"Within My Heart" by Tamera Alexander - Good Love Story

Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander is about friendship, death, fear, faith and love that takes place in the 1800s.  Rand is a fine doctor who gave up the opportunity for a lucrative practice in Boston to become a doctor in Timber Ridge, Colorado.  Rachel is a young widow with two young boys and a ranch she is trying to keep to fulfill her late husband’s dream for their sons (Mitch and Kurt) even though she’d rather assist the doctor with his patients than take care of a ranch.  Rachel fights against loving any other man, wanting to stay loyal to her dead husband and also not wanting to go through the pain of losing another one. 

This Christian historical romance novel quickly got my interest and the characters are very likable.  This book deals with life and death issues well and I enjoyed learning about early medicine through Rand.  I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good Christian historical fiction or stories about strong women and struggling families. 

(Karen's review, 4 stars)

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"Watching You" by Michael Robotham is Action Packed with Twists and Turns

Watching You by Michael Robotham is about a woman named Marnie.  She has a feeling that she is being watched.  Her husband takes off and she has no clue where he is.  When she finds a surprise birthday gift that her husband had planned for her, this book takes off.  It is action packed and filled with twists and turns.
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

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"Don’t Give Up, Don’t Give In—Lessons From an Extraordinary Life" by Louis Zamperini (UPDATED)

Don’t Give Up, Don’t Give In—Lessons From an Extraordinary Life by Louis Zamperini and David Rensin is a book of life lessons told by Louis based on what he learned.  It is fantastic!  I really LOVED IT!  the stories are very good and short so you get a lot.  Louis was one of a kind and the world was better with him in it!
(Gerard's review 1/10/15, 5++ stars)

Don’t Give Up, Don’t Give In—Lessons From an Extraordinary Life by Louis Zamperini and David Rensin is a quick non-fiction read that contains nuggets for living that he shares examples from his own life to back up.  What struck me most in this book was how his life turned around once he submitted to God and trusted Jesus as His personal Savior.  Although he accomplished much in his lifetime and had many adventures including being a rascal as a kid, an Olympian runner, surviving being lost at sea, surviving two and a half years of brutal treatment as a prisoner of war, battling with PTSD, what he wants to be remembered for is his charitable heart.  He has shared his story with many young people and has been instrumental in guiding troubled youth into being productive adults.  What an inspiration he is!  I also enjoyed that he has a sense of humor.  For example, he says the secret to a happy marriage is “When you are wrong, admit it.  When you are right, keep your mouth shut.”  Much of the lessons he shares in this book that he finished just two days before he died at age 97, are scriptural but he shares them in a way that isn’t preachy or condemning.  He definitely was an extraordinary man-- I love that he was skateboarding in his 80s!  

(Karen's review 1/9/15, 5 stars)

 

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"The 13th Gift--a True Story of a Christmas Miracle" by Joanne Huist Smith

The 13th Gift--A True Story of a Christmas Miracle by Joanne Huist Smith is a heartwarming and uplifting non-fiction book.  When Joanne's husband passes away, she is not exactly in the Christmas spirit but has three children she does not want to let down.  One day she finds a gift at her door but doesn't know who put it there.  The gifts keep on coming.  Does Joanne get into Christmas?  Does she find out who is leaving the gifts?

I loved this book because it is a true story.  Joanne tells it so well and her kids are great!  It's a wonderful book to read around Christmas, but any time you need a pick-me-up, this will do the trick.
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Somebody Else's Daughter" by Linsey Lanier

Someone Else’s Daughter by Linsey Lanier is a good read about Miranda and how she was affected by her abusive husband who gave her baby up for adoption against her wishes.  She vowed that she would never be weak again and became proficient in self-defense.  She would get in fights sticking up for others which attracted Parker’s attention, a very successful private investigator who actually hired her as a PI trainee letting her help him solve the murder of a teen girl.    

This book kept my interest from the start and kept me turning pages.  Miranda is a very strong woman with an edge that she uses to protect herself from getting close to people and getting hurt.  It is a good murder mystery which takes the reader through the crime investigation step-by-step.  This is the first book in the Miranda’s Rights Mystery series and I look forward to reading more!
(Karen's review, 5 stars) 


Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!