Review: Song of Silence

Song of Silence
By Cynthia Ruchti
Abingdon, 2016


Summary

Music taught Lucy love and beauty. Could silence teach her hope?

Lucy and Charlie Tuttle agree on one thing: they’re committed to each other for life. Trouble is, neither of them expected life to look like this. Charlie retired early, but Lucy is devoted to a long-term career . . . until the day she has no choice.

Forced to retire from her position as music educator in a small Midwestern K-8 school, Lucy can only watch helplessly as the program her father started years ago disintegrates before her eyes. As the music fades and a chasm separates her form the passion of her heart, Lucy wonders if her faith’s song has gone silent, too. The musical score of her life seems to be missing all the notes.

When a simple misstep threatens to silence Lucy forever, a young boy and his soundless mother change the way she sees—and hears—everything.


My thoughts

Poignant … elegant … intelligent … funny … compelling … a classic. An inspirational gem of wisdom, healing and hope. A musical composition that speaks to the innermost recesses of the heart.  Song of Silence is all this and more. Serious life situations are dealt with, but the injection of delightful wit and humor keeps readers smiling.

On the one hand, this is an engaging story with complex characterization. But look further and you will discover spiritual depths that cry out to be plumbed. Song of Silence hooked me from the beginning and never let go. It made me laugh and cry … encouraged me to identify with the characters in a personal way … led me to think, look inward, and reflect on how God has worked in my life. In fact, these things can be said about all of Cynthia’s books.

Cynthia’s lyrical writing style alone makes this story worth reading, one example being her gift at vivid descriptions, such as, “Sam’s face looked like tolerance with a thin mask of interest.” And the spiritual insight packs a punch. I don’t know when I’ve connected so strongly with the very essence of a book, identifying with the main character and all that happened to her. Lucy, a gifted musician who had lived her passion for almost twenty years of teaching music to children, abruptly finds herself shut out as a result of school board budget cuts. Too young to retire but too old to retool, her life and emotions began spiraling out of control. I suspect many readers can identify with Lucy’s thoughts along with me . . . Lucy entertained a mental picture of God flailing His arms to get her attention. He was thinner than she’d imagined. Probably from all that exertion.

From the themes of dealing with life’s disappointments, to a loss of identity derived from what we do, I was struck with thoughts of “been there, felt that.” Song of Silence will force you to examine your life's passion - Is it God's also? And what if that passion was suddenly stripped away? But of greatest impact to me is Cynthia’s overarching musical theme woven throughout. The parallel between musical compositions and the seasons of life, as well as the spiritual purpose of musical rests/pauses/silence is eye opening. Being still and waiting patiently doesn’t always come easily.

Lucy’s husband, Charlie, might seem oblivious to certain things, but he loves Lucy and their children with a fierce passion that outweighs all else. In another theme that hits close to home, I could relate to Lucy’s frustrations – and I loved the “He’s home all the time” (HHATT) book club! Song of Silence also speaks to the various stages of marriage, offering meaningful thoughts like . . . This was what an enduring marriage looked like. Giving undeserved passes for the relatively small things as practice for giving undeserved passes for the big things.

Magnificent works of art are described as masterpieces, and that aptly describes this story that is relevant for readers of all ages. Song of Silence is encouragement for those times of disappoint and loss, times when God seems silent, and a vibrant reminder that we serve a God who gives new songs.

Highly recommended.

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Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed in hope. She’s the award-winning author of 17 books and a frequent speaker for women’s ministry events. She serves as the Professional Relations Liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers, where she helps retailers, libraries, and book clubs connect with the authors and books they love. She lives with her husband in Central Wisconsin.

WEBSITE │ FACEBOOK │ TWITTER │ GOODREADS

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Litfuse landing page:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/cruchti

Review: Silence of the Lamps

Silence of the Lamps
By Karen Rose Smith
Caprice De Luca Home Staging Series, #5
Kensington Publishing, 2016


Summary

Business has never been better for home stager Caprice De Luca, but her personal life could stand a few renovations. Just when she thought things were getting serious with her boyfriend Grant, his pretty ex-wife swoops into town and nabs his attention. Uncle Dom is living with her parents and desperately needs a new job. And her sister Nikki's catering business is threatened when rival Drew Pierson starts eating away at her share of the market.

