Category Archives: Thomas Nelson Publishing

May 24, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: Where the Road Bends by David Rawlings

Title: Where the Road Bends by David Rawlings
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Length: 297 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

How did I get here? 

He ripped back the zip, his heart pounding as red dust trickled in and landed on his face. He stood, brushing the dust from his eyes, a sense of vertigo launching itself up his spine. One step from the swag and his eyes snapped open. He started to lean into a void. Over a cliff. 

Fifteen years after college graduation, four friends reconnect to keep a long-ago promise and go on a trip of a lifetime in the Australian Outback.

Eliza needs to disconnect from her high-powered fashion job to consider the CEO position she’s just been offered. Lincoln hopes to rekindle a past relationship and escape from another one. Bree looks forward to a fun getaway from home and her deeply buried disappointments. Andy wants to disappear from the mess he’s made of his life—possibly forever.

Dropped at a campsite in the middle of nowhere, the friends quickly discover they aren’t the same people they once were, and they begin to confront hard truths about one another—and themselves. Then a bizarre storm sweeps across their camp, scattering them across the desert. Wondering if they are part of some strange escape game, each of the friends meets a guide to help them find exactly what they need: purpose, healing, courage, and redemption.

But they’ve already traveled far down the road of life and course-correcting to become the people they were meant to be won’t be easy.

Review:

Where the Road Bends by David Rawlings is an intriguing novel of healing.

Fifteen years after college graduation, four friends fulfill their promise and reunite for a trip to the beautiful Australian outback. Their trip is off to a rocky start when Andy Summers barely makes their flight. Each of them are also struggling with where they are in life. Eliza Williams is grappling with a career decision.  Lincoln Horne has risen to the pinnacle of his profession but personal happiness remains elusive. Bree Carter is happily married with two children yet she is haunted by a long ago decision. And Andy Summers is running from something and he is counting on the trip to escape from his problems in the US.

After finally arriving at their desolate yet beautiful Australian destination in the Red Centre,  the tension between the friends continues to rise. Andy is boastful of his success and he is hopeful he will resurrect a long dead relationship. Bree is fearful of the excursions planned by their tour guides, Eddie and Sloaney, yet she gamely attempts to enjoy their events. Eliza is contemplative and hopes to find answers that will provide happiness when she returns home. Andy is secretive and resentful of Lincoln since he blames his friend for a long ago choice that has set him on his current path.

After a sudden windstorm, all four friend awake the next day and are shocked to discover they have been mysteriously transported to different places in the desert.  Their attempts to return to their base camp are continually thwarted but eventually, help arrives in a very mystifying way. Only by confronting their baggage will they find their way back but will all of them overcome their respective issues?

Where the Road Bends is an engrossing novel with and imaginative storyline.  The characters are flawed and not all of them are sympathetic or likable.  The setting is vividly brought to life and serves as a barren yet stunning  backdrop for the friends to confront their problems.  David Rawlings brings this thought-provoking novel to a bit of an abrupt conclusion that leaves some lingering questions.

An overall fast-paced and enjoyable novel that will leave readers reflecting on their own life’s journey.

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Filed under Contemporary, David Rawlings, Fiction, Rated B, Review, Thomas H Cook, Thomas Nelson Publishing, Where the Road Bends

May 18, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: Carolina Breeze by Denise Hunter

Title: Carolina Breeze by Denise Hunter
Bluebell Inn Romance Series Book Two
Publisher:Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A jilted bride. A struggling innkeeper. And a romantic mountain getaway that changes everything

Rising Hollywood star Mia Emerson is looking for a safe place to land in the wake of a public breakup and celebrity scandal, and she finds it in the lake town of Bluebell, North Carolina—the location of her canceled honeymoon. She wants nothing more than to hide and wait for the tabloids to die down.

Soon after her arrival at the Bluebell Inn, Mia meets Levi Bennett, who runs the inn along with his two younger sisters. Drawn to one another from the start, Mia trusts Levi to keep her location from the press, and Levi confides in Mia about the precarious financial state of the inn—a secret he’s been keeping from his sisters.

When Mia and Levi discover an old journal that hints at a rare diamond necklace hidden in the inn, they set off on a treasure hunt to find the long-lost heirloom. What they don’t expect to surface are feelings they thought were safely locked away. Mia and Levi must decide if falling in love again is too big a risk—or if it will uncover a treasure of its own instead.

