ReviewsByErin

World War II and the present day collide in an intriguing way in this new novel by Rick Barry. Our story opens in 1943, when fighter pilot Roger Greene is shot down while flying a mission over Germany. Against his will, Roger becomes part of a Nazi scientific experiment - an experiment that leaves his body functioning at a higher rate than ever seen before. With his cells able to rapidly regenerate, Roger stops aging and is a medical marvel. Even as the doctors overseeing the project grow old and die, Roger remains a youthful prisoner trapped in an underground bunker.

The story alternates between Roger's decades in captivity and a contemporary plot involving Katherine Mueller, a young woman whose rich uncle is pressuring her to become part of a secret organization which exists to make the world a better place. Even as Katherine goes through the training to advance in the Heritage Organization, she doesn't understand what exactly this group is all about. Why is everything so secret? Surely her uncle - whom she loves even if he is eccentric and controlling - couldn't be involved in anything that would be alarming. She just needs to trust him and trust the HO.

The excitement keeps building as you know Roger is going to get out of that bunker eventually, whether by release or escape, and cross paths with Katherine. In a world that has vastly changed over the past 70 years, you wonder how Roger will be able to adapt and if anyone will possibly believe his crazy story. The pace moves quickly and tension is high as the twists and turns unfold.

There was so much to enjoy with this book! I liked the way the plot was split between the past and the present, and felt like the tale of Roger's captivity was very realistic, his faith touching as he learned to take comfort in God alone. The mix of history, action, and speculative science was pleasant to my reading palate, and I had no idea how the book would end until the final pages. This is one I'd definitely recommend!




I received my copy of the book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for this honest review. All opinions are my own. If you would like to read what other people are saying about "The Methuselah Project," click here.

Tension ran high in the United States in 1941. Europe and Asia were embroiled in another war, and Americans were divided about whether her military should be involved or remain neutral. Working as a secretary at the Boston Navy Yard, Mary Stirling has a front row seat to the construction of new battleships, and her ears are full of the rumors of sabotage among the workers.

When Jim Avery is assigned to a newly-commissioned ship in Boston, he's delighted when his paths cross with Mary, a childhood friend. Jim isn't looking for a relationship right before he ships out, but he's happy to see a familiar face and have someone to visit with on his days off. When Mary tells him about the sabotage rumors and her desire to do something to help gather evidence by inconspicuously using shorthand to record the conversations she overhears, Jim is full of encouragement.

Cynthia Ruchti is quickly becoming a favorite author, as she has a special gift for reaching into hearts and leaving behind tendrils of hope. Her books have the unique ability to instill in the spirit a desire to connect with God and what He is doing - especially if what He is doing is not what we want or expect and instead seems dark and strange. In those times it would be easy to sink into despair, but Cynthia steps in and offers this thought in Chapter 1: "People are tattered. Some say, 'Then let's make tattered fashionable.' But God invites us to mend."

To help us grasp how God desires to mend our tattered souls, Cynthia illustrated how master craftsmen restore things like tapestries, quilts, art, stained glass, jewelry, etc. She tells about the expert knowledge each artisan must have, and the painstaking care that goes into each project. Who has more expert knowledge of souls and spirits than their Creator? And His care for His children far surpasses the most delicate mending techniques the world has known.

I loved that Cynthia doesn't brush past the things that wound our lives. "Pain is not a choice," she affirms on page 163. I don't think any of us would choose it if it were something we could pass by. But nothing touches our lives without God's knowledge, and He has a plan for our recovery from the very beginning. "That's the artistic eye. It sees pre-art in our tatteredness. Before the crisis hits, he's planned what he'll do here, and here, and here, to allow the art to emerge from the dark, cold, damp cave of pain." (Chapter 10)

Seeing God work beauty from our worst moments doesn't mean they are no longer part of our lives. "Have you ever assumed, like I have, that the only legitimate healing is complete healing? The only soul-mending that counts is eliminating the pain, fully restoring what was lost, reclaiming everything we once had? What if sometimes, rarely but sometimes, the outline of the hurt tells the story more effectively than if it were erased? Undetectable? No evidence we were ever wounded? What if?" (Chapter 5) We aren't in charge of our healing. We can cooperate with God and let Him work His artistry on our worn places, knowing that what He chooses for the repair still might not be what we would choose. But His faithfulness and His ability to weave beauty is not limited by human scope.

