A Stillness of Chimes

I just finished reading A Stillness of Chimes.  It is a Christian Fiction book.   Here is the description of the book by Amazon.com:


What if the pain of the past revealed an unknown sacrifice that changes everything?
When teacher Laura Gantt comes home to Prospect, Georgia to settle her recently-deceased mother’s household, the last thing she expects to encounter is a swirl of rumors about the father she lost to the lake twelve years ago—that he has reportedly been seen around town. Elliott Gantt’s body was never found and he was presumed dead.

Reeling from the sharp loss of a parent, Laura must now grapple with painful memories surrounding her father’s disappearance and the sense of abandonment she experienced after his death. Life-long friend and former beau Sean Halloran wants nothing more than to protect Laura from the far-fetched stories of Elliott’s resurrection and to care for her, but he has his own reasons, troubling echoes from his childhood, to put Elliott’s disappearance to rest.

Working together, Laura and Sean begin to uncover the truth, one mired in the wooded peaks and deep waters of the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Prospect. Can they fathom how many secrets the steep hills hold? With surprising facts revealed, will Laura be able to understand the sacrificial choices made that forever changed her life? And can love and a peace with God be rekindled in her heart after so much time has passed?


Sounds good right?  Wrong.  Here is my review:


When I saw the book description for A Stillness of Chimes, it looked like a book I would read and enjoy.  However, this book was not enjoyable.  It was like trying to walk through mud.  I had a hard time getting into the book, but I persevered. 

The story is about Laura, a teacher, coming home to clear out her recently deceased mother's house.  She returns to hear rumors that her Father, who died twelve years previously, might still be alive.  There is also a best friend, best friend's little sister, and her ex-boyfriend (who wants to get rid of the ex part). If that is not enough, you have a violent man, a woman with OCD and theft issues, and an affair.  The story just does not come across as believable.  The transitions between characters and scenes are bumpy.  When I started the second chapter, I thought I had opened the wrong book.  

I really wanted to like the book, but instead it was a chore to read A stillness of Chimes.

Please note that I was provided a free copy of this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.  Blogging for Books is a great site.  You get free books in exchange for your review.  If you love to read, please check them out. 


I also just finished Yarn over Murder by Maggie Sefton.  I will write a review of it soon.  Back to my chores.  Have a great weekend.


Kris

I'm Back

I am sorry that there have not been any posting for quite some time.  I have been ill and am just starting to feel more like myself.  I have Fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and a few other things.  Unfortunately for me, I am allergic to many narcotics.  I discovered this when Florida changed their narcotic laws.  I have, though, found a medication that helps, but you have to have a special doctor to prescribe it.  The medication is called Suboxone.  It is a wonderful medication.  It does not have the side-effects that you normally associate with narcotics.  Now that I can move about a little more, I am looking forward to getting back in my studio.

One thing has kept me sane during the last year and that it books!  I have got to read so many wonderful books.  I am currently reading:

Tempest in a Teapot (A Teapot Collector Mystery) by Amanda Cooper 

Here is the summary provided by Amazon.com:

Tucked away in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York is the charming town of Gracious Grove, where time moves slowly, gossip spreads quickly, and the scones are to die for…

When her fashionable Manhattan restaurant goes under, Sophie Taylor retreats to her grandmother’s cozy shop, Auntie Rose’s Victorian Teahouse, where serenity is steeped to perfection in one of her many antique teapots. The last thing Sophie expects is a bustling calendar of teahouse events, like her old friend Cissy Peterson’s upcoming bridal shower.

Not everyone is pleased with the bride-to-be’s choice of venue—like Cissy’s grandmother, who owns a competing establishment, La Belle Epoque, and has held a long-simmering grudge against Rose for stealing her beau sixty years ago. Tensions reach a boiling point when Cissy’s fiancé’s mother dies while sampling scones at La Belle Epoque. Now, to help her friend, Sophie will have to bag a killer before more of the guest list becomes a hit list…

I have just started reading the book today, but I am enjoying it.   I will let you know more when I am finished.

I just finished reading Ten Beach Road, Ocean Beach, and Christmas at the Beach by Wendy Wax.  I really enjoyed these stories.  They are about three women who lost all their money to a Ponzi scheme swindler, Malcom Dyer.  For partial restitution they received a mansion called Bella Flora in Passa-a-Grille, Florida (near St. Petersburg).  It is right on the beach, but in serious need of a renovation.  The story tell of how they get to know each other and remodel this beautiful home.  Madeline, Avery, and Nicole are the primary characters along with Kyra (Madeline's daughter) who gets pregnant by a married movie star.   The second book shows the ladies remodeling a home in Miami Beach and working on a remodeling show.  Ocean Beach was funny and delightful.  There is a very sad part at the end though.  Christmas at the Beach is a novella (meaning a very short story).  Short it is.  It is told through the viewpoint of Kyra.  Interesting viewpoint but way too short.  I am looking forward to the next book in this series, The House on Mermaid Point coming out on July 1.

I am going back to my cookie baking now and then off to read and relax.  I will be back again soon.

Happy Reading and Crafting,

Kris