Review:

Carolina Breeze by Denise Hunter is a sweet contemporary romance. Although this latest release is the second installment in the Bluebell Inn Romance series, it can be read as a standalone.

Levi Bennett and his sisters Molly and Grace are in the their second year of owning a bed and breakfast. The siblings are working hard to make their business a success so they can follow through with their plan to sell the business once it becomes solvent. Levi is handling the marketing and accounting along with manning the front desk and taking care of maintenance. He longs to return Colorado, but he cannot go back on the promise he made to take care of his sisters.  Levi is a compassionate man but he is a little overzealous  when it comes to his sisters.

Actress Mia Emerson wants to put as much space between her and Hollywood as possible following an unexpected scandal.  While not enthused about honeymooning alone, her room at the Bluebell Inn is paid for so that is the logical place for her to escape the media attention. She is a little wary of trusting Levi’s promise he will not try to cash in on her celebrity. But as they spend time together, she gradually trusts him to keep his word. Mia has a family tie to the B&B so she is excited to learn as much as she can about her estranged grandparents.  Her easygoing friendship with Levi slowly turns into an unanticipated romance, but will Levi’s sense of responsibility and Mia’s insecurities ruin their chance for a future together?

Carolina Breeze is a charming romance with appealing characters and interesting storyline. Levi and Mia’s respective issues are realistically portrayed and easy to relate to. Their relationship is heartwarming and a true joy to watch unfold.  The tranquil setting is atmospheric and vibrantly springs to life.  Denise Hunter brings this delightful romance to a heartfelt conclusion that is quite uplifting. Old and new fans are sure to love this newest addition the Bluebell Inn Romance series.

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Filed under Bluebell Inn Romance Series, Carolina Breeze, Christian, Contemporary, Denise Hunter, Rated B, Review, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing

January 20, 2020 · 11:57 pm

Review: A Girl’s Guide to the Outback by Jessica Kate

Title: A Girl’s Guide to the Outback by Jessica Kate
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

How far will a girl go to win back a guy she can’t stand? This funny, sweet, and romantic story proves that opposites do attract—and that God has a sense of humor.

Samuel Payton is a passionate youth pastor in Virginia, but below the surface, he’s still recovering from the blow of a failed business and insecurities he can’t shake. His coworker, start-up expert Kimberly Foster, is brilliant, fearless, and capable, but years of personal rejection have left her defensive and longing for a family. Two people have never been more at odds—or more attracted to one another. And every day at work, the sparks sure do fly.

When Kimberly’s ambitious plans for Sam’s ministry butt up against his risk-averse nature, Sam decides that obligations to family trump his work for the church. He quits the ministry and heads home to Australia to help his sister, Jules, save her struggling farm. As Kimberly’s grand plans flounder, she is forced to face the truth: that no one can replace Sam. Together they strike up a deal: If Kimberly comes to work on Jules’s dairy farm and lends her business brains to their endeavor, then maybe—just maybe—Sam will reconsider his future with the church.

As Kimberly tries her hand at Australian farm life, she learns more about herself than she could’ve ever expected. Meanwhile Sam is forced to re-evaluate this spunky woman he thought he already knew. As foes slowly morph into friends, they wonder if they might be something even more. But when disaster strikes the farm, will Sam find it within himself to take a risk that could lead to love? And will Kimberly trust God with her future?

Review:

A Girl’s Guide to the Outback by Jessica Kate is a delightfully charming Christian romance.

Kimberly Foster and Samuel “Sam” Payton always seem to be at odds. Kimberly is a business expert who is quite passionate about expanding the ministry Sam founded. Just as they clash over her latest business plan, Sam abruptly returns to Australia to work with his sister, Julia “Jules”, on their family dairy farm. With their business on the verge of going under, Jules convinces Sam that Kimberly is the only person who can come up with a plan to save their dairy.  The scheme perfectly coincides with the news that the ministry is in danger of closing unless Kimberly can convince Sam to return and help find and train his replacement.  With the holidays approaching, Kimberly knows it is the perfect time to travel to Australia to devise a financial plan for the Payton family farm and ask Sam to return to America to help the ministry.  Will spending so much time in one another’s company bring Kimberly and Sam closer?

