Monday, March 20, 2017

RESCUE ME By Susan May Warren

http://www.susanmaywarren.com/

Rescue Me opens up in the middle of a rescue and you quickly become involved with the hero, Sam Brooks, and the emotional and physical stress he struggles with every day fighting to save lives and sometimes to save his own.

Enter, Willow, the sister of his girlfriend, and in the darkened room, Sam begins to share his emotional upheaval with her, mistaking her for her sister, Sierra. Willow, kisses Sam sympathetically, who kisses her back before he realizes his mistake. But the damage is done. Is he really meant to be with Sierra? Willow ask him to keep the kiss a secret because she wants whats best for her sister and for Sam; but she has loved Sam forever.

Then, Sam and Willow are thrown together chaperoning youth on a day hike into the mountains that ends up in tragedy and with several injured, especially, Sam. They must hike out and survive long enough for someone to find them.

Sam and Willow both have their issues and poor family relationships that they struggle with. Each has a servant's heart always trying to fix and rescue others but now, they must learn to wait on God and allow others to rescue them.

Susan May Warren has another winner here and in this series. Rescue Me is a wonderful story with many twists and turns to the plot and wonderful inspirational lessons to go along with the romance. I highly recommend it. I received this book from Netgalley for my honest review.

Sunday, March 12, 2017

A NOTE YET UNSUNG By Tamera Alexander


What a beautiful setting and lovely ambiance underscored by ageless music becomes "A Note Yet Unsung" by Tamera Alexander. It is not until the climax that you understand and actually see the words that give the book it's name; but every word underscores it.

You are captured from the beginning by Rebekah Carrington's dire circumstances but impressed with her resiliency and perseverance, holding your breath that the Maestro Nathaniel Whitcomb will give her the position in his orchestra that she so obviously deserves.

But, Tate, turns her down because women aren't strong enough or capable enough to play the music that the audience expects to hear. Rebekah, desperately needs a job in order to live on her own and not return to the home where she is no longer safe. Over the course of the book, you gets bits and pieces of her past until the sordid events are revealed.

However, Tate has his own secrets and those become the bigger surprises. In order not to destroy the read for you with spoilers, I would only like to say that Ms. Alexander does a superb job of contrasting the elite society of Nashville with the homespun culture of Appalachia even to the voice tones sharing the strengths and weaknesses of both.

Finally, the descriptions of the music especially in the climax are awe inspiring. Music speaks to the soul. It can be soothing, uplifting, poignant, inspiring and worshipful. You can feel and almost hear the music in this masterpiece which makes you grieve the more with Tate at his potential loss of hearing. 

I found myself laughing and crying and when I thought I couldn't be surprised or moved any more, Ms Alexander bent her tale another twist. It is a grand story and the beautiful cover adds justice to a must have for your keeper shelf.

I received this novel both through Netgalley and Bethany House for my honest opinion.