Book Review ~ The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz

 

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Title:  The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz

Series:  N/A

Pages:  406

Date Published:  August 1, 2011

Publisher:  Revell

 

 Blurb:

 

In 1779, when genteel Virginia spinster Roxanna Rowan arrives at the Kentucky fort commanded by Colonel Cassius McLinn, she finds that her officer father has died.

 

Penniless and destitute, Roxanna is forced to take her father's place as scrivener. Before long, it's clear that the colonel himself is attracted to her. But she soon realizes the colonel has grave secrets of his own—some of which have to do with her father's sudden death.

 

Can she ever truly love him?  

My Thoughts:

 

It has been quite a while since I've read a historical romance novel.  I have so many on my TBR (to-be-read) shelves and spent longer than I wanted trying to decide which historical book to read.

 

I picked "The Colonel's Lady" because I absolutely love the cover and the blurb sounded very interesting.  (probably why I got the book to begin with).  I've had this book on my TBR shelf for a few years.  It was published in 2011, so who knows how long really.

 

I found this book to be quite epic and very patriotic!  It put me in mind a bit of the movie "The Patriot" with Mel Gibson.

 

I absolutely adored the characters and the way the author wrote them.  Cass was quite the hero but had many faults as did Roxie.  I loved them anyway!

 

The novel was full of twists and turns and turncoats.  It was also full of drama, suspense and treachery.  All this is what made it such a good read.  I especially like how the author created a battle of Biblical proportions and miracles.

 

With this book, I'll be ending out the year 2019 reading wise.  I finished it just in time to make it my 26th book of the year and complete my (adjusted) Goodreads Challenge 2019.  I wasn't sure I was going to make it, but I did :)

 

I'm excited to read where 2020 will take me!

 

Onto the next book!

  



Colletta

Book Review ~ Holiday Homecoming Secrets by Lynette Eason

 

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Title:  Holiday Homecoming Secrets by Lynette Eason

Series:  Love Inspired Suspense

Pages:  224

Date Published:  December 1, 2019

Publisher:  Love Inspired Books

 

 Blurb:

 

A man from her past is back—

to help her solve a holiday murder case.

A friend is missing and presumed dead, and detective Jade Hollis is determined to track down the killer. To do that she must team up with private investigator Bryce Kingsley—who doesn’t know he is the father of her child. But she’ll have to put personal secrets aside because the killer will strike again to keep the truth from being exposed.  

My Thoughts:

 

Years ago, I had a subscription to Love Inspired Books but I haven't read one in years!

 

I recently felt the urge to read some Christmassy books so when I was at Wal-Mart I checked out the newest releases for a book that grabbed my attention.  I couldn't believe my luck when there was a book written by Lynette Eason, one of my favorite suspense authors.  So, I snatched up "Holiday Homecoming Secrets".

 

From the "blurb", I knew that there would be many facets to the storyline.  I wasn't wrong!

 

I had an inkling of who the "killer" might have been early on in the story but couldn't quite figure out the why.  It turned out I was completely wrong about the motive but I was very impressed with myself that I didn't flip to the back of the book to see if I was on the right track with my suspicions.  I let the story unfold as the author intended :)

 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this Love Inspired Suspense novel and have a few more on my TBR Shelf that are also Christmas books that I picked up at Goodwill of all places!

 

I'm excited about fiction again!

 

Onto the next book!

  



Colletta

Book Review ~ Sabotaged by Dani Pettrey

 

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Title:  Sabotaged by Dani Pattrey

Series:  Alaskan Courage Book Five

Pages:  325

Date Published:  February 3, 2015

Publisher:  Bethany House

 

 Blurb:

 

Growing up, goody-two-shoes Kirra Jacobs and troublemaker Reef McKenna were always at odds. Now paired together on Yancey's search-and-rescue canine unit, they begin to put aside old arguments as they come to see each other in a different light. Then a call comes in from the Iditarod that will push them to their limits.