Kimberly is a headstrong and confident businesswoman who is completely devoted to the ministry. She is frustrated by Sam’s cautious approach to running the business but she can usually persuade him to see things her way. But with an unexpected failure behind them, Kimberly knows Sam will be a tough sell with her newest venture. What she does not expect is for him to completely walk away from the ministry.  Kimberly is emotionally invested in the ministry and determined to not only keep their doors open but to expand in order to aid more people. So when Sam and Jules present their offer to her, Kimberly does not hesitate to travel to Australia.

Sam does not have a theology background yet he is an immensely gifted pastor. He is genuine and sincere in his beliefs and his need to help others.  But, due to his past, Sam is reluctant to take chances. He is quick to shutdown Kimberly’s latest efforts at the ministry and he is skeptical of asking her for  business advice for their family farm. But with the very real possibility of losing their family’s legacy, Sam tries to be open-minded about Kimberly’s business recommendation.

Kimberly adjusts surprisingly well to life on the farm and she throws herself into helping Jules and Sam. She is also enjoying her unexpected friendship with Jules, who is struggling not only with the business but her continued feelings for former boyfriend, Mick Carrigan. Kimberly is also happy that her relationship with Sam turns less adversarial but she doubts their truce will hold indefinitely.  As she and Sam get to know each other outside of a business setting, they realize they harbor many misconceptions about one another.  And underneath their newfound friendship, Sam and Kimberly gradually become aware of a simmering attraction. Will their past issues prevent them from exploring their newfound feelings?

A Girl’s Guide to the Outback is an adorable novel with a beautifully developed cast of characters. Kimberly and Sam might come from different backgrounds but they both allow the wounds from their respective pasts guide their choices in the present. The spiritual messages are gently interwoven into the story in a natural, non-preachy manner and provide added depth to an already strong storyline. The Payton family farm is a wonderful setting that is vividly portrayed and easy to visualize. Jessica Kate brings this captivating novel to an emotional and heartwarming conclusion. A heartfelt and tender romance that I absolutely loved and highly recommend.

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Filed under A Girl's Guide to the Outback, Christian, Contemporary, Jessica Kate, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing

December 16, 2019 · 11:57 pm

Review: The Thief of Lanwyn Manor by Sarah E. Ladd

Title: The Thief of Lanwyn Manor by Sarah E. Ladd
Cornwall Series Book Two
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Historical, Christian, Romance, Mystery
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In Regency England an advantageous match could set up a lady for life. Julia knows Matthew Blake, copper mine owner and very eligible bachelor, is the gentleman she should set her eyes upon. But why can’t she steal her gaze away from his younger brother, Isaac?

Cornwall, England, 1818

Julia Twethewey needs a diversion to mend her broken heart, so when her cousin invites her to Lanwyn Manor, Julia eagerly accepts. The manor is located at the heart of Cornwall’s mining industry, and as a guest Julia is swept into its intricate world. It’s not long, though, before she realizes something dark lurks within the home’s ancient halls.

As a respected mine owner’s younger son, Isaac Blake is determined to keep his late father’s legacy alive through the family business, despite his brother’s careless attitude. In order to save their livelihood—and that of the people around them—the brothers approach the master of Lanwyn Manor with plans to bolster the floundering local industry. Isaac can’t deny his attraction to the man’s charming niece, but his brother has made clear his intentions to court the lovely visitor. And Isaac knows his place.

When tragedy strikes, mysteries arise, and valuables go missing, Julia and Isaac find they are pulled together in a swirl of strange circumstances, but despite their best efforts to bow to social expectations, their hearts aren’t so keen to surrender.

Review:

Set in 1818, The Thief of Lanwyn Manor by Sarah E. Ladd is a sweet historical romance with a slight mystery element.  Although this latest release is the second installment in the Cornwall series, it can be read as a standalone.

Suffering from a broken heart, nineteen year old Julia Twethewey  is in need of a diversion. So when her cousin Jane is bedridden due to pregnancy complications, she travels to Lanwyn Manor to keep her company. The house is in a mining town that is dealing with high unemployment rates partly due to her Uncle William Lambourne closing his mine. Julia’s introduction to the town is frightening but she is charmed by Isaac Blake who rescues her from a threatening situation. However, her Aunt Beatrice insists she spend time with Isaac’s twin brother Matthew since he owns the neighboring estate and mine. As strange and menacing occurrences continue,  Julia is uncertain whom she can trust and her heart and mind are at war as she begins to fall for Isaac. With Aunt Beatrice controlling her every move, will Julia and Isaac get the opportunity to explore their burgeoning feelings for one another?

