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I so nearly didn't do today's post... Why, you ask? Well, I haven't read many books this year... At all. I've read five, exactly five real books (I don't count flash fiction, so that's a huge bust there since I've read, oh, I don't know... A couple hundred different fan fictions of Sherlock, mystery shows I enjoy, Pride and Prejudice, and so on... But I've also read a few kids books for reviewing.
About Heaven and Hell (rather about Life)
A vibrant collection of short stories presented by Doorway Publishing that explores and honors the Imago Dei (the image of God) through 15 engaging fictional tales written by a diverse group of authors.
This collection focuses on the complete spectrum of life, from formation in the womb, childhood into adulthood, and all the way through old age. Each tale stands on its own and together they illustrate the complete value of life. Some deal with moral dilemmas grounded in a snapshot of time, while others explore the past, the future, and fantastical worlds to communicate the importance of preserving life. Experience the sorrow of loss, the joy of redemption, the thrill of harrowing adventures with heroes both ordinary and exceptional.
The imaginative expression of Imago Dei is needed now more than ever for a world surrounded by emptiness, isolation, and condemnation. The Life Anthology is a beacon of hope in a dark world, projecting the light of God’s promise in a unique way that reaches the heart, stimulates the mind, and calls the reader to consider His most precious creation. Us.
Featuring Short Stories by:
J.L. Pattison, Yaasha Hepperle, Jess Hanna, Angela R. Watts, Stoney M. Setzer, Nathan James Norman, Abigail Falanga, Jakki Jelene, Christopher J. Weeks, Mark Escalera, Frank B. Luke, Sarah M. Bowen, Abigail Kay Harris, Kristin L. Norman, and Daniel Ruben
Review
As powerful as this little story it is still a tad bit sad, but Angela R. Watts did a wonderful job with this short story in words but left a strong lesson behind.
About T.I.M.E.
TIME has come. TIME is here. TIME is now.
General Gordon is a thorn in THEY’s side, and Sepp is their solution. With the DI-43 being released in Boston, and people already starting to die, Sepp knew it was only a matter of time before THEY found him again. And it doesn’t take much time before Sepp is thrown back into the world he tried so hard to escape.
One final mission, with everything on the line. But it doesn’t take long for Sepp to realize THEY don’t control everything on the board. And maybe not all the good guys have left well enough alone.
A new group is rising to fight THEY, and Sepp may be TIME’s key to success.
THEY took everything from him once; he won’t let it happen again.
Review
Time, time, time... Ecclesiastes 3:1-3
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
That verse... It goes quite well with this series so far and this book in particular. I don't quite know what I should say... P.D. Atkerson did it again. Wrote a book that could be real life (not quite but like the characters, the broken pieces of life, and the hurting hearts) but not really and she took a thriller and turned it into a lesson each and every person should learn.
I mean, sure it's a spy thriller, but the truths make the somewhat, okay, quite dystopian setting just so much more... Real in a way that readers will be thrilled (😜) to fall into and not catch their breath until they've finished the book cliffhanger though it is. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book while blaming M.L. Milligan for the fact I didn't want to read it when the next book is a year away, but man, was she right that I needed to read it.
About The Love of a Princess
Princess Adelaide of Acuniel forsook her dreams of a love match the day she agreed to a marriage treaty with the Crown Prince of Trilaria. While nothing like her childhood expectations, her life with Prince Miles is simple, comfortable. But then a plague ravages Trilaria, leaving her a widow and the kingdom without a ruler, and her new life is thrown into chaos. Her mother-in-law begs her to return to her father’s house, but Adelaide refuses, pledging to stand by the newly widowed queen and the kingdom she has come to love. No matter what the future may hold.
Two potential heirs are found in the twin nephews of the late king, but only one can ascend the throne. Upon the discovery of critical information, Adelaide’s mother-in-law contrives a daring plan to have the right man chosen. Acting on this plan could cost Adelaide everything… Or it could open the door to a future beyond her wildest imaginings.
“The Love of a Princess” is a loose retelling of the Biblical Book of Ruth, and is a sequel to Ashton’s debut novel, “The Peasant Queen: an Esther Retelling”. While some characters connect, either book can be read as a stand alone.
Review
Ah, ah, ah! Man, I didn't even know that Ashton E. Dorow was going to be publishing another book already so when I saw this, I knew I needed to read it right away.
So, I did... And do you know what I found? My current favorite romance! Two of my very favorite books of the Bible have always been Esther and Ruth (followed by Psalms, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, then Proverbs, and Genesis, and hmm, my tenth favorite would likely be James. I didn't think about it till now but those are my top ten favorite books of the Bible though the whole is the best of the very best, of course! 😉) and the fact that this series (though the two books are stand alone and go quite well together and by themselves) is influenced, not really based on as which I'll touch on in a moment, made me love the tales even more.
I love Biblical retellings but only, and very strong is that only, when the author doesn't try to change what the Bible says, so it is not surprising that I am quite picky in my Biblical fiction choices and that I can count on one hand the authors I enjoy who write Biblical fiction and their books, (Naomei Craig, Connilynn Cossette, one or two of of Tessa Afshar's, and others who take the base of a Biblical story and share it as only influenced.) And I really love the way that the author took the story of Ruth and shared a romance that was just so... Good! It was clean, pure, and just absolutely darling!
I even plan on sharing it with my sisters next time they ask for books suggestions though they rarely prefer historical fiction that isn't a western.
5 stars, Mrs Dorow, and I look forward to your next!
About Framed in Death Valley
A killer who will stop at nothing...
Framed for a murder he didn't commit, firefighter Beckett Duke gave up on everything--including his marriage to spirited Laney Holland. That is, until Laney's life is threatened. Knowing the real killer is still at large, Beckett now has one purpose: protecting the woman he loves...and their unborn child. But sometimes an innocent man's second chance comes with a deadly price.
From Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.
Desert Justice
Book 1: Framed in Death Valley
Review
The book description, the cover, and the author had me eager to try this book, however, I do not really like the Love Inspired books of late due to less than stellar content, so I nearly passed this one over until I saw friends' reviews of it, and I'm glad I did! It was quite enjoyable and is even a bit of an encouragement in my own writing as I am writing a book with similar themes. Content wise, I was pleased not to see anything that really stood out as a no and there were good faith themes. So, all in all, this was a win!
Unconditional
by M.L. Milligan
Review
This is a bit different because Unconditional isn't out yet but it is coming soon in the Seize the Night anthology! M.L. Milligan is a pro at dragging me into a story and she's so good at tugging at my heartstrings and I can't wait till this anthology is out so you can read her incredible little story and see what a wonderful author she is.
Ah, wow! Can you believe that's all for Five Fall Favorites this year?! It's been a wild ride, that's for sure! I've loved seeing so many people find new books to add to our to be read lists, saw a friend launch and begin their blogging journey right before and during FFF, and had lots of fun getting back into blogging and talking about books. So, thank you so much for joining us once again for such a fun blog party!
Don't forget! Kate has the links to all of the bloggers' top 5 favorites for 2022 over on her blog here!
I hope you had as much fun as I did and will stick around, I'm looking forward to sharing a post about my series and the current list of things influencing it, be it books, people, pins on Pinterest, or anything and everything else!
See ya soon, booknerds!
Abigail