Scent of Triumph by Jan Moran Book Review

Our resident book and novel expert, Ashleigh Ray, received an advance copy of Jan Moran's latest book, Scent of Triumph, which was released on March 31. After reading the book from cover to cover, find out the scoop on whether Ashleigh thinks this book from Moran's collection is worth the read.

Overall Assessment: Overall, Scent of Triumph is an enjoyable book despite a few style preferences and choices made purposefully by the author. Moran created a story that captivates the reader. However underneath a more skeptical eye, the novel’s flaws will appear. 3 out of 5 stars to anyone who enjoys dramatic romance and historical fiction.  

 

The plot of Scent of Triumph is engaging within the first few pages, drawing the reader in with the hint of romance in the midst of war. The events of the story take place during World War II after the Nazis invaded Poland -- strategically placing this novel under the label of historical fiction. While not usually the one to read historical fiction -- as it usually buries the reader beneath facts and dates that they could care less about, this story made us reconsider our stance against the genre. Moran made us interested in the lives of her characters. She had us rooting for their safety and for their happiness. Within the first few pages, we were ready to commit ourselves to the romance and drama of Danielle Bretancourt’s life.  

Despite much praise, beware as the style of this book may catch you off guard. 

The first line alone gave such an air of pretension that we had to put it down -- only to pick it back up to re-engage in more pretentious tones given off by the narrator. For the reader, this pretension may be derived from the overly dramatized tone and longer-than-necessary descriptions. This tone evens out as the story goes on, but the author still tends to over-describe the settings in her stories. Sometimes brevity is best. Some readers appreciate a nice balance between what the writer tells them and what they are allowed to imagine for themselves. Unfortunately, Moran dissolves the fun, leaving little to the imagination. However, we understand that this is only a matter of personal taste.

Another slight but looming issue comes from the main character. Despite Danielle’s virtues and talents, she seemed almost too perfect. She is the ideal woman living a charmed life. This is reinforced by the fact that she never really has to deal with the difficult situations in her life; instead, something convenient occurs to draw her away from the difficulty.  This is a common theme with writers. 

Whenever the author finds his or herself in a difficult plot line, he/she writes themselves out of it, rather than riding out the tension and seeing what comes of it. I think that Danielle would have been a much stronger character had she been given the chance to grow in these situations.

Other than these minor flaws, this book comes just in time for the summer -- heading the warmer weather with an enjoyable romance laced with historical fiction. We rate this novel 3 out of 5. 

 

 

Amazon Burning by Victoria Griffith Book Review

Our resident book and novel expert, Ashleigh Ray, received an advance copy of award-winning author, Victoria Griffith's latest book, Amazon Burning, which comes out later this month. After reading the book from cover to cover, find out the scoop on whether Ashleigh thinks this next book from Griffith's collection is worth the read.

Overall Assessment: Amazon Burning is a great book for an afternoon read. 3.5 out of 5 stars for an enjoyable, fun and easy read with definite strong moments.

Amazon Burning focuses on the main character, Emma Cohen, and her journey to redeem herself in the journalism world by writing a news-breaking story during a trip to the Amazon with her father, Mike. Throughout the story she attempts to juggle her relationship with Jimmy, an attractive photographer friend of her fathers and her desire to unlock the truth behind the death of Milton Silva, a environmentalist who was murdered in cold blood. 

Although this book is promoted under the young adult genre, I would give this book a rating of NC-17 (no preteens or young teens allowed) for the involvement of sexual content.

This book delivers in its intent to grasp the reader and throw them into an adventure in the Amazon. The interspersion of Spanish dialogue and the inclusion of different animal and foliage species definitely add to the overall immersion of the reader into this strange yet interesting world. The characters make the story interesting. Each character has their own individual voice and personality. To the reader, their interactions and their conversations are believable. Also, the chemistry between Emma and Jimmy seems very natura and not forced in anyway. They complement each other, and the author did a good job in drawing out their relationship.The characters bring the story to life by adding another dimension of reality to the piece. 

However, the story is more than the characters; it is also the mystery and detective journalism surrounding the corruption in the Amazon. 

After the first few chapters, you will find yourself already guessing and trying to figure out “who dun it.” 

