Review: The Road to Paradise: A Vintage National Parks Novel by Karen Barnett

Summary

An ideal sanctuary and a dream come true–that’s what Margaret Lane feels as she takes in God’s gorgeous handiwork in Mount Rainier National Park. It’s 1927 and the National Park Service is in its youth when Margie, an avid naturalist, lands a coveted position alongside the park rangers living and working in the unrivaled splendor of Mount Rainier’s long shadow.

But Chief Ranger Ford Brayden is still haunted by his father’s death on the mountain, and the ranger takes his work managing the park and its crowd of visitors seriously. The job of watching over an idealistic senator’s daughter with few practical survival skills seems a waste of resources.

When Margie’s former fiancé sets his mind on developing the Paradise Inn and its surroundings into a tourist playground, the plans might put more than the park’s pristine beauty in danger. What will Margie and Ford sacrifice to preserve the splendor and simplicity of the wilderness they both love?

Karen Barnett’s vintage national parks novels bring to vivid life President Theodore Roosevelt’s vision for protected lands, when he wrote in Outdoor Pastimes of an American Hunter: "There can be nothing in the world more beautiful than the Yosemite, the groves of the giant sequoias and redwoods, the Canyon of the Colorado, the Canyon of the Yellowstone, the Three Tetons; and our people should see to it that they are preserved for their children and their children's children forever, with their majestic beauty all unmarred."

Amazon / Goodreads / Kobo

Barnes & Noble / ChristianBook.com

My Review

4.5 Stars

First of all, how gorgeous is that cover? I'm not gonna lie, that's what first caught my attention about this book, but then I read the synopsis and I knew I just had to read it! There's been so much praise about this book and, I've gotta say, it's well warranted.

I loved learning about the early years of the National Park Service. I've never had the pleasure of visiting Mount Rainier National Park before, but I now feel like I have after reading this novel! The vivid descriptions captured my imagination so well that I felt I could perfectly picture the scenery and smell the scents of the forest. The author did such a great job capturing the beauty and essence of Mount Rainier that it felt like another character, not just the background scenery.

I so enjoyed reading about Margie's love of nature, of God's creation. Seeing the world through her eyes was a bright spot in this novel. Her optimism, despite everything, made her incredibly likable. Ford's a bit gruff at times, but I couldn't help liking him. He had so much pressure on him, which left him feeling quite inadequate. It was great watching both characters grow, experience new things, and conquer fears. The bad guy made my skin crawl. He was slimy and left me with an icky feeling whenever he'd show up on the page.

The Road to Paradise is one of those books to savor. I took my time with it, not rushing through it, but enjoying my time with Ford and Margie, enjoying my time in the National Park. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in this series. I'd recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and lovers of nature.

Favorite Quotes

“God led me to this place, Ranger Brayden. The beauty of His creation speaks of the Father's love. If I can get one person to see God at work in nature, my mission will be complete.”

“As soon as she stepped foot in Longmire, it's forests had wrapped around her like God's comforting arms, hiding her from the world.”

“Don't think because you're not a man you can't do anything you set your mind to do. You spoke truth - a fragile appearance can mask great strength.”

I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books. All thoughts and comments are my own honest opinion.

To learn more about Karen Barnett, visit her website, Facebook page, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Waiting on Wednesday: Oath of Honor by Lynette Eason

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that highlights upcoming eagerly anticipated releases.

This week I'm featuring Oath of Honor by Lynette Eason releasing January 2, 2018.

Summary

Police officer Isabelle St. John loves her crazy, loud, law-enforcement family. With three brothers and two sisters, she's never without someone to hang out with--or fight with. And she knows they'll be there for her when things get tough. Like when her partner is murdered and she barely escapes with her own life.

Determined to discover exactly what happened, Izzy's investigation sends her headfirst into a criminal organization, possibly with cops on the payroll--including someone from her own family. With her dead partner's handsome homicide detective brother Ryan shadowing her every move, Izzy's head is spinning. How can she secure justice for her partner when doing so could mean sending someone she loves to prison? And how will she guard her heart when the man she's had a secret crush on for years won't leave her side?

With her signature fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat action, Lynette Eason invites readers into a captivating new series where justice is a family affair.

Why I Need It

You can never go wrong with a Lynette Eason suspense! I can't wait to start this new series!

What book are you waiting on? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Need to Be Movies (Part 2)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.

The Broke and Bookish are taking a break until mid-August, so I thought I'd come up with my own topic this week. I'm featuring Books That Need to Be Movies. Last week I featured Contemporary and Historical Novels that need to be movies. (You can find that list by clicking here.)

