A Tree, A Book, and A Breeze

Through Waters Deep Sarah Sundin Revell It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war. Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge. When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges--and dangers--await them.    Sarah Sundin is known for her fabulous World War II settings and relatable characters. This newest book throws something else into the mix- a good old-fashioned mystery.    As always, the characters were we...

A House Divided Robert Whitlow Thomas Nelson A father's mistakes nearly cost his children everything. Now his children must unite to take on the most important case of their respective careers.    Every once in a while I like to pick a random novel to shake up my reading habits, and A House Divided was my choice this time.    Part legal drama, part family drama, I liked it. of course, being no lawyer (and having no interest in being one whatsoever) a lot of the legal stuff went over my head (and all that paperwork that had to be done by the characters? ugh. Makes my head hurt just thinking about it)    However, I did like how the book showed people growing and overcoming, and I found the characters to be realistic. While I wouldn't say I really enjoyed  this book, because it was out of my interests, I thought it was well-written and I became fascinated with how everything was going to work out. Rating: 8 I received...

Luther and Katharina Jody Hedlund Waterbrook    When I first learned that this book was coming out, I was extremely excited. Y'see, I've always found the story of Martin Luther and his wife, Katharina Von Bora, fascinating, and while I'm not entirely positive what I think about writing novels about real people (simply because I don't think I'd like a novel written about me years after I'm dead) that didn't lessen my interest in this book. Then, of course, I saw the gorgeous cover and was even more determined to read it.    The historical background in the novel was interesting. I especially liked the first few chapters when Luther and Katharina first met; their conversations (arguments?) were most entertaining! The author didn't skimp on the religious nature of the reformation, either, which I appreciated.    The one thing that knocks the rating down on this one, though, is that it was too romance-y for me, and I wouldn't recommend it...

The Curiosity Keeper Sarah E. Ladd Thomas Nelson Camille Iverness can take care of herself. She’s done so since the day her mother abandoned the family and left Camille to run their shabby curiosity shop on Blinkett Street. But when a violent betrayal leaves her injured with no place to hide, Camille has no choice but to accept help from the mysterious stranger who came to her aid. Jonathan Gilchrist never wanted to inherit Kettering Hall. As a second son, he was content working as a village apothecary. But when his brother’s death made him heir just as his father’s foolish decisions put the estate at risk, only the sale of a priceless possession—a ruby called the Bevoy—can save the family from ruin. But the gem has disappeared. And all trails lead to Iverness Curiosity Shop—and the beautiful shop girl who may or may not be the answer to his questions. Curious circumstance throws them together, and an intricate dance of need and suspicion leads the couple from the seedy ba...

In Good Company Jen Turano Bethany House After spending her childhood in an orphanage, Millie Longfellow is determined to become the best nanny the East Coast has ever seen. Unfortunately, her playfulness and enthusiasm tend to bring about situations that have employers looking askance at her methods. After her most recent dismissal, Millie is forced to return yet again to an employment agency. Everett Mulberry has suddenly and quite unexpectedly found himself responsible for three children he’s never met. Attempting fatherhood while also pacifying the less-than-thrilled socialite he intends to marry is made even more complicated when the children scare off every nanny he hires. About to depart for Newport, Rhode Island, for the summer, he’s desperate for competent childcare. At wit’s end with both Millie and Everett, the employment agency gives them one last chance–with each other. Everett is wary of Millie’s penchant for disaster, and she’s not entirely keen on another sn...