Book Review: Wait For Me by Susan May Warren

I hadn't read the previous books in the series, and didn't realize this was part of a series before requesting it. There are a LOT of characters involved in this book, and a few females with two names because they are trying to start new lives. This became confusing very quickly, as there are also two places with 'M' names involved in most of the action. I hate when authors do that. 

The beginning of the book had me skimming things because it was cringe-worthy to read. I had no idea what was actually going on, as there was no introduction to people. We are just thrown into the scenario of a rescue mission. And then there was a different scene with a guy who hurt his knee but they weren't the same people from earlier. I was totally confused. 

There was also a LOT of physical stuff in this book. No sex, but people pressing themselves against one another, a man who continually remembers the sounds his ex-girlfriend made when they kissed, and things that turned him on, him wanting to not be lonely but the only reason he didn't sleep with a girl was because he didn't want to hurt his old girlfriend. This was bothersome to me, as I like my Christian fiction to be totally G-rated. I don't mind mentioning struggles and sins from the past (we all have them!) but to describe what he likes so much was too much for me. We see that Pete says he wants to not be the old Pete, but there isn't a reason given for why he has changed, or wanted to change. Had he found the Lord? He never says. 

There was absolutely no mention of God until much later in the book, and then it seemed to be only token things brought forward from previous books in the series. I really went back through the intro pages etc and found that there was no quoted scripture in the book at all, and I thought perhaps I had requested a non-Christian book by mistake. I read this type of fiction so I can be encouraged in my walk with the Lord, not just for 'escapism' fiction. That part was disappointing to me. 

I skimmed the entire middle of the book looking for mentions of spiritual things, and ended up near the end when the climax of the action happens. That part was actually well written, and I enjoyed the mystery and action. And sad to say, I don't feel like I missed anything at all by skipping so much of the book. This section was even bogged down by page after page of dialog of people arguing about misunderstandings, and things that happened in the past, that for whatever reason all had to be resolved at the same time. And more of the physical issues for Pete that Jess just didn't seem to understand. Almost like she was provoking him.

So I will not be checking out any previous books in this series, nor will I look for more books by this author. I was disappointed overall for the reasons mentioned above.

I received this book for free from Revell in exchange for an honest review. 

A Rumored Fortune by Joanna Davidson Politano

I liked this book! Tressa is an excellent female protagonist, and she certainly grows and matures throughout the book. The book starts off with her and her mother in dire straits, unsure of just what news awaits them as they are summoned home. The idea of a treasure hunt is always intriguing, and though this book focused more on the development of the characters (can't complain about that!) than the actual treasure hunt, it was still a very interesting read. 

Tressa is faced with her own failings in judging people and circumstances before she has all the information. She takes many things at face value without looking for deeper or hidden intent. It made me think of situations in my own life where I have done the same, and regretted it. 

Donegan is a very welcome addition to the story, and he helps Tressa in her growth as a person. There are a lot of twists in the story. Things get a little crazy when family members and exes begin showing up to look for the treasure. The side characters do get a bit annoying at times, and I wish Tressa or her mother would have kicked them out shortly after they arrived! But they help the plot move along, and contribute to the growth of other characters, so they do serve a purpose.

I wasn't convinced of the father's feelings for Tressa as a daughter, as he seemed very stand-offish, and even from her own memories he wasn't an involved and caring father. It was interesting to see them grow in their memories of each other, and become heartfelt as the book went on.  

I would definitely read more books by this author, and more in this series as well. She has a wonderful way of conveying truth within a character's story arc, and not sounding preachy.

I was given a copy of this book by Revell in exchange for an honest review. 

Minding the Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher

I did not read the first book in this series, but I believe this book is a standalone story that doesn't depend on the first book. In the beginning I was put off because of the Quaker speech. It grated against my mind to hear 'thee' and then 'is' instead of 'are', like we would say if using the word 'you'. I'm still not sure what the correct grammar is, but that bothered me. And because it is woven throughout the book it was annoying.

I liked the main female character, Daphne, as she was a woman of action, and she was kind and nurturing, but not afraid to stand up for herself. And she was nothing like her horrible mother. So many period books have mothers in them that only care about status and themselves. It has become a little tiring to read, honestly. So many of the daughters rebel against the expectations of the time or their class, and it sometimes just doesn't feel realistic, as there are never any true consequences for their decision.

I felt sorry for captain Ren, as his circumstances upon returning home quickly became very sad. I am not sure how well mail was delivered back then, especially with him having been out to sea, but it seems that he would have received a few of his wife's letters, if she had written him weekly. I cannot imagine the shock of returning home and realising you have two children! I also felt sorry for him in putting his trust in someone he obviously should have kept a tighter reign on.

I liked the interweaving of Patience and Abraham into the story, and was very glad to read in the end notes that Abraham was based on a true story, and that most of the events throughout the book were, indeed, based on true history. So many authors weave fiction into their historical novels, where tiny details are true, but the major events are made up. I love that this author kept true history as a main part of the book.

I did not enjoy Tristram as a character. His name, for one, is clunky. I called him Tristan in my head every time I read it instead. He was obviously sketchy, and the way he carried himself, and the deals he made in Ren's absence angered me. I am hoping he had to pay for what he did, but I don't plan to read the next book, so I may never know.

The buried treasure bit from the diary seemed so far fetched to me. No one else ever saw them dig it up, or realised the dirt had been moved or anything? And no one who used it ever thought to take all of it at once and keep it somewhere safer like a bank? I find that very hard to believe. Especially when their family was struggling so much, it could have really helped them.

Another thing that bothered me that was not addressed biblically, was the Quaker belief that the Light is in everyone. That is not what the Bible teaches. The truth is through Jesus Christ. We don't have the answers in ourselves which is why we need a Saviour. Ren rejected the Quaker faith years ago because of the hypocrisy he found there, but he never found truth. Not that everyone comes to Christ, but that part bothered me.

The ending of the book was a shocking revelation with absolutely no resolution afterward. No recording of Daphne's reaction, no idea of how they changed the way they lived, nothing. Just end of story, jump right into the bit of the next book. That was disappointing. I wish we could have known how Daphne reacted, and at least a little of how it affected their family relationships. At least it SHOULD have affected their relationships.

Overall the story was enjoyable, if not totally realistic. I will read other books by this author, but not in this series.