There is a strong element of suspense in this piece despite the clichés and the predictability of some of the events. The abrupt cliffhangers at the end of most chapters will throw you off a bit, but only because it felt as though the author was trying to force the suspense on the reader. It takes a few chapters to move past the initial reluctance, but overall you will be glad you did. Moreover, there are a couple of convenient scenes in the story that seem a bit too coincidental to be seen as a real situation, but not enough to completely take you out of the moment.

Victoria Griffith did a good job with this novel. It is enjoyable but probably for only a one time read. It’s good for a nice afternoon if you’re looking for something easy and entertaining, something that’ll hold your attention for the moment and keep you guessing until the very end. This book rates a 3.5 out of 5.

Single Ladies Inspiration - Waiting for Greatness

I'm actually super excited to write this blog post...migraine and all.  Right now I'm propped up on my couch, with Hollywood Exes playing in the background on my TV with a fresh mug of my favorite Starbucks Tazo chai tea. All in all, I really felt like this was so important to write because so many women settle for the wrong man...thinking that God has forgotten about them, or maybe that it's "taking too long" for them to get settled down as they look around and see their friends getting hitched and starting a family one by one.

Anyways, I was recently given the assignment for a website that I write for, Believe.com, to write a review on the book Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. They only gave me 5 days to read the book and to write the review!  I was completely freaked out and pissed...because for one, I have a full-time job and two, I just don't have the time to read as much as I used to...for a 5 day turn around!  So, I picked the book up from Barnes and Nobles only to discover that the book was approximately 450+ pages long! *GROAN!*

Low and behold....I was blessed BEYOND MEASURE by reading this book and finished it in 2 days. I literally could not put the book down.

As a 30 year old Christian single woman, it can be easy sometimes to fall victim to society's pressures of "You're supposed to be married and have children by this age...." and yada yada yada.  I've been single for 2 years now and I'm like every other single woman out there that wants to love and be loved.  BUT...in my quest for a God-fearing Christian man, I'm not settling and definitely not desperate. I sometimes wonder "Is there really someone out there for me?  Is there really a guy out there with the same values as me? Does a man who loves God with all of his heart really exist? When will God deliver me my husband?"

Well after reading this book, I am so encouraged that just as God pursues us, so will my husband-to-be.  This book re-tells the bible story of Gomer and Hosea.  In the book, Gomer is likened to Angel, a prostitute who has been through many challenges in life and who feels unworthy of any man's love. She's only used to men wanting her for that one thing and is hardened to men because of that.  Hosea is Michael Hosea in the book...a man who looked at Angel walking in the street one time, and knew that she was his wife. He was a Christian man; well known and respected in the community but risked it all...to pursue a prostitute who God put on his heart as his wife.

After catching just a glimpse of Angel, Michael pursued and pursued Angel...knowing that this is the woman that God wanted him to marry.  Many times Angel strayed away but he loved her nonetheless, praying to God that she will seek after Him.  Angel wasn't perfect...she was known in town as the best prostitute on the block...but Michael loved her through all of her imperfections and led her spiritually to God.

~He who finds a wife, finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22~

There are many lessons in this book--self-forgiveness, redemption, God's pursuit after us, restoration.  But the theme of what it truly means as a woman to have a man of God love us with all of his heart--to cherish us and pursue us, to pray with us...to be there for us when we are weak and to lift us up spiritually was very comforting.

Could it be that I'm a hopeless romantic just entangled in a well-written love story?  Nah!  When it comes to relationships, I just always leave the outcome up to God...but reading this book at the most inopportune time and as my first assignment for Believe.com was not a coincidence.  God was speaking to me and reassuring me that he's got this one in the bag.

One of my senior leaders at church told me: "Hey Leah, just as you are preparing yourself for your husband...just know that somewhere...your husband is doing the same for you."

So if you're single...or maybe not single, just in a tough area in your current relationship...you're just wondering whether there really is a man out there for you.  One who's on fire for God, who goes to church and worships God for real and not for show...one who will look at you like the queen that you are...then definitely read this book.  It will have you encouraged and comforted in knowing that your patience in waiting is not in vain--it's all a part of God's plan.

Pic taken in Lihu'e, Kauai, Hawaii...I was really just overtaken by how beautiful everything was and how fortunate I was to be there

~Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31: 30~