Book Review: Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey

About the Book:  It is August 1944 and Paris is on the cusp of liberation. As the soldiers of the Third Reich flee the Allied advance, they ravage the country, stealing countless pieces of art. Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring will stop at nothing to claim the most valuable one of all, the Mona Lisa, as a post-war bargaining chip to get him to South America. Can Swiss OSS agents Gabi Mueller and Eric Hofstadler rescue DaVinci's masterpiece before it falls into German hands?

With nonstop action, Chasing Mona Lisa is sure to get readers' adrenaline pumping as they join the chase to save the most famous painting in the world. From war-ravaged Paris to a posh country chateau, the race is on--and the runners are playing for keeps.

Read an excerpt, watch a video and find out more here.

My Thoughts: I have to admit that this was not one of my favourite books by Tricia Goyer.  I found the names hard to keep straight (not sure if it was because they were foreign names, too many names, too similar, or a combination of all 3) and found that the storyline got a bit bogged down in the details at times.

That being said, I found the art history fascinating, as I had no idea that these masterpieces, especially the Mona Lisa, had been so at risk - though upon further reflection, that should have been obvious! But I'm not an art aficionado by any stretch of the imagination, and was completely ignorant about this fascinating aspect of wartime reality.

I loved the premise, enjoyed the characters, but thought the overall story was a bit of a letdown to my expectations based on previous novels by Goyer.

Thank you to Stephanie and Amy from Litfuse Publicity for organizing this tour and providing me with my complimentary review copy.

 

Book Review: The Shadow of Your Smile by Susan May Warren

About the Book: A beautiful blanket of snow may cover the quaint town of Deep Haven each winter, but it can’t quite hide the wreckage of Noelle and Eli Hueston’s marriage.

After twenty-five years, they’re contemplating divorce . . . just as soon as their youngest son graduates from high school. But then an accident erases part of Noelle's memory. Though her other injuries are minor, she doesn’t remember Eli, their children, or the tragedy that has ripped their family apart. What’s more, Noelle is shocked that her life has turned out nothing like she dreamed it would. As she tries to regain her memory and slowly steps into her role as a wife and mother, Eli helps her readjust to daily life with sometimes-hilarious, sometimes-heartwarming results. But can she fall in love again with a man she can’t remember?

Will their secrets destroy them . . . or has erasing the past given them a chance for a future? Read the story behind the story here.

My Thoughts: Susan May Warren is one of my favourite authors and this book hit the mark once again.

One thing I love about her writing is that her characters are not only complex and well-developed, they are also flawed, which makes them very relatable.   This, in turn, draws you emotionally into the story and you actually feel invested into their choices as you watch the story unfold.

For some reason I've always loved storylines that include amnesia as a result of an injury - but this was the best of the ones I've read by far!  Warren is simply a great writer.

This book tackles some pretty heavy topics and serious issues, but approaches them in just the right way.  Fantastic book - I highly recommend it, along with any of her other work!

Thank you to NetGalley/Tyndale House and Stephanie and Amy from Litfuse Publicity for organizing this tour and providing me with my complimentary e-book review copy.

Book Review: The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher

About the Book:  Julia Lapp has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. When Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding--again--she knows who is to blame. Perpetual bachelor and spreader of cold feet, Roman Troyer, the Bee Man.

Roamin' Roman travels through the Amish communities of Ohio and Pennsylvania with his hives full of bees, renting them out to farmers in need of pollinators. He relishes his nomadic life, which keeps him from thinking about all he has lost. He especially enjoys bringing his bees to Stoney Ridge each year. But with Julia on a mission to punish him for inspiring Paul's cold feet, the Lapp farm is looking decidedly less pleasant.

 Can Julia secure the future she's always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind?

My Thoughts: With a few different storylines mixed into the plot, this book was enjoyable from start to finish.

I especially liked the main character, Julia Lapp, who had much more spit-fire than you would expect from a stereotypical Amish woman.  In fact, the whole Lapp family was rather quirky and the story was witty and humourous, yet also filled with heartaches and pains along the way.

Another thing I loved is how she explored the background to the characters - digging deeper to find out what has happened to shape the characters into the people they have become.  Something that's important to keep in mind when we come across people in real life!

Looking forward to the next book in the series.


Thank you to Stephanie and Amy from Litfuse Publicity for organizing this tour and providing me with my complimentary review copy.