Rachelle J. Christensen

Romance, Suspense, Mystery Author

Book Review: Marrying Christopher by Michele Paige Holmes

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I’m a fan of Holmes’s writing–she is an excellent spinner of romantic tales that are clean, sweet, and have the ability to take you away to another time and place.

First of all, isn’t this cover lovely? I think it portrays the story nicely and really made me want to find out who Christopher was. I haven’t read the other books in this series, but I didn’t feel lost. I thought the intro part was a tad slow because the blanks were being filled in, but it’s hard to do another way with a stand-alone series type of book, so I was excited to get into the meat of the story.

Michele Paige Holmes is talented at drawing up characters who have such incredible personas. I loved the strength of Marsali’s character, and the way Christopher was so kind from the very beginning. I also love when a character does something unexpected, like when we first meet Lady Cosgrove’s daughter.

The setting is definitely unique, aboard one of the first steam ships to cross the Atlantic!

There are many wonderful romantic moments in this book that will have you speed-reading to find out what happens to Marsali and Christopher. I’m excited to read the other books in the Hearthfire series, Saving Grace and Loving Helen.

Here’s more about the book:

Having seen both his sisters Grace and Helen happily married, Christopher Thatcher is free to pursue his dream of life in America. With adventure in his heart and mind, he boards one of the first steamships set to cross the Atlantic in the record breaking time of only twenty-five days. Within the first two of those, his resolve—to avoid women and the complications they often bring to a man’s life—falters when he meets Marsali Abbott, a young woman with a past even more troubling than his own. Whether from years of habit protecting his sisters, or simply because he feels drawn to Marsali, Christopher chooses to help her and becomes her friend. As the truth about what awaits Marsali in America becomes evident, he is faced with a more difficult choice, one that will impact their lives far beyond four weeks together at sea.

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Book Review: I Hope They Call Me on a Mission by Benjamin Hyrum White

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

This book is directed towards members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I belong to this church and missionary work is very important to us. We love sharing the gospel, especially the concept of eternal families which is so vital to my purpose here on earth–keeps me going when I’m getting lost under dirty diapers and dishes!

This is a darling book and excellent conversation starter. There is a ton of information included in I Hope They Call Me On A Mission! It covers basic gospel principles and also what a missionary does to share the gospel, work, and serve on their mission. It does get a little lengthy and wordy for the young (6 and under) reader/listener. My kids are my test audience and I could read to them all day, but my 6yo got a little tired just before the end of the book. I recommend reading this book in two sittings if you have young readers. I think it is ideal for 7 and up which is likely the target market because that age group can grasp more of the concepts discussed. My almost 10 year old picked it up. She loves to read and still indulges in picture books and she enjoyed it. This would be an excellent Family Home Evening lesson, gift, and teaching opportunity.

Here’s more about the book:

It’s never too young to prepare! This charmingly illustrated picture book teaches children what it’s like to be a missionary, from riding a bike to studying the gospel to having a companion, and everything they can do now to be ready so that when the time comes, they’ll be the best missionaries they can be. Colorful and cute, it’s a perfect gift for baptisms and birthdays.

Other books you may enjoy:

10 Questions to Answer While Preparing for a Mission   

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Book Review: The Moses Chronicles: Bondage by H.B. Moore

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Today I’m sharing a book by one of my favorite authors, Heather Moore or H.B. Moore.

Heather Moore writes historical fiction as well as novels and I love her writing style! In this rendition of the Moses story found in the Bible, Heather has brought the early era of Moses to life in a story that you won’t want to miss. The story focuses on his sister Miriam and the watchful eye she has kept on the baby brother she sent down the river eighteen years before. We see how the Hebrew slaves lived and what a miracle it was that Moses grew up right under the pharaoh’s nose.

Moore’s knowledge of Biblical times enlightens the reader by showing how the setting in which Moses lived was such a dichotomy to his Hebrew heritage. Reading this made me think so much deeper about the story of Moses found in Exodus. For Moses to eventually turn his back on a life of royal luxury shows his depth of character and I can’t wait to read more in the second volume of the Moses Chronicles.