This book ministered to me in a very personal way. I had grown weary and tired of my life's struggles - the tears in the fabric, the frayed edges that I can do nothing about. To be reminded of all the ways God is working and using these things in my life brought an incredible strength. I believe anyone who is going through a time of feeling worn and wondering if God could possibly be working good through their present circumstances would benefit greatly from this book. Be sure to put on some good worship music, surround yourself with loving community, and remember that our Father has a multitude of ways He is working to, as the chapter titles in this book put it, rescue, reconstruct, recycle, restore, reclaim, repair, recover, redeem, refurbish, and regenerate you and your tattered soul.

I received my copy of the book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for this honest review. All opinions are my own. If you would like to read what other people are saying about "Tattered and Mended," click here.





How can the wounds that keep us from living the life we want to live be mended and healed? In Tattered and Mended, Cynthia Ruchti walks readers through a gallery of reclaimed and restored art as well as broken and restored lives of those who have gone before us. With a gentle touch and personable wisdom, Cynthia shows how even the most threadbare soul can once again find healing and hope.

Celebrate the release of Tattered and Mended with Cynthia by entering to win her Reclaimed Treasures giveaway!



One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Tattered and Mended


• A vintage flatware key ring


• A handcrafted "broken china" charm bracelet


• A recycled guitar string bracelet

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 27th. The winner will be announced July 28th on Cynthia's blog.

Plus, now through mid-July, sign up for Cynthia's mailing list for a five-day virtual tour around Madeline Island for the chance to win a Hemmed in Hope prize pack. Each day begins with an email from Cynthia that introduces where you'll be “visiting” that day (all key places from As Waters Gone By) with various interactive elements, including“I wish you were here” postcards, trivia quizzes, and an ongoing Island scavenger hunt. The person who interacts the most will win a Hemmed in Hope prize pack (valued at more than $200).

That includes:

• The letterpress block Hope sign from DaySpring


• A set of 6 Hemmed in Hope notecards showing a hope-themed Bible verse


• A leather “I can’t unravel, I’m hemmed in hope” journal


• Signed copies of each of Cynthia’s books, fiction and non-fiction

The subtitle of this book caught my attention immediately: "How To Be a Safe Haven For Other Women." I have been blessed with those who have been safe havens for me, and my desire as a sister, teacher, and friend myself is to develop relationships that would foster safety and closeness. I was hoping that this book would be helpful in encouraging me or showing me other ways to open doors with the women in my life.

Unfortunately from the second chapter I got a vibe that I just couldn't shake for the rest of the book. The author describes how she was at church one Sunday and could tell something was wrong with a friend, but when she asked about the problem the friend didn't want to say what was going on. So the author told her, "If you can't tell me the truth, we can't be close friends" (page 44). Say what? That is a very emotionally manipulative statement and not the kind of thing that we should be promoting as good communication. Any sign of manipulation is a huge red flag for me, and I wanted to stop reading the book right then and there.

I was also disappointed with the content in the fact that there wasn't much besides common sense in how to form close relationships. Live well ourselves, be forgiving, be vulnerable, don't try to fix people but encourage them where they are. All fellow Christians need encouragement, and as women we can do much to help our sisters in Christ along the way.

There were some quotes that I really thought were good. "As adults, we can't expect others to read our minds, so we must name our grief out loud. This is not a sign of weakness, but of humility" (page 81). I often struggle with speaking my personal pain and inviting others to share it with me. Learning to ask for help when you have a caretaker personality is an ongoing process. I also really liked this thought from page 181: "I believe the more you and I know for ourselves God's loyal love in the depths of ourselves, the more able we will be to model and teach it to others." That is so good!

My very favorite quote came from Chapter Four: "Women who are comforted can comfort others." Let us each seek to look to God for His comfort, embrace those He has placed around us for community, and in turn be bastions of safety and hope for those in our lives.



I received my copy of the book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for this honest review. All opinions are my own.

When Kristy Cambron burst onto the scene last year, her debut novel was met with high praise. Her newest release goes above and beyond, in my opinion, and captures the needs, fears, and emotions of the World War II setting in a way that will leave you breathless.