Kirra's uncle, a musher in the race, has disappeared. Kirra and Reef quickly track the man, but what they discover is harrowing. Frank's daughter has been kidnapped. In order to save her, the man must use his knowledge as a mechanical engineer to do the kidnapper's bidding or she will die. Kirra and Reef, along with the entire McKenna family, are thrown into a race to stop a shadowy villain who is not only threatening a girl's life, but appears willing to unleash one of the largest disasters Alaska has ever seen.  

My Thoughts:

 

It had been months since I'd last read a fiction book.  For some reason I was in a fiction slump so I was concentrating on nonfiction books.  With this wintry weather we've been having here in Pennsylvania, I got the urge to pick up a fiction to give it a try.

 

I decided to pick a wintry book off of my TBR shelf.  I could tell be the cover of "Sabotaged" that it would be full of snow and ice.

 

Let me tell you:  Dani Pettrey does NOT disappoint!  I loved this book!

 

I've now read ALL the Alaskan Courage series and loved them all.  Dani Pettrey is currently one of my very favorite authors.

 

It was so much fun to read Reef's and Kirra's story as well as be visited by the other McKenna clan.

 

The story was very fast paced with lots of action, travel, danger and romance.  Not to mention snow and ice :)

 

For the first time in a while, I'm excited to read my next fiction!  It is a good thing too, because I signed up for the Mount TBR Challenge and I have a ton of fictions on my TBR shelf.

 

Onto the next book!

  



Colletta

Book Review ~ Generous Love by Becky Kopitzke

 

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Title:  Generous Love by Becky Kopitzke

Series:  N/A

Pages:  224

Date Published:  April 3, 2018

Publisher:  Bethany House

 

 Blurb:

 

If asked, most of us want to make a difference, to live and love generously. But we get caught in the crazy rush of household routines, work demands, cranky attitudes, difficult people, exhaustion, worry, and pride, and once again we fail to love the people around us at all--let alone well. We too easily default to focusing more on self than on others, on receiving more than giving, in ways we don't even recognize. We dream of reaching out. We just . . . forget. Or don't have the energy.

Using relatable stories, discussion questions, and careful application of God's Word, author and speaker Becky Kopitzke gives you the inspiration and practical tips and ideas you need to see the opportunities around you, to reach out, to live generously, and to love others bravely and selflessly. To bless and be blessed is to actualize the joy of Christ--and to propel love forward.  

My Thoughts:

 

This is my second read from Becky Kopitzke, the first being The SuperMom Myth which I loved!  When I saw Generous Love on sale at www.christianbooks.com I snatched it up.  Well, added it to my cart :)

 

The subtitle is:  "Discover the Joy of Loving Others First" and that is exactly what the author shared in this book that was well written and chock full of Scripture.

 

Becky goes over what a blessing is, a blessing toolbox and the Four P's of Blessing:

 

1.  Presence

2.  Possessions

3.  Perspective

4. Prayer

 

She even talked about what do to when others are hard to bless and poses the question:  "Are YOU hard to bless?"

 

This book reminded me of a saying my Grandmother used to always say, "You will receive a blessing!"  It was her way of saying "thank you" when doing a kind act for someone else.  Such a sweet memory and a saying that we still teach OUR kids today :)

 

I really enjoy this author's voice and am definitely going to be looking for more read by her.

 

Please see my header for the "Way of Salvation!"

  



Colletta

 

 

 

P.S.  I'd love for you to sign up to get a Pen Pal for 2020.  Click HERE for more information.

Book Review ~ Made Well by Jenny Simmons

 

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Title:  Made Well by Jenny Simmons

Series:  N/A

Pages:  197

Date Published:  October 10, 2016

Publisher:  Baker Books

 

 Blurb:

 

From the woman fighting cancer to the man who has lost his child to the girl sinking into depression, so many of us are engaged in daily battles as we long for healing. When he walked the earth, Jesus said to an unwell man, "Do you want to be made well?" His invitation stretched beyond physical healing--he sought to restore the soul. The same invitation stands for us today.

