WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

The Auschwitz Escape by Joel Rosenberg

Book Description:  A terrible darkness has fallen upon Jacob Weisz's beloved Germany. The Nazi regime, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, has surged to power and now hold Germany by the throat. All non-Aryans -- especially Jews like Jacob and his family -- are treated like dogs.

When tragedy strikes during one terrible night of violence, Jacob flees and joins rebel forces working to undermine the regime. But after a raid goes horribly wrong, Jacob finds himself in a living nightmare -- trapped in a crowded, stinking car on the train to the Auschwitz death camp.

As World War II rages and Hitler begins implementing his "final solution" to systematically and ruthlessly exterminate the Jewish people, Jacob must rely on his wits and a God he's not sure he believes in to somehow escape from Auschwitz and alert the world to the Nazi's atrocities before Fascism overtakes all of Europe. The fate of millions hangs in the balance.

My Thoughts:  Joel C. Rosenberg writes with a death defying description that left this reader gasping for breath and a rapidly beating heart.  

The scenes, the senselessness of it.all, the hope, the courage and the escape!  Oh!what!a!read!  

Reading about WWII is a passion of mine but when an author like Mr. Rosenberg writes a novel that feels so real, that feels like it took place yesterday, and when the events seem as if they could be happening right now, in this very country....well, the reader may, just as I did, gently close the book, take a deep breath and timidly open the pages again to read about Jacob.  

Ah!  This was not an "easy" read for me.  Breath taking, heart pounding, mind boggling...how could people...how could one man {Hitler} be so cruel!??!  Why would people follow a mad man?!?! How do these atrocities come to pass?!?!?  

At times it was hard to read but yet, hard not to read!  Wanting to know what was going to happen but barely daring to breathe...now that's a book that begs to be read by all!

What a read!

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414336241
• ISBN-13: 978-1414336244

{Kregel Blog Tour} Noah: A Wordless Picture Book Hardcover by Mark Ludy

Book Description:  Mark Ludy s latest book will appeal to adults and children alike. Digging deeper than the Sunday school tale of cuddly animals on Noah s ark, the story follows the biblical text and illumines Noah s relationship with God, his wife, family, nature, and humanity. Ludy s world-class artwork lets people see, as though for the first time, the beauty within this story - revealing a clearer picture of the nature and character of God and his relationship to humankind. It s immersive and epic in scale and scope. The wordless format invites conversation and storytelling, key building blocks of literacy. And as with his previous books, Ludy's signature mouse Squeakers appears hidden on every page.

My Thoughts:  We all seem to know the story of Noah and the Ark but have you ever tried to tell the story to a youngster with out words?  This incredible book and I do mean incredible has no words...it is a wordless picture book.  I've never seen such a beautifully illustrated book in all my life.

There isn't a need a for words...the pictures really do tell a story all their own and may inspire a conversation between you and your child about the Bible!  As much as words are descriptive and we need words, words aren't needed to "read" this story AND there are no words to describe the illustrations in this book!  

This book is such a joy "read" through.  The pictures are bold and bright but more than that they are {almost} jumping off the page in 3D illustrations!  Don't forget to look for Squeakers the mouse .... on ever page.  So much fun!

I love this book!  

This book makes a GREAT gift for a child {actually an adult would love it, too}!

This picture is from the book to show you an example of the                       greatness of these illustrations:

*This book was provided for review by Kregel Publications*

• Age Range: 2 - 18 years
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Plough Publishing House; Sew edition 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874866391
• ISBN-13: 978-0874866391

Chosen People by Robert Whitlow

Book Description:  During a terrorist attack near the Western Wall in Jerusalem, a courageous mother sacrifices her life to save her four-year-old daughter, leaving behind a grieving husband and a motherless child.

Hana Abboud, a Christian Arab Israeli lawyer trained at Hebrew University, typically uses her language skills to represent international clients for an Atlanta law firm. When her boss is contacted by Jakob Brodsky, a young Jewish lawyer pursuing a lawsuit on behalf of the woman’s family under the US Anti-Terrorism laws, he calls on Hana’s expertise to take point on the case. After careful prayer, she joins forces with Jakob, and they quickly realize the need to bring in a third member for their team, an Arab investigator named Daud Hasan, based in Israel.

To unravel the case, this team of investigators travels from the streets of Atlanta to the alleys of Jerusalem, a world where hidden motives thrive, the risk of death is real, and the search for truth has many faces. What they uncover will forever change their understanding of justice, heritage, and what it means to be chosen for a greater purpose.

My Thoughts:  Robert Whitlow has become a favorite author of mine.  He pens about out.of.the.healine stories with a legal and suspenseful twist.

This story takes place in Israel.  And o,my!  this could be on our news headline.

It seems like a "regular" attack that takes place at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.  When the attack takes place a mom sacrifices her own life to save the life of her four year old daughter.

Hanna Abboud is a christian and works with the Atlanta law firm when her language skills are needed.  So when her boss is contacted about the Israeli woman's case. her boss asks Hana to join the legal forces on behalf of the family.  Hana is not sure so she takes time to pray about it and then agrees to help.  Before long Hana and Jakob realize they need more help in this matter and seek the help of an Arab investigate, Daud Hasan.

Soon the three are in the alleys of Jerusalem seeking motive and knowledge about the case. 

What a story!  Robert Whitlow takes us beyond a legal matter into a heart matter.  What people do for love, justice and county!