Kaja Makovsky's parents managed to get her out of Prague before the Nazis completely took over their city. Broken-hearted that they refused to leave themselves, half-Jewish Kaja is determined to one day find her way back to her home country and get them out. As the war unfolds, Kaja finds herself in London working as an editor for The Daily Telegraph during the German blitz on England's capital city, spending much time in air raid shelters and making unlikely friends with Liam Marshall, a reporter whom she is sure is also a member of foreign intelligence.

As news begins circulating about of the atrocities being done to the Jewish people under Nazi rule, Kaja decides to let nothing stop her in getting back to Czechoslovakia and rescuing her parents. Your heart breaks as you watch her saying goodbye to the relative safety of London and plunging herself into Nazi-occupied countries, and knowing because of the title that Terezin will factor in somewhere. How does she get to the concentration camp? Will she survive once there? My nerves were frayed waiting to see how the story progressed.

Continuing the contemporary story from "The Butterfly and the Violin," we revisit art gallery owner Sera James as she makes a new home for herself on the West Coast. While she hopes she's now found her happily ever after, those dreams are jeopardized when her fiance is charged with criminal activity. While Sera believes in his innocence, she doesn't understand his stubborn lack of openness about what really did happen. Determined to launch her own investigation into the matter, Sera heads to Europe to track down every lead and discover the truth.

Both of these women - Kaja and Sera - are determined to give everything they have for those they love. While it's a prison sentence threatening Sera's man, we get to see Kaja's spirit truly rise to the occasion when she is confined within the walls of Terezin. Tasked with teaching school for the children too young to work, Kaja must look beyond the bleakness and horror to instill hope in a place where hope seems impossible. Kaja knows that God sees each sparrow who falls, and surely He sees each soul who falls in this dark ghetto.

I felt that Kristy Cambron did a wonderful job with this historical novel. The way she portrayed London during the blitz made me feel like I was there, and the scenes in Terezin made my heart ache for all their struggle. I was left inspired to never give up and to do my best to watch out for and love those around me. I would say this ranks among my favorite WWII novels ever.

I received my copy from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for this honest review. All opinions are my own.

Last year I read and very much enjoyed Carrie Turansky's Edwardian tale, "The Governess of Highland Hall," and I have been looking forward to its sequel ever since. Fans of "Downton Abbey" will enjoy the familiar setting, as we get a look at London society in the days before World War I, when family reputations were protected and advantageous marriages were still sought for the sons and daughters of the day.

We met 18-year-old debutante Katherine Ramsey in the first book, when she was a rather unlikeable but sympathetic character, covering up her grief and uncertainty with sarcasm and pride. Now more settled and having benefited from the influence of her governess, Kate is ready to be presented at court and seek a marriage proposal from an affluent suitor. Her deceased mother's sister, Aunt Louisa, is her sponsor, and she is more determined than anyone to make sure Kate connects with all the right social circles and secures a successful future for herself. If only Kate could be less awkward and more certain that was what she wanted with her life!

While staying in London for the season, the Ramsey family is joined by Jonathan Foster, the brother of our heroine from the first book. Jon is close to finishing his medical training, and while he had planned to go back to India as a missionary and continue his father's work there, his heart has recently been tugged by the needs of London's East End and the help that a free clinic is bringing to the inhabitants. Jon begins volunteering as often as he can while praying about God's will for his future. Attracted to the lovely Kate, Jon seeks to be a safe place for her to be herself apart from the demands and expectations of her aunt.

Kate is soon being courted by a wealthy young man and it seems almost too good to be true that things could be lining up for her so quickly. But when the actions of her cousin David bring the Ramsey family to disgrace, will Edward still be an attentive suitor? While waiting for things to sort themselves out, Kate begins accompanying Jon to the clinic in the East End. As her eyes are opened to the poverty so close to home, she begins to feel the shallowness of the plans she has always had for herself. She admires Jon for his strength of character and his giving nature, but she feels she cannot disappoint her aunt and let their relationship develop beyond friendship.

With social intrigue and the danger of going into the worst parts of London, "The Daughter of Highland Hall" explores the ways God works in the lives of His children. Trustworthy to direct our paths, He uses relationships and situations to help guide us into the place He would have for us in His kingdom. I also enjoyed the subplots and secondary characters in this book. I very much look forward to the next release in this series, scheduled for Oct. 2015. I'm sure it will be as excellent as these first two have been.

