Book reviews
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Mark of the Raven Book Review
Boy, was I wrong. I’ve been intending to read Morgan L. Busse’s Mark of the Raven for years. But there was just something about the cover. It said, “futuristic dystopian,” to me, and I find that depressing. Between AI taking over, the ever present threat of another pandemic, and the mystery surrounding 3I/Atlas, who needs fictional dystopia? But this book was nothing like what I expected. It’s a rich fantasy, full of meaning and insight, that sucked me in from the first page. I did have to put it down to breathe at times. It’s that intense. Be warned – it’s a three part saga that won’t let you go until…
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A Scheming in Parliament
Erica Vetsch has done it again – what a great book. She’s an automatic buy for me, and she never disappoints. A Scheming in Parliament, book 2 in the Of Cloaks and Daggers series, will keep you turning pages. So much scheming! From dastardly to delightful – so many schemes. Villainy had my heart beating fast, and the ingenuity of a plucky girl had me laughing out loud. In both the Thorndike and Swann Mysteries and the Of Cloaks and Daggers series, well-crafted stories allow romance to bloom at an unhurried pace. Fans of Erica Vetsch have grown to appreciate Philippa Cashel’s beauty and strength of character. It’s time for…
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The Governess and the Rogue
Mimi Matthews wraps up the Somerset Stories (for now) with The Governess and the Rogue. If you’re not familiar with the author, she’s a master of clean romance set in the Regency and Victorian eras. Her love stories are beautifully crafted with intriguingly flawed protectors and heroines who are strong and resourceful yet vulnerable. The series began with Gentleman Jim and A Work of Art, and the last four imagine what the children from those two couples might be like. Every book in this series feels like a gift. Stepping into the pages is like visiting an old friend. This time, it’s Jack Beresford, youngest son of the earl. He’s…
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Splendor of the Land
Connilyn Cossette is without reservation my favorite author. When a new book is up for preorder, it’s an automatic buy as soon as it’s listed. And now that she’s doing prequel novellas, that’s even more the case. I’m like a kid with her nose pressed against the candy shop window at 8 am whispering, “Open. Open. Open.” That being said, after I read the first book in The King’s Men series, Voice of the Ancient, I wasn’t looking forward to Gavi’s book. He was a jerk. Oh, I knew the author would make me fall in love with him. But I didn’t want to. After what happened to Shay, I…
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It Is Finished
This is our hope: For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day. – John 6:40 As an evangelical, the thing I miss most about my liturgical church is the liturgical calendar. Holy days don’t sneak up on you. When Christmas comes around, you’ve got 4 weeks of preparation under your belt. You are spiritually prepared to celebrate our Savior’s birth. It’s the same with Easter. In the liturgical church, it’s not a “Don’t blink or you’ll miss it” affair. You’ve got 40 days to reflect…