Things could not possibly get more chaotic when Drew is found bludgeoned to death by one of his grandmother's antique Tiffany lamps--and Nikki is the number one suspect. Now, Caprice must act fast to illuminate the truth and clear her sister's name--before a cold-blooded killer puts her lights out next . . .


My thoughts

The Caprice De Luca Home Staging series is perfect for anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries, and no explicit scenes or profanity will be found. Although Silence of the Lamps can stand alone, I recommend reading the series in order for a better sense of character development. Familiar characters put in an appearance, Caprice’s sister, Nikki, is linked to the murder victim, and there’s an unexpected wrinkle in Caprice’s relationship with Grant, from which she learns some important lessons in trust.

I look for character depth in what I read and that is one of my favorite things about this series – because that’s not always something you find in mysteries. Caprice is a totally loveable character, aptly described by the term “free spirit” … She’s extremely knowledgeable and talented at interior design and staging high-end homes, her dress is colorfully retro, she has a deep love and nurturing spirit for animals, and family means the world to her. I got a kick when she told a friend that dressing in her retro style gave her lots more from which to choose, and she’s right!

The mystery plot is well developed and, rather than being filled with suspenseful action, involves the logical, step-by-step questioning of potential suspects – a style that I enjoy very much. I’ve come to know Caprice, her Italian family, love interests, and pets more with each book, which makes me eagerly anticipate beginning a new story. Karen gives occasional descriptions of home staging and tidbits about pets, all of which I found interesting and enriching to the story. Karen is a rescuer of cats herself, and I love how that passion shines through in all that she writes.

Silence of the Lamps is a true “comfort” read for me and I highly recommend it, as well as the whole series, to all who enjoy cozy mysteries. Book #6, Shades of Wrath, releases December 2016.

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        After writing romances for twenty years, Karen Rose Smith is excited to see her Caprice De Luca home-stager mystery series published. Her sleuth reflects many of her interests: ­interior decorating, cooking, retro fashion, gardening, and, most of all, taking in stray animals.
        Married to her college sweetheart, Karen has convinced her husband that felines can make purr-fect housemates. They share their home in the Susquehanna Valley of Pennsylvania with their three rescued cats.

WEBSITE │ FACEBOOK │ TWITTER

Thank you to Karen and Kensington Publishing for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Interview + GIVEAWAY: A Dream of Miracles

Congratulations to Debbie on winning a copy of A Dream of Miracles! Thank you to Litfuse Publicity and Thomas Nelson Publishing for making this possible.

I think of Ruth Reid, not as an Amish fiction author, but as a very gifted author who just happens to write Amish fiction. As I said in my review of A Dream of Miracles (click title to see my thoughts), there’s nothing “typical” or “traditional” about Ruth’s writing. A Dream of Miracles ranks among the best books I’ve read, Amish or otherwise. There’s a different element to her stories, for they break the boundaries of Amish fiction wide open, capturing me from page one with its emotional pull and character depth.

I want to thank Christen Krumm at Litfuse Publicity for allowing me to offer this giveaway. To help you get to know a little more about Ruth and her newest book, here is part of her Litfuse interview:


About writing . . .

Q:  What are your ideal writing conditions?

I write in silence most of the times. Although since my daughter found that studying for tests easier was at Panera Bread, I now take my computer and Sarah takes her books and note cards on evenings she needs to study. We order supper, sit at separate tables, and work. Surprisingly, we’ve both gotten a lot accomplished in the noisy environment.


Q:  If you could write in a different genre, which would you choose?

I’d love to one day write medical suspense/thrillers.


Q:  If you could have lunch with any literary character, who would it be and why?

Miss Clara from War Room. I found Miss Clara’s character to be very inspiring and spending any amount of time with her would be up lifting and positive.


Q:  Favorite first line of a book:

“I promise my name—not my heart.” ~Josiah Plank, A Miracle of Hope.


