raquelhaggard

Fireflies in December

Raquel's Bookshelf — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 02:54:54 +0000

Fireflies in December by Jennifer Erin Valent was a terrific surprise! I haven’t heard of her or the book so didn’t know what to expect. The back cover explains that the book is about a young girl in the summer of 1932 and that her family attracts the attention of the Klan when they take in a young black girl after her parents die in a fire. I was intrigued and richly rewarded for it in reading the book. A nice set of twists and turns as her family stands strong in their Christian beliefs, no matter what other “Christians” think. Give it a read! I think you’ll like it!

The Crossing

Raquel's Bookshelf — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 04:09:29 +0000

Wow! This book was a page turner! It’s been sitting in my pile of “to-read” books and I wish I had read it sooner. It grabbed me from the very beginning and had me flipping pages like a windy Oklahoma day. Right up until the end I was still going, “Oh my gosh!” as the story unfolded and the mystery was solved. The Crossing by Serita Jakes tells the story of some high school kids who witness the shooting of a favorite teacher on a school bus headed home after a football game. Years later, Claudia’s husband, the Assistant DA, decides to solve the mystery of who shot the bus driver, a student and the teacher. His investigation shakes open some long held secrets.

My one beef with the book–Mrs. Jakes, Tim McVeigh didn’t bomb the Oklahoma Capitol building. The capitol is miles away from the Murrah building–which is where his bomb went off. If you use real events, even in a novel, they still need to be accurate. Incidentally, this novel didn’t need the reference. It would have been fine without it. Still, an editor also should have caught the mistake. And, I didn’t let it ruin the book for me. It’s a good story with complex and well developed characters. Good job!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

You can view the book on Amazon here http://www.amazon.com/Crossing-Novel-Serita-Ann-Jakes/dp/1400073030/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1324872486&sr=8-4#_

The Muir House

Raquel's Bookshelf — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 04:06:45 +0000

Mary DeMuth has written a thought provoking novel that brings the questions–what makes a home? How do you find home when everything you once knew, is no longer true. It’s about finding truth and being able to live with it.

Crossing Oceans

Raquel's Bookshelf — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:06:29 +0000

Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes tells the story of a woman returning home with her daughter. But why has she come home? And why did she never tell the father of her child about the child? I don’t want to give anything away so you need to read it! But I will tell you to have Kleenex handy. Gina has written true to life characters you will love from begining to end.

Fierce Beauty

Raquel's Bookshelf — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 02:06:44 +0000

Fierce Beauty by Kim Meeder starts with a very sad tale of how she lost both parents in a murder/suicide and was raised by her grandmother. That’s not the only sad story that will have you reaching for the tissue. The book is full of these stories. I think the fierce beauty comes from recognizing God’s hand in every situation.

The Help

Raquel's Bookshelf — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 15:29:15 +0000

The Help by Kathryn Stockett is set during the time in our country when there were seperate bathrooms for whites and African Americans. This book gives a view, albeit fictionized, of what it was like for the white women and the African American maids who worked for them. But is it really fiction?

Jamaican Me Crazy

Raquel's Bookshelf — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 02:27:07 +0000

Jamaican Me Crazy by Debbie DiGiovanni is a Christmas tale of wives on strike at Christmas. They leave their families and head to Jamaica for some R & R. Of course, they learn that despite all the issues, you want to be with family at Christmas.

Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa

Raquel's Bookshelf — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:30:20 +0000

I read Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa by Melanie Dobson.
This is a story about the Amana Society. So, sort of a “bonnet book” and I actually liked it! It’s a nice story set back in the depression and I was able to get intrigued enough by the story to see it to the end.

Smokin’ Seventeen

Raquel's Bookshelf — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:29:35 +0000

I read Smokin’ Seventeen by Janet Evanovich. I still love this series and it still makes me laugh out loud. The characters are such real and funny people. You’ll want to read this to find out about Stephanie’s vordo.

So Long Insecurity

Raquel's Bookshelf — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 01:31:53 +0000

I finally finished Beth Moore’s, So Long Insecurity. I’ve had this book for quite some time, but downloaded and read it on my ipad. It was just as I suspected. This is the sort of book many people won’t read as they think “oh, I’m not insecure.” Yet, if they read it, they might recognize themselves. Beth really has a heart to help women heal and be whole, and this is another book in that direction.