For anyone struggling on the journey toward wholeness, singer/songwriter Jenny Simmons offers a resting place and a friend along the way. With personal insight into emotional pain, she invites readers to encounter a God who is working out their restoration--often in surprising "half-baked" ways. Her humorous and inspirational prose lights a path toward wholeness. Anyone trying to find their way to spiritual, mental, and emotional healing will benefit from Jenny's vulnerable and compassionate stories of being made well in the midst of a messy life.   

My Thoughts:

 

I don't know what to make of this book...

 

Some stories were poignant, insightful and encouraging.  Others were just plain strange:  such as eating scabs and grief being a little girl in the woods.

 

It seemed disjointed in some ways and I found myself just wanting to get done with the books so I could move on to the next read.  I admit to wanting more from this book based on the title and subtitle.

 

The author is/was (?) a member of the band Addison Road.  I thought I'd leave you with the song that is referenced in the book:

  



Colletta

 

 

 

P.S.  I'd love for you to sign up to get a Pen Pal for 2020.  Click HERE for more information.

Book Review ~ Keep It Shut by Karen Ehman

 

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Title:  Keep It Shut by Karen Ehman

Series:  N/A

Pages:  206

Date Published:  January 6, 2015

Publisher:  Zondervan

 

 Blurb:

 

Keep It Shutby Karen Ehman explores how to better control your tongue, knowing what to say and how to say it, and realizing when it is best to say nothing at all.


From Bible times to modern times women have struggled with their words. What to say and how to say it. What not to say. When it is best to remain silent. And what to do when you’ve said something you wish you could now take back. In this book a woman whose mouth has gotten her into loads of trouble shares the hows (and how-not-tos) of dealing with the tongue.


Beyond just a “how not to gossip” book, this book explores what the Bible says about the many ways we are to use our words and the times when we are to remain silent. Karen will cover using our speech to interact with friends, co-workers, family, and strangers as well as in the many places we use our words in private, in public, online, and in prayer. Even the words we say silently to ourselves. She will address unsolicited opinion-slinging, speaking the truth in love, not saying words just to people-please, and dealing with our verbal anger.


Christian women struggle with their mouths. Even though we know that Scripture has much to say about how we are—and are not—to use our words, this is still an immense issue, causing heartache and strain not only in family relationships, but also in friendships, work, and church settings.         

My Thoughts:

 

I love the title of this book as well as the subtitle:  "What To Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing at All"!

 

I snatched this book up at Ollie's because I had been struggling with something I had said to friend about another friend that could be considered...GASP....gossip!  Chapter 7 was particularly enlightening to me in this respect.

 

The author did a wonderful job of giving constructive criticism while still encouraging.

 

I enjoyed her real-life examples throughout the book to emphasize her points and topics for each chapter.

 

The book is also chock full of Scriptures, of course, many of them were from Proverbs but there were also Scriptures from throughout the Word on how our speech should be full of grace.

 

I thought of adding my favorite "snippet" to this review, but to be fair, there were so many great thoughts and ideas that I had a hard time deciding on one.  You'll just have to read the book!

  



Colletta

 

 

 

P.S.  I'd love for you to sign up to get a Pen Pal for 2020.  Click HERE for more information.

Book Review ~ The Super Mom Myth by Becky Kopitzke

 

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Title:  The Super Mom Myth by Becky Kopitzke

Series:  N/A

Pages:  217

Date Published:  December 1, 2015

Publisher:  Shiloh Run Press

 

 Blurb:

 

"This book isn't about raising kids. It's about raising Moms. . ." says author, speaker, blogger, lunch packer, and sidewalk chalk artist Becky Kopitzke.

 

In a Pinterest-perfect culture, you've likely sensed an accelerated pressure to measure up. Then you either weigh yourself down with guilt or become resigned--desensitized, even--to this so-called failure. 

 

The Supermom Myth--with humor and grace, yet all the while maintaining a firm grasp on reality--aims to empower you to become the mom God created you to be. With 8 chapters, each personifying a "dirty villain" of motherhood, including The Grouch on the Couch (Anger), Worry Woman (Fear), and The Calendar Queen (Busyness), Kopitzke offers a gentle reminder to rest in the super power of our grace-filled God.      

