Review: Into the Whirlwind

Into The Whirlwind

by: Elizabeth Camden

Genre: Christian Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction

Medium: Kindle Document 

Date Read: July 19, 2013

Stars: ★★★★☆

After her father's death, Mollie Knox takes over his watchmaking company and uses her head for business to solidify the good name of the 57th Illinois Watch Company. Her future looks bright until the night her beloved city is destroyed in the legendary Great Chicago Fire. With her world crumbling around her, Molly must do whatever it takes to save her company in the aftermath of the devastating fire.

Zack Kazmarek is an influential attorney with powerful ties to the political, mercantile, and ethnic roots of Chicago. His only weakness is Mollie Knox, a woman who has always been just beyond his reach. However, all bets are off after the fire destroys Chicago, and Mollie is in desperate need of assistance. Just as Zack finally begins to pursue the woman he loves, competition arises in the form of a hero from her past who can provide the help she needs to rise from the ashes.

While Mollie struggles to rebuild, the two men battle for her heart. One has always loved her, but the other has the power to save her. In the race to rebuild the city, can she survive with her business and her heart intact?

☆ ☆ ☆ My Review ☆ ☆ ☆

I struggle with book title's sometimes. Some are just a line from the book, perhaps it was significant to the author, but makes no sense to the reader. Sometimes its right, and sometimes its spot on. Into the Whirlwind did just that. As I dove into the first chapter, I was swept into a fire storm of events, relationships, people, places things! This tale starts six days before the historic Chicago fire, with Mollie Knox owner operater of 57th Watch Company trying to come to a decision as to what direction her company would go. Would she strike out on her own and end her relationship with the largest retailer in Chicago, or give into pressure for the store's Handsome lawyer and sign over her rights? And then disaster struck.


This tale was nothing if not gripping, and to be honest I found myself opening the app on my phone and reading snatches of it every-time I could. However there were still some points that found me not placing one more star in my rating. Though the book's premise seems to be about Mollie, to me, it felt as if we followed and got to know Zach a lot better; and we also could understand why Zach loved Mollie, we knew where Zack came from, how he fought tooth and toe nail to get where he was, we got to meet and know his family; whereas Mollie's sections of the story were very abrupt and by the time I finished the book I didn't feel as if I knew HER. I knew about her she's loyal, she's compassionate, head strong, and vocal; but also very mistrustful. But I didn't know why.


Though the lack of character depth in Mollie had me struggling at some points, I still have to hand it to Ms. Camden for another well written tale.

I recieved this book for free through Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

View all my reviews

What I'm Reading: Love in the Balance

Love in the Balance
by Regina Jennings

Genre: Christian Romance, Historical Romance

Medium: Kindle Book

Date Read: March 28, 2013
Stars: ★★★★☆

Reviewed for: Bethany House Publishers

Molly Lovelace dreams of a life without cares in Lockhart, Texas. She also dreams of handsome wrangler Bailey Garner, her ardent but inconsistent beau. The problem is, with Bailey's poor prospects, she just can't fit the two dreams together.

Then mysterious stranger Edward Pierrepont sweeps into town--and her life--and for the first time Molly wonders if she's met the man who can give her everything. But he won't be in Lockhart long and while he talks about their glorious future together, she can't quite get Bailey out of her mind.

What's a girl to do with all these decisions when love is in the balance?

* * * * * * * * 

I wasn't to sure what sort of story I was in for, after reading the first paragraph of Ms. Jennings "Love in the Balance."

"After all God has done for me, I still can't live in holiness. This week I harbored thoughts of impatience toward my husband."

What's this? A public confessional? What in the world.

As it turns out, I was in for a very interesting ride.

I'll admit to struggling to like Miss Molly at times, I can understand wanting to make "your guy" jealous, but going as far as marrying another guy is a bit much! There was more to it than that, but honestly the thought processes of these women boggle my mind a bit.

Are there people who really think like this for real, for real?

Edward seemed swarmy the entire time he was "on stage" if you will, there times when you want to root for the second love interest, or are conflicted between the two, but not in this case. It was a solid no go on Mr. Pierrepoint.

I really enjoyed getting to know Bailey, and I really don't think Molly deserved him. He matured and grew steadily nice guy, even with his "mistake" he learned from it and moved on. She seemed to be a bit more slow on the uptake, but eventually got there.

I gave this book four out of five stars because it was entertaining, felt a connection with some of the characters, and I couldn't put it down!

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest opinion.

WIR: Unrivaled

Unrivaled 

Author: Siri Mitchell 

Date Read: January 25, 2013 

Medium: Kindle Book

First Sentence: Soon, soon, soon. My thoughts kept tempo with the horses' hooves.

Genre: Christian Fiction, Romance,

I "Laughed Out Loud" Quote: "You're the prettiest girl I've ever seen? I want you to know you're the perfect VP Queen? When I found out about your father, I felt pretty mean? Listen to me! I was thinking in poetry."

Cover Rating: Loved it! Fits the characters in the book.

