Book Reviews

Where Rivers Part
by Kellie Coates Gilbert
Rating: 4/5
Texas Gold Collection
Revell – Contemporary Fiction

Dr. Juliet Ryan has the perfect life, or so it seems. She has dreams of making the world better by providing the best quality assurance for America’s drinking water. She has a great job and is up for a promotion. Her boss believes in her and her abilities.  She has a secret boyfriend who got her the job. However, her father, a premier scientist, is determined to expose Corporate America’s greed over food safety. Juliet is sure her father is wrong since she is at the forefront and knows her boss wants food safety before more money. Unfortunately, something sinister is happening in the background. Young children are dying in San Antonio, and no one knows why. As the situation escalates, Juliet is unsure of who to trust and why she even needs to feel that way. Can she trust the people that she works for? Can she trust the man she cares for? Will her father only be proven correct? Can she figure out what is happening before more people suffer and die? Does God even care in the midst of such a storm?

I really enjoyed reading this story since I majored in biology and took a class on food microbiology. When I began reading, I was instantly transported back to my college classes and that was fun for me. The author was very good at explaining things that the general public may not be aware of. I even learned some new things. The author’s real life experience really made the story seem so real. When I started reading, I didn’t know what to expect from the cover. The cover picture is nice but I honestly didn’t realize the story was modern from the cover and title. This story reads more like a mystery than a romance which is not what I was expecting but that’s okay. I still enjoyed the characters and their struggles and triumphs.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a book with mystery and science with a hint of romance thrown in.

I received this book for free from Revell in exchange for a review.

Sabotaged
by Dani Pettrey
Rating: 5/5
Alaskan Courage Series Book 5
Bethany House – Romance | Mystery | Suspense

Kirra Jacobs has a hard time recognizing the new Reef McKenna. Growing up, they were always at each other’s throats, but now, she’s not sure whether she can trust him. Reef is no longer the partying, adrenaline junkie he used to be. They are, once again, partners in search-and-rescue, except the event is the Iditarod race, one that her uncle usually places in the top ten. When her uncle doesn’t make the checkpoint, Kirra suspects that something is wrong and tries to search for him alone at night, but Reef won’t leave her side. When they find her uncle, something is definitely wrong, and he tells them to find his daughter who has been kidnapped. Uncle Frank warns that many people will suffer if they can’t rescue his daughter while he does the kidnapper’s bidding. The entire McKenna clan races to find Frank’s daughter, who is like a sister to Kirra, and also discover what the evil plans are. Kirra can’t comprehend why this close knit family would come to her aid. Can Reef earn Kirra’s trust and maybe even love? Can Kirra trust that Reef is a changed man who deserves another chance? Can Kirra and Reef find out what’s really happening and save Frank’s daughter before it’s too late? Will they learn to let go of the past and trust God has everything in control?

I was so sad to see this series come to an end. I don’t want to leave the McKenna family. Reef was the last family member whose story still needed to be told and I absolutely loved it. I was so impressed with the story and the intrigue in the plot. I loved the fast pace and the character development. Reef and Kirra were definitely such an interesting couple to get to know. They had real faults and needs, making them relatable and endearing. I am so impressed that this is Dani Pettrey’s first series. She is super talented and I can’t wait for her next series, Chesapeake Valor!

I definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in a fun, fast-paced story with romance and mystery!

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

Christmas at Rose Hill Farm: An Amish Love Story
by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Rating: 5/5
Revell – Fiction/Amish

Bess Riehl should be excited to be getting married to Amos Lapp. He is everything that a good Amish man should be and he loves her. As she prepares for her Christmas wedding at her home, Rose Hill Farm, she never imagined her groom would be Amos; her first love would always be Billy Lapp, Amos’ cousin and best friend. After Billy abruptly left home and broke her heart, Amos was the one to help console her and patiently waited to court her. Although life is not what she originally imagined, she is happy with Amos and feels she has forgiven Billy wherever he is. However, Billy has become the rose rustler, one who researches and identifies unknown roses, and Bess needs his help. She and her father have taken over the rose business and happen to find a rose bud that was hidden and is unidentifiable. Penn State sends its rose rustler to investigate and Billy suspects that the rose is an old rose that hasn’t been seen in hundreds of years, but he must wait until it blooms to be sure. As Billy travels back and forth, he can’t help the old feelings for Bess, but she is engaged to a good man. Will Bess reveal what she thinks she knows about that particular rose or will she keep it to herself to keep Billy coming back? If Bess is ready to say “I do” to Amos, why does she still feel a connection with Billy when he lets his guard down? Can Billy find peace for the reasons that he left in the first place? Can God show him the way back home and does that include Bess? Will this Christmas be full of miracles and redemption?

I do not think I’ve ever read anything from Suzanne Woods Fisher, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Love triangles seem to be so common, but the author was still able to spin some fresh material that was heartwarming and heartbreaking. I’ve never read an Amish romance that had a family like Billy Lapp’s family, but the reader definitely sympathizes with Billy and his struggles. The author was not afraid to portray some darker sides and struggles of humanity no matter their background. I love how she continued to weave faith into this story about miracles and Christmas. I couldn’t put the book down and want to read more from the author about this charming community.

Being a biology major, I was also fascinated with the research about roses that went into the story. I had no idea about the huge rose community that existed. I always enjoyed botany in college, but the story made me love roses even more and want to search out the rarer breeds. I was also impressed with the greenhouse technology, but also confused since I didn’t think the Amish used any machines; I guess I’ll have to research that information more.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes Christian romance from an Amish perspective.

I received this book for free from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for a review.