Among the Reads

  Drawing Treasures from a Sea of Words  - Reviews of clean and wholesome books

[amongthereads]

Time to Say Goodbye - or - A New Chapter

Time to Say Goodbye – or – A New Chapter

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost five years since launching Among the Reads. It has certainly changed over the years – I’m actually stunned anyone trusted me to review their books, especially looking back at the first posts! I’ve gone through some changes over this past year. Some good, some sad, some just different. Over the past year, my husband and I determined separately and together…

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A Kingdom Discovered by Deborah Grace White - Book Review

A Kingdom Discovered by Deborah Grace White – Book Review

The short version is: Don’t wait to read this series! It is delightful and left me wanting more. I have greatly enjoyed the Vazula Chronicles so far. This series is perfect for those who appreciate fantasy with a hint of romance and plenty of intrigue, action, and dragons! Author Deborah Grace White writes with subtle humor and a style that quickly immerses me in the world of her stories quickly…

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Finding Harmony by Alyssa Roat - Book Review

Finding Harmony by Alyssa Roat – Book Review

Finding Harmony beautifully worked through the dis-chord in the hearts of Liv and Elijah as they struggled with the unhealthy need to please those around them. As one who also struggles with this disorder, I related well with them and was touched by the difficulties they had sorting through the noise to understand the heart of God for their lives and their music. I could also relate to Pastor…

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[amongthereads]

The Heart of the Mountains by Pepper D. Basham - Book Review

The Heart of the Mountains by Pepper D. Basham – Book Review

Pepper Basham’s love of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and those who people them, shines in this beautiful love song of lyrical prose. Reading it was like listening to a favorite melody, surrounding me with coziness and contentment. As Cora stepped out of her familiar world in England and entered the mysterious and sometimes harsh world of the mountains, she encountered attitudes and things she had…

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[amongthereads]

The Songs That Could Have Been by Amanda Wen - Book Review

The Songs That Could Have Been by Amanda Wen – Book Review

If Amanda Wen isn’t on your must-read author list, stop what you’re doing and put her there now! She has again written a second-chance story that still plays through my mind like a lovely melody. I knew from the first line this was going to be interesting! Carter was so fascinating. I loved learning why he chose to switch careers from journalism to meteorology. He was so confident, yet his…

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[amongthereads]

A Kingdom Submerged by Deborah Grace White - Book Review

A Kingdom Submerged by Deborah Grace White – Book Review

I’ve heard about this series for a while. Author Deborah Grace White mentioned in a newsletter at the end of her Kyona Chronicles series that she was working on a mermaid series. Then, she did a detour to The Kingdom Tales series, set in a new kingdom. I’m not sorry she did that but am very glad that The Vazula Chronicles is now getting its debut. Merletta is an orphaned mermaid who overcame…

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A Far Way to Run by Lori Altebaumer - Book Spotlight

A Far Way to Run by Lori Altebaumer – Book Spotlight

Excerpt There is more than one way to bury a person. The smell of damp earth and the funeral sprays made of freshly cut flowers drifted to the parking area as a wintery wind tussled the white daisies and yellow roses surrounding the soon-to-be occupied hole in the ground. Unseasonably cold air chilled her. The words rattling like bones in Shayne Wright’s head chilled her more.Her legs—bare…

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Never Romance a Rogue by Regina Scott - Book Review

Never Romance a Rogue by Regina Scott – Book Review

Blackmailed to uncover the secrets of Belle’s father, the Duke of Wey, Owen had no choice but to work his way into the good graces of the family. charming the ladies with his pretty speech and flattering manners. It was that or losing the only one he cared about. His job was made so much easier when Belle chose him as a matrimonial target for her dear friend… Using subterfuge to discover the…

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In Honor's Defense by Karen Witemeyer - Book Review

