My Final Breath by Paige Dearth – 5 Stars

 

This was an unusual story.  I really had no idea what the book would be about when I received it.  I know what proxy by Munchausen is.  This is the story of Molly 12 years old who spent her last four years on this earth in and out of hospitals when she was home, she was sick.  She would get worse and then have to return to the hospital.   Her Mother seems to care very much for her, she takes care of her and seems to be by her side 24/7 when she is ill.  Molly loves her Mom.  Then Molly dies and wakes up in Limbo where her guardian makes her watch all of the things her Mother did to her to make her sicker, so that she could bask in the light of admiration from all the nurses, doctors, neighbors, teachers etc.  She was evil incarnate and Molly has too watch it all before she can leave Limbo and go on to Heaven.  Then she finds out that she is not the only victim in this plot and really struggles against acceptance of her fate, which she must do before she can move on.  Really a creepy sort of book.  That Mother did things I would never dream of doing.  I don’t know how she even thought of those things.  The book is riveting and you can’t put it down.  Also, as it is being told, the story of Molly, by the guardian in Limbo showing her scenes from her life.  Unreal, a must read!

I received this book free from Good Reads in the kindle format and my opinions and comments are my own and freely given!

 

Description as found on Good Reads:

An unbearable tragedy. A life cut short. A dead girl searching for truth.

Twelve-year-old Molly suddenly wakes up dead in Limbo after spending four years in and out of hospital beds. Fearful of being forgotten by her family, she wants nothing more than to return to Earth, until her guardian exposes the grim truth about her demise.

Devastated, Molly learns everything she believed about her life and death was a lie. But the greatest blow arrives when Molly discovers she isn’t the only one who suffers from unexplained ailments.

Unable to reach the living, Molly can only hope for an intervention to prevent the same terrible consequence from happening again.

My Final Breath is a suspenseful psychological thriller about an intolerable offense ripping a family apart. If you like twisted tales of loyalty, deception, and intentional acts of evil then you will love this gripping story

Searching For Rose – Dana Becker – NetGalley – 4 Stars

 

This was the most unusual and spellbinding book I’ve ever read that involve the Amish people.  It was an unusual read.  I read it fast, it was one of those you didn’t want to put down and I didn’t see some of the twists and turns coming.  I would recommend it to anyone who like to read about the Amish or like to read mysteries.  The characters were well written and the storyline was really good.  It was a little slow starting up but it soon sped up.  It doesn’t have as much of the Amish people in it as the cover makes you believe, but the main character helping her search for her sister is Amish.

 

I received this book through NetGalley.com in kindle format free.  I wasn’t required to put up a review, although that is the wish.  The thoughts and opinions of this book were mine freely given.  I gave it four stars.

 

Description as found on NetGalley:

Courageous and vulnerable, April has survived Philadelphia’s tough city streets. But when her sister disappears, April’s search will lead her to the Pennsylvania Amish countryside—where the peaceful setting belies a brand of danger all its own . . .
 
With a childhood shattered by alcoholism and abandonment, April learned the hard way to trust only herself and her younger sister, Rose. But suddenly, Rose is gone without a word—and April’s purpose in life is to find her. She has only one ally: Joseph Young, a handsome Amish man with whom she’s struck up an unlikely flirtation in the bakery where she works. He’s knowledgeable, steadfast—and when they join forces, April’s life takes a radical turn . . .
 
In the heart of Amish farm country, April and Joseph grow closer. Yet April fears there’s no future for them. Especially when vicious, too-personal warnings and strange attacks make her wonder just whom Joseph is really trying to protect. And as her unconventional investigation roils a community with much to conceal, April will find some secrets are killer—and some dreams may be too lethal to trust . . .

Nothing Short of Wondrous by Regina Scott - 5 Stars

 

Reading this book made me want to go to Yellowstone!  They describe the beautiful area so well and I’m sure it is just as scenic now.   It is based in 1886 and is based in Yellowstone.  The US Cavalry control of Yellowstone to protect the trees and the animals that live there.   Kate Tremaine is a widower that runs a hotel with her son.  This is a love story, as well as a historical novel and is written so well that I’m sure it will encourage many to go and visit Yellowstone!  The book is also Christian based. I really enjoyed reading about what it took back then to protect the park from poachers and vandals.  It was Nothing Short of Wondrous!

 

I received this book in the kindle format from NetGalley.  My thoughts and comments are my own and freely given.  I gave the book 5 stars. 

 

Description

It is 1886, and the government has given the US Cavalry control of Yellowstone. For widowed hotelier Kate Tremaine, the change is a welcome one. She knows every inch of her wilderness home like the back of her hand and wants to see it protected from poachers and vandals.

Refused a guide by Congress, Lieutenant William Prescott must enlist Kate's aid to help him navigate the sprawling park and track down the troublemakers. But a secret from his past makes him wary of the tender feelings the capable and comely widow raises in him. As they work together to protect the park and stand firm through injustice and tragedy, they may just find that two wounded hearts can share one powerful love when God is in control.

The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson – 4 Stars

 

Two families decide to switch houses for Christmas.  One is in Arizona the other is in Colorado.  Tyler decided to stop back at home before meeting his family in Arizona and meets one of the family members that will be doing Christmas at his home, Emma.  He’s so struck by her that he decides to put off leaving for Arizona in order to get to know her better so he stays in the Guest House out back that had been turned into his studio for his singing career.  Of course he never leaves!  This is a wonderful little Christmas story, a novella, that speeds you along in the story.  Just the right length for the busy days leading up to Christmas.  Melody Carlson does Christmas and Romance very well and I gave this book 4 stars!  Pick it up and read it.  There are all of the great feels you are looking for in a Christmas story.

 

I received this book free through NetGalley.com in the kindle format.  My opinion was freely given.

 

Description

All Emma Daley wants this holiday season is a white Christmas. But the young teacher and struggling musician sure can't find that in sunny Arizona. Luckily, there's someone living in a perfect mountain home in the Colorado Rockies looking to make a vacation trade this year.

Tyler Prescott is an in-demand songwriter and talented musician who put his own singing career on hold to write songs for celebrity acts to perform. When his mother convinces him to do a vacation trade for Christmas, he never imagined one of the houseguests would be so sweet--or so strikingly pretty. Naturally, he decides to stick around, and, to get better acquainted, he poses as the house's caretaker. But when Emma's friend Gillian discovers his true identity and sets her sights on him, things
get . . . messy.

Fan favorite Melody Carlson is back with another delightful Christmas tale to warm your heart on those cold winter evenings.