If you like good, solid fiction--and the Civil War, I highly recommend this whole series! Today, I'm specifically focusing on Out of the Ashes in a review, but before I do so... be sure to hop along to all of these other
blogs and see what First Lines they have to share!
Please note that I may not fully endorse
all of the books that these bloggers read or the content in these blogs.
Rebecca – It’s Storytime with Van
Danniker!
Iola – Iola Golton
Nicole – Christian
Fiction Girl
Share a first line -- from one of your favorite series! :)
Now, for Ashes stuff...
About the Book
Sometimes peace is won through battle.
Haunted by the memories he can't escape, Ralph Williams wants to be left alone to lick his wounds. He doesn't understand why he's forced into the company of the one woman he least desires. Can God bring him healing through such uncomfortable circumstances?
Frank Harper thought he had left the war and its turmoil behind, but the home to which he has returned is anything but peaceful. When racial tensions arise in Maple Grove, Frank finds himself on a battlefield once more. He's desperate for peace, but at what cost?
When George Chandler heads off to wed his beloved bride, things don’t go as expected. Just as George starts to get comfortable with what he believes is God’s new plan for his life, history threatens to repeat itself. Will he fight for the woman he’s come to love, or will he let her go?
The War Between the States has destroyed more than just a nation. In four years, it has damaged bodies and wounded souls until the people think that nothing is left. Will they find the healing they so desperately need from the God that loves them?
My Review
| This was one of my most-anticipated 2017 reads. It's a post-Civil War book (my current history fascination), the continuation of two books I greatly enjoyed, and by an author I knew I could trust. Those three all sum up to make a pretty solid read, in my humble opinion. ;) What I loved most... continuing the stories of all of the characters in the former two Ancient Words books was amazing. I loved these characters, wanted to know what had become of them, and was sufficiently satisfied. Ralph's story was probably my favorite. But I really think that he was just my favorite character overall. The Christian element was very strong and woven throughout the story very well. I love it when I'm reading a story and suddenly the characters turn the conversation into something Biblical. Loved that! This one definitely gets a five-star on the spiritual content. Romance... well, I know A.M. Heath. She's a romantic at heart. However, I found that her writing wasn't too overly-focused on the emotional side of romance. There was a lot about real love not just emotional love. There were some scenes that, because a couple was married, things were mentioned that is better for an older audience. But overall, I didn't find that lines were crossed in what is appropriate. I would say that the main down-side of this story was that it took me a little while to get into it and to remember all of the characters--the latter I will blame on my poor memory. It's been 1 1/2 years since I've read books 1-2, and sometimes I finish a book and can't even remember the MC's name. So, I'll just leave it at... if it's been a while since you've read books 1-2, you may want to refresh your memory a little. Also, don't read this as a stand-alone. It means so much more read as a series. *I received this book from the author and happily provided my honest review* |
GIVEAWAY!!
Be sure to enter here: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b7851a908/?
And... in case you don't win, you can buy the books on Amazon!
About the Author
Besides being an Indie Author, I’m a wife, mother of four, children’s Sunday School teacher, sweet tea drinker, history fanatic, romantic, bubbly, lover of broccoli, and cake decorator who has a soft spot for Christmas trees, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What I’m not is a laundress (or at least not one who keeps up very well), a duster, tall, or patient in a doctor’s office.
What I’m not is a laundress (or at least not one who keeps up very well), a duster, tall, or patient in a doctor’s office.
Blog Stops
July 31: Karen Hadley @ Karen Sue Hadley : Book Review
Aug. 1: Krista Noorman @ by Krista : Book Review
Aug. 2: Becky Dempsey @ Blossoms and Blessings : Book Review
Aug. 4: Alicia Ruggieri @ A Brighter Destiny : Book Review and Interview
Aug. 7: Dana Kamstra @ D.L. Kamstra : Book Review
Aug. 9: Laura Wilson @ Blue Eye Books : Book Review
Aug. 11: Amanda Tero @ With a Joyful Noise : Book Review
Aug. 14: Deana Dick @ Texas Book-aholic : Book Review
Aug. 15: Virginia Winfield @ Bigreadersite : Book Review
Aug. 16: Raechel Lenore @ God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae : Spotlight
Aug. 18: Debbie Curto @ Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations : Book Review and Interview
Sounds like an interesting series!
