Fiction Friday: Along Wooded Paths
In April, I reviewed Tricia’ Goyer’s Beside Still Waters. After reading the cliff-hanger ending, I urged Tricia on Facebook to hurry up with book #2, so she did (yeah, I have that kind of influence…). Along Wooded Paths picks up where the first book ended. Her characters are real and the tension is maintained through the book. I've enjoyed a setting other than Lancaster County for these books.
All she wanted was a simple Amish life . . . But now Marianna Sommer finds herself depending on Englisch neighbors. Although proud of living apart from the world, she and her newly relocated Amish family have discovered that life in the remote mountains of Montana requires working together.
As Marianna begins helping those different from herself—and receiving their help—her heart contemplates two directions. She’s torn between the Amish man from Indiana whom she has long planned on marrying and the friendly Englischer who models a closer walk with God than she’s ever seen before.
Who should have young Marianna’s heart? What is God asking her to sacrifice? Her traditions? Her community? The answer is found along the wooded paths and makes a perfect segue to book #3, which Tricia has already finished.
Tricia always celebrates a new book with a bang, and this one is no exception. Tricia is celebrating the release of Along Wooded Paths with a Fabulous Facebook party on October 18th. She'll be giving away prizes and a sneak peak at the next book in the Big Sky series. Then during the second half of the party she'll be hosting a LIVE AUTHOR CHAT on her website and announcing something BIG! CLICK the button (below) to RSVP for the party - then go here to sign up for the Live Author Chat.
Labels: Amish, book review, fiction
Friday, June 10, 2011
Fiction Friday: Patchwork Dreams
I confess. I enjoy Amish fiction, which has become one of the most popular genres of Christian fiction. So I was delighted to be invited to review Patchwork Dreams by Laura V. Hilton.
Patchwork Dreams is a simple story, with a twist I haven't seen in Amish fiction – a heroine who returns from her rumschpringe pregnant and unwed. Although Becky has confessed her sin and joined the church, she remains an outcast in the community. She has reconciled herself to live as a maidal in her parents’ home or be married to an older widower.
Then Jacob Miller comes to the family farm to help with chores for the summer. Unbeknownst to him, his father sent Jacob there to distance him from Susie, his sweetheart in Pennsylvania.
It’s little surprise that boy meets girl, kindling romantic sparks that neither seems capable of dealing with. The entire story chronicles the terrible communication between these two and the misunderstandings that ensue. Neither seems capable of clear, open, honest communication, resulting in a painfully predictable, formulaic plot. Lacking a subplot, the story soon became tedious. I found the characters annoying, wanting them to just say what they’re thinking! It’s a very simple love story. Quite readable. At times enjoyable. But not exceptional.
Labels: Amish, book review, fiction
Friday, March 18, 2011
Fiction Friday: When the Devil Whistles
If you like suspense with lots of twists and turns, you’ll love When the Devil Whistles by my friend Rick Acker.
Allie Whitman is a whistle blower. She and attorney Connor Norman love to make devils of the corporate giants pay for their crimes. But this time, they may have gotten in too deep and their lives are at risk. As the plot thickens, Allie must face her own giants and decide what’s important in life. And of course, there’s a hint of romance just to keep things interesting.
Acker has done a masterful job of developing both plot and characters. While he stretches reality in a few places, the story holds together and is a real page-turner.
Acker is a Deputy Attorney General for the State of California’s Department of Justice. His unit prosecutes corporate fraud lawsuits like this one, so he brings a lot of real-life credibility to the story.
Labels: book review, fiction, suspense
Friday, November 05, 2010
Fiction Friday: Farraday Road
Farraday Road by Ace Collins is an unusual book. I received it from Zondervan about a year ago, but have been backlogged with blog tours and since this one was unsolicited, I didn’t read it until I was sick this week.
The book starts with a murder, a disappearance, and the subsequent investigation. Reads like a typical cop-murder mystery. Fast paced and earthy. All-business female cop, wealthy victim. The requisite twists and turns. The mystery moves from the victims to Swope’s Ridge, a splendid piece of property in the Ozarks. Then a little more than halfway through it takes a sharp turn to the unlikely. It moves from believable to fanciful to fantastical. Coincidences become increasingly less believable in a National Treasure or Indiana Jones sort of way. A charming new character is introduced, but in a contrived way. More twists and turns, and then it becomes clear. There aren’t enough pages for the various mysteries to resolve. And sure enough, just as another plot element is introduced, to be continued…
I enjoyed the read, but was terribly disappointed with the sales gimmick designed to assure the sale of book two.I don't mind series. I don't mind leaving some elements unresolved. but this was a little too much.
Labels: book review, fiction