If you would like to read the first chapter of "The Daughter of Highland Hall," you can do so here, or to enter the author's giveaway which includes the book as well as Downton-themed prizes, click on this link. Hurry, the giveaway ends tomorrow!

I received my copy of the book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for this honest review. All opinions are my own.

Set in San Francisco in the early 1900's, this book captures both the personal journeys of its characters as well as the big earthquake that nearly destroyed the city in 1906. I'd never read anything set around that particular historical event, and that uniqueness was what drew me to the story. I didn't expect to also find interesting medical information from that time period, which was an added bonus to this history lover.

Abby Fischer is a headstrong 19-year-old who was raised in the California countryside, helping her father with their family orchard. When Abby's older sister Cecelia begins losing her battle with leukemia, the family will do whatever it takes to get her treatment, including reaching out to a second cousin who is involved in experimental X-ray treatments for the disease. Abby won't accept Cousin Gerald's diagnosis that it's too late to help Cecelia, and the whole family is uprooted to San Francisco in order to give Cecelia as much of a fighting chance as they can give her.

I had trouble liking Abby right from the start. There's a difference between not wanting to hear a "no" answer, and insisting that "no" is not an answer at all, even when it's for the best. Abby also liked to lash out verbally when she was upset, and even becomes physically violent at one point. I spend a lot of time around teenagers, as I have teenage siblings and I work as a teacher of junior high and high school students, and none of them display the immaturity that Abby was prone to. Considering this was set nearly 110 years ago, you'd expect people to be more mature instead of less so. Everyone has their weaknesses, but this stubborn lack of self-control was frustrating to me.

Another main character was Dr. Robert King, assistant of Cousin Gerald, who oversees Cecelia's treatments. He is enamored by Abby immediately, and begins to feel guilty for using Cecelia as part of very experimental research.

When the earthquake brings the city to its knees, Abby and her family must find a way to survive the loss of their home and the fires that are raging throughout San Francisco. Her heart already very hardened towards God, will Abby learn to see His care and protection even in great tragedy?

This is the first novel I have read by this author, and I kept being distracted by her writing style. She was skimpy on possessive adjectives, leaving me feeling like sentences were missing needed words. Here's an example from page 239: "Abby wrapped arms around the woman's shoulders, squeezing. 'You did it!' Her heart thudded. Abby wiped her forehead with sleeve cuff and looked into Robert's face." Whose arms and whose sleeve cuff is she referring to? This sounds more like a rough draft than a polished, edited novel .

Although the characters and their situations did not move me, I will say that this novel delivered on the historical aspect, and that part held my interest all the way through. I wouldn't be opposed to reading future works by this author to see if they were more my style.

I received my copy of the book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for this honest review. All opinions are my own.


Don't miss the debut book, Out of the Ruins, in Karen Barnett's new series, The Golden Gate Chronicles. Set against the backdrop of early 20th century San Francisco, Out of the Ruins will remind readers that no matter who we are or what we’ve done, God is still as close to us as our next breath.

Karen is celebrating with a fun giveaway and Facebook author chat party.


One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX


• Out of the Ruins by Karen Barnett

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 19th. Winner will be announced at the Out of the Ruins Facebook author chat party on June 19th. Connect with Karen for an evening of fun book chat, games, and prizes. Karen will also be answering audience questions and giving an exclusive look at the next book in The Golden Gate Chronicles series!

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 19th!

"Longings trump belongings any day."

This heartwarming tale by Cynthia Ruchti is full of musings on identity and worth. Jayne Denagee is willing to do anything to distance herself from her family history. Her father has left a trail of mercy killings in his wake, only being caught when Jayne accidentally witnessed the murder of her terminally ill mother. Now that he's behind bars, Jayne has changed her name and moved halfway across the country in hopes of putting that part of her life behind her.

Isaac Hughes dearly loves his mother, but the needs of her Alzheimer's require a full-time caretaker. When young, beautiful, and secretive Becca Morrow comes into his life to sweep both him and his mother off their feet, Isaac couldn't be more grateful. Knowing he'll lose his mother soon, Isaac can't stop thinking about his biological mother and the circumstances behind his adoption. While his heart is full of gratitude for the upbringing Mr. and Mrs. Hughes gave him, something deep inside longs for a blood connection from his past.