My Thoughts:

 

 Finally!  A book review!  I has been FOREVER!

 

I gave up trying to finish a fiction book and headed to my nonfiction shelf where I picked out "The Super Mom Myth" to give it a try and get me out of my reading slump.

 

It worked!  I actually finished a book!

 

I loved reading about the "Dirty Villains" of motherhood and could identify with most, if not all, of them.

 

I loved the author's writing style and flew through the book.  I even looked up other books by Kopitzke and ordered one which I can't wait to receive and read!

 

The book is full of Scripture.  One of my favorites was:

 

"Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from Him."  Psalm 127:3

 

There were so many quotes that I would have liked to share but I would have had to rewrite the whole book in this review.  I really can't pick out a favorite so I'll leave you with the last few lines:

 

"Because I'm a mom; therefore, I matter.  AND SO DO YOU.

 

This was a great read for all the mothers out there no matter what age your children are!

 

I do have to mention that I did have some issue with the "Sinner's Prayer" in the book.  Please click HERE to see the Biblical Way of Salvation!

 



Colletta

 

P.S.  I'd love for you to stop by my shop:  Colletta's Kitchen Sink Shop!

Book Review ~ Formula of Deception by Carrie Stuart Parks

 

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Title:  Formula of Deception by Carrie Stuart Parksw

Series:  N/A

Pages:  320

Date Published:  July 3, 2018

Publisher:  Thomas Nelson

 

 Blurb:

 

When her twin sister was murdered, Murphy Anderson changed her name and appearance and moved to Kodiak to avoid the press and publicity. But when local authorities discover she’s an artist and request her help in drawing a dying man’s memories, she unintentionally ends up in the limelight again—and may be back in the killer’s crosshairs.

The memory that Murphy was asked to draw was from an Alaskan hunter who discovered five bodies on remote Ruuwaq Island ten years ago, but has only shared the information with the police now that he’s dying of cancer. When they go to the island to investigate, no skeletons remain but there is evidence that the bodies may have been deliberately destroyed. But the big discovery is of a World War II Quonset hut.

As one by one the people who were at the hut die, Murphy knows there is something much deeper at stake. What happened there during WWII? And who is willing to kill to keep those secrets buried?     

My Thoughts:

 

 Oh MY!!!

 

What a book!

 

I don't know where to start with this review other than to say that this book is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!  I'd even go so far as to say it was the best books I've read in years!

 

Carrie Stuart Parks is a new-to-me author so I didn't know what to expect.  Let's just say I got a whole lotta bang for my $1.99 at Ollies.

 

I just finished this book 10 minutes ago and am still a little bit in shock by the ending!  I thought I had everything all figured and then WHAM!

 

The characters, especially Murphy/Dakota, were very well written and the scenery played before me as if in photographs or a movie reel.

 

I'm going to be thinking about this book for days!

 

I'll definitely be on the lookout for more books by this author.

 

Just amazing!

 

 



Colletta

 

P.S.  I'd love for you to join in the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

 

 

Book Review ~ Summer of Promise by Amanda Cabot

 

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Title:  Summer of Promise by Amanda Cabot

Series:  Western Winds Book #1 

Pages:  404

Date Published:  January 1, 2012

Publisher:  Revell

 

 Blurb:

 

Though she had planned to spend the summer in Vermont, Abigail Harding cannot dismiss her concerns over her older sister. Charlotte's letters have been uncharacteristically melancholy, and her claims that nothing is wrong ring false, so Abigail heads west to Fort Laramie, Wyoming. When her stagecoach is attacked, Wyoming promises to be anything but boring. Luckily, the heroics of another passenger, Lieutenant Ethan Bowles, save the day.

Abigail plans to marry when she returns to Vermont, just as soon as she attends to her sister. As the summer passes, she finds herself drawn to this rugged land and to a certain soldier determined to persuade her to stay. When summer ends, will she go back East, or will she find her heart's true home?  

