Carole J. (PianoLady357) reviewed on 1/16/2019 + 109 more book reviews

The End Begins by Sara Davison is a gripping, suspenseful, and compelling story, one that is relevant for today's times. I'm not usually a fan of suspense and rarely read end-times literature, but this story is very moving and thought provoking. There are some unexpected twists and turns, and nothing is easily predictable.

The setting is in Canada, approximately 35 years into the future. The tables are turned and supposedly a radical Christian group has been bombing mosques, resulting in hatred of Christianity, the imposition of martial law, and the placing of severe restrictions on personal freedoms. As one of the first laws is put into place â the confiscation of Bibles because they are deemed to be hate literature â two unlikely friends begin a growing relationship. Devout Christian Meryn O'Reilly owns a bookstore that carries Bibles and other Christian literature, and Jesse Christensen is part of the military that is enforcing those laws.

I enjoyed the developing relationship between Meryn and Jesse, especially Meryn's testimony and witness. There's also an uncomfortable realism to this story, with some element of torture and the threat of sexual assault.

For me, the greatest significance about The End Begins is that it both challenges and encourages our faith, forcing me to ask if government opposition to Christianity is actually such a far-fetched idea. Do I take my Bible for granted? Treasure, study and memorize God's Word like I should? How courageous would I be under threat of real persecution? On the other hand, God's sovereignty shines in this book, reminding that He is in control no matter the circumstances around us.

Recommended.

I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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LuAnn O. (famousfluff) reviewed on 1/16/2019 + 51 more book reviews

A fun, quick book for learning about some events and characters in Grand Canyon history.

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Gery B. (ChezGery) reviewed on 1/16/2019 + 69 more book reviews

The plot is superb, chilly, deceptive and lucid. In a small town, Fjallbacka Sweden, a successful biographer Erica Falck no sooner returns to her small town to make a chilling discovery - her childhood best friend Alex, wrists slashed, frozen in her bathtub. It didn't make sense. Alex had everything going for her, successful, self-assured or was she? From here on the story evolves with page turning suspense, doubt and intrigue as the whole scene of Alex's death takes one turn after another.The plot is superb. A book you can't put down.

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Barbara E. reviewed on 1/16/2019

Great read in the continuing series. Highly recommend.

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Loraine N. (momrain) reviewed on 1/16/2019 + 150 more book reviews

This is the debut novel in a different genre for this author. Excellent job. I loved the page turning suspense and the push-pull of the romance. Beth Greenwood was just doing her job but it put her in danger and to top it off, Corbin, the attractive co-worker, suspects her of criminal dealings. I liked that Beth was smart and determined to do the right thing. Poor Corbin. He was attracted to Beth even though he believed she was a criminal. He too, was determined to do the right thing and it put the two at cross purposes much of the time. They spend most of the story on the run which kept me turning the pages. Would they get to safety? Who was after them?

I received this book complimentary as a participant of the Prism Book Tour. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed here are my own.

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Molly E. (Buuklvr81) reviewed on 1/16/2019 + 43 more book reviews

*This is a re-read for me, but my first review of the books*

A stellar novel of angst, suspense, blood sucking and romance when you least expect!

J.R. Ward is a phenomenal story teller. She pulled me from page one, and held me captive with Wrath's angst and pain, and with Mary's confusion and love. These characters weren't just created....they were molded into beautiful creatures of the night, and woven into the story line in just the right way.

This story of pain, unexpected love, sorrow and confusion is one that will sit with the reader long after the last page is turn. The Brotherhood is family now, and I look forward to continuing the journeys of each Brother's love story.

Definitely recommended with the highest of 5 stars!

*This book was purchased by me, for my personal collection. All opinions, negative or positive are solely my own.*

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Bonnie A. (ladycholla) - , reviewed on 1/16/2019 + 1956 more book reviews

My husband is enjoying this series very much. He's never been much of a reader, but these are enjoyable for him.

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William K. (bdog59) - , reviewed on 1/16/2019 + 34 more book reviews

Great read, ejoyed it very much . Tess Gerritsen is an excellent writer. if you like thrillers this is the book for you.

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Eadie B. (eadieburke) reviewed on 1/16/2019 + 852 more book reviews

Just finished reading this book. I enjoyed it but the ending was strange. I think Jeffrey Archer is a great storyteller, his characters have substance, his plots are twisty and are a mix of power, politics and profit. I looked to see what others thought of the ending. I also found out that this book may be a retelling of Kane and Able and Where The Crow Flies, two books previously written by Archer. I haven't read those books but some readers are angry of the book not advertised as such. How would you feel?

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Jack H. (lovepackers) - , reviewed on 1/16/2019

very good

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Lauri L. (Need-2-Read) reviewed on 1/16/2019 + 4 more book reviews

A well thought out, twisted plot! A page turner that will have you on the edge of your seat. I can't wait to read Mary Kubica's next book!!

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Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on 1/15/2019 + 1251 more book reviews

A very interesting account of the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest battle of World War II, from the other side. I've read heavily in this area, but always from the side of the Allies---British and American. This book filled in many gaps in my knowledge.

I was particularly interested in the German submarine attack at Scapa Flow, early in the war. Most other account mention it briefly, but this account was in detail regarding the actions of the German submarine.

