Book Reviews

Bathsheba: Reluctant Beauty
by Angela Hunt
Rating: 4.5/5
Book 2 in the Dangerous Beauty series
Bethany House – Fiction | Historical Fiction

If you’ve ever been to church, you’ve probably heard about King David. He was a man after God’s own heart. He was a worshipper. He was a shepherd. He’s the one with the slingshot who killed the mighty Goliath. But who really knew him? Who really understood him?

Bathsheba is one character in the Bible who seems to be misunderstood or overlooked. She was married to Uriah, a soldier. She bathed outside, as was the custom, and David saw her and wanted her. She became pregnant and David tried to cover up his sins.

Nathan the prophet spoke the word of God even if it was not what David wanted to hear. He prophesied what would happen because of what David did with Bathsheba.

Angela Hunt cleverly and thoroughly weaves an amazing story of heartache and pain and redemption — she transports the reader into Biblical times and fills in the gaps with her imagination. Hunt is a master at historical fiction and I’m always impressed with the details that she comes up with. Although I don’t always agree with her character portrayals, Hunt is an impressive writer. The all-too-familiar story is still relevant today and Hunt drew a conclusion about David that I had never heard before. Switching the story from Bathsheba’s to Nathan’s perspectives was interesting at first, but I eventually got used to it. I would have loved some of David’s inner thoughts but that would have changed the entire story. I appreciate how true the author stays to the Biblical accounts of David’s life. I like seeing the flaws when you look up close because David was not a saint by any means. I now feel like I understand David more from reading a book from Bathsheba’s perspective.

I highly recommend this book and this author for Biblical historical fiction.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Wild Montana Skies
by Susan May Warren
Rating: 5/5
Book 1 of the Montana Rescue series
Revell – Fiction | Contemporary Romance

Kacey Fairing has come home to Mercy Falls, Montana, on leave from her job as a search and rescue (SAR) pilot with the military and winner of a bronze star. She is haunted by the events that led to her bronze star and hopeful that being home and working with a local SAR team for Glacier National Park will help her cope. Since her daughter is now a teenager, Kacey hopes to reconnect with her daughter and heal. What she doesn’t know is that someone has also returned to Mercy Falls.

The famous country singer, Ben King, is back home in Mercy Falls and taking care of his father who is in recovery. Years ago he left his home with a broken heart and a handful of songs about his first love, Kacey Fairing. His career is at a stand still having been betrayed by his singing partner and he is eager to get back to Nashville to stake his territory.

Due to flash flooding, Kacey is thrown back into SAR with Ben and their reunion is more than a shock. Will Kacey’s secret destroy their relationship? Can Ben find a way to reconnect with his first love and maintain his career?

I am such a huge fan of Susan May Warren. Her stories are always full of heart and great storytelling. Her characters are relatable and authentic. I was immediately caught up in the story and wanted to know more. I’m excited that this is only book one in the Montana Rescue series. I can’t wait to read more. The way that the author weaves faith into the story is sincere and organic. The author is a master of weaving a mystery thriller with romance.

I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy a good contemporary romance with some mystery.

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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The Silent Songbird
by Melanie Dickerson
Rating: 4/5
Book 7 of Hagenheim series
Thomas Nelson – Fiction | Historical Romance

Meet Evangeline. She has the most beautiful singing voice and is privileged to be a ward and cousin of the great King Richard II, so she gets to live at Berkhamsted Castle. She would completely be satisfied with her comfortable life, right?

Unfortunately, due to her royal blood (even if she was illegitimate) she has never been free to go and do whatever she wanted. The walls of Berkhamsted always seem to be her own personal dungeon and nothing changes when she hears that King Richard II has agreed to Lord Shiveley’s marriage proposal for her. Lord Shiveley is rich, twice her age and one of the king’s trusted advisors, but Evangeline longs to fall in love just like in the poems and songs she sings.

With her impending wedding, Evangeline makes an impulsive decision to leave everything she knows and rely on the kindness of a stranger, Westley le Wyse. Though she has never lived as a peasant, she is determined that she would have more freedom to live and marry if she became a peasant. In order to disguise her identity, she tells her companion, Muriel, to say that she is mute. Her brilliant red hair and striking green eyes along with her substantial height already attract enough attention.

When the travelers reach Glynval, Evangeline learns that Westley is actually the eldest son of Lord le Wyse and not just a peasant. She is disappointed but she tries her best to fit in as a servant. Obviously, antics ensue since she’s never worked a day in her life, but Westley’s kindness to her even in the face of her inadequacies stirs her heart toward him. How can she ever tell Westley the truth about who she is without completely having him hate her? Westley feels pity and compassion toward her because he thinks she lost her voice from being abused by her master.

Will Evangeline ever be able to tell Westley the truth? Could they possibly find a way to be together despite Lord Shiveley’s frantic search for her? Is there more to what Lord Shiveley desires and can Evangeline discover this before it’s too late?

Yay! The newest installment in the Hagenheim series! I am a HUGE fan of Melanie Dickerson. What women doesn’t love a good fairytale? I didn’t even realize it was a reimagining of The Little Mermaid until the very end. This book can stand alone but Westley’s parents are from The Merchant’s Daughter so it was nice to see them again. I really liked how Evangeline grows as a character. Every girl needs to know how to defend herself and believe that she is loved for who she is. As much as I enjoyed Westley’s character, he almost seemed too good to be true – he could have had more flaws to make him more real in my opinion. This historical romance is full of romance and vivid scenery that transports the reader into medieval times. I highly recommend this series and I can’t wait to read what’s next.

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.