My Thoughts:

 

 This book was my first read for the Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019 (see below for the sign-up post).  The second book of this series is about the Fall/Autumn and I want to read it during this Challenge so first I needed to read "Summer of Promise".  It was just the logical thing to do :)

 

I haven't read a "western" in a while and was feeling in the mood to enjoy a couple days out west.  Even better that Ethan (the hero) was in the Cavalry.  An officer and a gentleman and all that jazz!

 

  Abigail started as your typical "eastern school teacher" gone west.  She absolutely hated Wyoming in the beginning and thought the terrain was simply boring, except for the sky.

 

Ethan makes it his mission to change her mind about Wyoming.  Abigail made it her mission to change Ethan's mind about love, both heavenly love and earthly love.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet book even though I figured out pretty early on who "the man from the fort" was.

 

I can't forget the puppy factor in this book!  Even though Puddles was a bit of a handful for Abigail and Charlotte, he was certainly a main character as well as he gave Abigail and Ethan lots of excuses for taking walks together :)  The book wouldn't have been the same without him.

 

Luckily I have books 2 and 3 on my shelf.  Yep, the entire series at my fingertips at one time!

 

 



Colletta

 

P.S.  I'd love for you to join in the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

 

 

Book Review ~ The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner

 

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Title:  The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck

Series:  N/A

Pages:  294

Date Published:  October 3, 2017

Publisher:  Revell

 

 Blurb:

 

Becoming a Christian is the best and worst thing that has ever happened to Sarah Hollenbeck. Best because, well, that's obvious. Worst because, up to this point, she's made her very comfortable living as a well-known, bestselling author of steamy romance novels that would leave the members of her new church blushing. Now Sarah is trying to reconcile her past with the future she's chosen. She's still under contract with her publisher and on the hook with her enormous fan base for the kind of book she's not sure she can write anymore. She's beginning to think that the church might frown on her tithing on royalties from a "scandalous" book. And the fact that she's falling in love with her pastor doesn't make things any easier.

With a powerful voice, penetrating insight, and plenty of wit, Bethany Turner explodes onto the scene with a debut that isn't afraid to deal with the thorny realities of living the Christian life.  

My Thoughts:

 

 I really wanted to like this book.  In fact, I kept reading with the hope that just a few more pages and it would evolve for me.

 

But...it just didn't!

 

I liked the premise.  As a former addict of main stream romance, I had to come to terms with what a Christian should OR shouldn't be reading.  I made the decision that I would no longer read main stream romance due to the immorality and graphicness of the plots and scenes.  So, I really liked the idea of a writer making an about-face with her writing genre.

 

However, I found this book to be too much about sex.  Yes, it was about not having sex but still about sex at the same time.  Does that make sense?

 

The romance moved extremely fast as in love-at-first-sight kind of romance.  Then there was a lot of back-tracking to the "courting" part of romance.  Complete with rules.  I think there were #7.

 

I've read edgy Christian romance and loved it.  Please don't think I'm just too prudish to have an open mind to what the author was trying to achieve.  I think the intention was there, just not the delivery.

 

I hate writing bad reviews but I have be honest.  I just didn't like this book.

 

 



Colletta

 

P.S.  I'd love for you to join in the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

 

 

Book Review ~ A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna M. White

 

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Title:  A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna M. White

Series:  Ladies of the Manor

Pages:  408

Date Published:  September 13, 2016

Publisher:  Bethany House

 

 Blurb:

 

Lady Ella Myerston can always find a reason to smile—even if it's just in hope that tomorrow will be better than today. All her life everyone has tried to protect her from the realities of the world, but Ella knows very well the danger that has haunted her brother and their friend, and she won't wait for it to strike again. She intends to take action . . . and if that happens to involve an adventurous trip to the Cotswolds, then so much the better.

Lord Cayton has already broken two hearts, including that of his first wife, who died before he could tell her that he loved her. Now he's determined to be a better person. But that proves difficult when old rakehell friends arrive on the scene and try to threaten him into committing a crime. He does his best to remove the intriguing Lady Ella from danger, but the stubborn girl won't budge. How else can he redeem himself, though, but by saving her—and his infant daughter—from people ready to destroy them all?  

