Reconstructing Amelia

Holy cow Batman! This book was impossible to put down!!! It was a great mystery/thriller that kept me guessing and turning pages. In turns of suspense and pacing, it reminded me a lot of "Gone Girl." I literally can't even recommend this book enough. It was great!

The story opens up with Kate getting a call from her daughter's fancy prep school saying that Amelia had been caught cheating and needed to be picked up immediately. This sets off warning bells in Kate's mind because she knows her daughter would never do such a thing, she's super smart and practically an angel! Once she arrives at school though, the unthinkable has happened. Amelia is found dead on the concrete, supposedly from committing suicide by jumping from the roof. Something isn't quite adding up, her daughter wasn't impulsive and had been a very happy teen. As Kate pours through her daughters emails, texts, and facebook she begins to see a whole new side to her daughter and her "suicide" seems very very fishy.

A must read for fans of suspense or "Gone Girl."

Insurgent

Why did I just now read this?!? It was a pretty damn good follow up to Divergent, the action never lets up and you're left racing to the end hoping to get some things wrapped up but when you get there, BAM, you're left hanging. You have to wait for the final book in the trilogy. I've heard a lot of mixed reviews about the last book so I'm scared to start it, but at the same time I have to find out what in the hell is going on!!

In Isurgent Tris has to learn to cope with the death of her parents and Will, she's scared to use a gun, but not afraid to rip people apart with her bare hands. She and Four (Tobias, that sexy dreamboat) are constantly arguing in this book. They can't agree on anything and are convinced that they're lying to each other. Together they team up with some loyal dauntless, factionless, Candor, and some other people to try and take down the evil Euradite woman, Jeanine, and her posse of evildoers.

Like I said it's fast paced and the action never lets up. Super quick read. Be warned though that if you haven't read Divergent you will be hopelessly lost.

The Queen's Handmaid

Breathtaking in scope, this historical piece takes us back to when Cleopatra was still ruling the Nile and Rome was still in all its glory. Told through the eyes of a handmaid, this tale of suspense, finding one's true purpose, and faith is inspiring and intriguing. The political intrigues and backdrop are fascinating enough on their own but author, Tracey L. Higley, goes above and beyond creating the perfect story. Lydia serves first Cleopatra in Alexandra, then Herod's wife in the Holy city. Before she fled Alexandria with Herod, her mentor entrusted her with a sacred set of scrolls to be given to a secret man in Jerusalem. For years she carries this secret burden trying to fulfill this destiny but something always manages to thwart her attempts; war, death, duty, the list is never ending. Lydia must learn to trust herself and her friends if she is ever to complete her mission.

For fans of historical intrigue, romance, and biblical history. I received this book free from LitFuse Publicity in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

Summer of Joy

Told through the eyes of fourteen year old Jocie, this story of love, faith, and redemption is full of vibrance and enthusiasm. It's the 1960's and Holyhill is still as small town as ever, nearly immune to the turbulent times across the nation. Two outsiders come to this quaint town and threaten to undo that peace and quiet. One, a mean and calculating freshman english teacher, and the other a long lost relative. Jocie speculates on how these characters affect not only her but those around her. Her father is due to be married and Jocie can hardly contain her excitement at getting a new mother, in fact most of the town is excited. But will these unexpected visitors throw everything off? Will God provide?

Cute, fast read. For fans of Christian historical romance. Be warned though, this is the third book in a series and some of the characters back stories are only touched upon. Also, unlike the title, the story is only set in summer for about three chapters (not that it really matters, but I found it amusing).

I received this book for free from Revell Reads in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

A Heart's Rebellion

Although the beginning of the book nearly dissuaded me, I was very glad I kept with it, because I dearly enjoyed this book. I hadn't read a regency romance in ages so this really re-opened the floodgates for me. Ruth Axtell brings together a cast of characters that are flawed, vain individuals but makes them immensely likable. You root for them when they're down, chide them when they're misbehaving, and feel their sorrow when they're suffering. Jessamine Berry and her best friend Megan are enjoying their first season in London. Although not from the rich upper class, they intend to enjoy themselves to the best of their ability. Jessamine is determined that a season in the summer will help her forget about her heartbreak involving Megan's older brother. Almost immediately, they make the acquaintance of Mr. Marfleet, a young vicar who has his eyes set on Jessamine. Feeling that he is too intolerable, too rude, and too much like her father, Jessamine rebuffs his advances and tries to find someone more dashing for the season. But sometimes the heart can be a fickle thing, maybe Mr. Marfleet is what the doctor ordered?

Well written and enjoyable, this novel is well researched and true to the period. For fans of Jane Austen and other regency romances.

I received this book for free from Revell Reads in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

Maybelle in Stitches

This is the third book I've read in the quilts of love series and I have to say that I really enjoy how different they all are. I've read one about a Native American woman , one about a female cop in Florida, and this one, about a young woman doing her part in the war effort by welding while her husband is off fighting Nazis. Each era in this series focuses on strong female women and overcoming the odds to keep or regain the faith. Quilts are the focal point that piece together the stories.

For instance, in this novel, Maybelle has to come to terms with knowing that her husband is missing in action. The not knowing is tearing her apart so to keep her mind off worrying she and her friends work on a hope quilt, each stitch lovingly sewn and filled with hope for all the boys fighting Hitler. What started out as a chore, now fills her with hope.

It's a cute series, and this one in particular is a fast inspirational read. For fans of Christian historical fiction.

Shotgun Lovesongs

That was one hell of an audiobook. Each character was narrated beautifully by a different voice and the end result is amazing. Superbly done. Shotgun Lovesongs is a story about a group of friends in a small town in Wisconsin. Though their lives have all changed drastically throughout the years, one became a famous musician, two got married, one suffered brain damage, and one became fabulously wealthy their lives still all intercept. And the raw emotion and feeling that they all have is stunning. A must listen or read. Hard to put down. Gritty, real, and heartfelt this novel has something to offer for everyone!