Q:  If you were trapped in a book, what fictional place would you like to explore?

Definitely the old west on a cattle drive, or as a pony express rider.


Q:  What would the title of your biography be?

Ruth Reid: Child of God—Woman of Faith


Q:  If you could live a day in one of your characters’ lives, who would you choose?

I would choose Joy Stolzfus from Her Christmas Pen Pal Explain: I’m not much of a baker so I think it’d be fun to spend a day in the Stolzfus bakery and learn how to make some of her delicious recipes.


About A Dream of Miracles . . .

Q:  Tell us a bit about the story behind your latest novel. Where did you find inspiration?

        Working in the healthcare field over twenty-five years, I’ve seen miracles, which have stunned the medical staff as well as situations that are often not what they seem. Sadly, sometimes things are handled wrong. Outcomes are not always miraculous.
        In A Dream of Miracles, Mattie Diener is an Amish widow and mother of two young children. When her son becomes sick, she takes him to the local doctor, only the normal doctor is on vacation and the woman taking his place is a new physician, unfamiliar with the Amish, and quickly makes accusations that send Mattie’s life into a whirlwind.


Q:  What trait do you love most about your main character?

I love Mattie’s trusting nature.


Q:  When readers get to the last page, what do you hope they take away from the story?

My goal is that readers will feel the presence of God. His love, His grace, His mercy, and the miraculous ways He guides us in our daily lives.


Q:  What are you working on next?

I’m currently working on Abiding Mercy (out 2017), the first book in the Amish Mercies series.

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GIVEAWAY

To enter the drawing for A Dream of Miracles, please click this link and share my Facebook post, then leave a comment here. If you’ve read any of Ruth’s books and have a favorite, please share that here as well.

I try to promote on social media, but the best way to keep up with my reviews and occasional giveaways is to subscribe by e-mail in the top right corner (no pressure intended).

BE SURE to leave your name and your email address in a safe format - [at] and [dot] - for the drawing. E-mail required for entry. Contest ends at midnight PST on Sunday, May 8. Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail.

Eligibility: US residents

The INSPY Awards – 2016 Shortlist

Congratulations to all these authors whose titles made the 2016 INSPY Awards shortlist!! That in itself is an honor to be cherished. Personally, I keep a list of INSPY and Christy nominees over the years and read from them in categories that I enjoy. What gems can be found there!

The INSPYs are special to me because they were created by bloggers and nominations come from both the Christian booksellers’ domain and the general marketplace. Here is what they’re about, as posted on their website. I encourage you to visit inspys.com, where you can also see awards from previous years.

        Recognizing the need for a new kind of book award, the INSPYs were created by bloggers to discover and highlight the very best in literature that grapples with expressions of the Christian faith ... The INSPYs are not about conforming to expectations, they are about faith and literary excellence. Additionally, this program is organized and judged by book bloggers who have considerable experience and knowledge of books published for both the CBA markets and the general market. It is our sincere hope that the INSPYs will serve readers in their search for the very best of faith inspired literature being published today.

So … what are your thoughts? Have you read many of these books? In the categories that I enjoy, I’ve read eight so far, with several others being in my TBR pile.

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE/ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

