Book Reviews

9 different stories about arranged marriages set in the past. Will these couples be able to find love and hold on to their faith even in the most bizarre circumstances? One bride must marry a man who has suffered so much he does not know how to laugh. One bride must marry the man who mistakenly gives her the last button for her button string. One bride consents to marry a doctor headed for the Oregon Trail – a man she only really knows through letters and his sister’s recollections. Four young ladies find themselves out West answering a bridal order but must find a way to still marry for love – even unconventional matches will do. One pregnant widow travels west to work as a housekeeper for a man who sent for a wife. One young lady must fill in for her sister and marry the man she loves but who chose her sister instead. They all need love and their faith to get through some of the most difficult situations.

I have read 5 of the 9 stories before in other novellas. I enjoyed the stories then and enjoyed reading the stories a second time. The characters are full of flaws making them very realistic and very relatable. The stories are a little faster paced than I prefer but the authors do a great job at keeping the reader’s interest. Each bride’s feelings are well represented and understood by the reader.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy a fun and easy read. I received this copy for free from NetGalley but was not required to give a positive review.

Victoria “Tori” Anne Taylor, MD desperately needs a new heart and as a successful oncology surgeon, she knows what needs to be done but she’s never had the surgery performed on her before. As a doctor, she is adored by her residents and hated by her nurses as she demands perfection in every aspect of critical care. When her job security is threatened and she is forced to stop working and go to therapy, she begins a rocky relationship with Phin MacGrath, the transplant team’s social worker. Tori begins having memories that are not her own that she believes belonged to her heart donor. She begins her own investigation into the death of the woman who gave her heart and her new lease on life. Tori not only has horrific memories but she also has become more compassionate. She can sense what others are feeling and what they need. She is curious to find out more about whose heart she received.

Woven throughout the story is another story of Christian and his love for Emily. Christian’s family is on furlough from the African mission field and is falling in love for the first time.

As Tori and Phin investigate what happened, someone begins to stir up trouble for her and threaten her as she tries to investigate further into the fire that she dreams about but never personally experienced. She senses that her memories are evidence of foul play and has no idea what she is delving into.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Dr. Harry Kraus. The medical details greatly enhanced the story and brought an authenticity to the story that I enjoyed. The characters were so believable and their development was natural. My only critique would be that the story starts out a little slow but it was an exciting mystery that I ended up solving along with the heroine. I loved how the message of Christ’s grace and redemption was naturally woven into the story.

I would definitely recommend this book and will be looking into more books by this author. I received this book for free from NetGalley in return for an impartial review.

After being released from prison for a crime she didn’t commit, Tessa Lancaster becomes the protector for a young mother and her son who are being pursued by a dangerous and abusive father. After becoming a Christian in prison, Tessa cannot ignore this mother and she decides she will do what she can to protect them. Her Uncle Teruo, leader of the Japanese Mafia (Yakuza), wants her to come back to work for him but she will not go back to a life of crime. She is committed to living her life for Christ and being an example for her family despite the fact that they still see her as she was before. She must work with a young lawyer, Charles Britton, who unbeknownst to her is the reason she served the maximum sentence of 7 years in prison. Tessa is a born protector who is highly skilled in martial arts – can she protect this mother and her son? Can she work with Charles and find restitution for this mother and son? Will Tessa’s old life and crimes come back to haunt her? Can God truly change her and give her a new life on the right path?

So wow. I love Camy Tang. Her writing just keeps getting better and better. I love that this book is only the beginning of the series. I look forward to more books with this much character depth and development mixed with action-packed suspense and intrigue. Everything about the story kept me reading until the end and still had me wanting to know more about the characters.

I highly recommend this book! If I could give more than 5 stars I would! It’s that good. Enjoy this fantastic read with action, adventure, suspense, mystery, and ‘romance with a kick of wasabi’!

I received this book for free from NetGalley but I did not have to give a positive review.