I highly recommend this book because it is an engaging story with suspense, romance, and truth from its biblical roots conveyed in a way that made me feel a connection to a story that is thousands of years old.

Here’s more about the book:

Moses has always felt like an outsider in his powerful Egyptian family, even though his close relationship with Ramses, the prince of Egypt, and their cousin Pentu keeps him entwined in the dealings of royalty. But when their youthful antics get them in trouble, the Pharaoh decides it’s time for all three of them to grow up and own their respective responsibilities. Now betrothed to a woman he cares nothing for, Moses wonders where his life is headed. 

Miriam, a Hebrew slave, lives with a secret she cannot share with anyone. And though it has been eighteen years since she saved her baby brother, she is constantly getting in trouble for spying on him. In a desperate attempt to control Miriam, her older brother, Aaron, and her father look to find her a husband, something Miriam has never been interested in—until Caleb, a young, handsome man, confesses his feelings for her and asks her father for her hand in marriage.   

When Libya advances on Egypt, Moses and Miriam are suddenly thrown together as the Egyptian royals and soldiers flee. Hebrew slaves are forced to defend the kingdom, and Miriam and Caleb are enlisted under Moses’s direction. Moses quickly sees there is more to this downtrodden people than what he’s been taught. When he witnesses the atrocities enacted against the slaves, he realizes he must leave—he must find out who he really is.  

A gripping account of the events that led to Moses’s flight into the wilderness, The Moses Chronicles: Bondage will take you back back to a rich period of history replete with scandal, strife, love, and hope as God prepares a prophet to lead His chosen people.  

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Book Review: Sheep’s Clothing by Josi S. Kilpack

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I love books—that’s pretty obvious and because of this adoration, I have burgeoning bookshelves. I tend to categorize my books by those I could never part with, those I want to read again, books which contain lessons for my kids, etc. Any excuse I can come up with to tell my bookshelf, “Just one more, we’ll squeeze it in right here!”
I do part with some books by donating them to my library which makes me feel a little bit better, almost like an open adoption in which case I may see them again. I cannot part with any of Josi Kilpack’s books.
Sheep’s Clothing fits the bill for all of my excuses to keep a book, but I specifically put a note to have my daughters read it when they reach adolescence. Kilpack covers the extremely timely and important issue of socializing on the internet and some of the consequences which do happen with internet predators.
Every parent should read this and talk to their kids about social networking, chatting, internet stalking, and how easy it is to assume a false identity on the internet. I especially liked Sheep’s Clothing because Kilpack took a good girl, Jess, and showed how she got into trouble. It wasn’t because Jess was necessarily rebellious or acting out, the internet predator found an opportunity and capitalized on it.
If you have a teenager, I would suggest having them read the book as it is appropriate for the young adult age group as well and would give them a first hand experience into the dangers which can lurk on the internet. Sometimes we can tell our kids something a hundred-thousand times, but until they can get a taste for what we’re talking about they won’t take us seriously. This is why Sheep’s Clothing is a great book to keep on your shelves for the whole family.
Not only is it a great teaching tool, but this is a riveting story which will keep you turning the pages as fast you can!

Here’s more about the book:

Six children keep Kate Thompson busy. Her oldest daughter, Jess, is almost sixteen and acting the part–something Kate had hoped to avoid. Yet, she’s quick to remind herself that it could be so much worse. Besides, there are more important things to worry about than adolescent moodiness, like convincing her husband that they’re ready for one more baby.

Jess gave up competing for attention at home a long time ago. But now, even her best friend doesn’t seem to have time for her. Then Jess meets Emily online. Unlike everyone else in Jess’s life, she can talk to Emily about anything. Emily understands her. Emily listens.

When the unthinkable happens, and Jess disappears, Brad and Kate Thompson realize that they missed something–something big. How could this happen in their home? To their daughter? Most important, will Jess ever come home again?

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Book Review: Power of the Matchmaker

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Each novel stands alone in the Power of the Matchmaker series, but incorporates a gifted matchmaker. And all of these books are clean reads! You can pick them up without worrying about content. You can read the novella now or any time between the novels. I highly recommend the novella.

This beautiful novella packed a powerfully moving story in a short form. I was happily surprised at the emotional depth in this story. Heather is a master storyteller! I loved the setting of China moving through the ages that brought this story to life. I’m so impressed at the fine details she incorporates in such a way that immerses the reader in the story.

If the rest of the novels in this series are even close to this good, I know I’ll be in for a decadent reading treat!

Here’s more about the book:

A prequel novella to the POWER OF THE MATCHMAKER Series

Mystical . . . Beautiful . . . Romantic . . .

Read the matchmaker’s story to find out where it all starts . . .

Mae Li has been in love with Chen Zhu for years, and he with her. But when the matchmaker arrives at the Zhu family home, she recommends another village girl for Chen.

Heartbroken, Mae Li watches as Chen does his duty by marrying another. Mae flees her village with the clothes on her back and her only possession-a pearl embedded comb, given to her as a goodbye gift from Chen Zhu.

Upon Mae’s arrival in Shanghai, she quickly learns that she’ll starve within days unless she sells her prized comb or joins a courtesan house. She goes to the Huangpu River and promises the River God that she’ll always be selfless if he will save her from becoming a prostitute. There isn’t anything wrong with being one, or in being an escort (like those on https://www.escortdirectory.com/escorts-dusseldorf-196), but it is not a path she wishes to take. . . Her wish is granted when Ms. Tan, the matchmaker of Shanghai, finds Mae. But Mae must completely change her future and her name if she is to become the next matchmaker.

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Book Review: A Generation Rising (Fire and Steel Book 1) by Gerald N. Lund

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

This book is well-researched and full of incredible facts from the time of the first World War. The storyline is indicative of Lund’s talents as he creates characters that we are compelled to care for. That said, I need to warn you that this book is the epitome of historical fiction. There is a lot of historical facts woven into the story and sometimes it felt a little bit text bookish. Sometimes the characters would spout off essays about historical facts, figures, and landmarks that although Lund worked to interweave, it still felt like an information dump at times. That said, I’m really grateful that I have the opportunity to read and review so many books, in some cases it stretches me and encourages me to give books more of a chance than I would have otherwise. That’s how I feel about Fire & Steel: A Generation Rising. I’m glad that I kept reading because it gave me a great appreciation for that time of history and what real people went through who lived at the time.

Here’s more about the book:

The strongest steel is forged in the hottest flames. From master storyteller Gerald N. Lund comes a new blockbuster series chronicling the lives of two families who will face some of the most turbulent times in history, living in Germany at the onset of WWI, as they are tried to their very cores. Will they be tempered and strengthened by the hammering blows, will they bend to the point of breaking, or will they completely shatter?

From master storyteller Gerald N. Lund comes the next blockbuster historical fiction series, Fire and Steel, blending the powerful stories of two families on different continents. While their circumstances are as divergent as their geography, each family must cope with trials that test their courage and fortitude. Spanning more than sixty years, the series follows a German family and an American family through some of the most turbulent times in history, including World War I, the Great Depression, the rise of Nazi Germany, and the Second World War with its devastating aftermath.

In volume one, A Generation Rising, life could not be more promising for the Eckhardts. They finally have a son, Hans Otto Eckhardt—the male heir they have longed for and a child of such brilliance and promise that his success seems certain. But as youthful Hans’s ambition takes him away from his family and their small Bavarian village, the winds of unrest in Europe are about to erupt into the greatest war the world has ever known.
United by their determination to weather the storms of life together with their loved ones, the Eckhardts are destined to ultimately cross paths with an American family and become inextricably intertwined in the newest series.

Other books you may enjoy:

The Kingdom and the Crown: The Complete Series by [Lund, Gerald N.]   

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