reviews
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Searching for Spice by Megan DiMaria
I recently had the privilege of reading Megan DiMaria’s debut novel Searching for Spice. It’s the story of Linda Revere. Linda is approaching her twenty-fifth wedding anniversary with concern that there should be a bit more spice between her husband and herself. The book starts out with Linda’s plans to revive the romantic side of her marriage but ends up tackling some deeper issues.
Megan DiMaria does an amazing job of dropping the reader directly into the scene. The main characters are so real I have a hard time believing that Linda and Jerry aren’t still living on somewhere in Colorado. Speaking of Colorado, be prepared to want to take a trip there after you read Searching for Spice. This is a fun book to take on vacation this summer.
My original plan was to give this book away in a drawing. However, a dear friend of mine is celebrating her thirtieths anniversary next month so I will be giving this to her to take on her romantic trip. Congratulation Barb and Bob!
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Courting Emma by Sharlene MacLaren
Last night I finished reading Courting Emma by Sharlene MacLaren. This is the third, and final installment in the Little Hickman Creek series. Set in 1896, we get to know the firm character of Emma Browning, owner and manager of the local boarding house. Thanks to years of abuse at the hands of her alcoholic father, Emma has built a strong wall around her heart. When the town’s beloved Pastor Jon moves in Emma finds herself changing.
Unpredictable curves and twists take the reader on a great ride, ending with an expected but satisfying conclusion. Characters are so well writen that they become vivid in the readers minds. Even characters with little input into the story stand out as unique individuals.
This story is filled with humor, sadness, spiritual lessons, and even mystery. Far and away, this was my favorite of the three books. The quality of writing increases with each story. Courting Emma could be read alone but I would recommend starting from book one, Loving Liza Jane. If you like historical christian romance, you’ll enjoy the Little Hickman Creek books.
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The Other Daughter by Miralee Ferrell
Let’s start the book reviews out with the debut novel from Miralee Ferrell, The Other Daughter.
What a shock when a young girl shows up on the front porch of the Carson family home. It’s a bigger shock to Suzanne when the girl tells her that she is her husband, David’s daughter. Can you imagine that? I couldn’t.
David has been a follower of Jesus Christ while Suzanne has resisted the Lord. This new development brings another division into the home, and threatens Suzanne’s ever coming to trust in God for her life. I wont tell you anymore because I would hate to spoil the story for you.
Miralee Ferrell does a great job making her characters, and their emotions come to life. The plot is original and the ending leaves the reader satisfied. Being from the Pacific Northwest, I enjoyed the vivid pictures she creates of the natural surroundings to this story. The Other Daughter is published by Kregel Publications and can be purchased through their website and from Amazon.