Reviewed for: NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers

Stars: ★★★★☆  

Three-Time Christy Finalist Pens Another Winning Historical Romance. Lucy Kendall always assumed she'd help her father in his candy-making business, creating recipes and aiding him in their shared passion. But after a year traveling in Europe, Lucy returns to 1910 St. Louis to find her father unwell and her mother planning to sell the struggling candy company. Determined to help, Lucy vows to create a candy that will reverse their fortunes. 
St. Louis newcomer Charlie Clarke is determined to help his father dominate the nation's candy industry. Compromise is not an option when the prize is a father's approval, and falling in love with a business rival is a recipe for disaster when only one company can win. Will these two star-crossed lovers let a competition that turns less than friendly sour their dreams?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -My Review - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

I never start a book without knowing whose in it, where its going, and what's supposed to happen and how it will get there. However this time I dove right in without knowing the story line. (And quickly backed out to figure out what in the world was going on in here!) 

So lets meet the heroine. Lucy Kendall, daughter of one-candy-wonder [first name] Kendell, owner of City Confectionery; also extremely obsessed with eating and creating candy. And kinda of bossy, and extremely self-centered if I do say so myself.

Our hero Charles (Charlie) Clark, jail bird, is the son of a determined business owner (who just happens to be the rival candy company

Upon returning home from a lengthy tour of Europe, Lucy is more than eager to share all of her latest candy finds with family and friends, only to find out her father is very sick, and their company on the brink of ruin. Determined to single-handily bring the company back to its former state of glory, she tackles the task of creating the "next big thing" with gusto.

And fails.
And Fails.
And fails yet again.

Lucy Kendall annoyed me for the majority of the book. She was so focused on what SHE wanted she failed to try and understand her mother's point of view. For most of the book I got the distinct impression, all she her was her mother say "this isn't good" and completely disregarded other valid points she brought up. Though I, myself can understand Lucy's feelings, its just seems worse when you read it, than when you're the one behaving as such.

But I digress.

At the same time, our hero is busily changing his life, and helping his father (successfully I might add) promote his candy business, while trying to grapple with the fact that he is a rival to the pretty Miss Kendall. Despite the lengths she went to destroy his father's company he still hangs on to the bitter... (mostly) end.

All in all, I gave this book four stars out of five.

"I really liked it"

Thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for my free review copy.

What I'm Reading

The Tutor's Daughter 
by: Julie Klassen

Genre: Christian Romance, Historical Romance

Medium: Kindle Book
Published: January 1, 2013

Date Read: January 11, 2013
Reviewed for: Bethany House Publishers 
Stars: ★★★★☆

Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father regain his spirits when his academy fails, agrees to travel with him to the distant Cornwall coast, to the cliff-top manor of a baronet and his four sons. But after they arrive and begin teaching the younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen and danger mounts. Who does Emma hear playing the pianoforte, only to find the music room empty? Who sneaks into her room at night? Who rips a page from her journal, only to return it with a chilling illustration?

The baronet's older sons, Phillip and Henry, wrestle with problems--and secrets--of their own. They both remember Emma Smallwood from their days at her father's academy. She had been an awkward, studious girl. But now one of them finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her.

When the suspicious acts escalate, can the clever tutor's daughter figure out which brother to blame... and which brother to trust with her heart?

I love reviewing author's whose work I'm familiar with, you go into each new book with the feeling of seeing an old friend after a long absence. However this meeting was a bit stilted, it has been a while since her last book, and I felt like it took a bit more work to get to the story line. THe first couple of chapters our heroine Emma, spends a lot of time in history, remembering this time, remembering that time, to the point you wonder if we're ever going to get out of her mind and hit the present time!

I also felt like it took a while for us to meet the secondary character Henry Weston, though he is often referenced in the mind of Miss Smallwood; and a bit longer to realize there is a mystery going on here.

But once the story is rounded out, it progresses quickly and we're able to dive fully into the Weston/Smallwood world. There are many moments when you catch your breath, and more still that have you holding your breath as the characters find themself trapped in...

Well that would be giving away the story now would it! :)

What I'm Reading: Short Straw Bride

Short-Straw Bride
Karen Witemeyer 
No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk. Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again. Four brothers. Four straws. One bride. Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she determines to stand by his side against the enemy that threatens them both. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride?

My Review: 

I've read several books by Karen Witemeyer and was intrigued by the plot of this book. Meredith Hayes is a spunky (heh) young lady, who isn't afraid to stand up for what she believes is right. Though a bit thoughtless at times, she is a lovable character, as is her cousin Cassie. This story is full of action as Meredith dodges a wedding to a rogue only to find herself forced into another one, this one much more promising than the first. After all Travis Archer is the man she's been dreaming about since she was 12. [Why doesn't stuff like this happen to me?]

I felt some of the parts of the book were a bit far fetched.. for instance the Archer brothers never stepped foot off their ranch? Really? Because their father died in an accident? And felt the climatical (yes I just made up a word) fight scene at the end, was chaotic to read! :)

 In the end I give it three stars, I liked it!

I received this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.