Julia is a biddable young woman who finds it difficult to stand up to her overbearing Aunt Beatrice.  She is kind, compassionate and caring but she does not trust her own judgment due to her previous relationship. Julia is not at all interested in Matthew but between her aunt’s insistence he is the one for her and her unquestioning belief in local gossip, she continues to see him. Julia can never quite let go of her attraction to Isaac, but is there any chance of a future with him?

By a mere three minutes, Isaac  is the younger son so Matthew inherits the family estate and profitable mine Wheal Tamsen.  Isaac would like to reopen the mine he inherited but he lacks sufficient funds to accomplish his goal. Despite his disappointment, he is content to continue to work with Matthew at Wheal Tamsen. Isaac is intrigued by Julia from their very first meeting but he steps aside as soon as Matthew expresses interest in her. He is suspicious of his brother’s motives for becoming involved with Julia and the Lambournes, but there is nothing he can do about the situation. The two brothers are complete opposites and although Isaac clearly sees Matthew’s faults, he is extremely loyal. However, Isaac eagerly looks forward to spending as many stolen moments as possible with Julia.

The goings on at Lanwyn Manor are quite puzzling and Julia senses something is amiss.  But she cannot quite figure out exactly what is making her so uneasy. Julia is stunned by a shocking accusation and she is also bewildered  by some of Matthew’s behavior. She has stumbled onto some confusing information, but try as she might, Julia struggles to understand what it all means.

The Thief of Lanwyn Manor is an engrossing historical romance with an interesting mystery to solve. Julia and Isaac are delightful characters who put duty over their own wishes. Aunt Beatrice is quite domineering and not very easy to like.  Sarah E. Ladd  brings the novel  heartwarming conclusion  that readers are sure to love.  Old and new fans are going to enjoy this lovely addition to the Cornwall series.

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Filed under Cornwall Series, Historical, Mystery, Rated B, Review, Romance, Sarah E Ladd, The Thief of Lanwyn Manor, Thomas Nelson Publishing

December 4, 2019 · 11:57 pm

Review: The Camera Never Lies by David Rawlings

Title: The Camera Never Lies by David Rawlings
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational, Fiction
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Daniel, Kelly, and Milly appear to be the perfect family. But an old camera will expose secrets no one wants developed.

Daniel Whitely is a successful marriage counselor and bestselling author, yet his own marriage is in crisis and his daughter is drifting further away each day. To make matters worse, the deadline for his second book has come and gone, and he still hasn’t written a single word.

When Daniel inherits an old camera from his grandfather, he notices an inscription on the bottom: “No matter what you think you might see, the camera never lies.”

Daniel begins using the camera, but every time he develops his photos, they threaten to reveal secrets that could sabotage both his marriage and his career—exposing him as a fraud and destroying the life he has worked so hard to build.

He’s faced with a choice: keep his secrets and save his career or come clean and possibly save his family. Which will he choose? Which would you choose?

Review:

The Camera Never Lies by David Rawlings is a thought-provoking Inspirational novel.

Daniel Whitely’s inheritance from his beloved Gramps is a vintage camera and a photo album he has never seen. Daniel is touched by the accompanying letter but confused by the photos. Nevertheless, he is eager to try out the camera but he is very perplexed by the pictures he receives after they are developed.  The images capture his life as it really is, not how Daniel perceives it.  Growing more disturbed with each set of prints, Daniel clings to the secrets he has been keeping but at what cost?

Daniel is a successful marriage counselor and author of a bestselling book. But his marriage to wife Kelly is in serious trouble and their twelve year old daughter Milly is also struggling. Daniel is frustrated by Kelly’s continued conviction that he is having an affair in spite of his firm denials.  He and Milly have always been quite close but she refuses to discuss what is troubling her. Daniel is extremely overdue turning in his second book and he is under immense pressure from his publisher to turn in his manuscript. He is also very alarmed by what the pictures are revealing to him. But will Daniel be willing to do what is necessary to change what could be a bleak future?

Kelly is working as a pharmaceutical saleswoman for a wonder drug for children. Due to her increasing concerns about Milly and the drug she is selling, Kelly would love to quit her increasingly stressful job.  The delay in Daniel turning in the book means they are counting on her income to maintain their current lifestyle. Kelly’s dissatisfaction with her marriage is also weighing very heavily as her suspicions that Daniel is being unfaithful continue to grow. Daniel’s secrecy over his photographs leads her to take drastic steps to try to understand what is causing him such anxiety.

