The Things We Knew

About The Book:  A tragedy from the past resurfaces in this tale of family secrets and reignited love.  After her mother's death twelve years ago, Lynette Carlisle watched her close-knit family unravel. One by one, her four older siblings left their Nantucket home and never returned. All seem to harbor animosity toward their father, silently blaming him for their mother's death. Nobody will talk about that dreadful day, and Lynette can't remember a bit of it.  But when next-door neighbor Nicholas Cooper returns to Nantucket, he brings the past with him. Once her brother's best friend and Lynette's first crush, Nick seems to hiding things from her. Lynette wonders what he knows about the day her mother died and hopes he might help her remember the things she can't.  But Nick has no intention of telling Lynette the truth. Besides the damage it might cause his own family, he doesn't want to risk harming the fragile friendship between him and the woman he once thought of as a kid sister.  As their father's failing health and financial concerns bring the Carlisle siblings home, secrets begin to surface---secrets that will either restore their shattered relationships or separate the siblings forever. But pulling up anchor on the past propels them into the perfect storm, powerful enough to make them question all they ever believed in.  Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/29vkFGh
About The Author:  Catherine West writes stories of hope and healing from her island home in Bermuda. When she's not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border collie for long walks on the beach or tending to her roses and orchids. She and her husband have two grown children.
My Thoughts On This Book:   I have never read anything by Catherine West, but I can promise you I will be on the lookout for her next book.  This book was amazing.  Having lived with a mother who had Alzheimer's Disease this book really touched home.  I thought this would be an awesome summer read and it was.  I took it to the beach and could not put it down.  The characters were true to life and the dysfunctionality of the family made it that much more believable.  Great plot, full of twists and turns, lots of mystery.  This book is a must read.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion, as part of their Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Song of Silence

About The Book:  Song of Silence (Abingdon, April 2016)  Music taught Lucy love and beauty. Could silence teach her hope?  Lucy and Charlie Tuttle agree on one thing: they're committed to each other for life. Trouble is, neither of them expected life to look like this. Charlie retired early, but Lucy is devoted to a long-term career . . . until the day she has no choice.  Forced to retire from her position as music educator in a small Midwestern K-8 school, Lucy can only watch helplessly as the program her father started years ago disintegrates before her eyes. As the music fades and a chasm separates her form the passion of her heart, Lucy wonders if her faith's song has gone silent, too. The musical score of her life seems to be missing all the notes.  When a simple misstep threatens to silence Lucy forever, a young boy and his soundless mother change the way she sees---and hears---everything.  Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1RAajD2

About The Author:  Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed in hope through award-winning novels, novellas, devotionals, nonfiction, and through speaking events for women and writers. She makes potato corn chowder for her husband of 43 years and loves on her three kids and five grandchildren. Cynthia recently retired from 33 years of writing and producing a daily radio broadcast called THE HEARTBEAT OF THE HOME, is past president of the 2,700-member American Christian Fiction Writers, and now serves as ACFW's Professional Relations Liaison, all while working on more book projects in addition to the fifteen already on the shelves. Her books have been honored with two Selah Awards, three Christian Retailing's BEST Awards, and awards from CAN Golden Scrolls and AWSA Golden Scrolls, as well as finalist and top honors in awards programs such as ACFW's Carol Awards, ForeWord Book Reviews Book of the Year, RT Reviews Book of the Year, Family Fiction's Book of the Year, Cascade Awards Book of the Year, and Inspirational Readers' Choice, among others. You can connect with her at www.cynthiaruchti.com, at www.facebook.com/cynthiaruchtireaderpage, at www.twitter.com/cynthiaruchti, or in the kitchen, brewing herself another cup of tea.

My Thoughts On The Book:  I have read Cynthia Ruchti before and enjoyed the book I read.  I struggled with this one in the beginning and could not seem to become involved with the story line.  Once I made it past the slow start I fell in love with the characters and the story.  It was a lovely book and the story was filled with so much encouragement for overcoming adversities in our lives.  I related to Lucy as a musician, teacher, and someone who has been riffed from a teaching job.  I understood her devastation at being in a place she had not planned to be, yet and losing her song.  It was such a touching and powerful story.  If you read this book please don't give up on it if it is slow going in the beginning.  I promise you the greatest gift can be found within the pages of Song of Silence.  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publishing and Abbingdon Press as part of their Blogging Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!