This week I'm featuring Paranormal/Fantasy/Dystopia Novels that need to be movies.

Paranormal/Fantasy/Dystopia

Huntress

by Julie Hall

Tainted

by Morgan L. Busse

The Safe Lands Trilogy

by Jill Williamson

Under the Never Sky

by Veronica Rossi

Out of Time Series

by Nadine Brandes

The Wishcraft Mysteries

by Heather Blake

The Splintered Series

by A.G. Howard

Masque of the Red Death / Dance of the Red Death

by Bethany Griffin

The SPI Files

by Lisa Shearin

House Immortal Series

by Devon Monk

The Study Series

by Maria V. Snyder

What books do you want to see made into movies?

Review: Tearing the Veil (The Uncloaked Trilogy Book 2) by J. Rodes

Summary

They trained us well. Power punctuated our every move, driving fear into the intended target. Who would stand against them?Braxton Luther, the sellout.

Now a part of the Den, he’s determined to make good on Eliza Knight’s faith in him—to be more than what he’d settled for when the Party had taken over. But his goal is dangerous, and not just for him. As he searches for a way to protect the silent, invisible victims of the new government, Braxton’s mission—which includes finding a way to rescue Eliza from the Reformation Camp—becomes even more complicated. Hannah Knight, Eliza’s sister, is simply too much like him

.

Tired of standing in her perfect sister’s shadow, Hannah determines to find her own place in the world. If that place is with the Pride—the girls’ home and training center provided by the Party—so be it. When she leaves the hopelessness of the cellar, that’s all she’s aiming for. But Quinn Sanger, the handsome son of a powerful political leader, finds her at the creek, and her life takes an unexpected and optimistic turn.

Braxton’s convinced Hannah’s in trouble. Hannah’s convinced Braxton, and all the Uncloaked, are insane. But when they peek behind the real veil the Party maintains, the truth is beyond what either had feared or hoped.

If everyone knew, it could change everything. They redefine their mission. It’s time to tear the veil.

Amazon / Goodreads

My Review

Five Stars

The Uncloaked is one of the best dystopias I've read, so I've been super anxious for the sequel, Tearing the Veil. Let me tell ya, it did not disappoint. It was just as good, if not better than, the first.

Tearing the Veil is told from two points of view, Braxton Luther and Hannah Knight (Eliza's little sister). I really enjoyed having the different viewpoints. Hannah's unpredictable and impulsive, reminding me a lot of how Braxton was in the first book. Braxton's matured a lot and now sees the errors of his former ways. He's trying his best to do the right thing. The author has a real way with words making me feel a deep connection to the characters and their circumstances.

From the very beginning to the very end, danger seeped out of the pages and I had a feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach. I was anxious the whole way through. There were times when I'd have to set my Kindle aside for a minute, take some deep breaths, and calm down. The things The Party were doing made my blood boil. Their tactics, propaganda, show of force/power, reformation camps, etc. harkened back to Nazi Germany. Terrifying!

This series is so relevant to our world right now. If we stay silent, keep turning a blind eye to the injustices, to the evils, to the just plain wrong, I'm afraid the picture painted in these books could very well become our grim reality.

Tearing the Veil was an extremely thought-provoking novel that I HIGHLY recommend to everyone! Would I be brave enough to stand against such evil? I certainly hope so!

I received an e-ARC of this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my own honest opinion.

To learn more about J. Rodes, visit her website, Facebook page, and Twitter.

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: True to You by Becky Wade

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading.

Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two.

This week I'm featuring True to You (A Bradford Sisters Romance #1) by Becky Wade.

Book Beginning

Finding oneself at the mercy of a crazed gunman isn't all fun and games.

Friday 56  (56% on my Kindle)

She gave John a smile she did not feel in any corner of herself. "Hi, I'm Willow. Nora's sister."

About the Book

After a devastating heartbreak three years ago, genealogist and historical village owner Nora Bradford has decided that burying her nose in her work and her books is far safer than romance in the here and now.

Unlike Nora, former Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient John Lawson is a modern-day man, usually 100 percent focused on the present. But when he's diagnosed with an inherited condition, he's forced to dig into the secrets of his past and his adoption as an infant, enlisting Nora to help him uncover the identity of his birth mother.

The more time they spend together, the more this pair of opposites suspects they just might be a perfect match. However, John's already dating someone and Nora's not sure she's ready to trade her crushes on fictional heroes for the risks of a real relationship. Finding the answers they're seeking will test the limits of their identity, their faith, and their devotion to one another.  

