routine of teaching, freelance photography work, quiet dinners with Justin, and taking Amber on treks to find new subjects for her visionary paintings. But when a man from her past shows up, her secure world crumbles into triggered PTSD episodes that threaten everything she relies on. Will she be able to overcome these old memories, or will her past crush any hopes she had for a future?
My Thoughts: This is a book that touches the heart. A book that deals with many concerns. It deals with homelessness, physical disabilities, and PTSD. The author has spun a story expertly around these topics. It is a story of love, friendship, healing, and forgiveness.
This was a novel that the reader can become engrossed in, finding it hard to put down. The characters are easy to relate to, and the reader can come to know and love. It brings empathy toward the homeless and their plight. It is a compelling read and I enjoyed this and I know that the author has put much time into research for this novel.
Her life has settled into a pleasing routine of teaching, freelance photography work, quiet dinners with Justin, and taking Amber on treks to find new subjects for her visionary paintings. But when a man from her past shows up, her secure world crumbles into triggered PTSD episodes that threaten everything she relies on. Will she be able to overcome these old memories, or will her past crush any hopes she had for a future?
My Thoughts: This is a book that touches the heart. A book that deals with many concerns. It deals with homelessness, physical disabilities, and PTSD. The author has spun a story expertly around these topics. It is a story of love, friendship, healing, and forgiveness.
This was a novel that the reader can become engrossed in, finding it hard to put down. The characters are easy to relate to, and the reader can come to know and love. It brings empathy toward the homeless and their plight. It is a compelling read and I enjoyed this and I know that the author has put much time into research for this novel.
MaryAnn (14 KP) rated Unscripted in Books
Nov 4, 2019
Young line producer Danny Byrd is well-known in Hollywood for being someone who gets things done on time and under budget. But when his reputation takes a beating after his partner--and former best friend--makes off with their investors' money, Danny has but one chance to redeem himself and restore his ruined career.
LA lawyer Megan Pierce has sacrificed years of her life proving herself to her impossible bosses only to find herself disgusted at their snobbery and their specious business practices. When an opportunity to actually make a difference comes her way, she knows she has to grab it--even though she's not entirely clear what "it" is.
Danny and Megan are each other's best hope for redemption. What they never could have imagined was that they might also be each other's best hope for love.
Bestselling and award-winning author Davis Bunn takes you into the beating heart of Hollywood with two characters determined to thrive in a cutthroat business.
My Thoughts: An interesting story that revolves around LA and the movie industry. This novel deals with the subject of redemption, forgiveness learning to trust and starting over. Danny started life hard, growing up in foster homes, his best friend and his partner who ruins his career. Danny soon learns that there are people he can trust and that he can start over.
A very interesting read that I am sure readers will enjoy.
LA lawyer Megan Pierce has sacrificed years of her life proving herself to her impossible bosses only to find herself disgusted at their snobbery and their specious business practices. When an opportunity to actually make a difference comes her way, she knows she has to grab it--even though she's not entirely clear what "it" is.
Danny and Megan are each other's best hope for redemption. What they never could have imagined was that they might also be each other's best hope for love.
Bestselling and award-winning author Davis Bunn takes you into the beating heart of Hollywood with two characters determined to thrive in a cutthroat business.
My Thoughts: An interesting story that revolves around LA and the movie industry. This novel deals with the subject of redemption, forgiveness learning to trust and starting over. Danny started life hard, growing up in foster homes, his best friend and his partner who ruins his career. Danny soon learns that there are people he can trust and that he can start over.
A very interesting read that I am sure readers will enjoy.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2476 KP) rated Murder on Waverly Place in Books
Apr 4, 2020
Murder at a Séance
Midwife Sarah Brandt is surprised when her mother, Mrs. Decker, begs Sarah to join her at a séance. Mrs. Decker is hoping to reach Maggie, Sarah’s older sister, and obtain forgiveness for something that happened before she passed. Sarah goes, but nothing she experiences convinces her that it is at all real. However, Mrs. Decker goes back a second time, and one of the group members is murdered. They quickly call in Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy. The lights were out, and everyone was holding hands, so how was the victim killed?
