Review: Finding Sheba by H.B. Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

*The e-book is an affordable $3.99!*

Synopsis

For centuries, historians have speculated that the Queen of Sheba is nothing more than a seductive legend; but when undercover agent Omar Zagouri finds a tomb in a tunnel beneath Jerusalem, he unearths cryptic clues that may lead to the queen’s final resting place.

This discovery, if authentic, could throw into question the governmental claim to the Holy Land—and prove the Bible false. Wealthy collectors, ruthless archaeologists, and officials from Egypt, Ethiopia, Israel, and Yemen scramble to find and lay claim to the secret site.

Dr. Richard Lyon of Brown University, the world’s leading expert on the queen, is found murdered in his office, setting off a chain of deadly events. Omar desperately works to piece together the puzzle to locate the queen’s burial ground, fearing another assassination will take place. He teams up with one of Lyon’s protégées as well as with his ex-girlfriend, agent Mia Golding, in order to unravel the truth about the queen, expose a murderer, and reveal a timeless story of love, revenge, and sacrifice.

My Review

I don't always like modern and historical stories interwoven- I usually find one boring and distracting to the other, but not in this case! I loved the viewpoint of Nicaula, the legendary Queen of Sheba, eagerly anticipating her next account and discovering where her passionate story led. The modern viewpoints are chock full of action and intrigue- switching from one character to another to give a well-rounded perspective of the puzzle pieces that seem random but work their way together by the end.

Omar is a cross between Indiana Jones and James Bond; Mia a female version of that in her own right as an amazingly skilled agent. Their missions overlap and they end up rescuing each other, uncover corruption in several high-ranking officials, and gather evidence to solve the mysteries of the tombs. Omar is full of angst over their recent break-up which brings some humorous tension between him and his boss, her new boyfriend that he suspects stole Mia from him.

I also enjoyed the perspective of Jade, an American graduate student who studied under Dr. Lyon who traveled to the Middle East to gather research for her thesis, and Alem, a Ethiopian seeking to validate his family's relation to the royalty of the Queen. There is a reasonable amount of violence, a couple mild swear words, and a reference to Omar and Mia living together when they had a relationship. I highly recommend this book to fans of The Da Vinci Code and similar ancient historical thrillers.

(Thank you to Ebooks For Review for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review & Giveaway! The Captive Imposter by Dawn Crandall

Be sure to scroll down and enter the giveaway for any of the books from The Everstone Chronicles!

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Sent away for protection, hotel heiress Estella Everstone finds herself living undercover as a lady’s companion named Elle Stoneburner at one of her father’s opulent hotels in the mountains of Maine—the one she'd always loved best and always hoped to own one day, Everston. The one thing she doesn't like about the situation is that her ex-fiancé is in the area and is set on marrying someone else. Reeling from her feelings of being unwanted and unworthy, Estella reluctantly forms a friendship with the gruff manager of Everston, Dexter Blakeley, who seems to have something against wealthy young socialites with too much money, although they are just the kind of people Everston caters to.

When Estella finds herself in need of help, Dexter comes to the rescue with an offer she can't refuse. She sees no other choice aside from going back home to her family and accepts the position as companion to his sister. Throughout her interactions with Dexter, she can't deny the pull that's evidenced between them every time he comes near. Estella realizes that while she's been hiding behind a false name and identity, she’s never been freer to be herself than when she's with Dexter Blakeley. But will he still love her when he finds out she's Estella Everstone? She's not entirely sure.

My Review

Dawn Crandall's writing style is fascinating. Written in first person, there is a quality about it like I'm reading in tunnel vision- I know there's more going on peripherally but I can only see what is being experienced by the main character, Estella. The story unfolds in layers and the different aspects of the plot are revealed strategically. It's almost like uncovering a mystery!

Estella has undergone her transformation from shallow socialite to compassionate companion before the book begins, so we see her new perspective of the world and herself. I love how she is drawn to Dexter and values him for his own qualities as she comes to know him and forms an unlikely friendship with him. He is a bit of a mystery as well, but from the beginning his integrity and honor are obvious. I loved reading the developing romance between Estella and Dexter and discovering all the facets of their story! This third book in The Everstone Chronicles is definitely my favorite.

(Thank you to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Entry-Form

Review: Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

A bet gone wrong. A small town's meddling. And a cowboy intent on saving his ranch.

Maggie Hope is an advice columnist whose background leaves her with little advice to give . . . and it's beginning to show. When Maggie fills in at an interview with champion horse trainer Tru Monahan, the on-camera chemistry between them is undeniable. Maggie's bosses know this is the opportunity she's been looking for to launch her career--and their bank accounts. In order to save her column, Maggie takes Tru up on the bet that he can teach her to ride a quick-stepping cutting horse like any cowgirl, despite the fact that she has never been on a horse. And in the meantime, she can get the scoop on the man under the cowboy hat.

Tru has been on the competition circuit for longer than he'd like, but he knows it's the only way he can afford to keep the Four of Hearts Ranch that means so much to his ailing grandfather. So when his sponsors see the opportunity for Tru's fans to get to know the star on a more intimate level, he knows he must oblige. To his dismay, Maggie not only invades his small town of Wishing Springs, but she also invades his heart, and that is something he cannot let any woman do--for her own good.

In Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart's desires.

My Review

At first look, it seems like beautiful Maggie and heartthrob Tru have everything going for them- in the career department at least. But under the surface they each have tragic backgrounds and current struggles that run deep. It was the harder themes that got to me with this book rather than the romance. The author dealt with them in a gentle manner yet didn't shy away from the reality of the situations portrayed in the story. Dysfunctional family members, family loyalty, Alzheimer's, homelessness, unwed pregnancy, adoption, infertility, gambling, fame... but even with the heavy themes it's still uplifting and inspiring. I especially appreciated the different perspectives in the adoption storyline since we adopted both of our daughters. Don't get me wrong- there are plenty of funny and sweet moments too, and there is a strong cast of secondary characters that rounds out the hometown feel of this novel.

(Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing and BookLook Bloggers for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

E-book sale: $1.99 for Unequal Affection: A Pride & Prejudice Retelling by Lara S. Ormiston

Unequal Affection was recommended to me as one of the better Pride and Prejudice variations out there. It's been on my wishlist and today I found the e-book on sale! Get it at Amazon for only $1.99!

Synopsis

When Elizabeth Bennet first knew Mr. Darcy, she despised him and was sure he felt the same. Angered by his pride and reserve, influenced by the lies of the charming Mr. Wickham, she never troubled herself to believe he was anything other than the worst of men--until, one day, he unexpectedly proposed.Mr. Darcy's passionate avowal of love causes Elizabeth to reevaluate everything she thought she knew about him. What she knows is that he is rich, handsome, clever, and very much in love with her. She, on the other hand, is poor, and can expect a future of increasing poverty if she does not marry. The incentives for her to accept him are strong, but she is honest enough to tell him that she does not return his affections. He says he can accept that--but will either of them ever be truly happy in a relationship of unequal affection?

Diverging from Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice at the proposal in the Hunsford parsonage, this story explores the kind of man Darcy is, even before his "proper humbling," and how such a man, so full of pride, so much in love, might have behaved had Elizabeth chosen to accept his original proposal.