Milly is becoming more and more withdrawn from her family but she refuses to tell what is wrong. She grows even more apprehensive after a celebration with her parents and her father’s co-workers at their home.  As the situation continues to worsen, Milly is becoming more and more desperate. Will Daniel and Kelly be able help their daughter before it is too late?

The Camera Never Lies is a captivating novel  with a powerful message.  Daniel and Kelly are interesting characters who are well fleshed and grappling with life altering decisions. The storyline is quite unique and well executed.  David Rawlings brings this clever novel to an uplifting, satisfying conclusion. I greatly enjoyed and highly recommend this interesting novel.

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Filed under Contemporary, David Rawlings, Fiction, Inspirational, Rated B, Review, The Camera Never Lies, Thomas Nelson Publishing

November 13, 2019 · 11:58 pm

Review: Lake Season by Denise Hunter

Title: Lake Season by Denise Hunter
A Bluebell Inn Series Book One
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The first story in a brand-new series, Lake Season invites readers to the Bluebell Inn in a small North Carolina town where a lost letter, a chance for new love, and old secrets beckon.

When their parents die in a tragic accident, Molly Bennett and her siblings pull together to fulfill their parents’ dream of turning their historic Bluebell, North Carolina, home back into an inn. Staying in town would be temporary—three years at most—then they plan to sell the inn, and Molly can get back to chasing her own dreams.

Adam Bradford (aka bestselling author Nathaniel Quinn) is a reclusive novelist with a bad case of writer’s block. Desperate for inspiration as his deadline approaches, he travels to the setting of his next book, a North Carolina lake town. There, he meets his muse, a young innkeeper who fancies herself in love with his alter ego.

Molly and Adam strike up an instant friendship. When Molly finds a long-lost letter in the walls of her inn, she and Adam embark on a mission to find the star-crossed lovers and bring them the closure they deserve. But Adam has secrets he isn’t ready to share. Past and present collide as truths surface, and Molly and Adam will have to decide if love is worth trusting.

Review:

The first installment in the Bluebell Inn series, Lake Season by Denise Hunter is a bittersweet novel of love and healing.

Molly Bennett and her siblings, Grace and Levi, decide to follow through with their deceased parents’ dream of turning their home into an inn.  With Grace finishing high school, the majority of the work falls to Molly and Levi.  Most of the renovation is almost complete as the summer tourist season is approaching when visitor Adam Bradford stops in hoping to reserve a room. Molly bends the rules a little since the inn has not undergone their inspection when she allows Adam to stay with them. After she discovers a lost letter within the inn’s walls, Molly and Adam team up and attempt to locate the letter writer and recipient. An unexpected friendship springs up between them but as their feelings for one another deepen, will their respective issues prevent Adam and Molly from giving love a chance to bloom into a lasting relationship?

Molly is a very outgoing, cheerful young woman who does not think twice about abandoning her dreams after her parents’ tragic deaths.  With one failed relationship behind her, she is not in any hurry to take a chance on another man deceiving her like her previous boyfriend.  After finding the lost letter, Molly becomes quite invested in trying to locate what appears to be a star-crossed couple.

Adam is a popular, best-selling author who guards closely guards his privacy and writes under a pseudonym. He is a quite intelligent and a little shy. Adam  has an extensive backlist but he still struggles with insecurities and low self-worth.  With a looming deadline on the horizon, he is struggling with writer’s block for the first time in his career. Since his research is not spurring his creativity, Adam instead offers to help Molly track down the author of the letter and addressee.

Chapters which flash back to the events leading up to the lost letter are interspersed with events playing out in the present.  In 1962, a local young woman and a visitor unexpectedly fall in love over the course of the summer.  Just as they are planning their future together, outside forces tear  them apart.  Is there any chance Molly and Adam will find the couple after so many years?

Lake Season is a delightful novel with a slight undercurrent of faith. Molly and Adam are charming characters whose strengths, self-doubts and shortcomings are realistically depicted. The main storyline is well-developed and will resonate with readers. The secondary story arc is poignant and tugs at the heartstrings.  I absolutely loved and highly recommend this uplifting and engaging novel by Denise Hunter.

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Filed under A Bluebell Inn Series, Christian, Contemporary, Denise Hunter, Lake Season, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing