Fun Friday!

 

Saving Amelia by Cathy Gohke

 Book Description:  Increasingly wary of her father’s genetic research, Rachel Kramer has determined that this trip with him to Germany—in the summer of 1939—will be her last. But a cryptic letter from her estranged friend, begging Rachel for help, changes everything. Married to SS officer Gerhardt Schlick, Kristine sees the dark tides turning and fears her husband views their daughter, Amelie, deaf since birth, as a blight on his Aryan bloodline.

Once courted by Schlick, Rachel knows he’s as dangerous as the swastikas that hang like ebony spiders from every government building in Berlin. She fears her father’s files may hold answers about Hitler’s plans for others, like Amelie, whom the regime deems “unworthy of life.” She risks searching his classified documents only to uncover shocking secrets about her own history and a family she’s never known.

Now hunted by the SS, Rachel turns to Jason Young—a driven, disarming American journalist and unlikely ally—who connects her to the resistance and to controversial theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Forced into hiding, Rachel’s every ideal is challenged as she and Jason walk a knife’s edge, risking their lives—and asking others to do the same—for those they barely know but come to love.

My Thoughts:  I love summer and, again, this summer I entered the Tyndale Summer Reading Program.  So glad I did!  As one of my "prizes" I picked this book Saving Amelie by Cathy Gohke.

When I first saw the cover of this book I actually passed it up. Then I went back and read the description and thought it sounded interesting.

When the book arrived it sat on my TBR for a couple of months and then the other day, since I was finished with my last book, I decided to read it.

Well, this is one great read!  As I began reading I first thought the book was going to be about a rich young woman and how she saves a young deaf girl from the Third Reich.  Oh!not!so!  Well, this does come into play but there  is SO much more to this story.

I had to put the book down several time because it IS so intense!  

This book is about life . . .what is our duty to others AND Dietrich Bonhoeffer!  Wow!  

The suspense, the story line, the challenge of one's duty to Christ!  Cathy Gohke pens an incredible, not.to.be put.down story!

This is my favorite read this summer!  

You just gotta read this book . . . it will make you think!  

• Paperback: 464 pages

The Memory House by Mary Alford

 

The Memory House by Mary Alford

 Book Description:  When grief counselor Elise Warren inherits Coldwater Hollow, the crumbling Victorian estate of her estranged father, she expects to settle his affairs and finally leave the past behind.

Instead, she finds hidden journals, secret recordings, and evidence that her father’s controversial psychological treatments may have harmed more than they healed.
As Elise digs deeper, fragments of her childhood begin surfacing—memories of a frightened girl named Ivy, whispered warnings from her long-missing mother, and a darkness lurking beneath the house itself.
But the more Elise uncovers, the less she trusts her own mind.
Someone has been inside Coldwater Hollow.
Someone is watching her search for answers.
And someone desperately wants one missing piece of evidence to stay buried.
Because if Elise remembers what really happened twenty years ago, she may discover that the greatest mystery was never what happened to Ivy.
It's who Ivy was.

My Thoughts:  Mary Alford is a stunning writer.  I've never read anyone else's books who have SO much in them.  

This is like no other book that I've read from her.  

This story is a psychological thriller that is full of surprises.

It's a quick read, coming in at 206 pages.  Of course, as a reader you'll want to keep reading because it's a captivating story.

I honestly could not put all the events together.  I didn't see some of the evidence pointing to the culprit.

Elise is a great character as is Reid. 

There is no spice in this thriller.  And it's not a scary read.  It's also not an action read but my.oh.my this story keeps you on your toes.

The question throughout the whole story is "Who is Ivy?"  

If you love thrillers and a great mystery you'll love this new story! 

It's not an expensive book get it on HERE for $6.99

I received a complimentary copy from the author. 

The opinions in this review are my own.

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

Light from Distant Stars: A Novel by Shawn Smucker

  

Book Description:  When Cohen Marah steps over his father's body in the basement embalming room of the family's funeral home, he has no idea that he is stepping into a labyrinth of memory. As the last one to see his father, Cohen is the primary suspect.

Over the next week, Cohen's childhood memories come back in living color. The dramatic events that led to his father being asked to leave his pastoral position. The game of baseball that somehow kept them together. And the two children in the forest who became his friends--and enlisted him in a dark and dangerous undertaking. As the lines blur between what was real and what was imaginary, Cohen is faced with the question he's been avoiding: Did he kill his father?

My Thoughts:  There are times when I begin reading a book and wonder, "What am I missing?"  This is such book.
I just could not understand what the author was saying in this story.  I was lost from page one.
Now if you're the type of reader who enjoys dystopia or "christian" science fiction, well, you may enjoy this read.
The story centers around the father of Cohen Marah.  Actually the story seems to be about the father...but, then again, I'm clueless about the story.  Just didn't get what was going on.
The author knows how to write, it is the story itself that I had trouble with.  Yes, I get that there was child abuse and the man wanted to let go of the ugly things.  However, the story part just never got to me.

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Revell
• ISBN-10: 0800728513

Snowbound Escape (Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit, 8) by Dana Mentink

 

Book Description:  To rescue a witness…

this K-9 team must face a killer and a storm.

After months tracking a colleague falsely accused of a double homicide, officer Tanner Ford and his K-9 partner finally locate crime tech Mara Gilmore—but the real murderer is closing in. Now they must run into a frozen wilderness to survive. Evading the killer is the only way for Mara to clear her name. But will the harsh winter conditions cover their tracks…or bury them forever?

My Thoughts:  I was so excited to get this book.  Dana Mentink is one of my favorite authors.  I read the whole book the same day I received it.  I was just going to read one chapter but the story grabbed me and pulled me in and I just couldn't let go.  

This is a true large print Love inspired Suspense read.  I love this size.  I like the way it holds well in my hands.

I love rescue missions.  So when Officer Tanner Ford and his sweet K-9 partner need to track and locate Mara Gilmore the witness to the crime, it becomes a clock ticking rescue. 

As the real murderer closes in on Mara Tanner and Britta rescue Mara but now they're all on the run trying to outwit a fearless bad person.

All of this running and keeping ahead of a criminal mind takes place in the Pacific Northwest.  It was interesting to read about snow and survival.

Excitement at its best!  Such a wonderful read.  Don't miss it! 

Buy it HERE  Two sizes to pick from plus Kindle