Through Rushing Waters

"Through Rushing Water" was a great book! I thought the storyline was relatively novel, and the details of the characters and experiences throughout the book were well written. I enjoyed CatherineRichmond's  writing style.
Critiques: I felt that book began a little slowly. It started by describing Sophia and her life in the girls school she was working at. This information is important, but I didn't care for the romance/broken-heart beginning. However Richmond ties this story line back in at the end. Throughout the story there were several times that I was confused about what characters the author was referring to. Richmond often used nicknames or shortened versions of names without explaining whom they belonged to, combine that with having many Indian names throughout the book and occasionally the names got confusing, She also brought characters from the beginning in again at the end of the story (clever) but by the time I got to them I had forgotten them.
Praises: I enjoyed the character development of Sophia as she grew in her faith and also in her love for the impoverished. I thought Richmond expressed very well the struggles Sophia had and how she grew from them. I also liked the character of Sophia, who was the strong-willed and independent main character. Will was also an enjoyable character, who was written in such a way that made him easy to connect with and easy to love. The other characters throughout the story gave contrast and color to the book. I was also surprised to find that I enjoyed the story line. I am not too much of a romance reader, but this book combined romance with love of the destitute and a struggle for justice with romance, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I would give this book a 4 out of 5 (I would give it a 4.5 but that isn't on the scale!) it was such an enjoyable story and I would encourage any woman (or man, but they don't typically read romance) to pick it up and fall in love with the characters.

Goodbye to Yesterday

Wanda E. Brunstetter has an interesting way of painting Amish life. I am not sure I believe that all of the aspects of the story are completely accurate, but I do enjoy a good love story now and then. Goodbye to Yesterday is the first in a six part story, and is only about 125 pages, however the story has the capability of grabbing your attention from the beginning and holding it through those pages. This part of the book ends on a cliff-hanger with one of the main character being beaten-up and the other praying for them. The story itself is about a husband and wife who have hit hard financial times. Because of this Luke (the husband) must travel to Indiana in order to learn a new occupation and return to his wife, Meredith. Meredith is expecting a child, but has not yet informed Luke of her suspicions. She is beginning to wonder if she should tell him now or upon his return. In those short 125 Brunstetter shows the love that the two share and also their pain as they are separated, for what is supposed to be only a short time.
I thought the story had a promising premise. I am not a huge fan of Fiction based on the lives of Amish people, and this one is similar to many others I have read, but the story is unique enough to hold your attention. I would give this book a rating of 3 out of 5. If you enjoy this genera then you will probably like this book, however I would not classify the book as a must read.

Darkness Rising, by: Lis Whiel

This book was very interesting. The second in the East Salem series I was intrigued to see how Whiel would continue the story that was so riveting. The second book in the series was just as exciting as the first, however the excitement came from a different place. The first book in this series has a "cop show" feel with a little bit of the spiritual realm mixed in. The second book had tons of spiritual warfare, demons and angels throughout the whole book and only a little CSI mixed in. I enjoyed both books, however I felt like Darkness Rising started out slow in the first few chapters. I felt like Whiel spent too long reintroducing characters, but that may be because I had read the first book and then immediately started the second book.
I would not recommend this book for anyone who cannot immerse themselves in the type of fiction dealing with the spiritual realm. I find that type of writing fascinating and often very enjoyable. If you are like me and enjoy that kind of story then this is a great book to pick up! A novel story about the end of the world and how the army of God is going to fight back. I enjoyed reading this book and will probably pick it up again in the future. I would rate the book 4/5 stars.