Another Thought Provoking Novel From Deborah Raney!
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Deborah Raney is one of those authors who writes thought-provoking every day stories which leave you feeling much different when you are finished than when you started. Two Roads Home is the second book in the Chicory Inn series and I found myself pondering these characters lives and how they correspond to real life situations. Accusations and how quickly they can change a families whole world, dreams that are lost or never seen come to fruition, and what happens when you lose the joy that comes from your daily living.

If you have read the first book in the series, this one will make much more sense to you. A lot of characters to keep track of and it will help if you know in advance who they all are. This one centers around Corrine and Jesse but also goes to the mother/father POV as well. I felt heartbroken at times for Corrine and how she was so tired of the humdrum daily life. Both of them want more but aren't exactly sure what they want.

Again, this is a book that will take you on a roller coaster ride that may seem familiar. I think a lot of us know people who are in one of the situations of a character in the book. Lots of good advice given from Grant and Audrey and I really like how everything turns out. Excellent story from Deborah Raney!!
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Tattler's Branch by Jan Watson was a wonderful novel and is a sequel to Skip Rock Shallows. Having just discovered Jan Watson's novels, I have enjoyed both Skip Rock Shallows and Tattler's Branch, and I look forward to reading her earlier novels which reveal more about Lilly's past and her mother's story. Tattler's Branch has an excellent plot that flows well and includes elements of suspense, danger, sorrow, and humor that all lead to a beautifully woven and heart-wrenching story. The themes of this novel are clear and convicting and include topics such as the importance of family, honesty, and sacrificing one's own plans and desires in order to help others. I enjoyed seeing the same characters, plus a few more, in this novel that I first met in Skip Rock Shallows. The characters well all very realistic, each with their own quirks, strengths, and flaws. I liked seeing Lilly grow even more as a member of her community, as a doctor, and eventually possibly as a mother. I also enjoyed meeting Lilly's sister and seeing her mature as well learning even more about Armina as a character. My only dislike concerning Armina is that I wish Armina's thoughts and feelings had had a bigger part in the novel. I did learn more about Armina, but it was not from her perspective. The end of the novel was not what I expected and did bring some heartache, but I did find it to be perfect for the novel and in bringing the community together in a whole new way.

Overall I highly enjoyed this novel, and I look forward to reading Jan Watson's previous and future novels. I received this novel for free from NetGalley.com in exchange for a honest review.
4240146
What a surprise! I am a connoisseur of a wide variety of topics to read. But I totally didn't expect the twists and turns in this novel. I approached this book with a mild sense of curiosity, and then the author took me along to experience the spiritual journey of his main man, Bob.

Bobs search for his dream life and his quest for happiness mirror the hopes and dreams of mankind on their own journey of life. The reader can feel his pain, envoking emotions, page after page. Sadness, fear, delight, but most of all...love.

I highly recommend this work, and hope to read more from this author, as it is obvious that he understands the TRUE meaning of love.
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As soon as I read a review that compared The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson to Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, I knew I would have to read The Lantern. I love the psychological thriller Rebecca and looked forward to A newer work with a similar style. The comparison between the two novels is definitely deserved and Lawrenson even pays tribute to Du Maurier by having the main character and narrator of her novel read Rebecca.

While the similarities between the two novels are obvious and numerous, I wanted to enjoy The Lantern for it's own story and tried to divorce my thoughts from the plot in Rebecca. Not only was it possible, Lawrenson succeeded in writing a story that was fresh, riveting and eerie.

The unnamed narrator and the older man she has recently fallen in love with, though she has only known him for a short time, move together to a charming but dilapidated hamlet in France. Not only does she begin to wonder about this man and his former wife, whom he will not talk about, she suspects that the home is haunted by ghosts. Alternately, a second narrator, Benedicte Lincel, the former owner of Les Genevriers, tells of her own haunting experiences.

I love a good ghost story and The Lantern delivers. Lawrenson is adept at building the suspense and moving along the plot at a steady though slower pace, also reminiscent of Rebecca. Lawrenson also paints a lovely picture of the landscape and describes the distinct smells. There are some books that you can very nearly taste. The Lantern is a book with it's own scent. Invoking the senses, the reader easily becomes immersed in the luscious language and the suspicious thoughts of the main character.

I enjoyed the experience of reading The Lantern so much that I was disappointed that it came to an end. It's the type of book that remains on my nightstand for weeks after I've finished it and I'm reluctant to place on the shelf.
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This one could be my favorite novel of this series!  The thoughts and emotions as the characters made their way to finding God's will for their lives was at times very surprising.  It is hard isn't it to know God's will as we do our best to manage all our responsibilities, others expectations, our selfishness, and also trying to fit God's will into what we want to happen?  This novel does an excellent job of showing us what happens when we try to operate our love lives outside of God's perfect ideal for us.
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Book Review: A Stillness of Chimes...a novel by Meg Moseley

"I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for this review.

Book Review: What if the echoes of past heartaches uncovered an unknown sacrifice that changes everything?

When teacher Laura Gantt comes home to Prospect, Georgia, to settle the household of her recently deceased mother, the last thing she expects to encounter is a swirl of rumors about the father she lost to the lake twelve years ago--that he has reportedly been seen around town. Elliott Gantt's body was never found and he was presumed dead.

Reeling from the sharp loss of a parent, Laura must now grapple with painful memories surrounding her father's disappearance and the sense of abandonment she experienced after his report death. Life-long friend and former beau Sean Halloran wants nothing more than to protect Laura from the far-fetched stories of Elliott's resurrection and to care for her, but he has his own reasons, troubling echoes from his childhood, to put Elliot's disappearance to rest.