Plus, the books covers the anti-submarine tactics and technical efforts from the Allied side, so it can also discuss the anti-anti-submarine efforts from the German side, something that is often missing in other accounts.

The first few chapters cover the submarine war in World War I from the German side. I didn't think these were interesting, until later in the book when the author showed he needed them to discuss why the Germans did what they did in World War II.

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jjares reviewed on 1/15/2019 + 1341 more book reviews

An absolute delight that I now understand what Wodehouse was aiming for in this series (after watching Fry and Laurie on PBS a few years back). This is just good, clean fun with a bumbling aristocrat and his savvy gentleman's gentleman.

It is obvious that the reader understands that Bertie Wooster will land on his feet, with the help of his butler. With Wodehouse, it is the manner of the trip, rather than the ending, that is so much fun.

However, this novel is a bit different. Jeeves has gone on his annual vacation, only to be brought back when Bertie and his friends start to sink. Bertie is shocked to find himself engaged to the redheaded Miss Bobbie Wickham -- through no fault of his own. Bobbie explains that her mother is so very opposed to her marrying such a pitiful example of humanity as Bertie, that (said) mother will be in raptures to find that she is marrying anyone else. However, the way of love never runs smoothly, especially in Wodehouse books. Enjoy.

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Elizabeth R. (esjro) - , reviewed on 1/15/2019 + 591 more book reviews

This is a debut novel by a member of Tears for Fears. Apparently he is not one of the two people who are always on the Tears for Fears album covers (Roland and I forget the other guy's name), so I'm not sure exactly who he is.

This book was a bit cheesy but entertaining enough. A cat is harmed in a pretty grisly way, so if that bothers you, stay away.

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Joann C. (joluvsamystery) reviewed on 1/15/2019 + 51 more book reviews

Stories about WWII are so interesting. I enjoyed reading about Pino and his family (likeable characters). It is supposed to be a true account of Pino's life during the war. Like most war stories it is sad and tragic, but at the same time inspiring (such bravery).

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Joann C. (joluvsamystery) reviewed on 1/15/2019 + 51 more book reviews

Goodness, how I hated this book! Sometimes I buy a book because of all the good reviews on Amazon and I don't like to read the one star reviews because of spoilers. How I wish I had read the bad reviews on this book. I can agree with all of the one star reviews. Again, I HATED IT!. SPOILERS-------- Think Christine Blasey Ford's testimony. Also, you will need to really love hockey to even remotely enjoy this book.

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Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 1/15/2019 + 703 more book reviews

This is basically a coming-of-age story of two young Irish Catholic girls living in the poverty of rural Ireland in the 1950s. Caithleen, the narrator of the story, has a love/hate relationship with her friend Baba and wants desperately to get out of a dysfunctional family with an abusive father. Eventually, she and Baba go to a Catholic convent school that is even more oppressive. To get out of the school, they write an obscene letter about one of the nuns and leave it where it will be found. They are expelled and sent home where Caithleen's furious father strikes her across the face. The girls then decide to move to Dublin to get away from the oppressive environment. Baba goes to school and Caithleen works in a store to get by. While there, they go out and to drink and dance and try to meet an eligible man with money. Caithleen already has an older married man from home interested in her and hopes to go off with him and live life happily. But of course, things don't always work out that way.

This was a rather short novel that I read in a couple of sittings. It is also the first of a trilogy that continues the stories of the two young women. The writing was crisp and the dialog was interesting. There were a few things in the novel that I had to look up such as gym frock which is a sleeveless tunic with a pleated skirt worn by young school girls in Britain. I did enjoy this novel but not sure if I will seek out the others in the trilogy.

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mimsi reviewed on 1/15/2019 + 45 more book reviews

Good start for guidance.

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mimsi reviewed on 1/15/2019 + 45 more book reviews

Good Recourse for Parents

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mimsi reviewed on 1/15/2019 + 45 more book reviews

Good Resource for Parents

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mimsi reviewed on 1/15/2019 + 45 more book reviews

Good Resource for Parents.

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Regina (virgosun) - , reviewed on 1/15/2019 + 604 more book reviews

I loved, loved, loved, Paul's efforts to redeem himself. He was a sensitive guy who hid behind a rogue's facade, trying to hide his painful childhood, his mistakes and regrets, the estrangement of his best friends. And Daphne was the perfect foil to his flaws who believed utterly in the good soul he didn't know he had. A romantic and emotional tale that reminds me yet again of the healing love can bring. 4 stars.

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Robert F. reviewed on 1/15/2019

A fun book to read with or to kids.

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jjares reviewed on 1/15/2019 + 1341 more book reviews

Serial killers do their work over long periods of time, usually. Thus, the heinousness of their multiple crimes is spread out over such a long time that much of it is lost to the casual reader or tv viewer.

However, the two journalists who wrote this book tell the story from the beginning to the end and offer the reader the full sequence of the awful tale known as the Bike Path Killer. There are 16 pages of photos, to help put a face to all the names included in this story.

This is the first true crime book I've read in probably 50 years and it kept my attention throughout. I thought there was a bit of repetition but decided that it was to help keep the characters separate -- there were many, many names in this book.

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Evan M. reviewed on 1/15/2019

This book read like an advertisement to me. There were lots of unsourced, unscientific-seeming statements about the benefits of traditionally-harvested sea salt.

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