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 6, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718083040
• ISBN-13: 978-0718083045

Delayed Justice by Cara Putnam

Book Description:  Jaime Nichols went to law school to find the voice she never had as a child, and her determination to protect girls and women in the path of harm drives her in ways both spoken and unspoken. As Jaime, now a criminal defense attorney, prepares to press charges against someone who wronged her long ago, she must face not only her demons but also the unimaginable forces that protect the powerful man who tore her childhood apart.

Chandler Bolton, a retired veteran, is tasked with helping a young victim who must testify in court—and along with his therapy dog, Aslan, he’s up for the task. When he first meets Jaime, all brains, beauty, and brashness, he can’t help but be intrigued. As Chandler works to break through the wall Jaime has built around herself, the two of them discover that they may have more to offer one another than they ever could have guessed—and that together, they may be able to help this endangered child.

My Thoughts:  Having read the first two books in this Hidden Justice series I was excited to get the third book.  

In this novel Jaime Nichols is lawyer who is determined to protect women and girls from being victims of crime.

When Jaime was a young girl a horrible man with wealth made her a victim.  Jaime is determined to take him to court.  But since the horrible man has so much wealth and power it seems an impossible task.  

And then Jaime meets Chandler.

Together Jaime and Chandler need to work together bring delayed justice.
Okay, this story unraveled me a tad bit even though I have never been a victim.  I cried for Jaime.  So horrible and made me s little mad at her mother for not listening.

A great legal thriller with just enough romance and a whole lotta criminal activity and action to keep the reader on the edge of her seat.

It's the kind of read that makes one want to defend the young and all women.

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 16, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785217916
• ISBN-13: 978-0785217916

A Seat by the Hearth (An Amish Homestead Novel, Book 3) by Amy Clipston

Book Description:  Priscilla Allgyer left the community in hopes of escaping the expectations of Amish life. Now, years later, she is forced to return to the place she thought she’d left behind forever—along with her six-year-old son. Though once estranged from her family, Priscilla is welcomed by her mother, but her father is cold and strict. He allows Priscilla to stay with them provided she dresses plainly, confesses her sins, and agrees to marry within the community. Once again, she feels suffocated, trapped, and alone.

As Priscilla reluctantly completes her shunning, she catches the eye of Mark Riehl, a farmer with a playboy reputation. Wary of Mark, Priscilla barely gives him the time of day—while Mark, unused to being ignored by the women of Bird-in-Hand, won’t give up the pursuit of her friendship. Priscilla desperately needs a friend in Mark, even if she doesn’t realize it—and after Priscilla’s father and the bishop catch her and Mark in a compromising situation, the two are compelled to enter an awkward, unexpected engagement.

My Thoughts:  Amy Clipston is one of my favorite authors and I've enjoyed all three of the Amish Homestead novels.

I love the ease of reading this story of Priscilla Allyger and how she so desperately wants to leave/escape from the Amish community.

She leaves the community but as life would have it...she's back.  But now she has a six-year-old son.  

Her mother greets her with open arms but her father keeps the letter of the law.  Priscilla is welcome as long as she follows all the rules, again.  Priscilla feels trapped.

Then she meets Mark Riehl.  And he is a playboy.  Priscilla gives him a wide berth but he has his sights set one her.

She tires to keep Mark at arm's length but he keeps pursuing her and she does need a friend, desperately.  

And then the unthinkable happens, she and Mark are caught in a compromising situation.  Well, compromising to her dad and the bishop and so her dad and the bishop insist on Mark and Priscilla getting married. 

So, they enter an unexpected engagement.

This is not a typical Amish story.  It's a little more about not being so Amish.  

I was enthralled with Priscilla's story.  

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Series: An Amish Homestead Novel (Book 3)
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (November 13, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310349087
• ISBN-13: 978-0310349082

{Fiction Guild Blog Tour} Freedom's Light by Colleen Coble

Book Description:  Hannah Thomas believes she’s escaped Galen Wright’s evil intentions by marrying an older lighthouse keeper. Seemingly safe in faraway Massachusetts, her world is upended when John is killed in one of the first battles of the Revolutionary War. Hannah is allowed to continue the difficult task of tending the twin lighthouses in John’s place, though she faces daily disapproval from John’s family. She thinks her loneliness will subside when her younger sister arrives, but she finds Lydia’s obsession with Galen only escalates the dangerous tides swirling around her.

A stormy night brings a shipwrecked sea captain to Hannah’s door, and though he is a Tory, her heart is as traitorous as the dark-eyed captain. Even though she discovers Birch Meredith isn’t the enemy he seemed at first, Hannah isn’t sure their love will ever see the light of freedom.

My Thoughts: Historical romance is not my go to read but in this case because Colleen Coble wrote this story and because I am interested in the lighthouse I picked up this novel.  And because I read that Mrs. Coble had this script on her desk for years because she thought it wasn't a good book. 

Hannah Thomas married John to escape Galen's evil clutches.  Hannah feels that she will be safe tending to the lighthouse but then John dies in one of the first battles of the Revolutionary War Hannah wonders if she can mange the town lighthouses on her own.

But then her younger sister arrives and Hannah feels that he loneliness may subside....only her sister seems enthralled with Galen.  

Then one dark stormy night a shipwreck takes place near the lighthouse.

Is this ship wreck a godsend?  
This is quite a read!  So glad Mrs. Coble dusted of the manuscript and printed this story.

Some mystery, a little romance and a bit of history in this novel, Freedom's Light.

*This book was provided by The Fiction Guild*

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; Gld edition (September 11, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785219382
• ISBN-13: 978-0785219385
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches