Rebel Book Reviews

The Reluctant Duchess by Roseanna M. White (Bethany House 2016) Roseanna M. White first brought readers into the world of The Ladies of the Manor with her book The Lost Heiress . I found myself captivated by this book and did not think another would pull me into a story as deeply as that one did. Boy, was I wrong. The Reluctant Duchess was by far even better than the first book of the series. Maybe it was my penchant for all things Scottish, since my own ancestors had escaped the clearances and came to America. Maybe it was my love for a heroine who defied the odds and had more spunk to her than many others. Maybe it was for a hero that reminded me in many ways of Georgette Heyer's Sylvester. What ever it may have been, The Reluctant Duchess caught me in its grasp and held on until I finished the last word, and confirmed my suspicions about who would next receive the Fire Eyes. This is an era that isn't readily available in most historical novels and Ros...

Counted With the Stars by Connilyn Cossette (Bethany House 2016) There are countless books that tell the stories of ancient times: walking with Jesus or Moses, traveling with Abraham or Peter, or even the earliest mentions of Israel. But very few tell the tale from a different perspective.  Connilyn Cossette's Counted With the Stars shows the world the rich history and wondrous miracles of Yahweh, the Hebrew's God, through the eyes of a mistress-turned-slave Egyptian woman. The reader experiences the hardship of slavery under an Egyptian merchant's household. We walk the life during the plagues and feel her confusion about this unknown God. Her doubt and fears are weaved through her longing to belong to someone, to something.     As you follow along in Kiya's life, you start to understand that her friend, Shira, was right: Yahweh was preparing Kiya for something special. She is pulled in many directions, but finds herself being lulled by the unab...

Of Moose and Men by Torry Martin and Doug Peterson (Harvest House 2016) I didn't know anything about this author. It was the cover and title that captured my attention. And boy, am I glad I received the chance to read this book. With a lighthearted and self-depreciating humor, I found myself giggling and most times laughing out loud--loud enough to wake my sleeping cat that hogged my side of the bed. Between the humor and words of wisdom, each chapter contained a story that was more relevant to a Christian in any walk of life no matter if we're from Alaska or not. I could visualize each scene and at times predict what would happen. And that made it an even merrier read. This book doesn't give black-n-white stories. It is chocked full of tie-dyed testimonies. Poignant reminders of Biblical truths that a reader is sure to highlight brings to light a refreshing and real look at life. God doesn't want perfect people. He wants us. And Torry Martin reit...