London Tides (David C. Cook) by Carla Laureano

The Dandelion Field (Zondervan) by Kathryn Springer

Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Howard) by Beth K. Vogt

A Love Like Ours (Bethany House) by Becky Wade

The Wonder of You (Tyndale House) by Susan May Warren

DEBUT FICTION

The Thorn Bearer (Vinspire Publishing) by Pepper D. Basham

Jaded (David C. Cook) by Varina Denman

A Noble Masquerade (Bethany House) by Kristi Ann Hunter

Love’s Rescue (Revell) by Christine Johnson

Irish Meadows (Bethany House) by Susan Anne Mason

GENERAL FICTION

A Cup of Dust (Kregel) by Susie Finkbeiner

The Art of Losing Yourself (Waterbrook Press) by Katie Ganshert

Secrets She Kept (Tyndale House) by Cathy Gohlke

Water From My Heart (Center Street) by Charles Martin

The Brontë Plot (Thomas Nelson) by Katherine Reay

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

The Wood’s Edge (WaterBrook) by Lori Benton

Not by Sight (Bethany House) by Kate Breslin

The Mistress of Tall Acre (Revell) by Laura Frantz

Luther and Katharina (Waterbrook Press) by Jody Hedlund

Through Waters Deep (Revell) by Sarah Sundin

MYSTERY AND THRILLER

The Last Con (Thomas Nelson) by Zachary Bartels

A.D. 33 (Center Street) by Ted Dekker

Vendetta (Revell) by Lisa Harris

Falcon (Shiloh Run Press) by Ronie Kendig

The Bones Will Speak (Thomas Nelson) by Carrie Stuart Parks

LITERATURE FOR YOUNG ADULTS

Season of Fire (Blink) by Lisa T. Bergren

Shades of Doon (Blink) by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon

The Choosing (Tyndale House) by Rachelle Dekker

An Uncertain Choice (Zondervan) by Jody Hedlund

Siren’s Fury (Thomas Nelson) by Mary Weber

SPECULATIVE FICTION

The Methuselah Project (Kregel) by Rick Barry

Heir of Hope (Enclave Publishing) by Morgan L. Busse

The Shock of Night (Bethany House) by Patrick W. Carr

The Curse of Crow Hollow (Thomas Nelson) by Billy Coffey

Embers (Enclave Publishing) by Ronie Kendig

Review: The Magnolia Duchess

The Magnolia Duchess
By Beth White
Gulf Coast Chronicles, #3
Revell, 2016


Summary

As the War of 1812 rages across the newly formed United States, another war rages in Fiona Lanier's heart--one that threatens to tear her family apart.

Fiona can scarcely take in the news of her brother's capture and imprisonment by the British Navy. It is almost as unbelievable as the half-drowned British sailor who is washed ashore on the beach of Navy Cove.

Charlie Kincaid claims to have no memory of his life before being discovered by Fiona, but in a world that seems saturated with treachery, she cannot be sure he is telling the truth.

As Charlie's memory returns in agonizing jags and crashes, he and Fiona discover that falling in love may be as inevitable as the tide. But when political allegiances collide, they'll each have to decide where their true loyalty lies.


My thoughts

Beth White has another winner with The Magnolia Duchess – actually, the whole series is a winner with me. Each story is highly entertaining and can stand alone because of different generations being featured, but reading the series in order will provide the most fulfilling reading experience. Book #2, The Creole Princess, was my favorite by a slight edge and it was wonderful to see Rafa and Lyse again, “still in love with one another after more than thirty years, eyes flirting, finishing one another’s sentences.”

Beth brings the early American Gulf Coast setting to life with a knowledge and passion about this area that I found fascinating. I mean, who knew that the Pensacola/Mobile/New Orleans area had such a tumultuous past with English, French and Spanish involvement in the fight for control? Add Indian tribes and pirates to the mix and things get even crazier. The Magnolia Duchess is a perfect blend of wartime themes and personal stories, with the essential military elements never becoming overpowering.

Romance fans will certainly be pleased with not one, but three exciting relationships. Great chemistry between Charlie and Fiona! “Charlie’s sudden arrival had yanked aside the curtain of time, flung open the window, and all but blinded Fiona.” Rafa and Lyse’s daughter, Maddy, and Desi, General Jackson’s interpreter, are strong secondary characters. Their romance is one of my favorite parts.

As I think back over this story, the words freedom and patriotism come to mind. There’s an emotional complexity involved because it was a time in which loyalties were divided, and hearts struggled with the conflict over duty vs. feelings.

“Could one really go to sleep as a Briton and

awaken as an American? How to settle the conflict

between responsibility and treason?”

– Charlie

I loved how Charlie grew spiritually, but there was something especially moving in seeing things afresh through Charlie's eyes, things that we sometimes take for granted . . . A commissioned officer in His Majesty’s service gradually coming to understand the value America placed on freedom, and that Americans wouldn’t give up.

Recommended to all who enjoy historical romance.

