ACReview: Into The Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden

Into The Whirlwind Author - Elizabeth Camden 384 pages Time It Took for to Read - 1 Day Rating - 5 out of 5 Stars Would I Recommend to My Students: Yes

After her father's death, Mollie Knox takes over his watchmaking company and uses her head for business to solidify the good name of the 57th Illinois Watch Company. Her future looks bright until the night her beloved city is destroyed in the legendary Great Chicago Fire. With her world crumbling around her, Molly must do whatever it takes to save her company in the aftermath of the devastating fire.

Zack Kazmarek is an influential attorney with powerful ties to the political, mercantile, and ethnic roots of Chicago. His only weakness is Mollie Knox, a woman who has always been just beyond his reach. However, all bets are off after the fire destroys Chicago, and Mollie is in desperate need of assistance. Just as Zack finally begins to pursue the woman he loves, competition arises in the form of a hero from her past who can provide the help she needs to rise from the ashes.

While Mollie struggles to rebuild, the two men battle for her heart. One has always loved her, but the other has the power to save her. In the race to rebuild the city, can she survive with her business and her heart intact?

What I Loved...

Zack. I love the depth of his emotions! Very swoon worthy. I love history and the inclusion of actual history (Chicago Fire) took this book to another level for me. Elizabeth Camden did an excellent job making me feel like I was right in the thick of it.

What I Liked...

They way I unexpectedly cried, laughed, got nervous, angry and felt butterflies in my tummy. The story and characters crept into my heart and I felt like I was right there with them.

The cover of the book is really nice and fitting.

Other...

I felt the Christianity in this book was way, way in the background. I am not complaining or praising. I just thought I'd mention it for those who like the Christianity to be more present in a book.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher through Bethany House. The opinion of this book, is my own and I was not paid or compensated for for my review.

Review: King by R.J. Larson

King Author - R.J. Larson 348 pages Time It Took for to Read - 3 Days Rating - 4 out of 5 Stars Would I Recommend to My Students: Yep

Akabe of Siphra is certain his people are insane.

Why have they made him a king?

What, in the name of peacetime boredom do kings do?

Frustrated by a lengthy silence from his Creator, the Infinite, Akabe decides to prove himself as king by undertaking a monumental task, his own lifelong dream: Rebuild the Infinite’s temple in Siphra.

But Akabe’s impulsive decision sweeps him into a storm of controversy. The Infinite’s enemies join forces in Siphra, and beyond, conspiring to destroy the emerging temple—and to kill their king and his mysterious new queen.

What I Loved...

While 90% of the books I read are Christian related in some way, I rarely find one that speaks directly to me individually. This book  absolutely did that for me. I found myself wanting to just be closer to God and allow Him to lead me even more in my life like many of the characters. Awesome job by the author.

Akabe's character is so easy to relate to.  How many of are probably doing what we think is right but not following God's will for our lives. It made the story so much more real for me.

What I Liked...

Barth Siymont. I could totally see him "flirting" with the ladies at court. While he was used like most children are in movies and books, to soften up scenes and add some humor,  I found him funny and liking his character. I hope to see him in a future book. =)

Other...

I liked most characters in the book except Queen whatshername. I can't even remember her name...that's how much I liked her. SPOILER ALERT...I found myself wishing she would somehow get killed when she ran off from her imprisonment. She annoyed me to no end and I absolutely couldn't stand that Akabe married her. SPOILER END

The word Infinite as it related to God bothered me. I just didn't like it. It almost felt like idol worship. They described my God and I know that is who Infinite was, but I just couldn't get into it.

While I liked Akabe well enough (he reminded me a little of King David) I felt like Ela and Kien's story was dominate and was written more powerfully. By the end of the book I was more interested in their storyline and wished I had read Prophet and Judge before this book.

I would recommend this book to my students that enjoy books like Robin Hood and Knight inspired books.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher Bethany House. The opinion of this book, is my own and I was not paid or compensated for for my review.

Review: Undeniably Yours

Undeniably Yours Author - Becky Wade 380 pages Time It Took for to Read - 3 Days Rating - 4 out of 5 Stars Would I Recommend to My Students:Maybe

When Meg Cole’s father dies unexpectedly, she becomes the majority shareholder of his oil company and the single inheritor of his fortune. Though Meg is soft-spoken and tenderhearted–more interested in art than in oil–she’s forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of her father’s empire.

The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with? Her father’s thoroughbred racehorse farm. She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down.

Bo’s determined to resent the woman who’s decided to rob him of his dream. But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect. The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them–her wealth, his unworthiness, her family’s outrage–and earn the right to love her.

But just when Meg begins to realize that Bo might be the one thing on the ranch worth keeping, their fragile bond is viciously broken by a force from Meg’s past. Can their love–and their belief that God can work through every circumstance–survive?

What I Loved...

Lots of swoon-worthy bits!! I love feeling the torture of love just outside your grasp and this book provides it.

What I Liked...

Bo is a dream and is a good leading male character.

Other...

 I couldn't help but think of the show Dallas when I read this book. That's not a good or bad, unless you love or hate the show! Either way, it is a good book and its worth a read if you love a book for its romance.

If you like guys fights and heroes, than this is definitely a book for you.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley. The opinion of this book, is my own and I was not paid or compensated for for my review.