What have you been reading lately? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Review: Warfare (Life After #2) by Julie Hall

Summary

The battle is far from over.

When the lives of her loved ones are put in peril, who will Audrey turn to for help? On the surface, Audrey's existence in the afterlife is coming together. Her quirky new mentor guides her on the path to becoming the demon hunter she always hoped. She has great friends and even a kinda-sorta-maybe new boyfriend. But if things are so wonderful, why is Logan never far from her thoughts?

After learning that her family is the target of an unprecedented demonic siege Audrey puts all she’s gained in jeopardy by defying heavenly authorities and returning to Earth. Stranded at the place she once called home with the one person she's been desperate to forget, she'll face vicious monsters, betrayers, and a legion of demons with an insidious weapon that even her celestial sword can't defeat.

Will Audrey’s mistakes in the afterlife be what destroys the lives of the ones she loves the most?

Amazon / Goodreads

My Review

Five Stars

Warfare is the sequel to Huntress, so if you haven't read the first book, drop everything and grab a copy! You won't be disappointed. Huntress was an amazing read, so I've been super excited to get to Warfare. I've gotta say, it was just as good as Huntress and... dare I say it?... maybe even a little better... It seemed to have more of everything, as crazy as that sounds. More action, more intrigue, more danger, more fight scenes, more spiritual growth, more romance, more humor. And as with the first book, I was completely and totally drawn into it's sequel. Everything else disappeared except for this book, this world, these characters.

When Audrey's family is targeted by an unprecedented level of demon attacks, she will do anything, defy authority and friends, to help them. I completely felt Audrey's panic and fear for her family, but, my goodness, she is so stubborn! There were quite a few times I wanted to reach through the book and shake some sense into her! But I could definitely see how much she's grown from the previous book. More of Logan's past was revealed, which explained a lot about why he acted the way he did. One of my favorite characters in Warfare had to be Audrey's new mentor, Hugo. He's warm and inviting and kind, but with an unwavering air of authority about him. I really enjoyed all of his sage advice and wisdom.

There were some shocking twists and turns and reveals, some where I thought my jaw was gonna hit the floor. There was, also, a great lesson about putting all your faith and trust in God and not yourself. One of my favorite aspects of this series is the friendships. Even though they were tested quite a bit in Warfare, they were genuine and real, so great to read about.

Warfare was a fantastic book that I had a hard time putting down. And that ending... oh my!... Book three can't come out soon enough!

Memorable Quotes:

“He never leaves us or forsakes us. His Spirit goes with us, Audrey, and if we are sensitive to His presence, we’ll hear what we need to hear.”

“God can do amazing things, even with faith the size of a mustard seed.”

“...though your path may seem hard at times, it brings the greatest reward. Some may choose to take what appears to be the easy way, but in the end they’ve only hurt themselves. The Father cares for you deeply, and although you will face challenges, it is in the furnace that your character will be refined.”

“No matter what happens, remember the Father works all things to good. Never forget that.”

For more information on Julie Hall, visit her website, Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram.

Waiting on Wednesday: Troubled Waters by Susan May Warren

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that highlights upcoming eagerly anticipated releases.

This week I'm featuring Troubled Waters (Montana Rescue #4) by Susan May Warren releasing January 2, 2018.

Summary

Billionaire Ian Shaw can have everything he wants--except a happy ending. Or at least that's what it feels like with his fortune recently liquidated, his niece, Esme, s...till missing, and the woman he loves refusing to speak to him. In fact, he doubts she would date him even if they were stranded on a deserted island.

Despite her love for Ian, Sierra Rose knows he has no room in his life for her as long as the mystery of his missing niece goes unsolved. The only problem is, Sierra has solved it, but a promise to Esme to keep her whereabouts secret has made it impossible to be around Ian.

When the PEAK chopper is damaged and Sierra lacks the funds to repair it, Ian offers a fundraising junket for large donors on his yacht in the Caribbean. But the three-day excursion turns into a nightmare when a rogue wave cripples the yacht and sends the passengers overboard. Shaken up and soaked to the bone, Ian finally has a chance to test his theory when he and Sierra do indeed find themselves washed up on a strange, empty shore.

It will take guts and gumption for the PEAK team to rescue the duo. But it will take a miracle to rescue Ian and Sierra's relationship.

Why I need it:

Finally Ian and Sierra's story! I can't wait to see how this turns out... and they're stranded on a deserted island? I'm so excited to read this!

What book are you waiting on? Leave a comment below and let me know.