Working together, Laura and Sean begin to uncover the truth, one mired in the wooded peaks and deep waters of the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Prospect. Can they fathom how many secrets the steep hills hold? With surprising facts revealed, will Laura be able to understand the sacrificial choices made that forever changed her life? And can love and a peace with God be rekindled in her heart after so much time has passed?

My Review: Berries...is that juice or blood?! When this novel arrived and I had a look at the cover, it intrigued me. Is this an innocent story that involves lovely juicy berries or is the juice of those berries a metaphor of murder?

Laura Gantt arrives home just after her mother passes away to take care of the family home and get things in order when she begins to hear rumors that her father, that years back was lost in a drowning accident, was seen by many around town and is, in fact...alive. Does she want to relive the bad memories surrounding his death as being either an accidental drowning or a possible murder and dwell into the past that is now present to find her father? Now feeling abandonment since she believes that is alive, what are the answers behind his reasons? Her life-long friend and former love, Sean Halloran tries to keep her away from the rumors to avoid the pain and hurt that she may endure if the rumors turn out to be true, but once he begins to believe the rumors as well, the only thing to do is join the love of his life in a search that could bring her closure....and that much closer to the happiness she wants. Will she find her father and true love?
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Two weeks after reading Tin Lily, I am still thinking about her story. A young woman in the throes of grief and fear who manages empathy for others and emerges a stronger version of herself stays with a person. The imagery and soulfulness Ms. Swanson weaves into Lilys story, which is told in the first person, create a new companion who will stay with you long after you finish this first novel. One of my favorite aspects of Ms. Swansons style is that she trusts the reader to understand subtleties. Not only is her writing technically strong, her creativity and imagination invite the reader on a well-informed, thoughtful journey. Ms. Swansons approach even allows the reader to appreciate the pain that drives the antagonist of the story. The novel closes with possibility  the reader is allowed to create a rich future for Lily. A beautiful read, bravo!
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A wonderful, thought-provoking read, very evocative of changing times in the South.  In a time of turmoil and fear of the "other" in America, this novel speaks to love, acceptance and respect.  The characters are wonderfully drawn and I really hated to see the story end.  Highly recommend this work by this talented writer!
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I found this to be thought provoking introspections of a woman who has lived a fascinating life as well as a satisfyingly successful career.  I have certainly enjoyed her literary creations for decades.  After reading this, her last book, I have to agree wholeheartedly that there is 'No time to spare', that one should embrace everything around them every day so there will not be regrets at the end of one's life that they had wasted years of opportunities.  Thank you, Ursula!  May you have travelled on the Other Wind at the end.
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"Still Life" is a wonderful novel about the journey of two women in different lifestyles, the author digs deep into the soul of each revealing the fear, pain, the damaged ability to love again, and all that makes us who we are. Well written, thought provoking, emotional.

Well done Christa!

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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Almost Forever starts off with a bang or rather an explosion and fire. You are quickly drawn into the story line and dynamics of the relationship between Bryn Hennesey, A volunteer at the Grove Street Homeless Shelter, and her firefighter husband, Adam.

When a fire destroys the Homeless Shelter and takes the lives of 5 firefighters, including Adam. Bryn is devastated. She is also feeling guilty. Is she the one that started the fire? Did she accidentally forget to blow a candle out? Deborah Raney takes you on a journey with Bryn as she deals with the guilt, fear and devastation of losing her husband.

Bryn's emotions are so real and sincere that you can't help but put yourself in her shoes. What if you did something that destroyed your life "and" the lives of others around you. How would you face it? How could you face it? Do you run away or run toward the situation?

If you have ever done something that you were ashamed of...and really, who hasn't? You'll be able to relate to the journey that Bryn takes in Almost Forever.

This was my first Deborah Raney novel and I was impressed with her structure and development of the story line. I look forward to reading more of her stories.
3558867
A beautifully written thought provoking novel following the daily obstacles of three generations of women.  I was totally immersed in the characters and even shed a few tears along the way.  Definitely a very good read.....loved it!
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A page turner and definitely a book that would carry a book club! Thought provoking and a book that makes you think.  Hoping a second book is on the way!!
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This is a well written novel of a woman through for a complete loop by a health crisis- and her effort to find herself.  It's thoughtfully written with no real villans, just real people who have forgotten themselves and how their actions are viewed by others.  Oddly, one scene that really resonated with me was when Maribeth is told that Elizabeth had her taken off the IT system at work.  Maribeth's journey back is very gratifying,  THanks to netgalley for the ARC.  Try this one if you've ever felt as though you'd like to walk away- although not because of a heart attack (and golly, thanks for the detailed info on how that felt!)  - and think about things for a while.  Two thumbs up!
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Ramez Naam has delivered a thought provoking novel that is fun to read. As science races ahead of our societies' capability to grasp the ethical consequences of our new technologies books like this one inspire us to become the people we want to be.
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I am an avid reader, and Louise Penny is one of my favorite authors. For me novelist best describes her, not mystery writer, because she masterfully writes compelling novels around evil and redemption that explore mysteries to probe human weaknesses, obsessions, and cruelties. Her latest novel, artfully interweaving characters, plot lines, and moral issues from previous books, interrogates several falls from grace and culminates in a luminous affirmation of love and humanity at great cost with transcendent implications. At the same time, the book is fast-paced and intricately plotted with Chief Inspector Gamache and familiar characters from Three Pines in a race against time. There is even the reappearance of Rosa the duck, who has taken the long way home. I could not put this book down and highly recommend it!
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I emotionally connected to the characters in this book, just as I have with Mr. Raney's other works. I love his Jim Morgan series, but in my opinion, this is his finest work so far. I enjoyed it so much, I would put it on a list of my favorite books alongside works by E.B. White, Harper Lee, Toni Morrison, and Ray Bradbury. I can't wait to read it again with my son.