Click on these titles to see my reviews of the previous two books in this series:
The Pelican Bride
The Creole Princess

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Beth White's day job is teaching music at an inner-city high school in historic Mobile, Alabama. A native Mississippian, she writes historical romance with a Southern drawl and is the author of The Pelican Bride and The Creole Princess. Her novels have won the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award, the RT Book Club Reviewers' Choice Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award.

WEBSITE │ TWITTER │ PINTEREST

Thank you to Revell for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review: A Dream of Miracles

A Dream of Miracles
By Ruth Reid
Amish Wonders, #3
Thomas Nelson, 2016


Summary

Amish widow Mattie vows never to love again . . . until a suspicious outsider with a shadowy past comes crashing into her fragile world.

Mattie Diener can barely keep it together. A young Amish widow and mother of two young children, she faces the lingering heartbreak of lost love, her son's mysterious illness, and a torrent of accusations that threaten to undo her.

Bo Lambright is a fast-rising social services investigator whose high-society mother won't rest until she finds his Mrs. Right. Despite Bo's worldly success, the raw ache of a shadowy past and a series of unsettling dreams have left him reeling.

When Mattie and Bo cross paths, all signs point to disaster. Yet as they face a crucible of trials and tragedies together, longings begin to stir that seem destined only to end in more heartbreak. Is a miracle possible---not only of healing but of forbidden love? What secrets lie in Bo's dreams? And will Mattie find the courage to face her uncertain future . . . or will she simply run away?


My thoughts

Don’t go by the cover and assume that this is a typical, traditional Amish story – because let me tell you, there’s nothing “typical” or “traditional” about it! A Dream of Miracles ranks among the best books I’ve read, Amish or otherwise. There’s a different element to Ruth Reid’s writing, and A Dream of Miracles breaks the boundaries of Amish fiction wide open, capturing me from page one with its emotional pull and character depth. Ruth writes with knowledge and authority when it comes to the Amish and healthcare, drawing from her wealth of experience in this industry. Most people are referring to suspense when they say that they couldn’t put a book down, but that’s exactly how I felt about this story, for the emotional suspense of relationship drama is what hooks me every time.

Grand Island Light

The Badger Creek community of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula area provides a wonderful backdrop for this story and Ruth conveys its beauty vividly. Pictured on the right is a unique wooden lighthouse that Bo could see from his boat on Lake Superior.

Englisch and Amish worlds harshly collide as Mattie becomes the target of a Child and Family Services investigation, and the chasm between these two worlds becomes glaringly apparent. We see a lack of knowledge about the Amish, judgmental attitudes, and no desire to learn more.  Themes explore the bond between mother and child – not only Mattie and her children, but Bo and his mother as well – foster care, removing children from the home, and clinging to faith when life makes no sense.

As a mother, connecting with Mattie and her struggles was immediate. And Bo is such an appealing character, with his heart for those who are hurting and his drive to do the right thing rather than merely follow procedure. One secondary theme that I found especially touching was Mattie’s caregiving of a little lamb that wasn’t thriving. What beautiful imagery of the Good Shepherd who watches over and protects us!

I love this quote graphic because it captures the spiritual essence of A Dream of Miracles so perfectly and is something I never want to forget:  Be strong. Be still. Be faithful. God is in control. Ruth expressed her goal for readers in a Litfuse interview and this is exactly how I felt throughout the story: “My goal is that readers will feel the presence of God. His love, His grace, His mercy, and the miraculous ways He guides us in our daily lives.”

Ruth Reid is a “not to be missed” author for me and A Dream of Miracles goes on my favorites list. Highly recommended to all readers.

Click on the title, A Miracle of Hope, to see my review of the first book in this series.

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        Ruth Reid is a CBA and ECPA bestselling author of the Heaven on Earth series. She's a full-time pharmacist who lives in Florida with her husband and three children.
        When attending Ferris State University School of Pharmacy in Big Rapids, Michigan, she lived on the outskirts of an Amish community and had several occasions to visit the Amish farms. Her interest grew into love as she saw the beauty in living a simple life.

WEBSITE │ FACEBOOK │ TWITTER │ PINTEREST

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Litfuse landing page:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/rreid