Today I am sharing a gift of a spring potpourri of books. Something for hopefully every reader- historical fiction, Christian woman’s fiction and a suspense thriller. Three different genres, and I used three different means to enjoy them-audiobook, paperback, and Kindle. Let me know what you think of this selection- all newly released!
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A Cobbler’s Tale: A Novel by Neil Perry Gordon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Remember that song “This is the song that never ends, it goes on and on my friends…” A Cobbler’s Tale is the book version- this is the “story that never ends”. And even though the drama goes on and on my friends- you will enjoy everything about this book.
I listened to this book as an audiobook with Audible. I had only listened to a few audiobooks prior to this one, and I had never used Audible, but I found that it’s so easy and enjoyable to listen to a book with the Audible app. Compared to the other books that I listened to, A Cobbler’s Tale is great as an audiobook. The chapters are short, it’s told for the most part in a linear fashion, and something exciting is always happening, so it’s easy to listen, stop and then start right back in with the plot. The narrator of the book was also easy to listen to and he captured the accents of the various characters as well as their personalities.
The cover of the book gives a vivid view of one of the main settings of the book, the lower East side in New York City, in the early 1900’s. This street, crowded with people and pushcarts is where Pincus Potasznik, a second-generation Jewish cobbler, born in a small shtetl in the province of Galicia, part of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire finds himself. About 500,000 Jewish people lived in this section of New York, immigrants from eastern Europe.
The book details Pincus’ reasons for coming to America, his perilous ship journey to New York, his efforts to establish himself as a cobbler in the lower East side and his journey back to his home to bring his wife and children to America. But, so much more happens and it’s all thrilling and entertaining. The author is a born storyteller and readers will be captivated by all the colorful characters and the dangers, schemes and plots that abound. We also get a good look at the Jewish culture of the times.
Many thanks to the author for the audiobook. This is my honest review.
Becoming Us by Robin Jones Gunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The author, Robin Jones Gunn, has written several popular Christian fiction series and “Becoming Us” is the first book in her new Haven Makers series. Isn’t the cover inviting? And it illustrates a lovely part of the story, that we should “make room for everyone at the table.”
I read straight through this compelling and evocative story. I read most of it on a cozy Sunday afternoon. This is a character driven novel and each character is “a lovely creation, a locked treasure chest of undiscovered gems”. As readers, we get to watch each woman’s slow discovery as she “becomes.”
Emily and her husband and pre-teen daughter are new to California. They married young and depended on the shelter of the husband’s large and successful family back in North Carolina. Circumstances led them to ask God if they should make a change. But, their new life by a new ocean has been challenging. Will Emily learn to “plant the sweet things she loves”?
Thanks to the welcoming nature of Jennalyn, Emily is invited to get to know some other young women. As they share their stories, we see that they have some things in common, such as young children and the desire to create a good life for their families. They also have some differences. Emily and Christy are more introverted. As they begin to celebrate life together in creative ways, and share some of their painful stories, they are able to share the path of life together.
I especially liked the parts where they each came up with a word for the year. And Emily’s journey was poignant, heart-breaking and real. She learned to hope in God, rather than giving God a “to-do list” of desired outcomes, which is a big thing to grasp.
I highly recommend this book. This is the first book in the “Haven Makers series, which is a lovely name for a series. I am thankful I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook & Multnomah and this is my honest review.
Bermuda Conspiracy by K.D. McNiven
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Decker and Callie are back! The first two books in the series thrilled me with their blend of archeology and suspense, and a bit of romance. Here are some quotes from these earlier books.
“We aren’t treasure hunters, we are archaeologists.” When adventure rears its irresistible head Decker and Callie are ready to go.
“Have any plans to get out of this? Decker shrugged. “Fresh out of ideas. How about you?”
And yes, readers, the adventures continue in Bermuda Conspiracy. Many of the crew are back in Miami and the book begins with them taking out Decker’s new boat, Jade II. The plan is to have a pleasant sail around Bermuda to celebrate the new boat and the crew reunion.
But then the suspense and thrills begin, as they are swept up in a “freak storm of unproportionable size.” Not only is there a horrific storm, but other weird elements are present, including “blueish haze, eerie setting and extreme magnetic pull.”
Have Decker and his crew met their match when they are almost killed in the Bermuda Triangle? This book presents “A fusion of strange science, government conspiracy, and a terrorist plot.”
When Decker discovers a body, he realizes that he is “facing a sinister plot, and is staring into the face of evil.” He and the crew join forces with another favorite character Dax and his Shark Eater crew New Orleans (you’ll remember them from the earlier books) and as they try to put all the facts together, even more terror is unleashed. When Callie is in peril, Decker begins to realize that all these events may be part of a larger conspiracy that reaches to the highest levels.
Book three in the Decker series gives readers non-stop action and a story-line with punch. One of my favorite quotes from this book is, “They stood out like a girl in a bikini in a blizzard.” Readers who go for mayhem, gun fights, bad guys, and good guys and gals with heart and spirit, will have a blast with this book. One reason I enjoyed the previous books so much was that the stories plunged me into fascinating and exotic locales and emphasized fascinating archeological facts, too. I didn’t get the same sense of place and immersion in this book. However, the author does present some interesting ideas about the Bermuda Triangle and Decker, Callie and crew continue to be great characters. Will there be more secret operations in the future for Decker?
I received a digital review copy from the author, and this is my honest opinion.
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