When something suspicious happens to Mrs. Hughes, Becca's past and her family identity comes to light and threatens to tear apart the world where she was beginning to find healing. Becca's running from her past, and Isaac is trying to find his. Where will their hearts find a place to feel at home?

This was a beautiful story. I felt very invested in the characters, so much that when I had to put the book down I would whisper, "Sorry, Becca and Isaac!" I wanted to see where the story would take them. My heart ached at the way Becca felt unworthy because of her family and the emotional abuse she'd suffered, and I longed for her to see herself the way Isaac saw her. Keeping secrets is usually both hard and dangerous. When the secrets of both their pasts are revealed, we get to see whether Isaac and Becca can be set free or remain bound by the choices of the people who gave them life. The choices of other people do affect us, but they do not have to define us. This is an issue that resonates with a lot of people, and I hope that they will connect with this novel and enjoy this journey with two remarkable characters.

I received my copy of the book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for this honest review. All opinions are my own.



Cynthia Ruchti asks what it takes to overcome your past and become who you were meant to be in her latest novel, All My Belongings. Cynthia has woven a heart-wrenching tale of forgiveness, grace, and learning what it means to truly belong.

Cynthia is celebrating the release of her latest novel with a fun giveaway and a live webcast event!

One winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa cash card


• All My Belongings by Cynthia Ruchti

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 11th. Winner will be announced at the All My Belongings LIVE webcast event on June 11th. Connect with Cynthia for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Cynthia will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books, fun prizes, and gift certificates throughout the evening.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by signing up for a reminder. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 11th!

Sarah Ladd's debut novel, "The Heiress of Winterwood," was an excellent foray into Regency fiction. I've been excitedly awaiting her sophomore release in the same genre, and I am happy to report it did not disappoint. Jane Austen fans take note: Sarah Ladd is an author to watch!

Rosemere is a girls' school which leases its land and buildings from one William Sterling of Eastmore Hall. If that name is familiar, his brother, Captain Graham Sterling, was the hero of "Heiress." William isn't known for his good decision-making skills; in fact, he's now in dire straights because of his dissolute ways. Retreating to Eastmore, William is waylaid and beaten by creditors, and manages to take shelter from the cold night in Rosemere's stables. When he's discovered the next morning, he's another problem that young headmistress Patience Creighton must find grace and strength to handle.

The death of her father and disappearance of her brother have left Rosemere in Patience's hands. Patience loves teaching and giving a home to the 29 girls who live there, but her mother's grief and apathy weigh heavily on her shoulders. Patience doesn't know how to trust a God who would drop so much onto her plate at one time. Now that their landlord is having to consider selling some of his property to pay his debts, will Rosemere be closed and all the family and students evicted?

William is captivated by the strong and capable woman he is beginning to know. When his past threatens her future, William decides to take measures to protect Patience and the school as much as he can. But things become uncertain once again when Patience's brother unexpectedly returns home with new plans for the school, and William discovers a secret that his former fiancee kept from him which may change everything.

This is a tale of yearning hearts and redemption. The setting of a snow-covered English moor makes this perfect for winter reading. I loved cheering for William to turn his life around, and ached for all that Patience was bearing on her shoulders. I'm so glad to have Sarah Ladd's books on my keeper shelf, and am already looking forward to her next novel!

I received my copy of the book from LitFuse in exchange for this honest review. All opinions are my own.


Don't miss Sarah Ladd's latest Regency novel, The Headmistress of Rosemere. She is celebrating the release of book two in her Whispers on the Moors series with a fun "School" Your Desk Kindle Fire Giveaway and an Author Chat Facebook Party!

Between January 17–28, visit Sarah Ladd's Facebook Page to enter to win a new giveaway each day and be entered to win a Kindle Fire grand prize. Winners will be announced at the Facebook Author Chat party on January 28th! (Don't have a Facebook account? Enter here.)

RSVP today for Sarah's The Headmistress of Rosemere Author Chat Party on Facebook. During the party Sarah will be hosting a book chat, testing your Regency trivia skills, announcing the winner of the "School" Your Desk Giveaway, and giving away books, gift certificates, and more. Oh, and she'll also be giving partygoers an exclusive look at the next book in the Whispers on the Moors series!

So grab your copy of The Headmistress of Rosemere and hope to see you on the evening of January 28th! (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)

DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE FUN; RSVP TODAY. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 28th!