Between the how and the who, I was pulled into this story and couldn’t put it down. There are some great twists along the way, and the climax is logical, although one part bothered me. It’s a very minor complaint. Sarah and Frank continue to be strong leads, ably sharing the view point of the story in a way that is easy to follow. They even made me laugh a few times as I was reading. While we don’t see Frank’s family, we do get to see more of the people in Sarah’s life, and I love spending time with them. The new characters are fantastic, and help bring New York City of 1897 to life. I always get lost in Sarah and Frank’s world, and this book was no exception. If you are looking for a historical mystery, I highly recommend this book.
Between the how and the who, I was pulled into this story and couldn’t put it down. There are some great twists along the way, and the climax is logical, although one part bothered me. It’s a very minor complaint. Sarah and Frank continue to be strong leads, ably sharing the view point of the story in a way that is easy to follow. They even made me laugh a few times as I was reading. While we don’t see Frank’s family, we do get to see more of the people in Sarah’s life, and I love spending time with them. The new characters are fantastic, and help bring New York City of 1897 to life. I always get lost in Sarah and Frank’s world, and this book was no exception. If you are looking for a historical mystery, I highly recommend this book.
Falling Up: My Wild Ride from Victim to Kick-Ass Victory
Dana Liesegang and Natasha Stoynoff
Book
From the time Dana Liesegang could walk, she was out looking for adventure, and she never stopped....
Home on the Range
10.0
Rate It
Book
A cowboy romance with a heart of gold, in Home on the Range author Ruth Logan Herne returns readers...
Romance Christian Fiction Family Fiction Double S Ranch Series
The Solace of Water
Book
After the loss of her young son, Carver, an African-American preacher’s wife named Delilah Evans...
"the solace of water" race relations romance love death suicide
For One More Day
9.3
Rate It
Book
"As a child, Charley "Chick" Benetto was told by his father, "You can be a mama's boy or a daddy's...
mitch albom for one more day ghosts love grief acceptance
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated The Crossing at Cypress Creek (Natchez Trace #3) in Books
Feb 23, 2021
Over the Hills and through the sea to sea a family reunited and a family started !
Such a great book ! This book is the last one in a series, but I do believe that you can read this one as a stand alone (I did ). It made me want to go back and read the previous books, as well as hoping to someday get to read a fourth book in the series (Hint, Hint ;) .
I believe that this is one of the first books I have read by Pam Hillman (I can't believe it as this one was so good), I already have ordered the previous two books in the series. I believe that Pam did a great job at showing some of the struggles people went through before there was "Civilization" around, and she made me believe I was right there and that I could here the forest all around me.
I loved the characters, how they interacted, the ways you got to hear their thoughts and share a little piece of their lives. I thought that the underlying message was that it is never too late to receive grace, or ask forgiveness from God.
I give this story a 5 out of 5 stars, for original and engaging characters, amazingly detailed descriptions, and page turning smiles.
I volunteered to read this book from Tyndale House Publishing in return for my honest feedback, the thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
Such a great book ! This book is the last one in a series, but I do believe that you can read this one as a stand alone (I did ). It made me want to go back and read the previous books, as well as hoping to someday get to read a fourth book in the series (Hint, Hint ;) .
I believe that this is one of the first books I have read by Pam Hillman (I can't believe it as this one was so good), I already have ordered the previous two books in the series. I believe that Pam did a great job at showing some of the struggles people went through before there was "Civilization" around, and she made me believe I was right there and that I could here the forest all around me.
I loved the characters, how they interacted, the ways you got to hear their thoughts and share a little piece of their lives. I thought that the underlying message was that it is never too late to receive grace, or ask forgiveness from God.
I give this story a 5 out of 5 stars, for original and engaging characters, amazingly detailed descriptions, and page turning smiles.
I volunteered to read this book from Tyndale House Publishing in return for my honest feedback, the thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.