In Honor’s Defense by Karen Witemeyer – Book Review

What a wonderful story! And what a wonderful series! I have loved reading the Hangar’s Horsemen series and really appreciate how Karen Witemeyer created a realistic, exciting adventure without including unnecessary violence. Oh, how I loved Damaris! Especially the vivid picture the author painted of her to show how and why she considered herself invisible. And why she was comfortable being that…

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Where the Road Bends by Rachel Fordham - Book Review

Where the Road Bends by Rachel Fordham – Book Review

This shouldn’t surprise my longtime readers – I’m completely enamored with Rachel Fordham’s writing! Where the Road Bends is such a lovely and heartwarming story. It is beautifully written, wrapping me in the comfort of its hopeful message. It has such a clever beginning – when Norah found Quincy beaten and left for dead in her field. I loved the witty banter between them when she rescued him,…

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Her Mountain Refuge by Laurel Blount - Book Review

Her Mountain Refuge by Laurel Blount – Book Review

I loved Logan and Charlotte’s story!! Logan was super protective of everyone he cared about. I loved that when he saw Charlotte was wearing her mother’s ring, he dashed to her rescue as he had done when they were younger. Despite the fact they hadn’t spoken for years. He is my favorite kind of hero. Her Mountain Refuge is the second in what seems to be a series of stories about the now-grown…

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Potiphar's Wife by Mesu Andrews - Book Spotlight

Potiphar’s Wife by Mesu Andrews – Book Spotlight

I have Mesu Andrews here today to talk about her new release, Potiphar’s Wife. I hope you enjoy learning more about it… Congratulations on your 12th biblical fiction novel, Potiphar’s Wife! Potiphar’s wife is nameless in the Old Testament, mostly known as the deceptive woman who seduces Joseph. What inspired you to not only give Zuleika a name but also to tell her story? How did you find her…

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Finding Love in San Antonio by Miralee Ferrell - Book Review

Finding Love in San Antonio by Miralee Ferrell – Book Review

While primarily David and Adela’s story, Finding Love in San Antonio tells of the Romero family women finding their place after the death of Adela’s husband. Adela had been so focused on her career as a celebrity chef that she constantly fought for time to spend with her daughter – and lost. Her mother-in-law was struggling with running a restaurant she no longer loved. Her niece desired to…

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[amongthereads]

The Emperor's Aeronaut by Shelley Adina & R.E. Scott - Book Review

The Emperor’s Aeronaut by Shelley Adina & R.E. Scott – Book Review

With just a hint of romance, The Emperor’s Aeronaut adds a steampunk twist to the Napoleonic Wars as Celeste and Loveday defy convention and seek to build an airship together. I was mesmerized from the first page by these plucky, brilliant ladies. Their cleverness in sussing out solutions was delightful. Arthur and Emory were a bit confounded by them! While the airship the women were building…

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[amongthereads]

Death Valley Hideout by Dana Mentink - Book Review

Death Valley Hideout by Dana Mentink – Book Review

I’ve enjoyed getting to know the Duke family through the Desert Justice series. Death Valley Hideout is Willow’s story, though with this close-knit family, that only means that she has a little more air-time than her protective brothers and cousin. While I enjoy stories with strong heroines, I’m partial to those who are more human. Who aren’t tough and able to conquer every physical challenge.…

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The 80's Rom-Com Club Anthology - Book Review

The 80’s Rom-Com Club Anthology – Book Review

I’m not a fan of every ’80’s rom-com, and am, frankly, usually embarrassed by the language in many of them. I am a fan, however, of rom-coms in general and especially a fan of several of these authors. Therefore, I was super excited when asked to read an advance copy and share my thoughts with you. I just loved Sure About You by Jaycee Weaver. Not only was it a fun story of opposites attracting,…

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The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray - Book Review

The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray – Book Review

I don’t read many mysteries. Even cozy ones. So you might wonder why in the world I chose to read The Murder of Mr. Wickham, right? Well, the answer is simple. All the Austen heroes and heroines are in one story. How could I pass that up?!! I was very impressed with the clever manner in which the various characters were introduced. There was quite a cast and the author managed to make their…

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