My Thoughts:

 

 I'm going to keep this review short and sweet.

 

As much as I wanted to love Ella and Cayton's story, I just couldn't bring myself to finish the book.  GASP!!!  A DNF!

 

Not because of the writing or the storyline, but just because life interfered.

 

It was taking me forever to read and I just felt like moving on to the next book.  I asked myself if it was worth my time to finish a rather long book if I wasn't TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY enjoying it.

 

Has that ever happened to you?

 

 I love this author and will be anxiously awaiting the next book of hers I can get my hands on!

 

 



Colletta

 

P.S.  I'd love for you to join in the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

 

 

Book Review ~ A Confident Heart by Renee Swope

 

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Title:  A Confident Heart by Renee Swope

Series:  N/A

Pages:  225

Date Published:  August 1, 2011

Publisher:  Revell

 

 Blurb:

 

    Often the biggest obstacle to living out our faith is our own doubt--about our worth, our abilities, our relationship with God, and situations in our lives. A Confident Heart gives voice to the questions, doubts, struggles, and hopes so many women have. Author Renee Swope shows women how to identify, overcome, and even use doubt in order to live confidently in God's power, truth, and grace.

 

Perfect for women's small groups or individuals, A Confident Heart is an authentic, insight-filled and encouraging message for any woman who wants to exchange destructive thought patterns with biblical truth that will transform the way she thinks, feels, and lives.     

My Thoughts:

 

I started off my "10 Books of Summer" Challenge with a non-fiction read and decided to end it with another non-fiction book.  Yep, I finished a challenge!!!

 

This is a book that I had on my shelf for quite some time.  As you can see above, it was published in 2011.  I'm not sure exactly when I got it but it has been a while.

 

With everything that has been going on my life and the lives of my family members, I really liked the title and felt like I really needed to read about "How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises".

 

Although I didn't agree with all of the author's beliefs (See Way of Salvation in my header), I enjoyed her take on the subject of becoming a confident woman.  That confidence being a confidence that God created us to be exactly who we are.

 

I particularly like the fact that Ms. Swope wasn't afraid to show her own insecurities, fears and doubts.  I related to so many of the chapters.

 

I think I picked this book up to read at just the right time in my life.

 

 

 



Colletta

Book Review ~ Truth Stained Lies by Terri Blackstock

 

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Title:  Truth Stained Lies by Terri Blackstock

Series:  The Moonlighters Book 1

Pages:  352

Date Published: February 12, 2013 

Publisher:  Zondervan

 

 Blurb:

 

    Cathy Cramer is a former lawyer and investigative blogger who writes commentary on local homicides. When she finds a threatening note warning her that she's about to experience the same kind of judgment and speculation that she dishes out in her blog, Cathy writes it off as mischief ... until her brother is caught in the middle of a murder investigation---the victim is his ex-wife.

 

As her brother is tried and convicted in the media, and bloggers and commentators like her have a field day, Cathy wonders if she should have taken the threat more seriously.

 

Cathy and her two sisters, Holly and Juliet, moonlight as part-time private investigators, working to solve their brother's ex-wife's murder. Juliet, a stay-at-home mom of two boys, and Holly, a scattered ne'er-do-well who drives a taxi, put aside their fear and lack of confidence to learn the art of investigation.

 

But will it be too late to save their brother from a murder conviction, or his five-year-old son who's the killer's next target?     

My Thoughts:

 

I really wanted to like this book.

 

I've read one other book by this author, "If I Run", and really liked it.  I thought I would try one of her older books and was able to get this one from paperbackswap.com.

 

However, the book was just "OK" for me.

 

I think my problem was there were too many POV's.  There were at least 5 different POV's happening throughout the book.  I understand that this is the first book in the series and the characters needed to be introduced but it just felt like I was jumping all over the place.

 

Also, I figured out "whodunnit" about half way through the book and I had trouble holding interest after that.

 

I really wanted to like this author as she's a very popular author with many fans.  I just don't think it is for me though.

 

Bummer...

 



Colletta