REVIEW: Both of Me by Jonathan Friesen

REVIEW: Both of Me by Jonathan Friesen

{About the Book}

It was supposed to be just another flight, another escape into a foreign place where she could forget her past, forget her attachments. Until Clara found herself seated next to an alluring boy named Elias Phinn—a boy who seems to know secrets she has barely been able to admit to herself for years.

When her carry-on bag is accidentally switched with Elias’s identical pack, Clara uses the luggage tag to track down her things. At that address she discovers there is not one Elias Phinn, but two: the odd, paranoid, artistic, and often angry Elias she met on the plane, who lives in an imaginary world of his own making called Salem; and the kind, sweet, and soon irresistible Elias who greets her at the door, and who has no recollection of ever meeting Clara at all. As she learns of Elias’s dissociative identity disorder, and finds herself quickly entangled in both of Elias’s lives, Clara makes a decision that could change all of them forever. She is going to find out what the Salem Elias knows about her past, and how, even if it means playing along with his otherworldly quest. And she is going to find a way to keep the gentle Elias she’s beginning to love from ever disappearing again.

{My Review}

Rating: 4.5 stars!

This is the only the second book I have read by Jonathan Friesen and I already emjoyed "Both of Me' a heck of a lot more than Aquifer. The writing in this novel was so beautiful and at times felt like poetic prose, which I really enjoyed. The characters were well developed and it must have been difficult for Jonathan to write from a female perspective. However, he did it beautifully and there was no author interruption. Traveling to the different "Salems" were very interesting and was such a fun part of the story. THE ENDING.....the ending just about killed me. I did not see that plot twist coming and it felt like someone ripped my heart out and stomped on it! Although I will say that I understand why the author did that. Both of Me was such a wonderful story about a young girl, Clara trying to help Elias.

I quite enjoyed going this journey with Elias and Clara. If you want a quick Contemporary read for an afternoon, I highly recommend Both of Me.

REVIEW: The Secret of Pembrook Park by Julie Klassen

REVIEW: The Secret of Pembrook Park by Julie Klassen

{About the Book}

Julie Klassen Is the Top Name in Inspirational regency Romance 

Abigail Foster fears she will end up a spinster, especially as she has little dowry to improve her charms and the one man she thought might marry her--a longtime friend--has fallen for her younger, prettier sister. 
When financial problems force her family to sell their London home, a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll's house left mid-play . . . 

The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem to know something about the manor's past, the only information they offer Abigail is a warning: Beware trespassers who may be drawn by rumors that Pembrooke contains a secret room filled with treasure. 

Hoping to improve her family's financial situation, Abigail surreptitiously searches for the hidden room, but the arrival of anonymous letters addressed to her, with clues about the room and the past, bring discoveries even more startling. As secrets come to light, will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks...or very real danger?

{My Review}

Rating: 5 stars!!

I love Julie Klassen's novels, although I wasn't a huge fan of her last, The Dancing Master. The Dancing Master released last December and while I enjoyed it, it wasn't as good as any of her previous novels. However, I was overjoyed when I saw The Secret of Pembrook Park was available from Bethany House for review. I jumped at the chance and requested The Secret of Pembrook Park. And I LOVED it!! It was longer than any of her other books, which I like, and it was chopped full of romance, mystery, and regency history. If these three things are your thing I highly suggest picking up this book.

REVIEW: Murder Tightly Knit by Vanetta Chapman

REVIEW: Murder Tightly Knit by Vanetta Chapman

{About the Book}

When a local Amish man is found dead, the Middlebury Amish Artisan Village comes under suspicion. Two amateur sleuths---one Amish, one English---will have to work quickly to keep fear from dividing their community. As fall blankets the Pumpkinvine Trail with leaves of brown, gold, and orange, a local Amish man is found dead on the path. The only clues to the murderer's identity point in two very different directions---toward the local survivalist group and toward the Amish Village---specifically the village's knitting shop, The Cat's Meow. The police call in a federal investigator, and he quickly puts everyone on the suspect list. Amber Wright and Hannah Troyer know who isn't guilty---they know this community down to the last buggy, but can find the guilty party before someone else is in danger? While Hannah helps Amber solve the mystery, she and Jesse Miller continue courting. But when Jesse's prodigal brother returns to their farm, Jesse becomes distracted by family troubles. He and Hannah will have to overcome the tension in order to keep their relationship alive. And Amber and Hannah will need to work quickly to solve the murder mystery and bring harmony back to the Amish community.

{My Review}

Rating: 4 stars!

This is not te first Vannetta Chapman book I have read. I remember reading the first book in this series, Murder Simply Brewed. And I remember reading and enjoying it, so I thought I would continue and read the rest of the series. So when I saw Book #2 on BookLook I had to grab it. Just as Murder Simply Brewed, I really enjoyed Murder Tightly Knit. Out of all the Amish themed books I have read lately this is the best one. The romance, the mystery, everything was wonderful.