ReplyDeleteI have the first line from Thomas Locke's "Fault Lines" on my blog today, but I'm going to share the first line from Candace Calvert's "Disaster Status" from her Mercy Hospital Collection. The Kindle collection with all three books in the series is on sale this month for just $2.99, so I couldn't resist!
"Fire captain Scott McKenna bolted through the doors of Pacific Mercy ER, his boots thudding and heart pounding as the unconscious child began to stiffen and jerk in his arms."
Wow! All 3 books start off with fantastic first lines. I want more!! :)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
Happy Friday!
ReplyDeleteHere is my first line:
Rebekah
In the fourth grade we made little rockets out of old film canisters, baking soda, and vinegar.
The Isaac Project by Sarah Monzon
Fun first lines! Looks like a great series.
ReplyDeleteI'm sharing about Three Wishes by Lisa T. Bergren over on my blog today, but I'm currently reading the sequel, Four Winds, so I'll share that here. :)
"Javier laughed and shook his head as we reached the top of the sand dune, Centinela loping in a wide circle around us. "I do not know if I can court a girl from the future and have a pet wolf," he said in Spanish. "That is a lot to ask of one man."
I was thrilled to see all three books participating on your blog for First Line Friday!! And thanks for the beautiful review!! I'm glad you liked it so much!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read Out of Ashes!
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday!
My first line is from The Spinster & the Cowboy by Lena Nelson Dooley:
"When the sharp rap on his closed office door roused him, Joshua Dillinger raised his gaze from the legal document he had been studying with intense concentration."
Wow. Sounds like a great series. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI also love Out of the Ashes first line, I thought something totally different was going to happen.
ReplyDeleteThe sound of his pounding feet on hard ground and rustling grass filled Frank's ears. Even though he was breathing heavily, he still charged ahead. Just a little further.
@ Fiction - I enjoyed the entire series. :) Thanks for sharing the first line!
ReplyDelete@ Trisha - ooh, I hope you do!! :)
@ Caryl - I've heard of that one before. :) Sounds interesting!
@ Rebecca- wow, that's one interesting and different-sounding book!
@ Anita - you are quite welcome! So happy to be a part! :) <3
@ Becky - I hope you enjoy it!
@ C.J. - it's a fascinating series! You should try to read it someday!
@ Pamela - yes, the first line was great. :)
Sounds very interesting!
ReplyDeleteFrom "Footprints in the Barn" book 1 in "The Farm Mystery Series" by Mr. and Mrs. Stephen B. Castleberry.
"What's he doing now?"Andy was noticeably excited, and a little worried too.
"Keep your head down, Andy! Do you want him to see us?" replied twelve-year-old Jason, as he carefully peered over the bottom edge of the window sill...
Great Christian mysteries for kids! My whole family loves them!
I would love to read these books. They sound wonderful. Thank you for alerting us to this giveaways!
ReplyDelete-Ashley
Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMy first line:
“I inspected the knife in my hand.” ~ Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll
Happy Reading!
Dinh@Arlene's Book Club
What a great review and I'm looking forward to reading these books. I have the first two as ebooks, but haven't had a chance to read much lately.
ReplyDeleteThese books look so exciting and interesting. I am looking forward to reading them. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
Happy Saturday!
ReplyDeleteThese seem like good books.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this series yet but have heard of them. Thank you for the giveaway chance. Here's my first line from "The Return" by Suzanne Woods Fisher:
ReplyDelete"As Betsy climbed up from the creek carrying two buckets of water, she heard the sound of her brothers' laughter, and then a man's deeper laugh."
Definitely reading this series!!!
ReplyDeleteI have the first book and would like to win the others!
ReplyDeleteSo excited to be joining First Line Fridays.
ReplyDelete@ Ryana - now THAT is a title I know well! We were raised on Jason and Andy's stories, eagerly awaiting the next book coming out. :)
ReplyDelete@ Ashley - I hope you do get to read them someday! :)
@ Dinh - thanks for stopping by!
@ Debbie - you're welcome! I hope you can find some reading time! :) These are well-worth the time to read!
@ Marilyn - let me know if you do get to read them! :)
@ English - thanks! :)
@ Connie - I think they are! :D
@ Trixi - Fisher... a well-known name yet one that I've not read yet. Thanks for sharing!
@ Katie - YES YOU MUST!!!
@ Paula - that would be fun to win them! :) I have them all eBook, but I'd love to add them to my paperback collection. ;)
@ Tima - welcome to FLF! :) So happy to have you on our team!